12 O’Clock High

This week I have a special five-part podcast series where I am joined by Amii Barnard-Bahn to review some of the top business leadership failures of 2019. Today, in our first episode, we take a look at leadership lessons from the rise and fall of Adam Neumann, the former CEO of WeWork. Some of the issues we explore in this podcast include:

•  How did a charismatic, eccentric and inexperienced Founder CEO went boom ($47B valuation) to bust, all in the space of a few short months?
• How and why did Neumann create a toxic culture with major conflicts of interest and poor corporate governance.
• Neumann was forced out, the company’s IPO postponed and its future remains to be seen.
• Have investors have finally had it with startups that aren’t following basic rules of monetary gravity? Have we turned a corner?

About Amii 

Amii Barnard-Bahn, JD, PCC, CCEP, CCEP-I  is an executive coach who specializes in accelerating the success of legal and compliance executives and their teams. A leadership columnist for Compliance Week and Fellow at the Harvard Institute of Coaching, Amii previously shaped company culture and strategic initiatives as an executive (CAO, Chief Compliance Officer, and Chief Human Resources Officer) at companies such as McKesson and Allianz. Forbes has recognized Amii as “one of the top coaches for legal and compliance executives.” 

Contact Amii

Executive Coach and Strategic Advisor

Barnard-Bahn Coaching & Consulting

Office: (510) 301-0400 | Email: amii@barnardbahn.com |website: www.barnardbahn.com

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For helpful insights and actionable tips on accelerating your career, sign up for Amii’s bi-monthly newsletter at bit.ly/amiibbnews

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In this special five-part podcast series, we consider the business leadership issues raised by General Stanley McChrystal (ret.) recent book Leaders-Myth and Reality, which he co-authored with Jeff Eggers and Jason Mangone. Using Plutarch’s Lives as their model they considered multiple leaders and leadership styles. These include: Founders, Walt Disney and Coco Chanel; Geniuses, Albert Einstein and Leonard Bernstein; Heroes, Zheng He and Harriet Tubman; Power Brokers, Boss Tweed and Margaret Thatcher. In this episode I, we take up the Founders, Walt Disney and Coco Chanel.  Some of the highlights include: 1. What are creative and obsessive perfectionism?2. How do they help (or hurt) the leadership process.  3. Right Place, Right Time-founders must take advantage of opportunity when it knocked. 4. Founder Dilemma-is it to manage or to create?5. Is leadership about the Mission or People?

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12 O’Clock High, an award-winning podcast on business leadership, brings together stories from history, the arts, sports, movies, research, and current events to consider leadership lessons. In this episode, Tom Fox speaks with Nick Padlo, a mental health advocate and Founder and CEO of Sophros Recovery, about his diverse professional journey. 

Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, Padlo attended West Point and served in the U.S. Army, during which he witnessed significant combat. Post-military, he attended business school at Stanford and founded a pet cremation business. He also shares his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse and his path to recovery, touching on the leadership lessons he learned from the military, the importance of asking for help, and how he integrates his experiences to aid others through ROS Recovery. The discussion includes building resilience, empathy, and trust within a team, family involvement in recovery, and advice for business leaders facing personal and professional challenges.

Key highlights:

·      Nick Padlo’s Military Background

·      Transition to Civilian Life and Business Ventures

·      Personal Struggles and Path to Recovery

·      Leadership Lessons from the Military

·      Hitting Rock Bottom and Seeking Help

·      Incorporating Experiences into ROS Recovery

·      Building Resilience, Trust, and Empathy

·      Family’s Role in Recovery

·      Advice for Business Leaders

Resources:

Follow Nick Padlo on LinkedIn

Check out Sophros Recovery Website

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12 O’Clock High, an award-winning podcast on business leadership, brings together stories from history, the arts, sports, movies, research, and current events to consider leadership lessons. In this episode, Tom Fox welcomes Robert Meyers, a veteran with over 30 years in cybersecurity, privacy, M&A security, and education.

The discussion spans Meyers’s vast professional journey from the early days of IT to the modern challenges and practices of data protection. They also explore the differences in cybersecurity and privacy perspectives between the US and Europe, the importance of cross-functional collaboration in organizations, and how new technologies like autonomous AI systems are reshaping security models. Meyers also shares his passion for Comic-Con and offers advice for students and new professionals considering a career in cybersecurity and privacy. The episode wraps up with insights into Meyers’s books and practical advice for integrating privacy principles and cybersecurity tools in today’s business environment.

Key highlights:

• Robert Meyers’ Professional Background
• Early Cybersecurity Challenges and Lessons
• Evolution of Cybersecurity and Privacy
• Privacy Perspectives: US vs Europe
• Role of Executives in Cybersecurity and Privacy
• Cross-Functional Collaboration in Privacy and Security
• Innovative Cybersecurity Tools
• Agentic AI and Its Implications
• Comic-Con and Professional Insights
• Career Advice for Aspiring Professionals

Resources:

Privacy Snippets for the Cybersecurity Professional on Amazon

Robert Meyers’ Profile on Amazon

Robert Meyers ‘on LinkedIn

Tom Fox

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12 O’Clock High, an award-winning podcast on business leadership, brings together stories from history, the arts, sports, movies, research, and current events to consider leadership lessons. In this episode, Tom Fox interviews Jacqui Pruet, founder of A. C. E. Austin Compliance & Ethics Professional.

Pruet shares her journey of creating ACE to address the lack of local networking opportunities for compliance professionals in Austin, Texas. She discusses her passion for ethics and compliance, stemming from her background as a state regulator and strategist, as well as her innovative approach to building high-trust leadership communities. Pruet emphasizes the importance of relationships and trust in compliance, sharing insights on how effective compliance can drive business efficiency and profitability. She also explores the evolving alignment between innovation, governance, and compliance, and discusses how her regulatory background gives her a unique perspective in the compliance field.

Key highlights:

• Jacqui Pruet’s Journey to Founding ACE
• The Importance of Compliance and Ethics
• Executing the Vision of ACE
• High-Trust Leadership Communities
• Confidentiality and Trust in Leadership
• Building Relationships and Trust
• Revenue and Ethics: A Strategic Advantage
• Regulatory Background and Compliance Strategy

Resources:

Jacqui Pruet on LinkedIn

Tom Fox

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12 O’Clock High, an award-winning podcast on business leadership, brings together stories from history, the arts, sports and movies, research, and current events to consider leadership lessons. Tom takes a solo turn to visit Linda Fisk, the leader of LeadHERship Global, to talk about the challenges and opportunities female entrepreneurs face.

Linda shares her extensive professional journey from being a CMO at notable media companies to founding LeadHERship Global. They discuss women entrepreneurs’ impressive yet under-recognized contributions to the U.S. economy, highlighting stats and trends around new business ventures led by women, especially women of color. Linda emphasizes women’s ongoing difficulties in accessing capital and offers practical steps for success, including addressing stereotypes, learning from each other, and creating supportive networks. The conversation closes with insights on how LeadHERship Global helps women thrive professionally and how men can support this movement. Linda also mentions her recent anthology,” LeadHERship Unveiled,” which features inspiring stories from women leaders.

Key highlights:

• Current Landscape for Female Entrepreneurs
• Challenges in Funding for Women Entrepreneurs
• Practical Steps for Women Entrepreneurs
• The Vision Behind LeadHERship Global

Resources:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

LeadHERship Website

 Tom Fox

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12 O’Clock High, an award-winning podcast on business leadership, brings together stories from history, the arts, sports and movies, research, and current events to consider leadership lessons. Tom takes a solo turn to visit with Dr. Karthik Ramanan (Dr. K), a licensed naturopathic physician specializing in emotional health for entrepreneurs and executives.

Dr. K shares his professional background and insights into emotional health, defining it as the absence of disease and the ability to identify, process, and act upon emotions. He introduces his book, ‘The Emotionally Healthy You,’ and discusses his unique writing process. The discussion is about the five pillars of emotional health: psychology, relationships, nutrition, sleep, and body movement. Dr. K emphasizes the importance of morning routines, maintaining a sense of purpose, and balancing high achievement with emotional resilience.

Key highlights:

• Emotional Health and Mentorship
• Defining Emotional Health
• The Five Pillars of Emotional Health
• Balancing High Achievement and Emotional Well-being
• Finding Purpose and Mentorship

Resources:

• Instagram: @dr.karthikramanan
• LinkedIn: Dr. Karthik Ramanan
• X (Twitter): @drkramanan
• YouTube: Dr. Karthik Ramanan Channel
• Facebook: Dr. Karthik Ramanan

Website

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12 O’Clock High, an award-winning podcast on business leadership, brings together stories from history, the arts, sports and movies, research, and current events to consider leadership lessons. Tom and Richard Lummis return with their fan-favorite series on leadership lessons from Oscar-winning Best Picture movies. Today, we look at leadership lessons from ‘All Quiet on the Western Front.’

Their discussion centers on the graphic depictions of war and how they provide insights into extreme leadership, adaptability, and the disconnect between officers and soldiers. They explore the themes of teamwork and human resilience demonstrated by the characters, especially in challenging situations. A poignant exploration of emotional intelligence and empathy in high-stress environments is also examined, relating these themes to the business world and modern leadership challenges. Join Richard and Tom as they reflect on how these lessons from a nearly century-old text are still relevant today in navigating uncertainty and building resilient frameworks in corporate compliance.

Key highlights:

• Overview of ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’
• Themes of War and Leadership
• Modern Reflections on Military Lessons
• Emotional Intelligence and Empathy in War
• Resilience and Decision Making
• The Role of Data in Leadership

Resources:

All Quiet on the Western Front and Everyday Leadership

Employer Branding Lessons from All Quiet on the Western Front

All Quiet on the Western Front

 Tom Fox

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12 O’Clock High, an award-winning podcast on business leadership, brings together stories from history, the arts, sports and movies, research, and current events to consider leadership lessons. In this episode, Tom is joined by Alec Burlakoff, who shares his compelling journey from a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry to a cautionary tale of white-collar crime.

Alec recounts his background in coaching and social work before transitioning to the pharmaceutical field, where his rapid climb to senior vice president halted due to off-label drug promotion and bribery charges. He discusses the ethical pitfalls he encountered, the consequences of his actions, and his subsequent indictment, pleading guilty, and serving a federal prison sentence. Alec emphasizes the importance of compliance departments in preventing ethical lapses and the necessity for sales and compliance to work in synergy. He also sheds light on the mindset of white-collar professionals, the dangers of working in the gray, and how organizations can cultivate a culture of accountability and integrity. Throughout the conversation, Alec’s transformation offers invaluable lessons for compliance professionals and corporate leaders on fostering ethical practices in heavily regulated industries.

Key highlights:

• Alec’s Background and Career Transition
• The Downfall: Off-Label Promotion and Indictment
• Shifting Mindsets: Understanding White Collar Crime
• The Role of Compliance in Sales
• Accountability and Personal Journey

Resources:

Alec Burlakoff on LinkedIn

Limitless! Consulting

Tom Fox

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12 O’Clock High, an award-winning podcast on business leadership, brings together stories from history, the arts, sports and movies, research, and current events to consider leadership lessons. In this episode, Tom is joined by Sabine Kvenberg to discuss the skill of listening in leadership.

Sabine Kvenberg, a celebrated speaker and expert in corporate communication, brings a unique perspective shaped by her diverse background in performing arts and her career transition from a claim adjuster. Her expertise underscores the significance of effective communication, particularly for women in tech who may struggle with confidence in voicing their ideas. Kvenberg advocates for strategies such as setting clear objectives, rehearsing key points, and integrating storytelling to engage and connect with audiences, enhancing leadership and team dynamics. By focusing on body language, vocal variety, and the intricacies of word choice, she helps individuals improve their self-communication and overall interaction skills, fostering a more positive and collaborative corporate environment.

Key highlights:

• Enhancing Corporate Communication Through Storytelling and Rehearsing
• Enhancing Communication Skills through Training and Coaching
• Fostering Collaboration Through Active Listening

Resources:

Sabine Kvenberg on LinkedIn

Sabine Kvenberg Website

Tom Fox

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