(Ep. 248) Ali Merchant: Go all-in on feedback

IN EPISODE 248:Some people manage by default. The good ones manage by design. In Episode 248, Ali Merchant highlights the ways "all in" managers stand out, especially when it comes to sharing feedback. We discuss practical strategies for improving feedback conversations and positive communication in the workplace. Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned vet, there's a lot of useful tips here that can help you make your next feedback conversation your best one yet.ABOUT ALI MERCHANT:Ali Merchant is the founder of All-In Manager, a leadershipdevelopment company. He's trained thousands of managers and coached hundreds of senior leaders worldwide and is the author of, The All-In Manager: Be a Better Leader Today, Not Someday.

IN EPISODE 247:There's nothing wrong with showing some emotion at work - as long as we do it right. In Episode 247, Claude Silver, the Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, talks about the importance of emotional expression in the workplace. We discuss why showing up authentically can lead to a more human and productive work environment. Claude introduces three pillars of emotional engagement: emotional optimism, emotional bravery, and emotional efficiency, and emphasizes the significance of good citizenship within teams. ABOUT CLAUDE SILVER: Claude Silver is  the Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX where shepartners with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to drive their success. She's the recipient of several awards, including AdWeek's "Changing the Game Award," and has helped organizations like Meta, Google, and the US Armed Forces improvetheir talent and workplace culture. Claude is the author of Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart.

IN EPISODE 246: Humble leaders don't see themselves as better than others - they try to make others better. In Episode 246, former NATO commander Urs Koenig explores the beliefs and behaviors of radical humility and why humble leaders stand out with their approach. We cover lots of ground here, including how to lead relationally and focus on strategy, not tactics; how to build a leadership factory where we train people to leave us; and how to get honest feedback from others without creating fear or friction. Humble leaders are less involved but more relevant - and after listening to Urs, you'll be ready to start practicing radical humility as well. ABOUT URS KOENIG:Urs Koenig is a former United Nations military peacekeeper and NATO military peacekeeping commander, a highly accomplished ultra-endurance champion, a widely published professor, bestselling author, and a seasoned executive coach and keynote speaker. His new book is Radical Humility.

IN EPISODE 245: The best leaders bring out the best in others - something they do by choice, not chance. In Episode 245, Matt Tenney shares a systematic and scalable way to inspire greatness in your team. We discuss the three most important needs of employees; why frequent feedback is more effective than occasional surveys; and how to approach someone who doesn't seem inspired to grow. This episode is packed with practical tips and powerful insights that will inspire you to unlock the greatness in others - and yourself. ABOUT MATT TENNEY:Matt Tenney is the author of three leadership books, including the national bestseller, "Inspire Greatness: How to Motivate Employees with a Simple, Repeatable, Scalable Process." His TED talk on leading with love has been viewed over 1 million times, and he's developed leadership programs for companies like Salesforce, T. Rowe Price, Marriott and United Airlines.

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.