🎙️ #5 Principles: Honest Communication - When Truth Builds Trust

In this episode of The Open Shelf, we launch our new principles series with an exploration of honest communication, focusing on how transparency builds trust and enables collective problem-solving in professional environments.

In this deep dive episode, we explore how honest communication shapes workplace dynamics:

✅ Why transparency about challenges builds trust when delivered with empathy
✅ Techniques for delivering difficult feedback with respect and clarity
✅ Creating psychological safety as a prerequisite for honesty
✅ Balancing transparency and tact in professional relationships

Chapters:
🔹 00:00 - Introduction to Honest Communication
🔹 02:27 - The Importance of Trust and Transparency
🔹 05:05 - Frameworks for Honest Communication
🔹 11:04 - Balancing Transparency and Information Overload
🔹 19:59 - Transparency and Accountability in Organizations
🔹 22:10 - Navigating Difficult Conversations
🔹 33:25 - Building Trust Through Honest Communication

Goodreads Links:

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18176747-the-hard-thing-about-hard-things

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939161-radical-candor

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15014.Crucial_Conversations

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7959557-teach-yourself-to-think

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/866222.Winning

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36072.The_7_Habits_of_Highly_Effective_People

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23848190-extreme-ownership

#TheOpenShelf #Principles #RadicalCandor #CrucialConversations #HardThingsAboutHardThings #Winning #HonestCommunication

🎙️ #4 Winning: Chapter #3 - Competition & Crisis Management

In this episode of The Open Shelf, we continue our deep dive into Jack Welch's influential book Winning, focusing on competitive advantage, crisis management, and career development.

In Chapter 3, we explore with Vladimir Greavu how organizations maintain a competitive edge while effectively managing crises and fostering career growth:

✅ Building and maintaining competitive advantage
✅ Effective crisis management and strategic decision-making
✅ Embracing personal career ownership and growth
✅ Learning from both victories and setbacks

Chapters:
🔹 00:00 - Navigating Competition and Crisis Management
🔹 11:09 - Crisis Management Insights from Jack Welch
🔹 19:50 - Career Management and Personal Growth

Goodreads Links:
📖 Winning by Jack Welch

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/866222.Winning

📖 Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Malone Scott

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939161-radical-candor

📖 Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76865.Good_to_Great

#TheOpenShelf #JackWelch #Winning #Leadership #CompetitiveAdvantage #CrisisManagement #CareerGrowth #BusinessStrategy #LeanSixSigma

🎙️ #4 Winning: Chapter # 2 – Company Mechanics & Leadership 🚀

In this episode of The Open Shelf, we turn our attention to one of the most impactful business leaders in history—📖 Jack Welch and his book Winning.

We had the honour of speaking with Vladimir Greavu, who sheds light on Welch's core principles and how they shaped organisations worldwide.

In Chapter 2, we dive into Company Mechanics & Leadership and delve into topics like:

✅ Company mechanics from the inside

✅ The shift from contributor to leader

✅ Vision, energy & feedback in leadership

✅ Balancing people and business needs

✅ Hiring for success, not just credentials

Chapters:

🔹 00:00 – Understanding Company Mechanics and Leadership

🔹 04:28 – Transitioning from Individual Contributor to Leadership

🔹 10:02 – The Role of Vision in Leadership

🔹 14:31 – Creating Positive Energy in Teams

🔹 21:15 – Establishing Trust Through Candor

🔹 23:27 – The Importance of Timely Feedback

🔹 25:56 – Making Unpopular Decisions as a Leader

🔹 30:45 – Empowering Teams Through Questions

🔹 35:54 – Navigating Paradoxes in Leadership

🔹 40:10 – Hiring for Success: Key Attributes

Goodreads Links:

📖 The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels by Michael D. Watkins

📖A Seat at the Table: IT Leadership in the Age of Agility by Mark Schwartz

📖 Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Malone Scott

📖 Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins

#TheOpenShelf #JackWelch #Winning #Leadership #Candor #CareerGrowth #CompanyCulture #BusinessBooks #VladimirGreavu #MehdiMokhtari #WillemMyburgh

🎙️ #4 Winning: Chapter #1 - The Philosophy of Winning🚀

In this episode of The Open Shelf, we turn our attention to one of the most impactful business leaders in history—📖 Jack Welch and his book Winning.

We had the honour of speaking with Vladimir Greavu, who sheds light on Welch's core principles and how they shaped organisations worldwide. Tune in as we delve into topics like:

✅ Leadership as a tool for growing others rather than focusing on personal success.

✅ Why candour and differentiation drive honest feedback and performance.

✅ The power of vision, values, and healthy competition to keep a company thriving.

Chapters:

🔹 00:00 Introduction to Jack Welch and 'Winning'

🔹 05:07 Philosophy of Winning: Leadership and Management

🔹 11:54 The Importance of Vision and Values

🔹 16:48 Candor: The Key to Open Communication

🔹 22:00 The Power of Differentiation in Performance Management

🔹 28:05 Challenging Perspectives in Leadership Discussions

🔹 29:01 Navigating Performance Metrics and Potential

🔹 31:22 Quality Management and Lean Six Sigma Principles

🔹 31:58 The Value of Individual Voice and Dignity

🔹 38:25 Workouts and Idea Generation in Leadership

🔹 43:36 Mission Statements and Business Realities

Goodreads Links:

📖 Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Malone Scott

📖 Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins

📖 Ask Your Developer: How to Harness the Power of Software Developers and Win in the 21st Century by Jeff Lawson

📖 The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business by Erin Meyer

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, remember to hit the LIKE button 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more leadership insights, and share your thoughts below! Do you think candour is essential in building high-performing teams? Let’s discuss!

#JackWelch #Winning #Leadership #Management #Podcast #TheOpenShelf #Candor #Differentiation #Vision #Values

🎙️ The Open Shelf is entering a new chapter!

In this short in-person episode, Mehdi and Willem share what’s changing behind the scenes, what’s staying true, and where the podcast is headed next.

Expect more principle-driven conversations, a mix of deep-dive episodes and practical insights, and a growing lineup of thoughtful guests from tech, business, and beyond.

📅 New episodes will drop every second Wednesday of the month—with more if time allows.

Big thanks to Tobias for helping shape the podcast from day one. We’re excited for what’s next—and hope to have him back when the time is right!

🎙️ Radical Candor: How to Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity | The Open Shelf Podcast

🚀In this episode of The Open Shelf, we dive into one of the most influential books on leadership and management—📖 Radical Candor by Kim Scott.

We had the honor of speaking with Amy Sandler, Principal Coach and Podcast Host at the Radical Candor Foundation, who has trained thousands of leaders worldwide.

She shares invaluable insights on how to:

✅ Give feedback effectively without being obnoxious or overly empathetic.

✅ Create a culture of open communication where teams thrive.

✅ Balance direct challenges with genuine care to build trust and strong relationships.

Chapters:

🔹 00:00 Introduction - Radical Candor

🔹 00:51 Introduction - Guests

🔹 02:54 Understanding Radical Candor Framework

🔹 05:01 Chapter 1 - Bob's Story

🔹 18:43 Chapter 2 - Steve Jobs

🔹 25:09 Chapter 3 - Slavakia and Slovenia

🔹 29:43 Chapter 4 - Manager vs Leader

🔹 47:07 Chapter 5 - Balancing Care and Challenge

🔹 56:52 Chapter 6 - Importance of culture

🔹 58:59 Chapter 7 - Growth management framework

🔹 01:04:17 Chapter 8 - Empowering Employees

🔹 01:09:11 Chapter 9 - Balancing Goals and Present Moments

🔹 01:16:15 Outro

👉 If you found this episode valuable, hit the LIKE button 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more leadership insights, and comment below! How do you approach feedback in your team? Let’s discuss!

#RadicalCandor #KimScott #Leadership #Management #Podcast #TheOpenShelf #AmySandler #HonestFeedback #Communication

Are you building a business—or just creating a job for yourself? In this episode, we discuss The E-Myth Revisited and its timeless advice for entrepreneurs who want to build lasting businesses. Blending insights from classics like Built to Last and The Lean Startup, we share a roadmap for making your business work for you, not the other way around.

Books:

03:13 The E-myth Revisited https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/81948.The_E_myth_Revisited

15:20 Built to Last https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4122.Built_to_Last

23:11 The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38485991-the-skeptics-guide-to-the-universe

29:09 Delivering Happiness https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6828896-delivering-happiness

29:45 Building a Story Brand https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41215667-building-a-story-brand

33:32 The Mom Test https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52283963-the-mom-test

33:35 The Lean Startup https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10127019-the-lean-startup

37:53 $100M Offers https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58612786-100m-offers

37:55 $100M Leads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196239284-100m-leads

39:34 Extreme Ownership https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23848190-extreme-ownership
39:40 Skin in the Game https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36064445-skin-in-the-game

Do you prefer the soothing voice of an audiobook or the tactile joy of a highlighter gliding over a favorite quote? In this episode, we pit audiobooks against traditional reading and uncover the strengths (and struggles) of each. Discover tips for maximizing your reading style, whether you’re a multitasker or a note-taking perfectionist.

We’ll also tackle big questions: How do you retain more from books? How come a book can be loved by some and hated by others? And what are the best books to challenge yourself in the new year? Tune in for fresh insights and inspiration to kick-start your 2025 reading journey!

Mentions:

- Readwise: https://readwise.io/

- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/

- Hardcover: https://hardcover.app/

- Tobias’ algorithm: https://www.seastone.io/engineering-my-reading-list/

Books:

- Skin in the Game: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36064445-skin-in-the-game

- Antifragile: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21111223-antifragile

- 1700: The Battle of Narva: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210235609-1700

- 21 Lessons for the 21st Century: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38820046-21-lessons-for-the-21st-century

- Trillion Dollar Coach: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42118073-trillion-dollar-coach

- The Diary of a Young Girl: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48855.The_Diary_of_a_Young_Girl

- The Slight Edge: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/590652.The_Slight_Edge

- Meditations: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30659.Meditations

- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36072.The_7_Habits_of_Highly_Effective_People

- Predictably Irrational: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1713426.Predictably_Irrational

- Surrounded by Idiots: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39101777-surrounded-by-idiots

- Extreme Ownership: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23848190-extreme-ownership

- The Dichotomy of Leadership: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38714388-the-dichotomy-of-leadership

- Discipline Equals Freedom: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34431560-discipline-equals-freedom

- The Old Man and the Sea: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2165.The_Old_Man_and_the_Sea

- The Little Prince: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/157993.The_Little_Prince

- The Brothers Karamazov: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4934.The_Brothers_Karamazov

- The Way of Kings: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7235533-the-way-of-kings
- 1632: The Battle of Lützen: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199623704-1632

We're excited to launch The Open Shelf! Learn what it's all about and what's coming next.

Books mentioned: