Adam Torres and Shanda Gore discuss Shanda’s new book.
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Show Notes:
New book alert! In this episode, Adam Torres interviews Dr. Shanda Gore, Founder & President of Mays and Associates, Ltd, explore Shanda’s new book, The PinLeader Path: Identify, Engage, and Develop Effective Human and AI Leadership for Your Organizational Culture.
About Dr. Shanda Gore
Dr. Gore is a bestselling author and an expert in leadership development, strategic planning, and culture building. With more than 25 years of experience and a doctorate in educational leadership, she leads a group of other respected experts serving as President of Mays & Associates, Ltd., a global strategic planning firm creating customized solutions for growth. She is known for her work in industries in higher education, K-12, athletic organizations, engineering, law, financial services, and individualized coaching.
About Mays and Associates, Ltd
Mays & Associates (MAYS) provides customized solutions for growth, driven by a vision to move conversations forward and help individuals and organizations achieve their best work.
Full Unedited Transcript
Hey, I’d like to welcome you to another episode of Mission Matters. My name is Adam Torres, and if you’d like to apply to be a guest on the show, just head on over to mission matters.com and click on Be Our Guest to Apply. All right, so today is a very special episode for my long-term listeners. You know, I love.
Doing a book launch episode and a book release episodes. And let me tell you, I have a bestselling author on the line today, Dr. Shanda Gore. Dr. Shanda Gore, author of the Pin Leader Path, identify, engage and develop effective human and AI leadership for your organizational culture. And Dr.
Shanda is also founder and president of Mays and Associates, LTD Shanda. Welcome to the show and congrats on that bestseller. Come on. Alright. Thank you so very much for having me on the show. I’m excited to talk about the book and to make sure to answer any questions about it. Also host of, I can’t forget this, the Pin Leader podcast.
Come on. The fellow podcaster on the line. I’m like, man, don’t worry, I’m not gonna get lazy on you. Okay. I know you won’t. You do a great podcast questions for you. I’m not gonna get lazy on you ’cause you’re a podcaster too. It’s fine. So first thing, first when I saw your branding, the Pin Leader path, I see the pin, I see the Pin Leader podcast.
I love design, everything. I can tell a lot of thought went into putting this book together. Just first off, the, the pin metaphor, like, let’s start there. Maybe. Where’d that idea come from and, what does it mean? Well, I’m gonna tell you, this is from when I say 2005, which is mind boggling to me, it’s 20 years ago I came up with this concept.
Wow. And it, yeah, I know it’s 20 years. And when I came up with a concept, what I was doing, and I was doing a lot of research on effective. Human leaders at the time. Mm-hmm. So I was looking at those that had a great following. Were able to motivate their teams, get to goals, had good strategic planning, and I noticed there were three major attributes that these leaders really led with and were able to move whole organizations forward.
And it came down to being sharp, being educated and experienced in whatever area or industry they were in. Being able to have a plan. So being straightforward about what that plan is, so being able to communicate it. And then of course, being able to pivot when there was change that happened or, unfortunately when things happen, that’s out of our control.
But they had a plan on even how to address that. And then the last part was having a strength of character. They were able to lead people trusted them, and individuals were very loyal to the brand and to the organization because they were able to be honest, transparent. And they were able to tell, you know, the troops on, like how and where we’re going and be able to communicate that effective.
So it came down to a pen, a single pen. I’m like A pen has all those attributes. And so first off, even bigger. Congrats in the opening. I love when somebody picks out a like you’ve been working on this for 20 years and the fact that you’re able to, like make this dream a reality of creating this book.
Like, why now? Why do you feel like there ha, was there like a moment? Was this a buildup? Like why this book now? Interesting. ’cause I, started writing, I started framing it up many years ago, but as my experiences, I just passed my 22nd thousandth individual who’s been to my trainings and workshops, and I said, you know what?
I think there comes a time when you say, you know what? It’s time I. To finish it up and make sure that it’s relevant and the most relevant is this new ai, what I call AI leadership that’s coming online. Mm-hmm. And, and so I’m like, okay, we need to really have these conversations about the human element so we don’t lose track of it, but we also need to understand how AI is going to impact our future leaders and how it itself.
Is starting to go into the realm of being a leader within its algorithm. So I said, now’s the time while people are trying to figure out what to do next. Hmm. And so as you’ve been out on the road and promoting this book and like getting your ideas out there, what’s been one of your fa I know this, this came out by the way, for every listening.
It’s, been out a little over a month. Best, best seller status. It was released on March 1st, at least according to Amazon 2025. Want everybody to go pick up a copy of this? I’ll have the hyperlink in the show notes so you can just click on it and grab a copy. But like what’s been one as a newly minted author with this particular book, what’s been one of your favorite parts about getting out there?
You know the questions. We’ve had so many discussions. I just came from being on a panel for ai, the future of ai, and it was actually at a, very large university and they had me and a, a couple other presidents that were there talking about how it impacted their workforce. And really my role out there is really to talk about that.
Also, there’s this human element. There’s still going to be. AI is one of the intelligences, but there’s a number of other, the emotional intelligence, the intrapersonal, the interpersonal, and then understanding culture, the culture of the organization and how that, how a pin can hold it together. But you really need to create a sustainable model.
And that has been exciting for me because I’ve had people ask me questions that they’re fearful of jobs, their jobs being replaced by ai. Mm-hmm. Me talking to them and saying, there is ways to pivot here. The most effective leaders are gonna do well, and you can pivot too. So that’s what’s been exciting.
I think it’s very timely. Right on. Mm-hmm. And especially with the questions I’m getting. Mm-hmm. Yeah. You’re also a podcaster. What a podcaster to podcaster? Like when did this start, like, gimme some of the backstory. who conned you into, oh, no, I’m sorry. That’s the wrong word.
Who, who suggested that you, I’ll tell you who conned me into launching a podcast. My other co-founder, SHA Cigar. So we were both I’ll tell you real quick. He was he’s the other co-founder. And he’s my buddy and he, we’ve been together since day one of this company and I couldn’t do without him.
But in the beginning we sold books like we were a book publisher and we still do publish books. We just published our most recent volume of mission matters. But anyway, so the so we, yeah, we published over 400 authors. I love books and that’s where we, the company started. But one day he’s like, Adam, we gotta start a podcast.
I’m like, I’m not starting no stupid pod. I don’t even know what a podcast is. What is that? Whatever it is, I don’t wanna do it because it sounds like work you. It’s a lot of work. You gotta do it if you don’t want. And so I’m like, okay. So I was like, all right, well you’re my first interview ’cause I don’t even know what an interview, how to do an interview.
So, so it took me about, you know 1500 interviews to get decent. Now I’m over 6,000 interviews. At least now I’m comfortable and I can at least talk whether it’s good or not. That’s subjective, but it’s all good. But at the very least I’m doing it. It’s fantastic. Very kind. Thank you. And I’ll take it all day, more praise.
Take it. But that being said, that was how I got con, I mean, start it. How did you start yours? Like who talked you into it or did you always wanted to do one? I don’t know. You know what my bachelor’s is in communication. Oh. And my master’s is in mass communication. So I’m a way back lady from the day when comp compute, when you know, it was real to real and radio, and I.
Taught radio and television for non majors. Oh, so you are from the business. So this is something that we had in you. So you were, you were about Way back. Way back. Okay. So you were about that life. Okay. I was about that life and I left that life because it what you just, all the things that you outlined there.
All those things. And Adam, you know, and so as we. Go along. You know, someone said, well, Dr. G, why aren’t you doing anything where you’re talking to end it? Because I wanna highlight leaders, right? Mm-hmm. And I’m like, you know what? I’m gonna pick up some equipment. I’m just gonna see. And I originally was gonna do it during Covid.
Mm-hmm. But then I, as my business was picking up, I had a number of clients, they’re all over the country, and they’re like, you know, would love to have tidbits from you periodically, you know, with different subject areas. And I’m like, you know what I, I told my husband, I said, I’m gonna do this. And literally I launched my show, believe it or not, on Halloween of last year.
That’s amazing. Yes, and I had original music made for it and I just. My husband said, well, when are you watching? I said, I’m just gonna do it. And I think that’s where I’m really big on the spirit of those that are thinking about it. Mm-hmm. You, and you know this, if, just try it, you know, put it out there and you’ll, you’ll get it refined to the point.
And there are a number of people podcasting and they’re giving okay advice, but I’m like, okay, you don’t. Really, no, that’s subject area you could tell. And the really great podcasters like yourself out there, really trying to get experts in these field areas and try to have those conversations that you normally wouldn’t have.
So I felt that I wanted to do that too. I wanted to bring experts to the table, no matter, you know, whatever the subject area is, and help others with their leadership. Hmm. That’s amazing. I love it. This story makes me so happy. If there was, if there was or if you had to narrow it down to a couple of things for this entire brand, the PIN leader there are some takeaways that you want the audience to take away from your book.
It could be from the podcast, it could be a theme overall. Mm-hmm. And I know there’s many only so much we can do in a 20 minute podcast. And by the way, for everybody listening, pick up the book, but then also go listen to the Pin Leader podcast. You get way more of Dr. Shanda Gore. What would some of those things think those things be that you want the audience to walk away from your work with?
So the book is written in a way that it’s, it’s a quick, it’s a quick read. So it’s really about these pinpoints. If you’re a person who says, oh, you know, I don’t wanna read the book, but I wanna get, you could even go flip through the pages and get to the highlight points so that you can have a takeaway from that.
And you’re gonna find a number of takeaways if you’re an HR professional, if you’re trying to help with hiring practices. If you’re a leader trying to figure out if you’re a sole proprietor entrepreneur and you’re just trying to figure out what do I do next? And how, even understanding how to frame up a strategic plan, it’s in this book.
And then there’s also this opportunity for, if you wanna do it online, there’s a QR code, you can join the online community. But really, I would have to say, and we’re gonna do an audio book, so for those listening, like I. Coming, it’s coming in the next month and then half. But I, would just want them to know that, you know, again, coming back to using your own intelligences to lead, it’s really about you can be a leader, work at it.
Work at it. And if, and if you’re a leader and say, I don’t really need anything really more, I don’t, I think you’re missing the mark. You’re, you’ve got to be constantly evolving. You’ve got to know, I’ve gotta work on myself. I’ve got a doctorate, but I’m still going back for certifications.
I still get that. I wanna be the top of my game. And so you can too. And that’s what I stress in this book. It’s just, you need to stay vigilant on it. You have to stay diligent. So that would be a big takeaway. And this book helps with much of that. Hmm. Well, Shanda, I mean, this is great. I gotta ask you.
this is a mean question. I’m gonna say it up front and it’s one that I ask all my podcasters and I like to tee it up very mean, just like I’m doing right now. If you had to, and the reason for this question is I just want the audience to get a, you know, a feel for the content. If you had to choose your favorite episode on your podcast like choosing between children what would that one be?
And tell us a little bit about it. I know that’s so mean to ask any. Oh, if you’re a podcaster listening, you know that’s mean. What I just did. If you’re not a podcaster, you don’t know what I just did. It’s okay. Oh, and I left you with that feeling. You weren’t expecting that kind of emotion on this episode, were you?
Oh, I thought this guy was nice. Oh, not nice. Not nice. That wasn’t nice. I, yeah, I have, two children of episodes that I really love. Which one would you listen? I say two. Yes, you can, you can go, go, go, of course. Okay, so one is on care about putting care. The, and where you work. And I wanna really emphasize that care matters.
Justice in the workplace matters, but I also think the one where I interview a billionaire, his name is Pete Cadence, and he is a funder for Hope Chicago and Hope Toledo. And he’s big out there and he talks about both the positives and the challenges too. Being successful and reaching the pinnacle of where you are in your career and how you have to be mindful, still have that personal element in there.
And I’d say that one too is one of my, probably one of my top favorites. Mm-hmm. Love it. She, if somebody thank you for that and I’m, I’m happy that you came on the show today and that I got to meet you and learn more about your book, and I’m glad to bring it to my audience. If somebody wants to follow up, learn more.
You know what you can reach out at. Mm-hmm. Www.shandagore.com you can actually go there and they’ll see podcasts and you’ll see not only the podcast link, but you’ll also see the blog. You’ll see all information about how to reach and follow me on LinkedIn. I love when you reach out to me on LinkedIn.
Mm-hmm. Because we can connect. And and then I, I love to follow, like I’m following your show, so it’s really a lot of information out there. We give free information out every week on like pointers. And so if you just follow and of course you could always go right to amazon.com and get my book and I’d love to hear from you.
Amazing. And for everybody listening, just so you know, we’ll definitely put the links in the show notes. You can just click on ’em and head right on over. And speaking of the audience, if this is your first time with Mission Matters and you haven’t done it yet don’t forget, hit that subscribe or follow button.
This is the Daily Show. Each and every day we’re bringing you new content, new ideas, and hopefully new inspiration to help you along the way in your journey as well. So again, hit that subscribe or follow button. And Shanda, thanks again for coming on the show. Thank you Adam so much. Thank you everyone.