BrandsTalk
BrandsTalk is a captivating podcast hosted by Brigitte Bojkowszky, dedicated to unraveling the secrets behind successful brands. Through thought-provoking conversations with thought leaders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and experts, this podcast unveils the stories, strategies, and firsthand insights — the challenges, the mindset shifts, and the magic that happens when clarity meets purpose.
With a focus on authenticity, brilliance, and leadership, BrandsTalk provides a platform for guests to share their experiences and inspire listeners. Join Brigitte as she dives deep into the world of brands, offering valuable lessons and practical advice for entrepreneurs and business professionals alike. Tune in to BrandsTalk and discover the power of brand storytelling.
BrandsTalk
Brands Don’t Fail - Leaders Do: The Missing Link is Love at Work w/ Mark A. Mears
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Love at Work: Aligning Leadership, Purposeful Growth, and the Brand from the Inside Out
In this BrandsTalk episode, I got to interview Mark A. Mears—bestselling author, keynote speaker, and former C-level executive who led growth at brands including PepsiCo, McDonald’s, NBC Universal, and The Cheesecake Factory—about his shift from traditional growth to purposeful, human-centered leadership and his second bestseller focused on bringing love back into the workplace. Mark explains his LOVE model as an acronym for Listen, Observe, Value, and Empower, linking it to low global engagement trends cited by Gallup and the need to transform command-and-control management into relational leadership that builds belonging. He outlines four interconnected “brands” (personal, internal, external, employer) and argues misalignment undermines experience and trust. The conversation emphasizes building legacy, using feedback and humility, and making a business case for purpose-driven leadership through research and case examples.
Get in touch with Mark A. Mears:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/markamears/
- https://www.markamears.com/
- Amazon book page is https://a.co/d/02po7EvN
Book recommendation: Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance by Bob P. Buford
03:17 Why Love Became Leadership
04:48 Engagement Crisis And Ally Leaders
08:59 Four Brands One Alignment
09:59 Belonging And Employer Brand
14:42 LOVE Model In Practice
19:14 From Manager To Legacy Builder
21:00 Transformation And Purposeful Companies
27:11 Making The Business Case
30:19 Identity Strategy Influence
32:07 Success To Significance
33:26 Ripple Effect Leadership
35:19 LOVE Leadership Model
37:24 Uncomfortable Feedback Truths
40:26 Book Resources Assessment
42:02 Becoming Through Feedback
44:27 Rapid Fire Values
47:55 Cheesecake Brand Story
49:28 Brand Think Feel Relate
Get in touch with Brigitte Bojkowszky:
- Website BridgetBrands: https://www.bridgetbrands.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bojkowszkyb/
- Website Retreat “I AM BECOMING”: https://event.i-am-escape.com/i-am-becoming
- Amazon books
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgetbrands
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bridgetbrands
- Book a call: https://calendly.com/bridgetbrands/20-min-discoverycall
👉 Download your Brand Building Guide: https://courses.bridgetbrands.com/f/brand-building-guide
👉 Download Your Entrepreneurial Branding Starter Checklist: https://courses.bridgetbrands.com/f/entrepreneurial-branding-starter-checklist