The Best Leadership Podcast Ever (with Jeff Matlow)

Empowering your team can lead to more effective leadership and greater success. That's the beginning of distributed decision-making.

Great leadership doesn’t come from treating everyone like a star player — it comes from knowing who they really are. That's the leadership mistake almost every manager makes.

Staying in your comfort zone is the main thing holding you back from achieving your goals.

Everything you struggle with can be boiled down to three simple problems: your head, your heart, or your bank account.

Big transformations often start with small, intentional changes. They can lead to powerful, lasting leadership transformations.

'Twas the night before bonus, and all through the Zoom, Not a person was smiling, no one in the room.

Expecting perfection is a damaging perspective. If you want to create a strong culture and a stronger team, there's a better way to look at it.

In leadership, just like in baseball, the difference between winning and losing isn’t the big swings — it’s the tiny, incremental plays in between. Great leaders win by inches.

There's a big difference between the mindset of a quarterback and a coach. Embracing this difference will transform your leadership. You don't even have to like football.

Your org chart is silently shaping your product—and not always in a good way. In this episode, Jeff Matlow unpacks Conway’s Law and what it reveals about communication, silos, and leadership blind spots.

Anger often hides a deeper issue—fear of conflict. In this episode, Jeff Matlow looks behind the mask of anger and teaches you how to recognize and address the real cause of anger in the workplace. When you look behind the mask of anger, you end up with better communication and stronger leadership.

Q-Tips push all the bad stuff deeper inside. All they do is make things worse. As it turns out, the same thing happens at work when you take things personally. It's time to quit taking it personally.

Creating a more productive team takes time. But here's a wormhole. It allows you to improve your company culture immediately. You just have to look for it.

Success is partly about luck. As it turns out, confident people tend to have more luck than others. And that's where the Confidence Gap comes in. It's time to learn why women have less confidence than men and what you can do about it.

Want to instantly improve your leadership? You should start by improving your communication. In this episode, Jeff Matlow breaks down why clarity is your most overlooked superpower — and how to wield it with confidence. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🔹 Why most leaders talk too much (and say too little) 🔹 How clear communication [...]

Working with narcissists can feel like walking through a minefield. But it's the type of minefield where you're guaranteed to step on a mine - almost daily. In this episode, Jeff unpacks how to manage the narcissist's dynamic with clarity and grace, so you maintain what's left of your sanity. In this episode, you’ll learn: [...]

Women in leadership face unique challenges, but they also bring extraordinary value. In this episode, Jeff Matlow dives into the current state of women leaders, examining both the progress and the barriers that still exist. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🔹 Why women leaders are often held to higher standards 🔹 The real strategies to [...]

You might think you have a communication problem — and you might be right. But the real issue might not be what you communicate but how. In this episode, Jeff Matlow challenges you to stop blaming behavior alone and start rethinking your communication processes. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🔹 Why centralizing and standardizing communication [...]

Criticism stings — but it doesn’t have to sink you. In this episode, Jeff Matlow takes a sharp (and more than a little humorous) look at why criticism hurts so much… and how to turn it into a leadership superpower. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🔹 Why criticism feels like a threat (and what to [...]

A hug at Disney isn’t just a hug—it’s a rule. And it holds a powerful lesson for leaders everywhere. In this episode, Jeff unpacks how small moments of care can shape an entire culture. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🔹 What the Disney Hug Rule teaches about human connection 🔹 How small gestures build trust [...]

What can Waffle House teach you about crisis management? A lot more than you'd expect. In this quick and witty episode, Jeff Matlow unpacks the brilliance of the “Waffle House Index” and how clarity leads through chaos. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🔹 What the Waffle House Index is—and why it works 🔹 How strong [...]

Deadlines often feel like pressure — after all, they’re meant to push. But not all deadlines are created equal. In this episode, Jeff Matlow reflects on some personal stuff happening in his life and how it's viewed from the perspective of deadlines. 🎧 Press play. But don't say I didn't warn you. _______________ A lot [...]

Do you feel confined by your own routines or your decisions? Are they backing you into a corner? Turns out, you might be caught in a leadership trap. In this episode, Jeff Matlow shows you how to break free from the trap and get back to that growth you wanted. In this episode you're gonna [...]

Sometimes it’s not what you do — it’s what you don’t do. In this episode, Jeff Matlow unpacks omission bias: that false belief that inaction is safer than action, even when it is just as damaging. Here are a few tidbits you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ How omission bias appears in your life ✅ [...]

Sure, tough conversations may be uncomfortable, but that's why they're called "tough conversations". It's time you learn that they don't have to be tough after all.

There are four types of leaders who fail to help their department grow. I've got the metaphor of all metaphors to explain my point. It starts with a sheep, a well of water and a whole lot of uncomfortable truth about how you lead your team. Here's what you'll find inside this well of truth: [...]

Are you trying to be the hero in every situation? As it turns out, being the hero might be your biggest downfall. In this episode, Jeff Matlow grabs the cape of Hero Syndrome and shows you a smarter way to move forward. In this heroic episode, you’ll learn:✅ What Hero Syndrome is and why [...]

Your customers come to you excited — do you keep that feeling alive, or does it die out like open fizzy water on a hot counter? In this episode, Jeff Matlow tells you about the two important customer lessons every company needs to know in order to maintain and build loyalty. Within the two [...]

Your expectations shape reality, whether you realize it or not. Your underperforming employee isn't the problem, your self-fulfilling prophecy is.

Managing people is hard. But it's a required activity on the path to leadership. Maybe we should rethink leadership. Just ask Hubspot's co-founder, Dharmesh Shah.

Why do people value things more when they’ve built them themselves — even if they’re wobbly and maybe missing a screw? In this episode, Jeff Matlow unpacks the IKEA Effect and what it reveals about motivation, ownership, and great leadership. In this particular episode, you’ll learn some important things like: 🔹 Why involving your [...]

When a team falls short, we often blame the people. But what if the real issue isn't the team, it's the leader? In this episode, Jeff Matlow explores the overlooked root of your unproductive team — and how you can fix it fast. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🔹 Why holding people “accountable” often [...]

We’re told to aim for balance, but what if leadership is isn't about balance at all? In this episode, Jeff Matlow explores the idea of living and leading from a place of surplus — and how it changes everything in ways you never thought about. Here's whaat you’ll learn:🔹 Why leaders need more than [...]

Truth, trust and transparency will transform your team into a powerfully productive and efficient workforce. It all starts with a Ponzi scheme.

Are you addicted to your inbox? Do you always need to be perfect? In this episode, Jeff Matlow outlines the 6 types of work addictions, the dangers of each and practical strategies for reclaiming balance in your work and life. You’ll learn:🔹 How to identify if you're addicted to work and its impact on [...]

Not every great leader looks the same — different leadership personalities are built for different stages of a company’s growth. In this episode, we break down the five leadership types and help you figure out which one you are (and why it matters more than you think). _______________ A lot of leaders have problems... [...]

Most leaders think that change happens just because they announce it — but that’s not how transformation works. In this episode, we unpack what U.S. highway signs, a $10M marketing agency, and your 6th-grade algebra teacher can teach you about what happens if you failed to change. _______________ A lot of leaders have problems... I [...]

What do a psychology professor, Amazon, and Airbnb have in common? In this episode, I’ll show you how their surprising methods reveal the secret to creating a clear, inspiring vision—and why your future success depends on it. _______________ A lot of leaders have problems... I will diagnose your problems and tell you how to fix [...]

The U.S. is one of only five countries in the world that doesn’t guarantee paid maternity leave — and it’s the only rich country on that shameful list. Supporting working mothers isn’t just about fairness — it’s about building a stronger, more successful workplace for everyone. _______________ A lot of leaders have problems... I will [...]

You’re biased and it’s screwing with your leadership. In this episode, I break down projection bias — the invisible force shaping who gets hired, promoted, and heard. If you think you’re fair, you’re probably not. We're gonna fix that. And it starts with white men. _______________ A lot of leaders have problems... I will diagnose [...]

99% of Americans claim that they procrastinate at least some things in their life. There's only one problem: procrastination is not a real thing. You've got bigger problems. It's time you learn the difference between procrastination and prioritization - because there's always enough time to do all the important things in your life. _______________ A [...]

Picture every successful company as a three-legged stool — remove one leg, and things quickly fall apart, right? As it turns out, that's what happens on a daily basis when it comes to the three legs of success: Responsibility, Accountability, and Compliance. In this episode, I put these pillars under the proverbial microscope and take a look at what happens when your stool breaks down. Proverbially, of course. _______________ A lot of leaders have problems... I will diagnose your problems and tell you how to fix them, all in one free phone call Contact me to schedule your session ([email protected]) JOIN THE COMMUNITY 14k+ leaders get free coaching, office hours, exclusive webinars, and more. 👇🏽 The Best Leadership Community www.TheBestLeadershipNewsletter.com/subscribe TAKE A FREE ASSESSMENT ✅ How Good of a Leader Are You? https://thebestleadershipcompany.com/free-leadership-assessments/ ✅ How Good Is Your Company Culture? https://thebestleadershipcompany.com/free-leadership-assessments/ OTHER RESOURCES ✅ Subscribe to the Newsletter: TheBestLeadershipNewsletter.com/subscribe ✅ Visit the Website: TheBestLeadershipCompany.com ✅ Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeffmatlow ✅ Other fun things: linktr.ee/jeffmatlow SHOW NOTES [00:00] Introduction [00:23] The Failure On Death Row [01:00] When The Process Falls Apart [02:43] Your Company Is A Three Legged Stool [03:34] The Meaning of Accountability, Responsibility and Compliance [05:02] The Compliant Company [06:05] The 5 Ways To Maintain Accountability, Responsibility and Compliance [07:30] How To Create Balance And Harmony

There are two types of micromanagers. One you know about, the other you don't. The question is, are you a micromanager and don't recognize it? Your employees do. In this episode you'll learn the truth behind the two types of micromanagers - those who are blatantly obvious and those who might not even realize they [...]

Human error causes 94% of traffic accidents—and it’s not just on the road. Our blind spots lead to mistakes in life and in leadership. It's time to address your fear of change in leadership. Recognizing and addressing your blind spots is important for you to grow in your career. In this episode we explore turning [...]

There are actually a lot of leadership lessons to be learned from ancient warriors - minus the spears, the togas and the awkward man-skirts. In this episode, we delve into the strategies of some of the most famous fighters and reframe them to apply to your leadership. Sharpen your pencil, because you're about to learn [...]

Sure, storytelling is an important way to connect with others and create a productive workplace, but it can sometimes become pretty darn toxic if you do it wrong. In this episode, we delve into the complex and sometimes dangerous role of storytelling in leadership. In fact, we start with a little lesson from Chicken Little, [...]

🚦 Life’s a traffic light — and you’re in the driver’s seat. Are you a red light person, a yellow lighter or are you constantly gunning for the green? In leadership and life, your “light” dictates your momentum. Here’s the thing: You control the signal. It's time to recognize your true light. _______________ A lot [...]

It's time to rethink how we approach our goals. In fact, New Year's resolutions don't have to start at the New Year. It's better, because there is a really poor track record of success for New Year's resolutions. But don't worry, I gotchoo. No matter when you create your resolutions (otherwise known as "goals"), there [...]

You think the problem is the President? Here's a bold thought: What if the real problem isn't political leaders—it's you. In fact, it starts right within the walls of your workplace.

Setting boundaries is essential for effective leadership. Who knew a bowling alley could teach us so much about it? 🎳 Just like gutter guards guide the bowling ball towards pins, clear boundaries and expectations steer teams towards their goals. In this episode we explore a few things like: 1️⃣ Clarity in communication 2️⃣ Boosting team [...]