Executive Access – Details, episodes & analysis

Google President of North America, Michael Clark, discusses his leadership journey through his career at both Microsoft and Google including key moments of learning and growth. He provides several practical frameworks for listeners to use for communicating with excellence, leading through change, and building strong teams. Michael describes himself as a lifelong learner and coaches his team and himself to be students of customers’ businesses. Michael is the type of leader people want to follow - principled, highly respected, and generous; Executive Access is grateful for the time and wisdom he shares. 

During the episode, Michael refers to the following work:

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Good to Great by Jim Collins

The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins

Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life, a platform that provides coaching, community, and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.

2-time NCAA Division 1 Champion Men’s Soccer Coach, Mike Noonan, has an unbelievable winning record, consistently transforming teams into champions. Jamie asks Mike to share his method for success which centers around creating a strong shared mission, practicing team values, and recruiting players to a set of standards that speak to the inherent qualities of the players on and off the field. Mike is a lifelong learner and calls himself “a grinder”; he is strong, principled, and kind. Mike’s leadership success and principles can be immediately applied to athletics, business, education, or any industry. 

During the episode, Jamie and Mike refer to the following work:

The Captain Class: A New Theory of Leadership by Sam Walker

Growth Mindset by Dr. Carol Dweck

Outward Mindset by Arbinger Institute

Hit Refresh by Satya Nadella

Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life, a platform that provides coaching, community, and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.

In this episode, Jamie speaks with Trident Construction President, Tim Kennedy. When Jamie met the team at Trident Construction, she was amazed at the incredible culture of customer obsession and profound care. Tim shares how that culture was created and how he stewards it now as the organization is growing so rapidly.  He discusses the importance of hiring slowly, the power of trust, and the three core attributes that he looks for in highly successful team members. Tim is a strong, humble leader who doesn’t shy away from sharing his mistakes and learning on the way up from entry level employee out of college to now leading the entire organization.  

During the episode, Jamie and Tim refer to the following work:

• Ken Blanchard - Raving Fans

• Andy Stanley -  The Importance of Trust in Leadership

• Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset work – link to the book here

Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life, a platform that provides coaching, community, and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.

In this episode, Jamie speaks with Salesforce.com Executive Vice President, Connor Marsden. Connor is a confident and bold leader who is always pushing himself and his team to think differently and try new things to achieve outsized results. Connor talks about the power of curiosity and the willingness to be wrong. He shares how he values authentic leadership and some great tips for achieving that through communicating effectively. Working with Connor is always exciting, and listeners will get insider access to how and why he leads the way he does.

Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life, a platform that provides coaching, community, and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.

In this episode, Jamie speaks with Maureen Daily, senior educator and former middle school Principal at Porter-Gaud School. Jamie describes Maureen as one of the best storytellers and communicators she has experienced. Maureen breaks down how she prepares for giving a presentation and the importance of knowing your audience.  She discusses authentic leadership and the power of setting guiding principles when influencing teams to act. Maureen is humorous and full of great wisdom.

During the episode, Jamie and Maureen refer to the following work:

• Warmth and Competence Model – Harvard Business School “Connect, Then Lead” by Amy J.C. Cuddy, Matthew Kohut, and John Neffinger

• The Outward Mindset: Seeing Beyond Ourselves by The Arbinger Institute – link to book here

Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life, a platform that provides coaching, community, and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.

In this inaugural episode, Jamie shares an inspiring conversation with Dave Willis, former Corporate Vice President at Microsoft and current Board Director and Advisor. Dave speaks about the importance of a commitment to excellence, focusing on impact over activities, and keeping score. Dave reflects on his career journey and some key learnings along the way. Dave is an accomplished technology senior leader with incredible wisdom to share with leaders of all levels.

Dave Willis is a Technology Industry Board Director and Advisor.  Follow Dave on LinkedIn

During the episode, Jamie and Dave refer to the following work:

• Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset work – link to the book here
• Warmth and Competence Model – Harvard Business School “Connect, Then Lead” by Amy J.C. Cuddy, Matthew Kohut, and John Neffinger
• The Outward Mindset: Seeing Beyond Ourselves by The Arbinger Institute – link to book here

Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life, a platform that provides coaching, community and content for people to grow both personally and professionally. 

We think that focusing first on our own goals and needs is the best way to achieve results. However, a much more powerful approach flips that script and is something Jamie calls “First THEM, then (and only then) You.”  The most powerful leaders are those who practice an Outward Mindset to learn, create value, and make connections for others, their organizations, and ultimately themselves.

During the episode, Jamie refers to the following work:

Outward Mindset by Arbinger Institute

Every View is Powerful

The best leaders are always noticing how their actions and behaviors affect those around them. Strong leaders are master influencers and recognize they can control the way they are perceived by others, and this is very powerful in driving desired outcomes. This episode introduces a model - Warmth and Strength - for leaders to self-assess their impact on others and take action to shift their behaviors to maximize their influence.

Amy Cuddy - Your body language may shape who you are - https://youtu.be/Ks-_Mh1QhMc?si=oNoZuw1pWgWjAZTo 

Connect, Then Lead - Harvard Business Review, Amy Cuddy, Matthew Kohut, and John Neffinger -  https://hbr.org/2013/07/connect-then-lead

Each of us in an organization has a unique view out our window and every view is important. Often, early in our career we don't think that our ground floor view is too special. Later in our careers, we miss those earlier floor views, but we don't often go back and seek them out.  Truly powerful people in any organization are the ones that understand the power of their unique view AND learn how to seek out the views of others. This short, 8-minute video will give you a new perspective on the power of your view and how you can use it to create untold influence and impact in your organization.

In this short video, Jamie describes the power of building a Growth Mindset for businesses and individuals. Growth Mindset cultures exhibit high innovation, resilience, and empowerment.  Jamie defines a Growth Mindset and compares it to its counterpart, the Fixed Mindset. She shares a case study about how Microsoft transformed its culture using Growth Mindset principles and gives practical examples of how you can immediately start practicing a Growth Mindset today. 

During the episode, Jamie refers to the following work:

• Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset – link to the book here

• Acquired Podcast with Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal - April 21 and July 21 Microsoft Volumes I and II

• Neuroleadership Institute - The Essentials of Growth Mindset

Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life, a platform that provides coaching, community and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.