Episodios

  • Charlene Li on Building Bonds that Transform Organizations (Part One)

    Charlene Li on Building Bonds that Transform Organizations (Part One)
    Jun 18 2024
    Richard sits down with Charlene Li, a visionary leader helping organizations navigate disruption. Charlene has worked with hundreds of companies, ranging from Adobe to Southwest Airlines, and has advised half of the Fortune 100. Charlene shares her insights on building strong relationships, cultivating an innovative culture, and catalyzing transformations within organizations and people. She discusses the importance of vulnerability, psychological safety, and genuine curiosity when coaching leaders and executives. Charlene also provides advice on evolving with customer needs, embracing new technologies like AI, and intentionally shaping company culture through beliefs and behaviors. Through her stories and wisdom gained from decades of experience, Charlene highlights how successful leaders inspire others by focusing on human connections, continuous learning, and creating "aha moments" of clarity. Tune in for an insightful discussion on unlocking the potential of people and businesses by forging meaningful bonds.
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    31 m
  • Soft Skills, Hard Impact: Mastering Communication with Andrea Markstrom (Part Two)

    Soft Skills, Hard Impact: Mastering Communication with Andrea Markstrom (Part Two)
    May 28 2024
    In Part 2 of this insightful conversation, Richard dives deeper into the wisdom Andrea Markstrom has accumulated over her 30-year career as a global IT leader. They explore the transformative power of mentorship and the often-overlooked strength of vulnerability. Andrea shares her journey of initially being hesitant to ask for help, fearing it would be perceived as a weakness. However, she has since learned that embracing vulnerability and seeking guidance from others is a sign of courage and self-awareness. Her candid reflections offer a refreshing perspective on shattering the stigma around asking for support. The discussion then shifts to Andrea's passion project, i.WILL, a professional network dedicated to advancing women's tech careers. She reveals the inspiring story behind launching this community from scratch and its incredible impact so far, from funding startups to mentoring victims of human trafficking. Andrea's commitment to uplifting others shines through as she describes iWill's multifaceted initiatives. Richard also delves into how Andrea strikes a harmonious balance between her demanding roles as a CIO, community leader, and devoted mother. Her insights on discipline, prioritization, and surrounding oneself with a strong support system are invaluable lessons for anyone striving for holistic success. As the conversation concludes, Andrea empowers listeners to redefine the role of the modern CIO, shifting from a purely technical position to that of an astute business leader skilled in decoding organizational needs and delivering strategic value. Her perspective is a powerful reminder that interpersonal abilities are paramount for effective leadership in today's collaborative landscape. Get ready to be motivated, inspired, and equipped with practical wisdom as Andrea Markstrom shares her trailblazing experiences on cultivating relationship equity throughout this engaging episode.
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    22 m
  • Soft Skills, Hard Impact: Mastering Communication with Andrea Markstrom (Part One)

    Soft Skills, Hard Impact: Mastering Communication with Andrea Markstrom (Part One)
    May 21 2024
    Richard is back with another insightful episode featuring Andrea Markstrom, Chief Information Officer at Schulte Roth Zabel and founder and CEO of iWill, a professional network advancing women's tech careers. In this candid conversation, Andrea shares her incredible journey from pursuing modern dance to becoming a global IT leader in the legal industry. Andrea's hard work, innate curiosity, and relationship-building skills propelled her career to remarkable heights despite not having a technical background. She emphasizes the importance of taking on extra responsibilities, asking questions, and cultivating relationships as key drivers of her success. Andrea openly discusses the challenges of being an introvert in a field that demands strong communication abilities. However, she provides invaluable advice on how to step out of one's comfort zone, create a safe space to develop soft skills and leverage the power of relationships to overcome obstacles. Richard and Andrea explore the essence of "relationship equity"—going the extra mile to help others, building a tribe of supporters, and understanding the profound impact relationships can have on personal and professional growth. Whether you're an introvert, a technical expert, or simply seeking to elevate your relationship intelligence, this episode offers profound insights that can transform your approach to life and work. Tune in to learn from Andrea's remarkable story and discover how investing in relationships can unlock doors to opportunities you never imagined possible.
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    24 m
  • Minnesota's Innovation DNA: People, Technology, and Progress with Jeff Tollefson (Part Two)

    Minnesota's Innovation DNA: People, Technology, and Progress with Jeff Tollefson (Part Two)
    Apr 23 2024
    In part two, Jeff explores the importance of intentionally developing one's network and connections. He shares how nurturing relationships has been integral to his personal success story and to fulfilling the mission and vision of the Minnesota Technology Association. Jeff provides insights into MnTech's vision to make Minnesota a global innovation leader and details how strengthening collaboration across the state's tech ecosystem is essential for advancing this goal. Tune in to hear Jeff's perspective on the power of shared purpose to drive both individual and collective achievement. He spotlights how technology connects us unprecedentedly and stresses why we must leverage these connections to embrace diversity, bridge divides, and co-create the future we wish to see. This wide-ranging exchange provides actionable principles for fostering innovation through an equity mindset and strategically investing in network-building.

    About Jeff Tollefson: Jeff leads the overall management and strategic direction of the Minnesota Technology Association, with a focus on enhancing member value and driving community impact. Before joining MnTech in August 2019, Jeff held various leadership roles with Genesys Works, a national nonprofit helping low-income high school students achieve career success in the tech field through skills training and meaningful work experiences. Before founding Genesys Works’ Twin Cities program in 2008, Jeff spent 17 years in the venture capital industry, including 10 years as co-founder and General Partner of Crescendo Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm with more than $1.1 billion under management and offices in Minneapolis, Palo Alto, and London. Away from work, Jeff and his wife, Jennie, love spending time with family and friends at their cabin in NW Wisconsin.
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    25 m
  • Minnesota's Innovation DNA: People, Technology, and Progress with Jeff Tollefson (Part One)

    Minnesota's Innovation DNA: People, Technology, and Progress with Jeff Tollefson (Part One)
    Apr 16 2024
    This week, Richard welcomes Jeff Tollefson, the President and CEO of the Minnesota Technology Association, to discuss driving growth and innovation. Jeff brings over 25 years of experience in the technology sector to his role leading MnTech. Before this position, he held leadership roles with several impactful organizations, like Genesys Works, where he focused on providing skills training and work experiences for underserved youth. He co-founded the venture capital firm Crescendo Ventures, leading investments in dozens of early-stage startups. In his current capacity at MnTech, Jeff steers the strategic direction of an organization that has powered Minnesota's innovation economy for over 30 years. With decades of investing in people and enabling cutting-edge technologies, Jeff has valuable insights to share. Tune in to hear Richard Walker engage Jeff in an inspiring dialogue about relationship-building within the technology ecosystem and reaping the rewards that meaningful connections can bring, personally and professionally.

    About Jeff Tollefson: Jeff leads the overall management and strategic direction of the Minnesota Technology Association, with a focus on enhancing member value and driving community impact. Before joining MnTech in August 2019, Jeff held various leadership roles with Genesys Works, a national nonprofit helping low-income high school students achieve career success in the tech field through skills training and meaningful work experiences. Before founding Genesys Works’ Twin Cities program in 2008, Jeff spent 17 years in the venture capital industry, including 10 years as co-founder and General Partner of Crescendo Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm with more than $1.1 billion under management and offices in Minneapolis, Palo Alto, and London. Away from work, Jeff and his wife, Jennie, love spending time with family and friends at their cabin in NW Wisconsin.
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    27 m
  • Chasing Dreams and Honoring Relationships: Erik van Rooyen's Journey (Part Two)

    Chasing Dreams and Honoring Relationships: Erik van Rooyen's Journey (Part Two)
    Mar 26 2024
    In the second part of this compelling premiere episode, the conversation transitions to Erik's personal life and the incredible family he has built since coming to the United States for college. He opens up about the profound experience of meeting his wife at the University of Minnesota and their immense joy in starting a family together away from his home country of South Africa. Erik provides a heartwarming look into this pivotal relationship and how Rose's unwavering support has allowed him to chase his dreams on the PGA Tour while being a devoted husband and father. He also shares the immeasurable pride of having his parents watch him compete at the highest level of professional golf. With a vulnerability seldom seen in pro athletes, Erik describes the indescribable feeling of looking out from the tee box and locking eyes with the people who have unconditionally loved and backed him from day one. Erik's insights underscore the paramount importance of nurturing familial bonds and cherishing the relationships that enable one to pursue one's calling. This is a truly inspiring testament to the power of cultivating strong Relationship Equity.
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    14 m
  • Chasing Dreams and Honoring Relationships: Erik van Rooyen's Journey (Part One)

    Chasing Dreams and Honoring Relationships: Erik van Rooyen's Journey (Part One)
    Mar 19 2024
    In the gripping premiere episode of Relationship Equity, Richard Walker sits down with rising PGA Tour star Erik van Rooyen. The South African golfer discovered his love for the game as a teenager and went on to earn a scholarship at the University of Minnesota, paving the way for his two PGA Tour victories thus far. However, this candid conversation goes beyond Erik's professional accomplishments on the course. He opens up about his deeply personal journey of chasing his dreams for both his career and family life. Erik also reflects on the emotional impact of his 2023 Worldwide Technology Championship victory in Mexico, which took place as his close college teammate and friend Jon Trasamar was courageously battling cancer at the time, before ultimately passing away. With raw vulnerability, Erik shares how he has dealt with such profoundly challenging life experiences by nurturing his key relationships and staying faithful to his overarching passions. This powerful premiere showcases how prioritizing authentic human connections can provide strength even in the darkest moments. Tune in for this poignant discussion that will inspire you to invest wholeheartedly in relationships and pursuits that truly matter.
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    26 m