Have you ever looked at a "natural" leader and wondered why it seems so easy for them?

In our latest episode of Raising The Bar on Leadership, I sat down with my close friend O’Brien McMahon (SVP at Lockton and host of People Business) to debunk the myth of the natural-born leader.

O’Brien’s core philosophy is simple but transformative: Everything is a skill. From leadership and communication to psychological safety, these aren't things you're born with, they are things you build through consistent "reps".

Simon Curran, Chief Development and Culture Officer at Rokt, is a passionate and experienced leader dedicated to unlocking human potential. In this conversation, Simon shares models and deep insights to explain how to create high-performing teams in any environment, from elite sports to hyper-growth businesses.

You Will Learn:

• The Three C's of Performance: What is the non-negotiable order (Connection, Clarity, Courage) for building a sustainable, high-growth team?

• The "5-Minute Rule": Why the first five minutes of every meeting should be dedicated to human connection, not business updates.

• The Performance Formula: How to stop chasing "potential" and start focusing on removing the "drag" that's limiting your team's output.

Annie Trombatore, Chief People Officer at Vox Media, discusses the evolving role of HR, the impact of AI on people operations, and the importance of effective internal communications. She emphasizes the need for HR to align closely with business goals, adopt an AI mindset, and empower managers to lead authentically.