Jennifer Colosimo: Expect a Lot, Care a Lot

Most change efforts fail not because people resist change, but because leaders misunderstand how change actually works. Julia Dhar, behavioral scientist and BCG managing director, explains why 75% of transformations fall short—and what leaders can do differently. She introduces the concept of “change distance,” the gap between executive optimism and employee reality, and outlines practical ways to close it. Dhar challenges leaders to move beyond false alignment to real agreement, use storytelling that is honest and specific, and design change with real human behavior in mind. She also highlights the importance of incentives, emotional awareness, and “take-up”—making change easier to adopt in daily work. The result is a more grounded, human-centered approach to transformation. Listen to learn how to turn strategy into sustained behavior change. FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.   To learn more, email us at [email protected], visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

AI transformation is moving faster than any prior technology shift, but Joe Atkinson argues the real challenge isn’t technical—it’s human. Drawing on his experience leading AI strategy at PwC, Atkinson explains why empathy, listening, and clarity are now core leadership capabilities, not soft skills. He outlines how leaders must balance speed with trust, avoid over-reliance on consensus, and invest in continuous learning to keep pace with change. The conversation also explores why most organizations struggle to capture ROI from AI—and what top performers do differently. Ultimately, leadership determines whether AI becomes a productivity tool or a true driver of transformation. Listen to explore how to lead through disruption while building capability, confidence, and performance.   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.   To learn more, email us at [email protected], visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

When teams fail to innovate, leaders often blame execution, alignment, or talent. Eric Ries argues the real issue is leadership itself. Drawing on ideas from The Lean Startup and his latest work on building “incorruptible” organizations, Ries explains why companies unintentionally suppress creativity through rigid systems, misaligned incentives, and a fear of failure. He outlines a practical path forward: start with small, leader-led experiments, challenge legacy planning assumptions, and redesign systems that reward learning—not just outcomes. Ries also introduces the concept of the “culture bank,” where trust is built through consistent decisions that prioritize long-term value over short-term gains. For leaders navigating uncertainty, the message is clear: sustainable innovation requires changing how you lead, not just what your teams do. Listen to explore how to build organizations that adapt, innovate, and earn trust at scale.   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.   To learn more, email us at [email protected], visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Leadership is a constant tension between driving results and genuinely caring for people. Jennifer Colosimo, former president of FranklinCovey's enterprise division, shares how great leaders navigate that balance. Drawing on decades of experience across consulting, sales, and executive leadership, she explains why performance and people leadership cannot be separated—and why expecting more from teams must be matched with stronger coaching, clarity, and trust. Colosimo also outlines the core ideas behind her upcoming book, Expect a Lot, Care a Lot, including practical approaches to feedback, delegation, and building high-performing teams. As Will Houghteling steps away from the show and passes the hosting role into her hands, this episode marks an evolution of FranklinCovey On Leadership—setting the tone for what leadership looks like in practice: principled, demanding, and deeply human.   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.   To learn more, email us at [email protected], visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Ashley Herd, author of The Manager Method, breaks down why most leadership mistakes happen in the gap between reaction and response. Her simple framework—pause, consider, act—helps managers handle difficult conversations, re-engage struggling employees, and lead with clarity instead of impulse. Drawing on experience in law, HR, and executive leadership, Herd challenges common advice, emphasizing fairness over sameness, action over avoidance, and structure over micromanagement. She also explores how AI will reshape leadership—and why human connection will matter even more. Listen to learn how small behavioral shifts can dramatically improve how you lead people.   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.   To learn more, email us at [email protected], visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Sustained success requires more than optimizing today’s business—it demands building what’s next before it’s urgent. Howard Yu, LEGO Professor of Management at IMD, explains why the most resilient organizations “perform and transform” simultaneously, scaling new capabilities while strengthening their core. He unpacks the costly knowing–doing gap that derails companies, why innovation often becomes theater instead of discipline, and how future-ready leaders measure progress across both current performance and emerging growth. Yu also explores real-world examples—from Google to BYD—showing how incremental experimentation, not big bets, drives long-term advantage. For leaders navigating disruption, the takeaway is clear: consistency, focus, and capability-building—not vision alone—separate companies that adapt from those that fall behind. Listen to learn how to build a future-ready organization. FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization. To learn more, email us at [email protected], visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

A compelling idea means little if it fails to move people. Chris Anderson, head of TED, explains what separates ideas that spread from those that stall—and how leaders can communicate in ways that drive real impact. Drawing on years of curating and coaching some of the world’s most influential talks, Anderson breaks down the structure of persuasive communication, the importance of clarity over complexity, and why storytelling is a leadership skill—not a performance skill. He also addresses common pitfalls, including overloading audiences with information and failing to connect ideas to human meaning. For leaders responsible for influence, alignment, and change, the ability to communicate ideas effectively is a force multiplier. Listen to explore how to turn insight into action through better communication. FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization. To learn more, email us at [email protected], visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Playing it safe is often the riskiest career move. Sukhinder Singh Cassidy—current CEO of Xero, former president of StubHub, and founder of theBoardlist—shares why growth comes from taking calculated risks and building a personal “risk muscle” over time. Drawing on her leadership across Google, Amazon, and multiple startups, she explains how to evaluate opportunities not just by stability, but by learning velocity, scope, and long-term upside. Cassidy also challenges leaders to rethink how they hire and develop talent, emphasizing potential over pedigree and encouraging teams to step outside rigid career paths. For organizations facing constant change, her perspective reframes risk-taking as a discipline—not a gamble. Listen to explore how intentional risk can accelerate both individual careers and organizational performance.   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.   To learn more, email us at [email protected], visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

AI is reshaping organizations faster than most leaders expect. Jeetu Patel, President and Chief Product Officer at Cisco, explains why the future will favor companies—and professionals—who become dexterous with AI tools. He shares how Cisco transformed from a collection of acquired product “fiefdoms” into an integrated platform company, opened its ecosystem to partners, and embedded an AI-first mindset across a 30,000-person organization. Patel also explores how AI agents will change the nature of work, why leaders must distinguish megatrends from hype cycles, and how culture shifts require both top-down clarity and bottom-up participation. For leaders navigating technological disruption, the message is direct: embrace the tools, focus on meaningful problems, and build teams capable of adapting at scale.   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.   To learn more, email us at [email protected], visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Loneliness is more than a personal struggle—it’s a measurable threat to creativity, productivity, and health. Dr. Vivek Murthy, former U.S. Surgeon General, explains why disconnection erodes workplace performance and why leaders must treat social connection as a strategic priority. Drawing on research and his own experience in public service, Murthy outlines practical ways organizations can foster belonging—from modeling relationship-first leadership to simple, structured storytelling rituals that humanize teams. He also addresses AI companions, youth mental health, and the unintended consequences of social media, challenging leaders to ensure technology augments—not replaces—human relationships. At a time when engagement and retention are at risk, this conversation reframes connection as a leadership imperative. Listen to explore how building community drives both well-being and results. FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization. To learn more, email us at [email protected], visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776