Explore every episode of the podcast Rotman Visiting Experts
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| The problem with perfect: When chasing perfection is bad for your career | 27 Feb 2024 | 00:29:17 | |
There's nothing wrong with having high standards. But when does chasing perfection start to damage your mental health and career? Thomas Curran joined host Brett Hendrie to talk about his new book The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough. They explore how to identify perfectionist tendencies, the danger in increased social pressure to be perfect, and how to break the habit.
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| What not to do when you buy a company: Lessons from Twitter | 30 Jan 2024 | 00:27:28 | |
What can we learn from Elon Musk, his takeover of Twitter and its downward spiral? Author Ben Mezrich joined host Brett Hendrie to talk about the new book Breaking Twitter: Elon Musk and the Most Controversial Corporate Takeover in History; exploring what businesses - and CEOs - can take away from the ordeal to avoid the same fate. It's a must-listen for anyone looking to better understand how the whims of a single individual can derail even the most powerful of organizations. | |||
| Dr. Tina Opie on sisterhood at work | 28 Feb 2023 | 00:29:01 | |
Despite record gains in female representation in the C-suite, women make up less than 9 per cent of Fortune 500 CEOs. Women of colour make up less than half a per cent. When it comes to true gender and racio-ethnic representation, the business world still has a long way to go. Dr. Tina Opie joins host Brett Hendrie to talk about her new book Shared Sisterhood: How to Take Collective Action for Racial and Gender Equity at Work, exploring how we can dig deeper and bridge with our sisters to find real change.
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| Cassie Holmes | 25 Jan 2023 | 00:30:10 | |
The economy, health care, the environment — there are so many important issues to focus on. But are we paying enough attention to that fundamental question: Are we happy? Professor Cassie Holmes joins host Brett Hendrie to talk about how we can re-prioritize our schedules to make time for happiness. | |||
| Fail smarter: What the research tells us about failure and growth | 03 Jan 2024 | 00:27:40 | |
Can you get better at failure? Amy Edmondson joined Rotman Visiting Experts to explore the good kind of failures, the kind we need to avoid, and what we can learn from it all. | |||
| Saying 'no' is a superpower; here's how to hone that talent | 21 Nov 2023 | 00:34:00 | |
Vanessa Patrick joined host Brett Hendrie to talk about how we can hone our skills when it comes to saying "no," how we can reject requests more scientifically, and why we all benefit when we learn the art of refusal. | |||
| Bob Joseph unpacks the legacy of the Indian Act | 24 Oct 2023 | 00:27:39 | |
Nearly 150 years old, the Indian Act continues to shape relations with Indigenous People across Canada. As communities, businesses, institutions and individuals begin or continue their paths of reconciliation, it's important to critically evaluate the role the legislation has played in getting us to where we are today. Bob Joseph, founder of Indigenous Corporate Training Inc and author of 21 Things You Didn't Know About the Indian Act joined us to talk about the lasting impact its had, and the role businesses and individuals play in dismantling its harmful legacy. | |||
| Michael Bungay Stanier on how to work with almost anyone | 26 Sep 2023 | 00:27:55 | |
You can improve almost any working relationship...really! It just takes time, effort and some good conversations. Michael Bungay Stanier joins host Brett Hendrie to talk about how to approach a sometimes difficult question: Can our working relationship be better? It's a must listen for anyone looking to create a better connection with, well, anyone. | |||
| Rose Patten explores intentional leadership | 27 Jun 2023 | 00:29:56 | |
Rose Patten brings her decades of expertise on leadership to the Rotman Visiting Experts studio, exploring the eight key competencies leaders of tomorrow need today, and how we can all be more intentional in our leadership styles. | |||
| Kelly Richmond Pope's lesson from the pervasive world of fraud | 30 May 2023 | 00:36:38 | |
Fraud may seem pervasive, but that doesn't mean we need to fall victim to it. Kelly Richmond Pope joins Rotman Visiting Experts to explore what we can learn from fraudsters and their victims, and what steps individuals and organizations can take now to avoid become victims ourselves. | |||
| David McRaney on the science of persuasion | 25 Apr 2023 | 00:25:38 | |
The world feels more divided than ever. Left versus right. Anti-vaxxer versus doctors. Marvel versus DC. But can you change someone's mind and bring them over to your side? Author and journalist David McRaney joins host Brett Hendrie to talk about why we dig into our beliefs and how, with the right approach, we can actually change people's minds, including our own. | |||
| David Sax on the benefits of limiting technology | 28 Mar 2023 | 00:33:55 | |
From shopping to work to education — what do we lose when digital takes over all aspects of our lives? Author David Sax joins host Brett Hendrie to talk about the myth of a digital utopia, how the pandemic helps us understand the limits of technology, and how we can all add a bit more analog back into our daily routines. | |||
| Master the art of judging people: A guide for better interviews and more | 29 Oct 2024 | 00:19:02 | |
On the latest season of Visiting Experts, author Richard Davis joins host Brett Hendrie to talk about his new book Good Judgement. Richard offers leaders a framework for how to judge people more effectively and breaks down why we should discount emotional intelligence in favour of personality. Give it a listen now! Three takeaways
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| Cutting through the noise: How to make better decisions | 26 Nov 2024 | 00:20:51 | |
The world is a noisy place, and we often listen to the wrong information, leading to poor or conflicted choices. Can we learn to make more informed, wiser decisions? Nuala Walsh joined Visiting Experts host Brett Hendrie to explain how and talk about her new book Tune In: How to Make Smarter Decisions in a Noisy World...it's worth tuning into to the conversation! Three takeaways
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| Rewriting the story: Malcolm Gladwell on stories, micro-targeting and the epidemics shaping our world | 02 Jan 2025 | 00:23:25 | |
How do small, targeted actions create massive ripple effects in business and society? Malcolm Gladwell joined host Brett Hendrie to discuss his latest book, Revenge of the Tipping Point, unpacking the hidden forces behind epidemics, the power of overlooked metrics, and the stories that shape our world. Head over to our YouTube channel to watch this conversation as well! Three takeaways
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| How to lead in a time of outrage | 28 Jan 2025 | 00:23:35 | |
The world feels more divided than ever, with anger permeating every level of society. For leaders, this creates challenges that range from difficult to seemingly impossible. How can they manage anger among employees, stakeholders, and external pressures? In the latest episode of Rotman Visiting Experts, Professor Karthik Ramanna discusses his new book, The Age of Outrage: How to Lead in a Polarizing World, and shares a practical framework for navigating these turbulent times. Three takeaways
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| Leading bigger: Inclusion, flexibility and the future of work | 25 Feb 2025 | 00:24:10 | |
Is inclusion the secret to high-performing teams? In this episode of Rotman Visiting Experts, Brett Hendrie sits down with Anne Chow, former CEO of AT&T Business and author of Lead Bigger, to explore why true inclusion goes beyond DEI—and why leaders who embrace it outperform those who don’t. From creating psychologically safe workplaces to rethinking flexibility and performance metrics, Chow shares practical insights on how leaders can cultivate cultures where employees — and businesses — thrive. Three takeaways
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| The psychology of data: The hidden messages in your digital footprint | 25 Mar 2025 | 00:24:43 | |
Every search, like, and click leaves a trace — but what do these digital breadcrumbs really say about you? Author and professor Sandra Matz joined host Brett Hendrie to explore the psychology of data and how businesses use this information to build detailed profiles, predicting everything from your personality to your spending habits. How much do they really know, and what can you do about it? Three takeaways
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| Rotman Visiting Experts launches September 30 | 16 Sep 2025 | 00:01:30 | |
Big ideas. Bold conversations. Rotman Visiting Experts returns September 30. Join host Brett Hendrie as he chats with the influential thinkers and leaders featured in our acclaimed speakers series. This season, learn how to embrace imperfectionism, master your intuition and lead like a maverick.
Season 4 launches September 30 — follow now so you don't miss an episode. | |||
| Finite humans: How to do more by accepting your limits | 30 Sep 2025 | 00:23:48 | |
In a world that never stops asking for more, how can we focus on what truly matters? In the season premiere of Visiting Experts, Brett Hendrie sits down with Oliver Burkeman, author of Meditations for Mortals and 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, to explore the power of accepting our limits. Oliver shares insights on why striving for perfection can hold us back, how embracing imperfection can unlock ambition, and why small, deliberate actions often lead to the biggest impact. From navigating work and life like a kayak on a river to tackling intimidating tasks “one step at a time,” this conversation offers practical strategies for reclaiming control, reducing stress, and making time for what counts. Show notes [0:00] Brett Hendrie reflects on the myth of “zero inbox” [1:26] Meet Oliver Burkeman, author of 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals and Meditations for Mortals, expert on productivity, time management and personal effectiveness. [3:39] Understanding what it means to be a finite human in an infinite world, and how embracing your human limits can be freeing. [5:52] The dangers of perfectionism in professional and personal life, and why imperfectionism can boost efficiency. [7:19] Making conscious trade-offs instead of trying to do everything: practical tips for prioritization and decision-making. [9:10] Oliver’s “kayak vs. superyacht” analogy for navigating uncertainty and making meaningful progress in life and work. [10:37] Long-term, detailed plans for change can be destined for failure. Instead, start small: take action today without trying to control every outcome. [12:21] The “just going to the shed” concept: confronting tasks and projects you’ve been avoiding to reduce decision paralysis and procrastination. [14:43] The liberating idea: every choice on how you spend your time has a cost, and once you accept that reality, you’re free to choose which set of costs you’re willing to pay. [16:42] Integrating imperfectionism with realistic ambition to achieve more without burnout. [19:14] Applying these ideas as a leader or manager: balancing control and autonomy to empower teams and increase organizational productivity. [21:18] “Obviously, what people want is like the three practices you can do every day, and then you've got this nailed. But a big part of what I'm trying to say in this book is life doesn't work like that. And so, if you actually want the change, I think you do need to work on developing the patience to sort of try these things bit by bit. “If you were to ask me for like, what's one thing that people can do, then my answer would be: there is something in your work or your life that you know is really meaningful to you… Do 10 minutes of that thing today and actually do it.” To explore more leadership tips and tricks from the Rotman School of Management, check out our Rotman Executive Summary podcast, featuring the latest research and thought-leadership from our esteemed faculty. Check it out on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. And be sure to subscribe to the Rotman Insights Hub bi-weekly newsletter for even more insights shaping business and society. | |||
| Gut instinct: How to actually master your intuition | 28 Oct 2025 | 00:24:48 | |
We’ve all been told to “trust our gut.” But how do you know when intuition is steering you right — or leading you astray? In this episode, host Brett Hendrie explores the science and strategy behind gut feelings with Laura Huang, professor of management and organizational development at Northeastern University. She explains why our gut is always right, how we can train ourselves to listen to what it’s telling us, and how to turn that intuiting process into a real decision-making tool — not just a hunch. Show notes: [0:00] Brett Hendrie reflects on what it means to really listen to your gut. [1:19] Meet Laura Huang, professor of management and organizational development at Northeastern University, and author of You Already Know: The Science of Mastering Your Intuition. [2:15] What is our gut instinct and how does it differ from intuition? [5:03] Why is it important to disentangle our intuition from our emotions? (Hint: give yourself time.) [6:59] There are four types of decisions we need to make — simple, complicated, complex and chaotic — and we should really only use our gut for the latter two. [9:24] Your gut never lies. It’s 100% accurate. Why? Because it’s more like a compass than a right/wrong switch. [11:34] Our gut and intuiting process — like most things in life — aren’t linear. They pull data points from across our lives. [13:12] The three types of gut reactions: Eureka, Aha and Uh-Ohs. [15:55] To train yourself to trust your gut, start by identifying what type of reaction you’re having. (What is your body actually telling you?) [16:19] Training tip: Consider the rule of three (meet someone in three different settings) to test your gut. [19:09] Become an “expert novice.” Think brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand. Try that, but with a job task. [21:39] What’s collective intuition? [22:02] Your gut is like a whisper trying to break through the noise around you. “And so we kind of shove that aside, and the more we shove that aside, the more the whispers are buried in this sea of screams, and so I would say, listen to what whispers and not what screams. And the more we do that, the more we'll be able to master our intuition.” If you enjoyed this episode, why not give some of our back catalogue a listen? To stay on theme, check out our conversations with Richard Davis on mastering your ability to judge people, or Nuala Walsh on tuning out the wrong type of information when making decisions. Make sure you subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts — and please consider giving the series a five-star rating. To explore more leadership tips and tricks from the Rotman School of Management, check out our Rotman Executive Summary podcast, featuring the latest research and thought-leadership from our esteemed faculty. Check it out onApple,Spotifyor wherever you get your podcasts. And be sure tosubscribeto theRotman Insights Hubbi-weekly newsletter for even more insights shaping business and society. | |||
| The value in what 'everyone knows': The invisible force behind communication and influence | 25 Nov 2025 | 00:23:13 | |
What we know matters. But what we know others know can make or break a deal. Professor Steven Pinker joins host Brett Hendrie to talk about common knowledge — what everyone knows that everyone knows, why it’s crucial to business and negotiation, and how shared understanding helps people get work done. Show notes: [0:00] Brett Hendrie on moments of shared understanding [0:58] Meet Harvard professor Steven Pinker, who joins the episode to talk about his new book When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows. [2:28] What is common knowledge? [3:49] Steven was drawn to the topic because so much of language is what we don’t say… and he began to wonder why we don’t say it. [4:20] “Netflix and chill” is the perfect example of common knowledge in practice. [5:33] How common knowledge can shape advertising and marketing [7:59] It can also influence markets — think speculative bubbles, bank runs and trust in financial institutions. [11:01] Negotiations are often only successful because of common knowledge. [14:57] Complete openness and transparency can backfire — see Bridgewater Associates — and this is where things left unsaid (but still understood) can fill the gaps. [18:01] What do we lose with less common knowledge in a remote or hybrid work environment? Those physical social cues — blushing, glaring, staring — communicate a lot in the end. [19:51] In a world of information bubbles, common knowledge is getting fractured. [21:09] What’s left unsaid has lots of value. “I think the genteel hypocrisy and innuendo and euphemism makes social life possible — but that sometimes gets in the way of actually transacting the business of life. And that balance is, I think, what we call tact, savoir faire, social skill — not being too far along one end of the spectrum. And what I think a lot of that consists of is knowing what to put in common knowledge and what to keep out of common knowledge.” If you enjoyed this episode, why not give some of our back catalogue a listen? If you want to dig deeper into the psychology of the world around us, check out our discussions with Malcolm Gladwell on how our shared stories shape our world, or Michael Bungay Stanier on the secrets to coaching others. Make sure you subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts — and please consider giving the series a five-star rating. To explore more leadership tips and tricks from the Rotman School of Management, check out our Rotman Executive Summary podcast, featuring the latest research and thought-leadership from our esteemed faculty. Check it out on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. And be sure to subscribe to the Rotman Insights Hub bi-weekly newsletter for even more insights shaping business and society. | |||
| Terry O'Reilly on what mavericks and outcasts can teach leaders about innovation | 27 Jan 2026 | 00:23:31 | |
What does it mean to go against the grain? To be a trailblazer or a maverick? To break the rules? We often celebrate mavericks in the business world for their success, but rarely acknowledge the tumultuous — and sometimes despondent — path they face when defying convention. On the latest episode of Visiting Experts, Terry O’Reilly joins host Brett Hendrie to discuss his new book and explore how mavericks have changed the world, even when the personal cost was great. From Gustave Eiffel to Taylor Swift, it’s essential listening for leaders looking to bend — or break — a few rules. Show Notes [0:00] Brett Hendrie on the power of mavericks in business and society. [1:10] Meet Terry O’Reilly, host of The Age of Persuasion, and author of the new book Against the Grain. [2:17] What prompted Terry to write a book on individuals who break the rules, and through the process, what did he learn about shared traits they all have? [5:18] How did Gustave Eiffel — of Eiffel Tower fame — succeed when everyone believed he (and the tower) would fail? [8:42] Terry breaks down the important, yet tragic, story of Ignaz Semmelweis. [12:46] Why are intuition and hunches so crucial to the maverick mindset? [14:20] Taylor Swift may feel like she’s part of the system, but her smart approach to bending the rules has made her an unrivalled superstar. [17:23] Terry’s own journey into rule-breaking, for work with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, shows the power of trusting your gut and ignoring the status quo. [20:34] If everyone has their own platforms and echo chambers, can you really go against the grain anymore? Terry says sort of. [21:52] His parting advice: “I would say this, if you don't think one person can change the world, you are wrong. That's the takeaway.” If you enjoyed this episode, why not give some of our back catalogue a listen? If you want to learn more about dealing with disruption, check out our conversation with Karthik Ramanna on leading in a time of outrage, or Anne Chow on redefining what inclusive leadership really means. Make sure you subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts — and please consider giving the series a five-star rating. To explore more leadership tips and tricks from the Rotman School of Management, check out our Rotman Executive Summary podcast, featuring the latest research and thought-leadership from our esteemed faculty. Check it out on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. And be sure to subscribe to the Rotman Insights Hub bi-weekly newsletter for even more insights shaping business and society. | |||
| Digital dialogue: How AI is reshaping the way we think | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:20:30 | |
AI isn’t just a productivity tool — it’s changing how knowledge itself is created. Author Paolo Granata joins the latest episode of Rotman’s Visiting Experts podcast to explain why the real question isn’t whether AI can think, but rather, how it’s transforming human thinking. Show Notes [00:00] Brett Hendrie asks what AI is doing to the way we think [1:40] Meet Paolo Grenata, Author of Generative Knowledge: Think, Learn, Create with AI [2:02] What does it mean for AI to help us think? [4:28] How knowledge has historically been created, shared and understood, and what's different about this moment [7:32] How should people adapt their mindset in terms of how they use AI in their day-to-day lives? [10:08] What does a healthy partnership with AI look like? [12:17] How to find the right balance, and not offload too much to AI. [15:42] The idea of learnability, and why it matters. [18:33] What does success look like for individuals and businesses in terms of their use of AI over the next 10 years? If you enjoyed this episode, why not give some of our back catalogue a listen? If you want to dig deeper into leadership topics, check out Cutting through the noise: How to make better decisions with Nuala Walsh, or Michael Bungay Stanier on the secrets to coaching others. Make sure you subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts — and please consider giving the series a five-star rating. To explore more leadership tips and tricks from the Rotman School of Management, check out our Rotman Executive Summary podcast, featuring the latest research and thought-leadership from our esteemed faculty. Check it out on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. And be sure to subscribe to the Rotman Insights Hub bi-weekly newsletter for even more insights shaping business and society.
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| Behind the Leadership Blockers: What's Really Holding You Back | 24 Feb 2026 | 00:19:49 | |
Are you carrying certain beliefs that might limit your ability to lead? Leadership coach Muriel Wilkins explores how hidden beliefs — like “I need to be involved in everything” or “I can’t make a mistake” — quietly limit leadership potential. She shares a practical three-step framework to help uncover, unpack and reframe these thoughts. Show Notes [00:00] Brett Hendrie on hidden beliefs [1:12] Meet Muriel Wilkins, author of Leadership Unblocked: Break Through the Beliefs That Limit Your Potential [2:26] What are internal beliefs? [4:27] The complete list of blockers and what they mean. [6:01] Situations where these types of blockers are more likely to manifest themselves. [7:03] Honing in on one blocker: "I need it done right now." What does that blocker reveal about a person, and how does Wilkins coach people past that immediate urgency? [9:09] Another example blocker: "I can't make a mistake" — a relevant blocker for those who may have perfectionist tendencies. Wilkins explains how she coaches leaders to get past that mindset? [11:03] Exploring how different blockers can sometimes overlap. [12:27] Wilkins provides advice on how to move past the blockers. [14:24] How Wilkins overcomes her own blockers. [16:13] Advice on how to potentially help colleagues to see their own blockers. [18:00] Final thoughts: you can lead with more ease if you remember how much your mindset matters, so try to leverage that. If you enjoyed this episode, why not give some of our back catalogue a listen? If you want to dig deeper into leadership topics, check out Cutting through the noise: How to make better decisions with Nuala Walsh, or Michael Bungay Stanier on the secrets to coaching others. Make sure you subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts — and please consider giving the series a five-star rating. To explore more leadership tips and tricks from the Rotman School of Management, check out our Rotman Executive Summary podcast, featuring the latest research and thought-leadership from our esteemed faculty. Check it out on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. And be sure to subscribe to the Rotman Insights Hub bi-weekly newsletter for even more insights shaping business and society. | |||