2025 Listener Favorite: A Fresh Approach to Strategy with Seth Godin

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.   As we approach the end of the year, I'm pausing to look back and celebrate all of the wonderful guests that I had the honor of speaking to on the show. And based on your feedback, many of these guests resonated with you as well so we're giving you another chance to revisit the stories, insights, and lessons you loved most in 2025!   This week, I'm excited to highlight an episode with Seth Godin.   Seth is a dear friend who I met in 2001 through his book Purple Cow, which is one of my all-time favorite books. Along the way, Seth has always been a great supporter of me and my career. Today, I'm eager to discuss Seth's latest book, This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans.    THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone who wants a fresh perspective on leadership and strategy.      TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…strategy isn't a lofty document or annual exercise. It's a compass guiding every decision you make. Seth challenges the conventional idea of strategy as static and instead frames it as a dynamic, iterative process of becoming. He shares nuggets of wisdom from his new book, which he says is a love letter for the people he cares about.     KEY TAKEAWAYS…  - Fear is often the thing that holds people back from making bold decisions.  - False proxies, like easy-to-measure but irrelevant metrics, can misguide your focus.  - The best leaders inspire action by focusing on the "why" behind their strategies.    WHAT I LOVE MOST…Seth's thoughts on practical empathy. He says it's easy to become attached to something because you've worked hard on it. Practical empathy is understanding your audience and imagining what they need, even if that means reinventing your offerings. It's a call to lead with both courage and care.     Running Time: 29:45    Subscribe on iTunes    Find Tiffani Online:  LinkedIn  Facebook       Find Seth Online:  Website   LinkedIn   Seth's Book:   The Corporate Startup 

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.    I'm excited to welcome Lynn Smith to the show this week. She is a media and communications expert who helps high-level leaders turn pressure into presence. A former anchor for NBC News, MSNBC, and CNN Headline News, she now coaches Fortune 500 executives, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs to become magnetic communicators.    THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone who wants to communicate with more confidence. If you've ever felt held back by self-doubt, overthinking, or fear of saying the wrong thing, this episode will give you the tools to move forward.   TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…most people think communication is about what you say, but it's really about how you show up. In this conversation, Lynn breaks down the biggest barrier standing between leaders and effective communication: fear. Fear of being judged, misunderstood, or getting it wrong. Lynn shares how to manage that internal narrative, build a magnetic presence, and communicate with clarity in high-pressure environments.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Your presence speaks before you do.  Communication isn't about words, it's the package the words come in.  Clarity is a leader's superpower. Before any big communication moment, ask: What do I want my audience to think and feel after hearing me? You are a walking billboard for your brand. Every meeting, Zoom call, or hallway interaction signals who you are and how you lead.   WHAT I LOVE MOST…Lynn's reminder that fear is universal, even for people at the very top. She works with wildly successful CEOs and executives, and yet the biggest hurdle she sees isn't capability or content, it's the internal voice telling them they're not ready, not good enough, or one mistake away from failing. It's an empowering reframing: fear isn't a flaw, it's something you can work with and ultimately turn into an advantage.   Running Time: 35:24   Subscribe on iTunes     Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X    Find Lynn Online: LinkedIn   Lynn's Book: Just Keep Going

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.      This week I am excited to share a replay of a conversation I had with Mitch Lowe. Mitch was one of the early pioneers in the movie rental industry opening video rental stores in the early 1980's. In the late 90's Mitch joined Marc Randolph and Reed Hastings at Netflix as the video industry expert and led many of the partnerships that drove new subscribers to join Netflix. Mitch left Netflix in 2003 after a very successful IPO and joined the business development team at McDonalds Ventures to build a DVD evening machine business called Redbox. Mitch served as its COO and President for 8 years, growing the company from $36k in first-year revenue to over $1.5B in revenue 8 years later. Today Mitch invests in startups and gives inspirational speeches around the world to corporations, conferences, and students.    THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… executives, managers, founders of small and large organizations – anyone looking to hear from someone who has been part of one of the biggest disruption stories in the new digital age.   TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE… Mitch shares his proven experience and tips on how to become more innovative and disruptive in your own organization. What should you do and when? Mitch shares how you can identify a need on the frontlines of your customer base and use that data to create a company that truly addresses that need.   WHAT I LOVE MOST… I get to chat with an innovator whose work I covered in my own book, and I love the concept of the order and sequence in which you do things! Mitch gives you actionable items you can implement Monday Morning to start making that progress.   Running time: 32:48    Subscribe on iTunes    Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X   Find Mitch Online: LinkedIn Website

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.    I'm excited to welcome Richard Fain to the show this week. He served as Royal Caribbean Group CEO for over three decades, leading its transformation from a small Norwegian company with three ships that held just over 700 passengers each into one of the world's largest and most profitable cruise lines with over 60 ships, including Icon of the Seas, the world's largest that carries 7,600 passengers and costs $2 billion to build. He is here to talk about his amazing book, Delivering the Wow: Culture as Catalyst for Lasting Success.    THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone leading teams or organizations who wants to understand how culture drives lasting success.    TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…culture isn't about slogans on the wall, it's about the daily choices that shape how people feel about their work. In this episode, Richard Fain shares how he built a company culture that transformed cruising into an unforgettable experience for both guests and employees. From connecting employee bonuses to engagement metrics to turning feedback into a continuous improvement engine, Richard's insights show how culture can truly become your greatest competitive advantage.   KEY TAKEAWAYS: You don't inherit a great culture; you create it by reinforcing the right behaviors every day. When people care about their work, they perform better—and that passion becomes contagious. Real-time insights from customers and employees turn good companies into great ones.   WHAT I LOVE MOST…Richard's reminder that culture is self-sustaining when people genuinely care. You can't mandate engagement. It grows naturally when individuals see their impact, feel heard, and take pride in creating "wow" moments for others.   Running Time: 31:30   Subscribe on iTunes     Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X    Find Richard Online: LinkedIn   Richard's Book: Delivering the Wow: Culture as Catalyst for Lasting Success

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.    I'm thrilled to welcome Phil Gilbert to the show today. He is IBM's former General Manager of Design, where he helped transform one of the most traditional companies in the world into a global design thinking powerhouse. In his new book, Irresistible Change, he pulls back the curtain on how he did it.   THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…leaders and innovators who want to spark meaningful change in their organizations. If you're trying to turn great ideas into action and scale creativity across teams, this episode will challenge how you think about transformation.   TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…change is inevitable but how you lead it determines whether your organization thrives or stalls. Phil shares how he helped one of the most traditional companies in the world reinvent itself from the inside out. In this conversation, Phil explains how to build a culture that listens instead of dictates, why mandates fail, and how "every day is a prototype" when you're leading transformation.   KEY TAKEAWAYS: Transformation succeeds when it's treated like a product, not a mandate. Sustainable change starts with small, willing teams that create momentum. Design thinking isn't about becoming a designer, it's about empathy and experimentation. Culture drives outcomes more than any single tool or technology. Every day and every idea is a prototype for what's next.   WHAT I LOVE MOST…Phil's reminder that meaningful change doesn't come from top-down directives. It comes from people who are empowered to experiment, collaborate, and learn.    Running Time: 28:23   Subscribe on iTunes     Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X    Find Phil Online: LinkedIn Website   Phil's Book: Irresistible Change: A Blueprint for Earning Buy-In and Breakout Success

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.     This week, I'm looking back on a conversation I shared with Adam Kingl. Adam is an author and keynote speaker who educates future leaders on culture, purpose, team dynamics, the future of work, creativity, strategic innovation, management innovation, and the generational paradigms of work and leadership. He is Adjunct Faculty at Ashridge – Hult International Business School. He was the Regional Managing Director, Europe, for Duke Corporate Education and the Executive Director of Thought Leadership and Learning Solutions for London Business School.     THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…managers, leaders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and anyone recruiting and/or managing young professionals!   TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…for the first time in history, there are five generations of workers in the workforce. How you recruit, manage, enable, and retain new generations of workers is critical to the success of your organization. Without happy employees, you won't have happy customers. Adam helps us navigate this most critical frontier, focusing on Gen Y.   WHAT I LOVE MOST…hearing what Gen Y thinks, thinking about how we invest in talent moving forward, and even how we handle losing and rehiring talent in the future!   Running time: 33:38    Subscribe on iTunes    Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X   Find Adam Online: LinkedIn X  Adam's Website   Adam's Book: Next Generation Leadership

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.    This week, I'm joined by Goldie Chan, who has been called the Oprah of LinkedIn. When LinkedIn first launched its native video, Goldie began posting daily short videos and has built one of the platform's longest-running video series. Goldie's videos feature a mix of personal branding and storytelling, thoughtful advice and generous spotlights on others. She's a storyteller, strategist, and a generous voice in the creator community. And now she's helping a whole new audience with her latest book, Personal Branding for Introverts, which comes out in October 2025. We're diving into how you can build influence quietly, confidently, on your own terms.   THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone looking to grow their influence or build a personal brand, especially if you identify as an introvert or ambivert.   TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…you don't have to be the loudest voice in the room to have influence. Goldie Chan built a thriving community and career by showing that consistency, curiosity, and authenticity can be more powerful than volume. In this conversation, she shares how introverts can thrive in spaces that often reward extroversion.   KEY TAKEAWAYS: The real secret to personal branding isn't noise, it's consistency and credibility. Influence doesn't require extroversion, but it does require self-awareness and clarity. Strategic silence can be a leader's superpower in meetings and creative discussions. Confidence often starts with physical presence. Goldie shares some practical tips.   WHAT I LOVE MOST…Goldie's reminder that credibility doesn't come from being everywhere. It comes from being yourself consistently. Her story demonstrates that authenticity and quiet confidence can be just as powerful as a bold approach.   Running Time: 27:53   Subscribe on iTunes     Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X    Find Goldie Online: LinkedIn Website   Goldie's Book:  Personal Branding for Introverts

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.    This week, I'm honored to have a fellow Thinker50 on the show with me. Ranjay Gulati is a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School. His pioneering work focuses on unlocking organizational and individual potential, embracing courage, nurturing purpose-driven leaders, driving growth, and transforming businesses. He is a management scholar and he holds a PhD from Harvard University and a Master's degree from MIT. He is the author of Deep Purpose, which was published in 2022. And now he has a new book out called How to Be Bold.   THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone who wants to live and lead with more courage, even in the presence of fear.    TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…have you ever wondered why some people seem naturally fearless while others freeze up in the face of uncertainty? Believe it or not, courage isn't something you're born with. It's something anybody can learn. In this episode, Ranjay draws on research and stories from his new book to share practical ways anyone can build support systems that strengthen courage and reframe fear as a signal for growth, not retreat.   KEY TAKEAWAYS: Fear comes from uncertainty and a loss of control, which is a very normal, human feeling. You can "act your way into knowing" by taking small, deliberate steps forward. Support networks (moral, emotional, and informational) help you move through fear. The key to courage is purpose. It gives fear direction and meaning.   WHAT I LOVE MOST…Ranjay's reminder that courage is a decision and not a personality trait. You don't have to wait to "feel ready" before taking action. The act of moving forward, even one small step at a time, is what builds boldness.   Running Time: 29:41   Subscribe on iTunes     Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X    Find Ranjay Online: LinkedIn Website   Ranjay's Book: How to Be Bold

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.    This week, I'm joined by Robert Glazer. Robert is a #1 Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and international bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and the founder of Acceleration Partners, a $50M global partner marketing agency known for its award-winning culture. He is also the creator of Friday Forward, a weekly inspirational newsletter read by over 200,000 professionals in 60+ countries. And he has a new book out called The Compass Within.   THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…leaders, founders, and professionals who want to align their decisions with their core values and lead with greater clarity and authenticity.   TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…in fast-moving and uncertain times, it's easy to get pulled in different directions. Robert Glazer believes the antidote is grounding yourself in your values. Your "compass within" not only guides your personal and professional choices but also determines how you lead, build trust, and shape culture. By knowing what truly drives you, you'll make better decisions, connect more deeply with others, and avoid environments that drain your energy.   KEY TAKEAWAYS… Your values act as a blueprint for better decisions at work and in life. Leaders unconsciously lead from their values—knowing them makes you more effective. High-performing teams thrive when individuals share and honor their core values. Self-awareness is the foundation for authentic leadership and sustainable growth.   WHAT I LOVE MOST…Robert's reminder that many of us only realize our values when they're crossed—what he calls the "electric fence test." By identifying them earlier, we can make intentional choices that help us thrive instead of simply reacting when something feels wrong.   Running Time: 24:25   Subscribe on iTunes     Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X    Find Robert Online: LinkedIn Website   Robert's Book: The Compass Within: A Little Story About the Values That Guide Us   The Six Core Values Questions

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.     This week, I'm reflecting on a conversation I had a while back with the delightful and purpose-driven Raj Sisodia. Raj is the FW Olin Distinguished Professor of Global Business and Whole Foods Market Research Scholar in Conscious Capitalism at Babson College, and Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of Conscious Capitalism Inc. He has a Ph. D. in Marketing from Columbia University and has published eleven books. He was named one of "Ten Outstanding Trailblazers of 2010" by Good Business International, and one of the "Top 100 Thought Leaders in Trustworthy Business Behavior" by Trust Across America for 2010 and 2011. He is on the Board of Directors at The Container Store and a trustee of Conscious Capitalism Inc.    THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…people searching for their personal purpose in the work they do each day.   TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…in this episode, Raj uncovers the unmet need for conscious capitalism in contemporary business. We discuss ethics in business and marketing, purpose, value, and true happiness. This is not something mutually exclusive from business and capitalism, but the way Raj explains it, something that is vitally a part of the business ecosystem and indispensable to building a worthwhile and successful brand.   WHAT I LOVE MOST…Raj's journey from marketing to uncovering a true passion that seeks to make business more conscientious, impactful and valuable to society.   Running time: 30:08   Subscribe on iTunes    Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X   Find Raj Online: LinkedIn Website   Raj's Books: The Healing Organization Conscious Capitalism Field Guide Firms of Endearment Everybody Matters