Leading With Respect

True Respect: Why Leaders Must Call Out "The Turd on the Table" | Episode #048 | Rishad Tobaccowala

We’ve all seen the corporate posters. The ones plastered in breakrooms or splashed across landing pages featuring buzzwords like Integrity, Collaboration, and, most frequently, Respect. But what happens when the rubber meets the road? What does respect actually look like when financial targets are missed, a high-paying client treats your team like scum, or a massive organizational shift is underway? In this week's episode, I sat down with Rishad Tobaccowala [https://www.linkedin.com/article/edit/7461727106251800576/?author=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_profile%3AACoAAAAXrB0BtMU5HpvwiaQFVgxw2TiMQLeP4SI]—author, speaker, and former Chief Strategist and Growth Officer at Publicis Group. Over a 45-year career spanning massive corporate ecosystems and his current chapter as a "company of one," Rishad has mastered the art of organizational reinvention. He shared a masterclass on what true workplace respect looks like, how to navigate toxic cultures, and why human emotion is our ultimate competitive advantage in the age of AI. See the LinkedIn article summarizing the conversation here. [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7463014602373689345/]

Courage, "Egonomics," and the Human Edge in the Age of AI | Episode #047 | Dov Baron

In this week's podcast episode, I share a conversation that didn't just skim the surface of Leading With Respect—it delved into the depths of the human experience. I sat down with Dov Baron... The Science of Emotion, a global leadership powerhouse and a true polymath. Dov is also the host of the podcast, The Dov Baron Show. Link to his site below. I’ll admit, "polymath" wasn't a word I used daily until I prepped for this episode. By definition, a polymath is a person of wide-ranging knowledge or learning. Dov isn’t just a leadership strategist; he is a master of quantum physics, neuroscience, and psychology. He uses this diverse toolkit to crack the "emotional source code" of what makes us human. Our conversation hit on a nerve that many leaders are trying to soothe right now: How do we stay relevant in a world dominated by algorithms? The answer, as Dov puts it, isn't in working harder—it’s in being more courageously human.   Get to know Dov's work and podcast at www.DovBaron.com.   Read and subscribe to my LinkedIn newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/courage-egonomics-human-edge-age-ai-bobby-bakshi-h0djc/

Why Respect is the Ultimate Competitive Advantage | Episode #046 | Jeroen Kraaijenbrink

We often think of "strategy" as a cold, analytical game—a series of spreadsheets, market forecasts, and tactical maneuvers. But what happens when we strip away the jargon and look at the humans actually making the decisions? This week on the Leading With Respect podcast, I share my conversation with, Jeroen Kraaijenbrink [https://www.linkedin.com/preload/], a strategy expert from the Netherlands who has transitioned from the world of academia and consulting into the profound space of coaching leaders to "stand tall." Jeroen’s approach is a breath of fresh air: he’s on a mission to humanize strategy. We delved deep into a topic that is often discussed but rarely defined: Respect. Read the LinkedIn newsletter article [https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/strategy-soul-why-respect-ultimate-competitive-advantage-bobby-bakshi-mgifc].  Consider subscribing to the newsletter and the podcast.

When "Being Nice" Can Be Disrespectful | Episode #045 | Anju Choudhary

In this week's episode of the Leading With Respect podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Anju Choudhary, Chief People Officer at Xoxoday. Her work centers on supporting leaders and teams as they navigate major change, digital transformation, and complexity. And her perspective on respect cuts straight to where most organizations get it wrong. You can be polite and still be disrespectful. Respect Is Not What Most of Us Were Taught One of the most consistent themes across this podcast is how often guests challenge the surface-level definition of respect. Real respect, in Anju's view, is built on three things: Fairness Clarity Consistency It shows up in how decisions are made, how feedback is given, how conflict is handled, and how leaders use power when no one is watching. Read the full article on LinkedIn. [https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-being-nice-can-disrespectful-bobby-bakshi-7qosc]

Respect is an Operational Discipline | Episode #044 | Christine Wickland

In the world of Organizational Effectiveness (OE), we often get bogged down in frameworks and academic theory. But when I sat down with Christine Wickland [https://www.linkedin.com/preload/], the Director of OE at Expedia Group, we got down to the basics. Christine’s journey didn't start in a boardroom; it started on the sales floor at Nordstrom. That "human-first" perspective has stayed with her through leadership roles at Amazon and Robin Hood, and it informs how she defines the most misunderstood word in business: Respect. Read the newsletter article here. [https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/respect-operational-discipline-bobby-bakshi-5k5qc/]