This is part 2 of a 2 part conversation… 

In part 2 of a two-part conversation on the Whiskey, Jazz, and Leadership podcast, host Galen Bingham continues with executive search entrepreneur Frank Clark, who explains that strong leaders capture hearts, minds, and imaginations, and that Encore Leadership Advisors stress-tests this “followership” through early interactions and back-channel references to avoid mismatched opportunities. Clark shares that what wasn’t “in the brochure” of his current role was hearing many more “no’s” in a competitive executive search market, which reinforced the need for relentlessness, immersion, and bringing value in every client interaction. The discussion connects entrepreneurship to John Coltrane’s journey, including being misunderstood and operating from a calling, not just a career. Clark also describes his “invisible board of directors”—Reginald Lewis, John H. Johnson, and Bob Johnson—highlighting preparation, work ethic, belief, strategy, and team-building, and closes with advice on core values, mastery, and service.

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This is part 1 of a 2 part conversation… 

In part 1 of a two-part conversation on the Whiskey, Jazz, and Leadership podcast, host Galen Bingham welcomes executive search entrepreneur Frank Clark, who shares his non-linear career journey from Motorola sales to AT&T leadership, earning an MBA in finance and marketing while working, moving into consulting at EDS, and leading a large P&L at RR Donnelley before buying printing businesses in Las Vegas under a private equity model and helping build Encore Leadership Advisors, a national C-suite executive search firm. They discuss the show’s whiskey-jazz-leadership metaphor as enjoyment and mentorship, career improvisation across industries, and leadership through collaboration, empathy, and execution. Clark emphasizes demonstrating empathy by showing vulnerability and sharing origin stories, including growing up on Chicago’s South Side and his father’s rise from the mailroom. They also outline Encore’s candidate rigor, including probing motivations, intellectual curiosity, career trajectory, and followership.

Keep the conversation going inside the Whiskey, Jazz & Leadership VIP Room.

For just $4 a month, you’ll get video access to every Season 10 conversation, plus exclusive VIP content from every guest since Season 2.

Try it free for 7 days and go deeper into the conversations, insights, and perspectives that can help you think differently and make better decisions.

Join the VIP Room: Whiskey, Jazz & Leadership VIP Room: https://patreon.com/WhiskeyJazzandLeadership?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

This is part 2 of a 2 part conversation… 

In part 2 of a two part conversation on the Whiskey, Jazz, and Leadership Podcast, host Galen Bingham talks with Dr. Deb Clary (founder of the Clary Group and author of The Curiosity Curve) about leaders needing a broad “toolbox” and the dexterity to use the right approach for each situation. Clary shares how raising two daughters revealed different needs for support and autonomy, shaping her practice of asking teammates how they like to be led. She contrasts transactional, rule-driven culture at Frito-Lay with Coca-Cola’s more relational approach, and explains why bold, genuine questions drive growth, coaching, and leader development. She cites research linking curiosity to higher retention, job satisfaction, and engagement, emphasizes trust as a prerequisite for bolder questions.

Keep the conversation going inside the Whiskey, Jazz & Leadership VIP Room.

For just $4 a month, you’ll get video access to every Season 10 conversation, plus exclusive VIP content from every guest since Season 2.

Try it free for 7 days and go deeper into the conversations, insights, and perspectives that can help you think differently and make better decisions.

Join the VIP Room: Whiskey, Jazz & Leadership VIP Room: https://patreon.com/WhiskeyJazzandLeadership?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

This is part 1 of a 2 part conversation… 

In the season ten kickoff of the Whiskey, Jazz, and Leadership Podcast, host Galen Bingham reconnects with his former Coca-Cola North America manager, Dr. Deb Clary, founder of the Clary Group and author of “The Curiosity Curve”, for part 1 of a two-part conversation about curiosity as a leadership discipline and how better questions improve decisions. Dr. Clary recounts her career from Frito-Lay route driver to leadership roles at Coca-Cola, Brown-Forman, and Humana, earning a doctorate in leadership development, launching Humana’s Leadership Institute, and researching curiosity’s relationship to leadership performance and culture. They also touch on her 2005 dissertation findings that women tend toward purpose-driven transformational leadership, men toward results-driven transactional leadership, and that C-suite leaders need both.

Keep the conversation going inside the Whiskey, Jazz & Leadership VIP Room.

For just $4 a month, you’ll get video access to every Season 10 conversation, plus exclusive VIP content from every guest since Season 2.

Try it free for 7 days and go deeper into the conversations, insights, and perspectives that can help you think differently and make better decisions.

Join the VIP Room: Whiskey, Jazz & Leadership VIP Room: https://patreon.com/WhiskeyJazzandLeadership?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Season 10 begins with a question that has been getting harder for me to ignore:

What if success is keeping you busy enough to miss your assignment?

After more than 175 conversations, I’ve noticed that even the most accomplished leaders eventually wrestle with deeper questions about identity, purpose, and what their success is ultimately for.

In this On Tap preview, you’ll meet five of the 17 leaders joining me this season:

Dr. Deb Clary, a globally recognized leadership expert, TEDx speaker, author, and authority on curiosity.

Dr. Willie Jolley, a Hall of Fame speaker, bestselling author, and renowned expert on turning setbacks into comebacks.

Kim-Adele Randall, a CEO, bestselling author, and leadership expert whose work explores self-doubt, authenticity, and the courage to step into what comes next.

Roderick Jefferson, a Fortune 100 executive and bestselling author whose journey from global corporate success to stroke survivor reshaped his perspective on health, leadership, and what matters most.

John Herber, Chairman of RubinBrown and a respected business leader who believes success finds its greatest meaning through stewardship and service.

Season 10 is about reinvention, faith, resilience, identity, courage, and the questions that change the direction of a life.

My hope is that somewhere in these conversations, you hear something that challenges you, stays with you, and moves you closer to the assignment that has your name on it.

Welcome to Season 10 of Whiskey, Jazz & Leadership.

Cheers.

Podcast Description:

Galen highlights key moments from 17 incredible guests who do not wait for clarity—they create it. You will revisit insights from Melvin Gilliam Sr. on boardroom principles, Olu Burrell on neuroscience-based thinking, DeVone Holt on living a legacy of conviction, and Hugh Roth on enterprise leadership at the highest levels. From the discipline of jazz mastery with Lenny Price to the courage of trusting your own signal with Yolessa Lawrence, this recap captures the essence of what it takes to lead under pressure.

This season was proudly sponsored by Kiln Global Coaching and Consulting. When the pressure hits, many leaders hesitate. When ROI is on the line, you do not have that luxury. Visit KilnGlobalCoaching.com to learn more.

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Podcast Description:

In Part 2 of this two-part episode of Whiskey, Jazz & Leadership, host Galen Bingham continues his dynamic conversation with Hugh Roth, Chief Customer Officer and seasoned leader with a career spanning iconic brands like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and American Express. This episode dives deep into the nuances of leading leaders, the importance of curiosity, and how to create an environment where teams thrive.

Hugh shares his insights on the value of asking catalytic questions, the role of mentors in shaping leadership, and the challenges of transitioning from being a "hunter" to a "guide." With wisdom gained from decades of experience and a passion for empowering others, Hugh offers actionable advice for leaders at every stage of their journey.

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Podcast Description:

In Part 1 of this two-part episode of Whiskey, Jazz & Leadership, host Galen Bingham sits down with Hugh Roth, Chief Customer Officer and seasoned leader with a career spanning iconic brands like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and American Express. Hugh shares his journey from his roots in Pittsburgh to leading global teams, offering invaluable insights into leadership, trust, and creating value in the eyes of others.

This episode dives into the essence of leadership, the importance of humility, and how to create an environment where people feel empowered to bring their best ideas forward. Hugh and Galen explore the significance of playing to your team’s strengths, building trust through transparency, and the lessons learned from working with some of the most respected leaders in the industry.

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Podcast Description:

In Part 2 of this two-part episode of Whiskey, Jazz & Leadership, host Galen Bingham continues his powerful conversation with leadership expert and storyteller Melissa Majors. This episode dives even deeper into the art of leading with humanity, the courage it takes to challenge the status quo, and the transformative power of storytelling in building trust and inspiring action.

Melissa shares her insights on how leaders can embrace their humanity, foster inclusion, and create environments where people thrive. From the leadership principles of Jesus to the neuroscience of storytelling, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humor, and actionable advice for leaders at every level.

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Podcast Description:

In Part 1 of this two-part episode of Whiskey, Jazz & Leadership, host Galen Bingham sits down with the inspiring Melissa Majors, a leadership expert, storyteller, and coach. Melissa shares her journey from teaching her father to read as a child to becoming a global leader in corporate education and human-centered leadership. With her unique blend of emotional intelligence, storytelling, and practical wisdom, Melissa reveals how leaders can inspire action, foster connection, and create lasting impact.

This episode dives into the art of leadership storytelling, the importance of understanding your team’s motivations, and how embracing both the joys and pains of life can make you a better leader. Melissa’s insights are as heartfelt as they are actionable, making this a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their leadership game.

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