High Octane Leadership

What do people really say about you when you're not in the room? In this crossover episode of High Octane Leadership and Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox, I sat down with Jackie Ferguson, yes, my better half, to talk about all things personal brand: how to build one, why it matters more than ever, and how it can open doors before you even knock. Your brand is working with or against you every day. T...

What’s the real secret to building a high-performing team? Donald Thompson is joined by Amri B. Johnson—author, business strategist, and founder of Inclusion Wins—for a conversation about why employee engagement, not empty initiatives, is the true driver of organizational excellence. Together, they explore how today's leaders can create thriving workplaces where trust, psychological safety, and sh...

Is it possible to drive high performance without sacrificing humanity? Donald sits down with Gui Costin —entrepreneur, author, and founder of Dakota—to prove that the answer is a resounding yes. From 14 jobs in 17 years to building a $25 million business, Gui shares how he went from chasing success to leading with purpose. You’ll hear Gui’s refreshing take on developing Gen Z talent, why structure...

What does it take to turn a personal challenge into a groundbreaking startup? In this episode, Donald talks with Paula Jackler, founder and CEO of Ozzie, an AI-powered financial wellness platform. Paula shares her story of navigating the challenges of immigrating from Brazil to the U.S., student debt, and the startup world. Hear how she combined her background in psychology and tech to create a pl...

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere, but should CEOs embrace it or approach with caution? Donald and Bob Batchelor sit down for a conversation about AI’s role in leadership, business strategy, and personal productivity. Together, they tackle the real questions: Is AI just another tech trend, or is it a game-changer for business leaders? How can CEOs effectively integrate AI without resistance fr...

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is facing unprecedented challenges—from federal policies to corporate lawsuits. In this conversation, Donald and Bob Batchelor dive into the evolving DEI landscape, the pressures facing business leaders, and how to navigate the shifting political and corporate tides. As DEI faces increased scrutiny, how can companies safeguard their progress, preserve workpla...

Donald welcomes back trusted advisor and thought leadership guru Bob Batchelor for a deep dive into the art and science of executive branding. Together, they explore how thought leadership and authentic storytelling are game-changers for professionals and organizations alike. Learn about... Why defining your narrative is critical in today’s celebrity-driven economy. How thought leadership builds t...

What if leadership came with a cheat sheet? In this episode, Donald Thompson shares his personal playbook for success, packed with hard-earned lessons from scaling multimillion-dollar businesses, navigating tough conversations, and building inclusive, high-performing teams. Discover how curiosity, resilience, and strategic networking can transform your leadership style and accelerate your growth....

Can DEI fuel business growth and innovation? In this episode, Donald sits down with Amber Keister, a certified diversity executive and storytelling pro, to unpack how companies like Toyota and Ford are realigning DEI strategies to match their business objectives. They cut through the noise of media headlines to reveal how smart, pragmatic DEI creates engaged employees, loyal customers, and stronge...

In this episode, Donald sits down with Bob Batchelor, award-winning author of Stan Lee: A Life and The Bourbon King, to discuss his new book, The Authentic Leader. Bob is VP of Global Marketing and Communications at Workplace Options. Unlike many leadership books, often written by CEOs, Bob blends his expertise in strategic communication with lessons learned on the front lines of corporate America...

In today's rapidly changing business landscape, maintaining a strong company culture is essential for navigating periods of uncertainty, like labor volatility, CEO transitions, and economic fluctuations. Donald underscores the pivotal role that leaders play in preserving and nurturing culture and relationships during these tumultuous times. He believes that leadership should be adaptable, focusing...

In this episode of High Octane Leadership, Donald and co-author Kurt Meriwether join Roderick Lewis to explore the insights behind the Inclusive Leadership Handbook. Donald and Kurt discuss the challenges leaders face today, from navigating cultural intelligence to fostering collaboration in an increasingly complex and volatile world. They explain the impetus for writing the book, emphasizing the...

In this episode, Donald delves into the hidden costs of a relentless schedule packed with back-to-back meetings and non-stop demands. Far from a badge of honor, overscheduling can erode your effectiveness as a leader, harm your mental health, and stifle your ability to innovate. Donald discusses the mental strain of constant context switching and how it can lead to burnout and decreased creativity...

Anson Dorrance retired Sunday as quite possibly the most successful coach of all time of any sport, having led the UNC Women's Soccer program to an astounding 22 national titles. In this episode, originally released in July of 2020, Anson talks about how he quantifies competitiveness, lessons learned from watching Dean Smith run practice, his perspective on the Black Lives Matter protests and why...

In the world of organizational development, there's been a buzz about repackaging DEI to focus on workplace belonging and inclusive cultures for boosting employee engagement and driving growth. Donald is all for this shift, highlighting the importance of prioritizing employee well-being, trust and belonging to foster collaboration, innovation and productivity. With his background in leadership and...

The DEI movement has gained momentum, driven by a recognition of the need for more inclusive societies. Donald highlights the power of storytelling in fostering inclusivity and sees criticism as an opportunity for growth. In this episode, he emphasizes the importance of effective communication, pragmatic approaches, and the role of AI in refining DEI strategies, advocating for authentic storytelli...

In this episode, Dionne Griffin-McGee, a dynamic entrepreneur, speaker and CEO of D.G. McGee Enterprises, is sharing her journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship with Donald. Highlighting her relentless drive to overcome challenges as a Black woman in leadership, they explore her book, "Finding Your Roar," and delve into what she learned about management and DEI over the course of her ca...

Inclusive leadership drives organizational growth, enhances team performance, and fosters a sense of belonging, all contributing to your business's success. In this episode, Donald shares strategies from his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the importance of creating environments where every team member feels valued and empowered. Listen to explore the principles that make inclusive leadershi...

How do leaders support their top talent without encouraging burnout? In this episode, Donald and Jackie Ferguson explore the unique challenges both leaders and talent face, debunk common myths about productivity, and discuss strategies that foster a healthy environment for exceptional performance and recovery. Tune in to learn how to navigate the pressures of high achievement while maintaining phy...

From the power of transparent communication to innovative methods of recognition, Donald and Jackie Ferguson uncover the key ingredients for leading a highly engaged workforce. Learn how transparent communication builds trust and loyalty while fostering an environment of openness and collaboration, and take note of innovative ways to ignite motivation and fuel productivity by appreciating and list...

In this solo episode, Donald explores the personal and professional challenges faced as a successful business leader. He talks about the importance of empathy, mental health, and the impact of life's ups and downs on one's career. Donald shares insights on maintaining a balance between work and personal life, as well as the value of seeking support and embracing vulnerability as a leader. High Oct...

Donald and Zach Nunn delve into the nuanced relationship between failure, feedback, and growth. They emphasize the importance of contextualizing critiques, reframing setbacks as learning opportunities, and aligning team efforts with the organization's overarching goals. Plus, they call out the need for leaders to provide constructive feedback that empowers their teams to reach new heights. High Oc...

Donald and Zach Nunn, founder of Living Corporate, share their insights on navigating the challenges of work-life balance as passionate entrepreneurs. They delve into the importance of work-life integration, the seasons of career growth, and the power of building a strong professional network to maximize efficiency and achieve long-term success. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Mo...

Learn how to align your efforts with corporate goals, leverage leadership access, and understand the deeper dynamics of your organization with Donald Thompson. Through the power of asking high-quality questions, understanding communication preferences, and fostering true collaboration across teams, this episode will help you take the next steps to become an influential CEO, executive, and leader....

Last week, Donald and Kurt Merriweather talked about growing your business from concepts to customers. This week, they're back to talk about the CEO's leadership role in startup transformation, from defining the compelling vision to building high-performance teams, all while balancing innovation with scalability. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Do...