Take Command: A Leadership Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Meet Richard Edelman, the president and CEO of Edelman Communications, a global marketing firm. Richard’s life was on the right track from an early age. Then, just one month before graduating from Harvard Business School and with a plan to work as an assistant product manager at Playtex, Richard’s father called and asked him to work for the family business. Forty-six years later, Richard is now the proud head of this world-renowned, family-owned business. “I haven't just loved it. I've thrived in it,” he says. While he’s made some mistakes along the way, Richard reminds us that “If you don't try and fail forward, you'll never get ahead.”

What You Will Learn:

• Why every action and person should be measured by ability, dependability, integrity, and purpose
• How humble leadership adds to self-confidence
• The most underrated aspect of creating and maintaining a broad network
• Insights into leading from the front and how that inspires trust

Join us for this insightful episode, where you’ll learn the best-kept secrets to leadership from a man who has led a successful global communications firm for decades. Richard draws on Dale Carnegie’s principles in his work, saying that Carnegie teaches the “forging of close personal ties that matters more than ever.” Richard’s advice will leave you inspired and ready to become who you’ve always wanted to be. Listen today, and you’ll be a better leader tomorrow.

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About the Guest:

Meet Sharon Price John, President and CEO of Build-a-Bear Workshop and an all-around powerhouse of a woman. Sharon dives deep into her roots to guide who she is today. Coming from a small town, she felt restricted and couldn’t wait to get out and go to college (the first in her family to do so). But she also says, “I didn't really start growing until I made peace with the value that the small-town experience had created for me.” 

Today, Sharon uses her skills and empathy to connect consumers with precious moments and inspire Build-a-Bear’s workers to live the company’s mission. Of course, her path hasn’t always been smooth, but as she says, “Everybody's journey has ups and downs…It's not that you have those, it's what you do with them.” And Sharon has done a lot. In addition to leading Build-a-Bear to peak success, her first book—Stories and Heart: Unlock the Power of Personal Stories to Create a Life You Love—is available on Amazon. 

What You Will Learn:

• Strategies for overcoming limiting thoughts
• Insights into why we tend to take the scenic route to our dreams
• Lessons in why ignoring the odds is sometimes the best way to beat them
• Reminders for why leadership should never be considered a “burden”

Join us for Sharon’s episode to learn more about how she took Build-a-Bear from a $49 million annual loss to their most profitable years ever. Her thoughts on social responsibility, communication skills, and empathy will transform the way you look at leadership and your responsibility to people and future generations. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the great Sharon Price John.

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About the Guest:

Meet Suzanne Sutter Chesnutt, a dynamic leader with a rich corporate leadership, philanthropy, and organizational development background. Suzanne's illustrious career culminated in her role as the CEO of Things Remembered, overseeing a massive 650-store organization. Her journey is characterized by a deep commitment to leadership development and significant contributions to charitable endeavors, particularly with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Since 2014, Suzanne has served as a Dale Carnegie Board Member.

What You Will Learn:

• Effective leadership strategies from a former CEO of a multi-store organization.
• The role of social responsibility in business and its impact on organizational success.
• The transformative power of personal and organizational change.
• Charitable endeavors and leadership development insights from a Dale Carnegie Board Member.

Join us for this enlightening event where you'll gain insights into effective leadership from a seasoned CEO. Discover the importance of social responsibility in business and the transformative power of personal and organizational change. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Suzanne's wealth of experience and wisdom.

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About the Guests:

Christina Dorr Drake & Rusty Drake are the co-founders of Willa’s Organic Oat Milk since 2020. The couple juggled launching their product while simultaneously navigating Christina's breast cancer diagnosis and facing the COVID-19 pandemic. This episode features Rusty, a former filmmaker & Dale Carnegie master trainer turned entrepreneur, and Christina, an advertiser, a resilient cancer survivor, a well-being enthusiast, and an entrepreneur. Together, they share their journey of self-care, entrepreneurship, resilience, and growth, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way.

What You Will Learn:

Communication Skills in Entrepreneurship: Rusty, drawing from his Dale Carnegie training background and experience, emphasizes the critical role of clear, frequent, and honest communication in entrepreneurship. Discover how effective communication impacts negotiation, sales relationships, and team leadership in the day-to-day operations of a global brand.

Relationship Building in Sales: Rusty delves into the heart of his approach to sales, highlighting the importance of relationships. As Head of Sales at Willas, Rusty uses his Dale Carnegie communication and sales skills to navigate various industries, mastering the unique "language" of different stakeholders. Learn how building connections and friendships is the key to success in diverse markets.

Resilience and Personal Agency: Hear Christina's inspiring story of confronting breast cancer head-on. She shares her perspective on taking ownership of her treatment plan, maintaining agency in the face of a challenging diagnosis, and turning adversity into strength. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder to flip the script and find empowerment in difficult times.

Self-Care Culture in Entrepreneurship: Both Rusty and Christina emphasize the importance of mental health, therapy, and coaching for themselves, their teams, and their business. They discuss their commitment to adding self-care sessions to busy work calendars. Discover how prioritizing mental and physical health contributes to a stronger foundation for both personal well-being and business success.

Asking for Help and Empowering Teams: Starting a business is challenging and demanding. Rusty and Christina share the importance of asking questions and seeking mentorship and help. Learn about the value of hiring experts to complement your skills and foster a sense of empowerment within your team. They highlight the power of collaboration, delegating tasks, and the strength that comes from learning and problem-solving together.

Summary of the Story:

Amidst the challenges of a global pandemic and a personal health crisis, Christina Dorr Drake and Rusty Drake not only launched a successful product but also built a resilient business. From effective communication to relationship building, resilience, and prioritizing self-care, their journey offers a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs and a testament to the strength that can arise from facing adversity with determination and grace.

Join us to learn how Christina & Rusty successfully navigate family entrepreneurship, from self-care to team synergy, and collective growth!

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About the Guest:

Niren Chaudhary is the CEO & Chairman of the Board of Panera Brands, one of the world's largest fast-casual restaurant companies. With prior roles as President of Krispy Kreme and 23 years at Yum! Brands, including the Global President of KFC, his leadership is unparalleled. Fluent in four languages, he supports DKMS, a leading non-profit with the world’s largest stem cell donor registry.

What will You Learn:

Chaudhary offers a leadership framework based on his experience with four core elements: courage, gratitude, generosity, and congruency.

1. Courage: Focus on what you can control, not on external circumstances.
2. Gratitude: Start each day with appreciation for what you have, rather than dwelling on losses.
3. Generosity: Embrace a generous heart, seeking opportunities to serve others.
4. Congruency: Align your thoughts, feelings, words, and actions to present a consistent version of yourself.

Become self-aware of our strengths: Caution against overplaying strengths, which can become weaknesses. 

As a lover of people, Chaudhary acknowledges the potential pitfalls of trust and decision-making. To counterbalance, he encourages leaders to surround themselves with truth-tellers who provide honest feedback. 

As a lifelong learner, Chaudhary advises against excessive ideation without implementation. A strong leadership team helps maintain focus and holds leaders accountable.

Chaudhary’s wisdom: "Don't solely develop competence; invest time in deepening your character, committing to your values and principles."

Interview Summary:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Niren Chaudhary, Chairman of Panera Brands, discovered the profound privilege that comes with leadership. Quickly mobilizing his team, they prioritized the health and safety of both team members and customers. Recognizing the significance of clear and simple messaging, as well as the need for a calm demeanor, the company embraced the pandemic as an "unprecedented opportunity to get stronger and better."

Chaudhary acknowledges that throughout his career managing hotels and holding key positions in renowned food brands, two defining moments in his personal life have shaped him profoundly: the loss of his eight-year-old and 18-year-old daughters. His older daughter Aisha's courageous response to a five-year life expectancy continues to inspire him. Aisha wrote a book, delivered TedTalks, and became the inspiration for movies like "The Sky is Pink" and "Black Sunshine."

Join us and listen to Niren's leadership insights on leading with courage, gratitude, generosity, and congruency. Be self-aware to not overplay our strengths and present one version of ourselves.

Show notes:

Panera Brands

"The Sky is Pink" 

"Black Sunshine Baby"

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About the Guest:

Alvaro Nuñez Alfaro, originally from Madrid, Spain, found himself drawn to the world of tennis at an early age. His dreams of becoming a professional tennis player laid the foundation for his resilient and adventurous spirit. Graduating as a valedictorian student,Alvaro used his proficiency in tennis as a lever to secure a scholarship in the U.S., kickstarting a journey that would transcend sports and lead him into the dynamic realm of entrepreneurship. He is the founder & CEO of the real-estate company Super Luxury Group in Miami, FL, bestselling author of “Level Up”, based in Miami, FL.

Beyond the business suit, Alvaro is a risk-taker with a penchant for adventure and extreme hobbies—someone who has jumped out of airplanes, flown helicopters, and conquered ultra-marathons and Ironman competitions. His story is not just about business; it's about embracing challenges head-on and turning setbacks into stepping stones for personal and professional growth.

He was recently named the “Best Health Influencer of the Year” by Influencers Insider.

What You Will Learn:

• The Power of Passion and Leverage: Discover how Alvaro navigated a career shift by leveraging his passion for tennis, turning it into a catalyst for personal and professional growth.
• Innovative Approaches to Business: Explore Alvaro's visionary strategies, including influencer marketing before its mainstream popularity, and understand how these approaches contributed to the success of his luxury real estate business.
• Aligning Values with Business Success: Understand the importance of aligning personal values with entrepreneurial endeavors, and how courage, resilience, and fearlessness played pivotal roles in Alvaro's life and career journey.

Interview Summary:

Alvaro Nuñez invites us into his world, from the tennis courts of Madrid to the creation of Super Luxury Group, a formidable player in the luxury real estate market. His narrative unfolds with moments of setback, resilience, and strategic innovation. 

Join us to gain valuable insights from Alvaro's journey that goes beyond business and get a glimpse into the life of an adventurous, passionate, and forward-thinking individual. Learn how you can leverage your passion, develop an innovative approach to business, and align your values to business success.

Take Command and Level up your life now!

Additional Assets:

Website: https://alvaronunez.com/

IG:  @alvaronunez

Book: Level Up: Turning Your Obstacles into Superpowers

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About the Guest:

Chris Winton, from his early days in Memphis, initially struggled with his academic performance while juggling two jobs to support his family. However, an internship through the InRoads program at FedEx altered the trajectory of his life. This opportunity ultimately led him to become a key figure in both FedEx and Tesla, gaining profound insights from iconic CEOs Fred Smith and Elon Musk.

What Will You Learn?

• Authenticity in Leadership: Winton emphasizes the importance of authenticity in interactions, particularly in job interviews and leadership roles, encouraging genuine conversations over scripted responses.
• Setting Personal Goals: Addressing the challenge of decision-making in a world of endless choices, Winton advises setting clear personal goals as the starting point for a successful career journey.
• Mentorship and Humility: Highlighting the significance of giving and receiving support, Winton shares a mentor's lesson about the metaphorical image of "He Ain’t Heavy," stressing the value of seeking knowledge and humility in leadership.
• Preparation and Passion: From his journey to the C-Suite, Winton advocates doing thorough homework and cultivating a deep passion for the work, emphasizing that success requires dedication and an unwavering commitment to learning.

Story Summary:

Chris Winton's journey from a teenager in Memphis to influential roles in major corporations like FedEx and Tesla showcases the transformative power of opportunities. His experiences underline the pivotal lessons learned from mentors and CEOs, shaping his beliefs about authenticity in leadership, setting goals, fostering mentorship, and the importance of preparation and passion in achieving success. Winton's insights reflect a blend of personal growth and professional development, emphasizing the essence of authenticity, goal-setting, mentorship, and dedication in carving one's path to success in both life and business.

Join us to learn Chris’ insights on authentic leadership, setting goals, mentoring with humanity, and preparing with passion.

Thought Leadership Segment:

In today's 'Thought Leadership Spotlight' segment, Daren Howard, Managing Partner for Dale Carnegie Training Mid-South, guest underscores the importance of aligning with your leader's direction and recognizing the significance of servant leadership within your organization. Much like Chris Winton, our guest underscores that forging personal connections is the key to rallying people to your cause, with no limits to where they will follow.

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Who is Deena Ghazarian?

Deena Ghazarian is a former retail executive at Macy's who has transitioned into a tech executive and is currently the CEO of Austere, an award-winning technology accessories company. She is also the co-founder of Chloe Nickie, a women's shoe business that provides higher-end brands at reasonable prices and donates a significant portion of its profits to support autism spectrum disorders

What will you learn?

1. The Value of Listening and Collaboration: Deena Ghazarian highlights the importance of actively listening to others before making significant decisions. Takeaway: Actively engaging in conversations and seeking input from others can lead to more informed and successful choices.

2. Building a Strong Professional Network:  Deena emphasizes that her network has consistently led to career opportunities and advises against burning bridges. Takeaway: Nurturing and maintaining professional relationships can open doors to various opportunities and should be treated as an asset.

3. Being a Servant Leader and Mentor: Deena promotes mentoring others regardless of their age or experience, fostering a culture of mentorship. Takeaway: Mentoring not only fulfills but also helps individuals become better leaders and peers, fostering personal and professional growth for both mentors and mentees.

4. Embracing Leadership and Entrepreneurship: Deena's journey from fashion to technology leadership illustrates the transformative power of leadership and entrepreneurship. Takeaway: A willingness to adapt and seize opportunities, even in different industries, can lead to personal and professional growth, as well as the creation of innovative ventures.

Story Summary:

Deena Ghazarian's career journey took her from the fashion world as a retail executive at Macy's to becoming a tech executive and the CEO of Austere, a technology accessories company. She co-founded Chloe Nickie, a women's shoe business that supports autism spectrum disorders through its profits. Deena emphasizes the significance of listening to others, building a strong network, and being a mentor, regardless of age or experience, to achieve personal and professional growth. She encourages individuals to embrace the power of leadership and entrepreneurship.

Join us and listen to Deena’s experience and insights about the importance of open communication, networking, mentorship, and adaptability in our career journey.

Dale Carnegie Thought Leadership Segment:

Melissa Marshall, President of Dale Carnegie North Dakota & Northwest Minnesota, embodies servant leadership and resilience, drawing inspiration from a profound Dale Carnegie quote: "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." Much like Deena, Melissa emphasizes that during difficult times, we can overcome adversity and positively influence both ourselves and those around us.  Adopt a positive mindset, accept adversity with confidence, and look for opportunities.

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1. Who is Vala Afshar?

Vala Afshar is a prominent figure in the world of technology and digital transformation. He currently serves as the Chief Digital Evangelist for Salesforce, a leading international CRM software company. Vala has a remarkable life story that began with the Iranian revolution in 1979. At the age of 10, he and his family needed to immigrate to the United States as refugees, separated from his father. Vala's journey to this influential position is marked by his resilience and dedication. Today, Vala Afshar is renowned for his thought leadership, digital presence, and storytelling abilities. He has nearly one million followers on Twitter (now X), over 600 published articles, and is the author of two books: The Pursuit of Social Business Excellence and his newest book Boundless: A New Mindset for Unlimited Business Success.  Afshar is also the co-host of DisrupTV, a weekly podcast show covering the latest digital business and innovation market trends.

2. What Can you learn?

Vala's journey to success is characterized by his resilience and social skills. Despite earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees in electrical engineering, he only ventured into social media, writing, and book authorship in his early 40s. Vala's path led him to Salesforce, where he is now known as a prolific thought leader and the company's chief storyteller. Here are three pieces of advice he shares:

• Develop Your Personal Brand: Vala emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand and a positive digital footprint. He believes that your online presence, coupled with what you share, can reveal a lot about you. He encourages avoiding negative criticism on social media and being mindful, especially when representing a public company like Salesforce.
• Build Better Habits: Drawing a parallel to athletes, Vala stresses the need for executives to establish habits that promote resilience, confidence, and adaptability. He underscores that building a strong brand, fostering communities, and nurturing trust requires consistent effort and commitment.
• Leave People Better: As a leader, Vala suggests leaving a positive impact on others as a hallmark of effective leadership. He believes that helping others succeed and adopting a beginner's mindset are key traits of a successful leader. Additionally, he underscores the importance of continuous learning, unlearning, and relearning as a fundamental aspect of achieving boundless goals.

Join us to hear Vala Afshar’s valuable insights on developing our personal brand, building healthy habits, and improving people’s careers and lives.

Thought Leadership Spotlight

Dr. Mohammad Odat serves as the President and CEO of Dale Carnegie of Jordan. Beyond his professional role, Mohammad is a respected thought leader within his community. In this episode, he illustrates the art of "Speaking in terms of the other person’s point of view" through a practical example. He shares valuable insights on taking command of communication, and fostering stronger relationships, and emphasizes that these efforts yield tangible results in both our personal and professional spheres

Show Notes and Links:

Boundless: A New Mindset For Unlimited Business Success  by Vala Afshar

The Pursuit of Social Business Excellence by Vala Afshar

Vala’s Twitter

DisrupTV Podcast

Take Command Book by Joe Hart and Michael Crom

A Minute in Leadership by Dr. Mohammad Odat

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Who is Aarash Darroodi?

Aarash Darroodi is General Counsel, Executive Vice President, and Corporate Secretary of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, one of the world’s global leaders in manufacturing instruments and amplifiers. 

He grew up in Iran with his grandparents and was able to move to his parents in the USA at the age of 7. His background and experience with immigration to the US shaped who he is today. With a background spanning over 19 countries, he connects cultures across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and beyond. His endeavors resulted in Fender's largest acquisition of PreSonus Audio Electronics. Darroodi attributes his success to several factors, including taking a Dale Carnegie course while he was a teenager. 

What will You Learn?

Aarash offers key pieces of advice that are core to his success and ingrained in his philosophy of life:

• Become a Storyteller: Uncover the art of crafting impactful stories that resonate with people's emotions and drive engagement.
• Navigate Cross-Cultural Teams: Gain strategies for fostering understanding and collaboration across diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Execute Innovative Leadership Strategies: Explore unconventional yet effective approaches to leading teams and driving innovation.
• Grow Through Networking: Learn how building authentic connections can be a catalyst for personal and professional growth.
• Make Strategic Decisions: Explore methodologies for making informed decisions that lead to strategic outcomes.
• Apply Adaptive Learning Techniques: Discover techniques for adapting your learning style to various contexts and challenges.
• Be Resilient in Adversity: Explore ways to cultivate resilience and thrive in the face of adversity and uncertainty.

Leadership Style & Story Summary

Unleashing Hidden Potential: Darroodi believes in humans' hidden potential. Often, external encouragement is needed to tap into greatness beyond imagination. He believes people are more capable than they think, and we all need someone to push us to go out of our comfort zone. When building a team, he seeks those who have a story, not just a great resume, those who overcame difficulties & challenges and showed resilience.

The Power of Learning: Daarrodi advises us to embrace constant discovery and to engage with novel concepts and people. He treasures wisdom from mentors, focusing on punch lines & pivotal phrases engraved in memory.

Nurture Growth: Darroodi champions empowering leadership. He promotes intercultural understanding, values GenZers, and dismantles hierarchical structures. As a guide, he aids individuals in pursuing their distinct North Star goals. He advises working with team members and learning from them.  Leaders and employees should learn about cultures and make a conscious effort to engage with the GenZers. When he works with individuals, he immediately asks them to figure out what they want to achieve in their lives and empowers everyone to have the freedom to share their ideas.

Leadership Style: His role as a leader is to guide, advise, and help teams achieve and reach where their North Star is. Aarash helps his team to get closer to whatever that North Star goal is. ”I see it more as a guide. That's how I see leadership.”

Join us and listen to Aarash's leadership insights about unleashing hidden potential, lifelong learning, and nurturing personal and professional growth.

Thought Leadership Segment

In today's Thought Leadership Spotlight segment, we welcome the President of Dale Carnegie of Arizona, Ken Beyersdorf, and highlight the core value of aligning actions with goals by applying one of the Dale Carnegie principles: "If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically”. Like Aarash, our guest emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision and evaluating actions to achieve that vision. 

Please rate and review this Episode!

We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.