Aim Higher: The podcast with purpose

How to create a performance culture

What is a "performance culture" and how do you transform your organization to get there? In this episode of "Aim Higher," Skip and his expert panel take on that challenging subject and discuss Skip's "7 Steps for Creating a Performance Culture." From an initial definition, through the importance of communication and internal selling, all the way to celebration... the group brings their insights and real-world examples to this complex question. Listen in for some tips to get started today with your team.

How to delegate effectively

Leadership, by definition, requires at least some minimal level of delegation. Yet we all know leaders who seem to feel as if their success is defined not by how well their team or organization does as a whole, but by their own individual performance. That's an obvious failure of both leadership and delegation. In this episode of "Aim Higher," Skip and his panel take you through his "7 Rules for Successful Delegation." It's a no-nonsense look at a tricky skill set that can mean the difference between being a truly successful leader and a mediocre micromanager. Listen in for some unique tips and down-to-earth wisdom. 

The importance of leading with confidence

How, as a leader, do you model the benefits of self-confidence without falling into the trap of arrogance? In this episode of "Aim Higher," Skip sits down with his panel of experts to discuss the importance of self-confidence to leaders, both in terms of their own work, and as a leadership skill itself. As Skip says, "Confidence sweeps people to you, arrogance drives people away." Listen closely for some great tips on how culture, gender, body-language, health, and even vocal tone can affect self-confidence and make a difference in your leadership style.  

How leaders are coping with COVID-19

The COVID-19 crisis has touched every aspect of our personal and professional lives, and leaders are certainly not exempt. How are you helping your team cope? And how are you taking care of yourself during this difficult time? Join Skip and his panel of experts as they discuss key aspects of leadership during this unique era, including stress, trust, vulnerability, and the role of technology. They all touch on some aspect of how COVID-19 has affected their own lives, while also providing specific recommendations for how you can lead yourself, and your teams, through this pandemic and come out the other side stronger and more resilient.

Panel discussion: Leading with grace

Our panel of executive experts discuss Skip's most recent interview with John Baldoni and dig deeper into "leading with grace". 

Leading with grace (with John Baldoni)

In many areas of life -- business, politics, finance -- we think of power as a "zero sum game." If one person or side has it, the other doesn't. My guest on this week's episode of "Aim Higher," John Baldoni, turns that assumption on its head, with a philosophy of leadership based on grace: the idea that doing something for others and for the greater good can result in better outcomes for everyone. While it's obviously a theory rooted in ethics, it's also surprisingly efficient, especially as a leadership model. Why? Because when leaders model behavior that's good for others, that creates an environment that's good for the company, shareholders, and customers. Listen in, as John and I discuss some very practical ideas that start from a place in the heart. 

Why gratitude is so important for leaders

In this episode of "Aim Higher," Skip and his panel of leadership experts discuss the importance of gratitude. We know that gratitude can be great for us at a personal level: lowering blood-pressure, reducing stress, calming tension, and improving personal relationships. But Skip points out that effective leaders practice gratitude intentionally. While saying, "Thank you" and providing end-of-project kudos are important, leaders need to cultivate both a personal awareness of gratitude as a leadership quality, and to encourage a leadership culture among all employees. As always, Skip's guests share real-world examples and tips to help you put their ideas into practice. Listen in... you'll be grateful for their thoughts.

How to make your brain unhackable (panel discussion)

Our panel of executive experts discuss Skip's most recent interview with Kary Oberbrunner and dig deeper on the idea of making your brain unhackable. 

Making your brain unhackable (with Kary Oberbrunner)

We spend a lot of time, money, and effort on keeping our computers, bank accounts and even our phones from being hacked by malicious actors. But this week on "Aim Higher," I talk to my good friend Kary Oberbrunner about a type of hacking that's even more important and more insidious: the hacking of our brains. A computer hack is simply "unauthorized access" to your systems. Have you asked yourself, though, "To whom and what do I give access to my thoughts and attention?" Are you deliberate and careful about that? Kary's new book, "Unhackable" provides a great blueprint for taking back your attention and intentions and creating a mindset for success. Listen in as we discuss this important topic.

How leaders can leverage generational strengths (panel discussion)

Our panel of executive experts discuss Skip's most recent interview with Jason Dorsey and dig deeper on the subject of generational context.