Ready to become a better leader? Join host, Yale School of the Environment lecturer Peter Boyd, as he interviews “connected leaders” from all around the world to learn more about what inspires them and how they stay connected to what matters most. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, just starting out, or at a fork in your leadership journey, this podcast is for you.
Looking to learn more about Connected Leadership? Check out Peter’s popular Connected Leadership course on Coursera.
Tarek Mouganie is the founder of Affinity, a digital bank revolutionizing financial inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa. With a background in engineering, physics, and finance, Tarek’s journey has been shaped by his desire to build platforms that unlock human potential. In this episode, he shares how his experiences from growing up in Ghana to his academic path at Cambridge and Imperial College led him to create a banking solution for underserved populations. Tarek discusses the challenges of launching a bank, the impact of financial access on small businesses, and his personal evolution as a leader. He also reflects on his time as a Yale World Fellow, where he explored how to scale his mission while maintaining personal balance.
Learn on the Move | 3 of 5 | High-Performing, Purpose-Driven Teams
In this episode, Peter Boyd explores how the Connected Leadership Framework helps individuals maximize their impact within teams. Building on previous discussions of personal purpose and priorities, Peter delves into team dynamics how to bring a purpose-driven approach to work, establish clear priorities, and create a shared vision for success. He introduces key tools, including the strategy pyramid, to align team values, mission, and progress. The episode also covers leadership skills such as active listening, constructive feedback, and stakeholder mapping to enhance influence and drive organizational change. Whether leading formally or informally, listeners will gain insights on fostering collaboration, navigating challenges, and creating lasting impact.
• Guy Kawasaki’s “Art of the Start”: Cited for his idea that an organization’s purpose is more powerful as a short mantra rather than a long paragraph.
• Brené Brown’s “Atlas of the Heart”: Referenced when discussing the artistry of a map and the interaction between different layers of leadership.
• Harvard Business Review Article by Togle and Barso (2016): Cited in the context of team conflict, particularly differentiating between good and bad conflict, and the importance of shared values in team dynamics.
• Character.org’s VIA (Values in Action) Survey: Recommended as a personality assessment tool with strong academic underpinnings to help individuals identify their personal values.
• Quinn and Thacker’s Harvard Business Review Article: Cited as a source for creating a purpose-driven organization.
• Comedian Michael Jr.’s Video: Recommended for its insight into how knowing “why” behind a task can change how it is performed. Viewers are advised to watch from 1:25 for a sub-two-minute clip.
• “Connect” by David Bradford and Carl Robbins: Described as a helpful resource on interpersonal dynamics, suggesting that feedback can be given to anyone at any time if done correctly.
Yale professor, cognitive scientist and host of The Happiness Lab podcast – Dr Laurie Santos has created & taught Yale’s most popular course in history, The Science of Well-Being. Her Coursera version of the course by the same name, has attracted more than 4 million learners from around the world. In this episode, we discuss her own approach to the Purpose that drives her, her Priorities and goals; and how she is working to change the system.
Leading the way | Rafe Offer | International brand innovator and community builder
Rafe Offer is an entrepreneur and co-founder of global music start-up Sofar Sounds and his latest venture meeting better meetings – This and That. He has led international teams and innovation at some of the world’s best known brands – as a Global Marketing Director of Coca-Cola, Director of Global Marketing at The Walt Disney Company and a Director of Innovation for global drinks giant Diageo. In this episode, we discuss his journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur.
Leading the way | Michel Gelobter | (Lean) Startup warrior for social + environmental justice
Michel Gelobter is the Executive Director of the Yale Center for Environmental Justice. He is a lifelong environmental advocate, policy analyst, and entrepreneur. In this episode, we discuss his journey as a change-maker, champion for climate justice and how to make positive change.
Learn on the Move | 2 of 5 |You from Past to Present
In this episode, we’ll begin our connected leadership journey at the level of Self – you as a purpose-driven, connected leader. We will discuss how. to clarify and distill what really matters to you, create daily to-dos deeply connected to your purpose, and draw on a suite of tools to maximize your impact and use of time.
Leading the way | Amy Gallo | Changing the world through good conflict
Amy Gallo is a workplace expert who frequently writes and speaks about effective communication, interpersonal dynamics, gender, difficult conversations, and feedback. She is the best-selling author of Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) and the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, as well as hundreds of articles for Harvard Business Review. In this episode, Amy speaks about critical skills for approaching disagreement and generally getting along better with others; and how she is changing the world as a change-maker and system-changer.
Leading the way | Janah Ncube | A Pan-African crusader and the heart of crises
Janah Ncube is Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Crisis Action, a global organization working on the protection of civilians in conflict. Janah champions issues of women’s rights for those in conflict. She speaks about saving lives, persevering through adversity, and how authenticity has fueled her success in Zimbabwe and the continent of Africa.
Leading the way | Sophie Beckham | Top US Chief Sustainability Officer for 1/3rd of your cardboard
Sophie Beckham is the Chief Sustainability Officer at International Paper where she leads the company’s vision for sustainability and corporate responsibility. She speaks about how to get things done within a company that is in a hard-to-abate sector of the economy, the role of a corporate chameleon, and how sometimes you simply have to pick the harder options in life to succeed.
Learn on the Move | 1 of 5 | The Connected Leadership Framework
In this first episode, we will cover the Connected Leadership Framework and how to navigate the approach in a way that aligns with your unique leadership journey. Connected leadership is organized into four parts, or indeed, 4 Ps: Purpose, Priorities, Potential and Progress. In this episode we will begin to describe how to use this logic flow for yourself, your team, and the system you are trying to change, to be an impactful and connected leader.