Ep: 115: Adam Galinsky: Unlocking the formula to inspiring leadership

Adam Galinsky is a social psychologist and a Professor of Leadership and Ethics at Columbia Business School. He has published over two hundred scientific articles on leadership, negotiations, diversity, and ethics. He has been a damages expert in numerous defamation lawsuits that have generated more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements, including Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News.  His latest book is titled: Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others.

 

Some interesting insights from this episode:

  • The leader amplification effect suggests that when we’re in a position of leadership, all of our words and expressions get amplified, both the positive and negative ones.
  • There are three universal factors to inspiring leadership: being a visionary, being an exemplar, and being a mentor.
  • Inspiring and infuriating leaders are mirror images of each other and exist on opposite ends of a continuum so based on the situation an inspiring leader one day can become an infuriating one the next.
  • Leaders are made, not born, and anyone has the tools to become more inspiring no matter their starting point.
  • The Great Resignation, where 30 million Americans quit their jobs during the pandemic, wasn’t just about where we work but why we work. This “universal midlife crisis” was less about pay and much more about meaning and purpose and empowerment.
  • You can learn how to become more visionary by conveying an optimistic vision, keeping your message simple, and creating rich imagery.
  • “Excellence is getting better at whatever you do on a day to day process.”

 

Notes

Book: Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others

Personal website: Adam Galinsky

Ep: 112: Don Lemon: Award winning broadcast journalist and media trailblazer

Don Lemon spent three decades on local and national TV – a trusted voice after the Sandy Hook massacre, in war-torn Eastern Europe, and during the riots of 2020. Anchoring Don Lemon Tonight on CNN for eight years, he was known for hard-hitting interviews with public officials and compassionate dialogue with everyday people.  The Don Lemon Show is now streaming on all platforms.  He is the author of several bestselling books including his most recent one titled: I Once Was Lost: My Search for God in America.

 

Some interesting insights from this episode:

  • As a Black man, he has a complicated relationship with the flag. But he is still a patriot. And as a gay man, he has a complicated relationship with the Bible. But he still believes in God.
  • He was the kid whose personality could not be denied. He was likeable and easy to get along with. His charismatic personality would later help separate him from the other news anchors who were stiff and indistinguishable.
  • He has always had a strong work ethic, outworking everyone around him. He worked full time while pursuing his degree full time and he never took a vacation his first ten years at CNN.
  • “Every setback or shortcoming you think you have is actually a gift. You just have to figure out what that gift is and how to use it.”
  • He’s ok being a lightning rod, as he’s just being himself and trying to foster healthy debate. He has learned to not care what others think about him.
  • “Excellence is not about perfection. Rather, excellence is being a good citizen, a good partner, a good family member, and a good contributor to society in the world.”

 

Show Notes:

Books:

I Once was Lost: My Search for God in America

This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism

TV/Digital:

The Don Lemon Show