IDEAS+LEADERS

In episode 299 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Jeff Wetherhold, Harvard-trained behavioral scientist, change leadership expert, and faculty member with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Jeff has spent more than 20 years helping leaders engage people in meaningful change through the principles of Motivational Interviewing, bringing evidence-based communication strategies from healthcare into leadership, education, government, and nonprofit organizations.

We talk about why so many change initiatives fail, why difficult conversations often create resistance instead of reflection, and how leaders can recognize the early signs of disengagement before they become conflict. Jeff shares practical insights on leading change with curiosity, dignity, and less exhaustion while building genuine commitment instead of compliance.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Why 88% of change efforts fail to create lasting impact• Why clarity and honesty alone don't guarantee productive conversations
• How leaders unintentionally create defensiveness instead of engagement
• The early language signals that reveal ambivalence before resistance appears
• How Motivational Interviewing helps leaders create trust, ownership, and lasting change

This is a practical and thought-provoking conversation for leaders, managers, coaches, and anyone who wants to communicate more effectively while leading people through uncertainty and change.

You can connect with Jeff here:
https://www.changewithdignity.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wetherhold/

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In the episode 298 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by entrepreneur, investor, and martial artist Benjamin Chen, author of Lessons from the Mat.
Benjamin has raised more than $500 million in investment capital, helped lead multiple companies to successful exits, and spent decades training in martial arts — including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do, and Hapkido.
We talk about what martial arts can teach leaders about resilience, discipline, decision-making, efficiency, and staying calm under pressure. Benjamin shares how principles from the mat helped him navigate high-stakes negotiations, business growth, setbacks, and leadership challenges across industries.

A fascinating conversation about leadership, awareness, and building long-term success - both in business and in life.

You can connect with Benjamin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminchen88

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In episode 297 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Wendy Valentine, speaker, reinvention expert, and author of Women Waking Up: The Midlife Manifesto for Passion, Purpose, and Play.
After experiencing divorce, grief, career burnout, financial pressure, and major life changes in her mid-forties, Wendy made a radical decision to completely redesign her life. Today, she helps others break free from autopilot living and step into a more intentional, aligned, and fulfilling next chapter.

We talk about reinvention, emotional resilience, leadership through life transitions, and why midlife can become one of the most powerful periods of growth and self-leadership.
In this episode, we discuss:• how to recognize when you are sleepwalking through life• the mindset shifts needed for reinvention• boundaries, burnout, and protecting your energy• designing the life of your future self• why it is never too late to start over

This conversation is for anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or ready for a new chapter personally or professionally.
You can connect with Wendy here: https://wendyvalentine.com/ 
Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In episode 296 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Lujain Alzahrani, leadership and women’s empowerment coach, program designer, and communication expert working at the intersection of voice, presence, and impact. Through her work in Saudi Arabia, Lujain helps women build confidence, develop their voice, and step into leadership with clarity and purpose.

We talk about why voice is such a powerful leadership tool, how cultural context shapes the way women show up and lead, and what it really takes to move from self-doubt to self-expression in both personal and professional life.

In this episode, we discuss:
Why communication and voice are central to leadership

The most common barriers women face when speaking up

How confidence is built through practice, not perfection

The role of culture in shaping leadership journeys

How leaders can create spaces where others feel safe to express themselves

une in for an inspiring and thoughtful conversation about leadership, empowerment, and the courage to use your voice.
You can connect with Lujain here: Lujain Alzahrani | LinkedIn 

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In episode 295 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Laura Kriska, Harvard Business Review contributor, TEDx speaker, and author of The Business of WE. Laura has spent over 30 years working with global organizations, helping leaders close the “us vs. them” gaps that quietly undermine trust, collaboration, and performance.
We talk about why division inside organizations is growing across cultures, generations, functions, and ways of working and what leaders often fail to see until it starts affecting results. Laura shares practical, research-backed insights from her work and her recent Harvard Business Review article on collaboration, showing how small, everyday behaviors can rebuild trust faster than most people expect.

In this episode, we discuss:
How “us vs. them” thinking shows up in teams and why it’s more common than we think

The subtle ways leaders unintentionally create division

What actually builds trust in today’s hybrid and global workplaces

Why language, goals, and resource decisions shape team dynamics

Simple shifts that can transform collaboration almost immediately

This is a thoughtful and practical conversation on moving from awareness to action—and building what Laura calls a true “WE” culture inside organizations.

You can connect with Laura here: Laura Kriska

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.