Many organizations invest heavily in systems, strategies, and tools—yet overlook the one factor that most powerfully determines performance: the quality of relationships at work. When connection is missing, even the best plans struggle. When connection is strong, challenges become easier to navigate, trust grows, and teams flourish. Morag Barrett, founder and CEO of SkyTeam, has spent more than two decades helping over 15,000 leaders across 20 countries transform workplace relationships into a strategic asset. She is the bestselling author of Cultivate: The Power of Winning Relationships and You, Me, We: Why We All Need a Friend at Work, and was recently recognized among the Top 50 Leadership and Management Experts in 2025. In Episode 246 of The Mindset Game® Podcast, Morag shares:

• How loneliness and disconnection show up silently in organizations, eroding engagement, trust, and performance
• What it means to lead with an Ally Mindset, and how generosity, curiosity, courage, and accountability can transform culture
• The business case for friendship at work—and why belonging isn't a "nice-to-have," but a driver of results

To learn more about Morag Barrett and her work with SkyTeam, visit skyeteam.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.

To subscribe to The Mindset Game® podcast or leave a review, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.

In a world increasingly defined by opposing views—political, organizational, and even personal—many of us find ourselves struggling to bridge divides. Whether it's tension on a team, differing values within a family, or conflicting perspectives in society, polarization can quietly erode trust and connection.

As a philosopher, political scientist, and management consultant with more than 25 years of global experience, Ivo Brughmans has spent much of his career helping leaders and organizations navigate these divides. The author of Paradoxical Leadership: Making Complexity an Advantage and the forthcoming Depolarization: A Paradoxical Approach for Society and Organizations, Ivo draws from years of research and practical experience to show how we can turn polarization into deeper understanding. As our guest in Episode 245 of The Mindset Game® podcast, Ivo shares:

• The key distinction between conflict and polarization—and why polarization often stems from identity rather than issues
• How to recognize the hidden emotional and psychological layers that drive division in teams, communities, and within ourselves
• Practical ways to depolarize conversations through curiosity, empathy, and self-reflection, even when opinions clash
• How leaders can reduce polarization by fostering psychological safety, authenticity, and a shared sense of purpose
• Why true unity doesn't mean agreement—but mutual recognition and respect for differing perspectives

To learn more about Ivo Brughmans and his work on paradoxical leadership and depolarization, visit https://paradoxical-leadership.com.

To subscribe to The Mindset Game® podcast or leave a review, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.

Many talented professionals believe that their good work should speak for itself. They deliver results, stay humble, and hope that recognition will naturally follow. But in today's fast-paced and competitive world, quiet excellence often goes unnoticed.

In episode 244 of The Mindset Game® Podcast, Hall of Fame speaker and executive speech coach Patricia Fripp shares practical strategies for mastering what she calls shameless self-promotion—the art of communicating your value with confidence, authenticity, and grace.

Drawing on decades of experience helping leaders and professionals sharpen their communication, Patricia explains how self-promotion done well isn't arrogance—it's service. It allows others to understand your contributions, trust your expertise, and open doors to new opportunities. You'll learn:

• How to promote yourself with integrity, using language that highlights results, collaboration, and the words of others rather than self-boasting
• Simple strategies to increase visibility at work, from engaging confidently in meetings to creating "cameo moments" that leave a lasting impression
• Tips for modest or introverted professionals to practice visibility safely and authentically

Patricia reminds us that success isn't just about what we do—it's about what others see and remember. As she says, "If you don't toot your own horn, there is no music."

To explore more of Patricia's work, visit www.Fripp.com.

To subscribe to The Mindset Game Podcast or leave a review, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.

The conversations that shape our lives often happen inside our own minds. When those inner dialogues turn critical, they can quietly influence every decision, interaction, and result.

In Episode 243 of The Mindset Game® podcast, psychologist and author Suzy Burke shares practical tools to rewire negative self-talk and reclaim your inner confidence. You will learn:

• Why our brains are wired to focus on the negative—and how to break the loop
• The simple process of recognizing, questioning, and changing limiting thoughts
• How to build emotional resilience and think more clearly, even in moments of stress
• The science behind the "amygdala hijack" and how to reset your state through awareness and breath

Suzy also offers inspiring stories and techniques from her new book Headamentals, co-authored with Ryan Berman and Rhett Power, helping you quiet the noise, think with greater clarity, and lead from a place of calm strength.

To connect with Suzy or learn more about her work, visit www.suzyburke.phd.

To subscribe to The Mindset Game® podcast or leave a review, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.

As we move through our careers and lives, many of us fall into habits that unintentionally hold us back. Whether it's underselling our contributions, striving for perfection, or waiting until we feel "fully ready" before stepping into new opportunities, these patterns can limit both our growth and our impact. For Sally Helgesen – our guest in Episode 241 of The Mindset Game® podcast – decades of research, writing, and coaching have centered on helping people and organizations break through these barriers. Recognized by Forbes as the world's premier expert on women's leadership, Sally has authored best-selling books including How Women Rise (co-authored with Marshall Goldsmith), The Female Advantage, and most recently Rising Together. Her work has been credited with bringing the language of inclusion into business and continues to influence professionals across the globe. In this week's episode, Sally shares the following:

• How to claim your contributions in a way that feels authentic and builds visibility.
• Why perfectionism creates unnecessary stress and keeps people from stepping into bigger opportunities.
• Practical ways to grow confidence, from enlisting allies to practicing new behaviors even when they feel uncomfortable.

To learn more about Sally and her work, visit sallyhelgesen.com or explore her newsletter All Rise on Substack.

To subscribe to The Mindset Game® podcast or leave a review, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.

As the world shifts rapidly with the rise of AI, many wonder what it truly means to thrive in the future of work. According to futurist, best-selling author, and global speaker John Sanei, the answer lies not in competing with machines but in cultivating the qualities that make us uniquely human: adaptability, curiosity, and conscious influence.

John is recognized as the World's Top 5 Futurist, a 6x best-selling author, and keynote speaker on human-AI dynamics and the Adaptable Intelligence™️ Framework . He's also the co-host of the 2x award-winning podcast The Expansive and serves on the faculty at Singularity University and Duke Corporate Education.

As our guest in Episode 241 of The Mindset Game® podcast, John shares:

• How history has moved from physicality (agriculture) to IQ (industrial age), and why AI is now surpassing human IQ — making AQ (adaptability quotient) the most critical human skill for the future
• Why influence in the attention economy requires authenticity, presence, and strong personal power dynamics
• How to shift awareness at pace in order to stay relevant, spot new opportunities, and consciously shape the future

To learn more about John and his work, visit johnsanei.com.

To subscribe to The Mindset Game® podcast or leave a review, please visit Apple Podcasts.

At a time when leaders and organizations are navigating constant change, many are searching for new ways to create harmony, resilience, and greater impact. Our guest in Episode 240 of The Mindset Game® podcast, Arnaud Saint-Paul, is a philanthropist and award-winning entrepreneur who has directly guided hundreds of individuals and inspired more than 50 million people worldwide to embrace heart-centered living.

In this conversation, Arnaud shares:

• Why coherence – a state of alignment between the heart, brain, and nervous system – is the foundation for leadership, innovation, and lasting impact
• How unresolved patterns from the past can create emotional discord in our work, and practical ways to transform them through forgiveness, compassion, and presence
• Practical tools – from simple pauses to conscious breathing – to bring more peace, clarity, and unity into everyday decisions

To explore Arnaud's work, take the Heart Leadership Assessment, and learn more about the upcoming Heart Leadership Index, visit tapuat.com. To subscribe to The Mindset Game® podcast or leave a review, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I

We've all heard the expression, "money can't buy happiness" – yet many people believe that they will only be happy when they've obtained certain material things or achieved socially recognized levels of success in their personal and professional lives. What if true happiness wasn't a byproduct of external factors, but rather something that any of us could choose to cultivate regardless of our circumstances?

Rob Dubin is a seasoned adventurer and resilience expert who has spent decades learning from some of the world's most extraordinary people, from top CEOs to world-class athletes and even U.S. presidents, by working one-on-one with them and making documentary films about their lives. Rob has transformed the insights he learned from all of these gamechangers into a powerful blueprint for success, applying it to build million-dollar businesses, set aviation records, and even sail around the world. After surviving a near-death experience while on a skiing trip deep in the Colorado mountains, Rob shifted his focus to researching happiness, visiting over 100 countries to understand the science of human happiness and how happier employees lead to more engaged workplaces that drive lasting success. In Episode 239 of The Mindset Game® podcast, Rob shares the following:

• A simple yet powerful way to cultivate a more optimistic, solutions-oriented mindset in your daily life — while still acknowledging the challenges you face
• Techniques for increasing the two types of happiness that we all need — hedonic and eudaemonic— such as finding your purpose and practicing servant leadership
• How learning to be truly present in the moment can fuel happiness
• Why asking better questions is not only a powerful problem-solving technique, but can also lead to greater happiness as it empowers you to let go of baggage that may be weighing you down

To learn more about Rob and access a variety of resources, including his TEDx talk, visit https://robdubin.com.

To subscribe to The Mindset Game® podcast or leave a review, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.

At a time when change seems to be happening at an unprecedented pace, organizations across all industries are facing an array of new challenges. The key to thriving in this uncertain environment lies not only in the strength of an organization's people, but in the dynamics of its teams.

As the Founder and Managing Partner of Peernovation LLC, Leo Bottary draws on what CEO peer groups have done exceptionally well for years in order to empower teams within organizations to experience the same level of trust, engagement, and growth. Leo is the award-winning author of three books, including "Peernovation Second Edition: Forged by CEO Forums. Perfected for Teams." He is also a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, opinion columnist for CEO World Magazine, and an adjunct professor at Rutgers University. As our guest in Episode 238 of The Mindset Game® podcast, Leo shares the following:

• 3 crucial dynamics that are often found among the highest-performing teams, as well as five factors that support these dynamics
• Why psychological safety is vital in order for teams to innovate and succeed – particularly when faced with rapid change – as well as techniques to help foster psychological safety within teams and organizations
• How forging personal connections among team members – tapping into our shared humanity and approaching each other with curiosity, vulnerability, and openness – can enhance creativity and boost results
• Tips to help CEOs and other leaders guide their teams to not only survive, but thrive, amidst change

To learn more about Leo Bottary and Peernovation, visit https://www.peernovation.biz or find Leo on LinkedIn.

To subscribe to The Mindset Game® podcast or leave a review, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.

As we go through life, we all encounter various types of loss – whether it's a physical loss or the loss of a dream, relationship, or way of life. While it can be easy to become stuck in the grieving process, these situations may also present a powerful opportunity to inspire others and lead more impactfully.

For John Register – our guest in Episode 237 of The Mindset Game® podcast – the devastating experience of losing his leg from an accident while training for the Olympics propelled his journey to becoming an inspirational keynote speaker, consultant, C-suite advisor, and author of the book, "10 Power Stories to Impact Any Leader." He is also a combat Army veteran and a two-time Olympic Trials qualifier in the hurdles. Since his amputation, John has won the Long Jump Silver Medal in Sydney, Australia, has advised three U.S. Secretaries of State, and founded the U.S. Olympic Committee's Paralympic Military Sports Program, which has helped tens of thousands of wounded veterans around the world use sports as a tool for rehabilitation. He believes that when our truth outweighs our fear, we will commit to a courageous life. In this week's episode, John shares the following:

• Why it's important for leaders in particular to acknowledge, accept, and honor the losses they've experienced
• A three-part framework – reckoning, revision, and renewal – for transforming change and adversity into opportunities for growth
• Tips for building your resilience capacity, such as taking appropriate breaks for rest, asking for help, and empathizing with others and what they value

To explore more inspirational content from John or to join his Elevate Life community of international executives, visit https://johnregister.beehiiv.com.

To subscribe to The Mindset Game® podcast or leave a review, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.