How do you create meaningful change when the people at the table don't always agree on how to get there? Randall “Randy” Rutta, CEO of the National Health Council, has spent decades answering that question. From contributing to the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act to bringing together nearly 200 organizations around a collective patient voice, Randy has built his career around finding common ground and turning influence into impact. In this episode of Chief Influencer®, Randy joins host Anthony Shop to discuss why influence begins with listening, how leaders can build consensus, and why relationships must be built long before you need them. They explore the idea of “diplomatic disruption,” the ability to challenge systems while maintaining trust and collaboration, and why expertise, honesty, human stories, and lasting relationships remain essential to creating meaningful change. Takeaways:Listen before you try to influence. Understanding the experiences and perspectives of the people most affected by an issue is the starting point for finding meaningful common ground.Build relationships before you need them. Influence isn't transactional or tied to one specific ask. The strongest relationships are built consistently over time.Consensus makes influence more powerful. Bringing different voices together around a shared goal gives decision-makers greater confidence that a solution has meaningful support.Pair expertise with lived experience. Data and credentials matter, but stories help people see the faces behind the facts and understand why an issue matters.Know when to be diplomatic and when to disrupt. Leaders can challenge systems without treating every disagreement as a confrontation. Change often begins with good-faith conversation and collaboration.Be honest about what you don't know. Credibility comes from sharing your expertise while being equally transparent about its limits.Keep people at the center of innovation. Whether you're developing policy, technology, or a new organizational strategy, involving the people affected by your decisions can lead to stronger outcomes.Turn influence into impact. Engagement for the sake of engagement isn't enough. Effective influence should ultimately move people toward a meaningful goal. Quote of the Show:“Influence is a 365-day-a-year sort of thing. It can't be transactional.” Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randall-rutta-1622952/ Website: https://nationalhealthcouncil.org/  Shout Outs:PCORI: https://www.pcori.org/ EastersealsAmerican Autoimmune Related Diseases AssociationAmericans with Disabilities ActCoalition for Health AIDigital Medicine SocietyConsumer Technology AssociationPatient Experience and Innovation Center

In this episode of Chief Influencer, Anthony Shop sits down with JoAnne "Jo" Bass, the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and the first woman to serve as the highest-ranking enlisted leader of any U.S. military service. Over 31 years in uniform, Chief Bass advised the Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Air Force on the readiness, resilience, and well-being of more than 600,000 airmen and their families, and she brings that experience directly to bear on how leaders build trust, communicate under pressure, and create cultures where people speak up. The conversation ranges from the debrief rituals Chief Bass used after every mission to gather honest feedback to her now-famous observation that leaders must not confuse the chain of command with the chain of communication in an era when information moves faster than any official channel can control it. She also speaks candidly about carrying the weight of being "the first" without letting it become the whole story, and about why showing up as a real, human leader online, not just an institutional voice, builds the kind of trust that makes harder messages land. Whether you're leading a military unit, a company, or a cause, this episode is a masterclass in earning trust before you need it. Takeaways:Build Trust Before the Crisis: Trust isn't built on speeches or big platforms — it's built in the small, everyday interactions, decisions, and relationships that form a leader's reputation long before any crisis hits.Don't Confuse the Chain of Command with the Chain of Communication: Hierarchy still matters, but information now moves instantly and horizontally. Leaders who rely solely on top-down messaging get outpaced by the narrative.Speed Beats Perfection in a Crisis: In today's information environment, whoever shares their version of events first tends to shape the narrative — regardless of accuracy. Waiting to "see if it blows over" can cost leaders the chance to shape the story at all.Institutionalize the Debrief: After every mission, Chief Bass and her team gathered to ask what went well and what could improve — creating a standing structure for honest, upward feedback regardless of rank.Let People See You're Human: Chief Bass learned that leaders who show personality and authenticity — not just polished institutional messaging — earn the kind of trust that makes people willing to engage with harder, more important content.Let the "First" Be a Byproduct, Not the Goal: Chief Bass didn't set out to be the first woman in her role; she focused on doing the job well and building strong teams, and let recognition follow rather than define her.Recruit for Mission Clarity: Veterans bring a rare ability to define a mission, communicate it clearly, and execute with limited resources — a skill Chief Bass believes is underused in corporate and academic leadership development. Quote of the Show:"Trust is built in the little things. It's not built on the speeches. It's not built on the big platforms." Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-bass/  Shout Outs:Face the Fight: wefacethefight.org Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence, U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsSimon Sinek

Robert Irvine has spent decades leading under pressure, transforming organizations, and championing causes larger than himself. But as he explains in this episode of Chief Influencer, influence isn't about being the loudest voice in the room—it's about earning trust, building relationships, and bringing people together around a shared mission. In conversation with Anthony Shop, Robert reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped him, from an early experience in the Royal Navy that forever changed his view of teamwork to the role empathy played in transforming his approach on Restaurant Impossible. Together, they explore what it takes to lead meaningful change, build credibility over time, and use influence in service of something greater than yourself. Takeaways:Trust is earned through consistency: Influence isn't built by having the loudest voice. Robert explains that trust develops when people consistently see you follow through, stay committed, and deliver on your promises over time.Great leaders never stop listening: One of Robert's biggest leadership breakthroughs came when he realized he wasn't listening enough. Understanding people's motivations and challenges ultimately made him a far more effective leader than simply telling them what needed to change.Persistence creates momentum: Systemic change rarely happens overnight. Robert shares how decades of persistence—and refusing to abandon a mission he believed in—eventually created the momentum needed to transform military food systems.Relationships are the foundation of influence: Whether changing public policy or leading a business, Robert believes influence begins long before you ask for support. Building genuine relationships creates the trust necessary to move important ideas forward.Leadership is about elevating others: Early in his career, Robert believed success meant personal excellence. A lesson from his Royal Navy training taught him that real leadership means helping everyone around you succeed—not just yourself.Vulnerability strengthens leadership: Some of Robert's most meaningful leadership moments came when he allowed himself to be human. Empathy and vulnerability have become essential parts of how he connects with people and builds trust. Quote of the Show:"Leadership isn't about you. It's about taking people with you on that journey." Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefirvine/ Website: https://linktr.ee/robertirvinefoundation 

Christian Tom has built his career at the intersection of government, technology, media, and digital strategy. After leading digital strategy at the White House, Now This, and Twitter, he is now helping shape the future of creator-led media. In this episode, Christian shares why influence has shifted from institutions to individuals, what brands often get wrong when working with creators, and why leaders need to become more comfortable trying new things as media continues to evolve. He also reflects on lessons from communicating during moments of national crisis, explains why platforms like YouTube and Reddit are changing how people consume information, and makes the case that while technology will continue to change, trust will always be at the center of influence. Takeaways:Creators have become one of the most trusted sources of information: People are increasingly turning to creators and personality-driven content instead of traditional institutions. Leaders need to understand where audiences are already spending their time and attention.The best creator partnerships are built on trust: Brands get better results when they allow creators to communicate in their own authentic voice instead of scripting every message. Audiences can quickly tell when content feels forced.Leaders need to be willing to experiment: Trying new platforms, formats, and communication styles is essential for staying relevant. Not every idea will succeed, but innovation requires a willingness to test and learn.Meet audiences where they are: Effective communication isn't about being everywhere. It's about showing up on the platforms your audience already uses and delivering information in a way that feels natural.Relationships create lasting influence: Christian shares that small acts of professionalism and respect can open unexpected doors years later. Influence is often built long before you realize it.Trust will always outlast technology: Platforms and algorithms will continue to evolve, but trust remains the foundation of meaningful influence. The leaders who build genuine relationships will always have an advantage. Quote of the Show: “The cultural, electoral, and monetary value —for digital media today and for the foreseeable future— will be led by creators." Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cltom/ AND Media Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/another-normal-day/  Shout Outs:Landon Morgado: https://www.linkedin.com/in/landon-morgado-92a4491b/ Aisha Shah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aisha-shah-99362089/ John Della Volpe: https://iop.harvard.edu/about/staff/john-della-volpe Kareem Rahma: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kareem/?hl=en Subway Takes: https://www.youtube.com/@SubwayTakes Keep The Meter Running: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk0wGsyxJWebbz1JwkbZDipr8S2eh3qvN Higher Ground Productions: https://www.youtube.com/@highergroundproductions Hunter Prosper: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/ Stories from a Stranger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFkVrdA6zxM&list=PLMar0AT704Q7wE9lSrMXDQmFx8kd_E27A Matt Buechele: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/That Sounds Like A Lot Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@thatsoundslikealot Vox Media: https://www.voxmedia.com/ Derek Thompson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-thompson-b2253549/ Everything is Television Article: https://www.derekthompson.org/p/why-everything-became-television  Megan Coyne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-e-coyne/ The Moment LIVE: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMoment_LIVE Meredith Lynch: https://www.instagram.com/meredithmlynch/Rebecca Sananes: https://www.instagram.com/rebzsays/

What creates influence in a world overflowing with information? In this episode of Chief Influencer®, Anthony Shop sits down with Josh Resnik to discuss how leaders can build trust, navigate complexity, and make better decisions in an increasingly volatile political and regulatory environment. Josh spent nearly a decade at FiscalNote in multiple executive roles, including General Counsel, COO, and ultimately CEO and President, before stepping down in June 2026.  Drawing on a career that spans law, media, technology, business development, and executive leadership, Josh shares lessons on communication, stakeholder management, and why influence is often the result of listening rather than persuading. The conversation explores the future of public affairs, the growing role of AI in decision-making, and why trusted information has become a competitive advantage. Josh also explains why the most effective leaders focus on solving problems, helping others succeed, and building credibility over time. Whether you're leading a company, shaping policy, or managing change, this episode offers valuable insights on trust, technology, and influence in today's rapidly evolving world. Takeaways:Influence is built on trust, and trust starts with listening. The strongest leaders spend more time understanding others' perspectives than trying to persuade them.Effective communication requires consistency and audience awareness. While the core message should remain the same, leaders must tailor how they communicate based on the needs and priorities of different stakeholders.Public affairs leaders create the most value when they connect policy developments directly to business outcomes. Understanding how external issues impact organizational goals helps elevate public affairs from a support function to a strategic driver.AI can dramatically improve productivity and decision-making, but it cannot replace human judgment. Leaders must combine technology with experience, context, and critical thinking.Trusted information is becoming more valuable as content becomes easier to create. Organizations that can provide authoritative, reliable insights will have a significant advantage in an AI-driven world.Influence often grows as a byproduct of helping others solve problems. Leaders who focus on supporting colleagues, building relationships, and creating value naturally expand their impact over time.The future belongs to organizations that can combine technology, data, and human expertise. Success will come from using AI to enhance decision-making while preserving the relationships and judgment that drive meaningful outcomes. Quote of the Show:"Make it your mission to solve interesting problems and help other people. The influence will just be a byproduct of those behaviors, of the listening, the building trust, and really with those things as the foundation." Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshresnik/ Website: https://fiscalnote.com/