Episodes
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Hello, everyone! In this episode of Making Better, I sit down with Holly Betke, Senior Director of Global People Development and Engagement at StockX, recorded live at the ATD International Conference. Holly kicks off our conversation by sharing the importance of setting a mission and vision for your team, and why co-creating these foundational elements can drive better results. We dive into practical techniques for getting honest feedback and discuss how revisiting your team's mission can help keep everyone aligned and engaged. Whether you're a manager looking to refine your leadership style or seeking actionable insights to improve team dynamics, this episode is packed with valuable advice. Don't miss out on these leadership development gems—hit play now!
Remember to subscribe to the Leadership Launchpad so you never miss a future episode!
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Most goals setting in companies is a waste of time. In this episode I dive into why that is and give a simple framework for how to make it better. Rather than talking about annual goals or SMART goals, the key is to build a bridge between those two concepts. Tune in to learn how to effectively align your team's goals with organizational impact and keep your team on track towards success.
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In this episode of the Leadership Launchpad, I sit down with Mandy Varley, Principal Behavior Scientist at Torch, to discuss the importance of employee well-being in the workplace. Mandy shares insights on challenges organizations face, the impact of stress on employees, and the significance of addressing individual well-being to enhance organizational performance. Key takeaways include the value of caring for employees as whole individuals, setting boundaries to promote well-being, and the power of effective communication between managers and team members. Join Mandy and I for a deep dive into creating a supportive work environment that prioritizes the well-being of employees and drives success for the organization.
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In this week’s episode, I dive into how you can get more valuable feedback from your team and everyone around you. We discuss why feedback is crucial for improvement and how most organizations lack a true feedback culture. I share actionable tips on asking for feedback more effectively by making specific asks and assuming there is always feedback. Additionally, we cover the importance of receiving, understanding, and acting on feedback to foster a transparent and high-performing organization. Tune in to learn how to transform your feedback approach and set the stage for a feedback-rich culture!
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In this episode, host Matt Gjertsen sits down with Alexis Gonzales-Black, a partner and design practice lead at August Public. Alexis delves into the crucial topic of trust within organizations, highlighting the essential elements of trust: care, authenticity, reliability, and capability. She emphasizes the importance of transparent communication and the practice of "candid comms" to build trust within teams. Alexis shares practical insights for new managers to navigate trust issues and create a culture of open communication and accountability. Tune in to learn how to foster trust in your team and organization for lasting, positive change.
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This episode is a bit different. Today, I dive into the motivation of some of the most successful people on the planet like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and the people who work for them. Expect to explore the concept of existential risk through ideas like the Fermi Paradox, the Drake Equation, and much more with the goal of understanding what drives some of the world’s top innovators. If you ever find yourself unable to understand why some of these people do what they do, this is the episode for you.
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In this episode, Matt engages in a fascinating conversation with Jennifer Recla, a seasoned leadership coach and advocate of strengths-based leadership. Jennifer shares insights on the importance of focusing on individual strengths rather than weaknesses in leadership roles. She emphasizes the value of creating environments where people can thrive and grow, even if it means letting them fail occasionally. Through tools like Clifton Strengths and Insights Discovery, Jennifer guides leaders on how to identify strengths gaps within their teams and leverage diverse strengths for enhanced collaboration and productivity. Listen in to discover how emphasizing relationships, understanding communication preferences, and supporting deliberate growth paths can lead to more engaged and effective leadership.
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In this solo episode of the Leadership Launchpad, host Matt Gjertsen delves into the importance of diversity in hiring by drawing parallels from the movie "Miracle" about the 1980 US Olympic hockey team. Through insightful anecdotes and analysis, Matt emphasizes the significance of looking beyond standard metrics to build effective teams. He stresses the value of diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in fostering innovation and success within organizations. The episode underscores the idea that hiring for diversity is not about lowering standards but about creating a team that thrives on a variety of viewpoints and skills. Tune in to learn how embracing diversity can lead to improved outcomes and team performance.
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In this episode, Michael Teape and Marc Levine join host Matt Gjertsen to delve into the critical importance of fostering psychological safety within teams. They discuss how creating an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing ideas and providing feedback is key to enhancing creativity, team performance, and employee satisfaction. The episode emphasizes the need for leaders to adopt a growth mindset, encourage open communication, and actively work towards building trust and support within their teams. Tune in to gain valuable insights on the impact of psychological safety on team dynamics and ways to cultivate a workplace culture that promotes collaboration and innovation.
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In this solo episode of the Leadership Launchpad host Matt Gjertsen makes a compelling case for why more meetings might actually be the key to productivity in organizations. Drawing from his experience at SpaceX and insights from General Stanley McChrystal's book "Team of Teams," Matt explains how holding larger, more frequent meetings can foster a shared understanding, improve decision-making, and ultimately reduce the need for numerous smaller meetings and excessive communication. By emphasizing the importance of having the right people in the room and aligning meeting frequency with the pace of change, Matt challenges the conventional wisdom of minimizing meetings and offers a fresh perspective on enhancing organizational effectiveness.
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Today's episode dives into the evolving landscape of decentralized work structures with Josh Drean. Josh emphasizes the shift towards decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and the impact of web three technologies on reshaping traditional employment models. They discuss the importance of employee engagement, the role of managers as facilitators rather than dictators, and the potential benefits and challenges of decentralization in various industries. With an upcoming book titled "Employment is Dead," Josh suggests a future where workers have more autonomy and flexibility in shaping their careers. The conversation explores the transformation of HR into people operations and the need for leadership to adapt to meet the changing expectations of the modern workforce.
Follow Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshdrean/
Visit the Work3 Institute: https://work3.me/
Pre-order Employment is Dead: https://www.amazon.com/Employment-Dead-Disruptive-Technologies-Revolutionizing/dp/164782642X
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This week’s episode dives into the essentials of building trust within your team—an often overlooked but fundamental aspect of high-performing teams. Matt shares three actionable tips: getting to know your team members personally, fostering non-work-related connections within the team, and creating 'user manuals' for better understanding each other's working styles. Whether you're a leader or a team member, these insights will help you create a more trustful work environment that brings out the best in everyone.
Want practice developing your skills as a leader? Check out our Leadership Skill Accelerator sessions at www.bettereverydaystudios.com/accelerator.
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This week’s episode features an enlightening conversation with Justin Hills, leadership performance coach and strategic advisor. Justin talks about the direct link between workforce health and productivity, highlighting the need for energy and clarity in leadership. He introduces his business, Courageous and Co., and emphasizes creating a psychologically safe work environment. Matt Gjertsen, our host, delves into the shift in career advancement and the importance of focusing on strengths. Together, they discuss practical techniques for maintaining a positive mindset and the evolving challenges in leadership styles. Join us to explore how to foster a more human-focused and respectful workplace.
Connect with Justin on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinhills/
Visit Justin’s website:
https://www.courageousand.co/
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This week's episode dives into the nuances of leadership and why managers often falter when transitioning from individual contributors. Host Matt Gjertsen shares insights from a Harvard Business Review article by Daniel Goleman. This solo episode unpacks the six different leadership styles—coaching, pace setting, democratic, affiliative, authoritative, and coercive—and the impacts each can have on a team. Matt reveals his surprising discovery about his own pace setting leadership style and why it can be detrimental over time. Learn why it's crucial to adapt and develop multiple leadership styles, especially if you're a new people manager. Tune in to gain actionable tools that can help you make a smooth transition and become a more effective leader.
You can read the article here: https://hbr.org/2000/03/leadership-that-gets-results
Want practice developing your skills as a leader? Check out our Leadership Skill Accelerator sessions at www.bettereverydaystudios.com/accelerator.
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This week’s episode is taken from Matt's presentation at iSpring Days 2024 and dives into the effective strategies of leadership development inspired by powerful first principles thinking. Matt, who shares insights from notable advances in aerospace engineering, helps us understand how breaking down and re-evaluating fundamental assumptions can lead to groundbreaking solutions in developing leaders. The conversation centers on applying a similar first principles approach to leadership, comparing foundational physics in rocketry to neuroscience in learning. Key takeaways include practical steps for leadership enhancement and the introduction of the revamped "leadership launchpad" program focusing on trust, feedback, and goal-setting. This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to transform their leadership style by getting back to the basics and rethinking conventional methods.
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This episode is just a short programing note. The Making Better podcast is now the Leadership Launchpad. In an effort to align our efforts at Better Every Day Studios, we have decided to focus exclusively on improving technical leaders and helping them build better teams. We will be bringing on industry leaders, coaches, authors, and leadership experts to give you practical lessons you can put to use immediately. I hope you enjoy.
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In this enlightening episode of Making Better, our guest Patrick MacKelvie delves into the intricacies of remote work and asynchronous communication. They discuss the importance of empowering teams, setting clear expectations, and fostering a culture of trust in a remote setting. Key topics include the challenges of communication in remote work, the significance of humility in leadership, and the strategic use of tools like Slack and Notion to enhance team collaboration. This conversation provides valuable insights for managers and team members navigating the evolving landscape of remote workspaces. Tune in to explore how leadership and technology intersect to shape successful remote teams.
Make sure to follow our guest on social media:
LinkedIn Profile link:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patmack/
X (Twitter) Profile link:: https://twitter.com/patrismo
Want to learn more about what Better Every Day Studios is working on? Take part in one of our upcoming Leadership Skill Accelerator sessions.
https://bettereverydaystudios.com/accelerator/
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In this episode of Making Better, we are joined by Geoffrey Roche, North American Director of Workforce Development at Siemens and National Healthcare Practice Executive Advisor at Core Education PBC. Geoffrey delves into the critical challenges facing the healthcare industry, such as workforce shortages and the need for more robust apprenticeship programs. Key discussions highlight the importance of embedding empathy in healthcare leadership, the impact of work-life balance on employee retention, and innovative approaches to mentorship in healthcare. Listen as we explore how these strategies not only address current industry difficulties but also pave the way for more humane and effective healthcare environments.
You can hear more from Geoffrey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffreymroche/
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Join us on Making Better for an insightful chat with Vanessa Alzate, CEO of Anchored Training. In Episode 070, Vanessa dives into the transformative power of TikTok-inspired training content. We explore how to captivate learners by repurposing traditional training into brief, impactful videos that mirror the engaging essence of social media trends. Vanessa shares practical case studies, addresses stakeholder resistance, and offers strategies for incrementally introducing innovative training methods. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to revitalize their educational approach and make learning resonate with modern audiences.
Make sure to connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-alzate/
Want more tips on effective training? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter, Making Better: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/newsletter
Visit us at https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com
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In this illuminating episode of Making Better, hosts Matt Gjertsen and Mark Fogel dive into the pivotal role of debriefing and feedback in shaping a productive corporate culture. They explore the necessity of separating individual performance from personal worth, and the significance of healthy conflict in learning from failures. Drawing on their military backgrounds, the duo emphasizes the high stakes of giving feedback and fostering a learning culture for continuous improvement. Tune in for a robust discussion on leading with empathy, improving team dynamics, and why taking smart risks in line with organizational values is crucial for success.
Make sure to connect with Mark on LinkedIn and check out his TED Talk.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fogelmark/
https://www.ted.com/talks/mark_fogel_the_culture_of_a_fighter_squadron
Want more tips on effective training? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter, Making Better: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/newsletter
Visit us at https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com
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