Practical Wisdom for Leaders with Scott J. Allen, Ph.D.

Scott J. Allen

Practical Wisdom for Leaders is your fast-paced, forward-thinking guide to leadership. Join host Scott J. Allen as he engages with remarkable guests—from former world leaders and nonprofit innovators to renowned professors, CEOs, and authors. Each episode offers timely insights and actionable tips designed to help you lead with impact, grow personally and professionally, and make a meaningful difference in your corner of the world.

  1. 2d ago ·  Video

    Managing Managers and Leading With Candor: Jason Allen on Practical Leadership

    Send us Fan Mail Jason Allen is an executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning supply chain, operations, and human resources. He currently serves as Vice President of Corporate Supply Chain for Twenty-Six Defense, a U.S. aerospace and defense company, where he focuses on building resilient supply chains, strengthening organizational performance, and preparing teams to meet increasingly complex mission demands. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Jason holds an MBA from Colorado State University and a bachelor's degree in organizational management and human resources from Colorado Christian University. His leadership philosophy centers on clarity, accountability, healthy teams, and the belief that sustainable performance begins with getting the people and the culture right. Jason lives in New Hampshire with his wife, Nicole. He is a husband, father, grandfather, committed Christian, fitness enthusiast, and his family believes that if he were on Survivor, he'd get voted off halfway through the season. A Few Quotes From This Episode "People don't dislike change. They dislike uncertainty and ambiguity. Many people enjoy change, but what they don't like is not knowing their part in it.""It means nothing to be excellent in my function if it's hurting the enterprise.""My motives were vertical, which is the definition of a silo.""Feedback is a blessing. Just because it's a blessing doesn't mean it doesn't hurt to go through that process.""Sometimes we believe something at our core, but when we're tired, when we're under stress, we don't show up the way we intend to.""People depend on you to be excellent and get better every day so that they can have a job. Leadership costs people jobs."Resources Mentioned In This Episode Jason Allen's Personal Leadership MaterialsAbout The International Leadership Association (ILA) The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Attend The Global Conference in Toronto, October 28-31.About  Scott J. Allen WebsiteWeekly Newsletter: Practical Wisdom for LeadersMy Approach to Hosting The views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic. ♻️ Please share with others and follow/subscribe to the podcast! ⭐️ Please leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or your platform of choice. ➡️ Follow me on LinkedIn for more on leadership, communication, and tech. 📜 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter featuring four hand-picked articles. 🌎 You can learn more about my work on my Website.

  2. Oct 21 ·  Video

    Do You Want What It Takes? Scaling with Purpose with Jason Blumer and Ian Vacin

    Send us Fan Mail Jason Blumer is an entrepreneur, consultant, and co-author of Scale With Purpose: The Service Entrepreneur’s Guide to Intentional Growth. His work focuses on helping service-based leaders scale their businesses with clarity, intention, and respect for the people who make growth possible. Jason owned and led Blumer CPAs, a fully virtual CPA firm serving entrepreneurs who want more clarity, confidence, and control as they grow. He served as CEO for more than 23 years. The firm provided full-service accounting departments and tax planning and preparation. Through advisory work, coaching, and onsite consulting, Jason partnered with founders and leadership teams to rethink how their businesses operate, aligning structure, capacity, and culture with long-term goals. In 2010, he also founded Thriveal, a consultancy and program-based learning organization dedicated to supporting service firm entrepreneurs as they grow, evolve, and build strong, sustainable teams. Thriveal offers monthly mastermind groups that follow its proprietary dashboards for structuring growth, along with coaching and consulting engagements for service entrepreneurs. The organization operates virtually and from its learning center in Greenville, SC. Ian Vacin is co-founder and chief partnerships officer at Karbon, a maker of AI-driven accounting practice management software, and is co-author of the Amazon best-selling book: Scale with Purpose: The Service Entrepreneur’s Guide to Intentional Growth. He has nearly three decades of leadership experience in technology and accounting with Karbon, Xero, and Intuit, and is passionate about helping accounting professionals be as successful as possible so they can better serve the small businesses they support. A Few Quotes From This Episode "The question is whether you want what growth is going to mean for you, your family, and your identity.” “Doing tax returns is way different from running a business that does tax returns.” “Sometimes the step back is exactly what you need” About The International Leadership Association (ILA) The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Attend The Global Conference in Toronto, October 28-31.About  Scott J. Allen WebsiteWeekly Newsletter: Practical Wisdom for LeadersMy Approach to Hosting The views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic. ♻️ Please share with others and follow/subscribe to the podcast! ⭐️ Please leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or your platform of choice. ➡️ Follow me on LinkedIn for more on leadership, communication, and tech. 📜 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter featuring four hand-picked articles. 🌎 You can learn more about my work on my Website.

  3. Oct 14 ·  Video

    Coaching That Actually Builds Skill with Craig Parry and Damon Rose

    Send us Fan Mail Craig Parry is currently the Director of Hitting for the Toronto Blue Jays and has been in the coaching profession since 2011 following his player career.  His coaching career began at Miles Community College in Miles City, MT, and has traveled across the collegiate ranks with stops at Sacramento State University, Dallas Baptist University, Southern Arkansas University, University of Arkansas, and Abilene Christian University before joining the Blue Jays ahead of the 2023 season.  In Craig’s current role, he is tasked with leading the Blue Jays Hitting Department and the development of its hitting coaches and hitters alike throughout the MiLB system.  Craig graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from South Dakota State University and a Master’s degree in ​Sports Management from American Public University.  Personally, Craig resides in Fayetteville, AR with his wife, Morgan, and their two daughters. Damon Rose is the Vice President of Sales Operations for the Toyota division of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). He is responsible for sales success in Toyota’s 10 regional offices and two private distributors. He collaborates closely with key stakeholders, including Toyota dealers to achieve the company’s goals. Since joining Toyota in 1998, Rose has served in several leadership positions at the regional sales offices and Toyota Motor Sales.  Previously, Rose was the Vice President of Sales Operations for Lexus. Rose was responsible for national new and certified vehicle sales, dealer development, and Lexus dealer training. Rose also worked with the four Lexus area offices located. Formerly, in addition to serving as General Manager of the Central Atlantic Toyota Region and Lexus Eastern Area, Rose held various management positions in Los Angeles Toyota Region, Lexus Southern Area, and Boston Toyota Region. He has extensive operational experience in the field and worked at Toyota Motor Sales in the sales & marketing and distribution departments for both the Toyota and Lexus Divisions.   Rose graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.  In early 2021 he relocated to Texas with his wife and four children. A Few Quotes From This Episode "There are more unique ways to succeed and more common ways to fail when it comes to coaching and leadership.""Arrogance is the enemy of coaching.""The ego of the self can't be stronger than the ego of the team.""The higher the challenge, the higher the support, the higher the safety net."About The International Leadership Association (ILA) The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Attend The Global Conference in Toronto, October 28-31.About  Scott J. Allen WebsiteWeekly Newsletter: Practical Wisdom for LeadersMy Approach to Hosting The views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic. ♻️ Please share with others and follow/subscribe to the podcast! ⭐️ Please leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or your platform of choice. ➡️ Follow me on LinkedIn for more on leadership, communication, and tech. 📜 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter featuring four hand-picked articles. 🌎 You can learn more about my work on my Website.

  4. Oct 7 ·  Video

    Instinctual Biases with Mario Sikora and Dr. Joel Rothaizer

    Send us Fan Mail Mario Sikora is an executive coach, leadership consultant, and Enneagram pioneer with over 25 years of experience helping high performers worldwide. Creator of the ATA Enneagram, a practical tool for understanding human nature. President of Awareness to Action International. Lives outside Philadelphia with his wife and four sons. Dr. Joel Rothaizer is a psychologist, executive coach, organizational consultant, and leadership development specialist. He’s Board Certified in Organizational & Business Consulting Psychology, and a Master Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation. His book on leadership, called Clear Impact,has been strongly endorsed by Ken Wilber. The head of Integral Zen calls it the most integral book on leadership he’s ever read. A Couple Quotes From This Episode "We all know that everybody's different, but we act as if they're just like us.""We all do all of these things, but we have a bias toward one over the other two. That bias is really a system of values: what do I think is important in life?""Better human beings make better leaders, and one of the most important things that makes us better human beings is a wider circle of compassion."Resources Mario's Website: Awareness to ActionCourse: ATA CertificationBook: Clear Impact by Dr. Joel RothaizerArticle: Guaranteed to Optimize Your Leadership Effectiveness in Minutes a Day by Dr. Joel RothaizerArticle: The Wake I Leave by Dr. Joel RothaizerAbout The International Leadership Association (ILA) The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Attend The Global Conference in Toronto, October 28-31.About  Scott J. Allen WebsiteWeekly Newsletter: Practical Wisdom for LeadersMy Approach to Hosting The views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic. ♻️ Please share with others and follow/subscribe to the podcast! ⭐️ Please leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or your platform of choice. ➡️ Follow me on LinkedIn for more on leadership, communication, and tech. 📜 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter featuring four hand-picked articles. 🌎 You can learn more about my work on my Website.

  5. Sep 30 ·  Video

    Indigenous Wisdom in Leadership Development with Dr. Mike Lickers and Dr. Toby Newstead

    Send us Fan Mail Dr. Michael Lickers is a well-known Kanien’keha:ka, educator from Six Nations of the Grand River in Canada.   Michael is an Adjunct Professor at Royal Road University in the School of Leadership and serves as the Indigenous Scholar in Residence. Michael is also an Associate faculty in the College of Interdisciplinary Studies and School of Environment and Sustainability.  Michael has recently retired after years of service from his role as Specialist in Indigenous and Community Relations. A Founder and past Executive Director of the Ghost River Rediscovery program, Michael has over 30 years of experience in leadership, cultural outdoor education, community development and youth leadership development.  Michael holds a Master of Arts in Leadership and Training (MALT) and a Doctor of Social Sciences (DSocSci) from Royal Roads University with a focus on Indigenous Youth Leadership Development. Michael is author of “Urban Aboriginal Leadership: The Delicate Dance Between Two Worlds,” and has published several articles on Indigenous epistemology, Indigenous youth leadership, international youth programs, non-profit management, community development and Indigenous methodology.  Michael brings a unique combination of rigorous professionalism, wide program development, including international teaching and work, outdoor education, cultural education and leadership experience, grounded in traditional cultural teachings.  Dr. Toby Newstead is a respected leadership scholar and practitioner at the University of Tasmania, located in lutruwita on the lands of the palawa and pakana people. With a background in corporate change, leadership development, and professional communications, she brings practical expertise to her academic, coaching, and consulting work. An internationally recognized researcher, Dr. Newstead specializes in virtues-based leadership development, leadership ethics, and leadership in the volunteer sector. Her research appears in top journals. In 2023, she published a book titled Leadership and Virtues: Understanding and Practicing Good Leadership. Dr. Newstead is an established executive leadership coach and deeply engaged with industry and community. She regularly delivers impactful workshops, keynotes, and facilitation sessions. Dr Newstead’s research, teaching, coaching and facilitation has local and international impact, shaping the leaders of today and tomorrow. A Few Quotes From This Episode "I don't know much about your culture and traditions. I don't want to say anything or do anything that offends you. Maybe you can walk with me on this journey.""The clan mothers would have watched you as you grew up... and then they would select you. As they're selecting you, they're also mentoring you, and there's a rite of passage along the way.""If you were selected to be one of those chiefs, you could never abuse that authority... because the clan mothers would remove you from that position as quickly as they put you into it."Resources Website: Mike Lickers at Royal RhoadesAbout The International Leadership Association (ILA) The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Attend The Global Conference in Toronto, October 28-31.About  Scott J. Allen WebsiteWeekly Newsletter: Practical Wisdom for LeadersMy Approach to Hosting The views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic. ♻️ Please share with others and follow/subscribe to the podcast! ⭐️ Please leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or your platform of choice. ➡️ Follow me on LinkedIn for more on leadership, communication, and tech. 📜 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter featuring four hand-picked articles. 🌎 You can learn more about my work on my Website.

  6. Sep 24 ·  Video

    Your Life Story is Your Leadership Story with Doug Conant

    Send us Fan Mail Doug Conant is the only former Fortune 500 CEO who is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author, has been a Top 50 Leadership Innovator, a Top 100 Leadership Speaker, and twice named one of the 100 Most Influential Authors in the World. A devoted leadership practitioner and teacher, Doug's 45-year career is defined by achieving high performance through an intentional commitment to studying, practicing, improving, and spreading the tenets of "leadership that works." He is Founder and CEO of ConantLeadership, former President and CEO of Campbell Soup Company, former President of Nabisco Foods, and former Chairman of Avon Products. He has also served on multiple corporate boards including AmerisourceBergen and RHR International. He began his career in marketing at General Mills and held leadership positions in marketing and strategy at Kraft. Doug is also Former Chairman and Current Board Member of CECP (Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose) and a member of the board of The Partnership for Public Service. He recently retired as Chairman of The Higher Ambition Leadership Alliance, and as a board member of the National Organization on Disability and Hope College. Previously, he was Chairman of The Conference Board, Chairman of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, and Chairman of Enactus. His latest Wall Street Journal bestselling book, co-authored with Amy Federman, The Blueprint: 6 Practical Steps to Lift Your Leadership to New Heights, is a seminal treatise on leadership and a practical guide for leading effectively in a chaotic world. He is also the New York Times bestselling co-author with Mette Norgaard of TouchPoints: Creating Powerful Leadership Connections in the Smallest of Moments. Doug is a graduate of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and served as the Chairman of Kellogg Executive Leadership Institute for five years. He is a former instructor of leadership at the Higher Ambition Leadership Alliance and he teaches the concepts advanced in The Blueprint to seasoned and aspiring leaders in his signature leadership development course, The BLUEPRINT Boot Camp by ConantLeadership. He is also a LinkedIn Learning Instructor whose inaugural course, "Finding Your Leadership Purpose with Doug Conant," launched in summer 2023. Deeply entrenched in the contemporary leadership conversation as a teacher, advisor, speaker, and mentor, Doug speaks daily to leaders on the front lines of the modern workplace. Doug is the 2022 recipient of the Stephen R. Covey Principle-Centered Leader Award and a Top Thought Leader in Trust Lifetime Achievement Award Winner. He has also been lauded as a Top 100 Leadership Speaker by Inc. Magazine; a Top 100 Most Influential Author in the World; a Top 30 Leadership Professional by Global Gurus; a Leader to Watch by the American Management Association (AMA); a Top 50 Leadership Innovator Changing How We Lead; and a Top 75 Human Business Champion. Finally, Doug is the ever-so-proud husband of Leigh and father to their three remarkable... A Few Quotes From This Episode “I have to be tough-minded on standards of performance and tender-hearted with people...it's both.""What matters most must never be at the mercy of what matters least.""It's easy for anyone to say "no" to things if there's a greater "yes" burning within.""10 two-letter words are going to define your level of success in your work life: if it is to be, it is up to me."Resources Website: Doug ConantBook: The Blueprint: How to Build a Bridge to Your Best Possible Leadership SelfAbout The International Leadership Association (ILA) The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Attend The Global Conference in Toronto, October 28-31.About  Scott J. Allen WebsiteWeekly Newsletter: Practical Wisdom for LeadersMy Approach to Hosting The views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic. ♻️ Please share with others and follow/subscribe to the podcast! ⭐️ Please leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or your platform of choice. ➡️ Follow me on LinkedIn for more on leadership, communication, and tech. 📜 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter featuring four hand-picked articles. 🌎 You can learn more about my work on my Website.

  7. Sep 16 ·  Video

    Taking the Time to Care with Mike Parks

    Send us Fan Mail Rear Admiral Michael N. Parks, United States Coast  Guard, Retired, assumed the responsibilities in April 2015  as Regional Executive of the Northern Ohio Region of the American Red Cross. In this capacity he oversees five  American Red Cross Chapters covering 31 Northern Ohio counties serving 5.3 million people.  From 2010 to 2013, Parks was based in Cleveland and served as Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District, responsible for leading and directing all Coast Guard operations throughout the eight-state Great Lakes region, including the 1,500-mile international border with Canada. In that capacity he led more than 6,000 active, reserve, civilian and auxiliary (volunteer) personnel at 75 operational units.  During his 35-year Coast Guard career, Parks was deployed in 2010 in support of the U.S. Southern Command to help direct emergency response following the devastating earthquake in  Haiti, working directly with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also deployed in response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, providing port security, search and rescue, and support for recovery efforts.  While serving for over a decade in the Red Cross, Parks has deployed around the country more than a dozen times supporting major disaster relief efforts.  Parks has a Bachelor of Science degree in Government from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a Master of Public Administration degree from George Washington University, and a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy and Policy from the National War College.  He and his wife Cynthia have two daughters and live in Bay Village.  A Few Quotes From This Episode "It takes time to care... you can't care on the cheap.""Bad news doesn't get better with age.""Talk to people, not about people. Think the best of people. And don't overreact."Resources Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey Book: Failing Forward by John Maxwell About The International Leadership Association (ILA) The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Attend The Global Conference in Toronto, October 28-31.About  Scott J. Allen WebsiteWeekly Newsletter: Practical Wisdom for LeadersMy Approach to Hosting The views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic. ♻️ Please share with others and follow/subscribe to the podcast! ⭐️ Please leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or your platform of choice. ➡️ Follow me on LinkedIn for more on leadership, communication, and tech. 📜 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter featuring four hand-picked articles. 🌎 You can learn more about my work on my Website.

  8. Sep 9 ·  Video

    Servant Leadership is Costly Work with Dr. Nathan Eva

    Send us Fan Mail Dr. Nathan Eva is a Fulbright Scholar (2021) and the co-director of Engagement for the Department of Management at the Monash Business School. His research examines follower-first leadership approaches that deliver organizational performance combined with inclusive and supportive workplaces. Associate Professor Eva received his Ph.D. from Monash University in 2014, received the 2015 Emerald/EFMD Outstanding Doctoral Research Award in Leadership, was awarded as a 2016 Greenleaf Scholar by the Greenleaf Centre for Servant Leadership, received the 2020 Dean's Awards for Excellence in Research by an Early Career Researcher, and was Highly Commended for his research as an Early Career Scholar for the 2018 ANZAM Excellence Awards. He received the 2016 and 2013 Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence at the Monash Business School, and has been consistently recognized for outstanding teaching by the Office of the Vice-Provost. His peer-reviewed work appears in international outlets such as The Leadership Quarterly, Journal of Organizational Behavior, and Human Resource Management. His article on Servant Leadership in The Leadership Quarterly is the most downloaded and the most cited article in their journal since 2017, and his article on Psychological Safety in Human Resource Management Review received the journal's Scholarly Impact Award for the most impactful article (2017-2022). Associate Professor Eva is a Board Member of the Network of Leadership Scholars, the Chair of the Leadership Scholarship stream for the International Leadership Association, and the Co-Chair of the International Leadership Association’s Leadership Education Academy. He is a Senior Editor for Management and Organization Review and an editorial board member of The Leadership Quarterly, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Journal of Business Ethics, & Group and Organizational Management. A Few Quotes From This Episode & Nathan's Work “Servant leadership is not just about serving others. It is about sending credible, repeated, observable signals that followers interpret as genuine service.”"Servant leadership is quite costly because it's taking time away from other things that you could be doing. Things that might influence your promotion... you're having to go out on a limb for somebody.""Pick a small set of behaviors or signals that are yours. It's not trying to be a leader who does everything. It's a leader who's trying to do three or four things incredibly, incredibly well, and they are just the things that you're known for. That's your reputation. That's your superpower."Resources Article: Signalling servant leadership: How followers interpret leader behavioursBlog Post: Is there one best way to lead or have we overcomplicated what makes leaders effective? Google Scholar: Nathan EvaAbout The International Leadership Association (ILA) The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Attend The Global Conference in Toronto, October 28-31.About  Scott J. Allen WebsiteWeekly Newsletter: Practical Wisdom for LeadersMy Approach to Hosting The views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic. ♻️ Please share with others and follow/subscribe to the podcast! ⭐️ Please leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or your platform of choice. ➡️ Follow me on LinkedIn for more on leadership, communication, and tech. 📜 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter featuring four hand-picked articles. 🌎 You can learn more about my work on my Website.

4.8
out of 5
54 Ratings

About

Practical Wisdom for Leaders is your fast-paced, forward-thinking guide to leadership. Join host Scott J. Allen as he engages with remarkable guests—from former world leaders and nonprofit innovators to renowned professors, CEOs, and authors. Each episode offers timely insights and actionable tips designed to help you lead with impact, grow personally and professionally, and make a meaningful difference in your corner of the world.

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