The Leadership Podcast Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos, experts on leadership development

Justin Walker, a Navy veteran transitioning from solopreneurship, highlights his multifaceted hobbies like playing musical instruments, despite not being an expert. He introduces the concept of the "attitude and effort cycle," underscoring the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and diligent effort, regardless of motivation levels. In discussing leadership, Justin stresses the need for self-awareness, proactive behavior, and clarity to mitigate uncertainty, making connections between military and corporate leadership. He advocates for regular leadership assessments and acknowledges the environment's role in building team cohesion. Further, Justin's view on success has evolved to embrace a comprehensive approach, prioritizing personal health, family, and embracing the journey. He advises leaders to concentrate on shaping the environment rather than exerting direct influence on people.     Key Takeaways:   [03:08] Justin shares what he does during his leisure time, such as playing the piano, guitar, and singing, despite acknowledging his lack of expertise. He reflects on his upbringing in a small Kansas town, where he recognized a need for change, and steering clear of a monotonous lifestyle. Shaped by his environment and personal choices, Justin's inclination to avoid stagnancy appears to stem from a combination of nature and nurture.   [06:25] He discusses the term "attitude and effort cycle," explaining the importance of either having a positive attitude or putting in effort to kick-start the cycle. Justin notes that even when lacking motivation, putting in effort can lead to a positive attitude over time. He also mentions an "attitude gap" in pursuing long-term goals, where motivation may wane but gradually returns as the goal nears completion. Justin also shares that his interest in discipline and ambition led him to explore the military as a way to develop and amplify these qualities, acknowledging that it was one of many paths for growth.   [11:44] Justin shares a personal opinion on the widespread desire to play musical instruments, suggesting that many people fantasize about being able to play like a rock star. He believes that those who recognize the importance of making time for personal growth are more likely to pursue their musical interests. However, Justin acknowledges that priorities differ, and for some, making money might take precedence over exploring musical talents.    [12:52] He discusses the importance of focus and the ability to navigate ambiguity in both personal endeavors, like learning a new song, and in the business world. Justin also highlights the challenges of being in the middle space of leadership, emphasizing the need for self-awareness and the ability to reduce ambiguity. He stresses the importance of taking initiative and not waiting for permission to figure things out.    [22:22] Justin draws parallels between operating on Amazon and the military, highlighting the challenges of navigating complexity within a large organization. He discusses two leadership approaches: technical problem-solving, akin to changing a light bulb, and adaptive problem-solving, addressing behavioral challenges. Coming from a military background, Justin emphasizes the shift in focus from technical to behavioral issues in a non-military environment, requiring guidance, coaching, and time for behavioral changes to manifest.    [26:43] He emphasizes the importance of regular check-ups and creating brief interactions in leadership to understand individuals on a deeper level. Justin highlights the opportunity for leaders to explore various aspects of an individual's life, such as mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, familial, and communal, appropriately. He also encourages leaders to adjust the environment to facilitate these conversations on a daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. Justin also discusses the impact of high turnover and how structuring the environment, as seen in m

Mitch Matthews, a top success coach and host of the Dream, Think, Do Podcast, introduces his approach focused on ambitious dreaming, strategic thinking, and taking action. He underscores the importance of giving clients room to dream, followed by thoughtful planning and actionable steps. Mitch questions the prevailing hustle culture, promoting a balance between ambition and contentment, anchored in joy that aligns with core values. He advocates for valuing experiences over achievements, setting goals that foster feelings like joy, and rejects the notion of focusing on just "one thing," encouraging experimentation and learning instead. Additionally, he highlights the responsibility of true leaders in understanding and supporting team members through their personal struggles.     Key Takeaways:   [05:32] Mitch shares about his program helping people dream big, think better, and take action. Despite initial hesitancy around the word "dream," the guest emphasizes its significance in the process. He highlights the importance of creating space for clients to dream, followed by thinking and doing. The focus is on experimentation and learning from experiences to help individuals discover their purpose.   [8:51] He shares a story of someone who didn't achieve their dream outcome initially but found fulfillment by incorporating more of what they enjoyed. The example of Shawn Askinosie, a trial attorney turned chocolate maker, illustrates the importance of experimenting and taking small steps toward one's passions. Shawn's intentional exploration led to the launch of a successful small batch chocolate company, showcasing the power of experimentation and gradual steps in discovering one's true calling.   [13:24] Mitch reflects on the contrast between the hustle culture's emphasis on constant activity and the idea of contentment. Challenging the notion that contentment is incompatible with ambition, he touches on the pursuit of consistent joy, which, unlike happiness, is rooted in core values and identity, transcending external circumstances. Mitch also emphasizes the importance of experiencing joy as a key aspect of personal fulfillment and success.   [15:07] He discusses the concept of "reset week" and introduces a strategy called the GET Method to chart a course for the year. Mitch emphasizes starting with gratitude, as it induces a positive state change. Instead of focusing solely on achievements, the approach involves considering what experiences one wants to have in the coming year. He also notes that many goals are driven by the desire for specific experiences, such as joy and satisfaction. By prioritizing these experiences alongside goals, individuals can enjoy the journey without solely fixating on checking items off a to-do list.   [18:21] Mitch reflects on the notion of waiting for the "one thing" and advises against this mindset. He shares his experience as a recovering perfectionist, highlighting that perfectionism is often misinterpreted as procrastination. Perfectionists may struggle with completing tasks until they find the perfect way, leading to delays. He also emphasizes the need to overcome perfectionism by acknowledging that there isn't just one perfect way, but rather multiple experiments and trials that can help individuals figure things out through momentum and learning along the way.   [21:54] He expresses a positive view of therapy, emphasizing its benefits and likening it to a necessary cleansing process. Mitch advocates for seeking a good therapist, comparing the therapeutic journey to dating and highlighting its value even in different seasons of life. Therapy often looks back to address past hurts, while coaching primarily focuses on looking forward, helping clients identify and achieve their desired future.    [25:33] Mitch stresses the importance of true leaders understanding their team members and assisting them in addressing personal challenges. He advocates for transparency and openness abou

Eric Kapitulik, founder and CEO of the Program Leadership, highlights the dual roles of being an effective team member and leader across various teams. Stressing the importance of excelling in both, he notes that while organizational values differ, establishing clear values is crucial. He points out that effective communication and developing a culture of accountability are key to success. Eric emphasizes that maintaining long-term success, regardless of external factors, requires a steadfast commitment to promoting a culture of accountability individually and within teams. As the conclusion of the podcast, Eric relays a moving and powerful story from his experience as a young leader.     Key Takeaways:   [03:13] Eric reflects on the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and shares the varying levels of resilience observed in people and organizations. He acknowledges the importance of teaching resilience, but emphasizes the deficiency in its practical development. Eric stresses the need for intentional stress inoculation, pushing oneself beyond the comfort zone, both physically and mentally.    [5:51] He shares his own distinction between labeling experiences as "challenging" instead of using the word "hard." Eric also shares that the only truly "hard" experience in his life is someone’s death, but with other challenges, viewing them as opportunities for growth and improvement rather than genuine hardship. He acknowledges the universal nature of facing challenges and highlights the importance of embracing them as chances to grow and get better.   [8:10] Eric mentions that, while he is the program's founder, he attributes its success to the collaborative efforts of the team. He recognizes that with effective communication and leadership skills, the program evolved and now collaborates with 160 athletic teams annually.   [12:14] He acknowledges the challenges of creating stable plans, as circumstances tend to change every six months, in discussing long-term planning. Despite having financial goals for the program, he emphasizes the importance of standards over goals. While goals focus on performance, standards revolve around behavior. The uniqueness of the program lies in the need to embody their advice authentically. Rather than solely concentrating on goals, he explains the significance of daily behavior in achieving success; when standards are consistently upheld, desired outcomes naturally follow.   [14:48] Eric explains the systemic nature of goal-setting within organizations, driven by the benefits of achievement and consequences of failure. Leaders are encouraged to identify and communicate their organizational values, which become the foundation of the company's culture. Daily standards, aligned with these values, are considered crucial for reinforcing the desired culture. He then highlights the challenge of claiming a culture, such as discipline, without consistent daily adherence to established standards. Eric gives focus on the significance of organizations being true to their stated values, implementing standards that support them, and fostering a culture of accountability for sustained success.   [17:44] He mentions the importance of reinforcing positive behavior in addition to holding individuals accountable for not meeting standards. Eric advocates for fostering courage in everyday situations, such as addressing bullying or having children take responsibility for their actions. He also shares the need for consistent debriefs within organizations to assess what's going well, what needs improvement, and promote a continuous improvement mindset.   [24:30] Eric emphasizes the importance of both individual and team roles in achieving success. He explains the dual responsibilities of being a great teammate and leader on various teams, and there is a need to excel in both roles. However, he acknowledges that values may differ across organizations but also stresses the importance of having clear values

Dr. Richard Winters, Mayo Clinic's Leadership Development Program Director and author of “You're the Leader. Now What?: Leadership Lessons from Mayo Clinic,” discusses the dynamic challenges of healthcare leadership. He highlights issues like global healthcare professional shortages and emphasizes the need for teamwork amidst constant change. Dr. Richard advocates for understanding and leading diverse teams, focusing on tackling challenges such as resource scarcity and disagreements. In his book, he outlines actionable steps for leaders, promoting forward-thinking within constraints and encouraging openness to exploring varied life paths and personal fulfillment.   Key Takeaways:   [01:38] Dr. Richard is an emergency physician at Mayo Clinic who also engages in leadership programs. Despite an unconventional journey into medicine as a former punk rock skateboarder, he values the dynamic schedule of emergency medicine over standard clinic hours. Acknowledging the challenges, he emphasizes the importance of community and collaboration in providing effective emergency care. Grateful for the efforts of first responders, Dr. Richard recognizes the crucial role they play in critical situations.   [05:30] He addresses challenges in hospital practice, emphasizing global shortages of healthcare professionals. In his leadership insights, he highlights the dynamic nature of healthcare, with constant changes and teamwork requirements. Reflecting on his career, Dr. Richard notes the shift from individual care to collaborative leadership, stressing the importance of understanding and leading diverse teams in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.   [09:42] Dr. Richard shares his book’s focus which is on the challenges in healthcare leadership—scarce resources, disagreements, and the need for solutions. He advocates a forward-looking approach, urging leaders to think what they like to do given limitations. He also refers to the Cynefin  framework by David Snowden for decision-making in uncertain situations, particularly highlighting the importance of transitioning from crisis to complex environments in healthcare leadership.   [11:36] He explains the dual challenge of dealing with both well-known best practices and unknown, dynamic situations in leadership. Leaders must navigate between conventional approaches and the need to address new pressures. Dr. Richard shares the dynamic nature of leadership, especially for physician-scientist leaders, focusing the shift from trusting data to effectively conveying narratives. He highlights that leadership involves not just external adaptation, but also internal growth and the challenge of balancing authenticity with the demands of the role.   [14:40] Dr. Richard explores the liminal space in leadership, navigating dichotomies within departments, organizations, and professions. He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between individual and collective stories, acknowledging the ever-evolving narrative in leadership. Connecting values like respect and integrity to specific behaviors, he also stresses the significance of leaders embodying organizational values in their actions. Dr. Richard explains the significance of healthcare leaders translating values into tangible behaviors to cultivate a positive organizational culture.    [21:39] He shares the challenge of aligning business and healthcare interests and emphasizes the importance of individual well-being. He critiques traditional wellness programs and advocates for a focus on psychological well-being components like purpose alignment, autonomy, personal growth, and positive relations. Dr. Richard also emphasizes the need for organizational commitment to measuring well-being as a vital sign and promoting a culture that values collective decision-making, autonomy, and purpose alignment.    [29:04] Dr. Richard stresses the importance of being willing to explore different paths in life, while encouraging leaders and indiv

Amberly Lago, bestselling author of "True Grit and Grace: Turning Tragedy into Triumph," podcast host, peak performance coach, and founder of the Unstoppable Life Mastermind, describes her inspiring transformation from a backup dancer to a renowned thought leader, focusing on resilience and self-acceptance. She overcame a severe motorcycle accident and a debilitating nerve disease and introduced the concept of "pacing" to build resilience, emphasizing the importance of gratitude, community, and perseverance. She advises against lingering on regrets and stresses the importance of setting boundaries in the entrepreneurial journey. Her story illustrates a shift from seeking external validation to recognizing her intrinsic self-worth, contributing to the rapid success of her podcast and book.      Key Takeaways:   [01:50] Amberly shares that she had a breakthrough as a backup dancer in an MC Hammer music video, realizing her dream in her early career. She mentions that her  experience instilled qualities of grit and resilience, and she developed deep admiration for accomplished dancers. Collaborating with choreographers she respected brought immense joy and fulfillment. Despite changes in the dance industry, her passion for learning from and working with inspiring individuals remains unwavering in her current role in thought leadership and self-development.    [06:34] She mentions that she never discussed grace until experiencing a severe motorcycle accident and undergoing numerous surgeries to save her leg. As a former dancer and athlete, she was accustomed to pushing through pain, emphasizing grit and toughness. After finding out she had a nerve disease, she struggled to hide the pain and ended up feeling really upset, even turning to alcohol. Eventually, she learned to be kind to herself and handle the pain better. This made her want to talk about being emotionally strong, even to tough crowds, and encourage people to deal with and understand pain in different parts of life.   [08:21] Amberly shares her journey of resilience, stemming from a nerve disease, and introduces the concept of "pacing." Pacer, an acronym, includes Perspective, Acceptance, Community, Endurance, and Rest. She emphasizes gratitude, self-acceptance, and the transformative power of community for resilience. She also speaks about the significance of endurance, aligning passion with perseverance, and prioritizing rest in the entrepreneurial journey. Amberly then encourages unplugging, finding joy, and strategic recovery for fostering creativity and overall well-being.   [14:26] She shares her excitement about rebranding her podcast after five years. She acknowledges the challenges but emphasizes the meaningful connections and opportunities it has brought to her business. The podcast has allowed her to interview notable guests, including May Musk and Jamie Kern Lima, and create a community that resonates with her audience. The joy she derives from making a positive impact on people's lives through the podcast is a driving force behind her commitment to it.    [16:28] Amberly shares not to dwell on regrets or negative thoughts about her past challenges. She acknowledges the difficulties she faced after a life-changing accident that impacted her career and family dynamic. She mentions that despite a six-year journey of hospital visits, therapy, and overcoming depression, she found strength through gratitude. Expressing that gratitude has been her medicine, she recounts a moment in the hospital when focusing on the positive aspects of her life shifted her perspective.    [20:13] She shares the importance of grit in the entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the need for boundaries to prevent overworking. Drawing on personal experiences, she distinguishes between grit and resilience, stating that grit, while involving work ethic and perseverance, becomes resilience when combined with community and connection. Resilience, in her view, is the ability

Mark Rangell, Chief Operating Officer at Ryte and a digital health and technology strategy consultant, shared the story of his friendship with Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselapolus. He highlights the role of curiosity in fostering connections, leading to friendships, business partnerships, and joint investments. Mark discusses the aspects of growing a business, emphasizing the importance of a diverse team with shared values and the use of specific tools and processes. He describes a scaling approach that focuses on principles and responsibilities, enabling team members to understand their roles and align with the company's goals. Mark believes that successful scaling involves particular techniques, a unified team, and the right motivations for individuals. Reflecting on his career's various "acts," including figuring things out, leading turnarounds, and working with a healthcare AI firm, Mark underscores the importance of storytelling over writing books. He advises a mindful approach to stress management, focusing on happiness and controlling what one can.     Key Takeaways:   [02:54] Mark shares that he recently joined Allegiance Stadium's guest experience team, taking on the role out of a mix of community service and curiosity about the Raiders organization. Despite only working a few games, he now knows every tunnel in the stadium and enjoys full access on game days, including the Super Bowl. Describing the role as a form of leadership, he appreciates troubleshooting and engaging with people from diverse backgrounds.    [05:45] He narrated how he met Jan Rutherford, who was once, a client during his time at Geneva Pharmaceuticals in Colorado. They quickly evolved into a personal friendship that was strengthened over family outings and casual get-togethers. Their connection extended to Chicago, where Mark and Jim, meanwhile, both in the technology sector, formed a small, trusted group through the Chicago Technology Association. This group provided a safe space for leaders in small to mid-sized companies.   [11:06] Mark explains that effective networking should be genuine and rooted in an authentic appreciation for others. He stresses the importance of curiosity in understanding individuals, leading to friendships, business collaborations, and shared investments. Mark also mentions that successful networking is rooted in caring for people, genuine interest, and effective listening, stating that success and sales naturally follow authentic connections.   [17:12] He shares about scaling a business, emphasizing the importance of diverse individuals aligned by mission, vision, and values. He highlights the significance of tools and processes, citing a scaling mechanism adopted over 20 years ago with a "bill of rights" and corresponding obligations. This approach empowers individuals to question and understand their roles within the organization, ensuring alignment with overarching goals. Mark believes that successful scaling involves techniques, a cohesive team, and the right motivations for individuals.   [19:55] Mark explains that adapting to change is crucial for effective leadership. He highlights the need to adjust communication styles based on evolving trends, emphasizing the importance of techniques that stand the test of time. Drawing parallels with sports analytics in football, he stresses that sticking to outdated methods can lead to defeat, underlining the necessity of adaptation in various contexts.   [21:27] He reflects on his journey, realizing the entrance of what they term "act six" at the age of 60, breaking down their career into different phases. The first phase, or "act one," was the formative years he spent at IBM and in other roles, focusing on figuring things out and climbing the product management ladder. The second phase involved a turnaround situation where he, along with a group, addressed financial mismanagement.    [26:12] In acts three, four, and five of Mark’s career, he faced both suc