Redefining Leadership and Organizational Culture with Dov Seidman

The Bob Johnston Podcast

In this episode, we welcome Dov Seidman, founder of LRN and one of the leading thinkers on moral leadership, organizational culture, and ethics in business. Dov shares his insights on the role of inspired leadership in shaping behavior, navigating challenges with values, and how businesses can thrive by focusing on humanity. From lessons on patience and trust to the future implications of AI, this conversation is packed with timeless wisdom and practical strategies for leaders and organizations alike.

Summary
What does it mean to lead with moral authority in today’s complex world? Dov Seidman has dedicated his life to answering this question. In this thought-provoking conversation, he discusses the intersection of leadership, philosophy, and organizational culture, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond compliance to foster inspired conduct. Dov explains how harmonizing required and inspired behavior creates a thriving workplace, touching on the power of trust, patience, and values-driven leadership.

We also explore real-world examples of leadership in action, from transforming corporate culture to the ethical responsibilities surrounding AI. Dov sheds light on the evolving expectations of leadership, particularly the need to cultivate meaningful relationships and embrace a “how matters” approach in business. With anecdotes and frameworks, he inspires listeners to rethink leadership as a human-centric endeavor that builds trust, promotes innovation, and drives long-term success.

About Dov Seidman:
Dov Seidman is a pioneer in ethical leadership and organizational culture. As the founder of LRN, he helps organizations align their practices with values and purpose to achieve long-term success. With a background in moral philosophy and law, Dov’s work bridges the gap between theory and practice, empowering businesses to navigate both compliance and inspired conduct. He is the author of the bestselling book How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything and a sought-after speaker on the future of leadership and culture.

Show Notes:
[0:00] Dov Seidman’s journey: from philosophy to founding LRN
[4:48] The philosophy of “how” and the importance of values-based behavior
[10:18] Harmonizing governance, culture, and leadership for success
[18:00] Leadership lessons from Ukraine and the democratization of leadership
[28:02] Transforming organizational culture through trust and moral clarity
[36:39] Measuring behavior: from compliance to inspired conduct
[47:04] The art of pausing: practical wisdom for better leadership
[55:35] Building a human operating system for today’s challenges
[1:02:09] The ethical challenges and opportunities of AI
References

• How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything by Dov Seidman
• LRN
• Start with Why by Simon Sinek
• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
• The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
• “The Role of Trust in Organizational Success” (Harvard Business Review)
• Research on the democratization of leadership post-pandemic (McKinsey)
• Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Max Tegmark
• “AI and the Moral Compass” (World Economic Forum)