Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I'm excited to welcome Richard Fain to the show this week. He served as Royal Caribbean Group CEO for over three decades, leading its transformation from a small Norwegian company with three ships that held just over 700 passengers each into one of the world's largest and most profitable cruise lines with over 60 ships, including Icon of the Seas, the world's largest that carries 7,600 passengers and costs $2 billion to build. He is here to talk about his amazing book, Delivering the Wow: Culture as Catalyst for Lasting Success.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone leading teams or organizations who wants to understand how culture drives lasting success.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…culture isn't about slogans on the wall, it's about the daily choices that shape how people feel about their work. In this episode, Richard Fain shares how he built a company culture that transformed cruising into an unforgettable experience for both guests and employees. From connecting employee bonuses to engagement metrics to turning feedback into a continuous improvement engine, Richard's insights show how culture can truly become your greatest competitive advantage.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• You don't inherit a great culture; you create it by reinforcing the right behaviors every day.
• When people care about their work, they perform better—and that passion becomes contagious.
• Real-time insights from customers and employees turn good companies into great ones.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Richard's reminder that culture is self-sustaining when people genuinely care. You can't mandate engagement. It grows naturally when individuals see their impact, feel heard, and take pride in creating "wow" moments for others.

Running Time: 31:30

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Richard's Book: Delivering the Wow: Culture as Catalyst for Lasting Success

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I'm thrilled to welcome Phil Gilbert to the show today. He is IBM's former General Manager of Design, where he helped transform one of the most traditional companies in the world into a global design thinking powerhouse. In his new book, Irresistible Change, he pulls back the curtain on how he did it.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…leaders and innovators who want to spark meaningful change in their organizations. If you're trying to turn great ideas into action and scale creativity across teams, this episode will challenge how you think about transformation.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…change is inevitable but how you lead it determines whether your organization thrives or stalls. Phil shares how he helped one of the most traditional companies in the world reinvent itself from the inside out. In this conversation, Phil explains how to build a culture that listens instead of dictates, why mandates fail, and how "every day is a prototype" when you're leading transformation.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Transformation succeeds when it's treated like a product, not a mandate.

• Sustainable change starts with small, willing teams that create momentum.

• Design thinking isn't about becoming a designer, it's about empathy and experimentation.

• Culture drives outcomes more than any single tool or technology.

• Every day and every idea is a prototype for what's next.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Phil's reminder that meaningful change doesn't come from top-down directives. It comes from people who are empowered to experiment, collaborate, and learn.

Running Time: 28:23

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Phil's Book:

Irresistible Change: A Blueprint for Earning Buy-In and Breakout Success

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I'm looking back on a conversation I shared with Adam Kingl. Adam is an author and keynote speaker who educates future leaders on culture, purpose, team dynamics, the future of work, creativity, strategic innovation, management innovation, and the generational paradigms of work and leadership. He is Adjunct Faculty at Ashridge – Hult International Business School. He was the Regional Managing Director, Europe, for Duke Corporate Education and the Executive Director of Thought Leadership and Learning Solutions for London Business School.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…managers, leaders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and anyone recruiting and/or managing young professionals!

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…for the first time in history, there are five generations of workers in the workforce. How you recruit, manage, enable, and retain new generations of workers is critical to the success of your organization. Without happy employees, you won't have happy customers. Adam helps us navigate this most critical frontier, focusing on Gen Y.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…hearing what Gen Y thinks, thinking about how we invest in talent moving forward, and even how we handle losing and rehiring talent in the future!

Running time: 33:38

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Adam's Book:

Next Generation Leadership

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I'm joined by Goldie Chan, who has been called the Oprah of LinkedIn. When LinkedIn first launched its native video, Goldie began posting daily short videos and has built one of the platform's longest-running video series. Goldie's videos feature a mix of personal branding and storytelling, thoughtful advice and generous spotlights on others. She's a storyteller, strategist, and a generous voice in the creator community. And now she's helping a whole new audience with her latest book, Personal Branding for Introverts, which comes out in October 2025. We're diving into how you can build influence quietly, confidently, on your own terms.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone looking to grow their influence or build a personal brand, especially if you identify as an introvert or ambivert.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…you don't have to be the loudest voice in the room to have influence. Goldie Chan built a thriving community and career by showing that consistency, curiosity, and authenticity can be more powerful than volume. In this conversation, she shares how introverts can thrive in spaces that often reward extroversion.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The real secret to personal branding isn't noise, it's consistency and credibility.

• Influence doesn't require extroversion, but it does require self-awareness and clarity.

• Strategic silence can be a leader's superpower in meetings and creative discussions.

• Confidence often starts with physical presence. Goldie shares some practical tips.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Goldie's reminder that credibility doesn't come from being everywhere. It comes from being yourself consistently. Her story demonstrates that authenticity and quiet confidence can be just as powerful as a bold approach.

Running Time: 27:53

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Goldie's Book:

Personal Branding for Introverts

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I'm honored to have a fellow Thinker50 on the show with me. Ranjay Gulati is a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School. His pioneering work focuses on unlocking organizational and individual potential, embracing courage, nurturing purpose-driven leaders, driving growth, and transforming businesses. He is a management scholar and he holds a PhD from Harvard University and a Master's degree from MIT. He is the author of Deep Purpose, which was published in 2022. And now he has a new book out called How to Be Bold.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone who wants to live and lead with more courage, even in the presence of fear.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…have you ever wondered why some people seem naturally fearless while others freeze up in the face of uncertainty? Believe it or not, courage isn't something you're born with. It's something anybody can learn. In this episode, Ranjay draws on research and stories from his new book to share practical ways anyone can build support systems that strengthen courage and reframe fear as a signal for growth, not retreat.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Fear comes from uncertainty and a loss of control, which is a very normal, human feeling.

• You can "act your way into knowing" by taking small, deliberate steps forward.

• Support networks (moral, emotional, and informational) help you move through fear.

• The key to courage is purpose. It gives fear direction and meaning.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Ranjay's reminder that courage is a decision and not a personality trait. You don't have to wait to "feel ready" before taking action. The act of moving forward, even one small step at a time, is what builds boldness.

Running Time: 29:41

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Ranjay's Book:

How to Be Bold

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I'm joined by Robert Glazer. Robert is a #1 Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and international bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and the founder of Acceleration Partners, a $50M global partner marketing agency known for its award-winning culture. He is also the creator of Friday Forward, a weekly inspirational newsletter read by over 200,000 professionals in 60+ countries. And he has a new book out called The Compass Within.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…leaders, founders, and professionals who want to align their decisions with their core values and lead with greater clarity and authenticity.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…in fast-moving and uncertain times, it's easy to get pulled in different directions. Robert Glazer believes the antidote is grounding yourself in your values. Your "compass within" not only guides your personal and professional choices but also determines how you lead, build trust, and shape culture. By knowing what truly drives you, you'll make better decisions, connect more deeply with others, and avoid environments that drain your energy.

KEY TAKEAWAYS…

• Your values act as a blueprint for better decisions at work and in life.

• Leaders unconsciously lead from their values—knowing them makes you more effective.

• High-performing teams thrive when individuals share and honor their core values.

• Self-awareness is the foundation for authentic leadership and sustainable growth.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Robert's reminder that many of us only realize our values when they're crossed—what he calls the "electric fence test." By identifying them earlier, we can make intentional choices that help us thrive instead of simply reacting when something feels wrong.

Running Time: 24:25

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Robert's Book: The Compass Within: A Little Story About the Values That Guide Us

The Six Core Values Questions

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I'm reflecting on a conversation I had a while back with the delightful and purpose-driven Raj Sisodia. Raj is the FW Olin Distinguished Professor of Global Business and Whole Foods Market Research Scholar in Conscious Capitalism at Babson College, and Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of Conscious Capitalism Inc. He has a Ph. D. in Marketing from Columbia University and has published eleven books. He was named one of "Ten Outstanding Trailblazers of 2010" by Good Business International, and one of the "Top 100 Thought Leaders in Trustworthy Business Behavior" by Trust Across America for 2010 and 2011. He is on the Board of Directors at The Container Store and a trustee of Conscious Capitalism Inc.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…people searching for their personal purpose in the work they do each day.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…in this episode, Raj uncovers the unmet need for conscious capitalism in contemporary business. We discuss ethics in business and marketing, purpose, value, and true happiness. This is not something mutually exclusive from business and capitalism, but the way Raj explains it, something that is vitally a part of the business ecosystem and indispensable to building a worthwhile and successful brand.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Raj's journey from marketing to uncovering a true passion that seeks to make business more conscientious, impactful and valuable to society.

Running time: 30:08

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Raj's Books:

The Healing Organization

Conscious Capitalism Field Guide

Firms of Endearment

Everybody Matters

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I'm joined by Mark Crowley. Mark is a best-selling author with 25 years in the competitive financial services industry. He rose to national roles, earning Leader of the Year for his emotionally connected, heart-and-mind balanced approach that drove exceptional performance and employee growth. His book, Lead from the Heart, which I love and highly recommend, disrupted conventional management with research proving that traditional methods undermine employee experience. Now taught in 11 universities, it ignited a global movement for humane leadership. In his latest book, The Power of Employee Wellbeing, he advances this vision even further.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…leaders, managers, and executives who want to unlock better performance by focusing on employee well-being.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…too many organizations still approach leadership as a numbers game, chasing productivity with surveys, perks, or technology. Mark Crowley challenges that thinking, showing why true performance stems from how people feel at work. When leaders prioritize well-being—through connection, trust, and emotional awareness—they create teams that are not only more engaged but also more productive.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Traditional engagement surveys are outdated. Pulse surveys give faster, more actionable insights.

• Managers must create space for genuine human connection, especially in hybrid or remote teams.

• Accountability matters, and leaders who ignore feedback are unlikely to receive it again.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Mark reframes leadership around a simple but overlooked truth: people's feelings fuel their performance. I love his reminder that when leaders invest in genuine care and connection, they unlock a new depth of commitment and energy.

Running Time: 26:27

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Mark's Book:

The Power of Employee Well-Being: Move Beyond Engagement to Build Flourishing Teams

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I'm joined by Vanessa Druscat. Vanessa is an associate professor at the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire. As an internationally recognized leadership and team performance expert, she advises leaders and teams at over a dozen Fortune 500 and Fortune Global 500 companies. She has a new book out called The Emotionally Intelligent Team.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anybody who wants to unlock stronger collaboration, cohesion, and performance in their organizations by building emotionally intelligent teams.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…teams don't thrive just because the right people are in the room. They thrive when leaders create the conditions for connection, trust, and continuous improvement. In this conversation, Vanessa Druskat shares what decades of research reveal about emotionally intelligent teams and discusses how to transform a group of individuals into a high-performing, collaborative team.

KEY TAKEAWAYS…

• Teams perform better when leaders address core emotional needs like belonging and recognition.

• High-performing teams take time to really know one another, beyond just titles and roles.

• Every voice matters and innovation often comes from unexpected perspectives.

• Leaders don't need to have all the answers but they do need to ask the right questions and listen.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Vanessa's reminder that emotionally intelligent teams aren't just "nicer" to work in, they're more effective. Taking time to build connection and belonging is a performance multiplier.

Running Time: 30:57

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Vanessa's Book:

The Emotionally Intelligent Team: Building Collaborative Groups that Outperform the Rest

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I'm reflecting on a conversation I had a while back with world-famous juggler, Michael Gelb. Michael is the world's leading authority on the application of genius thinking to personal and organizational development. He is the author of 16 books including How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci, Innovate Like Edison and Discover Your Genius. Michael's books have been translated into 25 languages and have sold more than one million copies.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… anyone and everyone wanting to approach life with genius and mastery.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE… Michael Gelb breaks down how we too can think like innovation master and genius, Leonardo Da Vinci. It is a conceptual roadmap that is sure to change how you approach work and life. Confidence and a desire to find the beauty of truth will change how you approach and learn from failure and continue to feed your curiosity. Moreover, as a world-famous juggler, Michael also shares how we can keep multiple balls in the air ourselves, and how we can solve problems quickly and efficiently.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… Michael's motto of maintaining the curiosity of a child with the focus of a grown-up.

Running Time: 30:57

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Michael's Website

Healing Leader Website