Episodes
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As we wrap up this season of "Aim Higher," it reminds me of how much "summer" has come to be synonymous with "vacation," even decades after we move beyond school semesters and summer breaks. We think of summer and we think of fun, travel, family, and relaxation. And that's great! But many times we forget to really disconnect and recharge. As leaders, we need to care for ourselves. And that includes a healthy commitment to living and experiencing life outside work. In this final, 5-minute mini-episode, I share some thoughts on how we can all get the most out of summer—even if that means taking some time to just do nothing. Thank you for listening this season, and I look forward to seeing you online, in the comments, on social media... and maybe even at the beach!
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In this episode, my panel of business experts and I discuss the importance of resilience. Not just for leadership—though we focus most of our time on that aspect—but to each of us within our business and personal lives. Nothing important was ever accomplished without making mistakes, without trial-and-error, without pushing through practice to get to performance. Weathering those storms successfully requires resilience—and it’s a skill that can be learned. Tune in for some great advice about how to do so as part of your leadership journey.
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There are so many traits of great leadership that aren’t, in my opinion, optional. Honesty, curiosity, integrity, drive, determination all come to mind. But you can certainly have many different types and styles of leaders who each embody all those characteristics. You can be an extrovert or an introvert. You can focus more on managing relationships or processes. You can favor creativity or analytics. In this episode of “Aim Higher” my expert panel and I discuss how your unique style of leadership can be a big part of your success. Just as long as it’s authentically “you.” Listen in for some great ideas.
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In this episode, Dan Rockwell and John David Mann join Skip to discuss their latest book collaboration, “The Vagrant: The Inner Journey of Leadership,” a parable that explores ideas of self and success in an intriguing, compelling way. The book begins with a seemingly simple incident—the main character trips over a homeless man. But this one moment leads to a journey of self-awareness and personal growth. Why should you tune in? Because this isn't just a leadership “theory.” It’s a way of thinking that can transform how you lead and live. I hope you'll join me for this lively, enlightening conversation that will challenge your perceptions and inspire your planning.
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On this week’s episode, my expert panel and I talk about how to move from single, short-term goals to a focus on long-term, sustained success. Because sustained success isn’t just about a series of individual accomplishments. It’s about maintaining a core identity of what makes you successful today, combined with stimulating progress towards the future. How do you combat complacency when things are going well? How does customer feedback fit into this kind of mindset? What kind of leadership is required to create sustained success? Hint: it takes more than planning—it takes real vision. Join us as we explore this important topic.
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For many people, hearing that a manager or peer wants to “provide feedback” brings negative expectations. “They just want to complain,” or “What did I do wrong now?” may come to mind. That’s because, in many cases, leaders don’t take a holistic, long-term, organized approach to feedback. Doing so is important, because great employee feedback lowers turnover and improves everything from process to profits. Join me and my expert panel and we discuss how to create a culture where feedback—both positive and critical—is seen as an important part of work all the time.
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In this panel discussion, my guests and I discuss the importance of listening. Obviously, it’s a skill we all need to improve—but it’s especially vital for leaders and those who aspire to leadership. I share 10 ways that listening can improve results for you and your team, and the panel reacts with their own insights and tips. If we don’t listen, we can’t learn, and great leaders never stop learning. If you “listen in” to this episode, I guarantee you’ll come away with a renewed appreciation for this skill... and with a few ideas on how to improve it during your own leadership journey.
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I joke with my friend Scott McKain that he needs to write more books, because that gives us an excuse to get together—and our conversations are always a good time. He’s truly a gifted writer and speaker, and in today’s “Aim Higher” interview we talk about his new book, “The Ultimate Customer Experience.” While many of Scott’s books are primarily aimed at business leaders, this one is for everyone—and I do mean everyone. As Scott points out, everyone in your organization needs to be able to take responsibility for any customer’s experience. Pushing it off on someone else? Saying, “That’s not my job?” Failure to follow through? Those don’t get you to “ultimate.” Join us for a fast-paced, fun conversation on this important topic.
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A colleague of mine once said, “If you don’t set measurable goals and you fail? You’ve lost any chance to learn. And if you succeed but don’t know why? It might as well have been luck.” We often mistake, as panelist Drew Bordas says, “activity for progress.” We’re doing stuff! We’re working hard! Things are happening! But are they the right things? If you haven’t set good, measurable goals, you just won’t know. Remember: you can get your heart pumping by running in place, but you won’t get anywhere. Listen in and get some good tips on how to set goals in different situations, and how to ensure buy in from your team.
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We often use the word “love” when referring to our favorite sports team. But we don’t often hear it used by elite college coaches to describe their coaching style. Tom Ryan, though, isn’t your usual coach. He preaches—and practices—a leadership style rooted in truth, trust, and—most of all—love. As a Hall of Fame wrestling coach for OSU, Tom led his team to many victories because of a belief that we do our best work when we suffer for the things we love most deeply. Listen in as we discuss how that philosophy has helped him in the high-stress world of top-tier college athletics, and as he dealt with a devastating personal tragedy.
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As you know, I believe very strongly in the power of motivation, the importance of planning, and the role that a positive attitude plays in our success. So, if you—like so many people—start your Mondays with fear, loathing, and a sigh of resignation, guess what? It's time to cut that out. How you start your week will have a huge impact on how it ends. So, it’s time to give Mondays the love they deserve, plan for how you can start your week with positive energy and move forward with intention.
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This week on "Aim Higher,” my panel and I talk about how to be successful during the critical, initial phase of a new job, new department, or new manager. Drew Bordas, Tammi Spayde, and Brian Berry bring up dozens of great pointers on the subject. Not only have they had to be the new person in some high-level roles, but they’ve managed many people through the process. If you want a crash course in how to land on your feet, make a great first impression, and get moving quickly in a new situation, this is the episode for you.
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I don’t know anyone who hasn’t thought about “reinventing” themselves. That desire can be pushed on us by an unexpected job loss, or we may want to proactively reach for a new dream. The bad news is that it’s hard to reinvent yourself without a plan. The good news is that my guest this week, Richard Bliss, can help you make that plan. Richard has worked in the military, in executive marketing roles, and as an author, speaker, and LinkedIn expert. We discuss how he’s reinvented himself—and how he analyzed that process so that he can help others accomplish extraordinary, new things.
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In previous episodes of “Aim Higher,” we discussed how to leave a job well, and how, as a manager, you can deal with someone who doesn’t. This week, based on a listener’s request (“for a friend...”), we’ll tackle the thorny problem of how to recover from a bad exit that you now regret. I share 7 tips that can get you through this difficult moment, using it to grow and rebuild trust. It’s always better not to burn bridges. But if you do, don’t despair—bridges can be rebuilt.
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We’ve talked before on “Aim Higher” about the importance of leaving a job with grace and positivity. A move made for the right reasons shouldn’t create friction or enmity, even if the change brings challenges. However, as a leader and manager, you will at some point need to deal with staff whose exit behavior is less than exemplary. How do you handle “bad good-byes" without making the situation worse? If you prepare for this eventuality—and I’ll give you seven areas to consider—you can turn many of these situations around, earning gratitude from the outgoing employee and better results for your organization. It’s not easy, but it can be done.
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It’s “mailbag” time again! I love these episodes, as they give us a chance to hear about what’s top-of-mind for our listeners. This week, my panel of experts addresses a variety of questions, including how to keep up with the amazing pace of change in technology, managing remote teams, and how to quantify a vague “transformation” project assignment. I’m sure that at least one of these will resonate with you, and I hope you’ll give us a listen.
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There are books and articles galore about how to start a new position successfully. What to do in your first days, weeks, and months to establish your expertise and make a great initial impression. Less discussed—but no less important—is how to leave a job successfully. We’re somewhat indoctrinated into thinking of departures as failures. Yet we know that sometimes we need to leave one situation to take our next logical steps. My expert panel for this episode—Cathy King, Bart Murphy, and Tammi Spayde—has some great advice on how you can make this uncomfortable situation much more proactive, painless, and productive. Remember: you also only have one chance to make a last impression.
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My guest for this episode of “Aim Higher” is research-based thought leader, Ford Saeks. Ford is known for his marketing prowess and for helping businesses grow and succeed. His book, “Superpower: A Superhero’s Guide to Leadership, Business and Life” is a must-read if you're looking to make a positive change in any area of your life. Don’t worry, though—you don’t need to leap tall buildings in a single bound to make dramatic improvements. As Ford says, "A superpower is the ability to expand your critical thinking skills, take action, and produce the results you desire in your life.” I completely agree. And I believe that you can be the superhero of your own story. Listen in for some good ideas on how to get started.
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Previously, we looked at the “death of ambition,” and why so many people seem to be less interested in pushing for high achievement. In this episode, my expert panel and I tackle the topic of ambition from a positive standpoint. What does “good ambition” look like? How can you distinguish it from things like greed or pushiness? How can you help identify and encourage appropriate ambition in your staff? And what can you do when they try to move too far, too fast? It’s a fascinating discussion, and my guests have some great advice that will help you harness your ambition more successfully.
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A recent survey indicated that around one-third of people do not trust their employers. Now, that might mean “in general,” without applying to a specific manager or leader. But it’s an extraordinary statistic, nonetheless. As Drew Bordas, one of my panelists this week, puts it, “A lack of trust drags down our ability to get the job done.” He’s right! Trust isn’t just “a feeling.” A lack of trust hampers creativity, kills honest feedback, discourages respectful dialogue, and can negatively impact commitment and teamwork—an entire suite of qualities that are essential to success. Listen in as my expert guests and I discuss what builds trust, what erodes it, and how you can get it back.
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