FranklinCovey On Leadership

Is happiness a choice? Today’s guest is Tal Ben-Shahar, best-selling author of Happiness Studies and Happier, No Matter What. He also taught two of Harvard’s most popular classes, “Positive Psychology” and “The Psychology of Leadership.” He consults and lectures to executives in multinational corporations, the general public, and at-risk populations, and is the co-founder and Chief Learning Officer of The Happiness Studies Academy. Tal and our new host, Will Houghteling, discuss whether happiness is truly a choice in the midst of so much turbulence and how we should give ourselves permission to be human through it all.

Being blunt with a coworker or direct report will only hurt your reputation and relationship unless you care personally first. Join Will Houghteling and Kim Scott, bestselling author of Radical Candor and Radical Respect, as they discuss how the best leaders approach communication with transparency and respect.

As a leader, you’re always striving to improve—but how do you change what you can’t see? In today’s conversation, Marty Dubin—a psychologist turned serial entrepreneur, business coach, and adviser to C-suite executives—discusses insights from his upcoming book, Blindspotting: How to See What’s Holding You Back as a Leader, soon to be published by Harvard Business Review. Dubin shares how his background in therapy shaped his approach to business, the most common (and dangerous) blindspots leaders face, his personal and professional experiences uncovering them, the critical role of self-awareness in leadership, and much more.

How many times have we been juggling a thousand projects and responsibilities just keep coming? And we say yes to everything! Today’s guest, Dr. Sunita Sah, has spent her career studying the power of “no.” Dr. Sah is a Professor at Cornell University’s Graduate School of Management and author of Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes. In today’s conversation we discuss her personal journey of defiance, research-backed and pragmatic defiance practices, and advice for business leaders building independent and innovative cultures.

Leadership is not about rank or title—it’s a skill that must be learned and continually developed. In this conversation, Will Houghteling is joined by Simon Sinek, renowned leadership expert, bestselling author of Start With Why, and founder of The Optimism Company. Known for his influential TED Talk, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action,” Sinek shares insights on what he’s learned since the publication of Start With Why, and explores the deeper qualities that make someone a leader others genuinely want to follow. What mindsets, habits, and actions distinguish truly effective leaders in today’s world?

Radical self-inquiry begins by asking yourself tough questions, such as “How am I complicit in the circumstances I say I don’t want?” Honest self-reflection is a crucial step in improving as a leader. In today’s episode, Jerry Colonna, CEO of Reboot.io, executive leadership coach, and bestselling author, discusses leadership through the lens of humility and purpose. Colonna shares his journey through radical self-inquiry and offers guidance on where we can all begin.

In today’s conversation, Annie Duke—a cognitive scientist, one of the highest-winning poker players of all time, three-time bestselling author, and a prolific consultant and speaker—discusses how her upbringing shaped her journey, lessons learned as a professional poker player, and how to improve your decision making.

Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and bestselling author Charles Duhigg joins us to talk about the science of habits, the art of storytelling, and how to become a “supercommunicator.” He shares how 40% of our daily actions are driven by habits, how rewards shape behavior, and why neuroplasticity means we can always change. From his early years as the lowest-paid reporter in his class to writing deeply researched pieces for The New Yorker, Charles reveals how storytelling, listening, and asking better questions can transform not only conversations but also leadership, charisma, and connection.

In this episode, we sit down with Nancy Duarte—renowned communication expert and author—to explore her remarkable journey from a childhood marked by neglect to becoming a pioneer in storytelling and presentation. She shares insights from working with leaders like Al Gore and inspiration from Steve Job, the importance of passion and empathy in communication, and why training only works when leaders put in the effort. Nancy offers candid advice on balancing preparation with spontaneity, consulting challenges, and why CEOs must stay engaged with AI.

Ethan Mollick, professor at Wharton and leading thinker on innovation and technology, joins us to explore his lifelong fascination with artificial intelligence and its impact on how we work and learn. Ethan shares why play is one of the most powerful ways to engage with new technology, and how feedback and curiosity can turn mediocre outputs into something meaningful. We dig into the challenges organizations face when adopting new tools, the common mistakes leaders make in rolling them out, and what history tells us about jobs lost—and created—during times of disruption. From advice for students entering the workforce to insights on how leaders’ roles are already shifting, Ethan offers a clear-eyed yet optimistic view of where we are headed.