"It costs you nothing to be respectful, but it will cost you relationships if you assume the worst in other people every time." Former Salesforce Senior Director David Fung joins host Josh Seldin to tackle the ultimate challenge of matrixed organizations: how to get things done when you aren't the boss. David pulls back the curtain on the psychology of human behavior, showing leaders how to move away from command-and-control tactics and step into a culture of high-yielding influence. Josh and David explore the "What's in it for me?" (WIIFM) factor, why flatter organizations require a complete abandonment of corporate egos, and how to successfully hold peers accountable when deadlines slip. From building cross-functional "piggy banks" of trust to dealing with holiday weekend emergencies, this episode provides a sharp, real-world playbook on how to lead effectively using credibility, authentic connection, and strategic relevance. Key Takeaways: ✅ The Authority Fallacy: Why relying on a title or organizational hierarchy to drive priorities results in checked-out teams who only do the bare minimum. ✅ The Influencer Triad: Mastering the three requirements of non-authoritative leadership—establishing deep structural credibility, forging human connection, and maintaining radical relevance. ✅ Bypassing the Transactional Trap: How to stop treating corporate relationships like a fast-food order and start building genuine, proactive rapport across departments. ✅ Uncovering Hidden Leverage: Strategies for finding shared commonalities and collective alignment across seemingly disconnected departmental silos. ✅ Peer-to-Peer Accountability: A live roleplay framework for politely but firmly holding cross-functional colleagues accountable to their commitments through the lens of integrity. ✅ The True Cost of Respect: Understanding how a baseline of humility, transparency, and empathy acts as your most powerful currency for sustainable, long-term career success. Connect with David Fung: Podcast: https://coachfulcoaching.com/podcast Website: http://www.coachfulcoaching.com/ Contact Josh: leadinquarters@gmail.com Follow Leadership in Quarters: @leadinquarters on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Artwork: Adam Powell Music I Use: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music License code: RFDYFOWDK3BYX6UZ Artist: : Benjamin Tissot #LeadershipInQuarters #DavidFung #InfluenceWithoutAuthority #CrossFunctionalLeadership #CorporateCulture #ExecutiveCoaching #TechLeadership #JoshSeldin #YourGrowthAscent

"People want to work with the people they want to have a beer or a glass of wine with." Television monologue writer, author, and clean comedian Jan McInnis joins host Josh Seldin to prove that humor isn't just for the comedy club: it's a critical tool in the executive toolkit. Jan shares her front-line secrets from speaking to organizations like the Federal Reserve and the Mayo Clinic, showing leaders how to safely navigate the fine line of "too soon" comedy and leverage the humanizing power of self-deprecating wit.

Josh and Jan dig into how leaders can command a room like a seasoned stand-up, manage corporate "hecklers" without losing power, and bypass standard corporate tunnel vision by intentionally scanning their environment for ironies. From coping with frozen salaries in Iowa to navigating truck drivers in a church basement, this episode is a masterclass in reading the room and breaking the ice when the pressure is on.

Key Takeaways:

✅ The Energy Reset: How a single well-timed observation can instantly release the physiological tension of a room stuck in a low-energy or high-stress rut.

✅ The Anatomy of a Business Joke: Why leaders should avoid hot-button topics (politics, religion) and focus strictly on situational ironies and self-deprecating humor.

✅ Handling the Corporate Heckler: Learning from comedians how to diffuse disruptive, attention-seeking team members ("Bobs") without forfeiting your authority.

✅ Bypassing Corporate Blinders: How to trade presentation tunnel vision for sharp situational awareness by scanning agendas, environments, and team vibes.

✅ The Meme Advantage: Utilizing cartoons, idioms, altered acronyms, and visual memes to increase email open rates and reinforce dry corporate documentation.

✅ Starting Small: Embracing the "open mic" approach to management by testing out small, authentic expressions of humor before anchoring major company keynotes with it.

Connect with Jan McInnis:

Website: https://theworklady.com/

Substack: https://janmcinnis.sub...

Instagram:  / jan.mcinnis

Contact Josh: leadinquarters@gmail.com

Follow Leadership in Quarters: @leadinquarters on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Artwork: Adam Powell

Music by Bensound.com/free-music-for-videos

License code: FK3H7T3WKW6EAGTE

Artist: : Benjamin Tissot

#LeadershipInQuarters #JanMcInnis #HumorInBusiness #ExecutivePresence #ApproachableLeadership #CorporateCulture #ReadTheRoom #JoshSeldin #YourGrowthAscent