Video Interviews — Capture Your Flag

Continuing Education

Louise Langheier on the Lifetime Value of an Ashoka Fellowship

In Chapter 8 of 21 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, social entrepreneur Louise Langheier answers "What Did Your Ashoka Fellowship Teach You About Social Entrepreneurship Best Practices?" Langheier shares how being recommended and becoming an Ashoka Fellow has opened new doors to help her lead as a social entrepreneur. She finds the unstructured network supports her needs as a leader seeking to affect social change in her nonprofit CEO job.

Louise Davis Langheier is founder and CEO of Peer Health Exchange, a non-profit that trains college students to teach health education in public high schools. Louise was selected as a member of the 2011 class of Aspen Entrepreneurial Education Fellows, and was named an Ashoka Fellow in 2012. She graduated from Yale University. 

Louise Langheier on Improving Scenario Planning Forecasting Skills

In Chapter 12 of 21 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, social entrepreneur Louise Langheier answers "What Skills Are You Working on Right Now to Become Better at Your Job?" Langheier shares how she is working on middle case scenario planning to complement best case and worst case scenario planning. After years focused on extreme scenarios, Langheier learns to appreciate the middle ground and focus team efforts there.

Louise Davis Langheier is founder and CEO of Peer Health Exchange, a non-profit that trains college students to teach health education in public high schools. Louise was selected as a member of the 2011 class of Aspen Entrepreneurial Education Fellows, and was named an Ashoka Fellow in 2012. She graduated from Yale University. 

Louise Langheier on What Makes an Aspen Institute Fellowship Valuable

In Chapter 13 of 21 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, social entrepreneur Louise Langheier answers "How Did Your Aspen Institute Fellowship Contribute to Your Professional Development?" Langheier shares how her time as an Aspen Fellow has given her an immersive learning experience full of critical and reflective learning. The program integrates rigor and humanity into a collaborative experience Langheier finds both unique and rewarding.

Louise Davis Langheier is founder and CEO of Peer Health Exchange, a non-profit that trains college students to teach health education in public high schools. Louise was selected as a member of the 2011 class of Aspen Entrepreneurial Education Fellows, and was named an Ashoka Fellow in 2012. She graduated from Yale University. 

Mark Graham on Learning Social Media Platform Data Analytics Skills

In Chapter 9 of 15 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, media executive Mark Graham answers "What Skills Are You Working on Right Now to Become Better at Your Job?" Graham shares how he is learning more about data analytics that track digital media consumption and sharing across different social media platforms such as Vine, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. He sees media consumption rapidly changing in that content is mainly consumed off the main sites - in this case VH1 and MTV - and sees the need to invest tiem in understanding the marketing analytics behind tracking behavior off site.

Mark Graham is currently a managing editor at MTV Networks. Previously Graham worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English. 

Mark Graham on Leading by Teaching in a Manager Job Role

In Chapter 15 of 15 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, media executive Mark Graham answers "How Are You Becoming a Better Teacher?" Graham shares how in a role that requires him to produce content and manage a team that produces content, he finds identifying teaching moments key to building productive bonds with this team. A big part of this is learning to be a better listener to understand different points of view specific to team members.

Mark Graham is currently a managing editor at MTV Networks. Previously Graham worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English. 

Conrad Doucette on Taking UX Classes to Broaden Digital Job Skills

In Chapter 16 of 17 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, musician and digital strategist Conrad Doucette answers "What Skills Are You Working on Right Now to Become Better at Your Job?" Doucette signs up for a User Experience Design - or UX Design - bootcamp course at Skillshare to get back into the classroom and build new digital media job skills. He finds the experience of returning to the classroom reignites his passion for learning.

Conrad Doucette is a Brooklyn musician and the drummer for the band Takka Takka. He has performed with Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, The National, Alina Simone, and many other leading acts. When not performing music, Doucette is the communications and brand director at music licensing and publishing startup Jingle Punks. Doucette earned a BA in History from the University of Michigan. 

Simon Sinek on How to Be a Better Teacher By Not Being the Expert

In Chapter 2 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, author and public speaker Simon Sinek answers "How Are You Becoming a Better Teacher?" To Sinek, teaching is as much teaching what you do not know as it is teaching what you do know. This approach gives him an opportunity to better engage his students, learn from their own experiences, and integrate the sharing into his teaching. It is less about being an expert and more about being a curious learner. Simon Sinek teaches leaders and organizations how to inspire people. Sinek is the author of two books, "Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Come Together and Others Don't" and "Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action". He is a public speaker, an adjunct professor at Columbia University and a Brandeis University graduate.

Transcript

Erik Michielsen: How are you becoming a better teacher?

Simon Sinek: Teaching, like anything, is the art of sharing not just what you know but what you don’t know. I think I’m becoming a better teacher because I’m becoming a better student where I used to walk into a classroom or any kind of teaching opportunity to tell them what I know, and now I come into it to share what I know with the hope of hearing what they know because I wanna learn too. So I actually show up to a class with the desire to learn. And so, the only reason to share whatever thoughts, or ideas, or knowledge I have is so that together we can grow, and it has made me a better teacher for sure. I think all the best teachers are the best students. Anybody who thinks they know everything is missing out because you don’t. It’s the same thing I hate about people who refer to themselves as experts. “I’m an expert in X.” I was like, “Really? Really?” There’s so much more to learn. And so, even in my own disciplines, I don’t consider myself an expert in leadership, or inspiration, or whatever you wanna label it. I’m a student of leadership. I’m a student to what inspires. I don’t think I know everything, in fact, out of everything I know, I know this much, and so that to me keeps me curious.

Erik Michielsen: Have you found that there’s a difference between teaching college students and teaching adult learners?

Simon Sinek: No. There are people who have a desire to learn and those people who have a desire to make the grade, and you’ll find them everywhere. There are people who have desire to advance the greater good, or advance the cause, or advance the company, and there are people who have just the desire to make money. And the people who show up with curiosity and the desire to learn will always make better students. The ones who only wanna make the grades are pains in the asses because they complain about everything, and they throw their teammates under the bus because they’re “hurting their grade”, and it’s the same in a company. Somebody who only is in for the cash, they’ll throw their teammates under the bus because they’ve don’t wanna ruin their bonus, or get the credit, or—it’s the same. It’s the same.

 

 

Simon Sinek on Improving Writing Skills by Embracing the Unfamiliar

In Chapter 18 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, author and public speaker Simon Sinek answers "How Are You Challenging Yourself to Improve As a Writer?" Sinek shares how he embraces challenge and works to improve his writing by trying new things such as writing fiction. He notes going to unfamiliar places helps him build both competence and confidence as he develops his writing skills. Simon Sinek teaches leaders and organizations how to inspire people. Sinek is the author of two books, "Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Come Together and Others Don't" and "Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action". He is a public speaker, an adjunct professor at Columbia University and a Brandeis University graduate.

Lauren Serota on 3 Ways to Make Work Meaningful

In Chapter 3 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, creative director and educator Lauren Serota answers "What Makes Your Work Meaningful?" Serota shares three ways what she does is meaningful. First, with her creative consultative work at frog, she finds meaning in helping companies evolve and grow. Second, the interpersonal connections she makes as a teacher and engaging students as they build careers. Thirdly, she finds work meaningful in simply gaining knowledge and becoming wiser.

Lauren Serota works as an associate creative director at frog design. She is also a teacher at the Austin Center for Design (AC4D). Serota earned a bachelor's degree in industrial design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

Lauren Serota on What Gets Easier and What Gets Harder

In Chapter 4 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, creative director and educator Lauren Serota answers "What is Getting Easier and What is Getting Harder in Your Life?" Serota notes the challenge of taking on management responsibilities after getting promoted from her hands-on interaction design and design research role to an associate creative director job. Specifically, she finds challenging to not do the work and instead to delegate the work and empower those doing it. After teaching design for three years and getting public speaking experience, she finds it easier to think on her feet and adapt to different situations.

Lauren Serota works as an associate creative director at frog design. She is also a teacher at the Austin Center for Design (AC4D). Serota earned a bachelor's degree in industrial design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

Lauren Serota on Teaching Students Design Thinking

In Chapter 16 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, creative director and educator Lauren Serota answers "What Does It Mean to Teach Someone to Think Like a Designer?" Serota notes there is a nature versus nurture element of teaching students design thinking techniques. As a teacher, Serota tries to find student learning styles and adapt her teaching to those who grasp creative and design thinking and those who struggle to grasp them.

Lauren Serota works as an associate creative director at frog design. She is also a teacher at the Austin Center for Design (AC4D). Serota earned a bachelor's degree in industrial design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

Lauren Serota on Surprising Teaching Career Benefits

In Chapter 17 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, creative director and educator Lauren Serota answers "How Has Teaching Opened New Opportunities in Your Career?" Each graduating student becomes an ambassador not only for the school but also for each faculty member. This creates a feedback loop Serota uses to learn from alumni and build her reputation as a teacher willing to learn and share to new audiences. This opens new opportunities for her such as giving a design talk in Monterrey, Mexico.

Lauren Serota works as an associate creative director at frog design. She is also a teacher at the Austin Center for Design (AC4D). Serota earned a bachelor's degree in industrial design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

Nina Godiwalla on Finding New Ways to Learn From Your Clients

In Chapter 12 of 18 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, author and entrepreneur Nina Godiwalla answers "At This Moment in Your Life, Where Are You Seeking Advice and Coaching?" Godiwalla shares how learning from clients has been instrumental in her professional development. She finds great value in the knowledge sharing reciprocity that comes in the client relationship and shares an example on biases in the workplace from her work with the State Department. Nina Godiwalla is an expert on diversity, leadership and women in the business world. She is CEO of Mindworks, which provides leadership, stress management, and diversity training to companies all over the world. She is also a bestselling author and public speaker. Godiwalla earned an MBA from Wharton, a MA from Dartmouth and a BBA from the University of Texas.

Nina Godiwalla on When to Find a Sponsor Instead of a Mentor

In Chapter 13 of 18 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, author and entrepreneur Nina Godiwalla answers "How Have Mentors Helped Motivate You to Do Your Best Work?" Godiwalla shares how she is shifting her focus from finding mentors to finding sponsors. She notes sponsors are different than mentors in that sponsors take specific action to advocate for you while mentors are more of an advice resource. Godiwalla shares how sponsorship can be used when applying to join a board of directors. Nina Godiwalla is an expert on diversity, leadership and women in the business world. She is CEO of Mindworks, which provides leadership, stress management, and diversity training to companies all over the world. She is also a bestselling author and public speaker. Godiwalla earned an MBA from Wharton, a MA from Dartmouth and a BBA from the University of Texas.

Nina Godiwalla on How Storytelling Can Elevate Employee Training

In Chapter 17 of 18 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, author and entrepreneur Nina Godiwalla answers "How Are You Becoming a Better Teacher?" As an instructor teaching executive training and employee training, Godiwalla learns to balance informational sharing with storytelling. Storytelling helps Godiwalla build emotional connections in her corporate training and, from teaching in the classroom to speaking at events, helps make her entertain and create impact. Nina Godiwalla is an expert on diversity, leadership and women in the business world. She is CEO of Mindworks, which provides leadership, stress management, and diversity training to companies all over the world. She is also a bestselling author and public speaker. Godiwalla earned an MBA from Wharton, a MA from Dartmouth and a BBA from the University of Texas.

Fabian Pfortmüller on Solving Problems to Build Global Brands

In Chapter 10 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur and community builder Fabian Pfortmüller answers "What Problems Are You Trying to Solve Right Now to Grow Your Business?" In leadership roles at two companies, Sandbox Network and Holstee, Pfortmüller finds each has separate growth issues. At Sandbox Network, he finds creating a consistent community and user experience a challenge. At Holstee, it is more about applying a known mindful living brand and connecting that into a growing product offering, including a shareable art card series. Fabian Pfortmüller is co-founder of Holstee, a socially conscious online marketplace, and Sandbox Network, a global community for young entrepreneurial people. Pfortmüller graduated from Columbia University.

Yoav Gonen on Identifying New Ways to Improve News Writing Skills

In Chapter 8 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City reporter Yoav Gonen answers "What Skills Are You Working on Right Now to Become Better at Your Job?" As Gonen gains confidence, he sees what other reporters are writing as a learning opportunity and not a threat. Following reporters he admires on social media helps him look for new ways to report the news. Additionally, Gonen invests time taking Hebrew classes and benefits from the process of learning a language. Yoav Gonen is a reporter and City Hall Bureau Chief for the New York Post daily newspaper. Previously he spent nearly six years covering the education beat for the New York Post. Gonen earned a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Journalism from New York University.

Tricia Regan on Keeping Up With New Technology Working in Film

In Chapter 12 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan answers "What New Challenges Are You Facing in Your Career?" Regan shares how a consistent challenge in her film and television career has been keeping up with new technology. She notes how filmmaking technology, from cameras to editing software, changes dramatically from film project to film project. She notes how this places into the marketplace for documentary films - films are less expensive to shoot but the market for documentary films is as competitive as ever. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University.