Leadership And The Environment

This short recording is a teaser for my full interview with Seth Godin, who needs no introduction. It begins and ends with messages from Seth, sandwiching my top-level impressions from meeting with him at his home and talking at length.He talks about his new book, This Is Marketing: You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn to See, in our conversation so the full recording will come out when the book does, in November.I prepared by reading Linchpin and Purple Cow, and watching hours of his video and reading dozens maybe hundreds of his blog posts. Then since talking to him, I've reread, rewatched, and read Tribes in his voice, and his work came alive beyond my expectations.Because of hearing him speak on a topic I've spoken to others on so much, I found he answered in unique ways, at least ways I hadn't heard before. Several times I thought he was off track but as he clarified, I realized he was steps ahead of others, anticipating and staving off arguments and excuses.I learned a lot about leadership and the env

2 minutes and 53 seconds to show you the trends people are following back to what used to be normal and healthy.Fight against clean and pure all you want.You'll follow eventually.Why not start now and lead? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tensie and I talked about wine, creating and changing habits, and eating bugs, which happens when you work with the Rainforest Alliance.We also talk about dealing with people when you change, influencing them, and perspectives that make these things work. The people she influences run multi-billion dollar companies.Tensie described and lives the point of this podcast: a lifetime of acting on your values, what you care about, not imposing on others, and having fun.I didn't hear a whisper of guilt, blame, doom, gloom, helplessness, despair, or what many people associate with acting on the environment.I talk to a lot of people who say that they're doing all they can for the environment---usually people still with a lot of easy changes they'd probably like once they did them.Despite all she's done, she found something she could work on. However modest, it didn't stop anything else. On the contrary, it led to more---more self-awareness, fun, interacting with others, and leading others.When you expect the change to

John Lee Dumas took on one of the biggest and longest-term commitment of any guest. Six months in and he's only half through it.He also inspired me back as much as any guest, which is probably related---not to think about things or talk, but to action. As with all environmental action, I expect I'll enjoy it after the initial challenge. I like running as I always have, so trying running how I talk about with him will challenge me.You'll hear how his challenge become something heEnjoysShares with his familyShares with his communityLeads others with, who also enjoy and share it.Learns fromWill augmentDo you think acting on the environment is a distraction? That it keeps you from getting ahead? That it's dirty?I just checked John's site. Last month, June 2018, he made $165,644. That's a typical month. He can pay people to pick up garbage. Yet he enjoys doing it. He shares it. Others follow him.Maybe acting on his values is what led him to success like that. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informati

Dorie shares about the six-month habit she committed to---one of the longest of any guest.Wait, can you just decide one day to start or stop a habit? Isn't that supposed to be impossible?Listen to Dorie's results. She's a master of habits: how to create them, start them, and teach others to do so. She shares how she works.With some guests you feel like they're always conscious of the microphone. Not Dorie. Most of us are so genuine with friends and family. I think we all wish we could stay that way in public, without pretense or affectation.We have a lot of mutual friends. Every one of them will tell you that she's incredibly open, sharing about herself. She shares how she achieves this personal mastery, methodically and effectively.This conversation is more about personal leadership, which environmental action needs, if you ask me. Few people who work on the environment show it.We met at the café of her commitment so you'll hear we're on the street. I liked the informality. See acast.com/privacy for privacy

This podcast continues to break ground.Jeff Brown returns for an unprecedented 4th time. We dive deeper into his work with his home owners association (HOA)---how he created a team of people from his community, how he's making things happen, and his results.We talk about how it need only take a simple decision, a few conversations, and some work---but work you enjoy that creates community---to change this world.Jeff's success inspired me to talk to my co-op board to start creating a sustainability committee. I hope it inspires you too. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Does sacrificing something you love mean a worse life?Balint shares his enthusiasm to experiment and find new recipes, tastes and experiences---I would say not despite but because of his choice to act on his values. What you value is better for you.. In his words: "The world is more colorful."His experience shows the difference to your life between talking about acting and acting (not to mention that talking about environmental change doesn't change the environment, and most people stop at talking).Creating momentum toward goals we care about leads to support from others and enthusiasm and joy in yourself.Will Balint continue and augment his commitment? What’s next for him and his challenges? Listen. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If anything marked the beginning of the industrial revolution, it was James Watt’s steam engine. It wasn’t the first steam engine, but was more efficient than any before.More efficient means using less energy and less pollution, right?Wrong.Each engine, yes, but more people used engines, so Watt engines used more energy and polluted more than anything. They drained mines, which helped collect more coal, which fed more engines.The direct result is today’s polluted world. If you fantasize that technological improvements will, after centuries since the industrial revolution increasing pollution and demand for natural resources somehow, magically, in your lifetime change their effects, you’re dreaming.Two main effects drive this pattern—obvious when you see them, however counterintuitive at first. People believe self-serving myths in the opposite direction of millennia of countervailing evidence, probably because they prefer comfort and convenience over the guilt that would come from conscious awareness of how th

Michael's book tour was taking him to China, up and down the U.S. east coast, and across the country, but he kept at his commitment. Tell me if you don't hear him smiling in talking about it.He said it was easy, but many people considering the same action put it off.His book covers systemic change, focusing on the role of business. I find that his personal action brings in a missing piece of what you can do here and now.Partly acting here and now achieves something, but individual actions don't achieve that much, as he points out and we all know.More importantly, acting here and now leads to acting on bigger, more effective things. People who don't start little things never reach big, effective things. People who do, do.Maybe most of all, acting on your values on whatever scale improves your life. When the action take no time or other resources and make you smile, why not? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Right off the bat you can hear my joy to hear how composting has changed Robbie’s life. I used to see composting as an odd thing that I probably should do but didn't know how so didn't. I think most people see it that way, especially if they don't have gardens.In this episode Robbie shares about composting and giving slop for pig feed. He talks about how he loves the idea that what would be trash goes instead into the soil.His enthusiasm to act more is apparent, but I want to make sure he acts on his values---what he cares about, which leadership concerns, not just complying with something I suggest, which is more the domain of management. Leadership leads people to do more because they wantto. Seeking compliance based on authority often provokes resistance---the opposite of leadership.Consistent change, even if small at first, can create big improvements. What big changes will come up? What’s next for Robbie? Listen. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tensie is helping unravel my preconceived notions of academics focusing more on facts than action.Maybe because she was President of the Rainforest Alliance. Maybe because I met her when she brought the U.N. Secretary General to NYU.You'll hear other global organizations and people she's influenced, led, and collaborated with in a remarkable and effective career so far.She brings a new perspective on leading organizations to this podcast, as I've mostly focused on leading people.She shares stories that massive change is possible. She lived it. She talks experience, not just theory.She also shares practical advice and histories of what worked and what takes more patience since it's not easy. Always dealing with people. Some points you'll hear from her work:- Effective leadership is rarely, if ever, about being right.- Empathy helps lead about people and organizations. You still have to understand organizations as you do people.- It's hard in practice -- emotionally, internally. Maintaining integrity while empa

Balint took on one of the bigger challenges on this podcast---one that nearly everyone knows the value of, many mean to do, but few do. He cut his beef intake from almost daily to once a month.How did he do it? How did his body react? His relationships? His health? Would he do it again?He shares how he became more aware of the different forms of protein and how his eyes and palate opened up to new tastes and dishes. He shared how it affected his relationship with his girlfriend.Most people I talk to know beef as one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, resource depletion, and other environmental effect. Balint shares some numbers he's long known but didn't act on, such as how much water beef production takes, which caught me off guard.Still, his main thrust is not water use or gas emissions but his taste, health, and joy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

David and I talked about the ocean, water, and sailing in this conversation for a couple reasons.For one thing, we find open water beautiful.For another, he helped spark my interest in learning to sail as a way to cross oceans without burning fossil fuels on the scale that flying does. Last time we spoke he mentioned an event in Europe next summer that gave me a deadline to take sailing lessons, which I did. He grew up sailing, which led us to talk about it.For another, his challenge was to eat less fish and to take more care about where the fish came from.Most guests find their challenges easier than they expected, leading them to wish they'd done it earlier, or, if challenging, a rewarding challenge that enriched their lives.David was no exception. Hear how he improved his life and lowered his environmental impact at once. Also hear him talking about halyards and other sailing talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What happens when you start with your passion and what you care about?Robbie Samuels is also a podcaster who has created great relationships through his show. He shares how he learned. He sounds like a natural, but he didn't start that way.In this episode we discuss the value of the skill of creating meaningful conversations with influencers. We talk about relationship building skills, which Robbie builds his podcast and business on.We then discuss the challenges and joys of composting and how Robbie has brought into his household. Where many people see problems and give up, Robbie sees potential to build relationships. Listen to how much he laughs.Leaders don't see other people as problems. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Can you enjoy leading a movement to change a neighborhood?In this episode we dive deeper into Jeff's experience leading the charge to bring recycling amenities to his housing association.His voice reveals and exudes the emotional reward the challenge creates for him and how he’s creating relationships with his community.I don't think there's any question that this activity is not the end but the start -- of action, connection, and fun.As a leadership author, I can't help but repeat that Jeff has reviewed hundreds of leadership books. He could have taken this leadership role at any time, but books about leadership don't develop leadership skills, experience does, which is why my book and podcast teach leadership experientially. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Do you care about the environment?Do you care about leading?The Leadership and the Environment podcastNYU’s School of Liberal Studiesinvite you to listen in on our Panel of Leadership and Environment Expertswhich was held on Tuesday, April 3rd at the NYU Silver BuildingFeaturing Vincent StanleyVincent, co-author with Yvon Chouinard of The Responsible Company, has been with Patagonia since its beginning in 1973, including executive roles as head of sales or marketing. Informally, he is Patagonia’s chief storyteller. He helped develop the Footprint Chronicles, the company’s interactive website that outlines the social and environmental impact of its products; the Common Threads Partnership; and Patagonia Books. He serves as the company’s Director, Patagonia Philosophy, and is a visiting fellow at the Yale School of Management. He is also a poet whose work has appeared in Best American Poetry. Robin NagleRobin’s book, Picking Up, is an ethnography of New York Cit

Balint Horvath and I are physicists and both podcasters -- a rare combination. I think the connection helps make this conversation inspire. That's the goal.I originally appeared on his podcast, where we connected. His love for environment and interviewing skill brought out mine last summer, when this podcast was taking shape in my mind. He played a big role in Leadership and the Environment forming and my taking the necessary concrete steps to implement it.We talk about his podcast and how he separates entrepreneurship and academia. We discuss how he views environment and leadership as related and important.This was this podcast's first recording, which for various reasons emerged from the editing cycle later, so we dive into what my mission and goal is with this show and why creating these challenges are there to change the world. Listen to hear Balint's challenge, which many listeners think about, and why he enjoys it. I think you’ll enjoy it too. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out

David Burkus returns to share his cold shower challenge.He's a leadership expert and shares great insight, especially about networking and tolerance. There's a lot to learn from him.If I'm honest, in contrast to my usual enthusiasm at a guest's actions, you'll hear a failure of leadership on my part. I believe effective leadership is based on learning the motivations and cares of the other person and connecting them to the task, which imbues the task with meaning for them. I don't think I did that with David. It sounds to me like he did something out of motivation for me as a friend since he heard me respond positively to cold showers. The result, to my ears, is that he sounds more like he's complying than acting on his values.The result in this case is compliance without passion or desire to do more.I would say that my interaction with David shows how you can get close to effective leadership and show many signs of it without achieving it. I didn't pick up on it while talking with him, only after. I think th

Can a small change lead a community? Our conversation with Jeff Brown shows how a small action on what you care about can inspire and lead a community. Even small actions, when based on your values---what you care about---can make big differences because humans are social and share many values---for example, clean air and water. Helping his neighborhood recycle acts on those shared values.Jeff likes business ideas and leadership---enough to start a podcast on it. You can hear the potential he anticipates in being a leader to help people around him. Acting on the environment starts the process. Helping others and himself make it more meaningful, at least as I hear it.Jeff shows that simple beginnings, acting on your values, can change your life, your town, and the world. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For such a successful man, Vincent Stanley is as down to earth as they come.He returns to discuss his experience disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with his values, especially his words. People seem to believe that technology saves time or gives us attention despite experience, research, and headlines to the contrary. Vincent shares that disconnecting actually created more time for him. He felt less consumed and the need to be doing multiple things at one time truly diminished.We all know it will happen. The experience of doing it helps more than talking or reading about it.Vincent says that the experience of this challenge was “wonderful” -- something he wanted to do before we met because this is what connects with his values. Isn’t it funny how “disconnecting” allows us to “connect? We dive deeper in the reasons behind Patagonia suing the government, why it was natural and normal for them, not PR. We discuss how doing something that stands true to your values and spending time and resources