Innovating Leadership: Co-Creating Our Future
The pace of change in the world is increasing exponentially. As COVID proved, leadership must evolve. And that gets to the heart of our mission: to bring you the latest thoughts on leadership so you can innovate, learn, and evolve...growing your team, your business, and yourself! Every week, host Maureen Metcalf interviews world leaders, global business and NPO executives, thought leaders, and researchers in a wide range of industries. It’s a breadth of perspectives unavailable anywhere else. Become an innovative leader in your own right! Download the latest episode each Tuesday night on your favorite podcast platform, or watch on YouTube at https://bit.ly/InnoYouTube .
Episodes

Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
S9-Ep27: The Anxious Achiever
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Guest: Morra Aarons-Mele
Does anxiety plague your leadership role? Just push through it isn’t a solution: the constant stress and strain of anxiety can take a toll on both your mental health and workplace performance. It's time to stop ignoring the issue and start implementing effective strategies to manage anxiety.
Morra Aarons-Mele lives with anxiety, too, but has researched it deeply. Now, she’s dedicated to helping others navigate its challenges. In this episode, Morra shares her personal story with host Maureen Metcalf, and offers practical advice for anxious leaders across all industries. The unexpected twist? It turns out, anxiety can actually be a source of motivation and drive. Listen to learn more!
Here's what Morra and Maureen cover:
The scale of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues;
Why they are so important to acknowledge in the workplace; and
How anxiety affects your own leadership…and your team’s well-being.
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
Leadership Is Relationships with Kvon Tucker
A Cure for Toxic Leadership with Raj Subrameyer
Remote Work and Mental Well-Being with Dr. Gleb Tsipursky
For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram and Twitter, too!
RESOURCES:
Morra’s new book, The Anxious Achiever, is available in hardback at https://amzn.to/3pkND7o and on Kindle at https://amzn.to/3puFYU1.
Her previous book, Hiding in the Bathroom: How to Get Out There When You’d Rather Stay Home, is also available in paperback at https://amzn.to/46nUcql and in Kindle format at https://amzn.to/3JwnVnl.
Morra’s podcast is on all major platforms. You can hear sample episodes — and learn more about her consulting work — on her website at https://morraam.com.
Our host, Maureen Metcalf, posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.
She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.
Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include:
Jessica Jones: Alias by Brian Michael Bendis
Watership Down by Richard Adams
The Five Lost Superpowers: Why We Lost Them & Hot to Get Them Back by John Reid, et al
-----------------------
OUR PODCAST TEAM:
Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf
Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko
Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko
Assistant Editor: Luigi Morelli
Bon Vivants: Jenna Reik & Connor Carson
CONNECT WITH US:
YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership
Twitter: @IL_Institute
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2
Instagram: @innovativeleader
Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!
-----------------------
About Our Guest:
Morra Aarons-Mele is the host of The Anxious Achiever, a top-10 management podcast that helps people rethink the relationship between their mental health and their leadership. Morra founded Women Online and The Mission List, an award-winning digital-consulting firm and influencer marketing company dedicated to social change in 2010 and sold her businesses in 2021. She helped Hillary Clinton log on for her first internet chat and has launched digital campaigns for President Obama, Malala Yousafzai, the United Nations, the CDC, and many other leading figures and organizations. She lives outside Boston with her family and menagerie. For more details, visit www.theanxiousachiever.com.

Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
S9-Ep26: Working & Living in Joy
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Guest: Pamela Larde, Ph.D.
Does the struggle to balance work and personal life sound familiar? Have you bought the myth that working harder leads to? You’re not alone. But the truth is, that leads to burnout, stress, and decreased productivity. It’s time to break free and discover the power of joy in professional settings. By prioritizing joy and well-being, you can enhance your personal and professional life, build mental stamina, and create a positive work environment.
Pamela Larde joins us with details on building your joy. And by incorporating joy into your leadership approach, you can foster a culture that is not only successful but also fulfilling for both you and your team. Join us to learn how to integrate joy into your workplace and achieve the results you want.
Here's what Pamela and host Maureen Metcalf cover:
The difference between joy and happiness;
How leaders can help their teams find joy – and how that benefits your organization; and
The personal benefits of fostering joy and well-being in your own life.
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
Joy at Work! With Roxanne Brown & Edward Cook
Finding Meaning, Joy, & Purpose in What You Do with Paul Gibbons
The Science Behind Our Yes! with Jim Ritchie-Dunham
For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, too!
RESOURCES:
Pamela has a bounty of resources on the practice and science of joy on her website: www.thejoywhisperer.org.
Her upcoming book is Joyfully Single. While you wait for it to be released, check out her current book: Letters to the Brokenhearted.
Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.
She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.
Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include:
Hello, I Must Be Going: The Mostly True Story of an Imaginary Band by David Meyers
The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
Snow White & the Seven Robots by Louise Simonson & Jimena Sanchez
-----------------------
OUR PODCAST TEAM:
Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf
Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko
Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko
Asst. Editor: Luigi Morelli
Joyful Podcast Support Personages: Jenna Reik & Connor Carson
CONNECT WITH US:
YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership
Twitter: @IL_Institute
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2
Instagram: @innovativeleader
Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!
-----------------------
About Our Guest:
Dr. Pamela Larde, a professor, coach, award-winning author, and business owner, is committed to engaging in the work of advancing the reach and commitment of the coaching profession to serve and build up heart-centered leaders. In 2013, she founded the Academy of Creative Coaching, which was among the first of black female-owned ICF-accredited coaching schools in the world. As a scholar with a strong interest in helping people overcome barriers through the art and science of coaching, her research focuses on joy, justice, self-motivation, resilience, and posttraumatic growth.

Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
S9-Ep25: Getting on Code: Leaders Walk Their Talk
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Guests: Ricky Robinson & Keith Powell
Are you on code?“On code” is like authenticity on steroids: as a leader you not only walk the talk, but give back, bring others along (mentor and sponsor), and fight for change when you see inequity. Being on code can be tough; after all, as guest Ricky Robinson points out, “In reality, most organizations don’t want you to be your authentic self.”
But fear not; Ricky and Keith Powell, the founders of C-CRETS, join host Maureen Metcalf to explain the many ways of getting on code…and the many benefits it presents.
Here's what Keith, Ricky, and Maureen cover:
How being on code can help you win the war for talent;
What the concept of Village Accountability is all about; and
The very real importance of DEI in AI.
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
Career Sponsorship & Being Sponsor Ready with Ricky Robinson & Keith Powell
Building Communities within Your Business with Alice Yoo LeClair
DEI Insights from IBM South Africa with Roger Madison
For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram and Twitter, too!
RESOURCES:
You can learn more about Ricky and Keith’s work on their website: www.c-crets.com. You’ll also find links to their podcast there or at www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/r229d-127b00/C-CRETS-Podcast. Either way, you’ll find tips and tricks for climbing the ladder, and handling the systemic roadblocks for people of color.
Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.
She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.
Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include:
Inside a Silver Box by Walter Moseley (Hardback: https://amzn.to/43WBe8p)
This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley
Adventureman by Matt Fraction and Terry & Rachel Dodson
-----------------------
OUR PODCAST TEAM:
Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf
Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko
Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko
Currently Coding: Luigi Morelli, Jenna Reik, & Connor Carson
CONNECT WITH US:
Facebook: facebook.com/Innovativeleadership
YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership
Twitter: @IL_Institute
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2
Instagram: @innovativeleader
Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!
-----------------------
About Our Guests:
Keith Powell is a Chief Operating Officer in private education with over 20 years corporate experience in the U.S. and Canada. Most of his career, Keith led global Finance and Operations functions for Fortune 1000 companies in the automotive, chemical, consumer and commercial goods, e-commerce, and smart home industries. Keith was the “first” or the “only” quite often climbing the corporate ladder. Having mentored and coached hundreds throughout his career, he continues to share practical, digestible advice to underrepresented employees as a co-founder of C-CRETS (https://www.c-crets.com), which is a career advice platform offering career coaching services, online courses and topical content through blogs and a podcast.
Ricky Robinson is a Vice President of Human Resources for a $35B leader in the Medical Device industry. His 20+ year career has afforded him leadership roles in Human Resources for some best in class global organizations spanning industries from commercial goods, retail, smart home industries and med tech. Ricky is extremely familiar with being the “Sole Brother” on the Executive Leadership Team quite often challenging diversity, inclusion and unconscious bias issues within Corporate America, as an advocate and sponsor for underrepresented groups. Having spent his career as a mentor and coach, he continues to share the tips and tricks that help underrepresented employees reach their full potential as a co-founder of C-CRETS (https://www.c-crets.com).

Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
S9-Ep24: Paving the PATH to Customer-Centric Success
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Guest: Sarah Ahern
Client loyalty. Stakeholder loyalty. Employee loyalty. However you define your customers, their loyalty is key to moving your organization from just good to great. One key to growing it is to always make it easy for your customer to get what they want from you.
But how do you know what they want, much less how they want to receive it?
With data! And knowing how to find that data is what Sarah Ahern and her company, PATH, help organizations of all sizes understand. In this episode, Sarah shares the role of surveys, communication, and more in delivering exceptional customer experiences. And that, in turn, delivers long-term success for your business!
Here’s what Sarah and host Maureen Metcalf discuss:
The importance of collecting feedback through surveys to hear your customers’ voice;
Why customer experience isn’t just another buzzword, but the foundation of the Experience Economy; and
How companies with this focus outperform the S&P500 by up to 1,200%!
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
- What Your Team REALLY Thinks, in Real Time! – with Greg Moran
- Leadership Is Relationships – with Kvon Tucker
- Lead Responsibly: An Absolut – with Ann Mukherjee
For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram and Twitter, too!
RESOURCES:
The article Sarah mentioned about how to lose customers is online at https://www.pathgrowth.com/insights/5-techniques-to-lose-any-client-employee-or-customer.
Sarah also referenced these books in the interview:
The Experience Economy by Joseph Pine II & James Gilmore (Hardback or Kindle);
Good to Great by Jim Collins (Hardback or Kindle);
Winning on Purpose: The Unbeatable Strategy of Loving Customers by Fred Reichheld, et al (Hardback or Kindle).
Our host, Maureen Metcalf, posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.
She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.
Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include:
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson
The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
Snow White & the Seven Robots by Louise Simonson & Jimena Sanchez
-----------------------
OUR PODCAST TEAM:
Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf
Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko
Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko
Podcast Loyalists: Luigi Morelli, Jenna Reik, & Connor Carson
CONNECT WITH US:
YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership
Twitter: @IL_Institute
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2
Instagram: @innovativeleader
Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!
-----------------------
About Our Guest:
Sarah Ahern, MA, is an Owner and Partner at PATH, a 40-year-old woman-owned market research and business management firm. She has developed and launched companies, programs, products, and services for almost two decades as a 4-time entrepreneur and consultant.
Sarah has built change management and market growth strategies for Fortune 100 and 500 companies across North America. To spice it up, she rounds out her understanding of human behavior with a Masters in Health Education, a culinary degree, and experience designing and implementing nutrition-focused population health programs for Whole Foods Market, LinkedIn, Tesla, SpaceX and more.
Sarah is a passionate thought leader, consultant, educator, and community steward. She was recognized as a 2022 recipient of the Columbus 40 Under 40 award and is a renowned facilitator and mentor in the social enterprise community.

Wednesday May 31, 2023
S9-Ep23: Unleashing the Power of Human-AI Collaboration
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Guest: Neil Sahota
The jobs of tomorrow are being incubated right now.
Artificial Intelligence – AI – is already rapidly transforming our world. You have two years, maybe up to five, before it transforms your work, too. But IBM Master Inventor Neil Sahota sees hope, not gloom: throughout human history, technological transformations meant more and often better jobs. The key is to be ready, and Neil tells us how.
Here's what Neil and host Maureen Metcalf cover:
The five skills every job will require;
The fact that we don’t teach three of those five skills in U.S. education; and
The top actions leaders need to take right now (because odds are you’re already behind the curve…and your competitors!).
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
How to Own the AI Revolution – with Neil Sahota
The End of Jobs – with Jeff Wald
The Creative Mindset – with Jeff DeGraff
For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram and Twitter, too!
RESOURCES:
Neil's book, Own the A.I. Revolution: Unlock Your Artificial Intelligence Strategy to Disrupt Your Competition, can be purchased here.
Learn more about Neil on his website at NeilSahota.com.
Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can follow her there at https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenmetcalf.
She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.
-----------------------
OUR PODCAST TEAM:
Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf
Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko
Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko
Regenerative Learners: Luigi Morelli, Jenna Reik, & Connor Carson
CONNECT WITH US:
YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership
Twitter: @IL_Institute
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2
Instagram: @innovativeleader
Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!
-----------------------
About Our Guest:
Neil Sahota (萨冠军) is an IBM Master Inventor, United Nations (UN) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisor, author of the best-seller Own the AI Revolution, and a sought-after speaker. With 20+ years of business experience, he works to inspire clients and business partners to foster innovation and develop next generation products/solutions powered by AI.

Tuesday May 23, 2023
Tuesday May 23, 2023
Guest: Teuila Hanson
Does your team feel like they belong in your organization? Do you?
At LinkedIn, that feeling of belonging is a critical part of workplace culture. And one way they accomplish it is by taking DEI to a whole new level: DIBs (Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging programs). Chief People Officer Teuila Hanson has seen remarkable success with it…so much so, LinkedIn happily shares techniques with other companies. It’s like an open source program for HR departments anywhere! What’s more, the benefits cascade into the community. Teuila brings us the details in this discussion with host Maureen Metcalf.
Here's what Teuila and Maureen cover:
Why LinkedIn looks at an employee’s entire career cycle, and how it helps them advance within the company;
What DIBs means in practice; and
How HR innovations like this break generational cycles in and provide opportunities for families in poor socioeconomic conditions.
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
Workforce Demographics & Inclusive Culture with Nadia Younes, Gamiel Yafai, & Louise Carvalho
DEI: Needed Conversations & Understanding – with Laura Morgan Roberts & Courtney McCluney
Recruiting & Retaining Diverse Executives – with Eric Douglas Keene
For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram and Twitter, too!
RESOURCES:
Information about the course Teuila mentioned about incorporating DIBs in your organization is online at https://www.linkedin.com/learning/advancing-a-dibs-strategy-in-your-organization/driving-transformative-change-in-your-deib-work?autoplay=true.
You can learn more about the business side of LinkedIn at https://about.linkedin.com. LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman has written many books. Start with Masters of Scale about successful entrepreneurs. It’s available through Amazon at https://amzn.to/3MthBO1 (hardback) and https://amzn.to/4321yOp (Kindle).
Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.
She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.
Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include:
Glass Hearts by Terri Paul
The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
The Sandman – Book 1 by Neil Gaiman & Sam Kieth
-----------------------
OUR PODCAST TEAM:
Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf
Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko
Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko
People We’re Linked To: Luigi Morelli, Jenna Reik, & Connor Carson
CONNECT WITH US:
YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership
Twitter: @IL_Institute
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2
Instagram: @innovativeleader
Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!
-----------------------
About Our Guest:
Teuila Hanson is the Chief People Officer at LinkedIn. In this role she leads the team responsible for hiring, developing and growing top talent, including all benefits, employee experience, and Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging programs.
Prior to joining LinkedIn, Teuila was the executive vice president and Chief Strategy and People Officer at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. In this role, she led the strategy and people teams and served as chair of the bank’s management committee, creating an engaging workplace by driving bank strategy and integrating best practices in talent management, inclusion and diversity, learning and development, compensation and benefits, employee engagement and corporate culture. Teuila also held various leadership roles at AECOM Technology Corporation, a global professional services organization.
Teuila earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sonoma State University, and her juris doctor degree from Golden Gate University School of Law. She is a licensed member of the California Bar.

Tuesday May 16, 2023
S9-Ep21: Remote Work and Mental Well-Being
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Guest: Dr. Gleb Tsipursky
Many CEOs and executives insisting on staff returning to the office full time are making decisions based on myths about hybrid work. The truth may surprise them – and you!
Dr. Gleb Tsipursky busts those myths with hard data and direct experience with 23+ organizations. The bottom line: for the majority of “office” workers, hybrid work benefits both wellbeing and productivity. With mental health concerns at an all time high world-wide, that’s a message more employers should be paying attention to.
Here's what Gleb and host Maureen Metcalf cover:
How hybrid work boosts not only boosts mental well-being and productivity, but employee retention and satisfaction, too;
How to establish new norms for workdays that accommodate diverse lifestyles; and
Why workers feel social isolation in the office, too – and targeted strategies to combat it!
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
The Blindspots Between Us: How to Overcome Unconscious Cognitive Bias with Dr. Gleb Tsipursky
Building a Culture of Brain Health, Growth & Effectiveness with Dr. JJ Walcutt
Leading with Care & Purpose with Raj Sisodia & Sudhanshu Palsule
For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon and Twitter, too!
RESOURCES:
Gleb has written seven books. In this episode, he talked about Returning to the Office and Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams (Paperback: https://amzn.to/3MI2uSt and Kindle version: https://amzn.to/3pQ5enr). His other works include:
Never Go with Your Gut
The Blind Spots Between Us and
Pro Truth: A Practical Plan for Putting Truth Back into Politics with Tim Ward
You can also learn more about Gleb’s work on his company’s website: https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com.
Our host, Maureen Metcalf, posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.
She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.
Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include:
Ivory Vikings by Nancy Marie Brown
The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
The Joker: An Origin Story by Louise Simonson & Luciano Vecchio
-----------------------
OUR PODCAST TEAM:
Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf
Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko
Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko
Remotely Working Tirelessly Night & Day: Luigi Morelli, Jenna Reik, & Connor Carson
CONNECT WITH US:
Facebook: facebook.com/Innovativeleadership
YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership
Twitter: @IL_Institute
Mastodon: @InnoLeader
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2
Instagram: @innovativeleader
Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!
-----------------------
About Our Guest:
Dr. Gleb Tsipursky helps leaders use hybrid work to improve retention and productivity while cutting costs. He serves as the CEO of the boutique future-of-work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts. He is the best-selling author of 7 books, including Never Go With Your Gut and Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams. His cutting-edge thought leadership was featured in over 650 articles in prominent venues such as Harvard Business Review, Fortune, and Forbes. His expertise comes from over 20 years of consulting for Fortune 500 companies from Aflac to Xerox and over 15 years in academia as a behavioral scientist at UNC-Chapel Hill and Ohio State. A proud Ukrainian American, Dr. Gleb lives in Columbus, Ohio.

Tuesday May 09, 2023
S9-Ep20: How Hilton Became a Global Best Place to Work: Hilton’s CHRO Tells All
Tuesday May 09, 2023
Tuesday May 09, 2023
Guest: Laura Fuentes
Joy, learning, friendship: that’s how Laura Fuentes believes the ideal workplace should be. When she arrived at Hilton, Laura found a culture and leadership team that was thinking along the same lines. Since then, she’s been instrumental in guiding the growth of that culture into one of inclusion, wellness, growth, and purpose – the four pillars of Hilton. It’s just one way Laura and Hilton commit to the well-being of Hilton’s employees. The goal: make Thrive at Hilton something every employee feels every day. Laura shares that journey, which has plenty for you to learn from to make your organization a thriving place, too!
Here's what Laura and Maureen cover:
How Thrive at Hilton has 100-year-old roots, when Conrad Hilton shared his belief that travel is the key to world peace;
The incredible value of a human-focused work culture; and
How that culture boosts the company: “If your team members feel respected and heard, that’s how they’ll make your guests feel, too.”
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
Joy at Work! with Roxanne Brown & Edward Cook
Finding Meaning, Joy, & Purpose in What You Do with Paul Gibbons
Hiring in the Great Resignation with Michelle Sanchez-Bickley
For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon and Twitter, too!
RESOURCES:
You’ll find more information on Hilton at https://www.hilton.com. Go to the bottom of the homepage to find their business information. The Thrive at Hilton details Laura discussed are at https://jobs.hilton.com/us/en/benefits.
To learn more about Conrad Hilton’s vision for the Hilton hotels, check out his autobiography, Be My Guest.
Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.
She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.
Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include:
The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving
Becoming Dr. Seuss by Brian Jay Jones
Snow White & the Seven Robots by Louise Simonson & Jimena Sanchez
-----------------------
OUR PODCAST TEAM:
Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf
Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko
Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko
Suite Assistance Provided By: Luigi Morelli, Jenna Reik, & Connor Carson
CONNECT WITH US:
Facebook: facebook.com/Innovativeleadership
YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership
Twitter: @IL_Institute
Mastodon: @InnoLeader
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2
Instagram: @innovativeleader
Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!
-----------------------
About Our Guest:
Laura Fuentes is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Hilton with over two decades of experience in engineering, strategy consulting and human resources. Having worked in hospitality, financial services, and management consulting, Laura’s career reflects her global, cross-industry perspective in key business and talent areas. Throughout her tenure at Hilton, Laura has led efforts to build an award-winning culture at Hilton, being recognized by Fortune as the #1 Best Place to Work in the U.S. and by DiversityInc as the #1 Company on their 2021 Top 50 Companies for Diversity list. Originally from Spain, she holds a B.S. from the University of Virginia, a M.S. in Structural Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and an M.B.A. from Columbia University. She lives in Arlington with her husband and two sons.

Wednesday May 03, 2023
S9-Ep19: Leadership Is Relationships
Wednesday May 03, 2023
Wednesday May 03, 2023
Guest: Kvon Tucker
If there’s one key thing that’s common to all effective leadership theories, it’s this: leadership is all about relationships. Kvon Tucker distilled this through both academic scholarship and real-world experience at Netflix, Google, and Amazon. Those companies remain high-performing outliers because of their unique leadership culture, and an emphasis on relationships (and writing!) are key.Losing sight of that leads to more than just sterile numbers on morale, low engagement, or layoffs. It leads to real pain for people, real depression, and – as Kvon saw – real suicide.
Kvon discusses all this, along with solutions for leaders who care, in this episode.
Here's what Kvon and host Maureen Metcalf cover:
How an old school practice – writing – leads to innovation and better odds of project success;
Why truly effective leaders understand the importance of relationships; and
The reasons that, even with all the trappings of success, your job can still leave you feeling miserable and depressed…and what to do about it.
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
Building a Culture of Brain Health, Growth, & Effectiveness with Dr. JJ Walcutt
Leading with Care in a Tough World with Bob DeKoch & Phil Clampitt
Leading with Care and Purpose with Raj Sisodia & Sudhanshu Palsule
For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon and Twitter, too!
RESOURCES:
Kvon’s website has more information about his company and his work. You’ll find it at https://consciously.one.
If you’re in crisis or emotional distress, call the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. They have more information online, too, at https://988lifeline.org.
Our host, Maureen Metcalf, posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.
She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.
Books we’re reading for personal development right now include:
The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book about Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson
Spark: The Revolutionary News Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey, MD
-----------------------
OUR PODCAST TEAM:
Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf
Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko
Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko
Making Space for Podcast Awesomeness: Luigi Morelli, Jenna Reik, & Connor Carson
CONNECT WITH US:
Facebook: facebook.com/Innovativeleadership
YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership
Twitter: @IL_Institute
Mastodon: @InnoLeader
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2
Instagram: @innovativeleader
Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!
-----------------------
About Our Guest:
Kvon Tucker is the CEO and Founder of Consciously, a purpose-driven Executive and Leadership Coaching firm.Kvon is also a professionally trained Learning and Leadership Development expert. He has spent a third of his life dedicated to helping leaders, teams, and organizations learn, adapt, and transform.His favorite tagline is, “All I know is how to help people grow.”He has helped leaders at Netflix, Amazon, and Google adapt to hyper-growth and tremendous scale through experiential learning and leadership development coaching.Kvon also holds a Master's in Industrial-Organizational Psychology (M.S. I-O) and is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), and Professional Certified Coach (PCC).

Saturday Apr 29, 2023
S5-Ep36: Lasting Solutions for Distribution Center Labor Shortages
Saturday Apr 29, 2023
Saturday Apr 29, 2023
Guest: Will O’Brien & Dave DuBose
The labor shortage is not going away. Workers are more transient, looking for better pay, plus Amazon, Walmart, and other large online retailers are continuing to drive up competition for distribution center (DC) employees. So, most DC operators resort to wage increases and retention bonuses as the quick solution to this really challenging people problem. Will O'Brien and Dave DuBose joins the show to share the better answer, which is a set of more robust solutions that better serve the operators’ longer-term needs and mitigate their dependence on short-lived “quick fix” wage and bonus answers that everyone else is chasing.
Here's what Will, Dave, and Maureen cover:
Why pay is only the beginning in forming long-term solutions to supply-chain labor;
How Columbus, Ohio, represents the distribution issues retailers face; and
Why, regardless of the economy, the labor shortage is not going away.
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
Supply Chain Innovation: Orders Can’t Be Filled with Stagnation with Mike McLellan of DHL
Evolving Leadership to Navigate Disruption with Greg Moran
Are You Disrupting, or Being Disrupted? with Mark Kvamme
For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, too!
RESOURCES:
Will and Dave are partners with True North Growth Partners; you can learn more at https://truenorthgrowthpartners.com. (We love their motto: “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.”)
Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.
She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.
Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include:
Hello, I Must Be Going: The Mostly True Story of an Imaginary Band by David Meyers
The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
Snow White & the Seven Robots by Louise Simonson & Jimena Sanchez
-----------------------
OUR PODCAST TEAM:
Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf
Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko
Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko
Central to Our Distribution: Luigi Morelli, Jenna Reik, & Connor Carson
CONNECT WITH US:
Facebook: facebook.com/Innovativeleadership
YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership
Twitter: @IL_Institute
Mastodon: @InnoLeader
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2
Instagram: @innovativeleader
Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!
-----------------------
About Our Guest:
Will O’Brien is a partner at True North Growth Partners where he works with organizations on the supply chain and operations sides of their business. He helps his clients overcome the things that hold back their growth and profitability. He has over 30 years of experience in supply chain and operations. He has held executive positions in both industry and consulting. As an executive at Lowe’s Home Improvement he helped to lead the development of the supply chain for that big box retailer during a period of rapid growth, from $35 billion to $50 billion in revenue. He also helped pioneer Lowe’s omni-channel fulfillment when its online sales were growing significantly. He successfully grew a mid-sized family-owned supply chain consulting firm by over 50%, expanded its markets, improved its pricing, reengineered its sales and business development organization and created career paths and professional growth for its associates.
Dave DuBose is a senior supply chain professional with strong cross-industry experience including retail, consumer products, resources and high-tech in the North American and global theaters. Dave has held executive positions in logistics and supply chain in industry as well as consulting and has more than 30 years of professional experience. DuBose delivers innovative results and can translate business strategy into operating strategy and tactics. He has deep expertise in end-to-end business operations and in deploying business solutions from strategy through implementation. Dave is on the Columbus Roundtable, and the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. He is active in speaking and writing about contemporary supply chain issues.

Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
S9-Ep18: Working Together: Leading a Hybrid AI-Human Workforce
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Guest: Greg Moran
Odds are Artificial Intelligence isn’t going to replace you at work. It’s going to join you.
Greg Moran sees AI integrating much the same way breakthrough technologies always have. It will help us be more efficient, and help leaders make better decisions. Of course, it’s not all rasterized rainbows and Unix unicorns; to thrive, people will have to be able and willing to continually learn new skills and processes. In short, the obsessively curious will rise to the top. Greg shares the details in this episode.
Here's what Greg and host Maureen Metcalf cover:
How generative AI has already proven it can give you a competitive advantage by helping you make better, faster decisions on quality information, but…
…be careful! AI won’t make those decisions for you!
Why continually growing, learning, and adapting are top skills for career success (and coasting at work is no longer an option).
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
How to Own the AI Revolution with Neil Sahota
The Future Is Yours to Create with Rebecca Ryan
The New Role of Leadership in a Hybrid Workplace with Greg Moran
For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon and Twitter, too!
RESOURCES:
Greg is the former COO and currently a board member of Aware, which creates AI-infused solutions for collaboration platforms; you can learn more at https://www.awarehq.com. You can also connect with Greg on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsmoran.
A terrific book about the promise and pitfalls of the AI revolution is Own the A.I. Revolution: Unlock Your Artificial Intelligence Strategy to Disrupt Your Competition; it can be purchased here.
Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.
She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.
Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include:
The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
-----------------------
OUR PODCAST TEAM:
Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf
Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko
Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko
Hybrids Before It Was Cool: Luigi Morelli, Jenna Reik, & Connor Carson
CONNECT WITH US:
Facebook: facebook.com/Innovativeleadership
YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership
Twitter: @IL_Institute
Mastodon: @InnoLeader
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2
Instagram: @innovativeleader
Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!
-----------------------
About Our Guest:
Greg Moran is a C-level digital, strategy and change leadership executive with extensive global operations experience. He led corporate strategy for Ford and designed the plan that Alan Mullaly used to turn around the company. Greg held C-level IT positions in app dev, infrastructure, and core banking applications at Ford, Nationwide Insurance, and Bank One/JPMC, respectively. He began his career in consulting with Arthur Andersen Accenture, working across industries with 100 companies over the course of a decade. He is passionate about leadership and culture, and teaches part time on the topic at Ohio University.

Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Guest: Ann Mukherjee
Ann Mukherjee’s life is one of complete inspiration, both personally and professionally. Her mother was killed by a drunk driver when Ann was just 14; as an adult, she endured alcohol related violence.
Yet today, she leads the second largest wine and spirits company in the world. Far from a contradiction, it’s a calling – one which sees not just customers and ROI, but caring and ROR (Return on Responsibility). The two are intertwined; even as Pernod Ricard promotes safe, responsible drinking, their profits have soared.
Here's what Ann and host Maureen Metcalf cover:
The changing role of leaders, especially CEOs;
How Ann sees her work at Pernod Ricard not as a job, but as a calling; and
The important role of mentors for career success.
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
Leading with Care and Purpose with Raj Sisodia & Sudhanshu Palsule
Leading with Care in a Tough World with Bob DeKoch & Phil Clampitt
Career Sponsorship with Ricky Robinson & Keith Powell
For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon and Twitter, too!
RESOURCES:
You can learn more about Ann’s company, Pernod Ricard, at https://www.pernod-ricard.com/en. The organizations Ann mentioned include The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (https://www.responsibility.org) and Women of the Vine & Spirits (https://www.womenofthevine.com/cpages/home).
Our host, Maureen Metcalf, posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.
She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.
Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include:
The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
Snow White & the Seven Robots by Louise Simonson & Jimena Sanchez
-----------------------
OUR PODCAST TEAM:
Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf
Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko
Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko
A toast to our podcast support team: Luigi Morelli, Jenna Reik, & Connor Carson
CONNECT WITH US:
Facebook: facebook.com/Innovativeleadership
YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership
Twitter: @IL_Institute
Mastodon: @InnoLeader
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2
Instagram: @innovativeleader
Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!
-----------------------
About Our Guest:
Ann Mukherjee joined PRNA (Pernod Ricard) as CEO in December 2019. An industry outsider and woman of color, Ann is focused on delivering both ROI and ROR (return on responsibility). She’s advanced the business through ambiguity, driving a transformation rooted in the science of predictable consumer demand and guiding PRNA to record-breaking profits in 2021. Ann has launched award-winning brand campaigns and initiatives around consent, voting and hate speech. Ann has been recognized by Forbes 2022 ‘50 over 50’; Forbes’ Top 50 Most Influential CMOs; ADCOLOR’s Legend Award; and was inducted into the American Marketing Association’s Marketing Hall of Fame.

You CAN Be a Better Leader!
In fact, the best leaders constantly seek to improve themselves. That's one trait that consistently shows up in the research.
We're here to do exactly that. This podcast is just one tool the Innovative Leadership Institute provides to bring the latest research, trends, and practices to you...free. A single episode may not change your life -- but it will introduce you to innovative leadership ideas, as well as the people and resources to pursue it further.
Check it out. You'll soon find yourself changing. For the better. And for the betterment of all!
To learn more about us, check out our website at InnovativeLeadership.com. You can also follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Mastodon.
The Innovative Leadership Institute:
Creating Future-Ready Leaders and Organizations