Aim Higher: The podcast with purpose Skip Prichard

In this episode, Dan Rockwell and John David Mann join Skip to discuss their latest book collaboration, “The Vagrant: The Inner Journey of Leadership,” a parable that explores ideas of self and success in an intriguing, compelling way. The book begins with a seemingly simple incident—the main character trips over a homeless man. But this one moment leads to a journey of self-awareness and personal growth. Why should you tune in? Because this isn't just a leadership “theory.” It’s a way of thinking that can transform how you lead and live. I hope you'll join me for this lively, enlightening conversation that will challenge your perceptions and inspire your planning.  

On this week’s episode, my expert panel and I talk about how to move from single, short-term goals to a focus on long-term, sustained success. Because sustained success isn’t just about a series of individual accomplishments. It’s about maintaining a core identity of what makes you successful today, combined with stimulating progress towards the future. How do you combat complacency when things are going well? How does customer feedback fit into this kind of mindset? What kind of leadership is required to create sustained success? Hint: it takes more than planning—it takes real vision. Join us as we explore this important topic. 

For many people, hearing that a manager or peer wants to “provide feedback” brings negative expectations. “They just want to complain,” or “What did I do wrong now?” may come to mind. That’s because, in many cases, leaders don’t take a holistic, long-term, organized approach to feedback. Doing so is important, because great employee feedback lowers turnover and improves everything from process to profits. Join me and my expert panel and we discuss how to create a culture where feedback—both positive and critical—is seen as an important part of work all the time.  

In this panel discussion, my guests and I discuss the importance of listening. Obviously, it’s a skill we all need to improve—but it’s especially vital for leaders and those who aspire to leadership. I share 10 ways that listening can improve results for you and your team, and the panel reacts with their own insights and tips. If we don’t listen, we can’t learn, and great leaders never stop learning. If you “listen in” to this episode, I guarantee you’ll come away with a renewed appreciation for this skill... and with a few ideas on how to improve it during your own leadership journey. 

I joke with my friend Scott McKain that he needs to write more books, because that gives us an excuse to get together—and our conversations are always a good time. He’s truly a gifted writer and speaker, and in today’s “Aim Higher” interview we talk about his new book, “The Ultimate Customer Experience.” While many of Scott’s books are primarily aimed at business leaders, this one is for everyone—and I do mean everyone. As Scott points out, everyone in your organization needs to be able to take responsibility for any customer’s experience. Pushing it off on someone else? Saying, “That’s not my job?” Failure to follow through? Those don’t get you to “ultimate.” Join us for a fast-paced, fun conversation on this important topic.  

A colleague of mine once said, “If you don’t set measurable goals and you fail? You’ve lost any chance to learn. And if you succeed but don’t know why? It might as well have been luck.” We often mistake, as panelist Drew Bordas says, “activity for progress.” We’re doing stuff! We’re working hard! Things are happening! But are they the right things? If you haven’t set good, measurable goals, you just won’t know. Remember: you can get your heart pumping by running in place, but you won’t get anywhere. Listen in and get some good tips on how to set goals in different situations, and how to ensure buy in from your team.