(Ep. 240) Gaming is serious business

IN EPISODE 244:If you want to lead others, start by managing yourself. In Episode 244, Margaret Andrews drops by to explore the practice of self-leadership. We discuss why a lack of self-understanding can derail our career, how to close the knowing-doing gap with feedback and coaching, and how to set and adapt to an organization's cultural beat. ABOUT MARGARET ANDREWS:Margaret C. Andrews is a seasoned executive, academic leader, speaker, and instructor. She has created and teaches a variety of leadership courses and professional and executive programs at Harvard University and is the founder of the MYLO Center, a private leadership development firm. She's worked with Amazon, Citi, Continental, Walmart, Wayfair, and the United Nations, and is the author of Manage Yourself to Lead Others: Why Great Leadership Begins with Self-Understanding.

IN EPISIDE 243:It's time to change the focus of how people feel at work to how they feel about work. In Episode 243, Mark C. Crowley drops by to discuss the importance of employee well-being in the workplace. We explore the limitations of traditional employee engagement strategies, the role of managers in fostering a supportive environment, the need for organizations to measure well-being effectively, and why having friends at work is a crucial driver of employee satisfaction.ABOUT MARK C. CROWLEY:Mark C. Crowley, a pioneer in workplace leadership, speaker, and bestselling author of Lead from the Heart. He is the host of the acclaimed Lead from the Heart podcast and is the author of The Power of Employee Well-Being: Move Beyond Engagement to Build Flourishing Teams.

IN EPISODE 242:The only person who can control your career...is you. In Episode 242, former Barstool Sports CEO Erika Ayers Badan shares stone cold career advice to help you thrive at work. From listening more and talking less, to staying in "fail always" mode, to embracing feedback and change (even when it hurts), you'll learn powerful tips for getting ahead on your own terms. ABOUT ERIKA AYERS BADAN:Erika Ayers Badan  is the CEO of Food52, and wasformerly the CEO of Barstool Sports for eight years.  She has been named one of Forbes' Most Powerful Women in the U.S. in Sports, and she's also the author of Nobody Cares About Your Career.

IN EPISODE 241:Leaders who see around corners have more than good vision - they have a plan. In Episode 241, Rita McGrath drops by to share ways leaders can better prepare for significantchanges in their industries. We discuss the importance of recognizing change signals ("inflection points"), creating early warning systems, and fostering a culture of bottom-up innovation. ABOUT RITA MCGRATH:Rita McGrath is a best-selling author, a sought-after advisor and speaker, and a longtime professor at Columbia Business School. She's one of the world’s top experts on strategy and innovation and is consistently ranked among the top 10management thinkers in the world, including the #1 award for strategy by Thinkers50.  Rita has worked with top executives at some of the world's most admired brands and organizations and is the founder of Valize, a platform that helps companies develop their capacity for innovation. 

IN EPISODE 240:With more than 3 billion global gamers, gaming is no longer a novelty - it's a necessity. In Episode 240, Bastian Bergmann explores the serious business of games. We discuss how gaming has become a strategic tool for brands to engageconsumers, enhance learning experiences, and even support mental health and wellbeing. The future belongs to games, and you need to develop a strategy now or risk getting left behind. ABOUT BASTIAN BERGMANN:Bastian Bergmann is the cofounder and COO of Solsten, a technology startup that empowers companies to create personalized content using AI and psychological data, and is also the founder of Technically Entertaining,  a mediastrategy firm . Before that, Bastian was a strategy consultant at Boston Consulting Group and the founder and CEO of WATTx. His new book is Press Play: Why Every Company Needs a Gaming Strategy.

IN EPISODE 238:We're told that plastics are a threat to our health and environment, but does the science back that up? In Episode 238, Chris DeArmitt shares the misconceptions surrounding plastics and microplastics. He discusses the actual impact of microplastics, the science behind plastic usage, and why bans on plastic products may actually cause more harm than good.ABOUT CHRIS DEARMITT:Dr. Chris DeArmitt is an internationally recognized scientist, author, and thought leader in material science. He's the founder of the Plastics Research Council and the author of two books, The Plastics Paradox, and his latest, Shattering the Plastics Illusion.

IN EPISODE 238:Dr. Christopher Phelps discusses the art and science of ethical persuasion, emphasizing the importance of understanding Cialdini's principles of influence. He highlights common mistakes people make in persuasion, such as failing to secure commitments and the significance of the order of information presented. We also explore the ethical implications of persuasion versus manipulation, how to defend against manipulative practices and why the most persuasive people look for mutual wins. ABOUT CHRISTOPHER PHELPS:Dr. Christopher Phelps is the US CEO of the Cialdini Institute, which trains leaders and organizations around the world in the art and science of ethical persuasion. Chris is general dentist and entrepreneur who built multiple companies focused on dental products and solutions, and is the bestselling author of two books.

IN EPISODE 237:In Episode 237, Richard Simon, author of Unplug, drops by to share his year-long journey of disconnecting from his smartphone. We discuss the motivation behind this drastic decision, the impact on his personal relationships, and practical strategies for others looking to reduce their smartphone dependency. ABOUT RICHARD SIMON:Richard Simon directs website strategy for Georgetown Law School and is a former journalist. He's also the author of a Unplug: How to Break Up with Your Phone and Reclaim Your Life.

IN EPISODE 236:Happiness isn't a pursuit - it's a practice. In Episode 236, Jennifer Moss explores the evolving landscape of work, emphasizing the importance of resilience, happiness, and meaningful experiences in the workplace. We discuss how organizations can foster a culture of well-being and engagement, the significance of building habits that promote happiness, and the need to rethink traditional notions of work-life balance in light of recent changes in the workforce.ABOUT JENNIFER MOSS: Jennifer Moss is an international speaker, award-winning journalist and author, workplace culture strategist, and co-founder of the Work Better Institute, a global workforce policy think tank. Jennifer has shared her insights across thepopular press and in her three books, one of which - Unlocking Happiness at Work - recently released a fully revised and updated 10th anniversary edition.

IN EPISODE 234:The most important thing leaders aren't trained to manage is their reputation. In Episode 234, Charlotte Otter shows how leaders can build and maintain their reputations for personal and organizational success. She discusses ways to build trust and connection through storytelling, stresses the importance of aligning words and actions, and offers tips on how to repair a damaged reputation.ABOUT CHARLOTTE OTTER:Charlotte Otter is an executive communications expert, two-time novelist, former journalist, speaker and advisor. For two decades, she led global communications teamsand today advises a wide range of clients on reputation management, change management and building effective team communication. Her new book is, We NeedNew Leaders: Mastering Reputation Management to Reshape the C-Suite.