Can failure be the secret ingredient to our success? As we stand on the brink of a new year, it's time to rethink how we perceive failure. Contrary to the traditional view of setbacks as purely negative, this episode unpacks the transformative concept of "failing well," inspired by Amy Edmondson's groundbreaking book, "The Right Kind of Wrong." We dissect failures into three categories: preventable, complex, and intelligent. Understanding these distinctions not only heightens our resilience but also enhances our capacity for growth, both personally and professionally. Through this lens, we discuss the importance of intelligent failure, where venturing into uncharted territories becomes a fertile ground for innovation and learning.

As we prepare for 2025, the challenge is to embrace failure as a driving force for growth. By adopting acronyms like "First Attempt In Learning" and "From Action, I Learn," we emphasize the significance of learning through doing and experimenting. Rather than waiting for unattainable perfection, we learn valuable lessons through action and can use this feedback as a pivotal and far more accurate tool for refinement as opposed to reflection alone. With this mindset, we transform failures into valuable insights, enabling us to stretch our capabilities, refine our strategies, and ultimately, achieve a more enriching and fruitful year ahead. Let’s get started!

What You’ll Learn:

• Why our unhealthy relationship with failure holds us back.

• Embracing intelligent failures as a catalyst for growth.

• F.A.I.L. forward to achieve your goals.

• How to adopt a growth mindset for failure.

• The importance of learning through action and experimentation

Podcast Timestamps:

(00:00) - What is Your Relationship with Failure?

(04:20) - Not All Failures Are Created Equal

(08:01) - Embracing Intelligent Failures for Innovation

(19:06) – Looking Forward to 2025

Key Topics Discussed:

Positive Leadership, Dealing with Failure, Achieving Success, Pursuing Goals, Amy Edmondson, Preventable Failures, Complex Failures, Intelligent Failures, Continuous Learning, Growth Mindset, Embracing Innovation, Minimum Viable Product, Feedback Through Action, Building Resilience, Insight Through Action, Embracing Challenges, Capitalizing on Opportunities, CEO Success

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

Mentions:
Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well by Amy Edmondson

Dr. Jean Latting, an esteemed figure in the realm of inclusive leadership, joins our latest episode with her profound journey from the segregated South to becoming a beacon of unity and understanding. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of thoughts and words, shaped by her family and the civil rights movements. Dr. Latting's experiences in a racially integrated boarding school informed her vision for successful multiculturalism, and her insights offer a compelling blueprint for nurturing inclusion in any environment.

We unpack the elements of conscious leadership as we explore what it means to be attuned to diverse inputs and organizational dynamics. Dr. Latting illustrates the ripple effect of our choices with engaging examples of leaders fostering inclusivity by engaging with all organizational levels. This episode highlights the shared responsibility to project positive energy and drive conscious change, drawing attention to the importance of role modeling and the impact of our interactions on creating inclusive environments.

Our conversation closes with practical strategies for addressing resistance to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including the importance of authenticity and constructive communication. Tune in for an episode rich with actionable insights and inspiration for a more inclusive world.

What You’ll Learn:

• The power of conscious leadership and its impact on fostering inclusivity.

• How being attuned to diverse inputs can drive organizational success.

• Strategies for navigating resistance in DEI efforts.

• Explore the importance of role modeling and the ripple effect of positive energy in creating inclusive environments.

• Obtain actionable insights focusing on managing our mindset and constructive communication.

Podcast Timestamps:

(00:00) - What is Conscious Leadership?

(13:12) - Inclusive Leadership is Conscious Leadership

(21:58) - Building Conscious Change Through Self- and Other-Awareness

(28:43) - Understanding Resistance and the Psychology of Change

(47:15) - Fostering Constructive Conversations

More of Jean:

Jean Latting, an expert in inclusive leadership and conscious change, has dedicated over 20 years to consulting and teaching in both private and public sectors. As President of Leading Consciously and Professor Emeritus at the University of Houston, Jean empowers leaders and organizations to create transformative, inclusive environments where diversity thrives and individuals feel valued. Recognized for her contributions, she received an Outstanding Faculty Award from the University of Houston Alumni Association and has an endowment established in her honor by a Houston philanthropist. Jean's book, Conscious Change: How to Navigate Differences and Foster Inclusion in Everyday Relationships, has garnered praise for its timely insights and practical guidance, reflecting her commitment to fostering equity through human connection and conscious action.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanlattingconsultant/

Mentions:

Reframing Change: How to Deal with Workplace Dynamics, Influence Others, and Bring People Together to Initiate Positive Change by Jean Kantambu Latting and V. Jean Ramsey

Conscious Change: How to Navigate Differences and Foster Inclusion in Everyday Relationships by Jean Kantambu Latting

Key Topics Discussed:

Positive Leadership, Conscious Leadership, Inclusive Leadership, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Multiculturalism, Positive Energy, Role Modeling, Organizational Dynamics, Cognitive Dissonance, Managing Bias, Fostering Open Dialogue, Delivering Feedback, Promoting Change, Overcoming Resistance, Personal Growth, Constructive Communication, Authentic Inclusion, CEO Success

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

In a world where corporate ethics are often tested, the latest episode of the "Do Good to Lead Well" podcast brings a timely discussion with Ann Skeet, the Senior Director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. This episode offers listeners a comprehensive exploration into the intricacies of leading with integrity amidst the challenges of today's corporate landscape.

During our conversation, Ann discusses the need for a comprehensive approach to ethics education and highlights the need for systemic assessments rather than attributing misconduct to a single "bad apple." We also explore how systemic pressures can foster a culture of fear and ethics washing and why organizations must effectively address toxic high performers.

The episode further explores the role of empathy in ethical leadership, underscoring its influence on decision-making and organizational dynamics. Practical applications of empathy, such as rotating assignments and fostering narrative integration through leadership stories, are discussed.

In a time when businesses must navigate partisanship, self-regulate, and address pressing issues like climate change and DEI initiatives, ethical leadership is more critical than ever. This episode inspires listeners to embrace their potential as ethical leaders, regardless of their role or setting.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to foster a culture of trust and accountability within organizations.

• The importance of empathy and ethics in decision-making and organizational dynamics.

• Strategies for handling toxic high performers and conducting culture self-assessments.

• How leaders can responsibly harness technology in the age of AI and disruptive innovations.

Podcast Timestamps:

(00:00) - An Introduction to Ethical Leadership

(15:41) - Organizational Ethics and Risk Assessment

(22:40) - Characteristics of Ethical Leadership

(36:02) - Building Ethical Cultures Through Empathy

(43:54) - Navigating Ethics in Technological Advancements

(53:52) - Ethical Leadership in the Future

More of Ann Skeet:

Ann Skeet is the Senior Director of Leadership Ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. Her work centers on the ethical challenges faced by leaders and their teams, with a focus on fostering healthy corporate cultures, ethical leadership practices, and governance frameworks that promote human flourishing. Ann teaches ethics literacy for boards through the Silicon Valley Executive Education Center at the Levy School of Business. She has played a pivotal role in global initiatives, including serving on the Steering Committee for the Responsible Use of Technology at the World Economic Forum and contributing to the Partnership on AI’s Working Group on AI, Labor, and the Economy, co-authoring a framework for workforce well-being in AI-integrated workplaces. Additionally, Ann has co-authored Ethics in the Age of Disruptive Technologies: An Operational Roadmap and Voting for Ethics, a guide for evaluating candidates from an ethical perspective during elections.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-gregg-skeet-239306/

Key Topics Discussed:

Positive Leadership, Ethical Leadership, Corporate Culture, Organizational Ethics, Risk Assessment, Silicon Valley, Sarbanes-Oxley, Integrity, Systemic Issues, Misconduct, Ethics Education, Toxic High Performers, Empathy, Applied Ethics, Ethical Decision-Making, Code of Conduct, Ethics Training, Artificial Intelligence, Technological Advancements, Responsible Technology, Governance Framework, Continuous Improvement, Public Trust, Polarized Political Landscape, CEO Success

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

Imagine stepping into retirement with confidence and excitement, rather than uncertainty and anxiety. That's exactly what we aim to achieve in this episode featuring Teresa Amabile, the distinguished Edsel Bryant Ford Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. Teresa shares her insights and groundbreaking research on the psychological and emotional dimensions of retiring, going beyond the traditional focus on health and wealth. Her new book, "Retiring: Creating a Life that Works for You," serves as a foundation for our conversation on how to craft a fulfilling life after the last day at work.

We explore essential strategies to align one's personal identity and values with life’s changing circumstances. Through personal stories and research anecdotes, Teresa shares the four major tasks of retiring well, including the critical decision of when to retire. Our conversation emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and courage in this transition, encouraging listeners to make changes that resonate with their evolving self. The episode is rich with practical advice on preparing emotionally, offering listeners a toolkit for navigating the intricate journey of retiring.

We also delve into the often overlooked challenge of managing work identity during retirement. Teresa discusses how nurturing identities beyond one's career can ease this transition, using real-life examples of individuals who have successfully shifted their focus from professional life to personal passions. Listeners will learn how to balance work identity with personal interests and maintain crucial relationships, regardless of where they are in their career journey. Whether you're contemplating retirement or simply seeking a more balanced life, this episode offers valuable insights into embracing the next chapter with enthusiasm and purpose.

What You’ll Learn:

• The emotional and identity shifts involved in the process of retiring.

• Insightful stories of individuals who are discovering new passions and redefining their identities outside the office.

• Practical strategies to nurture diverse interests and relationships for a rewarding post-work life.

• Thought-provoking questions and exercises to help you align your life structure with your evolving self and values.

Podcast Timestamps:

(00:00) – Retiring Versus Retirement

(17:57) – Managing Life Transitions

(30:56) - Navigating our Identities

(37:03) – Who Are We in Retirement?

(44:43) - Exploring Life Outside of Work

More of Teresa:

Teresa M. Amabile is a professor at Harvard Business School, specializing in creativity, innovation, and workplace dynamics. She earned a doctorate in psychology from Stanford University and has published over 100 scholarly articles. Her book The Progress Principle, co-authored with Steven Kramer, explores how small wins can enhance creativity and engagement at work. Amabile has received numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in Organizational Behavior from the Academy of Management in 2018.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-amabile-8542727

Key Topics Discussed:

Retiring, Managing Transitions, Self-Identity, Identity at Work, Life After Work, Meaningful Work, Navigating Emotional Challenges, Personal Passions, Creating Life Balance, Self-awareness, Living Our Values, Retirement Planning, Financial Security, Identity Circles, Career Journey, Personal Success

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

Unlock the secrets to mastering our fear and transform it from a stumbling block into a stepping stone. Join me, Craig Dowden, as we journey through the complex world of fear on the Do Good to Lead Well podcast. Drawing from Franklin D. Roosevelt's timeless insight that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself," we explore how this powerful emotion can skew our perspectives and narrow our focus, often without merit. Discover startling research revealing how often our fears actually come to pass and that more often than not, things are even better than we could have imagined.

Armed with the empowering acronym for F.E.A.R., listeners are invited to rethink their perspective on fear, armed with practical strategies to break free from its paralyzing hold. Whether fear is a familiar companion or a sneaky adversary in your life, this episode equips you with the tools to manage it effectively and envision a future less hindered by unfounded worries. Tune in to empower yourself with a fresh understanding of fear and start conquering it today.

What You’ll Learn:

• Understand how fear skews perspectives and narrows focus.

• Learn about fascinating research that challenges our perception of fear.

• Learn to identify and manage fear using evidence-based techniques.

• Explore insights into how fear compromises our emotional power.

Podcast Timestamps:

(00:00) The Only Thing We Have to Fear is Fear Itself

(06:32) Managing Fear with an Evidence-Based Approach

(12:04) Learning from Fear and Anxiety Patterns (125 Seconds)

Key Topics Discussed:

Positive Leadership, Managing Fear, Resilient Leadership, Building Resilience, Improved Decision-Making, Positive Interpersonal Dynamics, Empowering Ourselves, Navigating Uncertainty, Building Confidence, The Power of Mindset, Gaining Perspective, Increasing Self-Awareness, Mastering Our Emotions, CEO Success

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

Listen into this special episode where I join The Rising Leader podcast with host Mark Silverman. I had the pleasure of welcoming Mark to the Do Good to Lead Well podcast and he decided to turn the tables on me.

During our conversation, we explore the transformative impact of positive leadership in a VUCA world and challenge the misconception that doing good and achieving success are mutually exclusive. Together, we examine how intentional leadership practices can harmonize operational efficiency while fostering meaningful relationships. By adopting a mindset of integration over compromise, leaders can create a more fulfilling personal and professional experience.

Our conversation takes a deep dive into the powerful role of mindset in shaping our experiences. We discuss the influential concepts of Carol Dweck’s growth versus fixed mindsets, emphasizing that changing our perspective can unlock new opportunities and choices. The conversation moves on to the difficulties of receiving feedback, even for the most accomplished individuals, and how proactively seeking feedback can bolster resilience. We also highlight how self-awareness and openness to growth can make challenging feedback less daunting and more constructive, even when it touches upon our very identity.

In our final segment, we acknowledge the importance of values-based leadership. When there is a perceived disconnect between stated values and actions, there are tremendous consequences. Being true to our values is crucial, particularly when the going gets tough. Please join us to explore the potential of positive leadership to prompt significant and lasting change that benefits all.

What You’ll Learn:

• Discover the transformative power of positive leadership and why doing good and achieving success aren't mutually exclusive.

• Learn how adopting a growth mindset can unlock new opportunities.

• Why proactively seeking feedback is key to leadership development.

• Strategies for staying true to one's values under pressure.

• Ways to integrate operational efficiency with building meaningful relationships.

• Techniques to cultivate individual and organizational resilience.

• What is authentic leadership?

Podcast Timestamps:

(00:04) - Positive Leadership in a VUCA World

(09:44) - Mastering our Mindset: Receiving Feedback

(13:38) – Change Your Perspective, Change Your World

(22:15) – The Power of Authentic Leadership

More of Mark:

Mark J. Silverman transitioned from a highly successful career in technology, where he generated over $90 million in sales for fast-growing startups, to becoming a sought-after executive coach and speaker. For the past decade, Mark has coached CEOs, senior leaders, and rising high achievers, helping them harness their resources and teams for greater impact while cultivating sustainable success across all areas of their lives. He is the author of The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers Into Effective Leaders and Only 10s 2.0: Confront Your To-do List, Transform Your Life, with the latter selling over 75,000 copies. Mark also hosts The Rising Leader Podcast and is working on his third book, which shares the same title.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark22102/

Mentions:

The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers Into Effective Leaders by Mark Silverman

Only 10s 2.0: Confront Your To-do List, Transform Your Life by Mark Silverman

The Rising Leader Podcast

Key Topics Discussed:

Positive Leadership, VUCA World, Executive Coaching, Transformative Impact, Do Good to Lead Well, Intentional Leadership, Mastering our Mindset, Growth Mindset, Fixed Mindset, Gaining Perspective, Giving and Receiving Feedback, Maximizing Resilience, Increasing Self-Awareness, Openness to Growth, Values-Based Leadership, Leading with Integrity, 360-Degree Feedback, CEO Success

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

Join us for an insightful exploration into the intricacies of workplace culture with Eric Stone, author of "Jumpstart Your Workplace Culture." Listen in as Eric reflects on navigating pivotal challenges like 9-11, offering practical strategies and a human-centric approach to transform organizational dynamics. His insights underscore the potential for innovative thinking in reshaping the way organizations operate.

We discuss the critical role of one-on-one interactions in understanding motivations and management styles. Our conversation introduces the "hourglass approach" as a strategic framework for operationalizing insights, emphasizing the importance of mission, vision, and values in decision-making. As we face technological shifts and unforeseen events like the global pandemic, this approach helps realign strategies with core values, ensuring a cohesive and engaged work environment.

Explore the importance of embedding organizational values throughout the life cycle of an organization to ensure they remain vibrant and influential. We also examine the key role of talent management, especially when it comes to promotions, emphasizing the need for transparency and linking advancement to cultural and values alignment. Finally, Eric shares his "John Wick School of Management" approach to fostering resilience in hybrid work environments. If you’re interested in how to build a peak performing and highly engaged culture, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn:

• The importance of aligning mission, vision, and values with the "hourglass approach."

• Using "30 minutes of fame" to enhance employee-manager relationships

• Embedding organizational values from the ground up

• The critical role of diversifying award systems

• Why you want to hire for a match rather than hire for fit

• Transparency is the key ingredient when it comes to talent management and advancement

• Leveraging the "John Wick School of Management" approach to foster resilience in hybrid work environments.

Podcast Timestamps:

(00:00) – How to Jumpstart Your Workplace Culture

(13:11) Building Employee Engagement Through Relationships

(18:58) – The Crucial Role of Values In Fostering a Strong Culture

(27:09) – Hiring and Promotion as Levers to Drive Culture

(42:28) - Building Resilient Organizational Cultures

(49:55) The John Wick School of Management Success

(53:12) Shrinking the Leadership Gap

More of Eric:

Eric Stone is a seasoned leader and the founder and CEO of Clear Path Ventures, dedicated to helping organizations cultivate high-performance cultures and address complex challenges. After a remarkable 26-year career at Enterprise Holdings—one of North America's largest privately held companies—Eric became one of the company’s most decorated regional vice presidents, renowned for his skill in fostering resilience and engagement across diverse teams. He led through pivotal moments, including 9/11, the Great Recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic, ultimately deciding to retire in 2018. However, inspired by his network, he soon returned with a new mission: to share his wealth of experience and insights through international keynote talks, workshops, and his award-winning book, Jumpstart Your Workplace Culture. Today, Eric collaborates with leaders to enhance employee engagement, improve customer experiences, and drive sustainable growth. Through Clear Path Ventures and his roles on nonprofit boards, Eric remains committed to empowering businesses and bridging opportunity gaps for marginalized communities.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-stone-clear-path/

Mentions: Jumpstart Your Workplace Culture: A Road Map for Igniting High Performance by Eric Stone

Key Topics Discussed:

Leadership, Company Culture, Workplace Culture, Values, Mission, Vision, Moral Management, Promotions, Talent Management

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/