The Marcel Podcast

Episode Recap:

In this episode, we dive into Sabina Nawaz's new book You’re the Boss: Becoming the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need), which offers fresh insights for managers looking to thrive in today’s high-pressure world. Nawaz, a global C-suite coach, shares her 20+ years of experience coaching top executives at companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and the United Nations. With proven strategies backed by thousands of 360° reviews, Nawaz reveals how pressure and power can derail even the most well-meaning managers. She explores key topics like managing yourself first, overcoming pressure pitfalls, the power of "Blank Space" for creativity, and why self-care is crucial for success. Tune in for actionable advice on how to be a more effective, balanced, and impactful leader.

Guest Bio:

Sabina Nawaz is the author of You’re the Boss: Becoming the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need). She’s an elite executive coach who advises C-level executives and teams at Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, and academic institutions around the world. Sabina teaches faculty at Northeastern and Drexel Universities. During her fourteen-year tenure at Microsoft, she went from managing software development teams to leading the company’s executive development and succession planning efforts for over 11,000 managers and nearly a thousand executives, advising Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer directly. She has written for and been featured in Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, among others.

Quotes:

• "It is not power but pressure that corrupts—where we act out, raise our voice, yell, and scream under pressure."

Key Takeaways:

• Micro-habits matter: Start small—one push-up, one minute of meditation, 0.1 miles of running—to build consistency.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Book Announcement

01:20 The Role of Managers in Today's Economy

05:17 Sabina's Origin Story

08:09 The Inspiration Behind 'You’re the Boss'

11:51 New Rules for Modern Managers

17:02 The Toxic Boss Myth

21:11 The Power of Micro Habits

24:58 The Danger of the Singular Story

26:32 Pressure and Power in Leadership

30:07 The Importance of Multiple Perspectives

31:11 Effective Communication and Feedback

37:12 The Shut Up Muscle

38:55 Handling Pressure with Blank Space

39:34 Speed Round: Personal Insights

Conclusion:

Modern leadership is less about control and more about clarity, care, and courage. Sabina Nawaz shows that managing well under pressure starts with knowing yourself, creating room for others to be heard, and leading with presence and empathy. The strongest teams are built on daily habits, honest conversations, and a leader who shows up with both confidence and humility.

Resources & Links:

📘 Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Youre-the-Boss/Sabina-Nawaz/9781668023181

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Episode recap:

• "Feminine intelligence is about bringing in feminine values and principles and strengths into business leadership." 

• Reflect on your leadership style: Are you balancing masculine drive with feminine qualities like empathy and intuition? 

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Episode recap:

• "If something doesn't feel right, it's probably not right. And if your heart is telling you to go in a certain direction, trust it."

• Ask your team members how your company's purpose translates to their specific role and daily work.

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Episode recap:

Marcel discusses the concept of kindness in leadership, focusing on empathetic interactions as one of two types of kindness that work well in the leadership trenches, backed by science. He explains that kindness can spread throughout an organization, creating a more civil work atmosphere. Marcel presents five practical ways to practice empathic leadership: active listening, showing genuine interest in team members, encouraging perspective-taking, maintaining open communication, and discussing empathy as a cultural value. 

For bonus content of his book not available anywhere else, subscribe at Marcelschwantes.substack.com.

Bio:

Marcel Schwantes is a speaker, author, and acclaimed executive coach with a global following. Marcel delivers presentations, workshops, courses, and coaching programs about the human side of business and how cultures of care, connection, and belonging power companies to thrive and outperform the competition. 

Quotes: 

• "Empathy is a competency that can be learned. When it's displayed among teams, it helps bring people together." 

Takeaways: 

• Practice active listening in your next three workplace conversations by focusing entirely on understanding the other person's feelings, not your own perspective. 

Timestamps: 

[00:09] How Kindness Actually Shapes Better Leadership 

[02:35] What Gen Z Really Wants from Their Bosses 

[04:54] Five Ways to Lead with Empathy That Stick 

[07:40] Why Compassion Will Be the Next Big Topic 

Conclusion: 

Kindness in leadership isn’t just a personal trait—it’s a practical skill that shapes how teams work together. When leaders show empathy and take time to truly listen, they help build trust and stronger connections across the workplace. This approach not only improves morale but also supports long-term performance and retention, especially among younger employees. By making empathy part of everyday practice, organizations can become more adaptable, supportive, and effective. 

Links/Resources: 

The book: Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss

Substack: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/ 

Twitter/X: https://x.com/MarcelSchwantes 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MarcelSchwantes1 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/marcel.schwantes/ 

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Episode recap:

This week Marcel sits down with Dr. Jeff Wetzler, author of Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs In Leadership and Life. In this enlightening conversation, Marcel and Jeff discussed the importance of asking the right questions and being curious in leadership and life. Jeff introduces a powerful scientific method called The Ask Approach™, a practical framework for learning from others. They explored the challenges that prevent people from sharing insights and emphasized the need for creating psychological safety, posing quality questions, active listening, and reflection to unlock human potential. The conversation covered various aspects of effective communication and learning, highlighting the significance of curiosity, empathy, and gratitude in both personal and professional settings.

Bio:

Dr. Jeff Wetzler is an expert on adult learning and leadership development. He is co-founder and a board member of Transcend, a leader in education innovation. Transcend works with hundreds of schools and districts in over thirty U.S. states and has a vibrant network of 10,000+ innovators. Jeff is also former Chief Learning Officer of Teach For America, and is a two-time author. Jeff’s career is dedicated to unlocking human potential by helping people learn more deeply and transform their mindsets to realize bold new possibilities for themselves, their organizations, and their communities. Jeff holds a Doctorate in Adult Learning and Leadership from Columbia University.

Quotes:

• "If you are not embarrassed by who you were last year, you're not learning fast enough."

Takeaways:

• Practice curiosity by asking "What might I be missing?" before jumping to conclusions about people or situations.

Timestamps:

[00:08] Why We Struggle to Ask the Questions That Matter

[02:44] Meet the Mind Behind the Ask Approach to Learning

[05:01] What Drives Dr. Wetzler to Keep Learning

[06:11] Why People Hold Back What They Really Think

[11:51] Five Ways to Get Honest Insight from Others

[21:38] How to Make People Feel Safe Enough to Share

[25:17] Asking Better Questions That Actually Teach You

[28:42] Listening That Builds Trust Instead of Tension

[31:25] What to Do After Someone Opens Up to You

[35:00] How to Make Good Conversations Feel Natural

[37:42] Dr. Wetzler’s Biggest Hope for How We Grow Next

Conclusion:

The Ask approach shows that many communication problems come from fear, assumptions, and not taking time to understand others. When people feel safe to speak openly, real conversations can happen. Asking thoughtful questions and truly listening—not just to words, but to tone and body language—can lead to stronger trust and clarity. This kind of communication builds deeper connections and helps avoid misunderstandings. It's a simple but powerful shift in how we relate to one another.

Links/Resources:

Book website: https://www.askapproach.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-wetzler-9ba3824/ 

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Episode recap:

Quotes:

• "If engagement is high, you're going to have high performance, which is very good for business. Everything goes back to leading with love and care."

Takeaways:

• Listeners to get curious about leadership practices in their organizations if they notice low employee motivation, high turnover, or decreased engagement.

Timestamps:

[00:03] Why Toxic Leadership Nearly Broke Me at Work

[02:30] What Top-Down Workplaces Do to Your Body

[04:00] Why Love and Care Actually Boost Performance

[05:30] What Ancient Wisdom Teaches About Good Leaders

[06:45] Five Traits Every Great Leader Has in Common

[07:30] What Most Leaders Miss About Team Motivation

[08:30] How to Help People Do Their Best Work Every Day

Conclusion:

Leadership becomes more effective when it's rooted in care, respect, and a focus on people rather than control. Strong teams don't grow from rigid structures, but from spaces where people feel safe, heard, and trusted. When leaders prioritize connection and support, it encourages openness and better performance. The most productive workplaces are built on shared trust, not fear. It's through this kind of leadership that real progress happens.

Links/Resources:

The book: 

Substack: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/

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Episode recap:

Today’s guest is Siri Chilazi, a leading gender expert, Harvard researcher, and co-author of Make Work Fair: Data-Driven Design for Real Results. Marcel and Siri discussed gender equity in the workplace, highlighting progress made and challenges that remain in achieving fairness for all employees. They explored strategies for implementing gender equity, including the use of data-driven approaches, revising hiring practices, and adapting leadership criteria to reflect changing work environments. The conversation also touched on the impact of remote work, the importance of work-life balance, and the need for empathy and compassion in leadership to create more equitable workplaces.

Bio:

Siri Chilazi is a senior researcher at the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard Kennedy School whose life’s work is to advance gender equality in the workplace. As a keynote speaker and strategic advisor, Siri collaborates with a wide range of organizations around the world. Her work regularly appears in leading media outlets. Siri has an MBA from Harvard Business School, a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School, and a BA in Chemistry and Physics from Harvard College.

Quotes:

• "We should be all have the same chance to show what we can do and what we're made of."

Takeaways:

• Track gender representation in your team's work by spending just two minutes after each project to count participation percentages.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Why Fairness Still Matters More Than Ever at Work

[02:53] How Siri Went from Lab Coat to Leadership

[06:19] What Fair Work Really Looks Like in 2025 and Beyond

[09:31] Surprising Ways Bias Still Shows Up in Hiring Today

[16:11] Why Most DEI Programs Fail Inside the Day-to-Day

[22:30] How Tracking the Right Data Closes Fairness Gaps

[27:16] Changing Behavior Beats Changing Minds at Work

[30:42] Fixing How We Hire and Promote Without Bias

[39:45] What Remote Work Really Means for Women’s Growth

[45:48] Making Parental Leave Equal Changes Everything

[50:01] What CEOs Can Actually Do to Make Work More Fair

[51:58] How Small Changes Build More Fair Workplaces Fast

Conclusion:

Workplaces still reflect deep-rooted inequalities, especially in how people are hired, promoted, and evaluated. These patterns often hold back women and other underrepresented groups. Instead of trying to shift personal beliefs, lasting change comes from fixing the systems themselves. Clear, consistent practices—like fair assessments, equal chances for growth, and shared responsibilities—can help build a more level playing field. When fairness is built into everyday processes, everyone benefits.

Links/Resources:

Website: https://sirichilazi.com/

Book: https://makeworkfair.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sirichilazi/

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Episode recap:

Marcel discussed his new book, Humane Leadership, which emphasizes the importance of expressing actionable love in the workplace and the need for leaders to care for their employees. He also emphasized the importance of continuous learning and growth in leadership, as well as the necessity of developing people skills to achieve business success. Marcel also mentioned that he is offering bonus content, including chapters 3 and 4, on his Substack platform. Go to Marcelschwantes.substack.com and access the Humane Leadership tab for the bonus content.

Bio:

Marcel Schwantes is a speaker, author, and acclaimed executive coach with a global following. Marcel delivers presentations, workshops, courses, and coaching programs about the human side of business and how cultures of care, connection, and belonging power companies to thrive and outperform the competition. 

Quotes:

• "People want to feel cared for, but I call it for what it really is. People want to feel loved."

Key Takeaways:

• Reflect: Are you viewing your team as people—with hopes and fears—or simply as tools to hit business goals?

Timestamps:

• [00:03] What Humane Leadership Really Looks Like

Conclusion:

Great workplaces aren’t built on pressure—they’re built on people.

Resources

• 📘 Book: Humane Leadership

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Pre-order Marcel’s new book: Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-ass Boss 

Episode recap:

Humane Leadership: 5 Key Principles

Marcel discussed his new book, Humane Leadership, which explores the connection between agape and effective leadership. He shared excerpts from the book, focusing on the 5 principles of humane leadership: patience, kindness, humility, advocacy, and trustworthiness. Marcel emphasized that these principles, rooted in science and best practices, can lead to a more productive and profitable workplace. He also highlighted the importance of understanding human needs and mastering people skills for effective leadership. The book is available for purchase.

Bio:

Marcel Schwantes is a speaker, author, and acclaimed executive coach with a global following. Marcel delivers presentations, workshops, courses, and coaching programs about the human side of business and how cultures of care, connection, and belonging power companies to thrive and outperform the competition. 

Key Quotes: 

• "Effective leadership is love practically demonstrated to achieve business success." 

Takeaways: 

• Implement patience, kindness, humility, advocacy, and trustworthiness in your leadership style.

Timestamps: 

[00:00] Introduction to Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss 

Conclusion: 

Humane leadership focuses on understanding and meeting human needs, which can drive better business outcomes. Marcel Schwantes’ insights help leaders create environments where employees feel valued, leading to higher engagement, loyalty, and success. 

Links/Resources: 

Substack: marcelschwantes.substack.com/   

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/  

Twitter/X: x.com/MarcelSchwantes 

YouTube: youtube.com/@MarcelSchwantes1 

Instagram: instagram.com/marcel.schwantes/ 

Send Marcel a text message!

Pre-order Marcel’s new book: Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-ass Boss

Episode recap:

Marcel and David Bator of Achievers Workforce Institute discussed the importance of humane leadership and creating a sustainable work culture, emphasizing the need for employee engagement and a sense of belonging in the workplace. They explored strategies for improving workplace conditions, including frequent recognition, effective management practices, and implementing regular feedback methods. David also highlights four key factors for manager effectiveness: frequent contact, recognition, coaching, and career development. He suggests that companies should move beyond annual surveys and implement more frequent feedback methods such as one-on-ones, pulse surveys, and recognition programs. David also introduced the concept of the "5 pillars of belonging," which include feeling welcomed, known, included, supported, and connected at work. He stressed that investing in these conditions not only makes employees feel good but also drives business outcomes.

Bio:

David Bator is the Managing Director at Achievers Workforce Institute. He thinks and writes about how work should work. His primary focus in leading the Achievers Workforce Institute is Research, Community, and Advisory, assisting global executives with practical approaches to transforming how the world works. David is passionate about people and has spent the last 20 years collaborating closely with leaders in HR, IT, and Communications to develop programs that empower individuals, teams, and companies to grow.

Quotes:

• "What gets recognized gets repeated. 72% of employees will repeat an action if they are recognized for that action."

Takeaways:

• Evaluate your workplace across the five pillars of belonging: Are employees feeling welcomed, known, included, supported, and connected? Create specific strategies to improve each dimension.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction to Marcel’s new book, Humane Leadership, and his guest, David Bator

[03:05] David’s passion for helping people through his work

[07:34] "The Great Resignation" and "The Great Detachment" and their implications for the current state of the workplace

[12:14] The Importance of Belonging and Employee Experience

[17:02] Strategies for Improving Employee Engagement

[25:33] Non-Monetary Strategies for Driving Engagement

[29:20] Leading with Humane Leadership

[35:50] The Role of Recognition in Shaping Culture

Conclusion:

Creating a culture of belonging, appreciation, and recognition boosts employee engagement, productivity, and retention. Leaders who make employees feel welcomed, known, included, supported, and connected drive positive outcomes. Regular non-monetary recognition and meaningful one-on-ones help employees feel valued and motivated to bring their best selves to work. 

 Links/Resources:

Achievers: https://www.achievers.com/

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