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Success Secrets and Stories

Success Secrets and Stories
Author: Host and author, John Wandolowski and Co-Host Greg Powell
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© 2025 Success Secrets and Stories
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Intro - Podcast Purpose:
To share management leadership concepts that actually work.
You are responsible for your development as a leader. Don't expect the boss to invest the training budget in your career. Consider this podcast as an investment of time in your career, with a bit of management humor added at the same time.
To share management leadership concepts that actually work.
You are responsible for your development as a leader. Don't expect the boss to invest the training budget in your career. Consider this podcast as an investment of time in your career, with a bit of management humor added at the same time.
101 Episodes
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Send us a text A milestone is only meaningful if it changes what we do next. We’re celebrating 100 episodes by unpacking the MBR leadership framework, mapping advise from avoidance to transformation, and showing how data, story, and practice experiences combine to create lasting impact you can measure and feel. We break down the eight MBR competencies—strategic foresight, global citizenship, disruptive mindset, people-first leadership, value creation, curiosity, inclusion, and agility—and co...
Send us a text Ever wondered why some workplaces seem to hum with energy while others feel like productivity graveyards? The answer might surprise you. Leadership experts John Wandolowski and Greg Powell unpack the fascinating connection between workplace joy and bottom-line results in this eye-opening conversation. Backed by compelling research, they reveal that companies fostering workplace happiness see 21% higher profitability than their competitors. This isn't just feel-good fluff—it's ...
Send us a text Resistance to change isn't a sign of defiance—it's often a signal of deep engagement. Join John and Greg discussing this revelation that stands at the heart of our exploration into organizational transformation, where we unpack why 70% of change initiatives fail and what the successful 30% do differently. Drawing from cutting-edge psychological research, we reveal how people develop what experts call a "moral force" around existing processes, believing the current way isn't ju...
Send us a text The workplace revolution sparked by COVID has permanently transformed how we lead teams. While many employees have returned to offices, a significant portion of the workforce remains remote, challenging leaders to develop new approaches to connection, communication, and culture-building across distances. "Remote does not mean removed" serves as our guiding principle as we dive into the six critical challenges facing today's distributed team leaders: communication gaps, trust a...
Send us a text Are you trapped in the long-hours fallacy? One host confesses he once wore 12-hour workdays as a badge of honor until a colleague bluntly pointed out: "The last thing I'd do is brag about taking 12 hours to do your job. You're just incompetent." This wake-up call revolutionized his approach to time management—and can transform yours too. Time management isn't just about squeezing more into your day; it's about strategic prioritization that reduces stress while amplifying resul...
Send us a text John introduces Will Sampson, Coach and Author. Will discusses challenges of conventional leadership wisdom, revealing why great leaders succeed not through control but by empowering others to shine. Drawing from his experience as a former director of change for a 53,000-person organization leading a $12 billion merger, Sampson shares how his personal journey through addiction recovery transformed his understanding of leadership resilience. The conversation explores Samp...
Send us a text Ever been blindsided during a performance review when your boss asks about KPIs you didn't even know existed? You're not alone. The world of Key Performance Indicators can seem mysterious and intimidating, but mastering these metrics is essential for leadership success. In this revealing discussion, hosts John Wandolowski and Greg Powell demystify the often misunderstood concept of KPIs. They break down exactly what these quantifiable measurements are and why they matter: driv...
Send us a text Accountability transforms organizations, but creating a culture where everyone takes genuine ownership is challenging. In this thought-provoking discussion, John and Greg break down Management by Responsibility (MBR) - the leadership philosophy that revolutionizes how teams approach challenges and results. At its core, MBR hinges on a powerful premise: individuals are 100% responsible for their experiences and reactions to life events. This isn't about blame, but about embraci...
Send us a text Finding and developing the right talent is perhaps the most consequential responsibility any leader faces. Yet many managers approach hiring with minimal preparation, relying on gut instinct rather than proven methodology. This episode John and Greg dive deep into the structured approach that separates successful hiring managers from the rest. We begin by examining the critical foundation of any successful hire: properly defining the role. This means going beyond dusty job des...
Send us a text The secret to exceptional team performance isn't found in buzzwords or corporate jargon—it's built through intentional leadership strategies that foster genuine connection. John and Greg dive deep into what truly makes teams work, beyond the superficial activities that many organizations mistake for real team building. Henry Ford's wisdom frames our discussion: "Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success." This progression represe...
Send us a text Struggling to make your resume stand out? The secret might be hiding in your problem-solving skills. In this revealing episode, John and Greg dive deep into how effectively showcasing your problem-solving abilities can transform your job search prospects. Drawing from an insightful article on Indeed.com, we break down exactly what employers are looking for when they scan resumes for solution-oriented candidates. Problem-solving isn't just one skill—it's a constellation of abi...
Send us a text What does it truly mean to find your calling in life? In this thought-provoking conversation, hosts John Wandolowski and Greg Powell delve into Jeff Goins' bestselling book "The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do" to uncover the seven-stage journey toward meaningful work. Forget the misconception that finding your purpose requires a perfectly mapped five-year plan. Jeff Goins reveals that discovering your calling is more about embarking on a wi...
Send us a text Feeling overwhelmed? You're not alone. Stress has become our constant companion, but it doesn't have to control your life. Drawing from the respected research of the Mayo Clinic, John and Greg dive into evidence-based approaches to stress management that actually work. The body-mind connection is powerful, and physical activity stands as perhaps the most effective stress reliever available to us. Even simple movements—walking, biking, or housework—trigger endorphin release tha...
Send us a text What separates exceptional leaders from merely competent managers? The answer lies in how they approach the growth and development of those they lead. Join John and Greg as they explore the heart of leadership's responsibility, to lend the helping hand to those on your team. Servant leadership flips traditional leadership models on their head by focusing not on the leader's advancement, but on nurturing the potential in every team member. As Sir Richard Branson wis...
Send us a text Disruption isn't coming—it's already here. As we navigate the rapidly shifting landscape of work in 2025, organizations face a critical crossroads that will determine their future success or failure. This eye-opening episode dives deep into eleven transformative trends reshaping how we work, hire, and grow businesses in the coming years. The skills mismatch crisis demands immediate attention, with employers predicting that 44% of workers' skills will become obsolete by 2030. W...
Send us a text Failure isn't just inevitable in leadership—it's essential. This eye-opening conversation tackles the myth that great leaders emerge fully formed, revealing instead how true leadership is forged through stumbles, self-reflection, and resilience. We dive deep into Shane Wentz's fascinating journey from Army sergeant to corporate transformation specialist, exploring his three-pronged approach to leadership development. First, immerse yourself in leadership literature—become what...
Send us a text Are you already a leader without realizing it? The journey toward leadership often begins long before you receive a formal title or position. In this enlightening episode of Success Secrets and Stories, hosts John Wandolowski and Greg Powell unpack the subtle yet powerful indicators that suggest you're ready to step into a leadership role. Leadership isn't confined to management positions or executive suites. As the hosts explore, true leadership qualities manifest in ev...
Send us a text Join John and Greg as they discuss what truly separates leadership from management? While these terms are often used interchangeably, understanding their fundamental differences could be the key to unlocking your career potential and organizational impact. Leadership expert Amy Hamilton defines a leader as "someone that inspires others to work together to achieve a shared goal," emphasizing the critical role of vision, persuasion, and communication. The best leaders cope with ...
Send us a text In this podcast, join John and Greg as they interview, CEO Jamie Henry who won a 19th Annual Enterprising Women of the Year Award, one of the most prestigious recognition programs for women business owners in the U.S. and globally! She never expected that purchasing her father's small janitorial business would lead to building Bee Line Support – now a powerhouse in medical-grade cleaning with 600 employees managing 3 million square feet across three states. What makes this succ...
Send us a text Leadership isn't merely about a title or position – it's a deeply personal journey shaped by unique motivations and developed through structured experiences. When asked why they became leaders, most people reveal fascinating stories that blend practical considerations with deeper aspirations to create positive change. From our hosts' candid reflections, we discover how leadership journeys often begin unexpectedly. John initially pursued management as a reaction against poor tr...