178 Candor Takes Courage — John Baldoni

John Baldoni brings calm, clarity, and uncommon wisdom to leadership in a world defined by volatility. In this conversation, you will hear why innovation stalls when fear is left unchecked, how leaders create real psychological safety, and what grace under pressure actually looks like when decisions matter most. Experience our episodes in a whole new way—watch every video version on our YouTube Channel. Subscribe now to be the first to catch our next release. https://www.youtube.com/@manageselfleadotherspodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Sound Bites [2:16] How leaders embed innovation into culture and why innovation starts with removing fear, not adding tools. [3:04] What leaders must stop doing before asking for change. [4:05] Fear of judgment, silence in meetings, and how unsafe cultures shut down innovation. [5:01] Innovation as applied creativity. Small process changes that unlock productivity and fresh thinking. [8:27] Grace under pressure. How leaders maintain composure and connection during volatility and crisis. [8:53] The leadership pillars of connection, candor, commitment, courage, and community. [10:11] Why culture must be shared and lived, not worshipped, to truly scale leadership. [11:32] Grace as forgiveness. Letting go of mistakes in yourself and others to move forward. [11:56] Candor versus artificial harmony. Why truth telling strengthens teams. [13:52] Conversational equality. Drawing out quiet voices and balancing dominant speakers. [15:23] Language of influence. Disagreeing without blame through curiosity and respectful challenge. [17:23] Gemba leadership. Going to where the work happens to gain real insight. [17:59] Leading in volatility. The reflection practice of asking what is happening and what is not happening. [18:49] Using real time reflection as a team exercise to influence action. [20:04] Reading the white space. Why noticing what is not said builds strategic awareness. [20:30] Political savvy and influence. Understanding where real power and momentum live in organizations. JOHN BALDONI https://www.johnbaldoni.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbaldoni/ ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY Nina Sunday’s latest book, ‘’Manage Self, Lead Others: Constructive Conversations, True Self-Leadership, and Culture You Can’t Fake’’ now on Amazon - paperback or kindle. Amazon USA ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/3WaplI9⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon Australia ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.asia/d/0KwghaM⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can read any Kindle eBook on your PC, laptop or phone; you don’t need a Kindle device. === To learn more about face-to-face training programs with Nina Sunday or one of her experienced Facilitators from Brainpower Training Pty Ltd in Australia Pacific, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au...⁠ === To visit Nina Sunday's speaker site for global in-person speaking bookings visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ninasunday.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === Connect with Nina Sunday on LinkedIn ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninasunday/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠=== To subscribe to Nina Sunday's blog go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and scroll to bottom of the page to register. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices