Leadership - Leadership Powered by Common Sense

Turning personal adversity into entrepreneurial success – the inspiring journey of a disability entrepreneur who revolutionized the mobility aids industry When life throws you the ultimate curveball, you have two choices: let it defeat you or use it as fuel for something extraordinary. Lyndsay Mitcheson chose the latter, transforming a devastating MRSA infection and subsequent […] The...

How one entrepreneur transformed personal tragedy into a mission-driven organization serving 400,000 kids fighting cancer worldwide In the world of nonprofit leadership and purpose-driven entrepreneurship, few stories are as compelling as Eric Newman’s journey from childhood cancer survivor to founder of a multi-million-dollar organization that builds hope for families facing pediatric cance...

In an era where digital transformation has dominated business conversations for over a decade, a fundamental shift is emerging that puts humans back at the center of workplace innovation. Recent discussions on leadership development reveal that while we’ve made tremendous strides in technological advancement, we may have lost sight of what truly drives productivity, engagement, […] The...

A Conversation with Israeli Entrepreneur and Reservist Nimrod Vromen For the milestone 400th episode of Leadership Powered by Common Sense, host Doug Thorpe departed from his usual format to bring listeners an extraordinarily candid conversation with Nimrod Vromen, an Israeli entrepreneur, attorney, and army reservist living through one of the most challenging periods in his […] The post The...

How to escape the tyranny of your present and create pull energy toward your ideal future Are you climbing someone else’s ladder to success? If you’re like most professionals, you’ve probably fallen into the trap of chasing job titles, salary targets, and external validation instead of building a career that truly serves your vision of […] The post Stop Chasing Job Titles a...

In the latest episode of Leadership Powered by Common Sense, host Doug Thorpe sits down with Derek Fredrickson, an accomplished CEO and fractional Chief Operating Officer who’s helping service-based entrepreneurs break through growth barriers. Broadcasting from the heart of Paris, where he’s lived for nine years, Derek shares his unique journey from Wall Street finance […] The po...

Leadership, Branding, and Sales: Actionable Strategies for Building a Cohesive Company Culture In a recent episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe sat down with John Golden, a seasoned sales and branding expert, to unpack the nuanced relationship between leadership, branding, and sales strategies. Drawing from decades of experience in Silicon Valley...

Lessons in Leadership and Entrepreneurship: Building a Family Business from the Ground Up In a recent episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe sits down with Rob Lee, co-founder of Swift Passport and Visa Services, to unpack the realities of launching and scaling a business with your spouse. Rob’s journey—from wildland firefighter to entrepreneur—offe...

Mastering Fear: Insights and Actionable Strategies from Rhonda Britten on “Leadership Powered by Common Sense” Fear is a universal experience—one that shapes our decisions, relationships, and sense of self, often in ways we don’t even recognize. In a powerful episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe sits down with Rhonda Britten, founder […] T...

The Five Disciplines of Inclusive Teams: A Deep Dive into Effective Leadership In the latest episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Andres Tapia, an executive at Korn Ferry and co-author of “The Five Disciplines of Inclusive Teams.” The episode delves into the evolving landscape of […] The pos...

Aligning Brand and Culture: A Blueprint for Organizational Success In the latest episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Nader Safinya, an expert in bridging the gap between a company’s brand and its internal culture. This episode delves into the critical need for businesses to ensure […] The post Ho...

Addressing Burnout in Leadership In a recent episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe and guest Sally Mahamdeh delve into the critical issue of burnout, particularly in leadership roles and the broader context of workplace well-being. This discussion is especially relevant in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has prompted many […] The post The Grea...

Insights from Dr. Shonda Gore on Effective Leadership In the latest episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Shanda Gore, a seasoned expert in leadership development. Their discussion delves into the intricacies of effective leadership, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the evolving dynamics of [&...

Navigating the Transition from Execution to Strategy In the latest episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Ashley Rudolph, an executive coach and advisor based in New York. The episode delves into the intricacies of leadership, particularly focusing on the challenges high achievers face when transitioning [&#823...

Creating a Culture of Openness In the latest episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe engages in a compelling conversation with Michael Reddington, an expert in non-confrontational interview techniques. The episode delves into the intricacies of leadership, focusing on the challenges leaders face in obtaining honest feedback from their teams and the […] T...

Leadership in Small to Mid-Cap Companies: Insights from Doug Thorpe and Rick Munson In the latest episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Rick Munson, a seasoned business and executive coach with a rich background in mechanical engineering and an MBA in finance and entrepreneurship. The […] The post From F...

Navigating Transitions: From Doubt to Do with Kat O’Sullivan In the latest episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe engages in a compelling conversation with Kat O’Sullivan, a transformational leader and author of “From Doubt to Do.” The episode delves into the intricacies of managing transitions and overcoming the doubts and fears [&#82...

Building Trust and Effective Communication in the Online Space: Insights from Yuri Elkaim In a recent episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe engages in a compelling conversation with Yuri Elkaim, a former professional soccer player turned successful entrepreneur in the health and wellness industry. The episode delves into Yuri’s journey, the […] T...

Mastering Financial Management in the Trades: Insights from “Leadership Powered by Common Sense” In the latest episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe engages in a compelling conversation with Paul Maskill, a seasoned fractional CFO. The episode delves into the financial intricacies of entrepreneurship, particularly within the trades. Paul shares h...

Unlocking Leadership Potential: The Four Pillars of Leadership with Valerie Sandjivy In the latest episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” hosted by Doug Thorpe, we are introduced to Valerie Sandjivy, a mechanical engineer turned business coach and mentor. Valerie shares her unique framework for effective leadership, known as the “four pillars of leadership.” This...

The Critical Role of Strategy in Leadership: Insights from Dr. John Hillen In the latest episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” hosted by Doug Thorpe, the conversation delves into the essential shift from task-oriented thinking to strategic thinking in leadership. The guest, Dr. John Hillen, brings a wealth of experience from his diverse career […] The post Strategy Unl...

Embracing AI in Business: Insights from “Leadership Powered by Common Sense” In a recent episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Matt Leta, a seasoned entrepreneur and AI expert. The episode delves into the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into business practices and the challenges leaders...

Building Trust and Navigating Uncertainty: Insights from “Leadership Powered by Common Sense” In the latest episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Vicky Brown, a seasoned professional with a rich background in human resources and entrepreneurship. The episode delves into the critical themes of creat...

The Art of Conscious Conversations in Leadership: Insights from Doug Thorpe and Chuck Wisner In the latest episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe delves into the concept of conscious conversations in leadership with guest Chuck Wisner, a seasoned leadership advisor and coach. This episode is a treasure trove of insights on […] The post How Can Leaders F...

Discovering Authentic Leadership: Insights from “Leadership Powered by Common Sense” In a recent episode of “Leadership Powered by Common Sense,” host Doug Thorpe and guest Vince Covino delve into the profound journey of personal transformation and its impact on leadership. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to lead with authenticity […] T...