Episodes

  • Unleashing Leadership and Brand Potential with Sunny Bonnell

    Unleashing Leadership and Brand Potential with Sunny Bonnell
    Dec 3 2024
    In this episode of Fire Your Hiring Habits, John sits down with Sunny Bonnell, co-founder of Motto and co-author of Rare Breed, to explore the transformative power of branding and leadership in shaping thriving organizations. Sunny shares her journey from moonlighting as a graphic designer to helping iconic brands like Google, Microsoft, and Virgin build unified visions that inspire both teams and audiences. Listeners will learn practical strategies for fostering creative collisions in the workplace, embracing healthy conflict, and ensuring values aren't just words on the wall but actionable principles driving behavior. Sunny also discusses how storytelling can be a catalyst for aligning team culture with a brand's purpose, navigating uncertainty, and creating environments where innovation thrives. Packed with insights on leadership, team dynamics, and the art of the "big idea worth rallying around," this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their organizational impact. Tune in for actionable tips and inspirational stories that will help you reimagine the way you lead and build your team!
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    49 mins
  • From Bees to Boardrooms: Lessons in Group Intelligence with Siobhan McHale

    From Bees to Boardrooms: Lessons in Group Intelligence with Siobhan McHale
    Oct 17 2024
    John sits down with Siobhan McHale, a renowned expert in workforce transformation and author of "The Hive Mind at Work," to discuss her groundbreaking insights on group intelligence (GQ) and its crucial role in organizational change. Drawing from her extensive experience, including a seven-year initiative at ANZ Bank, Siobhan explains how leaders can harness group dynamics for rapid, meaningful change, challenging the myth that cultural transformation always takes years. She offers practical strategies for reframing roles and intervening in complex human ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of GQ over IQ and EQ in today's complex work environments. Siobhan shares the nine laws of group dynamics, methods for identifying and rewiring organizational patterns, and strategies for hiring and developing high-GQ leaders, providing invaluable insights for both seasoned executives and emerging leaders looking to create more agile, productive workplaces in an era of constant change.
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    43 mins
  • For the Culture: Reimagining Workplace Dynamics with Dr. Marcus Collins

    For the Culture: Reimagining Workplace Dynamics with Dr. Marcus Collins
    Sep 19 2024
    John is joined by Marcus Collins, a leading expert on cultural contagion and meaning making. Dr. Collins, the best-selling author of "For the Culture" and a Clinical Marketing Professor at the University of Michigan, shares his profound insights on how culture shapes our workplaces and organizations. The conversation delves into the invisible forces that guide human behavior, both in society at large and within companies. Dr. Collins explains the concept of cultural meaning-making and its significant impact on employee engagement. He also discusses how leaders can leverage cultural insights to address workforce challenges and foster a more inclusive environment. Through engaging examples and personal anecdotes, Dr. Collins illustrates the power of empathy and cultural competence in leadership, especially in global organizations. He emphasizes the importance of understanding different perspectives and seeing the world through others' lenses to build stronger, more cohesive teams. The episode also touches on strategies for building a culture of continuous learning and development, highlighting the crucial role of curiosity in driving innovation and growth within organizations. Listeners will gain valuable insights into reimagining workplace dynamics and creating a culture that attracts and retains top talent. This thought-provoking discussion offers practical advice for leaders looking to harness the power of culture to transform their organizations and navigate the complex landscape of today's workforce.
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    45 mins
  • Unlearning Silence: Finding Your Authentic Voice with Elaine Lin Hering (Part Two)

    Unlearning Silence: Finding Your Authentic Voice with Elaine Lin Hering (Part Two)
    Jun 13 2024
    In the second half of this insightful episode, Elaine Lin Hering dives deeper into the powerful concepts explored in her book "Unlearning Silence," sharing practical tips and exercises on how to rediscover and use our authentic voices more effectively in both personal and professional settings. She also discusses the profound mental and physical impacts of speaking authentically, drawing from her extensive research and work with clients across diverse backgrounds. Through thought-provoking anecdotes and actionable advice, Elaine empowers listeners to gain a deeper understanding of how giving voice to our truths can not only transform our relationships and work environments but also enhance our overall well-being and sense of self, embracing vulnerability, shedding self-limiting beliefs, and courageously expressing themselves in ways that foster connection, creativity, and personal growth—an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to cultivate a more fulfilling and authentic life.
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    24 mins
  • Unlearning Silence: Finding Your Authentic Voice with Elaine Lin Hering (Part One)

    Unlearning Silence: Finding Your Authentic Voice with Elaine Lin Hering (Part One)
    Jun 6 2024
    In this thought-provoking episode, John Mitchell is joined by Elaine Lin Hering, author of the groundbreaking book "Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully." As a renowned facilitator who has worked across six continents with leaders from prominent organizations like American Express, Google, and the Red Cross, Elaine has developed transformative strategies to help individuals find their authentic voices. Her paradigm-shifting approach compassionately acknowledges how we have all been both silenced and silencers throughout our lives. Elaine shares powerful insights from her extensive experience, challenging listeners to confront how they may have inadvertently contributed to perpetuating cultures of silence within their organizations and personal lives. Through candid discussion and practical exercises, Elaine guides the audience on a journey of self-discovery, empowering them to unleash their full potential by breaking free from self-imposed limitations and giving voice to their deepest truths. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to cultivate a more inclusive, collaborative, and authentic environment in their personal and professional spheres.
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    24 mins
  • Rethinking Workplace Change: A Conversation with Ashley Goodall (Part Two)

    Rethinking Workplace Change: A Conversation with Ashley Goodall (Part Two)
    May 16 2024
    In the second half of their conversation, Ashley Goodall dives deeper into the central message of his new book, "The Problem with Change." He discusses what he hopes readers will take away from his contrarian view that constant workplace disruption often undermines productivity and employee well-being over the long run. Goodall also has specific advice for new managers entering cultures where change has become the unrelenting norm. Tune in to hear Ashley's insightful and practical guidance for organizational leaders seeking to implement impactful changes without deteriorating workplace culture.

    About Ashley Goodall: Ashley is a leadership expert who has spent his career exploring large organizations from the inside, most recently as an executive at Cisco. He is the co-author of Nine Lies About Work, which was selected as the best management book of 2019 by Strategy + Business and as one of Amazon’s best business and leadership books of 2019. Prior to Cisco, he spent fourteen years at Deloitte as a consultant and as the Chief Learning Officer for Leadership and Professional development.
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    22 mins
  • Rethinking Workplace Change: A Conversation with Ashley Goodall (Part One)

    Rethinking Workplace Change: A Conversation with Ashley Goodall (Part One)
    May 9 2024
    John's guest this week is Ashley Goodall, author of the provocative new book "The Problem with Change." In his book, Goodall challenges the conventional wisdom that constant workplace transformation and disruption lead to better employee performance and well-being. Drawing on decades of experience managing human resources initiatives at organizations like Cisco and Deloitte, he argues that non-stop change often does more harm than good.

    About Ashley Goodall: Ashley is a leadership expert who has spent his career exploring large organizations from the inside, most recently as an executive at Cisco. He is the co-author of Nine Lies About Work, which was selected as the best management book of 2019 by Strategy + Business and as one of Amazon’s best business and leadership books of 2019. Prior to Cisco, he spent fourteen years at Deloitte as a consultant and as the Chief Learning Officer for Leadership and Professional Development.
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    23 mins
  • The People Pathway: Todd Davis on Cultivating Relationships and Managing Talent (Part Two)

    The People Pathway: Todd Davis on Cultivating Relationships and Managing Talent (Part Two)
    Apr 18 2024
    In Part 2, Todd Davis digs deeper into the vital role that organizational culture plays in driving success. Drawing from his decades of experience, he shares his expert opinion on why cultivating a strong, positive culture is so critical. Davis emphasizes how an empowering environment that aligns employees towards a greater purpose can be a powerful competitive advantage. He provides real-world examples and advice for shaping workplace cultures that inspire peak performance, innovation, and genuine engagement. The conversation also pivots to exploring the importance of modesty in leadership. Davis explains why demonstrating humility, vulnerability, and an eagerness to learn from others are invaluable qualities for inspiring trust, loyalty, and cohesion among teams. He offers a refreshing counterpoint to traditional conceptions of what leadership should look like. Through thought-provoking insights, Davis challenges listeners to reevaluate what truly defines effective organizational and personal leadership in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. This is a can't-miss segment for anyone striving to create thriving cultures and become more impactful leaders.
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    28 mins