What if the trait that once got you in trouble became your greatest leadership asset?
Denny LeCompte, the CEO of Portnox, has built his leadership philosophy on a foundation of unfiltered transparency. He owns his mistakes in company-wide emails, actively invites dissent, and aligns his teams by always sharing the complete picture. A former cognitive psychology PhD turned tech leader, Denny reveals how embracing “the opposite of a poker face” can fuel trust, improve retention, and boost performance—all without the drama.
In this conversation with Dave Osh, Denny shares the defining moments that shaped his approach. He discusses trading performative “niceness” for genuine care, creating an environment where it's safe to disagree (rather than making hollow promises), and using his own self-awareness to set healthier expectations for his teams. We also explore how to achieve alignment without theatrics, why “more money” is a poor motivator for pursuing management, and what it truly takes to maintain a strong culture as a startup scales.
Why it matters: Leaders don't need more slogans about empathy; they need practical ways to make candid debate both safe and productive. Denny’s playbook offers a clear guide on how to achieve exactly that.
Denny LeCompte is the CEO of Portnox, a company he has led for four years through rapid growth and a transition to a globally distributed team. Drawing on his background as a cognitive psychologist, Denny applies a science-informed perspective to decision-making and bias, writes weekly reflections for his company, and champions a culture where challenging the boss is not just allowed, but encouraged.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennylecompte/
⏰ Timestamps (placeholders)
00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections
00:38 Welcome to CEO Peak with Denny LeCompte
01:17 Transparency and Leadership Philosophy
04:35 Authenticity and Vulnerability in Leadership
08:12 Creating a Safe and Open Work Environment
16:59 Handling Conflict and Building a Cohesive Team
22:20 Understanding Team Motivations
22:33 Addressing Interdepartmental Tensions
23:28 Promoting Problem-Solving Conversations
25:15 Empathy and Alignment in Leadership
26:28 The Importance of Open Communication
27:41 Balancing Team Dynamics
35:24 Avoiding Unproductive Drama
39:52 Personal Growth and Leadership
41:51 Parenting Lessons and Patience
44:31 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Dave Osh is a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow.
Company website: https://www.varlinx.com/
Personal website: https://www.daveosh.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveosh/
Book: The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI https://www.amazon.com/CEO-Potential-Transcend-Organization-Lasting/dp/B0DMMPQFCW
TEDx: Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World - https://youtu.be/UhCBv9MX-ks
