Fifth Dimensional Leadership

The more relentlessly we pursue our goals, the more we fail to realize that we are already perpetuating our suffering. We become so preoccupied with seeking prosperity, pleasure and recognition that we forget to live in the moment.    It takes a deeper understanding of ourselves and unraveling the mystery behind our identities to free ourselves from this endless cycle and reclaim our lives and true happiness.   In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Emilio Diez Barroso. Emilio is an investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who is deeply committed to alleviating suffering in the world. In our conversation, Emilio talks about how we can stop perpetuating our suffering in the world through conscious leadership.    Emilio is  a general partner at BOLD Capital Partners, a venture capital firm, and Chairman & CEO of Nala Investments, a family office with operations across various industries, including communications, transportation, consumer products, real estate, technology, and media.    Emilio was previously managing director of Corporacion Trianggulo in Mexico City and currently sits on numerous for-profit and nonprofit boards. He recently completed his book The Mystery of You: Freedom is Closer Than You Think. Things you will also learn in this episode: What the ‘Illusion of Separation” means. Finding intimacy with life to stop seeking. Tuning yourself to what you want.e How to live in a state of curiosity  How to achieve the “truest surrender”   Quotes:   “With separation comes identities– things that define who I am. And when all those things define me, and I attach my values and worth to those things, I become very attached to how someone else looks compared to me, or when one of those identities gets threatened.” - Emilio Diez Barrosso   “The body is very much in the present moment, and it’s always in a relationship right now.” - Emilio Diez Barrosso   “If we take responsibility for our upsets and the judgements that we hold for ourselves and own it, then we will be that beacon of light that alleviates suffering.” - Emilio Diez Barrosso   “Pain is not an option, but suffering is, and most suffering stems from resistance.” - Emilio Diez Barrosso   “When we can be in that place of inner cohesion, our actions can be powerful.” - Emilio Diez Barrosso   The antidote to resistance isn’t acceptance, it’s curiosity. - Emilio Diez Barrosso

Creating a healthy environment where teams can perform at their best and where innovation is nurtured starts with creating a culture of belonging, and that  starts with LEADERSHIP.     In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Yogesh Soni. Yogesh is an author who has explored how to create organizations with a sense of belonging, which is a fundamental human need.    Yogesh is an engineer who has been a business leader, leading product teams in purpose-driven technology companies. He believes that technology and economic activities are a massive force for human progress. Yogesh has designed a blueprint that can scale across organizations, which he combined in his book Digital belonging - Building Human-Centered Organizations.   In our conversation, Yogesh talks about exploring the lack of human connection in the workplace and how to create a culture of belonging.   Things you will also learn in this episode: Finding out the “why” of cultural differences in the workplace. The key factor in the ”Great Resignation.” Why we need to refocus on our human needs. How to define “belonging” in a business environment How the need to belong can compromise one’s mental health   Quotes:   “The problem is that there is very little focus on human needs and very high focus on business outcomes. If you ignore those human needs, you will frequently see burnout, depression, and disengagement.” - Yogesh Soni   “You may think that a sense of belonging is the cure to everything, but the need to belong can also have a negative effect, depending on what kind of tribe you want to belong to.” - Yogesh Soni   “It’s not enough for people to be physically present; they must be mentally, psychologically, and emotionally present for each other.” - Yogesh Soni   “Belonging and community have very real, tangible business outcomes.” - Yogesh Soni

The values you uphold are one of the most crucial aspects of leadership. Knowing and promoting those values as a leader helps you influence and govern your team in the right direction. And by adhering to your values, you inspire others to follow and adopt them.   In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Harry Kraemer, Jr. Harry is an executive partner at Madison Dearborn Partners, a private equity firm based in Chicago. He is also a Clinical Professor of Leadership at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.  In our conversation, Harry talks about leading and positively influencing people through values-based leadership.   Harry is the author of three best-selling leadership books: From Values to Action: The Four Principles of Values-Based Leadership; Becoming The Best: Build a World-Class Organization Through Values-Based Leadership. and Your 168: Finding Purpose and Satisfaction in a Values-Based Life.   Harry is the former chairman and CEO of Baxter International Inc., a $13 billion global healthcare company. He joined Baxter in 1982 as director of corporate development and was named senior vice president and chief financial officer in 1993. In the following years, he assumed additional responsibility in Baxter's Renal and Medication Delivery businesses, was elected to Baxter's board of directors in 1995, and was named president of Baxter International Inc. in 1997.    Harry graduated summa cum laude from Lawrence University of Wisconsin with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and economics. He received an MBA degree in finance and accounting from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and is a certified public accountant.  Things you will also learn in this episode: Putting things in perspective through math. Three things Harry did as CEO at Baxter that drove success. Distinguishing between values and preferences What it means to be liked vs. being respected. Examples of effective communication and setting boundaries. Quotes: “It’s when you get to explain things that you realize you understand it.” - Harry Kraemer   “Values are non-negotiable, must not be compromised, and should be laid out very clearly.” - Harry Kraemer   “As a leader, when you’re leading, the goal is not to be right; the goal is to do the right thing.” - Harry Kraemer   “This whole idea of leadership has nothing to do with titles and organizational charts, but it has everything to do with the ability to influence people.” - Harry Kraemer   “The more you know about any topic, the more you know how little you know. - Harry Kraemer   “You can learn something from every single person you encounter, and when that light goes on and you realize how much you can learn by every encounter, it changes your life.” - Harry Kraemer   “Develop a balanced perspective… seek to understand before you are understood.” - Harry Kraemer

It's a challenge to create a safe workplace where each of us can thrive, and the pressure falls hard on our leaders. It takes courage and significant motivation to help leaders improve so they can better lead their people in this complex time.   In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Edward Sullivan, CEO & Managing Partner at Velocity Coaching. Edward has coached and mentored start-up founders, Fortune 500 executives, and political leaders for over 20 years. Edward helps startup CEOs and their executive teams scale their leadership skills and build cultures of collaboration, high performance, and psychological safety. When working with more established companies, he focuses on helping CEOs transform their teams and culture to be more agile and responsive to compete in today’s fast-paced environment.    In our conversation, Edward talks about transforming leadership to build cultures of collaboration, connection, and psychological safety.   Edward holds an MBA from the Wharton School, an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School, and trained as a coach at Co-Active Training Institute and New Ventures West. In addition, Edward has  co-authored several books including Leading with Heart: Five Conversations That Unlock Creativity, Purpose, and Results; The Secret to Becoming a Better Manager; and How to Protect Your Team From a Toxic Work Culture.   Things you will also learn in this episode: Executive coaching as a competitive advantage. How to proactively address toxicity. Why we are in a leadership crisis How to help manage your team’s mental health as a leader. Why Edward wants to wage a war on “executive presence.” Quotes: “Coaching is now viewed as a proactive investment in performance as opposed to a remedial bandage that we put on poor performance.” - Edward Sullivan   “Change has to come from [leaders] for the system to heal. Not all systems heal because one person is able to be brave.” - Edward Sullivan   “When a company is printing billions of dollars per year, there’s really no incentive to change. But it takes transformative leadership to stop and think if it’s the company you want to build.” - Edward Sullivan   “Have the courage to ask for what we need and the curiosity to ask other what they need” - Edward Sullivan   “We can create change in the dysfunctional system by taking off our masks, putting down our shields, and being vulnerable again.” - Edward Sullivan   “Often, the CEO or the Founder has the clearest lens of what good looks like, but if no one is meeting that expectation, it’s a leadership problem, not performance.” - Edward Sullivan   “If we endure for months that feeling of not being seen, not emotionally connected, and not appreciated by our team and leaders, that’s when we start to feel emotionally exhausted and that is the true cause of burnout.” - Edward Sullivan   “Often, our gifts come from something we had to learn to do to get by in this world.” - Edward Sullivan

Everyone has a unique purpose.   However, not everyone is aware of it. Helping individuals discover their true selves and realize their own unique purpose is the essence of great leadership.   In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Imran Qureshi. Imran serves as Managing Director and Head of North America with 30 years of experience. He is responsible for WTW's business in Canada and the United States across all business segments, growing revenue, representing WTW in the business community and securing the engagement of ~17,000 colleagues. In this interview, Imran talks about how to unlock the value of people through purpose-driven leadership.   Previously, Imran chaired WTW's North America Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) Council and served on WTW's Growth Board. Prior to that, he held leadership positions in WTW's Global Services and Solutions business, during which he worked with North American and European multinationals helping them go global through acquisitions, organic growth and governance. Before joining WTW, Imran was an international consultant in the United Kingdom.   Imran holds a BSc. Degree in mathematics with honors from the University of Manchester in the U.K. and has an actuarial background. He also holds a diploma in International Employee Benefits from the International Employee Benefits Association (IEBA) and has lectured on governance and globalization at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Imran is currently a board director at The Executives' Club of Chicago.    Things you will also learn in this episode:   How to overcome risk aversion and limiting beliefs. Finding purpose-driven work and experiencing the joy of the moment. Distinguishing between mentorship and sponsorship, and the need for both. How to bring “sunlight” and accountability to your organization How to use discomfort as a means to grow.   Quotes:   “We have to move away from the hero culture and transition the true meaning of leadership into unlocking the value of individuals.” - Imran Qureshi   “Often, you don’t realize the advice you get and its pivotal impact until much later, so it’s important to be self-reflective.” - Imran Qureshi   “The ability to advocate on behalf of others is the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship.” - Imran Qureshi   “Your reputation is tied to a function of promoting who you believe is ready to be developed, promoted, and moved along.” - Imran Qureshi   “When you communicate that you are doing things differently, you start to build trust.” - Imran Qureshi   “When you can build that culture of trust and psychological safety, you start to move the dial.” - Imran Qureshi   “Purpose transcends lofty individual perspectives, but the key is asking that fundamental question: ‘Why do you do what you do?’” - Imran Qureshi   “As soon as you become comfortable, you stop growing.” - Imran Qureshi   “We are a function of our experiences.” - Imran Qureshi

Self-confidence is a superpower that can help determine our success. It is a force that gives us the courage and strength to take any risk, despite knowing our weaknesses. Our leaders play a great role in empowering us, supporting us in rebuilding ourselves and reinventing our self-expression.   In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Dr. Kamakshi Zeidler, Managing Partner and Founder of Aesthetx. Growing up in a working-class home caring for her siblings, Dr. Zeidler appreciated the ability to care for others. As her interest in medicine grew, so did her passion for helping others in a way that inspired her creativity and sense of beauty. In our conversation, Dr. Zeidler discusses the science behind rebuilding our self-confidence and reshaping our success.   Dr. Zeidler received her Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Rice University in Houston, Texas. She earned her Doctor of Medicine Degree at the University of California, San Francisco, one of the top five medical schools in the country. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, her experience in reconstruction gives her more than just a broad understanding of the complexities of the human body, but allows her to understand exactly how significantly cosmetic surgery can change someone's life for the better.   Along with her stellar reputation in aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, Dr. Zeidler is considered a leading authority on the newest technologies related to breast surgery. Dr. Zeidler works as a clinical researcher for companies such as  Allergan and Sientra. She has also written several publications and lectured across the country to educate other plastic surgeons on these technologies, as well as her own techniques in aesthetic breast surgery.    Things you will also learn in this episode: How Dr. Z  side-stepped imposter syndrome by committing to exceptional training and mentorship.  The driving forces behind balancing operating and patient care, running a practice and being a wife and mother. Emerging aesthetic trends among those from different generations. What it means to have a “right to beauty” and how the ideals of beauty have changed in recent years. How self-confidence and self-expression can lead to success. Quotes: “As a surgeon, thinking like a chef means you’re creating something beautiful; medically sound, life-saving, beautifying, and making someone whole using those principles.” - Dr. Kamakshi Zeidler   “You can express your own style and not be worried that someone is going to discount anything that you have to say. Your research and credibility are not affected by a little bit of self-expression.” - Dr. Kamakshi Zeidler   “Your overall sense of self and self-confidence is tied to your personal perception of your self-expression, whether it’s beauty, or youth. For everyone, it means something different.” - Dr. Kamakshi Zeidler   “The idea of confidence with your physical presence in the world is tied with success.” - Dr. Kamakshi Zeidler

Change starts with an idea and accelerates with leadership.    It takes more than innovative tools to move toward a better future. Through collaboration and leadership, we can bring to life the unique ideas that will change our trajectory and move humanity forward.   In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, our guest is Will Weisman, a leader passionate about people and ideas who is focused on bringing them together to help unlock great opportunities and make a positive impact on the world.  He is the Founder and Managing Director of KittyHawk Ventures. In our conversation, Will talks about moving humanity forward by leveraging technology to accelerate change.   Previously Will Weisman served as an Executive Director at Singularity University, which “helps leaders adapt to a world of accelerating change and empower them to leverage tech to improve the lives of one billion people over the next five years.” Will spent seven years at Singularity and continues to work with Singularity co-founder Peter Diamandis.   Will's experience managing, investing in and advising technology and consumer product companies has given him a unique combination of investment, operational and entrepreneurial experience. He was a venture capitalist at Foundation Capital and Maveron and an operator at Intuit and World Wrapps.   Will holds an MBA from Stanford and a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He speaks regularly around the world on exponential technology trends, as well as venture investing and entrepreneurship. Will is an avid kiteboarder and ocean swimmer, and resides in Santa Monica, California. Things you will also learn in this episode: Understanding psychedelics from scientific, medical and investment perspectives. What “Longevity Escape Velocity” is and its implications on life as we know it How technology is unlocking unique ideas and life-changing opportunities Which leadership competencies  are needed in the technology sector Why storytelling is key to attracting strong talent and raising investment capital Quotes:   “How we look at ourselves and the world is our reality.” - Will Weisman   “The world is built on growth, and when you’ve got a shrinking populace, that creates other challenges for the economy and how the world functions.” - Will Weisman   “To  be successful, you have to be able to tell your and your company’s story in a way that resonates with people.” - Will Weisman   “With the right people around us, we can do much more than we give ourselves credit for.” - Will Weisman   “Sometimes you have to put yourself in harder situations to get to a place where it starts to feel natural for you.” - Will Weisman   “Surround yourself with smart people who are doers and are open and adaptive to change because those are the people you want to be in business with.” - Will Weisman   “Control what you can control, and let the rest go.” - Will Weisman “We are our own limiting factor, so if you start to dream bigger and look at yourself and see the world in a more positive way, the world reacts to you in a more positive way.” - Will Weisman

It takes courage to become a great leader, and it’s up to us to dare to step up. But we can only become a leader by knowing our worth and showing up to bring our value.   In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Shelmina Babai Abji. Shelmina is a TEDx speaker, board member, former vice president at IBM, and an angel investor. She started her career as a software engineer and then moved into sales and sales leadership, leading global teams to deliver over $1B in annual revenues and serving as a key decision maker in hiring and promoting hundreds of professionals. In our conversation, Shelmina talks about the power of knowing your worth, showing up and leading intentionally.   At the peak of her career, she left IBM to share her strategies with other women to accelerate their  professional success. Through mentoring thousands of women and speaking at corporations, colleges, and conferences globally, she realized that women are still struggling with the same challenges she faced during her career.  looking for a plan to prove themselves and rise to the ranks of leadership.  These women inspired her to write her book, SHOW YOUR WORTH: 8 Intentional Strategies for Women to Emerge as Leaders At Work.   Shelmina has degrees in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, and Mathematics from Wadia College in Pune, India. As part of IBM’s top talent, she received extensive leadership training at IBM and Harvard.   Things you will also learn in this episode:   What “Transformational Value” is and how it guides your career How “strategic intention” helps you achieve your vision of success Optimizing focus, attention and priorities  The opportunity cost of saying “Yes” and the benefits of learning to say “No” How to combat naysayers and doubters. What refusing to opt out looks like for women of color Quotes:   “Success is externally visible and internally rewarding.” - Shelmina Babai Abji   “Fake it till you make it doesn’t work. Instead, trust yourself, learn, and grow until you make it.” - Shelmina Babai Abji   “If you don’t learn to speak up, you will never know how smart you are.” - Shelmina Babai Abji   “You must intentionally feed your voice of courage and make it so loud to overcome your fear.” - Shelmina Babai Abji   “It’s not about working more hours; it’s about understanding priorities and where to focus your attention.” - Shelmina Babai Abji   “When you allocate your time, attention, and energy to your highest priorities, you make meaningful progress every single day.” - Shelmina Babai Abji   “Success is up to us; we cannot wait for everything to change for us to become successful.” - Shelmina Babai Abji   “Do not give up your shot. Go where you can find success.” - Shelmina Babai Abji

The world has evolved, insisting that technology and humanity work hand in hand.   In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Chris Cochran and Ronald Eddings, Co-Founders of Hacker Valley Media, a multimedia production company that explores cybersecurity through person-centered storytelling. In our conversation, Chris and Ron talk about bridging technology and people through accessible information on cybersecurity and leadership.   Chris is Co-Founder and CEO of Hacker Valley Media. He is equal parts creator and technologist. He has extensive experience building and running strong cybersecurity programs and content, as well as a wealth of experience and passion for security operations, engineering, and leadership. His ultimate passion is finding and amplifying human stories to inspire and enlighten our community. Chris was in the Marines and led cybersecurity teams at Booz Allen, United Technologies, and Netflix, and has been a Visiting Fellow at the National Security Institute.   Ron is the Co-Founder and Executive Producer at Hacker Valley Media. His mission is to inspire, empower and uplift the technology community through knowledge and human stories so that others have the opportunity to reach their potential.  He has a lifelong commitment to learning and teaching. He has held security and cybersecurity roles at McAfee and Palo Alto Networks.    Things you will also learn in this episode: How Marvel superheroes inspire these media technologists What “Threat Intelligence” means and how cybersecurity relates to media. The diversity of experience and expertise required for the cybersecurity field. What it means to be a “Solution Excavator” and “Master Manifester.” How Chris and Ron manifested a world-class athlete as a guest on their podcast and became friends. Their take on machine learning, artificial intelligence, AR/VR, Web 3.0 and cryptocurrency    Quotes:   Chris Cochran   “If you want something to come to fruition, you have to want it and put in a plan in place to do it.” “Sometimes, the more audacious the goal, the more imposter syndrome you feel, that’s a great opportunity for you to grow as a person.”   “If you put great things out to the Universe, the Universe will answer back.”   “Things are changing all the time, and there's always someone looking to take advantage of this change. But knowing that there are people that have dedicated their lives to protecting us should bring us peace.”   Ronald Eddings   “You can trust your mind, but you should verify.”   “Having friendships and networks can go a long way and result in things you never thought would happen at all.”   “Positive sum” is about conspiring to work with each other directly or indirectly… and work together.

Health is everyone's right.    Giving everyone equal access to this fundamental human right is this leader's primary responsibility.    However, it takes a collective and proactive effort to bring about the change that has to take place to help inequities in the healthcare system.   In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Dr. Adam Myers, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Transformation Officer (CCTO) for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), a national federation of 34 independent, community-based, and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. In our conversation, Dr. Myers discusses how to pave the way for an accessible and equitable healthcare system.   A longtime advocate for community health and health equity, Dr. Myers helps set the vision for the Blues’ efforts to create a more equitable healthcare system.   Dr.  Myers formerly served as the Cleveland Clinic’s chief of population health and the Cleveland Clinic Community Care program Director. A New York City native, Dr. Myers is board-certified in family medicine and has been in private practice in Oklahoma for over ten years.    He served on the faculty of the University of Oklahoma obstetrics and gynecology department and has earned the status of Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives, The American Institute of Healthcare Quality, and the American Association of Family Physicians.    Dr. Myers is past chair of the American Hospital Association board-level Committee for Clinical Leadership and has held board positions with the Health Care Transformation Task Force and The Joint Commission.   Dr. Myers received his undergraduate degree from Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport, graduated from Louisiana State University Medical Center, completed his residency with In His Image Family Practice Residency at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, Okla., and has completed fellowship work at the University of Oklahoma obstetrics and gynecology department. He also completed a master’s in healthcare management from Harvard University. Things you will also learn in this episode: Why we need to change our view of privilege, diversity, equity and inclusion. How healthcare companies are trying to improve healthcare - the business case   The role that structural racism plays in healthcare inequalities. Why leading with  heart is part of the solution to some of society’s ills   Quotes:   “We can’t change everything, we can only do our part.” - Adam Myers   “Change is not automatic; it takes proactive effort to achieve a different result.” - Adam Myers   “Change is uncomfortable; people tend to gravitate toward comfort rather than discomfort.” - Adam Myers   “If we never get past the dichotomous approach to gaining privilege, we’ll never get to the point of expanding it rather than just shifting it.” - Adam Myers   “Part of creating change is to be willing to dig deep and start with the heart.” - Adam Myers   “It doesn’t take subject matter expertise in all aspects of what you lead to be a leader.” - Adam Myers   “Asking permission is one true and reliable way to soften the impact of the difficult truth.” - Adam Myers   “Find a way to offer grace.” - Adam Myers

We are more powerful if we work together despite our differences.   Leadership is about fostering equity and inclusion, not dominance and power at the expense of others. A leader can unify a diverse workforce into a single, powerful and thriving organization by practicing better leadership and becoming the team's force multiplier.   In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Bonita Stewart and Jacqueline Adams, authors of A Blessing: Women of Color Teaming Up to Lead, Empower and Thrive. In our conversation, Bonita and Jackie talk about empowering people of color in the workforce and improving leadership through authenticity, innovation, and inclusion. Bonita C. Stewart joined Google in 2006. Her career spans three decades leading multi-billion dollar operations, accelerating the adoption of digital technology and driving business transformation for large corporations in the computer, automotive and technology fields.    Currently, Bonita is the Board Partner for Gradient Ventures, Google's venture fund focused on early-stage AI companies. Previously, she served as VP of Global Partnerships, overseeing the largest U.S. publishers across media/entertainment, news/publishing, mobile apps, search, and commerce. Widely hailed for her leadership, in 2014, Crain’s named her a Woman to Watch in Tech.    Jacqueline Adams launched a second career as a communications strategist after more than two decades as an Emmy Award-winning CBS News correspondent and was the first female African American White House Correspondent for the network. Through her boutique consulting firm, J Adams: Strategic Communications, LLC, she counsels various corporate and non-profit clients. She has had multi-year engagements with the global communications strategy firm Burson-Marsteller and the Ford Foundation. She serves as a senior advisor to the new payment platform for publishers, NICKLPass, and she has a major role in the training program for rising star managers of color, The Diverse Future. Things you will also learn in this episode: Why  “Generational Diversity” is so essential now What “The Great Migration 2.0” means What it means to move from “IQ to EQ to CQ” How the “Force Multiplier Effect” enriches our workforce What it means to be an “Only” Quotes:   Bonita Stewart:   “Everyone deserves a great manager, no exceptions! And women of color deserve camaraderie.”   “Companies need leaders who are good with people, now more than ever.”   “We’re bringing data to this conversation because we know there’s a level of innovation that women of color can bring to the workplace that’s just been hidden or undervalued.”   Jackie Adams:   “A force multiplier improves the ability of an entity to achieve its goals and to exceed expectations.”   “We not only have to talk to ourselves and team up but also engage our allies.”   “Look for possibilities. Look for promise, not perfection.”   “We are driving for progress, and the managers have a choice to transform or lag behind, but those who transform will eventually see increases in profitability and productivity.”

Some leaders are humble and have a high level of tolerance, others stand out for their charisma and social skills and others are recognized for their great commitment and responsibility. But to be a great leader you have to be an effective communicator.  However, effective communication doesn't always require the exchange of words. Sometimes, it's best to simply be present, listen and try to establish a better connection. It takes a passionate leader to create that connection, which paves the way for learning and growth.  In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Matt Abrahams. Matt is a passionate, collaborative, and innovative educator and coach. He teaches Effective Virtual Communication and Essentials of Strategic Communication at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. In our conversation, Matt talks about how communication creates connections that unlock opportunities to learn, grow, and be challenged.   Matt is also Founder and Principal at Think Fast Talk Smart LLC, a presentation and communication skills company based in Silicon Valley that helps people improve their presentation skills.    Matt is writing his second book, Think Fast Talk Smart: How to think and speak brilliantly in impromptu situations, and the third edition of his book Speaking Up Without Freaking Out, a book written to help the millions of people who want to present more confidently and convincingly. He also hosts the GSB podcast called Think Fast Talk Smart, and he curates the NoFreakingSpeaking.com website.   Matt received his undergraduate degree in psychology from Stanford University, his graduate degree in communication studies from the University of California at Davis, and his secondary education teaching credential from San Francisco State University. Things you will also learn in this episode: What the “Rule of Lung” is and how to manage anxiety  How to master “spontaneous speaking” Why “Yes/And” is a helpful framework and mindset How introverted leaders  can help organizations The impact of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion on communication. Why feedback is an invitation to problem solve Quotes   “We do need to have some level of judgment and evaluation, but we evaluate and judge so much that we actually inhibit ourselves from doing anything.” - Matt Abrahams   “‘Yes/And’ leads to building opportunity and collaboration; ‘No’ shuts that down.” - Matt Abrahams   “Our communication follows from our mindset. The mindset we have dictates the way we communicate.” - Matt Abrahams   “The things that we can do as coaches, mentors, and friends is focus on the effort and help people realize the improvement that they’re making.” - Matt Abrahams   “The most important thing you can do in communication is listen.” - Matt Abrahams “Find things in your life that are scary-fun! You get to decide how scary and how fun you want to have, but both of those are good guides.” - Matt Abrahams “Communication is more than just transactional exchange of information, there’s a human connection that has to happen.”- Matt Abrahams

When a leader is intentional, the path to growth is clear.   Everyone has a mission and wants to be a part of something. It takes an intentional leader to recognize everyone's purpose and make it their mission to provide people a place where they are encouraged to grow and feel included.   In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Patrick Spence, CEO of Sonos. Patrick has been with Sonos for nine years, the last four as CEO. In our conversation, Patrick talks about fostering a culture of safety within the organization, and how to be an intentional leader.   Sonos is leading the way with its extraordinary wireless speakers and home sound systems that innovate the listening experience. It was originally founded by a small group of entrepreneurs determined to create a revolutionary home sound system, and they succeeded! Sonos is now a billion dollar brand with Patrick Spence at the helm since 2017.   Prior to Sonos, Patrick worked with Blackberry for 14 years in a variety of roles, eventually landing as the SVP and Managing Director of Global Sales and Regional Marketing.   Patrick is a great, conscious and sophisticated leader and I can't wait for you to listen to this episode!    Things you will also learn in this episode:   How to foster an organizational culture that allows people to speak their truth What an “evolved culture” is How to manage a healthy work/life balance as a leader The importance of having integrity as a leader How living abroad can impact your career Tips for aspiring leaders   Quotes "Being vulnerable in tough times opens the door for others to be willing to speak their truth." - Patrick Spence   “We’re much more similar as people than we are different.” - Patrick Spence   “Be intentional about what you’re trying to build; talk openly about what you’re trying to become.” - Patrick Spence   “If you shoot the ‘messenger’, you’re sending a signal to the organization, and no one else will want to raise those difficult issues.” - Patrick Spence   “Walk the talk. Set an example. Do the right thing when no one is watching.” - Patrick Spence   “At the end of the day, language is all we have; we’re never perfect communicators, so repetition is key.” - Patrick Spence   “If you’re trying to fit people into a culture, you’re not bringing the brilliance of every individual into the mix.” - Patrick Spence

In work and life, positive and negative situations throw us off balance. But with great leadership, every moment is an opportunity to stand out for the positive, overcome the negative, and be the best version of ourselves. As Lonnie Mayne once said “Most of us are in jobs that we don’t really want to be in, we might have passions that are outside of it. One of the things Red Shoes does is it brings the cool factor back into the business, in life and it gives people purpose and a reason to show up”.   In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I speak with Lonnie Mayne, Founder & CEO of Red Shoes Living Inc. Lonnie is currently a Keynote Speaker & Leadership Authority. He is also the Author of Red Shoes Living: Stand Out for the Positive in How You Work & Live Your Life. In our conversation, Lonnie talks about standing out in work and in life by evaluating and reinventing ourselves into the best version we can be leading through positivity.   Lonnie spent more than 20 years on the executive leadership scene. He worked closely with leading brands across 25 industries to help them inspire employee engagement with the battle for top talent, create outstanding customer experiences and build a meaningful company culture.    When he was the president of InMoment, one of the largest customer experience technology companies in the world, Lonnie deployed a five-step leadership framework that his team used to grow the company by 817% in a short period of time. This platform eventually became known as Red Shoes Living and led to Lonnie becoming an in-demand keynote speaker and global consultant for C-level executives, leadership teams, and Fortune 500 companies.    In a world that has reached a crescendo of negativity and complexity, Red Shoes Living is a constant reminder to stand out as a beacon of positivity in your work and life.   Things you will also learn in this episode:   The Red Shoes Living Reciprocity Effect What “compression” of people is in certain work environments What it means to be the best version of one’s self. The one question that changed how Lonnie thinks - about everything! What it means to ”Rebuild your house”   Quotes   “Treat those who have more than you as equals, and those who have less than you as Kings and Queens; if you live your life that way, it'll count for plenty.” - Lonnie Mayne   “How we treat people and what we put out there, for the most part, we get back – it’s appreciated and reciprocated.” - Lonnie Mayne   “If you’re not taking care of yourself, you can’t take care of other people.” - Lonnie Mayne   “Keep your ego in check; if you don’t, the world’s going to knock it out of you.” - Lonnie Mayne   “If we’re not moving forward and working on mastery every day, we’re actually falling behind because today is totally different than tomorrow.” - Lonnie Mayne   “We will be better off for having gone through the trials and tribulations that we’ve gone through.” - Lonnie Mayne   “When we give up on hope, we give up on everything.” - Lonnie Mayne   “Don’t give up hope or belief in people; we’re human, we’re imperfect, and it’s not always going to be great. Some people will make mistakes but it doesn’t give us the right to give up hope or belief in them.” - Lonnie Mayne

Quite contrary to what many people think, leadership is not something that is gained from an external source, leadership begins within yourself.    It's not always about what others can do to change the world; it's about what you can do to inspire others to improve the world. If you want to make a difference in the world, you must begin with yourself.    In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership,  Jabari Hearn, an amazing marketing executive, talks about how we can create more diversity as leaders through the concept of Self-Mastery.   Jabari  is the SVP of Marketing and Entertainment at Westbrook Media, and the co-founder of an incredible organization focused on accelerating the advancement and impact of marketers of color called Monday Night Mentorship. His mission is to help people of color accelerate their career and ultimately fill the top marketing spots.   Previously, Jabari was a VP of Brand at Lyft, a Global Marketing Director at Google (where he launched many award-winning campaigns such as the Google Pixel 2 and 3), and a Sr. Brand Director at Nike.    Things you will also learn in this episode:   The two most important characteristics that define an Impactful Leader Can Empathy be learned or innate? Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs What we can do as a community to propel the  Black Lives Matter Movement How to improve diversity at an organizational level Quotes: “The best thing that we can provide is our time.” - Jabari Hearn   “When you know what you want, the world conspires with you.” - Jabari Hearn   “Be the change and inspire it in others.” - Jabari Hearn   “I never thought of myself as a leader; I just led, and that always led to leadership opportunities.” - Jabari Hearn   “When other people start to see you as a leader through your actions, you really start to believe it.” - Jabari Hearn   “Empathy can be developed, not learned.” - Jabari Hearn   “You don't realize how it takes a weight off your shoulder to be in a place where people understand you and accept you. You move differently, you fill a room differently, you connect differently.” - Jabari Hearn   “Inspiring love is about seeing people as people, and trying to connect to people on a people-level.” - Jabari Hearn

We have to build a better world for the next generation, and that requires great leadership. This requires leaders who are not afraid to highlight what is good now, and who can ensure sustainability. These leaders will create strong organizational cultures by demonstrating creativity, empathy and innovation.   In today's episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Francesca Cornelli. She talks about leading a dynamic academic landscape and immortalizing key values and principles. Francesca is the  Dean of Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. She is also a Professor of Finance and holds the Donald P. Jacobs Chair of Finance.    Previously, Dean Cornelli was a Professor of Finance and Deputy Dean at London Business School. She directed and advanced the highly regarded Private Equity Institute of London Business School, building a bridge between academia and practice by partnering with private equity leaders in London, alumni, and top academics in the field.   Dean Cornelli is widely respected as an accomplished academic and a leader in business education. She has extensive international experience and has taught at some of the world's top schools, including the Wharton School, Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, the London School of Economics, the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad and the New Economic School in Moscow.    Things you will also learn in this episode:   What makes an institution of higher education excellent How to improve the continuity of culture Why good discussions don’t have to have consensus  Learn about “Authentic Evolution” and “Enlightened Disagreement” Clarify what "Empathy" really means The role of trust, communication, and transparency in strong leadership. Quotes:   “A great institution is an institution that values research and intellectual effort and believes that it eventually will change the world.” - Francesca Cornelli   “Disruption is an opportunity as interesting as a space for being creative.” - Francesca Cornelli   “The [Kellogg] culture just self-perpetuates without people planning and thinking about it.” - Francesca Cornelli   “Communication is important, and we have to keep innovating how we communicate.” - Francesca Cornelli   “We are programmed to think a good decision will get consensus; we have to let that thinking go.” - Francesca Cornelli   “Empathy is treating others the way they want to be treated.” - Francesca Cornelli   “Becoming international is less about knowing some facts about behaviors in different countries, but more about having the sensitivity on how people will interpret things differently.” - Francesca Cornelli   “Not taking sides is still a point of view.” - Francesca Cornelli   “Even if you don’t change the point of view of where you should eventually land, it’s going to be very important to understand where people are coming from to work with them.” - Francesca Cornelli

They say that speaking the truth will set you free and so speaking our truth is so powerful that it can change the world. However, our concern about being judged and rejected holds us back.    It takes courage and bravery to break free from those fears and step into our true selves, in other words, our Swagger. You can bring the world closer when you take charge of your power and speak your truth. If you struggle with stepping into your power and speaking your truth, you wouldn't want to miss this episode with Leslie Ehm!   Leslie is a former TV host and advertising Creative Director. She has spent decades with her award-winning training company, Combustion, where she has worked with top organizations including Google, TD Bank, Uber, HBO, and many more. Leslie’s mission in life is to help people unleash their most powerful, authentic human self and help them overcome any doubts standing in their way.   Leslie has written a book called, Swagger: Unleash Everything You Are and Become Everything You Want. It was just published in May of 2021 and is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon #1 Bestseller!    Things you will also learn in this episode:   The definition of the word “Swagger” What it can be like to speak your truth. How to maintain your “Swagger” when returning to the not-so-healthy work environment The power of realizing the choice you have. Are “Badass’ and “Swagger” synonymous? The difference between external vs. internal validation. Quotes: “Everything that you are has purpose and value; take risks, stretch yourself, and bring your history to the table.” - Leslie Ehm   "When you have a lot of personal power, you know that if you can channel and focus it in a way that fulfills your purpose, you will be able to create some change." - Leslie Ehm   “All that everybody wants in this life is to be seen and accepted for who they really are, and most people don’t believe that they can reveal who they are and still experience the success that they’re dreaming of.” - Leslie Ehm   “Swagger is more about self-acceptance than it is about self-assuredness.” - Leslie Ehm   “Swagger is the courage and the self-awareness to show up with your truth, one face and one heart.” - Leslie Ehm   “When you speak your truth, your life is going to change in a way that you’ll be closer and more connected to people.” - Leslie Ehm “The primary responsibility of leaders is to create a safe environment for their people to be their best selves, and if they recognize anything that does not contribute to that, it is on them to change it.” - Leslie Ehm

The right talent is key to a company's success.    The ones who can make the most impact may not be the ones with the most number of years of expertise or the number of competencies listed in their resume. Therefore, companies must redefine their recruitment objectives to attract the perfect fit.   Companies need people who can perform the actual job, and it's time to change how they attract the key people they need.   In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Lou Adler. Lou is the CEO and Founder of Performance-based Hiring Learning Systems. It's a consulting, and training firm helping recruiters and hiring managers worldwide source, interview, and hire the strongest and most diverse talent. He is the author of the Amazon top-10 best-seller, Hire With Your Head (John Wiley & Sons, 4th Edition, 2021), The Essential Guide for Hiring & Getting Hired (Workbench Media, 2013), and LinkedIn Learning's Performance-based Hiring video training program (2016).   Before his executive search experience, Lou held senior operations and financial management positions at the Allen Group and Rockwell International's automotive and consumer electronics groups. He has an MBA from UCLA and a BS in Engineering from Clarkson University.   In our conversation, Lou talks about the critical shift companies need to make in their recruiting process.   Things you will also learn in this episode:   The Two Biggest Hiring Mistakes A seasoned recruiter’s take on “The Great Resignation” and “The War for Talent.” How to write better job descriptions The preferred resume format What recruiters and hiring managers are missing during the recruiting process Quotes “The ability, in relationship to fit, drives motivation, that squared, equals results.” - Lou Adler   “If you want to attract the best, you’ve got to start thinking differently about what it takes.” - Lou Adler   “You don’t need a lot of people; you just need the right people.” - Lou Adler   “You need to prequalify your candidates, and it all starts by defining the work as a serious series of performance objectives.” - Lou Adler   “You can’t have quality and efficiency if you compromise on performance.” - Lou Adler   “Clarifying the performance objectives upfront is the key to driving success and satisfaction.” - Lou Adler   “Resumes aren’t completely useless, but job descriptions written with the skills, experience, and competencies are a waste of time.” - Lou Adler

Believe me, you are not the only one who has believed that leadership is about a position. In today's episode my guest, Rich Diviney, states it is much more than that; leadership is about a set of attributes. In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, we look back at Rich Diviney's definition of the "attributes" of leadership. He explains why it's not about your role, but how you do it in such a way that positively impacts your people. Developing that attribute requires a test of courage, perseverance and resilience that only a true leader takes on and faces. Rich Diviney, author of The Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance, and retired Navy SEAL commander with over 20+ years of experience. He has completed more than 13 overseas deployments, 11 of which were to Iraq and Afghanistan. As the officer in charge of training for a specialized command, Rich spearheaded the creation of a directorate that fused physical, mental, and emotional disciplines. He led a small team first-ever "Mind Gym" that helped special operators train their brains to perform faster, longer, and better in all environments — especially high-stress ones.  Since his retirement in early 2017, Rich has worked as a speaker, facilitator, and consultant with the Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute and Simon Sinek Inc. He's taught about leadership and optimal performance to more than five thousand business, athletic, and military leaders from organizations such as American Airlines, Meijer Inc., the San Francisco 49ers, Pegasystems, Zoom, and Deloitte. Things you will also learn in this episode: How to determine whether a behavior is a skill or an attribute, and why it matters. The key differences between peak performance and optimal performance. Is grit the same as resilience? How companies are adapting hiring criteria to assess core attributes. The four levels of learning. Why narcissism isn’t entirely bad and can be a driver of optimal performance. Quotes “Leadership is a behavior. A leader is responsible for the development, growth, and success of the people in their charge.” - Rich Diviney   “We have to start looking beyond visible skills.” - Rich Diviney   “Leadership is a behavior, not a position.” - Rich Diviney   “Developing an attribute is a test of an individual’s self-motivation, self-direction, and willingness to throw themselves into discomfort and uncertainty.” - Rich Diviney   “Developing attributes is a self-directed evolution; no one can do it for you.” - Rich Diviney   “Optimal performance is about how you can do the very best you can at the moment, whatever the best might look like.” - Rich Diviney   “Hiring is a two-way street and allows the candidate to assess whether or not the company has the attributes and values they are looking for.” - Rich Diviney

Life’s biggest lessons, opportunities, and gifts are found in your connections with others. Relationships require work. You can't have a strong connection with people without effective communication. If we try to understand everyone’s thinking and behavior, we will know how to act consciously, which can lead us to build better connections.   Today I speak with Lynne Franklin, Communication Skills Coach, Executive Mentor, and Expert on Rapport & Persuasion. In our conversation she talks about how the brain works and how it can enhance communication and build connections faster.   Lynne is a neuroscience nerd who studies brain research and turns it into practical strategies for professionals to achieve their goals faster by connecting with others. Executives and teams work with Lynne to develop their careers by improving rapport, fostering trust, and cultivating work environments that people want to be a part of. Lynne is an international speaker and the former president of the National Speakers Association, Illinois chapter. Her TEDx talk: How to Be a Mind Reader, went viral with nearly 5 million views. She published Getting Others to Do What You Want and is currently working on her next book, Leaders on Rapport: Secrets of Creating Successful Connections. For fun, Lynne writes and sings song parodies about the pandemic and posts them on her YouTube channel.   Things you will also learn in this episode: Understanding the difference between “Emotional Brain” and “Subconscious Mind” How to adapt your communication style to your listener’s body language. Recognizing the 3 Types of Thinkers - “Lookers,” “Listeners” and “Touchers” How to stop losing your identity by taking off your mask The different types of biases we all show when hiring. The benefit of writing long-hand.   Quotes “We get so locked up in our own perspective, the things that we want to say, the messages that we want to share, that we forget who’s there to listen and who’s there to care.” - Lynne Franklin   “Minimizing the risk means never doing anything new ever again, for the rest of your life, which is boring.” - Lynne Franklin   “Persuasion is not about manipulating, controlling, or forcing an outcome; it is connecting with people, giving them useful information so that they can make a good decision.” - Lynne Franklin   “Sometimes, you can speak truth to power and change things.” - Lynne Franklin   “The most effective way to connect with other people is through stories.” - Lynne Franklin   “If we are voyaging together in a good story, we’re more likely to be connected.” - Lynne Franklin   “If leaders want to create change, they have to be clear on what's in it for everybody else to make it happen.” - Lynne Franklin   “You can be right, or you can be kind.” - Lynne Franklin   “Always assume goodwill.” - Lynne Franklin   “Being a little kinder, believing in the goodness of other people, and sharing what you've got can help them.”  - Lynne Franklin   “Most of us think we can't make a big change in the world, but the little things we do add up.” - Lynne Franklin