In this episode of the Pfeffer on Power podcast, host Jeffrey Pfeffer is joined by Tony Levitan, CEO of InWhack and the co-founder of eGreetings. The discussion delves into Levitan's experiences as a startup founder, specifically the challenges faced during his journey with eGreetings which ended up transforming from a 300 million-dollar business to a 30 million-dollar one. Levitan speaks about the lessons he learned and the importance of retaining the company’s culture even amidst leadership changes. Pfeffer and Levitan also shed light on 'imposter syndrome', the need for behavioural interviewing during executive searches, and the pivotal role of effective coaching in personal and professional development.00:00 Introduction and Overview00:29 Guest Introduction: Tony Levitan00:57 Tony's Journey with eGreetings01:36 The Challenges of Startup Founders03:19 Tony's Personal Experience and Lessons Learned04:06 Tony's Reflection on His Time at eGreetings08:43 The Impact of Leadership Changes on Company Culture12:23 The Importance of Effective Hiring and Recruitment16:56 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome21:23 The Role of an Executive Coach24:29 Conclusion and FarewellPfeffer on Power is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On the importance of inquiry18:26: One of the things that is the easiest door in for many is we all are asked to make business decisions off of data. And yet, when it comes to two things, we don't tend to bias towards data. One is people. We don't tend to have as much data on people, right? We make decisions off of gut feel and things like that. The other is being able to take an external view of ourselves and our competency, right? So I have a couple of clients who are wrestling with their identity as a competent leader, and yet they're surrounded by data that says, "You are making a difference. You are delivering impact." They just have a hard time seeing it, and they don't have people around them who are helping them see it on a daily basis.On the importance of having a coach22:41: When I made the shift at InWhack, Inc., it took me a while to figure out where my sweet spot was going to be because I think, just like I had to figure out where I could deliver as a coach, people who look for a coach need to do some reflection on what would be helpful to them.What references should really tell you14:17:  One of the mistakes we made at eGreetings is, we actually—I feel embarrassed to share this because it's so obvious, but we had the executive search firm do the reference checking. And I mean, you want to talk about misaligned incentives, right? I mean, their incentive is to close the search. Our incentive is to have deep insight into who's coming to work in our company. So, that's one of the things I always mention. The other thing is that References aren't so much about, should I hire this person or not. References really ought to be about how do we most effectively work with this person. What does this person need to be effective in working with us?Relevant Links:Profile on LinkedInProfile on X

In this episode of 'Pfeffer on Power,' host Jeffrey Pfeffer, a Stanford University professor, converses with education expert and influential figure, Dr. Rudy Crew. Dr. Crew is the Clinical Education Professor at USC Rossier School of Education, and has had notable former roles as Chancellor of New York City Schools, superintendent of the Miami-Dade County School District, and Chief Education Officer for the State of Oregon. After having a long successful career in the education sector in these prestigious roles, Dr. Crew shares insights on navigating the sphere of power, the cost that comes with it, and the wisdom necessary to make careful choices. The talk explores aspects of power like ego, greed, the lure of linking to powerful individuals, and the personal, professional, and political consequences of the pursuit of power. Dr. Crew emphasizes the importance of staying grounded, maintaining humane leadership, and being observant of warning signs in a volatile political environment. Significantly, he stresses that ethical leadership rooted in keeping the welfare of students at the forefront has helped him navigate these challenges.00:01 Introduction and Guest Presentation01:53 The Price of Power: A Discussion with Dr. Rudy Crew03:30 The Pitfalls of Power: Ego, Lack of Ideas, and Wrong Associations05:52 Recognizing Danger Signs in Power Pursuits08:03 Navigating Political Challenges in Power Positions10:51 The Consequences of Tough Decisions in Power Positions17:20 Avoiding the Pitfalls of Power: Advice and Insights20:57 Staying Grounded in Power Positions: A Personal Anecdote22:52 Conclusion and FarewellLearn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and his work on JeffreyPfeffer.comPfeffer on Power is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Lead by the kind of quality work your provide18:25: I remember having to make budget cuts, and those budget cuts were going to be pretty deep. But there's goodwill in the culture. If there are other things that you did or have done traditionally that made people feel like this was not a vendetta, unfortunately, this was a bad fiscal year in the state of California, and we had to make budget cuts. But the fact of the matter is, there was humanism brought to the table. There was a sense of honor brought to the table. There was transparency and a sense of humility brought to this that no one enjoyed watching people walk out the door and be without a job. You can create a cultural wave of positivity and yet do some things that are very, very, very unpopular and sometimes very uncomfortable.There’s no good deed that gets unpunished17:05: My advice has always been, pay the price. Don't do the wrong thing, but just understand that by doing the right thing, you will still accrue a consequence. There's no good deed that goes unpunished.Every job comes with a quid pro quo15:57:  When you get the job, be prepared to lose the job. That would be the first of many commandments, right? Be prepared to lose it, and by losing it, I mean, it may be gradual, but the fact of the matter is every decision you make comes with a consequence, and that consequence generally is added up in political terms, and the accumulation of that is what I would say to you is quid pro quo. That is the giant quid pro quo. It's the one that you're going to ultimately pay permanently for.Relevant Links:Faculty Profile at USC Rossier  Wikipedia ProfileLinkedIn ProfileAPB Speakers page

Welcome to the Pfeffer on Power podcast. I'm your host, Jeffrey Pfeffer, a professor at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, where I teach a popular course on developing and using your power and organizations to get things done and advance your career. In this podcast, we interview people who have successfully implemented power principles to accelerate their career successes. We include startup founders and people from diverse backgrounds working around the globe. We talk about building helpful social relationships, creating resources, how to develop the qualities that produce power and success, what those qualities are and how to enlist others in achieving your goals. Check out our previous season of more than 20 episodes at pfefferonpower.com, and stay tuned for new episodes and interviews every other week with people who have used these ideas to do remarkable things, just like you can.

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: JeffreyPfeffer.com EPISODE 25 – Dana Carney, Professor & Director of the Institute for Personality and Social Research at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business SHOW NOTES: Dana Carney, a world-leading expert on body language, is a professor at the Haas School at UC Berkeley who also runs the Institute of Personality and Social Research. She shares the most up-to-date tips on the strategic use of body language and facial gestures to persuade other people about your power or an issue. In this episode, you’ll learn about: Why people respond to others based on how they look The data shows that taller and good-looking people make more money The why and how people look and come across through gestures The 43 cues that have nothing to do with power The 9 cues that have everything to do with power How to differentiate between who has power and who does not What, in addition to access to and control over resources, creates power What to be careful of if you’re taller or bigger Non-selfish, pro-social reasons for mastering your body language Myths and facts around eye contact Why Anna Wintour wears sunglasses to fashion shows The visual dominance ratio Behavioral nudge action planning Physiognomic cues that influence power Why body language, how people look, and the gestures they make are so important Nonverbal communication within the animal kingdom GUEST BIO: Dana R. Carney is a Professor and the Director of the Institute for Personality and Social Research at the University of California, Berkeley in the Haas School of Business. She is also an affiliate Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Department of Cognitive Sciences. Carney is one of the world’s leading experts on nonverbal behavior.  Professor Carney’s fresh, modern approach to nonverbal behavior has made her the go-to figure in this space, serving as a consultant for corporate seminars, and academic gatherings. From Blackrock Advisors to the Los Alamos National Lab, Carney has consulted private equity, tech firms, and small businesses alike, in addition to speaking at many academic conferences and at most major Universities in the U.S. and beyond. Carney’s catchy and informative videos on nonverbal behavior have skyrocketed her account practically overnight, @danarosecarney, to 64K followers over a half a million total likes. She has been featured in Men’s Health, Time Magazine, Forbes India, Reader’s Digest, Quartz, World Bank Blogs, Business Insider, Entrepreneur, Muse and many more (NYT, WSJ, etc.). Prior to serving on the faculty at UC Berkeley, Carney was an Assistant Professor at Columbia University's Graduate School of Business. She was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard in the Psychology Department working with esteemed colleagues such as Mahzarin Banaji (implicit bias expert and author of the bestselling book Blindspot) and Wendy Berry Mendes. She received her PhD in Experimental Psychology from Northeastern University (working with the world’s expert on the link between nonverbal communication and power, Judith A. Hall) and her master's degree at California State University (working with the world’s experts on the link between nonverbal communication and each anxiety and social skills, Jinni A. Harrigan and Ronald E. Riggio, respectively). She received her B.A. from the University of San Francisco (working with one-half of the team of Maureen O’Sullivan and Paul Ekman—the world’s leading experts for over 60 years on the nonverbal cues associated with and accurate detection of deception). Professor Carney is currently in the final stages of writing a popular book on nonverbal behavior. Nonverbal communication is, at once, much more complex and much more interesting than the media would have the public believe. https://www.linkedin.com/in/danarosecarney   Produced by The MunnAvenuePress.com  

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: JeffreyPfeffer.com EPISODE 24 – Tosin Joel, Founder, GTBOOL SHOW NOTES: Meet Tosin Joel, a leader of businesses, organizations and cross-functional leadership teams who, using the 7 Rules of Power, creates centers of change for herself and others around her. A Nigerian-born woman who was the first in her city to attend university, Joel has learned how to leverage her differences and become successful in the oil industry and beyond. In this episode, you’ll learn about: How her growing, education, and first jobs impacted her career at Eni How she applies the 7 Rules of Power to overcome challenges Why knowing she wants to be a center of change shapes her decisions How she went from being an outlier to having a seat at the table Ways to differentiate a career to set a precedent Ways of managing pressure The value in leveraging human capitol Turning obstacles into opportunities The birth of her nonprofit company GTBOOL (and what it stands for) Her passion for creating awareness and connecting people The power of networking and keys to her success Mission, purpose, and legacy goals Where her self-confidence, boldness, and willingness to ask come from Her goals around creating opportunities for others Balancing her professional and personal lives Practical relationship advice GUEST BIO: Tosin Joel partners with executive teams, and boards to transform organizations and drive step changes in performance. As a Senior Program Manager at Amazon, she reinvents operational efficiency to maximize value capture, and leads business process optimization for competitive advantages. She was Project Head and Geodata Country representative for the Italian multinational giant Eni. She helped the energy operator to maximize the production efficiency of their assets to boost value and reduce costs. With both consulting and operating experience, she is able to help executives see the potential in their operations. Step by step, she led companies through transformational initiatives that result in a stronger operational and financial profile. Tosin worked with major oil-and-gas independents in Europe, Americas, Sub-Saharan Africa. Joel is the founder of GTBOOL (www.gtbool.com), a networking organization centered on personal growth and sponsorship of high talent professionals in big corporates and mentorship of startups. She has been named amongst 100 most Influential People of African Descent and has served on the board as country director. Tosin is an alum of MIT Sloan and Stanford LEAD, where she built unique networks to create global impact projects. She facilitated Silicon Valley design thinking club entrepreneurs. Post Stanford LEAD, She has climbed several corporate ladders, established a unique brand, and receives numerous invites to speak during international conferences. She has also won many awards, including MIT Sloan Alum Volunteer Award, Best International Humanitarians, International contribution award for Women in tech, Humanity 100, Intellectual contribution awards for leadership and contributions. https://www.linkedin.com/in/tosinjoel   Produced by The MunnAvenuePress.com    

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: JeffreyPfeffer.com EPISODE 23 – Michael Gruen, Co-Founder & CSO, DominateX SHOW NOTES: Meet the amazing and insightful Michael Gruen, a prodigy and social influencer who has started companies by breaking the rules, not getting in his own way, and only following what he knows to be true. His questioning of the status quo and not taking anything for granted are just two of the traits this free thinker employs to create a compelling level of success for himself and those he advises. In this episode, discover: Michael’s career trajectory and his influence on the internet Why he doesn’t believe anything as it is stated to him How the link between power and money works Reasons to not fear polarizing responses The value in making yourself a scarce asset What patience, persistence, and providing value create The flywheel effect His secret to getting into exclusive rooms The differences between egotists and narcissists in relation to business The surprising statement he told Donald Trump in the Oval Office Advice on how to become powerful What he sees as a harmful problem in society The uniquely powerful style of his emails The number of winners in a good negotiation The principles of generosity, gratitude, loyalty, and appreciation His philosophy on removing judgments and receiving feedback Why knowing your flaws and having no ego are superpowers GUEST BIO: Michael Gruen is a dynamic and accomplished Gen Z entrepreneur, investor, and media personality who has significantly impacted various industries in his young career. His drive, creativity, and innovative vision have made him a rising star in entrepreneurship and investment. Gruen's journey began at a young age. He enrolled in college at 14 and quickly developed a passion for finance and entrepreneurship. He co-founded Frax, the world's first fractional stablecoin and crypto native consumer price index. The Frax Protocol introduced the concept of a cryptocurrency partially backed by collateral. It stabilized algorithmically to create highly scalable, decentralized money in place of fixed-supply digital assets like BTC. As a co-founder, Gruen played a pivotal role in the development and growth of Frax, which quickly became one of the most popular stablecoins in the world with a peak market cap of $2.9B. He was responsible for developing Frax's vision and strategy and overseeing the company's day-to-day operations. In addition to his work with Frax, Gruen has a proven track record of success in various industries, including finance, sports management, and entertainment media production. He co-founded and served on the board of directors for several successful companies, including Sway House, TalentX Entertainment, TalentX Gaming, Ani Energy, CrossCheck Studios, and Animal Capital, a venture capital fund. His work with these companies has helped him develop a unique perspective on the intersection of technology and business. Gruen has also been recognized for his contributions to the entertainment industry. He was the first to secure an overall deal at a major studio for an influencer, Josh Richards, at CrossCheck Studios. He procured a comprehensive agreement for Nickelodeon star Jace Norman at ViacomCBS, working directly with Brian Robbins, now CEO of Paramount. In addition, he has played an integral role in transforming Creator Edge Media into a premier talent management agency for top influencers, helping them build long-term partnerships with some of the world's biggest brands. Leading publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, and Variety, have recognized Gruen's impressive achievements. He was named a member of Forbes' 30 Under 30 class of 2022 and has been featured as one of the top 29 up-and-comers changing the world of venture capital, one of the 24 power players transforming the music industry through TikTok, and one of the 19 talent representatives helping creators turn social-media fame into diversified businesses by Business Insider. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Gruen is committed to positively impacting the world. He has given some of his company's profits to charity. He has also given a lot of his time and money to help with education and to help young people. With his entrepreneurial spirit, innovative vision, and commitment to creating a better world, Michael Gruen is a trailblazer and thought leader in entrepreneurship and investment.   Produced by The MunnAvenuePress.com        

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: JeffreyPfeffer.com Ep 22 – Dafina Toncheva, General Partner, USVP SHOW NOTES: Dafina Toncheva, General Partner at USVP, discusses how she’s strategically used the Rules of Power concepts to manage her career. From a small town in Bulgaria to now being a major figure in Silicon Valley, she has succeeded in an industry that has not traditionally welcomed women. Join us and learn how the principles of power apply to women and men, and how to use those principles of power to navigate an extraordinarily successful career for yourself. You'll learn from Dafina: Where she’s from, how she got to the U.S., and her career trajectory What political forces led her to desire to look for opportunities abroad How she ultimately ended up at Harvard and the only way she knew to get there Her path between college and her current career The lens she used to decide to join USVP in 2012 The use of power in her career to make the most impact The importance of aligning your success goals with the company’s goals How she navigated in a less-than-welcoming business environment How she has stood up for herself and put the Rules of Power into action The importance of developing constructive professional relationships with board members A surprising take on what is as important as the investments that are made How managing the narrative of the firm is incredibly important GUEST BIO: Dafina Toncheva (dafina@usvp.com), a general partner at USVP, invests in emerging technologies in the enterprise space with focus on Enterprise SaaS applications and security. She has led investments in and joined the boards of Luma Health, Arkose Labs, Raken, Percepto, Carrot Fertility, Nfinite, Sepio Systems, Trust Lab and Surgical Safety Technologies. Dafina served on the board of Prevoty, a leader in application security, who was acquired by Imperva where USVP was the lead investor and largest shareholder. Prior to joining USVP, Dafina was a principal investor with Tugboat Ventures. Before that, she spent two years at Venrock helping to expand the firm’s investments in SaaS, virtualization, security, infrastructure and enterprise applications. Dafina led the first institutional investment round in Cloudflare (NYSE: NET). Her other investments included Aria Systems, Kenna Security (acquired by Cisco) and Matrixx Software. Before becoming an investor, Dafina held positions in development and product management at Microsoft focusing on authentication systems, digital signatures and business workflow. She has co-authored several key patents. Dafina holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BS in Computer Science, magna cum laude, with special focus on cryptography, efficient algorithms and database systems from Harvard University. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dafinat/   Produced by The MunnAvenuePress.com  

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: JeffreyPfeffer.com Ep 21 – Nick Binkley, Singer-Songwriter, Former Banking Executive SHOW NOTES: My old friend and very successful financial executive, Nick Binkley, talks about his career in finance, rising to the position of vice chair of Security Pacific Bank, and then vice chair of the Bank of America, and then a partner in a very successful venture capital firm. Nick has a lot of lessons around the 7 Rules of Power for all of us to pay attention to. In this episode you’ll learn: How Nick went from a guitar-playing Peace Corps volunteer and campaign manager to a banker What he saw in the Tunisian economy that sparked his desire to become an international banker How visualizing where he wanted to be and breaking the rules facilitated his career change The way playing the game allowed him to develop a new approach to statement analysis called the Binkley Tree What accelerated his career in the ten years he went from a vice president to a vice chair and member of the board of directors at Bank of America The power of changing the narrative about yourself A unique presentation opportunity that furthered his career Brand building in humorous, thoughtful, effective ways, and with the creation of an international magazine The importance of having family members and a broad base of people who appreciate your skills The rule of power that most resonates with him A story of how success excuses everything The one sin Jeff sees students commit in their beliefs during difficult circumstances How his songwriting and music interests have helped in his career, personally and professionally GUEST BIO: Nick Binkley (born Nicholas Burns Binkley October 31, 1945) is a former banking executive with a lifelong interest in foreign affairs. He is also a singer-songwriter, recording artist and film producer. He was educated at Colorado College (BA in Political Science) and the Universite d’Aix-Marseille (France) and received his graduate degree (MA in International Studies) from the John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Binkley attained the position of Vice Chairman of Bank of America Corp and served on its board of directors and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He later formed Forrest Binkley & Brown which successfully made venture and private equity investments across a range of enterprises. Following retirement from the world of finance, he became identified with the title of his first album, Pin Stripe Brain, released in 1995. A troubadour striving for East-West peace, Binkley’s song “Novi Mir” (Russian for “New World” or “New Peace”), his film FREE TO ROCK and subsequent albums, Let The Boy Jam, 100 Parts of Heart, and Stardust Angels Ghosts remain emblematic of a life that spanned the worlds of finance, music and international politics. https://www.nickbinkleymusic.com   Produced by The MunnAvenuePress.com  

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: JeffreyPfeffer.com EPISODE 20 –  Tadia James, Managing Partner, Aligned Generation SHOW NOTES: Tadia James is the Managing Partner at Aligned Generation. Tadia shares the rules of power which have helped her excel in the financial industry, where women or people of color manage less than 2% of global assets.  In this episode, you will learn: How Tadia has consciously built her career How her jobs at JPMorgan and Gingerbread Capital led her to start her own company The three pillars Aligned Generation advises and develops startups within How her story speaks to issues of women and underrepresented minorities What she focused on to gain visibility when she was often the youngest and only woman and person of color in the room How she gets out of her own way and shows up in ways that convey power The discipline necessary to help achieve goals The things done to acquire visibility while at Stanford Business School Being clear on using time intentionally The considerations of time and opportunity costs in attending graduate school Advice to students regarding making use of opportunities available on campus Why she started her own firm The joy of helping founders, entrepreneurs, and capital investors What the process of ‘gassing’ herself up before public appearances looks like Special note: In this episode Ms. James is referring to Amy Cuddy's TED Talk, "Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are." This talk was given at TEDGlobal in 2012.  https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_may_shape_who_you_are/c GUEST BIO:  Tadia James Bridge-Builder, VC Investor, and Strategist, Tadia is the Managing Partner at ALIGNED GENERATION, a strategic consulting agency on a mission to accelerate and scale the impact of investors and startups building a more equitable and balanced society.  Current Focus: Addressing the racial wealth gap.  Tadia started her career in finance at the JP Morgan Corporate & Investment Bank in various positions including: Sales Strategy, Product Management, and Cybersecurity Threat Intelligence. She also taught financial literacy to inner-city youth in NYC at the DREAM Organization for 5 years where she led the development of the DREAM Scholarship Fund. Tadia went on to become an early employee at Gingerbread Capital, a family office venture capital fund that invests in female founders and female fund managers at the seed stage and beyond.  An avid tech investor and startup advisor, Tadia is known for her ability to bring big visions to life through disciplined business execution and strong partnerships. Featured in “Forbes” and “31 under 31: The Future of Venture Capital”, she has a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Florida and an MBA from Stanford. Website: https://www.alignedgeneration.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tadiajames Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TADIAJAMES/   Produced by The MunnAvenuePress.com  

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: JeffreyPfeffer.com EPISODE 19 – Andrew Yang, Entrepreneur & Author. Humanity Forward SHOW NOTES: My guest today is Andrew Yang, the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and a 2021 candidate for mayor of New York City. Named by President Obama as a Presidential Ambassador of Global Entrepreneurship, he is the founder of Humanity Forward, Venture for America, and the Forward Party. Yang’s New York Times bestselling book The War on Normal People helped introduce the idea of universal basic income into the political mainstream. Andrew shares how through practice, he learned to embody particular rules of power to make effective changes in the world. In this episode, you will learn about: The non-profits he started to improve the operation of America’s electoral system A brief overview of his career and entrepreneurial background Why he was an accidental presidential candidate What the Forward Party stands for How his background as an Asian American inhibited him from embracing specific rules of power The importance of building a personal brand with a strong social media presence Learning new behaviors to promote himself, which in turn benefits his causes Why apologizing is not always the right thing to do How he re-framed networking to become something enjoyable and rewarding The idea of acting and speaking with power The romantic motivation he had to put himself into the public sphere The athleticism of public speaking Coaching and practice to become stronger, better, and more comfortable Taking the world as it is and maximizing your ability to do good things within it GUEST BIO: Andrew Yang is an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, non-profit leader, and former 2020 presidential candidate. After working as a lawyer and executive at several early-stage technology companies, Andrew eventually became CEO of an education company that became #1 in the country. He then started a national entrepreneurship non-profit, Venture for America, which worked to empower thousands of young entrepreneurs to bring their dynamism to communities across the country, from New Orleans and Baltimore to Denver and Detroit. Andrew was named a Presidential Ambassador of Entrepreneurship by the White House under the Obama administration and a Champion of Change for his work with Venture for America. Initially dubbed a "longer than long shot" candidate by the New York Times in 2018, Andrew became a top-tier contender for the presidency, raising nearly $40 million in grassroots funding. With a vision to rewrite the rules of the United States economy through a “Freedom Dividend” of $1,000 a month for every American adult, Andrew became one of the most exciting stories in the 2020 race. Andrew's nationwide support, known as the “Yang Gang,” propelled him to seven Democratic primary debates, outlasting six senators, four governors, three members of Congress, two mayors, and one secretary. Following this unexpected run for president, Andrew formed the non-profit Humanity Forward, successfully lobbying Congress for direct cash relief for struggling American families during the pandemic while simultaneously distributing over $8 million directly to struggling families. From his presidential and New York mayoral runs, Andrew has seen first-hand what’s preventing our country from getting things done, and he is now directing his energies towards fixing the machinery of our stagnant democracy. With Forward - Notes on the Future of Our Democracy, Andrew lays out the case for a variety of democracy reform measures that can unclog the pipes of our system and realign the incentives of legislators with the wellbeing of the American people.   Produced by The MunnAvenuePress.com  

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: JeffreyPfeffer.com Episode 18 –  Gary Loveman, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO SHOW NOTES: Meet Gary Loveman, the former CEO of Caesars, the large casino company, and a former senior executive at Aetna, and now running Well, a health-related startup. Gary made the remarkable transition from being a professor to running a company. He is extraordinarily thoughtful on issues of power and influence, coming in as an outsider and being exceptionally successful. In this episode you’ll learn about: How Gary came from outside into an industry dominated by insiders The techniques used to get people on his side and overcome their resistance Why critical relationships have to work, and how to make them work The value in making unwanted news tolerable for each person affected by it The humility, transparency, and feedback involved in collectively reaching goals Your duty to shareholders, colleagues, employees, and customers to cultivate working relationships Being strategic and thoughtful as you interact with other people Overriding certain feelings to present yourself as the leader your organization needs to see What’s required to be an effective leader of people who have limited access to you Compelling stories around Gary’s determination to tell the truth under all circumstances The idea of reputation and sustaining credibility The meaning behind his famous maxim, “If you want to be liked, get a dog.” His lesson in the forced curve grading distribution at Harvard Business School GUEST BIO In 2019, Gary Loveman, Ph.D., co-founded Well, a member engagement platform built to enable every individual to achieve their best health. Well's digital platform combines the member's health history with clinical algorithms, artificial intelligence, and dynamic incentives to guide every member towards improved health and lower costs. Well's platform is supported by a team of expert healthcare professionals, and provides member support across the spectrum of healthcare needs including behavioral health, chronic condition management, health coaching and wellness, benefits and system navigation, pharmacy and telemedicine. Dr. Loveman is also Senior Lecturer in the Department of Finance at Harvard Business School. He previously taught Service Management in the M.B.A. and executive education programs at the School from 1989-1998. He was named the first recipient of the School’s Apgar Award for excellence and innovation in teaching. Loveman was awarded the B.A. in economics from Wesleyan University, and the Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was an Alfred Sloan Doctoral Dissertation Fellow. Dr. Loveman left HBS in 1998 and became Chairman, CEO and President of Caesars Entertainment Corporation. During his seventeen year tenure, Dr. Loveman oversaw a period of growth that included several major acquisitions making Caesars the largest and most diversified company in the gaming industry. In 2008, Caesars went private in a $30.7B transaction led by Apollo and TPG. He pioneered the use of cutting-edge technology and data analytics to deliver differentiated customer service and guest loyalty. Dr. Loveman also led the development of Wellness Rewards, Caesars’ widely recognized, incentive-based health and wellness program for the company’s 70,000 employees and their families. He was voted “Best CEO in the Hospitality Industry” for four consecutive years by the Institutional Investor magazine, was inducted into both the Hospitality and Gaming Halls of Fame and is the subject of case studies at HBS and Stanford Business School. Dr. Loveman joined Aetna in October 2015, serving as President of Consumer Health and Service, Aetna’s health services business through January 2018. The Consumer Health and Services organization was responsible for helping Aetna members achieve their best health and for fostering innovative collaborations with health care providers to improve the overall quality, cost and experience for Aetna members. Dr. Loveman led the company’s population health management and consumer engagement strategies, health and clinical services, care management, digital consumer health products, analytics and data science, pharmacy and marketing areas. From 2012-2015, Dr. Loveman chaired the Business Roundtable’s Health & Retirement Committee, which focuses on improving the quality and affordability of the nation’s health and retirement systems. He serves on the Board of Trustees at Boston Children’s Hospital and the Board of Directors of the Boston Celtics, where he is a member of the ownership group. Loveman serves on the Board of several private health care companies and served previously on the Visiting Committee of the M.I.T. Department of Economics and the boards of FedEx, Tapestry and Ventas, Inc. Among Dr. Loveman’s publications include five articles in the Harvard Business Review, two books (with co-authors) and more than 30 HBS case studies.   Produced by The MunnAvenuePress.com  

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: JeffreyPfeffer.com Episode 17 – Robin Lumsden, Founder & Managing Partner, Lumsden & Partners Today, we meet Dr. Robert Lumsden, who has gone from a tennis player to the Special Forces, to law, to business, and now to owning a sports franchise. He is always paying attention to building his brand, getting out of his comfort zone, and thinking about what he can do for other people to build the relationships that will, in turn, make him successful. Topics discussed: The principles of 7 Rules of Power he uses to build his career The jobs Robin held before attending Stanford, beginning at age seven What it is like to be an adversary for some of the most famous lawyers in the U.S. Three of his most significant deals and why he didn’t get a Porsche in one of them Why he came to GSB and what he learned there Why his goal at GSB was to know the successful professors and business people How he got into Condoleezza Rice and Eric Schmidt’s classes How he used his time at Stanford to build his brand in Austria His motive behind building a fantastic media presence The importance of delivering considerable value to your peers Overcoming certain cultural barriers The varying roles of showing up authentically Using specific times of day to your advantage The power of getting out of your own way Where mentors can lead you The power of pictures What’s next in Robin’s career   GUEST BIO Dr. Robin L. Lumsden MSx (Stanford) MA Economics (Stanford) LL.M. (Berkeley) Robin is the founder and managing partner of M&A law firm Lumsden & Partners, one of the most successful boutique law firms in Austria, founded in recent years. Robin, who is a member of the bar in Austria, New York and Washington D.C. spent more than 15 years as a corporate lawyer and advised clients such as Volkswagen on its €3.9 billion acquisition of Porsche and General Electric on its sale of its plastics division to Sabic for US $11.6 billion. Whilst conducting his studies at Stanford (MSx & MA in economics) he worked on a digital asset fund with Sebastian Schwarzenegger, invested in blockchain and crypto businesses. He sits on various boards of trusts of high-net-worth individuals. He further was an advisor to Palantir & personally to its CEO Alex Karp, GE, Google and the Schwarzenegger family. Robin is also an officer with the Austrian Special Forces (equivalent to the Navy Seals). His military experience has shaped his character and made him appreciate teamwork. Previously, as a junior Robin was a professional tennis athlete, playing inter alia at Wimbledon. Recently, Robin acquired the majority of the American Football Franchise, “Vienna Vikings” in Austria, a team that won the EuroBowl (equivalent to the Super Bowl in Europe) in 2022 against Hamburg. www.lumsden.at www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_0cwys_EMM Produced by The MunnAvenuePress.com  

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: JeffreyPfeffer.com Episode 16 – Dr. Laura Esserman, Professor of Surgery and Radiology UCSF, Director of the UCSF Breast Care Clinic Dr. Laura Esserman is a leading figure in the transformation of American medicine. Named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, Laura is dedicated to increasing the speed at which we learn about new cancer drugs and treatments. She discusses her transformation into becoming a more effective version of herself through storytelling and cultivating empathy with opponents. Join us and learn about: Adjustments in her behavior that make her extraordinarily effective The importance of knowing what you want to accomplish over being likable Realizing to become successful, she needed to get out of her way The listening and give-and-take skills that enable effectiveness Allowing the space for people to think differently than yourself Finding common ground to accomplish shared goals How fear of criticism can impede problem-solving Patient-centered care with a ‘no risk, no change’ philosophy Going to the mat and doing things for others The principles she lives on Her lesson with running a mammogram van in San Francisco How empathy and understanding aid negotiations Using the press and publicity to make change happen Why storytelling is paramount for learning Her goal of bringing personalized medicine to trials and patients The unique skills she brings to her patients that will surprise you GUEST BIO Dr. Laura Esserman is Professor of Surgery and Radiology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and director of the UCSF Breast Care Clinic. Her work in breast cancer spans the spectrum from basic science to public policy issues, and the impact of both on the delivery of clinical care. Dr. Esserman is recognized as a thought leader in cancer screening and over-diagnosis, as well as innovative clinical trial design. She led the creation of the University of California-wide Athena Breast Health Network, a learning system designed to integrate clinical care and research as it follows 150,000 women from screening through treatment and outcomes. The Athena Network launched the PCORI-funded Wisdom Study, which tests a personalized approach to breast cancer screening in 100,000 women. She is also a leader of the innovative I-SPY TRIAL model, designed to accelerate the identification and approval of effective new agents for women with high-risk breast cancers.  In 2020, she got FDA approval for an I-SPY COVID trial, designed to rapidly screen and confirm high-impact treatments to reduce mortality and time on ventilators. Produced by The MunnAvenuePress.com  

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: JeffreyPfeffer.com Episode 15 – Phillip Mohabir, Co-Founder & CEO Vivo Surgery Phillip Mohabir is an executive with IMAX and is the Co-Founder and CEO of Vivo Surgery. He shares how he has used my power materials to accelerate his career, along with the lessons learned from his experience coaching graduate school students and how these lessons are helpful to you. Topics in this episode:  The Rules of Power used to accelerate his career inside IMAX What he learned from his coaching experience that can be helpful to you What facilitated his move from operations to investor relations Vivo Surgery, his virtual classroom start-up with a waitlist of 900 medical students The pursuit of his MBA The value of increasing visibility to people in positions of power and influence Redefining employee evaluation criteria toward the goal of achieving a perfect score Why sponsors may be more important than mentors Retooling the DCF model learned at Stanford Learnings from being a course coach and the impact on careers The three most common obstacles to overcome in order to move a career forward How to help others overcome impostor syndrome, conflict avoidance, and to become more agentic toward their career The importance of self-promotion GUEST BIO:  Phillip built his corporate career at IMAX, ascending to various Operations roles, before successfully navigating into Investor Relations and FP&A. He graduated as a Bregman Scholar, for highest academic standing, when completing his Executive MBA at University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. Since 2018, he has also been a course facilitator for several programs across Stanford GSB, including the online iteration of Professor Pfeffer’s Power course. More recently, he co-founded Vivo Surgery: an online surgical education and training startup that has been increasing access for medical students to learn from surgeons in live operating rooms. Connect with Phillip on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/phillip-mohabir1 Check out Vivo Surgery:  https://www.vivosurgery.com/ Produced by The MunnAvenuePress.com  

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: JeffreyPfeffer.com EPISODE 14 – Marcelo Miranda, CEO, Consolis Tecnyconta Marcelo Miranda is CEO of Consolis Tecnyconta, a leading provider of precast concrete solutions in Spain. He shares how he implements the rules of power to build brand and relationships and harnesses power for overall good by using technology to create more sustainable, affordable, and humanized construction for the people. Also, understand how he built an amazing reputation and image by delivering results and being open to working with people in the media. During our conversation, you’ll learn: The benefits of building relationships with human resource associations in Brazil How he built his visibility within the executive marketplace in Brazil and then Spain How creating a positive image aids advancement and positive results Why he was willing to be the face of his organization The type of person everyone likes to work with and how to work with challenging personalities The story and results behind being on the cover of a major Brazilian business magazine The value of having an effective public relations strategy Why he pursued an international career The lessons used from Dr. Pfeffer’s class and books used in building his career The most important lesson for him regarding power Working with technology to develop a more sustainable construction sector Why, if you want to start something that will make a difference, somehow you have to break the rules How perception becomes a reality and the importance of storytelling The importance of staying authentic GUEST BIO Marcelo Miranda is a Senior General Manager with skills in structuring complex businesses, investments, turnarounds, start-ups, and M&A. Evaluation and development of new businesses and products. Strong skills in innovation and sustainability management. Recognized for people leadership and development of high-performance teams. Strong international exposure. Member of the Board of Start-ups and Associations. Honored by Forbes Magazine in Brazil´s list of 10 top CEOs under 40, 2016. Elected by Korn Ferry, Você SA, and FIA as “one of the CEO’s of the Future” in 2007. Honored by EY as one of the 3 Sustainable Executives of 2015, Entrepreneur of the Year Prize. Elected by Encontro Magazine as the Executive of the Year 2015. www.linkedin.com/in/marcelom-miranda Produced by The MunnAvenuePress.com  

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: JeffreyPfeffer.com EPISODE 13 – Christina Troitino, Director of Strategy and Operations at Morning Brew Meet Christina Troitino, the director of strategy and operations for the startup Morning Brew. Christina tells her story about shamelessness, breaking the rules, agency, and surmounting her background prior to attending Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. In this episode, you’ll learn: How her Hispanic background and witnessing her family living under the Hugo Chavez regime gave her context to understand how unfair the world can be That being aware of power constructs, especially in “unfair” spaces How her job at Amazon showed what happens when employees are not treated their best to move forward goals effectively The value in accepting the “rules of the road” within power dynamics The shameless way she secured having dinner with Martha Stewart at the Sundance Film Festival Her writing experience as a Forbes contributor on the food business What percentage just asking plays in creating new opportunities How breaking the rules serves her career The two Stanford GSB events she helped create at the start of the pandemic How Paths to Power techniques enabled her to move from her first to her current job How she leveraged her role internally consulting for executives at YouTube to accelerate her career The importance of being willing to promote yourself, being boldly confident in yourself, and visualizing outcomes   GUEST BIO: Christina Troitino is a media strategy and tech professional and the Director of Strategy and Operations at Morning Brew. Prior to her current role, Christina worked as a Strategy & Operations Lead at YouTube, where she served Google and YouTube c-suite members in strategic annual planning and operations amid the rise of TikTok. Christina also draws experience from her positions at Meta, General Assembly, and Amazon. When Christina is not thinking about the future of media, she is thinking about food: She made it to the Top 100 home cooks on MasterChef Season 6 (ranking against 44,000 entrants), she was the subject of an ABC Family pilot about professional women who cook, she was a Forbes.com contributor of 60+ articles and interviews (including: Rene Redzepi, Nathan Myhrvold, Jennifer Garner, RZA, etc) and she founded food site Pâté Smith, aimed at inspiring young people to cook (2.7MM PVs 2015 - 2017). Christina has an MBA from Stanford's Graduate School of Business, and a BA from New York University. She is originally from Albany, NY.   https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinatroitino/ Produced by The MunnAvenuePress.com

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: JeffreyPfeffer.com EPISODE 12 – Lucinda Stewart, Partner, Spencer Stuart Lucinda Stewart shares the inspiring ways, throughout her career and life, that she has successfully made her way in traditionally male-dominated fields like sports, business, and the Bering Sea. A true example of a business person who embodies the 7 Rules of Power, Lucinda shows how getting others to want to help you on your career journey is integral to success. Lucinda shares insights on: Formative experiences of often being the only woman in certain situations The impact her father’s attitude toward her limitless abilities has on her Climbing Mount Constance at age 13 Working on a fishing boat in the Bering Sea How the fishing boat got her an instant hire position at Morgan Stanley Why we are all capable of doing way more than we think we can do The person she befriended for protection in a dangerous situation Tips on getting people to help and support you Why developing other people is the favorite part of her job How she got into the Northwestern MBA program after being turned down Pushing the envelope and pushing through Her successful initiative to bring more women on boards in Seattle Her push-up contest with Jeff Bezos The credibility of brand Being fearless for a cause or good reason Her logic behind training for her first half Ironman As a spouse and mother, setting examples and boundaries to balance work The interesting story behind marrying her husband GUEST BIO: Lucinda Stewart is based in Seattle and is a member of the Private Equity, Healthcare and TMT practices. Lucinda works with many leading Private Equity firms and focuses exclusively on private equity backed executive searches. She specializes in healthcare services and healthcare IT, and the majority of her work is placing CEO and CFOs in leading platforms for her clients. Lucinda brings a career of experience as a PE backed multi-site operator at National Surgery Centers where she ran Corporate Development, a Private Equity investor for a top Healthcare PE firm, Frazier Healthcare, and an investment banker in Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette’s healthcare M&A group. Lucinda was named “40 Under Forty” by Puget Sound Business Journal, has served on the Mercy Corp Venture Board, and is currently on the Investment Committee of SpringRock, a HCIT venture capital fund. She earned her M.B.A. from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and her B.A. from University of Puget Sound, where she was recruited to play soccer. www.linkedin.com/in/lucindastewart/ Produced by The MunnAvenuePress.com  

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: https://JeffreyPfeffer.com/ Join Vivas Kumar, CEO, and Co-Founder of Mitra Chem, as we discuss why power and influence are essential topics for people doing their own startups. This episode packs an incredible set of actionable insights from a leader in the race to end climate change. Vivas explains how he used and will continue to use the concepts learned in my The Paths to Power class at Stanford GSB. In this episode, you will learn: The motivation for Vivas’ family to move to the U.S. from Singapore 20 years ago His realization that education goes well beyond just books Why just putting your head down and working hard to be successful is not true Who plays by a different set of rules, and the results gained Acquiring power and influence to enact positive change in the world Mitra Chem’s mission to solve climate change and how it got funded What he learned from working for Elon Musk Why IQ and EQ have certain limits while relationships have none Transforming relationships into resources The learned skills of speaking and acting with power and confidence Joining Toastmasters to get out of his own way and a critical skill learned Going beyond the fear of failure and failing with integrity Vivas’ ability to create resources and activate his network Marrying confidence with urgency to solve a global problem How he built an identity associated with solving the problem of batteries Why in-person meetings build credibility and gravitas The ultimate two resources What to do rather than ask someone for an investment GUEST BIO Vivas Kumar is the CEO and Co-Founder of Mitra Chem. He was previously at Tesla as a senior manager responsible for the global battery supply chain, and a Principal at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. He earned a BS in electrical engineering from Rice University, and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivaswathkumar/ Produced by The www.MunnAvenuePress.com

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: https://JeffreyPfeffer.com/ SHOW NOTES: Laura Chau shares how her story of origin, along with some of the 7 Rules of Power, like getting out of her own way and building a powerful brand, enable her to lean into the power she has cultivated in her career as a General Partner at Canaan. In this episode, we discuss the following: The role conscious brand building plays in achieving and maintaining power How to best work within current constructs of the world to create effective change The importance of a defined brand and voice as tools to achieve goals Why ambition as a personality dimension predicts success How culture and upbringing can contain scripts that are not useful The avenues she used to build power: a podcast, panel events, conferences, a Clubhouse show, Substack, Medium Getting maximum mileage out of everything she does because time is limited The value in making sure people remember you Why your personal style is a reflection of more than fashion Staying top-of-mind to ensure you don’t miss opportunities How Laura gains new clients GUEST BIO w/ social links: Laura Chau is a General Partner at Canaan, an early-stage venture capital firm, where she leads the consumer technology investment practice and serves on numerous boards. Laura was one of the first employees at Kabam, one of Canaan’s portfolio companies that was acquired by Netmarble in 2017. She has also worked at Branch Metrics and Greenhouse in sales and marketing functions, in addition to working closely with Marie Kondo, Netflix star and author ofThe Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, to help launch her venture-backed e-commerce business. Laura holds a B.S. in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University, an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, and is a Forbes 30 Under 30 alum. Laura's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-chau/ Laura's Substack: https://laurachau.substack.com/ Laura's Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurachau   Produced by The MunnAvenuePress.com  

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: https://JeffreyPfeffer.com/ SHOW NOTES: Daryn Dodson is the founder and managing director of Illumen Capital and is an African American who is changing the world of investable assets so that more women and people of color have a more significant role in investing the multiple trillions of dollars. Daryn shares his personal history along with business philosophies inspired by The 7 Rules of Power. In Episode 9 you’ll learn: How Daryn’s family history of integrating Washington, D.C., informs his mission of working for justice, equity, and inclusion The impact of applied education The program he built to rebuild lives and businesses after Hurricane Katrina His work to ensure entrepreneurs of color and women-led firms have access to capital The value of working on biases toward women and people of color What counterintuitively happens when implicit bias is removed A guiding principle learned from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fiduciary duty and the experiment he conducted with asset allocators Why publishing findings encourage boards of pension funds, university endowments, and investment committees to go after the often overlooked and underestimated market of people of color and women How he has used Rules of Power to: Get out of your own way / Build a brand / Break the rules How bias increases during periods of high stress   GUEST BIO w/ social links: Daryn is a passionate advocate of social and economic justice, especially for disadvantaged and marginalized groups. His work with impact investors, private equity funds, Fortune 100 companies, universities, and foundations has been viewed through the lens of addressing the world’s most pressing social and environmental problems. Daryn previously led the Special Equities Program as a consultant to the Board of the Calvert Funds, a $12 billion pioneer of the impact investing field. Through this vehicle, Calvert maintains a portfolio of more than 40 funds on five continents, representing over 350 underlying portfolio companies. Prior to serving as a consultant to Calvert, Daryn served as Director of University and Corporate Partnership for The Idea Village, where he created a platform engaging leading private equity firms, business schools, and Fortune 500 companies to invest over 100,000 hours and $2 million into more than 1,000 New Orleans entrepreneurs post-Hurricane Katrina. Mr. Dodson currently serves on the Board of Directors for Ben and Jerry’s. He earned his M.B.A. from Stanford, where he serves on the Dean’s Management Board, and his A.B. from Duke University.   Daryn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryndodson/ Illumen Capital: https://www.illumencapital.com/applied-research   Produced by The www.MunnAvenuePress.com

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and where you can buy or listen to his books: https://JeffreyPfeffer.com/ SHOW NOTES: Dr. Sarah Buchner shares what she’s learned in my Paths to Power class at Stanford in the MBA program and how she’s successfully applied power to her career as the Queen of Construction. How the power game began for her when she started her career at age 12 in Austria The ways she learned to show her power The advantages of being an outsider The uniqueness of her PhD Why she always uses “Dr.” in her email signature How she financed her PhD Ideas about breaking the rules and standing out What from the class and book, 7 Rules of Power, are helping launch her startup The boldest networking moves she’s made The benefits of getting out of your way What she’s done with branding herself in terms of appearance and acting with power to build her brand The secret to her handshake and other branding decisions Why her first business cards stood out How success has helped activate the “success excuses everything” principle Networking the right way The bold statement she made to a board member while in her 20s SARAH’S BIO: Dr. Sarah Buchner holds a PhD in civil systems engineering/data science and a Stanford MBA and is a serial entrepreneur in the construction tech space. She is the definition of self-made: growing up in a tiny village in Austria in a non-college family she started her career when she was 12 years old as a carpenter and worked her way up in the construction industry. Her current startup (performance management software/fintech) targets the skilled labor shortage in the US. She is starting with the construction industry, but her plan is to expand into oil and gas, mining, agriculture and other spaces where there is a tight (day) labor market. Her mission is to put more money back into the people's pocket who actually do the work: the craft. Sarah's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-buchner/ Produced by the MunnAvenuePress.com