What if the most powerful leadership moments aren't the big decisions, major initiatives, or important meetings, but the small interactions we create every single day?
In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard welcomes Ryan Tiffin, author of Chasing Magic: How Experience Changes Lives and Shapes Leaders, for a conversation about the power of intentional leadership, creating meaningful experiences, and recognizing that you don't need a title to make a difference.
Ryan's professional journey has taken him from photography and DJing to marketing, Disney, Cinemark, and leading teams across a variety of industries. Along the way, he discovered something that fundamentally changed his approach to leadership: every person in an organization has the ability to influence someone else's experience.
Through stories from his time at Disney and his work with frontline teams, Ryan shares why great leadership starts with slowing down, paying attention, and recognizing opportunities to make people feel valued.
Darrin and Ryan explore the importance of empowering people regardless of their position, why changing the language we use can change organizational culture, and how even ten seconds of intentional interaction can make a lasting impact.
They also discuss Ryan's new book, Chasing Magic, which combines his personal journey with the leadership principles he's developed through years of creating experiences and developing people.
In this episode, you'll discover:
A few moments worth remembering
One of the most compelling stories Ryan shares comes from his experience at an immersive Van Gogh exhibit. When a team member was struggling to recognize the importance of her role, Ryan helped her see how the experience she created for guests could provide something meaningful in their lives.
That conversation eventually helped inspire his book.
Ryan also shares a simple example of intentional leadership: rather than handing guests a wristband and moving on, what happens when a team member takes ten extra seconds to help them put it on, ask about their visit, and make a personal connection?
It's a reminder that leadership isn't always about doing something extraordinary. Sometimes it's about making the ordinary extraordinary.
About Ryan Tiffin
Ryan Tiffin is an author and experience-focused leader whose career spans entertainment, marketing, communications, and team leadership. Drawing on his experiences with organizations including Disney and Cinemark, Ryan is passionate about helping people recognize their influence and create meaningful experiences for those around them.
His book, Chasing Magic: How Experience Changes Lives and Shapes Leaders, explores the personal experiences that shaped his life and the leadership lessons he learned along the way.
Ryan is especially passionate about encouraging young professionals to recognize that their educational background or job title doesn't determine their potential to lead.
Connect with Ryan Tiffin
Thanks to our podcast partners
HeyTutor — Helping schools and districts provide tutoring support that strengthens student learning and builds academic confidence.
Learn more: https://heytutor.com/?utm_source=RTA&utm_medium=RTA&utm_campaign=RTA
Curriculum Leadership Institute (CLI) — Supporting schools and districts in developing aligned curriculum systems and strengthening teaching and learning.
Mention Leaning Into Leadership to receive a 5% discount on your first year of CLI services. Visit https://www.cliweb.org/ to connect.
Keep leaning into leadership
Great leadership isn't defined by the title on your business card. It's defined by the conditions you create, the people you empower, and the experiences you make possible.
Keep building the next mile of your Road to Awesome.
Connect with Dr. Darrin Peppard at https://roadtoawesome.net/ and https://darrinpeppard.com/.