Lead at the Top of Your Game

Karan Ferrell-Rhodes and Shockingly Different Leadership
Lead at the Top of Your Game Podcast

Are you the strongest leader you can possibly be? And if not, ever wonder what other elite leaders know and do that you aren’t, which may be stopping you from bringing your A+ game? The Lead at the Top of Your Game Podcast celebrates the ingenuity, resilience and execution excellence of firebrand leaders who are doing big things in their profession or industry by boldly dancing on the edge and playing by their own rules. Organizational psychologist & leadership tactics strategist, Karan Ferrell-Rhodes, interviews the persons at the forefront of leading the transformative ideas, tactical maneuvers and gut-wrenching pivots behind the People, Business & Leadership strategies which are helping individuals do their best work and organizations to become future-ready, today. Listen in, as she cracks open their playbooks and compares them with her research on the top seven leadership tactics of the world’s most successful leaders. Join us to take advantage of gaining an insider’s look into the ups, downs and lessons learned from these thriving A+ leaders, so that you too can become a stronger leader who masters any “game of expertise” in which you choose to play. The Lead at the Top of Your Game podcast is brought to you by Shockingly Different Leadership, the leader in on-demand People, Talent Development & Organizational Effectiveness professional services, all designed to up-level leader capability and optimize workforces to do their best work. Learn more at http://LeadYourGamePodcast.com or https://shockinglydifferent.com/podcast. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the show on your favorite podcast app and leave a 5-star review.

  1. How Tech-empowered Virtual Healthcare Teams May Save Your Life with Dr. Lyle Berkowitz

    2 DAYS AGO

    How Tech-empowered Virtual Healthcare Teams May Save Your Life with Dr. Lyle Berkowitz

    IN THIS EPISODE... Envision a future where tech-empowered virtual healthcare teams work seamlessly with traditional health systems, improving access and efficiency. This episode features Dr. Lyle Berkowitz, a primary care physician, health system executive, and serial entrepreneur. As Founder and CEO of KeyCare, he leads efforts to create tech-enabled virtual care teams. With a background in biomedical engineering, he's also held leadership roles at MDLIVE, Healthfinch, and Northwestern Medicine, driving healthcare innovation. During today's conversation, Dr. Lyle discusses how tech-empowered virtual healthcare teams, like those at Keycare, can enhance patient care by offering coordinated, continuous virtual care! ------------ Full show notes, guest bio, links to resources mentioned, and other compelling episodes can be found at http://LeadYourGamePodcast.com. (Click the magnifying icon at the top right and type “DR. LYLE”) Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Learn more about us! https://shockinglydifferent.com/ ------------- WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:1.    What is KeyCare's primary focus as a virtual healthcare company? 2.    How does KeyCare coordinate with traditional healthcare systems? 3.    What are the challenges in current telehealth care? 4.    How does KeyCare help primary care doctors manage larger patient panels? 5.    What role does AI play in improving healthcare efficiency? 6.    How has patient preference for virtual care changed since COVID-19? ------------ FEATURED TIMESTAMPS:[03:07] Dr. Lyle's Personal Background [04:33] Overview of KeyCare and Its Mission [12:12] Challenges and Innovations in Virtual Care [16:16] Healthcare System's Attitude Towards Innovation [20:58] KeyCare's Business Model [27:09] Patient and Provider Adoption of Virtual Care [33:15] Signature Segment: Dr. Lyle's LATTOYG Tactic of Choice: Leading with Intellectual Horsepower [37:09] Signature Segment: Dr. Lyle's entry into the LATTOYG Playbook: Future of Healthcare ------------ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR YOU:Overview:  Our Signature Leadership Development Experience: http://bit.ly/DevelopYourGame

    41 min
  2. Using Technology to Increase Whole Patient Health with Oron Afek

    17 SEPT

    Using Technology to Increase Whole Patient Health with Oron Afek

    IN THIS EPISODE... Vim, a cloud-based middleware platform for healthcare, is revolutionizing healthcare by using technology to simplify complex integrations between payers and providers, making seamless clinical workflows a reality. By focusing on the whole patient's health, Vim reduces barriers, allowing innovators to enhance care delivery. This episode features Oron Afek, the Chief Executive Officer and visionary leader of Vim, whose dynamic leadership drives bold innovation and strategic focus. He is committed to revolutionizing healthcare by reducing complexity for providers in value-based care. Oron has also founded and developed four companies across various industries: telecommunications, gaming, real estate, and education. ------------ Full show notes, guest bio, links to resources mentioned, and other compelling episodes can be found at http://LeadYourGamePodcast.com. (Click the magnifying icon at the top right and type “Oron”) Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Learn more about us! https://shockinglydifferent.com/ ------------- WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:1.    What challenges do healthcare innovators face when integrating with large payers and physicians? 2.    How does Vim function as a middleware solution in healthcare? 3.    What were the initial challenges Vim faced in gaining multi-payer adoption? 4.    What misconceptions about healthcare are addressed regarding fee-for-service and fee-for-value models? 5.    What is the importance of courageous agility in leadership? ------------ FEATURED TIMESTAMPS:[03:03] Oron's Life Outside of Work [05:10] Oron's Role at Vim [07:34] Vim's Impact on Healthcare [12:31] Signature Segment: Oron's entry into the LATTOYG Playbook: Challenges in Launching Vim [18:39] Misconceptions in Healthcare [21:00] Employer-Based Healthcare and the Future of Healthcare [30:18] Signature Segment: Oron's LATTOYG Tactic of Choice: Leading with Courageous Agility [33:18] Learn More about Vim ------------ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR YOU:Overview:  Our Signature Leadership Development Experience: http://bit.ly/DevelopYourGame

    36 min
  3. Transforming for Scale Without Losing Your Mind with Zach Evans

    10 SEPT

    Transforming for Scale Without Losing Your Mind with Zach Evans

    IN THIS EPISODE... This episode features Zach Evans, the Chief Technology Officer at Xsolis. Xsolis is an AI-driven health tech company known for its human-centered approach. Zach leads the development and implementation of Dragonfly, a scalable platform that enhances market delivery and supports payer-provider interoperability. Under his leadership, Dragonfly modernized Xsolis' cloud-native architecture, focusing on cybersecurity, utilizing Trend Micro and AWS for secure data management and exchange, thereby advancing the company's technology and client services. In today's discussion, Zach reveals his approach to leading tech teams with empathy, underscoring the need to align engineers with the mission and manage rapid tech changes. Also, he recounts the Dragonfly transition's challenges, emphasizing rebuilding with client impact in mind and learning from involving frontline staff. ------------ Full show notes, guest bio, links to resources mentioned, and other compelling episodes can be found at http://LeadYourGamePodcast.com. (Click the magnifying icon at the top right and type “Zach”) Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Learn more about us! https://shockinglydifferent.com/ ------------- WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:1.    How should technical teams be led to create high-performing groups? 2.    How can we effectively prioritize when faced with constraints? 3.    What are the key challenges and successes during a platform transition? 4.    What lessons can be learned from a transition, particularly regarding change management? 5.    What does leading with courageous agility entail, and how can it be applied to significant changes? ------------ FEATURED TIMESTAMPS:[02:41] Zach's Background and Personal Life [05:13] Zach's Career Journey [10:12] Zach's Approach to Leading Technical Teams [13:35] Signature Segment: Zach's entry into the LATTOYG Playbook: The Art of Prioritization [17:25] What is Dragonfly? [23:44] Transition to Dragonfly Platform [38:01] Signature Segment: Zach's LATTOYG Tactic of Choice: Leading with Courageous Agility ------------ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR YOU:Overview:  Our Signature Leadership Development Experience: http://bit.ly/DevelopYourGame

    36 min
  4. The Technology Engine Behind Brand Loyalty Programs with Len Covello

    27 AUG

    The Technology Engine Behind Brand Loyalty Programs with Len Covello

    IN THIS EPISODE... Have you ever wondered what drives loyalty? Initially, loyalty programs were driven by tangible rewards like vacations or merchandise, but with the rise of companies like Amazon, which excel in personalization and broad offerings, the focus has shifted. The loyalty currency, which is endorsed by major corporations, is what drives customer loyalty and engagement in today’s world. Len Covello is the Chief Technology Officer at Engage People Inc. Len is a designer and developer of web-based applications for an extensive variety of corporate applications and is particularly skilled at automating current procedures and creating user interfaces. Len’s leadership is the source behind Engage People’s loyalty programs. ------------ Full show notes, guest bio, links to resources mentioned, and other compelling episodes can be found at http://LeadYourGamePodcast.com. (Click the magnifying icon at the top right and type “Len”) Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Learn more about us! https://shockinglydifferent.com/ ------------- WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:1.    What approaches are suitable to motivate people in a fast-changing field like technology? 2.    What are the mindset changes an organization faces over time? 3.    What drives loyalty? 4.    What is the best advice for those wanting a CTO career? 5.    How does AI impact the loyalty industry? ------------ FEATURED TIMESTAMPS:[03.27] Len’s personal background. [04.42] Len’s journey to Chief Technology Officer at Engage People. [08.33] The risk of innovation – The risk new innovations take when they bring their product to the market. [11.43] Enabling great people to do great things as a leader. [15.20] Loyalty programs at Engage People. [19.15] Advice for a Chief Technology Officer career. [21.40] The impact AI has on loyalty as an industry. [25.40] Signature Segment: Lev’s LATTOYG Tactic of Choice: Leading with intellectual horsepower. [27.10] Signature Segment: Len’s entry into the LATTOYG Playbook: Being in a very measured mindset. ------------ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR YOU:Overview:  Our Signature Leadership Development Experience: http://bit.ly/DevelopYourGame

    32 min
  5. How Using Digital Human Teachers is Revolutionizing Upskilling with Dev Aditya

    20 AUG

    How Using Digital Human Teachers is Revolutionizing Upskilling with Dev Aditya

    IN THIS EPISODE... Digital human teachers are transforming upskilling by delivering personalized, scalable education with AI-driven precision. By providing interactive, real-time feedback and adapting to each learner's needs, they bridge educational gaps and enhance productivity, making advanced learning accessible worldwide and revolutionizing the future of professional development. Dev Aditya, the guest of today's conversation, is an award-winning entrepreneur and educationist with legal expertise, leading an international organization that leverages AI to upskill 25,000 students over the next two years. With a background in higher education, charity work, start-ups, and legal research, Dev excels as a visionary strategist and communicator. ------------ Full show notes, guest bio, links to resources mentioned, and other compelling episodes can be found at http://LeadYourGamePodcast.com. (Click the magnifying icon at the top right and type “Dev”) Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Learn more about us! https://shockinglydifferent.com/ ------------- WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:1.    What is the mission behind the AI-powered learning program? 2.    How does human-in-the-loop AI improve corporate and educational learning? 3.    What strategies are being used to address the talent gap in the tech sector? 4.    How does the leadership style influence growth in a pioneering field? 5.    What are the main concerns about the impact of AI on jobs? 6.    How does the company ensure clarity and direction in its leadership approach? 7.    What role does courage play in leading at the top of the game? 8.    How is AI expected to affect productivity and job roles in the near future? ------------ FEATURED TIMESTAMPS:[03:11] Dev's Passions [04:31] Dev's Journey of Innovation in AI Education [06:59] AI-Powered Learning for Education and Corporate Training [09:46] Human-in-the-Loop AI [12:13] Targeting the Developing World for Future Growth and Impact [13:44] Cultivating Skills and Culture in the Face of Sector-Wide Demand [15:04] A Journey of Problem-Solving and Pioneering in Education Technology [16:54] Leadership Through Challenge and Trust [18:53] Future of AI Technology [22:13] AI and Job Impact [25:00] Signature Segment: Dev's LATTOYG Tactic of Choice: Leading with Courageous Agility [26:53] Signature Segment: Dev's entry into the LATTOYG Playbook: Leading with Courage and Clarity ------------ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR YOU:Overview:  Our Signature Leadership Development Experience: http://bit.ly/DevelopYourGame

    31 min
  6. How Skillable Uses Technology to Fuel Hands-on Learning with Nate Barrett

    13 AUG

    How Skillable Uses Technology to Fuel Hands-on Learning with Nate Barrett

    IN THIS EPISODE... Effective leadership thrives on the Three A's—Alignment, Accountability, and Autonomy—creating an environment where innovation flourishes and psychological safety prevails. By aligning teams with a clear vision, providing constructive feedback, and fostering autonomy, leaders can inspire their teams to achieve their best and drive meaningful, continuous improvement. In this episode, Nate Barrett, the Senior Vice President of Product at Skillable, exemplifies these principles. He oversees product management, design, and data teams at Skillable, bringing his expertise in B2B and B2C strategies to create scalable solutions that meet global customer needs. Nate's visionary leadership and impactful results are a testament to the power of effective leadership. ------------ Full show notes, links to resources mentioned, and other compelling episodes can be found at http://LeadYourGamePodcast.com. (Click the magnifying icon at the top right and type “Nate”) Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ------------ JUST FOR YOU: Increase your leadership acumen by identifying your personal Leadership Trigger. Take my free my free quiz and instantly receive your 5-page report. Need to up-level your workforce or execute strategic People initiatives? https://shockinglydifferent.com/contact or tweet @KaranRhodes. ------------- ABOUT NATE BARRETT:Nate Barrett is the Senior Vice President of Product for Skillable, managing the product management, design, and data teams. Nate brings a wealth of product leadership experience to Skillable, leading products at Pluralsight, Canopy, and Instructure. At Pluralsight, Nate led the hands-on lab's product vision and strategy, which led to tripling overall learning engagement and helping drive enterprise business outcomes by making upskilling a reality. Nate is active in the product community in Utah, consulting and mentoring product leaders and startups. He is also a frequent guest lecturer in higher education strategy and design programs. Nate lives in Utah with his wife and four children. ------------ WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:WHAT TO LISTEN FOR: 1.    How is AI transforming product development and strategy at Skillable? 2.    What are the critical considerations for using AI to solve problems rather than follow trends? 3.    How does Skillable balance innovation and adoption in the era of AI? 4.    What is Skillable's approach to simplifying content creation and validating skills through hands-on learning? 5.    How does Skillable's platform support tailored content creation and professional services for different organizations? 6.    What are the core principles of the leadership approach, focusing on alignment, accountability, and autonomy? 7.    How can psychological safety and effective feedback be ensured within a team? ------------ADDITIONAL...

    32 min
  7. Using AI and Data Science to Differentiate Companies' Capabilities with Oleg Chernyshev

    6 AUG

    Using AI and Data Science to Differentiate Companies' Capabilities with Oleg Chernyshev

    IN THIS EPISODE... Leadership excels when balancing innovation with strategy, empowering teams to generate ideas, and fostering a collaborative culture. By embracing AI and staying ahead of technological trends, leaders enhance efficiency and drive excellence, ultimately enriching lives. This episode features Oleg Chernyshev, Head of the Engineering Division and CTO at Usetech. With over 20 years of expertise in AI and technology, Oleg is a distinguished executive known for spearheading AI initiatives and leading high-impact teams. Moreover, his versatile experience across various industries highlights his exceptional ability to scale teams and deliver cutting-edge solutions that propel enterprise growth. ------------ Full show notes, links to resources mentioned, and other compelling episodes can be found at http://LeadYourGamePodcast.com. (Click the magnifying icon at the top right and type “Oleg”) ------------ Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ------------ JUST FOR YOU: Increase your leadership acumen by identifying your personal Leadership Trigger. Take my free my free quiz and instantly receive your 5-page report. Need to up-level your workforce or execute strategic People initiatives? https://shockinglydifferent.com/contact or tweet @KaranRhodes. ------------ LINKS FOR OLEG CHERNYCHEV:Website: usetech.com/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/olegchernyshev/ ------------ ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR YOU:Overview:  The Lead at the Top of Your Game Leadership Development Experience

    32 min
  8. How GTM Teams Can Marry Data to Power Enterprise-level Growth with Matt Elders

    30 JUL

    How GTM Teams Can Marry Data to Power Enterprise-level Growth with Matt Elders

    IN THIS EPISODE... Transformative leadership at the automated marketing platform Cordial thrives on blending innovation with a deep understanding of data and client needs. By harnessing AI and focusing on a committed, agile team, Cordial bridges marketing, sales, and client experiences, crafting a reputation built on thoughtful hiring, strategic integration, and global reach. This episode features Matt Elders, EVP of Revenue at Cordial, who spearheads the revenue team focusing on innovation and excellence. Under his leadership, Cordial delivers data-driven marketing solutions to brands like REVOLVE, L.L.Bean, and BuzzFeed, enhancing customer connections and boosting revenue through tailored, impactful messaging. ------------ Full show notes, links to resources mentioned, and other compelling episodes can be found at http://LeadYourGamePodcast.com. (Click the magnifying icon at the top right and type “Matt”) Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ------------ JUST FOR YOU: Increase your leadership acumen by identifying your personal Leadership Trigger. Take my free my free quiz and instantly receive your 5-page report. Need to up-level your workforce or execute strategic People initiatives? https://shockinglydifferent.com/contact or tweet @KaranRhodes. ------------- ABOUT MATT ELDERS:Matt Elders is a seasoned GTM Executive known for delivering outstanding results for global software and services companies. With deep expertise in team leadership, budget management, and SaaS solutions, Matt is a visionary strategist and recognized revenue thought leader. His exceptional skill in penetrating complex enterprise accounts and refining GTM strategies drives significant growth. Throughout his career, Matt has built and led successful revenue organizations for industry leaders such as Gartner Group, Scient, Tibco, and Contentsquare. His leadership has consistently resulted in substantial revenue growth and market expansion. As the EVP of Revenue at Cordial, Matt continues to lead the revenue team, fostering innovation and excellence. Residing in Marin County, California with his wife of over 25 years, he enjoys exploring the great outdoors. ------------ WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:WHAT TO LISTEN FOR: 1.    How does data contribute to personalized customer experiences? 2.    What contributes to building a market-leading reputation? 3.    Why is bridging the gap between marketing, sales, and client experience important? 4.    What role does thoughtful hiring play in building success? 5.    Why is agility necessary for leading a multi-faceted revenue organization? 6.    How does AI empower marketing efforts? ------------ FEATURED TIMESTAMPS:[02:46] Matt's Life and Leisure in Marin County [04:30] Matt's Evolving Career Journey and Impact at Cordial [07:31] How Cordial's Advanced Platform Drives Real-Time Personalization and Success [09:03] How Cordial Differentiates Itself in the...

    35 min

About

Are you the strongest leader you can possibly be? And if not, ever wonder what other elite leaders know and do that you aren’t, which may be stopping you from bringing your A+ game? The Lead at the Top of Your Game Podcast celebrates the ingenuity, resilience and execution excellence of firebrand leaders who are doing big things in their profession or industry by boldly dancing on the edge and playing by their own rules. Organizational psychologist & leadership tactics strategist, Karan Ferrell-Rhodes, interviews the persons at the forefront of leading the transformative ideas, tactical maneuvers and gut-wrenching pivots behind the People, Business & Leadership strategies which are helping individuals do their best work and organizations to become future-ready, today. Listen in, as she cracks open their playbooks and compares them with her research on the top seven leadership tactics of the world’s most successful leaders. Join us to take advantage of gaining an insider’s look into the ups, downs and lessons learned from these thriving A+ leaders, so that you too can become a stronger leader who masters any “game of expertise” in which you choose to play. The Lead at the Top of Your Game podcast is brought to you by Shockingly Different Leadership, the leader in on-demand People, Talent Development & Organizational Effectiveness professional services, all designed to up-level leader capability and optimize workforces to do their best work. Learn more at http://LeadYourGamePodcast.com or https://shockinglydifferent.com/podcast. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the show on your favorite podcast app and leave a 5-star review.

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