Todd Davis: Why Timeless Leadership Principles Still Win at Work

As leaders reset priorities for a new year, Todd Davis argues that progress doesn’t come from chasing trends—it comes from applying timeless principles with discipline. Drawing on three decades at FranklinCovey, Davis explains why Begin with the End in Mind and Put First Things First remain foundational for leaders navigating silos, hybrid work, and rising employee expectations. He challenges the idea that generational differences fundamentally change leadership, making the case that people still want the same things: trust, meaning, growth, and recognition. The conversation also explores why private victory must precede public victory, how weekly planning builds credibility, and why feedback only works when leaders make it safe to tell the truth. Listen now to revisit the leadership fundamentals that still drive results.   Level up your leadership and make every message count with proven communication strategies. Download our guide: From Misunderstood to Magnetic: A Leader’s Guide to Clear Communication. https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-misunderstood-to-magnetic?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   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

Conflict is unavoidable at work—but avoiding it is often the bigger risk. Amy Gallo, bestselling author and Harvard Business Review expert, reframes conflict as a leadership advantage rather than a failure. She explains why resolving tension at the lowest level builds trust, how leaders accidentally undermine team culture by stepping in too soon, and why “feeling good” is the wrong metric for a successful difficult conversation. Drawing on research, real workplace scenarios, and her book Getting Along, Gallo offers practical guidance for navigating passive-aggressive behavior, insecure managers, and high-stakes disagreements. The conversation challenges the instinct to prioritize harmony over honesty and makes a clear case: teams that handle conflict well are stronger, more resilient, and more effective. Listen now to learn how to turn workplace tension into progress.   Gain insight into your conversation style and learn how to navigate conversations authentically and effectively with our Difficult Conversation Assement: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-difficult-conversati?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   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

Trust is not a soft value—it’s a force multiplier. Drawing on decades leading elite military units and advising global organizations, Gen. Stanley McChrystal argues that excessive controls, approvals, and safeguards are often signs of distrust—and they quietly cripple performance. In this conversation with Will Houghteling, McChrystal unpacks how trust is built through repeated interaction, proven competence, and shared context, not slogans or policies. He explains why modern organizations must replace rigid hierarchies with shared consciousness, how leaders can empower faster decision-making without losing accountability, and why underinvesting in leadership development carries long-term costs. From battlefield lessons to boardroom realities, this episode challenges leaders to rethink how trust, communication, and character drive execution at scale. Listen now to explore what it really takes to lead effectively in complexity and uncertainty.   Climbing the leadership ladder isn’t just about strategy—it’s about connection. Strengthen your communication skills with our latest guide: From Misunderstood to Magnetic: A Leader’s Guide to Clear Communication. https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-misunderstood-to-magnetic?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   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

Former Procter & Gamble CEO AG Lafley explains why enduring performance depends on treating even the most established business as an “eternal restart”—constantly innovating, pruning distractions, and staying grounded in real customer behavior rather than stated preference. Drawing on decades leading one of the world’s largest consumer companies, he outlines how organizations can sharpen strategic choices, build ambidextrous cultures, and simplify management systems to execute with consistency. Lafley also details P&G’s shift toward open innovation, its rigorous process for exiting underperforming categories, and the leadership behaviors required to create competitive advantage at scale. Listen now to explore how leaders can refocus resources, empower teams closest to the customer, and cultivate innovation that actually reaches the market.   Everyone agrees that leadership matters. But in the rush of competing priorities—in the whirlwind of data, deadlines, and deliverables—it’s easy to lose sight of just how much it matters. Download our new guide, Where are all the Great Leaders, to learn more: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-where-are-all-the-great-leaders?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   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  

Bestselling author and workplace equity expert Minda Harts outlines the seven trust languages from her book Talk to Me Nice and explains why trust must be treated as a daily leadership practice—not a corporate initiative. She shares how transparency, acknowledgment, security, and follow-through shape whether teams feel respected and safe enough to contribute their best work. Harts also challenges leaders to examine power dynamics, close expectation gaps, and recognize the influence middle managers hold in shaping culture. Minda shares data connecting trust to productivity, retention, and reduced anxiety, and offers practical ways to rebuild trust even in organizations facing uncertainty. This conversation will teach you how to build trust through clearer expectations, better communication, and consistent follow-through.   Across industries and institutions, leadership is being hollowed out by scandal, short-termism, and a dangerous obsession with optics over integrity. Download our latest insights report, Where are all the great leaders?, and seize opportunity in an era of erosion: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-great-leader-insight-report?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   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

Bestselling author and longtime Guardian columnist Oliver Burkeman brings decades of research into time, focus, and the psychology of meaning to challenge the belief that control and optimization lead to fulfillment. Drawing on ideas from Four Thousand Weeks and Meditations for Mortals, he explores why accepting our finite time, letting go of unrealistic expectations, and turning toward discomfort can create deeper focus and purpose. Burkeman contrasts the fantasy of “superyacht control” with the reality of navigating life in a “kayak,” where uncertainty is constant but agency remains. He offers practical ways leaders can prioritize what matters, make peace with tradeoffs, and cultivate a more grounded presence amid overwhelm. Listen now to explore how acknowledging limits can become a powerful source of clarity and effectiveness.   Level up skills like productivity, effectiveness, and trust to thrive alongside advancing technology. Download our guide Elevating Human Skills in the Age of AI: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-elevating-human-skills?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   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

Stanford lecturer in Organizational Behavior and communication expert Matt Abrahams explains why strong leadership depends on clarity, intention, and genuine connection. He breaks down practical tools—like his “What? So What? Now What?” structure—that help people speak effectively under pressure and avoid the traps of over-preparation, memorization, and audience neglect. Abrahams also offers concrete methods to manage speaking anxiety, craft messages that resonate, and become more “audience-obsessed” in everyday conversations. The discussion goes beyond presentations, covering small talk, one-on-ones, and how leaders can create trust through presence and active listening. Listen now to learn communication habits you can put to work immediately.   Discover how to replace confusion with clarity and turn every message you deliver into aligned, confident action across your team. Download our guide: From Misunderstood to Magnetic: A Leader’s Guide to Clear Communication. https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-misunderstood-to-magnetic?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   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

In this FranklinCovey Impact Conference panel, host Will Houghteling explores how artificial intelligence is transforming leadership and work with Henry Deng of Google, Sumeet Chabria of ThoughtLinks, and Kathi Enderes of the Josh Bersin Company. The discussion tackles how leaders can harness AI to amplify human potential, not replace it—focusing on trust, adaptability, and ethical decision-making. From McDonald’s reimagining hiring to Google’s use of generative AI for workflow design, the panel highlights the skills leaders need to thrive: curiosity, communication, and courage to rethink the role of technology. Press play to learn how to balance efficiency with humanity and lead teams confidently through AI-driven change.   Level up skills like productivity, effectiveness, and trust to thrive alongside advancing technology. Download our guide Elevating Human Skills in the Age of AI: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-elevating-human-skills?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   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

Former Home Depot CEO Frank Blake shares how an “inverted pyramid” mindset reshaped one of America’s largest retailers. In this candid conversation, Blake explains why true leadership begins by serving those closest to the customer—and how listening deeply, celebrating frontline excellence, and simplifying communication drive lasting results. He reflects on lessons from Ronald Reagan and Jack Welch, explores the balance between humility and accountability, and offers practical guidance for managers stepping into leadership for the first time. From navigating crises to shaping culture through recognition, Blake reveals how leaders can align purpose, people, and performance. Watch or listen to this conversation to learn how to build teams that thrive from the ground up.   Across industries and institutions, leadership is being hollowed out by scandal, short-termism, and a dangerous obsession with optics over integrity. Download our latest insights report, Where are all the great leaders?, and seize opportunity in an era of erosion: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-great-leader-insight-report?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   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

Economist and author Tyler Cowen explores what makes founders uniquely capable of leading transformative organizations. He discusses the concept of “founder energy”—the authority, credibility, and institutional capital that empower visionaries like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg to make bold pivots when others can’t. Cowen examines how leadership legitimacy differs between founders and hired CEOs, and why adaptability, decision speed, and conviction are critical in times of change. He also reflects on how leaders can build influence without formal authority by earning trust and creating value in their organizations. Watch this conversation to learn how to harness founder-like energy to drive innovation and resilience.   For most organizations, disruption has moved from a distant “black swan”–style risk to a permanent operating condition. Download our latest guide, From Shock to Strategic Advantage to learn how leaders convert disruption into opportunity: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-convert-disruption?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   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