What if the mark of extraordinary leadership isn't found in having all the answers, but in asking the right questions? This eye-opening episode distills powerful insights from recent conversations with leadership experts Gary Cohen, Scott Burgmeyer, and Joe Davis—revealing a leadership framework built on curiosity, development, and generosity.

Gary Cohen's journey from founding a company to growing it to 2,200 employees taught him a crucial lesson: leaders who constantly provide answers become organizational bottlenecks. The pivotal shift happens when leaders move from information-gathering to asking questions that empower others to think, act, and own solutions. This simple change transforms you from an answer-giver to a true multiplier, unleashing potential throughout your organization while satisfying people's fundamental needs for autonomy and recognition.

Scott Burgmeyer adds another dimension by emphasizing that leadership isn't just about leading today's business—it's about consciously building tomorrow's leaders. His powerful personal journey reminds us that often we can't "read the label from inside the jar"—sometimes others see leadership potential in us before we recognize it ourselves. The true measure of leadership becomes not just what you accomplish, but who you develop along the way.

Joe Davis completes this leadership trifecta with his concept of "generous leadership"—bringing vulnerability, authenticity, and genuine presence to your role. This approach isn't weakness; it's creating the psychological safety needed for teams to acknowledge mistakes, seek help, and collaborate effectively. Perhaps the most valuable gift? Your undivided attention—increasingly rare in our distracted world, yet precisely what makes people feel truly seen and valued.

These insights are further enriched by glimpses into our new Psychology and Leadership series, exploring how understanding the brain's functioning transforms leadership effectiveness. From the astonishing case of Phineas Gage to recognizing how our unconscious patterns influence decisions, these psychological insights help us lead with greater intention and empathy.

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Leadership transformed through the power of giving – this is the core of our conversation with Joe Davis, former head of North America for Boston Consulting Group and author of The Generous Leader. With 37 years of leadership experience, Davis challenges the old command-and-control model and shows how generosity unlocks greater outcomes. As he puts it, "Leadership isn't about yourself, but about unlocking the capabilities of those with whom you work."

His philosophy is built on seven pillars: connecting personally, listening generously, showing vulnerability, practicing inclusivity, serving as an ally, developing others, and recognizing contributions. Vulnerability, in particular, proves powerful. Davis notes, "I think 'I don't know' are three of the most powerful words any leader can use." Rather than weakening authority, honesty builds trust and sparks team creativity.

The discussion also turns practical with lessons on timely, specific feedback. Davis recalls failing early in his career by saving feedback until year-end reviews, learning instead that coaching must be ongoing. Whether you lead a team or an entire organization, this episode offers actionable ways to elevate your impact through generosity. Which of the seven will you focus on first?

🌐 Connect with Joe:
• Website: https://www.joedavis.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joedavis1313/

📚 You can purchase Joe's book on Amazon:
• The Generous Leader: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1523006617/

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What if leadership isn’t just about driving results today, but building tomorrow’s leaders? Scott Burgmeyer, co-founder of the BecomeMore Group, introduces a simple equation: Performance = Potential – Interference. Instead of adding more strategies or tools, great leaders create breakthroughs by removing barriers — policies, processes, or even self-doubt — unlocking exponential growth.

He emphasizes strategic thinking as a neglected but vital skill. In today’s reactive culture, leaders must carve out time to reflect, starting with 10 minutes a week. By asking, What’s working? What’s not? What will I do differently? leaders can shift from busyness to clarity. Growth comes through the “squirm factor,” where discomfort fuels progress.

Scott believes true leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders. By asking questions instead of always giving answers, they spark independence and transformation. His challenge: remove interferences, think deeply, embrace discomfort, and commit to developing leaders who develop leaders — because the future depends on it.

🌐 Connect with Scott:
• Website: https://www.becomemoregp.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/burgy/

📚 You can purchase Scott's book on Amazon:
• Think: The Road Less Traveled: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1944104399/
• Chief Optimization Officer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1944104356/

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Every leader knows the rush of validation when someone brings you a problem and you solve it on the spot. But Gary Cohen, founder of CO2 Coaching and author of Just Ask Leadership, learned that this habit can limit your team’s potential and make you the organizational bottleneck. While growing his company from a $4,000 investment to 2,200 employees, he and his business partner became overwhelmed by constant questions. The solution wasn’t giving faster answers—it was becoming question-askers instead of answer-givers.

In interviews with over 100 exceptional leaders – from Fortune 500 executives to four-star generals – Cohen discovered they all had a moment where they shifted from being “the answer person” to “the question person.” For General Jack Chain, a promotion made him realize his role had fundamentally changed. For ConAgra’s Mike Harper, moving from engineering to R&D forced him to lead experts whose knowledge far exceeded his own. These shifts inspired frameworks like the GPS model (Goal-Position-Strategy) for focused conversations and the PEAK model, which guides leaders through four questioning styles – Professor, Innovator, Judge, and Director – to spark breakthroughs.

Cohen’s most powerful insight is that most team members already know the answers. They don’t need you to solve their problems—they need you to help them uncover solutions themselves. When they do, ownership skyrockets, and so does performance. The path to multiplying your leadership impact starts with changing your identity from “the teller” to “the asker.” Everything else follows from that transformation.

🌐 Connect with Gary:
• Website: https://co2coaching.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garycohen/

📚 You can purchase Gary's book on Amazon:
• Just Ask Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071621776/

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📕 You can purchase a copy of the Mick Spiers bestselling book "You're a Leader, Now What?" as an eBook or paperback at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZBKK8XV

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The courage to say "I don't know" might be the most powerful leadership trait in today's rapidly changing world. Through reflections on conversations with five remarkable guests, this episode explores what authentic leadership truly means in 2023 and beyond.

Randy Lyman introduces us to the often-overlooked "third element" of success – the emotional and spiritual dimensions that complement our intellectual achievements. When leaders prioritize connection by asking "How are YOU going?" rather than just "How's the project going?", they create space for their teams to bring their whole selves to work. As Teddy Roosevelt wisely noted, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

From Doug Zarkin, we learn that your internal culture inevitably becomes your external brand. The consistency between stated values and lived behaviors builds the trust that fuels brand loyalty. Jonathan Stutz reveals how belonging doesn't happen by chance but through intentional leadership where psychological safety is protected. His message resonates universally – we've all felt excluded at some point, and it feels terrible. People deserve workplaces where they feel seen, heard, and valued.

Bill Zujewski offers crucial insights on leading through perpetual change, emphasizing that agility combines clarity, curiosity, and communication. His advice to normalize saying "I don't know yet, but let's figure it out together" transforms uncertainty from a weakness into a strength. Kelli Lester confronts the politicization of DEI, reframing inclusion not as a trend but as fundamental leadership responsibility.

Across all conversations, certain themes emerge clearly: we need a return to authenticity over performative leadership, a recommitment to inclusion because it's right (not because it's trendy), and the balance of moving quickly without leaving people behind. The African proverb reminds us: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." The world doesn't need more bosses – it needs more human leaders who create environments where everyone can contribute their best. What might change if you approached leadership with more curiosity, kindness,

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The backlash against DEI has left many leaders unsure of how to champion inclusion in a politically charged environment. Kelli Lester, co-founder of Onyx Rising and seasoned diversity practitioner, brings clarity with a grounded, practical approach to creating workplaces where everyone truly belongs. Her journey began with a recruitment project that opened her eyes to deeper issues in workplace culture, revealing that representation without intentional inclusion often leads to high turnover among diverse talent.

Kelli’s philosophy evolved from advocating solely for underrepresented voices to engaging those in positions of power to drive lasting change. “Being a voice for the voiceless was my early mantra,” she shares, “but I realized that for real change to happen, I needed to spend more time with those in the majority.” Her seven behaviors of inclusive leadership—ranging from self-awareness and psychological safety to managing inclusively—offer a concrete framework for leaders seeking to move beyond performative gestures toward real cultural transformation.

In our conversation, Kelli also highlights the importance of understanding generational diversity in today’s multigenerational workforce. She encourages leaders to ask human-centered questions like, “What does a good day look like for you?”—underscoring that inclusive leadership means seeing the whole person, not just their demographics. With practical tools and powerful insights, this dialogue is a must for anyone ready to build teams where diverse talent can thrive and lead.

🌐 Connect with Kelli:
• Website: https://www.onyx2rise.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-lester-2302b9/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onyx2rise/

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📕 You can purchase a copy of the Mick Spiers bestselling book "You're a Leader, Now What?" as an eBook or paperback at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZBKK8XV

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What if your greatest leadership asset wasn't your product or service, but the emotional connection people feel towards your brand? In this thought-provoking episode, award-winning brand strategist Doug Zarkin challenges the idea that branding is just a marketing function. Instead, he positions it as a vital leadership responsibility—one that shapes how people engage with your organization at every level.

Doug, former chief marketing officer for Pearl Vision and author of Get Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone, introduces the idea of “sticky brands”—those that earn both high passion and high trust. He connects this directly to leadership, explaining that people are drawn to brands and leaders they believe in. Just like customers choose brands they trust and love, employees stay loyal to leaders who value and inspire them. Leadership and branding, Doug argues, are reflections of the same human principles.

He also offers practical insights on building teams, hiring for passion, and embracing the “three A’s” of Authority, Autonomy, and Accountability. Through powerful sports analogies and his concept of “thinking human,” Doug reminds us that creating emotional connections—with customers and team members alike—is the key to lasting impact. Whether you're leading a large organization or a small team, this episode offers a roadmap for turning brand loyalty into leadership success.

🌐 Connect with Doug:
• Website: https://www.dougzarkin.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougzarkin/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dougzarkin/

📚 You can purchase Doug's book on Amazon:
• Moving Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKD7F4S4/

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✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

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📕 You can purchase a copy of the Mick Spiers bestselling book "You're a Leader, Now What?" as an eBook or paperback at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZBKK8XV

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What if the secret to creating a truly inclusive workplace wasn't found in grand policies or mission statements, but in the small, intentional actions leaders take every single day? In this episode, we’re joined by Jonathan Stutz, President of Global Diversity Partners and co-author of The Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders, to explore how simple, consistent behaviors can reshape organizational culture. Jonathan introduces the concept of "dropping inclusive pebbles"—micro actions that, over time, build environments where people feel genuinely seen, heard, and valued.

Drawing from his personal experiences growing up in Atlanta during the civil rights movement, Jonathan shares a deeply personal and professional perspective on why inclusion must come before diversity. He compares inclusive workplaces to welcoming homes rather than “leaky buckets” where diverse talent slips away. Through practical strategies like hosting meaningful one-on-ones, using the "pause button" to interrupt bias in meetings, and applying the “platinum rule,” he gives leaders at every level clear, actionable tools to foster connection and safety.

Jonathan’s core message is simple but powerful: inclusive leadership is leadership. These aren’t side practices—they’re essential for building teams that perform, innovate, and stay engaged. In today’s diverse world, the ability to cultivate belonging is no longer optional. Ready to lead with greater impact? Listen now and start creating your own ripple effect at inclusivepebbles.com.

🌐 Connect with Jonathan:
• Website: https://globaldiversitypartners.net/
https://inclusivepebbles.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstutz/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonnylovestorun/

📚 You can purchase Jonathan's book on Amazon:
• Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1523006412/

Send us a text

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✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

📝 Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the episode in the comments below.

🔔 Join us in our mission at The Leadership Project and learn more about our organisation here: https://linktr.ee/mickspiers

📕 You can purchase a copy of the Mick Spiers bestselling book "You're a Leader, Now What?" as an eBook or paperback at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZBKK8XV

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Are you living or just existing? This powerful question anchors our conversation with Bill Zujewski, former tech executive and founder of Good Life. What began as a simple year-end spreadsheet became a transformative tool for intentional living. Bill introduces the HELP GROW framework: Health, Environment, Leisure, Purpose, Growth, Relationships, Occupation, and Wealth as a personal scorecard that helps us evaluate how aligned we are with what truly matters.

In a world where we often race through life on autopilot, this framework offers a mirror rather than a rigid formula, helping us recognize both where we're thriving and where we're off track. The conversation also challenges conventional success metrics. Drawing from an 80-year Harvard study, Bill emphasizes that strong relationships, not wealth or geography, are the greatest predictors of health, happiness, and longevity, sometimes equating to an extra decade of healthy life.

As host Mick Spiers walks through his own self-assessment, we see the power of small shifts in creating meaningful change. Whether you're a leader hoping to foster well-being in your team or someone seeking more purpose in your personal life, this episode delivers both inspiration and practical steps. Start by reflecting on your own life score. You might just find the clarity and motivation to take that next step toward the life you truly want.

🌐 Connect with Bill:
• Website: https://www.goodliife.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billzujewski/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zujewskibill/

📚 You can purchase Bill's book on Amazon:
• What’s Your Life Score: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT6DXXMC/

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✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

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📕 You can purchase a copy of the Mick Spiers bestselling book "You're a Leader, Now What?" as an eBook or paperback at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZBKK8XV

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...

What does success really mean when you've checked all the boxes but still feel empty inside? Randy Lyman's journey from physicist and multi-millionaire entrepreneur to emotional intelligence advocate challenges everything we think we know about leadership. Despite achieving multiple patents, thriving businesses, and academic accolades, Randy opens up about the profound emptiness he felt—until he discovered what he calls “the third element,” the missing link between intellect, effort, and emotional awareness. This insight transformed his personal fulfillment and completely redefined how he leads.

In our conversation, Randy shares how unprocessed emotions silently shape team dynamics and decision-making. Leaders who suppress their feelings, he explains, often create environments where their teams instinctively protect themselves rather than collaborate openly. “The moment I walk into that room,” Randy says, “people feel what I’m feeling.” His leadership shifted when he began prioritizing emotional transparency, embracing practices like journaling and carving out generous time for genuine, emotionally honest conversations with his team.

Most powerfully, Randy highlights three human needs that go beyond a paycheck: to be seen as a unique individual, to contribute meaningfully, and to belong. When leaders meet these needs with emotional intelligence, people show up fully—engaged, committed, and authentic. Ready to discover your own third element? Tune in and explore how integrating emotional awareness into your leadership could be the missing key to meaningful success.

🌐 Connect with Randy:
• Website: https://iamrandylyman.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamrandylyman/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamrandylyman/

📚 You can purchase Randy's book on Amazon:
• The Third Element: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZD5HWWN/

Send us a text

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✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

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🔔 Join us in our mission at The Leadership Project and learn more about our organisation here: https://linktr.ee/mickspiers

📕 You can purchase a copy of the Mick Spiers bestselling book "You're a Leader, Now What?" as an eBook or paperback at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZBKK8XV

If you would like a signed copy, please reach out to [email protected] and we can arrange it for you too.

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...