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Igniting Momentum for Game-Changing Results

CEO Interviews

Why Top Leadership Needs to Embrace “Holistic Insight”

A thought-leading CEO shares stories of how holistic insight can be transformative for a company

Read Growth Igniters Radio Episode 152 Transcript Listen to Episode 189. Scott and I speak with Lawrence “Larry” Siff, CEO of Neptune Advisors and the C Level Community. We discuss the key to developing broader and deeper perspectives for boards and management to optimize a company’s growth and create long-term value.

Larry has advised hundreds of CEOs and boards on maximizing corporate value. He holds a wide range of leadership positions in multiple organizations and boards. This includes being a National Association of Corporate Directors board leadership fellow, an independent board member of Mason Companies Incorporated, and being an industry advisor for Silverwood Partners, a boutique investment bank. (read more about Larry Siff below)

You’ll gain insights on:

  • The key benefits for boards and for management teams who gain and act upon holistic insight
  • Stories of the game-changing power of holistic leadership in action
  • Three immediately useful ideas for boards and management to develop holistic insight 

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The New Keys for Leadership Success in a Disruptive World

Why are more boards looking for greater adaptability in CEOs, C-Suite, and Sr. Executives?

Read Growth Igniters Radio Episode 152 TranscriptFind out by listening to Episode 152.  In this pivotal fan-favorite podcast, Scott and I speak with Peter R. Gleason, President & CEO of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). Although we recorded this conversation in 2019, before the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises, it is just as relevant (or even more so) now as then.

Peter is a recognized expert on board leadership and corporate governance issues. He serves as a member of NACD’s national faculty, is regularly quoted in the national media, and is a frequent presenter on the subjects of corporate governance, executive and director compensation, risk, strategic planning, and board/shareowner relations.

He has served as a commissioner on every NACD Blue Ribbon Commission report issued over the past 16 years, including the most recent releases on Adaptive Governance: Board Oversight of Disruptive Risks, and Culture as a Corporate Asset. (read more about Peter Gleason below)

You’ll gain insights on:

  • Why Boards, CEOs, C-Suites & Sr. Executives need to think differently about disruptive risks
  • The critical new leadership traits and behaviors that CEOs need to develop
  • Three immediately useful ideas for developing your own leadership success in a disruptive world

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Aim High: Chart Your Course and Find Success as a Leader

Leadership lessons from the 23rd Secretary of the U.S. Air Force 

Read Growth Igniters Radio Episode 162 Transcript In this Fan Favorite podcast, Scott and I speak with Deborah Lee (“Debbie”) James, who served as the 23rd Secretary of the United States Air Force, with responsibility for 660,000 military and civilian personnel and a budget of nearly $140 billion.

Debbie has a three-decade track record of leading, transforming, and driving lasting results in both the Legislative and Executive branches of Government. She is the author of the highly acclaimed 2019 book Aim High: Chart Your Course and Find Success. (see more about Deborah James below)

You’ll gain insights from:

  • The three critical elements of Debbie’s Aim High philosophy
  • A story about the most valuable leadership lesson Debbie learned for navigating extremely high stakes situations
  • Three immediately useful ideas for mentoring others

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What Will Separate Top CEOs From The Rest in a Post-Pandemic World?

 What are the 3 greatest leadership challenges CEOs face in the years ahead?

Read Growth Igniters Radio Episode 179 TranscriptFind out by listening to Episode 179. Scott and I speak with Adam Bryant, Managing Director of Merryck & Co. He joined them in 2017 after a 30-year career in journalism, including 18 years at The New York Times. In addition to his many roles there as a reporter and editor, he created the weekly “Corner Office” column in 2009, interviewing 525 CEOs and other leaders over a decade.

Adam is the author of two books based on themes that emerged from the interviews, Quick and Nimble; Lessons from Leading CEOs on How to Create a Culture of Innovation, and The Corner Office; Indispensable and Unexpected Lessons from CEOs on How to Lead and Succeed. His next book, which he is writing with former Amgen CEO Kevin Sharer, is “THE CEO TEST: Mastering the Challenges that Make or Break All Leaders” (due to be published in early 2021 by Harvard Business Review Press)  Read more about Adam Bryant below.

You’ll find out about:

    • How top CEOs are navigating emerging challenges in the post-pandemic world
    • The most critical attribute that will separate the top CEOs from the rest in meeting these challenges
    • Three immediately useful tips for successfully leading through these tests when there are no clear answers

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Find Silver Linings to Lead Your Company Through the Crisis — and Beyond

How has a game-changing CEO discovered new opportunities in the midst of a pandemic?
Read Growth Igniters Radio Episode 173 Transcript

Find out by listening to Episode 173. Scott and I speak with returning guest Shari Spiro, CEO and Founder of AdMagic Games and Breaking Games, about how she and her company have found ways to change for the better during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Ad Magic Games is one of the largest independent printers of tabletop games in the US, including the wildly popular Cards Against Humanity and Exploding Kittens, and other customized playing cards and board games.

Breaking Games is an award-winning game publisher and manufacturer. Since its 2015 launch, Breaking Games has substantially grown and has games on the shelves of Target and Walmart, games that are recognized by Mensa International, and is also responsible for the launch of dozens of other critically acclaimed tabletop games. (read more about Shari below)

You’ll find out:

  • The biggest impacts of the COVID-19 crisis upon Shari’s companies, and how they innovated in response, including launching their new non-profit “Puzzles for the Pandemic”
  • How Shari leads her teams to discover “Silver Linings” despite major challenges
  • Three immediately useful ideas for leading to find your own “silver linings” under the toughest circumstances

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The Most Valuable Leadership Lesson I Ever Learned – Jeffrey J. Kaney Sr.

How did Officer Training help this CEO become a game-changing leader?

Read Growth Igniters Radio Episode 166 TranscriptFind out by listening on-the-go to Episode 166.  We speak with Jeffrey J. Kaney, Sr, Founder & CEO of the Kaney Group, LLC., a collection of inter-related companies in the aerospace industry.

His background includes being a combat military veteran; he served as a USAF pilot for 10 years, including combat in Desert Storm, attaining the rank of Captain.  He also served as a pilot for a major international airline. (read more about Jeff Kaney and the Kaney Group LLC below)

You’ll gain insights on:

  • The fundamental lesson about leaders and followers that Jeff learned in Officer Training that has informed his leadership style throughout his entrepreneurial career
  • How leadership by alignment has strengthened his organization’s ability to quickly respond to the changing business environment
  • Three immediately useful ideas for adapting this leadership lesson for your organization

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The New Keys to Leadership Success as Stakeholder Needs Change

How can CEOs stay responsive to multiple stakeholder needs in a changing world?

Read Growth Igniters Radio Episode 165 TranscriptFind out by listening on-the-go to Episode 165.  With the September 2019 Change the World issue of Fortune on our minds, Scott and I discuss the need for a new type of leadership  to bring both purpose and profits to life.

Based on this, we’re revisiting our earlier conversation about “the new keys to leadership success in a disruptive world” with Peter R. Gleason, President & CEO of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).  He is a recognized expert on board leadership and corporate governance issues. (read more about Peter Gleason below)

You’ll gain insights on:

  • Why Boards, CEOs, C-Suites & Sr. Executives need to think differently about disruptive risks
  • The critical new leadership traits and behaviors that CEOs need to develop
  • Three immediately useful ideas for developing your own leadership success in a disruptive world

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“The Most Valuable Leadership Lesson I Ever Learned”: Tanya Hall

What was the key for this CEO to successfully bring her vision to life?

Read Growth Igniters Radio Episode 162 TranscriptDownload and listen-on-the-go to Episode 163. Scott and I speak with Tanya Hall, CEO of Greenleaf Book Group, one of the fastest growing publishing and distribution businesses in the industry.

Not only does Tanya drive the company’s growth efforts and foster a culture built around serving authors, she is also the author of the 2018 book, Ideas, Influence, and Income: Write a Book, Build Your Brand, and Lead Your Industry. (see more about Tanya Hall below)

You’ll gain insights about:

  • The most valuable leadership lesson Tanya ever learned, and how it has benefitted her and Greenleaf Book Group
  • The four vision principles that Tanya and her team have developed
  • Three immediately useful ideas for creating your own vision principles

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The Art of Failing Toward Greatness

How has a visionary CEO failed his way to major success?

Read Growth Igniters Radio Episode 153 TranscriptFind out by listening- on-the-go to Episode 153, our conversation with returning guest Brian Scudamore. He is the Founder & CEO of O2E Brands, the banner company for 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, You Move Me, and Shack Shine.

Brian’s latest success, which he discusses with us, is his best-selling book WTF?! Willing to Fail.  This is a candid account of the entrepreneurship and leadership lessons he and the people in his companies have learned from their failures that have led to some of their greatest opportunities.

Brian was named entrepreneur of the year by The International Franchise Association. He’s been featured on CNN, ABC Nightline, Undercover Boss, and Oprah, and has shared his impressive story in Fortune Magazine, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, to name a few. (see more in Brian’s bio below).

You’ll gain insights on:

  • What it takes to fail together toward greatness
  • A major “aha” Brian had from failure that enabled him to build the right leadership team for sustainable growth
  • Three immediately useful ideas that Brian uses for dreaming big, learning, and creating new opportunities

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Hiring the Right Executive Search Firm For Your Company


What goes on behind the curtain of an award-winning executive search firm?
Read Growth Igniters Radio Episode 148 TranscriptFind out by downloading and listening- on-the-go to Episode 148. We speak with returning guest Jane S. Howze, Managing Director and Founder of The Alexander Group. Forbes ranks them among the top 30 executive search firms in America.

Jane has more than 30 years experience in executive search and has recruited top executives worldwide in a wide range of industries. She directs board searches for the firm and is actively involved in the firm’s diversity practice. She is quoted frequently in major business publications, serves as a columnist for CultureMap and is the author of Best Practices for Executive Search Firms for the Inside the Minds book series. (Scroll down for a link to her full bio.)

You’ll gain insights on:

  • The biggest myths about retained executive search firms
  • What it takes to find the best and brightest top leadership talent in a tight labor market
  • Immediately useful ideas for finding, hiring and managing the relationship with an executive search firm

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