Episodes
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Over the summer, I'm revisiting nine of the most important ideas from the first 140 episodes of 97% Effective—from career strategy and leadership to power, promotion, and influence.
In this first 97% EFFECTIVE ESSENTIALS episode, I call out the immense power in getting others to share their insight with you. Discover the surprisingly simple habit that has helped my clients build influence, gain visibility, and accelerate their careers.
Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
SHOW NOTES:
Two reasons why you need to open doors and build relationships with people at workWhy seeking advice feels counterintuitive – but is powerful and highly beneficialFour situations where seeking advice pays huge dividendsSituation #1: When Sam sought a mentor or sponsorWhat’s wrong with “Let’s catch up for coffee” and “Can I pick your brain”Situation #2: When Dave sought clarity on the path to promotionThe important of getting your boss’s perspectiveSituation #3: When Jack sought support for his proposalThe “meeting before the meeting” to build allies and avoid surprisesSituation #4: When Alex turned an adversary into an allyWays to seek advice from someone you probably detestThree mistakes to avoid when asking adviceBIO AND LINKS:
Michael Wenderoth is an Executive Coach that helps executives re-examine their assumptions about power, politics, and authenticity to get promoted, become more effective at work, and break glass ceilings holding them back. Having served 20 years in senior roles with companies across the globe, and then 7 years as a professional coach, he has helped accelerated the careers of clients from diverse industries, backgrounds, and levels of seniority, helping them get ahead – without having to sell their souls in the process. Michael is the award-winning author of Get Promoted, host of the 97% Effective career acceleration podcast, and a frequent speaker and media contributor on career advancement, leadership and navigating power and politics. His work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Stanford Business School Executive Education and IE Business School, where he collaborates with renowned professors, coaches, executives and experts. Michael holds an MBA from Stanford and trained as an executive coach at Columbia University (3CP).
Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.comMichael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchangwenderoth/Harvard Business Review: How to get your first promotion: https://hbr.org/2022/10/how-to-get-your-first-promotionResearch: Why Seeking Advice Boosts Perceptions of Confidence https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=47824Research: Why Seeking Advice Rather Than Feedback Yields More Developmental, Critical and Actionable Input https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=56638Michael’s Award-Winning Book, Get Promoted: https://changwenderoth.com/#tve-jump-180481ecea397% Effective, now on Youtube! https://tinyurl.com/bdz53mc5Get Promoted, also available on Audiobook: https://tinyurl.com/mwf2s28y
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Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
Every meeting you lead is also a reputation event—and a leadership audition: people leave judging not only the meeting, but you. This episode of 97% Effective takes aim at the mother of all time sinks at work: meetings. Host Michael Wenderoth speaks with Chris Fenning about his latest book, Effective Meetings: Great Results, Less Pain, Every Time. They cover the practical essentials — how to open a meeting, keep it on track, and manage people who derail it — but also the issues most leaders avoid: the silent reputational hit you take when you run a bad meeting, why AI can summarize meetings but cannot fix the human judgment behind them, and when the best meeting is no meeting at all. If people quietly complain about meetings in your company — or, let’s be honest, the ones you run — this episode will give you practical ways to make them sharper, shorter, and more useful.
SHOW NOTES
Michael and Chris demo
TPO in real time (Topic-Purpose-Output)The forgotten second step: checking that everyone is alignedThe real reason he wrote his latest book
Why meetings were the next workplace problem Chris had to tackleThe hidden “meeting tax”: how bad meetings drain time, money, attention, morale, and credibilityCalculating the tangible dollar cost of a bad meetingCalculating the intangible cost -- to your reputation – from running a bad meetingCompanies have spending controls, but no controls over calling people into meetings that don’t produce anythingThe shocking MIT stats: online shopping, mobile games, and proof that many people shouldn’t be in the meeting at allBefore the meeting: Keys to preparation
The single biggest impact you can makeWhy AI can take notes and see patterns– but cannot decide why your meeting existsWhy Chris thinks agendas are not the “quick fix” solution to improving your meetingsDon’t schedule a meeting unless you can first answer three pointsHow everything – who you invite, how you invite them and how you run the meeting -- all starts with TPO (Topic-Purpose-Output)Three questions to ask to determine if you even need a meetingPreparation is valuable – and doesn’t have to be a time suckDuring the meeting: How to keep it from going off the rails
Top tip about running a virtual meetingWays to improve how you show up on camera onlineManaging the person who disrupts and derails your meetingWhat to do when a meeting feels good, but it is not advancingHow to cut someone off without becoming the office Darth VaderPractical gems
“Finding your sweet spot” – the healthy middle ground between Micromanager and Lord of ChaosTop tip on making meetings better if you don’t lead themThe 97% Effective way to nudge a bad meeting leader: leave Chris’s book on their deskThe next exciting project for ChrisBIO AND LINKS
Chris Fenning helps professionals master their communication at work. Whether it is helping experts talk to non-experts, teams talk to executives, or simply being able to start a message clearly. Chris's practical methods are used in organisations like Google, JP Morgan, and NATO, and have appeared in the Harvard Business Review. He is also the author of four award-winning books on communication and training that have sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide. Find out how Chris can help you at www.chrisfenning.com
Connect with Chris
Website: https://chrisfenning.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fenning/His book, Effective Meetings: https://mybook.to/effective-meetingsHis Online courses: https://chris-fenning.thinkific.com/Organizations, People and Resources Referenced
MIT findings--To meet or not to meet: https://tinyurl.com/p8kmev7eChris on 97% Effective discussing his blockbuster book (100,000 copies sold), The First Minute: https://tinyurl.com/2934nc7fChris on 97% Effective: How to Write Effective Emails: https://tinyurl.com/yw3uxbfhFlowtrace: https://www.flowtrace.coHow to Read the Room When You’re Not in the Room: https://changwenderoth.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/zoom-lives-how-to-read-the-room-when-youre-not-in-the-room-ie-insights.pdfVinh Giang, referenced by Chris for his demo on virtual camera framing: https://www.vinhgiang.comMore from 97% Effective
Michael’s Award-winning Book: Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
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Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
What happens when China, AI, and Western coaching collide? Dr. Ruohao Chen, leadership researcher at Columbia University, believes we have an unprecedented opportunity before us. In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth speaks with Dr. Chen what Americans and Chinese can learn from each other— and why the future of coaching and leadership may depend on blending ancient wisdom, human presence, and AI-enabled scale. Drawing on Dr. Chen’s research and work with 300 Chinese coaches, this conversation goes beyond the U.S.-China rivalry to ask a better question: what if the next leadership edge comes from learning across the divide?
SHOW NOTES
Dr. Chen’s path
How a high school teacher in China rose to start an edtech company and become professor at Columbia UniversityGloom? Two reasons why Dr. Chen is optimistic about the the US and China relationshipOn American vs Chinese thinking: “In terms of culture we’re quite different, but in terms of nature we’re actually quite close to each other”Dr. Chen’s early research
What China’s education entrepreneurs do different: reserving money--and tapping into ancient philosophy and relational learning.How his research makes him a cross-cultural bridge, and offers valuable insight from China and the US in the era of AIThe growth of coaching in China
Inner creativity, giving space, and deep reflection to come up with the “aha moment”: How Buddhist and Confucian teaching mirror the core tenets of Co-active coachingThe “coaching club” that provides weekly seminars and workshops to 300 coaches in China“The care for human dignity” – what most surprises Chinese about Western coachesWhat China’s coaches find most valuable from their US peers: “the care for human dignity,” a systematic approach to coaching, and how to commercialize one’s practiceInsights from his current research
“Not skill improvement, but a change in perspective”: The surprising insight from what most helped unemployed Chinese return to the workforceWill AI replace human beings and be more effective coaches?Situations where people prefer human coaches – and where AI has the biggest advantageWhere his latest research on AI entrepreneurs is leading himBIO AND LINKS
Dr. Ruohao Chen, is a leadership researcher and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Adult Learning & Leadership program at Teachers College, Columbia University. He holds an Ed.D. in Adult Learning & Leadership, and his work focuses on strategic thinking, transformative learning, and leadership development that integrates Eastern and Western wisdom. Dr. Chen designs and leads leadership development programs through the Huber Institute for Organizational Learning at Columbia University, attracting talented and experienced leaders from China and across Asia. He is a certified coach through the Columbia Coaching Program and served as the Paper Track Chair for the International Columbia Coaching Conference 2025. He previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Center on Chinese Education at Teachers College, consulted with Harvard Business Publishing, and founded Education for Growth, a global learning community of over 10,000 educators and practitioners. In 2023, he completed his doctorate and was selected as Teachers College’s commencement speaker, becoming the first Chinese graduate to deliver the address in the institution’s 136-year history. Outside of work, Dr. Chen is also a certified fitness trainer and an amateur cello player.
Connect with Dr. Ruohao Chen
Reach out directly on -mail: rc3035 [at] tc.columbia.eduLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chenruohao/Academic profile: https://tc.academia.edu/LancerChanOrganizations, People and Resources Referenced
The Columbia Adult Learning & Leadership Program: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/organization-and-leadership/adult-learning-and-leadership/IShowSpeed, American influencer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IShowSpeedResources on US vs China and cross-cultural thinking: Hofstede (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geert_Hofstede ), Gelfland (https://www.michelegelfand.com ), Meyer (https://erinmeyer.com ), Dan Wong’s book Breakneck (https://amzn.eu/d/09Wr3Adj)Chen, R. (2024). How Chinese business leaders in the tutoring industry learned to think strategically in a time of crisis. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 2024, 53–65. https://tc.academia.edu/LancerChanChen, R. Pathways Toward Transformative Learning: Middle-aged Adults' Job Loss and Re-employment in Urban China. Adult Education Quarterly. https://journals.sagepub.com/home/aeqChen, R. Transformative Learning in Isolation: A Phenomenological Study of Chinese Adults Navigating Uncertainty https://tc.academia.edu/LancerChanChen, R. Could AI Coaching Platforms Really Work? A Systemic Analysis of Services, Design Patterns, and Effectiveness of AI Coaching Platforms https://tc.academia.edu/LancerChanMore from 97% Effective
Michael’s Award-winning Book: Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
To rise to the leadership ranks, you need to work with critical stakeholders. And the key to doing that effectively, says leadership expert Rebecca Zucker, is to form deeper relationships.
How do most high performers get relationships wrong – and stall their rise? In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth and Rebecca Zucker go deep on how to deepen relationships, so you not only get to the leadership ranks, but thrive there. They discuss tasks vs relationship balance —and the connection between trauma, trust and overturning our immunity to change. Rebecca draws from decades coaching senior leaders and her training as a trauma informed coach. If you approach building relationships as a checklist, this episode will help you see the more important layer you’ve been missing.
SHOW NOTES
Why deepening relationships is criticalHow we are hurt by a myopic focus on tasks and “getting shit done”Thinking about relationships as “the channel through which things happen”The importance of being attuned to your task vs relationship balanceHelping leaders deepen relationships
Managing the trap of being in the weeds and the limiting belief that “I have to do it”Doing vs being: how do you see and view relationships?The bamboo finger cuff challenge: why you need to let go and just be present and attunedTrauma, distrust and overcoming deeply held beliefs and behaviors
“Moving fast is a trauma response: we move fast so we don’t feel… which results in people not feeling connected”The dynamic you create when you walk in the room with distrust“The antidote to distrust is not trust – it’s being conscious of the distrust”How our beliefs and assumptions that served us in the past -- become our downfallHow Rebecca creates space for clients to open up and exploreThe big block for Type 3 Achievers: “When we can’t feel our own feelings, we can’t feel other people’s feelings, which gets in the way of connection”Realizing change
Developing the skill to “slow the f down” and expand your container“If you’re approaching building a relationship with a checklist, that’s not going to work”How to control yourself and slow down – when everything in your company is whirling fast?The importance of not taking on other people’s anxietiesCoping strategies vs healingEmotional boundaries and staying on your side of the netNoticing and Feedback
The skills of “continuous double-clicking” to notice, getting real-time feedback, paying attention to self-protective reactionsInner vs outward defensivenessTips on getting real feedback from your reportsHow feedback can improve a relationship – when it is done wellHaving hard conversations but not making someone feel like a foolLightning round: Hard truths, biggest influences, and 25 years of Next Step Partners
BIO AND LINKS
Rebecca Zucker is founding parter at Next Step Partners, which serves global clients based out of San Francisco, USA. An expert in executive coaching as well as leadership and career development, Rebecca coaches C-level executives and other senior leaders across the globe. She is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review and Forbes.com and is frequently quoted in the press on career and leadership issues. Rebecca graduated as valedictorian from the Leonard N. Stern School of business at NYU and later received her MBA from Stanford. She then worked as an investment banker for Goldman Sachs in New York and held leadership positions at Disney EMEA in Paris and at Robertson Stephens. She received her coaching training and certification from the Coaches Training Institute and from Minds at Work. Rebecca is certified as a trauma-informed coach.
Connect with Rebecca
Next Step Partners: https://nextsteppartners.com/partner/rebecca-zucker/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-zucker-nsp/Organizations, People and Resources Referenced
What is a Mensch? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MenschTrauma-Informed Coaching with Thomas Hubl and Amy Fox: https://traumainformedcertificateprogram.comThe Enneagram Type 3: Achiever https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-3/Ron Carucci interview on “Fixing Our Trust Recession” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/97-effective/id1646325886?i=1000602244842Immunity to Change (Lisa Lahey and Bob Keegan): https://www.gse.harvard.edu/hgse100/story/changing-betterRebecca’s article in HBR: Facing the Fears Holding You Back https://rebeccazucker.com/thoughts/facing-the-fears-that-hold-you-back-at-workRebecca’s article in HBR: Eliminating Fears and Limiting Beliefs: https://hbr.org/2019/10/how-to-deal-with-constantly-feeling-overwhelmedRebecca’s article in HBR: Asking for Help at Work: https://hbr.org/2022/12/how-to-get-better-at-asking-for-help-at-workMore from 97% Effective
Michael’s Award-winning Book: Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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This episode is dedicated to the memory of Michael Senturia.
Ever feel like your leadership team isn’t in tune, or that you hit the wrong note with people at work? Today’s guest says the world of jazz has the answers. In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth explores what leaders can learn from jazz musicians with Dr. Michael Y. Brenner, CEO of Right Chord Leadership. They discuss Dr. Brenner’s new book, Strike the Right Chord, and the connection he makes between musical harmony and effective leadership. If you are tired of the same old leadership cliches, transport yourself in this episode to the world of jazz, where you’ll see your leadership challenges through a refreshingly different and powerful new lense.
SHOW NOTES
Mike’s path
The record that changed his trajectory: “They’re making that up as they go? I gotta learn how to do that!”Copy writing, working at QVC, and his hard truth about leadershipLessons for leaders
How jazz musicians approach their craftKeys to collaboration: “Jazz attitude” and walking the line between structure and chaosA novel new framework: Mike’s CHORD model for leadershipWhat jazz teaches us about different profiles working in harmony – and how Mike uses DISC to help teams do that in practiceLessons from Mike’s doctoral research in Canada: what leaders learn from artists“When you hit the wrong note, it's the next note that makes it good or bad.”Dealing with the messy part of leadership
Is the goal of leadership to achieve harmony?Respect, support – and the need for tough loveThe key to managing egos and managing up: “Serve the music”Why we still get crappy leaders who don’t embody the qualities Mike describesA novel way to think about authenticity: Having a “foundation of voice” but being able to adapt to the situationBIO AND LINKS
As founder and CEO of Right Chord Leadership, Dr. Michael Brenner collaborates with leaders and teams to strengthen the essential skills needed for peak performance. He achieves this by drawing on more than 25 years of experience as an international leadership consultant, executive coach, keynote speaker, and educator, and more than 40 years as a professional musician. Michael holds a doctorate in Adult Learning and Leadership from Columbia University and a master’s degree in Adult and Organizational Development from Temple University. He plays in two bands based in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Strike the Right Chord is his first book.
Connect with Dr. Michael Y. Brenner
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelybrenner/Right Chord Leadership: https://rightchordleadership.comGet Mike’s Book, Strike the Right Chord: https://rightchordleadership.com/resources/Speaker Reel: https://rightchordleadership.com/speaking/Email: michael [at] rightchordleadership.comOrganizations, People and Resources Referenced
Episode dedicated to the memory of Michael Senturia: https://music.berkeley.edu/news/department-mourns-passing-emeritus-professor-michael-senturiaAl Jarreau: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_JarreauThe Columbia Coaching Conference: https://www.columbiacoachingconference.orgBanff Institute: https://www.banffcentre.caWhiplash, the movie: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582802/Christian McBride: https://www.christianmcbride.comDr. John Schaffner interview on 97% Effective: https://redcircle.com/shows/97-effective/ep/4fae4e9f-bdbf-4cab-8aa5-298544b3651cPat Metheny: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3t58jfUhoMLYVO14XaUFLA?si=H-meVhdFQlqWxQSvjf7O1gMore from 97% Effective
Michael’s Award-winning Book: Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
Every misunderstanding contains a small “miss” in how we communicate—and Jon Wortmann, today’s guest, can show you how to fix that. Jon’s work helps you make the small adjustments to connect better with everyone in your life, and elevate your leadership. In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth speaks with Jon Wortmann, executive coach and sports performance coach, about his latest book “The Nine Tendencies.” They walk through practical ways to understand our tendencies, adjust your communication style, and deal with the most challenging people. Jon also discusses his work as a minister and sports performance coach, which will get you thinking more deeply about your spiritual life and the habits of peak performers.
SHOW NOTES
Jon’s path from minister to peak performance coach
The mental health challenges that led him to the ministryHow “learn how to calm my brain” gave him first-hand experience in his fieldThe decision to go from minister to full-time coachOn where Americans are increasingly spiritual: “I have more conversations about spiritual life, ironically, as an executive coach than I did some weeks in a spiritual community.”The Chaplain at Carleton College that helped Jon the most: “To not know where you have options is where the problem was.”Insights from his book, The Nine Tendencies
Hard truth about communication: People need to get really good at getting to the pointDoes your audience want the details first, or the bottom line first?How Jon’s communication got him fired by his CEO clientIs awareness of your communication tendencies enough for you to make a switch?“Personality lives on a spectrum, tendencies are binary”The Nine Tendencies: The way we think, how we add color, the way we share ideasDoes Jon overlook body language?How Jon’s book is different and the main message he wants readers to take awayWhat to do if someone else’s communication pattern drives you nutsPractical Communication Tips
How to assess our tendencies, those of others—and the ultimate metric of communication successPeople value you more when you adjust to their communication styleThree ways to handle someone is difficult to communicate withHow remote work impacts our Nine TendenciesInsights from his work as a chaplain and sports performance coach
Lessons from his spiritual teaching: Everybody is great, but nobody has helped most people find those things“Every brain is different”Does Jon miss his spiritual work?BIO AND LINKS
Jon Wortmann is an executive coach and trainer, author, and sports performance coach. A graduate of Carleton College and Harvard University, his books, Mastering Communication at Work and Hijacked by Your Brain, were #1 best-sellers in 22 categories on Amazon. He has delivered over 3500 trainings in 13 verticals with global clients on 46 topics including communication, resilience, and trust. His professional golfers play on every professional tour, and he was voted a coach of the year in Big East conference with UCONN Golf in 2021. His new book, The Nine Tendencies, systematically defines the critical communication adjustments which transform relationships and teams.
Connect with Jon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-wortmann-81a9471/His new book, free download -- The Nine Tendencies: The Little Adjustments that Build Trust in Every Communication https://www.ninetendencies.comJon’s other bestselling books: https://tinyurl.com/ye23f2z3Organizations, People and Resources Referenced
Adam Sandler’s movie Grownups: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e01NVCveGkgChaplain Jewelnel Davis: https://provost.columbia.edu/people/jewelnel-davisHow Mehrabian’s famous study on body language gets misinterpreted: https://tinyurl.com/mr2j5mzhQuick Switching: https://quickswitching.comJon’s talk: “Frenzied: How to Step Back from the Short Loop” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiOQHnI_ztEMore from 97% Effective
Michael’s Award-winning Book: Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
Most leaders work 1-1 with executive coaches – but few use them to coach their entire leadership team. In this episode, 97% Effective host Michael Wenderoth explores the emerging field of leadership team coaching with David Matthew Prior, who has been at the forefront of organizational coaching for more than two decades. Michael and David discuss the science of effective teams—and how team coaches help leaders turn a collection of executives into a true team. David also shares his own path into the coaching world–and where traditional executive coaches must shift their approach to effectively serve leaders and their teams. If you are a leader or team member—or a coach or consultant who supports leadership teams—you’ll gain practical insights on how to assess and increase a team’s effectiveness.
SHOW NOTES
The Rise of Leadership Team CoachingDavid’s path from banker to actor to coach—and the surprising way his professional training as an actor has helped him coach teamsRecent trends driving the need for team coachingHow team coaching and group coaching differ: “All teams are groups, but not all groups are teams”The importance of designing and structuring teams: “You can’t just show up and hope that the magic is going to occur.”The Science of Effective Teams
Hard truth: there’s little evidence that simply coaching team behaviors improves team performance.The 3 core elements of an effective team—and the 6 conditions that influence its effectivenessThe multiple roles a team coach must play: facilitator, educator, consultant, and coachThe 60:30:10 rule: where team coaches actually spend their timeLessons from “crashing and burning” in David’s early coaching engagements
The one condition where David spends most of his team coaching effortWhat effective teams and geese have in commonThe two signals David hones in on at the outset, to best assess a team’s dynamicsHow a team coach handles internal team politicsThe importance of speaking truth to leaders, and why team coaches need to have their own external support teamDavid on Teaching Coaches and AI
“Coaches want a playbook--how to execute it—but it’s more complex than that.”Why David is seeking to bring more human capabilities into the team coaching spaceBIO AND LINKS
David Matthew Prior, MCC, BCC, ACTC, brings 25 years of organizational coaching experience as a Master Certified Coach (ICF credentialed) based in the New York City Metropolitan area. His work in coaching executive and senior leadership spans internationally and across dozens of industries. Leveraging experience in coaching, finance, ethics training, and theater performance, David has had the honor to structure and teach in the organizational coaching program at Columbia University, guide and coach more than 1,000 senior leaders in more than 30 countries, train 5,000+ executive coaches and create results for more than 100 organizations. He is the founder of Getacoach.com, where he can be reached.
Connect with David
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmatthewprior/His website: www.GetaCoach.comOrganizations, People and Resources Referenced
Columbia 3CP: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/coachingcertification/David’s teaching at University of Texas at Dallas: https://obcc.utdallas.edu/news/team-coaching-practitioner-program/Christine Thornton’s book: Group and Team Coaching (3rd ed): https://tinyurl.com/3bs873vxPeter Hawkins, the “five disciplines” model of team coaching. Editor of: Leadership Team Coaching in Practice (2nd ed): https://a.co/d/0cWsgxZlRichard Hackman, pioneer on the science of teams: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/leading-teams/9781633691216/The Six Conditions for Team Effectiveness (Hackman’s framework): https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-63546-5_19Mary Beth O’Neill. Her book: Executive Coaching with Backbone and Heart (2nd ed): https://a.co/d/00CAdCfeJohn Whittington, Henley Business School: https://www.henley.ac.uk/people/john-whittingtonThe Columbia Coaching Conference: https://www.columbiacoachingconference.orgDr. Michael Jabbour: https://www.columbiacoachingconference.org/speaker/dr.-michael-j.-jabbourRuth Wageman’s book: Senior Leadership Teams: What it Takes to Make Them Great https://a.co/d/0cOBISxwMore from 97% Effective
Michael’s Award-winning Book: Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
In the past year, host Michael Wenderoth saw a huge jump in Stanford MBAs pursuing an alternative career path. When he sought to learn more, everyone pointed him to today’s guest, Ruby Au, a 2025 Stanford Business School graduate who chose the search fund path. In this episode of 97% Effective, Michael and Ruby discuss search funds, the hot alternative path to entrepreneurship, and why it is experiencing a surge in interest among MBAs, top talent—and investors looking for strong returns. Most people are familiar with private equity and venture capital, but far fewer understand search funds, so Michael and Ruby break down the nuts and bolts of the model, where entrepreneurs raise capital to search for, acquire, and operate an existing small business. Ruby also shares insights she gained from hundreds of coffee chats with industry insiders. If you feel constrained by working in big companies—but don’t have the stomach for a risky start-up, you’ll want to listen to this episode. Search—and Ruby’s insights—may open your eyes to the growth and impact that can come from the small, unsexy businesses that quietly power our economy.
SHOW NOTES
What Search Funds Are – and How They Work
How Ruby discovered search, and why it felt like a best-fitWhat search fund investors are looking for in the entrepreneurs and companies they backThe “search phase” and the “acquisition/operating” phaseWhy “boring” companies that don’t make headlines can be great businessesWhy many business sellers see search as a unique succession planWhy Search Funds Are Taking Off – and Where They Are Going
“An asset class that started to post 35% IRRs”The most successful search outcome of all time: from roadside rescue to that little purple logo at your Amazon checkoutAs money pours in, does mentorship and the traditional model scale?Ruby’s Insights – What You Won’t Find in Reports
How Ruby was taken off guard by the close-knit search ecosystemWhy she started her blog Succession StoryRuby’s sector focus and what she wants to get out of her search process3 insider insights: How new investors are challenging the traditional search model; how to find the right business for you; and how search can reshape how you view social impactBIO AND LINKS
Ruby Au is a search fund entrepreneur and Principal at Succession Story LLC. Her career began in Nairobi, Kenya, where she founded an edtech venture acquired in 2020. She later launched the African office for San Francisco-based Endless Computers and served as Head of North America for the green search engine, Ecosia. Ruby graduated summa cum laude with dual degrees in Business Administration and Environmental Studies from the University of Southern California and holds an MBA from Stanford, where she served on the leadership of Stanford's Search Fund Club. Ruby enjoys SCUBA diving, salsa dancing, boxing, and traveling, having visited over 35 countries across five continents.
Connect with Ruby
Her search fund: https://www.successionstory.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruby-au/Substack: Succession Story: Becoming a Search Fund Entrepreneur: https://successionstory.substack.comPeople and Things referenced
H. Irv Grousbeck: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/h-irving-grousbeckAsurion – The Greatest Search Fund Deal of all time: https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/business/smallbusiness/12hunt.htmlRuby’s list of search fund investors: https://successionstory.substack.com/p/the-wonderful-world-of-search-fundSo Good They Can’t Ignore You (Cal Newport): https://a.co/d/0cefCIkuStanford Business School’s Search Fund Center: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/experience/about/centers-institutes/ces/research/search-fundsIESE’s International Search Fund Center: https://www.iese.edu/entrepreneurship/search-funds/More from 97% Effective
Michael’s Award-winning Book: Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
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Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
Most women have lived as the side dish – supporting everyone else while putting themselves last. When I shared that line with my wife, she didn’t hesitate: “That’s me.” In this episode of 97% Effective, I speak with Deborah Grayson Riegel — executive coach, leadership communications expert, and co‑creator of TheMeMenu, a new personal growth platform designed for women over 50 who are ready to reclaim agency, imagination, and momentum in their lives. Deb shares how she teamed up with celebrity chef Carla Hall to build something that blends coaching, creativity, and AI — all through the metaphor of cooking and their Six Flavor framework. We discuss what’s different for women 50+, how AI can democratize coaching (and where humans still matter most), and what partners can actually do — practically — to support the women they love. I also share what surprised me most in this conversation — including what I learned after asking my own wife what actually helps (hint: “How can I help?” isn’t always it). By the end of this episode, you’ll see cooking as a powerful lens for work and life. While The ME Menu is designed for women over 50, the key message — navigating obligation and agency — applies to anyone ready to write their next chapter.
SHOW NOTES
TheMeMenu story
Why so many women spend decades as the “side dish,” what it means to reclaim main-dish energy – and why that mattersHow Deb connected with Carla Hall, celebrity chef, and why the collaboration clicked so wellWhat TheMeMenu actually is: A way of thinking and being + 6-week self-paced coaching program + An AI-powered “Sous Chef” for spot-coachingWhat makes TheMeMenu unique: Built by women over 50 for women over 50, Carla Hall’s “secret sauce”, and a mission to democratize access to coachingWhy Deb sees AI as a complement to human coaching, not a replacementInside the Collaboration
Deb, Carla, and Kirsten: three women, three strengthsTheir creative process: cooking vs bakingWhy “nothing works if the raw ingredients aren’t good”The importance of creating their “mise en place”Over 100 iterations – and why “there’s no such thing as done”Building a product while the technology was still emergingPractical Takeaways
What partners, spouses, kids, and friends can most do to support the women in their livesTwo powerful questions to ask – and 1 micro-behavior that mattersWhy “How can I help?’ can be taxing – and why it’s often better to just make offersThinking in terms of a lifelong conversation, not a one-time check-inLightning Round laser insights: Deb on the hard truth about personal change, the key to collaboration, the power of her summer in Spain, and the focus of her new book, Aim High and Bounce Back: A Successful Woman’s Guide to Rethinking and Rising Up from FailureBIO AND LINKS
Deborah Grayson Riegel, MSW, PCC is a keynote speaker, leadership communications expert, executive coach, and author. She is the co-creator of TheMeMenu.com, a self-paced coaching platform designed to help women reclaim purpose and momentum in midlife and beyond. Deb is a regular contributor for Harvard Business Review, Inc., Psychology Today, Forbes, and Fast Company – and author of multiple books include Go to Help, Overcoming Overthinking, and her newest book, Aim High and Bounce Back (2026), which explores how women experience failure differently — and how to rise after setbacks. She is a certified executive coach (ICF PCC) and holds a BA from University of Michigan and MSW from Columbia University.
Connect with Deb
TheMeMenu: https://www.thememenu.com/aboutDeb’s website: https://deborahgraysonriegel.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgraysonriegel/Deb’s new book, with Fiona Macaulay – Aim High and Bounce Back: A Successful Woman’s Guide to Rethinking and Rising Up from Failure https://a.co/d/05NJJNcnPeople and Things referenced
Carla Hall, celebrity chef: https://carlahall.comStanford Business School WIM groups: https://tinyurl.com/yc6zssc2Halle Barry at the DealBook Summit: https://tinyurl.com/ymmcuk54What exclaiming “poo-poo-poo” means (Jewish expression): https://tinyurl.com/yn6ny9t3Hybrid Intelligence: 2025 Columbia University Coaching Conference https://tinyurl.com/4ss3s2cr“Mise en place” (French culinary phrase for “putting in place”): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mise_en_placeMore from 97% Effective
Michael’s Award-winning Book: Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
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Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
Most leaders were taught to leave their emotions at the door. Today’s guest says that advice isn’t just outdated — it’s costly. In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth sits down with Dina Denham Smith, executive coach and bestselling author of Emotionally Charged, to unpack why emotional skill is now a core leadership capability, not a “soft” add-on. Drawing on behavioral science and her work as an executive coach and strategic advisor, Dina explains why emotions are data, how leaders unknowingly perform massive emotional labor, and what it really takes to manage triggers, prevent burnout, and unlock performance. As Dina puts it: “Emotions are money.” By the end of this conversation, you’ll see why ignoring emotions is bad for you and bad for business – and what to do instead.
SHOW NOTES
Dina’s story — and why this work matters
One surprising thing about Dina you won’t find on the internetHow Emotionally Charged would have helped Dina earlier in her own careerWhat sparked Dina’s interest in the science of emotionsHow the pandemic and technology shifts dramatically increased the emotional demands placed on leadersCore ideas from Emotionally Charged
The key takeaway: Emotions are information“Emotions are money”: how feelings directly translate into performance, retention, and resultsThe biggest myth Dina wants to retire: that emotions get in the way of good business decisionsWhat “emotional labor” really means — and why research shows leaders perform as much of it as customer service professionals (and in more complex ways)The three layers of every emotion: physiology, cognition, and behaviorWhy suppressing emotions is like trying to hold beach balls underwaterPractical tools you can use immediately
Beach balls, masks, and “letting it all hang out”: finding the right balance at workWhy expanding your emotional vocabulary dramatically improves self-regulationDina’s BRAVE framework for managing triggers in real time: Breathe, Refocus, Accept, Verbalize, Engage Restoration (not “self-care”): four evidence-based ways leaders recover from emotional strain: Detachment, Relaxation, Mastery, ControlPower, leadership, and team culture
Why leaders consistently underestimate their emotional impactHow power amplifies everything you feel and showWhy everyone cues off their leader’s emotional signals (often unconsciously)How leaders can normalize emotional expression on their teams — without turning meetings into complaint sessionsSimple ways managers can reset emotional culture inside their own sphere of influenceDina’s reminder: emotional skills are learnable — and improvable at any stage of your career.BIO AND LINKS
Dina Denham Smith is an executive coach and strategic advisor who helps senior leaders build their capacity, scale their impact, and thrive in complexity. For more than a decade, she has partnered with executives at some of the world’s most successful companies, helping them navigate the demands of operating at the highest levels. Dina holds an MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, and she is credentialed by both the ICF and EMCC as an executive and team coach. A prolific thought leader, Dina has published more than 60 articles on leadership for Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Forbes, and other premium outlets. She is the lead author of Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work (Oxford University Press, 2025).
Connect with Dina
Website: https://dinadsmith.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dina-denham-smith/Her book: https://dinadsmith.com/book/People and Books Referenced
Dr. Alicia Grandey — Dina’s co-author https://psych.la.psu.edu/people/aag6/Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker https://a.co/d/07CbSJAYMore from 97% Effective
Michael’s Award-winning Book: Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
“If you want the social benefits of being authentic, how you feel inside may have very little to do with it.” At work, we like to believe we’re evaluated on substance. In reality, we’re constantly being judged on how we perform— how authentic we seem, how prepared we appear, and how natural we look like in our role. In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth speaks with Alexa Samaniego, Presentation Coach and Doctoral Researcher at Stanford University, about how we judge performances and performers — and why those judgments matter far more than most people realize. Drawing from behavioral research, one-on-one presentation coaching, and her background in theater and the performing arts, Alexa challenges some of the most comforting things we believe (“just be yourself,” “don’t over-rehearse,” “there’s universal best practices for presenting”) and replaces them with a more honest view of how credibility, competence, and connection are actually earned. This is not an episode about becoming fake. But it will get you thinking differently about how you show up at work if you want to better influence outcomes. You’ll leave this episode with a much more realistic understanding of how you’re really judged — and how to work with that reality, rather than against it.
SHOW NOTES
Alexa’s path from theater and the creative arts to doctoral research and presentation coachingHow her background in performance shapes the research questions she studiesWhat organizational behavior research looks like in practice: an overview of the PhD arcWhy most people under-rehearse presentations — despite clear benefits of repetitionWhy fear of “sounding fake” leads people to underperformAlexa’s two distinct definitions of authenticity: authentic to self vs. authentic to roleWhy being perceived as authentic matters more than feeling authenticSpontaneity and consistency as two key drivers of being seen as authenticHow researchers measure authenticity and test perceptions in lab and field settingsThe uncomfortable truth: social benefits depend on how you come across, not how you feelWhy we are always playing roles at work — and why separating intentions from behaviors matters“It only feels inauthentic because it’s not habitual yet”Insights from actors on how to step into a role without losing yourselfThe “outside-in” effect: how dress, voice, and physical behavior shape perceptionTradeoffs between authenticity, polish, and competence at workAlexa’s third research stream: the double-edged sword of being (and looking) preparedWhen preparation signals competence — and when it backfires as “trying too hard”Why “everything depends”: how Alexa’s coaching changed after doing her researchHow universal presentation advice can fail across gender, culture, and contextDrawing from the outside world: how Alexa’s theater background differentiates her research lensHorror films, storytelling, and what they reveal about authenticity and self-expressionAlexa’s hard truth: research is powerful, but techniques must be practiced before being used in high-stakes settingsBIO AND LINKS
Alexa Samaniego is a Presentation Coach and a doctoral researcher in Organizational Behavior (Micro) at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Her research is inspired by her background in theatre and the performing arts, and examines how speakers and audiences judge others. Her research informs her work as a presentation coach in the Stanford Oral Communication Program and with TEDxStanford. Prior to beginning her PhD, Alexa worked as a research associate at Achievers Workforce Institute and Columbia Business School. She received her BS in Business Psychology from UC San Diego and her MS in Applied Psychology from San Diego State University. Alexa also specializes in portrait photography and creating short horror films.
Connect with Alexa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-samaniego/Email: alexasam [at] stanford.eduWebsite: https://www.alexasamaniego.comStanford Profile: https://profiles.stanford.edu/alexa-samaniegoPeople, Ideas and Films Referenced
Erving Goffman:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erving_GoffmanYasmin Williams (double-necked guitar performance): https://www.yasminwilliamsmusic.com/media-horizonCovering, the concept (Wharton): https://tinyurl.com/353c7p8u1408, horror film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450385/Erica Bailey: https://haas.berkeley.edu/faculty/erica-r-bailey/Brian Lowery: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/brian-loweryBenoît Monin: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/benoit-moninAlexa’s short films Too Late and 5 Weeks to Transform Your Life: https://www.alexasamaniego.com/artMore from 97% Effective
Michael’s Award-winning Book: Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
Who has your back at work? Do you feel like you’re constantly walking a tightrope – high up, with the spotlight on you, and no net? That’s how many people, including senior executives, describe their experience at work – and what led Devon McConnell, an executive coach and psychotherapist, to explore what drives that stress and burnout. In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth speaks with Devon about her research and coaching work examining how key relationships at work – especially with our boss – shape stress, burnout, and performance. They discuss what individuals and organizations can do to better navigate conflict and pressure at work, and why stress is so often driven by relationships rather than workload. Devon explains attachment theory in clear, practical terms, shares techniques to help you manage relational conflict and regain a sense of agency, and offers a thoughtful look at how AI could improve feedback and reduce unnecessary workplace anxiety. You’ll leave this episode with a clearer understanding of what’s really driving your stress, new ways to navigate tough relationships and conflict at work —and, at a minimum, knowing that Devon and Michael will always have your back.
SHOW NOTES:
The trend Devon noticed in her executive coaching practice that led her to research stress and burnoutAttachment science: what it really says, why it matters across different spheres of life, and how it’s often oversimplifiedWhy having key figures as safe havens enables us to explore, take risks, and perform under pressureThe dependency paradox: why being able to rely on others actually increases autonomy and independenceHow attachment science helps explain why trust—especially in leaders—is so criticalWhy your personality is not fixed: how we develop attachment strategies early in life, and how new experiences can reshape themThe connection to Amy Edmondson’s work on psychological safety—and why different language (e.g., trust vs. pyschological safety) often lands better with senior executivesA leadership metaphor that resonates: the importance of being a steady pilot in turbulent conditionsHow emotional labor—not workload—is a major driver of burnout“The higher you rise, the more how you manage yourself and your relationships defines your success—and how you feel about your success”Practical tools from Devon, including:o A powerful daily question: “What conversation are you not having—and with whom?”o How to diagnose whether your boss is a primary source of your stress—and why that awareness matterso How to use the Karpman Drama Triangle to understand conflict dynamics and make small shifts to regain agencyNavigating dependency, influence, and workplace politics more effectivelyA bright spot: how AI — used thoughtfully — could improve feedback and reduce workplace stressorsWhy conflict-avoidant bosses can cause more harm than openly difficult and abusive onesDevon’s latest work developing and testing an AI-enabled 360 feedback toolHow her training in psychology and therapy has shaped her work as an executive coachBIO AND LINKS:
Devon Forster McConnell is an executive coach and psychotherapist who works with CEOs and senior leaders on presence, influence, conflict management, and sustaining performance under pressure. She also researches, writes, and hosts the My Robot Boss podcast on the future of leadership in an AI-driven world and interventions for burnout and anxiety. Prior to coaching, Devon spent 20 years in Fortune 50 leadership roles at BlackRock and Wells Fargo Advisors. Devon is based in San Francisco, where she works with leaders and organizations globally.
Connect with Devon:
Devon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devonmcconnell/Website: https://devonmcconnell.comPodcast: My Robot Boss: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-robot-boss/id1831832043Research & Frameworks Referenced:
Devon’s research presentation at the Columbia Coaching Conference (Judith E. Glaser Award finalist): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOnDg1ZQ2_sAttachment theory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attachment_theoryThe dependency paradox (randomized controlled trial): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17279849/Psychological safety (Amy Edmondson): https://amycedmondson.com/psychological-safety/The Karpman drama triangle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karpman_drama_triangleDr. Becky Kennedy (Good Inside): https://www.goodinside.com/about/More from 97% Effective:
Michael’s book, Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back:https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on the 97% Effective YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
What holds you back, but more importantly what springs you forward? In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth speaks with Khanh-Linh Le, entrepreneur and host of the Forest Builders podcast. Khanh-Linh shares how she left prestigious corporate jobs in France and Vietnam to dive into the world of chocolate entrepreneurship – then later made the equally tough decision to leave that venture behind. Khanh-Linh speaks to the importance of asking what you actually want, why showing up and “daring to do” is your critical first step – and how convincing yourself, and repetition, is a key unlock to projecting confidence as an entrepreneur. You’ll leave this episode with a much deeper appreciation for the power that lies within you.
SHOW NOTES:
When Khanh-Linh’s passion awoke: “The power of the smell of chocolate to get you to feel and see things in a different way”Why do you want power?The dark side of chocolate“With time I’ll get closer”: The career shift from management consulting in France to chocolate in AsiaSerendipity and Synchronicity: The 4 AM bus ride and chance encounter with GrichaUsing coaching as an opportunity to step back and ask what you actually wantHow Khanh-Linh “dared” and took the next step“A lot of time you just need to show up”How Khanh-Linh sees power and influence as critical to entrepreneurshipCommunication insights for Entrepreneurs: Convincing yourself, repetition, projecting confidencePatience and calmness: Reflections on projecting confidence as a Vietnamese French female entrepreneurThe power of a support group: Khanh-Linh and the female entrepreurs of Saigon“Would a man censor himself?” – Khanh-Linh on how women often need to get out of their own wayMaking the choice to let goKhanh-Linh reflects on the power of podcasting to open doors, help you find inspiration – and show the world what you are intoGet started and dare to show up!BIO AND LINKS:
Khanh-Linh Le is an entrepreneur and host of the Forest Builders Podcast. She is based in France where she supports food companies and their transition to regenerative supply chains. She previously co-founded the Cocoa Project in Vietnam and worked for McKinsey and Anheuser-Busch InBev. Khanh-Linh is from France and holds master's degrees in international management and business at HEC Paris and CEMS.
Khanh-Linh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khanhlinh-chocolate/The Forst Builders Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/49xSK5SlZ2xvTwLIAgSDNz?si=a4bec083e9a54305The Cocoa Project: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cocoa-project/The Female Entrepreneurs of Saigon: https://www.facebook.com/fesaigon/“Chocolateman: Harnessing Power to Create Sustainable Business Practices” (EP#22 with Gricha Safarian on 97% Effective): https://redcircle.com/shows/86fcd90d-083e-4af2-9bc8-6d52fb981ae1/ep/4caaa1d9-0fa2-42a4-89e1-3ef10739c889Michael’s Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What Your Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on video, the 97% Effective Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
What does neuroscience tells us about the brain-body connection? How we can utilize that knowledge to thrive amid times of uncertainty, change and fear? In this episode of 97% Effective, Michael speaks with Julia Bunyatov, executive leadership coach and founder or Sirmio. Julie discusses her work with Wall Street executives and how she applies neuroscience insights to her coaching practice. She shares how mindfulness, curiosity and optimism are the keys to leading amid uncertainty – and to approaching the important question of how we are changing as leaders with the emergence of AI. Discussed: her latest articles, how to best eliminate the brain’s prediction errors, optimism vs toxic positivity, and what it means to thrive and “create magic.”
SHOW NOTES:
How Julia’s years on Wall Street informs her work as an executive leadership coachThe personal family experiences that led Julia to neuroscience, the science of thriving – and into coachingThe rock formation behind her company’s name, Sirmio LeadershipHow do we lead through complexity – and create outcomes that could not have been predicted beforeAddressing the soft “new age” perception of “Mindfulness, Optimism and Curiosity”Mindfulness defined: Our ability to manage our attention and focus in a desired way – and observe in a non-judgmental wayPractical ways (beyond meditation) to become more mindful so you can deepen your self-awarenessIs stress good – and if so, how much do you want?Curiosity: How it helps us engage our capacity to be creative and innovativeHow mindfulness helps us when we get triggered at workHow empathy creates more energy in the brain body system that helps usWe think our brain is reactive, but it is actually predictingThe best way to eliminate prediction error and anxiety is through experience: the example of thriving in a snowstormOne of the most important things that Coaches doOptimism vs “toxic positivity”Applying the process of mindfulness, curiosity and optimism to the emergence of AI: how do we collaborate and create something that did not exist before?AI is absolutely about creating efficiencies in the workplace, but the more important question is how are we changing as leaders?Why we need friction – and not everything should be smooth sailingHow Julia uses AI in her coaching practice and workJulia’s take on emotions: don’t suppress them, use them as a source of energy and conduit to our resultsBIO AND LINKS:
Julia Bunyatov is the founder of Sirmio Leadership, which focuses on Executive Coaching & Advisory. She is a certified Executive Coach and former C-suite leader with 30 years of experience in executive leadership, board governance, and coaching. She held senior roles including COO of Global Equities Trading, COO of Global Equity Derivatives, and Americas Risk Officer at Bankers Trust, Lehman Brothers, and Barclays. Today she supports senior leaders in aligning insight with real-world leadership to drive meaningful change. In addition to other board commitments, Julia serves as Treasurer of the Columbia Coaching Conference and is a board member of the Columbia Coaching Learning Association.
Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-bunyatov-0b23001/Sirmio Leadership: https://www.sirmioleadership.comThe meaning of “Sirmio”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SirmioJulia’s article in Choice: “Thriving in Uncertainty ~ Neuroscience and applications for coaches and leader” https://choice-online.com/thriving/Julia’s article: “We Built the Machine. Now We Must Build the Mindset: How Emotion, Neuroscience, and AI Are Rewiring Leadership” https://tinyurl.com/4e7bpcm9Michael’s Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What Your Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on video, the 97% Effective Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
When it comes to taking the next big step in your career, some urge you to follow your passions – while others back a more bare-knuckled approach. But there’s a third way, says Mary Olson-Menzel, author of the bestseller “What Lights You Up.” In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth and Mary talk about the key factors that lead to a fulfilling and successful career, and Mary’s 10-step pivot process that has helped thousands of her clients at MVP Executive Development. They debate passion, authenticity, networking – and discuss how to create opportunity during turbulent times. If you’re struggling with taking the next big step in your career, this episode is for you.
SHOW NOTES:
Michael was deeply skeptical about Mary and her message, so why he invited her on the showMary’s 10-step pivot program and what led her to write her book“The light is not woo-woo… it is all about what’s driving you”Mary address the critique that “following your passion is terrible advice” (Newport, Galloway, Wenderoth)The ven diagram of Ikigai that puts passion in its proper placeCore elemants that drove Mary’s career successThe role of curiosity when it comes to pivoting with purposeHow to make opportunities “fall into your lap”How to take advantage – and thrive – in chaotic timesIdentifying gaps: a practical and underused way to be helpful to others - and yourselfHow to overcome fear and stay in the driver’s seat of your careerCan sharing your passion at work lead to you being exploited (offered lower pay)?How a “personal board of directors” can help you stay on track – and not get taken advantage ofNo one has a crystal ball, which is why you need to shake the bushes: Great questions to ask, before you join a companyDealing with setbacks: Having champions, mentors – and always a Plan BMary’s take on authenticity: What it is, what it is notMary’s take on why we still get so many terrible leadersQuiet confidence: How to make sure you and your accomplishments are heard and visible, without seeming like a bombastic, self-promoting jerk?Mary and Michael discuss “threading the line”: how to embrace things that are effective, but may initially feel uncomfortableTop tips on building connection in a remote, distributed worldMary’s “Networking Power Hour”For younger professionals: Tips for networking with people 2-3 levels above youNetworking tips beyond the time consuming 1-1Success is personal and changes: How do you define it, and what lights you up?BIO AND LINKS:
Mary Olsen-Menzel is the Founder and CEO of MVP Executive Development, and the author of the USA Today National Bestseller “What Lights You Up? Illuminate Your Path and Take the Next Big Step in Your Career.” She is a renowned expert in career and workplace success, with more than 30 years of leadership experience with global organizations across media, tech, healthcare, and sports. Mary earned her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Public Relations from Illinois State University. Mary lives in West Chester, New York, with her husband and family. She is part of Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches, and a regular Guest Lecturer on career development, internships, and workplace success at the NYU School of Professional Studies.
Mary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-olson-menzel-mvpexec/“What Lights You Up?” Mary’s bestselling book, and free workbook: www.maryolsonmenzel.comMVP Executive Development: www.mvpexec.comCal Newport’s book, So Good They Can’t Ignore You: https://calnewport.com/writing/Ikigai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IkigaiResearch at Duke: How attribution of passion may legitimize the poor treatment of workers: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000190Michael’s Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What Your Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on video, the 97% Effective Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
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Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
Ever feel you are getting penalized at work – not getting promoted, not being listened to, not being seen as a leader – because of your accent? “Accent bias” is very real, says Peter Novak, but his prescriptions on how to overcome that bias – and elevate yourself – may surprise you. In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth sits down with Peter Novak, PhD and founder of the Strictly Speaking Group. They discuss how we should think about accents – and the keys to succeeding in high stakes communications, particularly if you are a non-native English speaker. Peter challenges the usefulness of “accent reduction” training and the common advice to “not read from a script,” sharing research and cutting-edge strategies (including ones that involve AI) that have helped his clients become rising stars who embrace the power of their multilingual identities. You’ll leave this episode with the hard truths on accents and amazingly practical tips that will immediately help you ascend.
SHOW NOTES:
Peter’s interest in communication, accents and theater that drove his career and lifeInsights from Peter’s two year project translating Shakespeare’s 12th night into American Sign Language (ASL)Blunt question #1: Is “accent bias” real? Peter shares the research.What the heck does confidence in English sound like?The core of Peter’s work: How do you speak in a way that meets the expectations of what native speakers are listening for?Blunt question #2: Should I get accent reduction training? Peter’s surprising response.Brain science on what native English speakers are listening for: English as a “stress-timed language” where stressing certain words generates meaningBeyond your words and accent: understanding “prosody” or the musicality of a language to convey meaning, intention – and make your communication landPractical Tip: One of the best things you can do is to get a good microphone!“It’s not an accent, it’s an identity”The Canadian study that showed that language training that focused on “macro-linguistic factors” (variation, tone, pace) mattered more than training that focused on accentPractical Tip for fast speakers: Don’t slow down – Instead pause within the sentence around “thought clusters”How to sound confident, curious, or spontaneous: When and how to use downward, upward and sustained intonation in your communication.How to read from a text – but still sound like you are speaking off the cuffPractical Tip: Practice your speech out loud – but record it with a voice to text app – and then ask AI to generate a voice print and recommendations.Practical Tip: Scoring and the “2 1/2 inch trick” when delivering a powerful speech through virtual meetings and online video communication.Repeating words, using sustained inflection – and not being confined by the text: Peter demonstrates how to sound spontaneous when reading from a scriptPractical tip, inspired by Ginger Rogers: How to send subtle reminders at work that you are powerful and do a lot of heavy lifting.Practical tip, inspired by Laura Huang: Turn a stereotypically perceived weakness into a strengthPractical tip: Use idioms from your native language (where Peter reveals his Argentinian-accented Spanish!)Understanding how people want their communications: Ask them, ask others, use new AI toolsPractical tip for non-native speakers: Provide sign posts and structure to ensure your message landsLightning round with Peter: Who has most shaped his thinking, How communication will evolve with AIBIO AND LINKS:
Peter Novak is the founder of Strictly Speaking Group, where he has built his reputation as a globally recognized communications coach. Since 2016, his team has coached thousands—from rising stars to Fortune 50 executives—helping global companies succeed in high-stakes communications. A top-rated LinkedIn Learning instructor, Peter’s course on clear speech for global professionals has attracted more than 250,000 learners and has been translated into six languages. He is recognized for his work with multilingual leaders and non-native English speakers, blending linguistics, cultural intelligence (CQ), and inclusive communication. Peter holds a doctorate in Dramaturgy from Yale, and is Professor Emeritus at the University of San Francisco, where he co-founded the Performing Arts & Social Justice program.
Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-novak-ssg/Strictly Speaking Group: https://www.strictlyspeakinggroup.comPeter’s LinkedIn Learning Course: https://tinyurl.com/4w98sfe6Signing Shakespeare: Peter’s translation of Twelfth Night into American Sign Language (ASL) https://tinyurl.com/5acxjmcuResearch (Lit Review) on the advantages of multilingualism: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383948429_Literature_Review_The_Advantages_of_Multilingualism“Learners can become more intelligible or comprehensible through instruction with ‘no noticeable change in accent’ ” –controlled investigation on the effects of ESL teaching. “Evidence for a Broad Framework for Pronunciation Instruction” (Derwing, Munro & Wibe): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/0023-8333.00047Laura Huang’s book – EDGE: Turning Adversity into Advantage https://a.co/d/1C1GXk697% Effective EP115: The Power of Being in Outsider (Prof Sven Horak): https://tinyurl.com/2y48e9jtArdjan Verdooren’s book on intercultural communication: Cultures Don’t Meet, People Do https://a.co/d/82S7j04Michael’s Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What Your Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on video, the 97% Effective Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
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Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
There’s a huge chance you’re being passed over for top jobs – and you’re not even aware of it. How has AI changed recruiting and job search, and what does that mean for you? In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth speaks with Nick Day, founder and CEO of JGA Recruitment Group, a leading global recruiter and payroll advisory based in the UK. Nick provides sharp, practical advice on how to be visible, stand out, and land your dream job in an increasingly competitive talent market, where recruiters and other job seekers are increasingly using AI. He talks about the two versions of your CV that you most need, suggests you answer problems that aren’t being advertised, and explains why visibility is the currency of credibility in today’s job market. You’ll leave this episode with a strong understanding of AI’s impact on job seekers – and a much deeper appreciation for the human touch that will get you the best results.
SHOW NOTES:
What Nick’s social post about Costa Rica this summer reveals about him – and JGA“Done Lists” and how Nick sets his intentions each dayHow fear disguises itself as wisdom: Nick’s hard truth about AI and the current job marketWhat’s the right depth and place to “jump in” learning about AIWhy great job candidates are being left in the coldTip#1: Optimize yourself for the algorithms – and produce two versions of your resume.What?! How excellent candidates with high level strategic resumes are getting rejectedTip#2: Make sure to add that personal element to your CV, because everyone’s submitting the “perfect” resumeTip#3: The 3 necessary approaches to getting your dream jobHow “easy apply” is overwhelming recruiters and ensures top candidates never get the lookTip#4: Go back to basics and cater your CV to a position – and tell a story that shows your value“Answer a problem that isn’t being advertised”Your CV/resume is the most important document you will ever writeWhy most CV/resume services are a big waste of moneyTip#5: Have an achievement section at the top of your CV – don’t wait for the recruiter to find them on page 2Michael’s highlight: How Nick’s job search tips are also best practice that help you get promoted“The important bits” that Nick says we should save for the interview (and not put on the resume)The importance of generating connectionTip#6: Treat your job as a campaign, not as a checkboxWhere Nick sees AI systems doing more harm than goodTip#7: Change your resume for the position, but also change your persona for the person that’s interviewing youHow to be creative – but not lie – in your resume, to helps you work with the algorithm, even if don’t have the exact experienceGetting over imposter syndrome to become your biggest advocateTip#8: The most underrated skill in business is storytelling“Visibility is the currency of credibility”Reaching Nick: No AI, no PA’s. Nick responds personally!BIO AND LINKS:
Nick Day is a globally recognised HR and payroll authority with over 20 years of experience leading the sector through innovation, insight and influence. As CEO and founder of JGA Recruitment Group, Nick has built one of the most respected payroll and HR talent consultancies in the UK and abroad. Nick’s voice reaches tens of thousands of professionals through his acclaimed platforms: The Payroll Podcast, the H&R L&D Podcast, and the Mindful Paths Podcast.
Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/?originalSubdomain=ukJGA Recruitment Group: https://jgarecruitment.comNick’s post on his daughter, in Costa Rica: https://tinyurl.com/2s3f3n7jWalk the Camino Santiago: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camino_de_Santiago“Life Moves Pretty Fast..” (The epic line, from Ferris Bueller): https://tinyurl.com/bdns8pa7Nick’s Mindful Paths Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindful-paths-podcast/id1682002299Done Lists: https://tinyurl.com/2s3hrdfdAs an Algorithm Blocking Your Job Search? (WSJ Podcast): https://tinyurl.com/ujy6yttnBohemiam Rhapsody Flashmob in France: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfUEstWJUkAMichael on Nick’s HR L&D Podcast, “Mastering Office Politics: Power, Promotion & Playing to Win: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARVsf7dFOyYMichael’s Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What Your Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on video, the 97% Effective Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
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Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
When does your influence cross the ethical line at work? What sends people to the “dark side” that causes personal pain and derails careers – and how to make sure that never happens to you? Richard Bistrong can tell you from personal experience: He went to prison for bribery. And if you think that can’t happen to you (most people don’t), or you’ve felt the pressure to cut corners to advance at work (most people do) -- then you really need this episode. Richard Bistrong, CEO of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, wants to make sure you navigate tough ethical decisions that can arise in the ambitious pursuit of your career, getting things done, or influencing others. He and host Michael Wenderoth discuss what blinded Richard and practical steps that you – and your organization – should put in place to stay out of trouble, and smartly accelerate your career.
SHOW NOTES:
Risk will sneak up on you when you think: “That would never happen to me”Why Richard was sent to prison – and what that was likeHow Richard accidentally started Front-Line Anti-Bribery LLC, to address an underserved “middle”Cheating is always a choiceThe call Richard never madeThe case of the Dutch police official: How conspiracies and bribery usually occurSunshine, chocolate and tolls vs. “commiting transnational crime”: How euphemisms and “non-terms” don’t sound so bad lead to moral fadingWhen an internal compliance officer needs to walk around with body guards – in their OWN companyAre people inherently good – or evil?If Richard could go back and make the call, how would he have done it?Not a “one and done”: Proactive outreach and what the company could have done“The voice of business”: How company’s can get over the first awkward call, by using open ended questions – and making sure those calls don’t just come from the Compliance officerTraining vs Preparation, Wall posters vs Operationalizing through Structures and Governance: What most companies missHow to identify your blind spotsAssembling “truth tellers” to manage conformity and your own confirmation bias“Ethical mistakes age like milk, not like wine”How to know when you are crossing the lineNavigating the “deep grey” when it comes to influenceRichard’s safety check: Are you becoming somebody else’s ambassador?Tips on how to assess a company’s ethics – “You can always walk out, but you don’t always have to walk in”“The lack of competing narratives” and other red flags that Richard looks forChanges in how the FCPA is being enforcedThe question Michael use to pose to his sales teamHow Richard finds foreign (non-US) countries approach business ethics differently from their US counterpartsFocus on the frozen middle in organizationsBIO AND LINKS:
Richard Bistrong is the CEO of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, a consultancy focusing on real-world anti-bribery, ethics, and compliance challenges. His expertise is in Ethics, Compliance and Ethical Decision Making Under Pressure. He hopes to share the benefits of ethical business practices by the identification of blind spots in decision making. His work has appeared in Fast Company and The Harvard Business Review. He has also been quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Financial Times. You can connect with Richard on LinkedIn and follow him on Instagram.
Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardbistrong/Richard’s website: www.richardbistrong.comRichard is on Instagram at @richardbistrong (and on YouTube, X under his name; and on Facebook under Front-Line Anti-Bribery.His TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDnGVxAc7ikDorie Clark’s book Reinventing You: https://dorieclark.com/reinventingyou/Ron Carucci “How to Fix Our Trust Recesssion” (EP25 on 97% Effective): https://tinyurl.com/39cdawcpSpeak Out, Listen Up (Book by Megan Reitz and John Higgings): https://a.co/d/56zuYWxThe concept of “dangerous silence” in Amy Edmonson’s book, The Fearless Organization: https://a.co/d/08U3fDM“Why High-Performers are More Subject to Ethical Risks” (Forbes): https://tinyurl.com/5yp558vw“How to Approach Business Ethics When Global Consensus Breaks Down” (HBR article by Richard and Anna Romberg): https://hbr.org/2025/03/how-to-approach-business-ethics-as-global-consensus-breaks-downMichael’s Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What Your Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on video, 97% Effective Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
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Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
** Watch to see Susan read Michael’s face, HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective **
You’ll love or hate today’s guest, Susan Ibitz, who boldly says: “I’m the only person in the world who does what I do.” Dubbed “freaky” and “the top expert in her field” by the Chicago Tribune and Pyschology Today, Susan draws on physiognomy, micro-expressions, and body language – practices often accused of shaky pseudoscience -- to profile and read people. A former political influence consultant, profiler, and civilian hostage negotiator, she’s helped top law firms select high-stakes juries, coached Shark Tank’s fastest deal-closer, and advised everyone from television producers to sales reps on how to “hack” human behaviour to get results. But here’s the question: Can she really profile anyone in just 90 seconds? Is her ability a legitimate superpower … or something else? You decide. In this episode of 97% Effective, watch as she turns her methods on host Michael Wenderoth, and then listen as they discuss her background and training, the art and science of her craft, and the myths that swirl around in her field.
SHOW NOTES:
Susan profiles Michael – in 90 secondsThe breakdown: What Michael’s flat forehead, neanderthal bump eyebrows, resting face, upper eyelids, the four quadrants of his mouth, bigger ears and earlobes, hair… all say about his personalityAre facial features universal across gender, race, culture, age?A short history: how face reading got incorrectly associated with phrenology (reading the shape of the head), Mengele and the NazisStudying under Paul Ekman and the problem with microexpressionsHow face reading catapulted Susan’s careerMichael challenges Susan: What was her confidence level that she read him correctly?Top reasons why a face profiler can be wrong: Normalization, fighting the process, being too tired, and confirmation biasWhy listening to someone’s voice and tone is critical – lessons from hostage negotiationsHow Susan’s Dyslexia and Aspergers enhances her skills to read context and peopleDiagnosing vs Profiling and reading people’s tendenciesThinking in terms of percentages and propensities“Assessments are not tests”Susan is not for everyone: Are you open to change?The bad apple effectThe top things organizations don’t pay attention to: The importance of stepping away (because you can be the problem), and that people are not always in the positions they need to be (so reallocate them)A critique of “thin slicing”41 Shots and the importance of never assuming you are right 100% of the timeSusan busts 3 myths: 1) That using the number 3 means you are lying, 2) That 93% of your communication is body language, and 3) That “mirroring” will make people instantly love youThe way you say things is 30% more persuasive than anything you can do with your bodyHow to protect yourself from being persuaded – or connedCon artists play with your ego; narcissists and pyschopaths go after people who are highly intelligentWhen ego gets in the way and we become victims because we are too cockyWhen it smells, looks and tastes like poo poo, it’s _______.The guts are your first brain: you can smell fear“Always doubt”Susan on AI vs humans: her record vs Big Blue, and how AI can make you dumberHow one of Susan’s students outperformed AI to solve a murder mysteryToo many tik tok’ers, not enough plumbersLightning round: Susan’s biggest influences; Favorite Sci-fi movie; Her drink of choiceBIO AND LINKS:
Susan Ibitz is a former political influence consultant, profiler, and civilian hostage negotiator, with expertise, study and degrees in Human Behavior, Behavioral Economics, Neuroscience – with a deep nerd-like love for data. From physiognomy to micro-expression and body language, she incorporates numerous forms of studying human behavior to “hack” each person’s personality traits. She uses that skill and experience to “works on the humans that grow your business,” offering her expertise to television producers to sales trainers to the FBI, to now the general public. Past engagements have included work with the U.S. Navy, Harvard University, and the Secret Service.
Watch Susan read Michael’s face -- on the 97% Effective video channel, here: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffectiveSusan Ibitz Behavior Consulting: SusanIbitz.comSusan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-ibitz/ENOUGH PLEASE! Susan’s article: ‘93% of communication is driven by body language’ is NOT what Mehrabian said: https://tinyurl.com/356sjkwwPaul Ekman and the study of emotions and their relation to facial expressions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_EkmanReprint of profile of Susan in the Chicago Tribune: https://tinyurl.com/4aj65fbt“How to make questions to get the answers you need”: https://tinyurl.com/ywxwctfkThin-slicing, featured in Blink (Malcolm Gladwell): https://tinyurl.com/2ws268aa41 shots: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Skin_(41_Shots)Book by Gavin De Becker - The Gift of Fear: https://a.co/d/b6jvWVmMichael’s Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74
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** Watch our engaging discussion on video, HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective **
Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com
Feeling stuck with a challenge at work, or in advancing your career? In this episode of 97% Effective, we discuss proven, effective ways to creatively solve problems, innovate – and advance. Host Michael Wenderoth interviews Rich Braden and Dr. Tessa Forshaw, authors of Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World. They discuss why your mindset is more important than process, why to aim for “roof-shots” instead of moonshots, and how their book helps ordinary people overcome “innovation hesitation.” By the end of this episode, you’ll not only want to read their book – you’ll leave with a better understanding of the science of how we learn, powerful mental reframes, and practical tips to get unstuck. Rich, a design strategist and the CEO of People Rocket, and Tessa, a cognitive scientist and co-founder of the Next Level Lab at Harvard, have served as design educators for years at Stanford and Harvard, and have helped leading companies and non-profits creatively solve their most vexing challenges to unlock growth.
SHOW NOTES:
Why Rich and Tessa wrote their book – and chose the word “Innovation-ish”The problem with a “process focus” to innovation“If you’ve ever been to Costco..” (Tessa explains Mindset)How mindsets translate into “Moves”Forward movement in action: The science of why your moves need to be bite-sizedKids vs adults: How adults can tap into their vast experiences to become more creativeMichael’s observations comparing coaching to Rich and Tessa’s work“Explore before Explain” - Why and how Tessa and Rich flipped how they teachTessa on “Learning needs to be effortful”Rich explains “Innovation is not hard. But it is hard work”You’ve got moves inside that are Innovation-ish: How one student used “family system mapping” from her therapist training in powerful new waysYou’ve got insights that will help you navigate power & politics: How Michael’s clients apply their own skillsRoofshots over MoonshotsFramestorming: Are we even looking at the right problem?“Solutions are baked into the frame of the problem” – Tina SeeligTessa’s hard truth: “You can’t stop your biases, but you can set up structures and processes to counteract them”Tessa explains in plain (Aussie) English the $5 word “metacognition”: Thinking about Thinking vs RecountingWhy wore Michael wore airplane cufflinks for this interviewLightning round: Can AI replace human creativity; Biggest influence; Their “go to” technique to get themselves unstuck; Tips on how to make sure your teenage kids stay creativeBIO AND LINKS:
Dr Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden are the authors of Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World. Rich is a design strategist and CEO of People Rocket, based in Silicon Valley. Tessa Forshaw, PhD, is a cognitive scientist and co-founder of the Next Level Lab at Harvard University. Both have served as design educators for years at Stanford and Harvard, worked for leading innovation consultances including IDEO and Accenture, and in their private consulting have helped leading companies and non-profits including Coke, Airbnb and the Native American Community Clinic in Minnesota, USA. Their mission is to help everday people untap their creative potential – and become more confident, and innovation-ish.
Watch our engaging interview on video: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffectiveInnovation-ish the Book: https://www.innovationish.comRich Braden on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcoxbraden/Tessa Forshaw on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessaforshaw/People Rocket: https://www.peoplerocket.com“Exploration before Explanation” explained: https://tinyurl.com/5xuwcc8p“Think Roof Shot, Not Moonshot” (an interview with Tessa in Harvard’s Graduate School of Education): https://tinyurl.com/hszp2zvaHow What Got You Here WILL GET YOU THERE (the power of “tapping your past”) - EP #83 on 97% Effective: https://tinyurl.com/2d6np2kuRich’s reference to an interview with Axel Ohrstrom on 97% EFFECTIVE (EP #91: How to Start Your Career Off Right”): https://tinyurl.com/5bweydfh“You’re not even looking at the problem” – most memorable movie moment with Brad Pitt in Moneyball [4 min watch]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krZVcOMTR98The amazing Prof Tina Seelig: https://profiles.stanford.edu/tina-seeligTessa’s a-ha moment: Reading Prof. Roy Pea’s paper on distributed intelligence and designs for education: https://telearn.hal.science/hal-00190571/documentRich’s a-ha moment: BATS Improv https://www.improv.orgMichael’s a-ha moment: Reading Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono (and yes, he lives on!): https://a.co/d/f5qAgxIHow Constraints Move us Forward -- and stimulate creativity (Forbes): https://tinyurl.com/ywap8fzmAntoinette Portis’s delightful book for all of us (not just kids), Not a Box: https://www.antoinetteportis.com/not-a-box/Michael’s Multi-Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74
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