The Good Leadership Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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Today, we are joined by Elizabeth Lotardo.

Elizabeth Lotardo is a consultant, writer, and training creator who helps organizations drive emotional engagement. Her new book, Leading Yourself, is about creating meaning, joy, and opportunities at work, even if your job isn’t perfect. You’ll learn how to find more meaning in your role, quiet fear or anxiety about the future, and create opportunities that enable you to do your best work. At McLeod & More Inc, I'm the VP of Client Services, working with clients like Salesforce, DraftKings, Hilton, and numerous Berkshire Hathaway organizations. I’ve designed programs for senior leaders, frontline managers, and entry-level teammates that enable everyone to create more purpose-driven work experiences. She is also the co-author of Selling with Noble Purpose and write for Harvard Business Review.

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of self-leadership and how managing the space between your ears becomes the cornerstone of effective leadership. Elizabeth reveals why so many people struggle to find purpose in their work and provides practical strategies for creating meaning even in mundane roles.

Key topics include:

• Why finding purpose in work is challenging 

• The critical difference between passion and purpose 

• Techniques for discovering your ripple effect and understanding your true impact

• How to break free from negative purpose cycles 

• The Stockdale Paradox and how to balance optimism with confronting brutal realities

Whether you're struggling to find meaning in your current role or looking to enhance your self-leadership capabilities, Elizabeth's insights will help you develop the foundational skills needed to lead yourself effectively before attempting to lead others.

Elizabeth Lotardo's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Yourself-Meaning-Opportunities-Already/dp/1394238703 

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Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.com 

Blog: https://blog.ims-online.com/ 

Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesgood/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:30) Tool: Understanding Why People Struggle to Find Purpose in Work

(02:50) Technique: Distinguishing Between Passion and Purpose for Greater Impact

(04:25) Tip: Articulating Your Ripple Effect to Understand Work Impact

(07:35) Technique: Breaking Free from Lack of Purpose Cycles

(09:10) Tip: Shifting Focus from Seeking Purpose to Creating It

(13:45) Technique: Adding Support Beams When Changing Core Beliefs

(15:10) Tip: Applying the Stockdale Paradox to Daily Leadership Challenges

(16:35) Tool: Using 20 Seconds of Insane Courage in Corporate Settings

(19:25) Tip: Reframing Change as Growth Opportunity

(21:00) Tool: Learning from Failure and Knowing When to Pivot

(23:15) Technique: Operating Effectively Despite Uncertainty

(24:30) Tip: Choosing Consistency Over Intensity for Goal Achievement

(27:25) Tool: Setting Input-Based Goals Instead of Output-Based Promises

(31:56) Conclusion

#CharlesGood #ElizabethLotardo #TheGoodLeadershipPodcast #SelfLeadership #PurposeAtWork #MindsetManagement #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #WorkplacePurpose #ChangeManagement #ResilienceBuilding #GoalSetting #LeadershipMindset #SelfAwareness #PersonalLeadership #WorkplaceMotivation #CareerDevelopment #LeadershipFoundations #EmotionalIntelligence

Today, we are joined by Leslie Zane.

Leslie Zane is an award-winning marketer, TEDx speaker and the foremost authority in harnessing the instinctive mind to accelerate brand and business growth. Like many pioneers, Zane's ideas were dismissed early on. In 1995, she founded Triggers®, a CMO advisory and the first brand consulting firm rooted in behavioral science, where she continued to champion the primacy of the instinctive mind in brand decisions. With her groundbreaking discoveries in boosting salience, the Brand Connectome® and Growth Triggers®, Zane and her team have delivered over 2X incremental revenue growth for their Fortune 100 clients.

In this episode, we explore the revolutionary concept of the Brand Connectome and how it transforms traditional marketing approaches. Leslie challenges long-held marketing beliefs, explaining that the human mind is unpersuadable through conscious appeals, but highly receptive to unconscious triggers that form instinctive associations with brands. 

Key topics include:

• How the Brand Connectome forms in the unconscious mind and drives 95% of purchasing decisions

• Why brands should pursue distinctiveness rather than uniqueness when developing their identity

• The counterintuitive approach of layering multiple messages instead of focusing on "one big idea"

• How growth comes from targeting non-users rather than existing customers

• Why fantasy drives consumer decisions more powerfully than reality-based marketing

Leslie Zane's Book: "The Power of Instinct: The New Rules of Persuasion in Business and Life" LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lesliezane 

Website: triggers.com

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Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.com

Blog: https://blog.ims-online.com/

Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesgood/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:40) Tool: Understanding the Unconscious Mind's Role in Decision Making

(04:00) Technique: Building the Brand Connectome for Instinctive Choice

(07:00) Tip: Pursuing Distinctiveness Instead of Uniqueness

(11:40) Technique: Combating Negative Brand Perceptions

(13:10) Tip: Why Layered Messaging Beats the "One Big Idea" Approach

(19:50) Technique: The "Keep, Stop, Add" Formula for Brand Evolution

(24:30) Tool: Prioritizing Growth Targets Over Existing Customers

(29:30) Tool: Tapping Into Unconscious Fantasies Instead of Reality

(33:10) Tip: Why Emotions Alone Don't Drive Brand Decisions

(37:50) Technique: Preventing Digital Brand Atrophy Through Consistency

(40:00) Conclusion

#CharlesGood #LeslieZane #TheGoodLeadershipPodcast #BrandConnectome #UnconsciousDecisionMaking #GrowthTriggers #DistinctiveBrandAssets #ConsumerPsychology #BrandStrategy #LayeredMessaging #GrowthMarketing #BrandEvolution #MarketingMyths #InstinctiveChoice #BrandLoyalty #FantasyMarketing #TriggersBrandConsulting #PowerOfInstinct #BrandManagement #BrandConsistency

Jason D. Patent, Ph.D. (he/him), is founder and principal at JP Global Lead LLC and co-founder of BridgeLabs. A fluent speaker of Mandarin Chinese, he is an organizational leader, consultant, author, thought leader, instructor, and workshop facilitator in the fields of global leadership and global diversity, equity, and inclusion. For seven years he was Director of the Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership at U.C. Berkeley’s International House.

Jason's Book: https://www.jasonpatent.com/

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Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.com

Blog: https://blog.ims-online.com/

Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesagood/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:30) Tip: Power dynamics in the workplace

(06:01) Tip: Seek honest feedback

(13:18) Technique: Empowering employees

(17:00) Technique: Emotional regulation and workplace interactions

(20:11) Tool: Amygdala hijack and emotional reaction

(21:43) Conclusion

May Busch is an international executive and career coach, speaker, facilitator, and the author of Accelerate: 9 Capabilities to Achieve Success at Any Career Stage. She is passionate about helping people thrive at work and reach their full potential. She is Senior Advisor and Executive in Residence in the Office of the President, and Professor of Practice at W.P. Carey School of Business, at ASU.
 
Previously, May enjoyed a 24-year career in investment banking, most recently as COO for Morgan Stanley Europe. She chaired the firm's European Diversity Council and was a member of its European Management Committee. A graduate of Harvard Business School, May is dedicated to promoting greater thought leadership, diversity, and entrepreneurial spirit in the workplace.
 
May's Book: https://maybusch.com/books/accelerate/

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Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.com
Blog: https://blog.ims-online.com/
Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesagood/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99

Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:13) Tool: Strategies for Effective Communication
(04:21) Tool: The Five-Minute Rule and the Rule of Three
(09:27) Technique: Improving Decision-Making
(16:25) Tip: Transition from Caretaker to Rainmaker
(22:14) Technique: Building Self-Awareness
(23:41) Tool: The Johari Window
(24:54) Technique: Reflecting and Noticing
(27:29) Tip: Importance of Mindset
(29:07) Tip: Physical and Mental Connection
(31:25) Tool: Brand and Reputation
(32:45) Tip: Executive Presence
(33:56) Conclusion

May Busch is an international executive and career coach, speaker, facilitator, and the author of Accelerate: 9 Capabilities to Achieve Success at Any Career Stage. She is passionate about helping people thrive at work and reach their full potential. She is Senior Advisor and Executive in Residence in the Office of the President, and Professor of Practice at W.P. Carey School of Business, at ASU.
 
Previously, May enjoyed a 24-year career in investment banking, most recently as COO for Morgan Stanley Europe. She chaired the firm's European Diversity Council and was a member of its European Management Committee. A graduate of Harvard Business School, May is dedicated to promoting greater thought leadership, diversity, and entrepreneurial spirit in the workplace.
 
May's Book: https://maybusch.com/books/accelerate/

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Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.com
Blog: https://blog.ims-online.com/
Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesagood/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99

Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:15) Technique: Developing Capabilities
(08:10) Tool: Career Potential S-Curve
(03:04) Tip: Importance of People Skills
(06:09) Tip: Owning Personal Development
(13:39) Technique: The Learn-Do-Show Model
(16:42) Tip: Team Leadership
(20:52) Tip: Become a Talent Magnet
(21:36) Technique: The Reframing of Work
(22:45) Tip: Unifying compelling vision
(23:29) Tip: Promoting team members
(24:23) Conclusion

Dr. Kristen Lee is a recognized, award-winning clinician, author and Behavioral Science professor from Boston with more than twenty years in the field.

Her work has been featured on NPR and CBS radio. Dr. Lee has a robust platform—she speaks across the U.S. and around the globe with business leaders, educators, physical and mental health professionals and general audiences. Some of the venues she speaks at include Harvard University, Ted X, Virgin Pulse, and Johnson & Johnson.
 
Dr. Lee's Books: https://kristenlee.com/books/

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Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.com
Blog: https://blog.ims-online.com/
Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesagood/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99

Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:06) Technique: What is Mentalligence?
(06:48) Tools: Agility and unlearning
(08:14) Technique: Identifying and avoiding behavioral traps
(10:31) Tool: Metacognition and rumination
(14:32) Tip: Critical thinking in the Information Age
(20:09) Technique: Balancing skepticism and optimism
(22:25) Tool: The science of resilience
(24:45) Tip: Embracing instability
(25:16) Tip: Finding optimism in adversity
(27:11) Technique: Building resilience with humility
(28:36) Conclusion

Dan Ariely is the bestselling author of Predictably Irrational, The Upside of Irrationality, and The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty.

He is the James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University and is the founder of the Center for Advanced Hindsight.

His work has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and elsewhere.
 
Dan's Books: https://danariely.com/books/

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Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.com
Blog: https://blog.ims-online.com/
Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesagood/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:09) Tool: Funnel of misbelief

(02:24) Tool: Personality traits and misbelief

(07:10) Tip: Ostracism and social dynamics

(14:46) Tool: Cognitive dissonance and trust

(20:54) Technique: Breaking the cycle of mistrust

(24:36) Tip: Superman comparison

(25:27) Tool: Creating a system for the mind

(26:47) Tip: Recognizing susceptibility to misinformation

(27:34) Technique: Addressing the challenges of misinformation

(28:22) Key takeaway

(29:03) Conclusion

Dan Ariely is the bestselling author of Predictably Irrational, The Upside of Irrationality, and The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty.

He is the James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University and is the founder of the Center for Advanced Hindsight.

His work has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and elsewhere.
 
Dan's Books: https://danariely.com/books/

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Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.com
Blog: https://blog.ims-online.com/
Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesagood/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99

Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:29) Dan’s background
(06:48) Tool: Lens from which we see the world
(11:01) Tool: The stress element
(21:45) Tool: The cognitive element
(25:11) Tip: Utilizing explanatory depth
(27:32) Tip: Openness to new ideas
(28:33) Conclusion

Stephen Young is a former Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at JPMorgan Chase. Steve has been a featured speaker at business conferences worldwide. He is much sought after for his powerful and engaging presentation style. His widely acclaimed seminar MicroInequities: The Power of Small™ has been embraced by over 20% of Fortune 500 corporations in 35 countries, in every region of the world and is being touted by corporate America as the new paradigm for diversity and leadership.
 
His work has been published in numerous business articles and recognized in a wide range of business publications, including The Wall Street Journal and Time Magazine and Harvard Business Review’s Management Newsletter. His program was also featured by Oprah Winfrey in two issues of her “O” Magazine.
 
McGraw-Hill published his top-selling book, Micromessaging: Why Great Leadership is Beyond Words. His latest best-selling book is titled, The Power of Evolved Leadership: Inspire Top Performance by Fostering Inclusive Teams.
 
The Power of Evolved Leadership:
https://www.amazon.com/Evolved-Leader-Stephen-Young/dp/126001083X/ref=sr_1_1crid=2LPSWFULB5KSM&keywords=the+power+of+evolved+leadership&qid=1706217826&sprefix=power+of+evolved%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-1
 
Insight Education Systems:
www.insighteds.com
 
Questions:
info@insighteds.com

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Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.com
Blog: https://blog.ims-online.com/
Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesagood/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99

Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction

(01:14) Tool: 4 Dimensions of effective communication

(01:47) Tool: Courage vs. charisma

(03:59) Technique: Improving courage skills

(08:14) Tip: Persuasiveness in leadership

(12:31) Tip: Authenticity in leadership

(18:01) Tip: Humility and Self-Promotion

(21:34) Tip: Humility is overrated

(22:33) Tool: Strategic seating example

(25:26) Tool: Stay interviews

(28:14) Tool: Importance of engagement

(29:29) Conclusion