Is AI making your people more capable, or just more dependent? In this solo episode of The Good Leadership Podcast, Charles Good explores one of the most important leadership questions of the AI era: what happens to judgment, expertise, and human thinking when AI starts doing more of the cognitive heavy lifting?

Drawing on research from Ethan Mollick, Boston Consulting Group, behavioral science, learning science, aviation, chess, and real-world leadership practice, Charles unpacks the hidden capability gap that can form beneath rising productivity.

He reveals why higher output does not always mean stronger people, how AI can either sharpen or replace human thinking, and what leaders must do now to ensure their organizations are not just faster, but genuinely smarter.

Chapters

00:00 The Impact of AI on Human Capability

02:39 Understanding AI Adoption and Transformation

04:53 The Hidden Capability Gap

06:59 The Autopilot Problem and Its Lessons

09:21 Cyborgs vs. Centaurs: Human-AI Collaboration

11:30 The Generation Effect and Learning Frameworks

13:33 Categorizing Capabilities: Risks and Strategies

15:27 Patterns of AI Use: Replacement vs. Sharpening

18:35 Practical Steps for Leaders

20:11 The Future of Human and AI Collaboration

21:07 Key Insights and Takeaways

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Most leaders think their job is to have the answers. That instinct is exactly what’s holding them, and their teams, back.

In this episode of The Good Leadership Podcast, Charles Good sits down with Michael Bungay Stanier, author of The Coaching Habit (1.5M+ copies sold), to unpack a counterintuitive truth:

👉 The best leaders don’t give better advice.

👉 They ask better questions.

But here’s the catch…Even after training hundreds of thousands of leaders, most still struggle to make coaching stick. Why?

Because knowing what to say is only half the equation.

How you show up changes everything.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Michael Bungay Stanier

02:35 The Evolution of The Coaching Habit

05:20 The Distinctiveness of the Coaching Habit

08:14 Barriers to Effective Coaching

11:19 The Biggest Myths and Wastes of Time in Coaching

13:42 What Leaders Still Get Wrong About Curiosity

16:31 What is powerful about coaching & What to focus on

22:13 The Paradox of Confident Humility

28:49 Celebrating the new edition

30:24 Key Insights and Takeaways

In this episode of The Good Leadership Podcast, Charles Good sits down with Karen Dillon, co-author of the New York Times bestselling book How Will You Measure Your Life?, to explore one of the most important questions any of us can ask. Most people measure their lives using the wrong metrics, titles, achievements, money, or recognition.

But those measures rarely capture what truly matters. Drawing on the work of the late Clayton Christensen, Karen explains how our daily decisions about where we invest our time, energy, and attention quietly shape the kind of life we end up living.

This episode challenges listeners to rethink how they define success and to start aligning their daily choices with the person they ultimately want to become.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re investing your time and energy in the right things, this conversation will give you a powerful framework for thinking about your career, relationships, integrity, and legacy.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Importance of Allowing Children to Face Challenges

01:50 Rethinking Leadership Development: McCall's Theory

04:47 Creating Valuable Experiences for Growth

07:16 Deliberate Family Culture: Building Values Together

11:07 Reinforcing Values in Organizations and Families

14:40 The Trap of Marginal Thinking

21:29 Measuring a Meaningful Life

24:10 Balancing Life's Investments

24:50 Practical Actions for a Fulfilling Life

27:23 Key Insights and Takeaways

Why do some ideas stick, spread, and persuade, while others are ignored almost instantly? The answer has less to do with logic than most leaders think. Human decisions are shaped by behavioral science, psychology, and how our brains process stories, framing, and experiences.

In this episode of The Good Leadership Podcast, Charles Good sits down with Nancy Harhut, author of Using Behavioral Science in Marketing, to explore the hidden psychological forces that shape attention, memory, influence, and decision-making.

You’ll discover why stories are dramatically more memorable than facts, what the invention of Post-it Notes teaches about reframing failure, and how remarkable experiences—like the Magic Castle Hotel's “popsicle hotline” or the famous Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa teddy bear story—create powerful word-of-mouth and brand loyalty.

Nancy also explains how labels shape behavior, framing shifts perception, curiosity drives engagement, and choice architecture quietly nudges decisions. If you're a leader, marketer, entrepreneur, or communicator who wants your ideas to stick, persuade, and drive action, this conversation is packed with insights you can use immediately.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Storytelling in Marketing

02:30 Creating Memorable Experiences through Unique Offerings

08:03 Institutionalizing Service Stories for Brand Identity

10:12 The Impact of Labeling on Customer Behavior

12:34 Framing Value Propositions Effectively

15:31 Harnessing Temporal Landmarks in Marketing

18:11 Overcoming Present Focus Bias

20:22 The Power of Information Gaps

22:42 Navigating Choice Architecture

24:45 Conquering Status Quo Bias

27:09 The Impact of Language in Marketing

32:07 Using Metaphors and Similes Effectively

33:52 Leveraging the Consistency Principle

36:08 Key Insights and Takeaways

In this conversation, Scott H. Young discusses the principles of effective learning and improvement, emphasizing the importance of structured practice, feedback, and observation. He explores the impact of cognitive load on learning efficiency and the role of AI in shaping future learning environments.

The discussion highlights the balance between intuition and structured methods, advocating for a comprehensive approach to skill development that includes imitation as a necessary phase. Young provides practical strategies for managing cognitive load and enhancing learning outcomes, ultimately encouraging listeners to embrace continuous improvement in their personal and professional lives.titles

• Unlocking the Secrets of Learning
• Mastering the Art of Improvement

• Struggling to learn is not a personal failure.
• Imitation is a phase of skill development.
• Continuous improvement requires adapting methods.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Learning

01:35 Scott Young's Journey into Learning

02:44 The Tetris Example: Learning and Improvement Factors

06:11 The Relevance of Learning in an AI World

08:45 The Importance of Structured Learning

11:10 Lessons from Ultra Learning

14:37 Expert Problem Solving: The Case of Andrew Wiles

18:09 Weak vs. Strong Methods in Problem Solving

25:04 Creativity: The Role of Imitation in Originality

25:26 The Evolution of Learning Methods

29:54 Understanding Cognitive Load Theory

33:35 Strategies for Effective Learning

35:53 Key Insights and Takeaways

In this episode of The Good Leadership Podcast, Charles Good explores the challenges leaders face under pressure, emphasizing the reversion effect, where individuals revert to their most practiced habits instead of utilizing their skills.

He discusses the science behind working memory and automatic habits, providing a three-step framework to help leaders prepare for high-stakes situations. The importance of debriefing after such moments is also highlighted as a means for continuous improvement and learning.

TAKEAWAYS

You lose big deals due to retrieval problems, not training gaps.

Under pressure, leaders revert to their oldest habits.

Working memory is limited and can be hijacked by stress.

Skills need to be practiced in varied conditions to transfer effectively.

Preloading decisions can reduce cognitive overload during pressure.

Specific cues can trigger desired behaviors in high-stakes moments.

Debriefing is crucial for learning from leadership experiences.

Surprise in meetings indicates a failure in mental models.

Identifying personal reversion behaviors can improve performance.

Effective leaders build systems to manage pressure, not just rely on motivation.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding the Reversion Effect

03:13 Cognitive Science and Leadership

04:06 The Role of Working Memory

05:52 Retrieval Architecture for Leaders

06:55 Three Steps to Prepare for Pressure

08:57 Managing High-Pressure Moments

10:24 The Importance of Debriefing

12:22 Building Learning Architecture

15:16 Key Insights and Takeaways

In this episode of the Good Leadership Podcast, host Charles Good engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Kumar Mehta about what it truly means to be exceptional in leadership and performance. They explore the systemic issues that prevent individuals from reaching their full potential, the importance of deliberate practice, and the mindset shifts necessary for long-term success.

Dr. Mehta shares insights from his research on elite performers, emphasizing the significance of commitment devices, future orientation, and the necessity of a supportive environment. The discussion also touches on the stages of personal development and how to raise exceptional children by instilling a strong work ethic and the connection between effort and outcomes.

TAKEAWAYS

If your career keeps running on the same habits, it's a system problem.

Being good enough is no longer enough in today's world.

Exceptional performance is a system you can learn, not just a talent.

Deliberate practice is essential for moving from good to exceptional.

Future orientation helps in making better present choices.

Commitment devices can help maintain focus and effort.

Cross-pollination of ideas from different fields enhances creativity.

Super elite performers often have a competitive upbringing and a chip on their shoulder.

Mastery is about competing with your possible best, not just personal bests.

Teaching children the link between effort and outcomes fosters a strong work ethic.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Path to Exceptional Leadership

00:42 The Distinction Between Hard Work and Deliberate Practice

03:50 The Importance of Structured Practice

06:22 The Power of Commitment and Plan A

09:35 Transferring Skills Across Disciplines

12:52 Cross-Pollination of Ideas for Growth

15:07 Harnessing Adversity for Motivation

18:21 Shifting from Outcome Focus to Mastery

19:54 Recognizing and Acting on Pivot Points

21:30 Stages of Growth: From Personal Best to Possible Best

24:00 Implementing Lessons from Elite Performers

25:37 Fostering a Strong Work Ethic in Children

27:18 Applying the Framework at Any Stage of Life

27:40 Key Insights and Takeaways

In this episode, Charles Good and Dr. Megan Sumeracki delve into the intricacies of learning, memory, and effective teaching strategies. They discuss the importance of understanding how learning works, the pitfalls of relying on intuition, and the myths surrounding cognitive science. The conversation emphasizes that learning is a competitive advantage and that effective learning strategies can significantly enhance performance.

They also explore the role of technology and AI in learning, the hidden costs of cognitive offloading, and the foundational role of memory in the learning process. Finally, they provide insights into improving the transfer of learning to real-world situations.

Megan Sumeracki, PhD is a cognitive psychologist and co-founder of The Learning Scientists, an organization focused on translating decades of research on learning and memory into practical, evidence-based strategies that help people learn more effectively and retain what they learn.

TAKEAWAYS

Learning is no longer a support function; it's a competitive advantage.

Most professionals struggle not due to lack of intelligence but ineffective learning design.

Intuition often misleads us in assessing our learning effectiveness.

Confidence does not equate to competence; many are poor judges of their own learning.

Effective learning strategies often feel difficult but yield long-term benefits.

Cognitive offloading can hinder deeper learning if relied upon too heavily.

All knowledge is fundamentally tied to memory; without retrieval, knowledge is inaccessible.

Technology and AI can assist learning but cannot replace foundational knowledge.

Connecting new information to existing knowledge enhances learning efficiency.

Multiple concrete examples help in understanding abstract concepts.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Learning Gap: Understanding Memory and Learning

01:36 The Learning Scientists: Bridging Research and Practice

02:53 Confidence vs. Competence: The Learning Dilemma

04:45 Intuition in Learning: The Pitfalls of Familiarity

07:25 Myths of Learning: Debunking Common Misconceptions

10:06 Technology and Memory: The Role of AI in Learning

17:07 Knowledge is Memory: The Foundation of Learning

22:32 Abstract vs. Concrete: Making Learning Accessible

31:33 Understanding Transfer in Learning

34:20 The Power of Retrieval Practice

35:24 Future Directions in Learning Science