A Geek Leader Podcast - inspiring technical and creative leaders around the world

John Rouda: technical leader, author, speaker, educator

The ultimate podcast for aspiring leaders in the creative or technology fields. John Rouda discusses leadership topics, interviews some of the greatest minds today and teaches you practical leadership tips, techniques, tricks and hacks to improve motivation, negotiation, and other much needed skills for leaders today. read less
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Episodes

AGL 386: Empathetic Leadership with Eric Müller
4d ago
AGL 386: Empathetic Leadership with Eric Müller
About Eric Eric Müller is the VP of Engineering and CISO at Presence, where he has led engineering teams and supported automated processes to deliver high-quality digital products for the past decade. With over 20 years of experience in engineering and security, Eric has worked across various industries including banking, social media, B2B, retail, fashion, and online gaming. His extensive background includes significant roles at Wells Fargo Bank, Charles Schwab, Razorfish, and Mekanism, where he delivered award-winning projects for clients such as Samsung, eBay, and DKNY. At Presence, Eric fosters empathetic leadership and transparent communication to build resilient, high-performing tech teams. An advocate for healthy agency-client collaboration, Eric involves partners early and often in the development process. His experience has proven that stronger client relationships result in better products. Beyond his professional achievements, Eric is an amateur photographer and baking enthusiast who loves discussing security. Today We Talk About Eric's background What is Empathetic Leadership Teams? Ron Lichty Therapy - EAP Programs Empathy Generosity No Person is an Island... we can't do it on our own Connect With Eric LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
AGL 383: Douglas Squirrel
20-09-2024
AGL 383: Douglas Squirrel
About Douglas Squirrel creates constructive conflict to achieve astonishing productivity gains. His intensive coaching and advisory work gives executives and their teams the tools to create and align on business goals, discard good ideas that don't fit the strategy, and deliver high-impact, customer-visible results. For instance, companies using his Insanely Profitable Tech methods deliver new software to customers every single day, with constant learning and improvement that keeps them way ahead of the competition. Squirrel has transformed product lines, company cultures, and technical skills at over 300 organizations on every continent except Antarctica, in industries from finance to biotech to music and many more. He co-authored the book Agile Conversations and has recently released Squirrel's Tech Radar, a simple method for assessing any technology organization in under two hours with no background in tech required. Learn more about Squirrel at https://douglassquirrel.com, and check out his community of thousands of executives learning together at https://squirrelsquadron.com. Or feel free to ring him anytime on the Squirrel-Phone, +44 777 3794 491; you'll probably reach him at his home in Frogholt, England, where he lives in a timber-framed cottage built in the year 1450. Today We Talked About Getting Fired Empire building Don't grab a sledgehammer Listening Genuine Question Carefully Plan interactions Say what you See TDD for People Build Trust in the first 5-10 minutes by following the steps. One-on-Ones Practice in controlled environments Using your kids as graders Using Zoom or ChatGPT for help Bridge the gap of communication Betterisms Build Relationships Take a Field Trip or a ride along   Connect with Douglas Website Book X LinkedIn   Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
AGL 382: Alan Nelson
13-09-2024
AGL 382: Alan Nelson
About Alan ALAN E. NELSON, Ed.D. is a leadership development specialist, trainer, speaker, and Lecturer of Management at the Naval Postgraduate School (www.nps.edu). He previously taught at USC, UCI, LMU, and Pepperdine. Dr. Nelson founded KidLead Academy, the world’s first online course to train parents how to develop their child’s leadership potential (www.kidlead.com). He also founded LeadYoung Training Systems, designing organizational leadership curricula for 3-23-year-olds (www.LeadYoungTraining.com). He is the author of 40 books and over 200 articles on personal growth and leadership and the founder of KidLead Inc., a nonprofit focusing on young leader development. Alan has a doctorate (Ed.D.) in leadership from the University of San Diego. During the first half of his life, he was an entrepreneurial leader in the social sector. In midlife, he concluded that leadership development could have a better return on investment by focusing on leaders while they’re moldable, not moldy. Since 2008, Alan’s been a pioneer in young leader development, designing age-n-stage curricula for 3-23-year-olds. Dr. Nelson has traveled to a variety of countries to train people with his curricula, along with interacting with 1000s of preteens and teens, as part of his research. Today We Talked About Alan's background Parenting similarities to managing Kid leadership Work and home life Skills kids need for leadership Persuasive skills Treating Kids like Leaders Don't underestimate your children 5 Star Boss Connect with Alan Website LinkedIn Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
AGL 381: Jeff Gothelf
06-09-2024
AGL 381: Jeff Gothelf
About Jeff Jeff is a a leading voice and thought leader on customer centric product development. He helps organizations build better products and executives build the cultures that build better products. He is the co-author of the award-winning book Lean UX (now in it’s 3rd edition) and the Harvard Business Review Press book Sense & Respond. In 2020 he published the critically aclaimed book, Forever Employable. Starting off as a software designer then product manager and finally entrepreneur, Jeff now works as a keynote speaker, trainer, coach, and board advisor helping companies put the customer in the century of every decision. Most recently Jeff co-authored Who Does What By How Much?, his 5th book and 3rd with co-author Josh Seiden. This new book is the how-to guide for implementing Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) in every organization. Today We Talk About Jeff's background Early Days of the Web UX Customer Centric Product Development Continuous Development Definition of Done Outcomes as a measure of success What are OKRs Measure what Matters Definition of Success How will we know when we get there No Features, no solutions, no tasks Metrics Everything should be about the customer Experimenting What do engaged customers do Awareness, Usage, Engagement and Satisfaction...boo OKRs must have actions and Take a Field Trip - Get out of the building. Connect with Jeff LinkedIn Website Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
AGL 377: Dean Guida
09-08-2024
AGL 377: Dean Guida
About Dean Dean Guida has led his organization through decades of technological change, cultivating Infragistics from a small startup in 1989 into a global enterprise software leader. Dean oversees all aspects of Infragistics' business operations and corporate direction, maintaining a steady focus on delighting the customer, delivering value to the market, and inspiring STEM students. With a developer and UX professional community of more than two million, Infragistics has achieved the highest awards in software development, and Infragistics enterprise apps help users collaborate and obtain insights and results for their companies. Dean has developed software solutions that accelerate design, development, and collaboration, including the trailblazing digital workplace platform, Slingshot. A regular contributor to Entrepreneur Magazine and a frequent podcast guest, Dean is the author of When Grit is Not Enough: An Entrepreneur's Playbook for Taking Your Business to the Next Level (Inc. Original). Today We Talked About Dean's background What is Grit? Optimistic Open to solve problems and not blame You're Never "Done" Tough Skin Data Decisions by Data Leading with Data Validation Tough Conversations Situation Behavior Impact Hiring and retaining valuable team members How you write job descriptions What is it like to work on the team Soft Skill assessments Don't Settle... Hiring is hard 30,60,90,180,365 Success criteria and evaluations Onboarding is important Culture is important... Pay is also important, but it's not #1 Invest in yourself to learn Build a learning culture Check-in personally and professionally Be Authentic Connect With Dean LinkedIn Website Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
AGL 376: The Dystopian Utopia with Carl M.A. Arden
02-08-2024
AGL 376: The Dystopian Utopia with Carl M.A. Arden
About Carl Carl is a Swedish-born author with a background in business and international relations. He studied economics at the University of Oxford and completed an MBA at the London Business School. He worked as a diplomat in Moscow and completed one tour of peacekeeping in Kosovo before moving into different roles in investment banking and corporate finance. His main interests are in future trends, disruptive technologies, socio-political and economic systems, risks and uncertainty, sustainable development, and all creative arts. Carl is interested in alternative history novels and realistic books about the near and far future. Despite, or probably because of, his background in economics and finance, he does not believe in single trajectory forecasts, but rather in base-case and outlier scenarios that open our eyes to how the future could unfold. He believes in chaos, in the sense that small changes to our current situation can have a large impact on future development. He is also interested in world-crafting books that describe carefully designed and internally consistent worlds. Carl is interested in the nature of man and in our creative and destructive potential. As a result, he is a keen reader of books on different utopias and dystopias. He tries to follow research institutes like the Future of Life Institute at MIT and the Center for the Study of Existential Risks at Cambridge, which he believes do very important work on what he would refer to as the meta-sustainability of our species. Among non-fiction authors that he finds insightful, Carl would mention Yuval Harari, Toby Ord, William MacAskill, Jared Diamond, David Wallace-Wells, and Nassim Taleb. Among fiction authors that inspire him, he would mention George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, and Frank Herbert. There are of course many more. *The Dystopian Utopia* is Carl's first book. It is a work of speculative fiction about one (of infinitely many) possible futures for humanity. He is married with two children, lives in Sweden, and enjoys sports and nature. Today We Talked About Background The Title Be a Hero A.I. Dystopia Why? What's next for Humans Virtual Dreams Finding Purpose Connect With Carl Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
AGL 375: Chad Brown
29-07-2024
AGL 375: Chad Brown
About Chad Chad Brown is a leadership engagement expert. He coaches founders and executives in the art and science of leadership for themselves, their teams, and clients to create new, unprecedented results and experience fulfillment in their work. Chad founded a media production studio called Shade Tree Films in 2008 that has serviced global companies such as Volkswagen, Target, and Pixar Animation Studios. This is where his love and passion for leadership and causing results through others was ignited. He sold that company in 2021. He thrives in extreme environments and difficult conversations. Over the last 7 years, Chad has trained and developed leaders at globally recognized brands like Lulu Lemon, and Ironclad Document Services along with many burgeoning start-ups. When he is not engaging in meaningful conversations with leaders, you will find (or won't be able to find) Chad on a wild adventure in the mountains with his family. He resides at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Orem Utah with his wife Katie and three children Addison, Kenya, and Milo. Today We Talked About Chad's background Team building Leadership Coaching Learning from Failure Ego Letting Go Trust isn't built, its Chosen Immature Trust All of us have Snakes in us - Jordan Peterson Mature Trust Accountability with no Authority Information is a social currency Generously communicating information Celebrate Failure Personal Vulnerability Courage 4 Pillars of Founder Freedom Assessment Connect with Chad Website LinkedIn Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
AGL 370: Powerful Phrases
21-06-2024
AGL 370: Powerful Phrases
About Karin And David Karin Hurt helps human-centered leaders find clarity in uncertainty, drive innovation, and achieve breakthrough results. She’s the Founder and CEO of Let’s Grow Leaders, a global leadership development firm known for practical tools and techniques for human-centered leaders. A former Verizon Wireless executive with more than two decades of experience in sales, customer service, and human resources, Karin is known for growing courageous leaders, building great cultures, and inspiring high-performance teams. Since 2013, Karin and her husband, David have grown tens of thousands of leaders on every continent (except Antarctica) with their leadership development programs and keynotes. In addition to encouraging courage around the world, they also provide clean water to the people of Cambodia through their Winning Wells philanthropic initiative. Karin is an award-winning author of five books, including: Courageous Cultures – How to Build Teams of Micro-Innovators, Problem Solvers and Customer Advocates Powerful Phrases for Dealing With Workplace Conflict: What to Say Next to Destress the Workday, Build Collaboration and Calm Difficult Customers She is the host of the popular LinkedIn show, Asking for a Friend. And she was recently named by Inc. Magazine as a Top 100 Great Leadership Speaker. David Dye helps human-centered leaders find clarity in uncertainty, drive innovation, and achieve breakthrough results. He’s President of Let’s Grow Leaders, a global leadership development firm known for practical tools and techniques for human-centered leaders. A former executive, David is known for helping leaders and teams achieve transformational results without sacrificing their humanity Since 2013, Karin and David have helped grow tens of thousands of leaders on every continent (except Antarctica) with their leadership development programs and keynotes. They also provide clean water to the people of Cambodia through their Winning Wells philanthropic initiative. David is an award-winning author of six books including: Courageous Cultures – How to Build Teams of Micro-Innovators, Problem Solvers and Customer Advocates Powerful Phrases for Dealing With Workplace Conflict: What to Say Next to Destress the Workday, Build Collaboration and Calm Difficult Customers Tomorrow Together- Essays of Hope Healing and Humanity David also hosts the popular podcast, Leadership Without Losing Your Soul.   Today We Talked About Backgrounds Dimensions of Collaboration Connection Clarity Curiosity Commitment Acknowledgement of the Emotion What went right? It sounds to me like you're feeling _____, Do I have that right? Do we need conflict? What would a successful outcome do for you? What does it matter? Managing Up. Whys? I hear you, and I am concerned ____ The sooner you handle something, the easier it will be. Have I set clear expectations? Are they in conflict because of me. What do you want me to know? Vent or Intervention? Should the 3 of us talk together? Notice the pattern What is most needed? The 12 GOATs   Connect with Karin Karin's LinkedIn David's LinkedIn Website Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
AGL 369: Mindfulness with Daniela Bumann
14-06-2024
AGL 369: Mindfulness with Daniela Bumann
About Daniela Daniela, a Swiss native based in California, is a corporate consultant, international teacher and transformational speaker, life coach, and evolutionary consciousness guide. She helps high-performers overcome achievers burnout, repair relationships, and boost productivity. With expertise in performance and positive psychology and communication, Daniela maximizes individual and team performance. Her unorthodox approach blends wit and reflection, enabling personal growth through new habits, next-level mindset and boundaries. In her groundbreaking book, "Gliding You Home: A Dolphins Dream of a New Earth," Daniela explores unlocking spiritual potential for fulfillment. As an evolutionary guide, she helps individuals from all walks of life. Her insights and teachings open new pathways for change and help individuals tap into their spiritual potential, creating greater unity on Earth. Today We Talked About Her background High Performance without Pain Boundaries Burnout Being Present Mindfulness 7 Habits Slow Down to speed up Pivot 3 Minute Power Meditations (LIVE ON THE SHOW). Pragmatic and Spiritual Schedule Flow State Dolphins Ego Patience Become Intentional Connect with Daniela LinkedIn Website Speaking Website Book X Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!