Education

How To Lead Better Through Practice: Watch a video with me and David Burkus
Education / Exercises / Leadership

How To Lead Better Through Practice: Watch a video with me and David Burkus

David Burkus is a writer, speaker, and coach on leadership and creativity. A mutual friend put us in touch and he's helped me with my book, coaching, and writing since. He's also hosting the Work Smarter Summit, an online summit of speakers, interviews, teachers, and thought leaders. I'm one of the speakers! ... That means it's quality. Here's a screen shot: My conversation with him is full of useful information, background, and tips. Here's a screenshot of my talking to him: Click here to view the video, which covers leadership techniques, perspectives, and a lot of what is in my book but live and interactive. I describe a few exercises from Leadership Step by Step and demonstrate a few with him. Then click here to…

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February 20, 2017
Genuineness and authenticity: What it takes
Art / Creativity / Education / Leadership / Visualization

Genuineness and authenticity: What it takes

I finally watched Gone With the Wind. People routinely rate it one of the top movies. Watching it, you automatically rate it by the standards of its time. But watch the acting these iconic scenes. The morning after watching the movie, I woke up realizing how ungenuine and inauthentic the acting was. Sure, by the standards of its time, the acting was probably great. But watch this scene, the opening scene of the movie. Do you not see what are supposed to be grown men behaving like caricatures of children? At 0:56 the man shows his happiness by dancing. What grown man dances and whoops to show happiness for such a trivial reason? Actors call such acting indicating, which means behaving to indicate the emotion…

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February 17, 2017
Amazon ships Leadership Step by Step today!
Education / Exercises / Leadership

Amazon ships Leadership Step by Step today!

Several milestones mark a book's publication. Amazon.com is the dominant book retailer and today they officially started shipping my book, Leadership Step by Step. Early reviews look promising: 27 5-star reviews and 1 4-star. Here's a screenshot The book has jumped to 472nd place in leadership, an auspicious beginning. Still, 471 places to go. I recommend reading the reviews and buying copies for everyone you know ;). Thank you! Reaching this point took a lot of work from many people, too many to list. But I have to thank my agent Melissa, who ushered me from drafts whose poor writing hid the ideas she saw and nurtured into a much more readable proposal, and the editor, Stephen, who signed me at Amacom who had faith…

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February 16, 2017
Forbes profiles three graduates of my course!
Education / Entrepreneurship / Exercises / Stories

Forbes profiles three graduates of my course!

Forbes's Carrie Kerpen profiled three graduates of my entrepreneurship course in, "Three Important Lessons Women Learn Early In Their Careers." The three students---Nikita, Grace, and Nahima---did the course's exercises with diligence and discipline. None of them knew how experiential the course would be and didn't expect to create projects that impassioned them or their customers as much as they did. In other words, they didn't have secret or magical skills you and I don't. They had direction and worked at it. You can too (shameless plug: if you take my course). Her story begins: I often write about the wisdom I've gained from women with long, successful careers. But I've learned just as much from young women at the very start of their journeys, too.…

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February 14, 2017
An educational, learning perspective on Leadership Step by Step from the Better Leadership Better Schools podcast
Education / Leadership

An educational, learning perspective on Leadership Step by Step from the Better Leadership Better Schools podcast

Daniel Bauer of the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast interviewed me and posted it today. As Daniel helps develop school leaders, mainly K-12, he approached Leadership Step by Step and my work from a more learning and educational perspective than most of the business and personal development approaches of other interviews. It's a natural perspective since I'm teaching, so I'm glad he did. The interview touched on a lot of where my material came from, and at least one very vulnerable moment I don't often share because it was such a difficult time---actually, one particular painful, tearful day that I talk about in the interview. This episode is called, "Joshua Spodek: Great leaders aren't superheroes," after my remark that anything any great leader did, you…

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February 8, 2017
Join my workshop at the New York Public Library, Sunday February 19!
Education / Events / Exercises / Leadership

Join my workshop at the New York Public Library, Sunday February 19!

You've heard a lot about my book, Leadership Step by Step, its 5-star reviews, and how its exercises change people's lives. I may have told you about the standing ovation I got at Saturday's workshop with Marshall Goldsmith. Now you can see me at a public workshop where I'll cover one of my book's most popular (and fun to learn) exercises. Here are the details. Be sure to register! (You can buy a copy of Leadership Step by Step first to prepare for it and for me to sign there.) Meaningful Connection: A Workshop Time: Sunday, February 19, 2017, 2 - 4 p.m. Location: Jefferson Market Library, First Floor   Register Now for: Meaningful Connection: A Workshop   Meaningful Connection: this workshop practices the skills of…

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February 7, 2017
Education / Leadership / Models

How I will measure the success of my book

People keep congratulating me on publishing my book, for selling copies, for celebrities mentioning me. I like those things, but the book is a medium of communication. I consider it a means to an end. The point of the book is to give people tools to improve their lives, to develop the skills of empathy, compassion, responsibility, self-awareness, discipline, creating meaning, value, importance, purpose, passion, and related social and emotional skills that traditional education doesn't teach. "Leadership" is the closest word to it, but conjures up mental images of a man in a business suit giving orders for many people that my material doesn't relate to. I'll measure the success of my book most by how many people report that it enabled them to improve…

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February 4, 2017
The Leadership Podcast interviewed me. What great interviewers!
Audio / Education / Entrepreneurship / Leadership / Models

The Leadership Podcast interviewed me. What great interviewers!

The Leadership Podcast---hosted by Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos---posted their interview of me today, "What An Ivy League Degree Can't Teach You." Jan and Jim have clear passions and experience for leadership and interviewing. Their questions got to the heart of what I teach, what my book, Leadership Step by Step, is about, my goals in teaching, my motivations, and the inside story. Highly recommended! Here's their introduction and description on their page with the interview Professor and scientist, Josh Spodek, created specific exercises that teach emotionally intelligent behaviors   Summary & Ideas for Action Co-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Josh Spodek, an Adjunct Professor at NYU, leadership coach, workshop leader for Columbia Business School, columnist for Inc., founder of Spodek Academy, and…

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February 1, 2017
Medium awarded me “Top Writer” in three categories
Art / Education / Exercises / Leadership / Tips

Medium awarded me “Top Writer” in three categories

I'm honored that Medium awarded my column "Top Writer" in three categories. "Great Work, Joshua Spodek. Congratulations! You are now a top writer in Leadership." "Great Work, Joshua Spodek. Congratulations! You are now a top writer in Inspiration." "Great Work, Joshua Spodek. Congratulations! You are now a top writer in Self Improvement." You can do what I did to earn it I wrote my book, Leadership Step by Step, to walk you through the steps of being able to inspire others and lead them through their self-improvement. I didn't write it "just" to engage you with inspirational writing, but to give you direction to do everything I've done for myself but for you. I judge my writing by how much it leads others to find…

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January 28, 2017
Stellar reviews of other courses I’ve taught like Leadership Step by Step
Awareness / Education / Entrepreneurship / Exercises / Leadership

Stellar reviews of other courses I’ve taught like Leadership Step by Step

Pre-order Leadership Step by Step on Amazon! or Register for a free webinar on the course! Reviews of Other Courses of Joshua Spodek Below are anonymous reviews by people who did the progression of exercises of other courses that I teach in the same style as Leadership Step by Step. They range from first year undergraduates to graduate students to adult learners to adult clients. (Not all are native English speakers.) -- "This is one of the greatest classes I have ever taken. It was engaging, thought provoking, challenging, and fun. Josh is an incredible teacher, mentor, and friend to everyone in the class who is passionate about the subject matter. If I could take this class all over again, I would" -- "10/10 would…

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January 27, 2017
Reviews of Leadership Step by Step: the Course
Awareness / Education / Exercises / Leadership / My Favorite Posts

Reviews of Leadership Step by Step: the Course

Leadership Step by Step Below are anonymous reviews by people who did the book's exercises. They range from first year undergraduates to graduate students to adult learners to clients in their 60s who have sold businesses. (Not all are native English speakers.) "This course really changed by definition of "Leadership." Joshua is an amazing professor. He taught this class in a way that we learned about ourselves and then to understand others. He taught us how to find the real emotions and beliefs behind someone's behavior and use that emotion to lead them and make them feel understood." -- "I truly hope other NYU students have the privilege of taking this course. It is the exact material that students of my generation need in order…

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January 26, 2017
Blurbs and Endorsements for Leadership Step by Step
Creativity / Education / Exercises / Leadership / Models / My Favorite Posts

Blurbs and Endorsements for Leadership Step by Step

Reviews of Leadership Step by Step By Joshua Spodek Buy Leadership Step by Step on Amazon! https://youtu.be/3n2gecJha6o Great leaders aren’t born with a 'leadership gene’; great leaders develop the necessary skills and gain confidence through practice and hard work. In Leadership Step by Step Joshua Spodek presents a thoughtful approach to becoming a highly effective leader that emphasizes the importance of experiential learning. It will serve as a valuable resource for leaders at all levels in any profession. Indeed, Joshua’s practical exercises will help prospective, as well as experienced leaders, to master their craft and ultimately to succeed in leading and inspiring others in their various pursuits. General Lloyd J. Austin III, United States Secretary of Defense Joshua is changing the game for leadership development…

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January 24, 2017
Education / Leadership / Nature

Op/ed Friday: How climate change scientists are failing climate change initiatives

I teach leadership and I am passionate about reducing global warming. Global warming is a global effect meaning changing it will require global efforts, meaning changing behavior on a global scale. Changing behavior is leadership. In other words, changing global warming patterns requires leadership, no matter what technological solutions we find. Global warming leadership: is there any? I've been asking people lately to name effective leaders---people achieving their goals by motivating and influencing people---in the field of global warming. I recommend pausing reading to think of names yourself. After you guess, I'll tell you who is leading most effectively by far in global warming. No one has come up with the answer, but everyone, after I told them my answer, has agreed. The second most…

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January 13, 2017
Booklist starred review for my book, Leadership Step by Step: “This is practical training made perfect. Bravo!”
Education / Leadership

Booklist starred review for my book, Leadership Step by Step: “This is practical training made perfect. Bravo!”

I was pleasantly surprised by my publisher, Amacom, yesterday to learn that my book, Leadership Step by Step, received a starred review from Booklist. Booklist will publish the full review in their February 1st issue, so I can't quote the whole thing, but I'll quote what Amacom quoted: This is practical training made perfect. Bravo! For those who don't know much about Booklist, like I didn't before looking them up, I'll quote this Slate article, "Book Report:How four magazines you've probably never read help determine what books you buy": Look up a book on Amazon.com, and the first media review you see isn't from a well-known book review outlet such as the New York Times or Washington Post but from Publishers Weekly. Scroll down, and…

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January 12, 2017
Take my leadership course in person this spring at NYU, Wednesdays starting February 8
Education / Events / Leadership

Take my leadership course in person this spring at NYU, Wednesdays starting February 8

For those who live near New York and want to improve how they lead others (and themselves), you have multiple options this spring. Besides my online course, I am offering my leadership course at NYU this spring at NYU's School of Professional Studies Wednesdays 6pm - 9pm February 8 - May 10 (14 sessions) Here is the syllabus Register here! Limited seats available (13 last I checked) Student reviews from my courses The course will show you why my courses get reviews like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxo-msa9dGQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnblmP_VlHg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzm7iL6reFY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoL4zWav8Hw Register here! Limited seats available (13 last I checked) "This is one of the greatest classes I have ever taken. It was engaging, thought provoking, challenging, and fun. Josh is an incredible teacher, mentor, and friend to everyone…

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January 11, 2017
Art / Education

The value of art education

Engineering, technical, and artistic types often put down the arts and art education as not practical. In an engineering, technical, entrepreneurial community I participate in sometimes, the question arose if anyone had an art degree. Though I don't, for the double reason that I learned a lot during my foray into creating and showing art, and basing my teaching in part on the structure of art instruction, I wrote the following, which I consider relevant to teaching the subjects I do: I didn't go to art school, but since my first invention was a new medium with new modes of expression that no one else understood like I did, I couldn't help myself making art with it despite my PhD being in physics. I had…

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January 9, 2017
Education / Entrepreneurship / Events / Relationships

Learn influence, persuasion, and creating and closing deals! Take my 4-session course, January 16 – 26 in NYC

Take my 4-session in-person course in influence, persuasion, and creating and closing deals! I'm offering this course by popular demand, organized by the students who took my leadership class in-person last semester. They knew I've offered this class and wanted to take it so they took initiative to make it happen. How could I refuse? I often call it Entrepreneurial Selling, but it's deeper than "just" sales. It's about creating productive relationships, not just in business, though there is a business focus. It's fine if you've never done sales or never plan to, but want to be more persuasive and influential, in ways people appreciate, being the opposite of pushy or invasive, but rather warm, sensitive, caring, and empathetic In job interviews With your managers…

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January 6, 2017
What You Thought Graduates of Elite Schools Have, But Probably Don’t
Education / Entrepreneurship / Leadership

What You Thought Graduates of Elite Schools Have, But Probably Don’t

I guest posted today in SuccessVets.com, "What You Thought Graduates of Elite Schools Have, But Probably Don't." I wrote the piece for service-members transitioning to civilian leadership, but it applies to many people who worry about competing with graduates of elite schools. The guest post begins: It's easy to look at people who went to school while you served and think they're ahead of you, which can cause anxiety. As a professor with an MBA and PhD who teaches and coaches leadership and entrepreneurship at elite schools like Columbia Business School and New York University, I want to point out many skills they often lack that you might have assumed they had. My goal is to help you get hired, funded, or promoted by positioning…

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January 3, 2017
Education / Leadership

The success of leaders grading themselves

Some teachers ask students to grade peers. Some ask for student input on grading. I go further. Radical self-grading I have students in my leadership courses grade themselves---not just give some input. They choose their grades. Moreover, I tell them that I will defend to the administration that they deserve them even if they all give themselves A's. I also add that this loyalty and defense requires backup from them. I don't just ask them their opinion at the end of the course. I have them write me at the beginning of the course what grade they target for themselves and what level of work they believe would earn that grade. Throughout the course, I have them grade their work on each exercise. I give…

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December 26, 2016
Education / Entrepreneurship / Leadership

Questions before you lead or teach

In his recent post, "Make the Work Worth Doing," Chris Lehmann, founding principal of the Science Leadership Academy, lists questions tremendously useful for leaders or anyone who wants to engage others and create meaning in their work. His perspective reinforces how important how you lead or teach is compared to what you do or teach. If you think you can't learn from a high school principal how to improve your skills to lead, engage, enable, and create meaning for others, how many of the following questions from his post (edited to include leadership contexts) would you answer yes to in the past few times you led or taught others? Does the student or person you lead have the choice to personalize the work to reflect their…

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December 19, 2016
Education

Op/Ed Friday: Institutional power in academia and changing times

When I was a kid, liberals boycotted for fairness and equality and football was violent. Now, (some) liberals call for violence (see video below) and football players boycott for fairness and equality, at least according to today's headline: "Minnesota Football Players Pledge Boycott Over Teammates' Suspensions." Crazy Times. I'm not commenting on right, wrong, good, or bad. I have no inside information. I'm only commenting on people's behavior, tactics, and who holds institutional power in academia today. The football team is boycotting playing and practicing, claiming unfair treatment to its players: The University of Minnesota football team pledged on Thursday to boycott all football activities, including a coming bowl game, to protest the suspensions of 10 players in connection with a sexual assault investigation. A…

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December 16, 2016
Education / Leadership / Models

The leader as accompanist

The mainstream view of the leader is as the quarterback or command-and-control general. It's changing, but those views seem the most common. Different models for leading work better for different situations. Alternative models that I find work more often are that The leader serves his or her followers, see "Lessons in leadership from Frances Hesselbein, part 1" The leader is like a gardener, see "Jack Welch's Gardening Model of Leadership" Another model I've used in teaching that applies to leadership comes from one of my physics professors who has become a friend since the early 90s. He plays piano and often accompanies singers. He views the singer he accompanies as the main performer and the role of the accompanist to make the singer look good…

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December 15, 2016
Education / Exercises

Universal motivations and empathy

People generally have more motivations than you can sense from their behavior. The more you can sense their underlying motivations, which tend to be their stronger ones, the more you can connect with them as well as to lead them. The skill of sensing others' emotions is called empathy, loosely speaking. I view empathy as a skill you can learn, like riding a bike. I came to view it that way from practicing the exercises in my courses, which teach people the skill so they have more empathy. Growing up I hardly knew what empathy meant, let alone that one could develop it. Some of my courses' exercises have you communicate and behave with people so they feel comfortable sharing their underlying emotions. Since we…

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December 14, 2016
Education / Nonjudgment

I was wrong again

A few weeks ago I posted about how the New School turned the men's room into an all-gendered bathroom but kept the women's room single sex in my post "This is equality?" On a hunch, this week I checked the bathrooms on the floor below. On that floor, they turned the women's room to all-gendered and kept the men's room unchanged. Sorry, I was wrong and jumped to a conclusion too soon. Yet another time learning the value of patience.

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December 7, 2016

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