Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Scott Boatwright, the Chief Restaurant Officer at Chipotle. Known for his operational strategies and his ability to drive change, Boatwright has been instrumental in reshaping the food safety measures and employee management at Chipotle. He brings a wealth of experience from his role at Chipotle, and his insights are sure to inspire. In our conversation today, we delve into the heart of operational systems, food safety measures, and employee benefits.

From the importance of maintaining the quality and freshness of their ingredients, to the food safety measures and operational systems Scott implemented at Chipotle, we cover several important topics.

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In today’s Leadership Spark, Julia Boorstin, Senior Media & Technology Correspondent at CNBC, discusses the importance of adaptability, vulnerability, and contextual thinking in organizations. Julia emphasizes the significance of gathering data and listening to the people on the ground to make informed decisions when planning for worst-case scenarios. 

Julia also highlights the value of vulnerability in leadership, encouraging leaders to acknowledge their weaknesses and create psychological safety within their organizations. Moreover, she explains the concept of contextual thinking, which involves solving root problems and preventing issues rather than simply reacting to them. By taking a broader perspective and asking tangential questions, leaders can find more effective solutions.

Julia Boorstin is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now.

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In today’s Leadership Spark, Julia Boorstin, Senior Media & Technology Correspondent at CNBC, discusses various qualities and characteristics of effective leaders, focusing on vulnerability and adaptability. She emphasizes that no one is born a leader and that leadership skills are developed through practice. She also highlights that vulnerability is a superpower, allowing leaders to connect with others, inspire trust, and foster learning. 

Julia further discusses the importance of adaptability and the willingness to change one's mind in order to solve problems and embrace new opportunities. She also explores the differences in confidence between men and women and how confidence levels change over time. Finally, Julia highlights the significance of asking questions and seeking clarity in meetings, as it encourages open dialogue and collective learning.

Julia Boorstin is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now.

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In today’s Leadership Spark, I chat with Julia Boorstin, Senior Media & Technology Correspondent at CNBC. We delve into the challenges women face in leadership roles and accessing venture capital funding. She highlights the issue of pattern matching in the investment landscape, where investors tend to favor founders who fit established success patterns, leading to a lack of diversity in funding. 

Julia emphasizes the need to address unconscious bias and promote skill-based hiring and promotion processes to create equal opportunities for advancement. Our conversation also addresses resilience, self-perception as leaders, and the importance of moving beyond categorizing female CEOs separately.

Julia Boorstin is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October.  Check it out here and pre-order your copy now.

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Today’s episode is with none other than Robert Irvine, a celebrity chef, entrepreneur, author, and host of Food Network's hit show "Restaurant Impossible". Known for his dynamic leadership style and his ability to transform failing restaurants, Irvine has been instrumental in reshaping the culinary landscape. He brings a wealth of experience from his time in the military and his insights are sure to inspire. In our conversation today, we discussed the heart of leadership and the role it plays in creating successful teams and businesses.

From the importance of self-belief and understanding what motivates others, as highlighted in his leadership philosophy, to the shift in mindset required for an individual to emerge as a leader, we cover several important topics. We also explore the role of middle management in organizations, drawing parallels with the military where non-commissioned officers are trained to control and utilize people to the best of their ability, and the importance of empathetic leadership in fostering a culture that enables growth and success.

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Today's episode is with Tina Freese Decker, the President and CEO of Corewell Health, with 60,000+ employees and based in New York. Corewell Health was formerly known as Beaumont Health. Today, Tina shares the importance of vulnerability in leadership. She believes that being authentic and vulnerable are not choices but necessities for effective leadership. Tina also emphasizes the significance of knowing oneself, one's values, and one's purpose to build confidence, which in turn enables vulnerability and authenticity.

Tina shares several instances from her career where she had to display vulnerability, such as reconsidering a board decision based on new information and openly discussing the possibility of making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for her organization. She also highlights the importance of balancing sharing personal information with the purpose of the conversation and the need to maintain psychological safety, respect, trust, and dignity.

She also discusses the impact of vulnerability on her team. She believes that being authentic and vulnerable helps engage the team more effectively, fostering a sense of togetherness and grit that drives success. She asserts that vulnerability is a key aspect of creating real followership and connection to the organization's purpose.

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In today’s leadership spark, Eric Miles, CEO of Moss Adams, reflects on his biggest mistakes and failures in business. He acknowledges the pivotal role of a partner who made him realize the importance of influencing and engaging with others. Eric emphasizes the value of self-awareness, vulnerability, and self-compassion, which have allowed him to grow as a leader. 

Eric also highlights the freedom and confidence that comes with accepting imperfection and being comfortable in one's own skin. He acknowledges that vulnerability can be challenging, especially when making tough decisions that may hurt others. However, he finds it freeing and believes it protects him from criticism.

Eric Miles is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now.

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In today’s leadership spark, Eric Miles, CEO of Moss Adams, discusses the growing importance of well-being at work and the need to balance work and life stress in the hybrid work environment. He emphasizes the value of creating an environment where people can thrive and highlights the significance of relationships and personal health.

Eric's agile mindset and future-focused thinking have played a role in his career progression. He believes in asking questions, staying curious, and utilizing frameworks like the "Five Whys" and Ishikawa diagrams for decision-making.

Eric Miles is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now.

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In this leadership spark, I chat with Eric Miles, the CEO of Moss Adams, about his unique perspective on growth. Eric emphasizes the significance of coaching and creating a supportive environment for team satisfaction, development, and well-being. He believes that by focusing on the growth and development of people, revenue and profit naturally follow. 

Eric also shares his thoughts on hybrid work, viewing the office as a tool for connection and purpose rather than a mere physical space. He underscores the value of a strong culture and the importance of internal equity in attracting and retaining talent, emphasizing a value proposition that prioritizes connection, growth, and work-life balance.

Eric Miles is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now.

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Today's episode is with Lard Friese, both the CEO and Chairman of Aegon, a multinational life insurance, pensions, and asset management company headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. It has businesses in over 20 countries in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

In today's episode, we discussed key topics such as leadership, vulnerability, and personal maturity in professional roles. Friese emphasized the importance of leaders being aware of their environment and showing their personality. He also shared a personal story about a significant failure early in his career, highlighting the importance of listening to his team and owning up to mistakes. Lard also discussed the power of authenticity in leadership roles and how it can build trust and improve team dynamics. Today's episode offers a valuable perspective on leadership and personal growth in professional success based on Lard's insights.

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In today’s leadership spark, Alexa von Tobel, CEO of LearnVest and Founder of Inspired Capital, shares insights on structured learning, self-awareness, and inclusive decision-making. She emphasizes the value of a learning mindset, setting goals, and seeking feedback. 

Alexa also highlights the importance of bringing people along, fostering transparency, and valuing input for effective decision-making. She emphasizes the importance of transparency, shared norms, and input from team members to create a sense of ownership and collaboration. Alexa's approach focuses on empowering individuals, valuing their perspectives, and making decisions that benefit the collective team.

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This episode is sponsored by AvePoint. Take control of your SaaS environment and ensure secure collaboration with AvePoint.

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In today’s leadership spark, Alexa von Tobel, CEO of LearnVest and Founder of Inspired Capital, emphasizes the importance of work-life balance and shares her own experiences of overworking and its negative consequences. She also discusses the value of working with a coach to foster personal growth and highlights the role of vulnerability in leadership.

Moreover, Alexa also emphasizes the significance of hiring talent that aligns with the company's mission and values, as well as the importance of continuous learning and self-awareness. She highlights the value of assessments and tools that provide insights into strengths and weaknesses, enabling leaders to make informed decisions and build effective teams.

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This episode is sponsored by AvePoint. Take control of your SaaS environment and ensure secure collaboration with AvePoint.

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In today’s leadership spark, I speak with Alexa von Tobel, CEO of LearnVest and Founder of Inspired Capital. Alexa shares her journey and insights on building successful businesses, emphasizing the importance of learning from failures and seeking guidance through coaching and mentorship. 

Alexa highlights the need for balance in leadership, including managing workloads, prioritizing sleep and exercise, and seeking perspective outside of work. She also emphasizes the value of surrounding oneself with trusted advisors who are willing to provide honest feedback. Through her experiences, Alexa demonstrates the growth and personal development that comes from embracing challenges and learning from others.

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This episode is sponsored by AvePoint. Take control of your SaaS environment and ensure secure collaboration with AvePoint.

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Today, I have the pleasure of conversing with Kate Johnson, the CEO of Lumen Technologies. Known for her transformative leadership and her ability to drive change, Johnson has been instrumental in reshaping the corporate culture at Lumen. She brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as the president of Microsoft in the United States, and her insights are sure to inspire. In our conversation today, we delve into the heart of corporate culture transformation and the role of leadership in this process. While we have previously discussed her journey at Microsoft, today our focus is on extracting key insights from Johnson's profound understanding of the business landscape and her analysis of the latest happenings at Lumen.

From the importance of a clear mission and assembling the right leadership team, as highlighted in her transformation strategy at Lumen, to the shift in mindset required for a company to succeed, we cover several important topics.

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This episode is sponsored by: AvePoint

Rapidly reduce costs, improve productivity and make more informed business decisions with AvePoint. With the most advanced platform to optimize SaaS operations and secure collaboration, AvePoint helps you transform your digital workplace and collaborate with confidence. To get started, go to www.avepoint.com and learn how you can advance your digital workplace today.

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In today’s leadership spark, Loran Nordgren, Professor at Kellogg School of Management,  explores the concept of inertia as a barrier to innovation and change. Inertia refers to the human tendency to favor the familiar over the unfamiliar. Loran discusses how big transformations can face resistance due to the unfamiliarity of the idea. It would take reframing the change, taking incremental steps, and making the unfamiliar feel familiar to overcome this resistance. 

Further into our conversation, Loran emphasizes the importance of understanding the human element and finding ways to bring people along on the change journey by addressing their emotions, minimizing effort, and involving them in the process.

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This episode is sponsored by AvePoint. Take control of your SaaS environment and ensure secure collaboration with AvePoint.

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In today’s leadership spark, Loran Nordgren, Professor at Kellogg School of Management, talks about the concept of frictions in innovation and change, and the meaning of inertia, effort, and reactance. Loran mentions the four specific frictions that stand in the way of embracing new ideas.

We also dived deep into the importance of addressing these frictions and involving the audience in the change process is emphasized, as their reactions and feelings greatly impact the success of innovation and transformation.

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This episode is sponsored by AvePoint. Take control of your SaaS environment and ensure secure collaboration with AvePoint.

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In today’s leadership spark, I speak with Loran Nordgren, Professor at Kellogg School of Management. We dive deep into the concept of friction theory and the importance of focusing on barriers rather than just appeal in driving change and selling ideas. He emphasizes that while many people believe that elevating appeal and adding more value is the key to success, it is often the barriers or frictions that hold ideas back.

Drawing an analogy to a bullet's flight, Loran explains that simply adding more gunpowder (fuel) does not help if the bullet lacks aerodynamics to reduce resistance.  Similarly, in organizations, the key is to identify and address the frictions that hold ideas back. By making ideas more aerodynamic and removing barriers, real progress and growth can be achieved.

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This episode is sponsored by AvePoint. Take control of your SaaS environment and ensure secure collaboration with AvePoint.

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Today we'll be diving into the world of author and entrepreneur Seth Godin. Seth has recently released a new book titled "The Song of Significance," which explores the concept of significance in the world and questions whether we are in a new era of leadership. In our conversation, we'll discuss the negative effects of automation, the balance of power shift within organizations, and the importance of leading with vulnerability. We'll also touch on the distinction between management and leadership, and the companies that Seth admires.

Throughout our discussion, we'll be focusing on the idea of significance and how to create it in your life and work. Seth will share his insights on where to start and how to crack the egg to make a real impact.

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This episode is sponsored by: AvePoint

Rapidly reduce costs, improve productivity and make more informed business decisions with AvePoint. With the most advanced platform to optimize SaaS operations and secure collaboration, AvePoint helps you transform your digital workplace and collaborate with confidence. To get started, go to www.avepoint.com and learn how you can advance your digital workplace today.

__________________

Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email https://greatleadership.substack.com/