In this episode of Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders, Mike Lejeune sits down with Christian "Boo" Boucousis, former fighter pilot and CEO of Afterburner, to explore flawless leadership, high-performance teams and how leaders can close the execution gap.

Boo explains why effective leadership is not about perfect plans or controlling every outcome. It is about staying clear on the mission, focusing on what you can control and adapting as reality changes.

Mike and Boo discuss the difference between linear and iterative thinking, why leaders get trapped by busyness and information overload and how clarity becomes even more important in fast-moving environments.

A major part of the conversation focuses on debriefing as a leadership development tool. Boo explains why a good debrief is not about blame. It is about understanding what happened, identifying the cause of the gap and deciding what to do differently next time.

They also explore emotional intelligence, self-awareness, bias and the growing impact of AI on leadership and decision-making. As leaders gain access to more information and technology, Boo argues that unclear objectives and weak thinking will become easier to expose.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why clarity is one of a leader's most important responsibilities
• What flawless leadership means when perfection is impossible
• How fighter pilots use iterative thinking
• Why teams need to "own the gaps"
• How debriefing builds accountability without defensiveness
• Why busyness can become a leadership trap
• How emotional intelligence and bias affect decision-making
• Why leaders need to build capability instead of control everything
• How AI may reshape leadership and execution

If you lead a team, manage change or are responsible for turning strategy into results, this conversation offers practical ideas for improving clarity, accountability and execution.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Significance of Names
01:12 Diversity and Influence of Houston
02:36 Podcast Production and Book Writing
03:40 Leadership and Mission
06:04 The Story Behind Boo's Call Sign
11:08 Flawless Leadership and Iterative Thinking
14:25 Leadership Challenges and Cognitive Bandwidth
16:15 Clarity and Owning the Gaps
18:31 Fighter Pilot Perspective and AI
22:25 AI, Leadership and Decision-Making
24:20 Emotional Intelligence and Leadership
26:07 Humanity and Bias
28:17 Leadership and Human Behavior
31:17 Debriefing and Growth Mindset
33:25 Building Leadership Capability
35:18 How Debriefing Works
41:02 Facilitating Better Debriefs
44:26 Debriefing Without Blame
53:18 Balancing Future, Present and Past
56:20 Flawless Leadership

Connect with Christian "Boo" Boucousis:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-boo-boucousis/
https://afterburner.com/

Learn more about Mike Lejeune and Lighting the Path:
https://lightingthepath.net/

Andrew explains the Four Faces of Frustration, a behavioral model based on DiSC that helps leaders recognize how different people respond to pressure. The conversation explores emotional intelligence, leadership communication, supportive leadership without coddling, giving effective feedback and the shift from doing the work yourself to coaching others to think and perform.

Mike and Andrew also discuss why leaders can become the "lid" on organizational growth, how to break through the "ceiling of complexity" and why leaders need to eliminate, simplify, delegate and automate when they feel stretched too thin.

They close with practical perspectives on leading younger generations and using AI as a thought partner without allowing it to do your thinking for you.

If you want to become a more self-aware leader, communicate more effectively and create an environment where people can grow and perform, listen to or watch the full conversation.

Connect with Andrew Oxley:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-oxley-tog/

Learn more about The Oxley Group:
https://transformingresults.com/

Guest Introduction

Curtis Sprouse is the CEO and president of Eureka Connect. With a background in finance, accounting and organizational leadership, Curtis has spent years working with behavioral science and behavioral data to help leaders better understand why people act and react the way they do. His work focuses on leadership development, communication, self-awareness and improving team performance.

What You'll Learn About Leadership, Engagement and Team Performance

If you're trying to improve employee engagement, strengthen workplace culture or build a high-performing team without becoming the leader who has to solve every problem, this conversation is for you.

Curtis and Mike discuss why great leaders teach people to think instead of telling them what to think, how self-awareness affects communication and why a team can deliver strong results without actually being a healthy team.

You'll also hear how behavioral data can support leadership development, why trust and relationships influence team performance and what leaders can do to create stronger employee engagement.

If you lead people, develop leaders or want to build a healthier workplace culture, you'll leave with practical ideas you can apply to your team.

Dan Staggs is the founding partner of iMatch, a premier executive search and recruiting firm serving the technology and financial sectors.

He is also the founder of Stags Performance, where he focuses on mindset, wellness, performance optimization, and helping others create sustainable systems for health, discipline, and high performance.

Dan’s personal journey through major health challenges reshaped his perspective on leadership, energy, resilience, and the connection between physical wellness and mental performance.

His passion today is helping others unlock greater clarity, focus, discipline, and purpose in both business and life.

Takeaways

• Mindset is the foundation that drives everything in life.
• Effort and belief in oneself are key to achieving success.
• Alignment, energy, and intuition play a significant role in shaping outcomes. Overcoming fear and taking risks
• The power of mindset and gratitude

Chapters

• 00:00 The Power of Mindset
• 21:34 Navigating Business Challenges with Mindset
• 36:51 Overcoming Fear and Taking Risks
• 42:39 The Importance of Physical Training for Mental Edge
• 50:12 The Power of Mindset and Gratitude
  

Connect with Dan on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danstaggs/

Learn more about iMatch:

https://www.imatch.com/

Takeaways

• Change is an experience that people go through, and understanding the cycles of change can help reduce feelings of isolation and resistance.
• Psychological safety is crucial in creating an environment where individuals feel safe to think and speak differently, fostering engagement and productivity during change.
• Effective change management requires a marriage of process and behaviors, with a focus on understanding the impact of change on individuals and the organization.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Dynamics of Change
• 07:40 Change Leadership and People Management
• 19:40 Unique Challenges in Offshore Work Environments
• 30:53 Psychological Safety and Engagement
• 38:15 Measuring the Impact of Change

Connect with Naomi on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomijhardy/

Learn more about Dunamis:
https://dunamischange.com/

In this episode, Mike talks with Sarah Englade, Founder and CEO of Monarch Talent Solutions, about launching and growing a recruiting firm in 2020—when companies were laying people off, not hiring. Sarah shares how a COVID layoff pushed her to bet on herself, why KPIs and processes are non-negotiable, and how she built a relationship-first recruiting brand in a noisy, skeptical market.

They dig into the mindset shifts that separate entrepreneurs who keep going from those who quietly quit, the role of belief when the numbers aren't there yet, and how time blocking keeps you out of "tension-relieving" activity and focused on what truly moves the ball.

If you're leading a business, a team, or your own career through uncertainty, this conversation gives you practical handles—not theories—you can put to work this week.

Highlights

• How a COVID layoff became the catalyst for Sarah to launch Monarch Talent Solutions

• The difference between working in KPI-driven environments vs. "no metrics, total chaos"

• Why Sarah "lives for KPIs and processes" and how they actually protect culture and standards

• The candidate and client follow-through processes that turn transactions into long-term relationships

• Building a credible brand without "infomercial" content or constant self-promotion

• Using market intel and real conversations to position yourself as a trusted guide

• The biggest early hurdle: mindset, not circumstance

• How time blocking keeps you out of the swirl and focused on goal-achieving work

• Starting each day with the task you least want to do — and why that moves the needle most

Next Steps for Listeners

• Audit your KPIs:
  Ask yourself, "What are the 3–5 activities that actually drive results for my team or business?" Turn those into visible, trackable KPIs.

• Design one follow-through process:
  Choose either candidates, clients, or customers and map a simple sequence:
  How often will you touch them? Through which channels? What value will you bring each time?

• Time block your week:
  Take Sarah's playbook and dedicate specific days or blocks to different priorities (e.g., candidates early in the week, business development later).

• Start tomorrow with the hard thing:
  Before you end your day, write down the one task you're resisting — and commit to tackling it first thing.

• Connect with Sarah:
  Reach out to Sarah Englade on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-englade/) or email her at sarah@monarchtalentsolutions.com if you want to go deeper on recruiting, branding, or building a relationship-first search firm.

• Stay in the conversation:
  Follow Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders and share this episode with another entrepreneur or leader who's navigating uncertainty right now

The discussion shifts to the art of asking great questions. Stephen explains that sometimes posing the right question can lead your team to find the answer themselves, which empowers everyone. They also talk about getting your whole team involved in problem-solving, instead of the leader tackling every challenge alone. Throughout the conversation, Stephen highlights the often underestimated impact of appreciation. He reveals how something as simple as a heartfelt "thank you" can energize your team and motivate people to go the extra mile. It's a down-to-earth, insight-packed conversation that leaves you with practical ideas you can start using with your own team right away.

Highlights

• The surprising way humility makes a team perform better
• How a leader's genuine curiosity can spark creativity in their team
• What "listening like a leader" really means in practice
• Why asking questions often works better than giving your team answers
• Engaging your team in problem-solving instead of tackling every issue alone
• A fresh take on showing appreciation – how a sincere thank-you boosts morale

Key Takeaways

• Embrace humility: Admit you don't have all the answers and ask your team for input.
• Stay curious: Keep asking "why?" and learning from your team members every day.
• Listen actively: Give your full attention, and ask follow-up questions to truly understand your people.
• Ask rather than tell: Guide your team with thoughtful questions instead of just issuing orders.
• Solve problems together: Involve your team in brainstorming solutions to build buy-in and confidence.
• Show genuine appreciation: Let people know you value their work – small thank-yous go a long way.

Connect with Steven on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevengaffneycompany/

He and Mike discuss how leaders can create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing concerns and real feedback—without fear. Stephen explains that when people feel emotionally safe, they're more likely to speak up about problems and contribute ideas, which ultimately drives better results. In fact, he shares a story of a struggling team that turned their performance around once they made open, honest conversations a daily habit.

Another key theme of this episode is the importance of focusing on outcomes instead of just effort. Stephen challenges leaders to rethink how they define success: it's not about how hard people try, but what they actually accomplish. He offers practical tips for shifting a team's mindset toward results, like setting clear goals and rewarding achievements. Throughout the conversation, you'll hear real-world examples and simple strategies that any leader can use to boost trust, encourage open dialogue, and keep their team focused on what really matters.

Highlights

• Why people don't tell the truth at work: Stephen shares the top reason and how to fix it
• A team transformed: How a struggling team turned around once honest feedback became the norm
• Results vs. effort: The culture shift that happens when you reward outcomes instead of hours worked
• Inviting tough feedback: Stephen's tips for making it safe for your team to speak up (even with bad news)
• No more "shooting the messenger": What to do as a leader when you hear uncomfortable truths
• Consistency in performance: Why high-achieving teams focus on repeated wins, not one-off successes

Key Takeaways

• Create psychological safety for honesty. Teams perform best when people feel safe to speak up with the truth.
• Measure success by results, not effort. Emphasize outcomes achieved instead of hours spent or "trying hard."
• Invite candid feedback often. Regularly ask your team for honest input and listen without getting defensive.
• Lead by example. Admit your own mistakes and share your honest thoughts respectfully – it sets the tone for everyone else.
• Make accountability a team effort. Encourage team members to hold each other responsible for results, not just rely on the boss.
• Focus on solutions, not blame. When things go wrong, discuss how to improve and reach the goal next time rather than pointing fingers.

Connect with Steven Gaffney on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevengaffneycompany/

Your Free Leadership Gravitational Pull Assessment:
https://stevengaffney.com/leadership-gravitational-pull/

Show Notes:

00:42 Introduction to Jim Huling 
2:50 The Influence of Leadership on Success 
03:45 Current Leadership Challenges  
05:45 Shift from Authority to Engagement  
09: 40 Creating a Sense of Value and Purpose  
11:50 Effective Listening and Communication 
20:44  Personal Growth and Legacy  

Connect with Jim:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimhuling/

#Leadership #LeadershipTips #ProfessionalGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #EffectiveCommunication #LeadershipSkills #TeamLeadership #CareerAdvice #LeadershipChallenges #GrowthMindset

Join us as we delve into the topic of Building a Legacy of Engagement with Michael.

Show notes: 

1:55 Michael's journey
3:45 Legacy: A Tale of Courage
6:44 Overcoming Fear
9:00 Cultivating Growth in Teams
13:13 Wrestling with "Noble Choices"
14:35 Practical Choices for Productivity

Join us as we delve into the topic of Building a Legacy of Engagement with Michael.

Show notes: 

1:50 Distinguishing Between Transactional and Non-Transactional Candidates
4:34 Grasping Important Principles Early
7:55 Going Beyond the Finish Line
11:40  Leading Past Self
15:00 Encouraging Growth Outside the Comfort Zone

Introduction: What is culture, really? In this conversation, Matt Marcotte—who's led teams at Apple, Salesforce, and Bergdorf Goodman—helps us move past the buzzwords. We talk about why belief is the difference between teams that comply and teams that commit, why uncertainty makes this more critical than ever, and how leaders can stop trying to be the hero and start creating environments where people bring their best.

Summary: Matt introduces his new book Built on Belief and explains why he pivoted from frameworks to focus on the real competitive advantage: belief. We explore how belief transforms into commitment versus compliance, why leaders feel pressure to have all the answers (and why that's wrong), and the importance of clarity around what your organization actually believes. Matt shares the "heart, head, hands" framework and explains why people feel first, think second, then act—and how leaders need to work with that reality, not against it.

Key Highlights:

• Culture comes down to two things: how people act and what they believe
• Belief is the "magic elixir" for fighting uncertainty in today's business environment
• The myth of the hero leader: your success is predicated on your people's success, not on having all the answers
• The "heart, head, hands" framework: humans are wired to feel first, then make sense of it intellectually, then act

Key Takeaways:

• Start by defining what you believe. Most organizations focus on the "how" and "what" but skip the foundational "why."
• Commitment is born from conflict. People need agency, voice, and the ability to challenge ideas to truly buy in.
• Redefine what control means. Great leaders are conductors orchestrating the whole, not soloists playing every instrument.
• Lead with emotion, not intellect. "I have a dream" beats "I have a plan" every time when building commitment.
• Put people in choice. Be clear about your mission so people can authentically opt in—or out.

Next Steps for Listeners:

• Ask yourself: When's the last time I thought about what my organization actually believes?
• Identify one person on your team and practice looking at a challenge through their eyes.
• Think about your last big initiative—did you lead with vision (emotion) or plan (intellect)? How did people respond?

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn.

Show notes:

2:00 Finding the upside of the down times
5:50 Managing stress during and post the pandemic
7:17 Your personality and how you behave in certain circumstances
10:00 Turning your worst experiences into best opportunities
14:25 Leading under pressure 
19:00 Listening with humility 
22:20 Understanding your stress response

Learn more about Dr Rob Pennington:

E: robpennington@mac.com
W: drrobpennington.com 

Show notes:

0:59 How Mohammad's people-first approach strategy turned things around for Softway

06:40 How people's behaviors and mindsets affect the culture

11:45 Building a culture of love and accountability

15:30 What Culture+ is about

20:00 Self-awareness and being perceived the way you want to be

Questions? Feel free to connect with Mohammad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manwarsoftway/ loveasabusinessstrategy.com

#motivation #success #business #businessdevelopment #podcast #leadership #leaders #leadershipdevelopment #careercoaching #businessstrategy

Key Topics Covered:

Understanding the 'experience economy' and its impact on Gen Z's values
Alejo's career journey from UT Austin to working with a tech startup
The role of leadership in connecting with younger generations
The importance of effective communication and emotional intelligence
The challenges and opportunities in the tech startup world
How AI is transforming customer experiences in hospitality

Show Notes:

[00:06:00] - The Shift in Values
[00:11:00] - Leadership Through the Lens of Gen Z
[00:15:45] - The Role of Technology in Building Connections
[00:20:30] - Navigating the Startup World
[00:25:10] - The Experience Economy Explained
[00:30:00] - Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
[00:35:00] - Looking Ahead: The Future of Work and Leadership

Connect with Alejo:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejoorvananos/

#Podcast #Leadership #GenZ #TechInnovation #ExperienceEconomy

Learn about Mike's story and how he turned a hobby into a business, the steps he took and the lessons he learnt along the way while he grew his startup into a multi-billion-dollar behemoth that changed the way we eat.

Show notes:

1:25 GrubHub's journey

3:50 The biggest wall/learning opportunity Mike ran into

4:50 Going from inaction to action

8:07 Trust and building a relationship with customers

9:50 Three steps to a sale

11:45 An ah-ha! moment

Connect with Mike Evans:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authormikeevans/
Website: https://mikeevans.com/

----

For more Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders visit: http://lightingthepath.net/blog/

Topics Covered:

• The challenge of standing out in today's digital world
• The Purple Cow and Blue Ocean Strategy approaches to differentiation
• Why the most competitive industries demand a unique customer experience
• The importance of consistency in building brand awareness and customer loyalty
• How relationships drive referrals and business growth
• Why asking better questions leads to better business opportunities
• How small business owners can compete against corporate giants
• The role of connection agents in today's marketplace

Resources Mentioned:

• Referrals Done Right – Scott Grates' book on mastering referral-based growth
• Purple Cow by Seth Godin – Standing out in a crowded marketplace
• Blue Ocean Strategy – Creating uncontested market space

Want to connect with Scott? Visit scottgrates.com or find him on LinkedIn (but no spam, please!).

Show notes:

2:15 How Fred got into real estate

5:12 Casting a vision and the tools and resources that help Fred's leadership team during difficult times

12:15 Building alignment and allowing people to grow

18:34 Keeping people focus on the overall objectives

22:39 What to guard for that might interfere with executing with excellence

30:20 A bigger purpose in life

35:00 Handling unpredictable and unforeseen circumstances

Summary:
Jevon shares his experiences working across cultures—from tech teams to Saudi Arabia—and unpacks how feedback, clarity, and empathy shape performance. Mike challenges outdated leadership norms and explores what it really takes to lead across differences today.

Highlights:

• Why soft skills are the hardest skills
• The real reason talented people fail as new managers
• What cultural agility looks like in global and local teams
• Why psychological safety drives retention and innovation
• The problem with email layoffs and feedback sandwiches

Click here to connect with Jevon Wooden on LinkedIn.

Topics Covered:

• The rise of loneliness and its impact on modern business relationships
• Why influencers like Mr. Beast and Joe Rogan have millions of followers—people crave connection
• The importance of being seen and valued in today's world
• How to ask better questions to drive more meaningful business relationships
• Why solving real problems is the key to success (Jeff Bezos' Amazon example)
• How to earn the right to ask for business instead of spamming people
• The contrarian approach to networking: focus on fewer, deeper relationships
• How to leverage social media to create value, not just noise
• Podcasting & content creation as a referral tool – How Scott uses his Love Living Local 315 podcast to grow relationships and business
• Why referrals aren't just about asking—they're about consistently providing value to connectors

Want to connect with Scott? Visit scottgrates.com or find him on LinkedIn. Just don't spam his inbox! :)

Show notes:

01:50 Continuous Learning and Development

09:00 Resilience and Leaning Forward with Learning

14:00 Challenges and Opportunities in the Staffing Industry

19:40 Advocating for Diversity and Inclusion

22:20 The Importance of Mentorship and Sponsorship

Connect with Robin:
linkedin.com/in/robinmee/

Visit Mee Derby's website:
meederby.com

#Podcast #StaffingIndustry #Leadership #ContinuousLearning #Resilience #DiversityAndInclusion #WomenInLeadership #Mentorship #CareerDevelopment #RemoteWork #Inspiration

Drawing from his military and business experience, Graham shares insights on how leaders can elevate both themselves and those they lead, emphasizing the critical roles of empathy, authenticity, and adaptability in guiding through challenges.

Show notes:

02:05 Graham on creating a high-performance environment and the motivational impact of small progress.

04:15 Looking ahead: What leaders need to cultivate in themselves and their teams to navigate the future.

12:15 Balancing results with relationships: The essential role of soft skills in long-term success.

17:00 Leading through connection: How empathy and emotional intelligence build trust and inspire teams.

20:15 The cost of disengagement and the impact of making every team member feel valued.

Connect with Graham:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadershipwizard/

#Leadership #HighPerformance #FutureOfWork #SoftSkills #Empathy #EmotionalIntelligence #TeamBuilding #EmployeeEngagement #LeadershipJourney #TrustBuilding #GrahamWilson #MikeLejeune #Podcast

#LeadershipStrategies #ProjectManagement #Resilience #EmotionalIntelligence #DiversityInLeadership #OvercomingObstacles #ChangeManagement #LeadershipSkills #WomenInEngineering #PodcastEpisode

Show notes:

0:55 The need to be heard

5:05 Creating an atmosphere of hope

9:00 The Cycle of Creativity: How to bring clarity and bleed the negative energy out

14:00 Taking a step back to break the autoresponse

19:30 Calm in the Storm Program

Learn more about Dr Rob Pennington:

E: robpennington@mac.com
W: drrobpennington.com

Drawing on his 25-year career in the Royal Air Force, and over 14 years spent partnering with businesses around the world, Peter's goal is to inspire others to Lead from the Jumpseat.

• What commitment looks like
• The importance of humble confidence
• Leading when we don't know the answer and empowering the collective genius
• Nurturing a sense of belonging - and why that matters
• Responsibility over accountability
• When the pressure is on: response over reaction

Summary:
We talk about scaling with engagement (head + heart), why great leaders set outcomes—not tasks—and how asking "why" repeatedly sharpens strategy. We explore echo chambers as an unintended consequence of product choices, and why pace without participation kills buy-in. Finally, we land on trust and psychological safety as the foundation for everything else. 

Highlights & Key Takeaways:

• Outcome > Orders: Point people to a North Star; let tactics live close to the work. 

• Draft-On Impact: Model second-order effects (e.g., polarization, FOMO) before launch. 

• Speed with Care: Going fast is useless if it blocks information flow and buy-in. 

• Trust = Safety: Engagement and commitment grow when people feel safe and seen. 

Next Steps:

• Ask your team: What's our North Star this quarter?

• Map two "draft-on impacts" for your top initiative and how you'll mitigate them.

• List one place speed is harming buy-in—and what you'll slow down to explain. 

Connect with Michael Cerda: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcerda/

Summary
Aneace discusses the "perfect storm" of midlife – a time when leaders often face burnout, identity shifts, and the need to redefine their value. He unpacks why clinging to old habits (like "telling" instead of empowering teams) limits growth and how embracing humility and uncertainty can reignite purpose.

Highlights

• Why midlife isn't about age – it's a crossroads of energy and reflection.

• How parenting teenagers mirrors the shift leaders need to make: from "manager" to coach.

• The neuroscience behind midlife: Slower prefrontal cortex ≠ decline. It's a gateway to wisdom.

• Why humility + iron will = unstoppable leadership (and why most leaders discover this later).

Key Takeaways

1. Stop "telling," start empowering. If your team feels like teenagers ignoring you, it's time to shift energy.

2. Your value isn't in having answers. It's in asking questions that unlock others' potential.

3. Midlife isn't a crisis – it's a rebirth. Burnout often signals a need to redefine purpose, not retire.

Next Steps

• Reflect: Where am I still "managing" instead of leading?

• Read Aneace's book The Eagle That Drank Hummingbird Nectar for a fictional take on midlife transformation.

• Tune into Part 2 for strategies to build teams that thrive in uncertainty.

In today's digitally-driven landscape, Harry recognizes the indispensable link between sales and marketing. He understands that in order to establish trust and credibility with buyers, salespeople must adeptly market themselves.

Discover the keys to sales success, avoid common pitfalls, and learn how to strike the perfect balance between assertiveness and respect. Tune in for insights that can transform your sales game! 

Show notes:

1:00 Building Trust with Prospective Clients

3:20 The Art of Selling with Dignity

7:00 Mastering the Skill of Intensive Listening

Connect with Harry:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/harryspaight/

Learn more about Harry here:
https://sellingwithdignity.com/ 

#businessdevelopment #sales #selling #marketing #leaders #leadership

Key topics covered: 
The Role of Purpose in Leadership 
Empathy as a Key Leadership Tool
The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership  
From Training to Development: Shifting the Focus
Micro-Credentialing: A Modern Solution 
Creating a Culture of Continuous Learning

Contact Information:
Connect with Dustin Norwood for more information about the ASA's ProStacks program or for leadership development insights: dnorwood@americanstaffing.net 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustindnorwood/

Visit the American Staffing Association website for additional resources on employee development and leadership training:
https://americanstaffing.net/asa-events/

Show Notes:

• Productive vs. destructive tension in leadership.
• The difference between kindness and niceness.
• The importance of clear and validated expectations.
• Transitioning from "to do" to "to think" mentalities.
• The power of asking open-ended questions.
• The importance of clarity in communication.
• Balancing empathy and authority in leadership.
• Trusting intuition and understanding emotional landscapes.
• The importance of curiosity in leadership.
• The 3 categories of evaluation: known fact, educated guess, and assumption.

What was covered:
The Importance of Employee Development 
Dustin's Journey and Expertise  
The Challenge of Prioritizing Development  
Adapting to Technological Change with Empathy  
Servant Leadership and the Shift from Transactional Models  
Micro-Learning and Connectivism  
Creating Purpose in the Workplace 

Contact Information:
Connect with Dustin Norwood for more information on ASA's development programs and micro-credentialing opportunities: dnorwood@americanstaffing.net 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustindnorwood/

Visit the American Staffing Association website for additional resources on employee development and leadership training:
https://americanstaffing.net/asa-events/

Summary
Frankie breaks down the role of processing styles, verbal communication, and emotional clarity in building high-performing teams. Mike brings humor and real-world reflection as they unpack what happens when leaders slow down, explain the "why," and truly listen.

Highlights & Takeaways

• Zooming in vs. zooming out: managing detail vs. seeing the big picture.
• Why clarity builds trust and trust builds buy-in.
• The role of rest and rhythm in sustainable leadership.
• Making room for different processing styles in communication.
• Emotional intelligence as responding vs. reacting.

Next Steps
Ask your team how they like to receive info. Do they need visuals? Pre-reads? Talk time? Then practice giving them just enough structure to thrive—without boxing them in.

Connect with Frankie on LinkedIn.

Together, we explore the #WINtheNOW mindset, a philosophy Eric champions to help individuals and teams navigate through challenges and uncertainties, emerging stronger and more resilient. Through coaching and mentorship, Eric endeavors to guide others towards achieving their goals while nurturing a healthy work-life balance.

Show notes:

1:35 Beyond Dentistry: Empowering Success & Impact in Eric's Journey

Robert and his co-author, Olivia Wagner, have launched the FABS Leadership Assessment, a free assessment at RightLeader.com, which is designed to help leaders and organizations perform better. Additionally, Robert helped publish Start With No, Jim Camp's bestseller on negotiation.

Today, we will be discussing the topic of discovering your leadership style, and we're excited to hear Robert's insights and expertise on this subject.

Show notes:
0:50 Builders
1:58 Strategists
4:59 How discovering your leadership style can make you a more effective leader
8:09 Authentic Leadership
11:02 The FABS Leadership Assessment
17:35 A takeaway or method Robert has learned from his journey

Connect with Robert:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertjjordan/
Interim Execs:  https://interimexecs.com/

In this episode, we'll dive deep into the secrets of leading high-performance teams. Karl's experiences on the field and beyond have shaped him into an exceptional leader, and he's generously sharing his Six Keys to Success: teamwork, courage, dedication, desire, honesty, and forgiveness. Let's learn, grow, and be motivated together.

Show notes: 
0:50 Connecting and Empowering Teams
3:46 Evaluating and Embracing Honesty
7:20 Embracing the Locus of Control
10:25 Karl's Four-Step Process: Moving the Ball Forward

Connect with Karl:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlmecklenburg/

Visit his website:
karlmecklenburg.com

Today, she focuses on cultivating human-centric cultures, emphasizing authenticity, autonomy, and accountability. Mike and Andrea dive into the concept of "what worries you masters you," exploring how fear and uncertainty impact leadership and team dynamics.

They discuss the importance of emotional awareness, intentional leadership, and the power of authenticity in building trust and driving performance. Andrea shares her insights on managing energy, setting clear expectations, and the impact of a leader's emotional state on their team. This episode is a must-listen for leaders seeking to create a more human and effective workplace.

Show Notes:

• Introduction to Andrea Wanerstrand and A3 Culture Lab.
• Andrea's experience at T-Mobile and Microsoft.
• Defining human-centric culture: authenticity, autonomy, and accountability.
• The impact of fear and worry on performance.
• The importance of intentional leadership and emotional awareness.
• Managing energy and setting clear expectations.
• The role of authenticity in building trust.
• The impact of a leader's emotional state on the team.
• The importance of resetting emotional state between meetings.

Connect with Andrea:
linkedin.com/in/andreawanerstrand/

In this episode, we will talk about the importance of using stories to increase the impact of your voice.  Whether you are a business leader, a public speaker, or simply someone who wants to be a more effective communicator, this episode is for you. So sit back, relax, and enjoy our conversation with James Brown.

Show notes:

01:00 James' Journey
4:25 The Championship Mindset
8:45 Crafting Your Message
12:30 Avoiding Common Mistakes
14:30 The Power of Brevity 

Connect with James:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesbrownjr360/

Learn more about James:
https://jamesbrownjr360.com/

Summary:
Mike and Jevon explore how early life challenges shaped Jevon's leadership philosophy. They unpack what it means to lead with empathy, how emotional intelligence differs from mindset, and how both leaders and organizations can create cultures where people are seen and valued.

Highlights:

• Jevon's story of nearly serving 7 years in prison at 17
• Emotional intelligence as the bridge between mindset and connection
• How EQ separates good leaders from great ones
• Why self-leadership is the starting point of real influence
• The link between empathy and mission in military and business settings

Click here to connect with Jevon Wooden on LinkedIn.

What You'll Learn:

• Clarity as a Superpower: Why defining what truly matters is essential in reducing uncertainty and driving results.
• The Curiosity Advantage: How developing an inquisitive mindset uncovers new possibilities and fuels innovation.
• Authentic Connection: The importance of listening deeply and being fully present to build trust and meaningful relationships.
• Confidence Rooted in Humility: How true confidence inspires others without arrogance and transforms how leaders are perceived.
• Time Ownership: Strategies to reclaim control of your time and prioritize what matters most in your leadership journey.

Practical Applications:

• Use the "4 Cs" framework to shift from reactive to proactive leadership.
• Learn how to reframe your time management practices to align with your values and goals.
• Discover how presence and listening can deepen connections with your team, clients, and loved ones.

Summary
We start with the personal side of leadership—resilience, authenticity, and presence—before moving into practical strategies leaders can use right away. Jean Marie shares how her own experiences shaped her perspective and why presence matters more than polish. We then dig into trust, communication, and feedback: what works, what doesn't, and how leaders can create environments where people feel steady even when circumstances aren't.

Highlights

• Resilience as adapting forward, not bouncing back

• Why presence and authenticity create stronger trust than "having all the answers"

• How personal stories shape leadership style

• Listening as a leadership superpower

• Consistency between words and actions as the foundation of trust

• Framing feedback as support rather than criticism

• Balancing empathy with accountability in real-world leadership

Key Takeaways & Next Steps

• Show up with honesty, not false certainty

• Practice being present and listening fully

• Build trust by aligning your actions with your words

• Use feedback as a way to grow people, not tear them down

• Apply these practices daily to foster resilient, engaged teams

Connect with Jean on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/jeancallahan-latinamericaexecutivesearch

Summary
This episode explores the intersection of neurodiversity and leadership. Frankie shares how her ADHD diagnosis helped her redefine success, the power of self-coaching, and why curiosity and emotional intelligence are vital for leaders who want to create truly inclusive environments.

Highlights & Takeaways

• Frankie's transition from engineering to leadership coaching.
• Why ADHD can be a leadership strength.
• The importance of recognizing your mental wiring.
• How "career wobbles" lead to deeper clarity.
• The difference between managing and coaching.

Next Steps

• Reflect on how your wiring affects your leadership. 
• Ask: What challenges energize me? What "simple" things trip me up? And how might others experience the same?

Connect with Frankie on LinkedIn.

Intro

If Part 1 asked us to bring our whole selves to work, Part 2 asks: How?

Kelly Hall returns to share how she learned to lead from love — through crisis, coaching, and experience. A former finance executive turned leadership expert, Kelly discovered that love and high performance aren't opposites — they're fuel for each other.

Together, she and Mike explore the tools that turn emotion into insight, chaos into clarity, and leadership into a relationship worth following.

What This Part Covers

• Emotional intelligence and the "second thought" that defines mature leadership.

• Why pausing for clarity leads to better decisions than rushing for control.

• The shift from "commander" to "coach" — and what that means in real life.

• How consent-based decision-making builds trust and buy-in.

• The science of love as energy — and why caring deeply drives performance.

Highlights

• "Your first thought isn't a choice — but your second one is."

• "Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is pause."

• "Love is power, not weakness."

• "When leaders go last, people start to think for themselves."

• "Replace delegation with enrollment — don't assign work, invite ownership."

Takeaways

• Lead last. Listen first.

• Create clarity by slowing down before speeding up.

• Turn reaction into reflection — pause before you decide.

• Empower others to make decisions, not just execute them.

• Redefine ego: use it to serve your people, not control them.

Next Step for Listeners

In your next meeting, go last. Let the room breathe. Listen without fixing — and notice what shifts when you trust the process more than the plan.

Connect with Kelly Hall.

Show notes:

Overcoming Common Obstacles (01:00)
Explore effective strategies for tackling the most frequent challenges faced by leaders and project managers.

Commitment vs. Compliance (10:55)
Understand the crucial distinction between commitment and compliance and how each impacts the success of projects.

Final Tips and Advice (14:00)
Alana shares actionable tips and insightful advice for leading successful projects and driving meaningful change.

Connect with Alana on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanamhill/

#LeadershipStrategies #ProjectManagement #Resilience #EmotionalIntelligence #DiversityInLeadership #OvercomingObstacles #ChangeManagement #LeadershipSkills #WomenInEngineering #PodcastEpisode

Robert and his co-author, Olivia Wagner, have launched the FABS Leadership Assessment, a free assessment at RightLeader.com, which is designed to help leaders and organizations perform better. Additionally, Robert helped publish Start With No, Jim Camp's bestseller on negotiation.

Today, we will be discussing the topic of discovering your leadership style, and we're excited to hear Robert's insights and expertise on this subject.

Show notes:
2:11 How Robert got to where he is today
5:54 Where companies fell short in their decision-making process when selecting people
8:40 The different leadership styles and some practical examples
14:38 How Robert helps individuals and companies operate at a level of excellence
18:39 Artist vs Builder Leaders

Connect with Robert:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertjjordan/
Interim Execs:  https://interimexecs.com/

Show notes:

01:35 How Mohammad's journey started

05: 29 The challenges his business faced

10:20 The perspective that changed his life

14:00 Servant Leadership and love as a business strategy

Questions? Feel free to connect with Mohammad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manwarsoftway/ loveasabusinessstrategy.com

#motivation #success #business #businessdevelopment #podcast #leadership #leaders #leadershipdevelopment #careercoaching #businessstrategy

In today's digitally-driven landscape, Harry recognizes the indispensable link between sales and marketing. He understands that in order to establish trust and credibility with buyers, salespeople must adeptly market themselves.

Discover the keys to sales success, avoid common pitfalls, and learn how to strike the perfect balance between assertiveness and respect. Tune in for insights that can transform your sales game! 

Show notes:

3:12 What does it mean to sell with dignity?

4:35 The Biggest Mistake Sales People Make When Trying to Sell

6:30 Getting Someone's Attention

8:48 Preparing Your Story for the Conversation

13:45 Being Pushy vs. Not Being Pushy Enough

Connect with Harry:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/harryspaight/

Learn more about Harry here:
https://sellingwithdignity.com/ 

Summary:
We cover building for community (e.g., co-watching during lockdowns), using story to connect head and heart, and showing up in outages to refocus teams on the customer. We also tackle transparency: share enough signal to empower people, but curate it so it builds unity, not silos. We end on a core message: building stretches you—it's how you learn who you are as a leader. 

Highlights & Key Takeaways:

• Mission Guides Features: When the mission is clear, smart features follow. 

• Tell Stories That Reflect Your Users: Don't just tell; collect and echo their stories. 

• Show Up in the Mess: Presence in crises rallies commitment. 

• Transparency + Judgment: Share what people need to act; avoid "us vs. them." 

• Build to Discover Yourself: You learn who you are by building under real stakes. 

Next Steps:

• Define one feature your mission demands this quarter.

• Capture three customer or employee stories you can retell internally.

• Audit a recent "transparent" update: did it inform action—or fuel factions

Connect with Michael Cerda: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcerda/

Peter Docker, co-author of Find Your Why and formerly a founding Igniter at Simon Sinek Inc., delivers the message that leadership is about lifting people up and giving them the space they need so that, when the time is right, they can take the lead. 

Drawing on his 25-year career in the Royal Air Force, and over 14 years spent partnering with businesses around the world, Peter's goal is to inspire others to Lead from the Jumpseat.

• What commitment looks like
• The importance of humble confidence
• Leading when we don't know the answer and empowering the collective genius
• Nurturing a sense of belonging - and why that matters
• Responsibility over accountability
• When the pressure is on: response over reaction

Show notes:

01:30 Robin's background and extensive experience in the staffing industry
03:10 The Shift to Remote Work
7:15 Leadership Adjustments in a Remote Environment
10:25 Building a Community of Trust and Communication
13:10 Driving Results Through Communication and Relationships
18:20 Managing a Remote Workforce: The Importance of Sharing and Trust
25:05 Supporting Senior Staff in Challenging Times

Connect with Robin:
linkedin.com/in/robinmee/

Visit Mee Derby's website:
meederby.com

#StaffingIndustry #RemoteWorkforce #Trust #Collaboration #Learning #Development #WomenInLeadership #Leadership #RemoteWork #Inspiration #Communication #Relationships #SeniorStaff

What struck me about Scott is he works with leaders across all stages of their careers to learn how to lead as well as live at their best in a constantly changing world. He does this by confronting head-on the reality of today's 24/7 environment and helping clients create repeatable actions that lead to positive outcomes. He advocates simple, practical and immediately applicable steps that help leaders consistently be at their best – not just in their professional lives, but also at home and in their communities.  

Scott's work and experience is captured in two best-selling books: The Next Level: What Insiders Know About Executive Success whose third edition is being released October 2108 and Overworked and Overwhelmed: The Mindfulness Alternative. 

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For more Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders visit: http://lightingthepath.net/blog/

Guest Bio:
Jim Huling is a seasoned leadership expert and executive coach with extensive experience guiding organizations and individuals toward greater success. Formerly the Global Managing Consultant for FranklinCovey, Jim now focuses on one-on-one coaching, helping leaders at all levels unlock their full potential.

Show Notes:

01:00 Shifting the Value Perspective
Jim Huling discusses the importance of shifting a leader's value system from doing and saying to fostering growth and development within their teams.

03:30 The Power of Recognition 
Jim and Mike differentiate between praise and recognition, emphasizing that recognition speaks to a person's inherent value, while praise acknowledges specific actions.

08:00 Balancing Business and Human Aspects
This covers the critical balance between focusing on business outcomes and the human side of leadership.

13:00 Purpose-Driven Leadership 
Jim highlights the importance of leaders understanding and acting upon their sense of purpose.

18:00 Influence Beyond Titles 
Mike and Jim discuss how true influence extends beyond formal titles and positions.  

Connect with Jim:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimhuling/

#Leadership #LeadershipTips #ProfessionalGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #EffectiveCommunication #LeadershipSkills #TeamLeadership #CareerAdvice #LeadershipChallenges #GrowthMindset

Stan has enjoyed a thirty year career as a Master Executive Coach, working nationally and internationally with Senior Leaders in the arena of Leadership and Leadership Development.

Stan has worked with CEO's in a wide variety of organizations including Oil and Gas, Banking, Health Care, Retail, Power Generation and Major Universities, to name a few. Stan is a passionate student of Leadership and Human Behavior.

2:15 Stan shares his story and how he built his practice serving as a coach

01:00 Overview of Graham's background as a global leadership consultant
The story behind the nickname "Leadership Wizard"

02:50 Key Leadership Challenges
The importance of unlearning outdated leadership practices

07:45 Building Resilient Leaders:
The necessity of slowing down to achieve better results
Creating a high-trust, psychologically safe environment for teams

12:01 Leadership in the Modern World:
Crafting leadership disciplines tailored to the current context
The role of simplicity and clarity in decision-making
Adapting leadership styles to different cultural and organizational contexts

Connect with Graham:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadershipwizard/

Together, we explore the #WINtheNOW mindset, a philosophy Eric champions to help individuals and teams navigate through challenges and uncertainties, emerging stronger and more resilient. Through coaching and mentorship, Eric endeavors to guide others towards achieving their goals while nurturing a healthy work-life balance.

Show notes:

1:02 Roadblocks to Peak Performance

3:20 The Busy Trap: When Urgency Hinders Progress

9:30 Beware the Comparison Trap: Finding Your Own Path

11:10 Beyond the Facade: Unplugging from Social Comparison and Reclaiming Your Present

13:50  Uncover Your Why: The Fuel for Fulfillment

With an insightful view of the recruiting industry, Tom delved into the challenges facing leaders in scaling their businesses.

Tune in to explore Tom's invaluable insights on scaling businesses to new heights and unlocking the potential for sustainable growth.

Show notes:

2:49 Insights into the Recruiting Industry

4:50 Identifying Leaders' Challenges in Scaling Businesses

9:06 Deciphering Competencies vs. Skillsets

11:20 Reference to 'The Power to See Ourselves'
https://hbr.org/1964/11/the-power-to-see-ourselves

13:51 Current Market Observations

Connect with Tom Kosnik:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tkosnik/

Learn more about Visus Group:
https://www.visusgroup.com/

Learn about Mike's story and how he turned a hobby into a business, the steps he took and the lessons he learnt  along the way while he grew his startup into a multi-billion-dollar behemoth that changed the way we eat.

Show notes: 
00:58 Being intentional and leveraging for social change
3:45 The Five Why's
5:30 How to engage people with the mission
9:45 Bringing clarity into the why

Connect with Mike Evans:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authormikeevans/ 
Website: https://mikeevans.com/

Before coming to Houston in 2004, Gregg founded Breakaway Ministries at Texas A&M University starting with 12 participants in his apartment, and grew to a weekly gathering of more than 4,000 students each Tuesday night under his leadership. Along with Difference Makers (2019), Gregg is the author of Finding God's Will (2010), I AM Changes Who i Am (2012), Unstoppable Gospel (2015).

This half of the conversation dives into trust, communication, and team growth. Adam and I unpack how misalignment shows up before it explodes, why "tough conversations" are actually moments of deep connection, and how to build a culture that self-corrects. You'll walk away with practical ways to notice drift, course correct early, and foster alignment that lasts.

Highlights:

• What emotional safety looks like in growing teams
• Why trust is the core multiplier in leadership
• The role of humility in hiring and coaching
• How to rebuild trust after it's broken
• Why great leaders ask better questions, not give better answers

Key Takeaways:

• Culture isn't built in offsites—it's shaped in everyday decisions
• Listening deeply is one of your most powerful leadership tools
• People will only be as honest as they feel safe
• Trust takes intention, not just time

Next Steps for You:

• Schedule 1:1 time with someone on your team and just listen
• Reflect: What's one misalignment you've been avoiding?
• Start tracking what you tolerate—not just what you preach

Connect with Adam Jackson here.

I still vividly remember when I first saw our next guest Jill Hickman in action. She was facilitating a Board of Directors retreat that I had been a part of and I was amazed by the way she created synergy and wrangled naysayers and outliers and developed this vibrant energy. The reason why I wanted her to be a guest on our show is because strategic planning is a gift for her. But more importantly, it is her process to move it from the vague, feel-good event to a key part of a tactical executable plan.  

The term strategic planning for many people causes their eyes to roll towards the back of their head because people get caught up in meetings and discussions don't come out with anything that is executable. For more than 20 years, the Jill Hickman Company has been providing coaching and consulting services to executive leaders, creating corporate universities and facilitating strategic planning retreats for teams and Boards. Jill's extensive corporate background spans both public and private sectors from small startup firms to Fortune 500 companies, including those in manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and business services. Her entrepreneurial spirit has built an amazing company with a global reach. 

Topics covered in this episode:

• Why Strategic Plans matter 
• Putting feet to a plan so it matters 
• Demystify the strategic planning process 
• Traps that submarine the plan 

Jill Hickman, president 

Jill Hickman Companies 

jill@jillhickman.com 

(281) 358-8580 

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For more Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders visit: http://lightingthepath.net/blog/

Summary:
We explore why technical skills can only take you so far without the ability to communicate effectively. Dr. Glova shares her journey working with global brands and teaching top-tier students, emphasizing the power of intentionality, clarity, and curiosity. This conversation will reshape how you think about leadership, goal-setting, and, most importantly, how you connect with those around you.

Highlights & Key Takeaways:

• Communication as a Career Catalyst. Technical skills open doors, but communication propels advancement.
• The Power of Intentionality. Achievement stems from clarity and purpose, not innate talent.
• Active Listening: The Secret to Empowerment. Listening builds trust, safety, and innovation.
• Leadership's Clarity Crisis. In a data-saturated world, clarity is a leader's superpower.
• Building Community for Success. Achievement is a team sport

Next Steps for Listeners:

• Practice active listening in your next conversation—summarize before you respond.
• Reflect on your personal goals: Are they as unique and clear as your fingerprint?
• As a leader, clarify your team's priorities this week. Make sure everyone knows the "why" behind the work.

Today's guest Art Lucas has lived a life of impact, one that has impacted an entire industry. He founded the Lucas group in 1970 based in Atlanta, GA as a small one-man business with the important vision of helping military personnel transition to the civilian workforce after completing their military service.

Today, Lucas Group has transformed into a major enterprise with locations worldwide focusing in Accounting and Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing and Sales, Operations, Information Technology, and Military Transition. Art shares his story of building one of the largest firms in the executive search and contract staffing industry in this first part of a 2 part series by focusing on the art form and science of creating value for clients and candidates.

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For more Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders visit: http://lightingthepath.net/blog/

How in the world do you go from being a walk-on no scholarship college football player, to squeaking in the door as the 310th 12th round pick by the Denver Broncos. Then play in 6 Pro Bowls, be voted as A.F.C. player of the year, become one of the highest ranked linebackers in sports with 1145 tackles, 79 franchise record sacks? And play in three Super Bowls?

This show is a great opportunity for C-Suite leaders to learn about dealing with wild egos, coaches who knew how to get the best out of you, where as a leader, how connecting with the team is paramount to success, and where honesty and forgiveness about limitations becomes a catalyst for change and critical to performing at world class levels.

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For more Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders visit: http://lightingthepath.net/blog/

Highlights:

• The importance of igniting not just minds but hearts.
• Key lessons from Jolt: Intentionality and transformation.
• What today's leaders wrestle with most: motivating and inspiring people
• Building Relationships That Matter

Don't miss the next part of this conversation where Larry and Mike dive even deeper into actionable strategies for leading with impact. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with fellow leaders looking to ignite productivity and build meaningful connections.

Follow Larry Long Jr.:
🌐 Visit Larry's website: LarryLongJr.com
💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/longjr7/

Stay tuned for Part 2! 🚀

What separates leaders who scale sustainably from those who burn out their culture?

In Part 2 of this conversation, Jeremy Jenson shares the deeper leadership evolution behind building a $12M+ organization — and why integrity became the turning point in his journey.

We move beyond strategy and into self-leadership.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why revenue alone is a dangerous focus
• Letting go of high producers who lack integrity
• The power of tough, honest conversations
• Why leaders must eliminate "noise" to stay focused
• Using EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) for clarity
• How to give feedback that elevates performance
• Why great leaders motivate through example, not fear
• Building systems that protect your culture

Jeremy also shares a powerful perspective shift:
Success stops being about what you achieve — and starts being about what you help others achieve.

If you're leading a team, scaling a company, or navigating growth, this episode will challenge how you think about clarity, accountability, and long-term success.

If you haven't watched Part 1, start there to understand the foundation of the growth story.

Connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjenson/

Summary:
Mike and Dave tackle why leaders avoid tough conversations, how to reframe them as two-way dialogues, and why consistent investment in people drives performance. They share strategies for bridging the gap between "can't" and "potential" and for creating trust when times are uncertain.

Highlights:

• The three questions to ask before replacing a team member.

• Why leaders sometimes fail their people before people fail their leaders.

• Turning limiting beliefs into growth opportunities.

• How clarity and trust cut through uncertainty.

• "Care and candid" as a formula for transformation.

Key Takeaways:

• Invest in people before deciding they can't succeed.

• Resilience grows from clarity, trust, and consistent communication.

• Avoidance kills relationships faster than conflict—lean into the hard talks.

Next Steps:
Identify one conversation you've been avoiding. Reframe it as a two-way exchange, prepare open-ended questions, and create space for real dialogue.

Connect with Dave Reynolds on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/dave-reynolds-99a71047/

Terri began his career at Brown & Root, where he developed a comprehensive and extensive knowledge of the oil and gas industry during his 27 years with the company. He retired in 2004 as KBR Officer and Vice President of Global Offshore Engineering. From 2004 to 2007, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of Alliance Wood Group Engineering. In 2007 until 2011, he served as President of AMEC Paragon, Inc. and was responsible for Natural Resources Americas' oil and gas operations. Then from 2011 to 2013, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Oil and Gas, Compression and Solutions Business Unit for Siemens. In this role, Terri was responsible for global compression manufacturing and oil and gas business solutions from hubs in Germany, Norway, Singapore, Brazil, China, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

Most recently, Ivers was a member of the executive leadership team of SNCLavalin's Resources, Environment & Water group. As the Executive Vice President of the group, he was responsible for leading oil and gas regional centers around the world and providing perspective on the company's strategic vision, development, and execution.

Adam shares what he's learned from leading through hypergrowth—when your role changes every 3 months and everyone around you is stretched thin. We talk about the danger of clinging to what worked in the past, why feedback systems need to mature with your org, and how leaders must outgrow their own need for control. It's a candid look at what real leadership looks like when you're building fast—and trying to build well.

Highlights:

• Why scaling fast can hide broken systems
• How leaders accidentally become bottlenecks
• The myth of "hiring your way out" of problems
• What emotional clarity looks like in practice
• Why slowing down is sometimes the fastest way forward

Key Takeaways: 

• Leadership is about subtraction, not just addition
• Systems that worked at 10 people won't work at 100
• Good culture isn't what you say—it's what you allow
• Letting go of control is an act of trust, not failure

Next Steps for You:

• Ask: Where am I holding on too tightly?
• Revisit your onboarding process—does it reflect your current size and pace?
• Write down what you're modeling without saying a word

Connect with Adam Jackson here.

We discuss key elements of leadership, trust, and creating meaningful experiences within an organization. Joyce shares personal anecdotes and insights on empowering team members, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and fostering a culture of recognition and engagement.

Highlights:

• 0:48 Empowering Leadership: Trusting team members and giving them opportunities to excel.
• 04:27 Creating Memorable Moments: Company events, special recognitions, and thoughtful gestures that build team culture.
• 9:55 Intentional Connections: Knowing your team members personally.
• 16:05 Growth Mindset and Continuous Learning: Staying relevant in a changing business landscape.
• 21:35 High Sense of Urgency: Joyce's proactive and efficient approach to leadership and problem-solving.

Connect with Joyce:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycerusselladecco/

#Leadership #WorkLifeBalance #TeamEmpowerment #EmployeeEngagement #BusinessLeadership #CorporateCulture #ContinuousLearning #TrustInLeadership #CompanyCulture #ProfessionalDevelopment #GrowthMindset #LeadershipTips #LeadershipGoals #ProactiveLeadership #LeadershipPodcast #BusinessSuccess

Part 2 shifts from insight to application. Dan breaks down how leaders can translate long-term vision into focused, repeatable execution — without burning out or losing adaptability.

Summary

Dan walks through the structure and mindset of the 12-Week Year, explaining how shorter planning cycles, weekly scorekeeping, and fewer priorities help leaders move faster and smarter. Mike connects the framework to leadership behaviors, strategic thinking, and real-world performance in uncertain environments.

Key Discussion Points

• Why shrinking timeframes increases energy and focus

• How weekly feedback loops improve performance

• The danger of treating plans as to-do lists

• Why strategic thinking requires protected time

Highlights

• The 12-Week Year as a leadership mindset

• Why five priorities outperform ten

• How weekly reviews replace annual frustration

• Intensity paired with recovery sustains performance

Key Takeaways

• Strategy lives in execution, not intention

• Shorter cycles create faster learning

• Planning is leadership work, not admin work

• Focused systems outperform motivated chaos

Suggested Next Steps

• Define 3–5 priorities for your next 12 weeks

• Schedule a weekly 10–15 minute review

• Protect time for thinking, not just doing

Connect with Dan Mintz on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-mintz/

Ready to execute at a higher level? Learn more about Dan and how to Perform Like The Top 1% through 12-Week Execution Cycles: https://12week-breakthrough.com/

In this episode of Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders, we explore how leaders can rewire fear, shift their thinking, and lead themselves more effectively — especially in times of change.

This conversation looks beneath strategy and tactics and focuses on the inner work that shapes how leaders show up. We talk about fear and curiosity, how language rewires the brain, why labels quietly limit growth, and what it really means to lead from awareness instead of reaction.

Rather than pushing motivation or quick fixes, this episode offers grounded insights and practical reflections leaders can apply immediately — at work and in life.

If you're navigating uncertainty, pressure, or self-doubt, this episode will help you slow down, ask better questions, and make decisions from clarity instead of fear.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why fear doesn't exist in the present moment — and why that matters for leaders
• How curiosity helps leaders overcome fear and uncertainty
• The hidden cost of labels and limiting beliefs in leadership
• Why the words leaders use shape how they think and decide
• How self-awareness strengthens leadership confidence and choice

About the Guest

Martine Cohen is a transformational life strategist, leadership coach, and award-winning author of No More Layers. Her work focuses on self-leadership, awareness, and helping leaders reclaim personal power from the inside out.

Why This Episode Matters

Leadership isn't just about having answers — it's about understanding what's driving your decisions. This episode helps leaders step out of fear-based patterns and into intentional, values-driven leadership.

Connect with Martine Cohen:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinecohennml/
Email: martine@martinecohen.com

Show notes:

1:50 What Vimal wanted to accomplish about moving into larger scale properties

Connect with Vimal on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vimalq/

Summary:
Mike and Dave dig into the difference between change and transformation, the roots of Dave's "radical growth" approach, and why leaders today must master both storytelling and coaching. They break down why questioning is more powerful than directing, how to prepare for a coaching conversation, and the 80/20 principle for listening vs. talking.

Highlights:

• Why transformation is lasting, while change can be temporary.

• How the radical growth concept came from a seed's first breakthrough.

• The 80/20 rule for coaching conversations.

• Questions as the "keys to unopened doors" in problem solving.

• Why leaders should speak less so their teams think more.

Key Takeaways:

• Transformation happens below the surface before it shows.

• Leaders who ask better questions get deeper buy-in.

• Coaching isn't about having all the answers—it's about guiding discovery.

Next Steps:
Reflect on one area where your team needs transformation, not just change. Ask three open-ended questions this week to help them discover their own answers.

Connect with Dave Reynolds on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/dave-reynolds-99a71047/

Introduction

This conversation starts with a simple idea: most leaders don't struggle because they lack knowledge—they struggle because they avoid what's uncomfortable.

In this first half, we unpack discipline, delegation, and why difficult conversations aren't actually the problem.

Summary

Mike and Sue explore how discipline really shows up in leadership, why leaders become bottlenecks, and how avoiding conversations creates bigger problems over time. They reframe "difficult conversations" as necessary tools for growth—not conflict to avoid.

Highlights

• Discipline is consistency, not punishment
• Leaders often block growth by not delegating
• Avoiding conversations creates "false harmony"
• Trust determines how directly you can communicate

Key Takeaways

• Discipline is doing what matters—even when it's uncomfortable
• If you don't delegate, you become the ceiling
• Most "difficult conversations" are delayed conversations
• Clarity is the foundation of commitment and buy-in
• Leaders must create safety before delivering truth

Suggested Next Steps

• Identify one conversation you've been avoiding
• Ask: "What am I protecting—myself or the relationship?"
• Delegate one task this week that you're holding onto
• Clarify expectations with your team (don't assume alignment)

Connect with Sue on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/suehawkes/

How do you scale a business from startup to millions in revenue — without losing your culture?

In Part 1 of this conversation, Mike sits down with Jeremy Jenson, CEO of Encore Search Partners, to unpack the foundational principles behind building a high-performance team.

Jeremy shares how he transitioned from running a marketing company to building one of Houston's top executive search firms — and what leaders must understand about scaling the right way.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Jeremy went from startup to $12M+ in revenue
• The leadership mistakes that slow down growth
• Why loyalty without performance can stall your company
• Raising performance standards ("raising the floor")
• Building a KPI-driven culture without micromanaging
• Why growth mindset is non-negotiable in hiring
• How to attract A-players through content and visibility

If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or team leader trying to scale your organization, this episode will challenge how you think about accountability, performance, and culture.

👉 In Part 2, we dive into integrity, tough leadership conversations, eliminating "noise," and the real transformation behind sustainable growth.

Connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjenson/

How do you dig deeper with your team to create real engagement? In part two, Shannon Nutter shares advanced strategies for innovation, avoiding the whack-a-mole trap of constant firefighting, and the critical skill of asking better questions as a leader-facilitator.

Summary:

This episode dives into the practical side of leadership development. Shannon explains why leaders should function as facilitators rather than directors, how to balance innovation with results, and the importance of slowing down to truly know your people. She shares personal stories about recognizing when team members need human connection over business conversations.

Highlights:

• Why successful innovation requires a 70% failure rate (like baseball batting averages)
• The whack-a-mole syndrome that keeps teams busy but not productive
• How great leaders facilitate rather than dictate solutions
• The power of asking "What are we missing here?" and "How could that work?"
• When to pause business conversations for human moments

Key Takeaways:

• Innovation means creating customer value in new ways, not just building new features
• Experimentation should include budget for learning, not just success metrics
• Leaders are facilitators who pull knowledge from the room rather than pushing their own
• Knowing your people deeply means understanding their motivations, frustrations, and insecurities
• Sometimes the most important conversation isn't about work at all

Next Steps:

• Start one project as an experiment with defined learning goals, not just success metrics
• Practice facilitating meetings by asking questions instead of giving answers
• Create space in your schedule for unplanned human moments with team members

Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-nutter/

Introduction

Accountability isn't something you enforce—it's something that emerges.

In this second half, the conversation shifts to how leaders create environments where people actually take ownership.

Summary

Mike and Sue unpack accountability as a result of leadership, not a command. They explore trust, micromanagement, and why leaders must stop stepping into other people's "seats."

Highlights

• Accountability is a result—not a behavior you force
• Micromanagement is often disguised as care
• Leaders must stop "owning" everyone else's work
• Great leaders ask more questions than they give answers

Key Takeaways

• Clear expectations create accountability
• Trust is built through systems, not just intention
• If you're in their seat, they can't grow into it
• Leadership is about coaching, not controlling
• Questions unlock more than answers ever will

Suggested Next Steps

• Ask your team: "What does success look like in your role?"
• Stop solving problems that aren't yours to solve
• Replace answers with questions in your next meeting
• Evaluate where you might be unintentionally micromanaging

Connect with Sue on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/suehawkes/

Hayzlett is one of the most compelling figures in business today and is in five business hall of fames including Speaker Hall of Fame, Sales and Marketing Executives, Business Marketing Hall of Fame, Direct Marketing Hall of Fame, and the Industry Award of Distinction from the National Association of Quick Printers.

As a leading business expert, Hayzlett is frequently cited in Forbes, SUCCESS, Mashable, Marketing Week and Chief Executive, among many others. He shares his executive insight and commentary on television networks like Bloomberg, MSNBC, Fox Business, and C-Suite TV. Hayzlett is a former Bloomberg contributing editor and primetime host, and has appeared as a guest celebrity judge on NBC's Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump for three seasons.

He is a turnaround architect of the highest order, a maverick marketer and c-suite executive who delivers scalable campaigns, embraces traditional modes of customer engagement, and possesses a remarkable cachet of mentorship, corporate governance, and brand building.

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For more Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders visit: http://lightingthepath.net/blog/

With an insightful view of the recruiting industry, Tom delved into the challenges facing leaders in scaling their businesses.

Tune in to explore Tom's invaluable insights on scaling businesses to new heights and unlocking the potential for sustainable growth.

Show notes:

0:40 Insights on the Current Market

2:43 Transitioning from Manager to Coach

5:29 Culture and Management Development in Transformation

6:35 Distinguishing Between Leader, Manager, and Coach

8:37 Crafting Mentor Relationships with Employees

9:30 The Power of Transformational Conversations

12:00 Nurturing Leadership Development

14:42 Emphasizing the Significance of Reflection

Connect with Tom Kosnik:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tkosnik/

Learn more about Visus Group:
https://www.visusgroup.com/

Marnie shares insights on balancing work and life, the importance of patience in leadership, and how prioritization fuels both personal and professional success. We also dive into why face-to-face connection still matters in a digital world and what leaders can do to create lasting impact.

If you're a leader looking to refine your approach, build a stronger team, or simply be reminded of the deeper purpose behind what you do, this episode is for you.

Meet Our Podcast Guest:

Marnie Byford This week, we're joined by Marnie [Last Name], COO of Supreme Staffing, a national leader in talent solutions. With 17+ years in staffing and recruiting, Marnie specializes in strategic growth, operations, and team development. Her expertise in healthcare administration and education brings unique insight into workforce challenges and solutions.

Show notes:

01:17 – The difference between finding time for what you want vs. what you have to do
03:18 – The key to effective delegation: Training the next generation of leaders
04:30 – Why patience is a leader's greatest tool
05:50 – The importance of face-to-face conversations in leadership
07:22 – How communication and listening skills impact leadership success
09:10 – The power of a strong workplace culture and what it really means
10:00 – Why investing in employees signals trust and commitment
11:20 – What leaders get wrong when making assumptions about their team
12:35 – The connection between slowing down and making better decisions
14:10 – The importance of servant leadership and putting people first

Key Takeaways:

• The difference between finding time and making time for what truly matters
• How prioritization and delegation can drive both personal and team success
• Why slow leadership can sometimes be the fastest path to real impact
• The importance of servant leadership and investing in people
• How to create trust and build a culture of family within your team
• Why face-to-face connection still holds unmatched value in leadership

A Thought to Leave You With:

"A leader's greatest responsibility isn't just to grow the business—it's to grow the people. Trust, patience, and intentionality make all the difference."

Ways to Connect & Learn More:

LinkedIn: Marnie Byford
Email: mbyford@sstaffing.com

Meet Our Podcast Guest: Marnie Byford

This week, we're joined by Marnie [Last Name], COO of Supreme Staffing, a national leader in talent solutions. With 17+ years in staffing and recruiting, Marnie specializes in strategic growth, operations, and team development. Her expertise in healthcare administration and education brings unique insight into workforce challenges and solutions.

Tune in for a conversation on leadership, talent strategy, and building high-performing teams!

Key Takeaways:

• How to hire for attitude and train for skill
• The role of leadership in creating a high-performance team culture
• Why slowing down in hiring and onboarding leads to long-term success
• The impact of hands-on leadership and understanding frontline challenges
• Strategies for effective delegation as a tool for leadership development
• The evolving job market and how to adapt hiring strategies for 2025

Show notes:

00:00 – Introduction to the episode and guest background
00:29 – The importance of hiring right and what most companies get wrong
01:07 – How our guest started in staffing and what led to their leadership journey
02:42 – The hiring philosophy: Attitude over skills
03:53 – Inside the interview process: How to assess hunger and motivation in candidates
04:59 – The unique assessment process: Placing candidates in real work scenarios
07:01 – Why every leader should understand frontline operations before managing people
07:53 – The role of onboarding in long-term retention and success
09:22 – What clients do wrong in their hiring process (and how to fix it)
10:30 – The consequences of rushed interviews and why slowing down is key
11:29 – The biggest hiring mistakes companies make
12:46 – The impact of culture fit vs. culture add in hiring
14:33 – How investing in employee growth leads to better retention

Ways to Connect & Learn More:

LinkedIn: Marnie Byford
Email: mbyford@sstaffing.com

• Together, they explore how our inner voice shapes our response to life's challenges and how self-awareness can transform our leadership. 
• Get ready for practical strategies to reframe adversity, shift from reactivity to proactivity, and navigate today's chaotic world with clarity and purpose.
• Discover how to turn setbacks into springboards for growth and build a more resilient mindset that empowers you to face whatever life throws your way.

Show notes:

Introduction (00:00 - 00:04)
Mike introduces Russell Harvey and the core theme: resilience through emotional intelligence.

Self-Talk and Resilience (00:04 - 00:10)
The impact of self-talk on resilience and practical tips to reframe negative thinking.

Reframing Challenges (00:10 - 00:18)
Russell's story of overcoming setbacks and moving from a victim mentality to proactive resilience.

Leading in a VUCA World (00:18 - 00:25)
How VUCA Prime (Vision, Understanding, Clarity, Agility) can help you lead in uncertain times.

Emotional Intelligence in Leadership (00:25 - 00:34)
The role of self-awareness and empathy in fostering resilient teams and effective leadership.

Toxic Positivity vs. Real Optimism (00:34 - 00:42)
How to balance honest challenges with grounded optimism to inspire real resilience.

The Resilience Wheel (00:42 - 00:50)
Russell's Resilience Wheel and how to leverage your strengths for personal and professional growth.

Takeaways (00:50 - 01:00)
Final thoughts: Reflect on your own resilience and start integrating emotional intelligence into your leadership.

Feeling inspired? Reach out to Russell and share how you're building resilience in your own life. Let's keep the conversation going!

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/russelltheresiliencecoach/

Summary
Aneace reveals why even seasoned leaders struggle with uncertainty in teams – and how to foster collective resilience. He shares practical steps to shift from "closing the deal" to staying open, using neuroscience and real-world examples.

Highlights

• Why "herding cats" fails: Building a C-suite team ≠ stacking superstar individuals.

• The paradox: Comfort with uncertainty grows with age, but teams resist it.

• How to expand your "ownership" beyond your role (like driving a bigger vehicle).

Key Takeaways

1. Certainty is a trap. Teams that rush to answers miss innovative solutions.

2. Practice "radically empowering presence." Your calm fuels others' confidence.

3. Lead like a coach, not a CEO. Your role isn't to fix – it's to fan flames.

Next Steps

• Audit your team: Do we default to "closing" discussions too fast?

• Pre-order Aneace's upcoming book The First Rule of Herding Cats for C-suite strategies.

• Share this episode with your leadership team to spark a "certainty detox."

Show Notes:
[01:11] What Is Resilience, Really?
Resilience isn't just about pushing through hard times. Mike introduces it as the key to overcoming obstacles and driving professional success. What if resilience was more than just "bouncing back"—how could that change the way you lead?

[01:32] Meet Russell Harvey
Get to know Russell Harvey, a resilience coach on a mission to positively impact 100,000 people. With 74,000 lives already touched, hear how Russell's journey has shaped his passion for resilience and leadership.

[04:11] Redefining Resilience: "Springing Forward with Learning"
Russell shares his fresh perspective on resilience. Rather than simply returning to a previous state, true resilience means learning from challenges and growing stronger. How can you adopt this mindset in your personal and professional life?

[06:09] Surviving vs. Thriving in Unpredictable Times
What's the difference between just surviving and truly thriving? Russell explains how resilience enables leaders to not just cope with change but excel in a fast-moving world. Are you thriving in today's unpredictability?

[11:31] The Power of Reflection
Reflection isn't just about looking back—it's about learning and growing. Mike and Russell discuss how stepping outside your comfort zone and making time for reflection can accelerate your leadership growth.

[16:40] Introducing The Resilience Wheel
Russell walks us through his Resilience Wheel, which includes seven essential components like adaptability, confidence, and purpose. How strong are these elements in your own leadership? Learn how to assess and develop them.

[18:06] Building Resilience Through Adaptability and Learning
How can leaders build resilience? Russell shares tips on cultivating curiosity and staying adaptable to make learning a lifelong habit. How open are you to change, and what can you do to embrace it more fully?

[20:50] Purpose vs. Meaning: Key to Resilience
Russell distinguishes between purpose (your reason for being) and meaning (the story you tell yourself). Both are crucial for resilience, but how do they shape your ability to grow from adversity?

[24:15] Final Takeaway: Spring Forward with Learning
Resilience isn't about going back to who you were before. Russell leaves us with a powerful message: use challenges as a springboard to become even stronger. What will you take forward from your challenges?

Actionable Insights:

• Reflect on Your Challenges: How often do you make time to reflect? Take a moment to think about your key learnings from recent adversity.
• Assess Your Adaptability: Are you resistant to change, or do you embrace it? Evaluate your openness to new experiences and ideas.
• Reframe Setbacks: Next time you face a challenge, ask yourself, "How can I grow from this?" Turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.

Connect with Russell Harvey:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/russelltheresiliencecoach/

#LeadershipGrowth #ResilienceMatters #ResilienceCoach #LeadershipDevelopment #Adaptability #GrowthMindset #ThriveNotSurvive #LeadershipTools #PurposeDrivenLeadership #LeadershipPodcast #ContinuousImprovement #ShareTheKnowledge

Join Mike Lejeune in this episode as he delves into an inspiring conversation with Joyce Russell, President of Adecco Group US Foundation. From humble beginnings at a recruitment desk to leading one of the largest staffing operations in the US, Joyce's story is a testament to the power of engagement, authenticity, and visionary leadership. 

Tune in to discover the keys to her success, her commitment to upskilling the workforce, promoting workplace equality, and her personal philosophy of adding that 'cherry on top' in all aspects of life.

Shownotes:

00:45  Joyce's Leadership Journey and Career Evolution

04:30 The 'Cherry on Top' Philosophy: Doing a little more and caring a little more, inspired by Joyce's childhood experiences.

08:06 Soft Skills, Leadership and Real-life Examples of EQ: Stories of using EQ to build relationships and secure business

14:02 Authenticity and Presence: The importance of voting with your time and staying true to oneself.

17:20 Leadership and Culture: Maintaining integrity and protecting company culture. The story of her promotion to President after standing up for her beliefs.

20:00 Focus on People and Results: The value of surrounding oneself with the right talent and mindset.

21:55 Training vs. Development: The difference between teaching to do vs. teaching to think.

23:45 Leadership, engagement, and making a lasting impact.

Connect with Joyce Russell:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycerusselladecco/

Mark is one of the people I've heard whose message is a wonderful mixture of high intellect with awesome engaging style delivered with a charismatic heart. I've followed his work over the years, using his book The Fred Factor as training for my company on world class customer service. His most recent release is the Productivity Principles – closing the gap between how good you are to how great you can be. 

Listen in as we discuss: 

• How Better beats Best 
• Overcoming lack of awareness 
• The Importance of Clarity 
• The Art of Slowing Down 
• The Power of Re Focus 

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Mark Sanborn, CSP, CPAE, is president of Sanborn & Associates, Inc., an idea studio dedicated to developing leaders in business and in life. Mark is an international bestselling author and noted expert on leadership, team building, customer service and change. 

He has created and appeared in 20 videos and numerous audio training programs. His video series Team Building: How to Motivate and Manage People made it to the #2 spot for bestselling educational video series in the U.S. 

Mark's list of over 2600 clients includes Costco, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, FedEx, Harley-Davidson, Hewlett Packard, Cisco, KPMG, Morton's of Chicago, New York Life, RE/MAX, ServiceMaster, ESPN, GM, IBM, Avnet, Sandvik and John Deere. 

Website: https://marksanborn.com

Resources: https://marksanborn.com/resources

For more Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders visit: http://lightingthepath.net/blog/

What does culture really mean beyond the buzzwords and ping pong tables? In this episode, we explore the real foundations of engaged teams with Shannon Nutter, former C-suite leader who led global operations. We'll uncover why 79% of employees are disengaged and what leaders can do to create environments where people actually want to contribute their best work.

Summary:

Shannon breaks down the difference between surface-level culture initiatives and the deep work of creating psychological safety. She shares practical insights on balancing efficiency with effectiveness, the power of clarity in leadership, and why treating symptoms instead of root causes keeps teams stuck in endless cycles of firefighting.

Highlights:

• Why engagement scores are at a devastating 21% despite all the "collegial culture" talk
• The T-bar concept: balancing human needs with business results
• How to create psychological safety where teams can fail, debate, and challenge ideas
• The difference between compliance (capturing minds) and commitment (capturing hearts)
• Real examples of when technology should step back and humans should step forward

Key Takeaways:

• Culture isn't benefits or perks - it's how work gets done AND how it makes people feel
• Leaders must create focus, alignment, clarity, accountability, and psychological safety
• Ask yourself: "When was the last time someone disagreed with me publicly?"
• Efficiency without effectiveness is just busy work that doesn't solve real problems

Next Steps:

• Evaluate your team's psychological safety by tracking when people last disagreed with you
• Review your current processes - are you solving problems or just making things faster?
• Schedule one-on-ones focused on understanding what motivates each team member

Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-nutter/

Introduction:
In Part 2, we get into the how. Matt walks through what belief looks like in action—from hiring people who align with your culture, to defining values in ways people can actually use, to building customer experiences that transform relationships. This is packed with real stories from Apple, Nordstrom, and other brands that got it right, plus Matt's CADET framework that changes how you think about every interaction.

Summary:
We tackle the practical side of building belief-driven cultures. Matt shares how to hire for cultural fit and belief (not just skills), and walks through his experience scaling Apple retail from 10,000 to 25,000 employees without losing their DNA. We dig into why values are meaningless without tangible definitions, the power of storytelling in creating shared understanding, and the CADET framework for customer experience. Matt also explains why incentives must align with desired behaviors, using real examples of what happens when they don't.

Key Highlights:

• Apple hired for people who loved the brand and wanted to serve, not for product expertise—then trained them
• Values need tangible definitions: what does "kindness" look like, sound like, feel like in your specific organization?
• The CADET framework: Connect, Assess, Deliver, Exceed, Transform—and why you can't skip steps
• Incentives and behaviors must align, or your culture breaks down (the e-commerce returns example)

Key Takeaways:

• Hire for belief, train for skill. Look for alignment with your mission and values first, then build competence.
• Define your values in observable terms. Don't just say "kindness"—describe what it looks like in action and what it doesn't look like.
• Use storytelling to build culture. Get your team to share transformational experiences, then identify the common threads.
• Deliver flawlessly before trying to exceed. Master the basics (stated needs) before attempting to wow people with extras.
• Remove barriers to desired behaviors. If you want certain actions, make sure your incentive structure supports them, not fights them.

Next Steps for Listeners:

• Pick one of your company values. Can you describe it in specific, observable terms? If not, gather your team and define it together using stories.
• Review your last few hires. Did you prioritize skills or cultural alignment? What would change if belief came first?
• Walk through a customer or employee experience using CADET. Where are you trying to "exceed" before you've "delivered"?

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn.

Shownotes: 

2:08 How Vimal got into the hotel industry
5:00 The biggest challenge he had in building engagement within his team
8:00  "The Great Resignation/Reset" and the steps he took to retain his people 
11:50 The impacts of COVID-19

Connect with Vimal Patel here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vimalq/

Dave Nerz is President of NPA Worldwide network, and industry-leading cooperative comprised of over 500 member recruiting firms on six continents and 40 countries. When I found out he manages a team of people working from home offices stretching from the US to Australia, I wanted him to share his experience and perspective on leading from a distance. He has developed a high-performance culture mixing independent behavior yet inspiring team interaction.

Dave has been a speaker and presenter at numerous recruitment focused events including the Recruitment Agency Expo in London, the National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS) Annual Conference in the US, and most recently at NPAworldwide conferences on 5 continents including events in Dublin-Ireland, Melbourne-Australia, Beijing-China, Sao Paulo-Brazil, and Las Vegas-US. 

He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, has served previously as a volunteer on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Personnel Services, was the NAPS Chairman's Award winner in 2009 and 2013 and holds a credential from NAPS as a Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC).

Shawn is a serial entrepreneur with a track record of success in the business realm. Shawn has launched, built and profited from 43 companies in a diverse cross section of professions and verticals. 

In this episode, Shawn unpacks his unique perspective on productivity unveiling the essential elements for scaling, growing, and expanding effectively. 

Explore the secrets that empower progress and success.

Show notes:
2:10 How Shawn Defines Productivity
5:00 Download, Delegate, Automate
10:50 Fractionalization
13:29 Rethinking Time as Currency
15:29 Billing Based on Value and Delivering Exceptional Results

Connect with Shawn:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnshewchuk/
Learn more about what he does: https://changeyourresults.com/

In this episode, we'll dive deep into the secrets of leading high-performance teams. Karl's experiences on the field and beyond have shaped him into an exceptional leader, and he's generously sharing his Six Keys to Success: teamwork, courage, dedication, desire, honesty, and forgiveness. Let's learn, grow, and be motivated together.

Show notes: 

Connect with Karl:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlmecklenburg/

Visit his website:
karlmecklenburg.com

In Part 1, Mike and Dan explore why capable, driven leaders still struggle to execute — especially in a world defined by speed, uncertainty, and constant change. This episode reframes productivity as a leadership challenge, not a time-management problem.

Summary

Dan shares his experience as a CEO who felt stuck on a treadmill — planning, reacting, and falling short despite deep expertise. Together, they unpack why annual and quarterly planning fail to create urgency, how uncertainty amplifies execution gaps, and why feedback is now one of the most critical leadership tools.

Key Discussion Points

• Why knowledge and effort aren't enough

• The illusion of progress created by long planning cycles

• How uncertainty affects focus and confidence

• Why feedback is tied directly to engagement and retention

Highlights

• "Busy" doesn't mean effective

• Annual thinking delays accountability

• Uncertainty demands clarity, not paralysis

• Feedback helps people understand their value

Key Takeaways

• Execution breaks down when timelines are too long

• Leaders need shorter cycles to stay grounded

• Feedback is no longer optional — it's foundational

• Focus creates confidence in uncertain environments

Suggested Next Steps

• Identify where your plans lose momentum

• Reflect on how often you receive or give feedback

• Ask: What would change if progress was reviewed weekly instead of yearly?

Connect with Dan Mintz on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-mintz/

Learn more about Dan and the 12-Week Execution Cycles: https://12week-breakthrough.com/

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For more Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders visit: http://lightingthepath.net/blog/

Show notes:

1:50 How Thecia's interest in Emotional Intelligence started

3:20 Using EQ as the foundation

5:15 Thecia's advice on how to become more aware of emotional responses on circumstances that one might be dealing with

8:20 The Amygdala Hijack, Personality Styles and EQ

15:37 Emotional Intelligence in First Responders

17:25 Dealing with the little things in life

18:30 Social and Emotional Learning and its role in developing the next generation of leaders

23:30 Thecia's favorite point in our journey of Equip to Lead

Intro

What happens when a business leader says the word "love" in a boardroom?
Kelly Hall found out firsthand.

After two decades leading global teams in industries where performance ruled, Kelly began exploring what happens when we let emotion — empathy, compassion, and yes, love — belong at work.

In Part 1, Kelly and Mike unpack the tension between results and humanity: why we've been trained to separate who we are from what we do, and how reconnecting the two builds teams that trust, engage, and stay.

What This Part Covers

• Why "love" still feels taboo in corporate culture — and why that's changing.

• Kelly's story of being told to remove the word "love" from a presentation to investors.

• The danger of leaving parts of ourselves at the office door.

• Mike's moment of authenticity: going from "Michael" to "Mike."

• Redefining psychological safety and what it really looks like in action.

Highlights

• "It's scary to bring your emotions to work — and that's a tragedy."

• "The best leaders put their hand on your back, not their thumb on your head."

• "Safety doesn't mean comfort. It means you can stretch without fear."

• "When leaders show up as their whole selves, it gives everyone else permission to do the same."

Takeaways

• Real leadership is relational, not positional.

• Love is just another word for deep respect and care.

• Authenticity isn't a soft skill — it's a performance advantage.

• Create spaces where people can make mistakes and still belong.

• Growth happens when people feel safe enough to stretch.

Next Step for Listeners

Ask yourself: Do people on my team feel safe to tell me the truth — even when it's uncomfortable? This week, lead one conversation from curiosity, not control.

Connect with Kelly Hall.

In this episode, we will talk about the importance of using stories to increase the impact of your voice. James will share his insights on how to craft and deliver stories that will capture and engage your audience. Whether you are a business leader, a public speaker, or simply someone who wants to be a more effective communicator, this episode is for you. So sit back, relax, and enjoy our conversation with James Brown.

Show notes:
1:00 - Tapping Your Muscle Memory to Cultivate Authenticity
3:50 - The Art of Message Crafting: Embracing Simplicity and Storytelling
6:47 - Selecting the Perfect User Story as a Narrative Anchoring Point
10:50 - Transforming Adversity into Lessons of Wisdom and Growth

Connect with James:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesbrownjr360/
Mobile: 713-504-4590
Email: james@jamesbrownjr360.com

Learn more about James:
https://jamesbrownjr360.com/
thexchangezone.com

Ever wonder why even the most talented teams sometimes underperform? In this episode of Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders, we kick off a fascinating two-part conversation with Ernesto Gomez, a seasoned leader who served as the CHRO of a major global corporation. Ernesto shares his unique perspective on unlocking team potential, drawing from his experience leading a massive workforce and engaging with top executives. Get ready to rethink how you're building your teams and fostering growth.

Summary:

In Part 1 of our interview with Ernesto Gomez, we delve into the fundamental question of why so many leaders believe their teams are operating at only half of their potential. Ernesto shares his experience surveying CEOs and their surprising consensus on this issue. We explore the idea that while individual talent is crucial, organizational systems and culture play a significant role in enabling or hindering performance. Ernesto introduces the core concepts that led to his book, "Regrowth," emphasizing the inherent drive for growth in both individuals and organizations and the barriers that can stifle it.

Highlights:

• Discover the surprising statistic Ernesto uncovered from CEOs about their teams' potential.
• Understand why simply having talented individuals isn't always enough for high performance.
• Learn about Ernesto's motivation for writing his book "Regrowth" and its central theme.
• Explore the concept of "self-inflicted wounds" in organizations that limit team potential.
• Hear Ernesto's initial thoughts on the three key dimensions for unlocking potential: talent density, culture, and mindset.

Key Takeaways:

• Leaders often recognize a significant gap between their teams' actual performance and their potential.
• Organizational systems and structures can unintentionally create barriers to achieving full potential.
• Both individuals and organizations have a natural desire for growth and improvement.
• Understanding and addressing systemic issues is crucial for fostering a high-performing environment.
• Creating the right conditions is essential to help individuals connect with and contribute their full potential.

Next Steps:

• Reflect on your own team's performance and consider if you see a gap between their current output and their potential.
• Think about any existing organizational processes or structures that might be unintentionally hindering your team's effectiveness.
• Stay tuned for Part 2 where Ernesto will dive deeper into the three dimensions of talent density, culture, and mindset and how to cultivate them.

Stan has enjoyed a thirty year career as a Master Executive Coach, working nationally and internationally with Senior Leaders in the arena of Leadership and Leadership Development.

Stan has worked with CEO's in a wide variety of organizations including Oil and Gas, Banking, Health Care, Retail, Power Generation and Major Universities, to name a few. Stan is a passionate student of Leadership and Human Behavior.

Show notes:

1:10 Practicing unconditional confidence 

8:40 What have you not survived?

10:45 Transforming your mind

16:25 Surrendering comfort 

Topics covered in this episode:

• The Disciplines of Total Performance Leadership
• Case Study of QuikTrip 
• It starts with a Cohesive Leadership Team
• The driving force of a defined sense of purpose
• The Key mistake Leaders make

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Based in Houston, Rob Andrews is Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Allen Austin, a leadership advisory and executive search firm. Rob leads Allen Austin's global CEO, Consumer Packaged Goods & Durables Practice, and is also a member of the firm's Leadership Advisory, Private Equity, Industrial and Marketing Officer practices. Building on his earlier career experience as an operating president with major convenience store and supermarket chains, Rob conducts searches for board members, CEO and senior officers across a broad range of sectors. His prior experience with national retail brands includes senior operating, marketing and administrative assignments with revenues of up to $2.4 billion and headcount of 10,600.

Rob is also the architect of Total Performance Leadership. Purpose-driven companies make more money, have more engaged employees and more delighted customers, and are better at innovating than companies without a purpose. At the core of these organizations are authentic and passionate leaders capable of communicating, aligning and mobilizing the entire organization around a shared purpose.

Website: http://allenaustin.com

Phone: 713.489.9724 

Email: randrews@allenaustin.com

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For more Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders visit: http://lightingthepath.net/blog/

Key Topics Covered:

1. Seeing Beyond Your Perspective:

   • The importance of understanding others' viewpoints.
   • Why leaders must ask the right questions to truly know their team members.

2. Barriers to Effective Leadership:

   • Common stumbling blocks for leaders, such as not asking enough questions or prioritizing short-term results over long-term investment in people.
   • Larry's example of Intuit's employee-first strategy and its impact on business outcomes.

3. Personal Accountability and Change:

   • Larry and Mike share personal health journeys, highlighting the role of intentionality and discipline in achieving meaningful goals.
   • Mike's reflections on his family history and how it motivates his health decisions.

4. Leadership Transition Challenges:

   • The shift from excelling as an individual contributor to leading others effectively.
   • Insights into why great performers don't always make great leaders, using examples from sports and business.

5. The Role of Clarity in Leadership:

   • Why clarity is the cornerstone of effective leadership.
   • How leaders can align their teams around a shared vision and focus on solutions rather than problems.

6. Navigating Team Dynamics:

   • Recognizing and addressing dysfunction within teams.
   • Strategies for building cohesion and resolving conflicts in diverse groups.

This episode is a masterclass in leadership, offering actionable insights for anyone looking to elevate their management style and create high-performing, engaged teams. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just stepping into a leadership role, the lessons shared will inspire and equip you to lead with clarity, intentionality, and empathy.

Connect with Us:

• Mike Lejeune: Website | Podcast
• Larry Long Jr.: LinkedIn

Subscribe, rate, and review to stay updated on more leadership strategies and stories!

Rob is the Co Founder of Resource International, an organizational Consulting and Executive Coaching group.  One of his many programs Successfully Managing the Stress of Change and Successful Work Relationships which has become standard "flagship trainings" in some of the largest organizations in the country. 

In this episode, he shares: 

• How to engage people in the middle of change 
• Managing stress, Wrestling with conflict 
• Release the baggage for stronger communication 
• Helping to process emotions is more than a soft skill 
• Helping leaders process anger 

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Resource International co-founder, Dr. Rob Pennington, is an educational psychologist who specializes in improving the performance of leaders and teams through a balance of authority and collaboration. Trained through the National Training Laboratory (NTL) in organizational development in the early 70's and a former faculty member of three universities, Dr. Pennington's decades of research and experience support organizations in developing executives who can successfully lead massive change. His extensive work with CEOs and their Leadership Teams allows him to efficiently produce more effective results than might otherwise be achieved, always with an eye on the bottom-line and the ROI of his engagements.  

In his award winning autobiographical self-help book, Find the Upside of the Down Times: How To Turn Your Worst Experiences into Your Best Opportunities (Amazon & Kindle), Dr. Pennington provides readers with insights and tools to turn life's challenges into opportunities for growth and even blessings. He shares his own very personal journey of survival and discovery after some of the biggest challenges life can throw.  

Website: http://drrobpennington.com

Products: http://drrobpennington.com/get-access

For more Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders visit: http://lightingthepath.net/blog/

Summary:
We explore what it truly means to empower others, whether you're leading a boardroom or building a business from scratch. Sarah discusses the importance of "fanning the flame"—nurturing the sparks in others rather than trying to ignite them yourself. We also tackle the entrepreneurial mindset, overcoming procrastination, and why action (even imperfect action) is the real key to success.

Highlights & Key Takeaways:

• Fan the Flame, Don't Light the Spark: Great leaders don't create motivation—they nurture the drive already within their teams.
• Intentional Leadership: Small, thoughtful actions—like remembering personal details—can significantly boost engagement.
• Entrepreneurial Truths: You don't need to be perfect—just get started. Every step forward is a lesson learned.
• The Power of One Page: Sarah's TEDx talk breaks down how a single sheet of paper can bring clarity and crush procrastination.
• Action Over Possibility: Dreaming is great, but real growth comes from taking action, even when it's messy.

Next Steps for Listeners:

• Ask your team questions that help reveal their true passions and strengths.
• Watch Sarah's TEDx Talk on achieving goals with a single page—link in the show notes.
• Reflect on your leadership style: Are you trying to light sparks, or are you fanning flames?

Topics discussed

• Redefining Leadership for the Uncertain Future
• The Misunderstood Power of Soft Skills
• Curiosity as a Leadership Superpower
• The Leader's Role in Driving Engagement
• Navigating AI's Role in Leadership
• Reflection as a Leadership Action

Connect with Tim Silk

Welcome back! In Part 2 of our conversation with Ernesto Gomez, we dive deeper into the practical aspects of fostering engaged, purpose-driven teams. Ernesto expands on his framework introduced in Part 1, focusing on the three crucial dimensions that unlock potential: talent density, culture, and mindset. Learn actionable strategies to cultivate these areas within your own organization and empower your team to reach new heights.

Summary:

Building on the foundation laid in Part 1, Ernesto Gomez elaborates on his "talent density, culture, and mindset" system for maximizing team potential. He explains how intentionally designing for the right talent mix, nurturing a supportive and growth-oriented culture, and fostering both individual and collective positive mindsets are essential. Ernesto emphasizes that creating the right "spark" of ideas and purpose can awaken dormant energy within individuals and drive collective performance. He provides a framework for leaders to think strategically about these three interconnected dimensions to cultivate an environment where people can thrive.

Highlights:

• Understand the interconnectedness of talent density, culture, and mindset in driving performance.
• Learn how fostering a "spark" of ideas and purpose can unlock dormant energy within your team.
• Explore the importance of intentionally designing for the right "talent density" within your organization.
• Gain insights into how to cultivate a company culture that supports growth and high performance.
• Discover the significance of nurturing both individual and collective mindsets to overcome limitations.

Key Takeaways:

• Unlocking team potential requires a holistic approach that considers talent, environment, and individual/collective beliefs.
• Purpose and meaningful ideas are powerful catalysts for engagement and performance.
• Strategically building teams with the right mix of skills and perspectives is crucial.
• A positive and growth-oriented culture provides the context for individuals to flourish.
• Cultivating a strong individual and collective mindset empowers teams to overcome challenges and achieve more.

Next Steps:

• Reflect on the current talent density within your teams. Are you bringing together the right mix of skills and perspectives?
• Assess your current company culture. Does it actively support growth, collaboration, and a positive mindset?
• Consider how you can foster a stronger sense of purpose and generate energizing ideas within your organization.
• Think about strategies to nurture a more resilient and growth-oriented mindset in both individuals and your team as a whole.

In Part 1 of this conversation, Mike Lejeune sits down with Jonathan Whistman, CEO of WhoHire and author of Unrecruitable: How to Build a Team Your Competitors Can't Steal.

Jonathan has built and sold companies, authored The Sales Boss, and now helps organizations use data and identity-driven leadership to build high-performance teams that competitors can't poach.

This episode challenges conventional thinking about hiring, retention, and culture.

In This Episode:

• Why every business is actually in the human business
• The biggest mistake leaders make in hiring
• Why "gut instinct" fails more often than we admit
• The Think–Feel–Act framework for engineering culture
• Why identity determines whether someone stays or leaves
• The real math behind finding top 5% performers

Key Takeaways:

• Culture doesn't happen accidentally — it can be engineered.
• If you want different behavior, shape thinking first.
• Hiring is not an administrative task — it's a half-million-dollar decision.
• People don't leave jobs. They leave environments that don't fit their identity.

Next Steps:

• Audit your hiring process — are you using data or gut?
• Define clearly: What do you want your people to think about your organization?
• Share this episode with a leader who is struggling with retention.

Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanwhistman/

🎁 Special Bonus for Listeners

Jonathan has extended a special offer exclusively for listeners of this episode.

If you purchase a copy of Unrecruitable and message Mike with a photo of you holding the book, Jonathan will personally provide:

Two complimentary tickets to his live, two-day training event in Scottsdale, Arizona.

At this intensive session, you'll learn:

• How to conduct a Talent Reveal Interview
• How to run effective group interviews
• How to lead executive-level interviews
• How to implement the Think–Feel–Act audit inside your organization
• Practical systems for building an unrecruitable team

You can bring a member of your leadership team with you — both tickets are courtesy of this podcast.

To claim your tickets:

1. Purchase Unrecruitable.
2. Send a photo of you with the book to Mike.
3. We'll provide next steps for the Scottsdale event.

Helping speakers build the businesses of their dreams! Jane works with people who speak for a living to position effectively, earn higher fees, build their brand and platform, engage prospects with unique marketing materials and build a successful long term business.

• 2:02 Looking back at what happened in 2020
• 5:35 The power of mindset
• 7:56 Setting impossible goals
• 10:22 Dan Sullivan's Four Cs
• 16:45 What's taking place and how you can scale your business
• 19:46 Consistency and accountability

In Part 2, Mike Lejeune and Jonathan Whistman move from hiring strategy to leadership execution — how to deeply care, coach hard, and build an identity people won't walk away from.

Jonathan shares practical examples of:

• Recruiting the spouse
• Earning the right to have difficult conversations
• Designing onboarding that shapes identity
• Creating championship-level rituals inside organizations
• This conversation goes beyond retention strategies — it's about building people.

In This Episode:

• How to show people they matter (beyond surface-level care)
• Why leaders must earn the right to deliver hard feedback
• How to coach performance tied to personal identity
• Identity rituals that cement belonging
• Why champions don't need micromanagement — they need standards

Key Takeaways:

• People stay where they feel seen and developed.
• Difficult conversations only work when trust is established.
• Identity is stronger than compensation.
• Leaders must raise their benchmark before raising expectations.

Next Steps:

• Have one deeper conversation this week that goes beyond KPIs.
• Evaluate your onboarding — does it shape identity?
• Raise your standard — and communicate it clearly.

Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanwhistman/

🎁 Special Bonus for Listeners

Jonathan has extended a special offer exclusively for listeners of this episode.

If you purchase a copy of Unrecruitable and message Mike with a photo of you holding the book, Jonathan will personally provide:

Two complimentary tickets to his live, two-day training event in Scottsdale, Arizona.

At this intensive session, you'll learn:

• How to conduct a Talent Reveal Interview
• How to run effective group interviews
• How to lead executive-level interviews
• How to implement the Think–Feel–Act audit inside your organization
• Practical systems for building an unrecruitable team
• You can bring a member of your leadership team with you — both tickets are courtesy of this podcast.

To claim your tickets:

1. Purchase Unrecruitable on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Unrecruitable-Build-Team-Competition-Steal/dp/B0GNKXFTQQ
2. Send a photo of you with the book to Mike.
3. We'll provide next steps for the Scottsdale event.