Grow Strong Leaders Podcast

Over the course of his career, Ethan Evans reviewed 10,000+ resumes, conducted over 2,500 interviews, and made more than 1,000 hires. He knows a thing or two about finding, onboarding, AND developing the right people. In this high-energy conversation, Ethan shares the qualities he looked for and the aspects of character he believes are most important for leaders. You’ll find great value in reflecting on the lessons he learned from a big mistake he made at Amazon that got him in trouble with CEO Jeff Bezos. Ethan is a former Vice President at Amazon. During his 15 years there, he helped invent many of the offerings that we take for granted today, like Prime Video, Amazon Video, and the Amazon App Store. Prior to Amazon, Ethan spent 12 years at 3 startups.  In September of 2020, Ethan retired from Amazon and made the decision to pay it forward. He devotes time to teaching leaders to become true executives through courses he offers and the free content he provides on LinkedIn and his website. You’ll discover: How Ethan added to the Amazon Leadership Principle of OwnershipWhat Ethan looks for when interviewing a candidate or considering someone for a promotionThe five steps in Ethan’s Magic Loop for managing upWhat leaders can do to build trust quicklyA big mistake Ethan made at Amazon and the lessons he learned from itCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Have you ever taken on a project that you thought would be straightforward…and then discovered it wasn’t? Sometimes that occurs because of the expectations we put on ourselves to perform at a certain level. That’s what happened to me when I tried to record a headshot video. In this solo episode I describe the situation, how I handled the setbacks, and what I learned from the experience that might be helpful for you, too. I’m the co-founder and president of Grow Strong Leaders. We’ve created online resources that help leaders strengthen their character and communication skills to build strong relationships and inspire others to perform at the highest level.  You’ll discover: The challenge I was given in a LinkedIn courseHow I define perfectionismWhy I struggled initially to complete this assignmentWhat slowing down and reflecting helped me realize3 insights that allowed me to relax and enjoy the processCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Have you thought about how your words create you and your world? No matter what you answer, Trevor Timbeck will help you gain a better understanding of this power we all have if we choose to use it well.  Trevor co-authored The Power of Systems with Steve Chandler. You’ll recognize the book and Steve’s name from episode 300 of the podcast. In this episode, we discussed the book and how it ties in with who you are BEING and what you’re CREATING in the world.  Trevor is an absolutely remarkable human being, with important insights not just on the power of systems, but on life itself. You’re going to want to give this your full attention because you’ll hear many valuable ideas to reflect on. Trevor has a deep technical background and started his career as a software engineer. He was promoted to leadership roles and eventually became head of Sales and then Chief Talent Officer with a large IT company. Today Trevor is a very successful leadership coach.  You’ll discover: Significant lessons Trevor learned in his leadership journeyHow Trevor weaves together love, language, and leadership when coaching his clientsWhat he learned from his first coach that transformed the way he ledThe difference between language as coordinating behavior and language as communicating informationWhy Trevor says our words create our worldCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Do you ever have thoughts that could be called “head trash”? Very likely, you’ve experienced them, and those thoughts may even keep you awake at night. In this conversation, Dr. Robyn Odegaard provides a concrete, practical tip for getting back to sleep if you wake up at 3:00 am. She also shares her approach to questions and conversations with her clients that you can use yourself for your long-term happiness and success. Dr. Robyn is a former competitive beach volleyball player turned business psychologist and professional confidante. She did her graduate work in business psychology with a concentration in high performance and sport. She’s been working in the space between executive coach, therapist and best friend for more than fifteen years and has designed her business to support ultra-busy clients who live excessively fast-paced lives.  Dr. Robyn’s expertise has been showcased through her TEDx talk, Creating Success Out of Chaos, the seven books she has authored, co-authored or contributed to, her Five-Point Paradigm for Creating Success Out of Chaos™, and her signature talk: Take Out the Head Trash: How to fight the demons keeping you awake at 3am.You’ll discover: Dr. Robyn’s personal journey as a young adult and what she learned along the wayWhy she had self-doubts about her ability to succeed in collegeA 5-point paradigm for creating success out of chaosThe #1 question she asks her clients to help them identify what’s holding them backHow Dr. Robyn learned to make Big Asks in quoting fees to potential clientsCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Leading people who aren’t like you can be challenging. In this episode, Stephanie Chung provides important insights and tips to help you be more effective in this critical area. You will love the passion and stories she brings to our conversation. For the past 30 years, Stephanie has been a force of strategic innovation, a beacon of change, and a titan in the world of business growth and human capital management.   Stephanie blazed trails as the first African American to serve as President at a private jet company. Under her visionary leadership, JetSuite evolved from a mere service provider to a symbol of luxury and excellence. During her tenure, JetSuite was named one of the Best Places To Work by the Human Rights Campaign and one of the 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies by the Dallas Business Journal. From there, she became Chief Growth Officer and Global Brand Ambassador at Wheels Up.  Stephanie's impact extends far beyond the boardroom. She serves on the Make-A-Wish Board and the Advisory Council for the National Business Aviation Association. Stephanie is also a #1 international best-selling author with her excellent book, Ally Leadership: How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You. You’ll discover: What the acronym ALLY stands forHow to meet people where they areWhat to do if you don’t like someone on your team Why the most effective leaders are “culturally intelligent”The various kinds of privilege that exist and how to leverage yoursCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Here’s a startling statistic. Harvard published the results of a survey of 17,000 managers, and one of the questions asked was this: When did you experience your first formal leadership training? The average age was 42.  What would happen if we started with children instead of waiting until someone is so far into their career? You don’t have to wonder what would happen because our guest, Dr. Alan Nelson, has focused on teaching leadership to young people for almost 20 years.  Alan is the Founder of KidLead Academy, the world’s first online course to train parents how to develop their child’s leadership potential. Alan has been passionate about leadership throughout his career.  Alan is the author of 40 books and over 200 articles on personal growth and leadership. He has a doctorate in leadership from the University of San Diego and has taught leadership courses at several universities, including USC’s Marshall School of Business and the Naval Postgraduate School. In this conversation, we focused on his book for parents, My Kid Leads! A How-to Book for Parents Wanting to Raise Future Leaders Today. Highly recommended! You’ll discover: The answer to the question of whether leaders are made or bornWhy Alan says the sweet spot for teaching leadership to kids is ages 10-13The 4 primary indicators of giftedness in leadership in both children and adultsWhat parents can do to help their children develop self-control and critical thinking skillsHow Alan uses peer-led teams in his programs to teach leadership and followershipCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Have you ever lost your cool when you encountered something unexpected? In this solo episode, I describe a situation where I witnessed someone who became emotional and took it out on me. Thankfully, I recognized that she was simply unable to think rationally in the moment, and I didn’t take it personally. I’m the co-founder and president of Grow Strong Leaders. We’ve created online resources that help leaders strengthen their character and communication skills to build strong relationships and inspire others to perform at the highest level.  You’ll discover: The event that triggered this person’s reactionWhat I realized about the feelings she was experiencingHow I handled the uncertainty of the momentThe lessons I took away from that incidentTwo questions you can ask yourself when you feel fear or uncertaintyCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

If you’ve been in leadership development for a long time, you’re in for a treat with this episode. Our guest, Howard Leong, is the youngest person to appear on the podcast! Don’t let his youth fool you. He is wise beyond his years in his understanding of leadership and personal growth. Howard has been mentored by Asheesh Advani, CEO of Junior Achievement or JA Worldwide, and you’ll see that he’s absorbed key lessons from this extraordinary leader. Howard is featured in a new book that Asheesh co-authored with Marshall Goldsmith, Modern Achievement: A New Approach to Timeless Lessons for Aspiring Leaders. In this conversation, we explore the experiences and lessons learned that Howard shares in the book. Howard is the Research Strategist at JA Worldwide and is currently building The JA Institute. He’s a college senior specializing in Econometrics and Machine Learning with four years of experience in software product management and international economic development.  Howard was awarded the Global Student Prize in 2021 from JA for building an online marketplace, JA Malaysia Mall, for high school entrepreneurs. In just two months, it fulfilled over 1,000 orders. He also built an investment app that received The Webby Award Honoree 2024. Howard has consulted the City of Calgary on economics, AI, and electricity rates. You’ll discover: The messages Howard got from his family growing up in Malaysia and changes he felt compelled to make after leaving homeWhat the phrase, Modern Achievement, means to Asheesh and what it means to HowardWays Howard learned to advocate for himself—and the payoffs he got from doing soWhat employers need to know about working with young adultsTips for young employees who want to have a positive impactCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

In your leadership role, do you see yourself as a salesperson? Mark Hunter makes the case that leadership and sales are the same. You’ll agree that they are when you hear Mark’s definition of those words. It’s just one of many writer-downers in this episode! Mark Hunter is known as “The Sales Hunter,” and he’s recognized as an expert in sales. He is a member of the Sales Hall of Fame. He’s the author of High-Profit Prospecting, High-Profit Selling and most recently, A Mind for Sales, which was the focus of this conversation. Mark spent more than 15 years in the sales and marketing divisions of three Fortune 200 companies. During his career, he led many projects, including the creation of a new 200-member sales force.  Mark’s passion for sales has allowed him to consult and speak on 5 continents and 28 countries. He is on a mission to have each person he meets see sales the way he does. Clients range from Samsung, BP, and Kawasaki to small start-ups. No matter their size, they all value Mark’s engaging style and specific strategies that deliver results.  You’ll discover: Why Mark says you cannot lead anyone until you first lead yourselfWhat made his manager at McDonald’s one of the most memorable leaders Mark ever worked forThe positive words Mark associates with EGOHow Mark defines charisma—and what it looks like in actionThe 3 greatest assets a leader has, if used wellCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

When you think of the key qualities of an effective leader, what words come to mind? Did you include the word GENEROUS? If not, you will add that word to your list after you listen to this conversation with guest Joe Davis. Joe is the author of a fantastic new book, The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain. This important book is a must-read for every leader because it touches on so many areas that the best leaders learn and practice. Joe exemplifies the type of leader Meredith is always eager to have as a guest: he’s focused his entire career on growing strong as a leader and helping others realize their potential. Joe is a Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group or BCG. In The Generous Leader, Joe shares a performance review he received that was a game-changer for him: He was told he was not the best at problem-solving solo; but with others, he could solve any challenge. His manager identified his key strength—a person who could connect with others.  Joe has leveraged that strength in his 35+ years at BCG in roles such as co-founding the Washington, DC, office and leading BCG North America. He is currently Chair of BCG’s Center for Inclusion and Equity and the Board Chair at Whitman College.  You’ll discover: What leaders can do to help others feel seenWhy Joe recommends leaders adopt the “practice of perspective taking”How Joe pushes people to be more than they believed possible and addresses times when they diminish themselvesHow to be an Action Ally and not a Performative AllyWays to show vulnerability so others more easily connect with youCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro