Shows
Leadership LeversFrom Food Service to SaaS - Tucker Graves on Culture, Growth & Asking for HelpWhat happens when leaders stop pretending and start leading with vulnerability?In this episode of Leadership Levers, Tucker Graves, CEO and co-founder of Pineapple Academy, shares how his content training company unexpectedly pivoted into the world of SaaS - and the leadership lessons that came with it.With roots in a multi-generational family business, Tucker brings a grounded perspective on culture, growth, and people. When faced with the challenge of running a company they weren’t fully equipped to lead, Tucker and his co-founder didn’t fake expertise - they aske...2025-07-2808 minLeadership LeversBigger Isn’t Always Better - A VC Reality Check with David MandelIs bigger always better?In this episode of Leadership Levers, we sit down with David Mandel, Managing Partner at Emerging Ventures Capital, to explore how culture, capital, and leadership collide in high-growth environments.David shares his journey from aspiring AI researcher in the 1980s to serial entrepreneur and now venture investor - offering a rare, full-circle view of leadership evolution. Having built and exited four underwriting and finance businesses, he’s experienced firsthand how culture can make or break a company, no matter how strong the financials.2025-06-2310 minLeadership LeversWalking the Digital Floor - Leading Culture & Performance in a Hybrid World with Charles WindsorThe relationship between organizational culture and business success has never been more critical - or more complex. How can today’s leaders strengthen culture in ways that drive performance and connection, especially across remote and hybrid teams?In this Leadership Levers episode, we sit down with Charles Windsor, CEO of Oakwood Systems Group and TalentPort Inc, to unpack the connection between culture, performance, and leadership in professional services.Drawing on 40 years of consulting experience, Charles shares practical lessons on how culture evolves - and why it must be...2025-06-2318 minLeadership LeversIt’s Not the How, It’s the Who - Performance Growth Lessons with Adam PovlitzIs your next level of growth a process problem or a people problem?Highlights CoveredHow a three-tier, national franchise model adds complexity to culture alignmentThe difference between handing out handbooks and living your missionWhy the right senior hire is often the real unlock for growthHow Covid forced consistent, system-wide communication and culture buy-inLeadership takeaway - most plateaus aren’t solved with how - they’re solved with who!SummaryThis episode offers practical insights on scaling culture, leading remotely, and making the peop...2025-05-0112 minLeadership LeversFrom Can’t to Can – Leading Culture Change in High-Stakes Environments with Jeff HuffWhat happens when you shift from a culture of “can’t” to a culture of “can”?Highlights CoveredHow a new leader used the first 90 days to map change across an entire organizationThe power of listening, documenting, and acting to build trust and momentumWhy transitioning from a mindset of “can’t” to “can” unlocks empowerment, innovation, and accountabilityReal-world example - a $150 sponsorship request turned into a catalyst for a cultural shift across the organizationLeadership takeaway- empowerment creates efficiency - and frees up leadership to leadSummaryThis episode explores how...2025-05-0113 minLeadership LeversFrom the Bench to the Boardroom – Building Culture That Wins with Chris TeahanWhat does it take to build a winning culture - on the court and in the office?Highlights CoveredWhy process and mindset matter more than resultsHow a “Pyramid of Success” model shaped team performance at KUThe hidden cost of one bad actor on a high-performing teamLeadership takeaway - be a star in your role, even if it’s behind the scenesMindset principle: Live life in the hills and valleys, not at the peaks or the bottom SummaryThis episode explores the parallels between elite athletics and busines...2025-04-3014 minLeadership LeversDiagnosing Culture Before It Derails Performance with Eric BoromisaWhat happens when the market isn’t the problem - but the messenger is? Highlights CoveredWhy product strategy often turns into culture therapyA case study - success metrics masked a deeper cultural breakdownHow fear of leadership can quietly derail executionLeadership takeaway: Start every meeting with “How are you doing today?”SummaryThis episode reveals how behind every market-facing issue - there may be a deeper cultural disconnect - and how the right questions can break the gridlock and unlock performance.Will Gladhart is joined by E...2025-04-3007 minLeadership LeversLeading Through Crisis - Transparency, Trust & Culture with Rich SchausWhat would you do if your organization faced a media firestorm, financial setbacks, and internal culture challenges—all at the same time?In this episode of Leadership Levers, Rich Schaus, Executive Director at Gospel Rescue Mission, shares his firsthand experience leading through crisis and rebuilding trust - both within his team and the broader community.Following a wave of public scrutiny from an embezzlement scandal and declining donations, Rich took a bold approach: radical transparency, direct engagement, and a commitment to culture-driven leadership.By...2025-02-0210 minLeadership LeversEngaging Employees for Growth - Leadership Lessons with Brian WaldronWould you like to discover the secrets behind fostering a thriving & engaged workplace culture? In this episode, we sit down with Brian Waldron, President & CEO of Dort Financial Credit Union, to discuss how leadership actions directly impact employee engagement, culture, and organizational performance.Brian shares his leadership journey - from starting as a teller in college to leading a $2.3 billion credit union - and his lessons on building a culture of empowerment, fostering leadership development, and aligning people, processes, and profits to drive long-term success.2025-01-3112 minLeadership LeversFostering Trust, Alignment & Growth - Leadership Strategies for High-Performance Organizations with Jim TolbertCurious how fostering trust, alignment, and growth opportunities can help leaders tackle talent challenges in high-growth organizations?In this Leadership Levers Podcast episode, Jim Tolbert, CEO of Adelante Education Group, Chancellor of Universidad Santander USA & the Managing Director at PL3, shares his journey from investment banking to leading education-focused organizations. Drawing on his extensive experience, Jim emphasizes the critical role of culture in driving organizational performance and aligning teams around shared values.Jim highlights the challenges of attracting...2024-12-1909 minLeadership LeversThe Business Artist - Sparking Innovation, Improvisation & Aligning Culture with Adam BoggsCan being a 'business artist' spark improvisation and creativity to ignite innovation and transform how you lead and cultivate culture?In this episode of the Leadership Levers, we are joined by Adam Boggs, CEO of Meahana.io and author of The Business Artist, to discuss the intersection of culture, creativity, and organizational growth. Adam shares insights from his extensive experience consulting for major corporations like SAP, Google, and Salesforce - highlighting that people-related issues often account for 90% of organizational friction. He emphasizes that...2024-12-0909 minLeadership LeversSafeguarding Your Investments - Crisis Management & Reputation Strategies for Leaders with Stephanie CraigIs your organization prepared to turn a crisis into an opportunity while protecting its reputation and driving performance?In this episode of the Leadership Levers, we sit down with Stephanie Craig, President of Kith.co, to explore the critical importance of crisis preparation and reputation management for organizations. Stephanie shares her unique background, from growing up in Canada’s Arctic to working in both US and Canadian politics - how these experiences shaped her ability to navigate high-pressure situations and help leaders do the same! 2024-12-0915 minLeadership LeversAligning Workplace Culture - Active Listening, Shared Intelligence & Intentional Leadership with Brant LingleWant to strengthen workplace culture and organizational performance by developing active listening skills, building shared intelligence, and improving intentional communication?In this episode of the Leadership Levers, we are joined by Brant Lingle, Process and Strategic Consultant at Scott Hackman Ventures, to explore the intersection of leadership, culture, and performance. Brant shares his passion for simplifying leaders’ lives by focusing on people-centric strategies, leadership development, and fostering emotional intelligence within organizations.Brant emphasizes the critical role of a healthy workplace culture in retaining top talent, en...2024-12-0913 minLeadership LeversBalancing People, Process & Profits in Healthcare Leadership with Stephen WillsHow do you create a culture that attracts top talent and inspires them to stay and thrive?In this Leadership Levers Podcast episode, Stephen Wills, CEO of Knoxville Pediatric Associates, explores the pivotal role of culture in overcoming organizational challenges and enhancing performance.Stephen shares his unique journey from journalism major to healthcare management, emphasizing how networking and adaptability shaped his career path. His leadership philosophy centers on learning from others, as demonstrated by his approach to transitioning into a role previously held for three...2024-12-0906 minLeadership LeversChallenging Nonprofit Norms - Visionary Leadership & Performance Culture with Nicole LawsonWhat if nonprofits could break free from traditional constraints to achieve greater impact through visionary leadership and a strong performance-driven culture?In this episode, Nicole Lawson, CEO and President of Orchards Children's Services, shares her journey of leading an organization that serves over 8,500 children with the support of a dedicated 350-member team. With a background in behavioral healthcare, Nicole brings a unique perspective to nonprofit leadership - challenging outdated norms and redefining what success looks like in this sector.Nicole dives into the importance of fostering a r...2024-11-1810 minLeadership LeversFamily Business Lessons & EOS Principles for Leadership Success with Kyle DannerCan lessons from a family business and EOS principles transform your leadership and drive organizational performance?In this episode of Leadership Levers, Kyle Danner, CEO of Kyle Danner Consulting and a Professional EOS Implementer, shares his journey from managing the complexities of a family business to guiding organizations in building thriving cultures. Drawing from his personal experience in the family business & succession planning sector, Kyle explores how family business dynamics shape leadership strategies and organizational success.Kyle highlights the importance of aligning leadership teams with a clear v...2024-11-1514 minLeadership LeversTurning Culture into Cash Flow - Transformative Leadership with Lindsay GuzowskiCan a strongly aligned culture and focused financial performance drive sustainable growth at your organization? In this episode of Leadership Levers, we explore this with Lindsay Guzowski, CEO and founder of The Crucible.Lindsay highlights her journey from private equity deal-making to developing a leadership assessment tool tailored for the Private Equity (PE) sector, drawing on her background in quantitative sociology. Her data-driven approach clarifies leadership strengths and gaps, meeting a crucial need in performance evaluation for PE-backed companies.Lindsay shares the challenges...2024-11-1410 minLeadership LeversFrom Banker to Builder - Diane Carney on Transforming Challenges into Culture-Driven LeadershipCurious how a +25-year banking veteran turned personal homeowner frustrations into a thriving business — and why she believes a strong company culture is the key to success?Discover the remarkable journey of Diane Carney, Founder & CEO of FI Home Services Inc - who transitioned from a 25-year banking career to the role of successful entrepreneur & leader! You'll hear how her struggles with home maintenance inspired her to build a company dedicated to helping others maintain their homes efficiently - so they could enjoy their home. Dian...2024-11-1212 minLeadership LeversFrom Command to Corporate - Captain Rick Hoffman on Cultivating High-Performance CulturesHave you wondered how morale & alignment can be the bedrock of combat effectiveness and business success? Join us as we explore the power of transformative leadership with Retired US Navy Captain Rick Hoffman, CEO of Orion Solutions LLC. Drawing from his remarkable career in both the military and business worlds, Captain Rick shares invaluable lessons on building resilient, mission-driven teams.Captain Rick recounts his experience revitalizing the USS Way City into a combat-ready force after 9/11, translating those lessons to his work with executives to elevate alignment and e...2024-11-1211 minLeadership LeversCulture Chemistry - Transforming Your Organization into a High Performing Powerhouse with David AndersonReady to harness the power of culture to turn your organization into a high-performing team & an unstoppable force for success?In this episode, David Anderson, CEO & Founder of DWA Leadership, shares his journey from government roles to entrepreneurship and executive leadership. David emphasizes the critical role of building high-performing teams and fostering a healthy, evolving culture to drive business success. He discusses the importance of intentional culture - how leaders need to adapt as their companies grow, and the challenges of managing people, processes, and profits to maximize potential.2024-09-1916 minLeadership LeversFrom Firehouse to Executive Leadership - Nick Bonstell on Building a Culture of Trust & EmpowermentReady to discover how firefighting lessons from the frontlines can transform your leadership and build a culture of trust, preparedness, and high performance?In this episode, Nick Bonstell, President & CEO of Miss Dig 811, shares his journey from career firefighter to leading Michigan's excavation safety one-call system. His transition from being a firefighter to executive leadership taught him the critical value of prevention over reaction. In emergency services, success often comes from proactive measures that prevent crises before they happen - a lesson he carries into his current role...2024-09-1917 minLeadership LeversReal World Leadership - Intentional Culture, Smart Hiring & People First Practices with Justin ClarkeCan real-world experience and intentional culture transform your leadership approach and drive sustainable success? In this episode, Justin Clarke, Founder & CEO of F-Staff On Demand, shares his journey from a 19-year-old entrepreneur to leading a successful staffing agency for commercial truck drivers. He shares his candid reflections on why real-world experience trumps academic theory - inspiration for budding entrepreneurs to take bold steps.Justin highlights the vital importance of building an intentional culture, making thoughtful hiring decisions, and actively listening and engaging with employees2024-09-1908 minLeadership LeversListen, Learn, Lead - Unlocking the Secret to High Performance Leadership with Joseph PolaninAre you leading with the power of 'Listen, Learn, Lead' or are you missing the keys to unlocking your employees' true performance potential?In this episode, we sit down with Joseph Polanin, CEO of Alaka'i Leadership Group and retired Navy Captain, reveals how the 'L3 Principle - Listen, Learn, Lead - can transform leadership and drive meaningful cultural change in any organization.With 30+ years in the US Navy, specializing in explosive ordnance disposal, Joe brings a wealth of experience leading teams in high-stakes situations. He shares how these i...2024-09-1912 minLeadership LeversBuilding a Unified Workforce - Post Merger Success with Thomas FondrenWhat if merging two competing organization's divisions could lead to remarkable growth, employee alignment, and financial success? In this episode, Thomas Fondren, CEO of Advanced Orthopedics of Oklahoma, shares his journey - unifying a recently merged organization and leaning into a a patient-first approach. He discusses the importance of a cohesive culture, aligning communication across the team, and bridging gaps between different business units to drive growth and success - highlighting the transformative power of consistent leadership and clear, shared values.Whether you're a leader looking to strengthen your o...2024-09-1907 minLeadership LeversEngaging Youth for Conservation and Cultural Change with Lidia Soto-HarmonHow do you transform an organization's culture to create a thriving environment that energizes employees, attracts future leaders, and advances the organization's mission?Lidia Soto-Harmon, the President/ CEO of the Student Conservation Association (SCA), joins us to share her insights and experiences. Growing up in Central and South America and leading the largest Girl Scout Council in the U.S., Lidia offers a wealth of diverse knowledge on leadership strategies for connecting with and building impactful experiences for youthDive into Lidia's journey as the new SCA leader and...2024-07-1912 min