Live Like a Leader with John Bates omslagsbild

Live Like a Leader with John Bates

Live Like a Leader with John Bates

Av: John K. Bates
Lyssna kostnadsfritt nu, utan abonnemang

Saisonale Sparangebote | 0,99 € pro Monat für die ersten 3 Monate

Danach 6,99 €/Monat. Bedingungen gelten. Monatlich kündbar.
Live Like a Leader is where accomplished leaders explore what it takes to communicate with clarity, earn trust, and move people to meaningful action. L=f(c): Leadership is a function of communication. Great leadership is a function of great communication. Hosted by John K. Bates, executive communication coach, keynote speaker, TED/TEDx speaker coach, and founder of Executive Speaking Success, the show features candid conversations with NASA astronauts, Navy SEALs, global executives, entrepreneurs, authors, and other remarkable leaders. Each episode turns lived experience into practical insight you can use to communicate with greater clarity, credibility, humanity, and impact. John’s WHY is to bring out what’s awesome inside every person so it can live in the world and make a real difference.John Bates Management & Leadership Persönliche Entwicklung Persönlicher Erfolg Ökonomie
Avsnitt
  • Matt Hunter: How to Be Tough Enough Without Becoming a Jerk

    Matt Hunter: How to Be Tough Enough Without Becoming a Jerk
    Sep 28 2026
    Today, I sit down with Matt Hunter, executive coach and co-author with John Baird of Tough Enough: How to Lead a Team to Greatness Without Being a Jerk. Matt and I met several years ago on Necker Island, and I’ve liked and respected him ever since. When I saw what he and John were taking on with this book, I wanted him on the show.Because they’re walking straight into a leadership question I care about enormously.We’ve all seen the examples: founders and executives who produce extraordinary results while leaving a trail of exhausted, intimidated, or unhappy people behind them. Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and others have reinforced an uncomfortable idea for generations of ambitious leaders: maybe being extraordinarily demanding, even brutal, is simply what greatness requires.Matt doesn’t dismiss that evidence. That’s what makes this conversation interesting.His argument is that toughness really does matter. Bold missions require conviction. High-performance teams require standards. Leaders sometimes need to make difficult decisions, push people beyond comfort, and remain steady when everyone around them is scared.But toughness and cruelty are not the same thing.Matt and John Baird have identified seven habits intended to help leaders become what they call “tough enough”: highly demanding while retaining compassion, respect and humanity.That leads us into one of my favorite parts of the conversation: vulnerability.I’ve spent years thinking about the difference between indiscriminate vulnerability and what I call Insightful Vulnerability™. A leader blurting out every fear before the team charges up the proverbial hill may technically be “authentic,” but that doesn’t necessarily make it good leadership. Vulnerability becomes valuable when it serves the people listening, builds trust, and creates Emotional Credibility™.We also get very personal about the cost of toughness. Matt and I both experienced serious health consequences after intense startup chapters. That takes us into a much more useful question than work-life balance: How do you lead relentlessly without destroying your capacity to keep leading?This conversation isn’t an argument for being softer.It’s an exploration of how to become tougher in the places that matter, compassionate in the places that matter, and intentional enough to know the difference. Key TakeawaysI think we have to stop treating toughness and compassion as opposites. Matt’s central argument is that leaders can set extremely high standards, pursue bold goals, and make difficult decisions without treating people badly.I came away appreciating the distinction between being “tough” and simply being aggressive. Toughness can mean conviction, endurance, accountability, and an unwillingness to abandon the mission when things get uncomfortable.I believe vulnerability only works in leadership when it serves a purpose beyond relieving the leader’s own emotions. That’s the distinction I make with Insightful Vulnerability™: share something because it helps other people trust, learn or act, not simply because you happen to feel it.I think admitting a mistake can increase rather than diminish a leader’s authority. Saying, “I screwed this up, here’s what I learned, and here’s what I’m changing,” can create trust that defensiveness never will.I was struck by Matt’s framing of relentless leadership as an endurance problem rather than simply a work-life balance problem. Ambitious people will push. The question is whether we understand our capacity, recovery, and rate of exertion well enough to keep going.I know firsthand that there is a danger zone. During my startup years, years of extreme stress and inadequate sleep contributed to a serious autoimmune illness. Matt shares a remarkably similar experience.I think every leader has to choose where they want to operate on the toughness spectrum. There is no requirement that you build your company, career, or life the way Elon Musk does, simply because his approach produces certain kinds of results.I like the high-performance sports team analogy for culture. People can be treated extremely well while still being expected to perform at the level the team requires.What really stands out to me is the false choice Matt is trying to eliminate. Compassionate leaders should not have to choose between being good human beings and being formidable competitors. Addressing Relevant IssuesOne reason I think this conversation matters right now is that leaders are receiving contradictory messages.We’re told to be empathetic, emotionally intelligent, vulnerable, and human. We’re also surrounded by highly visible examples suggesting that extreme demands, relentless pressure, and even fairly awful behavior can produce spectacular business results.I don’t think pretending that contradiction doesn’t exist helps anyone.The more useful question is: How do I lead a high-performance team without ...
    Visa mer Visa mindre
    50 min
  • SHIFT: A Transformational Journey from Playing Small to Unapologetically Thriving with Dr. Nicole Butts

    SHIFT: A Transformational Journey from Playing Small to Unapologetically Thriving with Dr. Nicole Butts
    Sep 9 2026
    Today I sit down with Dr. Nicole Butts, best-selling and award-winning author, speaker, and organizational culture strategist and expert, whose new book is SHIFT: A Transformational Journey from Playing Small to Unapologetically Thriving. This conversation is a masterclass in what happens when high-achieving leaders (especially women) finally stop outsourcing their worth to other people’s approval—and start leading from alignment. Nicole opens up about something almost every great leader experiences, but few say out loud: that moment right before a big opportunity where the old story shows up—I’m not worthy. I don’t belong here. She literally started drafting me an email to back out… and then caught herself in the act. That “shrinkage story” (her words) became the doorway into the deeper work—and the reason she wrote SHIFT. We go into: why powerful women still play small in male-dominated systems (and how it shows up in everyday language),how “worker bee syndrome” keeps people doing everything… except being seen as a leader,and Nicole’s core equation for transformation: consciousness + courage = transformation. If you’ve ever felt like your work should “speak for itself,” this episode will challenge you—in the best way. What You’ll Hear in This Episode 1) The real reason accomplished women still shrink Nicole breaks it down into three forces: Cultural conditioning: being taught to be “likable,” defer, and not take up space—showing up as hedging language like “I’m not really sure, but…”Structural dynamics: being outnumbered (especially for women of color), which changes how safe it feels to be visible.Internalized stories: “If I just do a really good job and keep my head down, they’ll notice.” Nicole is clear: that’s not reliably true. 2) “Worker bee syndrome” and the promotion you never get I share a pattern I see constantly: the whole department rides on someone’s back… and then they’re shocked when they’re passed up. Why? Because leadership isn’t only output—leadership is visibility, positioning, and presence. I call it “leadership me time”—stepping back from nonstop doing so people can actually see you leading. Nicole agrees and names it “reactive doing”—being busy, carrying everything, but not intentionally showing up as the leader. And then she drops a line I want you to remember: “By design, the work isn’t the leader. You are the leader.” 3) The SHIFT framework: a roadmap out of “playing small” Nicole shares the backbone of her book as an acronym: S — Set your North Star H — Here I — Illustrate your path forward F — Forge ahead T — Thrive And she didn’t just write a roadmap—she made it real. After each step, she includes a section called “Follow My Journey” where she shows how she personally moved through that step. 4) The inner equation for leadership: consciousness + courage Nicole explains why transformation requires two things: Consciousness (awareness): noticing the old pattern in real time so you can interrupt it.Courage: taking aligned action even with fear present—like deleting the email draft and saying yes to the opportunity instead. Her distinction is sharp: Awareness sets the course. Courage fuels the journey. Try This After You Listen (Practical Actions) Audit your language for “softeners.” If you regularly start with “I’m not sure, but…” practice leading with the point first.Schedule “leadership me time." Block time weekly to think, plan, mentor, and communicate—not just execute—so you’re seen leading, not only producing.Name your shrinkage story. When it shows up, don’t argue with it—notice it. That awareness creates choice.Choose one aligned action you’ll take while still nervous. That’s courage—aligned action in the presence of fear. Resources + Links Dr. Nicole Butts (website + books): NicoleButts.com Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn Book: SHIFT: A Transformational Journey from Playing Small to Unapologetically Thriving About Dr. Nicole Butts Dr. Nicole Butts is a best-selling and award-winning author, speaker, and organizational culture strategist who helps individuals and institutions unlock transformation. ----- If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star rating, write a few kind words about the show and our guest, and share it with someone who’s ready to stop shrinking and start leading. Ready to make your communication a match for how good you really are? John K. Bates provides private executive communication coaching and leadership development for accomplished leaders and teams. His programs have earned 92+ Net Promoter Scores with organizations including NASA, Johnson & Johnson, Google, Intuit, and Boston Scientific. Explore private coaching and leadership programs:https://executivespeakingsuccess.com/ Build your communication practice with John’s free weekly ...
    Visa mer Visa mindre
    47 min
  • Potential, Passion, Purpose: Flipping the Switch with Joel Steele

    Potential, Passion, Purpose: Flipping the Switch with Joel Steele
    Aug 26 2026

    Today I'm joined by Joel Steele, co-founder of Steele Financial Solutions and author of the powerful new book Life Switch. Joel’s journey from owning a failed healthy fast food restaurant to building a multi-million-dollar financial firm is inspiring, vulnerable, and packed with leadership gold.

    We dive into how devastating failures can unlock hidden potential and why Joel refused to declare bankruptcy, even when he was drowning in nearly $500,000 in debt at just 24 years old. He shares the exact mindset shift that reignited his fire—and the three “P”s that form the backbone of his book: Potential, Passion, and Purpose.

    This conversation is for anyone who’s ever felt stuck, wondered if they’re enough, or questioned whether their dreams are still possible. Joel is proof that when you flip the switch inside, everything outside begins to change.

    In this conversation, Joel and I explore:

    • The story behind Thinkers Grill, Joel’s awesome, yet failed business, and what it taught him about grit and growth
    • How a single decision helped him wipe out massive debt in under two years
    • The million-dollar mission tied to his book sales, and why he’s aching to write a very big check to charity.
    • How to balance success and fulfillment in today’s high-pressure world
    • Why helping others is Joel’s oxygen, and how you can find your own purpose

    Whether you’re leading a team, building your brand, or climbing back from a setback, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and real leadership. Find Joel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-steele-9685888/

    -----

    Joel Steele is an entrepreneur, financial expert, and co-founder/owner of a successful financial firm. He has over 22 years of experience helping people build wealth, along with peace of mind. He’s passionate about enhancing health and wealth, the business of sports, and building meaningful relationships, starting at home with family.

    Steele’s journey — from massive setbacks to personal reinvention and professional success — fuels his mission to inspire others to win in all aspects of life. He is part of the ownership group of two professional sports teams (NBA G-League and USL Championship League), and has inspired thousands nationwide to achieve personal and professional growth.

    Joel is a former certified personal trainer and created a small chain of healthy fast-food restaurants in the early 2000s. Find his book Life Switch here: https://bookjoelsteele.com/book/

    Ready to make your communication a match for how good you really are?

    John K. Bates provides private executive communication coaching and leadership development for accomplished leaders and teams. His programs have earned 92+ Net Promoter Scores with organizations including NASA, Johnson & Johnson, Google, Intuit, and Boston Scientific.

    Explore private coaching and leadership programs:
    https://executivespeakingsuccess.com/

    Build your communication practice with John’s free weekly mini-trainings:
    https://johnbates.com/mini-trainings/
    Visa mer Visa mindre
    40 min
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
Inga recensioner ännu