The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving - podcast cover

The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving

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CEOs and business leaders, management consulting senior partners, ground-breaking professors, thought-provoking writers and journalists, record-setting athletes and coaches, and award-winning actors and celebrities discuss the key issues facing the business world and broader society. Get free access to our newsletter, Monday Morning at 8 am, along with sample episodes from our training programs on www.strategytraining.com. Go to https://www.firmsconsulting.com/promo.

Episodes

549: Anesthesiologist and Reality TV Star on How to Stop Chasing Perfection and Embrace Connection

Dr. Tiffany Moon isn’t just breaking stereotypes — she’s rewriting the script. In this episode, Dr. Tiffany Moon — board-certified anesthesiologist, founder of Aromasthesia, and former cast member of Bravo’s Real Housewives — opens up about what it really takes to balance ambition, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and public scrutiny. From immigrating to the U.S. at age 6 to graduating from college at 19 and medical school at 23, where she finished in the top ten percent of her class, to launching ...

May 07, 202553 min

548: Experiencing The American Dream with Mark Matson

What if the financial advice you trust is actually hurting your future? Mark Matson believes it is, and he has the data to prove it. In this episode, I sit down with Mark Matson, founder of Matson Money and a pioneer in the evidence-based investing movement. With over $10 billion in assets under management, Mark has helped thousands of families and advisors break free from Wall Street myths, media-driven panic, and the illusion of market timing. But Mark didn’t start in finance. In fact, he near...

May 05, 202559 min

547: First African American Astronaut to Walk in Space on Lessons from His Missions and Embracing Infinite Possibilities

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 547, an interview with Bernard Harris, an astronaut, physician, venture capitalist, philanthropist, and author of Embracing Infinite Possibilities: Letting Go of Fear to Find Your Highest Potential. In this episode, Bernard Harris, the first African American astronaut to walk in space, shares his experiences and describes the thrill of launching into space as well as the physical challenges of microgravity. He discusses the significance of inner strength, resil...

Apr 30, 202557 min

546: Renowned Experts Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Robert Biswas-Diener on Radical Listening

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 546, an interview with the authors of Radical Listening: The Art of True Connection, Prof. Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener. Most conversations barely scratch the surface, because true connection isn’t just about hearing words, it’s about listening with purpose and presence. In this episode, Prof. Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener introduce the concept of Radical Listening: an intentional, culturally aware approach t...

Apr 28, 202555 min

545: CIA Hacker to Tech Entrepreneur: How Cybersecurity Can Make or Break Your Business

From CIA hacker to cybersecurity advisor to a U.S. President. Now trusted by Fortune 500 companies, international banks, and leaders like Bill Gates. (And he almost missed the CIA meeting... because it was raining.) "Something told me, it was a Thursday afternoon. ... and something told me, you have to go to the co-op office today. You have to go today. ... I believe there’s this inner voice and ... this thing came over me, and I get out of class at 3:30. It’s raining. It’s a 10-minute walk... S...

Apr 23, 202555 min

544: Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review on the Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift

What can a $2B concert tour teach us about business strategy? Quite a lot. We often speak about innovation and reinvention in the corporate world. Yet, few embody it as consistently and successfully as the artist and strategist Taylor Swift. In this episode, I spoke with Kevin Evers, Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review and author of There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift. Kevin brings a rare perspective, someone who has quietly shaped the voices of influential busin...

Apr 21, 202550 min

543: Co-founder of Peak 360 Wealth Management on Understanding Embodied Wealth

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 543, an interview with the author of The Power of Enough: Finding Joy in Your Relationship with Money, Elizabeth Husserl. Many people chase wealth as a number, but the truth is that true wealth is more than just money in the bank. In this episode, Elizabeth challenges common assumptions about financial success and explores how fulfillment, stability, and meaning factor into what it really means to be wealthy. Elizabeth explains how our “scarcity brain” influenc...

Apr 16, 202551 min

542: Chief Investment Officer at T. Rowe Price on the Psychology of Leadership

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 542, an interview with the author The Psychology of Leadership: Timeless principles to improve your management of individuals, teams… and yourself! , Sébastien Page. Ever wondered what truly drives successful leaders and how psychology plays a role? In this episode with Sébastien Page, we explore the habits, mindset, and science behind great leadership. He shares lessons drawn from 20 years of experience and in-depth research in positive and sports psychology. ...

Apr 14, 202548 min

541: One of the World’s Leading Management Thinkers on Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 541, an interview with the author of Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI, Faisal Hoque. In this episode, Faisal shares his journey from his early days developing software to becoming a business leader focused on strategy and impact. Faisal talks about how Eastern philosophy, particularly Buddhism, influences his approach to business and leadership, helping him stay grounded while pursuing innovation. He opens up about how his son's serious illness ch...

Apr 09, 202547 min

540: Finding Meaning at Work with Positive Psychologists, Wes Adams and Tamara Myles

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 540, an interview with the authors of Meaningful Work: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee, Wes Adams and Tamara Myles. What makes work truly meaningful, and how can leaders create it? In this episode, Tamara Miles and Wes Adams, researchers and positive psychologists, have studied how leaders can intentionally promote cultures where people find purpose, connection, and challenge in their work. Drawing from their own career and research, the...

Apr 07, 202554 min

539: The 80/20 CEO on Guiding Your Business from Panic to Profit

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 539, an interview with the author of From Panic to Profit: Uncover Value, Boost Revenue, and Grow Your Business with the 80/20 Principle, Bill Canady. In this episode, Bill shares insights from his military background and how it shaped his leadership approach. Bill explains his Profitable Growth Operating System (PG OS) framework, including the five key components that drive business success. He also offers practical advice on pricing strategy, the need for a f...

Apr 02, 202553 min

538: Industrial/Organizational Psychologist on Leading for Wellness

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 538, an interview with the coauthor of Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives, Patricia Grabarek. In this episode, Patricia talks about why workplace wellness matters and why it’s important to have a holistic approach that includes physical, mental, and emotional health. She explains the gap in research on leadership practices that help create a healthy work environment and how leaders can balance getting results with supporti...

Apr 01, 202549 min

537: Ex-Google Exec on Breaking the Unwritten Rules

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 537, an interview with the author of Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It, Jenny Wood. In this episode, Jenny discusses her career journey and the key skills that helped her rise from an entry-level role to an executive over 18 years. She also discusses overcoming imposter syndrome, being strategic with time, and saying no to non-promotable work. Jenny shares the importance of obsessing over key projects, leading with enthusiasm, and breaking unwritt...

Mar 26, 202551 min

536: NYU Grossman School of Medicine's Joel Salinas on the Science and Art of Coming Together in a Conflicted World

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 536, an interview with the coauthor of Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement Without Giving Up or Giving In, Joel Salinas, MD. In this episode, Joel Salinas talks about conflict resilience and how our brain reacts to disagreements. He explains how loneliness affects health, how conflicts activate pain-related brain areas, and shares techniques to manage stress. Joel also discusses brain plasticity, how age affects conflict resolution, and the power of f...

Mar 24, 202529 min

535: Former Time Editor on Being Richer, Wiser, and Happier

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 535, an interview with the author of Richer, Wiser, Happier: How the World's Greatest Investors Win in Markets and Life, William Green. In this episode, William Green talks about his journey from Oxford to becoming a renowned journalist. He shares stories of his unconventional career path, including impulsive moves to New York and Hong Kong, financial struggles, and being laid off during the financial crisis. William discusses how he learned to handle failure w...

Mar 19, 20251 hr 6 min

534: The Science of Personal Power: How to Command Influence, Overcome Doubt, and Lead with Confidence

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 534, an interview with the author of The Science of Personal Power: How to Build Confidence, Create Success, and Obtain Freedom , Chris Lipp. Powerful people operate with a fundamentally different mindset. While others seek approval and dodge accountability, influential individuals take ownership and remain anchored to their goals and values. In this episode, Chris Lipp discusses the importance of personal power and the characteristics that differentiate powerf...

Mar 17, 202551 min

533: 3x Emmy Award-Winning ESPN Broadcaster on Being Audacious

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 533, an interview with the author of Cultivating Audacity: Dismantle Doubt and Let Yourself Win, Anne Marie Anderson. In this episode, Anne Marie Anderson shared her journey from being rejected by ESPN at 21 to working there for 35 years and becoming one of the most experienced female play-by-play announcers in the country. She discussed the importance of audacity, combining confidence with bold risks, and learning from rejection. In Cultivating Audacity, Anne ...

Mar 12, 202550 min

532: Positive Psychology Expert on Setting Big Goals and Creating Your Best Life

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 532, an interview with the author of Big Goals: The Science of Setting Them, Achieving Them, and Creating Your Best Life, Caroline Adams Miller. In this episode, Caroline takes us through her journey of overcoming personal challenges to becoming an expert in positive psychology and goal setting. She breaks down why setting clear, challenging goals is so important and explains the difference between learning goals (developing new skills) and performance goals (i...

Mar 10, 202549 min

531: Harvard Law Professor on Negotiation: Making ‘Messy Conversations’ Work for You

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 531, an interview with the author of Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement Without Giving Up or Giving In, Bob Bordone. Most of us instinctively avoid conflict, seeing it as a threat rather than an opportunity for growth. What if the conversations you dread most could actually strengthen your relationships and lead to better outcomes? In this episode, Harvard Law's Bob Bordone talks about negotiation and conflict resolution. He discusses seeing conflict...

Mar 05, 202553 min

530: Bill Gates & Steve Ballmer’s Direct Advisor: Leadership, Self-Management, and Life Lessons

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 530, an interview with a seasoned executive coach and the author of You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need), Sabina Nawaz. In this episode, Sabina shares her journey from software development at Microsoft to advising C-level executives. She explains the dangers of pressure overpowering leaders and advocates for self-care and emotional intelligence. Throughout her journey as a leader, she realized the need for effective communication...

Mar 03, 202546 min

529: Founder of Education Design Lab on ‘Who Needs College Anymore?’

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 529, an interview with the author of Who Needs College Anymore? , Kathleen deLaski. In this episode, Kathleen shares her journey from journalism to education reform. She talks about her time as a TV and digital journalist, White House correspondent, and Pentagon spokesperson, as well as her transition to education reform, founding the Education Design Lab in 2013, and her work on higher education innovation. Kathleen discusses the changing role of college and t...

Feb 26, 202550 min

528: Kellogg’s JP Pawliw-Fry on Aggressive Learning, the Last 8%, and Training Attention

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 528, an interview with the author of Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing your Best When it Matters Most , JP Pawliw-Fry. In this episode, JP walks us through the concept of pressure management—how to reduce pressure in our personal and professional lives to better excel in whatever we do. He also discusses the importance of self-awareness, especially under pressure, and the concept of 'aggressive learning,' where high performers extract more informa...

Feb 24, 202544 min

527: Senior Researcher at Harvard Kennedy School on ‘Make Work Fair’

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 527, an interview with the coauthor of Make Work Fair: Data-Driven Design for Real Results, Siri Chilazi. In this episode, Siri shares her path from studying chemistry to researching workplace gender equality. Based on her experience and academic work, she explains how workplace systems shape behavior more than individual choices. Siri advocates for practical changes like redesigning resumes and conducting regular pay audits rather than focusing on diversity tr...

Feb 19, 202547 min

526: The University of Texas Professor on How to Improve Your Virtual Communication

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 526, an interview with the author of Ping: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication , Andrew Brodsky. In this episode, Andrew shares the nuances of effective virtual communication in the workplace. He introduces the PING framework (Perspective Taking, Initiative, Nonverbal Behavior, and Goals) and discusses how different communication modes suit various objectives. Andrew also touched on strategies for maintaining creativity in virtual settings, building...

Feb 17, 202557 min

525: Quantifying the Real Value and Impact of Thought Leadership

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 525, an interview with the authors of The ROI of Thought Leadership: Calculating the Value that Sets Organizations Apart , Cindy Anderson and Anthony Marshall. In this episode, Cindy and Anthony discuss how their work at IBM shaped their understanding of thought leadership's value in building client relationships and explain the quantifiable benefits of thought leadership. They also address how AI is impacting thought leadership creation and consumption, and th...

Feb 12, 202553 min

524: Harvard Law School Alum on How to Train Your Team Effectively

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 524, an interview with the author of Meet Every Learner's Needs: Redesigning Instruction So All Students Can Succeed , Robert Barnett. In this episode, Robert discussed his approach to educational fairness and equity and the importance of personalized learning experiences. He explained the need for engaging and challenging learning environments rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, highlighting the importance of tailoring learning to individual needs. Rober...

Feb 10, 202547 min

523: Boston Consulting Group's Martin Reeves on 'The Imagination Machine' (Strategy Skills classics)

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 345, an interview with the Chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute, BCG’s think tank for new ideas in management and strategy. Martin has authored numerous books, including Your Strategy Needs a Strategy and The Imagination Machine , a handbook about how to systematically harness imagination to generate new ideas and transform businesses. Get Martin's book here: https://rb.gy/qmifgx The Imagination Machine: How to Spark New Ideas and Create Your Company's Futur...

Feb 05, 20251 hr

522: Former Editor of the Financial Times on the Secret Story of the World's Greatest Disruptor

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 522, an interview with the author of Gambling Man: The Secret Story of the World's Greatest Disruptor, Masayoshi Son , Lionel Barber. In this episode, Lionel discusses his career and insights on leadership, journalism, and business transformation. He talks about his tenure at the Financial Times and offers advice to young professionals on how to succeed in today’s ever-changing and challenging world. In this interview, Lionel also shares key lessons from his ne...

Feb 03, 202546 min

521: Ex-Accenture Global CEO on Transformation: Human-Powered Leadership in a Disrupted World

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 521, an interview with the author of Essential: How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts are Creating a New Human Powered Leadership, Dr. Christie Smith. In this episode, Christie shares her career journey through boutique firms, Deloitte, Apple, and Accenture. She shares key lessons about building client relationships, emphasizing that consultants should focus on understanding client needs rather than pushing their own agenda. Christie explains ...

Jan 27, 202553 min

520: A Harvard Expert’s Guide to Mastering Conversations

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 520, an interview with the author of TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves, Alison Wood Brooks. In this episode, Alison shares how her experiences at Harvard shaped her understanding of one of the most critical skills for anyone in any industry: conversation. She introduces the concept of the “topic pyramid”, which includes small talk, tailored talk, and deep talk, and shares strategies for handling difficult conversations, such as us...

Jan 22, 202551 min
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