80. Transformative Leadership: Harley's Revival - Ken Schmidt

We talk about how leaders can drive and accelerate collaboration in their teams and organizations, with Harvard Professor Dr. Heidi Gardner, author of the Washington Post bestselling book "Smart Collaboration". Some of the takeaways:​To apply smarter collaboration we need deep expertise who are exited, passionate and educated in our area.​We need to find people who have complementary basis of expertise​All successful entrepreneurs are actually heading platforms which contain qualified, passionate and ambitious people who are supporting them.​Dr. Gardner Introduces a tool under “Smart Collaboration” to measure how we identify problems, and how teams can interact to approach that problems.These and much more were discussed in this beneficial conversation.Until the next episode, stay INSPIRED and make the biggest difference in your area of responsibility and beyond.  For any inquiries, please contact [email protected]

My guest in this episode is Richard Jolly. He is Adjunct Professor at London Business School and Director of the organizational consulting firm, Stokes & Jolly Consulting Limited. In this fascinating talk, we explored many leadership topics including organizations being socio-technical systems, how confident organizations make it to success, how strategy work changed, the importance of engaging people, the current status of executive education and corporate learning, and much more. A masterclass in organizational leadership and development with many inspiring stories and examples!Like always, I would appreciate any feedback you have about this episode or the podcast overall. Feel free to reach out to me on  [email protected]. Also, whether you are a leaders of 5 or 5000 people, if you have any challenges driving the development of the capabilities, culture, alignment, engagement or collaboration of your people or simply have challenges implementing strategy or driving change at scale, I am offering a free 30 minutes strategy session. In this session you would get insights which you can apply right away to take your people and organization to the next level.

My guest in this episode is one of my heroes Agility Group Chief Human Capital and Ex CEO of its Government and Defense Business, Ex Commander Toby Switzer. He built and developed one of the largest supply chain contracts, a multi billion organization which was responsible for feeding over one million meal a day. If you toured the warehouses managed under his leadership you would sense the impeccable organization and management and if you walked in the offices you could feel a sense of pride like no other.In this very personal reflection, Toby shares his leadership philosophy and military influence, how he and the team build a great organization and culture focusing on people and delivering exceptional service and excellent bottom line performance.Like always, I would appreciate any feedback you have about this episode or the podcast overall. Feel free to reach out to me on [email protected]. Also, whether you are a leaders of 5 or 5000 people, if you have any challenges driving the development of the capabilities, culture, alignment, engagement or collaboration of your people or simply have challenges implementing strategy or driving change at scale, I am offering a free 30 minutes strategy session. In this session you would get insights which you can apply right away to take your people and organization to the next level.

In this episode, we had a great discussion with Harvard Professor Dr. Heidi Gardner, author of the Washington Post bestselling book "Smart Collaboration". Dr. Gardner’s passion about collaboration is contagious and her extensive research not only proves scientifically the impact of smart collaboration on business results but also gives clarity on how to maximize the talents and behavior tendencies of your team and people during challenging times and beyond. What is the difference between “feel good” collaboration and smart collaboration and how could you, as an organizational leader, drive smarter collaboration in your workplace to maximize your people impact and your organizational performance? Through examples and stories, you will get many insights on these and more! Feel free to check, Dr. Gardner’s Research and Advisory firm Gardener & Co on https://www.gardnerandco.co/ and the smart collaboration accelerator tool on https://smartcollaborationaccelerator.com/ Like always, I would appreciate any feedback you have about this episode or the podcast overall. Feel free to reach out to me on [email protected]. Also, whether you are a leaders of 5 or 5000 people, if you have any challenges driving the development of the capabilities, culture, alignment, engagement or collaboration of your people or simply have challenges implementing strategy or driving change at scale, I am offering a free 30 minutes strategy session. In this session you would get insights which you can apply right away to take your people and organization to the next level.

This episode is a part of series of solo cast episodes, where I talk about balancing career success with personal fulfillment, that requires self-awareness, reflection, and sustainable habits. Some of the key takeaways: Career and personal life need sustainable balance, not perfection. Daily reflection on what brings energy and fulfillment is key. Awareness of overworking triggers helps maintain work-life harmony. Both personal and professional lives should support and fuel each other. These and much more in this episode. Until the next episode, stay INSPIRED and make the biggest difference in your area of responsibility and beyond. For any inquiries, please contact [email protected]

A solo cast episode where I talk about transforming a draining career by boosting energy, nurturing relationships, focusing on impactful tasks, and aligning with personal passion and purpose. Some of the key takeaways: Prioritize Energy: Start your day by investing in physical and mental energy to set a positive tone for work. Nurture Relationships: Build meaningful connections at work to enhance fulfillment and open new opportunities. Focus on High-Impact Tasks: Identify and prioritize important but non-urgent tasks that can drive success. Align with Passion: Reflect on your strengths and purpose to ensure your work aligns with what truly motivates you. These and more in this solo cast episode. Until the next episode, stay INSPIRED and make the biggest difference in your area of responsibility and beyond. For any inquiries, please contact [email protected]

A very special episode with Ken Schmidt who is one of the business world’s most demanded executive advisors and speakers. It explores how Harley-Davidson's former CEO, Richard Teerlink, revitalized the iconic brand through bold leadership and strategic innovation. Some of the key takeaways:
​Effective leadership can drive sustainability and innovation in a company.​Successful turnarounds often involve integrating eco-friendly practices and updating the company’s image.​Strategic focus on new market opportunities and customer engagement is crucial for revitalization.​Visionary leadership can significantly impact the revival of established brands.

These and much more in this special episode.
Until the next episode, stay INSPIRED and make the biggest difference in your area of responsibility and beyond. For any inquiries, please contact [email protected]



This episode explores the essentials of leadership, focusing on the power of influence, self-awareness, and the importance of learning from diverse perspectives, as shared by Jesse Hernandez, a leadership expert and host of the "Learnings and Missteps" podcast. Some of the key takeaways: Influence is key in leadership and can be more powerful than formal authority. Self-awareness is critical for personal growth and effective leadership. Continuous learning and embracing diverse perspectives lead to better decision-making. Leaders should focus on building relationships and understanding their team to drive success. These and much more in this special episode. Until the next episode, stay INSPIRED and make the biggest difference in your area of responsibility and beyond. For any inquiries, please contact [email protected]

In this episode, Wayne England, a senior executive with around 40 years of experience, shares insights on leadership, discussing key lessons from his career, the importance of inquisitiveness, adaptability, and balancing firmness with approachability, as well as strategies for leading change and creating high-performing organizations. Some of the key takeaways: Emphasize the importance of inquisitiveness and adaptability to drive personal and professional growth. Balance humility and firmness to effectively lead and engage diverse teams. Clearly define and communicate the vision and purpose behind change initiatives to ensure alignment and commitment. Foster a high-performing organization by setting clear goals, using the right tools, and maintaining disciplined execution. These and much more in this special episode. Until the next episode, stay INSPIRED and make the biggest difference in your area of responsibility and beyond. For any inquiries, please contact [email protected]

In this episode Adam Klein, managing partner at New Venture West, shares insights on coaching and leadership development, emphasizing the importance of leaders staying resilient, grounded, and intrinsically motivated to inspire and engage their teams effectively amidst an increasingly complex and rapidly changing environment. . Some of the key takeaways: Leaders must stay resilient and grounded to effectively navigate a rapidly changing environment. Intrinsic motivation and inspiration are crucial for leaders to inspire their teams. Effective leadership involves empowering team members and fostering strong relationships. Continuous learning and seeking support are key to successful leadership development. These and much more in this special episode. Until the next episode, stay INSPIRED and make the biggest difference in your area of responsibility and beyond. For any inquiries, please contact [email protected]