In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour welcomes long-time friend and technology leader Paul Gustavson. The duo discusses Paul's latest book, 'Face The Mountain,' exploring its theme of resilience through inspiring personal stories and practical advice. 

Paul shares his near-death experience on Mount Princeton, which shaped his views on life's challenges and the importance of courage, competence, and compassion. 

The episode dives deep into the measures of resilience, the five levels of belief, and how leaders can navigate the toughest challenges while developing themselves and their teams. For a thought-provoking conversation on leadership, faith, and personal growth, tune in to this insightful episode.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through [email protected] to share your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to cover in the future.

You can find Face the Mountain here. 

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour discusses effective strategies for recruiting and closing top talent. Drawing insights from his book 'Quit Losing Talent,' Mike delves into the crucial steps for transforming candidates into committed team members. 

The episode highlights the importance of negotiating with clarity and purpose, inspiring candidates through vision, and maintaining a positive relationship even with those not chosen. 

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through [email protected] to share your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to cover in the future.

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour delves into the essential leadership principle of leading by example. 

He shares personal anecdotes from his career, including a pivotal experience during his Army days that taught him the importance of aligning actions with expectations. 

Mike explores how behaviors communicate values to teams, the significance of self-leadership in building trust and accountability, and provides actionable steps for leaders to embody the values they wish to see in their teams. 

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through [email protected] to share your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to cover in the future.

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour delves into the crucial aspect of hiring the right people to build elite teams. Emphasizing that hiring for personality traits and values fit is more important than skills alone.

Mike discusses how qualities like conscientiousness, emotional stability, and openness contribute to a successful team. 

He provides practical advice on aligning hiring practices with organizational values to reduce turnover, enhance engagement, and improve overall team performance. The episode offers leaders actionable insights and strategies to refine their approach to hiring, ensuring a better cultural fit and fostering high-performing teams.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through [email protected] to share your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to cover in the future.

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour delves into the critical topic of workplace toxicity and how leaders can strategically address it. He highlights the importance of identifying toxic behaviors early and provides actionable strategies to confront and eliminate these behaviors effectively. 

Key points include the hidden costs of workplace toxicity, recognizing subtle signs before they escalate, and fostering a zero-tolerance culture. Mike emphasizes the role of leaders in creating supportive environments where all team members can thrive. He also references his book 'Quit Losing Talent' as an additional resource for tools and strategies in building elite teams and maintaining a positive workplace culture.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through [email protected] to share your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to cover in the future.

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour sits down with Andrew Thompson, author of 'A High-Performing Mind.' 

They discuss the significance of mindset in personal and professional development. Andrew shares his experiences as a former professional athlete and a survivor of a rare illness, highlighting how mindset played a crucial role in his recovery and success. 

The conversation touches on the importance of clear goals, resilience, and turning weaknesses into strengths. Andrew also provides practical insights and actionable steps from his book to help individuals boost their performance and lead effectively.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through [email protected] to share your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to cover in the future.

Learn more about Andrew and his book here.

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour delves into the foundational element of leadership: mindset. 

He discusses how a leader’s mindset shapes their approach to challenges, team engagement, and overall organizational success. Mike emphasizes the importance of building a shared vision and the power of belief in driving behavioral change. 

Through practical steps and real-life examples, he illustrates how leaders can foster a culture that empowers teams and promotes a mindset of possibilities. Tune in for actionable insights on transforming your leadership mindset and that of your team to achieve elite leadership.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through [email protected] to share your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to cover in the future.

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour sits down with Lindsay Ellis, author of 'Beyond the Ordinary Leader.' 

Lindsay shares her journey from human resources to marketing leadership and discusses the importance of mentorship, introspection, and self-care in leadership. She provides insights into overcoming poor leadership experiences and highlights the significance of cultivating success in others. 

Tune in for valuable lessons on developing extraordinary leadership skills and creating a lasting legacy!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through: [email protected] to let him know your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to speak on in the future.

You can learn more about Lindsay and her book here.

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour dives into the art of tactical praise, outlining how leaders can use it to enhance team loyalty and motivation. 

He emphasizes the importance of specific, genuine praise, recognizing efforts as well as results, and balancing public and private recognition. Drawing from his book 'Quit Losing Talent,' Mike provides practical strategies for leaders to improve engagement and reduce turnover. 

Tune in for actionable insights on how to make your praise meaningful and foster a culture of appreciation within your team. 

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through: [email protected] to let him know your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to speak on in the future.

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour sits down with Brad Englert, author of Spheres of Influence.'

Brad discusses his career journey from Accenture partner to Chief Information Officer at the University of Texas at Austin. Diving into Brad's book, they focus on how leaders can develop influence and authentic business relationships. 

Mike and Brad discuss practical ways to build strong relationships with bosses, direct reports, and executive leaders, as well as differentiating between transactional and meaningful networking. 

Want to explore how to strategically and intentionally build strong, impactful relationships? Give this episode a listen!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through: [email protected] to let him know your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to speak on in the future.

You can learn more about Brad here.