Increase Your Leadership Influence with Jake Thompson
The Remarkable Leadership Podcast
Release Date: 09/24/2025
The Remarkable Leadership Podcast
1-on-1 meetings are one of the most powerful tools leaders have—yet many leaders struggle to make them consistent, productive, or mutually valuable. In this episode, I’m sharing three practical steps to help you create better, more effective 1-on-1s with your team members. You’ll learn: • Why having a consistent rhythm matters more than you think • How to transform your 1-on-1s from reporting sessions into working meetings • Why letting your team member go first changes the quality of the conversation • The key mindset shift that makes these meetings valuable for both people...
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What if understanding group dynamics is the secret to building high-performing teams? In this episode, Kevin speaks with Dr. Colin Fisher about what makes successful teams work. They debunk the myth of the lone genius and explore why collaboration, not individual brilliance, drives real innovation. Dr. Fisher explains when team synergy happens and why so many teams underperform without realizing it. He also shares practical insights on optimal meeting sizes, how remote and hybrid work affects collaboration, and how to harness healthy competition without damaging team performance. Listen For...
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How can you become more influential—in just five minutes? In this episode, Kevin Eikenberry shares five simple actions that can strengthen your influence as a leader, teammate, or friend. These are small, intentional steps that take only minutes but can create lasting impact. Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about connection. Influence grows when we focus on others first, and Kevin walks through how to do exactly that. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why asking good questions is more powerful than giving good answers How small investments in relationships lead to greater trust ...
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Have you ever felt like you're constantly putting out fires at work instead of making progress? Kevin welcomes Don Kieffer and Nelson Repenning to discuss why so many workplace processes feel frustrating and ineffective, and what leaders can do about it. Drawing on decades of experience in operations and organizational design, Don and Nelson reveal why quick-fix workarounds backfire, how firefighting becomes the default mode of operation, and the hidden costs of constantly reacting instead of leading. They introduce the concept of dynamic work design and explain why breaking down silos isn't...
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Too often, we measure our days by how much we get done—instead of by how much we contribute. In this episode, I’m sharing an idea that’s stuck with me since a conversation years ago with Lisa O’Dell. She asked a simple but powerful question: Are you thinking about the clock or your contribution? That question changed how I think about productivity, focus, and leadership. It’s not about racing the clock or checking off boxes—it’s about doing the few things that truly move the needle. Join me as I explore how to: Shift from busyness to meaningful accomplishment Focus on what...
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What if everything you believe about workplace wellness is only part of the story? In this episode, Kevin welcomes Dr. Katina Sawyer and Dr. Patricia Grabarek to discuss the real drivers of well-being at work and the critical role leaders play in shaping thriving environments. Drawing on their research, Katina and Patricia challenge the overreliance on surface-level wellness programs and demonstrate how authentic leadership, trust, and team connection have far greater impact. They introduce the concept of "generators", leaders who energize and empower their teams and contrast them with...
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What’s the most important thing you need to achieve your goals? It isn’t the target—it’s your why. In this episode, I share a story about The Biggest Loser (yes, the reality show!) and how I could often predict who would win before the competition even began. The secret? It all came down to their reasons—their why. Whether your goals are personal or professional, the same truth applies: the clearer and stronger your why, the greater your chance of success. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unmotivated, or unsure how to reach your goals, this episode will help you reconnect with your...
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Leave a Review If you liked this conversation, we’d be thrilled if you’d let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. for posting a review. Review on Apple: What if, instead of giving your team answers, you asked the right questions and listened? In this episode, Kevin sits down with Luciana Núñez to discuss how coaching can be more than just a skill; it can be a leadership philosophy that transforms individuals, teams, and entire organizations. Luciana shares why the command-and-control leadership model no longer works in today’s world, and how...
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Over the years, I’ve learned that feedback conversations often fail before they even begin — and I’ve made my fair share of mistakes too. But in this episode, I’m sharing what I believe is the biggest secret to giving feedback that actually works. Whether you’re a leader, a coach, or just want to help someone grow — the key is not in what you say first, but in what you ask. In this video, I’ll walk you through: - The powerful shift that makes feedback more effective - A few simple, open-ended questions I use to start these conversations - How to respond when someone says too...
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How do you uncover what you can't see, especially when it's holding you back as a leader? Kevin talks with clinical psychologist and executive coach Marty Dubin about one of the most critical yet often overlooked leadership capabilities: self-awareness. Marty shares his comprehensive six-part model for self-awareness, providing leaders with a practical framework for deeper self-understanding. Kevin and Marty also discuss how our greatest strengths can become liabilities when overused, how blind spots can derail otherwise successful leaders, and how small, intentional changes in behavior can...
info_outlineWhat’s one way I can compete with yesterday’s version of me today? In this episode, Kevin welcomes Jake Thompson for a practical conversation on building influence from the inside out. They discuss how leading yourself first sets an example for others and highlight the difference between managing tasks and leading people. Jake offers actionable strategies for improvement, like the “Start, Stop, Continue” method for self-improvement and a three-question reflection model after meetings or conversations. Jake and Kevin also discuss common leadership challenges such as giving effective feedback, balancing management with emotional intelligence, and the difference between being nice and being kind.
Jake's Story: Jake Thompson is the author of Lead Better Now: A Practical Guide to Increase Your Influence as a Leader. He is a leadership performance coach and the Chief Encouragement Officer at Compete Every Day, a brand he started in 2011 by first selling t-shirts out of the trunk of his car. Jake has spent more than a decade working with leaders and organizations worldwide on how to get better results for themselves and their teams. He has been featured in Forbes, Inc. Magazine, hosts a podcast with over two million downloads, and has directly impacted over 85,000 ambitious leaders. Jake lives in Dallas/Fort Worth with his wife, Elena, and their “kids,” aka rescue dogs, Sugar, Donut, Snacks, & Pop-Tart.
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