Jay Conger is the Henry Kravis Chaired Professor of Leadership Studies at Claremont McKenna College, a leading expert on leadership and persuasion, and the author of 16 books, including his newest, The Persuasive Leader. A childhood accident at age four brought him close to death and left him with a lasting belief that life is precious and should be lived as fully as possible. That belief, along with watching his father host world leaders, set him on a path toward helping people realize their potential through leading.

We explore why persuasion has a public relations problem and what separates manipulation from real persuasion. Jay shares why real persuasion is a collaborative conversation rather than a pitch, why it focuses on problems and opportunities before solutions, and why it is a process of building coalitions, not a single event. He also walks us through his framework: building credibility, framing the issue for your audience, backing arguments with vivid evidence, and connecting emotionally.

Jay also encourages us to assume we start near the bottom as persuaders, then look at how often our ideas are actually acted upon. He explains why this is one of the fastest leadership skills to learn with practice and the right tools, and where AI can help (finding evidence) and where it can't (building credibility or connection).

The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway

The way you think you persuade effectively is largely ineffective. Jay’s message is that real persuasion is a practice you can learn, and it can make a tremendous difference in how you lead and move people and ideas.

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Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.

Resources:

• • Jay Conger's Official Website
  • Read The Persuasive Leader

Produced by NOVA

What if the biggest obstacle in your life could become your greatest opportunity for growth? Today, we're joined by Aaron Golub, a professional speaker, entrepreneur, and the first legally blind Division I athlete to play in a college football game. From overcoming the odds at Tulane University to becoming a team captain and NFL free agent, Aaron's journey challenges everything we think we know about limitations.

Aaron shares how accepting his circumstances, changing his perspective, and committing to consistent action helped him accomplish what others believed was impossible. We explore why our past doesn't have to determine our future, how adversity can strengthen our leadership skills, and why asking for help is essential to meaningful teamwork.

We also dive into Aaron's refreshing perspective on gratitude. Rather than forcing ourselves to feel thankful during difficult moments, he encourages us to ask what we can learn from them. It's a simple shift that can change how we approach challenges, build resilience, and recognize our own potential.

The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway

The challenges you face don't have to define who you are. By finding something to learn from adversity each day, you can shift your perspective, discover gratitude, and move forward with greater confidence.

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Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.

Resources:

• Aaron Golub's Official Website
• Precision Search

Produced by NOVA

What separates a good leader from an exceptional one? This week, we welcome David Grossman, founder and CEO of The Grossman Group and author of The Heart Work of Modern Leadership: Six Differentiators of Exceptional Leaders. With more than 30 years of experience helping organizations improve leadership and communication, David shares why leading with both heart and head is essential for creating workplaces where people thrive.

David's research reveals a troubling disconnect: while 54% of leaders are considered good, fewer than 20% of their employees feel seen, heard, or supported in reaching their full potential. We explore the six qualities that distinguish exceptional leaders, including gratitude, empathy, inclusive communication, and a genuine commitment to employee growth.

We also discuss why leaders must create environments where employees feel safe speaking up, establish healthy boundaries, and recognize the person behind the work. David reminds us that meaningful leadership begins with understanding what matters to people and making appreciation personal.

The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway

Take five minutes to recognize someone for more than just their work. Acknowledge what they accomplished, the impact they made, and the personal effort behind it. Genuine, specific gratitude helps people feel truly seen.

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Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.

Resources:

• The Heart Work of Modern Leadership: 6 Differentiators of Exceptional Leaders by David Grossman

Produced by NOVA