Lead the Team (Top 2% of Podcasts)

GIANT Potential John Ruane, President of The Giant Company, plays a higher-level game in the grocery biz. Everyone chases the same metrics that drive razor-thin margins, relentless competition, and ever-shifting consumer demands. The grocery industry is a pressure cooker. Yet, they aren't just surviving, they're thriving. He shared a surprising philosophy with me – one that's driving dramatic impr...

Unlock Exponential Growth Co-President of SoftwareOne, North America, Shane Cronin, shares a story about a team member going above and beyond for a Fortune 50 customer. It's a story that demonstrates the power of customer obsession and the impact it can have on a business. This interview will make you think differently about how you approach customer service and the importance of empowering your t...

Fail Forward Fiercely Pinakin Patel, CEO of IT Concepts, didn’t start at the top—he built IT Concepts from scratch, now projected to hit $375 million in revenue. But one misstep almost derailed everything, forcing him to rethink how he led his team. That failure, instead of breaking him, became the foundation for his unique approach to culture, trust, and leadership. In this episode, find the hard...

LEADERSHIP. EMPATHY. IMPACT. What if a single, unexpected phone call could redefine your leadership approach...and transform your team's performance? 🤔 Craig Strickler, President of Americas for Valor Hospitality Partners, shares a powerful story that reveals the profound impact of genuine appreciation. He explains the unique strategy behind a surprising call he received and what he learned. It w...

Rethink Learning Entirely. Bill Salak, CTO of Brainly, reveals how he's transforming education for over 10 million users, and his journey began with dropping out of high school. You'll hear where the current education system is riddled with outdated methods that fail to cater to individual learning styles, and how this results in widespread disengagement and missed potential. Millions of students...

Butterfly Effect What does it take to exit a company you co-founded—and leave a legacy that puts your team first? Jessica Wolf, co-founder of Skye, shares her inspiring journey of building a revolutionary coaching platform and the unexpected impact of her exit. After successfully exiting to Sounding Board, she reflects on the lessons learned, the importance of transparency during significant trans...

Small Cruise Ship, Big Leadership Lesson Donnie Ransbottom, UnCruise's Hotel Leader, shares a powerful story of what happened when he began to see his team not just employees, but untapped potential waiting to shine. His story is incredible.... ...he started his journey scrubbing decks and serving guests—only to rise to senior leadership by lifting others along the way. Discover how mentorship, tr...

"Do for one which you wish you could do for everyone." Savannah Bananas President Jared Orton Jared Orton, President of the Savannah Bananas, has built a sports experience like no other. With a ticket wait list stretching over two million, the Bananas have become a phenomenon, reinventing baseball with bold moves, a fresh game format, and a relentless focus on each fan’s experience. In this episod...

Fear the Leadership Model Suresh Krishna, Northern Tool + Equipment Former CEO and President, flipped the leadership script over his 35-year career, uncovering game-changing ideas where most leaders never bother to look. The biggest secrets to success aren’t hiding in a boardroom—they’re on the front lines. It's a bold shift (but vital one) for any leader on a mission for positive impact, effectiv...

Narrate. Captivate. Dominate. Mastering storytelling is the secret weapon every leader needs. In this episode, Ben unveils a powerful yet simple framework to help you craft compelling stories that captivate your audience, inspire action, and leave a lasting impact. You’ll discover how to tap into your personal experiences, find the emotional core of your message, and structure your story for maxim...

Hundreds of locations burning... Amber Burke, COO of Burn Boot Camp, faced a crisis—and what happened next will leave you rethinking leadership. In this episode, you'll uncover Amber’s extraordinary journey through a high-stakes challenge, where vulnerability became her greatest asset. Discover how she navigated the fallout, rebuilt trust, and transformed a moment of adversity into an opportunity...

No Fear = No Growth Bentina Terry , CEO of Southern Linc and Southern Telecom, shares a pivotal moment that shaped her leadership, including the unexpected power of stepping into the field and leading from the front. Sometimes executives lean primarily on leading from the... ...boardroom ...spreadsheet ...and the powerpoint but Bentina challenges that perspective with her own story of facing fear,...

Stop trying to manufacture culture—it’s not working, and your team knows it. The more you force it, the further away you get from what truly drives success. Aamir Paul, Schneider Electric President North America, believes culture isn’t created in boardrooms or through corporate slogans—it’s something you invite others to join, not impose. What if the key to transforming your organization is lettin...

BUILD LEADERS, NOT FOLLOWERS When Ryan Kean, CIO at TQL (Total Quality Logistics... one of the largest freight brokers in the nation ), stepped into his first leadership role in his career, he was eager to prove himself. But his team, leaderless for months, wasn’t immediately receptive. One pivotal conversation changed everything—forcing Ryan to rethink his approach to leadership entirely. Discove...

From the Baseball Diamond to the Boardroom What can a Major League Baseball player teach us about executive leadership and success? Bill McCarthy, former Braves MLB player and now president of Securitas Healthcare, shares the lesson learned from the field that transformed his approach to business. A powerful challenge from Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker shaped Bill’s perspective on what trul...

🚀 An Elevator Pitch Revolutionized an Industry 🚀 Imagine turning a simple idea into a solution used by over 28,000 locations. That’s exactly what Vishal Agarwal, founder and CEO of Checkmate, accomplished—but it didn’t happen overnight. In this latest podcast episode, you'll discover... 💡 How a chance elevator encounter with Five Guys changed everything. 🍔 The genius behind integrating deliver...

Serve to Succeed: The Transformative Leadership of Naomi Brezi Naomi Brezi, Seasoned Executive Leader, opens up about the pivotal moment when her leadership was falling short. Struggling to connect with a resistant team of senior colleagues, she realized a mindset and approach shift was necessary. That transformation didn’t just change the dynamic—it reshaped every interaction moving forward, ulti...

🚨 There's a NEW FAME Transforming Leadership, Marketing, and Social Connection 🚨 Discover the revolutionary idea brought to life by Steven Galanis, co-founder and CEO of Cameo : ✨ A billion-dollar platform changing how celebrities connect with fans. ✨ Over 70,000 talents from every corner of the entertainment world. ✨ Personalized experiences that turn fleeting fame into lasting impact. You'l...

A Question Sparked Growth and Helped Millions. Michael Travars President & GM of LifeSafer Ignition Interlock, shares the bold question that drove the company’s transformation from the #1 U.S. ignition interlock provider to a global leader in road safety solutions, now spanning 11 countries. 🌎 It all started with one question that he posed to his team. You'll hear how they've expanded beyond...

He and the team kept going... What does it really take to persevere when everything’s on the line? Anthony Cali, CEO of Cipher North America, reveals how an injury on the football field shaped his approach to leading in high-stakes situations. From a pivotal moment in his college football days to navigating the unpredictable world of cybersecurity, Anthony shares insights on resilience, accountabi...

There's an undeniable force that drives success in business... Legendary CEO David Cote, who transformed Honeywell from a $20 billion to a $120 billion powerhouse, shares his insights on how companies can harness productivity to enhance global standard of living. With a wealth of experience, Dave shares a compelling answer for why business is the greatest force for good, improving lives and creati...

🚀 Proactive Mentorship: A Game-Changer for Leaders Horst Gallo, Chief People Officer at Orion Innovation, shares a surprising perspective on accelerating your success as a leader. Too many leaders wait for mentorship to find them. Instead, Horst challenges us to proactively take the initiate. He says: "The best way to find a mentor is to proactively reach out to someone who inspires you or has ex...

Listen Like a Leader Julka Villa, Campari Group's Global CMO🍸, shares her journey in empathetic leadership and cross-cultural stewardship of an iconic brand. You'll discover how one meeting in Brazil completely changed her perspective... ...it was emotional, challenging, and transformational. It inspired her to cultivate a different environment where authenticity and individual strengths flourish...

"The highlight of your clients' week may be their time with you - be memorable." Willie Wilkov, CEO of Haba Family Group and Bella Luna Toys, as he reveals his journey through the competitive world of toys and the art of making a lasting impact. From pitching a memorable toy line for Disney & Pixar’s Inside Out to Legendary Leader John Lasseter to fostering a culture of transparency and trust,...

Opportunity Leader Lance Vaught, President of Penn Station East Coast Subs, turned a potential crisis into a remarkable opportunity during the pandemic, propelling his company to record-high growth. Also his journey from intern to CEO is inspiring...and a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and the power of a proactive mindset. At the heart of Lance’s success is his commitment to open communica...