Executive Access

In this episode, Jamie speaks with Melanie Stith, former healthcare executive and Founder/ CEO of Culture Wins. From attorney, to HR executive, to government relations executive, Melanie wasn’t afraid to “change lanes” in her career while building broad business experience. She shares that she recently completed a year of personal reflection and growth after transitioning from her high-powered corporate position into founding her own consulting business. Melanie shares several specific examples about how she grew her leadership over the course of her career. One lesson learned is how embracing vulnerability leads to authenticity and deeper relationships. Melanie is a highly respected leader whose willingness to share personal insights is not only refreshing, but will be significantly encouraging to many of my listeners contemplating their own transitions.

During this episode, Melanie and Jamie refer to the following work:

• Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brooks
• The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life by Shawn Achor
• Does Bad News Travel Fast in Your Organization by Executive Access Podcast

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 President and CEO of Coastal Community Foundation, Darrin Goss, Sr.  He describes his work as connecting people with the impulse to do good with the ability to do good. Darrin’s leadership style was shaped early as an officer in the Army.  His transition into civilian life taught him the importance of finding purpose and aligning your career to pursue that purpose.  We also discussed how he successfully holds that tension line as a leader between valuing people and driving accountability, something he describes as taking courage to get right. His insights on influence leadership are excellent.  Finally, Darrin shares the importance of staying true to your values as a leader – two of his cornerstone values are faith and family.  Darrin is a deeply respected leader who is making a big impact in the communities of South Carolina through the coalitions he builds.

During this episode, Darrin refers to the following work:

• Lincoln on Leadership by Donald T. Phillips
• Chief Executive Magazine

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 long-time senior technology executive David Weiss, Operating Partner at Thoma Bravo and Clearhaven Partners.  Jamie finished the interview, turned to her producer and said, “Now that is what excellence in leadership looks like!” David says that while many leaders have a gift of natural charisma, he relies on a very intentional approach to leadership that has turned out to be a strength.  Drawing upon Eduardo Briceno’s work, he advises leaders and teams to know when they are in the “performance zone” and when they are in the “learning zone.”  He describes the stages he sees companies grow through and why assessing complexity is just as important as measuring revenue.  David gives us a short primer on how private equity firms work and discusses 3 of 10 levers of scale he has identified.  One of those levers is culture and he introduces his very interesting “Energy Creator Framework” making the case that it’s not enough to make sure you have the right people; your organization needs the right energy from those people.  David is an extraordinary leader; you will find yourself playing and replaying this episode in the weeks to come.

During this episode, David refers to the following work:

• The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action by Eduardo Briceno
• What Leaders Really Do by John Kotter (especially Chapter 3)

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