How to Make a Leader

Big Think+
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How to Make a Leader brings you the ideas and voices shaping the future of leadership. Host Hannah Beaver sits down with bold thinkers, builders, and changemakers across learning and leadership development to explore how great leaders are developed, through smart design, real-world experience, and the moments that matter. These are candid, curiosity-driven conversations crafted for L&D and leadership development professionals who want fresh insight, sharper thinking, and a smarter way to build leaders who thrive. Brought to you by Big Think+.

  1. OCT 23

    Want culture change? Build a learning philosophy first.

    Every great learning culture starts with one thing: a clear philosophy of how people grow.  Dwayne Britton has spent his career shaping culture and capability at Apple, Lululemon, Adidas, Zalando, and On. Across each, he’s learned that lasting impact comes when learning is guided by philosophy, not just programming. In this episode, Dwayne shares how L&D teams can redefine their role from content creators to cultural amplifiers, by building a learning philosophy that connects business strategy, brand identity, and human growth. You’ll learn: The difference between a learning culture and a learning philosophyHow a learning philosophy positions L&D as a strategic partnerThe SPARK framework Dwayne used at On to connect learning to cultureHow to align brand, business, and learning goals How to identify your organization’s learning beliefs Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Dwayne Britton (02:19) Dwayne’s path from musical theater to L&D (04:36) What defines a learning culture vs. philosophy (06:47) Three realms every L&D program should serve (10:03) The question that defines your learning philosophy (12:20) The SPARK method for scaling learning (15:06) How to get leadership buy-in for new L&D initiatives (19:36) Advice for L&D teams to increase cultural impact To learn more about Dwayne, check out his LinkedIn, his website, and his musical background.  Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus About Dwayne Britton:Dwayne Britton brings 15+ years at the intersection of learning, culture and brand. He’s shaped programs at Apple, Adidas, Zalando and Lululemon, and led Global Learning & Development at On. Through his Berlin-based consultancy, DAY|WON, Dwayne provides fractional L&D leadership for startups, scale-ups and internal teams, with a focus on brand-led onboarding, culture building and collaboration. He partners with leaders to design clear, practical programs and workshops that align teams, clarify decisions and build momentum.Dwayne also serves as an L&D Strategic Advisor to Manageable, a UK startup helping managers build the confidence and habits to lead well.

    22 min

  2. SEP 11

    How to build frontline leaders in technical organizations

    Technical expertise doesn’t automatically translate into leadership traits. So how do we help engineers, scientists, and specialists become confident and effective managers? Leadership development expert and former SpaceX trainer, Matt Gjertsen, shares how to grow strong leaders inside technical organizations. Drawing on 15 years of experience across aerospace, defense, and emerging tech, Matt specializes in turning skilled technical professionals into confident, effective leaders. You’ll learn: Why leadership is often the biggest blocker to scale, not technologyHow to engage technical employees in learning (even the skeptical ones)Why engineers are uniquely suited to lead and what holds them backThe mindset shift new technical managers must make Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Matt Gjertsen (02:09) Why technical leadership is a unique challenge (03:21) Scaling hard tech requires solving people problems (05:23) The leadership gap in reindustrialization and the trades (07:59) A humbling mindset shift: You can’t lead alone (10:12) Why engineers are better at conflict than you think (13:13) Getting skeptical technical leaders to buy in (15:01) Designing leadership programs that drive measurable change (16:27) Microlearning done right: Narrow goals, real impact (19:16) How to get employees to engage in training (22:54) Start small: The fastest way to executive buy-in To learn more about Matt, check out his LinkedIn and his website. Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus About Matt Gjertsen: Matt Gjertsen is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and former Air Force Instructor Pilot with 2500 flight hours. After leaving active duty, he spent over 4 years leading the training and development team at SpaceX before founding Better Every Day Studios in 2021.  Matt’s 20 years of experience working with and leading high performing teams all over the world has given him a unique perspective on what it takes to lead teams in this ever changing world. He has previously shared these lessons with organizations like the XPRIZE Foundation, Lockheed Martin, and NASA.  He and his team and Better Every Day Studios are now on a mission to train better managers, build better companies, and create a better world.

    28 min

  3. AUG 14

    The rebel leader: Why great leaders break the rules

    Ingrid Hu Dahl believes the most effective leaders are those who intentionally break rules, challenging the status quo.  With diverse experience as a punk-rock musician, executive coach and L&D leader at Gap, Meta and Capital One, Ingrid offers a radically human perspective on leadership - one that is rooted in rebellion and genuine connection. She shares personal stories and learnings about why the best leaders are the rebels who dare to challenge the status quo and lead with authenticity.  You’ll learn: Why rebellion is a powerful force in leadershipFast reset tools to reduce workplace stressHow to break toxic patterns in traditional leadership culturesHow to lead with empathy and inclusion in high-stress environments Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Ingrid Hu Dahl (02:43) Rebellion as a foundation for authentic leadership (04:07) The parallels of young musicians and high-performing teams (05:41) Coaching executives through fear, doubt, and isolation (10:09) Leading with empathy in high-stress environments (12:07) Fast reset tools to reduce workplace stress (16:20) Writing a memoir and not a leadership book (21:49) Breaking toxic patterns in traditional leadership cultures (25:12) Bringing experimentation and play into team culture (28:38) Daily behaviors that define inclusive leadership today (33:40) Advice for leaders who are ready to rebel To learn more about Ingrid, check out her website and her book Sun Shining On Morning Snow. Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus About Ingrid Hu Dahl: Ingrid Hu Dahl is an author, speaker, and leadership coach. She is the founder of a coaching and consulting business dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders. With over two decades of experience in learning and development, she brings her expertise to a wide range of industries, from corporate and media to nonprofit and social justice organizations.  A TEDx speaker and a founding member of the Willie Mae Rock Camp in Brooklyn, Ingrid has a lifelong passion for amplifying underrepresented voices. She has written, filmed, and directed two short films exploring identity, representation, and the mixed-race experience. And, she has toured in multiple rock bands, playing bass, guitar, synth, drums, and singing. Ingrid is certified by the International Coaching Federation and the Center for Creative Leadership. She is a global lecturer and speaker, and an advisory board member for the Institute for Women’s Leadership at Rutgers University. She lives in Sausalito, California, with her wife, Courtney, and their dog, Palo Santo. Invite Ingrid to be a speaker, facilitator, consultant or leadership coach: www.IngridHuDahl.com Buy Ingrid's book and get it signed at one of her upcoming events: www.SunShiningonMorningSnow.comCheck out Ingrid's interview in Authority Magazine: “The Hidden Superpower of Every Great Leader: Ingrid Hu Dahl On Uncovering the Traits That Separate Good Leaders from Exceptional Ones”Read Ingrid's article for Women in Leadership: “Leading with Heart and Wading Through Fear—How Women Can Drop Control and Embrace Their Power”

    38 min

  4. JUL 16

    Find your purpose: The methodology behind NYU's most popular class

    Suzy Welch has helped thousands find clarity on the question: What am I meant to do with my life?  In this conversation, she shares the 3-circle methodology behind her wildly popular “Becoming You” methodology, which she also teaches at NYU Stern School of Business. She explains why knowing your true values is more powerful than skills training alone, and offers a practical path to purpose, at any stage of your career. You’ll learn: Why most people don’t know their true values—and how to find yoursHow personal values, aptitudes, and economically viable interests intersect to reveal purposeHow value conflicts show up in leadership and career choicesWhy aligning personal and organizational values can transform teamsWhat leaders can do to help others live and work with purposeThis was our first ever live recorded podcast conversation in front of an audience - you’ll hear audience interaction throughout, and Q&A at the end of the episode.  Take The Values Bridge test Suzy references here: https://thevaluesbridge.com/ Read Suzy’s book, Becoming You here: https://www.suzywelch.com/books/becoming-you-the-proven-method-for-crafting-your-authentic-life-and-career/  About Suzy Welch: Suzy Welch is an award-winning NYU Stern School of Business professor, acclaimed management researcher, and New York Times best-selling author, most recently with “Becoming You: A Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career,” which is also a #1 bestseller on Amazon. A graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Business School, Professor Welch is a frequent guest of the Today Show and an op-ed contributor to the Wall Street Journal. Her podcast, “Becoming You” is one of America’s most listened to career podcasts. She serves on the boards of public and private companies, and is the Director of the NYU | Stern Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing. As the founder and CEO of Becoming You Labs, Professor Welch, who received her PhD in business from the University of Bristol, has developed several digital assessment tools, including The Values Bridge and PIE360. Two more assessment instruments, the Career Traits Compass and the Holland Bridge, are currently in the final stages of beta testing.

    47 min

  5. JUN 13

    The reason your best employees are struggling (and the neuroscience-backed solutions)

    Nearly 8 out of 10 workers feel stressed at work, and most say it's leaving them completely drained. If you're seeing warning signs on your team or feeling the impact yourself, this deep dive into the burnout epidemic will give you the science-backed strategies you need. Dr. Ethan Kross, neuroscientist at the University of Michigan and author of Chatter and Shift, breaks down what's actually happening in your brain when stress feels debilitating. Jennifer Moss, workplace wellness expert and author of Why Are We Here? and The Burnout Epidemic, shares the organizational strategies that companies like Google and TD Bank use to transform their workplace cultures. Together, they deliver both the "why" behind burnout and the "how" to fix it, giving you actionable frameworks to implement immediately. You'll learn: The science behind burnout and brain functionCase studies from Deloitte, Google and TD Bank on how they’re improving workplace cultureIntroduction to the WOOP framework to help employees build resilienceThe leadership practices that genuinely transform team mental fitness and engagement Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Dr. Ethan Kross and Jennifer Moss (01:24) The science behind stress and burnout in the workplace (03:51) How chronic stress affects focus and performance (06:03) Emotional regulation and the impact on internal dialogue (08:07) How stress alters brain function and decision-making (09:01) The threat mode response and its influence on behavior (15:19) The role of uncertainty and lack of control in workplace dissatisfaction (17:53) Why culture plays a major role in mental fitness (21:44) Building mental fitness muscles for long-term success (25:23) Using the WOOP framework to handle negative emotions (30:03) How leaders can help teams regain a sense of control To learn more about Ethan, check out his website, most recent TED talk, and his books, Shift and Chatter. And to learn more about Jennifer, check out her website and her books, The Burnout Epidemic, Why Are We Here, and Unlocking Happiness at Work. Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

    48 min

  6. MAY 8

    The human-centered leader: How to develop talent and build influence with Al Dea

    In this episode of How to Make a Leader, we're joined by Al Dea, founder of Edge of Work consulting and a respected voice in talent and leadership development. Al breaks down why true leadership success hinges on a human-centric approach focused on two essential drivers: viewing leaders as developers of people and building social capital within organizations. Drawing from his extensive experience as a consultant, keynote speaker, and podcast host, Al shares practical insights on how day-to-day leadership actions directly impact talent development. He challenges the notion that employee growth belongs solely to HR and L&D departments, revealing the common mistakes leaders make when developing their teams and offering actionable strategies that extend beyond traditional training programs. You'll discover: Why developing your people is the highest-impact leadership investmentPractical ways to implement human-centric leadership principlesHow to build and leverage social capital to enhance team performanceEffective development strategies that don't require formal training programs Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Al Dea (01:13) The evolution of workplace dynamics (07:10) Defining human-centric leadership in real terms (09:41) Leaders as developers of people (12:09) Building growth into your weekly workflow (15:28) How HR and L&D scale development (18:02) Why investing in people ultimately saves time (20:23) Common mistakes leaders make when developing others (25:02) How to build social capital (and why it matters) (31:26) A leadership development program that built real connections (34:35) How to measure development and social capital To learn more about Al and his work, check out his Linkedin profile, his website, and his podcast. Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

    39 min

  7. APR 3

    The state of L&D in 2025: What 115,000 learners taught us

    In this episode of How to Make a Leader, we sit down with members of Big Think+’s very own product team, Charlotte Sharpe and Monica Karunakaran. They share insights learned from observing the learning habits and preferences of 115,000 learners that used our platform last year, as well as learnings from our 300 person user survey.  They share juicy insights such as the truth behind optimal learning times (and length of content), the top skills learners searched on our platform, and the top challenges keeping L&D leaders up at night.  You’ll learn: The type of career development that learners actually care aboutThe most in-demand leadership skillsWhat’s keeping L&D leaders up at night (and how to fix it)The humans skills that matter more than AIHow to think about L&D strategyThings to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Charlotte Sharpe and Monica Karunakaran(05:29) The role of Big Think+ in shaping leadership development (06:58) Insights from a year of data from 115,000 learners (09:43) What’s keeping L&D leaders up at night (13:14) Leadership content for mid-level managers (15:28) Balancing employee engagement with measurable success (17:44) The most in-demand leadership skills (19:08) Why emotional intelligence is so important (26:31) Data on the learning experience (when, where, how long) (28:37) The influence of AI on leadership development strategies (33:27) The biggest surprise with the data (35:03) The future of L&D: Integrating human connection with technology To learn more about Charlotte and Monica, check out their LinkedIn profiles: Charlotte SharpeMonica KarunakaranInterested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

    41 min

  8. MAR 6

    The communication playbook: From conflict to collaboration with HBR’s Amy Gallo

    Can conflict actually make your team stronger? In this episode of How to Make a Leader, communication expert and Harvard Business Review podcast host Amy Gallo discusses the communication dynamics that shape high-performing professionals and teams. Amy shares strategies to build trust, improve collaboration, and ensure that even the toughest conversations lead to progress. Whether you’re a team leader, an aspiring manager, or someone navigating complex work relationships, this episode is packed with insights to strengthen your communication skills and leadership approach. You’ll learn: How high performing teams disagree respectfully and collaborativelyHow to approach difficult conversations in the workplaceStrategies to improve communication across remote, hybrid, and in-person teamsThe leadership mindset shift that drives long-term successThings to listen for:(00:00) Introducing Amy Gallo(01:39) Building trust quickly to enhance workplace communication(04:57) Three key principles for navigating workplace conflict(09:34) How remote and hybrid work impact workplace communication(13:31) Strategies to prevent miscommunication in digital environments(18:38) When to vent, when to wait, and when to take action(21:27) What distinguishes high-performing teams from struggling teams(24:49) Leadership strategies to encourage open and honest communication(29:08) Emotional regulation and its impact on leadership effectiveness(35:25) How societal tensions are influencing workplace interactions(39:39) Maintaining composure in high-conflict situations(44:13) Why connection should be a leadership priority To learn more about Amy and her work, check out her Linkedin profile, her website, and her podcast. Read Amy Gallo’s book: Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People). Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

    47 min
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About

How to Make a Leader brings you the ideas and voices shaping the future of leadership. Host Hannah Beaver sits down with bold thinkers, builders, and changemakers across learning and leadership development to explore how great leaders are developed, through smart design, real-world experience, and the moments that matter. These are candid, curiosity-driven conversations crafted for L&D and leadership development professionals who want fresh insight, sharper thinking, and a smarter way to build leaders who thrive. Brought to you by Big Think+.

Information

  • Creator
    Big Think+
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Big Think+

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