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Helping Others Feel Respected Can Be a Game-Changer

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Are you looking for new ways to increase the impact of your leadership to accelerate profitable growth?  The good news is that there’s growing evidence that fostering a culture of respect can measurably improve innovation and collaboration among employees and other stakeholders in the rapidly changing business environment.

Pam Harper and Scott Harper speak with Gena Cox, Ph.D. about how fostering a culture of respect can increase stakeholder engagement and accelerate profitable growth That’s why this week, we’re revisiting our Fan-Favorite conversation about new ways to look at leading respect with Strategic Executive Coach and Speaker Gena Cox, PhD. She is an organizational psychologist, speaker, executive advisor, author, and CEO of Feels Human, LLC. In 2024, Gena was also recognized as one of the top global coaches by Thinkers50.  We first spoke with Gena after the publication of her award-winning book “Leading Inclusion: Drive Change Your Employees Can See and Feel.” Her latest ebook is “25 Ways Anyone Can Help Build a Culture of Respect at Work.”


Previously at IBM and Perceptyx, Gena is a noted voice on human-centered leadership. She has advised leaders in the Fortune 500 and other large global companies to build psychologically healthy and engaging organizational cultures that drive business innovation, collaboration and growth. 

Respect is in the eye of the beholder. — Gena Cox

This week on Growth Igniters Radio:

  • Why leading to shape a business culture of respect can  be a game changer
  • A story about how our encounters with others can be interpreted as respectful or disrespectful
  • The mindset it takes to live into the aspiration of helping others feel respected
  • Three immediately useful ideas for helping others feel respected

Resources for This Episode:

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New Year, New You; Seizing 2025 With Purpose – with Kuda Biza

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Happy New Year! Maybe along with celebrating, you’re also thinking about leading yourself to new levels of success and growth in 2025. After all, it’s a New Year; why not a New You?  For inspiration and some immediately useful ideas for moving beyond resolutions, listen to our Fan-Favorite New Year’s conversation with guest Kuda Biza. He shares his approach to seizing life with purpose.

Pam Harper & Scott Harper speak with serial entrepreneur and author Kuda Biza about seizing life with purpose to bring big dreams to life in the new yearKuda Biza is a serial entrepreneur dedicated to building profitable companies to solve the world’s biggest problems of education and hunger. His business journey started with starting his first company in Zimbabwe when he was just nine years old to co-founding three multimillion-dollar businesses in the U.S. Every company he builds and manages is designed to deliver profit and value while empowering vulnerable people everywhere to become the best versions of themselves.

Kuda is also a compelling speaker who has delivered keynote addresses at more than 40 institutions in four countries, including Harvard and the United Nations. He inspires audiences to take action, achieve dreams, and impact social change through a purposeful entrepreneurship. He’s also author of the book, The S.P.E.A.R Method, Five Simple Steps to Balance Success and Fulfillment.   

As you’re starting the year, assess what truly matters to you, and how your current path aligns with your deeper values. | Kuda Biza

This week on Growth Igniters® Radio, we discuss:

  • The most important lessons Kuda learned about seizing life with purpose
  • The keys to setting purpose-driven goals and implementing a daily purpose practice
  • Immediately useful ideas for leading with the power of purpose

Resources for This Episode

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

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Increasing Your Luck in the Year Ahead

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Happy Holidays! Wishing you peace, connection, good health, and abundance!  Along these lines, what if there were ways to predictably increase your luck and create even more abundance in the year ahead?

Pam Harper & Scott speak with global entrepreneur Monica Lawrence about how it's possible to increase your luck by adopting what she terms "lucky behaviors."This week, we revisit our Fan Favorite conversation with Monica Laurence, a TEDx speaker, global entrepreneur, business strategist, and mentor. We discuss what she’s learned about using what she calls “lucky behaviors” to become more predictably lucky.

Monica draws upon her experiences as an executive at Lucasfilm, Disney, and Accenture, international consulting, and veteran of Silicon Valley startups with 7 exits, along with her MBA from UCLA.  An explorer at heart, Monica is the creator of Tavola Fiji – her luxe private villa and venue for transformational retreats.

Monica shares what she discovered about the behaviors that can make the difference between lucky and unlucky people. She discusses the practice of  “quantum surfing.” This is a mindset training that combines quantum mechanics, neuroscience, and spiritual principles to create a winning mental game and new business opportunities. She also recommends three immediately useful ideas for increasing luck.

Lucky people remain curious and open and engaged with their environment, even when they’re under time pressure or under stress. | Monica Laurence

This week on Growth Igniters® Radio, we discuss:

  • Contrasting conventional wisdoms about being lucky vs. the social science around attracting luck
  • The difference between lucky and unlucky behaviors
  • Monica’s practice of “quantum surfing,” a mindset training to create a winning mental game
  • Immediately useful ideas for reimagining your approach to life and increasing your luck more predictably

Resources for This Episode

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

Thanks for listening to Growth Igniters® Radio. If you enjoyed this episode, spread the good word! Just leave a quick review wherever you get your podcasts and share on LinkedIn or Facebook.

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What is Your Resilience Plan for 2025?

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While we don’t have a crystal ball, it’s already clear that 2025 is going to be a year of unprecedented changes. Of course, if you’re like many of the top leaders we work with, you have a can-do attitude that enables you to take on tough issues and do what it takes to exceed expectations. You assume that you’re resilient. But in the face of unrelenting demands, anyone can burn out and not even realize it. Building your resilience plan for 2025, starting today, could be a game-changer.

Pam Harper & Scott Harper speak with MH Pelletier, PhD, MBA, about the unexpected benefits of taking a strategic approach to building your resilience plan for 2025That’s why this week, we’re revisiting our Fan-Favorite conversation with Marie-Helene Pelletier PhD, MBA, also known as MH. Her book, “The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health,” was published in early 2024. Since then it’s become a best seller and received rave reviews from a variety of global media.

Throughout her career in business management and psychology, MH has spearheaded a dialogue on the crucial issues of leadership resilience and workplace health. Drawing on her extensive background in corporate, insurance, governance, and public sectors, she brings national and international perspectives and expertise on mental health and resilience as a key pillar of overall health. MH is also a bilingual practicing psychologist with over 20 years of experience in clinical psychology and advisory workplace psychology. She holds a Ph.D. and an MBA from the University of British Columbia.

MH is a Member of the Global Clinical Practice Network of the World Health Organization, and past Director on the boards of the Canadian Psychological Association and the International Association of Applied Psychology. She is the author and co-author of numerous industry and academic publications and has won numerous academic and industry awards.

Resilience is not a given – you need a strategy. — Marie-Hélène Pelletier

This week on Growth Igniters Radio:

  • The factors that can unintentionally put highly successful people at risk of burnout
  • The reason MH says that rather than being a trait, resilience is a resource that can be developed
  • Why MH says “taking a strategic approach to developing your resilience plan is good business”
  • A story of a CEO who increased her productivity through developing a personal resilience plan
  • Three immediately useful ideas for designing and developing a custom resilience plan

Resources for This Episode:

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

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Juggling Work-Life Balance at the Holidays – with guest Jen Slaw

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During the holidays, so many of us feel the need to create more work-life balance. Year-end meetings and deadlines are often mixed with holiday parties. And this can be mixed with travel for business and vacation.  The fact is that juggling all of this – even when it’s for enjoyment- – can feel like extra pressure for even the most organized leaders.

What’s the key to juggling often-competing priorities, especially when the issues are both business and personal?

Pam Harper & Scott Harper speak with keynote speaker and educator Jen Slaw about achieving work-life balance during the holidays and beyond from the perspective of a world record-holding expert jugglerIn this “Holiday Classic” episode, we share a timely conversation from 2015 with guest Jen Slaw.  Jen is a former structural engineer and world record holding expert juggler. She won the International Jugglers’ Association’s Award for creativity, and has been called an “expert juggler” by The New York Times. Jen shares her approach to maintaining flexibility and adjusting to the changing demands of our work and personal lives. Not only does she describe her “B.A.L.L” formula for increasing work-life balance in any season; you can actually hear her juggling during our conversation!

As a speaker and educator, Jen engages audiences in learning how to be more balanced, productive problem solvers, and agents of positive change. She’s shared her mix of juggling and inspiration on ABC News, Huffington Post Live, The Food Network, The Today Show, and on Off Broadway and TEDx Stages.  She’s also the executive director of Juggling Life Incorporated. Their mission is to engage, inspire, and emotionally heal ill and disadvantaged youth through unique juggling and circus arts programs.

I look at work-life balance as a juggling act that’s dynamic and fluid. – Jen Slaw

This week on Growth Igniters® Radio:
  • Recognizing signs that tell us we need to improve the balance in our lives, especially when things get hectic
  • Jen’s philosophy about how looking for connection between the various parts of our life can help establish a calmer focus
  • The four elements of Jen’s “B.A.L.L.” formula for increasing work/life balance in any season
  • Practical tips to create more balance and success in both our personal and work lives
Resources Mentioned:

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

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Rethinking Common Wisdoms About Building Relationships

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If you’re a regular listener of Growth Igniters® Radio, you know we believe that strong, meaningful relationships matter more than ever. This is what can lead to new possibilities and opportunities for us all in the changing world. Yet, let’s face it: in the face of uncertainty, the protective instinct to keep others at arm’s length can creep in. This can result in interactions that inadvertently become mere transactions. To break the cycle, maybe it’s time to rethink common wisdoms about building relationships.

Pam Harper and Scott Harper discuss rethinking common wisdoms about building relationships to create truly collaborative partnerships in our changing environmentIn this “Quick Take” episode, we discuss the common challenge of shifting from treating relationships as transactions to working on building truly collaborative partnerships. To begin the process, we recommend reading the book:  “Plays Well with Others: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Relationships Is (Mostly) Wrong” by best-selling author Eric Barker. His humorous and thought-provoking style makes this a great holiday read.  We also provide three immediately useful ideas for reading the book that can guide you to rethink what it could take to transform transactional connections into deeper, more meaningful relationships.

The more we appreciate the complexity of our interactions and what’s behind them, the more rewarding our relationships can be – Pam Harper

This week on Growth Igniters Radio:

  • The challenge of moving from being transactional to creating more meaningful relationships in the changing world
  • How you can use insights from Eric Barker’s book, “Plays Well with Others,” to rethink common wisdoms about building relationships
  • Three actionable ideas for transforming interactions into deeper and more meaningful relationships with specific people

Resources Mentioned:

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Growth Igniters Radio. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Join us on Facebook and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website

Transforming From CEO to CHO: Chief Happiness Officer

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It’s that time of year again. Many of us are wishing each other a”Happy Holiday Season.” But why does it need to stop there?  What if you could lead a happy company all year long?  While it can be challenging, we had an enlightening conversation with a CEO who actually lives into this vision – even in uncharted territory. Find out how more.  Listen to our fan-favorite conversation with Edwin Edebiri, MBA, of the globally recognized Happy Neighborhood Project. He shares his story of promoting happiness by transforming from a CEO to a CHO: Chief Happiness Officer, and how he’s changing the narrative on what it means to lead a happy company.

Pam Harper & Scott Harper speak with Edwin Edebiri, MBA, about why promoting happiness in a business should expand beyond employees to a wider range of stakeholdersEdwin is a TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, and coach who has dedicated much of his career to promoting happiness worldwide. He is the founder and CHO of the Happy Neighborhood Project and the I am Happy Project, which has over 70,000 members across 64 cities in 19 countries. Edwin’s work as CHO has significantly impacted communities worldwide. By prioritizing happiness and well-being, he has helped people lead more fulfilling lives and inspired others to do the same. He has been featured in a PBS documentary about happiness, and in 2014, his work on promoting happiness was recognized by the United Nations. He also serves on the board of various profit and not-for-profit organizations.

We discuss Edwin’s expansive view of where “happiness” comes from, how he became a “Chief Happiness Officer,” and why he believes that promoting happiness in a business should expand beyond the traditional focus on employees to embrace a wide range of stakeholders, including top-level executives.

When you think about a happy company, don’t just narrow it to making your employees happy. Including all stakeholders is how you build a foundation for a truly happy company. — Edwin Edebiri

This week on Growth Igniters® Radio:

  • Edwin’s views on the nature of happiness and leading a happy company
  • How Edwin developed the concept of how CEOs can also become “Chief Happiness Officers”
  • The power of committing to promoting happiness, especially in uncertain times
  • Three immediately useful ideas for fostering happiness in yourself and your company

Resources for This Episode

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

Thanks for listening to Growth Igniters® Radio. If you enjoyed this episode, spread the good word! Just leave a quick review wherever you get your podcasts and share on LinkedIn or Facebook.

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Building Deeper Human Connections At the Holidays and Beyond

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With the holiday season upon us,  there are many things to be thankful for. One thing that stands out for us is gratitude for the gift of human connections. We’re especially grateful that over time, we’ve developed valuable relationships with many of our guests and listeners in our Growth Igniters® Community. It all starts with building deeper human connections.

Pam Harper & Scott Harper speak with Gena Scurry about how her game "Over Coffee” can enable us to build deeper human connections in more meaningful waysThat’s why this week, we’re revisiting our “Fan Favorite” conversation with visionary leader and educator Gena Scurry. We discuss what inspired her to create her game “Over Coffee,” how it’s impacted us, and its potential to change the world by enabling people to connect with each other in deeper and more meaningful ways.

I developed this card game to encourage you to go out into the world and create deeper human connection” | Gena Scurry

This week on Growth Igniters® Radio, we discuss:

  • What inspired Gena to develop the “Over Coffee” game
  • The surprising potential of the game for building deeper human connections
  • Stories about how Gena has seen the impact of the game in both social and business settings
  • Immediately useful ideas for getting the most benefit from the “Over Coffee” game

Resources for This Episode

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

Thanks for listening to Growth Igniters® Radio. If you enjoyed this episode, spread the good word! Just leave a quick review wherever you get your podcasts and share on LinkedIn or Facebook.

Join us on Facebook and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website

How Leading With Humility Can Propel Us Forward

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These days we’re all in uncharted territory. In the midst of the uncertainty and ambiguity, one thing is clear. The needs of employees, customers, partners, investors, shareholders, and other key stakeholders will change in many unpredictable ways.  That’s where leading with humility can propel our companies forward. Staying open to everyone’s different perspectives — and what’s behind them — can foster an environment of trust, collaboration, and innovation that can accelerate momentum for transformational growth.

Pam Harper & Scott Harper discuss the opportunities and challenges of leading with humility in the rapidly changing world with speaker & author Craig Dowden, Ph.D.Find out more. In this “Fan Favorite” episode, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of leading with humility with Craig Dowden, PhD. He is an award-winning speaker, executive coach, and bestselling author of the books “Do Good to Lead Well” and his latest, “A Time to Lead,” which includes “Masterclasses” with legendary CEO Alan Mulally. Craig has been featured in Forbes, CEOWORLD, Fast Company, Financial Times, Psychology Today and other media. (read more about Craig by clicking the links in “Resources,” below)

We discuss how some of the world’s most successful CEOs and other senior executives are also humble leaders who build trust, inspire innovation, and achieve outstanding results.  We also discuss three immediately useful ideas for how you can embrace leading with humility.

Acknowledging and accepting our own humility is not going to set us back. In fact, it’s going to propel us forward and put us in the best position to achieve the things that are most important to us.
— Craig Dowden, PhD

This week on Growth Igniters® Radio:

  • Craig’s views on the value of humble leadership in the rapidly changing world
  • Key “Masterclass” lessons with Alan Mulally about authentic leadership and humility
  • Overcoming the challenge CEOs and other top leaders can face in balancing humility with decisiveness
  • Three immediately useful ideas for leading with humility

Resources for This Episode

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

Thanks for listening to Growth Igniters® Radio. If you enjoyed this episode, spread the good word! Just leave a quick review wherever you get your podcasts and share on LinkedIn or Facebook.

Join us on Facebook and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website

Discovering Your “Fair Advantage” as a Leader – With Sylvie di Giusto

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A common belief of many high achievers is “Everyone can see my value because of all the good work I do.” You may even believe this about yourself as a CEO or C-Suite executive. But all too often, this isn’t the case.  Others may not be perceiving your unique value, and this can lead to missed opportunities in a crowded marketplace. 

Pam Harper and Scott Harper speak with Sylvie di Giusto about how discovering what she calls your "Fair Advantage" can impact how you leverage your career potential and lead your company’s growthOur guest this week, Sylvie di Giusto, shares how discovering what she calls your “Fair Advantage” can impact how you leverage your career potential and lead your company’s growth. She is an international keynote speaker, author, and expert on modern emotional intelligence. We discuss her insights on how leaders can identify and leverage their unique strengths to enhance their career potential and drive organizational success. An international keynote speaker and expert in modern emotional intelligence, she is trusted by top organizations worldwide.

Sylvie empowers leaders and professionals to make impactful decisions that drive growth and success. Her thought-provoking presentations take listeners on a captivating journey, unlocking their potential for professional and organizational excellence. She has received the distinguished Certified Speaking Professional designation and is the author of The Image of Leadership and Discover Your Fair Advantage.

In the corporate world, you want to stand out, but for the right reasons. Discovering your “fair advantage” helps you strategically increase your visibility level. – Sylvie di Giusto

This week on Growth Igniters Radio:

  • How discovering your “Fair Advantage” as a leader can enable you to strategically increase your influence
  • The importance of CEOs and C-Suite Executives discovering their Fair Advantage as top leaders in the rapidly changing world
  • Sylvie’s personal journey of discovering her own Fair Advantage in a corporate setting and as the CEO of her business
  • Three immediately useful ideas that can help you discover and leverage your Fair Advantage for work, business, and life

Resources for This Episode:

Accelerate to YOUR Next Level of Success

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Growth Igniters Radio. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Join us on Facebook and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website