What are some universal traits of successful leaders that any leader in any field can emulate?

In episode 245 of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson reflect on a remarkable leader they consider one of the greatest CEOs they’ve encountered—Tony Mazzella of Mazzella Companies. Tony’s approach to leadership is rooted in humility, deep responsibility, and a relentless desire to learn, all without seeking fame or recognition. This conversation breaks down the traits that make a truly great CEO, far beyond what the public eye ever sees.

Topics explored in this episode:

(2:42) Humility in Action

* Tony’s humility is evident in how he shares credit and doesn’t perform for attention.

(5:50) Identity & Integrity

* Tony’s peace stems from knowing his identity isn’t tied to performance.

(8:06) Responsibility and Motive

* Tony makes tough calls because he cares deeply for people; there’s no entitlement—just ownership of his role.

(10:28) Curiosity & Continued Growth

* Tony proactively pursued his Working Genius certification.

(13:41) Organizational Health

* True heroes of organizational health are the leaders who consistently put in the hard work of implementation.

This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth and http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial.

Connect with Cody Thompson https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-thompson-a5918850.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com.

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

Are you missing out on innovation because you're avoiding discomfort? How can you embrace the tension that's required for innovation?

In episode 244 of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore the crucial link between tension and innovation. They argue that real creativity requires discomfort—whether from interpersonal friction or environmental urgency. Through personal stories and business examples, they offer practical ways to embrace conflict and drive change before crisis strikes.

Topics explored in this episode:

(1:14) Tension Can Be Beneficial

* Innovation is universally desired but rarely pursued.

* True creativity demands both environmental and interpersonal tension.

* Most teams avoid conflict until a crisis forces change.

(3:52) Manufacturing Tension and Creativity

* Cody discusses how companies often manufacture environmental tension to force innovation, especially when complacency sets in.

* Pat connects innovation to creativity, drawing on his experience as an author and screenwriter.

(9:17) Does Every Business Need to Innovate?

* Innovation applies to all types of companies in different ways.

* Entrepreneurs often thrive on tension, but most leaders need to learn it.

(14:15) Manufacturing Urgency

* Crises like COVID accelerate innovation by necessity.

* Teams can simulate pressure by setting rallying cries or tight timelines.

(19:24) Fear or Joy Can Drive Innovation

* A team’s willingness to engage in healthy conflict is directly tied to innovation potential.

* The best employees crave meaningful tension and will leave if it’s missing.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

* Only the Paranoid Survive: How to Exploit the Crisis Points That Challenge Every Company, a book by Andrew S. Grove.

This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth and http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial.

Connect with Cody Thompson https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-thompson-a5918850.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u), and YouTube (

Why do so many successful leaders struggle with the feeling of "not being enough"? And how can leaders shift away from a scarcity mindset?

In episode 243 of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore the pervasive feeling of inadequacy among leaders. They discuss how a "not enough" mindset can drive individuals to seek validation through constant achievement. The conversation emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, self-awareness, and shifting from a fear-based to a joy-based approach to life and work.

Topics explored in this episode:

(0:49) The Prevalence of "I'm Not Enough"

* Many leaders share a common feeling of inadequacy, often tracing it back to their youth.

* This feeling can create a cycle of constantly striving to prove yourself, hindering your ability to find satisfaction in accomplishments.

(5:04) The Impact of Vulnerability

* Sharing your feelings of inadequacy with others can normalize these experiences, encouraging them to acknowledge their own struggles and seek support.

(9:07) The Scarcity Mindset

* Believing "I'm not enough" can lead to a scarcity mindset, affecting your perceptions of time, success, and resources.

(14:23) The Illusion of Control

* The pursuit of control over outcomes can lead to anxiety and prevent you from embracing the present moment.

(18:36) Finding Peace in the Journey

* Reframing your perspective can help you foster a sense of peace.

* Embracing the journey and finding joy in the process can lead to greater fulfillment than solely focusing on the result.

This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth and http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial.

Connect with Cody Thompson https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-thompson-a5918850.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com.

This episode was produced by Story On Media: