Leadership Equation

Roger Francis
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Management
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to The Leadership Equation, hosted by Roger Francis, author of The Integrated Leader. In a world moving at breakneck speed, Roger created this show after noticing a constant pattern: brilliant leaders struggling because they rely entirely on raw analytical intelligence. While IQ gets you in the door, it takes genuine emotional intelligence to actually lead. Each episode explores what it really takes to build deep trust, foster strong cultures, and drive lasting results by balancing both sides of the equation. Through honest, candid conversations with fellow leaders and strategists, Roger moves the conversation past basic performance metrics to focus on what truly matters: the people behind the success. Ready to transform your own leadership approach? Pick up a copy of The Integrated Leader on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4F5RY8N. Take a moment to reflect on your own balance of IQ and EQ, and join the conversation!

Episodes

  1. Sep 22

    9/11, Trust, and Leadership Under Pressure with Green Beret Ricky Derring II

    Roger Francis sits down with Ricky Derring II, a former U.S. Army Ranger and Green Beret, for a conversation about leadership forged under pressure. Reflecting on September 11, military service, Special Forces, and the transition into corporate leadership, Ricky shares how competence builds trust, why leaders must get comfortable being uncomfortable, and what it means to put the mission and the team ahead of yourself. Roger and Ricky also explore the connection between the Special Forces philosophy of winning “hearts and minds” and Roger’s IQ + EQ leadership framework, the danger of false confidence, and why strong teams need both the competence to execute and the trust to move together. At the heart of the conversation is a lesson that extends far beyond the military: don’t compete with each other. Compete for each other. Continue the Conversation Leadership doesn’t stop when the episode ends. Connect with Roger Francis for more insights on leadership, growth, and putting IQ + EQ into practice. Get your copy of The Integrated Leader on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4F5RY8N Connect with Roger Francis:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rfrancisoneFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/roger.francis.543LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-francis-2a349612 Connect with Ricky Derring II:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricky-derring-ii-ba6111140 Follow The Leadership Equation for more candid conversations about what it takes to lead people, execute strategy, and deliver results.

  2. Sep 8

    IQ or EQ? Great Leadership Requires Both

    Being the smartest person in the room doesn’t make you a great leader. Neither does being the most liked. Roger Francis breaks down the equation at the heart of effective leadership: IQ + EQ. IQ gives leaders the ability to understand the business, analyze complexity, build strategy, and make difficult decisions. EQ gives them the ability to understand the people responsible for bringing that strategy to life. Roger shares a defining lesson from early in his career when a strong strategy and increased accountability weren’t enough to turn around an underperforming team. What finally changed the results wasn’t another report or meeting. It was trust, authenticity, and connection. Great leaders learn to read two systems at once: the capital system and the human system. One tells you how the business is performing. The other tells you whether that performance can last. Continue the Conversation Leadership doesn’t stop when the episode ends. Connect with Roger Francis for more insights on leadership, growth, and putting IQ + EQ into practice. Get your copy of The Integrated Leader on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4F5RY8N Connect with Roger Francis:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rfrancisoneFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/roger.francis.543LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-francis-2a349612 Follow The Leadership Equation for more candid conversations about what it takes to lead people, execute strategy, and deliver results.

  3. Aug 25

    Building Teams That Perform with Mark Griffin

    Sustainable performance takes more than a strong strategy. It takes people who are trusted, supported, and empowered to bring that strategy to life. Roger Francis sits down with Mark Griffin, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of BJ’s Wholesale Club, for a conversation about what decades of leadership have taught him about building teams that perform. Mark shares lessons from his own leadership journey, including why great leaders need to shift from doing to coaching, have the confidence to use their voice, and create an environment where people feel safe enough to take calculated risks. Roger and Mark also discuss psychological safety, the impact a leader’s behavior can have throughout an organization, and why long-term performance requires balancing the capital system with the human system. They also look ahead at how AI is changing organizations, what leaders will need as technology continues to evolve, and why career growth doesn’t always mean moving up. Sometimes, a lateral move can provide the experience, perspective, and leadership skills needed to take the next step. The goal isn’t simply to deliver results today. It’s to build the people, culture, and leadership capabilities that can sustain those results tomorrow. Continue the Conversation Leadership doesn’t stop when the episode ends. Connect with Roger Francis for more insights on leadership, growth, and putting IQ + EQ into practice. Get your copy of The Integrated Leader on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4F5RY8N Connect with Roger Francis:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rfrancisoneFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/roger.francis.543LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-francis-2a349612 Connect with Mark Griffin:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-griffin-3096381/ Follow The Leadership Equation for more candid conversations about what it takes to lead people, execute strategy, and deliver results.

  4. Aug 25

    The Human Side of Leadership with David Beamish

    What happens when an organization has the right strategy, processes, and technology, but still isn’t reaching its full potential?Roger Francis sits down with counselor and therapist David Beamish, who brings more than 30 years of experience working with people through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Together, they explore the human system of leadership and why IQ alone isn’t enough to drive results. David shares what decades of working with people have taught him about motivation, purpose, appreciation, communication, and trust. Roger and David also unpack what happens to leadership under stress, why self-awareness matters, and how leaders can give candid feedback without sacrificing empathy or respect. The conversation also examines the challenges of leading five generations in today’s workforce, the growing influence of AI, and why human qualities of leadership may become even more important as technology advances. Great leadership isn’t about choosing between IQ and EQ. It’s about knowing how to use both to create an environment where people can grow, contribute, and deliver. Continue the Conversation Leadership doesn’t stop when the episode ends. Connect with Roger Francis for more insights on leadership, growth, and putting IQ + EQ into practice. Get your copy of The Integrated Leader on Amazon:⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4F5RY8N⁠ Connect with Roger Francis: Instagram: instagram.com/rfrancisone Facebook: facebook.com/roger.francis.543 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/roger-francis-2a349612 Follow The Leadership Equation for more candid conversations about what it takes to lead people, execute strategy, and deliver results.

  5. Aug 25

    IQ + EQ = Outcomes: Introducing The Leadership Equation

    Roger Francis introduces The Leadership Equation and the question at the center of the podcast: Why do some leaders inspire extraordinary people and extraordinary results while others struggle, even with the same resources? Drawing from more than 25 years of leadership experience, Roger breaks down the equation that will guide the conversations ahead: IQ + EQ = outcomes. Strategy, execution, processes, and technology matter, but they only go so far without the human side of leadership needed to bring them to life. Roger also shares the experiences that shaped the way he leads, from growing up as the son of immigrants and one of three brothers to becoming a husband, father, and executive leader across multiple industries. He reflects on an early career lesson that taught him the importance of culture, authenticity, and understanding the people you are asking to follow you. The Leadership Equation is about closing the gap between intelligence and impact, balancing the capital system with the human system, and having candid conversations about what it really takes to lead and deliver results. Continue the Conversation Leadership doesn’t stop when the episode ends. Connect with Roger Francis for more insights on leadership, growth, and putting IQ + EQ into practice. Get your copy of The Integrated Leader on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4F5RY8N Connect with Roger Francis:Instagram: instagram.com/rfrancisoneFacebook: facebook.com/roger.francis.543LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/roger-francis-2a349612 Follow The Leadership Equation for more candid conversations about what it takes to lead people, execute strategy, and deliver results.

  6. Aug 18

    Welcome to The Leadership Equation

    In a fast moving world, high IQ and sharp strategy are no longer enough to lead effectively. Welcome to The Leadership Equation, hosted by Roger Francis, author of The Integrated Leader. In this quick introduction to the show, Roger shares why he created the podcast and what you can expect from upcoming episodes. You will get a preview of the honest conversations ahead, exploring how the most successful leaders blend analytical intelligence with genuine emotional intelligence to build trust, inspire teams, and drive lasting success. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode! Grab your copy of The Integrated Leader on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4F5RY8N

  • 1 Trailer
    5 Episodes

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Leadership Equation, hosted by Roger Francis, author of The Integrated Leader. In a world moving at breakneck speed, Roger created this show after noticing a constant pattern: brilliant leaders struggling because they rely entirely on raw analytical intelligence. While IQ gets you in the door, it takes genuine emotional intelligence to actually lead. Each episode explores what it really takes to build deep trust, foster strong cultures, and drive lasting results by balancing both sides of the equation. Through honest, candid conversations with fellow leaders and strategists, Roger moves the conversation past basic performance metrics to focus on what truly matters: the people behind the success. Ready to transform your own leadership approach? Pick up a copy of The Integrated Leader on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4F5RY8N. Take a moment to reflect on your own balance of IQ and EQ, and join the conversation!

Information

  • Creator
    Roger Francis
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Explicit