Lead the Team (Top 2% of Podcasts)

A word turned her adversity to opportunity.  Fuel your motivation with Kavitha Mariappan’s positive leadership message. She shares the word that motivated her to tackle big challenges in her career and as she says “turn adversity into opportunity and bring others along too.” She is the Executive Vice President of Customer Experience and Transformation and the DEI Executive Sponsor at Zscaler....

You can quickly make up for years of experience. Get inspired by Kaycee Kalpin, Chief Marketing Officer for Premier Inc, where she shares her story of accelerating from Manager to CMO in just 8 years.  Some thought she was too young to become an executive, but she relied on one strategy to make up for multiple decades of experience that many of her coworkers had. Now Kaycee’s even hand picked...

Two words saved an entire company. Discover how CEO Amy Amick used a simple catch phrase to transform a company that was losing customers and money into one that leads the industry. She distilled her vision into two words that inspired employees from the corner office to the front lines.  You’ll also learn a great strategy to clarify and communicate your own leadership in a powerful way....

Picture this: a brand-new intern walks in the doors of a small business dreaming of one day becoming a CEO.  Fast forward a few years, and she not only achieves her goal but surpasses it, becoming the fearless leader of The Entrepreneur's Source. Meet Marissa Frois, the unstoppable force behind a meteoric rise from intern to CEO in under a decade. Marissa is now CEO of The Entrepreneur's Sour...

Discover the Reason Why #1 Best Resort in the Caribbean and France Stays at the Top! Get inspired by Denise Dupré, Founder and Managing Partner of Champagne Hospitality, who shares the one strategy she prioritizes to stay at the top of the resort and wine rankings. She leads a hotel design and development company with award-winning properties in the Champagne and Burgundy regions of France, and in...

Total Wine & More has grown into the country‘s largest independent retailer of fine wine.  CEO Troy Rice shares the core trait he seeks to instill in every employee and that he’s also seen emulated by his personal mentors, legendary Home Depot Founders Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank. Once you hear Troy’s story, you’ll double down to make sure to foster this key trait in yourself and your...

He grew it from $3MM to $300MM. Powerful interview from Ron Alvesteffer, President & CEO at Service Express, who shares his trusted strategy to develop and retain high-performing leaders. He’s relied on this approach to achieve the President and CEO role and how he uses it as the primary way to motivate his employees. It’s been particularly effective as he grew his company of 15 to 1000 global...

Self-care isn’t fluff. It's a vital component of getting team results. JB Kendrick, President at Kapsch TrafficCom North America, understands this better than most leaders I meet. Her leadership in building a powerful self-care culture has not only improved employee well-being but also increased productivity and fostered a positive work environment. Discover how her innovative approach is cha...

Obsess or fail. These words have become the new mantra for every business leader who wants to thrive in today's challenging market.  Yet, despite this understanding, many struggle to implement the right strategies to create a customer-first culture that will drive growth and keep them ahead of the competition.  Enter Kay Oswald, CEO and Board Member at Technogym USA. In this interview, h...

There’s a looming threat that could bring down your team. The “crown jewel” for organizations is their data. It guides your decision making, drives your processes, and ultimately enables your vision. The harsh reality is that your organization's data is vulnerable to a silent but deadly threat lurking in the cloud.  Can you really afford to leave your security to chance? Find out how to prote...

You can leave to start your business without burning bridges. Aspiring entrepreneurs often grapple with the dilemma of starting their own business without damaging professional relationships. CIO Mike Burns of Benco Dental shares his inspiring journey of taking a leap of faith, starting his own business, and strengthening the relationship with his boss. Learn from his valuable insights on how to b...

Here's proof that a disability can be a catalyst for incredible leadership, strength, and success. Michael Swiatek is Chief Strategy and Planning Officer of Avianca, a Latin American Group carrier based out of Colombia. He shares his inspiring journey of transforming his disability into his greatest asset and empowering others to do the same. Get ready to be motivated and inspired to turn your own...

She claimed her unique leadership voice then something big happened. You’ll be inspired by Julie Spurlin, CHRO of HCSS, who shares her personal experience of facing impostor syndrome early in her career and how she defeated it. Impostor syndrome is real and can hold even the most accomplished executive leaders back from reaching their full potential.  It’s time to bring authenticity to your l...

Use your next brainstorming session to create breakthroughs with "Jam Session Leadership". You'll be engaged and inspired here with Paul Roehrig, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer of Ascendion. He shares his "Jam Session'' Leadership Strategy to foster team creativity. He’s also used it to drive business success and write three award-winning books on the future of work, technology, and society....

"Employee Empowerment" can feel risky and like you're losing control. If it makes you uneasy, then you need to hear this interview. I host Mark McCullough, CEO North America at Gebrüder Weiss (GW), who shares his top strategy for creating a culture of empowerment while mitigating the risks.  You’ll discover how his approach can turn your workplace into a dynamic, empowered environment where e...

The Career Optimism Index is a powerful tool for unlocking team performance. With its unique blend of science and research, this cutting-edge index offers surprising insights for leaders to effectively manage their team and chart a path to success. It’s particularly helpful as labor force trends and preferences have substantially changed over the last three years. I host John Woods, PhD, who is th...

Forget the bravado. Confident humility Is the new power move in leadership. Successful leaders embrace this perspective of authenticity, empathy, and courage, while staying grounded and humble. I host President and CMO of Vitacost.com, Guy Burgstahler, who shares the secret to unlocking your full leadership potential and the engagement of your team. He started out as the Chief Marketing Officer th...

Without one critical element, your business is at risk of stagnation or failure.  It's not enough to simply keep up with the latest trends and technology - you need to get down to the core of what really drives the sustainability of your business. I host CFO Philip Brenckle of West Shore Home, who reveals the raw truth about the lifeblood your business needs to thrive, and why ignoring it cou...

What does it take to transform an “old school’ culture into one of fun AND peak performance? Many leaders see these as opposing forces but there’s a surprising synergy that you’ll learn about in my interview today. Get inspired by Top 10 Accounting firm COO, Arianna Ehmer, of CBIZ Accounting & Tax, who shares a powerful vision and strategy to “get stuff done” while injecting fun, trust, and co...

One thing can inspire 15,000 employees to achieve greatness. I host Wirpro executive, Ashish Saxena, who shares his inspiring journey of growing up in a small village in India without electricity to becoming a leader of large global organization. You’ll discover the strategy he uses to drive performance across the organization and engage his teams. Listen in and learn the secrets of leadership tha...

Eric Watkins shares his inspiring story of how he went from an intern to President of Abstrakt Marketing Group in just eight years. You’ll discover the challenges he faced, the strategies he used, and the lessons he learned along the way. Find out how he hustled his way to the top and find inspiration for your own career journey. Eric was awarded the Workforce Magazine’s Game Changer award, and in...

Unhealthy employees cost your team and company. Five years of compelling research from Gympass shows that having a workforce with poor health habits can significantly impact your bottom line. It also reveals a significant opportunity for every team leader. I host Cesar Carvalho, CEO and Co-Founder of Gympass, who shares the secrets behind this hidden drain on profits and an important strategy to t...

Leaders who take risks on employees thrive. Yet many leaders hesitate or completely miss the opportunity because it’s too far outside their comfort zone. Empowering your employees to take on new challenges and responsibilities can lead to incredible growth and innovation within your organization. By taking risks on your team, you're not only unlocking their untapped potential, but also creating a...

Mastering one leadership tool can be THE game changer in your team’s performance. As a leader, you probably recognize that success hinges on your ability to inspire and guide your team towards a shared vision.  But with so many tools and techniques available, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to focus your efforts. The solution?  I host COO, Dan Key, of Solenis who shares...

What happens when you remove the title from your email signature? I host Kyndryl Executive, Hemang Dave, who challenges the traditional notion that leadership only comes from a designated title or position. Our thought-provoking conversation explains that anyone can (and should) step up to lead, regardless of their role or rank.  Through insightful examples and practical strategies, you’ll be...