Podcasts about company culture

This interview was recorded for the GOTO Book Club.http://gotopia.tech/bookclubElisabeth Hendrickson - Advisor, Coach, Speaker & Co-Author of "Signals & Levers"Joel Tosi - Co-Founder & CTO at Dojo & Co & Co-Author of "Signals & Levers"Charles Humble - Freelance Techie, Podcaster, Editor, Author & ConsultantCheck out more here:https://gotopia.tech/episodes/448RESOURCESElisabethhttps://ruby.social/@testobsessedhttps://github.com/testobsessedhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/testobsessedhttps://curiousduck.ioJoelhttps://mastodon.social/@joeltosihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-tosi-531a3bCharleshttps://bsky.app/profile/charleshumble.bsky.socialhttps://linkedin.com/in/charleshumblehttps://mastodon.social/@charleshumblehttps://conissaunce.comLinkshttps://ruthmalan.comhttp://www.ask-force.org/web/Discourse/Rittel-Dilemmas-General-Theory-Planning-1973.pdfDESCRIPTIONElisabeth Hendrickson and Joel Tosi open by explaining why systems thinking is having a moment right now: organizations that went all-in on Agile and DevOps are finding those returns plateauing, and the rise of AI is forcing engineering teams to reexamine where their real bottlenecks are. The book, Signals & Levers, gives software engineers a practical vocabulary and toolkit for that examination. A core insight is that most organizational dysfunction isn't caused by bad people or bad intentions, but by systems that produce bad outcomes predictably and structurally. The named archetypes in the book — over 20 of them, covering patterns like escalating technical debt, the "fixes that fail" loop, and the boiling frog — give teams a shared language to recognize and reason about those patterns without having to discover them from scratch.The most practically actionable section of the conversation covers signals versus levers: understanding the difference between information (a signal) and an intervention point (a lever) is the foundation for making changes that actually work rather than changes that feel productive and achieve nothing. On AI, both authors are cautious in the right ways: Elisabeth uses it daily as a thinking partner but keeps herself firmly at the steering wheel. Joel's warning is starker — AI amplifies whatever is already true about your organization, including dysfunction, and if it lets you ship faster than you can learn, the consequences may be severe. The book closes with an exercise for the reader: if AI doubles your delivery speed, what happens when you can ship faster than you can adapt?RECOMMENDED BOOKSElisabeth Hendrickson & Joel Tosi • Signals & Levers • https://amzn.to/4g6Fb3CDiana Montalion • Learning Systems Thinking • https://amzn.to/3ZpycdJDon Norman • The Design of Everyday Things • https://amzn.to/4fV6QVlGene Kim • The Unicorn Project • https://amzn.to/3woXQDzGene Kim, Kevin Behr & George Spafford • The Phoenix Project • https://amzn.to/3X9cYxaPeter Degrace & Leslie Hulet Stahl • Wicked Problems, Righteous Solutions • https://amzn.to/3ScP0D9Frederick Brooks Jr. • The Mythical Man-Month • https://amzn.to/4gd10OVGerald Weinberg • An Introduction to General Systems Thinking • https://amzn.to/4dZCsaODonella H. Meadows • Thinking in Systems • https://amzn.to/3XtqYCVBlueskyInstagramLinkedInFacebookCHANNEL MEMBERSHIP BONUSJoin this channel to get early access to videos & other perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs_tLP3AiwYKwdUHpltJPuA/joinLooking for a unique learning experience?Attend the next GOTO conference near you! Get your ticket: gotopia.techSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL - new videos posted daily!

Most companies talk about purpose. Patagonia builds the systems to back it up. Even when that means holding many contradictions. In this episode, Teresita Richard, Chief People Officer at Patagonia, joins Culture Amp's Justin Angsuwat to unpack how the company protects a culture built by climbers and surfers while scaling it across nearly 4,000 employees worldwide. From "liberating structures" that replace bureaucracy with just enough guardrails, to a hiring philosophy built on alignment over "fit," Teresita shares what it really takes to stay radical, human, and honest.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI is commoditizing specialization — and the move isn't to specialize harder. It's to elevate. AI is running the 250-year division of labor in reverse, collapsing roles that used to be separate into one.Since Adam Smith's pin factory in 1776, progress meant slicing work into ever-narrower specialties — Babbage extended it to cognitive work, Coase explained why firms hoard coordination to make it pay. Junior and Dr. Tim Clark argue AI has flipped the whole arc. When the cost of coordination falls toward zero and deep expertise gets commoditized by "computational cognition," labor stops dividing and starts converging. At LeaderFactor, three roles that once had nothing to do with each other are merging into one, and the org chart no longer looks conventional.So what do you actually do about it? The episode gives leaders and L&D a practical filter. Every task sorts into what AI can do autonomously, what needs a human in the loop, and what has to stay uniquely human. That maps onto two algorithms: the AI algorithm — process information, identify patterns, generate outputs — and the human algorithm — assign value, exercise judgment, bear responsibility. The instruction is direct: cede the AI algorithm's ground, elevate into the human one, and stop binding your identity to a role that's now perishable. The scarce trait is no longer domain expertise. It's high agency.Chapters00:00 — Is AI reversing the division of labor?01:36 — Adam Smith, the pin factory, and 250 years of specialization04:23 — Babbage brings the division of labor to cognitive work06:22 — Coase: why firms exist and what falling coordination costs change07:46 — When agents talk to agents, coordination cost goes to zero08:18 — The Grand Convergence: how LeaderFactor's org chart changed12:36 — Marginalization forces a choice: elevate or be displaced13:49 — Why "upskilling" is dead — it's access vs. motivation now15:26 — High agency beats domain expertise16:14 — The AI algorithm: process, pattern, generate18:49 — Don't trust the insulation: step changes are coming19:35 — The human algorithm: assign value, judge, bear responsibility20:11 — The practical move: objective → responsibilities → roles23:00 — Filtering roles: autonomous, augmented, uniquely human24:49 — The psychology of a role that keeps changing26:37 — Bind yourself to value creation, not a title28:19 — Recap and final thoughts29:29 — Read Leading Through AI + free skill previewsReady for more? Take a look at our resources below. 

Is it ever too late to reinvent your career?In this episode of the HRchat Podcast's Next Chapter series, guest host Pauline James speaks with three inspiring professionals who prove that meaningful career transitions don't have an expiry date.Actor, writer, and producer Renée Hackett shares her journey of creating opportunities instead of waiting for them, discusses building confidence later in life, and opens up about balancing career growth with the realities of perimenopause and menopause.Former financial services marketing executive Diane Loveys explains how she successfully returned to paid employment after years focused on family and community, offering practical advice on workforce re-entry, transferable skills, flexible working, networking, and rebuilding confidence.Leadership coach and podcaster Audley Stephenson discusses developing a purposeful portfolio career while maintaining a full-time role, embracing experimentation, and building a legacy-focused future beyond traditional retirement.Whether you're planning a career pivot, returning to work after a break, exploring a portfolio career, or supporting experienced employees in your organisation, this episode offers practical advice and inspiring perspectives on what comes next.In this episode: Why careers don't have to follow a linear path  Building confidence during midlife career transitions  Creating your own opportunities instead of waiting for permission  Menopause, perimenopause, and supporting experienced professionals  Returning to work after caregiving or a career break  Recognising transferable skills gained outside traditional employment  Flexible work and second-career opportunities  Networking tips for career changers  Building a portfolio career alongside full-time work  Planning a purpose-driven retirement and lasting legacy  Redefining success in the second half of your career Guests Renée Hackett – Actor, writer and producer  Diane Loveys – Former financial services marketing executive and travel professional  Audley Stephenson – Leadership coach, podcaster and founder of The Audacious Living PodcastSupport the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here.Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterCheck out our in-person events

Jenny Catalano, founder and CEO of Impact Events Collective, joins the show to share how she transformed years of corporate leadership experience into a mission-driven business focused on building stronger workplace cultures through community impact. After witnessing the gap between the values companies promote and what employees actually experience, Jenny created a unique approach that brings teams together through meaningful volunteer projects. She shares the inspiring story behind her first large-scale impact event, where 150 conference attendees assembled 51 Cozy Coupe cars for children in need, proving that purpose-driven experiences can create lasting connections within organizations. In this conversation, Jenny discusses why authentic leadership, shared service, and intentional company culture matter more than ever. She also opens up about the realities of building a business from the ground up, the importance of networking, and the mindset shifts that helped her keep moving forward through uncertainty. Whether you're a business leader looking to strengthen your team, an entrepreneur navigating growth, or someone passionate about making a difference, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring reminders that meaningful impact starts with people. Connect with Jenny:Website: www.impacteventscollective.com LinkedIn: Jenny Catalano Instagram: @impacteventscollective Let's keep the conversation going!Website: www.martaspirk.com Instagram: @martaspirk Facebook: Marta Spirk Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest  Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking Burnout doesn't just exhaust you. It silently erodes your most important relationships. Aurora Method Coaching helps high-achieving women uncover the root beliefs driving their relationship conflicts and burnout, moving them from emotional reactivity to calm, clarity, and confidence. Ready to restore connection? Book your FREE consultation at meetwithtracy.coach  

Jaeden and Conor dig into Microsoft's $2.5B AI investment and its new 6,000-person implementation unit, and Conor shares his spicy take on why throwing money and systems at AI often misses the real problem. They break down why most AI pilots fail to drive adoption, why resistance to change (not the technology) is the real bottleneck, and how leaders can actually ignite enthusiasm and get people using AI at the individual level.Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/57ATwMDuaMgGet the top 80+ AI Models for $8.99 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiConor's AI Course: https://www.ai-mindset.ai/coursesJaeden's AI Business Community: https://www.skool.com/aihustleChapters00:00 Microsoft's $2.5B AI Investment and Industry Trends00:34 Conor's Spicy Take: Is Microsoft's Approach a Mistake?01:08 What AI Implementation Units Are Trying to Achieve02:06 The Common Pitfall: Blaming Systems, Not People03:30 Why AI Pilots Often Fail to Drive Adoption04:19 The Real Problem: Resistance to Change, Not Technology06:05 Igniting the Spark: Getting People Excited About AI09:22 Driving AI Use at the Individual Level12:11 Company Culture and Leadership13:23 The Bubble We Live In: AI Adoption Gaps See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us Fan MailWhy do great strategies so often fail in execution?In this episode of The Frustrated CEO, Patrick and Patsy uncover the hidden dynamics that quietly derail teams, damage culture, and prevent organizations from achieving their goals. While many execution problems are blamed on processes or strategy, the real obstacles are often rooted in human behavior.They explore how both intentional and unintentional behaviors can undermine trust, weaken relationships, and create cultural patterns that make effective execution nearly impossible when left unaddressed. Patrick also shares why leadership begins with genuine care and concern for people—and how leaders who recognize and manage these hidden behaviors create healthier, higher-performing teams.You'll also hear why periods of growth don't create new problems—they expose the ones that have always been there, making self-awareness and intentional leadership more important than ever.In this episode, you'll learn:-Why execution problems often start with hidden team dynamics-How unmanaged behaviors quietly erode culture and performance-The leadership mindset that builds trust and accountability-Why growth exposes existing organizational issues-Practical insights for creating teams that execute with excellenceIf you're a CEO, business owner, or leader looking to improve execution and build a stronger culture, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Supply Chain Connections, Brian Glick speaks with Pavel Kveten, CEO at Girteka Logistics, to dig into what it really takes to build and sustain culture at a major European asset-based trucking company. Pavel is one of those rare executives who spent his entire career at one company, and he has a lot to say about what that vantage point makes possible.Key topics discussed include: Why the gap between well-capitalized carriers and smaller operators is getting wider What the best supply chains do differently with carrier relationships, and why switching on price tends to backfire Girteka's operating model: control, discipline, and scale, and why scale alone isn't a competitive advantage Why culture is harder to fake in logistics than almost any other industry Brian's theory on what AI should actually change about shipment management, and whether Pavel agrees What Pavel says he's most afraid of (it's not making mistakes)Pavel Kveten is CEO of Girteka Logistics, a major European asset-based trucking and logistics company, with operations across the continent. He joined Girteka in 2011 and spent his entire logistics career there, moving through roles including COO and Chief Commercial Officer before becoming CEO in 2025. His focus today is on combining operational discipline with emerging technology to drive performance at scale.Discover Girteka LogisticsConnect with BrianFollow Chain.io on LinkedIn

The Leadership Operating System Every leader develops an internal operating system. It's built from experience, reinforced by success, and often becomes invisible to the person running it. In this episode, Allison explores: Why the habits that created success may eventually create limitations How early-stage leadership instincts differ from scaling-stage leadership needs The hidden ways leaders become organizational bottlenecks Why recurring problems are often systemic rather than isolated The challenge of recognizing your own leadership patterns How authority limits honest feedback Why perspective is often more valuable than advice The role trusted peers play in helping leaders see blind spots How leaders can upgrade their operating system as they grow Key Question: What recurring pattern in your organization might be connected to how you operate as a leader? Resources: Think First: Stop Being the Bottleneck, Start Building Thinkers Deliberate Directions Executive Coaching & Leadership Development Think First

AI didn't just change how we work — it raised everyone's vulnerability at the same time. In this episode, Junior and Dr. Tim Clark introduce "universal vulnerability": the reason psychological safety is surging back onto the executive agenda in 2026.Six years after The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety, organizations are coming back with a different problem statement. AI isn't a niche disruption that hits one industry at a time — it touches every role, unpredictably, all at once. And the deepest threat isn't technical, it's about identity: "Who am I now that machines can think?"Junior and Tim break down why psychological safety is the cultural precondition for AI adoption, why most organizations skip straight to workflow and miss the human impact, and how leaders can respond using the AI Readiness Hierarchy and the LIVE model. Even executive teams aren't immune — no one is.If you lead people through change, this is the conversation your AI strategy is missing.Chapters00:00 The "RIF culture" and a new wave of change00:53 Six years since The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety02:32 What "universal vulnerability" actually means03:19 Psychological safety as an individual journey03:50 How AI adds a universal layer of vulnerability04:56 Why every role gets touched — and why it's unpredictable08:26 The real threat: identity disruption, not technical disruption10:00 The AI Readiness Hierarchy (from Chapter 5)11:09 Measuring vulnerability with the PS Index12:50 Psychological safety: the cultural precondition for AI adoption13:22 The "leapfrog to workflow" mistake14:12 The LIVE model: Look, Identify, Validate, Encourage15:18 Why the sequence matters18:26 Why executive teams aren't immune either19:41 Naming the exhaustion — and giving people permission to feel it20:22 Where to go next: the book and course previewsResources

Want to build a business that employees and clients are excited to be part of? It starts with a strong company culture. But what, exactly, does that look like? Today's guest, podcast host, keynote speaker and author TJ Sweet, is here to tell you what makes a great culture and how to leverage it to give your business an unshakeable foundation. This conversation is all about leadership, the privilege of pressure and the willingness to learn. Listen in and find out why an authentic culture is the secret sauce to successful organizations and profitable businesses.Website: https://tjsweet.com/

Welcome to a landmark episode of HRchat. As we celebrate Episode 900 and a decade of conversations with the world's leading HR thinkers, host Bill Banham is joined by longtime friend, strategic HR leader, and DisruptHR co-organizer Steve Foulger.Bill and Steve reflect on how the HR profession has evolved over the past ten years, separating genuine progress from recycled ideas wrapped in new terminology.The conversation explores why employee listening has become more effective through pulse surveys, how organizations are replacing annual performance reviews with regular one-to-one conversations, and why learning and development is increasingly focused on building capability rather than simply delivering training.Steve also tackles one of today's biggest topics: generative AI in HR. Steve explains why AI should not yet be trusted as a standalone solution for compensation benchmarking, how poor-quality data can produce highly convincing but inaccurate recommendations, and why pay transparency makes human judgement more important—not less.The discussion then shifts to leadership, productivity, and sustainable performance. Steve introduces his practical "Five to Twenty-Five" approach for helping teams prioritize work that either generates revenue, reduces costs, or saves valuable time. They also explore why energy management is becoming a critical leadership capability in an era of constant pressure and rapid change.Finally, Bill and Steve discuss what HR can genuinely learn from elite sport without falling into tired clichés, examine the ongoing debate around culture fit versus culture add, and share advice for the next generation of HR leaders navigating an increasingly complex profession.In this episode you'll discover:Why Episode 900 is the perfect time to reflect on HR's biggest changesWhere the profession has genuinely improved over the past decadeWhy pulse surveys work—and where they don'tHow regular one-to-one conversations are replacing annual appraisalsWhy AI cannot yet replace human expertise in compensation benchmarkingHow pay transparency raises the importance of trustworthy workforce dataWhy energy management may be leadership's next competitive advantageSteve's practical "Five to Twenty-Five" framework for improving business performanceLessons HR can borrow from elite sport without copying the clichésWhy culture fit and culture add should complement rather than compete with one anotherAdvice for emerging HR leaders on staying adaptable, collaborative, and humanIf you're interested in HR strategy, workforce planning, leadership, organizational performance, AI in HR, employee experience, or the future of work, this is an episode you won't want to miss.Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here.Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterCheck out our in-person events

"You want to own the message and your narrative."Strong communication is about more than delivering a message—it's about building trust over time. As Zoom's Chief Marketing Officer, Kim Storin has helped shape communication at one of the world's most recognizable brands, balancing empathy, transparency, and consistency in an era of rapid technological change. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Storin joins Matt Abrahams to discuss how leaders can communicate with authenticity, navigate crises with clarity, and build cultures rooted in transparency. They explore the art and science of shaping perception, maintaining connection in hybrid workplaces, and creating messages that solve problems—not just capture attention.Key Takeaways:Lead with authenticity and transparency. Clear, honest communication builds trust—especially during periods of change or crisis.Own your narrative. Consistent messaging and a clear story shape how others understand your brand, team, or ideas.Activity:Before your next team update or difficult conversation, ask yourself: "What information can I share that will build trust?" Include one additional point of context or reasoning that helps your audience better understand the decision.Printable Expanded Takeaways & ActivitiesEpisode Reference Links:Kim StorinEp.82 It's Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others FirstConnect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (01:37) - Leading Through a Global Crisis (03:36) - Changing Brand Perception (06:50) - Building Culture at Scale (09:00) - Virtual Communication Gains & Losses (11:24) - Creating Meaningful Moments (12:34) - Communicating Through Difficulty (16:03) - The Final Three Questions (21:33) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Most Work Platforms Help People Communicate.  Some help you organize, but Zoom turns conversations into outcomes. Try Zoom Mate today

Most companies recruit interns to take work off someone's plate. Your Health does the opposite — and it's why several of its current executives, including a Chief Information Officer, first walked in the door as interns. In this episode, Jamie sits down with Heather Bower, Director of Experiential Learning, who has taken the reins of Your Health's internship, mentorship, preceptorship, and apprenticeship programs. Heather shares how a long-standing program is being rebuilt with structure, data, and intention — organized into semester cohorts, anchored by a four-day all-company orientation, and designed so every intern owns a project with genuine stakes. In this conversation, you'll hear: Why "get interns because they're cheap" is exactly the wrong spirit — and what replaces it How one MBA intern's shadowing experience redirected him toward nursing school The "spreadsheet whisperer" intern who taught regional leadership to pull data faster What surprises interns most once they're inside healthcare: the human complexity How Your Health uses feedback loops to move interns toward roles where they'll actually shine If you're early in your career and unsure where you fit, this episode is a map to possibilities you may not know exist. Press play and rethink what an internship can really be. www.YourHealth.Org

Culture Isn't an HR Program—It's Leadership in Action How to Build an Intentional Workplace Culture Episode 312 (Michael is based in Ontario, Canada, repeat of #162) In this conversation with Michael Grochmal we explore: why every organization already has a culture the difference between intentional and accidental culture how everyday behaviors define organizational values building customer service into company culture recognizing employees in meaningful ways creating belonging for remote employees using handwritten notes to strengthen relationships learning from other successful organizations why leaders should experience their own customer journey how culture books reinforce organizational identity creating accountability through agreement why people need to understand the purpose behind expectations building a learning organization making culture part of everyday leadership ----- About our guest Michael Grochmal: Michael is Director of Culture for CEO Global Network. He's been a member for 14 years.  Before selling the company. he was President of AtlasCare for 12 years. Learn more about CEO Global Network  https://ceoglobalnetwork.com/ ----- Key points from this conversation: Company culture exists whether you intentionally create it or not. Culture is simply an agreed set of behaviors and expectations. Leaders should build culture by design rather than by accident. Every action communicates a message to employees, customers and suppliers. Small, consistent behaviors reinforce organizational values. Employee recognition becomes meaningful when it is personal. Leaders should regularly experience their business as customers. Culture grows stronger when people understand the "why" behind expectations. Remote employees require intentional efforts to feel connected. Learning organizations create stronger leaders and stronger cultures. Company culture belongs to everyone, not only the CEO. Celebrating success reminds people that their work matters. Accountability begins with shared agreement rather than imposed control. Great cultures continuously evolve through observation, learning and refinement. ---- ----more---- Your Intended Message is the podcast about how you can boost your career and business success by honing your communication skills. We'll examine the aspects of how we communicate one-to-one, one to few and one to many – plus that important conversation, one to self. In these interviews we will explore presentation skills, public speaking, conversation, persuasion, negotiation, sales conversations, marketing, team meetings, social media, branding, self talk and more.   Your host is George Torok George is a specialist in communication skills. Especially presentation. He's fascinated by the links between communication and influencing behaviors. He delivers training and coaching programs to help leaders and promising professionals deliver the intended message for greater success.   Connect with George www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com https://superiorpresentations.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/ https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskill

For years, HR leaders have relied on dashboards to guide workforce decisions. But what happens when AI agents can analyse data, surface insights, and even recommend actions faster than any human?In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, Bill Banham is joined by Ankita Poddar, speaker, blogger, and Senior Human Resources Business Partner at Amazon Web Services (AWS), to explore why the future of HR analytics isn't about building better dashboards - it's about asking better questions.Fresh from her Disrupt Dublin presentation, "Dashboards Are Dead," Ankita explains how AI is fundamentally changing workforce planning, leadership, and organisational decision-making. Together, Bill and Ankita discuss why HR professionals must shift from reporting metrics to solving business problems, how global organisations are adapting to geopolitical uncertainty and changing talent mobility, and why leadership skills like empathy, systems thinking, and intellectual honesty are becoming more valuable than ever.Whether you're an HR leader, People Analytics professional, Talent strategist, or simply curious about how AI is reshaping work, this conversation offers practical insights into what's coming next.In this episode, you'll learn: Why traditional HR dashboards are becoming less valuable in an AI-driven world  How AI agents are changing workforce analytics and decision-making  Why better questions matter more than better reports  How global businesses are adapting to geopolitical uncertainty and changing talent mobility  What organisations are learning from the ongoing hybrid work experiment  The five leadership capabilities every future leader will need:  Intellectual honesty  Empathy  Systems thinking  AI fluency  The ability to slow down and think  How leaders can rebuild trust through better communication  Why HR professionals should look beyond HR for inspiration and innovation If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone passionate about the future of work.Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here.Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterCheck out our in-person events

What happens when a philosopher walks into Wall Street? Richard Taylor, SVP of People Experience at Nasdaq, left a near-complete PhD in Buddhist studies to find out. In this episode, he joins Culture Amp's Justin Angsuwat to reveal how one of the world's most powerful financial institutions built a culture of empathy, data-driven people decisions, and radical transparency – with turnover 3x lower than the industry average.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us Fan MailWhat does it really look like to go from a $2,500 bet to a 9‑figure beverage brand?In this episode of Spartan Leadership, Josh Kosnick sits down with Adam Kroener, co‑founder and president of Carbliss, to break down how he went from putting a drink “in a can” and “selling the shit out of it” to building a massive ready‑to‑drink cocktail company.  Adam shares how a backyard idea turned into a real business, why his wife's 25 “better questions” became their first business plan, and how they ended up doing the exact opposite of what was on that plan once they got into the real world.Adam pulls back the curtain on formulation, distribution, culture, and the realities of scaling, including flying to California to dial in flavor because he didn't know how to describe what he was tasting, honoring his late best friend through the parent company name, and learning to ask experts better questions instead of pretending to know it all.You'll hear the unpolished story behind Carbliss, from early fears and $2,500 on the line to navigating explosive growth, hiring, and building a team that can sell “the shit out of it” without losing who they are.In this episode:• The $2,500 down-payment story and the “put it in a can” moment with his wife• How a non-beverage guy learned to talk to beverage experts and dial in flavor• Turning 25 questions into a business plan they eventually did the opposite of• Honoring a best friend through the parent company behind Carbliss• What it really takes to scale from an idea to a 9-figure brandConnect with Adam Kroener | adamkroener.comDrink Carbliss | https://drinkcarbliss.comFollow Josh Kosnick | joshkosnick.comTimestamps: 00:00 Cold open – “Put it in a can and sell the shit out of it”  00:57 Welcome back + who Adam is and why his story matters  02:23 Army deployment to Iraq and how it shaped his leadership  04:11 From factory floor to leading 1,000+ people in manufacturing  07:41 Early failed business, delusional confidence, and what he learned  10:22 The $2,500 bet and the origin story of Carbliss  12:32 Visionary vs. integrator – building the business with his wife  13:54 Why Carbliss tastes like the name on the can (product and flavor philosophy)39:57 Family, staying grounded, and building a life around the business  01:08:01 Legacy, the real American Dream, and Adam's final leadership lesson#SpartanLeadership #AdamKroener #Carbliss #Entrepreneurship #StartupStory #BusinessPodcast #Founders #Leadership #BeverageIndustry #CPG #DrinkBusiness #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #VeteranOwned #HusbandAndWifeTeamSupport the showCONNECT WITH ME HERE:FacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitterTikTokYouTubeSUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube

Why Your Team Stops Telling You the Truth As companies grow, leaders often face an invisible challenge: they hear less of what's really happening. This isn't because employees are dishonest. It's because people naturally filter information when speaking to someone who holds authority over their career, compensation, and future opportunities. In this episode, Allison explores: How growth changes a leader's information environment Why teams begin filtering information The role power plays in workplace communication How leadership blind spots are created Why people stop raising concerns The hidden cost of operating on incomplete information Why asking for honesty isn't enough How to create psychological safety inside organizations The importance of trusted peers outside your business Key Question: When your team gives you an update, do you believe you're getting the full picture? If not, what have you done to make honesty truly safe? Resources: Think First: Stop Being the Bottleneck, Start Building Thinkers Deliberate Directions Leadership Development & Executive Coaching Think First

When Dr. Timothy R. Clark sat down with executive teams of the Fortune 500, he didn't expect them to resonate with these 4 principles. What he assumed was basic fact actually became organizational phenomena that changed how these leaders thought about the business. 

What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't your marketing, pricing, or competition, but your leadership?In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with business growth strategist Todd Krause, founder of Silver Sun Consulting and owner of one of the most successful Cleaning Authority franchises in the country. Todd shares how transforming company culture helped him more than double revenue, reduce operating costs, build an award-winning workplace, and create a business that doesn't rely on constant owner intervention.Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, manager, or aspiring leader, you'll walk away with practical strategies you can start using immediately.In this episode, you'll discover: Why leadership and business growth require different skill sets  The powerful LEAD Framework that helps businesses scale  How building trust creates stronger teams and happier customers  Why employee culture directly impacts profitability  Practical ways to improve communication and retention Learn more about Todd Krause and Silver Sun Consulting: https://silversunconsulting.comA special thanks to our sponsor, American Auto Repair Sales & Service, for supporting Conversations with Rich Bennett.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who could benefit. To learn more about the podcast and all of our guests, visit ConversationsWithRichBennett.com and join the conversation.Send us Fan MailCelebrate the Magic of Words in Bel Air, Maryland!https://bookfairatbelair.org/American Auto Repair Sales & ServicesAmerican Auto Repair & Performance was founded on the basic idea that everyone deserves respect. It Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showRate & Review on Apple Podcasts Follow the Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast on Social Media:Facebook – Conversations with Rich Bennett Facebook Group (Join the conversation) – Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast group | FacebookTwitter – Conversations with Rich Bennett Instagram – @conversationswithrichbennettTikTok – CWRB (@conversationsrichbennett) | TikTokSponsors, Affiliates, and ways we pay the bills:Hosted on BuzzsproutSquadCastSubscribe by Email

Leadership isn't about being the loudest voice in the room. It's about building trust, creating accountability, and bringing people with you. In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with executive leader, board director, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Victoria Pelletier to discuss her remarkable leadership journey—from overcoming a traumatic childhood and becoming an executive at just 24 years old to leading organizations through mergers, acquisitions, corporate transformations, and cultural change. Victoria shares how years of being one of the only women in leadership shaped her approach, why she was once known as "The Iron Maiden," and how embracing authenticity transformed both her leadership style and the impact she has on the people around her. The conversation explores human-centered leadership, accountability, workplace culture, navigating difficult conversations, leading through change, and creating environments where people can thrive while still achieving high performance. If you're a business owner, executive, manager, or aspiring leader, this episode offers practical insights into building stronger teams and becoming the kind of leader people genuinely want to follow. In This Episode:Victoria's journey from adversity to executive leadership  Being the only woman in the room  Why authenticity matters in leadership  The dangers of leadership masks and personas  Building trust through vulnerability  Human-centered leadership vs. command-and-control leadership  Accountability without sacrificing empathy  Leading through mergers, acquisitions, and organizational change  Creating followership instead of compliance  How to know when it's time to leave an organization  Connect With Victoria Pelletier Website https://victoria-pelletier.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriapelletier YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@UCpps5pAsPd83Bbn0YnofHRQ Books, Speaking & Leadership Resources https://victoria-pelletier.com 

Most leaders say culture matters. Far fewer can explain how it's actually built. Mike Schroepfer spent more than a decade helping build Facebook's engineering organization during some of its fastest—and messiest—years of growth. As CTO, he helped shape a culture built around learning, experimentation, and moving quickly. In this episode, Mike discusses why great cultures aren't created through values decks or mission statements, how leaders teach people what matters through their behavior, and why the difference between a learning culture and a blame culture can determine an organization's success. If culture is what happens when something goes wrong, this conversation is about how to build one that gets stronger under pressure.Featured guestFollow Mike Schroepfer on LinkedInLearn more about Gigascale CapitalConnect with the teamFollow Molly on Instagram, LinkedIn, and at glueclub.com/Subscribe to Molly's Substack LessonWatch WorkLife videos on YouTube at TEDAudioCollectiveFollow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTokFor the full text transcript, visit https://www.ted.com/podcasts/worklife-transcripts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan Pineda sits down with Austin Boyd to explore how Austin built a $5M+ custom apparel business from his parents' garage through faith, relentless sales, networking, and strategic growth, while sharing the lessons that helped him scale.⁣⁣Connect with Austin - ⁣https://www.instagram.com/austinboydlasvegas/⁣https://aliveprintshop.com/⁣⁣__________⁣If you'd like my team to run your marketing & sales department to scale your business apply here https://www.pinedapartners.com⁣⁣Join our private mastermind for elite business leaders who golf. https://www.mastermind19.com⁣⁣Want to be featured on the Wealthy Way Podcast? Apply here https://www.wealthyway.com⁣⁣If you want to start your real estate investing business, we'll give you 1:1 coaching, seller leads, software, & everything you need. https://www.wealthyinvestor.com⁣⁣Tired of paying so much in taxes every year? We'll give you strategy, tax prep, and accounting all in one place. https://www.taylor-tax.com⁣⁣Join free Bible studies and workshops for Christian business leaders. https://www.tentmakers.us⁣⁣Dad Built is all about helping fathers lead their families with purpose while looking great doing it. Whether you're at the gym, on the golf course, or spending time with your kids, they've got premium hats and apparel built for dads. Check out the latest collection and current offers at https://www.dadbuilt.co⁣__________⁣⁣Chapters:⁣00:00 - $5M Print Business⁣1:05 - From High School Hustle⁣7:01 - Leaving College to Build⁣13:28 - First Shop & Breakthrough⁣16:28 - Learning Sales & Scaling⁣19:31 - Surviving the COVID Crash⁣21:21 - Growing to 40 Employees⁣23:50 - Networking Over Cold Calling⁣25:00 - How M19 Began⁣34:42 - Craziest Client Projects⁣38:20 - Building a National Print Company⁣43:15 - Leadership & Company Culture⁣48:10 - Hiring, Systems & Delegation⁣54:05 - Faith, Business & Purpose⁣1:00:45 - Final Entrepreneur Advice

Today we're talking about the future of healthcare with a visionary leader who spent decades at the center of its transformation. Bill Miller is CEO of Wellsky, the global technology powerhouse connecting providers, caregivers, and communities across the continuum of care. Over the course of his rich career, his groundbreaking growth strategies have been the secret weapon behind the industry's most influential businesses. Not only transforming the marketplace, but driving innovation and improving outcomes for missions of people around the world.Website: https://wellsky.com/ Check out the conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q9Ei-mjFsy0

What if the patient never noticed the merger at all? For Matt Staub, that's not a failure — it's the goal. In this episode, Your Health CEO Matt Staub sits down with Jamie to talk through the company's merger with TCPA and Providence Care — a move that brings together similar footprints in primary care, palliative, hospice, skilled nursing, and assisted living across South Carolina and Georgia. As a 23-year healthcare veteran going through his first merger, Matt is candid about the tedious due-diligence "earnest money" phase, the EMR transitions ahead, and why he refuses to let "what could go wrong" crowd out "what could go right." You'll hear: Why "mass moves mass" — and what scale actually buys patients in care management and data analytics How Your Health breaks 50,000 patients into groups, teams, and "hubs" so no one falls through the cracks The "change is hard" philosophy and the discipline of productive (not just effective) communication How the spirit of agape — godly love — still threads through a company that's evolved far past its original name What success looks like in six months: patient retention, mission and margin If you lead through change — or live through it — this one will reframe how you think about getting bigger without losing what made you matter.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Frustrated CEO Podcast, Patrick and Patsy tackle a challenge they see in organizations of every size: leadership teams that are working hard together but aren't intentionally developing the leadership capacity needed for future growth.As organizations grow, existing leadership structures are often stretched beyond their limits, exposing gaps that can slow momentum and create frustration. Patrick and Patsy discuss why growth demands a different level of leadership, the importance of healthy conflict in building stronger teams, and how leaders can identify whether their current team is equipped for what's next.They also explore a critical question every leader should be asking:Do we have the leadership team needed for the organization we're trying to become?If you're leading a growing business and want to build a leadership team that can scale with your vision, this episode offers practical insights and thought-provoking discussion to help you prepare for the future.

This presentation was recorded at YOW! 2025.https://yowcon.comMatt Brunt - Dungeon Master & Team TinkererRESOURCEShttps://bsky.app/profile/brunty.mehttps://mastodon.social/@bruntyhttps://github.com/Bruntyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbrunthttps://brunty.meABSTRACTYou enter the dungeon, as the echoes of your footsteps sound around you, something catches your eye - is that… oh, oh no.You grab your trusty sword and with your fellow adventurers, you seek to overcome the mighty challenge that lays ahead of you: building software.This talk is a look at some of the parallels between Dungeons and Dragons, and software development.We'll see how lessons learned through delving into dungeons and fighting monsters with a party of adventurers can help teams of developers when building software in the real world.Are you ready to join me in a mighty quest for better software? [...]Download slides and read the full abstract here:https://yowcon.com/brisbane-2025/sessions/3641RECOMMENDED BOOKSHeidi Helfand • Dynamic Reteaming • https://amzn.to/3Fvu5BAHeidi Helfand • How to Change Your Teams • https://leanpub.com/DRTGuideCarl Larson & Frank M J LaFasto • Teamwork • https://amzn.to/4cFWseQGene Kim & Steve Spear • Wiring the Winning Organization • https://amzn.to/3QJcfBpBlueskyInstagramLinkedInFacebookCHANNEL MEMBERSHIP BONUSJoin this channel to get early access to videos & other perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs_tLP3AiwYKwdUHpltJPuA/joinLooking for a unique learning experience?Attend the next GOTO conference near you! Get your ticket: gotopia.techSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL - new videos posted daily!

Send us Fan MailHow do you scale a Home Services Business past the $10M mark without losing your Company Culture or selling out to Private Equity? In this episode of Let's Vent, we sit down with the Owners of Go Green Plumbing, Heating & Air, Alicia Green and Pete Green to break down the exact operational tips, strategies and ideas they implemented to build an independent trade powerhouse. Connect with out Guests: Go Green Plumbing: https://gogreenplumb.com/Alicia Green: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-green-14bb3495/Pete Green: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-green-25496072/ Connect with our sponsor: https://freeagency.aiTime Stamps: 01:10 - Introducing Pete & Alicia Green from Go Green Plumbing02:18 - Pete Green's Transition from Programming to "Chief Technology Officer"03:45 - The Truth About Company Culture: There are Always Ups & Downs05:15 - What Happens When People Don't Fit the Mold?06:13 - Shifting from Professional to Lightheartedness in Tough Times07:45 - The Go Green Hiring Process: Do You Let Your Team Make the Decisions?09:20 - The "Princess Castle" Lego Challenge & Out Of Comfort Zone Testing13:16 - Quick to Hire, Slow to Fire: Should Be The Opposite Way Around? 14:15 - The ROI of Training16:55 - Joining Nextstar Network & Implementing Soft Skills Training17:58 - The Academy Structure: Weekly Breakdown of Trades & Certifications22:38 - 60% of Our Business Wouldn't Exist Without the Training Academy23:45 - The Myth of the Unicorn Employee25:03 - Balancing IQ and EQ: Why Technical Skills and Soft Skills Are 50/5027:50 - The Chaos of Early Training Programs vs. Today's Managed Structure29:15 - Building a Clear Pay Plan and Incentivized Levels32:14 - Advanced Lab Training: Partnering with Ultimate Tech Academy in Arkansas33:20 - The Tax Perspective: Are you Paying More? 34:00 - Facing Private Equity (PE) in the Trades38:12 - The Positive Side of PE: Injecting Business Logic and Real Value into the Trades42:50 - Growing Big with Zero Outside Capital45:15 - Why Cheap Prices Come at the Expense of Employees?47:50 - Built on Community assistance: The Go Green Community Promise Program49:35 - "Owned by Google": Venting About the Real Monopolies Dictated by the Industry53:48 - Where Does the Cash Flow? Canadian Agencies vs. Local Greensboro Wages57:25 - Understanding KPI Pressures and Employee Mass Exits58:35 - Why Technicians Stay for Culture and Run from Structure Changes01:01:40 - The Flaw in Flipping: Why Passing Hands Leads to Volume Loss01:05:43 - Processing the Reality of Multi-Billion Dollar Acquisitions in the Trades01:07:55 - The Challenge to Maintain Massive Service Value Over Time01:10:17 - Will AI Supplement or Completely Replace Modern Jobs?01:12:00 - How To Choose a Software That Actually Helps Reduce Workload?01:12:42 - Why the CTO's Workload Increases When Implementing AI?01:13:55 - The Sandbox Mindset: Starting From a Place of Natural Curiosity01:18:15 - Managing Scope Creep When Coding with Accelerated AI Speed01:21:38 - How Non-Technical Leaders Can Leverage Claude?01:23:59 - The "Twice a Day" Automation Rule: Building Your Operational Task List01:28:46 - The Importance of Context and Direct Communication to Create a Prompt correctly01:31:12 - Ostrich Mentality: Why Ignoring the Automation Wave Will Cost People Their Careers01:31:47 - Focus on Eliminating Time Rather Than Solving the World's Problems01:34:00 - How To Hold People Accountable Without Destroying The Company Culture ?01:34:48 - Facts Over Feelings: Gathering Documentation and Data Before Tough Conversations01:38:25 - Final Thoughts on How to Build a Scalable Organization

Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself!In this episode, Wendy sits down with Jan Goss, executive consultant, bestselling author, and founder of Show Up Well Consulting. Jan teaches a comprehensive framework for showing up as your whole, aligned self—not just at work, but at home, in relationships, and in every role you hold. She's spent decades building businesses, raising foster children, and discovering that true success isn't about shiny exteriors. It's about alignment, wholeness, and leading with love.They explore:Why self-love and alignment are the foundation for showing up well everywhereHow love brings cohesion, and the two-degree shifts that help you move toward itWhat it means to show up whole as a parent, partner, executive, and human beingJan's philosophy is simple but radical: all of you is delicious, including the parts you'd rather hide. She talks about facing fear with compassion, making tiny shifts toward alignment, and discovering that love is a universal protocol that works in the boardroom and the bedroom, in parenting and in marriage. The roadblocks are comparison and fear, but the tools are practical: self-discovery and the willingness to show up as yourself, fully aligned, in every relationship that matters.Connect with Jan:Get her book, Bedroom Etiquette: How to Show Up Well Behind Closed Doors: amazon.com/Bedroom-Etiquette-Behind-Closed-Doors/dp/B0DXV7W8S1?tag=syty-20ShowUpWell.comInstagram: instagram.com/showupwellLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/showupwellReferenced in this Episode:A Course in Miracles Links:amazon.com/Course-Miracles-Combined-Quality/dp/1883360242?tag=syty-20marianne.com/acim/apps.apple.com/us/app/acim-remind/id737568020________________________________________________________________________________________Connect with Wendy:LinkedinInstagram: @wendy.harropFacebook: Phineas Wright HouseWebsite: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm StaysPWH Curated Experience and TravelInterested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.comPodcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat!If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

This conversation was recorded at GOTO Copenhagen 2025.https://gotocph.comSarah Wells - Independent Consultant & Author of "Enabling Microservice Success"Patrick Kua - Founder of the Tech Lead AcademyDaniel Terhorst-North - Originator of Behavior Driven Development (BDD) & Principal at Dan North & AssociatesRESOURCESSarahhttps://bsky.app/profile/sarahjwells.bsky.socialhttps://linkedin.com/in/sarahjwells1https://www.sarahwells.devPatrickhttps://hachyderm.io/@patkuahttps://twitter.com/patkuahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/patkuahttps://github.com/thekuahttps://patkua.comDanielhttps://bsky.app/profile/tastapod.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tastapodhttps://github.com/tastapodhttps://mastodon.social/@tastapodhttp://dannorth.net/blogDESCRIPTIONEngineering leadership becomes significantly more complex in times of uncertainty. This conversation highlights how leaders must shift from rigid plans to adaptable thinking—balancing delivery, team well-being, and long-term direction while navigating constant change.A key takeaway is that great leadership isn't about having all the answers, but about creating clarity, trust, and resilience within teams. The speakers emphasize communication, context-awareness, and empowering engineers as the foundation for thriving—even when everything feels unstable.RECOMMENDED BOOKSSarah Wells • Enabling Microservice Success • https://amzn.to/4aa8xrvPatrick Kua • Talking with Tech Leads • https://amzn.to/3ECO3xBPatrick Kua • The Retrospective Handbook • https://amzn.to/4jpxxQNNeal Ford, Rebecca Parsons & Patrick Kua • Building Evolutionary Architectures • https://amzn.to/42qXJV2Mary Lynn Manns & Linda Rising • Fearless Change • https://amzn.to/49uuuneMary Lynn Manns & Linda Rising • More Fearless Change • https://amzn.to/4tX6GARBlueskyInstagramLinkedInFacebookCHANNEL MEMBERSHIP BONUSJoin this channel to get early access to videos & other perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs_tLP3AiwYKwdUHpltJPuA/joinLooking for a unique learning experience?Attend the next GOTO conference near you! Get your ticket: gotopia.techSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL - new videos posted daily!

Send us Fan MailHave you ever felt like everyone is talking about marketing, sales, and scaling, yet no one is talking about the leadership challenges that come with building a business? That gap is exactly why leadership skills for female business owners deserve a much bigger conversation. Because while growth strategies matter, businesses ultimately succeed or struggle based on the people leading them.Women founders are building impactful companies while often balancing responsibilities far beyond the business itself. Yet conversations around business leadership for women frequently take a back seat to tactics and visibility. And this is where many entrepreneurs discover a hard truth: your business can only grow as far as your leadership allows.The People Side of Business was created to address that missing piece. This new chapter focuses on the human side of sustainable success, from team management strategies and business communication skills to creating trust, accountability, and alignment within your organization. Because growth is not just about systems—it is about people.As your company expands, understanding how to manage employees and team members effectively becomes essential. Strong leadership creates clarity, strengthens relationships, and supports long-term performance. Whether you are hiring your first employee or building leadership team capacity for the future, the way you lead shapes every outcome in your business.You will also hear practical conversations around building company culture, navigating team dynamics, improving communication, and creating an environment where people can do their best work. These are the leadership foundations that support a sustainable business growth strategy and help founders avoid burnout while scaling.The reality is that leadership skills for female business owners are not optional for the next stage of growth. They influence hiring, retention, culture, communication, and every decision that impacts your team. The more intentional you become as a leader, the stronger your business becomes.This podcast is a space for honest conversations, expert insights, and practical leadership development. If you have been looking for guidance on leadership skills for female business owners, support in navigating people challenges, or a community that understands the realities of entrepreneurship, you are in the right place. The future of your business will be shaped by the leader you become, and leadership skills for female business owners are at the centre of that journey.Subscribe now so you never miss an episode and join the conversation as we build stronger businesses through stronger leadership.Support the showThe People Side of Business is the podcast for female founders and business owners who are leading teams and growing businesses.Hosted by Lindsay White, Leadership Coach, Team Leadership Strategist, and Fractional HR Expert, this show delivers practical leadership strategies, real-world people solutions, and honest conversations about the challenges of leading a team.From employee performance issues and difficult conversations to hiring, accountability, workplace culture, and team growth, each episode is designed to help you lead, manage, and scale your team as a founder.If you're ready to become a more confident leader, make better people decisions, and build a stronger, higher-performing team, you're in the right place.Learn more at highvoltageleadership.ca, connect on Instagram @highvoltleadership, or find Lindsay White on LinkedIn.The people side of business isn't separate from growth. The people side of business is the business.

Send us Fan MailHave you ever felt like everyone is talking about marketing, sales, and scaling, yet no one is talking about the leadership challenges that come with building a business? That gap is exactly why leadership skills for female business owners deserve a much bigger conversation. Because while growth strategies matter, businesses ultimately succeed or struggle based on the people leading them.Women founders are building impactful companies while often balancing responsibilities far beyond the business itself. Yet conversations around business leadership for women frequently take a back seat to tactics and visibility. And this is where many entrepreneurs discover a hard truth: your business can only grow as far as your leadership allows.The People Side of Business was created to address that missing piece. This new chapter focuses on the human side of sustainable success, from team management strategies and business communication skills to creating trust, accountability, and alignment within your organization. Because growth is not just about systems—it is about people.As your company expands, understanding how to manage employees and team members effectively becomes essential. Strong leadership creates clarity, strengthens relationships, and supports long-term performance. Whether you are hiring your first employee or building leadership team capacity for the future, the way you lead shapes every outcome in your business.You will also hear practical conversations around building company culture, navigating team dynamics, improving communication, and creating an environment where people can do their best work. These are the leadership foundations that support a sustainable business growth strategy and help founders avoid burnout while scaling.The reality is that leadership skills for female business owners are not optional for the next stage of growth. They influence hiring, retention, culture, communication, and every decision that impacts your team. The more intentional you become as a leader, the stronger your business becomes.This podcast is a space for honest conversations, expert insights, and practical leadership development. If you have been looking for guidance on leadership skills for female business owners, support in navigating people challenges, or a community that understands the realities of entrepreneurship, you are in the right place. The future of your business will be shaped by the leader you become, and leadership skills for female business owners are at the centre of that journey.Subscribe now so you never miss an episode and join the conversation as we build stronger businesses through stronger leadership.Support the showThe People Side of Business is the podcast for female founders and business owners who are leading teams and growing businesses.Hosted by Lindsay White, Leadership Coach, Team Leadership Strategist, and Fractional HR Expert, this show delivers practical leadership strategies, real-world people solutions, and honest conversations about the challenges of leading a team.From employee performance issues and difficult conversations to hiring, accountability, workplace culture, and team growth, each episode is designed to help you lead, manage, and scale your team as a founder.If you're ready to become a more confident leader, make better people decisions, and build a stronger, higher-performing team, you're in the right place.Learn more at highvoltageleadership.ca, connect on Instagram @highvoltleadership, or find Lindsay White on LinkedIn.The people side of business isn't separate from growth. The people side of business is the business.

Margins are under siege. Between tariffs, retail media costs, markdown pressure, and the explosion of e-commerce complexity, suppliers are juggling more P&L lines than ever—and the fallout doesn't stop with finance. We sit down with Dallas Counts, COO at Vendormint and former Walmart/Sam's Club leader, to explore how operational strain shows up in culture, talent decisions, and the day-to-day realities of AR, logistics, and sales teams. The conversation goes beyond buzzwords and into the mechanics of building resilient organizations when chargebacks climb and retailer policies keep changing.Dallas breaks down why deduction recovery is only half the story and how the real win comes from fixing root causes—modernizing legacy systems, aligning with retailer tech shifts, and empowering tenured teams to embrace new tools. We dig into a practical, human approach to AI: where it truly helps, how to communicate its impact without triggering panic, and why hiring for adaptability now prevents painful corrections later. You'll hear the hallmarks of healthy change management—plain language objectives, weekly reinforcement, scenario training, and anonymous feedback loops that invite candor and speed adoption.We also zoom out to strategy. From channel choices and cost-to-serve visibility to sourcing shifts and org design, agility becomes the differentiator. Dallas shares how clear decision rights cut through blame loops, why transparent goals keep people moving in the same direction, and how to structure cross-functional teams so they can act fast when policies or tariffs move overnight. If you lead HR, operations, or revenue teams in retail or adjacent industries, this playbook helps you protect margins, reduce leakage, and keep your best people engaged through change.Enjoy the episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone navigating chargebacks or system rollouts. Your feedback helps us bring on more leaders like Dallas and keep the conversation sharp.Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here.Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterCheck out our in-person events

Why the best leaders treat uncertainty as a chance to learn, not a failure to avoid.Most companies are built to grow. Far fewer are built to stay true to their purpose as they do.Eric Ries is an entrepreneur, creator of the Lean Startup movement, and author of Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Companies Stay Great. For Ries, innovation starts with a simple reality: nobody can predict the future. “If you're going to do something fundamentally new,” he says, “how are we supposed to forecast” what success will look like? Instead of relying on certainty, leaders should focus on learning. “If you cannot fail, you cannot learn.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Ries and host Matt Abrahams explore how leaders can communicate through uncertainty, turn setbacks into valuable insights, and build cultures rooted in trust. From the power of the build-measure-learn feedback loop to the importance of making “deposits” in a company's culture bank, Ries shares practical strategies for creating organizations that innovate, adapt, and stay true to their values as they grow.To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.Episode Reference Links:Eric RiesEric's Book: IncorruptibleEp.56 Lean Messaging: How Simple Messages Really StickEp.54 Leadership and Ethics: How to Communicate Your Core Values  Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn Chapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:21) - Lean Startup Fundamentals (04:03) - Business Plans vs. Reality (06:31) - Learning from Failure (08:11) - Why Companies Go Bad (10:49) - The Culture Bank (13:51) - The Final Three Questions (22:05) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.comJoin our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

When Tricia Griffith joined Progressive in 1988 as an entry-level claims representative, her job often required crawling under cars to assess damage. Decades later, she remains committed to doing whatever is required as she leads one of the largest and most successful property and casualty insurers in the country. In fact, she still plays an active role in onboarding new employees at every level of the organization.rnrnProgressive's growth has been fueled not only by its recognizable brand and memorable advertising-Flo, Dr. Rick, and an additional cast of characters-but by a deeply intentional approach to company culture for which it recently earned the #1 spot on The Forbes America's Best Employers for Company Culture list. The same values that shape Progressive's public presence guide how the company recruits, develops, and empowers its people. Since 2016, Progressive has doubled its market share of the U.S. auto insurance market, growing to more than 18 percent and generating over $81 billion in earned premium, a testament to a culture that treats its workforce as a strategic advantage rather than a cost center.rnrnBefore becoming CEO, Griffith held several key executive positions including leading human resources for the insurer, giving her a leadership perspective shaped as much by talent development and organizational design as by operations and strategy. In this year's Leadership for the Greater Good forum, she joins us to reflect on what it takes to lead at scale without losing sight of the individuals who make growth possible.

Send us Fan MailWhy does work feel different than it used to?In this opening episode of Summer Series 2026, Tim Stewart welcomes Jonathan Lewis, President of McKee Wallwork and author of The Rebuilders: Daily Foundations for the Leaders We Need.Jonathan shares insights from extensive workforce research and explains why so many people today are struggling with purpose, hope, and meaning. Together, they explore what leaders can do to help people move beyond transactional relationships and toward lives marked by purpose, resilience, and growth.In this episode:• Why employees increasingly seek meaning, not just compensation• The concept of "Transactional, Futureless Suffering" (TFS)• How leaders create quests that inspire people• Why suffering can produce either hope or bitterness• The difference between control and responsibility• Excellence, grace, and healthy organizational cultures• Storytelling as a leadership tool• Why wisdom matters more than ever in a rapidly changing worldThis conversation offers practical insights for leaders, entrepreneurs, pastors, nonprofit professionals, and anyone trying to navigate an increasingly complex world with courage and purpose.

The fastest way to lose trust as a leader is to pretend you're fine when you're not. Bill Bannham sits down with leadership strategist and emotional intelligence practitioner Russell Robinson to unpack a deceptively simple idea: leadership has to be “selfish” first. Not selfish in the ego sense, but selfish in the disciplined sense of knowing your values, naming your non-negotiables, protecting your well-being, and building the self-awareness needed to show up consistently for other people. We talk about what's changing across generations and what isn't. No matter your age, people want meaningful work, to feel heard, and to operate in a psychologically safe culture where they can take smart risks. But Russell explains why Gen Z and younger Millennials are bringing more of the outside world into the workplace, and why emotionally intelligent leaders have to meet that reality with curiosity, not control. The conversation also gets practical for HR pros and talent leaders: hiring emotionally intelligent people early, building leadership development programs that strengthen self-awareness, and treating relationship-building as “personal currency,” not a soft extra. Then we go straight at uncertainty. When the world feels unstable and fear shows up, Russell shares what separates leaders who keep teams grounded from those who amplify stress. We explore decision-making without guarantees, learning loops after setbacks, and how to be realistic while still giving people confidence that the sun will come up. Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here.Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterCheck out our in-person events

Send us Fan MailIn this solo episode of Spartan Leadership, Josh Kosnick tackles a problem that's quietly wrecking our society, our homes, and our boardrooms: the inability to hold two truths at the same time. From Memorial Day to the boardroom to your marriage, he breaks down how binary thinking masquerades as conviction while quietly destroying wisdom, trust, and culture.You'll hear why being “for” or “against” everything isn't strength, it's rigidity — and how real leaders learn to sit in tension, honor complexity, and still make clear decisions. Josh then walks through six practical disciplines you can start using this week to build the muscle of holding two truths without folding under pressure.If you're a leader at work, at home, or in your community, this episode will challenge how you think, how you decide, and how you show up when things get complex.

A Shared Goal System Turns Marriage Into A Team SportYou can love your family and love your ambition and still feel like you're failing at both when the calendar is packed and the phone never stops. That tension is exactly what we get honest about with Olivia Hornig, co-owner and leader at Lake Sotheby's International Realty, as we talk through what it really looks like to build a business with your spouse while raising kids, navigating grief, and staying grounded when the market shifts under your feet.Olivia shares her path into real estate entrepreneurship alongside her husband Jeff, including the behind-the-scenes reality of division of labor, growing pains, and the quiet leadership required to keep the “back end” of a business running. We talk about hiring help before burnout hits, why a 90-day trial can save you heartache, and how real estate leadership changes when you commit to an agent-driven culture built on kindness, responsiveness, and real support. We also dig into brand alignment and why the Sotheby's network and reach can elevate opportunity in ways people don't expect.We go personal too: matrescence and identity shifts, the control we think we have until motherhood humbles us, and how faith practices like Bible study, prayer, yoga, and meditation can become real tools for time management and peace. Olivia also shares a simple tradition that keeps their marriage aligned year after year: handwriting goals together across family, business, travel, and giving.If you're a mompreneur, a woman in real estate, or anyone building a life and a business at the same time, hit play and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick rating and review so more women can find these conversations.Connect with Olivia:Email: Olivia.Hornig@lakesmn.comContact the Host, Kelly Kirk:Email: info.ryh7@gmail.comGet Connected/Follow:The Hue Drop Newsletter: Subscribe HereIG: @ryh_pod & @thekelly.tanke.kirkFacebook: Reclaiming Your Hue Facebook PageCAKES Affiliate Link: KELLYKIRKCredits:Editor: Joseph KirkMusic: Kristofer Tanke Thanks for listening & cheers to Reclaiming Your Hue! 

Jeff Dudan's free digital copy of his book What does it actually take to build a culture that scales - one that doesn't collapse the moment you add a new layer of management or hire your 25th employee? In this episode, Jeff Dudan sits down with Chris Dyer, bestselling author and CEO culture expert, to unpack the seven pillars of high-performance culture that work for startups and Fortune 100 companies alike. Chris shares why most founders accidentally destroy their culture by day 50, why your meetings are a direct mirror of your company's values, how to use a "cockroach meeting" to solve problems in 15 minutes or less, and the counterintuitive hiring rule he used to drive real innovation inside a 4,500-person organization. They also dig into the critical difference between mistakes and errors, why public recognition can backfire on introverts, and how the Gallup StrengthsFinder data revealed that his company was hiring the same person over and over - killing innovation from the inside out. Whether you're building your first team or scaling a franchise, this conversation gives you the frameworks, language, and tools to build a culture that attracts the right people, retains them, and makes them extraordinary. Topics covered: company culture, startup culture, employee recognition, meeting frameworks, hiring strategy, innovation, psychological safety, franchise ownership, leadership development, StrengthsFinder, remote teams, cultural uniqueness, tribal language, mistakes vs errors.  Guest: Chris Dyer  Guest YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisDyer  Guest Website: https://chrisdyer.com/  Guest Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdyer7/    #CompanyCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #StartupGrowth #EmployeeEngagement #FranchiseBusiness #TeamBuilding #HiringStrategy #CultureCode #RemoteWork #BusinessLeadership #ChrisDyer #JeffDudan #WorkplaceCulture Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jeff Dudan's free digital copy of his book What does it actually take to build a culture that scales - one that doesn't collapse the moment you add a new layer of management or hire your 25th employee? In this episode, Jeff Dudan sits down with Chris Dyer, bestselling author and CEO culture expert, to unpack the seven pillars of high-performance culture that work for startups and Fortune 100 companies alike. Chris shares why most founders accidentally destroy their culture by day 50, why your meetings are a direct mirror of your company's values, how to use a "cockroach meeting" to solve problems in 15 minutes or less, and the counterintuitive hiring rule he used to drive real innovation inside a 4,500-person organization. They also dig into the critical difference between mistakes and errors, why public recognition can backfire on introverts, and how the Gallup StrengthsFinder data revealed that his company was hiring the same person over and over - killing innovation from the inside out. Whether you're building your first team or scaling a franchise, this conversation gives you the frameworks, language, and tools to build a culture that attracts the right people, retains them, and makes them extraordinary. Topics covered: company culture, startup culture, employee recognition, meeting frameworks, hiring strategy, innovation, psychological safety, franchise ownership, leadership development, StrengthsFinder, remote teams, cultural uniqueness, tribal language, mistakes vs errors.  Guest: Chris Dyer  Guest YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisDyer  Guest Website: https://chrisdyer.com/  Guest Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdyer7/    #CompanyCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #StartupGrowth #EmployeeEngagement #FranchiseBusiness #TeamBuilding #HiringStrategy #CultureCode #RemoteWork #BusinessLeadership #ChrisDyer #JeffDudan #WorkplaceCulture Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the Do Good to Lead Well podcast, I sit down with bestselling author Eric Ries for a timely and thought-provoking conversation about leadership, mission, and the growing crisis of short-term thinking in business.Eric first transformed the entrepreneurial world with The Lean Startup. In his latest book, Incorruptible, he tackles a new challenge: why so many organizations lose sight of their purpose, compromise their values, and drift away from the very mission that made them successful in the first place.Together, we explore why many traditional business “best practices” are no longer serving leaders, employees, or society — and what it takes to build organizations that can withstand the pressures of short-term performance, protect trust, and stay anchored in their values over time.Through powerful stories, real-world examples, and surprising data, listeners learn how organizations can defend their mission, outlast competitors, and resist the economic “gravity” that pulls so many companies into compromise. From redefining profit as human flourishing to making trust and love into competitive advantages, the episode offers a blueprint for building companies that not only succeed financially, but endure.Whether you're a founder determined to preserve your mission, or an executive seeking to build a culture of integrity, this episode is packed with practical guidance and inspiration. Tune in to discover what it truly means to become an incorruptible force for the good of your business and the good of humanity.What You'll Learn- The perils of “best practices.”- Corruption isn't just a crime – It's losing your purpose.- How the moral logic of capitalism has been lost.- Redefining profit: Maximizing human flourishing.- Mission (not money) makes companies endure.- Trust and love are competitive advantages.- Governance isn't boring. It's your organization's DNA.- Does growth kill mission? The risk is real. The reality does not have to be.- You can build incorruptible companies: An evidence-based business case.Podcast Timestamps(00:00) - A Special Topic and Guest(01:49) - From the Lean Start-up to Incorruptible(04:07) - Defining and Diagnosing Corruption(08:32) - The Moral Logic of Capitalism and Value Creation(13:03) - Redefining Profit and Human Flourishing(19:15) - Mission Drift and Protecting Organizational Purpose(22:01) - Outliers: Exceptional Companies and New Best Practices(25:29) - Financial Gravity, Longevity, and Employee Ownership(30:00) - Trust as Organizational Currency(34:23) - The Long Term Stock Exchange and Long-Termism(35:20) - Love, People-First Leadership, and Real Competitive Advantage(41:23) - Governance, Board Dynamics, and Creating Incorruptible Organizations(44:46) - Lessons from Case Studies: Zita Cobb and Beyond(49:16) - Closing Reflections and Practical ResourcesKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Incorruptible, Integrity, Do Good to Lead Well, Long Term Thinking, Effective Governance, Market Reform, Lean Startup Method, Company Culture, Avoiding Short Term Thinking, Corruption, Capitalism, Value Creation, Shareholder Primacy, Business Ethics, Corporate Mission, Profit Redefinition, Human Flourishing, Stakeholder Alignment, Organizational Trust, Financial Gravity, Mission Controlled Companies, Organizational Character, CEO Success

Why “easy to work with” can become a leadership liability How small acts of avoidance create cultural drift The hidden relationship between accountability and trust Why high performers notice inconsistent standards first How unclear expectations frustrate teams over time The concept of “autopilot leadership” from Think First Learned helplessness and what it does to workplace culture The difference between Firefighter leadership and Architect leadership Why avoiding hard conversations creates bigger problems later A practical question leaders should ask themselves regularly:“Am I protecting this relationship, or avoiding discomfort?” How deliberate leaders create clarity without sacrificing compassion Why strong cultures are built through consistency, honesty, and accountability Think First

Sponsors: ◦ Visit Buildertrend to schedule a demo ◦ Marvin Windows and Doors ◦ Sub-Zero Wolf Cove Showroom Phoenix Connect with Josh Zolin:  ◦ https://joshzolin.com Connect with Brad Leavitt: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Houzz | Pinterest | YouTube

This week on the Discover Strength Podcast, Luke Carlson reflects on 20 of the most important business lessons he has learned over two decades of building Discover Strength. To celebrate the company's 20th anniversary, Luke steps away from exercise science and instead shares the principles that have shaped Discover Strength's culture, leadership philosophy, and long-term growth strategy.Throughout the episode, Luke breaks down practical lessons on hiring exceptional people, building a values-driven culture, creating clarity around mission and standards, focusing relentlessly on customer experience, and maintaining long-term thinking in business. Drawing inspiration from influential thinkers like Jim Collins, Luke explains how concepts such as “First Who, Then What” became foundational to the success of Discover Strength.Rather than offering trendy business hacks or fitness-industry-specific tactics, the conversation focuses on timeless principles applicable to leaders and organizations in any field. The episode is both a reflection on the journey of Discover Strength and a practical leadership guide for entrepreneurs, managers, and anyone interested in building a high-performing organization with purpose and staying power.Discover Strength offers free Introductory Workouts at any location across the United States. You can schedule your free Introductory Workout HERE !

Jeff Dudan's free digital copy of his book At the end of a franchise training session, a newly minted franchise owner pulled Jeff Dudan aside and asked one question: "How do I get over my mental block about investing another $50,000?" That single question opened up a masterclass in entrepreneurial fear, belief, and capital strategy. In this Franchise Friday episode of the Unemployable Podcast, Jeff breaks down the three mental frameworks every business owner needs when facing a scary investment decision - whether it's $50,000 or $5 million. He shares the raw story of going $4 million in debt to buy out his partner at Vanguard Clean with zero franchisees, a $2 million disputed receivable, and zero certainty of outcome. What he did have was an unshakeable belief that he would never quit. You'll learn why business is an infinite game and why time is your greatest asset if you stay in it, how to reframe financial losses as tuition and extract compounding lessons from every setback, the self-liquidating investment test borrowed from direct-response marketing that tells you exactly whether your capital is working or sitting still, why your culture is just your organization's memory and how great companies institutionalize lessons to prevent repeated mistakes, and how to tell the difference between productive persistence and stubborn grinding that leads to broke and tired. Whether you're considering a franchise for the first time, scaling an existing business, or staring down a capital investment that scares you, this episode will give you the clarity, permission, and framework to make the decision with confidence.  https://www.youtube.com/@UNEMPLOYABLEWITHJEFFDUDAN  Homefront Brands: https://www.homefrontbrands.com  Jeff's Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffdudan/  Jeff's Site: https://www.jeffdudan.com  #FranchiseFriday #UnemployablePodcast #JeffDudan #HomefrontBrands #FranchiseBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #FranchiseOwner #SmallBusinessAdvice #InvestmentStrategy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jeff Dudan's free digital copy of his book At the end of a franchise training session, a newly minted franchise owner pulled Jeff Dudan aside and asked one question: "How do I get over my mental block about investing another $50,000?" That single question opened up a masterclass in entrepreneurial fear, belief, and capital strategy. In this Franchise Friday episode of the Unemployable Podcast, Jeff breaks down the three mental frameworks every business owner needs when facing a scary investment decision - whether it's $50,000 or $5 million. He shares the raw story of going $4 million in debt to buy out his partner at Vanguard Clean with zero franchisees, a $2 million disputed receivable, and zero certainty of outcome. What he did have was an unshakeable belief that he would never quit. You'll learn why business is an infinite game and why time is your greatest asset if you stay in it, how to reframe financial losses as tuition and extract compounding lessons from every setback, the self-liquidating investment test borrowed from direct-response marketing that tells you exactly whether your capital is working or sitting still, why your culture is just your organization's memory and how great companies institutionalize lessons to prevent repeated mistakes, and how to tell the difference between productive persistence and stubborn grinding that leads to broke and tired. Whether you're considering a franchise for the first time, scaling an existing business, or staring down a capital investment that scares you, this episode will give you the clarity, permission, and framework to make the decision with confidence.  https://www.youtube.com/@UNEMPLOYABLEWITHJEFFDUDAN  Homefront Brands: https://www.homefrontbrands.com  Jeff's Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffdudan/  Jeff's Site: https://www.jeffdudan.com  #FranchiseFriday #UnemployablePodcast #JeffDudan #HomefrontBrands #FranchiseBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #FranchiseOwner #SmallBusinessAdvice #InvestmentStrategy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us Fan MailMost conversations about Vortex Optics focus on the products. This one is about the people and the principles behind the glass.In this Spartan Leadership episode, Joe Hamilton, CEO of Vortex Optics, gives an inside look at what truly drives the brand — from his father's original vision to the employee‑owners in Barneveld who show up like it's their company, and the front‑line team that lives out “we'll take care of you” every single day.We go deep on:Why Vortex once refused to let a flattering article run because it focused too much on the Hamilton family and not enough on staff and customersHow the “About You” core value (instead of “About Us”) became the lens for every decision they makeThe story behind CARE — Create A Rare Experience — and how they build systems that let humans serve humans, not hide behind policiesWhat it actually looks like to empower front‑line team members to solve problems without a scriptWhy Joe believes scale and efficiency are NOT the ultimate thing, and how that conviction shapes the way they treat one customer at a timeThe weight of being trusted with a 10‑year, life‑and‑death U.S. Army contract — and what that does to the standards inside the buildingHow legacy, stewardship, and his dad's example keep Joe grounded as a leaderThis is not a product review, a brand commercial, or a highlight reel. It's a behind‑the‑scenes look at how Vortex thinks, what it expects from its people, and why the culture feels different when you walk through the doors.If you've ever wondered, “What actually makes Vortex Vortex?” — this is the episode.Chapters:00:00 – Why this isn't a typical CEO interview02:00 – The article Vortex refused and what it revealed03:00 – “About You,” Joe's dad, and customer‑first values07:00 – CARE: Create A Rare Experience12:30 – A binocular, a son, and a rare experience in real life15:00 – Why scale and efficiency aren't the ultimate thing20:00 – VIP Warranty and empowering the team to do what's right27:00 – Inside the Army contract and raising the bar internally40:00 – Developing leaders and protecting the culture55:00 – Legacy, stewardship, and the future of VortexLearn more about Vortex Optics: https://vortexoptics.com/Connect with Josh Kosnick: joshkosnick.comFollow Joe Hamilton on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/joehamiltonlive/#leadership #VortexOptics #companyculture #business #entrepreneurship #servantleadership #legacy #brandbuilding #customerobsession #customerservice #SpartanLeadership #podcast #businessleadership #mindset #highperformance #employeeowned #culturematterSupport the showCONNECT WITH ME HERE:FacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitterTikTokYouTubeSUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube