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Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst 

Dave Stachowiak

Leaders aren’t born; they’re made. Many leaders reach points in their careers where what worked yesterday doesn’t work today. This Monday show helps leaders thrive at these key inflection points. Independently produced weekly since 2011, Dr. Dave Stachowiak shares insights from a decade of leading a global leadership academy, plus more than 15 years of leadership at Dale Carnegie. Bestselling authors, proven leaders, expert thinkers, and deep conversation have attracted 50 million downloads and over 300,000 followers. Join the FREE membership to search the entire leadership and management library by topic at CoachingforLeaders.com

Coaching for Leaders

Ludmila Praslova: The Canary Code

Ludmila Praslova is a Professor of Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Vanguard University of Southern California and regularly writes for Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Psychology Today, and Forbes. She’s the recipient of the 2025 Talent Award from Thinker50 and has been named a LinkedIn Top Voice. She is the author of The Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work (Amazon, Bookshop)*.

We’ve all seen career paths that sound like this: analyst 1, analyst 2, senior analyst, lead analyst, manager of analysts, etc. Those paths to leadership work for some people, but they don’t work for others. In this conversation, Ludmila and I explore how to create leadership paths that work for everyone.

Key Points

 • Canaries were used in coal mines because they were more sensitive to early indicators of problems – in a way that helped everyone. The same is often true for neurodivergent leaders in organizations.

 • The “ideal leader” is a myth. If we are honest, no individual fits the ideal profile.

 • Having different paths to leadership makes more sense in a complex world. Many of the best leaders are specialists in something.

 • Instead of looking for “culture fit,” challenge yourself and your organization to do a “culture add.” Neurodiverse leaders can be less susceptible to bias and have higher levels of divergent thinking – huge benefits strengths for many organizations.

 • In addition to people management, consider paths for leadership that focus strength and skill on system and process, strategy, expertise, though leadership, global leadership, and creative ideation.

 • Making the workplace more accessible and equitable for one population almost always makes it better for everyone.

Resources Mentioned

The Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work • by Ludmilla Praslova (
Amazon • , 
Bookshop • )*

Interview Notes

Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

Related Episodes

The Mindset Leaders Need to Address Burnout, with Christina Maslach • (episode 608)

The Neurodiversity Edge in Organizations, with Maureen Dunne • (episode 694)

How to Motivate Younger Employees, with David Yeager • (episode 775)

Discover More

Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

792: Create Leadership Paths That Work for Everyone, with Ludmila Praslova

Joanna Stern: I Am Not a Robot

Joanna Stern is an Emmy Award-winning technology journalist who was previously the personal technology columnist at The Wall Street Journal. For many years, she has been one of the most recognizable and entertaining voices in consumer tech, and she just recently launched her own media company and YouTube channel called New Things. Her new book is I Am Not a Robot: My Year Using AI to Do (Almost) Everything (Amazon, Bookshop)*.

What if you decided to go to AI first for virtually everything in your life? Joanna Stern decided to do exactly that and captured it all in her recent book. In this episode, we explore how those implications are showing up for a lot of us in the workplace.

Key Points

 • Customer service functions are one of many places where organizations are already using AI to supplement or replace work that people used to do.

 • Some aspects of AI work are preferred by both customers and employees. For others, having people in the loop is essential.

 • AI may eliminate some jobs and hiring. It also presents an opportunity to create work that is more interesting.

 • For many aspects of work and research, AI is useful as a “first pass” that helps the human spend more time doing the things that humans do.

 • The AI pushback is real and helpful. It allows us to grapple with how we use new technology and the best way for it to show up in our work and lives.

Resources Mentioned

I Am Not a Robot: My Year Using AI to Do (Almost) Everything • by Joanna Stern (
Amazon • , 
Bookshop • )*

New Things • by Joanna Stern

Related Episodes

Principles for Using AI at Work, with Ethan Mollick • (episode 674)

Becoming an AI-Savvy Leader, with David De Cremer • (episode 710)

Using AI to Make Networking Easier, with Ruth Gotian • (episode 766)

Discover More

Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

791: The Messy Intersection of AI, Work, and People, with Joanna Stern

Daniel Coyle: Flourish

Daniel Coyle is the New York Times bestselling author of The Culture Code, which was named Best Business Book of the Year by Bloomberg, BookPal, and Business Insider. He has served as an advisor to many high-performing organizations, including the Navy SEALs, Microsoft, Google, and the Cleveland Guardians. His newest book is Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment (Amazon, Bookshop)*.

When teams really thrive, it isn’t about luck or simply optimizing systems. Instead, it’s about intentionally creating spaces for connection, agency, and shared growth. In this conversation, Daniel and I discuss where to begin to help a team flourish.

Key Points

 • Life (and leadership) is treasure creation, not a treasure hunt.

 • Flourishing environments encourage experimentation, agency, and even mistakes, allowing ownership and innovation to thrive.

 • If leaders think like designers, using questions and constraints, they will more likely unlock people’s full potential.

 • Simple acts such as little “thank you’s” build psychological safety and lay the foundation for flourishing groups.

 • Some of the world’s greatest innovations emerged from environments that welcomed surprise, cross-pollination, and flexibility.

 • Value the art of asking good questions over having all the answers.

Resources Mentioned

Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment • by Daniel Coyle (
Amazon • , 
Bookshop • )*

Interview Notes

Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

Related Episodes

What Innovative Leaders Do Differently, with Linda Hill • (episode 774)

How to Help People Flourish, with Marcus Buckingham • (episode 778)

The Counterintuitive Secret to Creativity and Focus, with David Epstein • (episode 789)

Discover More

Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

790: How to Help a Team Flourish, with Daniel Coyle

David Epstein: Inside the Box

David Epstein is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Range and The Sports Gene, both of which have been translated into more than 30 languages. He was previously the host of Slate‘s popular “How To!” podcast and a science and investigative reporter at ProPublica. His TED talks have been viewed more than 12 million times. His newest book is also a New York Times bestseller: Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better (Amazon, Bookshop)*.

It seems like we should be the most focused, creative, and innovative when we are the freest to do whatever we want. Turns out, it’s pretty much the exact opposite. In this conversation, David and I discuss why constraints make all the difference.

Key Points

 • Myth: we are most creative and innovative when we are most free. In fact, it’s the opposite.

 • Given complete freedom, we tend to follow the path of least resistance. The Einstellung effect: employing only familiar methods even if better ones are available.

 • General Magic (the most important technology company that nobody’s ever heard of) had virtually no constraints and ultimately produced nothing.

 • Write down hypotheses and make commitments visible before you begin. Give people agency in creating constraints.

 • If your organization or team was being handed off to someone else tomorrow, what’s the first thing the new leader would change? Consider making that change now.

 • To avoid over-indexing on constraints, ask this question: “Could I still surprise myself?”

Resources Mentioned

Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better • by David Epstein (
Amazon • , 
Bookshop • )*

Interview Notes

Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

Related Episodes

How to Transform Your Limitations Into Advantages, with Mark Barden • (episode 207)

Help Your Brain Learn, with Lisa Feldman Barrett • (episode 513)

Get People Reading What You’re Sending, with Todd Rogers • (episode 666)

Discover More

Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

789: The Counterintuitive Secret to Creativity and Focus, with David Epstein

Leanne ten Brinke: Poisonous People

Leanne ten Brinke is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia, where she directs the Truth and Trust Lab. Her research investigates trust, deception, and dark personality traits across diverse populations—from incarcerated individuals to hedge fund managers and politicians. She reveals how dark personality traits shape our institutions and relationships, while offering practical strategies to recognize and counteract their harmful influence. Her book is titled Poisonous People: How to Resist Them and Improve Your Life (Amazon, Bookshop)*.

If you are a leader, you are going to deal with poisonous people. Sometimes they will show up as clients, sometimes your boss, sometimes your peers, and sometimes the people you manage. Regardless of where they show up, this conversation with Leanne will help you handle this tough dynamic.

Key Points

 • Dark traits exist on a spectrum. While only 1% of the population rises to a clinical level of psychopathology, 10-20% of the population has a dark personality profile.

 • There are many more people with psychopathy per capita in senior management positions than in the general population.

 • Poisonous people generally aren’t interested in shifting their personality. As such, you will not change them. Given that reality, aim to better manage the relationship.

 • Establish clear boundaries with poisonous people and put things in writing you might normally assume. Dark personalities are really good at exploiting unspoken norms.

 • Find ways to create win-wins with poisonous people. They don’t do well with trade-offs, because they don’t like to lose anything.

 • Avoid face-to-face negotiations with them. Their charm and charisma will win you over in the moment. Text-based dialogue will help you objectively negotiate better.

 • Use the carrot instead of the stick. Reward good behavior when it happens (just not by giving them power over others).

Resources Mentioned

Poisonous People: How to Resist Them and Improve Your Life • by Leanne ten Brinke (
Amazon • , 
Bookshop • )*

Interview Notes

Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

Related Episodes

How to Handle a Boss Who’s a Jerk, with Tom Henschel • (episode 164)

How to Start Better With Peers, with Michael Bungay Stanier • (episode 635)

How to Show Up Authentically in Tough Situations, with Andrew Brodsky • (episode 727)

Discover More

Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

788: How to Work with Poisonous People, with Leanne ten Brinke

Chris Duffy: Humor Me

Chris Duffy is an award-winning podcaster, comedian, and television writer. He hosts the podcast How to Be a Better Human and you can find his comedic TED talk, “How to find laughter anywhere” online. He is the author of Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy (Amazon, Bookshop)*.

It sometimes seems like someone with a good sense of humor does everything a bit better. Perhaps leadership is no different – but it’s not about landing jokes. In this episode, Chris and I explore why everyday humor is all about paying attention and generosity.

Key Points

 • Humor might not make the list of top leadership competencies, but it helps you perform every other competency better.

 • A good sense of humor is inherently generous.

 • Effective humor isn’t landing the perfect joke or being the center of attention. It’s noticing the humor is everyday work and bravely calling attention to it.

 • The first pillar of cultivating humor is simply being present.

 • Start with times you are least present and most zoned out. Zero in with a “new bathroom” frame of mind.

 • Celebrate the bad stuff and find humor in it. By doing so, you inherently help people appreciate excellence.

Resources Mentioned

Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy • by Chris Duffy (
Amazon • , 
Bookshop • )*

Interview Notes

Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

Related Episodes

How to Engage With Humor, with David Nihill • (episode 235)

Get Better at Deep Listening, with Oscar Trimboli • (episode 408)

How to Genuinely Show Up for Others, with Marshall Goldsmith • (episode 590)

Discover More

Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

787: Better Leadership Through Humor, with Chris Duffy

Phil Le-Brun: The Octopus Organization

Phil Le-Brun is an executive in residence at Amazon Web Services and a former corporate VP and international CIO at the McDonald’s Corporation. He is a sought-after speaker and has been featured in Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian. He is the co-author with Jana Werner of The Octopus Organization: A Guide to Thriving in a World of Continuous Transformation (Amazon, Bookshop)*.

Most of us have gone through some version of a reorg. A lot of leaders have also implemented their own reorgs. Sometimes they work. Many times, they don’t. In this conversation, Phil and I discuss what goes wrong with reorgs and how we can do better.

Key Points

 • Organizations traditionally looked like the tin man from 
The Wizard of Oz: • perfectly planned, many interchangeable parts, not flexible.

 • An octopus organization adapts, works independently to serve the larger whole, and is innately curious.

 • A reorg that starts with an org chart misses the complex organic connections you are unlikely to fully understand.

 • Prioritize structural stability while building internal flexibility.

 • Nurture the complex informal human networks that deliver value.

 • Be honest about objectives and communicate a reorg early.

 • Engage people by starting with smaller-scale change. Clarify the problem to be solved instead of the structural “answer.”

Resources Mentioned

The Octopus Organization: A Guide to Thriving in a World of Continuous Transformation • by Phil Le-Brun and Jana Werner (
Amazon • , 
Bookshop • )*

Interview Notes

Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

Related Episodes

How to Get the Ideal Team Player, with Patrick Lencioni • (episode 301)

How to Approach a Reorg, with Claire Hughes Johnson • (episode 621)

How to Help Employees Handle Tough Moments, with Anthony Klotz • (episode 777)

Discover More

Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

786: The Problem with Reorgs and How to Do Better, with Phil Le-Brun

Liane Davey: Thoughtload

For the past 25 years, Liane Davey has researched and advised teams on how to achieve high performance. She is the author of You First and The Good Fight and is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review. She is the author of the new book Thoughtload: Manage the Madness and Free Your Team to Do Great Work (Amazon, Bookshop)*.

We all love to hate our task lists. However, we can do a lot better with just a bit of strategy. In this conversation, Liane and I explore how to make our task list work for us instead of against us.

Key Points

 • Often it’s not really the workload that’s crushing – it’s more so the thinking about all the workload. That’s what thoughtload is.

 • The problem with a to-do list is that everything goes on it. Thus, to-do lists are terrible for managing your attention.

 • Instead of one task list, keep a limited amount of tasks on three priority lists.

 • Category 1 list: your most important outputs and outcomes.

 • Category 2 list: what you do to help others achieve their most significant outcomes.

 • Category 3 list: administrative stuff.

Four questions determine what gets on your lists:

 • Important (an activity that will add value to a key output or outcome)?

 • Urgent (something with growing negative consequences if you wait)?

 • Targeted (a task that no one can do as efficiently or effectively as you)?

 • Essential (core to creating the critical value, not just a nice-to-have)?

Resources Mentioned

Thoughtload: Manage the Madness and Free Your Team to Do Great Work • by Liane Davey (
Amazon • , 
Bookshop • )*

Interview Notes

Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

Related Episodes

The Scientific Secrets of Daily Scheduling, with Daniel Pink • (episode 332)

Align Your Calendar to What Matters, with Nir Eyal • (episode 431)

How to Take Back Your Evenings, with Guy Winch • (episode 783)

Discover More

Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

785: Make Your Task List Work for You, with Liane Davey

Eric Ries: Incorruptible

Eric Ries is the creator of the Lean Startup method, and the author of the New York Times bestseller The Lean Startup, The Leader’s Guide, and The Startup Way. Over the last two decades, his ideas about continuous innovation, long-term thinking, governance, and market reform have reshaped company building and management practices. He is the author of Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad…and How Great Companies Stay Great (Amazon, Bookshop)*.

If you build a great organization, the predators will come. With the right principles in place, not only can you protect what you love, but help many people flourish because of it. In this conversation, Eric and I show you exactly where to start.

Key Points

 • Most leaders are one acquisition, one IPO, one board meeting away from seeing something they love turn into something they hate.

 • If you build something great, they will come. The “they” are the predators who are willing to kill the golden goose.

 • Financial gravity is the force no one controls but everyone obeys. Appreciating its realities and laws will help you build stronger.

 • Rather than framing profit as good or bad, define profit as how you contribute to human flourishing.

 • Harder is easier. Rather than viewing principles as a burden, the best leaders see principles as opportunities.

 • Design the business model so the organization prospers only via mission attainment.

Resources Mentioned

Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad…and How Great Companies Stay Great • by Eric Ries (
Amazon • , 
Bookshop • )*

Interview Notes

Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

Related Episodes

Doing Better Than Zero-Sum Thinking, with Renée Mauborgne • (episode 641)

Crafting the Modern Business Plan, with Seth Godin • (episode 704)

Notice Disruption and Innovate Through It, with Steve Blank • (episode 761)

Discover More

Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

784: How to Protect the Organization You Love, with Eric Ries

Guy Winch: Mind Over Grind

Guy Winch is a psychologist and bestselling author who advocates for integrating the science of emotional health into our daily lives. His TED talks have attracted over 35 million views, and his books have been translated into more than 30 languages. He is co-host of the Ambie-nominated Dear Therapists podcast and the author of the book Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life (Amazon, Bookshop)*.

Some of our parents got to work in the morning, put in a full day, and then by dinner time, didn’t think about work or do it until the next morning. That’s not reality for a lot of us today, so in this conversation, Guy and I explore what you can do to take back your evenings.

Key Points

 • Most work stress isn’t experienced at work.

 • Healthy thinking is intentional and leads us somewhere useful. Unhealthy thinking (rumination) isn’t intentional and tends to repeat the same script. It feels more like unpaid work.

 • To interrupt rumination outside of work, first label it and then associate it with disgust, disdain, and annoyance. Treat it like you would a skunk sitting next to you on the couch.

 • Rituals help our brains make a distinction between time to work and time to recover. Rituals are most powerful when they invoke one or more of our five senses to signal a shift to our brains.

 • Often we think of relaxation and recovery the same way our grandparents did who often did more manual work. Work today tends to be more mental and emotional, so indexing on ways to engage physically during recovery times is helpful.

 • Rather than just assuming that doing nothing, sitting on a beach, or seeing the sights is the best vacation, consider engaging in the things you love that you normally don’t get to do.

Resources Mentioned

Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life • by Guy Winch (
Amazon • , 
Bookshop • )*

Interview Notes

Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

Related Episodes

Align Your Calendar to What Matters, with Nir Eyal • (episode 431)

What to Do With Your Feelings, with Lori Gottlieb • (episode 438)

How High Achievers Begin to Find Balance, with Michael Hyatt • (episode 522)

Discover More

Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

791: The Messy Intersection of AI, Work, and People, with Joanna Stern

Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst

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