Now Live : 2025 Global Most Loved Workplaces® — See the Top 100 Companies
The 2025 America’s Top 100 is live. See the list →
The 2025 America’s Top 100 is live. See the list →
Hi everybody, thanks for tuning in to another exciting episode of The Leader Show with Lou Carter. We are joined by D.J. Cardenas, the author of “Weekly Leadership”. In this episode, he discusses the principles of weekly leadership outlined in the book to provide insight into how individuals can improve their leadership skills weekly.
So, without further ado, let’s jump right in.
Lou begins the discussion by asking D.J. Cardenas about his professional journey and motivations behind writing the book “Weekly Leadership.”
In reply, the latter mentions that his experiences, ranging from consulting to working with the New Jersey Lottery, highlighted the significant gap between leaders and employees in many organizations.
A conversation with a coworker undergoing a Ph.D. program sparked an idea about building better relationships within the corporate world. With research indicating high levels of employee disengagement, D.J. saw the need to help individuals become better leaders.
The concept behind the book’s title, “Weekly Leadership,” is the continuous journey of becoming a better leader every day, hour, and week. The book covers the “Five Keys of Impact Leadership,” which are communication, collaboration, consistency, courage, and care. These keys serve as the foundation for effective leadership, focusing not just on professional development but also on personal growth and community involvement.
Subsequently, Cardenas delves into the five keys of impactful leadership. He first emphasizes the importance of communication and highlights how a conducive environment can help tap into inherent leadership skills and improve communication. The right environment and community can foster personal growth and encourage effective communication.
Next, D.J. highlights collaboration, stressing the significance of welcoming and implementing new ideas to inspire a sense of ownership and trust within a team. He believes this not only improves collaboration but also helps foster a supportive and innovative culture.
Consistency is another aspect D.J. elaborates on. He points out that leaders must be consistent, as leadership is a round-the-clock role that extends beyond the workplace and into the community. Every decision made by a leader can have a ripple effect, impacting others and inspiring them.
He touches upon courage as a vital aspect of leadership, stressing the need for leaders to step outside their comfort zones, engage in challenging conversations, and inspire a sense of urgency in others.
Finally, D.J. mentions the importance of care in leadership, emphasizing empathy and emotional intelligence. He suggests that being a caring leader is fundamental to making a meaningful impact and leading effectively.
Moving on, D.J. Cardenas highlights the importance of collaboration and co-creation in leadership, stating that it’s the solution to the prevalent issue of distrust among teams. He emphasizes the need for leaders to build trust, foster development, and co-create with their team members.
D.J. further underscores the significance of vulnerability in leadership, particularly in facilitating collaboration. He notes that being vulnerable helps leaders create an environment where everyone acknowledges they can’t know everything, thereby encouraging collective problem-solving.
Additionally, he suggests that leaders should have conversations about personal goals with their team members, which is often overlooked due to the fear of employees leaving. D.J. believes that even if an individual might not like the job, they may choose to stay because of the leader and the culture they have created.
He strongly believes that being honest and vulnerable are key factors in promoting this kind of work environment.
Next, Lou and D.J. delve into the topic of vulnerability in leadership, touching on how hard it is to be vulnerable and why it’s essential. Lou suggests the solution lies in authenticity and asking for feedback in a positive way that promotes growth.
D.J. agrees, adding that acknowledging the contributions of all team members can promote a thriving work culture. He suggests that leaders should strive to be authentic and spend time learning about themselves to have a better external impact. D.J. encourages leaders to try new things, share their thoughts and ideas, and not shy away from showing their growth struggles.
Cardenas also discusses how leaders should approach new generations entering the workplace. He says that by creating a culture of honesty and collaboration, leaders can draw people in and create a sense of belonging. He notes that this approach resonates across all ages, promoting better communication and understanding.
Moving on, D.J. addresses the younger generation and the internal battle they often face between personal desires and achieving goals. He emphasizes the importance of aligning oneself with their goals and the steps needed to achieve them. He encourages individuals to surround themselves with purposeful people who share similar interests or career paths, a concept he attributes to his friend Clint Pulver.
Cardenas argues that by building a community, one can develop a vast network of resources that benefits not only themselves but also others and future generations. He underscores the importance of trusting the process, even if it takes a while.
On a similar note, Lou mentions the necessity of reaching out and networking, especially during the post pandemic times when social isolation is a prevalent issue. He notes that successful people take the initiative to network and create connections. Lou also believes that asking for help is crucial because assistance is available if we reach out.
D.J. affirms this and shares a personal story from his college days, recounting how he struggled academically and was guided by a professor, Susan Cox, who encouraged him and helped him realize his potential. He learned from her the importance of asking questions and seeking help.
Later, he contrasts this experience with another professor who refused to offer guidance, which made him appreciate Susan’s help even more and ignited his passion for giving.
Lou reflects on the nature of giving and receiving, stressing that one must ask or request to initiate the process. D.J. agrees, underscoring that opportunities won’t just appear; people have to take the initiative.
After that, the speakers discuss the value of active, actionable leadership. D.J. highlights that his concept of giving revolves around his actions. To him, being ‘in the trenches’ signifies taking concrete steps as a leader that will resonate with team members and draw them into a flourishing culture. He believes these actions could be minor or major, but they all embody a steady spirit of giving without expectation.
Cardenas then talks about his experience in the lottery industry and how the term ‘in the trenches’ stuck with him. He highlights the importance of maintaining connections with your team even when you rise in rank. He then cites an example from the book “Lincoln on Leadership” where Abraham Lincoln would frequently engage with soldiers, a practice known as ‘Managing by Wandering Around.’
The speakers agree that leaders should be involved in the process with their team, which encourages reciprocal support. They both highlight the importance of leaders not being afraid to fail, as it is an integral part of success.
Additionally, they discuss how leaders need to remain close to their employees and customers, citing Elon Musk as an example. D.J. concludes by saying that such leadership creates thriving cultures that last for decades.
Toward the end of their conversation, Lou and D.J. discuss D.J.’s book, “Weekly Leadership.” D.J. encourages the audience to check it out on Amazon or his website, weeklyleadership.com, where it’s readily available.
He also mentions his podcast, which can be found on platforms such as Apple and Spotify. D.J. expresses his eagerness to connect with others and mentions he is available for discussions on Clubhouse, an audio-based social media platform.
Thank you for your time!
