Best Jer Lance Podcasts (2025)

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Bookclub 25: No Rules Rules - Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention 22:28

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4+ y ago22:28

22:28

It's time to talk about No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings and Erin Miller Our next will be Upstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen by Dan Heath

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Episode 105 - Even When He's Wrong, He's Right 1:02:05

4+ y ago1:02:05

1:02:05

In this episode, we answer the question: During a recent job interview, I was asked "what values are most important to you as a leader"? What am I supposed to do with that? I was thrown, and I think it hurt me in the interview. I didn't get the job. We discussed "Values Inventory" websites in this episode - here's one that you can use, although the…

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Episode 104 - Generous With His Services 32:44

4+ y ago32:44

32:44

Our question this episode... My boss gave me a hugely complicated project that involved coordinating a lot of external vendors. I put in quite a bit of legwork in preparation. A month later, he told me he no longer wants to do it. How would you suggest breaking this information to all of the vendors I've been coordinating with? Don't forget to read…

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Bookclub 24 - Tribes 22:42

4+ y ago22:42

22:42

Let's discuss Tribes by Seth Godin. Next up - No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings & Erin Meyer

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Episode 103 - Quickly, to the Pink Squirrel-mobile! 1:01:01

4+ y ago1:01:01

1:01:01

This episode's question... My position is cross-functional - I work with people from across the business in a multitude of disciplines. One of the people that I interact with has no boundaries - he is constantly working, day and night and weekends. While that may work for him and his leader, it's not how I and my team operate. Additionally, he refu…

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Episode 102 - FINISH HIM! 48:34

4+ y ago48:34

48:34

This episode's question... Recently, a former team member interviewed for a postion at my new company. Previously, this person had certain challenges that made them difficult to work with. I have concerns about them bringing those same issues with them now. I asked them about the issues, and they acknowldged the issue and discussed how they had gro…

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Bookclub 23 - Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World 19:47

4+ y ago19:47

19:47

Let's discuss Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein. Next up - Tribes by Seth Godin. In this episode, we also mention Jer's blog post, A New Leader's Bookshelf.

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I Want to Break Free 1:08:30

4+ y ago1:08:30

1:08:30

This episode's question... How do you handle it when something happens at work that is unquestionably an affront to your principles, but the financial loss would be incredibly uncomfortable. Not disastrous, just very, very uncomfortable for you and your family. Don't forget about the book club! Currently, we're reading Range: Why Generalists Triump…

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Episode 100 - Where Everybody Knows Your Name 1:23:25

4+ y ago1:23:25

1:23:25

Welcome to the 100th episode of Leading Questions! We're doing something a little different to commemorate this episode - instead of a listener question, Dawn and Jer ask each other questions they want to hear the other person answer. So, this time, you get TWO questions! Dawn asks Jer... You've talked about the path you've taken from being an indi…

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Bookclub 22 - The Biggest Bluff 16:27

4+ y ago16:27

16:27

Let's discuss The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win by Maria Konnikova. Next up, Range by David Epstein

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Episode 99 - Instituitionalized 1:09:47

4+ y ago1:09:47

1:09:47

This episode's question is... I've noticed lately that my productivity has been all over the place. Some days, I'm able to work for hours and get a lot done. Other days though, I'm at a standstill. I'm getting really frustrated because of this fluctuation. I'm concerned that this teetering is going to be detrimental to the quality of my work. Also,…

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Episode 98 - She's Kerosene 1:08:11

4+ y ago1:08:11

1:08:11

In this episode we talk about... Recently, I started leading a new group of people at my work. In the process of getting to know everyone, I noticed something and I don't know how to approach it appropriately. There is this one person, who is overwhelmingly talkative and who refuses to even hear others' ideas if they contradict her own opinions. Th…

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Episode 97 - Everything is Alright 56:54

5y ago56:54

56:54

In this episode we talk about... At the beginning of 2021, I'm going to be taking on a lot of new projects and work. Over the past few months, I've been freaking out, trying to plan for the siege of to-do's coming my way. I think the planning may be making me more anxious, but I can't stop myself. How do I deal with the caseload? and how do I stop …

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Bookclub 21 - Moment of Lift 18:19

5y ago18:19

18:19

Let's discuss Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates (not Michelle Obama). Next up, The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova.

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Episode 95 - Wizard Needs Food Badly 1:01:36

5y ago1:01:36

1:01:36

This episode is all fun and games, other than the parts that aren't... My company moved everyone to WFH when COVID-19 hit our state. It's been several months and my team has settled into their routine well, hitting their goals. In this time where people feel isolated already, the team is understandably feeling it as well. How do I keep them bonded,…

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Episode 94 - The Kids 58:09

5y ago58:09

58:09

In this week's episode, we answer... My family is a dual income home. My partner is still working, and I've been laid off. So I've taken over the household and our two young children. There is no in-class school, and there is no daycare, meaning they are with me all day. There are shifts I can make once I go back to work, but the days of the 8 - 10…

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Bookclub 20 - The Art of Leadership 17:58

5y ago17:58

17:58

Time to discuss the current bookclub book, The Art of Leadership by Michael Lopp. For our next book, we will be reading Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates.

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Episode 93 - Sacrifice Theory 1:01:21

5y ago1:01:21

1:01:21

In this episode... Like many, I've been furloughed. I work in the event industry, so being brought back full time is looking grim until spring next year. The company I work for is a small tight knit team that is committed to getting everyone back, and I love working there. There are still some projects and events that trickle in, and they've given …

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Episode 92 - The Disease 54:18

5y ago54:18

54:18

This episode, we answer this: My brother works in a manufacturing engineering plant. The company is a week or more behind promised delivery dates to various customers and has been running frantic shifts 7 days a week, to the extent that they are pulling marketing and engineering staff out of their normal roles and having them hand assembly parts. T…

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Bookclub 19: Radical Candor 16:34

5y ago16:34

16:34

It's time to talk about Radical Candor by Kim Scott! For our next book, we're reading The Art of Leadership by Michael Lopp.

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Episode 91 - Oi to the World 39:25

5y ago39:25

39:25

In this episode, we answer the question: Each Christmas my team puts together a group gift that they give to me along with a card. Each year, I write a nice card for each of them, but, I don't buy a gift because I don't make that kind of money! Worse, because there are a lot of them, even pitching in 5 or 10 dollars each adds up to a really nice gi…

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Bookclub 18 - The Phoenix Project 19:11

5y ago19:11

19:11

So now we circle back and read The Phoenix Project after having finished the sequel. How did it hold up? Let's see... For our next trick, we'll read Kim Scott's Radical Candor!

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Episode 89 - Black Lives Matter 1:04:02

5y ago1:04:02

1:04:02

Later than we'd have liked, we answer a question that is very timely and important: How do I talk about Black Lives Matter and the protests and all that with my team? I know we're supposed to leave religion and politics at home, but it feels like I should address this. Should I? If you have questions about this, or feedback about our handling of th…

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Episode 88 - Working for the Weekend 47:53

5+ y ago47:53

47:53

In this episode, we answer: My boss has been trying to transition our team from everybody working all the time, day or night to setting realistic expectations for support and holding us to those. It's hard for me to take her seriously when she answers emails day and night within minutes of their arrival. I'm not talking about just high importance e…

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Bookclub 17 - Unicorn Project 15:38

5+ y ago15:38

15:38

Find out if we're crazy for reading them out of order, but this bookclub episode covers The Unicorn Project by Gene Kim. Next up, we'll go back and read The Phoenix Project to see how it stacks up with this newer work.

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Episode 87 - Basket Case 47:37

5+ y ago47:37

47:37

Our question for this episode is: I occasionally get invited to do social things with some of my employees and if I'm interested in the event itself I'll go - typically things like video games or even holiday parties. I don't go to every events, but I do go to the ones that sound fun. I'm not playing favorites. But it also means that I have gone to…

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Episode 86 - Gotta Get Away 34:36

5+ y ago34:36

34:36

In this episode, a listener asks: I have a lot of vacation saved up. There are a few reasons for this. First, our company gives us a lot of vacation. But, second, we don't really get to use it. The team is always working long hours without breaks and if you take a vacation everyone treats you like you killed their cat. Plus, when I get back I just …

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Bookclub 16 - Talking to Strangers 17:12

5+ y ago17:12

17:12

Join us as we discuss Malcolm Gladwell's Talking to Strangers in the latest edition of our bookclub! For our next book, we are reading The Unicorn Project by Gene Kim.

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Episode 85 - Puppy Monkey Baby 1:01:49

5+ y ago1:01:49

1:01:49

In this episode we answer: At work we have a lot of mandatory "fun" events. If I don't participate, I'm not a team player. However, I don't enjoy them, and I'm here to work. How do I avoid participating and still keep my job? But we also mention Puppy Monkey Baby and Shytown's "Olive Garden"...we're not proud. Join us later this week as we discuss …

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Episode 84 - Like a Prayer 42:44

5+ y ago42:44

42:44

In this episode we discuss: I have a coworker who very religious--she does regular prayer luncheons at work and talks about her involvement in various Christian charities and programs, for example. As a rule, it's not an issue in any way at work except, she chastises her coworkers for swearing. Not just the "big words" but shit, damn, hell…everythi…

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Bookclub 15 - Peak 11:20

5+ y ago11:20

11:20

This month, we read "Peak: Secrets From the New Science of Expertise" by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool. Next up, we will be reading Malcolm Gladwell's "Talking to Strangers", so join us!

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Episode 83 - Not a Credible Threat 43:58

5+ y ago43:58

43:58

In this episode, in between rants we answer this question: My boss hates his job and bitches about it all the time. He doesn't complain to everybody, just to me and a few select others. It's annoying and it makes me not like my job as much. I'm also worried about my coworkers hearing this and it affecting them as well. Stay tuned later this week as…

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Episode 82 - Over the Top 1:06:16

5+ y ago1:06:16

1:06:16

In a very special episode relevant to world events we answer: The work our company does doesn't lend itself to work from home, and the industry we supply to is dead in the water during the pandemic. Because of this, I've been furloughed for at least one month and probably more like three. What should I be doing with my time off? Don't forget to rea…

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Episode 81 - Walking with a Ghost 51:09

5+ y ago51:09

51:09

Now that Jer is done being sick, we're back with this question: My work takes referrals and recently I referred a friend of mine that I thought would be a good fit for a position we were looking to fill. He went through the interview process and thought he did really well, but then the company sort of ghosted him. I suggested to my friend that he c…

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Episode 80 - Office Parkour 1:08:55

5+ y ago1:08:55

1:08:55

In this episode, we answer the question: What am I supposed to do when I feel so busy I can't get things done? How can I get out of this mind set, use it to my advantage, and then influence my team or the people around me with my experience? Don't forget to join us as we read "Peak: Secrets From the New Science of Expertise" by Anders Ericsson and …

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Bookclub 14 - 12 Rules for Life 20:36

5+ y ago20:36

20:36

This month, we read "12 Rules for Life" by Jordan B. Peterson. Next up, we will be reading "Peak: Secrets From the New Science of Expertise" by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool.

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Episode 79 - Gwyneth P's V 51:03

5+ y ago51:03

51:03

In this episode, we answer: While working on a dev team a while ago, we were reviewing our job postings as a group to ensure they reflected our actual needs. One of the requirements was for a bachelor's degree. My leader challenged if that was needed, and another said yes. Never one to back down, the first leaders said "Really? Raise your hand if y…

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Episode 78 - The Shit Mobile 46:56

6y ago46:56

46:56

We're back to single-question episodes with this one: Recently I was speaking with several other leaders from my company and the subject of Glassdoor came up. One leader mentioned that he'd run into a former employee that hadn't been happy with their experience at the company, and this person said "I should have paid attention to the Glassdoor revi…

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Bookclub 13 - How to do Nothing 19:52

6y ago19:52

19:52

This month's book is "How to do Nothing" by Jenny Odell Hear Jenny talk about this topic on Adam Conover's (absolutely fantastic) podcast! For our next book, we read "12 Rules for Life" by Jordan B. Peterson.

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Episode 77 - Short Questions, Part 2 52:23

6y ago52:23

52:23

Join us as we continue to ask some of the quick hit questions posed to us over the past couple of years. The questions in this one are: Do you check the social media of people that work for you? How do you feel about visible piercings or tattoos on your employees? Does it matter if they talk to customers? Is it every okay to leave without 2 weeks' …

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Episode 76 - Short Questions, Part 1 1:09:18

6y ago1:09:18

1:09:18

Over the past several years, we've accumulated numerous questions that probably aren't big enough to support an entire episode on their own, so, we bundled a bunch together and rocket through them in this two-part episode! The questions in this one are: How do you feel about start times/end times or set schedules? I am planning to quit my job, when…

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Bookclub 12 - The Hard Thing About Hard Things 16:47

6y ago16:47

16:47

This month's book is Ben Horowitz's "The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers" Next up...Jenny Odell's "How to Do Nothing", a concept that both of us could stand to learn from.

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Episode 75 - Racism Sucks 48:51

6y ago48:51

48:51

In this episode, we respond to the troubling observation... I think my boss is a racist. He has said things like: "I can't hire someone the team won't be able to understand" about two different Indian candidates He won't send our sole black engineer to client sites because he says it'll make our clients uncomfortable He recently said that given two…

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Episode 74 - Why Don't You Get a Job 53:42

6y ago53:42

53:42

This episode's question is... Why is hiring and recruiting so broken? Why does nobody do it well? Read along with us as we read "The Hard Things About Hard Things" by Ben Horowitz!

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Bookclub 11 - Reality is Broken 18:06

6y ago18:06

18:06

This month's book is Jane McGonigal's "Reality is Broken" Next month we will discuss "The Hard Things About Hard Things" by Ben Horowitz with a completely straight face!

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Episode 73 - Money for Nothin' 54:29

6y ago54:29

54:29

In this episode, we answer... As a leader, what is the best way to deal with coworkers who were mistakenly given your salary by upper management? Not only have they disclosed it but it's off by about 35%. How to deal with upper management undermining your leadership without taking a bazooka to upper management and undermining your own relationship …

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Episode 72 - Flock of Monkeys 1:01:51

6y ago1:01:51

1:01:51

In this episode, we discuss a leader of leaders' struggle with a member of their team over-committing and throwing their team under the bus. I'm a leader of leaders. One of the leaders on my team has what we'll call a bad habit. At the start of a sprint, he will agree to a certain amount of features to be completed. Without fail, halfway through th…

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Bookclub 10 - Measure What Matters 19:33

6y ago19:33

19:33

This month, we read "Measure What Matters" by John Doerr.Join us next time as we read Jane McGonigal's "Reality is Broken"!

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Episode 71 - Chasing Waterfall 39:57

6y ago39:57

39:57

In this episode, we talk scrum masters and iterative delivery: I'm a product owner in a team that just started doing agile a few month ago and our scrum master is not great at it. He was a very waterfall technical guy in the past and now he makes it hard to be a product owner because he still acts very waterfally and mostly wants to get involved in…

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Episode 70 - Our Own Worst Enemy 57:05

6y ago57:05

57:05

A listener asked a little bit about us, this episode: Why do you lead? Specifically, what made you change from technology to leadership? Clearly, we have thoughts! Don't forget to join us as we read "Measure What Matters" by John Doerr!