J. Jason Hicks On The War of Leadership, Writing Fiction Vs Fiction, and the impact of AI on writing and the creative process

About this episode

Marcus Aurelius Anderson and J. Jason Hicks discuss leadership challenges, the craft of writing, and the impact of AI on creativity.

Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down for a return visit with J. Jason Hicks — author, technologist, and storyteller — to dig into his new nonfiction book The War of Leadership: Hard Lessons and Practical Truths for Surviving In and Beyond Leadership . Drawing from 30 years in the corporate world, Jason unpacks the uncomfortable truths that no one tells new leaders: the manipulation, the blind spots, the politics, and the quiet treachery of organizational life. Marcus and Jason explore why awareness of dark leadership tactics doesn't make you a bad leader — it makes you a prepared one. They also cover the craft of writing, the role of AI in creative work, and why the human element in art, music, and literature will never be replaceable. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS The Dark Side of Leadership — 2:16 Jason reads the defining passage from the book: "You'll be misled. You will be asked to mislead..." — a raw, unflinching look at how leadership corrupts incrementally, and how good people get drawn into cycles they never intended to be part of. The Blame Game & Double-Edged Sword — 6:23 Marcus and Jason break down how leaders attack their predecessors while…

People in this episode

Host: Marcus Aurelius Anderson

Guest: J. Jason Hicks

Topics covered

• leadership
• writing
• AI in creative work
• organizational politics
• self-awareness

Keywords

• leadership
• writing
• AI
• creative process
• organizational life
• self-improvement
• dark leadership tactics

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The War of Leadership: Hard Lessons and Practical Truths for Surviving In and Beyond Leadership

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