In this episode, Dr. McKenna and Erik Antons, dive deep into the transformative power of governance and strategic leadership within organizations. Why do so many departments excel tactically yet struggle at the strategic level? How does trust, integrity, and connection shape our effectiveness not only in the workplace but also in life?   They explore these themes, touching on operational procedures, the art of meaningful human connection, and even the psychology of security and physiological needs. From Maslow’s hierarchy to personal stories of trust and resilience, this episode will leave you inspired to elevate your leadership and embrace the strategic opportunities around you. Listener Takeaways: Governance Matters: Understand why strategic leadership and structured governance are crucial to advancing beyond the tactical level. The Power of Trust: Learn why trust and integrity are foundational for building effective teams and relationships. Connection as Leadership: Discover how authentic connection fosters stronger organizational culture and individual resilience. Strategic vs. Tactical: Insights on how to bridge the gap between high-level strategy and in-the-trenches execution. Human Needs and Security: A unique perspective on how security complements physiological needs for both humans and animals. Connect to explore how you can use the WiLD Trust Index in your own life, team, or organization. Click here for more: https://www.wildleaders.org/wild-trust-index   #LeadershipDevelopment #GovernanceMatters #StrategicLeadership #TrustAndIntegrity #HumanConnection #OrganizationalHealth #MaslowRevisited #SecurityLeadership  

In this insightful episode Dr. Rob McKenna, CEO of WiLD Leaders and creator of the WiLD Trust Platform explores the importance of intentionality, alignment, and the transformational power of finding your sweet spot in life and leadership. There are few moments as exhilarating as being in your sweet spot—when your purpose aligns seamlessly with your actions. These moments are not free from pressure, but they bring clarity, efficiency, and joy. They don’t happen by accident; they’re the result of intentionality and a commitment to living and working in alignment. While being outside the sweet spot can feel frustrating or even defeating, finding your way back is a journey worth taking. It requires self-awareness, purpose-driven effort, and a willingness to embrace opportunities that reveal your true calling. Listener Takeaways: Clarity and Alignment: The sweet spot is where your unique identity and purpose meet your daily actions, driving fulfillment and performance. Intentionality Matters: Achieving alignment isn’t accidental; it requires intentional reflection and action. Impact Beyond You: Operating in your sweet spot not only energizes you but also inspires and benefits those around you. Recognize the Drift: Feeling defeated or frustrated may be a sign you’ve stepped out of alignment—use this as motivation to recalibrate. Small Steps, Big Results: Purposeful adjustments and self-awareness can help you reclaim the joy and energy of living in alignment. Let's connect to explore how you can use the WiLD Trust Index in your own life, team, or organization. Click here for more: https://www.wildleaders.org/wild-trust-index  #SweetSpot #PurposeDriven #AlignmentMatters #LivingWithIntentionality #LeadershipGrowth #MotivationAndClarity #WiLDTrust #LeadershipDevelopment #IntentionalLeadership

In this episode, Dr. Rob McKenna, CEO of WiLD Leaders, and Dr. Gavriel Schneider, founder of Risk 2 Solution, dive into essential qualities of leadership—trust, risk intelligence, and adaptability. They explore the foundational skills leaders need for effective decision-making, emphasizing that trust and resilience are built, not assumed. Dr. Schneider shares insights on balancing risk with strategy and discusses how leaders can avoid the traps of panic and inaction. Dr. McKenna adds that great leaders must have “editability,” a willingness to revise their own views and practices, even when it’s challenging. This conversation is a powerful reminder that strong leadership is an ongoing journey of adaptability, integrity, and resilience.   Connect with Dr. Gav and Risk 2 Solution Group:  https://risk2solution.com/ Read more about the Institute of Presilience: https://instituteofpresilience.edu.au/   Let's connect to explore how you can use the WiLD Trust Index in your own organization. Click here for more: https://www.wildleaders.org/wild-trust-index   #Leadership #RiskIntelligence #Trust #Resilience #Presilience #Editability #ResilientLeadership #MindfulInaction #GrowthMindset #WiLDLeaders #Risk2Solution #LeadershipPodcast

In this episode Dr. McKenna and Tim Cooke, CEO of Agape In Home Care, delve into the powerful role that trust plays in the caregiving industry, particularly in senior care. Trust as the Foundation of Quality Care: Understand why prioritizing caregivers’ needs creates a culture of trust that enhances care for seniors, fostering dedication and reliability among caregiving teams. Beyond the Basics: Going the Extra Mile: Learn how organizational practices—like covering both travel time and mileage—demonstrate genuine care for caregivers, creating a supportive and trusting work environment. The Ripple Effect of Trust in Caregiving: Discover the powerful impact of promoting caregivers' well-being, leading to a stronger, more committed workforce that is equipped to provide compassionate and attentive care to seniors.

In this eye-opening episode of the WiLD Conversation Podcast, Dr. Ellen Ensher delves into the myths surrounding mentorship. She challenges the belief that simply having a mentor is a one-way ticket to career success. Dr. Ensher and Dr. McKenna discuss the importance of realistic expectations, the limitations of traditional mentorship structures, and the essential role of self-awareness in career growth. From the complexities of AI-assisted mentor matching to the responsibility of contributing back to one's mentors, she shares her insights on how to get the most out of mentoring relationships. Key Takeaways: Mentorship Isn’t a Fix-All Solution Just having a mentor won’t automatically solve all career challenges. Mentorship is only one part of a larger growth process that involves self-awareness and the willingness to learn and give back. AI and Choice Improve Mentorship Matches Random mentor-mentee pairings rarely succeed. However, recent advances in AI offer more refined matching options, though even with algorithms, success depends on a degree of personal choice. Set Realistic Expectations Mentors aren’t miracle workers. Building a successful mentoring relationship requires calibrating expectations and understanding that it may not fulfill all emotional needs, but can still offer valuable insights.   For more about Dr. Ellen Ensher : https://ellenensher.com/ Ready to explore how we can build trust in your organization? https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris-shaffer/wti-info For more about WiLD Leaders: https://www.wildleaders.org/ 

Trust isn’t just a value—it’s an opportunity for leaders to invest in others and create environments where people and performance thrive.  "You can’t give what you don’t have. Leaders who feel supported can lead with generosity and trust." We’re excited to share that Dr. Daniel Hallak’s TEDx talk, “Networking doesn't have to feel gross,” is now featured by TED!  Watch it here: go.ted.com/danielhallak In the talk, Daniel explores how shifting from a mindset of “What can I get?” to “What can I give?” transforms networking—and any relationship—into a meaningful, trust-building experience. In this Wild Conversation Podcast Dr. Daniel Hallak dives deeper into the key themes of his talk. He shared insights on why trust is essential for high-performing teams and how generosity beyond reciprocity creates lasting value. This conversation isn’t just about networking—it’s about leadership, sales, and building a thriving culture where people and performance flourish.  Interested in learning more about trust-building strategies for your team? Let’s connect: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris-shaffer/wti-info #Leadership #TrustBuilding #HighPerformanceTeams #GenerosityInLeadership #TEDx  

In this episode, #1 New York Times best-selling author Dr. Les Parrott reveals the shocking truth about empathy: it’s not just about feelings—it’s about being a HERO! Discover how true empathy can push you to risk it all for others and why this rare skill sets real leaders apart.    While inspiration is important, real transformation requires a combination of motivation and the right nudge at the right moment. Dr. McKenna and Dr. Parrott discuss the importance of teaching practical, easily executable behaviors that are backed by research, like the simple yet profound act of seeing conflict from your partner's perspective. Surprisingly, doing this can resolve conflict 90% of the time.   Dr. Parrot and Dr. McKenna empower individuals, teams, organizations, and couples to foster a foundation of trust and create environments where people feel secure enough to take calculated risks that will transform relationships, elevate leadership, and make us an unstoppable force.   Here are just a few powerful takeaways:   Empathy is an act of bravery, often requiring personal sacrifice to support others. Real change comes from pairing motivation with simple, actionable behaviors and timely nudges. Emotional safety and trust are essential for encouraging risk-taking and growth within teams and relationships.   #EmpathyUnlocked #LeadershipHacks  #ConflictResolution #TrustMatters #BeTheHero #LesParrott #WiLD #Conversation #Podcast #Business #Marriage #Trust    For more on Les and Leslie’s work click here: https://www.lesandleslie.com/   To order Trading Places: https://store.lesandleslie.com/collections/trading-places   For more on the WiLD Trust Index: https://www.wildleaders.org/wild-trust-index   Connect with a WiLD team member: https://www.wildleaders.org/get-started  

"Thank You for Saying the Hard Thing Now" – on Lifelong Learning and Leadership. In this must-listen episode, the art of life long learning and leadership takes center stage as President Deana Porterfield and Dr. Rob McKenna dive into leadership lessons that everyone needs to hear. Here are just three of many takeaways: Mastering Tough Conversations: Learn the secret to surviving a challenging conversation without blowing up! President Porterfield emphasizes the importance of being open to feedback, expressing concerns productively, and keeping the dialogue going—even when it gets uncomfortable. Own Your Role: This episode shows why leadership is about learning to "manage up" rather than seeking a place to complain—own your role, and navigate up the chain with maturity. Openness is Key to Growth: Want to grow as a leader? You need to be open to self-awareness. President Porterfield reveals why mentorship and development only work when you're willing to own your weaknesses and take accountability for your actions. This episode is a game-changer for anyone looking to sharpen their leadership skills and face hard truths head-on! Don’t miss it! For more on Seattle Pacific University visit: https://spu.edu/ For more on WiLD Leaders visit: https://www.wildleaders.org/ Let's connect to explore how you can use the WiLD Trust Index to measure and nurture trust in your own organization. Click here for more on the WiLD Trust Index: https://www.wildleaders.org/wild-trust-index #LeadershipSkills #ToughConversations #ProfessionalGrowth #MentorshipMatters #OwnYourRole #Whole #Intentional #Leader #Development #Trust #WildTrustPlatform #SPU #Podcast 

Laura Gardner dives into her journey of servant leadership, the growth of Joni and Friends, and the powerful impact of their mission in serving people with disabilities across the globe. You won’t want to miss her insights on organizational health and performance, and how they drive success. For more on Joni and Friends click this link: https://joniandfriends.org/ _____________________________________ WiLD Leaders is on a mission to build trust. We are building the largest database on the drivers of trust in organizations. I’m inviting you and your organization to participate in our Trust Index Survey, designed to help you understand the trust dynamics within your organization. By participating, you’ll receive: A detailed report on your specific drivers of trust at your company’s individual, team, and organizational levels. Directional recommendations. This survey will provide critical insights to inform your growth strategies and the necessary organizational investments to fuel that growth. Ready to participate and see where your team stands? Schedule a time with us now. For more on WiLD Leaders click this link: https://www.wildleaders.org/wild-leaders-methodology  

We work with others every day on moments that matter personally and professionally. Dive deeper into the foundation of trust with this episode of the WiLD Conversation Podcast. Dr. McKenna explores the critical connection between knowing yourself, knowing others, and building trust in your organization. Learn how to cultivate a workplace where trust is the foundation for effectiveness. This is the crucial link between trust and high-performance cultures.  Listen now and then connect with our team to see how the WiLD Trust Index can help you build a high-trust, high-performance culture.

Every person you know has a story occurring at the center of their identity and their progress that is too often expressed as an unanswered question: How do I connect my driving purpose to what I am doing every day? We ask it in different ways, but at the core of who we are as human beings is the question that connects the invisible pieces of our hearts with the visible pieces of our actions.   Join Dr. Rob McKenna in this WiLD Conversation podcast about connecting trust, performance, and well-being, developing a WiLD Mindset. It’s that often shapeless and less navigated space between our human being and human doing that leaves us wanting more. It’s the space between our hearts and our business, our performance and our well-being, and the builder and the gardener in us that knows are designed to do something - to build, and to carefully cultivate and tend the delicate garden of relationships that allow us to build together.   To discover how your team scores on the WiLD Trust Index click here: https://www.wildleaders.org/wild-trust-index   To get started with WiLD Leaders click here: https://www.wildleaders.org/get-started   Read the the article: Connecting Trust, Performance, and Well-Being: Developing a WiLD Mindset here: http://3948568.hs-sites.com/blog/connecting-trust-performance-and-well-being-developing-a-wild-mindset?hs_preview=jvqIGpRa-177846094487

Join Chris Shaffer, former Director of Learning and Insights at Microsoft and newest member to WiLD along with Dr. Rob McKenna in this WiLD Conversation podcast connecting data, learning and humanity.  Learn what mindset, time, and reinforcement have to do with technology innovation and thriving learning cultures. Dive into the insights we get to process through our benchmark of trust at the individual, team, and organizational levels through our WiLD Trust Index.   You’ve never heard data talked about like this before. Listen, share and join the conversation.   To get started with WiLD Leaders click here: https://www.wildleaders.org/get-started   To discover how your team scores on the WiLD Trust Index click here: https://www.wildleaders.org/wild-trust-index

Join Glen Prior of Eden People + Planet and Dr. Rob McKenna for this WiLD Conversation Podcast connecting the invisible pieces inside of a person to the systems pieces of communities and organizations. When honest and courageous shared experiences become organizational culture, flourishing systems take root and transformational change occurs. Glen Prior has two decades of building economic engines and sustainable systems for mission-driven organizations on a local and global scale. He is a master at the space between financial management, process development, and systems thinking. He always starts with the premise that connecting people and ideas with proven methodologies builds a strategic foundation for long-term sustainable growth and value, and is all about establishing collaborative relationships across functions and between organizations. Most of all, I know that he is one of your favorite people Rob.   Glen Prior is the COO of Eden People + Planet - which facilitates large-scale holistic landscape restoration and community development initiatives in partnership with communities and stakeholders all over the world.    For more on Eden People + Planet: https://www.eden-plus.org/   For more on WiLD Leaders: https://www.wildleaders.org/

Join Dr. McKenna and Dr. Paul Yost for this WiLD Conversation about the research, experiences, and moments together that make work meaningful. Discover the variables of our humanity playing strong roles in our ability to do our jobs with motivation and intention.  Dr. Paul Yost is the Chair and Associate Professor of Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Seattle Pacific University. He was recently Senior Research Specialist, People and Organization Capability, Microsoft. Prior to that he was in leadership development and people research at the Boeing Company where he co-led a company wide longitudinal study of leaders in aerospace called the Waypoint Project, and he is a long time friend and colleague of Dr. McKenna. Learn from their decades of friendship, research, and wisdom together in this conversation that will get you thinking about why you do what you do and more importantly why it matters to you and the teams and organizations that you lead.   For more on Paul’s book Experience Driven Leader Development click here: https://a.co/d/gfgnaBs   For more on Paul’s book Real Time Leader Development click here:  https://a.co/d/cja1VSa   To connect with Paul Yost via email send a note to: [email protected]   To get started with WiLD Leaders click here: https://www.wildleaders.org/get-started   To discover how your team scores on the WiLD Trust Index click here: https://www.wildleaders.org/wild-trust-index

Rob McKenna and Tom Nelson, from Made to Flourish dive into learning to know what we see vs. seeing what we know. This podcast connects the heart of the people running the systems to the operational realities, and carves a pathway into how to flourish and build trust in your communities, teams, and organizations. What we have experienced over and over again is that people are used to trainers, teachers, and executives talking “at them.” This WiLD Conversation encourages leaders into a clash of the norm where individuals, teams, and organizations are invited into the conversations that create learning cultures. When learning takes place in relational, intentional, and communal dialogues, outcomes begin to change.  For more on Tom Nelson’s Book- Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work click here: https://shorturl.at/961pJ For more on Made To Flourish click here: https://www.madetoflourish.org/ To get started with WiLD Leaders click here: https://www.wildleaders.org/get-started To discover how your team scores on the WiLD Trust Index click here: https://www.wildleaders.org/wild-trust-index

Who Will Lead Next? Succession Planning Done Right.   Trust is playing a huge role in the processes that leaders know they have to dial in on a daily basis. Most organizations get to a level of scale and they not only have to prepare their next President, they need to prepare their entire bench. Succession is happening all across the business we work with and we have found that as people are understanding certain things about themselves, and sharing with their teams, they are starting to trust each other. Then they begin to answer the questions that come up like, “Who are the leaders who have come up because of this person? And, is this person a developer of leader capacity?”  Join Dr. Rob McKenna in this WiLD Conversation Podcast as he gets deep and vulnerable into the story of succession planning done right with Steve Woodworth and Bryan Brown of Masterworks. Steve Woodworth - Steve brings a deep wealth of expertise in marketing, management, and organizational development - and leadership. He was instrumental in pivoting World Vision’s direct marketing and donor services through a decade of annual double-digit growth - and if any of you are donors to World Vision - you have seen the power of their donor services. Since joining Masterworks in 1992, Steve has been instrumental in establishing it as the premier marketing agency dedicated to aiding hundreds of organizations in achieving their mission. Steve also gives back in so many other ways. His influence is profound.   Bryan Brown - Bryan serves as president of Masterworks. He is committed to accelerating the growth of his organization, bringing industry-leading technology across the business, and expanding The Masterworks vision for direct response marketing and fundraising. Bryan previously served at Masterworks as the ’ VP of Experience Design and as COO. Bryan has been Chief Marketing Officer, a chief Technology officer - so he’s got an incredible breadth of experience alongside the depth. Prior to joining Masterworks, Bryan led the digital division and ad network of one of the world’s largest cross screen media companies (that means connecting all the screens in your house - and someone had to do that for us - apparently Bryan helped with that). And, he’s got a Master of Divinity - so he’s a business person with the heart of a pastor. Most importantly - these two have been through a succession process together as Bryan is and was Steve’s successor at Masterworks.   For more on WiLD Leaders visit: https://www.wildleaders.org For more on Masterworks visit: https://www.masterworks.agency  

You Are A Beast Builder | The WiLD Conversation   

Trusting Your Gut | Desperate For Trust For Yourself

Knowing Your Blindspots | Desperate For Trust For Yourself

Leadership = Trust | Desperate For Trust For Yourself

Building Trust Between Generations | Desperate For Trust For Your Team

Courageous Transparency Builds Trust | Desperate For Trust

We must build trust now. Download the newest free e-book from WiLD Leaders and gain the knowledge and practical skills you need to build trust in your organization. https://www.wildleaders.org/wild-articles/desperate-for-trust-in-your-organization https://www.wildleaders.org/

Trusting A Team That Fights Well | Desperate For Trust

The Trusted Leader | Desperate For Trust

Gaining Employee Trust | Desperate For Trust

Dealing with Entitlement | Desperate for Trust

A Trusted Mission | Desperate For Trust

The Foundation of Trust | Desperate for Trust | The WiLD Conversation

The Top 15 Trending Leadership Conversations for 2024 Part 2

The 15 Trending Leadership Conversations for 2024 Part 1

WiLD Kindness

Better People = Better Performance  You want your people to perform better but don’t know how to make that happen. In this WiLD Conversation we will look at how to increase the performance and well-being of your people. Because better people equals better performance. 

Whole Coaching | See Your People (BETTER)

Listening: What Did You Say? | See Your People (BETTER) 

Empathy: Do You Even Care? | See Your People (BETTER)

The Research That Changed Your World | Seeing Your People (Better)

What Does Legacy Mean To You? | Building A Great Team

Slowing Down The Hustle | Building A Great Team

Leading A Fun Team | Building A Great Team

That One Problem Person | Building A Great Team

Be The Leader Your Team Wants To Follow | Building A Great Team

Knowing Your Players | Building A Great Team

How To Coach Your Team | Building A Great Team

Building a great team

Personal Development & Spiritual Life | Living Your Intentional Life

Courageously Serving Others | Living Your Intentional Life

A Fulfilling Job and Career | Living Your Intentional Life