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

Talmage Boston is a lawyer, historian, and the author of the captivating new book "How the Best Did It: Leadership Lessons from Our Top Presidents." For the past 15 years, Talmage has balanced his legal career with a fervent passion for history. By dedicating his mornings to historical research before donning his lawyer hat, he has become an expert on the most influential figures in American history: the U.S. presidents. In his book, Talmage unveils the hidden traits that separate great presidents from the merely good. He explores the power of persuasion, the importance of self-awareness, and the art of targeting messages to the vast American middle ground. Discover surprising insights, such as which presidents excelled at one-on-one interactions and which ones captivated large crowds.   Key Takeaways [03:36] Talmage discusses his lifelong passion for history and discusses his new book "How the Best Did It." The book examines leadership traits of eight US presidents and is aimed to be applicable in daily lives. Three key traits for successful presidents are persuasion, self-awareness, and targeting messages to the moderate majority. [12:01] We discuss the power of self-influence and share a compelling story about Stephen Ambrose and Dwight Eisenhower. [16:05] We discuss the role of crisis in shaping presidential legacies. While crises can provide opportunities for presidents to showcase their leadership, it's not a requirement for greatness. Theodore Roosevelt is an example of a highly regarded president who expanded the office's influence without facing a major crisis. We also explore how different presidents handled crisis.  [22:05] We discuss the importance of acknowledging both the strengths and weaknesses of historical figures.  Learning about the flaws of presidents like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan can help us understand their accomplishments in context. We also explore the role of first ladies in presidential history. Ronald Reagan's wife Nancy is highlighted as a unique case of a first lady who played a significant and influential role in her husband's presidency. [28:45] We e explore how great presidents restore optimism in America, vital for national confidence and progress. Leaders like Lincoln, FDR, Kennedy, and Reagan balanced ambitious goals with realistic actions, inspiring people to believe in a brighter future. We contrast this with presidents who struggled to instill confidence, underscoring the impact of leadership on national morale.  [33:15] We reflect on the responsibility of leadership and the sacrifices necessary for politicians to serve effectively. Discussing insights from Sebastian Junger's book "Freedom," we highlight the reluctance of many capable individuals to enter politics despite their potential to lead. Guests like John Avalon and Nikki Haley, both seasoned in public service, exemplify the need for courageous leaders willing to navigate the challenges of misinformation and political scrutiny. Drawing on James Baker's metaphor of catching javelins for President Reagan, we emphasize the importance of a capable team to support and guide leaders through the complexities of national governance. [35:59] We delve into the search for common ground in a divided America. Reflecting on recent events like the eclipse and the unifying power of sports, Jim and I discuss what it will take to bridge our nation's divides. We explore ideas from leaders like Stan McChrystal who advocate for national service as a unifying force beyond politics. We ponder whether future leaders can rise above today's partisan rhetoric to focus on effective governance and genuine dialogue.  [40:53]  And remember, those who do not remember the past are contempt to repeat it. - George Santayana   Quotable Quotes "They all had great self awareness, and that means they knew their strengths, and they

Todd Rose is the co-founder and CEO of  Populace, and founder of the Laboratory for the Science of Individuality. Todd is also a bestselling author of "Collective Illusions," "Dark Horse," and "The End of Average."  Todd explains how the abandonment of human distinctiveness during the industrial age has left a lasting impact on our potential and fulfillment. He emphasizes that true individuality is crucial for cultivating personal potential and living fulfilling lives.  He explores the tension between individualism and collectivism, asserting that individuality should not be mistaken for selfishness. He then shifts to the challenges leaders face in balancing fairness and personalization. Todd highlights the importance of autonomy in realizing individuality and cautions against the authoritarian potential of individuality without autonomy.  Todd expresses concerns about the potential for a divided education system where some students are trained as cogs in the machine while others are nurtured to develop their individuality and agency. Todd talks about his Dark Horse Project, which explores how people achieve fulfillment and excellence by following their unique paths.       Key Takeaways [03:30] Todd discussed why individuality is central to his work and the importance of human distinctiveness and its impact on potential and fulfillment. He also compared standardization to personalization in various fields.  [06:03] Todd emphasizes the impact of the Industrial Age on individuality, psychological drives for categorization versus self-expression, and a critique of Frederick Taylor's scientific management and its effects in relation to societal transformation, human identity, and labor efficiency during the industrial revolution. [07:28] He talks about the importance of personalizing leadership while maintaining fairness, the challenges of balancing individual needs with organizational goals, and the evolving expectations of employees in the workplace. [10:45] He discusses the transformation needed in education and workplace institutions, the shift from material abundance to psychological and spiritual fulfillment, and the role of leaders in navigating paradigm shifts and fostering individuality in the context of adapting to changing societal values and promoting holistic well-being in both educational and professional settings. [14:16] He shares the challenges of giving employees more autonomy while maintaining control, the comparison of bottom-up versus top-down approaches in leadership, and the importance of clear outcomes and flexible processes in modern workplaces in relation to fostering innovation, productivity, and employee satisfaction within organizational structures. [26:47] Todd gives an example of personalized health utilizing the glycemic index and machine learning. He also shares his personal experience with personalized nutrition, highlighting the potential of technology to scale personalization in various fields by leveraging data-driven approaches to optimize individual health outcomes and enhance personalized experiences across different domains. [35:32] He introduces his book “The Dark Horse project and book”, emphasizing the transformation of individuality into fulfillment and excellence. He also shares his personal anecdotes, highlighting the impact of the Dark Horse mindset on Todd's family and their journey towards embracing uniqueness and achieving personal success. [41:57] Closing quote: Remember, "If a man is not faithful to his own individuality, he cannot be loyal to anything." - Claude McKay   Quotable Quotes "The biggest mistake we've made in the industrial age is the abandonment of the appreciation for human distinctiveness." "Harnessing your individuality is a pretty central element to really leading a fulfilling life." "The flaw with the industrial age is that in the past, it was sort of intuitive that we were categorized in the same way that we thought it was intuitive that the

In this episode, Valia Glytsis, founder and CEO of The Paradox of Leadership and author of "Unraveling Ambition," shares her journey of understanding leadership. Valia highlights the importance of aligning personal values with actions, questioning fear-based versus truth-based ambition, and emphasizing inner work and generational shifts in leadership. She explores the intersection of trust, spirituality, and leadership, advocating for listening without an agenda and embracing uncertainty. Valia emphasizes the role of ambition in adding value and suggests regularly questioning habits and perspectives for personal growth and alignment with one's true self.     Key Takeaways [03:20] Valia shares that before having kids, she and her partner enjoyed testing luxury hotels worldwide, blending their love for leadership and luxury. Reflecting on her journey to understand leadership, she realized it's about how one shows up, not just a job title. This led her to "unravel" inherited habits and beliefs, like untangling knots. Valia also questioned her ambition, understanding that constant striving for more didn't bring happiness. By exploring these ideas, she gained a deeper understanding of herself and leadership, merging these insights into her personal and professional life. [06:55] She shares how her Greek heritage imposed societal expectations, shaping her behavior to be a "good girl," daughter, and friend. Valia realized much of this was inherited rather than chosen, creating a complex knot of expectations. This led her to question what we inherit versus who we truly are. She believes true freedom comes from aligning personal values with actions, based on self-defined values rather than imposed ones. By unraveling inherited patterns and living according to her own values, she feels on the path to freedom. [09:32] Valia notes that fear-based ambition is about meeting external expectations, like taking care of family, while truth-based ambition is driven by a desire to make an impact or express creativity. She believes true leadership starts from within, with self-awareness and alignment with personal values. Without this inner work, external leadership is superficial. Valia also sees a generational shift in leadership, with modern leaders focusing more on alignment and collaboration rather than just reaching agreements. [16:12] She explains that judgment and curiosity can't coexist. When you become curious, judgment fades. Similarly, fear can be eased by focusing on gratitude and asking what you’re learning from the situation. Fear often leads to outward attacks, but curiosity dissolves judgment, creating space for collaboration. She recommends asking, "What am I missing here?" to stay humble, curious, and centered, which helps reduce negative reactions. [17:43] Valia shares that a key idea from her book is moving from always trying to understand everything to embracing trust. In her personal journey, she faced many things she couldn't fully understand, like family issues and health scares. This led her to see trust as essential, especially in leadership. Trust involves moving from the head to the heart, letting go of the need to rationalize everything, and believing there's a bigger purpose. This mix of trust and humility allows for a deeper, more holistic experience. [21:17] She emphasizes the importance of slowing down to listen without an agenda, which makes people feel truly seen and heard. She reflects on her book's evolution, noting that the original manuscript felt irrelevant after the COVID-19 pandemic and becoming a mother. This led her to rewrite it with a new perspective, keeping some elements while adding more relevant content. The title "Unraveling Ambition" emerged as a reflection of her experiences and the changing world around her. [22:53] Valia talks about the difference between managing and leading. Managing involves control and organization, while leadership is more about embracing uncertainty and trusting

In this episode, communication expert Matt Abrahams shares his insights on effective leadership communication through his "four I's" framework: Information, Impact, Invitation, and Implications. He underscores the need for clear, audience-tailored communication, emphasizing empathy and curiosity. Matt discusses the balance between personal authenticity and team support, highlighting the crucial role of feedback and ongoing self-improvement. Drawing on his martial arts background and stories involving his son, he advocates for adapting to various contexts and honing delivery skills. Matt concludes with encouraging listeners to proactively develop their communication abilities.     Key Takeaways [02:30] Matt talks about his experience as a martial artist for 40 years. He says it has kept him healthy and taught him important life skills. He mainly practices a form of karate and also studies Tai Chi. He also mentions he liked the movie “The Karate Kid” partly because of Elizabeth Shue, who was an important part of his life at that time. [03:38] Matt emphasizes the importance of communication in leadership. He says leaders should focus on clear, meaningful communication that is tailored to their audience. Matt notes two challenges: knowing too much about a topic and being too passionate can hinder effective communication. He suggests using empathy and curiosity to understand the audience better. He also highlights the need for good intergenerational communication in the workplace. Different generations work together, so leaders should adapt and respect different perspectives. [06:20] Matt believes managers should help people improve their work. He suggests turning tough conversations into opportunities to solve problems together, which encourages collaboration and reduces defensiveness. Matt emphasizes using a structure, especially in high-stress conversations. He introduces the "four I's" framework: Information, Impact, Invitation, and Implications. This framework helps keep conversations clear and focused, making them easier to handle. [10:36] Matt believes good leadership involves balancing personal authenticity with helping the team. He compares this to the yin-yang dynamic, blending different approaches. Sometimes leaders should take charge, while other times they should let others lead. Matt supports Kim Scott's idea of radical candor. He thinks creating a culture of feedback is important, including positive, neutral, and constructive feedback. Leaders should ask for specific feedback, express gratitude, and show they can change based on the feedback. He also emphasizes that regularly seeking input in the right way leads to better communication and growth. [15:20] Matt explains that the root of "communication" is about connecting with others. He stresses the importance of taking time to connect, which saves time by preventing problems later. In crisis communication, Matt advises managing oneself, aligning messaging, and staying consistent. Being open, proactive, and practicing for crises helps organizations handle them effectively. [19:40] Matt emphasizes the importance of being genuine and connecting to what you communicate, even if you don't fully agree. Nonverbal cues like body language and voice tone are key in conveying authenticity. He stresses the need to practice delivery to avoid filler words and ensure clear messaging. Matt acknowledges that language evolves over time, and generational communication patterns may differ. He tries to respect these differences and focus on the intent behind people's words. If asked, he offers advice, but he generally remains open to different communication styles. [22:03] Matt believes trust comes from connecting with others, which involves slowing down, listening, and giving honest feedback. He acknowledges the pressure to move quickly but says effective leaders take time to understand people and build relationships. In martial arts, Matt sees a connection with communication

In this episode, Jim and Jan explore the importance of saying "no" in the workplace. They highlight how setting clear boundaries and aligning decisions with both personal and organizational values can help leaders manage their time and workload more effectively. Empowering lower-level employees to say "no" can also reduce friction and enhance organizational efficiency. Additionally, they discuss how balancing commitments and making mindful choices contributes to improved focus, productivity, and long-term success.     Key Takeaways   [01:28] Jim talked about his company name, Rafti Advisors, which connects to his Greek heritage. Rafti is a town in Greece where his father was born and had to leave due to war. Jan added that he grew up in a small village in Ireland and he and Jim made mistakes when they were young. They agreed these experiences helped them grow. They emphasized the importance of giving grace to people making mistakes today, especially since cameras are everywhere now. Mistakes have consequences, but they help people learn and improve.   [03:38] Jim and Jan discuss the impact of hearing "no" and how it influences personal and professional experiences. Jim highlights the emotional weight of "no" and how it can vary based on context, such as a child asking for permission versus avoiding obligations. Jan adds that hearing "no" plays differently in personal decisions and organizational settings. In companies, there can be friction between front-line and support staff due to different priorities, with support staff often focused on risk avoidance. This can lead to frequent use of "no." Both agree that "no" can have a strong influence on decision-making in many areas of life and work.   [06:15] Jim and Jan discuss the importance of saying "no" in organizations to manage resources and maintain focus. Jim emphasizes that leaders need to decide when to say "no" to prevent lower-level employees from becoming a "no department." Jan shares insights from executive coaching, highlighting the need to influence decisions and find ways to navigate challenges. Both agree that knowing when and what to say "yes" helps clarify when to say "no." They reference baseball player Ted Williams' advice on focusing on pitches you can hit, illustrating the importance of clear decision-making.   [10:33] Jim and Jan talk about setting boundaries and managing time at work. Jim mentions a Wall Street Journal article about saying no by setting limits and using outside commitments as excuses. He shares a story about someone working too much and missing time with family. Jan adds that excessive meetings and admin tasks make it difficult to manage time. They agree that poor meeting management and unclear agendas waste time. They also note that changes in the job market have shifted power to employees, leading to new workplace dynamics.   [18:06] Jim visits an old workplace and sees most of it demolished. Reflecting on the past, he emphasizes the importance of relationships and leaders helping people find purpose and grow. This focus on relationships is key for good leadership. Jan agrees, noting that leaders must advocate for their team and say "no" when necessary. Being a good leader isn't just about being nice; it's also about setting boundaries and supporting the team's needs for growth and development.   [22:01] Jim and Jan discuss how it's important to tell people "not yet" instead of just saying "no" if the timing isn't right. They suggest providing context and explaining when an idea might be possible in the future. Jan shares how he manages networking requests by declining politely due to his busy schedule. He explains his need to focus on current commitments and projects and wonders how others perceive this approach.   [24:15] Jim and Jan discuss how receiving a polite decline, such as someone being too busy, shows the person is organized and knows their priorities. They agree this approach is respectable, even if some might see

In this episode, Tatiana Kolovou discusses how she manages her social media presence, focusing on family content on Instagram and Facebook while maintaining a professional image on LinkedIn. She also shares her love for Greek cuisine and hobbies like indoor cycling and creating playlists. Tatiana emphasizes the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone for personal growth and highlights effective communication strategies, inclusive leadership practices, and the significance of emotional intelligence. She also mentions the value of seeking and appreciating feedback and tailoring communication to suit the audience's needs. She advocates for balance in life, growth through challenges, and kindness towards others.     Key Takeaways   [03:13] Tatiana shares her values, balancing personal and professional content across her social media platforms. She keeps her Instagram and Facebook for family moments and celebrations, while maintaining a professional image on LinkedIn by sharing learning opportunities. Though she occasionally posts personal content on LinkedIn, she finds that authentic and real posts perform well due to the platform's algorithm.    [04:36] Tatiana shares her favorite Greek dish, "Lahandolmades.” She also mentions that she enjoys indoor cycling and creating playlists but keeps these personal interests off LinkedIn to maintain a professional focus. She also discusses the concept of training in the "discomfort zone," highlighting the importance of pushing oneself beyond comfort for growth and self-awareness. Tatiana emphasizes the value of daily challenges, weekly new opportunities, and monthly learning experiences for personal development and effective communication.   [8:59] Tatiana emphasizes the importance of training in the discomfort zone and developing communication skills through practice. She suggests standing instead of sitting to project energy, and recommends recording oneself for feedback on intonation and energy. She admires William Shatner's performance during an eclipse event at the age of 92, noting his mastery of pacing, energy, and pausing. Tatiana also believes in captivating audiences through stories and energy, even without video. She mentions the need for continuous practice to improve communication skills and stay focused.   [13:35] She highlights the importance of inclusion in organizations, urging leaders to establish a culture that aligns with common values and attracts people for more than just money. Tatiana mentions the need for accommodating different communication styles and clear direction to maintain trust. She also warns against bullying and fear-based leadership, promoting cultural humility and openness to allow others into the in-group. Leaders should seek feedback, listen, and be empathetic to grow their organizations.   [18:16] Tatiana emphasizes the importance of not coddling team members, stating "different is not deficient." Leaders should be curious and open to newcomers, while outsiders must also be flexible and curious. She stresses the value of letting younger people struggle a bit to learn and grow, such as through cultural exchanges or joint projects. She advocates for simulating struggles in controlled environments to prepare individuals for real-world challenges, allowing them to process, reflect, and grow from their experiences.   [23:44] Tatiana highlights the importance of emotional intelligence to avoid damage control. She emphasizes self-awareness, social awareness, and feedback for growth. Tatiana values building relationships and trust, advising people to invest time in making connections. She recommends arriving early to meetings and complimenting clients to strengthen relationships.   [27:24] Tatiana discusses the importance of emotional intelligence in communication and leadership. She shares a story about coaching her son, Alexei, on managing his emotions. Tatiana emphasizes the Greek concept of "Philotimo" or "love of honor," doing t