Take Command: A Leadership Podcast

Olympic Learning Meets Leadership: Insights on Grit and Good Power

Take Command: A Leadership Podcast

Show Notes

Ginni Rometty is someone who has defined herself and her career through intentional action backed by hard work and determination. She says, “It's your attitude, and you control it. You can spend ninety percent of your time reliving the problem and ten percent on the way out of it. Or you can spend ten percent dwelling on the problem and ninety percent about what to do going forward.”

Ginni’s episode is packed with amazing advice. She talks about how intentional practice can produce brilliance, why it’s selfish when leaders aren’t role models, and what it means to become an “Olympic learner.” Ginni wants to see others succeed, saying, “Don't worry about not having every step planned out . . . I didn't. My view was [to] do a great job and the next thing will open itself up.” Tune in for this and other shining nuggets of Ginni’s wisdom.

More from Take Command: A Leadership Podcast

Oct 13, 2026

Cheryl McKissack Daniel sees leadership as the continuation of a legacy built through resilience, strategy, and relationships. As the fifth generation to lead McKissack & McKissack, she reflects on a family history that stretches back more than two centuries and explains how each generation invested in skills, relationships, and long-term thinking. In this conversation, Cheryl shares how her mother taught her business development by pushing her to speak before she felt ready. That lesson helped her enter difficult rooms, connect with people, and build the confidence to become the first Black chair of the New York Building Congress in its 102-year history. Cheryl also discusses fear, stress, and the responsibility of using leadership platforms to address difficult issues. Her practical advice is to treat courage like a beta test: try it, learn from the response, and remain true to yourself. She explains why effective leaders must be decisive, consistent, dependable, and willing to create an environment in which others can reach their full potential.

Sep 22, 2026

Marc Cooper believes growth begins when we step outside our comfort zone. As Chairman and CEO of Solomon Partners, he has helped expand a specialized investment bank into a firm with more than 200 bankers and expertise across more than a dozen industry sectors.

Sep 8, 2026

Jayney Howson believes leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about creating the conditions where people can thrive. As Chief Learning Officer at ServiceNow, she helps millions of learners prepare for the future of work through one of the world’s largest AI-powered learning ecosystems.

Aug 25, 2026

Cybele Negris believes the greatest breakthroughs come from doing the very thing that scares us most. As CEO and Co-Founder of Webnames.ca, Canada's original dot-CA registrar, she has grown a scrappy side project into a multi-million-dollar company trusted by governments, law firms, and Fortune 500 brands. Along the way, she has served on some of Canada's most influential boards, mentored a rising generation of leaders, and become one of the country's most recognized voices on entrepreneurship and resilience. In this conversation, Cybele shares how she went from a shy, self-doubting kid to a serial entrepreneur, why “feel the fear, but do it anyway” became her guiding motto, and how a very public moment on a TEDx stage taught her the true power of authenticity. She opens up about her long struggle with imposter syndrome, explains why great leaders empower others instead of commanding them, and reflects on how mentorship and the work ethic her father instilled shaped the leader she is today.

Aug 11, 2026

Howard Hochhauser believes the most powerful technology doesn't replace human connection, it strengthens it. As CEO of Ancestry, he has led the company through a remarkable turnaround by refocusing on its purpose: helping people discover, preserve, and share their family stories. Along the way, he has reshaped the company's culture around humility, curiosity, and honest feedback, while embracing AI to bring millions of untold stories to life. In this conversation, Howard shares how curiosity led him to Ancestry, why feedback is one of the greatest gifts a leader can receive, and how humility creates stronger teams and better decisions. He also discusses balancing innovation with humanity, building trust across an organization, and why great leaders focus on doing today's job exceptionally well instead of worrying about tomorrow.

See all episodes →