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My Dad used to love to sing his favorite song in church, "Let The Life I Live Speak For Me." What will the life you lead say about you? After talking with Rachel Polson, Partner at Baker Tilly, I get the sense that she hopes the life she lives and legacy she leaves, speaks for her. Are you a woman leader that wonders how other women lead? Are you a man that thinks the rules of the game are the same for all of your contemporaries? Ever wonder what the conversation is when leaders go behind closed doors? Here's your glimpse. Tune in and hear why Rachel never thought she'd one day be a Partner. Hear what she wishes she told her younger self and what she hopes her example does to influence her two sons and consequently the workplace. Click Play!

In the blink of an eye, Sadie's life was tragically changed. And yet somehow, her path forward was also created. After 16 years and 22 facial reconstruction surgeries, it's become simply part of Sadie's story. Out of this story, Sadie now passionately leads the Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge "Know the Truth"substance abuse prevention program. She is responsible for the organization visiting over 160 schools. We're never too young to teach and never too old to learn. Listen in to Sadie's story of challenges, forgiveness and overcoming obstacles. Hear how in this instance, leadership is extremely personal. Listen Now!

Massive, complex and ever changing... You ever wonder what leading diversity  is really like in major corporations? US Bank's Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Greg Cunningham brings life to brands. The consummate story teller leans in, sharing his perspective on the work. He shares why he thinks diversity is always about making space for people different than you and working across that difference for a common goal. It's always a pleasure to sit down with GC and gain his perspective. Give a listen! www.LeadershipIsPersonalPodcast.com Also on iTunes or Stitcher under "The Leadership is Personal Podcast"

Former International Consultant turned Head of Strategy for Principal Financial Group, has again taken the leap into the entrepreneurial "deep end" as the President & CEO of Signature Health. This episode is filled with extremely insightful content for those thinking of making the jump from the corporate structure into an entrepreneurial endeavor. Having been an entrepreneur here in the US and in the United Kingdom, Michael brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and proven insight. He gives executable steps to help ensure success as you consider becoming "your own boss."   He shares insight into what venture capitalist look for, how this insight helped him to move closer to taking the jump and why two heads are not always better than one. You'll get the four (4) key steps to lessen the learning curve on being a successful entrepreneur. Don't miss this one. It's a gem! www.LIPpodcast.com

Extremely connected serial entrepreneur takes his talent for identifying the right players, to marry with the right opportunities to deliver MARVELous results to Marvel Citizen. Ricardo Johnson II is simply a strategist's, strategist. He's the guy behind the scenes that illuminates the vision, and brings all the right players together to make magic. But few know he's even been there because he doesn't stick around for the cameras.  When I talk about this guy, I simply say, "Those who know, know."  This is one is special.  Don't miss this!

Rarely do we get the opportunity to hear the ins and outs from people that have reached the pinnacle in the corporate structure as well as played very large as an entrepreneur. Corporate executive, turned one of the largest Applebee's franchise owners in the country, and back. He's been a President as well as CEO of multi-billion dollar organizations, Anton shares his boomerang journey between corporate and entrepreneurial endeavors.   One of The Leadership is Personal Podcast's most listened to interviewees, Anton speaks candidly about how you should be thinking, why you need help and how to think about executing on your dream of being your own boss. Many romanticize about the opportunity of being their own boss one day. Anton asks, "Are you ready for success?" Sharing why this is important, you get unfiltered access to Anton. You gain insight on mindset, investment and concentration of intellectual value. This is a DO NOT miss podcast!  www.LIPpodcast.com

Welcome to Season 3 of The Leadership is Personal Podcast.  We are starting the season talking with individuals that are either Entrepreneurs that have left their corporate roles or once took the leap, and have returned to the corporate structure. For many, it is a romantic notion to "be my own boss." However, many step out without a real sense of the mindset and knowledge of the amount of dedication, sweat and yes, sometimes tears it takes to make it.  It's more than a notion and definitely not for the faint of heart. If I'm being honest, it took me years to get in the right mindset. And I still think like a "corporate guy" at times; I spent 20 years there. Listen up! See if you have what it takes. www.LeadershipIsPersonalPodcast.com

It's nuanced and necessary. But it's not black & white. This is a hard one to peg. I try to give you a bit of what we discuss here, but Dr. Rudder leaned in on so many areas of our patriarchal society. Covering men, masculinity and having to answer tough questions on the roles we've played in silencing women. Is it the privilege of men that's created the necessity for a #MeToo movement?  Dr. David Rudder dishes on the perspective of change and the rise of women. How men are having to confront the current realities of women being bread winners, divorce and toxic masculinity. What is the role of higher education? How has the patriarchal society enabled the oppression of women and course correction run awry? This and so much more!

Fascinating discussion with Kim Nelson, former President, General Mills Executive Leadership Team Member and Mother of two young ladies of her own. Listen as she leans in on courage, personal engagement and the role that men play in the movement. Clear-eyed and cogent, her feedback oozed with experience, insight and chutzpa. From raising confident women to her "put me coach" attitude to big jobs, it's clear where she stands. I'm with Kim!

We planned this month's leadership topic months ago. Unfortunately, it is so pervasive, it seems we are never out of coverage that touches on the topic. The  #MeToo Movement is ever-present. We've watched mortified, the accounts of Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby and recently the docu-series, Surviving R. Kelly, crowd the airways with information of improprieties, Amidst all of that, we watched a Supreme Court Justice embroiled in his own accusations of assault and even heard our 45th President of The United States, out of his own mouth, referencing grabbing women by their.... well you know. The coverage has shined a brighter light on the ills of celebrity, politicians and work. Even as I prepare to send this, I've not mentioned the coverage of the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia's alleged incursion. We see that even those women we deem as powerful are not exempt from assault. How do we lead in this environment? This movement, if it is in fact a movement, started back in 2006 under the initiation of Tarana Burke. However, it didn't get its current notoriety and head of steam until after a tweet in 2017 from Alyssa Milano urging others to share their stories of sexual harassment. The twitterverse then exploded with tweets from Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd and Uma Thurman. In response to this call-to-action, bravery and truth spread across social media like wildfire. The transparency and coverage around a topic that's been far too many people's realities for far too long, is a powerful thing. We want to ask a few people their thoughts, their truths and their strategies. Leadership is Personal!

We sit down with Art Johnson, CEO, Infinity Systems Inc. Art was also a Sales Leader and Head of Sales organizations at both Medtronic and IBM.  Art talks about code-switching in juxtaposition to mirroring in the sales process and authenticity. If people buy from people they like, then who should you be? Art gives vivid examples. Like when doing this one thing, it's as bad as trying to start a car that's already running. And we know what that sounds like... Click NOW to listen.

We sit down with Carson Funderburk, Chief Supply Chain Officer of Sara Lee Frozen Bakery. Carson talks about the different ways of communicating and connecting with different people. Whether connecting with those in the plant to those in the senior executive suite, he explains how you connect. He even shares what's in his office closet that helps!  

We're talking code-switching and authenticity with Dawnna St Louis. Unlike every other leader that has sat down with us, Dawnna has a different perspective around code-switching. Per usual, her perspective dances on conventional wisdom and adds to the list of "Things that make you go hmmm..." Listen close, and tell me what you think!

You’ve invited them to the party. You’ve even asked them to dance. But who’s on your playlist? Have you created a culture of inclusion? We talk Code-switching & Authenticity w/ James Burroughs, Chief Inclusion Officer for the State of Minnesota on the Leadership is Personal Podcast. 

Code-switching & Authenticity straight-talk from a recognized, award-winning industry leader. Anton Vincent knows what it takes to excel and succeed in the corporate hustle and bustle. He shares the ins, outs and true key to success with us.  Anton also addresses the "fallacy of perfection," what humility doesn't equal and asks what you're wound up in. He even gets clear on who does it right. Listen as he shares the wisdom that helped him rise in this Season 2, don't miss episode of The Leadership is Personal Podcast!

Award-winning CEO, Darnyelle Jervey transparently shares. This best selling author with 7 books to her credit, and Coach of the Year by Stiletto Woman Media, shares amazing pearls. Recognized by Small Business Trends, you want to hear what she has to say.  Combining spiritual principles with business growth strategy, Darnyelle, CEO of Incredible One Enterprises, LLC takes a different approach on sales, systems and scale-ability. Empowering people to shake the planet and build a business that serves them financially and spiritually as they profitably impact the world, you don't want to miss Darnyelle.  CLICK PLAY NOW!

Are The Balls You're Juggling Glass or Rubber? Phenomenal leader, Gail Peterson, VP Global Marketing at Ecolab, shares how she approaches her role and reasons as a leader, mother and woman in industry. From the halls or Princeton and Harvard to the halls of General Mills and Ecolab, this authentic women tells of mistakes and making moves.

As a teen Dawnna was homeless. Even still, she has always done things her way; and today is no different. Dawnna shares her experiences and expertise to give insight into some of the challenges women face and how to run through them. Refreshing, rewarding and raw. Homeless is but part of her narrative. So is getting a degree at the age of 40. Yes. 40. This was after she retired at 39. Yes. Retired. Dawnna started an IT consulting agency that she grew and sold. $xxx,000,000 was the number. Yes. Nine figures. She's also grown over 100 millionaire entrepreneurs. Click play and listen to this all around badass leader.

The sun came up, sitting at my desk, I peered out my office window over the snow-covered, frozen pond.  As I contemplated the move to corporate, I cracked open an old presentation to acclimate my thinking.  The deck was a little dated but prepared collaboratively with one of the largest and most respected consulting firms in the world.  The cover had only a date and the title of the project.  I flipped the page to the Table of Contents and there it was.  Right there.  The third bullet...   With all of the resources and brainpower of a multi-billion dollar, Fortune 100 and arguably the best consultants money could buy (and trust me, it wasn’t cheap) the answer to why we don’t rise up to our capabilities was right there.  The third bullet…                                           --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     Bullet 1).  “Context and Objectives”   This makes perfect sense.  We all should consider what fields we want to play on, the existing and impending landscape and what impact we want to make.     Bullet 2).  “Research Overview”   If we’ve conducted research, tested the market and identified ground changes, this should be reviewed for tweaks to strategy and tactics as well as any adjustments to outcomes; upwards of course.     Bullet 3).  “Current Thinking and No Regret Moves”   What!  “No Regret” Moves?  What exactly does this mean?  George Bernard Shaw said, “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world.  The unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.  Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”  With all of the resources and brainpower at our disposal, surprisingly, we chose to “play it safe.” Taking the option of failure off the table, opting to be in a word, reasonable.       Are you suffocating?    There are times in life when we are called to harness every bit of our will and live up to our capabilities, the greatness that is within all of us.  Each of us has a gift, an ability to perform beyond our daily fathoms.  But when we let fear determine our paths, and remove the option of failure from the proverbial table, we are sure to have no regrets.  We are sure to play it safe.  We are sure to suffocate.     By playing it safe, we choose not to live.  Truth is, a failure is an option.  We can choose to put ourselves in a place of vulnerability and potential greatness.  Requiring the harnessing of our will and all of our faculties to succeed.  Or we can choose to suffocate.     When the network brass told Oprah she didn’t have the personality for television, she didn’t choose “no regret” moves.  She focused.  She chose greatness!  When Michael Jordan didn’t make the team, he didn’t choose “no regret” moves.  He focused.  He chose greatness!  Walt Disney was fired and told he lacked imagination.   Have you ever taken your kids to Disney World?  Close your eyes and think back.  Can you see their faces?  You would never feel the joy of remembering their faces if Walt Disney would have taken “no regret” moves.  He focused.  He chose to live.  He chose greatness!   If you’re like every other red-blooded man or woman, you make decisions daily. What big decision are you contemplating right now?  What will you do?  Will you choose “no regret” moves?  Or will you rise to your full capabilities and choose to live; choose greatness?     Your move.

You're beginning your day, haven't had your coffee, the phone is ringing and you have a meeting in 7 minutes.  In today's pressing times, less of it is spent with your people.  This time has largely been replaced by emails, which require the time to read and sometimes decode.  As if the drain on your time wasn't enough, there are unlimited meetings.  Some cultures requiring a "meeting before the meeting;" and sometimes one after.  There is one way to maximize the individual efforts of your teams and ensure you are giving them what they need as a leader.  Ask.  Here's a tactic I engaged long ago that works.  To ensure you're maximizing the capabilities of your people through your efforts, and they get what they need from you as a leader, ask these three direct questions quarterly.  And to the extent possible, DO IT!   What do you need me to start doing? What do you need me to stop doing? What do you need me to never stop doing?   Leadership Is Personal