Disruptions aren’t the exception anymore; they’re part of the landscape.
Shutdowns, supply shortages, labor disputes, reorganizations, and even political or social unrest can send shockwaves through even the most prepared teams. We live in a period of VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous).
So what’s a leader to do? Ignore it and hope for calm? Push harder and risk burnout? Or use the disruption itself as a way to build resilience and clarity?
In the latest episode of Insights, I share practical ways leaders can respond when disruption hits. You’ll hear why acknowledging uncertainty openly, creating clarity where you can, reconnecting to purpose, adapting workflows thoughtfully, and caring for people’s resilience matter more than ever.
I revisit Delta Air Lines’ journey, which began with a rocky loyalty program rollout but ultimately became one of its strongest assets through learning from the disruption.
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My wife went to Penn State. Her dad and his twin brother were part of Penn State’s first wrestling national championship team. Her family is full of Nittany Lion alumni. One of my boys, Dylan, in a memorable moment for him, high-fived Coach James Franklin before a game last year.
So when Franklin was fired after more than a decade at Penn State, it wasn’t just another sports headline; it hit close to home. It’s also a leadership story worth exploring.
He rebuilt a broken program, restored belief, and won over 100 games. But in leadership, the real challenge isn’t building success, it’s maintaining it. Over time, expectations change, trust shifts, and what was once sufficient… no longer is.
In this episode of Insights, I examine what we can all learn from Franklin’s tenure about clarity, culture, reinvention, and knowing when to adapt before others step in.
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Ever feel like your team has more potential than it shows? This episode breaks down seven behaviors you can personally apply to spark new ideas, influence your team’s direction, and unlock major breakthroughs.
Power is real, and as a leader, you can’t ignore it. In this episode of Insights, I share how to use power intentionally so it builds trust, creates space for others, and strengthens results.
Are you preparing your team for the game, or for the reality that follows?
When The New York Times / The Athletic profiled how Victor Wembanyama trains, one detail jumped out at me: he doesn’t just rehearse set plays. He practices under constraints, in smaller spaces, with unusual rules, and unpredictable conditions. The idea is simple: if you can adapt in chaos, you’ll thrive when the real game comes.
The same principle, known as the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA), is transforming how we think about leadership. Instead of teaching people one “right way,” CLA is about creating environments where teams learn to adjust, innovate, and respond when the unexpected happens.
In my latest podcast, I share how leaders can apply CLA to build organizations that are more resilient, more creative, and better prepared for uncertainty.
What about you? Are you giving your team perfect rehearsals or preparing them for the real thing?
Every leader knows the hardest word in the job: no.
And many admit they wish they had learned how to say it earlier in their careers.
The truth is, no one likes hearing it, and no one enjoys giving it. But “no” is critical to protecting focus and priorities. The key is how you deliver it.
In this episode of Insights, I explore 11 ways to say no without demoralizing your team. You’ll see how subtle techniques we use with friends (yes, even at a restaurant) can help leaders set boundaries with grace.
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After Ohio State’s painful loss to Michigan, the season could have unraveled. Instead, players and coaches gathered for a raw, honest conversation. That heart-to-heart didn’t just heal wounds; it became the turning point that fueled their historic run to a national championship.
Business teams aren’t so different. There are moments when morale dips, trust frays, or setbacks sting. That’s when a leader’s willingness to pause, open up, and have a genuine conversation can reset everything.
In the latest episode of Insights, I share when and how to know it’s time for a heart-to-heart with your team, and how to use those moments to build unity and momentum.
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The Golden State Warriors credit part of their 2022 NBA Championship run not just to talent, but to the way they communicated—structured, clear, and consistent. That same principle separates high-performing business teams from those that constantly spin their wheels.
In the latest episode of Insights, I share how leaders can create communication protocols that cut through noise, build trust, and keep teams moving in sync. You’ll hear practical approaches you can apply immediately—without adding red tape.
👉 Give it a listen and see how a few minor changes in how your team communicates can transform the way you work together.
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Courage doesn’t always roar. More often, it whispers.
In 2024, Microsoft engineers raised concerns about AI safety. Leadership didn’t silence them—they created forums for open dialogue. That everyday courage improved outcomes and reinforced trust.
In the newest Insights episode, I share five ways to practice courage daily: normalizing candor, using stories, asking questions, standing with allies, and practicing in small moments.
Silence isn’t neutral; it has a cost.
During the 2023 NFL season, Tua Tagovailoa broke the silence around concussions, sparking a league-wide conversation about safety. In business, the same principle holds: staying quiet often costs more than speaking up.
In the latest episode of Insights, I explore five powerful moments when courage matters most: standing on values, reframing risk, sharing bold ideas, protecting fairness, and treating feedback as a gift.
What makes a great presenter stand out? It isn’t about adding more slides or talking more; it’s about knowing what to cut. In this episode of Insights, discover why less is more. You will learn simple techniques to deliver clearer, concise, and to-the-point presentations.
Dak Prescott. CeeDee Lamb. Micah Parsons.
Jerry Jones waited until the very last minute to strike a deal with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, and it cost the Cowboys tens of millions more than it should have. Will he do the same with Micah Parsons? Waiting until the end may not be the best strategy when negotiating.
In business, we may fall into the same trap as Jerry Jones. Don’t confuse “waiting” with “winning.”