Send us a text

What if the key to transformational leadership isn't having all the answers, but knowing how to ask the right questions? Join John and Greg as they discuss leadership insights with Patrick Farran, PhD and MBA. Patrick reveals the secrets that many executives miss when stepping into new roles or leading significant change initiatives.

Drawing from decades of experience as a consultant, coach, and founder of Ad Lucem Group, Patrick shares powerful insights from his upcoming book, "The Intentional Executive." He challenges the myth that leaders must have all the answers, instead advocating for a purpose-driven approach where executives serve as catalysts, mentors, and facilitators who know when to get out of their team's way.

The conversation explores the fascinating "IKEA effect" — research showing people value what they help create. Patrick translates this into a leadership principle: "people support what they help co-create." Through intentional listening tours and authentic engagement, leaders can build alignment and ownership that traditional top-down management simply cannot achieve.

We also dive into the Pygmalion effect, where expectations become self-fulfilling prophecies. Patrick explains how high-performing teams ask more questions than they advocate positions, creating an environment where constructive conflict and diverse perspectives lead to more robust solutions. This approach isn't about avoiding disagreement but fostering healthy, respectful dialogue that embraces diversity of thought.

Perhaps most importantly, Patrick emphasizes that leadership is a learned skill, not a fixed trait. Anyone can develop these capabilities with practice, persistence, and the right mindset. The pandemic taught valuable lessons about trust, agency, and adaptability that effective leaders are now applying to create more engaged, productive workplaces.

Whether you're a new executive navigating a challenging transition or an experienced leader looking to transform your approach, this episode offers practical wisdom to center yourself on purpose, engage your team through co-creation, and achieve better results while making work more meaningful for everyone involved.

Want to learn more? Visit adlucemgroup.com for free resources and information about Patrick's upcoming book, or connect with him directly on LinkedIn.

Support the show

Presented by John Wandolowski and Greg Powell

Send us a text

Ever found yourself stuck in a workplace that just doesn't fit? The secret might not be in avoiding what's wrong, but in actively seeking what's right. This transformative episode John Wandolowski, and Greg Powell shifts the conversation from identifying workplace red flags to recognizing the green ones—those positive indicators that signal a truly exceptional organization.

We dive deep into the three fundamental green flags every job seeker should prioritize. First, we explore how a robust culture strategy transcends buzzwords to create environments where values are lived, not just displayed. Looking at examples like Google and Southwest Airlines, we examine how authentic organizational cultures drive engagement, productivity, and retention.

The conversation then turns to diversity in leadership as both a moral imperative and strategic advantage. Companies that embrace diverse perspectives aren't just checking boxes—they're fostering innovation and creating resilience in an ever-changing business landscape. We discuss how organizations like Blackstone and Amazon implement leadership training programs that develop talent across backgrounds.

Beyond just searching company websites, we provide practical strategies for researching potential employers. From maximizing Glassdoor's potential to the irreplaceable value of face-to-face networking, we share actionable techniques to uncover an organization's true character before you accept an offer.

This episode serves as your comprehensive guide to workplace selection, helping you move beyond simply avoiding toxic environments to actively pursuing organizations where you'll thrive. Your career deserves more than just escaping the bad—it deserves finding the genuinely good. Listen now to transform how you approach your next career move.

Support the show

Presented by John Wandolowski and Greg Powell

Send us a text

In this episode, John and Greg talk about what separates good leaders from truly transformational ones? The answer lies not in strategy, but in emotional intelligence—the leadership superpower hiding in plain sight.

The article by Stuart Andrews, executive coach and author of "The Leadership Shift," presents a compelling case that mirrors the teachings of Dr. Durst's MBR program: you can't effectively lead others until you've mastered leading yourself. This inside-out approach to leadership starts with self-awareness and radiates outward through thoughtful communication, empathetic listening, and genuine team engagement.

The journey begins with personal accountability. Leaders who showcase values, continuous learning, and self-care naturally inspire others. The next critical step involves asking thoughtful questions that create space for diverse opinions—not just seeking agreement. As we explore in the episode, truly influential leaders know when to speak and when to listen, understanding that "you're given two ears and one mouth for a reason."

Self-reflection emerges as a vital practice for leadership growth. Through dedicated quiet time examining your thoughts, actions, and impact, you develop wisdom that transcends mere knowledge. Many successful leaders incorporate meditation or structured reflection into their routines, focusing on questions like: "How do I feel right now?", "What lessons can I learn from my mistakes?", and "How supportive am I of others?"

Perhaps most courageously, emotional intelligence demands seeking genuine feedback. When team members trust that their honest assessments will be valued rather than punished, they become invested partners in the leadership journey. This feedback loop creates continuous improvement while transforming responsibility into ownership.

The leadership insights shared throughout this episode aren't just theoretical—they're practical tools for immediate application. Whether you're leading a small team or a large organization, emotional intelligence provides the bridge between where you are as a leader and what you're meant to become.

Ready to transform your leadership approach through emotional intelligence? Listen now to discover how self-awareness, empathetic communication, and genuine connection can elevate your leadership impact. Share your experiences or questions with us at authorjaw.com—we'd love to hear how these principles are working in your leadership journey.

Support the show

Presented by John Wandolowski and Greg Powell