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Earlier this season, we talked with positive leadership expert Kim Cameron, and purpose-driven leadership expert Bob Quinn, both from the University of Michigan. This week on the podcast, we're talking to a guest who lives and breathes these values as a business leader.   Erin Mara is the Vice President of Talent Management at BJ's Wholesale Club, a $17 billion per year retailer, where she oversees learning and talent development for 35,000 people. Before that, she spent 19 years at Staples, ultimately becoming their Senior Director of Learning and Development.   And importantly, she's also a mother to a daughter. We talk about how being a positive and purpose-driven leader can help navigate the world of business and parenthood. Learn more about Udemy Business.

During tough times, Melissa Daimler argues companies need to amplify the alignment of strategy, purpose, and culture more than ever. As the Chief Learning Officer at Udemy, Melissa Daimler has an impressive career leading transformational culture change at companies including Adobe, Twitter, and WeWork. She shares these lessons in her new book, Reculturing. Melissa writes regularly for Forbes and Harvard Business Review.    Learn more about Udemy Business.

Negative news can bombard us. We hear alarming statistics about depression and anxiety and stories about toxic workplaces and leaders. Despite the negativity, developing positive leadership skills can help you live a thriving life, both at home and at work. Professor Kim Cameron is on the forefront of researching the practices of positive leadership. He's a co-founder of the Center for Positive Organizations and a distinguished professor at the University of Michigan. As the author of 16 scholarly books on positive practices, Kim has won multiple teaching awards, including recognition by his peers at the Academy of Management for making a major impact on the practice of leadership.    Learn more about Udemy Business.

Economic downturns can make most of us nervous, but a recession doesn't always need to mean doom and gloom. Take for instance, some notable companies like Airbnb, Square and Udemy. All were founded during the last recession between 2008 and 2010.    This week's guest gives us a crash course in innovation and explains why now is a good time as ever to continue innovating. Karl Ulrich teaches and researches innovation at the Wharton School of Business. As a founder, investor, advisor to dozens of companies, Karl holds 24 patents.    Learn more about Udemy Business.

While we're living in uncertain times, we never truly know what the future might hold. That's why we need leaders at every level of business who can paint a compelling picture of the future that inspires everyone to get on board. Today's guest is the master. Dave Pottruck was the CEO of Charles Schwab from 1998 to 2018. He's written two best-selling books on leadership and change and previously taught at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.    Learn more about Udemy Business.

How can we transform a stagnating workforce with a culture that values agility and unlocking human potential? That's the question this week's guest has grappled with for decades. Stewart Kidd has 30 years of experience in the private sector, most recently as Chief Learning Officer at Computer Science Corp. In 2021, he transitioned into local government. He's now the Director of Human Resources and Talent at Kershaw County, South Carolina in the United States. Stewart tells host Alan Todd about how he created a culture of learning and agility, turning high-potential employees into high performers. Follow the podcast to never miss an episode. Learn more about Udemy Business.

In today's tumultuous world, sometimes it's hard to know which way is up, but finding your purpose can drive emerging leaders to move forward.    Professor Bob Quinn joins host Alan Todd on this week’s podcast to share why finding your purpose can transform companies – and lives. For 40 years, Professor Quinn’s research and teaching has led the way for how people think about positive and purpose-driven leadership. He's a professor at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and a co-founder of the Center for Positive Organizations. He's written 18 books, including Deep Change, The Positive Organization, and more recently, The Economics of Higher Purpose.    If you liked this episode, you might like Professor Quinn's course on Udemy Business: Becoming A Purpose-Driven Organization Follow the podcast to never miss an episode.   Learn more about Udemy Business.

Everyone is looking to drive innovation, retain employees, and create a healthy workplace culture. Inclusive Leadership can provide solutions for these challenges and more. Stefanie Johnson joins the podcast to offer tips on running more inclusive meetings, creating an effective DEI strategy, and how inclusivity can help bring employees back to the office. Stefanie is the WSJ best-selling author of Inclusify and a leadership professor at Rice University where she runs the Doerr Institute for New Leaders. Follow the podcast to never miss an episode.   Learn more about Udemy Business.

Since the beginning of last year, more than 50 million people have resigned from their jobs. But today’s Leading Up guest, Samuel Ragsdale, Head of L&D at 3M, sees a shift from a Great Resignation to what he calls the Great Disengagement. Employees feel a lack of connection to their work or even the mission of their organization. We talk about solutions to this problem, including how Samuel is reinventing learning and inspiring more creative and connected experiences at 3M. Follow the podcast to never miss an episode.   Learn more about Udemy Business.

When it comes to leadership, if Melanie Weaver Barnett isn’t nominated, she will nominate herself. Podcast host Alan Todd, Vice President and General Manager of Udemy Business, talks with Melanie about positive leadership in a hybrid world, how to make your own luck, and how leaders should support women in business. She is the Chief Executive Education Officer at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, which has consistently ranked among the top 10 business schools in the world under her leadership. Melanie is also the executive director of UNICON, an international consortium of business schools focused on non-degree executive education.    Follow the podcast to never miss an episode.   Learn more about Udemy Business.

Leaders face challenges every single day: evolving workplace culture, skills gaps, the great resignation, and let's not forget about the global recession nipping at our collective heels. At Udemy, we've seen firsthand how leaders can continue to drive creativity and exciting business outcomes, and foster an inventive spirit - despite headwinds. Hear fresh perspectives and insights from forward-thinking real-world business and leadership experts.   Hosted by Alan Todd, Vice President and General Manager of Udemy Business, every episode shares inspiration, advice, and research to help you work, lead, and live differently.   Follow the podcast, so you never miss an episode.    New episodes drop every Wednesday.   Learn more about Udemy Business.