Top5 Ways Innovators and Leaders Must Adapt to Thrive

Top5 Ways Belonging Transforms People Strategy

On this week’s Top 5 Ways Belonging Transforms People Strategy, host Tara Thurber sits down with Marlee Whetten, founder of The Hack — a culture strategy firm dedicated to helping companies build workplaces where people actually want to work. Marlee shares how understanding collaboration, connection, and communication styles can solve “people problems” and turn compatibility into a measurable advantage. Tune in to discover how belonging isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the key to unlocking stronger teams, happier employees, and better business outcomes

Top5 Ways Innovators and Leaders Must Adapt to Thrive

Tara Thurber [https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachtarathurber/] sat down with innovation leader and connector James Barrood [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesbarrood/] to explore the Top5 Ways Innovators and Leaders Must Adapt to Thrive - from embracing generative AI to building empathetic, flexible teams that can weather disruption and drive change. James Barrood is a nationally recognized leader in the NYC/NJ tech and innovation scene with 20+ years of advising startups and growth company leaders as well as developing university programs. He heads a 10,000+ global community of entrepreneurs, directs AI‑focused executive education, and previously spent five years as CEO of TechUnited and over a decade running Fairleigh Dickinson University’s top‑ranked entrepreneurship center. A two‑time TEDx speaker, author, and podcast host, James sits on multiple startup and nonprofit boards, including AI for Good Foundation, Future World Alliance, and Princeton’s McCarter Theatre.

Top 5 Strategies to Lead, Run & Raise a Family Without Losing Your Mind

Tara Thurber and Clark Lagemann of Avidon Health discuss balancing high performance, leadership, and personal life. Clark emphasizes dynamic balance, prioritization, and being present in each moment. He shares his journey from healthcare to founding Avid on Health, focusing on behavior change. Clark highlights strategies like ruthless prioritization, daily physical activity, clear communication, and embracing chaos. He stresses the importance of accountability, both personal and professional, and the need to define personal success. Clark also advises protecting one's calendar, being selective with commitments, and the concept of "pouring from your cup" to achieve long-term success.

Top5 Tips to Improve Mental Performance

Tara Thurber interviews Tom Sterner, founder of the Practicing Mind Institute, on mental performance. Sterner emphasizes mental sovereignty, the ability to control one's mind, and shares insights from his 45 years of research. He highlights the importance of thought awareness training, which involves focusing on the breath or a simple phrase to detach from thoughts. Sterner advises setting goals with accurate data, using premeditated procedures for high-pressure situations, and interpreting experiences positively. He stresses the need to balance learning with performance and to embrace challenging situations as opportunities for growth.

Top5 Ways to Put the Human Back into Human Resources

Tara Thurber and Mark Mears discuss the importance of humanizing HR and leading with love in the workplace. Mark shares his journey from law school to marketing communications, emphasizing the higher power of fours and the "love" model for leadership: Listen, Observe, Value, and Empower. He highlights the need for purposeful growth, engagement, and fostering a sense of belonging. Mark's book, "The Purposeful Growth Revolution," advocates for a transformational leadership style that prioritizes human connection and community. He also introduces the concept of curiosity as a fifth essential element for effective leadership.