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  • Authenticity, Curiosity, and Leadership with Michael Jones (Part Two)

    Authenticity, Curiosity, and Leadership with Michael Jones (Part Two)
    2025/09/22
    In the second half of their conversation, Richard Walker and Michael Jones, President and CEO of Delta Dental of Arizona, go deeper into servant leadership, company culture, and the balance between empathy and tough business decisions.

    Michael shares how Delta Dental of Arizona logged nearly 1,000 volunteer hours and 27 community events in a single year, explaining why leading with service creates a ripple effect across teams and communities. He unpacks his non-negotiables as a CEO, the importance of aligning personal values with business strategy, and why respect and dignity must guide even the hardest calls.

    The discussion also explores the long-term value of relationships, the danger of short-term thinking, and how technology, data, and AI are transforming healthcare. With practical lessons on leadership, authenticity, and intentional innovation, this episode offers a masterclass in leading with both heart and results.
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    32 分
  • Authenticity, Curiosity, and Leadership with Michael Jones (Part One)

    Authenticity, Curiosity, and Leadership with Michael Jones (Part One)
    2025/09/15
    In this episode, Richard Walker sits down with Michael Jones, President and CEO of Delta Dental of Arizona, for a conversation about leadership, relationships, and the power of giving back.

    Michael shares his journey from growing up in inner-city Chicago with a single mother to leading a major healthcare organization. He reflects on how education, family values, and servant leadership shaped his path. Richard and Michael revisit their shared work with Genesis Works, a nonprofit that helps underserved high school students gain life-changing opportunities, and discuss why authentic relationships are at the heart of both personal and professional success.

    From stories about building networks to the importance of curiosity, listening, and authenticity, this conversation is packed with practical insights on how to lead with both head and heart.
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    28 分
  • Beyond Code: How Curiosity & Relationships Forge Top Tech Leaders with Jim Graham & Melissa Flicek (Part Two)

    Beyond Code: How Curiosity & Relationships Forge Top Tech Leaders with Jim Graham & Melissa Flicek (Part Two)
    2025/06/30
    In Part Two, of this dynamic discussion, Richard Walker challenges tech executives Melissa Flicek and Jim Graham to reveal practical strategies for driving organizational change. Melissa shares her Medtronic breakthrough—creating an illustrative prototype that won over skeptical Australian leaders ("I don't care if it's fake—it's better than what I have!")—demonstrating her "start with the willing" approach to transformation. Jim unpacks his stakeholder analysis framework: leveraging peer insights to identify innovators versus laggards while strategically importing cross-industry talent to "rattle cages.”

    The trio debates high-stakes leadership dilemmas, from cultural upheaval responses ("Some make change happen, some watch, some wonder what hit them") to influencing through business fluency. Richard delivers hard truths about shifting global tech hiring—including how nearshoring trends are halving opportunities for U.S. graduates—while reflecting on relationship equity as his networking lifeline. His career advice to a struggling grad ("Your net worth mirrors your network") sparks raw wisdom, including personal mantras: Say yes to every opportunity, treat all people equally, and maintain insatiable curiosity.

    Closing with powerful final thoughts—Melissa's call to "authentically invest in partnerships," Jim's "stay curious" ethos, and Richard's advocacy for human-centric leadership—this episode equips listeners to turn resistance into momentum through prepared prototyping, stakeholder mapping, and relentless relationship-building.
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    29 分
  • Beyond Code: How Curiosity & Relationships Forge Top Tech Leaders with Jim Graham & Melissa Flicek (Part One)

    Beyond Code: How Curiosity & Relationships Forge Top Tech Leaders with Jim Graham & Melissa Flicek (Part One)
    2025/06/23
    Join Richard Walker for an unfiltered conversation with two visionary technology executives—Melissa Flicek and Jim Graham—as they dissect the non-technical traits that propelled them to CIO/CTO-level success. Rejecting outdated "techie in the corner" stereotypes, Melissa reveals how her "million questions" philosophy and passion for talent development drove innovation, while Jim shares why sitting in the "right chair at the right time" (paired with radical humility) unlocked transformative opportunities. Together, they unpack why curiosity isn’t innate—it’s cultivated through discomfort, personal development plans, and shadowing customer service teams to uncover automation goldmines.

    Discover why authentic leadership means discussing Real Housewives in the boardroom (Melissa’s signature move) and treating relationships as "the long game" where high "say-do ratios" build unshakeable trust. Learn Jim’s framework for dissecting business levers before deploying tech, and Melissa’s counterintuitive "start with the willing" strategy for driving change—where consistent base hits trump risky home runs. They debate networking’s hidden power (hint: internal allies matter most), why failed interviews can be blessings ("If you can’t be authentic, it wasn’t the right fit"), and how to ask questions that expose real business needs.


    Perfect for aspiring leaders and seasoned execs alike, this episode delivers actionable tools to transform from order-taker to strategic partner—one relationship, one question, and one uncomfortable growth moment at a time.
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    30 分
  • Zach Mercurio on the Power of Mattering: How to Make People Feel Seen, Valued & Needed (Part Two)

    Zach Mercurio on the Power of Mattering: How to Make People Feel Seen, Valued & Needed (Part Two)
    2025/05/06
    In Part 2, Richard Walker continues his deep dive with Zach Mercurio into the power of "mattering"—the belief that we are seen, valued, and needed by those around us. Building on their earlier conversation, Zach and Richard explore how small, intentional interactions can combat the growing loneliness epidemic and disengagement in workplaces and society. Zach shares his research-backed framework for fostering mattering: **Noticed, Affirmed, and Needed**. He reveals how simple acts—like holding a door, asking meaningful questions, or remembering personal details—can transform relationships and organizational culture. The discussion also tackles the dangers of "learned helplessness," where people disengage because they feel their contributions don’t matter, and how leaders can reverse this trend by creating environments where everyone feels indispensable. The episode closes with powerful insights from high-performing teams—from the U.S. Army Special Forces to the Blue Angels—showing how mattering fuels resilience and excellence. Whether you’re a leader, teammate, or simply someone striving to make others feel valued, this conversation is a masterclass in the art of human connection. Tune in to discover how you can close the "mattering deficit" in your own life and work—one meaningful interaction at a time.
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    32 分
  • Zach Mercurio on the Power of Mattering: How to Make People Feel Seen, Valued & Needed (Part One)

    Zach Mercurio on the Power of Mattering: How to Make People Feel Seen, Valued & Needed (Part One)
    2025/04/29
    Richard Walker sits down with Zach Mercurio, a leading expert on the concept of "mattering," to explore how feeling valued and significant impacts motivation, performance, and well-being in the workplace. Zach shares his personal journey from a disengaged employee in the advertising world to a researcher dedicated to helping individuals and organizations cultivate a sense of purpose and connection. The conversation delves into the critical difference between having a job that matters and experiencing mattering in your job, highlighting how small, meaningful interactions—not promotions or paychecks—truly make people feel seen and valued. Richard and Zach also tackle the challenges of modern work environments, from the pitfalls of hybrid work and digital communication to the alarming trends of loneliness and disengagement. They discuss the urgent need to reskill leaders in relational competencies and the role of empathy, compassion, and genuine human connection in fostering high-performing teams. Tune in for an insightful and timely discussion that will challenge how you think about work, leadership, and the future of human connection in an increasingly automated world.
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    28 分
  • Graham Allcott and The Quiet Power of Kindness (Part Two)

    Graham Allcott and The Quiet Power of Kindness (Part Two)
    2025/03/24
    In Part 2, Richard Walker and Graham Allcott dive deeper into the profound impact of kindness on workplace performance, mental health, and overall well-being. Graham, author of Kind: The Quiet Power of Kindness at Work, explores the neuroscience behind kindness, revealing how acts of compassion release feel-good chemicals like oxytocin and dopamine, benefiting not only the giver and receiver but also those who witness these acts. The discussion highlights the "Mother Teresa Effect," where witnessing kindness boosts immune systems and inspires others to pay it forward. Graham shares powerful examples, including a story about a single kidney donation that sparked a chain reaction of 29 additional donations, illustrating how kindness creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the initial act. Richard and Graham also tackle the barriers to kindness, particularly the fear of misinterpretation, and how cultural differences, especially in the UK, can amplify this hesitation. They emphasize the importance of recognizing and seizing those fleeting moments to act kindly, whether in a meeting or on public transport. The conversation shifts to the concept of abundance versus scarcity mentality, with Graham arguing that choosing kindness fosters a culture of trust and psychological safety, essential for high-performing teams. Richard shares a personal story about a serendipitous act of kindness that led to an unexpected reward, reinforcing the idea that living with an abundance mindset can lead to positive outcomes. Finally, Graham offers practical advice for listeners looking to cultivate more kindness in their lives, emphasizing the importance of self-kindness and slowing down to be more present. He outlines actionable steps from his book, encouraging everyone to embrace kindness as a daily practice. Tune in to discover how small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect, transforming not only your workplace but also your life. Whether you're a leader, team member, or simply someone looking to make a positive impact, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical tips to help you harness the quiet power of kindness.
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    21 分
  • Graham Allcott and The Quiet Power of Kindness (Part One)

    Graham Allcott and The Quiet Power of Kindness (Part One)
    2025/03/17
    Richard sits down with Graham Allcott, a renowned thought-leader, entrepreneur, and author of the book Kind: The Quiet Power of Kindness at Work. Graham shares his journey from working in charities to founding Think Productive, a business focused on productivity and organization, and how his experiences led him to explore the transformative power of kindness in the workplace. The conversation delves into the often-overlooked role of kindness as a strategic advantage in business. Graham challenges the traditional archetype of the "business bastard" and argues that kindness fosters trust, empathy, and psychological safety—key ingredients for high-performing teams. He also addresses common misconceptions about kindness being "soft" or "ineffective," providing compelling evidence and practical strategies to cultivate a kinder, more productive work environment. Listeners will gain insights into how kindness can improve company culture, boost employee retention, and drive engagement. Graham shares inspiring examples, including the UK-based company Timpson, which has built a thriving business by embedding kindness into its core values. The episode also touches on the importance of humility, empathy, and the role of ego in leadership. Whether you're a business leader, team member, or simply someone interested in creating a more positive workplace, this episode offers valuable lessons on how kindness can be a powerful tool for success. Tune in to discover how small acts of kindness can lead to big changes in your organization and beyond.
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    34 分