Leader2Leader with Tom Athenour

In this conversation, Tom Athenour discusses the integration of improvisational skills into leadership practices with improv actors Michael Flusche and Austin Hines. They explore how improv can enhance teamwork, creativity, and communication in the workplace. The discussion covers fundamental improv principles, the importance of trust and support in teams, and how to create a safe space for ideas. They also demonstrate improv techn...

In this episode, Tom Athenour speaks with Gordy Curphy about his work and research on how we as leaders can more effectively build high performing teams.  During the discussion, Gordy shared the eight interrelated components that need to be addressed to create the conditions for team success. Those eight components include: 

• Context – What’s the situation in which the team must operate?
• Mission – Why is our team together, and wha...

In this episode, Tom Athenour speaks with Jess Kindler about his extensive career in leadership within the mining industry and beyond. They discuss the evolving landscape of global business, the importance of customer-centric leadership, and the need for agility in response to rapid changes in technology and market dynamics. 

Jess shares insights on how leaders can effectively navigate challenges, meet their teams where they are...

Paul Monahan has spent years working with amateur and professional golfers and athletes to perfect the inner game or what we call the mental side of performance.  As the mental game coach for one of the largest golf instruction communities in the country, Paul's focus is on helping his clients overcome the inside-game challenges that show up during practice and play. Paul recently published his first book entitled The Most Importan...

Recently I had the opportunity to connect with Ann Betz, a neuroscience and leadership expert. During our discussion, we explored strategies to better navigate stress, tension, and uncertainty in our daily work environments. From our conversation, I gathered several neuroscience-based techniques (or "hacks," as she calls them) that can help us manage these challenges—both for ourselves and when supporting others.

1) Acknow...

For this episode, I had the opportunity to connect with Mara Swan who is currently an Operating Partner with Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm that invests in companies around the world. 

During our conversation, I asked Mara what she thought were the most important leadership capabilities needed to be effective in today’s world. She quickly responded with leaning into change and driving performance. And so, that was ...

Jon is President and General Manager of Epiroc USA, a global company that serves the

mining, construction, and infrastructure industries. During this episode, Jon shares how he

and his leadership team led their organization through a transformational culture change

that has resulted in becoming one of the top performing companies within the Epiroc

organization as well as being recognized by USA Today as one of the best places to wo...

Feeling tired, emotionally exhausted, and frustrated with not being able to move things

forward? If you can relate, you’re not alone. During this episode, John and Tom discuss how

we all can create a more fulfilling and healthy life, while also becoming a more effective

leader, partner, parent and human being!

A brief introduction to John’s story. In 1987, John was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing

with fire and gasoline, John c...

In this episode, Sam and Tom discuss how leadership is changing and what leaders need to

know to navigate the uncertainties of our future reality. As CEO of Vistage, Sam leads the

world’s largest CEO coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize

businesses, with more than 45,000 members in 30+ countries. He has a global view and

perspective on what’s changing in the business environment, and what the best leaders

ar...

In this episode, Jason and Tom explore how Jason was given the opportunity back in April of

2019 to lead a team or squadron of 80 people into a combat situation in the Middle East.

The original assignment was to take over the squadron and be ready for deployment. The

timeframe to prepare was about 12 months; however, conditions changed rather quickly

after taking command of the squadron and their timeline to get prepared for deploy...