FranklinCovey On Leadership

Most change efforts fail not because people resist change, but because leaders misunderstand how change actually works. Julia Dhar, behavioral scientist and BCG managing director, explains why 75% of transformations fall short—and what leaders can do differently. She introduces the concept of “change distance,” the gap between executive optimism and employee reality, and outlines practical ways to close it. Dhar challenges leaders to move beyond false alignment to real agreement, use storytelling that is honest and specific, and design change with real human behavior in mind. She also highlights the importance of incentives, emotional awareness, and “take-up”—making change easier to adopt in daily work. The result is a more grounded, human-centered approach to transformation. Listen to learn how to turn strategy into sustained behavior change.

FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.
 
To learn more, email us at [email protected], visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

AI transformation is moving faster than any prior technology shift, but Joe Atkinson argues the real challenge isn’t technical—it’s human. Drawing on his experience leading AI strategy at PwC, Atkinson explains why empathy, listening, and clarity are now core leadership capabilities, not soft skills. He outlines how leaders must balance speed with trust, avoid over-reliance on consensus, and invest in continuous learning to keep pace with change. The conversation also explores why most organizations struggle to capture ROI from AI—and what top performers do differently. Ultimately, leadership determines whether AI becomes a productivity tool or a true driver of transformation. Listen to explore how to lead through disruption while building capability, confidence, and performance.
 
FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.
 
To learn more, email us at [email protected], visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

When teams fail to innovate, leaders often blame execution, alignment, or talent. Eric Ries argues the real issue is leadership itself. Drawing on ideas from The Lean Startup and his latest work on building “incorruptible” organizations, Ries explains why companies unintentionally suppress creativity through rigid systems, misaligned incentives, and a fear of failure. He outlines a practical path forward: start with small, leader-led experiments, challenge legacy planning assumptions, and redesign systems that reward learning—not just outcomes. Ries also introduces the concept of the “culture bank,” where trust is built through consistent decisions that prioritize long-term value over short-term gains. For leaders navigating uncertainty, the message is clear: sustainable innovation requires changing how you lead, not just what your teams do. Listen to explore how to build organizations that adapt, innovate, and earn trust at scale.
 
FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.
 
To learn more, email us at [email protected], visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Leadership is a constant tension between driving results and genuinely caring for people. Jennifer Colosimo, former president of FranklinCovey's enterprise division, shares how great leaders navigate that balance. Drawing on decades of experience across consulting, sales, and executive leadership, she explains why performance and people leadership cannot be separated—and why expecting more from teams must be matched with stronger coaching, clarity, and trust. Colosimo also outlines the core ideas behind her upcoming book, Expect a Lot, Care a Lot, including practical approaches to feedback, delegation, and building high-performing teams. As Will Houghteling steps away from the show and passes the hosting role into her hands, this episode marks an evolution of FranklinCovey On Leadership—setting the tone for what leadership looks like in practice: principled, demanding, and deeply human.
 
FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.
 
To learn more, email us at [email protected], visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Ashley Herd, author of The Manager Method, breaks down why most leadership mistakes happen in the gap between reaction and response. Her simple framework—pause, consider, act—helps managers handle difficult conversations, re-engage struggling employees, and lead with clarity instead of impulse. Drawing on experience in law, HR, and executive leadership, Herd challenges common advice, emphasizing fairness over sameness, action over avoidance, and structure over micromanagement. She also explores how AI will reshape leadership—and why human connection will matter even more. Listen to learn how small behavioral shifts can dramatically improve how you lead people.
 
FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.
 
To learn more, email us at [email protected], visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776