Laurel Strategies, Inc.

I was joined on this week’s episode of “Leadership Matters” by an accomplished #entrepreneur, #leader, and #author of a must-read new book on leadership and success.?Jim McCann?is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of?1-800-Flowers, the world’s leading florist and gift company that he founded in 1976. It was great to have Jim back on the show for a wide-reaching discussion about his new book, “Lodestar: Tapping Into the 10 Timeless Pillars of Success.” Co-authored with a Johns Hopkins clinical psychologist, it’s a powerful exploration of leadership and a must-read guide to distilling the most impactful themes from top self-help literature. I hope you can listen to our fascinating conversation about Jim’s book and inspiring journey. The episode will air tonight at 6 pm ET on SiriusXM Business Radio (Channel 132) and will replay throughout the week and weekend. #LeadershipMattersSXM https://lnkd.in/g9Sm4GYn

This week on #LeadershipMatters, I was joined by Daniel Pink, a five-time New York Times bestselling author. Dan is someone I have known and admired for a long time, and is a powerful writer whose books I recommend that everyone read. From his first book, Free Agent Nation, to his latest, The Power of Regret, Dan has mastered the ability to provide guidance and new ways of thinking about how to live meaningful and fulfilling lives. During our conversation, I had the pleasure of speaking to Dan about his life growing up in central Ohio, his undergraduate and law school studies at Northwestern University and Yale Law School, his time working in the federal government in the U.S. Department of Labor and as Vice President Al Gore’s speechwriter, his pivot to writing and his many books. We also explored the idea of testing and finding one’s voice. The episode airs tonight (9/10) at 6:00 pm ET on SiriusXM Business Radio (Channel 132) and will replay throughout the week and weekend. #LeadershipMattersSXM

This week on #LeadershipMatters, I caught up with Bob McNally, Founder and President of Rapidan Energy Group and author of the award-winning book, “Crude Volatility: The History and the Future of Boom-Bust Oil Prices”. Over the course of our hour-long conversation, Bob and I discussed his time at The Tudor Group, his role as the top energy advisor in The White House (sitting on both the National Economic Council and the National Security Council) and the founding of his global firm: Rapidan Energy Group, which just celebrated its 15th anniversary. Bob graciously shared his experience and thoughts on his moves from the private sector to civil society and back again, as a CEO, and as well as the many lessons in leadership he has learned along the way. Not only is Bob a highly sought after expert in the energy industry, and an accomplished CEO himself, he is also a great friend and family to me. He was my college roommate and a beloved uncle to my kids. It was such a pleasure to have Bob on the show and I hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did. It was fun - as well as incredibly insightful, informative, and inspiring. The episode airs tomorrow (7/30) at 6:00 pm ET on SiriusXM Business Radio (Channel 132) and will replay throughout the weekend. #LeadershipMattersSXM https://lnkd.in/eidgZtVN Bob McNally Rapidan Energy Group

This week on #LeadershipMatters, I was joined by a leader and trailblazer who is keenly focused on solving issues for her constituents and for our country, @kirstengillibrand. Kirsten Gillibrand is the U.S. Senator from New York State and someone I consider a dear friend. Before her time in the U.S. Senate, Senator Gillibrand served in the House of Representatives after she flipped a deeply Republican district in 2008. While in Congress, Kirsten has continually reached across the aisle to work with Republicans to drive forward lasting change, including how the military addresses sexual violence, banning stock trading by members of Congress and addressing issues along the northern border. Before becoming a member of Congress, Kirsten was an accomplished attorney working at firms such as Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP, and as Special Counsel in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Over our conversation, Kirsten shared how she was inspired by her grandmother, mother and other mentors to speak up, speak out and get involved in the causes that she cared about. She also shared her thoughts on our current political environment, the value of government transparency and her push to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The episode airs today (7/16) at 6:00 pm ET on SiriusXM Business Radio (Channel 132) and will replay throughout the week and weekend. #LeadershipMattersSXM https://lnkd.in/ejXA7dPX

I was joined on this week’s episode of “Leadership Matters” by George Stephanopoulos, a seasoned strategist, anchor, journalist, political advisor, and #communications leader who has been a fixture on the national stage for decades. In our fascinating hour together, George and I took a deep dive into his path from #WhiteHouse advisor to Chief Anchor of ABC News. Together, we explore George’s early life,?political career, transition into #journalism, and the many lessons in leadership he’s learned along the way. We also discussed his powerful new book, “The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis.” Released last month, it’s a must-read analysis of the history-making crises that have defined twelve presidents. The episode will air tomorrow at 6 pm ET on SiriusXM Business Radio (Channel 132) and will replay throughout the weekend. It was a pleasure to have George on the show, and I hope you can listen. #LeadershipMattersSXM? https://lnkd.in/gFUKHzQH

I was joined on this week’s episode of “Leadership Matters” by a pioneer in AI, tech services in the digital age and thought leader in applying #emergingtechnologies.?Frank D’Souza?is the co-founder and managing partner of?Recognize, a technology investment platform based in New York which closed its $1.3 billion maiden fund in 2022. Before Recognize, Frank co-founded Cognizant Technology Solutions, the multinational technology services company. During his 26 years at the company, including 12 as CEO, Frank helped scale Cognizant to over 280,000 employees with more than $16 billion in revenue. During this first part of a two-part conversation, Frank and I took a deep dive into his global upbringing as the son of an Indian diplomat, early exposure to computers and programming, and journey from Carnegie Mellon MBA student to CEO of a leading #technologyservices provider. It was a powerful and insightful conversation. I hope you can listen. The episode airs tonight at 6:00 pm ET on SiriusXM Business Radio (Channel 132) and will replay throughout the weekend. #LeadershipMattersSXM? https://lnkd.in/gK4nzE73

In an era of rapid technological advancements, shifting societal norms, and unprecedented global challenges - how does a CEO separate flurries of activity from true leadership? Alan H. H. Fleischmann - writing in TIME, works through how CEOs can (and increasingly are expected to) navigate a complicated political and geopolitical landscape. And how – more than ever, CEOs need to be ready to speak out on key topics, using a discerning eye to identify the issues that matter to them and their stakeholders—shaping not only the future of their organizations, but also the broader contours of society. https://lnkd.in/ebQYcTP8

In a high-stakes election year, and a complicated political landscape, how can CEOs lead their organizations and employees to success? Laurel Strategies CEO Alan H. H. Fleischmann suggests to Fortune's Diane Brady in CEO Daily that “CEOs realize that they can’t sit out. The CEO has to be able to articulate how he or she leads in this environment.” And what’s the best way to demonstrate the authenticity, relevance, and consistency necessary for authentic leadership in today’s world? Says Fleishmann: “Step up and state the truth.” Read the interview here: https://lnkd.in/efY_kCrt #CEOStatesmanship #Leadership #CEODaily

As we gather with leaders in Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, my thoughts turn to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his immense and lasting legacy of peace, non-violent confrontation, and the relentless pursuit of justice for all. Today we celebrate the life of Dr. King. It is a time to reflect on his teachings and recommit ourselves to finish the work he dedicated his life to: the eradication of injustice anywhere, so that justice can reign everywhere. This may sound impossible these days as wars, economic uncertainty, and political extremism threaten our livelihoods and all that we cherish. But I am inspired by the words of Dr. King’s daughter and my dear friend, Dr. Bernice A. King, who once said “What we must not do is surrender to despair and hopelessness and the cynical assumption that there is nothing we can do.” There is always something we can do. So this year, as we celebrate Dr. King and his legacy, let us also do more than think about how we can reduce injustice and inequality in our own lives–let us act, guided by the words of Dr. King himself: “Unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”