Show Notes
The journey from individual contributor to effective manager is often called the most significant transition of a career—a shift not just in responsibilities, but in identity. Yet, the foundations of great leadership often start with a more personal, foundational practice: curiosity and continuous self-improvement. In this deep-dive interview, we sit down with leadership expert and podcast host, Ryan Hawk of The Learning Leader Show, to unpack his best-selling book, Welcome to Management, and the surprising lessons he's gathered from interviewing hundreds of the world’s most successful leaders. Ryan shares the critical mindset shifts every new manager needs to make, why leading yourself is the necessary first step, and how embracing a learning leader mindset—fueled by relentless curiosity—was the unexpected catalyst that propelled his own professional journey from cold-calling sales rep to full-time entrepreneur and author.
If you're looking to master the art of management, cultivate psychological safety in your team, or simply unlock the compounding power of daily personal growth, you won't want to miss these powerful insights on how curiosity shapes success.
Check out the full series of “Career Sessions, Career Lessons” podcasts here or visit pathwise.io/podcast/. A full written transcript of this episode is also available at https://pathwise.io/podcasts/ryan-hawk.
Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
More from Career Sessions
A lot of people spend plenty of time thinking about how to succeed in their jobs, but far less time thinking about how to choose the right jobs in the first place.
You may not think of yourself as a salesperson, but every day at work, you’re selling something—an idea, a proposal, your capabilities, or even yourself.
What if you achieve everything you thought you wanted in your career, and still find yourself wondering if that's really all there is? Former Vertex CEO Jeff Westphal joins host J.R. Lowry to discuss how you can build a Work Life Worth Living when traditional status isn't enough. Jeff Westphal spent two decades as CEO of Vertex, helping grow the company from roughly 75 employees to more than 1,000 and increasing its value fortyfold. Along the way, he started asking deeper questions about purpose and why listening can be far more powerful than having all the answers. He shares how an intense focus on reflection transformed his leadership and helped him create an environment where employees felt truly invested. They also examine how rapid changes in AI mean distinctly human qualities like empathy, judgment, and connection will define our professional future. Whether you're rethinking your path or leading a team, this conversation will help you reflect on what truly makes your career meaningful.
Most professionals assume great work speaks for itself, but solid Product Positioning proves that value never communicates automatically. When competitors offer flashy feature checklists or when crowded markets blur real differentiation, buyers and hiring managers get confused quickly. Host JR Lowry sits down with April Dunford, leading positioning expert and bestselling author of Obviously Awesome and Sales Pitch, to unpack why building something valuable is only half the battle. They walk through actionable frameworks to move past surface features, clarify unique value themes, and align internal teams before ever pitching external buyers. Together, they break down how individuals can treat their career journeys like high-stakes B2B products by narrowing focus, embracing natural strengths, and knowing exactly when to walk away from poor-fit opportunities. Finally, they tackle the rise of artificial intelligence, outlining why automated tools raise the bar for genuine business strategy rather than replacing it.