Here’s a quick question, are leaders born or made?
I’ve heard hundreds of people agree with the belief that true leadership is a product of experience, determination, and passion. So if you want to become a better leader, you need to start by working on self-improvement continuously.
As a leader, the success of your team will also depend on your personal capability to inspire and motivate others toward reaching your goals. And today, leadership podcasts prove to be an excellent tool to leverage if you do not have the luxury of time to read through dozens of books or listen to full TED talks.
I want to help you become a better leader, so I’ve compiled the best leadership podcasts today to unlock your team’s potential and inspire them to be at least 1% better by the day.
Let's get started.
Dubbed “real conversations and practical advice for everyday leaders,” this podcast is a great place to start if you want to become a better leader. Patrick Lencioni (and his group) is an excellent resource on leadership. They carry genuine discussions and expert-backed guidance on inspiring leaders on how to grow and be better.
If anything, it sounds like a leader having a discussion with the rest of the team than listening to a podcast. So if you want to learn how to lead more genuinely and improve the health of your organization, give this podcast a listen!
You’ll learn more about fostering work culture and improving teamwork. Consider it a good balance of insight, humor, and wisdom altogether for leaders worldwide!
Great episodes to check out:
2. TED Business
Because the world of business changes every day, the same should happen with your ideas. The TED Business podcast, hosted by Modupe Akinola of Columbia Business School, is one of the greatest leadership podcasts.
Personally, I’d recommend it to someone I know that’s struggling to overcome hurdles in their leadership position. Each episode starts with a brief TED lecture by a well-known leadership specialist, followed by different influential concepts related to the business world. You can then put these concepts into practice in your everyday life!
Great episodes to check out:
Uncover what leadership means in today’s world in Welcome to Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast. It is hosted by Joe Hart, CEO of Dale Carnegie, featuring several leaders in various industries to help you tap into your potential.
If you leverage real-life leadership insights, you may just be well on your way to the next level of growth as a leader.
Great episodes to check out:
Created by retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink, the Jocko Podcast takes on a fresh take on defining leadership by relating it to life-changing contexts like combat, business, and relationships. In each episode, you’ll learn golden nuggets about what it means to work hard, poisonous productivity, and influence and ownership.
I think it’s perfect for people who want a more direct approach to leadership talks. Be warned, though. It’s not like your traditional leadership podcasts so it may not be your cup of tea!
Great episodes to check out:
According to this podcast, “bold leaders are focused, resourceful, and committed to what should be.” So if you share the same sentiment, the Andy Stanely Leadership Podcast will help you go further, faster, as a leader. Stanley is considered one of the world's top communicators. He views leadership as stewardship; it is transient and subject to removal at any time.
No holds barred; he isn't hesitant to warn authority figures that they are solely accountable for all events occurring inside their sphere of influence. He also employs a real-world example to demystify difficult challenges and makes use of his communication abilities to provide direct, actionable leadership advice.
You can use this podcast as a leadership tool to start taking charge more!
Great episodes to check out:
6. Dare to Lead
The Dare to Lead podcast is based on Brené Brown's #1 New York Times bestseller. It features conversations with real-life catalysts, culture-shifters, and troublemakers who are daring to lead.
True to her goal, Brené never loses focus on what she wants to achieve: develop a playbook for leaders by leveraging insights from key figures such as presidents and physicians. Considering the caliber of the talks, I’d consider this one of the best leadership podcasts available today.
Great episodes to check out:
This podcast tackles everything about leadership, change, and personal growth, with the main goal being: to help people lead like never before.
Host Carey Nieuwhof is on a mission to make more people better leaders by teaching easy techniques that enhance your relationships with your team. His conversational style is intended to encourage openness among his guests and to inspire and drive his listeners to succeed in both life and leadership. He meets with influential people and grants you access to their backstage meetings: including Allison Fallon, Adam Grant, Simon Sinek, David Nurse, and more!
Great episodes to check out:
It’s time to go out of your comfort zone. The Impact Multiplier CEO podcast features Richard Medcalf, Founder of Xquadrant, and other high-impact CEOs who constantly challenge traditional ways of thinking when it comes to strategy, leadership, and purpose.
If you’re a CEO, you probably know to yourself that you can solve complex problems and achieve concrete results. You’re backed with your expertise, experience, and skills. But what if you can tap into your potential of leaving a much-bigger impact?
Well, this podcast may just guide you on what it takes to multiply your positive impact as a leader, not only for your business but in the world at large.
Great episodes to check out:
What does it mean to feel whole? What is Power and how do we build it? These are just some of the few concepts discussed in-depth in the Finding Our Way podcast. It is hosted by Prentis Hemphill, a writer, healer, teacher, and Somatics practitioner. Keep in mind that this podcast is NOT about answers. If anything, it aims to explore more and discover the skills that today’s leaders need to embody (ideally!)
He brings complicated subjects through dialogues about healing, accountability, embodiment, and creativity… In an attempt to help you challenge your understanding and ultimately develop into a better version of yourself.
Great episodes to check out:
Going back to my first question, this leadership podcast firmly believes that leaders are created, not born. Discover leadership wisdom through insightful conversations with successful leaders in several different industries. Host Dave Stachowiak presents an intriguing conversation style where his guests feel secure so they freely divulge more about their personal leadership experiences.
If you want to discover new leaders and learn more about leadership, this podcast is a must-listen!
Great episodes to check out:
For this next podcast recc, host Kim Scott advises her listeners on how to lead well without sacrificing their humanity. She is committed to giving you the resources you need to improve as a leader and assess your team members (something that’s not particularly easy to do.)
She also discusses the significance of being equally honest, compassionate, empathetic, and straightforward as a leader. Overall, expect practical tips to help you become a true leader!
Great episodes to check out:
12. Ask a CEO
Interviewing successful CEOs is an excellent way to learn about their roads to success, right? That’s exactly what this podcast is all about.
In each episode, CEOs are free to share their experience with everyone, including golden nuggets and personal advice. Rest assured, every guest that’s interviewed holds a prominent position in their organization and is a leader in their own right.
Great episodes to check out:
To help you live and lead better, the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast offers you personalized leadership advice, effective strategies, and realistic action steps. In every episode, host Craig Groeschel interviews a business executive and summarizes their experiences into 30-minute coaching sessions. Discover the secrets to their success as leaders!
Leading, growing, and having a positive impact on your organization are just some of the things you will learn.
Great episodes to check out:
Host Tim Reitsma (together with his guests) provides practical advice for creating workplaces that are joyful, healthy, and effective.
The People Managing People podcast features guests from a wide range of backgrounds and inspires people leaders, managers, and HR specialists. Episodes cover topics such as the future of work, employee engagement, retention, leadership development, workplace culture, and productivity.
Great episodes to check out:
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your ability to lead is crucial to determine the success of your business. As a leader, you shouldn’t stop learning. You need to work on self-development consistently if you want to inspire your team members. At the same time, investing in your personal growth allows you to grow as a leader.
Fortunately, you can leverage excellent leadership podcasts and use them as a tool to develop your potential. Go forth and conquer! (Related: The Best Small Business Podcasts for Entrepreneurs and SMB Owners)