Bold Leaders in Action

This will be a video podcast series featuring themed success stories in a 15-minute interview format. It will convey the excitement of accomplishment, even as we get a peek behind the scenes to share that significant progress rarely occurs in neat, ordered steps. We are telling stories of the messy middle, after reaching the other side; the situation doesn’t have to be “solved,” just improved.

Guests will be business leaders – decision makers who have led, conceived, and/or launched initiatives that led to a qualitatively improved business condition.  

Bold leaders focus on progress, not perfection.

Through the examples you share, you ignite sparks of pride and ownership among your managers and team members and you will inspire all who listen with your courage to not only take a stand, but to share the candid details.

The first theme is...

Bringing people together to decide, problem solve, collaborate,
and/or support each other better than before. 

Worthwhile stories might be:

• How we stopped thinking everyone was facing exactly the same set of challenges and that led to us getting to know each other better and support each other better.
• How we moved an entire office (or industrial process or …) and not only discovered new levels of flexibility, but a whole set of high potentials who stepped up during the process.
• How we won a contract that caused us to have to rethink our routines in order to succeed. Without naming the customer, let me tell how our senior managers dug in, made sacrifices, and showed strengths and caring that amazed me. 

The WFH-WFO context is an obvious backdrop to the tensions of changing expectations and routines that have developed while working from home.

Some were positive, some were negative, some were a mixed bag, and all had to be orchestrated to come together by bold leadership. 

Prep Meeting [Wednesday/Thursday afternoons]

• During the Prep meeting, we will schedule an interview time.
• We have a brief prep meeting to check A/V and answer any questions that you might have.
• Use the online calendar in Next Steps tab on this page to schedule an interview Prep Meeting time.
• You will get an interview invite containing all the details for joining the interview.
  

Interview [Friday afternoons]

Plan for a terrific interview. It will be on a Friday afternoon. 

• Plan for 30 minutes, to allow for set-up, the interview, and follow-up details.
• Have a strong internet connection.
• Make sure you are pleased with your background, whether working from the office or home or on the road.
• The interview will be via video, recorded, and details to join will be in your calendar invitation. 

Follow-up [Post production]

• You will be notified when your interview is published and ready to share.
  
• We can have a chat afterward to share feedback.
• I'm always interested in 2 things: what you enjoyed and how my team and I can improve.
  

I'll introduce you with your name, company name, and role for context. 

Then I'll ask:

1. Who does your company serve? (Share the target audience and primary solution you offer.)
   
   
2. Tell me about the business challenge that you faced? (This is one specific challenge related to the theme.)
   
   
3. What initial steps did you take? (Describe where you first looked for a solution, even if it involved a false start. Many others may be thinking along the same lines and would benefit from knowing that you were there, too.)
    
   
4. What was it like when the rubber hit the road? (When did you notice that things were changing in the way you hoped and planned? What exactly did you notice?)
   
   
5. Now what is it like since you’ve achieved that level of success? (What is working better? What pain was eliminated? Any metrics you can share would be very useful.)
   
   
6. What is one of the best lessons that you learned from the experience? (This is something you or your team learned. No need to make it any more general.)
   
   
7. What is a favorite book, movie scene, or quote that guides your business decision making?
   

That's a wrap!