One Thousand Ways To Lead

Leadership Lessons You Can’t Miss: Part 2 of This Two-Part Alumni Series

In Part 2 of our alumni special, we dive into even more inspiring stories and powerful leadership insights from Vanderbilt Owen graduates Kitty Elshot-Smith, Kris Douglas, and Ryan Lein.
 
From leading global teams at Bank of America to navigating the challenges of real estate and building successful teams in the corporate world, these alumni share their candid experiences and lessons learned along the way. You’ll hear how they motivate and inspire their teams, create psychologically safe spaces, and adapt to changing circumstances to drive results.
 
Kitty reflects on the importance of modeling behavior and fostering trust, Kris shares how to keep morale up during tough market conditions, and Ryan reveals his approach to building high-performing teams and measuring leadership success. These stories are packed with actionable advice on teamwork, resilience, and navigating complex leadership challenges.
 
If you’re looking to sharpen your leadership skills, build better teams, or learn how to thrive in uncertain times, this episode has something for you. Don’t miss Part 2 of this engaging series filled with wisdom, practical tips, and a few fun memories from their time at Owen.
 
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Learn more about us:
https://business.vanderbilt.edu/

Leadership Lessons You Can’t Miss: Part 1 of This Two-Part Alumni Series

In this special two-part episode, we had the pleasure of hearing from three remarkable Vanderbilt Owen alumni—Beth Torres, Russ Fallis, and Jerome Edwards—who returned to campus to share their leadership journeys. Through their stories, they offered powerful insights on leadership, career growth, and the lifelong value of the Owen community.
 
Discover how their MBA experience shaped their approach to managing teams, cultivating strengths, and building professional resilience. Whether you’re interested in leadership development, business school success, or career growth strategies, this episode offers valuable advice and inspiring stories. 
 
Tune in for actionable tips and insights that can transform your own leadership journey!
 
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Learn more about us:
https://business.vanderbilt.edu/

How to Lead Teams with Transparency and Clarity

In this episode of One Thousand Ways to Lead, Vanderbilt Owen alum and Head of Marketing at Lidl, Michael Chao shares his captivating career journey, moving from startups to industry giants like Walmart, Dollar General, and Lidl. With over a decade of leadership experience across the U.S. and even in China, Michael reflects on the key lessons that have shaped his approach to work and life.
 
Listen as he unpacks the importance of aligning career decisions with personal values, the nuances of navigating company culture, and the art of managing teams with transparency and clarity. Michael also dives into his approach to leading during uncertainty, how to balance ambition with family priorities, and why understanding the incentives behind every decision is critical in business and leadership.
 
Packed with relatable stories, actionable advice, and honest reflections, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow as a leader or make thoughtful career moves. Whether you’re navigating your first job or taking the leap into a new leadership role, Michael’s insights will resonate and inspire.
 
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Learn more about us:
https://business.vanderbilt.edu/

How Growth Mindset, Feedback, and Mentorship Drive Success in Leadership

In this episode of One Thousand Ways to Lead, Vanderbilt MBA alum and healthcare leader Courtney Necessary shares her unique career journey from professional ballet dancer to healthcare transformation executive. 
 
Host Reid Chauvin explores Courtney's path and the leadership insights she gained along the way, including how a growth mindset in leadership and constructive feedback drive professional development. Courtney discusses the role of mentorship and how building a "Board of Directors" has been essential to her career success. 
 
She also explains the importance of workplace culture in leadership and why having a support network can elevate both personal and professional growth. 
 
For those considering a career transition or aiming to strengthen leadership skills, this episode provides actionable insights and guidance, offering fresh perspectives for both emerging and experienced leaders.
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Learn more about us:
https://business.vanderbilt.edu/
About Courtney Necessary:
Courtney Necessary, originally from Atlanta, GA, began her career as a ballet dancer for the Atlanta Ballet, working in forensic accounting during the offseason. After a decade in ballet, Courtney decided to 'retire' and pursue her MBA at Owen. Upon graduating, she joined C3 Consulting, contributing to client work and internal projects, and later participated in the firm's acquisition by Ankura. After about 10 years in management consulting, Courtney was again seeking further career diversification and joined Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Health Professional Solutions. Currently, she works as the VP of Strategy & Transformation, Chief of Staff with the Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy, partnering with hospitals to enhance medical safety, reduce malpractice, and foster a culture of respect and quality outcomes.

How Diverse Backgrounds Help Leaders Build Strong Teams

Leadership isn’t always shaped by traditional paths. 
 
Sometimes, the best lessons come from unexpected places and experiences that push us out of our comfort zones.
 
In this episode, Vanderbilt MBA ‘25, Brianna Dacey sits down with Bennet Hayes, a Vanderbilt Owen alumnus and Strategy and Operations Lead at Google, to explore his unconventional leadership journey. Starting out as a professional poker player and freelance writer, Bennet eventually transitioned into leadership roles at top firms like BCG and Google. 
 
He shares the valuable lessons he’s learned about managing ambiguity, building trust, and leading teams in complex environments. Bennet also highlights the importance of adaptability, strategic decision-making, and embracing discomfort as a path to growth. 
 
Tune in for an inspiring conversation about how unconventional experiences can shape effective leadership, and learn practical strategies to apply to your own leadership journey.
 
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Learn more about us:
https://business.vanderbilt.edu/
About Bennet Hayes:
 
Bennet has built a diverse career blending leadership, strategy, and operations across various industries. Currently, as Strategy and Operations Lead for Chrome OS at Google, he drives high-level strategic initiatives bringing his keen ability to operate under ambiguity to the role. Before this, he led projects at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and directed operations strategy at a start-up company called Gopuff. With extensive experience in project management, strategic planning, and data analytics, he’s worked in consulting, and marketing. Before business school, Bennet was a professional poker, where he competed globally and was ranked among the top 50 online players. His career also includes work as a freelance journalist, writing for prominent publications. 
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennet-hayes-92219158/details/experience/

How Strong Leadership Fosters Innovation and Breakthroughs

In today’s fast-moving world of innovation, strong leadership is what drives major breakthroughs. 
 
Behind every new technology, there’s a team guided by leaders who inspire collaboration, encourage bold ideas, and bring ambitious visions to life.
 
In this episode, Vanderbilt MBA ‘25, Jacob Straessle sits down with Tesla’s Field Service Strategy Lead, Sheik Fazulul Haque, to discuss Tesla’s leadership in innovation as they prepare to launch the Cybercab, a robotaxi set to challenge the likes of Waymo and Cruise. Beyond the technology, this conversation dives deep into the leadership and teamwork required to push such groundbreaking projects forward.
 
Sheik shares how strong leadership encourages collaboration across teams to keep everything on track in such a fast-paced environment. He also reflects on the qualities needed to lead ambitious projects and ensure teams remain aligned toward a common goal, especially when the stakes are high.
 
This episode offers valuable insights for leaders on how to inspire innovation, foster collaboration, and manage large-scale technological advancements. 
 
Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how leadership plays a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation!
 
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About Sheik Fazulul Haque:
Sheik is a proven operations leader with diverse experience across the technology and automotive sectors. After earning his MBA at Owen, Sheik worked at Amazon before joining the San Francisco Department of Technology. For the past five years, Sheik has held multiple roles at Tesla, most recently as a strategy lead for the Optimus Robotics Project.
 
Prior to business school, Sheik served as a helicopter pilot and Commanding Officer in the Indian Military, demonstrating a strong track record of driving excellence, urgency, cost savings, and safety. Recognized for innovation in robotics, automotive, and retail, Sheik brings a legacy of accomplishments as a fighter and helicopter pilot. As an expert in executive decision support and change management, Sheik ensures successful implementation and results-driven problem solving.
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fhsheik/

Explore Real Leadership Journeys! Introducing Vanderbilt’s One Thousand Ways to Lead Podcast

Curious about the different ways people lead? 
 
In this kickoff episode of One Thousand Ways to Lead, the team at Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management introduces their new leadership podcast, where current students and alumni share real-world leadership stories. 
 
Learn how leadership can look different for everyone and discover valuable insights from various leadership journeys. 
 
Whether you're just starting out or already on your leadership development path, this podcast series will spark new ideas and inspire you to grow. 
 
Tune in to hear about different leadership styles, authentic experiences, and the lessons learned along the way.
 
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Learn more about us: https://business.vanderbilt.edu/

Welcome to One Thousand Ways To Lead!

Welcome to One Thousand Ways To Lead, a podcast that celebrates the diverse paths to leadership and success. Hosted by the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, this show brings you inspiring conversations between our current students and accomplished alumni who are making their mark in the world.
 
Every episode of One Thousand Ways To Lead offers a unique opportunity to explore the multifaceted nature of leadership. Our student interviewers sit down with alumni from various fields, uncovering the stories, insights, and wisdom that have shaped their leadership journeys.
 
This podcast is designed to showcase the myriad ways our alumni have embraced leadership in their careers and lives, providing valuable perspectives for listeners at any stage of their own leadership development.
 
In each episode, you'll hear firsthand accounts of how our guests have navigated challenges, seized opportunities, and grown into the leaders they are today. From recent graduates making waves in start-ups, to mid-level managers driving organizational change and fostering team growth, all the way to seasoned executives steering global corporations, our diverse lineup of guests offers something for everyone.
 
One Thousand Ways To Lead is more than just a collection of success stories – it's a platform for sharing practical advice, innovative ideas, and the kind of real-world insights that you won't find in textbooks, and the lessons and experiences shared are universal, applicable to leaders and aspiring leaders from all walks of life.
 
Join us as we explore the qualities, experiences, and decisions that transform individuals into impactful leaders.