Be Worth* Following

Today on the Be Worth* Following podcast, we are joined by Sara Turner. She's an executive coach, facilitator, and consultant whose work centers on the inner life of leaders and how it shapes everyday successes and failures. She is both a leader and a person of depth, something we've experienced firsthand, because for over four years, she worked with The Aperio, most recently serving as our Director of Content and Experience. In this episode, you'll hear about the often underutilized—and uniquely powerful—ability leaders have to draw others toward their natural capabilities and maximum potential. You'll learn about a specific group of leaders Turner is especially passionate about inspiring. And you'll discover the single word Turner believes is foundational for sustaining effort over time. Join us for this episode of the Be Worth* Following podcast with our friend and former colleague, Sara Turner.

What if leadership is about more than just getting things done? Stephen "Shed" Shedletzky joins us on this episode of the Be Worth* Following podcast to talk about it. Along the way, Shed shares the three characteristics he sees present in every successful leader. He also digs into his perspective on leadership success over the long-term, the power of listening, and the compelling story connected to his grandfather and World War II that inspires his work today. Additional resources can be found HERE.

We all know the leaders we love to follow—and the ones we simply have to. What's the difference? In this conversation, we sit down with speaker and author David Mead to dig into the human qualities that set great leaders apart. David introduces the simple yet transformative framework at the heart of his new book, Lead with (un)Common Sense, offering practical ways to lead with honesty, humility, and humanity every day. This episode is an invitation to lead from who you are, not just what you do. Click here to visit our website page for David Mead's episode. There you'll find show notes, time-stamped chapters, and additional resources to help you explore the ideas from our conversation more deeply. You can also learn more about David's work, writing, and leadership insights featured in his upcoming book, Lead with (un)Common Sense, releasing soon.

Colonel Art Athens joins the Be Worth* Following podcast to share his insights on all things leadership, especially the cultivation of talent. And to be sure, he's sharing with us from a wealth of experience. Over the course of more than 30 years in the Marine Corps, Colonel Athens held command and staff assignments across all four Marine Aircraft Wings. He also served as an instructor and Academic Dean for the Marine Corps' equivalent to the Navy's "Top Gun" school. Following his military career, he became the Naval Academy's first Distinguished Military Professor of Leadership and later served for over a decade as the Director of the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership. He also served as Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and was selected as a White House Fellow under President Ronald Reagan. In this episode, you'll discover why Colonel Athens talks about Dixie cups and crystal glasses in relation to leading well. You'll see how attending a rainy high school soccer game significantly shifted one of his relationships up the chain of command. And you'll hear why benches and bullpens are important concepts in how we think about developing those we lead. Notable links: Guest: Colonel Art Athens: https://www.linkedin.com/in/art-athens-b210559/ Host: Tim Spiker: https://www.theaperio.com/tim-spiker The Only Leaders Worth* Following video series on Right Now Media: https://www.theaperio.com/right-now-media-series The Only Leaders Worth* Following book https://tinyurl.com/TOLWFbook The Only Leaders Worth Following book Discussion Guide: https://www.theaperio.com/discussion-guide-the-only-leaders-worth-following The Aperio: https://www.theaperio.com/

In this episode of Be Worth* Following, Will Graham takes us inside a reality many leaders wrestle with but few openly discuss—workplace dysfunction. Once a sharp critic of workplace culture, Will unexpectedly found himself in a leadership role, facing the very challenges he had spent years analyzing. That experience, along with a near-burnout moment, reshaped his understanding of leadership, productivity, and the power of aligning people with the work that fuels them. His journey—from frustration to insight—offers a compelling look at what it really takes to make work better. Click Here for a Free Copy (+ shipping) of Will Graham's book, Make Work Better

In this episode of the Be Worth* Following Podcast, host Tim Spiker welcomes back for his second appearance on the show psychologist Jason Cochran. Together they take a deep dive into Jason's original work on the four principles of connection in the workplace. This thoughtful discussion explores the strategic advantages of connection at work and includes practical applications that leaders can engage in immediately to increase connection at work for everyone they lead.

An eye-opening episode of the Be Worth Following Podcast! Dr. Brent Fessler, Principal at Integreaters, shares what it looks like for leaders to prioritize the flourishing of their employees and company culture. Dr. Brent is an integrator, which means he helps organizations integrate values, purpose, organizational change, and character development. In this episode, Brent shares about an idea called trauma informed leadership, explores what it looks like to value employee flourishing, and talks about how to get company values off the walls and into the people. Additional Resources can be found on the Be Worth* Following Podcast Website.

In this episode of the Be Worth* Following podcast, Christopher O'Reilly, an executive team member at the internationally-renowned Onsite Partners and leader of Milestones, joins host Tim Spiker for an insightful exploration of the intersection between mental health and leadership. Drawing from his extensive clinical experience, Christopher delves into the hidden pitfalls of multitasking and the transformative power of simply being present. He also shares a practical method for leaders to check in on their mental well-being, which simultaneously improves relationships and increases self-awareness. Tune in to discover how even small steps in nurturing your mental health can elevate your leadership effectiveness.

On this episode of the Be Worth* Following podcast, Dr. Erik Hoekstra, President at Dordt University, joins Tim to share his perspectives on leadership in the unique context of a small Christian univeristy. It's clear immediately that Erik's deep faith has informed and shaped his approach to leadership. He believes in a human approach to leadership, not a utilitarian one, and is always eager to work back to this center when he gets off track. Erik is passionate about keeping himself accessible to his workers and students, inviting feedback, and pressing into equal parts humility and charisma. Additional Resources can be found on the Be Worth* Following Podcast Website.

Mark Miller joins the Be Worth* Following Podcast for the second time to share about his new book, Uncommon Greatness. Since Mark retired from Chick Fil A he has made it his second-half-of-life mission to develop extraordinary leaders. Uncommon greatness comes from uncommon leadership, characterized by a focus on others and a commitment to fundamental actions. On the podcast he shares what it looks like to make this shift to uncommon greatness and why the practical and fundamental must go together. Additional Resources can be found on the Be Worth* Following Podcast Website.

We love March Madness at The Aperio. Every March Tim Spiker, a former college basketball player at Purdue and Washington University, hosts conversations with basketball colleagues and coaches who share their leadership experiences from the world of sports. On this episode of the Be Worth* Following Podcast, former professional basketball player and college coach Cuonzo Martin—aka "Zo"—shares the life experiences that led to his passion for basketball, coaching, leadership . . . and helping young people in his community. Additional Resources can be found on the Be Worth* Following Podcast Website.

We often have the theme "care for your people" on episodes of the Be Worth* Following Podcast, and this episode is another one of those times. Meet Amir Ghannad, keynote speaker, founder of The Ghannad Group, and author of the book The Transformative Leader. Amir is an inspiring leader and human being, and his success story is a direct result of being Others Focused and Inwardly Sound. In this episode you will hear the extraordinary account of Amir's younger years as well as his transition into the leadership development space. Amir also shares three issues that he has seen plague and prevent organizations from reaching their full potential. Additional Resources can be found on the Be Worth* Following Podcast Website.

Relationships are at the heart of every organization, and on this episode of The Be Worth* Following podcast, Dr. Mary Shippy, veteran coach and leadership consultant, shares some profound yet simple ways to strengthen these relationships. Dr. Shippy uses dynamic models and principles in her coaching with relationship-building at its core. In this episode she talks with Tim about what inhibits and enables a leader's ability to be curious, how we often write incorrect stories based on limited information, and what is at the core of forgiveness. Additional Resources can be found on the Be Worth* Following Podcast Website.