Podcast: David Mead on the Traits of Human Leadership

When you think of the leaders you’ve treasured and respected, what traits do they have in common?

What makes them stand out? Why did they have such an impact on you?

Dr. Casey Chosewood, the Director of the Office for Total Worker Health at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, once said that the person you report to at work can be more important to your health than your family doctor. There’s a reason our CEO Bob Chapman often quotes that statement. Because our leaders have such an impact on our lives.

The way we lead impacts the way people live.

In this podcast, David Mead invites you to look at the traits you admire in your leaders and evaluate how you’re doing when it comes to intentionally building your character as a leader.

You may know David, as he was the first of Simon Sinek’s "Igniters" and has helped share Simon’s simple, inspiring ideas through speaking and workshops to over 225 companies on 5 continents.

David also co-authored, with Peter Docker and Simon Sinek, Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering the WHY of an Individual, Team or Organization. It has sold over 300,000 copies and is translated into 25 different languages.

In December 2019, David stepped away from Simon’s team to focus his energy on long-term consulting in leadership and culture. He often works with Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute, Barry-Wehmiller’s leadership and organizational culture consulting company. In fact, David’s appearance on this podcast was taken from a webinar he participated in, hosted by Chapman & Co. David called it “Behind the Curtain: How to Drop the Act and Lead With Character.”

Take a moment to listen to David and think about the qualities of human leadership he describes. And then, take time to reflect. Are you a leader you would choose to follow?