Today we explore the powerful legacies of Ancient Rome’s most influential leaders. From resilience under pressure to bold decision-making, the strategies these leaders used are as relevant now as they were centuries ago.

Their stories offer powerful insights into how vision, adaptability, and even humility can drive sustainable success in business. But they also highlight the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of ethical decision-making.

We’ll also explore the risks of nepotism, the ethics of power, and why aligning leadership with values is more important than ever. These ancient lessons aren’t relics—they’re the keys to thriving in today’s business world.

So, tune in for actionable strategies to inspire your team, navigate disruption, and build a legacy that lasts. And, of course —my pick for the GOAT of these Roman leaders!

In this episode:

- #5 Marcus Aurelius (121–180 CE)

- #4 Constantine the Great (272–337 CE)

- #3 Julius Caesar (100–44 BCE)

- #2 Augustus (63 BCE–14 CE)

- #1 Trajan (53–117 CE)

- Key Leadership Lessons from Ancient Rome’s leaders

Grab your copy of Nicolas' book, The Mammoth in the Room, here: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1503280462

Constantine the Great: The Man and His Times by Michael Grant: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0684195208

Caesar: Life of a Colossus by Adrian Goldsworthy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0300126891

Augustus: The First Emperor of Rome by Adrian Goldsworthy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0300216661

Trajan: Optimus Princeps (Roman Imperial Biographies) by Julian Bennett: https://a.co/d/3R8sq5P

Get in Touch:

Website: https://www.mammothleadershipsciences.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

In today’s episode, I take you on a journey into the dynastic era of ancient China, uncovering the leadership strategies of its most remarkable figures. From adaptability to moral integrity, we explore how these timeless principles still resonate in modern organizations. Trust me, the lessons, including what NOT to do, are as relevant now as they were thousands of years ago.

I rank the top five leaders of ancient China, delving into their achievements, failures, and the transformative power of their strategies.

The episode isn’t just about history; it’s a roadmap for navigating today’s leadership challenges. I connect the dots between evolutionary psychology, leadership science, and the traits that define great leaders. So, stick with me until the end because my pick for the greatest leader of ancient China might surprise you.

In this episode:

- Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty

- Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty

- Qin Shi Huang of the Qin Dynasty

- Confucius of Zhou Dynasty

- Wu Zetian of Tang Dynasty

- Leadership lessons from ancient China

Grab your copy of Nicolas' book, The Mammoth in the Room, here: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

China’s Cosmopolitan Empire: The Tang Dynasty (History of Imperial China) by Mark Edward Lewis: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0674064011

Emperor of China: Self-Portrait of K'ang-Hsi by Jonathan Spence: https://www.amazon.com/dp/067972074X

Qin Shi Huang: The First Emperor of China by Frances Wood: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1846680417

The Analects of Confucius: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27297.The_Analects

The Empress of Brightness by Harry Rothschild

Get in Touch:

Website: https://www.mammothleadershipsciences.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

Are you brave enough to let your team challenge you? What if the greatest threat to your team’s success isn’t the market, competition, or economy—but you? Today, we’ll uncover why the most transformative leaders don’t just embrace challenges—they actively invite them, even when it means questioning their own ideas.

Through compelling stories of leaders like Satya Nadella of Microsoft and cautionary tales like Adam Neumann of WeWork, we’ll explore why fostering a culture of open dialogue is the ultimate key to innovation and growth.

We’ll discuss how radical transparency, psychological safety, and constructive dissent can revolutionize your leadership approach. You’ll also gain practical tools to create an environment where your team feels empowered to challenge the status quo.

Leadership isn’t about being right; it’s about getting it right. Tune in now and discover how leaning into challenges unlocks your team’s full potential and builds a culture of trust and growth.

In this episode:

- Greg’s stagnant leadership vs. Satya's collaborative leadership

- The psychology behind inviting challenges

- Practical examples: Netflix and Jacinda Ardern

- Creating a culture of constructive challenge

- The downfall of Adam Neumann and WeWork

- The benefits of embracing challenges

Get in Touch:

Website: https://www.mammothleadershipsciences.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

What if the key to unlocking your team’s full potential isn’t driving results but investing in their growth? Today, I dive deep into what it truly means to be a leader who inspires individual and team growth from day one.

Together, we’ll explore how investing in individual development creates a ripple effect of motivation, engagement, and innovation. You’ll learn why prioritizing regular feedback, offering tailored learning opportunities, and celebrating milestones are game-changers for any organization.

Plus, I’ll reveal the common pitfalls leaders must avoid, like offering lip service without action or imposing one-size-fits-all development plans. If you want to build a high-performing team that thrives in any environment, join the conversation.

In this episode:

- The two-way investment in your team’s growth

- Partnering on goal setting

- Providing learning opportunities for individual growth

- Common leadership pitfalls in individual development

- Five steps to fostering individual development

- The long-term impact of investing in team development

Grab your copy of Nicolas' book, The Mammoth in the Room, here: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book

Get in Touch:

Website: https://www.mammothleadershipsciences.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

Do you really “know” your team? Effective leadership isn’t about issuing directives or setting goals—it’s about understanding the unique individuals who make up your team. In this episode, I reveal why knowing your people on a deeper level is the key to unlocking loyalty, creativity, and high performance.

Drawing from real-world examples, I share how tailoring your approach to each team member’s strengths and motivations can transform your leadership style. From crafting personalized feedback to leveraging individual talents for the greater good, these insights will help you create a company culture where every person feels seen and valued.

I also tackle the common mistakes leaders make, like treating teams as monoliths or overstepping personal boundaries. With actionable steps like one-on-one conversations and recognizing individual contributions, this episode equips you to build trust, respect, and collaboration across your team.

If you’re ready to lead in a way that truly resonates, this episode is your blueprint. Tune in now, and let’s make leadership personal—and powerful.

In this episode:

- The power of knowing your people

- Real-life examples of knowing your team

- Common leadership pitfalls to avoid

- Actionable steps to know your team

- Key leadership takeaways and action points

Grab your copy of Nicolas' book, The Mammoth in the Room, here: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/

Get in Touch:

Website: https://www.mammothleadershipsciences.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

What does it truly mean to "walk your talk" as a leader? Today, I’m exploring one of the most foundational principles of authentic leadership: aligning your actions with the values you preach. You’ll understand why consistency and authenticity are non-negotiable when building high-performing teams.

Drawing from neuroscientific and evolutionary insights, I’m sharing practical strategies to embody effective leadership in your everyday actions. From work-life balance to timely communication, I reveal how small, consistent behaviors create a culture of trust and respect.

You’ll learn how common pitfalls—like hypocrisy and inauthenticity—can quickly undermine your credibility. I’m also offering actionable advice to help you reflect on your core values, lead by example, and stay accountable even when challenges arise.

Join me for this insightful conversation and discover how to lead with authenticity and build trust that inspires your team to thrive.

In this episode:

- Why walking the talk matters in leadership

- Practical examples of modeling behavior

- Behaviors that undermine credibility and trustworthiness

- Actionable steps to become a trusted leader

Grab your copy of Nicolas' book, The Mammoth in the Room, here: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/

Get in Touch:

Website: https://www.mammothleadershipsciences.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences?sub_confirmation=1

Did you know that nearly 31% of U.S. adults will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime? That’s a significant portion of any workforce. Hence, as leaders, we must understand how fear and anxiety shape our teams and directly impact innovation, productivity, and trust.

In this episode, I explain the key differences between stress, fear, and anxiety—terms we often use interchangeably but that have very distinct roles. You’ll learn about the real-world consequences of unmanaged fear in the workplace. I’ll also share insights from the Great Resignation, where chronic stress pushed quit rates to a 20-year high.

Additionally, I introduce my “six plus one” framework, which includes practical strategies like creating a safe environment, embracing vulnerability, admitting mistakes, and fostering open communication. These steps can transform how your team works together and how you lead.

If you’re ready to manage emotions more effectively and build a stronger, more resilient team, this episode is for you. Tune in and let’s explore what it takes to lead with empathy and purpose.

In this episode:

- The rise of workplace anxiety

- Differentiating stress, fear, and anxiety

- Power dynamics in leadership

- Understanding the evolutionary roots of fear

- Risks of fear in the workplace

- 6 practical steps to manage workplace fear

- The bonus step: Authenticity

Grab your copy of Nicolas' book, The Mammoth in the Room, here: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/

Get in Touch:

Website: https://www.mammothleadershipsciences.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

French, J., & Raven, B. (1959). The bases of social power - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/215915730_The_bases_of_social_power

Goodwin RD, Weinberger AH, Kim JH, Wu M, Galea S. Trends in anxiety among adults in the United States, 2008-2018: Rapid increases among young adults. J Psychiatry Res. 2020 Nov; 130: 411-446. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.08.014. Epub 2020 Aug 21. PMID: 32905958; PMCID: PMC7441973 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32905958/

American Psychological Association (2017). Stress in America: The State of Our Nation. Stress in America TM Survey -

Fear is a powerful force that drives both individual and social behavior. Good leaders understand and manage fear effectively to foster optimal team performance. Today, we explore the science of fear and anxiety, exploring their evolutionary roots and the role they play in modern organizations.

We’ll discuss the neurobiology of fear, highlighting the dual pathways in the brain that govern our responses to both immediate and distant threats. You’ll understand how uncertainty amplifies fear and how chronic anxiety, prevalent in today’s competitive environments, impacts mental health and decision-making.

Listen in for science-backed insights on how you can create a work environment where fear is understood and mitigated to drive performance and collaboration.

In this episode:

- Introduction to fear and leadership

- The evolutionary role of fear in human survival

- The neurobiology of fear

- Proximal vs. distal threats

- The role of uncertainty in fear responses

- How fear drives action and shapes social behavior

- The impact of chronic fear in modern society

- Why leaders must understand and mitigate fear

Grab your copy of Nicolas' book, The Mammoth in the Room, here: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/

Resource Mentioned in the Episode:

Mobbs, D., Hagan, C. C., Dalgleish, T., Silston, B., & Prévost, C. (2015). The ecology of human fear: survival optimization and the nervous system. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 9, 121062 -https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2015.00055/full

Adolphs R. The biology of fear. Curr Biol. 2013 Jan 21;23(2):R79-93. Doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2012.11.055 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23347946/

Get in Touch:

Website: https://www.mammothleadershipsciences.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences