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author / speaker / facilitator / consultant

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In The Beginning...

In The Beginning...

Episode 1

In this inaugural episode of the Mission First People Always: Great Leaders. Great Teams. podcast, Dr. Mike Patterson introduces himself, describes the purpose of the podcast, and sets the stage for all the episodes that will follow.

Leadership Lessons I Learned in the White House with Darrell Williams

Leadership Lessons I Learned in the White House with Darrell Williams

Episode 2

White House Communications Agency Hall of Famer, Darrell Williams, shares leadership insights gathered while working in the White House during the George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush administrations.

Leadership Lessons from the Life of Rosa Parks with Dr. Angela Sadler

Leadership Lessons from the Life of Rosa Parks with Dr. Angela Sadler

Episode 3

Dr. Mike interviews documentary filmmaker and television personality, Dr. Angela Sadler Williamson, who is a cousin of civil rights icon, Rosa Parks. Through family interactions with "Cousin Rosie" and her deep research in support of her award-winning documentary, Angela offers reflections and insights on Rosa Parks as a leader, supporter of leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and a member of the broader team of civil rights workers.

A C.R.A.Z.Y. Approach to Marriage with Ernie Cason

A C.R.A.Z.Y. Approach to Marriage with Ernie Cason

Episode 4

Dr. Mike reconnects with a former team member, Ernie Cason, to discover powerful lessons about creating a healthy marriage even in the face of the most extreme challenges. After meeting on a blind date and quickly becoming engaged, Ernie's heart was pierced...not by Cupid's arrow, but by a serrated steak knife wielded by his fiance, Ronna's, enraged ex-boyfriend after he attacked her.

Mindful Leadership with Dr. Jenn Guignard

Mindful Leadership with Dr. Jenn Guignard

Episode 5

Today, Dr. Mike interviews Dr. Jenn Guignard about the benefits and practices of mindful leadership. During the course of our conversation, Jenn reveals the three key aspects of mindful leadership.

The Antifragile Team with Jodi Orgill Brown

The Antifragile Team with Jodi Orgill Brown

Episode 6

Dr. Mike interviews Jodi Orgill Brown about what it takes to build an antifragile team. "Antifragile" is a term coined by mathematical statistician Nissim Taleb whose work is focused on dealing with randomness, probability, and uncertainty. It suggests a property of systems that increase their capability to thrive amidst stressors, attacks, mistakes, and volatility--something we've all experienced in sometimes overwhelming degrees in the past 2-years.

Purpose Centered Leadership™ with Art Jackson

Purpose Centered Leadership™ with Art Jackson

Episode 7

Dr. Mike here, today I talk with speaker and executive coach, Art Jackson. Join us as we discuss the reason why we have lousy leaders in organizations and what we should do about it when we get one.

Do You Need A Coach? with Dr. Gary Reinecke

Do You Need A Coach? with Dr. Gary Reinecke

Episode 8

On today’s episode, we invite you to carefully consider an important personal and professional question: Do I need a coach? Your answer could change the trajectory of your career and greatly benefit those around you

Developing Soft Skills in Students with Pete Gleason, Ph.D.

Developing Soft Skills in Students with Pete Gleason, Ph.D.

Episode 9

What's the right time to become intentional about developing the relational skills of young people? Today, we discuss how one psychology professor has become very intentional about building interpersonal skills with his students.

Navigating Change with Karen Simmons

Navigating Change with Karen Simmons

Episode 10

Today, we gain a new perspective on organizational change from change expert, Karen Simmons! Karen Simmons is CEO and founder of The Change Executive, an organizational development agency, based out of Sydney, Australia. She is a complex change specialist (and enthusiast!) working across the UK, Europe, USA, Asia Pacific, and Australia for the past 30 years leading and supporting high-impact social and business transformations, including service, programs, operations, and financial performance shifts, organizational restructures, and culture change.

Neuropsychology Basics for Leaders with Dr. Steve Swavely

Neuropsychology Basics for Leaders with Dr. Steve Swavely

Episode 11

Over 100 years ago, Henry Ford was reputed to have said, "You can have a car painted any color you want--as long as it's black." It was the beginning of mass production and the assembly line, and "once-size-fits-all" was necessary to make it all work. For many years, we have treated employees pretty much the same way. We hired people for their hands and their ability to perform certain tasks with consistency, but that is rapidly changing in the knowledge era.

Your Team Needs Rhythm with Dr. Gil Brady

Your Team Needs Rhythm with Dr. Gil Brady

Episode 12

Today’s episode is all about teamwork. Teamwork is a term we initially hear at a very early age. It usually happens at 5-, 6-, or 7-years old, or whenever you step onto a sports field or court for your first attempt at sports.

Inclusioning with Ray Linder

Inclusioning with Ray Linder

Episode 13

They are entrepreneurs who are taking an old, stale, stuffy industry and turning it onto its head by creating a people-centered culture for their clients and for their employees.

Three Kindnesses with Odell Mitchell III

Three Kindnesses with Odell Mitchell III

Episode 14

How do you define kindness? Selfless acts that make someone else's life better would probably be part of your definition. You might even offer examples of kind behavior like compassion, generosity, or genuine concern for others. In today's episode, we hear from a kindness ambassador who not only defines kindness in a very precise way, but teaches organizations how to build kindness into their culture.

Innovation in an Old Industry with Latane Meade and Matt Paulson

Innovation in an Old Industry with Latane Meade and Matt Paulson

Episode 15

Today’s guests are two guys who are doing it RIGHT!

An International Entrepreneur's Long Journey to Success with Gerald White

An International Entrepreneur's Long Journey to Success with Gerald White

Episode 16

One of the goals of this podcast is to inspire you with stories of people who overcame adversity, worked hard, played fair, made good decisions, learned from bad decisions, and found a way to succeed. I’m confident that today’s guest will do just that–inspire you to keep pushing forward even when it seems impossible.

Which Assessment Is Right For You? with Ray Linder

Which Assessment Is Right For You? with Ray Linder

Episode 17

Did you know? According to the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), about 60% of employees are asked to take an assessment of some sort, with 22% of employers using assessments to screen job applicants. It’s no surprise then to learn that the growing assessment market is now estimated to represent $500 million in annual sales with strong–as much as 10% per year–growth in recent years. In short, it’s big business.

Building Resilient Teams with Dr. Gene Coughlin

Building Resilient Teams with Dr. Gene Coughlin

Episode 18

Resilience is the capacity to deal with difficulty, adapt, and come back stronger. It's something today's guest argues is critically important for teams--especially if there is going to be meaningful development and learning. But this requires an intentional approach that engages all of the key components of resilience.

Leading from Anywhere with Dr. David Burkus - Part 1

Leading from Anywhere with Dr. David Burkus - Part 1

Episode 19

David is considered one of the top business thought-leaders in the world by Thinkers50, is a sought after keynote speaker with a Ted Talk that's been viewed over 2 million times, and is an active consultant who has a track record with some of the world's top organizations. He's the author of several highly acclaimed books, and today, we dig into this latest book, Leading from Anywhere: The Essential Guide to Managing Remote Teams.

Leading from Anywhere with Dr. David Burkus - Part 2

Leading from Anywhere with Dr. David Burkus - Part 2

Episode 20

We are back again with Dr. David Burkus for part two of our conversation about remote teams and remote leadership. Before you hit play, be sure to catch last week's episode for part one so you are caught up to speed. If you are a leader who has found yourself "working from anywhere," these two episodes are a game changer!

Grief in the Workplace with Kim Kerr

Grief in the Workplace with Kim Kerr

Episode 21

Grief is both a very individual experience as well as a universal reality. At some point in our lives, we will all lose something or someone that we hold dear to us. It will make a significant impact on who we are, how we understand the world, and how we do our work, but the thing to know about grief is that, while painful, it can ultimately lead to a deeper appreciation for life and living.

Leading With Dignity with Dr. Robyn Short

Leading With Dignity with Dr. Robyn Short

Episode 22

Everyone wants to be treated with dignity and feel safe. Unfortunately, some workplace paradigms--and individual leaders--do a poor job of promoting this kind of peace…

What's so Hard about Innovation? with David Thomas

What's so Hard about Innovation? with David Thomas

Episode 23

There is an ancient Chinese proverb that states: “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.” On this episode, we’re going to build some windmills! Innovation has been called the survival skill of our time. If we don’t innovate, we don’t survive.

Creating a Retirement Filled with Meaning and Purpose with Sheryl Roy

Creating a Retirement Filled with Meaning and Purpose with Sheryl Roy

Episode 24

On today’s episode, we’re talking about what it takes to lead yourself well into retirement–and how to make that season of life filled with meaning and purpose. We’ve also included several great resources to consider here in the show notes, so take a look!

How to Build a Great Leadership Team with Jack McGuinness

How to Build a Great Leadership Team with Jack McGuinness

Episode 25

You have likely been on some really good teams where everyone enjoyed working together and together, you accomplished some pretty exciting things. And…you had fun doing it. And on the rough days, you picked each other up and addressed the challenges together. Like me, you’ve probably also been on some teams where everyone seemed to be pulling in opposite directions, where no one seemed to want to be there, and where results were mediocre at best. It wasn’t a good experience, so you’re in no hurry to go back. You might even be on that kind of team now. Since both scenarios are common, how do we intentionally build great teams?

Navigating Enterprise Politics with Dr. Jawn Lam

Navigating Enterprise Politics with Dr. Jawn Lam

Episode 26

You’ve heard it a thousand times: “I hate all of the politics at work.” You may have even said it a few times or at least carried the sentiment.

Developing Young Hispanic Leaders with Eric Rodriguez

Developing Young Hispanic Leaders with Eric Rodriguez

Episode 27

According to the 2020 census, there are 62.1 million Hispanics in the United States or 18.7 percent of the population. It’s also the fastest growing ethnic group in the country. Yet even with the strength in numbers these data may suggest, many young Hispanics are still struggling to find success in higher education and the workplace.

Doing DEI with Cultural Intelligence with Dr. Kristal Walker

Doing DEI with Cultural Intelligence with Dr. Kristal Walker

Episode 28

According to Diversity Wins, the third in a series of reports from famed management consulting firm, McKinsey and Company, the business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) is stronger than ever.

Building Your Professional Network Authentically with Racquel Cagurangan

Building Your Professional Network Authentically with Racquel Cagurangan

Episode 29

Many years ago, I had a professor in grad school who often said, “Your success will almost always be based on the people you know and the stories they tell about you.” I have found his assessment to be absolutely true as I progressed through my career and now serve clients as a speaker, consultant, and coach. In fact, virtually all of my recent client engagements have resulted from a previous student, colleague, or client who knew and respected me, and recognized that I could add value to their current organization. In short, it really is all about relationships.

Turning "Doers" into Leaders with Vanessa Judelman

Turning "Doers" into Leaders with Vanessa Judelman

Episode 30

The transition from being a doer to a leader can be a difficult one for many people. Doers are outstanding individual contributors who, based on their performance in their current role, are promoted with the assumption that they will also be a good manager. In reality, some doers never become leaders. Instead, they become “super-doers” who micromanage the work of their team members with a running commentary on how they would perform particular tasks.

An OD Leader's Expat Journey with Berry Lumpkins

An OD Leader's Expat Journey with Berry Lumpkins

Episode 31

What’s it like for a native of Tennessee to build a successful in learning, leadership development, and organizational development in Europe and the Middle East? Today, we find out because we’re talking to Berry Lumpkins. Berry has followed a very non-traditional career path that took him from the home of country music to exotic, far away places in Europe and the Middle East.

The Value of Emotional Intelligence with Phil Johnson

The Value of Emotional Intelligence with Phil Johnson

Episode 32

To unpack the value of emotional intelligence, our guest today is Phil Johnson. Phil is an author and the creator of the Master of Business Leadership program which focuses on emotional intelligence. For the past 22 years, Phil has been an executive coach assisting executives and organizations to bet on themselves by developing better leaders and stronger teams with EQ. What You’ll Learn On today’s episode, we talk about What exactly is Emotional Intelligence?

Lead like a Navy Seal with Dr. David Livingston

Lead like a Navy Seal with Dr. David Livingston

Episode 33

We all admire at the courage, commitment, and success of the US Navy SEAL Teams. These warriors are often thought of as supermen, but in reality, they are just highly trained professionals who work very effectively as a team--even in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments. This does not happen by accident. It is part of their training and their culture--and something other teams can learn from and aspire to become.

The Solution is in the Dialogue with Peter Andrew Nixon

The Solution is in the Dialogue with Peter Andrew Nixon

Episode 34

The world is in dire need of better, more productive conversations. To support that assertion, all you have to do is turn on the news to witness people talking at each other, making accusations, and interacting in ways that, in some cases, are disrespectful and in no way honor the human dignity of the people involved. My guest today contends that we would all be better off if we had better dialogue–a statement with which most of us would agree.

Lead Deeper with Coaching with Jeremiah Shaw

Lead Deeper with Coaching with Jeremiah Shaw

Episode 35

Coaching is an approach to learning and personal and professional growth that creates self--awareness, drives transformational change, and provides much needed support and an appropriate level of challenge. Some executives have the opportunity to engage professional coaches who are outside of their organization and chain-of-command, and have no loyalties beyond their professional commitment to their clients.

Reflections of a Learning Leader with Dr. Kevin Claypool

Reflections of a Learning Leader with Dr. Kevin Claypool

Episode 36

Have you ever wondered how learning leaders think about delivering leadership and employee development across a large enterprise? On this episode we climb inside the brain of the Head of Learning and Development for an iconic American company and the world’s largest beer company, Anheuser-Busch.

Team Effectiveness Around the World with Pete Baker

Team Effectiveness Around the World with Pete Baker

Episode 37

On this episode, you’ll meet Pete Baker, a senior leader in Human Resources for a variety of organizations, who has worked in nine countries of the course of his 30-year career. During that time, he has learned a great deal about what makes teams successful and the kind of interaction that ignites innovation and energized collaboration. He shares some of what he has learned from his journey in a fun, upbeat conversation.

Authentic Collaboration: Practical Tips to Lead and Energize Your Team with Edward van Luinen and Tricia Cerrone

Authentic Collaboration: Practical Tips to Lead and Energize Your Team with Edward van Luinen and Tricia Cerrone

Episode 38

My guests on this episode believe that they have cracked the code on improved collaboration and creating healthy organizational culture. It’s an issue that most companies need to address--especially since a recent Salesforce Survey found that 85% of respondents said that the primary reason for failed projects and workplace failures is “poor communication and an overall lack of collaboration.” Few people would disagree; however, most people don’t know how to fix it. Our guests believe the answer is authentic collaboration.

Leadership in Practice with Colonel George Reynolds (US Army Retired) and Colleen Mizuki Part 1

Leadership in Practice with Colonel George Reynolds (US Army Retired) and Colleen Mizuki Part 1

Episode 39

On this special two-part episode, you’ll hear from two seasoned leadership consulting professionals who come from very different backgrounds, but work incredibly well together. One is a retired US Army Infantry Officer who has served in and prepared others to serve in combat zones for a number of years, while his colleague is an expert on the practice of mindfulness techniques; brain-mind-body-optimization, and self-regulation techniques for for greater wellbeing and improved performance.

Leadership in Practice with Colonel George Reynolds (US Army Retired) and Colleen Mizuki Part 2

Leadership in Practice with Colonel George Reynolds (US Army Retired) and Colleen Mizuki Part 2

Episode 40

On this Episode On this special two-part episode, you’ll hear from two seasoned leadership consulting professionals who come from very different backgrounds, but work incredibly well together. One is a retired US Army Infantry Officer who has served in and prepared others to serve in combat zones for a number of years, while his colleague is an expert on the practice of mindfulness techniques; brain-mind-body-optimization, and self-regulation techniques for for greater wellbeing and improved performance. It’s a wide ranging conversation about leadership and teamwork, and how to do both in incredibly challenging situations.

Desperately Seeking Emotional Intelligence with Dara Rossi, Ph.D.

Desperately Seeking Emotional Intelligence with Dara Rossi, Ph.D.

Episode 41

Emotional Intelligence could be the reason you’re getting ahead in your career or could explain why you’re stuck. If you have it in abundance, there’s a good chance that you are finding fulfillment in your work and relationships, you’re able to communicate and collaborate with a wide array of people, and you’re getting stuff done. If you find yourself unable to understand or explain what you’re feeling, you find it difficult to connect with coworkers, and your team’s engagement is tanking, then you would almost certainly benefit from boosting your EQ score. But how?

Creating a Conflict Competent Workplace with Dr. Robyn Short

Creating a Conflict Competent Workplace with Dr. Robyn Short

Episode 42

Many people will quickly say that they want to avoid conflict in the workplace. That’s not surprising because anyone who has experienced conflict know that it is usually very unpleasant. It usually throws us off our game, becomes an enormous waste of time, and has the potential to create long-lasting strife if not handled well. In some cases, it causes us to lose sleep, perhaps feel ill, and elevates stress levels far beyond what we normally experience. Needless to say, conflict is no fun. But guest will make the case for more productive and meaningful conflicts through the creation of conflict competent workplaces. She takes a systems approach to conflict management and offers online training to develop skills that are immediately useful in the workplace. If you want to make conflict more productive, please listen.

Why the Best Leaders are Mindful Leaders with Outi Hilgert, MD

Why the Best Leaders are Mindful Leaders with Outi Hilgert, MD

Episode 43

If you are stressed out, feel like you always have too much to do and too little time to do it, find yourself to be irritable and tired, and you feel a bit disconnected from your work and the people around you, this episode is for you! Today, we hear from a medical doctor who trains her patients–and organizational leaders–on mindfulness practices and compassion skills. We’re going to talk about being more human and compassionate in the workplace, and introduce the powerful practices of mindfulness. This episode could be the wake-up call you need to make some changes–changes that you can learn and practice in as little as 5-minutes per day. Listen, learn, calm down, and become a better leader.

What a Life in Football Teaches us about Leadership with DeChon Burns

What a Life in Football Teaches us about Leadership with DeChon Burns

Episode 44

Have you ever wanted to have an intimate conversation with someone who has played in a Rose Ball and coached in the National Football League with the likes of Marv Lewis and Steve Spurrier –and hear what it takes to be successful–as a leader–with some of the most elite athletes and largest humans on the planet? If that’s you, then you’re going to love this episode and my conversation with Dechon Burns. Of course, it’s fun to hear the stories about the big games and the big names in football, but the real reason I wanted to have Coach Burns on the show is because I thought that some of the lessons he learned on the football field were transferable to the conference room, the shop floor, or wherever you need to accomplish your mission. And I was right. Here’s the bottom line: You have to take care of your people off the field if you want to win on the field. In other words, people and performance go hand in hand. But you’re going to want to listen to the entire conversation. It’s just too good to miss.

Mission First, People Always: Great Leaders, Great Teams

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