The Conversation with Clinton M. Padgett

Hosted by Clinton M. Padgett

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175

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Sep 2026

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About the show

Did you realize the key to business and team success finds its roots deep in conversation? Join Clint Padgett, who’s built his career helping Fortune 100 companies optimize their businesses, as he interviews leaders who encourage employees to learn, challenge, and grow. If you want to effectively manage people and optimize results, this is the podcast for you. The Conversation with Clinton M. Padgett from Forbes Books.

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September 9, 202635 min

What Problems Do You Want to Solve?: A Conversation with Julie Newman (Part Two)

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Julie Newman, aerospace engineer and author of “Pull Don’t Push,” Julie explains why asking better questions can open entirely new career possibilities. She shares how parents, educators, and leaders can help young people discover engineering by connecting them to meaningful problems, not just job titles. Along the way, she challenges common misconceptions about engineering, discusses the surprising role of creativity and storytelling, and offers practical advice for inspiring the next generation. This is the second part of a two-part conversation. Topics Covered: Why "What problems do you want to solve?" is a better question than "What are you passionate about?" How engineering creates opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the world The surprising career advantages of engineering, including earning potential, stability, and work-life balance Why creativity, not just math, is one of the defining characteristics of great engineers The unforgettable story of how NASA landed a Mars rover with a giant inflatable "bouncy ball" Why stories are more powerful than statistics when inspiring future engineers Common myths about math ability and why they discourage too many students from considering engineering Practical advice for parents, educators, and STEM advocates on creating outreach that truly inspires The free tools and resources Julie has developed to help improve STEM outreach efforts Links: Julie’s website - https://juliejnewman.com/ Julie’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-j-newman/ Julie’s book, “Pull Don’t Push” - https://amzn.to/4q7vcxW

September 2, 202644 min

Why Engineering Isn’t Connecting with Girls: A Conversation with Julie Newman (Part One)

In this episode, Clint sits down with Julie Newman, accomplished aerospace engineer and bestselling author of “Pull Don’t Push,” to discuss why decades of well-intentioned efforts to encourage more girls into STEM haven't produced the results many hoped for. Julie argues that the problem isn't a lack of encouragement, it's the way we're communicating about engineering. Together, they explore how engineering is often misunderstood, why creativity and communication are essential engineering skills, and how leaders, parents, and educators can inspire young people by focusing on possibility instead of obstacles. This is the first part of a two-part conversation. Topics Covered: Why traditional STEM messaging often misses the mark The difference between "pushing" someone toward a career and "pulling" them toward a possibility How Julie's career at SpaceX, NASA, Boeing, and Impulse Space shaped her perspective on leadership and engineering Why engineering is fundamentally about creativity, teamwork, communication, and solving problems The biggest misconceptions people have about engineers and engineering careers Why communication skills can be a competitive advantage for engineers How parents and educators can better introduce engineering to young people Why engineering deserves a bigger role in the STEM conversation What business leaders can learn about influence from the way we talk about careers Links: Julie’s website - https://juliejnewman.com/ Julie’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-j-newman/ Julie’s book, “Pull Don’t Push” - https://amzn.to/4q7vcxW

August 26, 202637 min

The Art of Tactical Empathy: A Conversation with Chris Voss (Part Two)

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Chris Voss, former lead FBI hostage negotiator and bestselling author of “Never Split the Difference,” Chris explains why the best negotiators don't chase "yes,” they create safety, build trust, and uncover the hidden information that changes everything. From tactical empathy and accusation audits to the surprising power of hearing "no," Chris shares practical techniques that can improve negotiations, leadership, sales, and everyday conversations. This is the second part of a two-part conversation. Topics Covered: What tactical empathy really is and why it works Why making people feel heard changes negotiations How to use labels to uncover what people are really thinking The power of an accusation audit to defuse resistance before it starts Why hearing "no" creates trust, safety, and better conversations The difference between counterfeit, confirmation, and commitment "yes" Why asking, "Is now a bad time to talk?" is more effective than asking for a few minutes The surprising power of hearing "That's right" Why negotiation is a performance skill, not just knowledge Why compromise often produces lose-lose outcomes Why no deal is better than a bad deal Why Chris calls "fair" the most dangerous word in negotiation What a "Black Swan" is and how hidden information changes everything Links:Chris’s website - https://www.blackswanltd.com/chris-voss Chris’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophervoss/ Chris’s book, “Never Split the Difference” - https://amzn.to/44H6pqM

August 19, 202637 min

The Psychology of Negotiation: A Conversation with Chris Voss (Part One)

In this episode, Clint talks with Chris Voss, former lead FBI hostage negotiator and bestselling author of “Never Split the Difference,” about why the best negotiators don't win by talking louder, they win by listening better. Drawing from decades of high-stakes hostage negotiations, Chris explains how emotions drive decisions, why most people misunderstand negotiation, and how tactical empathy can transform conversations at work, at home, and everywhere in between. This is the first part of a two-part conversation. Topics Covered: Chris's journey from Kansas City police officer to leading the FBI's international hostage negotiations Why people are emotional, not rational, decision makers The biggest flaw in traditional negotiation theory The difference between influence and manipulation Why listening is the most powerful negotiation tool you have How assumptions derail conversations, and curiosity improves them The three negotiation voice types (including the famous "late-night FM DJ voice") Tactical empathy and why understanding someone doesn't mean agreeing with them How mirroring and labels build trust and uncover better information Why silence is one of the most underrated communication skills The mindset great negotiators bring into every conversation Links:Chris’s website - https://www.blackswanltd.com/chris-voss Chris’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophervoss/ Chris’s book, “Never Split the Difference” - https://amzn.to/44H6pqM

August 12, 202638 min

Leading Through Pressure and Change: A Conversation with Scott Mautz (Part Two)

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Scott Mautz, former Procter & Gamble senior executive and bestselling author of “Leading from the Middle,” Scott shares practical strategies for building trust, creating accountability, leading through uncertainty, and influencing others without formal authority. From managing remote teams to helping people embrace smart risks, he explains how leaders can create stronger teams, navigate pressure, and drive meaningful change from the middle of an organization. This is the second part of a two-part conversation. Topics Covered: Why great leaders assist success instead of avoiding failure How to earn commitment instead of simple compliance Building a culture of accountability that actually works Why managers should clearly define the "rules of risk-taking" Turning setbacks and crises into opportunities for growth Creating purpose-driven teams that stay aligned Managing pressure without passing it down to your team Leading remote and hybrid teams with stronger communication Why overcommunicating is essential in today's workplace How to influence peers when you have no formal authority Practical strategies for leading change from the middle Creating your own Middle Action Plan (MAP) for leadership growth Links:Scott’s website - https://scottmautz.com/ Scott’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmautz/ Scott’s book, “Leading from the Middle” - https://amzn.to/4vDWZaj

August 5, 202634 min

How to Lead Without Authority: A Conversation with Scott Mautz (Part One)

In this episode, Clint sits down with Scott Mautz, former Procter & Gamble senior executive and bestselling author of “Leading from the Middle,” to talk about why middle managers are some of the most influential (and most overlooked!) leaders in any organization. Scott shares the research behind why leading from the middle is uniquely challenging, why it often feels "messy," and how managers can successfully influence up, down, and across without relying on formal authority. This is the first part of a two-part conversation. Topics Covered: Why the middle of an organization is often the most stressful place to lead The surprising research on why great middle managers drive better business results The "messy middle" and the unique challenges of leading in every direction How successful leaders reframe the role of middle management Why influence matters more than authority Managing constant role changes and competing priorities Lessons from LEGO on navigating leadership contradictions Why middle managers are often the best drivers of organizational change The Karasek model and balancing responsibility with decision-making authority What it means to be an "intrapreneur" inside your organization Others-oriented leadership vs. servant leadership Why affirmation is one of the most powerful tools a leader can use Links: Scott’s website - https://scottmautz.com/ Scott’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmautz/ Scott’s book, “Leading from the Middle” - https://amzn.to/4vDWZaj

July 29, 202639 min

Becoming a Leader: A Conversation with Ryan Hawk (Part Two)

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Ryan Hawk, host of “The Learning Leader Show” and author of “The Price of Becoming,” Ryan talks about the daily habits, disciplines, and mindset shifts that separate good leaders from great ones. F rom protecting time for deep work and building intentional cultures to mentoring others, giving feedback, and staying fully present with the people who matter most, this conversation is packed with practical leadership advice you can apply immediately. This is the second part of a two-part conversation. Topics Covered: Why deep work is becoming a competitive advantage Building focus in a world full of distractions The importance of presence, attention, and intentional communication Creating healthy morning routines that set the tone for leadership Balancing ambition, work, and family Defining culture through behaviors, not slogans Building strong cultures in remote and hybrid organizations Escaping zero-sum thinking and adopting an abundance mindset Identifying "givers" during the hiring process Why bad news only gets worse with time Running meetings that create value instead of wasting time The power of handwritten notes, reflection, and continuous learning Links: Ryan’s website - https://learningleader.com/ Ryan’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhawk12/ Ryan’s book, “The Price of Becoming” - https://amzn.to/4piQs3k

July 22, 202640 min

Leading Yourself Before Leading Others: A Conversation with Ryan Hawk (Part One)

In this episode, Clint sits down with Ryan Hawk, host of The Learning Leader Show and author of “The Price of Becoming” and “Welcome to Management,” to discuss one of the biggest challenges in leadership: making the transition from top performer to effective leader. Ryan shares practical lessons on self-awareness, curiosity, mentorship, feedback, and intentional leadership, drawing from hundreds of conversations with world-class leaders and his own experience leading teams. If you've recently stepped into management, or aspire to, this conversation offers a roadmap for becoming the kind of leader people want to follow. This is the first part of a two-part conversation. Topics Covered: Why leadership begins with leading yourself The difficult transition from individual contributor to manager Building greater self-awareness through honest feedback Why every leader needs "truth tellers" in their life How to receive criticism without becoming defensive Developing curiosity as a leadership superpower The difference between managing people and genuinely caring about them Creating meaningful relationships with your team Why thoughtfulness and intentionality drive sustained excellence Learning from both successes and failures through after-action reviews Finding mentors and writing cold outreach emails that actually get responses The difference between a mentor and a coach Links: Ryan’s website - https://learningleader.com/ Ryan’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhawk12/ Ryan’s book, “The Price of Becoming” - https://amzn.to/4piQs3k

July 15, 202640 min

What High-Performing Teams Do Differently: A Conversation with Dr. Colin M. Fisher (Part Two)

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Colin Fisher, author of “The Collective Edge,” the discussion turns from why groups matter to how leaders can help them succeed. Colin explains why the smartest teams aren't necessarily the most successful, how healthy competition can both motivate and derail performance, why psychological safety and social sensitivity matter, and what leaders can do to build stronger, more collaborative organizations. The conversation also explores meetings, hybrid work, communication, and the surprisingly simple habits that make teams more effective over time.This is the second part of a two-part conversation. Topics Covered: When collaboration helps … and when it hurts Why talent alone doesn't create high-performing teams The surprising trait that predicts team success How asking better questions improves collaboration Setting goals that people can actually rally around The hidden dangers of unhealthy competition What the Pig and Potato War teaches us about conflict and cooperation Avoiding the sunken cost fallacy in teams and organizations Why psychological safety starts with conversations Building stronger teams in hybrid and remote environments The importance of keeping successful teams together Why information-sharing meetings are hurting organizations Practical lessons leaders can apply to improve teamwork immediately Links: Colin’s website - https://colinmfisher.com/ Colin’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinmfisher/ Colin’s book, “The Collective Edge” - https://amzn.to/442Xu2E

July 8, 202648 min

Why Great Teams Outperform Great Individuals: A Conversation with Dr. Colin M. Fisher (Part One)

In this episode, Clint sits down with Dr. Colin M. Fisher – professor, speaker, and author of “The Collective Edge” – to explore why our biggest accomplishments are almost never the work of a single person. Colin challenges the myth of the lone genius and explains how cooperation, group dynamics, and collective intelligence have shaped everything from innovation and leadership to business success and human civilization. Along the way, he shares practical insights into why so many organizations misunderstand teamwork and what leaders can do differently to unlock the full potential of their teams. This is the first part of a two-part conversation. Topics Covered: Why cooperation is humanity's greatest competitive advantage The myth of the lone genius What leaders can learn from group dynamics and collective intelligence The fundamental attribution error and why we blame the wrong people Why replacing the "problem employee" often doesn't solve the problem What makes a real team instead of just a group of people Why adding more people can actually slow projects down The hidden costs of social loafing and coordination How clear goals create high-performing teams Why smaller teams often outperform larger ones The conditions that allow teams to achieve true synergy Why successful teams should stay together longer Links: Colin’s website - https://colinmfisher.com/ Colin’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinmfisher/ Colin’s book, “The Collective Edge” - https://amzn.to/442Xu2E