Leadership, Disrupted
Leadership, Disrupted

This podcast hosted by Dan Rust explores the art and science of high-impact leadership in a disrupted world where the future – of business, of capitalism, of our society, and yes, of leadership – is changing and evolving. None of us can be certain what the future holds, but we are sure it will be fundamentally different. All of this is discussed from the perspective of real leaders in the real world who are changing the way business works. Dan is the bestselling author of “Workplace Poker: Are You Playing the Game or Just Getting Played?” published by HarperCollins.

In this episode of the Leadership Disrupted podcast, host Dan Rust sits down with Monty Wyatt, a top-tier coach in organizational development and author of Adding Zeros, to discuss the critical evolution of modern leadership. As organizations grow, executive leadership must evolve to keep pace, or it inevitably becomes a ceiling to growth. Monte's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/montewyatt/Adding Zeros Executive Development: https://www.linkedin.com/company/addingzeros/Monty shares his deep expertise on transitioning from command-and-control management to influence-based leadership. We explore the vital importance of self-awareness, the art of asking better questions, and how to build a high-performing executive team through radical transparency and alignment. Whether you are a CEO facing a plateau or a senior leader looking to refine your management style, this conversation provides actionable frameworks for developing the soft-sided skills that are now considered the most essential hard skills for executive success. Discover why true leadership requires vulnerability, how to handle difficult transitions within your team, and how to ensure your personal growth doesn't lag behind your business expansion.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction: Why Leadership is the Ceiling of Your Business03:45 - The Shift in Executive Leadership Expectations08:12 - Why Engagement Surveys Often Miss the Root Problem12:56 - Developing Self-Awareness in Senior Leaders25:20 - How to Run an Effective Executive Offsite or Retreat38:45 - Navigating Tough Hiring Decisions and Cultural Loyalty45:10 - Why 360 Feedback Must Be Human-Enabled to Work52:30 - Five Minutes of Free Executive Coaching AdviceHashtags: #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #OrganizationalCulture #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDisrupted #futureofwork #futureleader #futureleadership
Are you caught between embracing AI for efficiency and fearing its impact on your team's future? Discover the uncomfortable truth leaders must face about the rise of artificial intelligence.In this episode of the Leadership Disrupted podcast, host Dan Rust sits down with learning and development expert Nolan Hout to explore the dual-edged sword of artificial intelligence in the modern workplace. While AI promises massive gains in productivity and career empowerment, it also brings significant risks to job security, critical thinking, and authentic professional growth. This conversation moves beyond the usual tech hype to discuss the 'inconvenient truth'—that while leveraging AI is essential for staying competitive, relying on it too heavily can lead to a decline in foundational human expertise. We discuss why leaders must stop being mere 'AI cheerleaders' and start facilitating honest, nuanced conversations about how to integrate these powerful tools without losing the depth of human creativity and strategy. Whether you are an executive managing a team or an individual contributor navigating the changing job market, this episode provides a realistic, balanced framework for leading in the age of AI, emphasizing the importance of preserving 'hard thinking' skills in an increasingly automated world.Key Takeaways:• Understand the 'productivity paradox' where AI gains lead to job displacement for team members.• Learn why maintaining 'hard thinking' and foundational skills is critical even when using AI tools.• Gain strategies for leaders to move away from being AI cheerleaders and toward meaningful, authentic team management.• Discover the dangers of 'overclocking' AI and how it affects the quality of output and reader engagement.• Explore the ethical implications of AI-driven messaging and protecting against the loss of professional literacy.Timestamps:[0:00] - The Dual Reality of AI: Empowering Careers vs. Job Displacement[3:15] - Nolan Hout's Journey: From AI Skeptic to Strategic Advocate[10:20] - Tactical Advice: Prompt Engineering and Managing Your AI 'Employee'[18:40] - The Pitfalls of AI-Generated Content and Thought Leadership[25:10] - The Inconvenient Truth: How Over-Reliance on AI Stunts Growth[32:50] - Preserving Human Expertise in an AI-Driven Workforce[38:30] - The Future of Capitalism and Value in the Age of Automation[45:20] - The Dangers of Misinformation and the Decline of Media LiteracyNotable Quotes:'If you don't learn AI, they will find somebody who will and you will lose your job, but it is the learning of the AI that is causing people to lose their job.' - Nolan Hout'By building workflows through AI, work might be faster, but you may not grow as a subject matter expert in the same way.' - Dan RustHashtags: #LeadershipDisrupted #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #AIStrategy #ManagementTips
Is your leadership development feeling a little... flat? On this episode of Leadership Disrupted, things get "too weird" for the average corporate training manual—and that’s exactly why you need to watch. Host Dan joins veteran tech CEO and serial entrepreneur Chris Land (author of The Infinity Within) to go far beyond the standard "purpose-driven" talk. Chris has founded 12 high-tech companies and achieved 11 successful exits, but his most profound insights didn't come from a boardroom—they came from near-death experiences, out-of-body moments, and a deep dive into the nature of the soul. What We’re Diving Into:The "Game of Earth": Why we might be "godlike entities" who agreed to forget our power just to experience the depth of human emotion. The Business of Awakening: How a "crap load" of money at age 17 led to a deep depression and a lifelong quest for truth. AI vs. The Soul: Why Chris believes the "Singularity" is only 5–15 years away and what happens when code begins writing its own code. Eliminating Doubt: Using fear as a signpost to reconnect with what you are truly capable of creating. The "Too Weird" Factor: Why conventional leadership tactics (like OKRs and feedback loops) aren't enough for the shifting world we live in today. About Chris Land:Chris Land is an award-winning author, visionary leader, and tech veteran. After a career defined by high-level exits and technical innovation (including early email and fax systems), he shifted his focus to helping others live from a place of truth and wholeness. His book, The Infinity Within, bridges the gap between spiritual awakening and conscious creation. About Leadership Disrupted:We explore the evolving nature of leadership in a world that is rapidly shifting. Our mission is to provide insights into new approaches that move beyond the "normal stuff" to address the deeper needs of today's leaders. Connect with Chris Land:The Infinity Within – Available on Amazon and Audible. https://krisland.com/Building Wealth Clinic – https://www.buildingwealthclinic.com/#Leadership #SpiritualAwakening #AI #Entrepreneurship #InnerLeadership #TheInfinityWithin #ConsciousCreation #Singularity #PersonalTransformation
In this compelling episode of Leadership Disrupted, we sit down with Paul Slater, host of the Humanity Working podcast, author, and workforce advisor, to explore the complex relationship between human judgment and artificial intelligence. As AI becomes an everyday tool, the way we perceive and evaluate its reliability is shifting. Paul shares critical insights into why our natural human instincts often lead us to misjudge technology, especially when faced with the unpredictable "hallucinations" of tools like ChatGPT.LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-slater/Drawing from his deep expertise in workforce evolution, Paul explains that the traditional markers of professional stability are being upended. We dive into the startling reality that nearly 90% of current jobs may not exist in their current form within the next decade, demanding a radical shift in how we approach our careers. Throughout the conversation, we explore how moving from a "job hunter" mindset to one of radical adaptability and resilience is the only way to navigate the coming wave of disruption.Key Topics Covered:The Human Judgment Trap: Why the tools we use to judge other people are often irrelevant or misleading when applied to AI.The 20th Interaction Problem: Understanding AI reliability and the danger of trusting technology that is accurate 19 times only to hallucinate on the 20th.Massive Workforce Disruption: A look at why 90% of today’s jobs are expected to vanish or change beyond recognition in the next ten years.Adaptability as a Survival Skill: Why focusing like a "laser" on becoming an adaptable and resilient human is more important than specialized technical training.The Future of Work: Navigating the uncertainty of a post-AI world where nobody truly knows what’s coming next.Humanity Working: Insights from Paul’s journey hosting conversations focused on optimizing human potential in a disrupted world.This episode is essential for executives, managers, and anyone concerned about their future career who wants to lead with more resilience and foresight. True leadership in the AI era isn't just about mastering the latest tools—it's about preparing yourself and your team for a world that is "ready for anything".Hope this episode added a little sparkle to your day! If it did, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with someone who could use a smile, and let me know your favorite part in the comments!Don't forget to subscribe: / @danrustWatch our other videos:How Brave Leaders Speak Up When It’s Risky | Kimberly Davis: https://youtu.be/OBGAdY7meVU?si=3thvqBPT5sEPkIFxYour Leadership Origin Story | David Hutchens: https://youtu.be/bwdtDAeYcJo?si=ulZstaIGYt5dImz2Human-Centered Leadership | Karen Zeigler: https://youtu.be/RJ65usSrd2E?si=YCIpsXHm5yIi6-rLLeadership Beyond the Ice | Leela Bassi: https://youtu.be/KFm1coeGsJs?si=zLwVeKZeEsXtowiqConnect with us: ▶️ YouTube 🔴: / @danrustHashtags:#LeadershipDevelopment #WorkforceDisruption #PaulSlater #HumanityWorking #ModernLeadership #AIInTheWorkplace #FutureOfWork #Adaptability #Resilience #LeadershipSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment #DigitalTransformation #LeadershipDisrupted #DanRustRelevant Keywords:Paul Slater Humanity Working, AI hallucinations in business, future of work disruption, human vs AI judgment, career resilience strategies, adapting to AI technology, leadership in the age of AI, workforce advisory insights, overcoming technological misjudgment, job market evolution 2030, building adaptable teams.
In this wide-ranging episode of Leadership Disrupted, we welcome Tamara Laine—Emmy Award-winning journalist, fractional executive, cohost of the "What the Frac?" podcast, and founder of Empower—to tackle one of the most urgent questions facing leaders today: What happens when AI starts eroding the very skills that make us effective humans in the workplace?From critical thinking and resilience to creativity and storytelling, Tamara and Dan dig into how AI is quietly hollowing out the cognitive muscles that took a generation to build. Dan shares a vivid personal example—calculating farm sprayer settings by hand versus handing it to ChatGPT—and the unsettling realization that the second time felt like "white sugar for the brain." Together, they explore how leaders can push back against the temptation to let AI do the hard thinking, while still leveraging its power as a productivity tool.The conversation takes a sharp turn into the remote work debate, the productivity trap that mirrors the pandemic-era burnout cycle, and why forcing employees back to the office to justify real estate is a failure of critical thinking. Tamara draws a powerful parallel between the AI productivity squeeze and the remote work catch-22, warning that another reckoning is coming if leaders keep extracting every efficiency gain rather than sharing the benefits with their teams.The episode closes with a provocative discussion about what separates ego-driven leadership from truly magnetic, collaborative leadership—and why the most powerful leaders often appear to barely lead at all.Key Topics Covered:The Critical Thinking Crisis: Why AI-native workers risk losing the cognitive muscle to question, challenge, and problem-solve—and what leaders must do to rebuild it.Creativity as a Human Advantage: Why storytelling and original thinking will become the most valued workplace skills, even as AI handles the "perfectly beige" output.Resilience and the Right to Fail: How creating space for failure builds the grit, feedback tolerance, and entrepreneurial mindset that AI can't replicate.The Productivity Trap 2.0: Why the AI efficiency squeeze mirrors the pandemic remote work burnout—and why leaders need to let employees share the upside.Remote Work, Return-to-Office, and Real Estate: The uncomfortable truth about why companies are dragging people back to the cube, and the Warsaw office that got it right.Collaborative vs. Ego-Driven Leadership: Why the best leaders "wrangle the greatness around them" instead of being the sole fountain of insight—and the difference between having a vision and needing to be seen as the visionary.Empower and the New Economy: How Tamara's fintech startup is using agentic AI to bring financial inclusion to the eighty million gig workers locked out of traditional credit systems.This episode is essential listening for leaders at every level who want to protect critical thinking, nurture creativity, and build the kind of team culture that thrives alongside AI rather than being hollowed out by it.Hope this episode added a little sparkle to your day! If it did, don't keep it to yourself—share it with someone who could use a smile, and let me know your favorite part in the comments!Hashtags:#LeadershipDevelopment #CriticalThinking #TamaraLaine #WhatTheFrack #Empower #AILeadership #WorkplaceCulture #RemoteWork #Resilience #CreativityInLeadership #GigEconomy #CollaborativeLeadership #FrontlineLeadership #LeadershipDisrupted #DanRust #FutureOfWorkRelevant Keywords:Tamara Laine leadership, What the Frack podcast, Empower fintech gig economy, critical thinking AI erosion, creativity vs AI, resilience in leadership, remote work vs return to office, collaborative leadership style, ego-driven leadership, AI productivity trap, financial inclusion gig workers, building resilient teams, leadership coaching, fail fast leadership culture, storytelling in business.
In this compelling episode of Leadership Disrupted, we sit down with Ian Watts, an accomplished author, speaker, and expert on workforce transformation, to explore the critical intersection of empathy, accountability, and employee engagement. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianmwatts/Modern leadership requires more than just technical expertise; it demands the ability to navigate complex human emotions while maintaining high performance. Ian shares his insights from transforming leaders across over thirty industries and forty states, explaining why the most successful organizations are those that prioritize "building businesses that bless the world".Drawing from his deep experience as the founder of SB Dream Coach and the Employee Success Company, Ian explains that true leadership isn't just about managing tasks—it's about creating a process where employees feel genuinely cared for. We dive into the practical ways leaders can balance critical thinking with human connection, ensuring they don't crowd their schedules with everything except the things that make the most difference.Throughout the conversation, we explore how focusing on the "time value" of leadership becomes a catalyst for reducing turnover and boosting team performance.Key Topics Covered:• The Power of Care: Moving beyond the cliché of "caring" to establish practical processes and metrics that ensure leaders prioritize their people.• Workforce Transformation: Insights from Ian’s global experience in transforming leaders across diverse cultures and industries. • The Time Value of Leadership: Understanding how to allocate time for critical thinking and meeting preparation to produce change without crushing spirits. • Building a Blessing: Exploring Ian's mission to create businesses that serve as a positive force in the world and for their employees. • Enhancing Engagement: Practical strategies for boosting employee success and reducing turnover in complex work environments.• Intentional Communication: How to plan outcomes and tailor messages based on individual personalities to ensure they are truly heard.This episode is essential for executives, managers, and aspiring leaders who want to lead with more intentionality, engagement, and strategic impact. True leadership isn't just about the bottom line—it's about the quality of the human growth you facilitate within your organization.Hope this episode added a little sparkle to your day! If it did, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with someone who could use a smile, and let me know your favorite part in the comments!Don't forget to subscribe: / @danrustWatch our other videos:How Brave Leaders Speak Up When It’s Risky | Kimberly Davis: https://youtu.be/OBGAdY7meVU?si=3thvqBPT5sEPkIFxYour Leadership Origin Story | David Hutchens: https://youtu.be/bwdtDAeYcJo?si=ulZstaIGYt5dImz2Human-Centered Leadership | Karen Zeigler: https://youtu.be/RJ65usSrd2E?si=YCIpsXHm5yIi6-rLLeadership Beyond the Ice | Leela Bassi: https://youtu.be/KFm1coeGsJs?si=zLwVeKZeEsXtowiqConnect with us: ▶️ YouTube 🔴: / @danrustHashtags: #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkforceTransformation #IanWatts #EmployeeEngagement #ModernLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessGrowth #HumanCenteredLeadership #LeadershipSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment #FutureOfWork #LeadershipDisrupted #DanRustRelevant Keywords: Ian Watts leadership coach, workforce transformation strategies, employee engagement in the workplace, building businesses that bless, reducing employee turnover, human-centered leadership development, leading with empathy and accountability, executive coaching for performance, intentional leadership presence, how to foster workplace success, leadership impact and engagement.Thank you for watching our videos! Don’t forget to subscribe: / @danrust
In this compelling episode of Leadership Disrupted, we sit down with Ben Perreau, founder of Parafoil, to explore the evolving landscape of leadership development in an age of AI and shifting workplace dynamics. As organizations face increasing pressure to extract value while navigating a "crisis of leadership," Ben shares how a combination of cognitive science and purpose-built technology can help managers move beyond simple "check-ins" to foster deep, authentic connections with their teams.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perreau/Parafoil website: https://parafoil.co/Drawing from his unique background as a music journalist and his work with early Apple veterans, Ben discusses the challenges of the "lost cohort" of frontline leaders who are often promoted without sufficient support or training. We dive into the practical ways leaders can leverage "leadership intelligence" to gain real-time insights into their own performance, moving away from extractive, productivity-focused models toward more intentional and human-centered leadership.Throughout the conversation, we explore how to maintain a "seriousness of purpose" without taking oneself too seriously—a balance that allows for joy, levity, and a culture of continuous learning in a rapidly changing world.Key Topics Covered:The "Lost Cohort" of Leaders: Addressing the massive gap between when managers are appointed and when they receive their first real leadership training.The Productivity Trap: Why focusing exclusively on "extractive" productivity can lead to employee cynicism and a organizational death spiral.Leadership Intelligence: How purpose-built AI—grounded in psycholinguistics and cognitive science—can provide objective feedback on real leadership behaviors.The Power of Intentionality: Moving beyond generic chatbot hacks to use technology as a "scalpel" for precise leadership growth.Navigating the "Employer's Market": Understanding the hidden inner life of a workforce that may be masking dissatisfaction to maintain job security.Mentorship Over Heroes: Why early-career managers should look "one click above" for practical mentorship rather than idolizing billionaire CEO archetypes.This episode is essential for executives, HR professionals, and frontline managers who want to build a more resilient, innovative, and high-performing culture through data-driven insight and authentic human connection.Hope this episode added a little sparkle to your day! If it did, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with someone who could use a smile, and let me know your favorite part in the comments!Don't forget to subscribe: / @danrustWatch our other videos:How Brave Leaders Speak Up When It’s Risky | Kimberly Davis: https://youtu.be/OBGAdY7meVU?si=3thvqBPT5sEPkIFxYour Leadership Origin Story | David Hutchens: https://youtu.be/bwdtDAeYcJo?si=ulZstaIGYt5dImz2Human-Centered Leadership | Karen Zeigler: https://youtu.be/RJ65usSrd2E?si=YCIpsXHm5yIi6-rLLeadership Beyond the Ice | Leela Bassi: https://youtu.be/KFm1coeGsJs?si=zLwVeKZeEsXtowiqConnect with us: ▶️ YouTube 🔴: / @danrustHashtags:#LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipIntelligence #BenPerreau #Parafoil #ModernLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #AILeadership #FrontlineLeadership #HumanCenteredLeadership #LeadershipSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment #FutureOfWork #MindfulLeadership #LeadershipDisrupted #DanRustRelevant Keywords:Ben Perreau leadership intelligence, Parafoil leadership development, frontline manager support, accidental managers, psycholinguistics in leadership, moving from extractive to contributive leadership, AI leadership tools, leadership coaching for managers, overcoming leadership crises, organizational health and performance, leadership mentorship, navigating hybrid and remote work.
In this episode of Leadership Disrupted, host Dan Rust welcomes Tamara Laine—Emmy award-winning journalist, business strategy leader, co-host of What the Frac?, and founder of EMPOWER—for a no-fluff conversation about what leadership must protect as AI becomes the default operating system at work. Learn more about EMPOWER: empowerai.com Tamara’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamaralaine/What the Frac? Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-frac-your-fractional-executives/id1748688194Tamara makes the case that leaders need to deliberately harness critical thinking and creativity, because AI-native employees can easily accept outputs without developing the instinct to question, verify, and think hard—especially when the tool feels “good enough.” Dan brings it home with a real-world story about using ChatGPT to solve a practical problem he once figured out by hand—then realizing how easy it is to get the answer without earning the understanding. That gap isn’t just a productivity issue; it’s a leadership risk. We also dig into resilience, feedback, and the looming “productivity porn” trap: if AI saves time, do leaders give people space to think and experiment—or just cram the calendar with more work until the burnout bill shows up? Key Topics Covered:• Critical thinking in an AI-native workforce (and what gets lost) • Creativity, originality, and why “AI-beige” content is already getting ignored • Building resilience through feedback and creating space to fail • Remote work realities: what younger employees miss—and how leaders must get intentional • EMPOWER’s mission: redefining “creditworthy” for the gig economy and modern earners If this episode sparked something for you, share it with a leader who’s leaning too hard on the tools—and not enough on the thinking.Don’t forget to subscribe: /@danrustWatch our other videos: How Brave Leaders Speak Up When It’s Risky | Kimberly Davis: https://youtu.be/OBGAdY7meVU?si=3thvqBPT5sEPkIFxYour Leadership Origin Story | David Hutchens: https://youtu.be/bwdtDAeYcJo?si=ulZstaIGYt5dImz2Human-Centered Leadership | Karen Zeigler: https://youtu.be/RJ65usSrd2E?si=YCIpsXHm5yIi6-rLLeadership Beyond the Ice | Leela Bassi: https://youtu.be/KFm1coeGsJs?si=zLwVeKZeEsXtowiqHashtags:#LeadershipDisrupted #TamaraLaine #AILeadership #CriticalThinking #Creativity #Resilience #FutureOfWork #RemoteLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutivePresence #Fintech #FinancialInclusion #GigEconomyRelevant Keywords:Tamara Laine Leadership Disrupted critical thinking AI workforce creativity in the age of AIleadership resilience and feedback "productivity porn" leadership remote work leadership development EMPOWER fintech gig economy lending financial inclusion AIDisclaimer:The information shared in this video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the guest and host are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organization, employer, or affiliated entity.
In this inspiring episode of Leadership Disrupted, host Dan Rust welcomes Leela Bassi, a leadership development speaker, trainer, and author of Beyond the Ice, to explore the profound shift from hierarchical authority to human-centered impact.Modern leadership is no longer just about titles—it requires vulnerability, presence, and the courage to see others' potential. Leela shares her personal journey from being an orphan in India to navigating cultural identity in France and the UK, explaining how these experiences shaped her belief that true leadership is rooted in how we make others feel.Drawing from extreme formative experiences—including dragging a 50kg sledge across the Arctic Circle and trekking to Everest Base Camp—Leela reveals how high-pressure environments strip away titles to reveal the essentials of human connection and collective survival. We dive into why the old "command and control" playbook is burning away and how leaders must evolve to meet the needs of a workforce that values being seen and heard.Throughout the conversation, we discuss the damaging effects of bullying leadership and why the most successful future leaders will be those who lead with empathy, clarity, and a genuine commitment to their people.Key Topics Covered:• The Power of Being Seen: Why leadership is about seeing the potential in others before they see it in themselves. • Lessons from the Ice: How a minus 40-degree Arctic expedition redefined leadership as showing up when things are hard. • Inclusive Leadership: Overcoming the "invisible" employee experience and moving beyond KPIs to see the human being. • The Death of Hierarchy: Why the old playbook of "I'm the boss" is rapidly fading in the modern world. • Poking the Bully: Analyzing the impact of workplace bullies and why "tough guy" management often masks deep insecurity. • The Gift of Vulnerability: Admitting mistakes and leading from a place of authenticity rather than a "mask" of performance.This episode is essential for executives, managers, and aspiring leaders who want to move from "showing off" to showing up for their teams. Leadership isn’t a status—it is an intentional act of helping others reconnect to their own sense of value.Hope this video added a little sparkle to your day! If it did, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with someone who could use a smile, and let me know your favorite part in the comments!Don't forget to subscribe : /@danrustWatch our other videos:How Brave Leaders Speak Up When It’s Risky | Kimberly Davis: https://youtu.be/OBGAdY7meVU?si=wJaIah4a5HSik1HZBrand Leadership: How Leaders Build Trust at Scale | Cat Holt: https://youtu.be/TWoCReA3V0U?si=tPmBsmBoIi7ykWF8Laughter as a Service | Kevin Hubschmann: https://youtu.be/sxTLMAHGXDU?si=HpXoBQBMm6zpR0eSNeurodiverse Leadership | Adam Kleckner: https://youtu.be/KGtu_TxBcHk?si=-WIeP2tRtSQdJPRrConnect with us:▶️YouTube🔴: /@danrustHashtags:#LeadershipDisrupted #LeelaBassi #BeyondTheIce #LeadershipDevelopment #HumanCenteredLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #InclusiveLeadership #DiversityAndInclusion #VulnerabilityInLeadership #ArcticExpedition #EverestBaseCamp #ProfessionalDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #ModernLeadership #TeamBuildingRelevant Keywords:Leela Bassi leadershipBeyond the Ice bookhuman-centered leadership strategiesleading through extreme conditionsovercoming workplace bullyinginclusive leadership coachingmodern leadership transitionsvulnerability in executive leadershipArctic circle leadership lessonsbuilding trust and psychological safetyhow to be a seen leaderimpact-driven leadershipshifting from hierarchy to influenceleadership presence and eleganceeffective communication for leadersDisclaimer:The information shared in this video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the guest and host are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organization, employer, or affiliated entity.
In this inspiring and high-impact episode of the Leadership Disrupted podcast, we are joined by Dr. Geneva Williams, a Master Leadership Strategist, Vibrant Life Architect, and trailblazing executive who has spent decades redefining what it means to lead and leave a lasting mark.LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drgenevaspeaks/Dr. Geneva shares her powerful journey from serving as the first Black woman executive leader at the United Way of Metropolitan Detroit to reinventing herself as a viral "Vibrant Life Coach" and author. At the heart of our conversation is the concept of Legacy Leadership—the idea that true leadership isn't just about what you achieve during your tenure, but the impact that continues to be felt long after you've moved on.We dive into the significance of "The Dash"—that space on a headstone between the dates of birth and death—and how leaders can intentionally fill that space with purpose, passion, and service. Whether you are navigating a major career transition or looking to deepen your organizational influence, Dr. Geneva provides a masterclass on how to shift from "human doing" to "human being" while maintaining executive excellence.Key Topics Covered:✔️ Defining Legacy Leadership: Why impactful leadership is measured by what you leave behind in people and communities.✔️ Mastering "The Dash": How to be intentional about the legacy you are building every single day.✔️ The Power of Reinvention: Practical advice for leaders facing seasons of transition or seeking their "second act."✔️ Human-Centered Strategy: Why values like honesty, consistency, and kindness are the bedrock of modern leadership.✔️ Executive Presence & Vibrancy: How looking good, feeling good, and doing good can amplify your leadership influence.✔️ Leading Through Transitions: Strategies for maintaining resilience and clarity during periods of personal or professional change.This episode is a must-watch for executives, non-profit leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to ensure their leadership journey is defined by extraordinary impact and a vibrant life.Legacy isn't something you leave for people; it's something you leave in them.Hope this video added a little sparkle to your day! If it did, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with someone who is ready to lead with more purpose, and let me know your favorite takeaway in the comments!👍 Don't forget to subscribe 🛎️: / @danrustWatch our other videos:🎥How Brave Leaders Speak Up When It’s Risky | Kimberly Davis: https://youtu.be/OBGAdY7meVU🎥Your Leadership Origin Story | David Hutchens: https://youtu.be/bwdtDAeYcJo🎥Brand Leadership: How Leaders Build Trust at Scale | Cat Holt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWoCReA3V0U🎥Emotion-Optimized Leadership | Ryan Heinl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeXA6MeeV4AConnect with us:YouTube🔴: / @danrustHashtags:#LeadershipDevelopment #LegacyLeadership #DrGenevaWilliams #ModernLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipSkills #AuthenticLeadership #HumanCenteredLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #VibrantLiving #PurposeDrivenLeadership #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipDisrupted #DanRust #WomenInLeadershipRelevant Keywords:legacy leadership strategies Dr. Geneva Williams leadership coachhow to build a leadership legacyleading with purpose and impactcareer reinvention for executivesexecutive presence and vibrancyvibrant life coaching for leadershuman-centered leadership approachmodern leadership vs traditional managementbuilding community impact through leadershipleadership transition strategiesthe power of the dash in leadershipauthentic leadership developmentnon-profit leadership excellencestrategic planning for personal growthmentorship and legacy buildingThank you for watching our videos, Don’t forget to subscribe: / @danrust
In this compelling episode of Leadership Disrupted, we sit down with Karen Zeigler, CEO of The Human Score, to discuss the critical shift from "human doing" to "human being" in the modern workplace.As AI continues to transform the business landscape, leadership is being tested like never before. Karen argues that the future of work isn't just about artificial intelligence—it's about human insight, purpose-driven leadership, and intentional connection. [02:00] She shares how the most successful organizations of the future will be those that prioritize the unique potential of their people over mere productivity metrics.Karen's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-zeigler/The Human Score: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-human-score/Drawing from her background in design thinking and executive leadership, Karen introduces The Human Score, a revolutionary diagnostic tool that measures five key categories: work design, structure, culture, decision-making, and fairness. We explore how these metrics provide a roadmap for leaders to co-create environments where innovation thrives and people feel truly valued.Throughout the conversation, we discuss the "Leadership Math" (LX = EX + CX) and how leaders can navigate the "Workplace Renaissance" by leading with empathy, curiosity, and emotional intelligence.🔹 Key Topics Covered: ✔️ The Human Score: Understanding the five categories that define a human-centered organization [21:11] ✔️ Human Doing vs. Human Being: Why the era of "spreadsheet management" is failing and what needs to change [07:44] ✔️ AI as a Mirror: How technological implementations are highlighting existing gaps in organizational culture and data [12:26] ✔️ The Leadership Math: Why the Leader Experience is a magnification of the Employee and Customer Experience [13:45] ✔️ Workplace Renaissance: Tapping into the "hidden gifts" of employees that job descriptions often miss [39:45] ✔️ Practical Leadership Tools: The power of "Management by Walking Around" (even on Zoom) and asking: "How am I showing up for you?" [55:53] ✔️ Emotional Intelligence: Moving beyond the surface to understand the beliefs that drive our professional behaviors This episode is ideal for executives, HR professionals, and leaders who want to build a resilient, high-performance culture that puts people first.Leadership isn’t just about the results you achieve—it's about the human experience you create for those you lead.Hope this video added a little sparkle to your day! If it did, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with someone who could use a smile, and let me know your favorite part in the comments!Connect with us: ▶️YouTube🔴: / @danrustHashtags: #LeadershipDevelopment #HumanCenteredLeadership #TheHumanScore #KarenZeigler #FutureOfWork #AIInLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #ExecutiveCoaching #EmployeeEngagement #DesignThinking #LeadershipDisrupted #ModernLeadership #WorkplaceRenaissance #DanRustRelevant Keywords: human-centered leadership strategies The Human Score assessment Karen Zeigler leadership coach AI impact on workplace culture moving from human doing to human being leadership math LX EX CX building psychological safety in the age of AI improving employee experience (EX) design thinking for leaders emotional intelligence for executives workplace renaissance and innovation recruiting and retaining talent with purpose management by walking around for remote teams leadership transparency and trust high performance human systems.
Description: In this thought-provoking episode of the Leadership Disrupted podcast, we are joined by Bernie Youngblood, Director of Partnerships for Hot Logic and host of the Unboxing the Office podcast. Together, we tackle the growing disillusionment in the modern workplace and the radical shifts required to lead effectively in an era of "creative destruction."Modern leadership is at a crossroads. As AI, social media, and information overwhelm converge, the old "management by spreadsheet" model is failing. Bernie shares his unique perspective on why treating organizations as human systems—rather than machines—is the only way to survive the technological and cultural upheavals of the next decade.Bernie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernieyoungblood/Hotlogic® Website: https://www.https://hotlogic.com/Drawing from his deep experience in corporate culture and health, Bernie explains how leaders must move beyond cogs and KPIs to focus on the unique "gifts" each employee brings to the table. We discuss why the era of the cutthroat CEO is sunsetting and why the most successful future leaders will be those who lead with radical transparency, kindness, and human connection.Key Topics Covered: ✔️ The Disruption of Work: Why the pace of business and social media are creating a "disintegration of society" and employee disengagement. ✔️ Human Systems vs. Machines: Challenging the "spreadsheet management" model and why one plus one should equal "amazing," not two. ✔️ Creative Destruction: A 10-year outlook on why companies and industries will disappear virtually overnight due to AI. ✔️ AI as an Amplifier: How to leverage AI to outtask the mundane and amplify your unique human innovation and creativity. ✔️ Recruiting & Retaining Talent: Why the best and brightest will no longer work for "asshole CEOs" and how to build environments where gifts thrive. ✔️ Practical Leadership Advice: The power of asking "How am I doing for you?" and the survival mantra: “Get uncomfortable, stay uncomfortable.”This episode is essential for executives, HR professionals, and emerging leaders who want to understand the intersection of technology, faith, and humanity in the future of work.Leadership isn't about pulling levers—it's about the intentional creation of environments where human potential can be multiplied.Hope this video added a little sparkle to your day! If it did, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with someone who could use a smile, and let me know your favorite part in the comments!👍 Don't forget to subscribe 🛎️: / @danrustWatch our other videos: 🎥How Brave Leaders Speak Up When It’s Risky | Kimberly Davis: https://youtu.be/OBGAdY7meVU?si=v9QmuOMlPrgcrMeW🎥Your Leadership Origin Story | David Hutchens: https://youtu.be/bwdtDAeYcJo?si=YzhZQEJNfysFtpYy🎥Emotion-Optimized Leadership: Leading With Empathy | Ryan Hienl : https://youtu.be/VeXA6MeeV4A?si=3jADcoK-BfRaE-J7 🎥Digital Leadership: What Leaders Must Do Differently | Barbara Wittmann : https://youtu.be/3COkhIdR4-s?si=wOtycwoY7mPojAc2✅Connect with us: ▶️YouTube🔴: / @danrust✅Hashtags: #LeadershipDevelopment #ModernLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #FutureOfWork #BernieYoungblood #LeadershipDisrupted #CreativeDestruction #HumanCenteredLeadership #AIInBusiness #CorporateCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #EmployeeEngagement #ExecutiveCoaching #UnboxingTheOffice #WorkplacePoker📌Relevant Keywords: leading through corporate turmoil human systems in business management AI and the future of leadership overcoming employee disillusionment creative destruction in industry building psychological safety at work leadership transparency and trust impact of social media on workplace engagement workplace poker and office politics managing human gifts vs skills the end of the cutthroat CEO recruiting top talent in the AI age leadership coaching and empathy navigating organizational change future of work strategies.
Your Leadership Origin Story | David Hutchens is a leadership conversation presented by Dan Rust featuring author, speaker, and storytelling expert David Hutchens. In this video, Hutchens dives deep into one of the most powerful leadership concepts: the origin story— the narrative of how you became a leader and why your path matters. In this talk, you’ll explore questions such as:✨What is a leadership origin story? Hutchens explains that your origin story is not just a personal memory — it’s a strategic storytelling tool that defines who you are as a leader, shapes how others perceive you, and helps you connect with people authentically. ✨Why do origin stories matter in leadership? Leadership isn’t just about skills or titles — it’s about meaning. Sharing where you came from and what shaped your leadership mindset builds trust, engagement, and belief in the people you lead.✨How do you find your origin story? Hutchens guides viewers on reflecting about pivotal moments, challenges faced, and choices made that defined your leadership journey. These stories are useful in team meetings, personal branding, public speaking, and organizational culture work. ✨Storytelling techniques leaders can use — Expect insights on how to craft and tell your narrative in a way that’s authentic, compelling, and purposeful. Hutchens draws from his work with leaders around the world and connects storytelling to leadership influence. Themes include:* Personal leadership narrative* Storytelling for influence* Leadership mindset* Authenticity in leadership📌 Whether you are an emerging leader, entrepreneur, or someone looking to communicate your why more clearly, this video shows you how your own story is one of your most strategic leadership assets. #Leadership#LeadershipDevelopment#LeadershipJourney#LeadershipMindset#AuthenticLeadership#PurposeDrivenLeadership#ValuesBasedLeadership#LeadWithPurpose#Storytelling#LeadershipStory#StoryDrivenLeadership#PowerOfStory#StorytellingForLeaders#NarrativeLeadership#PersonalStory#PersonalGrowth#SelfReflection#FindingYourWhy#GrowthMindset#LifeLessons#MeaningfulWork#InnerLeadership#ExecutiveCoaching#LeadershipCoaching#ProfessionalDevelopment#CareerGrowth#TeamLeadership#OrganizationalCulture#DavidHutchens#ThoughtLeadership#LeadershipSpeaker#BusinessStorytelling#Inspiration#MotivationalTalk#LeadershipTips#LeadershipTalk#MindsetShift#LearnAndGrow#Wisdom#SuccessMindset#Leadership #Storytelling #LeadershipDevelopment #AuthenticLeadership #LeadershipOriginStory #PersonalGrowth #StoryDrivenLeadership #FindingYourWhy #DavidHutchens #ThoughtLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeadWithPurposeleadership origin storyleadership journeyauthentic leadershippurpose driven leadershipvalues based leadershipleadership identitypersonal leadership storyleadership mindsetleadership storytellingstorytelling for leaderspower of storytelling in leadershipstory driven leadershipnarrative leadershipbusiness storytellingcommunicating your whyinfluential storytellingfinding your leadership purposeself reflection for leaderspersonal growth for leadersmeaningful leadershiplife experiences shaping leadershipinner leadership workpersonal transformationleadership development trainingexecutive leadership developmentleadership coaching insightsorganizational culture storytellingteam leadership communicationleadership communication skillsDavid Hutchens leadershipDavid Hutchens storytellingleadership speaker David Hutchensthought leadership storytellingleadership keynote insightswhat is a leadership origin storyhow to tell your leadership storywhy leadership stories matterhow storytelling builds trust in leadershipusing personal stories in leadershipleadership storytelling examples
Since founding Laugh Dot Inc., Kevin's has focused on using comedy as a tool to strengthen team bonds, enhance company morale, grow community and enhance leadership. He has honed his expertise in engaging audiences and tailoring sales processes to deliver Laughter as a Service (LaaS) that transcends traditional team-building exercises, making every corporate event a memorable and unifying experience.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-hubschmann/https://www.laugh.events/
For more than 20 years Kimberly Davis has been helping thousands of emerging leaders transform into strategic difference-makers who drive results while leveraging their true, authentic selves. She is the author of BRAVE Leadership, which demystifies HOW to BE brave and DO brave, even when you don't feel brave. Brave Leadership is an the essential guide for leaders in today’s ever-shifting world.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlydavisonstage/Brave Leadership: https://brave-leadership.com/
For any successful business, the BRAND is a critical asset. Leaders envision the brand. Nurture the brand. Protect the brand. And Cat Holt is a Maestro of brand.Cat Holt is the architect behind one of the most enduring and beloved campaigns in insurance history — Dr. Rick for Progressive Insurance. With a rare blend of strategic rigor and creative soul, Cat has helped legacy brands evolve, challenger brands emerge, and leadership teams navigate the unknown. Today, as President & CEO of Coologee, Inc., she brings that same clarity and courage to companies facing transformation, uncertainty, or opportunity.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catkolodij/Coologee Website: https://coologee.com/
Ryan Heinl is the CEO of SIY Global - a science-based learning company that delivers world-class emotional intelligence programs built on a unique blend of neuroscience and mindfulness to create high-performing workplaces where people and business can flourish.Ryan has a unique take on Emotional Intelligence with a foundation in industrial and organizational psychology plus over 20 years at the intersection of executive assessment, leadership development, and technology. He and his team translate science and technology into scalable solutions that drive measurable business results.They help organizations select and build leaders who thrive in complexity and ambiguity. And if you are focused on building leaders for the future, you’re going to love this conversation. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanheinl/SIY Global Website: https://www.siyglobal.com/
Barbara Wittmann is the founder of the digital wisdomcollective: an operating system for the age of AI and transformation that upgrades how organizations align, collaborate, and deliver. It builds two interconnected layers of infrastructure to make your tech stack shine:• Human Infrastructure — confidence, collaboration, connectors in the middle, shared mental models, and an innovation mindset that keeps ecosystems growing.• Navigation Infrastructure — shared orientation tools that guidedecision-making without adding more technology, bringing clarity in complexity.Digital Leadership requires so much more than facility withdigital technology. And Barbara is the perfect person to about the opportunities, nuances, and potential trap doors the face leaders who are driving technology innovation and change. And in today’s AI-driven world, one way or the other, that means all of us.LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbarawittmann/Digital Wisdom Collective:  https://www.digitalwisdomcollective.com/
In this compelling episode of Leadership Disrupted, we sit down with Eric Rogers, PhD, a high-impact sleep consultant and board-certified behavioral sleep medicine specialist, to explore the critical link between sleep hygiene, cognitive performance, and effective leadership. Modern leadership in a complex, fast-paced world demands peak mental acuity, yet many leaders navigate their roles in a state of chronic sleep deprivation. Dr. Rogers shares his extensive experience coaching elite performers—from U.S. Navy SEALs to professional sports teams and corporate executives—explaining why sleep is the single most important factor for physical recovery, emotional resilience, and sound decision-making.LinkedIn Profile:   / eric-rogers-phd  Website: https://www.peaksleep.com/Drawing from his research and work with high-stakes organizations, Dr. Rogers explains that "powering through" on four or five hours of sleep is not a badge of honor but a significant impairment to productivity. We dive into the practical ways leaders can assess their own "sleep debt," manage cognitive offloading, and foster a workplace culture that values rest as a performance enhancer rather than a nuisance. Throughout the conversation, we explore how prioritizing sleep can transform a leader’s patience, creativity, and overall quality of life.Key Topics Covered:The Invisibility of Impairment: Why chronic sleep deprivation causes a "baseline resetting" that tricks leaders into thinking they are functioning at 100% when they are significantly compromised.The Law of Diminishing Returns: Understanding how working 70-hour weeks can result in the same productivity as 50-hour weeks due to sleep-related inefficiency.Cognitive Offloading: Practical strategies for "emptying the brain" before bed to prevent late-night rumination on tasks and responsibilities.The Three Pillars of Sleep Quality: Why a consistent wake time, reducing alcohol, and building a one-hour "disconnect" buffer are more effective than total sleep hours alone.Sleep as a Performance Enhancer: Shifting the mindset from sleep being "lost time" to it being the primary driver of sharp judgment and mental health.The Myth of the "Short Sleeper": Debunking the media-driven idea that ambitious winners only need four hours of sleep, a trait that applies to less than 1% of the population.This episode is essential for executives, managers, and high achievers who want to reclaim their mental edge and lead with greater clarity and impact.Hope this episode added a little sparkle to your day! If it did, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with someone who could use a smile, and let me know your favorite part in the comments!Don't forget to subscribe: / @danrustWatch our other videos:How Brave Leaders Speak Up When It’s Risky | Kimberly Davis:    • How Brave Leaders Speak Up When It’s Risky...  Your Leadership Origin Story | David Hutchens:    • Your Leadership Origin Story  | David Hutc...  Human-Centered Leadership | Karen Zeigler:    • Human Centered Leadership | Karen Zeigler ...  Leadership Beyond the Ice | Leela Bassi:    • Leadership Beyond the Ice | Leela Bassi #l...  Connect with us: ▶️ YouTube 🔴: / @danrustHashtags:#SleepHygiene #SleepHealth #LeadershipDevelopment #PeakPerformance #EricRogers #ExecutiveCoaching #MentalHealth #WorkplaceProductivity #CognitiveFunction #LeadershipDisrupted #DanRustRelevant Keywords:Eric Rogers sleep consultant, sleep and leadership performance, behavioral sleep medicine, cognitive offloading for sleep, overcoming sleep deprivation in business, high-performance sleep strategies, circadian rhythm for executives, sleep debt and productivity, mental sharpness for leaders, sleep hygiene for busy professionals, impact of sleep on decision making.Thank you for watching our videos! Don’t forget to subscribe: / @danrust
Sonia McDonald is the CEO and founder of LeadershipHQ andMcDonald Inc. Sonia is a leading keynote speaker, leadership advisor and award winning author. Her books Leadership Attitude, Just Rock It! and First Comes Courage are taking the world by storm and she is an in demand coach,facilitator, keynote speaker and advisor. Leadership stress is a topic of particular interest to Soniaand in this episode she shares her insights on the topic. Leaders today carry the burden of increasing stress levels driven by multiple disruptions and increasing complexities of the business landscape. Sonia and her team work with clients globally from emergingleaders to CEOs and Executive Teams. Based in Brisbane, Australia, their work is grounded in research and results as they deliver leadership programs, resources and coaching with commitment, authenticity, kindness and courage.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniamcdonald/Leadership HQ Website: https://leadershiphq.com.au/
What if your 'problem employees' are actually your greatest asset? Discover the power of neurodiverse hiring to build innovative, high-performing teams.Adam Kleckner specializes in strength-based, cognitive and Neurodiverse hiring, helping organizations reduce mis-hires, boost retention, and align teams not just by skills, but by the way people naturally think, collaborate, and solve problems.Adam's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamkleckner/LinkTech Website: https://www.thelinktech.com/In this eye-opening conversation, Adam Kleckner, Head of Strategy at LinkTech, challenges us to rethink everything we know about neurodiversity in the workplace. He argues that cognitive diversity isn't a problem to be 'fixed' but a powerful competitive advantage waiting to be harnessed. Adam breaks down how strength-based, neurodiverse hiring practices can drastically reduce mis-hires, boost employee retention, and foster true innovation. This episode is essential for modern leaders, HR professionals, and hiring managers who want to move beyond keyword-matching and build teams based on how people truly think and solve problems. You'll learn why self-awareness is the first step for any leader, how to adapt your interview process to attract diverse thinkers, and why seeing lived experiences as a strength is the key to unlocking the full potential of every employee. It's a masterclass in building the resilient, dynamic teams needed for the complex future of work.Key Takeaways:• Embrace Neurodiversity as a Strength: Shift from a medical model (something to fix) to a strength-based approach, recognizing cognitive diversity as a key driver for innovation.• Rethink Your Hiring Process: Traditional, one-size-fits-all interviews often filter out unique thinkers. Learn to reverse-engineer hiring based on team dynamics and cognitive strengths.• Leadership Begins with Self-Awareness: To effectively lead a diverse team, you must first understand your own thinking style, communication habits, and the environment you create for others.• Uncover Hidden Talent in Every Role: Neurodiverse individuals thrive in all functions, including sales and leadership. Discover how to leverage their unique problem-solving skills across your organization.Hashtags: #Neurodiversity #Leadership #HiringStrategy #FutureOfWork #CognitiveDiversity
This ain't your grandfather's leadership training. Dan Carusi and the team at Red Paint Consulting specialize in experiential & simulation learning with equine & nature-based activities, enabling personal and professional growth for individuals and teams worldwide. Their unique approach drives performance improvement, change management, sales and business transformation, and talent & leadership development.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carusi/Website: https://redpaintconsulting.com/
Koreen Pagano has decades of experience helping organizations transform. She has worked with executive teams on building business strategies, analyzing market opportunities, and pitching new ventures to Boards. And today her primary focus is helping leaders navigate the question of what skills means to them and how to start the journey to becoming a skills-based organization. Koreen’s LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/koreenpaganoBuilding the Skills-Based Organization: https://a.co/d/i1rXsOj
Noah Charnow is a Creative Director based in San Diego, best known for being a good idea thinker, a dog dad, a human dad, a skateboarder, a tearable speller, an obsessive doodler. Also the founder of Rock Hard Reviews, a globally successful movie review company. And the founding member of a decent one-man band, Dr. Alien.Website: https://noahcharnow.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-charnow/Rock Hard Reviews: https://www.instagram.com/rock_hard_reviews/Dr. Alien: https://doctoraliensucks.bandcamp.com/
Ben Rosenfield is the Swiss Army Knife of communications. He's an influential marketing and communications leader, strategist, and hands-on creator with extensive, demonstrated experience in combining content and customer experience to drive brand visibility and growth. Sought after for thought leadership and proven expertise in audience research and engagement, transforming consumer and business insights into actionable strategies, enhancing brand perception, writing and editing, and making complex information clear and compelling. Servant and adaptive leader, coach, and mentor. Nice guy, too.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-rosenfield/
Anna Fain is an inspiring, strategic leader with extensive talent and culture building experience in global, large, mid-size, and start-up operations spanning multiple industries. In this episode she details her passion for developing leaders and building an organizational culture of of empathy, inclusion and belonging. She has a proven track record with global industry experiences spanning Biopharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Engineering, Precision Manufacturing, Precision Medicine, Robotics and Automation, Medical Devices, and Hospitality. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annamfain/
Jim Caruso has trained, coached and mentored over 10,000 individuals in 15 countries on 5 continents from over 100 organizations including 50 Fortune 500 and Global Fortune 500 companies, across all industries, functions, and talent levels. In this episode Jim shares a lifetime of experience and practical wisdom focused on helping people become better leaders.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescaruso/
Tony Barr is a strategist, operator, and leadership thinker. He is the creator of the Signal Leader Paradigm™ and founder of Vidergo Group, an alliance of thought and practice disciplines that help organizations achieve breakthroughs in clarity, trust, and performance. His work bridges strategy, culture, and human development, grounded in decades of executive leadership and transformation experience. Currently an executive with BEUMER Group in North America, he writes at the intersection of leadership, systems, and culture while developing his first book.LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonybarr/
Cecilia Anderson is a corporate learning strategist with nearly 20 years of helping organisations build learning that works: for people and for the business. She focuses on creating experiences that strengthen culture, shift behaviour over time, and connect lifelong learning with authentic leadership and performance. Cecilia partners with clients to shape learning that feels personal, practical, and purposeful — whether it’s onboarding, leadership development, navigating change, or tackling the conversations we often avoid. She cares just as much about the experience as the outcome: how it lands, how it scales, and how it moves people.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilia-anderso
Josandra Schmidt is an emerging leader for a major agriculture equipment manufacturer. She's also in the third year of her own farm startup, with her husband. Plus she’s raising two young girls. She’s one of the hardest working Millennials I know and in today's episode she shares her perspective on leadership, life, work, etc. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasondra-schmidt-92971b95/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jdockter
David Hutchens is an author and CEO at Mythos Global / The Storytelling Leader. He helps innovation leaders around the world exercise the storytelling "voice of engagement" skill. With nearly 30 years of experience in organizational learning, David is an expert in using narrative to facilitate engagement, alignment, learning, and change in the world's most influential organizations.David has authored nine books, including his latest, "Story Dash", which equips leaders with tools and processes to find, develop, and activate their most valuable business stories. He has worked with influential organizations such as Accenture, IBM, Google, PayPal, Cisco, FedEx, L'Oreal Paris, NASA, and many others, across France, Germany, Singapore, The Netherlands, South Africa, and beyond. He is also a creator and facilitator of innovative leadership experiences, such as The Team USA Leadership Experience at the Olympic Training Center and The Apollo Leadership Experience at NASA's Johnson Space Center. David's work has been recognized with multiple awards and distinctions, such as Training & Development's "Training Product of the Year", ATD's "Excellence in Practice", and Brandon Hall Gold Award.
Charlotte Kemp is a futurist based in Capetown, South Africa. She helps leaders wrestling with the future to learn how to manage change; gather futures intelligence; define, describe and design the future and create a roadmap towards innovation and growing relevance in the marketplace. She is a member of the Association of Professional Futurists (APF). LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlottekemp/Exponential Thinking for Exponential Times: https://www.amazon.com/Exponential-Thinking-Times-Boardroom-Briefs-ebook/dp/B0FBKCRP5Z/
Today's episode provides a much needed booster shot of optimism, resilience and hope. Through her stories and practical examples, Jill helps others see through the challenges immediately in front of them, into a world of joy and peace and emotional abundance. The lessons themselves are almost always hard in the moment, and often the more difficult and painful they are, the more the teach us. So set your inner cynic aside for the next hour and let Jill share her stories with you. You'll be glad you did.You can order Jill's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Mini-Lessons-Jill-Garcia-ebook/dp/B0C7SKBM9B/
T.J. Jones is an author, speaker and leadership coach with a unique ability to help leaders leverage the strength of their humility, caring and vulnerability. A Caring Warrior chooses to wake up to his or her true self, chooses to lead others by giving, and chooses to inspire organizations and the world by sharing. It takes courage to fight on the battlefields of life: the internal (self), the tribal (our teams), and the cultural (organizations). With practical wisdom, he shows you how to be a positive and effective leader of your teams, your organizations, and the people in your life. Website: https://timothyjjones.com/The Caring Warrior on Amazon: https://a.co/d/ftZBMckTJ’s Newsletter “The Inner GPS”: https://tjs-newsletter-theinnergps.beehiiv.com/subscribeLinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/timothyjjones1
Peter Laughter and Dan Rust continue their conversation regarding the concept of "Distributed Leadership" from the previous episode.Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterlaughter/
As a keynote speaker and leadership transformation raconteur, Peter bridges the gap between organizational theory and practical implementation. Through award-winning storytelling and evidence-based insights, Peter helps executives navigate disruption by showing how leaders can:• Release the shackles of command-and-control• Access collective wisdom of their teams• Transform culture to thrive in rapid changeThe stakes are immense:• 77 percent of employees worldwide are disengaged • 70 percent of digital transformations fail • Traditional leadership models are not keeping paceAll of this happens against the backdrop of a world on fire, where crises demand collaboration but we remain divided. Organizations that embrace a leadership model where authority is distributed and decisions happen closer to the front lines, can:• Reduce overhead by 40 percent • Ramp up productivity • Drive sustainable innovation amid chaosWhen collaboration becomes part of how we work, it spreads to our families, communities, and institutions, and eventually their politics ushering a better world for us all.Contact Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterlaughter/
Paul Gonsalves is a seasoned Global Executive and Healthcare Consultant. Paul has a remarkable reputation for driving commercial success across a diverse range of companies, from small enterprises to Fortune 500 corporations and private equity-owned businesses.Currently, Paul serves as a Private Equity Advisor and Interim Operating Executive with Leverage Advisors. He specializes in global healthcare market opportunity analysis and business development strategies, providing advisory consulting aimed at advancing new healthcare services, digital platforms, and technologies.Paul's comprehensive healthcare experience spans every major care area in the healthcare system, including ER, ICU, Operating Room, Radiology, Cardiology, Oncology, and the Executive suite. He also has extensive experience as a senior commercial leader across sales, marketing, operations, and services.
Harris Jensen, MD joins the "Leadership Disrupted" podcast to discuss how leaders can be drained by negative overthinking that causes problems to look more significant and more overwhelming than they need to be – leading to self-doubt, anxiety and self-sabotage. Harris also discusses his new book "Prescription for Positivity" which offers clinically proven techniques he's seen work for 30 years. And perhaps most importantly, when leaders model a positive mindset for their employees, it turns out this is the most effective way to help those employees adopt a positive mindset themselves. Not by telling the to "think positive," but by showing them what positivity looks like in action.
Sonia McDonald is the CEO and founder of LeadershipHQ and McDonald Inc. Sonia is a leading keynote speaker, leadership advisor and award winning author. Her books Leadership Attitude, Just Rock It! and First Comes Courage are taking the world by storm and she is an in demand coach, facilitator, keynote speaker and advisor. Leadership stress is a topic of particular interest to Sonia and in this episode she shares her insights on the topic. Leaders today carry the burden of increasing stress levels driven by multiple disruptions and increasing complexities of the business landscape. Sonia and her team work with clients globally from emerging leaders to CEOs and Executive Teams. Based in Brisbane, Australia, their work is grounded in research and results as they deliver leadership programs, resources and coaching with commitment, authenticity, kindness and courage.
Scott Margason has more than 30 years of experience as a consulting partner working with Fortune 500 senior leaders across the globe, and that cumulative experience has given Scott a unique and broadly informed perspective on leadership. In this episode Scott shares the values and core beliefs that drive him professionally and personally. His approach to leadership is human-centered, highly empathetic and focused on truly connecting with each of his colleagues. This approach drives his success and a deep sense of gratitude which permeates all of his relationships.
The CEO of Infopro Learning shares his experiences and insights gained from leading a global organization of creatives and innovators. Sriraj Mallick discusses the impact of AI on leadership, the challenges of leading a global/remote/hybrid work team, and the importance of transparency in driving a high-growth business culture. Sriraj also shares his own journey of evolving as a leader, learning to draw excellence, engagement and commitment out of others rather than simply driving these through his own personal energy and tenacity. And finally he shares the benefits of productive paranoia, regularly questioning every aspect of one's business, inspired by Andy Grove's "Only the Paranoid Survive."
Larry Julian, bestselling author of "God is My CEO," joins us to discuss the challenges many leaders face when trying to integrate their faith and business. When the demands of business seem to be at odds with the guidance of one's faith, how does a business leader make decisions? Larry has been coaching leaders for more than 20 years and shares insights from a lifetime of experience helping these leaders navigate the sometimes conflicting demands of business and faith.
Today's episode is focused on leading a team, a department or an entire organization AFTER a large layoff. I studied more than 8,000 employees who survived a corporate layoff and discovered that, on average, their productivity, work quality and engagement all declined significantly. Retention rates of these employees also declined sharply, so employers were losing more of those they had planned to keep. Even the layoff of only a few, or even just one employee, can have a significant negative impact on those remaining. So my goal in this episode is to help you understand the research and recommended leadership strategies to keep employees motivated and engaged during difficult times, especially after layoffs. We will be talking about: *  Pre-layoff preparation and communication * The expected decline in the ‘survivor’s’ passion, creativity and commitment * How employees mask their true feelings * The impact of even small or singular layoffs * What kind of leader do they need now? * Post-layoff communication cadence * How to avoid losing your most effective and productive ‘survivors’
The phrase “First Wave DEI” refers the time period before May of 2022, with many decades of slow (and unsteady) progress toward greater awareness (and in some cases, appreciation) of the societal importance of diversity, equity and inclusion. Race, gender and sexuality were the primary focus of DEI initiatives during this period. In the workplace, Human Resources departments were primarily responsible for establishing and enforcing equitable policies. The “Second Wave DEI” period began in the wake of George Floyd’s murder where we saw an acceleration and intensification of efforts to drive change in actions, mindsets and results. Racial equity and justice understandably took center stage, but sexuality and gender issues also gained momentum, particularly the human rights of non-binary and gender-fluid individuals. The increased focus and passion also produced an intense push-back from some individuals and groups. The societal “conversation” (and conflict) easily spilled over into the workplace conversation (and conflict). “Third Wave DEI” refers to a near-future period when the focus of DEI initiatives expands from primarily race, gender, and sexuality to encompass the full range of human diversity. In this near-future, creating societal and workplace cultures of belonging and inclusion will mean greater attention to neurodiversity, non-traditional family structures as well as difference related to cultural, language, lifestyle and life experience, work experience… the full dimension of human diversity is almost limitless. This does not mean that the "big three" (race, gender, sexuality) represent issues that have been resolved, and these will still be areas of major focus when it comes to creating a truly inclusive society/workspace. But in Wave 3, the workplace conversation/conflict will begin to move along a different path from the societal conversation/conflict. This webinar will focus on the challenges and opportunities that will spring from this Third Wave of DEI.
Once again I was NOT invited to the World Economic Forum conference in Davos, Switzerland this January. So while government leaders were rubbing shoulders with big business, big philanthropy, big media, and other cultural leaders to, as they say, SHAPE global, regional and industry agendas, for the rest of us, I was having conversations with what I like to call WORKING leaders. People like the CEO of a $50 million manufacturing company in Ohio, the VP of marketing for a global food distributor, the Director of Sales for a farm implement dealership, the head of Human Resources for a large consulting business in the UK, the CEO of a cryptocurrency startup based in Singapore, and lots of other folks who, again, I like to call WORKING leaders. I have conversations with people like this every week and it’s the best part of my job. I remember having conversations with business leaders a year ago, in early 2022, and their big top-of-the-mind concerns were supply chain disruptions, productivity of remote and hybrid workers, when and how and IF to transition them back to the office, and of course retaining top talent was a big issue. This year most of the business leaders I speak with think we are going to have a recession, but that’s not primarily what they were talking or thinking about. They were not intensely focused on the recession that may happen in the next 12 months. What they were focused on were the big transformations that are going to play out over the next 10 years. * The evolving employee recruiting and retention landscape. * The growing impact of Artificial Intelligence, especially the generative AI app called ChatGPT. * Creating an INCLUSIVE work environment where every employees feels SEEN, KNOWN… every employee feels CONNECTED to the mission of the organization AND connected to the PEOPLE they work with, and every employee feels VALUED for their contributions to the business. * In the face of all of these technology-driven accelerations, how do we keep our organizations as HUMAN as possible, how do we help our people be as mentally fit as possible? Can we hope for a future where we have both more/better technology and more humanity all at the same time? Can we realize the potential of pairing great people with innovative technologies? It doesn’t HAVE to be about replacing one with the other, it can mean allowing people to free up more of their time to do what humans do best. So continuing the look forward into what we should expect, as business leaders, in 2023 and beyond, at this point in time we are almost three years out from the uprisings of 2020 in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd. And we know that in that year a lot of businesses made really big promises to their employees and customers and other stakeholders around equity and social justice. There was a huge WAVE of training and corporate culture change initiatives. Unconscious bias in the workplace, micro-exclusions and micro-aggressions. Social justice, equity, inclusion and belonging. These were all terms that became part of our corporate conversations. And I think 2023 is the year we’re going to see if those major initiatives will be sustained, if those big promises are going to be kept. Business leaders will be responding to political and cultural change this year, and in some cases, resistance. What I’m hearing from many senior leaders is that they remain committed to their DEI and ESG goals, but they are going to avoid language that tends to TRIGGER a pushback. So business may remain committed to their ESG goals but simply find new ways to communicate them. So one of my predictions – if we want to use that word – for 2023 is that business leaders in many cases WILL be more deeply connected to their DEI and ESG goals, even if their language or narrative changes. Also in 2023,
We look back at the year 2022. There were plenty of interesting and unexpected things that happened this past year to provide us with leadership lessons and observations IF you are paying attention and asking the right questions.
In this episode we will help leaders understand the approach of an optimal leader coach, and align coaching style with the employee’s competency/skill level. Performance coaching starts with a strong coaching relationship of trust, going in both directions. Followed by clearly defined performance objectives and standards. Good coaches measure individual and group contributions against clearly defined standards for performance. When gaps are identified, these are clearly and positively communicated, then they work diligently to close the gaps. Holding others accountable to their goals provides opportunities for growth, learning, and ongoing motivation. Coaching Analysis Questions * Identify the specific behavior discrepancy. * Is it worth your time and effort? * Do they know the behavior is problematic? * Do they know WHAT they are supposed to do and WHY? * Do they know HOW to do it? * Are there obstacles beyond their control? * Do they think your way will not work or their way is better? * Is there a way to “flex” the requirements to align with the individual’s natural competencies or strengths? * Do they have other priorities? * Does desired performance produce positive consequences? * Does desired performance produce actual or perceived negative consequences? * Does problematic performance produce positive consequences? * Does problematic performance produce negative consequences? * Are personal problems interfering? * Could they do it if they chose to?
As a leader, if you are wondering what to do about quiet quitting, I suggest you start by focusing on yourself. Because the most recent research and survey data shows that LOUD Leaders have 30-40% fewer quiet quitters. "Quiet Quitters" are disengaged employees who choose to stay in their jobs, but are doing only what is specifically required of them at work and nothing more. Many of these employees will tell you that they are "working to live" as opposed to "living to work."  Whatever the root causes, many employees have made the conscious decision to reduce the importance they attach to their work lives, in favor of family, friends and their mental, as well as their physical, well being. LOUD Leadership is an approach that respects and validates these employees while ultimately boosting their engagement at work through respect, trust, recognition and treating them as human begins making valued contributions to the organization.
Quiet quitting is just the latest popular term referencing employees who put no more effort into their jobs than absolutely necessary. The bad news is that employee engagement has been in decline for more than 20 years, and yet there is GOOD NEWS because employees have told us EXACTLY what it takes to drive their full engagement. In this episode we start with the role of leaders in boosting (or destroying) engagement, and the primary focus of those exceptional leaders who have the proven ability to motivate and energize their employees. Then we go into detail regarding the 10 proven engagement drivers.
We are living and working in disruptive times: technology-driven upheavals, economic recession and inflation and supply chain issues, global pandemics, terrorist attacks, trade wars, culture wars. Employee expectations for their relationship with employers and leaders are evolving.  And as employees needs and priorities change, it makes sense that leadership would need to evolve as well. In this disrupted landscape we need to do more to develop evolved leaders who can best serve their companies and their employees. Leaders are feeling more pressure from the top down, and the bottom up. They are being asked to do more with less, and to do it faster.
This is a brief introduction to the "Leadership, Disrupted" podcast which explores the art and science of high-impact leadership in a disrupted world where the future  – of business, of capitalism, of our society, and yes, of leadership – is changing and evolving and where none of us can be certain what the future holds, but we are sure that it will be fundamentally different. All of this will be discussed from the perspective of real leaders in the real world who are changing the way business works.