Ever had to navigate a tough talk at work? Whether it’s about performance issues or current events, we all face challenging conversations. It turns out that mishandling these conversations can lead to more workplace stress and unresolved problems. But what if there’s a smarter way to handle them? In today’s Leadership Spark episode, we’ll break down the FLIPS method so you can start tackling tough talks with confidence. This strategy can turn dreaded discussions into opportunities for improvement and connection.

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Known for bestsellers like Profit First and The Pumpkin Plan, Mike Michalowicz is now transforming teams from good to great. In this episode, he dives into why rethinking money as a motivator can change your team’s focus from just getting paid to truly engaging and excelling. Mike also unpacks the dynamics between A, B, and C players and shows how tapping into this can supercharge team performance. He highlights the power of building trust and community at work, where shared experiences and the right kind of conflict can make team bonds stronger. Plus, he breaks down the FAST Model—Fit, Ability, Safety, and Ownership—sharing practical tips on how to use these elements to shake up your leadership style.Tune in to discover how these innovative approaches can help you create a team that’s truly unstoppable.

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Most of us have been taught to think of our careers as a ladder, moving from one job to the next. However, this traditional mindset is setting us up for failure. Nowadays, relying solely on job titles and roles is risky, as companies now prioritize skills like adaptability, communication, tech-savviness, and emotional intelligence. In today’s Leadership Spark, I explain why you need to reframe your career and share practical advice on identifying and leveraging your skills for career success.

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Think one-on-one meetings are just routine check-ins? When done right, meetings can be a game-changer for leaders and their teams driving employee engagement and retention.
Steven Rogelberg, Professor of Organizational Science, Management, and Psychology at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, and author of “Glad We Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings” shares his insights on transforming leadership through one-on-one meetings.

In today’s episode, Steve dives into the impact of one-on-one meetings on employee engagement and turnover. Steven explains the need for regular, predictable meetings and creating a psychologically safe environment. He also shares strategies like balancing short-term and long-term goals, avoiding micromanagement, asking probing questions, and setting a clear but flexible agenda.

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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/

What does leadership mean to you? In my journey interviewing 140 CEOs and surveying 14,000 employees for my best-selling book, "The Future Leader," I discovered that everyone has a slightly different view of what leadership entails. This diversity in understanding can lead to confusion and inconsistency in leadership styles within the same organization, sometimes causing conflict and dissatisfaction. What if we could all start from a common definition and customize from there? In today’s leadership spark, I offer a definition of leadership developed from patterns observed across numerous top executives. I discuss how adopting a clear definition of leadership can align your team's efforts and enhance overall performance.

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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/

AI has reshaped the business world in the last 24 months, compelling industries to rethink how they operate. Dartmouth professor Vijay Govindarajan dives into this topic, discussing how to use AI and real-time data strategically. In this episode, he introduces "Fusion Strategy," which integrates digital technology with traditional business processes. We explore the role of data graphs, used by giants like Google and Amazon, to track and leverage consumer data and how companies must evolve to stay competitive in this digital landscape. Vijay specifically focused on innovation in 4 key innovation areas: Brilliant Machines, Remarkable Results, Smart Systems, and Custom Solutions. If you’re looking to grasp the future of business and the necessary leadership skills to navigate it, this is an episode you wouldn’t want to miss.

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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/

Why does throwing perks at employees not create lasting engagement? In today’s workplace, many companies try to woo and retain top talent with attractive perks like free food, unlimited vacation, and even on-site massages. However, the core problem is that perks do not address the fundamental aspects of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. What should companies focus on instead to foster a genuinely engaged workforce? In today’s leadership spark, I talk about why perks are not a sustainable strategy and explore the deeper, more effective approach of focusing on employee experience.

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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/

Ali Abdaal is a former doctor turned productivity expert after he started posting videos online about how to study for medical exams. Today his Youtube channel has around 5.5 million subscribers and people from around the world tune in to hear his productivity tips. Today Ali is going to share how to identify productivity bottlenecks and ways to solve them, why intrinsic motivators are more powerful than extrinsic ones, the importance of NICE goals, and how to make work more enjoyable so that you can stay productive.

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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/

Most people want to get into a leadership role, yet few are actually able to do it. What’s the secret to success? I’ve interviewed and worked with thousands of leaders over the years and there 5 simple yet effective strategies that the world’s top leaders use to get ahead. In today’s leadership spark, I’ll break down what these strategies are including: taking initiative by tackling tough jobs, showing vulnerability to build trust, excelling at your current duties, shifting your focus on tasks to supporting your team, and being mindful of your self-image. Mastering these tips will help you stand out as a leader and move up in your career.

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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/