The New Generation Leader - Your Tools for Winning in the Digital World

The 2nd Mistake Kills You: Intentionality, Resilience, and Year 1 at VCU with Phil Martelli, Jr.

Aaron Lee — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:15:00 GMT

Phil Martelli Jr. just finished his first year as head men's basketball coach at VCU. The team won the Atlantic 10, made the NCAA tournament, and beat North Carolina along the way. His kids cut down two championship nets in two seasons, once at Bryant in the America East and once at VCU. He sat down to talk through what it actually takes to build a program at that pace.

The conversation runs through the anchors of his coaching philosophy. One mistake can hurt you. The second mistake kills you. He carries that into how he hires staff, recruits players, manages a season, and shows up in his own family.

Phil talks about the day at the start of his career when he turned down a grad-assistant job at Clemson to stay at Central Connecticut. Six weeks later, his future wife walked into his camp. He talks about being the best teammate even when he was never the best player. He talks about Lincoln, twenty-nine failed businesses behind one success, and a phone full of notes on people the world calls winners and the wreckage that sits right behind them.

This is a conversation about how a coach builds the kind of program that wins early without burning the people inside it.

Show Outline

02:30 - Peaks and valleys. Knowing when to ramp up and when to bring it back down.
03:15 - Year one to year two. Building the right team at the staff level first.
04:40 - Talent and character, not either or.
05:40 - Consistency through the rough patches. No magic wand, no secret.
07:10 - Where the values came from. His dad, and being around good people.
08:30 - Always the best teammate, even when he was never the best player.
09:40 - Twenty-four years of fingerprints. Every coach he ever worked for shows up somewhere.
11:00 - Turning down Clemson. The decision that did not look right to anyone else.
17:00 - Blending family and program. Why the kids are in the office and on the road.
21:30 - Setting the example. You cannot ask for consistency you do not give.
24:30 - The first mistake hurts you. The second mistake kills you.
26:00 - Fascinated with failure. Lincoln, twenty-nine failed businesses, and the phone full of notes.
28:30 - Easy to care about number five when he drops twenty and ten. Caring about the person is the work.
30:30 - What he wants his players to remember at thirty-five and forty.

About the guest

Phil Martelli Jr. is the head men's basketball coach at Virginia Commonwealth University. He played for his father, the longtime Saint Joseph's head coach, and built his coaching career across stops at Central Connecticut, Manhattan, Niagara, Delaware, the Delaware 87ers (NBA G League), Saint Joseph's, and Bryant. He took over at Bryant in 2022, won the America East regular-season title, and was named America East Coach of the Year. He arrived at VCU ahead of the 2024 to 2025 season and led the Rams to the Atlantic 10 championship and an NCAA tournament appearance in his first year on the job.

From Status Quo to Growth: Will Melton on AI, Entrepreneurship, and Building What Richmond Needs

Aaron Lee — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:15:00 GMT

Will didn't set out to become Richmond's leading voice on artificial intelligence. A chance encounter during a Chamber RVA trip to DC, a conversation with Senator Mark Warner fresh off a meeting with Sam Altman, and a community ready for a catalyst moment changed everything. Will shares the origin story of AI Ready RVA and why he believes Richmond is at a turning point.

From raking leaves as a kid in a cash-strapped household to buying into a business at age 20, Will has always been wired to build. He opens up about the tension between founding and operating, why great teams matter more than great founders, and what it actually takes to move a status quo business into a growth business.

Will's honest take on AI adoption, learning by doing, and finding a buddy to grow alongside makes this a practical, grounding episode for any leader navigating change right now.

Resources & Links

Exponent 21: exponent21.com
AI Ready RVA: [aireadyrva.com]
Will on LinkedIn: [linkedin.com/in/willharris]
Leadership Metro Richmond: [leadershipmetrorichmond.org]

Episode Timestamps

00:21 - How Will became Richmond's AI voice
01:30 - The Chamber RVA DC trip that started it all
02:45 - Why Richmond's poverty rate fueled Will's mission
04:00 - AI Ready RVA: what it is and how it runs
04:41 - How other cities and regions are funding AI hubs
07:35 - Will's entrepreneurial roots and a cash-strapped childhood
09:10 - Why he has always preferred starting over managing
11:20 - Founders who stay too long and the status quo trap
12:21 - Why great teams are the real answer for founders
14:27 - The Tim Ferriss myth and appreciating operational discipline
17:51 - What Will would tell his 20-year-old self
19:54 - Why fear of the unknown only shrinks by doing
21:38 - How the brain shortchanges us from starting
23:34 - Will's one piece of advice for the AI-skeptical: find a buddy
25:36 - On giving yourself permission to quit and try something new

Building a Studio on Relationships: Mack Garrison on Community, Creativity, and the 84% Rule

Aaron Lee — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Mack Garrison didn't plan to become an entrepreneur. He decided the day before launching Dash Studio.

What started as a single CNN project with his co-worker turned into a nearly 10-year journey building one of the leading animation and motion design agencies in the Southeast.

Mack shares how Dash Studio has thrived on a foundation of creativity and community. With 84% of their work coming through referrals, he breaks down why relationships matter more than sales tactics. From throwing the annual Dash Bash animation festival in Raleigh to building intentional remote team culture, Mack reveals the systems that keep distributed creative teams connected and productive.

The conversation tackles AI's impact on creative work, why supporting your competition pays off, and the research showing givers outperform takers in the long run. Mack offers practical frameworks for leaders navigating change, building networks, and fostering collaboration across departments.

Resources Mentioned

Dash Studio: https://dashstudio.net
Dash Bash Festival (Raleigh, NC): DashBash.net
"The Art of Gathering" by Priya Parker
Mack on LinkedIn: Mack Garrison
Instagram: @dash_nc

Key Moments

00:00 - The accidental entrepreneur: deciding to start a business overnight

02:30 - Winning the Riot Games project with impossible deadlines

04:15 - Building on creativity and community as core pillars

08:30 - Remote team rhythms: Monday photos, Tuesday inspiration, monthly recaps

11:20 - Getting the whole team together twice a year

16:00 - How 84% of projects come from referrals and relationships

20:45 - Trial and error in building company culture

24:30 - Where meetings actually begin: the power of intentionality

28:00 - Balancing visionary thinking with operational structure

31:15 - AI won't replace creativity—it will evolve it

35:45 - Leaders should experiment first, then empower teams

40:20 - The future is collaborative: boutique agencies working together

43:30 - Givers vs. takers: the long-term business strategy that wins

Building Teams That Thrive Without Wringing Them Dry with Cory Nichols

Aaron Lee — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Cory Nichols knows something most leaders miss: the debt stacking up in your organization isn't just financial. As a financial advisor turned entrepreneur, Cory breaks down how avoidance — whether in finances or leadership — creates compounding problems that become harder to solve over time.

In this conversation, Cory introduces the concept of "leadership debt" and shares his philosophy on getting people to take action through moments of realization rather than force. He unpacks the critical difference between wringing the sponge (extracting short-term results at the cost of people) versus creating a warm, dry environment where productivity happens naturally.

From his firing at a small company to launching his own practice, Cory reveals what he learned about values-driven leadership, the dangers of metrics-only management, and why remembering your team members' kids' names matters more than utilization rates. He also discusses Cash Camp, his financial literacy program teaching kids foundational money skills that most adults still haven't mastered.

Resources We Mentioned:

Die with Zero (book)
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight (book)
Cash Camp Financial Literacy Program

Connect with Cory Nichols

Instagram: @cory__nichols
Cash Camp Kids: Available via Cory's Instagram or CashCampKids.com

Key Moments:

00:00:22 - Leadership debt vs. financial debt: how avoidance compounds problems
00:03:45 - Creating moments of realization instead of forcing change
00:05:30 - The vital signs approach: tracking income, expenses, and savings rate
00:08:30 - The sponge analogy: wringing profits vs. sustainable growth
00:12:15 - Boeing's "finds a way" value and its unintended consequences
00:15:40 - Human-first leadership: values that prioritize people over metrics
00:18:40 - Taking 60 employees to birthday lunches across Virginia
00:24:50 - Getting fired and the myth of six-figure satisfaction
00:31:20 - Roller coaster investing: managing risk so people don't jump off
00:38:15 - Cash Camp: teaching kids financial skills vs. giving handouts
00:42:30 - Financial anxiety affects everyone, regardless of wealth level
00:46:10 - Vital signs approach: tracking your financial health quarterly
00:48:35 - The 1% annual increase strategy for retirement savings
00:51:20 - Advice to younger self: it's gonna get messy, and that's okay

What 61 Books Taught Me About Leadership, Sales, and Life

Aaron Lee — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:00:00 GMT

What happens when you stop drifting in your learning—and start paying attention on purpose?

In this year-end review episode of The New Generation Leader Podcast, Aaron reflects on one simple but transformative habit: tracking what he read in 2025. What started as a sobering realization — he only read 6 books in all of 2024! — turned into an unexpected journey through 61 books, spanning leadership, sales, culture, memoirs, history, fiction, and everything in between.

Read the full list > AaronLee.co/61-books

In this episode, Aaron shares:

Why he set a bold reading goal (and how it quietly reshaped his mindset)
The themes that surprised him most
The books that left a lasting imprint
How reading outside your comfort zone expands leadership perspective
Why slowing down, changing pace, and even reading fiction matters

Whether you’re a lifelong reader or someone trying to rediscover the habit, this episode is an invitation to keep learning, stay curious, and enter the new year with a wider lens.

Show Outline

00:00 – Year-End Reflection & the Reading Wake-Up Call

03:30 – Setting an Audacious Goal: A Book a Week

08:30 – The System That Made 61 Books Possible

14:30 – Foundational Leadership & Mindset Reads

21:00 – Expanding Perspective Through History & Memoir

28:30 – Brand Stories, Culture & Long-Term Vision

36:30 – The Unexpected Sales Theme of the Year

44:30 – Fiction, Downshifting & Reading for Enjoyment

51:30 – Final Reflections & Looking Ahead

Top 5 Books

1. Slow Productivity — Cal Newport

2. Shoe Dog — Phil Knight

3. Love as a Business Strategy — Mohammad Anwar

4. It Takes What It Takes — Trevor Moawad

5. The Barn — Wright Thompson

Leveraging Connections in the Digital Age: Insights from a Networking Superstar with Patricia Bradby Moore

Aaron Lee — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 11:00:21 GMT

Patricia Bradby Moore has leveraged her natural people skills to navigate a diverse career path. From the music industry to the tech world, Patricia shares her insights on the power of building meaningful connections in the digital age.

Patricia has turned her gift for networking into a platform to guide others - from young professionals to corporate teams - to overcome networking anxiety and maximize opportunities from solid relationships.

We explore the intersection of technology and human connection, offering strategies for using digital tools to facilitate in-person interactions.

Whether you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert, this conversation is packed with practical tips and inspiring stories that will have you rethinking the role of connections in your personal and professional life.

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Lead Local Presented by Leaders Rising Network

Discover the power of the 5 Voices. Find Your Leadership Voice today with the free assessment.

[ Take The Assessment ]

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=================

Show Outline

0:00 - Connections and Networking Insights
2:37 - The Role of Connectors in Teams
6:19 - Patricia's Career Journey
16:26 - The Intersection of Technology and Human Connections
21:37 - Encouraging Networking and Overcoming Fear
23:12 - The Future of Work and AI Integration
29:48 - Social Media and Networking Tools
34:14 - Final Thoughts

Quotes from the Show

"I spend a good amount of time in my current role having one-on-ones with people in other departments...I want to understand when someone new comes into our company, are they having a good experience? Do they feel like they've really connected with people, or do they feel like they've just come into a place where they're just another number and they're given tasks to do, because the staying power is in feeling connected to other people."
"The thing about tech is it now allows us to connect with so many more people than we would be able to otherwise. Instagram is technology, right? I wouldn't have the job I have now if technology hadn't connected me to a person who was somewhat in my social circle."

Connect with Patricia

Episode 71 - Full Transcript

Coming soon!

Building a Culture of Engaged Leaders at National Exchange Bank

Aaron Lee — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 10:00:11 GMT

Banks walk a delicate tightrope today: they need to be engaging to attract and retain customers across generations, but also maintain a fortress-like security to combat fraud.

National Exchange Bank and Trust cracked the code on increasing engagement, building a strong customer base, and keeping customers' wallets safe.

Tammy Pitts and Tami Christian of National Exchange Bank and Trust join Dr. Tom Nebel, founding partner of Leaders Rising Network, to discuss how the bank has transformed its culture by embracing the 5 Voices framework to develop more engaged, empowered, and collaborative leaders.

Their discussion provides valuable insights for any organization looking to foster a more engaged, high-performing culture through the power of self-awareness and intentional leadership development.

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Lead Local Presented by Leaders Rising Network

Tami and Tammy discuss the power of the 5 Voices. Discover Your Leadership Voice today with the free assessment.

[ Start Your Audit ]

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Show Outline

0:00 - Leadership development and culture change in a bank.
5:29 - Leadership roles and communication styles in a financial organization.
11:03 - Vulnerability, self-awareness, and trust in a bank's leadership team.
15:13 - Leadership development, employee engagement, and embedding GiANT tools in the organization.
19:40 - Employee engagement and culture building at a bank.
24:34 - Leadership, compliance, and teamwork.

Quotes from the Show

"Engagement has become increasingly critical to the overall success of any organization, especially a bank because you're challenged with so many different demographics where you need to provide care. But you also have to have Guardian tendencies to watch out for fraud."
"I fell in love with the language very quickly. Tom and I, being wired very similarly, had a good connection. I really knew that this had the potential to very quickly make an impact, not only for the organization but for individuals as well."

Full Transcript - Episode 68

Coming soon!

Navigating Cultural Identity: Building Bridges in the Middle School Years

Aaron Lee — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 11:00:15 GMT

Two fathers reflect on their experiences navigating cultural identity and relationships in middle school.

Jim and Aaron discuss the challenges of feeling excluded due to cultural differences and share strategies for building understanding across diverse communities.

Listeners will learn practical tips for cultivating curiosity, asking thoughtful questions, and starting respectful dialogues to bridge cultural divides.

New Generation Leader Allyship Channel

Listen to other Allyship Episodes

Building Brands and Careers for Athletes: The Transformative Power of Athletics with Ryan Schachtner

Aaron Lee — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 10:00:11 GMT

Intro

Ryan's journey took a turn when a career-ending injury shattered his dreams of playing professional baseball.

But instead of giving up, he pivoted and started a financial planning firm specializing in helping professional athletes with their financial challenges.

Now, he's extending his expertise to college student-athletes, focusing on building their personal brand and translating their on-field success into career success.

Outline

00:00 - Ryan's journey from being a collegiate baseball player to starting a financial planning firm and working with athletes.
01:37 - Ryan's Perspective on Change and Overcoming Challenges
08:34 - The need for development opportunities for athletes
09:58 - Applying athletic skills to business success
14:30 - Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and its impact on college athletes
16:58 - The Influence of Narrative on Name Image and Likeness
19:18 - Impact of Outside Voices on Coaches and Programs
23:34 - Protecting Reputation and Branding in the Age of Social Media
24:54 - The impact of playing with Michael Jordan on athletes' performance and brand association.
26:23 - The importance of self-awareness and how it influences future earnings ability.

Quotes

"Brand, I always say, is just a fancy word for reputation."

"They bled, they sweat, they sacrificed for this pro option and then they get there and they're like, oh shoot, there's something after this and maybe I need to start figuring out what I'm going to do."

"I can either choose to participate in it or I can choose not to participate in it and to me that really means, have a glass half full sort of mindset, let's make the best of the situation and let's adapt to what is happening and then let's figure out how we can move forward in a positive direction regardless."

Follow Ryan

Episode 44 - Full Transcript

Coming soon!

Learning to Lead and Win in the Digital World

Aaron Lee — Tue, 23 May 2023 17:58:14 GMT

If ChatGPT has reminded us of anything, it’s this: the world will never be the same.

And if the world’s changing, shoudn’t our leadership look different too? Today we dive into Learning to Lead and Win in the Digital World, taking a look at what is the same and what needs to change in order for you to lead + win in this new, digital world.

Show Outline

00:41 - Technological Breakthroughs
05:19 - Staying Healthy in a 24/7 World
08:30 - The Manual Transmission Tool
11:02 - Rest and Recharge
12:55 - Leading through Influence
18:18 - Support and Challenge
24:20 - Identifying and Equipping Upcoming Leaders
25:25 - Building an Organizational Culture to Attract and Retain Top Talent
28:52 - The Intersection of Operating System and People System

Navigate the Challenge of Hiring the Right Team

Aaron Lee — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 11:00:10 GMT

Cena shares her insights on the challenges of balancing work and personal life, especially when it comes to raising kids.

Through her work with clients and her own career, she sees the challenges organizations have today. Cena also shares her thoughts on how to hire the right people for your business.

Let's dive into Cena's valuable insights and tips for anyone looking to navigate the challenges of remote work and building a strong team.

1:08 - How do you balance the two worlds with kids?
5:30 - How working styles can be any combination these days.
6:59 - How remote work is changing the world.
9:12 - Challenges Cena sees in clients and organizations today.
13:15 - How to hire the right people for your business.
15:13 - What do you recommend to leaders when trying to find the right people?
17:18 - Can we do a pilot project?
22:00 - The similarities between Aaron’s and Cena's career experiences.

Finding the Peace You Need to Lead

Aaron Lee — Mon, 10 May 2021 21:20:51 GMT

In a chaotic world, finding peace is a crucial tool in the leader’s toolbox. And when it comes to the perils and trials of leadership, every leader needs a toolkit.

After a year of living in a global pandemic, finding peace is all the more important for leaders to take on 2021.

Quantifying your peace provides a lens for analyzing, identifying, and categorizing pain points in our lives. It seems simple at face value, but if you dig deeper into your responses and use them as benchmarks over time, you’ll find there’s a lot more to this tool than meets the eye.

Download the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/10

Lasso Leadership Playbook: Lessons from the Sewer

Aaron Lee — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 10:00:11 GMT

Before being nominated for 61 Primetime Emmy Awards. Ted Lasso was a short, silly sketch created by Jason Sudeikis for NBC Sports.

What can an American football coach teach us about leadership through a British football, i.e., a soccer club?

Well, it turns out a lot. In an endearing, funny, almost outlandish kind of way, Coach Lasso will truly make you a believer.

In this series on our Athletics Leadership channel, we are going to uncover the timeless truths of leadership as told by Ted Lasso himself.

Show Outline

0:55 - Emotional Farewell between Coach Lasso and his Son
1:22 - Importance of Understanding Well-being and Motivation of Team Members
2:31 - Contrasting Leadership Styles: Coach Lasso vs Coach Nathan
12:38 - Building a Culture Based on Ted's Lessons
13:22 - Let the Poop Flow

Ted Lasso is property of Apple TV+ and Warner Brothers Studios.

Unleashing the true potential of allyship: building bridges in the 21st century

Aaron Lee — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 10:00:18 GMT

Co-host Jim H. Lee joined Aaron to discuss their experiences growing up in the United States and the cultural differences they encountered.

Jim is Korean-American, Aaron is white. They delve into the importance of recognizing biases and fostering allyship in the modern world. Jim reflects on the challenges of navigating cultural differences as a Korean-American, while Aaron shares his limited exposure to Asian culture.

They also discuss the importance of understanding and representing their culture accurately. We need dialogue and reflection to build cultural bridges, and we encourage you to share their own experiences.

Show Outline

Growing up with Asian and Western Biases (00:28) Jim and Aaron discuss the cultural differences they experienced growing up as Asians in America and the importance of recognizing biases.

Jim's Background and Cultural Transition (02:23) Jim shares his personal background as a Korean immigrant in the United States and reflects on the cultural differences he had to navigate as a child and throughout his life.

Navigating Cultural Identity (10:58) Jim discusses his journey of navigating cultural identity and the challenges he faced growing up as a Korean-American.

Cultural Differences in Western and Asian Cultures (12:04) Jim explains the differences between how Western and Asian cultures approach territory, expansion, and conquering.

Shift in Asian Community and Personal Experiences (15:41) Aaron reflects on his personal experiences growing up and how his perspective has shifted as he moved from childhood through school and into his career.

Growing up in a multicultural school (20:32) Jim discusses his experiences in a multicultural school where he didn't fully identify with either the recent immigrant Asian students or the non-Asian students.

Challenges in the workplace (21:53) Jim talks about the challenges he faced as one of the few Asians in his office and the need to intentionally communicate his identity and capabilities to his colleagues.

Building bridges across cultures (25:24) Aaron emphasizes the importance of intentional communication and understanding different perspectives to build bridges across cultures and foster allyship.

Building Bridges through Understanding (31:27) The importance of understanding and learning about different stories and cultures to build bridges of empathy and allyship.

Expanding Our Perspectives (31:45) The significance of embracing new experiences, such as trying different foods, and seeking to learn and understand stories that are different from our own.

Quotes

“If we're to rewind the tape and understand what are some of the things that we might do in our Asian culture very well unconsciously, but realize it collides with Western culture in a way that isn't reflected in how we ought to be, that unconscious competency actually is unconscious incompetence translated into Western culture." - Jim @ 9:54
“Different cultures can help bring out opportunities for better leaders and highlight areas that we have challenges, things that we can improve upon." - Jim @ 30:42
"Our hope for each of you is that there is some part of your story and some part of someone else's story that you will begin to hear, you will truly understand and seek to learn and know about. That's not a story you would have heard or understood or asked questions about earlier in your career or in your life." - Aaron @ 31:45

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Connect with Jim

Watch the Full Episode

Online @ YouTube: https://youtu.be/uyG3LvyBkyE

Episode 52 - Full transcript

Coming soon!

The Communication Code with Jeremie Kubicek

Aaron Lee — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 11:00:12 GMT

Best-selling author Jeremie Kubicek joins us to discuss his upcoming book "The Communication Code."

Jeremie explains the importance of effective communication in relationships, introducing the concept of a communication code consisting of five words that represent different communication needs.

We need to understand and meet expectations in relationships, and a custom communication code can improve communication, trust, and influence.

Show Outline

The importance of intros and outros (2:28)

Jeremie discusses the significance of intros and outros in influencing others and leaving a positive impression.

The impact of past behavior on present relationships (5:22)

Jeremie emphasizes the importance of addressing past behavior and apologizing for any negative impact it may have had on current relationships.

The disconnect between intent and perception (7:26)

Jeremie explores the mismatch that can occur between a person's intentions and how others perceive their words or actions.

Intentions and Expectations (7:38)

Explain how intentions and expectations are tied together and how missed expectations can lead to relational drama.

Unrealistic Expectations (8:35)

Discuss the need for realistic expectations in relationships and how unmet expectations can lead to resigned expectations.

What is The Communication Code? (10:11)

Introduce the concept of the communication code, which is a tool to help understand and meet the expectations of others in relationships.

Miscommunication with Steve (16:17)

Jeremie shares an experience where he and Steve had a miscommunication about a business deal, leading to an argument, and they realized the need for better communication.

Creating the Communication Code (19:02)

After the argument with Steve, Jeremie and Steve created the Communication Code to clarify expectations and avoid miscommunication in their relationship.

The code words and their meanings (23:09)

Explanation of the five code words: care, celebrate, clarify, collaborate, and critique, and their different meanings and applications in communication.

The importance of care (23:09)

Discussion on the significance of caring in relationships, understanding the needs of others, and providing a safe space for communication.

The process of clarifying and collaborating (24:53)

Explanation of the importance of clarifying information before collaboration and critique and the difference between collaboration and critique in the communication code.

The Importance of Trying Something New (29:41)

Highlighting the need to try something new instead of repeating the same patterns and expecting different results.

How to Interact with the Book and Improve Relationships (30:13)

Jeremie encourages readers to have a book buddy, take notes, and focus on specific chapters based on their relationship needs.

Links from the Show

Episode 53 - Full Transcript

Coming soon!

Mindset and Performance for Athletes + Leaders with Kevin DeShazo

Aaron Lee — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 10:00:11 GMT

Kevin DeShazo on social media will undoubtedly encourage you, equip you, and give you insights on leadership.

As Kevin talks about in this episode, he has been diving into mindset and the power of how your mind can go to work for you.

Kevin's work as founder of Better has taken him to some of the highest-profile Division 1 college programs and the College Football Playoff. He's visited campuses for a decade, investing in the lives of student-athletes and coaches around mindset, leadership, and performance.

Show Outline

1:11 - The uncertainty of change
1:53 - Guiding leaders through uncertainty
5:03 - Prioritizing and taking action
9:01 - The importance of healthy leaders
9:51 - The impact of healthy leaders on student-athletes
10:32 - The need for better leadership in college athletics
17:15 - Developing young people as leaders
18:44 - The pressure to win and handling it
19:41 - Path to collegiate athletics and leadership
24:47 - Building a Valuable Social Media Presence
25:22 - Shifting Conversations on Social Media
27:46 - Challenges and Turnover in Athletics Administration
32:06 - The shift towards valuing people
33:30 - The challenge of holding people accountable
35:13 - The importance of honest feedback and accountability
39:50 - The importance of self-control for coaches
40:58 - Support and challenge in leadership
43:40 - The power of self-reflection for coaches

Quotes from the Episode

"If you want an elite student-athlete experience, that means you have to make sure the people that interact with them the most are unbelievable leaders because that's going to multiply down to the student-athletes."
"Negative thoughts actually do brain damage."
"We won because we had the most talent, we had the best culture, but to say, hey, again all this stuff's cool but we've got to be developing these young people to perform because all this actually does is create more pressure for young people. You put all these facilities, all these resources around them, now they feel even more pressure to win. So how are we going to help them handle that and develop them?"
"I think most people when we look back on the leaders who have made the most impact in our lives, who have been the most significant, they weren't the kindest or most comforting. That doesn't mean they weren't caring. They actually were being kind because they told us the truth, they held us accountable, they brought the healthy challenge. That is actually being kind, is to speak the truth and say, 'Hey, I love you, this needs to get better. And then, what can I do to help?'"

Connect with Kevin + Better

Full Transcript - Episode 50

Coming soon!

The Human-Centric Leader with Rachel Anderson

Aaron Lee — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 10:00:06 GMT

In this captivating episode, Aaron sits down with Rachel Anderson, the visionary behind The Human Centric Leader, to uncover the transformative impact of prioritizing people over profits.

Dive deep into Rachel's journey, exploring how her experiences shaped a revolutionary approach to leadership that delivers both business success and employee fulfillment.

Discover the eye-opening statistics that reveal the staggering financial costs of neglecting human-centric practices, and learn how small, intentional shifts can unlock unprecedented growth and engagement.

Whether you're a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, this conversation will equip you with the tools and mindset to create a thriving, purpose-driven culture that empowers your team to reach new heights.

Get ready to rethink the traditional notions of leadership and unlock your true potential as a human-centric trailblazer. Let this episode catalyze your journey towards more meaningful, impactful leadership.

———————–

=================

Lead Local Presented by Leaders Rising Network

Discover the power of the 5 Voices. Find Your Leadership Voice today with the free assessment.

[ Take The Assessment ]

———————–

=================

Show Outline

0:05 - Influence of Leadership Styles on Career Development
1:35 - Challenges in Leadership Preparation
5:45 - Evolution of Work and Leadership
18:28 - Human-Centric Leadership and Business Impact
19:02 - Rebranding and Redefining Business Focus
24:47 - Implementing Human-Centric Leadership
40:18 - The Role of Human-Centric Leadership in Business Success
42:13 - Future of Leadership and Career Advice

Quotes from the Show

"65% of employees say that their manager has more impact on their mental health than their therapist or their doctor."
"We are not workers who go home, we are humans who go to work."
"If you take an average-sized company in the US, which is about 100 people, and you take an average salary, there's about $1.2 million every year just replacing employees who leave for preventable reasons."
"Making sure that you're human-centric and how you achieve those goals is really going to add to your bottom line."

Connect with Rachel + Links

Episode 71 - Full Transcript

Coming soon!

Creativity, Collaboration, and Story with Jeff Dunn

Aaron Lee — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 10:00:10 GMT

Jeff is an incredible dad, a great guy to coach basketball with, and now a published author.

He's wrapped up a successful Kickstarter campaign for his new book, A Buffalo Out of Water. And now it's time to share the story with the world.

After Jeff and his wife, Whitney became the proud parents of two great kids, a rare genetic syndrome led them to continue building their family through adoption.

We have had a front-row seat to watch their family welcome in two sons through adoption over these past few years. And now A Buffalo Out of Water will introduce kids to the beauty of adoption and help them understand how they can support and encourage their adopted friends.

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Show Outline

0:00 - Creative writing, adoption, and unconventional lifestyles.
3:12 - Creativity, writing, and adoption with a focus on the intersection of personal and professional passions.
7:09 - Adoption and identity with a water buffalo protagonist.
13:37 - Adoption, empathy, and acceptance in a school community.
19:22 - Creativity, collaboration, and writing a children's book.

Quotes from the Show

"You have to have the right partners, you have to have that trust. When you have another person working with you to refine your ideas, the ideas become so much better than they would if you were just working by yourself." - Jeff on the value of collaboration
"I've always been drawn to high-quality books, stories, movies. I've realized as I've gotten older that I'm really a big kid inside." - Jeff discussing his passion for stories
"One plus one does not equal two. It's it's actually exponentially more."

Connect with Jeff

@buffalo.out.of.water on Instagram
Buy the Book

Episode 67 - Full Transcript

Coming soon!

Navigating the New Era of College Athletics with Coach Sean O'Regan

Aaron Lee — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 10:00:12 GMT

Picture this: you're a leader navigating the ever-changing world of college athletics.

How do you set down roots in a community and build a successful program?

Coach Sean O'Regan, head women's basketball coach at James Madison University, has the answer.

In this episode, Coach Regan shares his unique journey and the importance of having the right support system.

From the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) on student-athletes to the challenges of communication in the modern era, Coach Regan's insights will leave you inspired and ready to take on any leadership role.

Show Outline

02:08 - Coach Regan's Journey at JMU: the key people who impacted his career and led him to stay rooted at JMU.
05:44 - Adapting to Changes in Collegiate Athletics: Coach Regan talks about how the landscape of collegiate athletics, including NIL and the transfer portal, has shifted his mindset in leading his team.
08:15 - The Importance of NIL for Student Athletes
09:07 - The Abuse and Challenges of NIL
11:47 - Communication Challenges in the Age of Social Media
15:27 - Impact of the transfer portal on program building and recruiting perspective
16:55 - Recruiting based on a player's desire to win rather than personal gain
20:01 - The challenges of leadership in the midst of changes in college athletics
23:20 - Building Trust and Communication with Players
25:02 - Maintaining Personal Well-being as a Coach
27:55 - Developing Support and Resources for Women's Basketball
30:20 - Vital Role of Community Support in Women's Basketball
33:23 - Importance of Communication and Explanation vs. Frustration in Coaching

Quotes from the Show

On NIL: "the rule, the idea, and the essence of what was supposed to happen, I'm absolutely in for that."
On the JMU coaching job: ""I think it's one of the best women's college basketball jobs in the country."
"That's the fun part for me - if you feel valued, you feel you're relevant, and if you're relevant, you feel appreciated."

Follow Coach O'Regan

Episode 43 - Full Transcription

Coming soon!

From Immigrant Roots to Public Health and Politics with Dr. Danny Avula

Aaron Lee — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 10:00:09 GMT

Dr. Danny Avula shares his inspiring leadership journey from his roots as an immigrant child from India to top roles in public health and social services in Virginia.

Danny dives into how experiences like moving to an underserved community influenced his approach to serving communities. Avula also reflects on key lessons like listening to lived experiences and adapting to technology.

Listen in for insights on navigating diverse career paths and building more inclusive communities.

Show Outline

0:00 - Danny's career path
2:56 - Personal journey from immigrant kid to medical school, then to non-clinical work in public health.
9:29 - Career development in public health.
15:16 - Public health, and politics with a focus on bridging gaps and connecting communities.
21:51 - Community and social justice in Richmond, Virginia.
27:57 - Technology and community engagement.

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Lead Local Presented by Leaders Rising Network

Our People System Audit is your next step to creating a bigger future and building a thriving culture. Take 10 minutes and see what your future could hold.

[ Start Your Audit ]

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Connect with Danny

@DannyAvula on Instagram

Full Transcript

Coming soon!

Building Positive Work with Dr. Joey Faucette

Aaron Lee — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 10:00:13 GMT

What if you could increase revenue and productivity with positivity?

Positive culture architect Dr. Joey Faucette joins us to dive into the 5 core practices of positive culture. You’ll walk out of today’s episode ready to bring positive culture to life in your workplace.

Dr. Joey mentions the global rise of sadness, which Jeremie Kubicek highlighted on Episode 22. Listen here.

Show Resources

From Fry Cook to Franchise Leader: Lessons in People Leadership

Aaron Lee — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 11:58:51 GMT

From fry cook to General Manager, Laura's first steps on her career path led her to truly transformational people leadership.

After stops at major restaurants and retailers like Apple and Starbucks, Laura has shifted gears and has accolades like top-selling leadership author and international guest speaker on her resume.

Show Outline

0:00 - How Laura’s first steps on her career path sent her on a journey to truly transformational people leadership.
1:08 - What’s happening in the labor market today.
7:51 - How generational differences are part of the leadership equation, but not all.
11:42 - The balance between support and challenge in leadership.
13:48 - The value of a multi-method evaluation as a leader.
17:42 - Why people fail to advance in their career because they don’t feel appreciated and respected by their leaders.
22:05 - How to inspire leaders to be the best leaders they can be.
26:11 - When we look at the journey as a binary yes or no question, we tend to skip over the lessons we learned and the gaps we had to
29:07 - The healthiest organizations not only bring in the right people to collaborate with in a certain part of the business, but they recognize that bringing a finance
34:02 - Laura’s thoughts on the importance of looking at the development of people in a holistic sense.

Find Your Leadership Mind Shift: Lessons from an Entrepreneur and Coach

Aaron Lee — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 11:00:12 GMT

This episode features a thought-provoking discussion with Darrell Evans, an accomplished marketing professional, entrepreneur, and executive coach who shares his expertise and real-world experiences.

From having fun at work to staying focused on what matters in the digital age, this episode covers a wide range of mind shifts relevant to emerging and established leaders.

Discover the secrets to:

turning an ocean liner into a kayak
learn from past mistakes
take your leadership skills to the next level

Join us as we delve into the mindset of successful leaders and explore the strategies that can help you become an effective and inspiring leader in your own right.

Show Outline

1:39 - Who’s counting on you? What should be making headlines?
7:26 - What sparked Darrell's entrepreneurial drive?
12:04 - How do you step into situations and help guide people to organize their chaos?
18:18 - Coaching as a profession.
23:07 - The importance of having fun in the workplace.
25:09 - Are we buying into data outside our control? Are we taking our eyes off what we control?
29:04 - Leadership is like turning an ocean liner into a kayak
33:33 - What do you know now as a leader that you wish you had known earlier in your career?
38:33 - One of our best team members in the 12 years we’ve been together sent me a note saying she would have never got this opportunity

Notes from the Show

InsideOut Initiative - a national movement to empower and equip school communities to implement purpose-based athletics by connecting student-athletes to transformational coaches in a culture of belonging for their social-emotional character development

The Three C's of Self-Leadership: A Guide to Becoming an Effective Executive

Aaron Lee — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 14:03:37 GMT

Dr. Benjamin Ritter addresses one of the biggest challenges that leaders face: getting started on a new idea.

Many of us have great ideas, but we may not know how to implement them. To overcome this challenge, the speaker suggests identifying what is holding you back and taking steps to overcome it.

It's time to take action and pursue your ideas, no matter how big or small they may seem.

Show Outline

0:53 - What’s holding leaders back? How to overcome it.
3:25 - How do you define yourself as an executive? How do you perceive yourself?
7:22 - The three-c’s of self-leadership.
9:58 - Lack of memory is one of the key challenges in so much of our developmental journeys.
11:31 - Why you have to change how you see things.
13:27 - The comparison game can trip us up if we don’t take a more objective view.
17:03 - When one thing doesn’t work, find someone who does.
19:29 - What he wishes he knew at that point.
22:49 - Ben’s parting thoughts on taking action.

Defining Leadership in an Insurtech Company with Logan Wease

Aaron Lee — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 17:46:23 GMT

What does it take to launch and lead an Insurtech company? Logan Wease joins us to discuss leadership, failure, and how he has grown We Insure Things, a ground-breaking new company.

Download the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/23

0:00 - Who is Logan Wease and what is he up to?
3:00 - Who was one of the most impactful leaders he spent time around?
4:32 - Get healthy and multiply that into the people around you.
6:07 - How to differentiate a mistake from a failure.
8:04 - People are what makes any business successful.
10:54 - What’s really changing the game?
13:11 - Put people first.

How to Work with People Who Think Differently

Aaron Lee — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 12:29:55 GMT

How do we work with people who think differently? It's complex!

Teams who work together on the same widget should understand they are more than the production of the widget.

They are individuals with significant backgrounds, bringing a lot to the table. There's creativity and ingenuity in those stories if we can grow in our respect and understanding of each other.

Download the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/18

The New Wave of the Pandemic

Aaron Lee — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 19:29:36 GMT

The next wave of the pandemic is set to rewrite the landscape of the workforce. The return to the office building and in-person meetings resume will disrupt companies and upend teams.

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed wave after wave worldwide, wreaking havoc in every corner of culture and work. When employees return to the office, it’s likely not to look anything like what they left.

Welcome to The New Generation Leader, Episode 14 - The New Wave of the Pandemic.

Download the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/14

Why You Need a Coach

Aaron Lee — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 07:00:21 GMT

What makes a good leader?

If it is a person or a goal we are trying to mimic or impersonate, we are not reaching our true potential.

21st century leadership is influence, which is how we coach our people up to unlock their true potential.

Consider what it means to have that voice in your life, helping you process how to unlock your own true potential. Because you need your own custom leadership growth journey.

Download today's show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/8

Monday Motivation: Build Your Best Week

Aaron Lee — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 16:29:57 GMT

It's Monday, ready to crank it out this week?

Here's what I'm thinking about today: Tempo, Balance + Focus.

Reflect on the three questions, and figure out how to get your week in sync. Time to knock it out of the park this week!

Tempo: is my work sustainable, rhythmic, and repeatable?
Balance: are my key relationships in sync?
Focus: am I keeping the main things the main things?

Get Your Laundry Done: Building a Business Around Our Least Favorite Chore with Dan Feliciano

Aaron Lee — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 10:00:13 GMT

Name something 70% of us have in common.

There aren’t many things, but our common dislike of doing laundry is one of them.

Founder Dan Feliciano and his team put together a gameplan, finding a mutual win-win between busy families looking to take back time, workers in the gig economy who don’t mind doing laundry and have extra capacity in their washer and dryer, and they built Clotheslyne.

Dan and I walked down memory lane in his career to insightful lessons from his decade in the Marines, his work in the oil industry, and how that experience and his family helped connect the dots to form Clotheslyne.

If you’ve ever wanted someone to do your laundry for you, Dan is your guy.

Mentioned on the Show

Follow @Clotheslyne on Instagram
https://clotheslyne.com
Connect with Dan Feliciano on LinkedIn

Quoted

"Everybody in the Marine Corps supports the grunt on the front line." - Dan Feliciano, on the leadership posture he learned in the Marines

Full Transcript - Episode 62

Coming soon!

Lessons from Sports Leadership with Greg Burton

Aaron Lee — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 10:00:16 GMT

Dive into Greg Burton's journey in sports leadership, revealing key traits of effective leaders and the impact of VCU's Center for Sports Leadership.

Why it matters: Burton's insights offer a unique perspective on leadership, emphasizing authenticity, resilience, and the power of empowering others, alongside the success of VCU's program in shaping future leaders.

The big picture: Through memorable sports moments and reflections, the conversation underscores the importance of individuality in leadership and learning from failure.

By the numbers: Highlighting the Center for Sports Leadership master's program at VCU, Burton points to its focus on partnerships and experiential learning, backed by the notable achievements of its alumni.

The bottom line: Burton's narrative stresses finding one's own leadership path, embracing failures as learning opportunities, and the value of patience and balance in both professional and personal life.

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Our People System Audit is your next step to creating a bigger future and building a thriving culture. Take 10 minutes and see what your future could hold.

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Connect with Greg

Buillding a Positive Team Culture with Coach Tim Taylor

Aaron Lee — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 10:00:08 GMT

From middle school principal to college basketball coach, Coach Tim Taylor's experiences shape how he leads the women's basketball program at the US Naval Academy.

Coach Taylor brings key lessons that have shaped his approach to leadership and discusses the importance of focusing on the process rather than just the results.

Coach Taylor also addresses the challenges of coaching at the Naval Academy, including the strict military culture and the need to educate others about the academy's unique opportunities.

Outline

01:14 - The importance of process over results
02:50 - Letting experts do what they do
04:15 - Being for others
06:11 - Relationships and Fit
07:45 - Impact of COVID and Rule Changes
09:16 - NIL and Salary Cap
11:35 - The impact of relationships in college coaching
12:59 - The importance of influence in leadership
15:51 - Challenges in recruiting and building successful programs at the Naval Academy
17:58 - The challenges of rebuilding
18:48 - Creating a fun and comfortable environment
21:06 - Breaking down hierarchy and changing culture
23:26 - The benefits of attending the US Naval Academy
24:09 - Preparing students for challenges at the academy
24:51 - Impact and leadership at the academy
29:43 - The importance of inclusive leadership
30:01 - The impact of custodians in leadership
31:26 - The challenge of having honest conversations in leadership

Quotes

"It's not the result, it's the process."
"You don't really find out what a true leader is until they've hit rock bottom."

Follow Coach Taylor and Navy Women's Basketball

@NavyWBB - Instagram

Blue Shirt Leadership with Kyle Gillette

Aaron Lee — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 10:00:17 GMT

What's the difference in the culture between your frontline employees and your leaders and executives?

According to Kyle Gillette, it comes down to the Blue Shirt Leadership Framework. Here on The New Generation Leader, we talk about leadership and culture being for everyone. We want everyone to feel like they have a seat at the table, and an opportunity to thrive and flourish every day in your business.

Here is a look at the building blocks of high performance, especially when you have blue-collar employees on your team.

Show Outline

1:21 - What’s the difference in the culture between your frontline employees and your leaders and executives?
2:41 - What are some of the biggest issues that small business owners are facing when hiring?
6:55 - How to solve future problems for your clients.
11:00 - When you are working with your hands and physical tools, it’s easier to see the disconnect and the need for practical apprenticeship.
15:53 - What about your story and experience drew you into this blue collar focus?
19:50 - The importance of developing the skills of life and the skills of relationships.
28:08 - What is one key insight that you wish you had learned earlier in your career?
31:18 - The difference between being nice, being harsh and telling the truth.

Conquering Chaos with Jeremie Kubicek

Aaron Lee — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 13:25:18 GMT

Look around you.

It doesn’t take long to witness unrest, disruption, and chaos.

We feel it in our bones.

We see it in our streets.

Violent outbursts and market crashes take their toll. It’s tempting to isolate and insulate. We often settle for cynical minds and calloused hearts as a means of coping with the chaos.

Thankfully, there’s a proven path to peace. Author Jeremie Kubicek serves as our tour guide on a path that yields practical solutions. His ground-breaking Peace Index equips you to identify your perceived level of peace in five critical areas: Purpose, People, Place, Personal Health, and Provision.

But don’t get comfortable or critical—your score is a moving target that changes every day, hour-by-hour, just like life. You need a solid strategy that keeps you grounded and growing, personally and professionally.

Download the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/22

7:32 – Identify your Superpowers
10:03 – What is the Peace Index?
11:43 – Manage your emotions so other people don’t have to.
13:29 – Gallup’s global sadness study
16:16 – confronting the facade of peace
18:01 – how can you truly know your people as a leader
22:00 – The Peace Index + Mental Health
35:43 – The New Generation Leader question: Jeremie answers, “What do you wish you had learned earlier in your career?“

How are you? How you can rediscover a sense of peace.

Aaron Lee — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 18:21:15 GMT

In this episode, we tackle a difficult conversation, but an important one.

As we look back on the last year and what COVID has dealt us, what our world has been like now for just a little over one year, as we look back and reflect on our own experiences at home, in our workplace, with our friends in every circle of influence, it’s important for us to take a deeper look at not only where we’ve been, but how are we now?

What impact has this had on who we are? We’re asking two questions:

how are you?
how can you rediscover a sense of peace?

Download the Show Notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/3.

The Leader in the Mirror

Aaron Lee — Tue, 04 May 2021 20:48:57 GMT

Do we want to copy-paste and become just like someone else? Or do we want to understand our unique perspective and bring our true potential to the table?

As soon as any of us think we've got it all together and all figured out, we've probably reached the end of our effectiveness in this season.

In Episode 9, we sit down with Jonathan Kennedy, founder and CEO of Endeavor Capital, LLC, and the Endeavor Companies on his show, Leadership for Your Journey. Take a seat and join our conversation on Episode 9, The Leader in the Mirror.

Download the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/9

Unlock Your Leadership Potential as a Modern Man

Aaron Lee — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 11:00:28 GMT

Coach Jeff shares his personal story and journey as a coach, helping men navigate the challenges of being a man in today's society.

He delves into topics such as finding peace and well-being beyond daily tasks, understanding what it means to be a man today, and how to bring unique traits and abilities to the table healthily.

He also touches on integrity and offers advice to women who may have men in their lives who could benefit from attending a retreat like this.

Show Outline

1:15 - Jeff’s story and how he got started in coaching.
3:29 - Shining a light on who we are and how we act.
7:03 - There’s so much in our peace and well-being that goes beyond our day to day tasks and busyness.
10:07 - What does it mean to be a man today?
13:25 - There’s another study that I’ve been looking at a lot lately that doesvetails very well with this.
15:57 - How do we help men find a healthy way to bring all of these unique traits and abilities to the table?
20:51 - Where do you want to go?
23:54 - What does integrity mean to you?
28:18 - What would you say to women who have a man in their lives who should attend this retreat?

FOR Nurses

Aaron Lee — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 18:46:23 GMT

As we approach the 2-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses remain on the front lines. Nurses in hospitals and in doctor's offices. They have committed to serving, yet the stress remains. They are watching patients struggle and die alone or be separated from loved ones.

And every day, they are also treating patients with non-COVID diagnoses, struggling to meet these basic healthcare needs while navigating a pandemic under stress.

And in some cases, they cannot provide care to those individuals who need it most. The system is overburdened.

What can we do? How can we support our nurse friends? How can we encourage a new generation of nurses to start their careers despite the challenges the profession is facing?

Download the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/17

Celebrating 2021

Aaron Lee — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 19:30:40 GMT

It's almost time for the new year, but if you wait until all the headlines start talking about new year's resolutions, your team will be checked out and you'll miss your window of opportunity. How can you celebrate surviving -- and hopefully thriving -- in 2021 with your team as you wrap up the year?

Welcome to The New Generation Leader, Episode 15 - Celebrating 2021.

Download the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/15

Breaking Cultural Barriers: Unleashing the Power of Diversity with Dr. Sarah-Soonling Blackburn

Aaron Lee — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 11:00:14 GMT

After we finished recording, I told Sarah she is one of the most humble yet smartest people I know.

Dr. Sarah-Soonling Blackburn has a PhD and decades of experience teaching and coaching teachers. Now, she brings this conversation about her background, her unique life story and experience with a mom who is Asian, a dad who is white American, and the intersection of those worlds.

In her upbringing, she lived and traveled around the world. The cultural differences that she watched and experienced gave her an opportunity to see the world, relationships, and people for who they are.

She grew to celebrate each person, and to elevate their unique, distinct differences. It's not a win-loss, zero-sum game. There's an opportunity for all of us to truly hear the stories of the people around us.

And that's what we're going to talk about today with Dr. Sarah-Soonling Blackburn.

Show Outline

1:14 - Understanding Cultural Differences
2:41 - Recognizing Value Judgments
8:23 - Effective Communication in Diverse Settings
9:59 - The importance of proactive thinking and equitable voices
12:59 - Recognizing the need to break our brains for adaptation
18:05 - Recognizing and embracing cultural differences
20:37 - The importance of diversity for business success
21:30 - Creating a culture of trust and healthy conflict
22:11 - Navigating cultural differences in the deep south
30:51 - The importance of being proud of oneself
31:55 - The power of storytelling for children
39:32 - Recognizing and challenging value judgments

Quotes from the Show

38:52 - "I wish I had learned that every time you really think you're hitting a wall is when something truly transformative can happen if you're willing to let it."
6:11 - "That feeling is often a good cue that there's some kind of judgmental thought going along."

Connect with Dr. Blackburn

Episode 57 - Full Transcript

Coming soon!

Positive Psychology for Leaders: Unlocking Your Potential

Aaron Lee — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 10:00:11 GMT

You need to be a different leader for each person. One size fits all leadership is really not where we're heading. It's what we had in the past

The old paradigm is what we're moving out of, and that's not gonna fly.

Some people need more autonomy, some people need more equity, some people may need more of a relationship, and other people don't.

It's our job as leaders to constantly be developing ourselves so that we stay authentic, instead of, "this book told me to do this."

Show Outline

01:14 - Why Every Leader Should Be Different
07:45 - The Platinum Rule and Its Importance
10:03 - Cultivating Important Skills Of Leaders
15:41 - Embracing Uncertainty in the Digital Age
18:16 - How Do We Keep Our Leaders Engaged?
19:15 - Preparing for What’s Ahead
22:40 - The Five Factors That Drive Happiness
24:23 - Why did Diana Study Positive Psychology?
26:49 - How Do Teams Overcome and Develop Relational Connections?
30:10 - Knowing Your Purpose Within Your Work
36:07 - Leaning Into the Transition and Connecting With Diana Lowe

Show Notes

They discussed the 5 factors that drive happiness that were part of Gallup’s Research on the Global Rise of Sadness at 22:14;

Money is one of the five because you got to put food on the table;
People as for human connection;
Place and everything related to geography, your personal interests - from home to community;
Personal Health and everything related to physical, mental, and spiritual health;
Purpose and living out your personal purpose.

Books Mentioned at:

05:35 - Racial Innocence by Tanya Katerí Hernández
21:15 - The Peace Index by Jeremie Kubicek

New Year, New Leadership: Setting Goals and Priorities for the Future

Aaron Lee — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 11:00:11 GMT

A new year, new possibilities. What we can do and accomplish this year? How we can prioritize, clarify, and set goals?

Ashlee Livingstone is a combination of energy, creativity, and passion. She's known for her original ideas executed with a thoughtful logistical approach helping her bring out the best in every undertaking.

Let's build your best year yet.

Show Outline

1:19 - Finding the life you want now
3:41 - Time is one of those things that everyone thinks they don't have
6:56 - How do you help people find a new normal in a new year?
10:32 - How do we make up for time that we lost?
12:50 - We spend so much time wanting the instant gratification.
17:18 - The importance of having someone check in with you and your business.
19:00 - The story of fear of failure and competition.
23:03 - How to get more connected with the people that matter to you.
24:59 - How to know when to say no to things that don’t match your priorities.

Stop Surviving and Start Building Your Life with Carla Reeves

Aaron Lee — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 18:16:07 GMT

Ready to release the pressure on yourself? How do you break cycles of urgency and conquer the myth of over-responsibility?

Carla Reeves joins the podcast to discuss her journey to stop merely surviving and build a life with more power and influence.

Download the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/24.

Show Outline

1:12 - What was the turning point in your life that made you realize you have more power and influence than you realize?
5:01 - What are some of the greatest personal victories that you’ve found?
8:25 - You can't give what you don’t possess.
11:04 - How to break the cycle of “I have to do this now."
13:38 - The myth of over-responsibility.
17:25 - How do you make more money per store when you’re closed one day a week?
19:43 - Carla’s advice on how to release pressure from yourself.

Reach Your True Potential with Leader Lab

Aaron Lee — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 14:46:35 GMT

Feeling stuck in your leadership journey?

What if you could spend the next 4 months investing in yourself, finding balance, and developing your ideal leadership voice?

Come experience how hundreds of leaders have transformed their influence and found the sweet spot of leadership.

Visit the show notes and sign up for Leader Lab at NewGenerationLeader.com/20

Intern Bootcamp

Aaron Lee — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 20:44:19 GMT

Developing leaders could make or break your business. Bringing on interns is a great way to build your talent pipeline, but make the wrong choice, and the walls come crashing down.

The same things goes with a new hire or a new promotion.

How do you prepare the leaders in your organization before you need to promote them? This is at the core of the New Generation Leader framework, and we’re diving in today on the show.

Download the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/5!

Your Leadership Is Not An Accident

Aaron Lee — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 00:00:56 GMT

Have you wondered why your rising leaders just don’t deliver the way you do?

What if they aren’t the problem? What if you’re too accidental?

Welcome to The New Generation Leader, Episode 12 - Your Leadership Is Not An Accident.

Download the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/12

Finding Your Summit: Using Adventure to Achieve Your Goals with Dr. Jennie Draper

Aaron Lee — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 10:00:09 GMT

Have you ever wondered what it takes to lead others to the top of the world's highest peaks?

Dr. Jennie Draper, an OBGYN and adventurer, has summited Mount Everest base camp, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and embarked on adventure around the globe.

She shares invaluable leadership lessons learned from her Sherpa guides in Nepal, and how facing the challenges of high-altitude mountaineering prepared her to tackle obstacles in her fast-paced medical career.

Don't miss this fascinating conversation on deriving strength and wisdom from nature's most formidable environments and applying it to your own leadership journey.

Show Outline

0:00 - Leadership, Sherpas, and Nepal's culture.
3:58 - Balancing work and personal life as a healthcare professional.
10:52 - Healthcare challenges, including staff shortages, burnout, and technology overload.
17:39 - Burnout and self-care in healthcare professionals.
23:52 - Work-life balance, productivity, and travel with a medical professional.

Connect with Dr. Draper

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Lead Local Presented by Leaders Rising Network

Our People System Audit is your next step to creating a bigger future and building a thriving culture. Take 10 minutes and see what your future could hold.

[ Start Your Audit ]

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Reaching Your Goals: Navigating the Challenges of Modern Life with Ashlee Livingstone

Aaron Lee — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 10:00:13 GMT

How do we get back to the core of who we are? Can we figure out our own personal goals, ambitions, and prioritize those in a way that maybe they actually come to fruition?

Ashlee Livingstone is back from Episode 27 from Our Forte has been doing a lot of work on breathing and those core rhythms, habits, behaviors, that might actually get us to a place where we can live out the vision and the goals that we have for ourselves.

Show Outline

0:00 - How do we get back to the core of who we are?
1:39 - What’s going on with the world in the first part of the year.
5:22 - You don’t have to keep waiting for the new year or a new season or kids to go back to school to get started.
10:44 - How to get back to the basics of rest.
16:38 - Breaking down the walls to create a community.
21:25 - How do we bridge the tension between individual and team?
25:50 - The story of a janitorial company that discovered that there are things beyond work that are motivators and drivers.
32:03 - The power of coming together and recognizing our differences can strengthen us.
36:39 - How do you work best?
40:12 - Breathing into how you want to feel.

The Power of People Analytics: Using Data to Enhance Your Leadership Skills

Aaron Lee — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 14:33:25 GMT

Culture is the glue that binds an organization together. Build a strong culture, and your organization will be successful.

Navigating culture in the 21st century builds on the New Generation Leader framework - communication, generations, change. Analyzing our culture with data allows for stronger organizations.

Zoe Fragou is an organizational psychologist, researcher, and leadership coach.

1:00 - Favorite food and culture
5:42 - Pandemic's impact on work and current work landscape
8:05 - Shift of generations in the workplace
12:12 - The power of asking good questions
17:07 - Strongest teams worked with
19:02 - Giving people tools earlier in their careers and lessons learned
23:11 - The Hot Seat question

Closing the Healthcare Mental Health Gap: How Healthcare Leaders Can Provide What the Workforce Needs with J. Corey Feist

Aaron Lee — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 10:00:17 GMT

Doctors and nurses are struggling in record numbers, but the system is working against them.

Join J. Corey Feist, Founder of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation, in exploring the issues and strategies needed to bridge the gap between what healthcare workers need and what leaders think they are providing.

The COVID-19 pandemic has only highlighted the pre-existing issues of burnout, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicide experienced by healthcare workers. It's time to take action and provide our healthcare workforce with the necessary support and resources.

Learn more about how to close this gap and create a supportive environment for healthcare workers.

Show Outline

03:47-How to create an environment of peace in the workplace?
05:48-What’s it like in the workplace with medical professionals?
08:04-The most important thing leaders can do
10:57 -The impact of employee health and well being in business?
12:57-The number one driver of burnout
15:29-Process Improvement & Eliminate Waste
18:04-The three main bodies of work targeted of the Foundation
20:29-Engaging student, trainee & leaders on how to handle predictable stressors
23:39-How Dr. Lorna Breen’s Memory can motivate & guide us in work?

Unlocking Your Authentic Purpose with Jeff Lovell

Aaron Lee — Fri, 20 May 2022 16:49:09 GMT

How can you unlock your authentic purpose?

Jeff Lovell is an expert guide and coach for authentic living, and he will lay out a path for unlocking your own purpose.

Leadercast 2023: Human Intelligence

Aaron Lee — Tue, 09 May 2023 15:16:37 GMT

The New Generation Leader podcast hosts a live recording in front of the Leadercast Richmond audience. The panelists, Steve Perky, Bryan Berry, and Jerry Howard, discuss the impact of the digital age on leadership and stress the importance of human intelligence and connection in this ever-evolving world.

They emphasize the need for leaders to build trust with empathy and insight to have real influence in the digital age. The panelists also discuss the importance of self-awareness and inner peace in managing chaos in the workplace.

Show Outline

00:58 - Human Intelligence in the Digital Age
01:55 - Redefining Our Place, Relationships, and Time
04:01 - Importance of Tapping into the Human Side of Leadership
05:03 - Knowing Yourself
07:18 - Harvesting Chaos
09:16 - Making Decisions in Chaotic Times
10:06 - Tools for Managing Chaos
11:59 - Importance of Simple Language
13:05 - Leadership Transcends All Industries
14:40 - Human Intelligence in the Digital Age
15:37 - Creating Emotional Safety
18:22 - Hope and Accomplishment
19:15 - The Journey to Leadercast
20:16 - Importance of Trust
21:11 - Power of Together

Leadership, Relationships, and Finding Your True Calling: A Conversation with Sophie Hudson

Aaron Lee — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 10:00:25 GMT

Sit down with Sophie Hudson for an extraordinary exploration of leadership, personal growth, and the power of human connection. Sophie is a "pure delight" - which sets the stage for an inspiring dialogue about leadership, relationships, and finding one's true potential.

Sophie Hudson is an author, podcast host, and former educator, and she shares profound insights into modern leadership, challenging traditional approaches and emphasizing the importance of empathy, understanding, and genuine human connection.

Dive into a rich discussion about leadership styles, generational differences, and how we can create more meaningful professional and personal environments.

We cover:

Innovative leadership approaches
Generational workplace dynamics
Personal growth and self-discovery
The power of relationships in leadership

Follow Sophie Hudson

Epispde 76 Transcript

Coming soon!

From High School to High Profits: Ava Juergens and the entrepreneurial journey

Aaron Lee — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 13:20:03 GMT

Ava Juergens is an incredible, trailblazing entrepreneur. She started real estate investing at 15 while still in high school and founded an investment company, achieving a staggering $900,000 in assets.

By the time she finished her junior year and graduated high school. Then driven by her desire to inspire and assist others, Ava took to social media to build her brand, and this new passion allowed her to connect with a broader audience.

Tens of thousands of followers in no time flat and led her to start her new business. Ava's accomplishments in business are undeniably impressive, but her interests go beyond entrepreneurship.

She deeply loves fitness and well-being and has a keen understanding of finance. Ava is an incredibly remarkable business leader.

Show Outline

1:12 - The first inclination to go into business
4:06 - Influences and learning sources
5:40 - Launching a business with a step-by-step plan
6:46 - The Work Routine
7:17 - Importance of Education and Mentors
9:35 - Long-Term Goals and Becoming a Billionaire
14:26 - The need for a mentor or education
15:33 - Exploring AI in social media marketing
17:17 - The importance of decreasing churn

Connect with Ava

Choosing Progress Over Perfection: A Guide to Learning From Mistakes with Bryan Barley

Aaron Lee — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 10:00:11 GMT

We all make mistakes—sometimes more than we’d like to admit. But mistakes don’t have to hinder our growth and success. Instead, they can be an opportunity to learn and push ourselves to improve.

Bryan Barley joins us in this episode to explore how you can use the challenges and embrace the clumsiness of your life to better yourself and your journey and not let obstacles be a roadblock to your progress—learn to use them to your advantage!

Show Outline

01:09 - Transition: The Journey of Looking Back and Looking Forward
05:19 - Bryan’s key takeaways & proudest moments from the last 15 years
11:27 - Why Founders and their start-ups are identical?
13:41 - How to respond to chaotic environments?
17:52 - What’s it like to be in this season of starting something new?
20:22 - Keeping the Momentum Forward with your Team
26:27 - The power of vulnerability versus projection
28:18 - Bryan’s number one insight from his experience

Maximizing Performance with People Data

Aaron Lee — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 17:03:27 GMT

In the roller coaster of hiring, firing, staffing, recruiting, and overall people strategy, 2022 has brought a whole host of new challenges — and after 2.5 years of chaos at work, will it ever end?

Download the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/21

Leaders Define Culture with Tim Perseo

Aaron Lee — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 14:44:38 GMT

The culture you build will leave a trail of artifacts, either positive or negative, which have an impact on performance and the bottom line.

So what kind of artifacts does your team leave in its tracks?

Leaders define culture, so the opportunity to increase team performance is in your hands. Let’s dive into our conversation today with Tim Perseo.

Welcome to The New Generation Leader, Episode 13 - Leaders Define Culture.

Download the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/13

Busy or Exhausted?

Aaron Lee — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 07:02:18 GMT

At the end of a long hard day, you have been running full tilt.

Are you still energized, running on top of the world?

Or do you need to crawl into bed - done, spent, and nothing left to give?

Check out the 3 tools you need in the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/6

Leading Through Change: A Conversation on Transformation with Chris Barras

Aaron Lee — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 10:00:05 GMT

Navigating change is not a choice; it's all around us. Chris Barras joins the show to discuss transformation at both personal and community levels as we experience change.

Chris' experiences in Richmond come from observing transformation over the past 18 years. Watching communities change has given Chris a peak into leading change in corporate settings.

Chris covers finding purpose and meaning in life and work, leadership development challenges, maintaining a positive outlook during difficult times, and the importance of inner circles and mentors for personal growth.

It's a discussion on embracing change, reframing perspectives, and cultivating resilience through community support.

Show Outline

0:00 - Transformation in a neighborhood over 18 years, with insights on change and its impact on local businesses.
3:01 - Finding purpose and meaning in life and work.
7:32 - Leadership development and clarity in organizations.
12:22 - Change, pain, and maintaining a positive outlook.
18:16 - Reframing negative experiences and maintaining a positive outlook in life.
24:43 - Personal growth, mentorship, and community support.
29:47 - Building inner circles, negativity, and personal growth.

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Lead Local Presented by Leaders Rising Network

Our People System Audit is your next step to creating a bigger future and building a thriving culture. Take 10 minutes and see what your future could hold.

[ Start Your Audit ]

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=================

Connect with Chris

Second Story Partnership
Chris Barras on LinkedIn
Minding the Gap Podcast with Chris and Declan Barras

Episode 66 - Full Transcript

Coming soon!

Sports Tourism + Building a New Generation of Young Athletes

Aaron Lee — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 11:00:13 GMT

This episode feels like 3 friends sitting down, taking a trip down memory lane.

While we talk about our own sports careers, Doug also lays out what the current sports tourism industry means for building a new generation of young athletes.

Doug's career journey highlights the importance of feedback, the vital role of effective communication, and the importance of a solid support structure.

Show Outline

1:15 - Doug's Sports Journey as an Athlete
5:04 - Importance of Feedback and Guidance
8:00 - Leading Upward Basketball at the Church
10:15 - The Decision-Making Debate
11:11 - The Impact of Feedback
12:36 - Leadership Journey and Current Role
21:02 - The distinction between a small team and an organization
21:51 - Preparing for upcoming tournaments
23:29 - Adjusting leadership style in a new organization
31:14 - The Changing Landscape of Youth Sports
34:04 - Advancement in Tiered Sports
37:18 - Supporting Children's Sports Dreams
40:54 - New Orleans trip
41:06 - Wrapping up and lunch
41:16 - Reflections and insights

Episode Presented by Better

The athletics landscape is changing. Build Better Leaders in Mindset, Performance + Leadership.

Find out how at NewGenerationLeader.fm/Better

Episode 56 - Full Transcript

Coming soon!

Finding Inspiration Through Continuous Curiosity with Karen Brown

Aaron Lee — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 10:00:09 GMT

Karen Brown keeps reinventing herself by using a "spark of inspiration". Do you know anyone else who has competed in the Ironman, taken on 60’s and 70’s rock on the electric guitar, and transferred that success to their work?

Karen employs scientifically-based methods to help leaders identify and address their blind spots by understanding how our brains function.

She’s also the author of "Unlimiting Your Beliefs.” Welcome to Episode 61 with Karen Brown.

Mentioned on the show:

CORE Process Tool
LEGO Study on Creativity (Play Unstoppable Campaign)

Quotes from the Show

“Sometimes you win. Sometimes you learn.”
“What if I have what it takes to do that and I don’t do it?”
“We learn the most from making mistakes.”

Books

Connect with Karen

More Episodes

Check out Episode 35 on responding to failure with Bryan Barley

Effective Communication for Healthcare Leaders with Becky Wolfe

Aaron Lee — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 10:00:14 GMT

Ever been frustrated with your healthcare experience?

Every conversation I have with Becky Wolfe gives me hope for the future of what is happening in health care. Becky's work as a health care practitioner turned leadership coach and consultant is inspirational.

She gives me hope that there is a path forward. There is a way where we can find hope and health, and our doctors, nurses, and healthcare leaders can find balance, rhythm, and sustainability in their work.

Becky talks about consistency and accountability and how to build those into every engagement she has with healthcare leaders.

Show Outline

00:01:19 - The stressful ER experience
04:34 - Reacting and responding in stressful situations
08:15 - Life transformation and serving healthcare
08:21 - The cardiology practice and patient disconnect
09:15 - Finding a new job and feeling stuck
10:06 - Transitioning to coaching and consulting
17:19 - The shift in culture for collaboration
18:04 - Building a system of development and transformation
22:09 - Innovations in healthcare: value-based care and direct primary care
26:29 - The frustration of autonomy in healthcare
27:43 - The impact of high expectations on healthcare professionals
31:53 - The importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence
35:02 - The power of collaboration
36:27 - The journey of self-confidence
37:46 - Value in every voice

Quotes

"You have to understand what your emotions are…you're a human, you're not a robot.”
“[In healthcare] the culture is built into them that they have to have all the answers."

Episode 51 presented by:

Trafficking Training for Healthcare Leaders
This episode presented by Sandler Partners - find your technology broker and save $$$

Connect with Becky

Episode 51 - Full transcript

Coming soon!

Optimizing People Potential for Peak Performance and Retention

Aaron Lee — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 11:00:09 GMT

Human performance can be a mystery. We can't control it, and every individual is unique and different.

How can we unlock team performance and bring the best out of our people? And how do we navigate the biggest shift in the last two years?

Claire Chandler joins us to walk through ways to unlock team performance and bring out the best in employees, including the importance of guiding organizations to tap into the unique qualities of their individuals.

Show Outline

1:01 - The biggest shift in the last two years that he’s seeing.
4:12 - How do you guide organizations to unlock the uniqueness within the individuals they have?
8:40 - How employee engagement and the culture within your workplace are a representation of your company’s culture.
12:08 - The importance of building a culture of trust within the company.
16:10 - Getting outside help is something that executives are willing to do.
18:28 - Why it’s so important for leaders from the very top of an organization to have a unifying mission.
22:40 - The whirlpool effect is a powerful example of what our business can do when we all get around that purpose and workflow.
26:58 - The importance of reconnecting with other children when they are still children.

Notes from the Show: Episode 32

Team Performance Flywheel - tool image on the show notes page [mentioned 23:45 in the episode]
Project Aristotle: research from Google (mentioned at 9:46)
Don't Be That Guy: Five Soul-Crushing Behaviors of Toxic Leaders [Claire Chandler on Forbes.com]
At 22:40, Claire mentions The Whirlpool Effect, her book that invites you to inspire the whirlpool effect to motivate greater company performance. Buy the Book on Amazon

FOR Teachers

Aaron Lee — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 14:00:00 GMT

Teachers have increased their expert status as Tech support specialist. Social/Emotional Support. Public health practitioners. With a new pile of roles and responsibilities, and no more hours in a day or week, teachers and nurses find themselves as two occupations under extreme stress.

Today on the New Generation Leader, episode 16, we're celebrating teachers and sharing tools for reflection and health as we near the midpoint of the school year and the pandemic rages on.

Download the Show Notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/16.

Leading with Clear Expectations

Aaron Lee — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 17:19:13 GMT

It’s easy for expectations to get lost.

Expectations are important. We all have them, we all need them.

We can take our expectations to a new level on our way to building high-performing teams. And we can become leaders people want to follow when we deliver Clear Expectations.

On this episode, Aaron unpacks our new Clear Expectations tool.

Reflection Questions

what is one expectation you could improve?
develop your game plan: walk through each step of this tool
choose a specific time to communicate this standard
set a reminder on your calendar to reinforce the expectations

Resources from the Show

Download Clear Expectations Tool at NewGenerationLeader.fm/58
Discover Your Voice with the free assessment

Bridging the Gap: Asian Leaders in Western Workplaces [ALLYSHIP CHANNEL]

Aaron Lee — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 11:00:13 GMT

Jim H. Lee and Aaron Lee talk about the cultural challenges that Asian employees face when working in Western workplaces.

Drawing from personal experiences, they highlight how crucial it is for managers to understand and appreciate cultural differences. They suggest how managers can empower Asian employees to think critically and contribute their own ideas and address any discrepancies in feedback. They also discuss the significance of having diversity in leadership and creating an inclusive work environment.

Discussing self-reflection and conscious leadership, Jim and Aaron encourage Asian and Western employees alike to bridge cultural gaps and engage genuinely with others.

Show Outlines

0:27 - The importance of cultural distinctions
01:38 - The need for creativity and independent thinking in the workplace
07:23 - The impact of childhood experiences on decision-making
10:34 - Cultural Challenges in Asian Work Culture
11:58 - The Importance of Feedback and Empowerment
15:10 - Understanding Different Cultural Backgrounds
21:45 - The challenges of leading a diverse team
23:03 - The importance of valuing diversity in the workplace
23:57 - The need for building relationships and understanding cultural differences
31:59 - The journey of self-discovery
33:03 - Embracing discomfort and cultural differences
34:01 - Taking the first step towards allyship

Episode 55 - Full Transcript

Coming soon!

The Road to Division 1: Coach Grant Leonard's Blueprint for a Champion Program

Aaron Lee — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 10:00:11 GMT

What happens when you take one of the winningest Division 2 men's basketball programs, promote your assistant coach to head coach to replace a retiring legend, and move to Division 1 all in the same off-season.

In the case of Queens University men's basketball, you accomplish a lot. The dedication, and the focus of Coach Grant Leonard is truly extraordinary.

I love how he has built culture, invested in the lives of his student-athletes, and built a team and a support structure around them to help them bring the best every single game as they head into season 2 as a Division One program.

Show Outline

1:23 - The monumental accomplishment of transitioning to Division 1
3:33 - The focus on student experience at Queens University
6:27 - The importance of servant leadership in the program
8:40 - The demands of transitioning to Division I
10:10 - Preparing for the upcoming season schedule
11:21 - Embracing adversity and focusing on details
17:24 - The challenges of transitioning to Division I
19:01 - Tools for player development and improvement
22:21 - Views on NIL and its impact on recruiting and retention
24:16 - Coach's personal time
24:41 - Transition to Division One
26:43 - Hiring criteria
31:43 - Coach's emphasis on growth and development
32:26 - How to follow the Queen's University men's basketball program
32:45 - Unique experience at Queen's University basketball games

Quotes from Coach Grant Leonard

"How we handle adversity will define our season because we will get knocked down. Can we pick ourselves back up? Can we get to the next play? Can we get to the next game and not allow a hangover effect?"

"[In Division 1,] our players had an unbelievable opportunity to play on a bigger stage, to play in major cities, and I thought it was awesome for them and really excited that our institution decided to do that."

Connect with Coach Leonard and Queens Basketball

Is AI Making Us Less Human? Why Presence and Creativity Still Matter

Aaron Lee — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 09:00:23 GMT

In a world where AI is rapidly automating everything from emails to artwork, what does it mean to stay fully human? In this rich and timely conversation, Micah Voraritskul unpacks the themes of his new book Human is the New Vinyl.

From handwritten thank you notes to Blackwing pencils and vinyl records, this episode challenges leaders, creatives, and students to rethink their relationship with innovation, presence, and trust.

Micah shares stories of cooking 300 meals from scratch, writing exclusively in pencil for a year, and resisting the urge to automate our most meaningful work. You’ll hear why creativity needs constraints, how trust is the foundation of leadership, and how to build a future that includes - not replaces - our humanity.

Key Quotes

“Presence is the price of connection.”
“AI is a tool. But it cannot have a broken heart.”
“We lead with trust or we live in suspicion. One builds flourishing. The other builds fear.”

Resources

Human is the New Vinyl by Micah Voraritskul — Buy on Amazon
VerifiedHuman.info — Micah’s creative integrity consortium
Blackwing 602 Pencils on Amazon

Show Outline (Timestamps)

00:00 – Welcome + Word association: kitchen tables, pencils, vinyl
06:45 – Why Micah wrote Human is the New Vinyl
13:00 – What AI gets wrong about creativity
19:00 – How AI can be a tool without taking our soul
23:10 – Leadership trust and the ethics of creation
29:00 – The danger of drifting into dishonest creation
35:00 – Why trust should be our filter
42:00 – Micah’s dream for this book’s impact on students
46:00 – Where to find the book and connect with Micah

The Madness of March: Leadership in the College Sports

Aaron Lee — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 14:44:10 GMT

In this inspiring episode of the New Generation Leader podcast, we explore powerful leadership insights through the lens of March sports championships. Key takeaways include:

🏀 Leadership Lessons from Unexpected Moments:

How the George Washington Women's Basketball team demonstrated resilience after a sudden coaching change
The importance of team unity during organizational transitions
Strategies for maintaining team morale during unexpected challenges

🔑 Critical Change Management Principles:

Five essential ingredients for navigating organizational change:

Hope
Vision
Compassion
Empathy
Trust

💡 Inspirational Coach Quotes:

"The worst thing you can do is quit" - Coach Tammy Reese
"We've had a lot of wins in the locker room" - Coach Dan Burt

🏆 Highlight: ACC Gymnastics Championship moment featuring Lily decannoidza's perfect 10.0 score

Powerful Takeaway: Success isn't about avoiding challenges, but how you show up, invest in yourself and your team, and maintain hope during difficult moments.

Perfect for leaders, coaches, and anyone seeking inspiration during times of change.

#LeadershipLessons #MarchMadness #TeamResilience

Tap into your Superpower

Aaron Lee — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 16:29:22 GMT

Every Voice has a Superpower: do you know yours?

When we hit a crisis, we need our team functioning at full capacity. If we tap into our collective Superpowers, we can push through the barriers, hurdles, and gaps to build a bright future.

Ready to Discover Your Voice? Take the FREE assessment at NewGenerationLeader.com/5voices.

Download the Show Notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/4!

Asian Leadership Ally

Aaron Lee — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 11:00:13 GMT

Our episode recaps focus on Aaron's reflections from this week's episode. In this recap, Aaron gives more background on his own call to be an Asian Leadership Ally and how you can elevate the voices around you.

This episode recaps Episode 34, Breaking Through the Asian Leadership Ceiling with Jim Lee.

Episode 34 Show Notes

Authentic Leadership in College Athletics with Dr. Ryan Hall

Aaron Lee — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 10:00:11 GMT

Dr. Ryan Hall shares his authentic approach to leadership and fundraising, emphasizing the importance of building genuine relationships, embracing change, and passionately investing in the development of student-athletes at Rice University.

His insights inspire listeners to lead with purpose, adaptability, and a commitment to empowering those around them.

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Lead Local Presented by Leaders Rising Network

Discover the power of the 5 Voices. Find Your Leadership Voice today with the free assessment.

[ Take The Assessment ]

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Show Outline

0:01 - Adapting to change in college athletics, including NIL and leadership opportunities.
3:53 - Building relationships and authenticity in fundraising.
7:33 - Conference realignment and Rice University's current and future position in the American Athletic Conference.
12:43 - Investing in student athletes at Rice University.
17:13 - Rice University's unique approach to athletic scholarships and academic integrity.
21:07 - Passion, purpose, and leadership.

Quotes from the Show

"If you're passionate about what you do, and you get out there and you build those relationships, you're not selling anything as a fundraiser, right? You're having people come to be a part of the vision, and you get to know those people, and you, naturally, care about those people."

"I think being around bright guys, and, you know, learning from them, and really back to what I was kind of saying, not to get a dead horse, but sharing common goals, like, 'Hey, we could do this.'"

"I would say, don't ever doubt yourself. And you can do anything you want if you're passionate about what you do."

Connect with Dr. Ryan Hall

Episode 69 - Full Transcript

Coming soon!

Do you know what to do every day?

Aaron Lee — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 16:21:17 GMT

Do you wake up in the morning knowing where to go with your day?

Do you have a path laid out to be successful with your goals, accomplishments, and tasks?

Only 50% of employees clearly know what is expected of them.

If we don't know for ourselves, how can we expect our teams to be any different?

Let's take our teams to our True Potential:

#1 Define Priorities.

If we have clarify on the direction where we're headed together, our priorities will point everyone in the same direction.

#2 Know what Winning Looks Like.

If we all put our eyes on the same prize, we can pursue the same goal. But winning isn't the primary driver for 93% of people, so we have to define winning...and our other expectations.

#3 Lay out Clear Expectations.

Clarity will be simple, sustainable, and scalable. Simple enough we can remember, sustainable enough it will stay with us and won't be forgotten for the next shiny "thing," and scalable enough we can pass it on to each other and new team members.

Let's move our teams from misalignment to Common Goals. Common Goals will take us to a new level of working efficiently. Doing more with less. Reaching our True Potential.

Most teams score less than 60% on team performance. Let's make your team Invincible.

Start your Invincible assessment for free at NewGenerationLeader.com/show.

Breaking Through the Asian Leadership Ceiling

Aaron Lee — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 11:00:14 GMT

Understanding the perspectives of others is key to breaking through the Asian Leadership Ceiling.

Jim H. Lee, founder of B-SPOKE, highlights their unique coaching platform and offers insights on leading and effectively leveraging your team's power.

Jim also shares his secrets to fully hearing and knowing your team.

Show Outline

1:18 - Jim’s background and how he got started in coaching.
4:48 - What is B-SPOKE Coaching?
9:36 - It’s very hard for people that haven’t walked the same shoes as you to understand why you keep slipping.
12:54 - The story of a Korean-American friend who learned how to talk to leaders that he disagreed with from his neighbor.
17:59 - The importance of hearing stories from different perspectives.
20:31 - How to leverage the power of your team as a leader to get other people to perform better.
24:08 - What are the four spaces that are experienced from the participant's seat?
29:15 - Jim’s secret to fully hearing and knowing your team.

Notes from the Show

Connect with B-SPOKE: BSPOKELLC.com

Your Relational Competitive Advantage

Aaron Lee — Thu, 20 May 2021 17:52:06 GMT

In an age where information is free and global connectivity puts the brilliance of far flung colleagues and gurus at everyone’s fingertips, how do you gain a competitive advantage?

Have you ever considered that your best competitive advantage could be relational?

The traditional career advancement model focuses heavily on IQ for “corporate ladder climbing” - that is, it prioritizes hard skills and measured intelligence benchmarks for promotion. However, in this new world where everyone has access to the same information and specialized skills are becoming less exclusive, your greatest asset lies in your ability to connect with people to form lasting, positive relationships. In that sense, the information economy has inadvertently given rise to the relational economy.

The ability to cultivate such relational influence is called “Relational Intelligence.”

Download the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/11

Mastering Emotional Regulation: The Key to Trustworthy Leadership

Aaron Lee — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 11:00:10 GMT

Former college athlete and strength coach David Kitchen, aka "Kitch," discusses his transition from being a college strength and conditioning coach to focusing on his leadership consulting business.

Kitch shares his personal journey, his challenges, and the decision to step away from coaching. Kitch emphasizes the importance of building relationships with players, understanding their motivations, and balancing challenges with support in leadership.

Kitch also discusses his approach to teaching leadership, the significance of emotional regulation, and the value of execution and continuous improvement.

Show Outline

0:17 - Transition from College Athlete to Leadership Consultant
4:26 - Decision to Walk Away from Coaching
7:03 - Appreciation for the Process of a Game Week
7:32 - The summer grind
8:56 - Developing leadership skills
14:28 - Adapting communication styles
16:22 - Building Relationships and Understanding Motivation
16:58 - The Influence of Family and Environment
18:45 - Personal Drive and Work Ethic
24:22 - The challenge of support
25:19 - The value of empathy and support
29:02 - Different styles of leadership
32:17 - The Emotional Dump and Living in the Gap
34:32 - Teaching Leadership and Changing the Norm
37:10 - Busy Does Not Equal Productive

Quotes from Kitch

"People that can emotionally regulate are naturally more trustworthy."

"I still get goosebumps, man. I still get fired up. If I could go back and strap it up one more time, I would. I'd probably get hurt, but I'd do it."

"I want the first person that steps up to say something about me to walk up to that microphone and say, 'Coach left a legacy for his family to be proud of, you know? He inspired greatness and everybody that he came across. He was honest, he was caring, he was driven, and he was committed to growth.' And if somebody says that about me at my funeral, and I'm watching it from beyond the grave, I know that I became the man that I wanted to be. So that's what drives me every single day."

Connect with Kitch

Presentated by Better

Mentioned on the Show

The Road Less Traveled (Amazon)
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't (Amazon)
New Generation Leader (Amazon)

Episode 54 - Full Transcript

Coming soon!

Show notes may contain affiliate links.

The Power of Differentiation with Barry Labov

Aaron Lee — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 10:00:07 GMT

Leadership expert Barry Labov shares game-changing insights from his new book "The Power of Differentiation." Dive into the transformative power of celebrating what makes you and your team uniquely remarkable.

Uncover the secrets to winning hearts, minds, and market share by fostering a culture of vulnerability, authenticity, and mutual respect. Barry's hard-earned wisdom will inspire you to redefine success and bring out the best in yourself and your people.

Get ready to break free from the status quo, amplify your impact, and lead with purpose like never before. Your true leadership potential is waiting to be unleashed!

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Lead Local Presented by Leaders Rising Network

Discover the power of the 5 Voices. Find Your Leadership Voice today with the free assessment.

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Show Outline

0:05 - The importance of differentiation in leadership and business, with a focus on identifying and celebrating unique qualities.
5:46 - Importance of company culture and employee engagement.
11:52 - Leadership, culture, and marketing with a focus on vulnerability and respect. [Link to Relational Intelligence Matrix]
18:43 - Self-improvement, and employee engagement.
27:45 - Self-awareness, and the importance of recognizing and multiplying unique strengths.

Quotes from the Show

"You don't try to create your uniqueness. You discover it."
"Your brand is not for everybody. It should not be. In fact, it ought to be for as few people as possible, so that you're really special to them."
"Leaders must be vulnerable. They must be they're not expected to have all the answers there, and that's not what we expect. They are not going to be perfect. We don't expect that. But you know what? I expect you to respect me enough to be honest."
"Our people aren't there just to be entertained. They are there to be engaged."
"Don't beat yourself up. Look at what you do well, work on those one, two or three things that you do well, because that's where you or me, whoever, that's where I am strong, and I need to stay there and get better at those things and not beat myself up in areas where I'm weak."

Connect with Barry

Full Transcript - Episode 70

Coming soon!

Unleashing the Power of Collaboration: Eradicating Human Trafficking Together with Safe House Project

Aaron Lee — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 10:00:16 GMT

Human trafficking is one of the hardest issues facing our world today. It's challenging. It's heartbreaking.

And the details of what survivors are going through will truly eat at your core.

We're talking to Brittany Dunn, the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at Safe House Project, an organization that's going to give you hope about this issue, give you the tools that you need to lead and respond to this.

Whether you are a teacher, an educator, a healthcare worker, or a citizen, there is a way that you can help respond.

Brittany's family is deeply entwined in the military: her stories on their military background and her background leading this organization will inspire you.

We want you to find hope as we talk about trafficking in the US, how big the issue is, how you can respond, and how you can lead and build trust every day.

Show Outline

01:14 - The beginning of the journey with Safehouse Project
03:20 - Building trust and finding balance
06:29 - Applying military principles to leadership
07:42 - Building Cross-Functional Teams and Extreme Ownership
08:40 - Resilience and Balancing Push and Rest
11:11 - Successes and Stories of Survivors
15:16 - Increasing Survivor Identification and Emergency Support Services
16:23 - Increasing Safehouse Capacity and Legislative Change
18:26 - Resources and Training for Awareness and Prevention
23:32 - Continual Learning and Staff Feedback
24:04 - Personal Leadership Journey
26:45 - Leading a Coalition to Eradicate Trafficking

Quotes

"The greatest parts of my life have been those that I can't plan."
"Every time a single survivor chooses to exit, chooses to trust us, chooses to make that brave, brave step, there's nothing greater."
"There's such a great opportunity for healthcare leaders, for educators, for any citizen to pay attention, to know the signs and what's going on, and make a difference and truly make an impact."
"This work is hard, but it is beautiful, and it's in all of the mess that so much beauty is created."

Follow Safe House Project

SafeHouseProject.org - join the mailing list
@SafeHouseProject / Instagram
HOPE Training for Healthcare Workers
I Am OnWatch Training for Everyone
Connect with Brittany Dunn, COO on LinkedIn

Episode 46 - Full Transcript

Coming soon!

The Future of Talent Management

Aaron Lee — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 14:00:16 GMT

Imagine a professional who is a talented expert in their field, yet has no leadership abilities. What happens when they get promoted?

Let's build the future of Talent Management to build stronger organizations. Welcome to our conversation with Noel DiBona.

Show Summary

1:57 - The importance of demystifying the human system and how it relates to the actual execution of work.
3:28 - What commonalities do you see within the industry?
5:10 - What’s tough for people with the STEM training?
9:34 - The beauty of data is that everyone has particular strengths that they can build from.
11:24 - Why you need experts in your industry.
12:36 - The pivotal issue for most companies across all industries is how to attract and retain good talent.
14:40 - The biggest thing that I see is that people are being asked to do lots of work and they’re being stretched.
18:06 - What have you learned in your career that you wish you had learned earlier?

Influencing and Leading Change

Aaron Lee — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 11:00:12 GMT

Change is coming around every corner. How do we prepare for what's next?

In this wide-ranging conversation, Jim and Aaron discuss crisis, preparation, and building rhythms to prepare for what's next.

Jim Frawley is the founder and CEO of Bellwether and specializes in helping corporations maximize their efficiency and enhance their growth.

Show Notes

0:00 - If you reached a crisis, what would you do? Where would you go? How would you respond today?
1:23 - What is Bellwether, and what is its role?
5:35 - Who we are and how we show up at work can be a reflection of who we are.
8:11 - What was the motivation behind writing the book?
12:46 - Where is my place in this? How can I influence change?
15:15 - How do you prepare your people not to worry in different ways?
19:41 - The biggest failure in her career.
23:42 - What’s different about the new year?
27:42 - How can anyone be satisfied in life if they can never be separated from their want?

Believe in Somebody

Aaron Lee — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 07:00:31 GMT

Who believed in you? Looking back in your career, in your life, in your education, who invested in you, poured into you, helped you become who you are today?

Now let’s flip that question around - who would come back to you and say “thank you for what you’ve invested into me, you helped me get to where I am today.” Anyone? Are you proactively building the next level leaders in your midst?

Download the show notes at NewGenerationLeader.com/7.

Where have we been? Season 9 starts this week.

Aaron Lee — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:05:01 GMT

Hey friends, it's been a while.

Last spring, our team decided to launch a company podcast, which we launched in June. We're eight episodes in with our ninth scheduled to release soon. Follow along at LeadersRisingNetwork.com/Podcast.

When we launched the podcast, I honestly thought I would shut down the New Generation Leader podcast for a bit. But after the summer, I realized I had more guests I wanted to interview. So this week, we start releasing new episodes.

Season 9 of the New Generation Leader kicks off this week, and I'm excited for you to hear those conversations.

Developing Champions On and Off the Mat with Danna Durante and Sami Durante-Money

Aaron Lee — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 11:00:20 GMT

The gymnastics program Danna Durante is building at UNC Chapel Hill is truly impressive. Danna and her daughter, Sami, who is also a coach on the staff, dive into how they coach a team of gymnasts through the ups and downs of a meet, a season, and prepare them for a life beyond the gym.

It's a wide-ranging conversation with leadership lessons that any of us can apply, whether we're in the gym, in the office, or at home, and as a mother-daughter duo, Danna and Sami have a lot to teach us.

Show Outline

3:20 - Working as a Mother-Daughter Duo
5:27 - Developing Athletes Beyond Gymnastics
10:19 - Sami on Navigating the Role of a Young Coach
12:24 - Preparation and Encouragement on Meet Day
15:31 - Danna on Leading a Team of Coaches
20:14 - Handling Failure and Growth
26:22 - Developing Consistency in Performance
29:06 - Personal Development and Life Lessons
32:09 - Connecting with Student-Athletes

Quotes from the Show

"I get to not just invest in the student athletes, but invest in the coaches and make sure they have what they need." - Danna (14:25)

"Looking back, if I would just give myself a little bit more grace, I feel like it would have taken me a little bit further." - Sami (24:04)

"I've always been really comfortable with the work ethic piece, but the connection piece and understanding how valuable relationships are and how to work. For me, it is work." - Danna (35:21)

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The New Generation Leader Podcast: Powered by the 5 Voices

In Episode 74, Sami references developing her Voice and speaking up, while Danna mentions building her focus on relationships.

What is your growing edge? That's the power of the 5 Voices.

Find Your Leadership Voice today with the free assessment.

[ Take The Assessment ]

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Full Transcript - Episode 74

Coming soon!

Navigating Entrepreneurship: Lessons from Building a Successful Franchise Business

Aaron Lee — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 14:24:11 GMT

Anna and Dan lead one of the most impressive teams I have ever met.

They lead with passion and from the heart, and their staff's dedication to their shared mission is evident. They are committed, and their drive to lead with both the head and the heart is unmatched.

We regularly discuss their business challenges, the transitions their team experiences, and the hardships they overcome. Despite all these challenges, their team continues to persevere and grow stronger.

In this episode, Anna and Dan dive into their Soccer Shots franchise, what they've built, and how they, as a married couple:

got into this entrepreneurship journey
launched their business
what they are building for a brighter future

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The New Generation Leader Podcast: Powered by the 5 Voices

Discover the power of the 5 Voices. Find Your Leadership Voice today with the free assessment.

[ Take The Assessment ]

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=================

Show Outline

0:00 - Soccer Shots Franchise Journey and Entrepreneurial Beginnings
2:42 - Early Life Experiences and Entrepreneurial Influences
6:13 - Developing People and Team Growth
10:17 - Soccer Shots Program Overview
14:14 - Learning and Complementing Each Other
18:59 - Building a Strong Team
23:43 - Lessons Learned and Leadership Insights
27:06 - Support and Challenge Balance

Quotes from the Show

"If you want to see certain leadership qualities or values in others, you have to model them because they're looking up to you and you have to pour into other people."

"Great leaders want to be held accountable. Right? When you want to get better, you hire the life coach, the fitness coach, the business consultant, because you want to be held accountable to a higher potential, and I think you need to instill that in your organization as well."

Tools from the Show

Episode 73 – Full Transcript

Coming soon!