Executive Access

In this inaugural episode, Jamie shares an inspiring conversation with Dave Willis, former Corporate Vice President at Microsoft and current Board Director and Advisor. Dave speaks about the importance of a commitment to excellence, focusing on impact over activities, and keeping score. Dave reflects on his career journey and some key learnings along the way. Dave is an accomplished technology senior leader with incredible wisdom to share with leaders of all levels.

Dave Willis is a Technology Industry Board Director and Advisor. Follow Dave on LinkedIn

During the episode, Jamie and Dave refer to the following work:

• Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset work – link to the book here
• Warmth and Competence Model – Harvard Business School “Connect, Then Lead” by Amy J.C. Cuddy, Matthew Kohut, and John Neffinger
• The Outward Mindset: Seeing Beyond Ourselves by The Arbinger Institute – link to book here

Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life, a platform that provides coaching, community and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.

In this episode, Jamie speaks with Maureen Daily, senior educator and former high school Principal at Porter-Gaud School. Jamie describes Maureen as one of the best storytellers and communicators she has experienced. Maureen breaks down how she prepares for giving a presentation and the importance of knowing your audience. She discusses authentic leadership and the power of setting guiding principles when influencing teams to act. Maureen is humorous and full of great wisdom.

During the episode, Jamie and Maureen refer to the following work:

• Warmth and Competence Model – Harvard Business School “Connect, Then Lead” by Amy J.C. Cuddy, Matthew Kohut, and John Neffinger
• The Outward Mindset: Seeing Beyond Ourselves by The Arbinger Institute – link to book here

Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life, a platform that provides coaching, community, and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.

In this episode, Jamie speaks with Salesforce.com Executive Vice President, Connor Marsden. Connor is a confident and bold leader who is always pushing himself and his team to think differently and try new things to achieve outsized results. Connor talks about the power of curiosity and the willingness to be wrong. He shares how he values authentic leadership and some great tips for achieving that through communicating effectively. Working with Connor is always exciting, and listeners will get insider access to how and why he leads the way he does.

Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life, a platform that provides coaching, community, and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.

In this episode, Jamie speaks with Trident Construction President, Tim Kennedy. When Jamie met the team at Trident Construction, she was amazed at the incredible culture of customer obsession and profound care. Tim shares how that culture was created and how he stewards it now as the organization is growing so rapidly. He discusses the importance of hiring slowly, the power of trust, and the three core attributes that he looks for in highly successful team members. Tim is a strong, humble leader who doesn’t shy away from sharing his mistakes and learning on the way up from entry level employee out of college to now leading the entire organization.

During the episode, Jamie and Tim refer to the following work:

• Andy Stanley – The Importance of Trust in Leadership
• Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset work – link to the book here

Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life, a platform that provides coaching, community, and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.

In this episode, Jamie speaks with Head of Global Sales for Armor and former Microsoft leader, Derek Boxdell. Jamie has long admired Derek’s deep self-awareness and pursuit of growth. Derek openly shares his professional development journey including learning to use his voice and stepping into authentic leadership…something he calls “moving from professional Derek to inviting others to meet him.” Derek demonstrates his strength as a leader by sharing his vulnerabilities and, in so doing, provides a true gift to listeners experiencing similar challenges.

During the episode, Jamie and Derek refer to the following work:

• Deion Sanders Elevate and Dominate: 21 Ways to Win On and Off the Field
• Derek Boxdell’s Security expert articles (for our security enthusiast listeners!)
  • Back to the Basics of Cybersecurity
  • Containers & Cybersecurity: Automation is Key
  • Containerization: The Need to Know

Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life, a platform that provides coaching, community, and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.

In this episode, Jamie speaks with Mike Carter, CEO and Founder of eGroup Enabling Technologies, a leading provider of IT solutions and an award-winning Microsoft Services Partner. Jamie began working with eGroup Enabling Technologies around the start of the pandemic and noticed a culture of deep resiliency and customer obsession. Mike shares how his leadership has evolved in the 25 years since founding eGroup and also the fundamentals and values that have never changed. Mike discusses his belief that improvement comes from committed consistency and the power of resourcefulness. Lately, Mike is spending more of his time contemplating the vision for his organization and breaks down how he is doing that, including the way he communicates within his organization. Mike is a thoughtful and intentional leader who has incredible wisdom to share.

During the episode, Jamie and Mike refer to the following work:

• E.L. Doctorow – “Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”
• Arbinger Institute – The Outward Mindset: Seeing Beyond Ourselves
• Dan Pink – Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life, a platform that provides coaching, community, and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.

In this episode, Jamie speaks with Paula Hodgins, Head of Global Sales, Service, and Customer Success, Tanzu Division of VMware by Broadcom. Paula is well-known as a highly principled leader, committed to always doing the right thing, even when it is hard. She talks about the power of creating clarity for your team, avoiding a leadership echo chamber, and guiding your team through significant change. Paula’s style is both warm and direct, an incredibly rare and inviting combination.

During the episode, Jamie and Paula refer to the following work:

• Stephen Covey – 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
• Paula Hodgins – “Avoiding the Leadership Echo Chamber”

Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life, a platform that provides coaching, community, and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.

In this episode, Jamie speaks with Rachel Lee, Sales & GTM at Hex. Rachel is a bit earlier in career than other Executive Access guests but she has powerful insights to share. Early in career listeners will get advice to immediately implement to create success. Senior leaders will be reminded of how the way they show up for others matters and determines their ability to retain top talent. Rachel talks about how she was able to differentiate herself early in her career, what she learned by observing senior leaders, and what would have made her stay at a company versus leaving for another position. Rachel is “on her way up” and you will understand why as she gives us much to ponder about our leadership impact.

Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life, a platform that provides coaching, community, and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.