Lead Different

“Some men see things as they are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were, and ask why not.”Robert Kennedy Much like artists, leaders are visionary. They see things that no one else sees, and break the mold of what is considered normal. Not bound by the shackles of conformity, leaders are original in their thinking and in what they produce, whether it is art, technology, athletics, etc. Silicon Valley is unique for many reasons, and arguably the most compelling reason is that it is full of original and innovative leaders. Russ Ewell sits down with Tom Schaffernoth, the CEO of Nearchus Inc, and Greg Bodzioch, the co-founder of E-Sports, to discuss the necessity to have passion in leadership.Episode referencesNozomi Morgan - “The Art of Passionate Leadership”Tiger WoodsJack NicholasLothar MatthäusGianluigi BuffonPistol PeteMichael JordanMagic JohnsonLarry BirdJFKRobert KennedyLarry PageMartin Luther King Jr.E-SportsFoot-eye coordinationNearchus IncBob DylanSteve JobsMarc ChagallGary P Pisano - Creative Construction: The DNA of Sustained Innovation

“If we lingered on the past play perhaps we would miss an opportunity...Essentially, by not moving on to the next play immediately, we would be compounding that mistake, either by making another or by missing an opportunity to make a great play. Failing to move onto the next play was itself a mistake because it took focus and concentration off the current moment, the only point in time we could do something positive to impact the game.”Jay Bilas, Toughness: Developing True Strength On and Off the CourtRuss wraps up his conversation with Stone Eleazer and Coach Braumon Creighton to discuss some final elements of mental toughness. The mark of not only a true athlete, but a true leader, is the choice to keep moving forward despite mistakes. Persistence, letting go, and moving on are what separate the good athletes and leaders from the great ones.Episode References:Jay Bilas - Toughness: Developing True Strength On and Off the Court

“However tough people face their fears and doubts head-on, and they overcome them so they can function at the highest level without that fear and doubt inhibiting their ability to perform at their best. Embracing fear and using it to push yourself to get better, takes courage” Jay Bilas (Toughness: Developing True Strength On and Off the Court) Russ continues his conversation with Stone Eleazer and Coach Braumon Creighton to discuss how to teach and develop real leaders. Rather than setting goals, it is developing internal character than trains a true leader. It is developing the ability to demand the most of ourselves. Preparation and courage are fundamental characteristics if we are to become effective leaders, whether in sports, school, or the workforce.Episode References:Jay Bilas - Toughness: Developing True Strength On and Off the CourtBraumon Creighton - “Those that Stay Will be Champions”Rocky IIIKarate Kid

“We may be born into a great family situation or a difficult family situation that forces or conditions you to be tough, but we aren’t born that way. Toughness comes from how you handle your experiences, what you learn from them, and how you’re guided through them by others in your life.”Mike Krzyzewski (Jay Bilas, Toughness: Developing True Strength On and Off the Court) “Mental toughness” is a term frequently used by coaches and players alike, but is often misunderstood as a concept. Russ sits down with Stone Eleazer and 2x NCAA Wrestling Champion and USA Wrestling Gold Certified Coach Braumon Creighton to redefine what it means to be mentally tough, and discuss the true measure of a leader. Because sports often involve emotional turmoil, mental toughness develops in us the ability to maintain emotional self-control and to manage the anxiety that comes with leading and growing. Episode References:Jay Bilas - Toughness: Developing True Strength On and Off the CourtDan GableJohn WoodenCoach Mike Denney of Maryville UniversityCael Sanderson

It has been over two years since the start of the pandemic, and we are only just now beginning to see the repercussions. The impact of mental health is often an invisible one, and we may not always see it until later. The pandemic has affected not only the condition of our mental health, but also restricted many of our access to resources that could give us the help we need. This effect is compounded in kids and teenagers, whose access to mental health resources often comes from school, which was shut down for much of the pandemic. When we embrace the notion that all of us have mental health that needs to be taken care of, we can begin to destigmatize reaching out for help for those who need it. Join the engaging and enlightening conversation on our most recent podcast with Liz Llamas and Christina Henderson as we discuss the need to prioritize taking care of our mental health especially as we come out of a world-changing pandemic.Guests:Liz Llamas - Liz Llamas has over 20 years of experience as a marriage and family therapist. She got her BA in General Psychology from San Francisco State University and her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University. She works as a marriage and family therapist supporting youth and young adults with Psychological Services and Personal Counseling at Skyline College. She also spent time as an Adjunct Lecturer at her alma mater, Santa Clara University. She is a co-founder of the nonprofit CASSY (Counseling  and Support Services for Youth) which has established school based mental health programs in 54 elementary and high schools in the San Francisco Bay Area.Cristina Henderson - Cristina Henderson received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Cal State Long Beach. Then she went on to get her Master’s with Credentials in School Psychology from Cal State East Bay. She spent a number of years as a school psychologist for the Alum Rock School District in San Jose, California, where she worked with elementary and middle school students. Cristina now works in the full-time ministry along with her husband Ade. She mentors people of all life-stages, from high school to college to young professionals and families.Reference Notes:Mental Health America - 2022 State Of Mental Health In America ReportCalifornia Surgeon General – Adverse Childhood ExperiencesSuicide: The Ripple EffectJ Stephenson quote - "Our emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. Mental health affects how we think, feel and act."The New York Times - As A Crisis Hotline Grows, So Do Fears It Won’t Be ReadySherry Turkle - Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital AgeBrené Brown - Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human ExperienceMental Health–Related Emergency Department Visits Among Children Aged <18 Years During the COVID-19 PandemicTara Brach, Ph.D. - aggressive bad “othering”

Too often, people view leaders as those who are out front and in charge – they think in terms of power. But real leaders are those who have the ability to effect change in the lives of others. They are those who create a collaborative culture where everyone is supported, included, and set up to succeed. Join Russ Ewell’s conversation with educator and founder of Think Inclusive Tim Villegas as they discuss the necessity and importance of inclusion not just for those with disabilities, but for everyone.Tim Villegas is director of communications at Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education, a nonprofit that envisions a society where neighborhood schools welcome all learners and create the foundation for inclusive communities. Throughout his 16-year career as a special education teacher, Tim advocated for the inclusion of students with significant disabilities in general education classrooms and continues his work with MCIE to empower inclusive systems to change in schools and districts. He studied at Azusa Pacific University then California State University, Fullerton. He is the founder of Think Inclusive and the host of the Think Inclusive Podcast.Resources:The Biggest Barriers to Inclusive Education by Tim VillegasEasterseals study on the impact of Covid-19 on People with Disabilities“When you are accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression.” - AnonymousThe 5 Levels of Inclusion articleThe 5 Levels of Inclusion podcastThe Beyond Access Model: Promoting Membership, Participation, and Learning for Students with Disabilities in the General Education ClassroomErik Carter and “belonging”

Rather than building an organization around an individual leader or one generation of leaders, the goal should be to build a sustainable organization, which requires developing multiple generations of leaders who share the vision of building the organization to last. Join Russ as he talks to Jim and Rick McCartney about the importance of leaders who raise up other leaders.References:Built to Last by Jim CollinsMichigan Football Jim HarbaughThe Get Back - Beatles DocumentaryThe Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck"On Children"by Kahlil GibraniRewardHealthViluaVisit LeadDiff.com - for more podcasts, articles and leadership resourcesGuests:Jim McCartneyObtained his BA in English from Duke University. He then went on to get his MBA in Finance from Boston University. Jim is a seasoned financial executive and leader, with expertise in investment finance, consulting, operational management, and leadership development. He has worked in for-profit and non-profit finance investments, and most recently been the Managing Director at Net Lease Capital Advisors for over 18 years. Rick McCartneyReceived his BA in Health and Counseling Psychology from Emmanuel College (in Boston), then attended Boston College for a Master of Science in Nursing. After working as a nurse practitioner for a time, Rick became CEO of iRewardHealth then Vilua, where he is using data technology to improve the health of people’s lives.

When thinking about effective leadership, it can be easy to focus on the tangible: what needs to be done and how quickly can it be accomplished? While this is important, it is just as important to develop self-awareness and team-building skills as leaders. Leaders should ask questions, be accessible, be vulnerable, and create an environment that allows people to feel safe to give feedback, and this requires emotional intelligence.Join Russ Ewell as he talks with Dr. Patricia Thompson, a corporate psychologist and executive coach, about the need for leaders across all organizations to develop emotional intelligence, and to create a culture among your team that encourages collaboration and growth.

 Finishing the second part of our Military Leadership podcast, Russ continues his conversation with Lee and Ric on who were the military leaders that inspire them. One of the key take-aways is how helpful it is for everyone on the team to have a clear mission and purpose to what they are trying to accomplish. Once everyone knows their role and what they specifically bring to the team then they become bought into the bigger picture. Harry S Truman, the 33rd President of the United States and former Colonel in the U.S. Army, once said, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” That is the sweet spot for any leader and any team, everyone embracing a mantra of “I am not bigger than our mission.” And as we continue to lead different we will embrace that role. Show Note:Brothers, Rivals, Victors by Jonathan W. Jordan - https://amzn.to/2SVGIwp

The military is one of the most successful institutions that builds and develops leaders. Over half of the United States Presidents have served in the military. Russ sits down with Lee Delony and Ric McClain, both retired Military service members to talk about their time in the service and what they have learned about leadership and how that can translate to help anyone who wants to be a leader in whatever capacity.“THE DAY THE SOLDIERS STOP BRINGING YOU THEIR PROBLEMS IS THE DAY YOU STOPPED LEADING THEM. THEY HAVE EITHER LOST CONFIDENCE THAT YOU CAN HELP THEM OR CONCLUDED THAT YOU DO NOT CARE. EITHER CASE IS A FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP.”GENERAL COLIN POWELL, RETIRED FOUR-STAR GENERAL IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY AND FORMER SECRETARY OF STATEA big point of emphasis was servant leadership. Each person in the armed forces has a specific job they are specialized in and it is the leaders job to removed all distractions and impediments for their men and women to do their job effectively. As leaders, our job is to help those we lead be excellent at what they do.Show Notes:Why Courage Matters by John McCain – https://amzn.to/2zomr9E Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World by Stanley A. McChrystal – https://amzn.to/2NPeR1b Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis – https://amzn.to/2Jyh3Wv The Marshall Plan by Benn Steil – https://amzn.to/2P4owCv Ulysses S Grant by William S. McFeely Ph.D. – https://amzn.to/2SCSf3F Crusade in Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower – https://amzn.to/2Ok7M4N

Continuing the conversation started in Part 1, Russ, Caleb and Matt share the overwhelming influence sports had on their lives and discuss how much it can develop the qualities of a leader. Northwestern University’s football team and their quest to unionize in an attempt to expand the rights and benefits of the student-athletes showed to contain many lessons on leadership. Team sports culture instills in those involved and ethos of, “we either succeed together, or not at all.” A collective heart to band together for a larger goal that is bigger than any one person. Not everyone will grow up to become a professional athlete, or even a collegiate athlete, but everyone can be a part of sports to develop qualities that can't be learned elsewhere. Should college athletes be paid to play, allowing them a share of the massive revenue gained by the NCAA and Universities around the U.S.? Listen in to find out their thoughts on the topic.

"My ego demands— for myself— the success of my team."BILL RUSSELL Everyone should be involved in team sports. Someway, somehow everyone should grow up in or around sports culture because it teaches you so many valuable lessons. How to work with others, leading a small group of individuals towards a common goal, working hard to achieve something and social skills can all be learned playing sports. Not everyone will grow up to become a professional athlete, or even a collegiate athlete, but everyone can be a part of sports to develop qualities that can't be learned elsewhere. Russ Ewell sits down Caleb Coleman, a former Cal Berkeley football team Division-1 student-athlete at the Haas School of Business, and Matthew McHugh, a Senior at Northwestern University working as a Broadcaster for WNUR Sports, to talk about sports culture and leadership. Our society has become focused on winning and lose and not on developing the character of those involved. Drawing from their own personal experience of playing and observing sports cultures, teamwork, coaching, they share what they have learned about leadership and how to lead different.

Russ Ewell sits down with Dave Banks and Todd Singleton to discuss if it is worth the time and effort to build and train leaders, allowing them the opportunity to fail and learn through their mistakes. Mark Zuckerberg, according to Kara Swisher’s opinion piece in the New York Times, has cost many people their privacy while he learns “on the job” how to lead in a digital space that has never been explored before. Is our unwillingness to be patient as leaders grow through the process placing us in a leadership crisis? Finally, learn about the mentorship to build leaders with the “competence, character and connection” to bring about a change in the world.  With 32 years of experience as a CEO, Interim CEO or Chairman of a variety of startups, Dave Banks has spent the past 20 years working with early stage company CEO's as an adviser or board member to assist in the growth and development of tech companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. Todd Singleton is currently the Head of Field Engineering for Saffron AI at Intel in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he and his team are working to develop and deliver AI-driven solutions with memory-based machine learning. With twenty years of entrepreneurial leadership experience Todd is adept in a wide range of back and front office functions and a builder of high-performance teams in technology-driven markets. Be sure to check out the books referenced in today’s episode: The Last Lion, a three volume book series on the life and leadership of Winston Churchill by William Manchester and My American Journey by Colin Powell

What can you learn from past Presidents on how to lead good? Russ Ewell and Nathan Schaffernoth sit down to discuss the 2017 Presidential Historians Survey conducted by C-SPAN, which polled 91 historians on presidential leadership, including economic management, international relations, crisis leadership, public persuasion skills and whether they pursued equal justice for all. Join in as they talk about why it is important for every leader to have vision for what you are leading and being able to keep a level head in a crisis. Plus, a bonus point from Russ! 10. Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969) 9. Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) 8. John F. Kennedy (1961-1963) 7. Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809) 6. Harry Truman (1945-1953) 5. Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961) 4. Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (1901-1909) 3. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) 2. George Washington (1789-1797) 1. Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)

Steve Jobs was one of the primary creative forces behind Apple and their success at becoming one of the most important companies in the world. There is something to learn from how he impassioned his coworkers to buy into the vision of what Apple could be. He was never afraid to fail and learned to change in the process. Check out Nathan and Russ on the second episode of Leading Good as they discuss why politics needs a Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson Becoming Steve Jobs: The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader by journalists Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by Jim Collins and Jerry I. Porras Force For Change: How Leadership Differs from Management by John Kotter The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done by Peter Drucker 

How does a leader do more by doing less? In the inaugural episode of the Leading Good podcast; Russ, Nathan and Greg sit down to talk about LeBron, the Lakers and Leadership. They dive deep on surrounding yourself with the right people to get the job done and discuss the real life leadership lessons we can learn from sports.

As leaders, each of us needs to become self-aware, so we can develop the relationships necessary to cultivate an effective team. While a solo leader puts out objectives, a team leader puts out a mission. Russ Is joined by friend Dr. Gregg Marutzky, a minister, counselor, engineer, and professor in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, as they discuss what makes up effective leadership.References:Inclusive LeadershipMilton RokeachDavid A. SeamandsDr. Meredith BelbinManagement Teams: Why they succeed or failTeam Roles at WorkThe Coming Shape of OrganizationChanging the Way We WorkThe Nine RolesComplexity Leadership Theory - Mary Uhl-BienTeam of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns GoodwinThe Courageous Follower: Standing Up to and for Our Leaders by Ira ChaleffInclusive Leadership: The Essential Leader-Follower Relationship by Edwin Hollander Founding Brothers, by Joseph J. EllisJohn Adams, HBO miniseriesBecoming Steve Jobs: The evolution of a reckless upstart into a visionary leader by Brent Schlender and Rick TetzeliAsha Corporate ConsultantEleven Rings by Phil Jackson*Dr. Meredith Belbin was mistakenly referred to as 'she' instead of 'he'. We apologize for the mistake*Visit Lead Different at LeadDiff.comYou can email the show at nathan@leaddiff.com 

Sensory Friendly Vaccine Clinic sign upIn today’s podcast, Russ talks with Dr. Dave Traver and Dr. Dieter Bruno about the importance of understanding and inclusivity in the conversation surrounding COVID-19 vaccinations. On May 15 and June 12, Hope Technology School is partnering with the Bay Area Christian Church and Sequoia Hospital to provide COVID-19 vaccines for people 12+ who may require a more sensory-friendly environment.This clinic was developed by medical professionals, special education teachers, and parents to provide a calm, safe, and inclusive atmosphere in which anyone who’d like to get vaccinated can do so free from barriers that might be present at a typical vaccination site.This sensory-friendly environment includes:Short wait timesMinimal transitionsNo crowdsVisual aidsSocial storiesQuiet areas Go to bacc.cc/clinic to learn more and to sign up.ResourcesDr. Fauci - to reach the unvaccinated we need Trusted Messengers/On the Ground LeadersFDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine for Children 12-15Johnson and Johnson and Potential Risks (Scientific America)The U.S. Has the Shots it needs, but Vaccine Doubt is Prolonging the Pandemic (Bloomberg article)Hope Technology SchoolSequoia HospitalSensory Friendly Vaccine Clinic sign up

Artists communicate and articulate emotionally what we are unable to do ourselves. When we don’t value and support artists, society as a whole misses out on truth, introspection, and depth. An Urban Institute study found that “96 percent of respondents said they were greatly inspired and moved by various kinds of art…[and] only 27 percent of respondents said that artists contribute "a lot" to the good of society.” If so many of us value and are moved by art, why don’t we support the artists that create it?In the final episode of this three-part podcast series, Russ concludes his conversation with William Deresiewicz, discussing his book, The Death of the Artist: How Creators Are Struggling to Survive in the Age of Billionaires and Big Tech, and the importance of supporting and valuing artists’ contributions to society.Deresiewicz has published more than 280 essays and reviews, won the Hiett Prize in the Humanities, the National Book Critics Circle’s Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing, as well as a Sydney Award. He is a three-time National Magazine Award nominee, and his work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Harper’s, The American Scholar, and many other publications. These works have been translated into 18 languages and anthologized in more than 30 college and scholastic readers.ResourcesThe Death of the ArtistExcellent SheepA Jane Austen EducationSolitude and LeadershipThe best education for all - Bill Deresiewicz TedTalkJFK quote the importance of artist in culture“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth…”Juice Wrld

Students are people, first and foremost. When we treat them as products or resources for the job market, we deprive both them and the world of the creativity and depth necessary to develop holistic leaders. In this second episode of three, Russ continues his conversation with William Deresiewicz about rethinking and redefining education and the importance of seeing students as human beings.Deresiewicz has published more than 280 essays and reviews, won the Hiett Prize in the Humanities, the National Book Critics Circle’s Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing, as well as a Sydney Award. He is a three-time National Magazine Award nominee, and his work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Harper’s, The American Scholar, and many other publications. These works have been translated into 18 languages and anthologized in more than 30 college and scholastic readers.ResourcesPosition, Purpose, and the Midlife Crisis This Side of Paradise DostoevskyExcellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life“Achievement machines,” from “Stressed for Success?” by David BrooksPeter Drucker