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Jun 2025
35m 47s

363: The Surprising Science of Great Lea...

MAMIE KANFER STEWART
About this episode

Leadership can feel overwhelming, especially when the world around you is constantly changing. But what if small, science-backed changes in how you lead could create a bigger impact than you ever imagined? 


This week’s guests will explore key findings from their research on the nine science-based traits of effective leadership, enabling us to become better managers today.


Meet Margaret Moore and Jeffrey Hull. Margaret is the Founder of Wellcoaches Corporation, Co-founder of the Institute of Coaching, and a faculty member with the Harvard Medical School Office of Global Education. She has over twenty-five years of C-suite roles and experience coaching C-suite executives by blending leadership, coaching, and science.


Jeffrey is an Executive Director and Coach with the Institute of Coaching and Founder of Leadership Inc. He brings over 30 years of translating science into leadership as a consultant, psychologist, and teacher at New York University and Harvard Medical School.


Together, Margaret and Jeffrey co-authored the new book, The Science of Leadership: Nine Ways to Expand Your Impact.


In this episode, they unpack the key findings on the essential leadership traits that define effective leadership today and how these traits can help managers respond to challenges while fostering a positive work environment.


They also explore actionable strategies, including the role of positive psychology, why intentional pauses in leadership matter, and how embracing flexibility can drastically improve your team’s performance.


Join the conversation now!


Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (01:54) The alarming state of managers today
  • (07:00) The Science of Leadership explained
  • (11:00) Why leadership agility is essential in today’s world
  • (19:31) The power of pauses in leadership
  • (25:18) How positivity in leadership can boost creativity
  • (29:26) Great managers Margaret and Jeffrey have worked for
  • (34:58) [Extended Episode Only] How to stay optimistic amidst today’s disruptions
  • (39:39) [Extended Episode Only] The 5 kinds of psychological capital


Additional Resources:


- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Check out the Gallup research here


 Keep up with our guests


- Follow Margaret on LinkedIn here

- Follow Jeffrey on LinkedIn here

- Get a copy of Flex: The Art and Science of Leadership in a Changing World here

- Grab a copy of The Science of Leadership here


FREE Science of Leadership Assessment and Discussion Guide


Jeffrey and Margaret are providing members of Podcast+  an excerpt from The Science of Leadership that includes the nine capabilities assessment as well as a readiness to change assessment.


In addition, they’re giving members a discussion guide to easily explore the nine leadership capacities alone or with your team.


To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.


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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.


Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!


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