Brief Summary:

Our podcast guest for this episode is William A. Adams, Technical Advisor to CTO at Microsoft. William shared a story of the impact of being the only black person at Microsoft for at least 15 years, and the moment he realized there was something specific he was called to do and how that vision took conviction and perseverance to see it through.

Key insights from this episode: 

• (04:07) William tells us who he is and what he cares about
  
  
• (06:13) William explains how he began to tackle the diversity pipeline and hiring issue at Microsoft
  
  
• (08:03) What is the Microsoft LEAD program, and how was it imagined and developed?
  
  
• (12:14) William explains a few of the challenges he faced while implementing an increase in diversity to Microsoft's workforce, and what he learned from these obstacles.
  
  
• (15:16) How he made sure  his diversity program get financial longevity.
  
  
• (17:55) William shares one of the primary factors at play that helped him influence others in his role as a change-agent at Microsoft.
  
  
• (18:56) William shares his process wrestling through the question, "why do I have to be the one to lead and pay the price for this big change project?", and how that drove his personal motivation to persevere, despite arrows in his back.
  
  
• (22:09) William shares more of his back story and why his 'fuel' is meaningful to him.
  
  
• (26:00) William crystalizes the impact he wants to make through his work.
  
  
• (28:24) William explains a term he coined, 'tequity.’
  
  
• (35:36) William shares his mindset in going into a big change and how it may reflect on him afterwards.
  
  
• (37:57) William shares the most rewarding part of the programs he's built and their impact in the world.
  
  
• (39:17) William shares where you can learn more about his work.
  
  
• (40:03) William shares how he likes to unwind after work.

Links mentioned on this episode: 

Website - William-A-Adams.com

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Read the full transcript of this episode.

Brief Summary:

Our podcast guest for this episode is Dr. AnnMaria De Mars. She's currently president of 7 Generation Games, making educational games and the tools to make them. Also she's a seventh degree black belt in Judo and the first American to win the world championship, giving her more right than anyone else on earth to call herself a ‘coding ninja’. 

In our conversation today, Dr. De Mars and I discuss being a minority in tech; the little known benefits of working with family members; and this idea of being financially successful in your business while doing good in the world.

Key insights from this episode: 

• (at 3:56) Dr. De Mars shares how she went from Judo to a completely different world in gaming.
  
  
• (at 8:35) Leila and Dr. De Mars discuss about finding a career path and getting derailed. 
  
  
• (at 12:16) Dr. Ann Maria shares what fuels her in pursuing her business.
  
  
• (at 15:42) Leila asks, “What do you think has been most surprising to you in terms of this perception about doing good and being paid fairly to do so?”
  
  
• (at 20:44) Dr. AnnMaria tells us what it’s like working with family members, its highs and lows.

Links mentioned on this episode: 

Website - 7GenerationGames.com
IG -@annmaria7gen
Twitter- @annmariastat

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* Discover your unique Leadership Style with our free quiz
* Checklist for Holding Engaging Team Meeting
* Build Your Influence Checklist

Watch live video interview.
Read the full transcript of this episode.

Brief Summary:

Our podcast guest for this episode is Scott Levine, Founder of AEGIS Law, a non-traditional corporate M&A and ventured law firm based in St. Louis, Missouri. Scott shares the story about realizing his legal business model needed to change beyond the traditional one and how his personal evolution spurred on a decision that would translate into the 10x growth of AEGIS Law. A strikingly unique story in an industry, not known for innovation.

Key insights from this episode: 

•   (at 4:07) Scott explains what he means by “I had a nice business, but a really crappy job.”
  
  
• (at 8:19) How Scott’s shift in strategy led to more growth and a better bottom line.
  
  
• (at 15:00) Scott’s view on core values and what they have to do with business.
  
  
• (at 18:48) Biggest lesson Scott learned during the Covid epidemic.
  
  
• (at 20:41) Scott shares his source of motivation.
  
  
• (at 34:05)  Where to learn more about Scott Levine.

Links mentioned on this episode: 

AEGIS LAW Website - AegisLaw.com
Scott’s entrepreneur organization - eonetwork.org

DOWNLOAD THESE FREE RESOURCES ⬇️ 

* Discover your unique Leadership Style with our free quiz
* Checklist for Holding Engaging Team Meeting
* Build Your Influence Checklist

Watch live video interview.
Read the full transcript of this episode.