Leader2Leader with Tom Athenour

In this conversation, Ron Redell, president of DoubleLine, shares insights on leadership, risk management, and building a high-performing successful organization. Drawing from his sports background and decades of experience in money management, he discusses the nine attributes of effective leadership, including ownership, adaptability, and communication, and how these principles can be applied to foster a resilient and high-performing culture.   My Key Takeaways   The nine attributes of effective leadership ("Commander" model). The importance of ownership and personal responsibility.  Adapting to market changes and risk management. Building a strong organizational culture. Measuring success and fostering trust.   The 9 Attributes of the COMMANDER framework:  Communication Ownership Motivate Move/Action Adaptability Never Stop Learning Delegate Empathy Reliability   Contact Information:  LinkedIn: Ron Redell, https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-redell-1126a9/ Doubline: https://doubleline.com/   Podcast Sponsor: www.starquestgroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/starquest-group/?viewAsMember=true Tom Athenour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomathenour/

In this insightful conversation, Tom Athenour and Karen Posey discuss expert strategies for creating enterprise value, building effective leadership teams, and developing future leaders in mid-market companies. Discover practical tips on aligning your first team, leveraging stakeholder feedback, and rethinking leadership development to accelerate growth.   Summary of Episode Takeaways More focus in mid-market companies needs to be placed on creating enterprise value. To create that enterprise value, execs need to build and align their first leadership team.  A key strategic objective needs to be rethinking leadership development and succession planning. It's important to engage stakeholders for strategic insights. Very important to create a consistent operating rhythm   Contact Information:  www.kpstrategies.net LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenposey/   Reading Resources:  A CEO for All Seasons The Journey of Leadership   Podcast Company Sponsor:  StarQuest Group: www.starquestgroup.com   Host Contact Information:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/starquest-group/?viewAsMember=true Tom Athenour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomathenour/

In this conversation, Tom Athenour and Donna Zajonc explore the integration of psychology and business through the lens of the Empowerment Dynamic framework. They discuss the Drama Triangle, which includes the roles of Victim, Rescuer, and Persecutor, and how these roles manifest in workplace dynamics. Donna emphasizes the importance of shifting from a Rescuer mindset to a Coaching approach, encouraging leaders to empower their teams rather than take over responsibilities.    The discussion also highlights the significance of self-observation, intention, and the difference between problem-focused and outcome-focused thinking in leadership. Donna shares insights on the legacy of her late husband and co-founder, David Emerald, and the ongoing work that the center is doing worldwide to promote the Empowerment Dynamic in various organizational settings.   My Key Takeaways The speed of life is increasing, leading to more stress and anxiety. The Drama Triangle consists of the Victim, Rescuer, and Persecutor roles. Shifting from Rescuer to Coach empowers others to take responsibility. Self-observation is key to recognizing our roles in the Drama Triangle. Leaders should focus on outcomes (what they want) rather than just problems. Understanding intention can help shift from controlling to encouraging behaviors. The Empowerment Dynamic promotes creativity and agency in individuals. Recognizing triggers can help prevent falling into reactive roles. The legacy of David Womeldorf continues to inspire the work in the Empowerment Dynamic. Creating a world that works for all is the ultimate goal of this framework.   Contact Information:  Donna Zajonc LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-zajonc-mcc-612455/   Books by Donna Zajonc and David Emerald The Power of TED*: The Empowerment Dynamic: 10th Anniversary Edition 3 Vital Questions: Transforming Workplace Drama Who Do You Want to Be on the Way to What You Want?: Coaching with the Empowerment Dynamic   Podcast Sponsor: www.starquestgroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/starquest-group/?viewAsMember=true Tom Athenour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomathenour/

In this conversation, Tom Athenour and Lisa Lahey explore the intricacies of organizational development and transformation, emphasizing the importance of understanding the difference between informational and transformational learning.  They discuss the role of leadership in fostering a deliberately developmental organization, the challenges leaders face in navigating change, and the significance of self-reflection and feedback in personal and organizational growth.  Lisa introduces the immunity to change framework, highlighting how leaders can identify self-protective mechanisms and challenge their assumptions to foster a more adaptive and strategic approach to leadership. Takeaways Development is about expanding our inner landscape. Leaders must recognize the difference between technical and adaptive challenges. Creating a culture that welcomes mistakes is essential for growth. Self-reflection is crucial for effective leadership. Immunity to change helps leaders identify self-protective behaviors. Assumptions can limit a leader's ability to grow. Feedback from others is vital for personal development. Strategic thinking requires dedicated time and space. Curiosity is a key driver of leadership development. Organizational culture impacts individual growth opportunities.   Contact Information:  Lisa Lahey: LinkedIn Profile Books by Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential within Yourself and Organization.  An Everyone Culture: Becoming a Deliberately Developmental Organization     Podcast Sponsor: www.starquestgroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/starquest-group/?viewAsMember=true Tom Athenour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomathenour/

In this episode, Tom Athenour welcomes listeners to season 2 of the Leader-to-Leader podcast, emphasizing the importance of holistic leadership and personal development. He discusses the significance of setting intentions for the new year and introduces the One Big Thing (OBT) framework, which helps individuals focus on one key area for growth.  The conversation highlights the need for accountability and the role of community in achieving personal and professional goals, while also looking forward to future episodes that will delve deeper into building sustainable change and vibrant organizational cultures. Our Top 7 Key Takeaways:  Setting intentions for the new year is crucial for personal growth. The One Big Thing (OBT) framework helps focus development efforts. Accountability is essential for achieving personal goals. Community support enhances individual growth and change. Leaders should identify what to do less of to improve. Practicing new behaviors is key to leadership development. Building vibrant cultures requires sustainable change efforts. If you have ideas or suggestions on podcast topics or speakers, please email us at [email protected].  Podcast Sponsor: www.starquestgroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/starquest-group/?viewAsMember=true Tom Athenour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomathenour/

In this conversation, Parag Parekh, Chief Digital Officer at IKEA, shares insights into the evolution of retail, the importance of omni-channel strategies, and the challenges faced by leaders in adapting to rapid changes in the market. He discusses IKEA's journey from a traditional brick-and-mortar retailer to a digital-first organization, emphasizing the need for agility, collaboration, and a customer-centric approach. Parag also highlights the significance of fostering an entrepreneurial culture within teams and the role of AI in shaping the future of retail. Parag Parekh has over 20 years of experience in digital leadership across retail, consumer products and industrial sectors. He has held influential roles at companies such as Adidas, General Electric (GE), and Tata.  Parag has an MBA in Information Technology from NMIMS and completed an executive development program at Harvard Business School.  Following are several takeaways from our conversation.  IKEA has evolved from a traditional retailer to an omni-channel leader. The concept of flat-pack furniture revolutionized the furniture industry. Leadership requires adaptability and resilience in times of change. The omni-channel approach allows seamless customer experiences across platforms. IKEA's history is rooted in innovation and customer-centric solutions. The retail landscape is rapidly changing due to technology and consumer behavior. Fostering a culture of entrepreneurship is key to organizational success. AI will play a significant role in the future of retail. Believing in oneself and learning from failures are essential for growth. For further questions, please contact Parag on LinkedIn and reference the L2L Podcast Series:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paragmparekh/ To contact the StarQuest Group or Tom Athenour, please use the following links:  Website: www.starquestgroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/starquest-group/?viewAsMember=true Tom Athenour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomathenour/

Back in 2014, one of the biggest transformations in modern business history kicked off at Microsoft when Satya Nadella took over the reins as CEO from Steve Balmer. Today, Satya is largely credited with changing the business of Microsoft from a traditional software company into a cloud-first, mobile-first powerhouse—with a current market cap of more than $3.6 trillion. In this episode, Tom Athenour sits down with Takuya Hirano, the former president and CEO of Microsoft Japan. Takuya was a member of the executive team and had a front-row seat to how Nadella and the executive team reshaped Microsoft's vision, culture and strategy.  Takuya left Microsoft in 2023 after 17 years, and today he is on several boards including Fujitsu, and is also an executive advisor to KKR & Co. and Honda Motor Company. He is also the co-founder of Three Fields Advisors, a consulting firm that helps businesses scale internationally by providing expert advice on market expansion, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), partnerships, and market analysis. Following are several takeaways from our conversation.  Microsoft's transformation was driven by a new worldview. True organizational transformation requires a shift in organizational culture. Courage and self-awareness are crucial for leaders to execute on a culture change.  Operationalizing culture change is essential for success. Revenue models must adapt during transformation. Defining success goes beyond traditional metrics. Engaging with customers is key to business strategy. Leaders must embrace continuous learning and curiosity. Cultural change can be intentional and achievable. Contact Information:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/takuya-hirano/ Three Fields Advisors: https://www.threefieldsadvisors.com/ Podcast Sponsor: www.starquestgroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/starquest-group/?viewAsMember=true Tom Athenour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomathenour/

In this episode, Tom Athenour and Mitch Harrison delve into the pressing issue of burnout, exploring its symptoms, personal experiences, and effective strategies for recovery. Mitch shares his journey through burnout and the development of a framework that emphasizes the importance of balancing stress with replenishment.  The discussion highlights the five key areas—Rest, Release, Receive, Recreation, and Relationships—that are essential for maintaining mental health and productivity. They also emphasize the need for leaders to model self-care and create a culture that supports personal replenishment. Contact Information:  [email protected]: Refill Coaching: www.refillcoaching.com Book:  Running on Full: A Plan to Beat Burnout and Replenish Your Inner Tank, by Mitch Harrison Podcast Sponsor: www.starquestgroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/starquest-group/?viewAsMember=true Tom Athenour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomathenour/

In this episode, Tom Athenour sits down with Tony Garver, Chief Administration Officer at First Onsite, to unpack how the company pulled off 25 acquisitions in just 2½ years—and what it really takes to make that kind of growth stick. Tony takes us behind the scenes of their bold M&A strategy, revealing the leadership moves that fueled their success. From aligning cultures and integrating leaders to keeping people front and center, he shares the lessons learned in navigating complexity without losing momentum. At the heart of the conversation: the power of clear communication, strong feedback loops, and striking the right balance between integration and autonomy. If you've ever wondered what it takes to grow fast without breaking what makes your organization great, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.  Contact Information:  [email protected]; First Onsite Website: www.firstonsite.com  Podcast Sponsor: www.starquestgroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/starquest-group/?viewAsMember=true Tom Athenour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomathenour/

In this conversation, Tom Athenour and Bob Anderson discuss the evolving landscape of leadership amidst unprecedented uncertainty. They explore the developmental challenges leaders face, the importance of mindset shifts, and the necessity of integrating intuition and creativity into leadership practices. Bob emphasizes the need for courageous conversations, the management of polarities, and the significance of shadow work in unlocking potential. The discussion culminates in the idea that leaders must create conditions for breakthroughs and navigate the unknown with a focus on intuition and insight. Book Resources: Mastering Leadership: An Integrated Framework for Breakthrough Performance and Extraordinary Business Results by Bob Anderson and Bill Adams Scaling Leadership:  Building Organizational Capability and Capacity to Create Outcomes that Matter Most Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization (Leadership for the Common Good) Leadership Circle Framework/Competency Model: Leadership Circle Free Assessment Podcast Sponsor: www.starquestgroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/starquest-group/?viewAsMember=true Tom Athenour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomathenour/

In this episode, host Tom Athenour sits down with Shawn McBride, a seasoned couples therapist and counselor, to explore the importance of investing in your personal relationships (couples, marriage, dating) as part of being an effective leader. Shawn shares his journey from a childhood mediator within his family to being a professional counselor, emphasizing the importance of communication and emotional intelligence in both personal and professional realms. Discover practical strategies for leaders to foster healthier relationships at home, ensuring that personal life and leadership roles complement rather than conflict with each other. Tune in for insights on empathy, self-awareness, and the transformative power of intentional connection. Referenced Books:  His Needs, Her Needs: How to Affair Proof Your Marriage by Dr. William Harley Communication & Conflict Resolution Workbook for Couples by Shawn McBride 52 Date Night Ideas For Busy Couples by Shawn McBride 40 Days of Conversations with Her: Practical Conversation Starters For The Busy Man by Shawn McBride Additional Resources Referenced:  Couples Growth Skool  Podcast Sponsor: www.starquestgroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/starquest-group/?viewAsMember=true Tom Athenour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomathenour/

In this conversation, Barry Posner dives into the heart of what makes great leadership tick—championing trust, sparking empowerment, and inspiring others through genuine encouragement. He shares the personal journey that led him into the world of leadership and academia, offering powerful lessons shaped by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. With passion and clarity, Posner explores the vital role of curiosity and human connection in today's ever-changing landscape, especially among rising generations. He also gives us a sneak peek into his upcoming book, The Radical Promise (working title), and the bold ideas it brings to the future of leadership.  As a bestselling author, Barry Posner and Jim Kouzes are best known for their many leadership books including The Leadership Challenge in its 7th edition and Encouraging the Heart. For some of his most notable books, check out the following resources.   Resources: Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations (7th Edition) The Truth about Leadership: The No-fads, Heart-of-the-Matter Facts You Need to Know Encouraging the Heart: Igniting Purpose and Providing Meaningful Recognition (2nd Edition) Everyday People, Extraordinary Leadership: How to Make a Difference Regardless of Your Title, Role, or Authority  Podcast Sponsor: www.starquestgroup.com

In this episode, Tom Athenour speaks with Gordy Curphy about his work and research on how we as leaders can more effectively build high performing teams.  During the discussion, Gordy shared the eight interrelated components that need to be addressed to create the conditions for team success. Those eight components include:  Context – What's the situation in which the team must operate? Mission – Why is our team together, and what's the what and how of our mission? Talent – Do we have the right people with the right skills in the right roles?  Norms – What are our agreed upon behavioral expectations and operating norms?  Buy-In – What's our level of commitment and alignment?  Resources – What data is available to our team and do we have the authority to make decisions?  Courage – What's our level of trust, cohesion, and psychological safety.? Results – How do we track and celebrate progress? For more information on the eight components of Gordy's "Rocket Model" framework, visit his website as noted below.   Resources:  Website: www.curphyleadershipconsultants.com Sponsor:   Website: www.starquestgroup.com 

In this episode, Tom Athenour speaks with Jess Kindler about his extensive career in leadership within the mining industry and beyond. They discuss the evolving landscape of global business, the importance of customer-centric leadership, and the need for agility in response to rapid changes in technology and market dynamics.  Jess shares insights on how leaders can effectively navigate challenges, meet their teams where they are, and foster a culture of curiosity and accountability. The conversation culminates in practical advice for emerging leaders on embracing change and taking ownership of their roles. Resources:  Website: www.hutanhujan.com www.starquestgroup.com

Paul Monahan has spent years working with amateur and professional golfers and athletes to perfect the inner game or what we call the mental side of performance.  As the mental game coach for one of the largest golf instruction communities in the country, Paul's focus is on helping his clients overcome the inside-game challenges that show up during practice and play. Paul recently published his first book entitled The Most Important Game: Play Better. Struggle Less. Enjoy More. Regardless of whether you play golf or not, you'll find this episode most insightful as Paul shares his reflections on how we can see the game of golf—and perhaps the game of life—in fresh ways. In addition to working with golfers and athletes, he is an executive coach who works with senior leaders, teams and organizations to improve their performance in the workplace. Paul's Book, The Most Important Game: https://www.amazon.com/Most-Important-Game-Better-Struggle/dp/1998315002 Website: https://www.paulmonahan.com/ Youtube: https://youtube.com/@PaulMonahanCoach?si=aov2boB5QOg8Mx0e

Recently I had the opportunity to connect with Ann Betz, a neuroscience and leadership expert. During our discussion, we explored strategies to better navigate stress, tension, and uncertainty in our daily work environments. From our conversation, I gathered several neuroscience-based techniques (or "hacks," as she calls them) that can help us manage these challenges—both for ourselves and when supporting others. 1) Acknowledge and Express Your Emotions Suppressing emotions doesn't make them disappear; instead, they often resurface in unhelpful ways. Simply sharing what you're experiencing can help calm your nervous system. Hack #1: Reach out to your inner circle and express what you're feeling instead of bottling it up. 2) Take Control by Changing Your Environment While we can't always control every aspect of our work or personal life, we do have influence over our immediate surroundings. If stress builds up, try altering your routine—take a different route to work, visit a new café, or create a change in your workspace. Small adjustments can provide a sense of control and refresh your mindset. Hack #2: Modify your environment or routine to regain a sense of stability. 3) Ask More Questions Engaging in thoughtful questioning helps activate the logical part of the brain, reducing emotional overwhelm. Leaders who ask more questions can help themselves and others remain calm and approach situations with a clearer mindset. Hack #3: Use thoughtful questions to shift focus from emotional reactions to problem-solving. 4) Shift Your Perspective Challenging yourself and others to view situations through a different lens can be a powerful way to navigate stress. Ask yourself, "How can I see this differently?" or "What's the bigger picture?" Similarly, encourage others to consider new viewpoints by asking questions like, "How might the customer perceive this?" or "What's another way to approach this problem?" Hack #4: Reframe challenges by looking at them from different perspectives. 5) Practice Mindfulness Research shows that mindfulness helps anchor us in the present moment and calms the nervous system. This doesn't require a formal meditation practice—it can be as simple as sitting still, walking outside, or taking slow, intentional breaths. Hack #5: Take a deep breath in, then exhale slowly to reset and refocus. By incorporating these simple yet effective strategies, we can better manage stress, support those around us, and create a more balanced approach to challenges in the workplace. References:  Website: https://www.beaboveleadership.com/ Ann's book: Integration: The Power of Being Co-Active in Work and Life Ann's book on ICF Competencies Amanda Blake's book is Your Body is Your Brain

For this episode, I had the opportunity to connect with Mara Swan who is currently an Operating Partner with Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm that invests in companies around the world.  During our conversation, I asked Mara what she thought were the most important leadership capabilities needed to be effective in today's world. She quickly responded with leaning into change and driving performance. And so, that was our launch pad for our discussion on change and performance.  A bit about Mara Swan. She is currently an Operating Partner with Stonepeak, and her strategic role is to focus on talent. Prior to Stonepeak, she was an executive with ManpowerGroup, a $20B global workforce solutions company with over 30,000 employees across 80 countries.  During her time at Manpower, she was responsible for Strategy, HR, Marketing, PR & Communications, ESG, Thought Leadership, Risk Management, and the Right Management brand.  Prior to ManpowerGroup, Mara was Senior Vice President of Global HR at MolsonCoors Brewing Company.  Today, in addition to Stonepeak Mara is on several private and public boards and provides guidance on HR strategy, talent and leadership.

Jon is President and General Manager of Epiroc USA, a global company that serves the mining, construction, and infrastructure industries. During this episode, Jon shares how he and his leadership team led their organization through a transformational culture change that has resulted in becoming one of the top performing companies within the Epiroc organization as well as being recognized by USA Today as one of the best places to work in America. Some of what you'll learn is how Jon and his team embraced a new strategic vision and mission, and then invited the entire organization to be active participants in shaping their journey forward. In this interview, Jon shares how they communicated the vision, what organizational changes were made, how they had to change their approach around people leadership. What's amazing about this journey is how their organization persevered and continued to make tough choices despite the challenges and difficulties surrounding the changes. Jon will remind all of us that it does matter how we show up as leaders, and that we need to continually upgrade our leadership playbook because what worked before may no longer be relevant today. Starquestgroup.com

Feeling tired, emotionally exhausted, and frustrated with not being able to move things forward? If you can relate, you're not alone. During this episode, John and Tom discuss how we all can create a more fulfilling and healthy life, while also becoming a more effective leader, partner, parent and human being! A brief introduction to John's story. In 1987, John was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, John created a massive explosion in his home and was burned on 100% of his body. He was given less than a 1% chance to live. John's epic story of survival has never felt more relevant than today given all the challenges we face. Today, John is the author of the #1 National Bestselling books ON FIRE and IN AWE. John is also the host of the top-rated Live Inspired Podcast and speaks all over the world. Consistently described as "the best speaker we've ever had," John's emotional story- telling, unexpected humor and authenticity make each presentation unforgettable. Starquestgroup.com Originally Published on November 8, 2024

In this episode, Sam and Tom discuss how leadership is changing and what leaders need to know to navigate the uncertainties of our future reality. As CEO of Vistage, Sam leads the world's largest CEO coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize businesses, with more than 45,000 members in 30+ countries. He has a global view and perspective on what's changing in the business environment, and what the best leaders are doing differently to be successful. In addition to hearing about what trends he's seeing within their CEO network, Sam will share his leadership successes and failures, and what he considers to be the most significant differences between good leaders and great leaders. Starquestgroup.com Originally Published on September 10, 2024

In this episode, Jason and Tom explore how Jason was given the opportunity back in April of 2019 to lead a team or squadron of 80 people into a combat situation in the Middle East. The original assignment was to take over the squadron and be ready for deployment. The timeframe to prepare was about 12 months; however, conditions changed rather quickly after taking command of the squadron and their timeline to get prepared for deployment changed from 12 months to six weeks. The squadron did deploy successfully but the team development work over that six week period wasn't without its challenges, mistakes and emotional tension. If you're interested in learning how Jason and his team pulled together their squadron to be combat ready under extreme time constraints, then you do not want to miss this episode. Starquestgroup.com Originally Published on August 15, 2024