Leadership Launchpad - Helping Technical Managers with Leadership Development, Team Development, Management Development and Talent Development.

In this solo episode of the Leadership Launchpad, host Matt Gjertsen delves into the importance of diversity in hiring by drawing parallels from the movie "Miracle" about the 1980 US Olympic hockey team. Through insightful anecdotes and analysis, Matt emphasizes the significance of looking beyond standard metrics to build effective teams. He stresses the value of diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in fostering innovation and success within organizations. The episode underscores the idea that hiring for diversity is not about lowering standards but about creating a team that thrives on a variety of viewpoints and skills. Tune in to learn how embracing diversity can lead to improved outcomes and team performance.

In this episode, Michael Teape and Marc Levine join host Matt Gjertsen to delve into the critical importance of fostering psychological safety within teams. They discuss how creating an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing ideas and providing feedback is key to enhancing creativity, team performance, and employee satisfaction. The episode emphasizes the need for leaders to adopt a growth mindset, encourage open communication, and actively work towards building trust and support within their teams. Tune in to gain valuable insights on the impact of psychological safety on team dynamics and ways to cultivate a workplace culture that promotes collaboration and innovation.

In this solo episode of the Leadership Launchpad host Matt Gjertsen makes a compelling case for why more meetings might actually be the key to productivity in organizations. Drawing from his experience at SpaceX and insights from General Stanley McChrystal's book "Team of Teams," Matt explains how holding larger, more frequent meetings can foster a shared understanding, improve decision-making, and ultimately reduce the need for numerous smaller meetings and excessive communication. By emphasizing the importance of having the right people in the room and aligning meeting frequency with the pace of change, Matt challenges the conventional wisdom of minimizing meetings and offers a fresh perspective on enhancing organizational effectiveness.

Today's episode dives into the evolving landscape of decentralized work structures with Josh Drean. Josh emphasizes the shift towards decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and the impact of web three technologies on reshaping traditional employment models. They discuss the importance of employee engagement, the role of managers as facilitators rather than dictators, and the potential benefits and challenges of decentralization in various industries. With an upcoming book titled "Employment is Dead," Josh suggests a future where workers have more autonomy and flexibility in shaping their careers. The conversation explores the transformation of HR into people operations and the need for leadership to adapt to meet the changing expectations of the modern workforce.Follow Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshdrean/Visit the Work3 Institute: https://work3.me/Pre-order Employment is Dead: https://www.amazon.com/Employment-Dead-Disruptive-Technologies-Revolutionizing/dp/164782642X

This week’s episode dives into the essentials of building trust within your team—an often overlooked but fundamental aspect of high-performing teams. Matt shares three actionable tips: getting to know your team members personally, fostering non-work-related connections within the team, and creating 'user manuals' for better understanding each other's working styles. Whether you're a leader or a team member, these insights will help you create a more trustful work environment that brings out the best in everyone.Want practice developing your skills as a leader? Check out our Leadership Skill Accelerator sessions at www.bettereverydaystudios.com/accelerator.

This week’s episode features an enlightening conversation with Justin Hills, leadership performance coach and strategic advisor. Justin talks about the direct link between workforce health and productivity, highlighting the need for energy and clarity in leadership. He introduces his business, Courageous and Co., and emphasizes creating a psychologically safe work environment. Matt Gjertsen, our host, delves into the shift in career advancement and the importance of focusing on strengths. Together, they discuss practical techniques for maintaining a positive mindset and the evolving challenges in leadership styles. Join us to explore how to foster a more human-focused and respectful workplace.Connect with Justin on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinhills/Visit Justin’s website:https://www.courageousand.co/

This week's episode dives into the nuances of leadership and why managers often falter when transitioning from individual contributors. Host Matt Gjertsen shares insights from a Harvard Business Review article by Daniel Goleman. This solo episode unpacks the six different leadership styles—coaching, pace setting, democratic, affiliative, authoritative, and coercive—and the impacts each can have on a team. Matt reveals his surprising discovery about his own pace setting leadership style and why it can be detrimental over time. Learn why it's crucial to adapt and develop multiple leadership styles, especially if you're a new people manager. Tune in to gain actionable tools that can help you make a smooth transition and become a more effective leader.You can read the article here: https://hbr.org/2000/03/leadership-that-gets-resultsWant practice developing your skills as a leader? Check out our Leadership Skill Accelerator sessions at www.bettereverydaystudios.com/accelerator.

This week’s episode is taken from Matt's presentation at iSpring Days 2024 and dives into the effective strategies of leadership development inspired by powerful first principles thinking. Matt, who shares insights from notable advances in aerospace engineering, helps us understand how breaking down and re-evaluating fundamental assumptions can lead to groundbreaking solutions in developing leaders. The conversation centers on applying a similar first principles approach to leadership, comparing foundational physics in rocketry to neuroscience in learning. Key takeaways include practical steps for leadership enhancement and the introduction of the revamped "leadership launchpad" program focusing on trust, feedback, and goal-setting. This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to transform their leadership style by getting back to the basics and rethinking conventional methods.

This episode is just a short programing note. The Making Better podcast is now the Leadership Launchpad. In an effort to align our efforts at Better Every Day Studios, we have decided to focus exclusively on improving technical leaders and helping them build better teams. We will be bringing on industry leaders, coaches, authors, and leadership experts to give you practical lessons you can put to use immediately. I hope you enjoy.

In this enlightening episode of Making Better, our guest Patrick MacKelvie delves into the intricacies of remote work and asynchronous communication. They discuss the importance of empowering teams, setting clear expectations, and fostering a culture of trust in a remote setting. Key topics include the challenges of communication in remote work, the significance of humility in leadership, and the strategic use of tools like Slack and Notion to enhance team collaboration. This conversation provides valuable insights for managers and team members navigating the evolving landscape of remote workspaces. Tune in to explore how leadership and technology intersect to shape successful remote teams.Make sure to follow our guest on social media:LinkedIn Profile link:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patmack/X (Twitter) Profile link:: https://twitter.com/patrismoWant to learn more about what Better Every Day Studios is working on? Take part in one of our upcoming Leadership Skill Accelerator sessions.https://bettereverydaystudios.com/accelerator/

In this episode of Making Better, we are joined by Geoffrey Roche, North American Director of Workforce Development at Siemens and National Healthcare Practice Executive Advisor at Core Education PBC. Geoffrey delves into the critical challenges facing the healthcare industry, such as workforce shortages and the need for more robust apprenticeship programs. Key discussions highlight the importance of embedding empathy in healthcare leadership, the impact of work-life balance on employee retention, and innovative approaches to mentorship in healthcare. Listen as we explore how these strategies not only address current industry difficulties but also pave the way for more humane and effective healthcare environments.You can hear more from Geoffrey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffreymroche/

Join us on Making Better for an insightful chat with Vanessa Alzate, CEO of Anchored Training. In Episode 070, Vanessa dives into the transformative power of TikTok-inspired training content. We explore how to captivate learners by repurposing traditional training into brief, impactful videos that mirror the engaging essence of social media trends. Vanessa shares practical case studies, addresses stakeholder resistance, and offers strategies for incrementally introducing innovative training methods. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to revitalize their educational approach and make learning resonate with modern audiences.Make sure to connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-alzate/Want more tips on effective training? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter, Making Better: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/newsletterVisit us at https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com

In this illuminating episode of Making Better, hosts Matt Gjertsen and Mark Fogel dive into the pivotal role of debriefing and feedback in shaping a productive corporate culture. They explore the necessity of separating individual performance from personal worth, and the significance of healthy conflict in learning from failures. Drawing on their military backgrounds, the duo emphasizes the high stakes of giving feedback and fostering a learning culture for continuous improvement. Tune in for a robust discussion on leading with empathy, improving team dynamics, and why taking smart risks in line with organizational values is crucial for success.Make sure to connect with Mark on LinkedIn and check out his TED Talk.https://www.linkedin.com/in/fogelmark/https://www.ted.com/talks/mark_fogel_the_culture_of_a_fighter_squadronWant more tips on effective training? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter, Making Better: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/newsletterVisit us at https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com

Join us this episode for an insightful dialogue with focus expert Curt Steinhorst. As a strategist in workplace attention and productivity, Curt dissects the pitfalls of a distraction-ridden office environment and the counterproductive nature of constant interruptions. We delve into improving HR functions, redesigning company culture to value deep work over immediate response, and Curt's personal journey towards harnessing focus. Among the key strategies discussed are the restructuring of meetings, crafting interruption-free timeframes, and the leadership role in modeling focused communication. If you're aiming to navigate and thrive in a distraction-heavy world, this conversation offers a vital roadmap.

Dive into a compelling discussion with Heather Burright, founder of Skill Masters Market, in this week's episode of Making Better. Heather enlightens us with her experiences shifting from the national nonprofit space to becoming a consultant. We explore the importance of learning in nonprofits, the challenges of talent development, and the innovative use of competency models. With Heather's expertise, we learn how nonprofits manage to foster behavior change aligned with strategic goals despite limited resources. If you're intrigued by the intersection of talent growth and nonprofit evolution, this insightful dialogue is not to be missed.To hear more from Heather, make sure to check out her podcast, Learning for Good, as well as the links below.- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-burright/- Website: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/Want more tips on effective training? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter, Making Better: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/newsletterVisit us at https://bettereverydaystudios.com/

Join us in this gripping episode of Making Better, featuring the intrepid Matt Kuta. From F-15 pilot to space company pioneer, Kuta delves into his transition to founding Voyager space, sharing invaluable lessons on decision-making, leadership, and the thrilling venture of constructing Starlab, a commercial successor to the International Space Station. Discover how his military and financial expertise fuse in the forging of a space industry titan and his vision of unifying humanity through the "overview effect." Eager to learn how to navigate the space industry's value chain and scale a business beyond its core technology? Buckle up for a journey into strategic risk-taking and the power of mentorship with host, Matt Gjertsen. 🚀💫You can connect with Matt through: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattkuta/Voyager Space: https://voyagerspace.com/Recommendations from the show: Check out this video on the Overview Effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQsgGCXdAlYWatch this video to hear William Shatner’s message after returning from space: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URY71UOEn4UNoise by Daniel Kahneman: https://a.co/d/6jBcoLsWant more tips on effective training? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter, Making Better: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/newsletterVisit us at https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/

- In this engaging episode of Making Better, Matt Gjertsen sits down with the insightful Lauren Waldman, an expert with an impressive background in neuroscience from Harvard, Duke, and Johns Hopkins. They delve into the intricacies of learning design, the remarkable human brain, and the underutilized connection between neuroscience and professional development. Lauren shares her wisdom on the vital role of continuous learning, curiosity, and the power of attention in personal and professional growth. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that illuminates the invisible elements crucial to talent development and the awe-inspiring potential of the conscious mind.Make sure to check out the recommendations from this episode:- Joining Forces with Your Brain: https://www.learningpirate.com/joining-forces-with-your-brain- A Slight Change of Plans: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans- Learning How to Learn: https://amzn.to/3ULva16You can connect with Lauren through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-waldman-learning-pirate-4666bab/Want more tips on effective training? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter, Making Better: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/newsletterVisit us at https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com

Join us on Making Better as we sit down with Mendel Erlenwein, the CEO of Previva Health Group, who shares his transformative journey in healthcare leadership and talent development. In episode 064, Mendel discusses the delicate balance of responsibility and authority, the early challenges of hiring and learning from mistakes, and the significance of aligning individual strengths with organizational roles. We delve into the use of AI in enhancing the efficiency of care coordinators and explore the potential of AI co-pilots in healthcare. Mendel's entrepreneurial insights, alongside Matt's thought-provoking questions, provide valuable takeaways for anyone looking to improve their business perspective and talent strategy.You can connect with Mendel through: Website: https://soapnotes.ai/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mendel-e/Make sure to check out the book recommendations from the episode:How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: https://amzn.to/3SjFuL8The Extended Mind: https://amzn.to/3OfjMX7Want more tips on effective training? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter, Making Better: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/newsletterVisit us at https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com

Join us in an enlightening chat with Seyka and Brian Mejeur, co-founders of Ad Astra, focused on recruiting top talent for the space and clean tech sectors. We discuss the talent launch system and the unique challenges of hiring for specialized industries. They stress the importance of passion over resumes and tackling the disconnect between talent acquisition and development. Discover the value of mentorship, cultural fit, and the impact of strategic hiring on startups. Dive deep into work cultures, personal growth, and the profound influence of "Atomic Habits" on their professional journey. Don't miss these valuable insights on nurturing talent for innovation and success.Make sure to check out the book recommendations from the episode:Atomic Habits: https://amzn.to/4baPcrCYou can connect with Seyka and Brian through:Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifernsutherland/Seyka LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seyka/Brian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-mejeur/Want more tips on effective training? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter, Making Better: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/newsletterVisit us at https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com

In episode 062 of Making Better, we explore the intersection of learning and technology with the insightful Jennifer Sutherland from Trustwave. Jennifer shares her rich, varied journey in various industries and the value of diverse experiences in driving innovation. Host Matt Gjertsen and Jennifer discuss the critical role of human knowledge in nuanced situations and the importance of building strong connections in corporate learning environments. They also dive into the structures within learning and development teams, the continuous learning culture, and the power of curiosity. Tips on aligning L&D with business objectives and the impact of leadership in fostering learning round out a conversation full of valuable takeaways for any professional aiming to stay ahead of the curve.Make sure to check out the book recommendations from the episode:Daring Greatly: https://amzn.to/3vP8nqRTeam of Teams https://amzn.to/3HyxhgUWant more tips on effective training? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter, Making Better: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/newsletterVisit us at https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com