How to Make a Leader

Ingrid Hu Dahl believes the most effective leaders are those who intentionally break rules, challenging the status quo.  With diverse experience as a punk-rock musician, executive coach and L&D leader at Gap, Meta and Capital One, Ingrid offers a radically human perspective on leadership - one that is rooted in rebellion and genuine connection. She shares personal stories and learnings about why the best leaders are the rebels who dare to challenge the status quo and lead with authenticity.  You’ll learn: * Why rebellion is a powerful force in leadership * Fast reset tools to reduce workplace stress * How to break toxic patterns in traditional leadership cultures * How to lead with empathy and inclusion in high-stress environments  Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Ingrid Hu Dahl (02:43) Rebellion as a foundation for authentic leadership (04:07) The parallels of young musicians and high-performing teams (05:41) Coaching executives through fear, doubt, and isolation (10:09) Leading with empathy in high-stress environments (12:07) Fast reset tools to reduce workplace stress (16:20) Writing a memoir and not a leadership book (21:49) Breaking toxic patterns in traditional leadership cultures (25:12) Bringing experimentation and play into team culture (28:38) Daily behaviors that define inclusive leadership today (33:40) Advice for leaders who are ready to rebel To learn more about Ingrid, check out her website [https://www.ingridhudahl.com/] and her book Sun Shining On Morning Snow [https://www.sunshiningonmorningsnow.com/]. Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus [https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus] About Ingrid Hu Dahl: Ingrid Hu Dahl is an author, speaker, and leadership coach. She is the founder of a coaching and consulting business dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders. With over two decades of experience in learning and development, she brings her expertise to a wide range of industries, from corporate and media to nonprofit and social justice organizations.  A TEDx speaker and a founding member of the Willie Mae Rock Camp in Brooklyn, Ingrid has a lifelong passion for amplifying underrepresented voices. She has written, filmed, and directed two short films exploring identity, representation, and the mixed-race experience. And, she has toured in multiple rock bands, playing bass, guitar, synth, drums, and singing. Ingrid is certified by the International Coaching Federation and the Center for Creative Leadership. She is a global lecturer and speaker, and an advisory board member for the Institute for Women’s Leadership at Rutgers University. She lives in Sausalito, California, with her wife, Courtney, and their dog, Palo Santo. * Invite Ingrid to be a speaker, facilitator, consultant or leadership coach: www.IngridHuDahl.com [http://www.ingridhudahl.com/]  * Buy Ingrid's book and get it signed at one of her upcoming events: www.SunShiningonMorningSnow.com [http://www.sunshiningonmorningsnow.com/] * Check out Ingrid's interview in Authority Magazine: “The Hidden Superpower of Every Great Leader: Ingrid Hu Dahl On Uncovering the Traits That Separate Good Leaders from Exceptional Ones [https://medium.com/authority-magazine/the-hidden-superpower-of-every-great-leader-ingrid-hu-dahl-on-uncovering-the-traits-that-separate-e316ce1ea7b7]” * Read Ingrid's article for Women in Leadership: “Leading with Heart and Wading Through Fear—How Women Can Drop Control and Embrace Their Power” [https://womenthrivemagazine.com/rebellious-leadership/]

Suzy Welch [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzy_Welch] has helped thousands find clarity on the question: What am I meant to do with my life?  In this conversation, she shares the 3-circle methodology behind her wildly popular “Becoming You” methodology, which she also teaches at NYU Stern School of Business. She explains why knowing your true values is more powerful than skills training alone, and offers a practical path to purpose, at any stage of your career. You’ll learn: * Why most people don’t know their true values—and how to find yours * How personal values, aptitudes, and economically viable interests intersect to reveal purpose * How value conflicts show up in leadership and career choices * Why aligning personal and organizational values can transform teams * What leaders can do to help others live and work with purpose This was our first ever live recorded podcast conversation in front of an audience - you’ll hear audience interaction throughout, and Q&A at the end of the episode.  Take The Values Bridge test Suzy references here: https://thevaluesbridge.com/ [https://thevaluesbridge.com/] Read Suzy’s book, Becoming You here: https://www.suzywelch.com/books/becoming-you-the-proven-method-for-crafting-your-authentic-life-and-career/ [https://www.suzywelch.com/books/becoming-you-the-proven-method-for-crafting-your-authentic-life-and-career/]  About Suzy Welch: Suzy Welch is an award-winning NYU Stern School of Business professor, acclaimed management researcher, and New York Times best-selling author, most recently with “Becoming You: A Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career [https://www.suzywelch.com/books/becoming-you-the-proven-method-for-crafting-your-authentic-life-and-career/],” which is also a #1 bestseller on Amazon. A graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Business School, Professor Welch is a frequent guest of the Today Show and an op-ed contributor to the Wall Street Journal. Her podcast, “Becoming You [https://www.suzywelch.com/podcasts/]” is one of America’s most listened to career podcasts. She serves on the boards of public and private companies, and is the Director of the NYU | Stern Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing. As the founder and CEO of Becoming You Labs, Professor Welch, who received her PhD in business from the University of Bristol, has developed several digital assessment tools, including The Values Bridge [https://thevaluesbridge.com/] and PIE360 [https://pie360feedback.com/]. Two more assessment instruments, the Career Traits Compass and the Holland Bridge, are currently in the final stages of beta testing.

Nearly 8 out of 10 workers feel stressed at work, and most say it's leaving them completely drained. If you're seeing warning signs on your team or feeling the impact yourself, this deep dive into the burnout epidemic will give you the science-backed strategies you need. Dr. Ethan Kross, neuroscientist at the University of Michigan and author of Chatter and Shift, breaks down what's actually happening in your brain when stress feels debilitating. Jennifer Moss, workplace wellness expert and author of Why Are We Here? and The Burnout Epidemic, shares the organizational strategies that companies like Google and TD Bank use to transform their workplace cultures. Together, they deliver both the "why" behind burnout and the "how" to fix it, giving you actionable frameworks to implement immediately. You'll learn: * The science behind burnout and brain function * Case studies from Deloitte, Google and TD Bank on how they’re improving workplace culture * Introduction to the WOOP framework to help employees build resilience * The leadership practices that genuinely transform team mental fitness and engagement Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Dr. Ethan Kross and Jennifer Moss (01:24) The science behind stress and burnout in the workplace (03:51) How chronic stress affects focus and performance (06:03) Emotional regulation and the impact on internal dialogue (08:07) How stress alters brain function and decision-making (09:01) The threat mode response and its influence on behavior (15:19) The role of uncertainty and lack of control in workplace dissatisfaction (17:53) Why culture plays a major role in mental fitness (21:44) Building mental fitness muscles for long-term success (25:23) Using the WOOP framework to handle negative emotions (30:03) How leaders can help teams regain a sense of control To learn more about Ethan, check out his website [https://www.ethankross.com/], most recent TED talk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb0nLpdWttA], and his books, Shift [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0593444418] and Chatter [https://www.amazon.com/Chatter-Voice-Head-Matters-Harness/dp/0525575243/]. And to learn more about Jennifer, check out her website [https://www.jennifer-moss.com/] and her books, The Burnout Epidemic [https://www.amazon.com/Burnout-Epidemic-Rise-Chronic-Stress/dp/1647820367], Why Are We Here [https://www.amazon.com/Why-Are-We-Here-Creating/dp/1647826136], and Unlocking Happiness at Work [https://www.amazon.com/Unlocking-Happiness-Work-Strategy-Performance-dp-1398619469/dp/1398619469/ref=dp_ob_title_bk]. Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus [https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus]

In this episode of How to Make a Leader, we're joined by Al Dea, founder of Edge of Work consulting and a respected voice in talent and leadership development. Al breaks down why true leadership success hinges on a human-centric approach focused on two essential drivers: viewing leaders as developers of people and building social capital within organizations. Drawing from his extensive experience as a consultant, keynote speaker, and podcast host, Al shares practical insights on how day-to-day leadership actions directly impact talent development. He challenges the notion that employee growth belongs solely to HR and L&D departments, revealing the common mistakes leaders make when developing their teams and offering actionable strategies that extend beyond traditional training programs. You'll discover: * Why developing your people is the highest-impact leadership investment * Practical ways to implement human-centric leadership principles * How to build and leverage social capital to enhance team performance * Effective development strategies that don't require formal training programs Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Al Dea (01:13) The evolution of workplace dynamics (07:10) Defining human-centric leadership in real terms (09:41) Leaders as developers of people (12:09) Building growth into your weekly workflow (15:28) How HR and L&D scale development (18:02) Why investing in people ultimately saves time (20:23) Common mistakes leaders make when developing others (25:02) How to build social capital (and why it matters) (31:26) A leadership development program that built real connections (34:35) How to measure development and social capital To learn more about Al and his work, check out his Linkedin profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/], his website [https://www.google.com/search?q=Al+dea&rlz=1C5CHFA_enSG1146PH1146&oq=Al+dea&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQABiABDIMCAIQABgKGLEDGIAEMhAIAxAuGK8BGMcBGIAEGI4FMgcIBBAAGIAEMgcIBRAuGIAEMgYIBhBFGD0yBggHEEUYPdIBBzc5N2owajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8], and his podcast [https://theedgeofwork.com/]. Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events [http://bigthink.com/plus/events] Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus [https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus]

In this episode of How to Make a Leader, we sit down with members of Big Think+’s very own product team, Charlotte Sharpe and Monica Karunakaran. They share insights learned from observing the learning habits and preferences of 115,000 learners that used our platform last year, as well as learnings from our 300 person user survey.  They share juicy insights such as the truth behind optimal learning times (and length of content), the top skills learners searched on our platform, and the top challenges keeping L&D leaders up at night.  You’ll learn: * The type of career development that learners actually care about * The most in-demand leadership skills * What’s keeping L&D leaders up at night (and how to fix it) * The humans skills that matter more than AI * How to think about L&D strategy Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Charlotte Sharpe and Monica Karunakaran (05:29) The role of Big Think+ in shaping leadership development (06:58) Insights from a year of data from 115,000 learners (09:43) What’s keeping L&D leaders up at night (13:14) Leadership content for mid-level managers (15:28) Balancing employee engagement with measurable success (17:44) The most in-demand leadership skills (19:08) Why emotional intelligence is so important (26:31) Data on the learning experience (when, where, how long) (28:37) The influence of AI on leadership development strategies (33:27) The biggest surprise with the data (35:03) The future of L&D: Integrating human connection with technology To learn more about Charlotte and Monica, check out their LinkedIn profiles: * Charlotte Sharpe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlottesharpephd/] * Monica Karunakaran [https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-karunakaran-b85a062a5/] Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events [http://bigthink.com/plus/events] Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus [https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus]