A Lifetime of Leadership with President Joe Biden | A Bit of Optimism Podcast

Leadership is deeply personal. As people change, the way they lead has to change, too.

Few leaders have navigated as much change as President Joe Biden. He was elected to the Senate at 29 and will end his time as President at 82. The number of things he has witnessed and been a part of over the course of his career is remarkable. His journey has been shaped by unlikely friendships and profound personal loss.

I had the honor to sit down with President Biden at the White House to reflect on how his experiences have influenced his approach to both life and leadership.

I chose to stay clear of politics and instead focused on the lessons that are applicable to all Americans…and indeed all people. I hope you find it insightful and inspiring.

This…is A Bit of Optimism.

⏰ Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:44 Advice for young leaders
4:21 How to stay humble as POTUS
10:46 The decline of trust in government
16:00 Political division in America
18:30 Growing as a leader in the Senate
20:01 What happens with world leaders behind closed doors?
23:16 Have Americans lost their idealism?
27:26 Biden's proudest achievement
31:50 Protecting those who protect others

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Simon is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together.

Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do.

Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and The Infinite Game.

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Simon’s books:

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#SimonSinek

[IAmPreachTV]

Who else is here after watching Dave Ramsey? 😄

[tigerguppy]

This was one of the least political interviews with a politician I've seen in a VERY long time. Thank you both!!!

[danielkeegan]

Republican here but I enjoyed the interview. Good to see Joe actually articulate in an interview.

[kendrickandcole]

As a republican, I have always thought Joe Biden was a good politician in terms of success in office, and a good person overall. Although my political ideologies don’t exactly fit his, it’s great to see an interview like this and the “human side” of politicians I believe we do not always see.

[CPGlaze]

Only 74k have seen this? What a shame. This podcast is awesome. Joe and Simon both due a great job of articulating the problems with our country as a whole. Every American needs to see this interview.

[TaraAPhelps]

Thank you Simon and Mr. President. This is a unique exchange and introspection of the journey of our President and of the values that we need to embrace as Americans. It’s a reminder that we are all very human in this journey. ❤🇺🇸

[Liberty]

I rarely read the comments because it tends to be so negative. I was impressed with how many people who clearly land on a different side politically were able to honor someone whom they might disagree with. I really enjoy the positive spirit here. I think it's important that we hold on to that...and this helps push that positive spirit. I came here after watching a Dave Ramsey podcast.

[josephsnearline]

I had the chance to talk one on one with Joe Biden when I was a Senate intern. I was working for a Republican and I met him at a hearing I staffed. He told me that my boss was a good man. I told him how impressed I was watching him question the witnesses (I was seated a few feet from him). He told me it had to be the nicest thing anyone had ever said to him there. I don’t agree with him on everything, but I’m proud of him. He’s a good man.

[joshjwhite]

this was an absolute masterclass in how to interview a guest for a podcast. Damn good job, Simon!

[loumartinez]

I'm not a Biden fan, but I hope this interview goes viral! Superbly done!

[MartinaZP]

I would really enjoy an interview with Simon and Donald Trump. He is a very special person and it would be so interesting to have Simon ask him deep, meaningful questions and see the answers.

[TheGreenMountain.]

Thank you for showing the humanity and civility of old politics. Where is the chivalry in tomorrow’s politics…

[karlenedavies]

I thoroughly enjoyed that interview with president Biden.😌
He's a good human being😇
God bless him 🙏🏻

[ericamyles]

This is refreshing 😌 I’m getting burnt out with this polarizing election season..Nice to see Joe Biden in this light…

[volocom]

Listening to this was an absolute treat. I wish the whole country could watch it

[sandeslidia]

Thanks Simon for that. I believe the most important thing raised in the interview is actually about the fact that we are losing some fundamental principles as our capacity to agree or disagree about something and still being willing to discuss and debate. Most importantly, put the nation first than our egos, or party’s interests. Fact is that it’s not something that is happening exclusively in America, It’s happening everywhere. We are living like competitors and not collaborators for making the best as we can for ourselves, our communities, countries or Planet… I miss have a conversation about politics and not being mad or offended and highlighting the good ideas that the other spectrum has even when I am do not agree with their politics.

[leebeaven]

I love that you spoke with President Biden. I didn’t see that coming. Having been in the profession of leadership development, this was brilliant in the most subtle ways. Loved it.

[christiansanchez]

This should have many, many more views than it currently does.

[benbrummitt]

I can't claim to be a fan of Biden, but I look forward to hearing what he has to say, conversations can't advance if we refuse to listen to one another.

[Amyj]

I love the way President Biden talks about his parents. That was a wonderful generation - a generation that largely valued integrity, sacrifice, family, hard work, honesty, respect for others and love for God.