If your brand's not loved, it won't last.An inspired message from Doug Zarkin, CMO of Pearle Vision, who shares the big idea  behind his new book “Moving Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone” and why it’s vital for corporate and personal brands.Doug’s been Brandweek’s Marketer of The Next Generation, 2023 recipient of the Entrepreneur Franchise Game Changer CMO award and 2022 and 2023 Crain’s NY Notables in Marketing honoree. His career spans two decades leading marketing for some of the most iconic brands including Avon, Victoria’s Secret, and most recently at Essilor Luxottica for their global brand Pearle Vision.Doug also co-founded the youth, entertainment and lifestyle marketing arm for Grey Advertising where he spearheaded marketing campaigns that filled stadiums and captured audiences for renowned brands such as Ralph Lauren, Group Danone, M&M Mars, The NHL, Reebok, Mitsubishi, Red Lobster, Seagram, W Hotels, Cover Girl, The Food Network and Warner Bros. LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougzarkin/ Company Link: http://www.dougzarkin.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:Three Ways to Know if Your Brand is LovedWhat he Learned Certifying as a ModeratorWhen Asking “Why” can be Terrible LeadershipThe Lesson he Learned Selling Avon Door to DoorThe Power of Asking the Right QuestionsHow to Know if Your Podcast Will Take OffWhat Doug’s Learned from Writing a BookThe Key to Building a High-Performing TeamHow He Came to be the First Advertiser on South Park-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

What Does Integrity Reveal About Your Leadership?Meet Mercedes Aycinena, CEO of Komet USA, one of the world's largest dental instrument companies. She shares a compelling story about facing an ethical problem and turning it around to make things better and generate incredible results. You’ll discover why your integrity isn't just a trait – it's a powerful force that shapes your leadership. Get ready for an exciting journey where you'll learn how your integrity can make you a leader people admire, respect, and look up to!Mercedes has honed her leadership acumen across multiple continents and organizations including Walgreens, Premier, BSN Medical, Lash Group, and Ogilvy.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedesaycinenaCompany Link: https://kometusa.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:✅ How She Rose to CEO in Less than a Year.🇪🇸 The Reason Growing Up in Spain Helped her as a US CEO.📰 Why the WSJ Featured Her Story.⭐ The Policy that Reduced Turnover from 50 % to 15%.💡 A Twist in Her Career that Accelerated her Growth.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Get out from your desk; Lead from the front lines.Eduard de Vries Sand, CIO at Axia Women's Health, shares his strategy to stay close to the business and add more value to the Board, Team, and the entire organization.It’s easy to stay behind your computer all day because there’s so much to do.BUT if this is your entire work day…-You become disconnected from your business.  -You don’t REALLY know what’s happening in your business.-You miss the power of spending time with your employees who work directly with customers.If you think you don’t have time to spend time with your front line teammates, then this message will shift your perspective. He received his MBA from Nyenrode Business University and his Masters of Science from Saint Louis University.Axia Women's Health is a caring, connected, and progressive community of more than 400 providers and 150 women’s health centers across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Their fast-growing community spans OB/GYN physicians, breast health centers, high-risk pregnancy centers, laboratories, urogynecology, and fertility centers.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/eduarddevries/Company Link: https://axiawh.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:✅ The Mantra that Eduard Leads and Lives By.✅ Evernote Hacks.✅ How to Make the WSJ Work for You.✅ His Favorite Book to Gift.✅ A Lesson He Learned Leading in a Org that Delivers Close to 1% of the Babies in the US.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Start Bringing the Fight to the CompetitionUFC GYM CEO, Adam Sedlack, shares his exciting journey into the world of UFC and the incredible story of how this perspective supercharged their gym's growth and success.Just like UFC fighters prepare to fight “all out” in the Octagon, the UFC GYM team comes together with a strong support system for both physical and mental strength. In this episode, you'll step into the arena of fierce competition and unlock the secrets to their amazing track record.UFC GYM is the global leader in MMA-inspired fitness. Train Different in 150 locations around the world. Rooted in authenticity, UFC GYM is an extension of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® and proud to make the training programs and benefits of elite MMA athletes accessible to all, regardless of age or athletic ability.Through Adam’s vision and leadership, the company’s footprint has grown to include more than 148 locations throughout 42 countries, with more than 1,000 locations currently in development around the world.What You’ll Discover in this Episode:How to Survive a 48-Hour Sleepless Business “Marathon”MMA Fight Camps: The Spark Behind a Business RevolutionHow Training like a UFC Athlete Became a Thriving Business ModelThe Question You Need to Ask Every CustomerUnleash Your Team's 'Discretionary Effort'The Role Mentorship Played in his CareerHow to Turn Failure into SuccessWhy You Must Adapt Your Leadership Style to the Team-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Get inspired by Bryan Scott and his incredible leadership journey. It’s rare for anyone to perform at such a high level in so many different domains, and Bryan is a senior corporate leader who shares the common thread that you can use to accelerate your career.You’ll get so many terrific stories and what he’s learned along the way including:Playing football in the NFL for 10 years and winning the Buffalo Bills Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.Landing a deal on Shark Tank, singing with the NFL Player Choir and finishing in the top 5 on America's Got Talent.Now he’s a senior leader at Foot Solutions, global franchise retailer in the health and wellness industry specializing in custom orthotics and complementary footwear. LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-scott200324/Company Link: https://footsolutions.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:The “Aha Moment” he had as an NFL Rookie Training Camp.What he learned from his first ” First Pick Six’.What it was like winning the Buffalo Bills Walter Payton Man of the Year award.The strategy he used to win Shark Tank.What happened when he joined the NFL Player Choir and finished in the Top 5 on America’s Got Talent.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

They told her that she couldn't lead with an accent; then she proved them wrong.Blown away by Cynthia Kleinbaum, CMO at MoneyLion, as she shares her inspiring career journey. Born in Mexico, she's now risen through the executive ranks at Walmart, Bonobos, BCG, and Nestle with a MBA from Harvard Business School.But early on she was told that her Latin accent would hold her back and that she needed to lose it. Just wait until you hear what happened when she realized her accent was actually the gateway to BETTER performance and career advancement.You'll also learn how she’s sharing her personal story to motivate others and through her new podcast called "A LA LATINA", where she interviews C-level Latinas from Fortune 500, as a way to provide rising leaders with role models and a playbook to reach the top of corporate America.MoneyLion is an all-in-one, digital financial solution that gives people access to a comprehensive suite of products and personalized advice that makes it more engaging to bank, borrow, save, invest, and grow – all in one app.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-kleinbaum-milner-63685b2/Company Link: https://www.moneylion.com/Cynthia's Podcast: A La Latina: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-la-latina/id1329524900What You’ll Discover in this Episode:The valuable lesson learned when transitioning from a Walmart senior leader roleThe worst leadership advice she’s ever received.A simple staff meeting ritual that builds trust and connection.The key to leading with authenticity.How to think strategically.Why she’s determined to become a role model for Latina leaders.How to strengthen culture and reduce attrition.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

There's a High Cost to Labeling Your EmployeesJim Joseph, CEO U.S. and Global Chief Marketing and Integration Officer at Ketchum, shares his personal story of overcoming this limitation in the workplace and how he rose to the C-Suite.In your quest for team organization, the allure of labeling can be strong – a seemingly efficient way to slot individuals into defined roles. However, this shortcut carries negative consequences, exacting a staggering toll on organizations through disengagement and high turnover rates, costing millions.Overcome this with a single strategy Jim uses to cultivate a growth mindset among his vast workforce, ensuring their untapped potential continues to flourish, unburdened by limitations.Jim has had a prolific career winning the 2023 Agency of the Year, PRvoke and PRWeek deemed them the “Most Awarded PR Agency, and Best Place to Work. He’s also an Award-Winning Author of multiple books including:“The Conscious Marketer” - Inspiring a Deeper and More Conscious Brand Experience“Out and About Dad” - memoir of his Journey as a Father with all its Twists, Turns, and a Few Twirls, which BookAuthority awarded as one of the Best Fatherhood Books of All Time.“The Experience Effect” Series - Engage Your Customers with a Consistent and Memorable Brand ExperienceHe has an undergraduate degree from Cornell and an MBA from Columbia and serves as an Adjunct Professor at NYU.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-joseph-505bab5/Company Link: https://www.ketchum.com/Jim’s website https://www.jimjoseph.com/ What You’ll Discover in this Episode:His favorite advice that he received from a mentor.How to build a leadership culture.How he's led organizations to big results and made time to write three books.Leadership lessons from the Jimmy Buffett Playbook.Why he wrote a heart-felt memoir and how it became a bestseller. -----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Radical kindness is shattering corporate norms and redefining "business power".An inspiring message from Jen Whelan, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at SmartMedia Technologies. If you always viewed the business world as a relentless battleground, you're missing out on untapped potential.Sure, kindness is often deemed a positive trait, but have you ever truly grasped its remarkable potential as a practical tool for leadership? Discover why it's an indispensable asset for both your team and customers.Kindness has a business benefit. Gain invaluable insights from a former senior leader at tech giants like Intel, T-Mobile, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Verizon, and Yahoo. Elevate your leadership game with the transformative power of kindness!Now Jen’s leading the charge now at SmartMedia Technologies is the Enterprise Web3 platform.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-whelan-a280b113/Company Link: https://www.smartmediatech.io/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:Life lessons from a childhood by an Alaskan glacier.Why collaboration is the greatest leadership skill.Three words that drive business.How a single mom fast tracked to the corner office.The power of standing up for yourself.Why you need an accountability partner.The 2% rule she lives by.Her annual self-reflection ritual.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

AI is the new tool of choice for battling cancer, and Andy Moye’s company is at the forefront on a mission to advance cancer detection and patient care and treatment by using cutting-edge artificial intelligence.They are revolutionizing and accelerating the way we conquer this universal enemy.Andy is CEO and Board Member at Paige AI, which is the only company that FDA approved to use AI in diagnosing cancer pathology.This includes the U.S. launch of Paige Prostate Detect, the first and only AI-based pathology product to receive FDA marketing authorization for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) use in detecting cancer in prostate biopsies.His involvement in pathology began around 2005 and he’s been at the forefront of the molecular diagnostics, biotechnology, and life sciences industries for nearly two decades, focusing on pathology, oncology, genomics, and precision medicine.Before that, he served in the Navy for eight years flying P-3C aircraft.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/andymoye/Company Link: https://paige.ai/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:AI’s impact on the healthcare industry.The two sides of AI that will have the biggest impact in the next three to five years.Rampant physician burnout - How AI is addressing it.What company leaders should be asking their health benefit providers.The moment he realized he wanted to lead in healthcare.The one skill that’s contributed most to his success.A strategy that motivates your team.Why an AI company prioritizes people first.Are you trying to get your team to like you? Don’t!What he learned from having one-on-one’s with 100 employees.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

The “Gunkie Jar” is a Powerful Measurement of Effectiveness.I had my very first hydrafacial and at the end I was asked, “Want to SEE the results?” While my skin felt great afterwards, the memory that’s seared in my mind is seeing the results of the dead skin, dirt, and gunk.Get inspired by President and Chief Executive Officer of BeautyHealth, Andrew Stanleick, who is leading the beauty industry to be more vulnerable, transparent, and real.He leads a category creating company at the intersection of beauty, aesthetics, wellness and health that is transforming the professional beauty and skincare experience.From a small fishing village in Devon, England, he has led some of the biggest and fastest rising beauty and fashion brands, working in 9 countries over his 25+ year career. He led L’Oréal’s expansion in EMEA, Coach’s growth in Southeast Asia, and the turnaround of Coty Americas, especially the relaunch of Covergirl and as CEO of the Kylie Jenner beauty business.Now as CEO of The Beauty Health Company (NASDAQ: SKIN), Andrew is building a multi brand, tech-driven beauty platform, with rocket-ship brand Hydrafacial as its hero– which is present in 90 countries, delivers 3 million treatments a year, and behind BeautyHealth’s 41% revenue growth in 2022.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewstanleick/Company Link: https://www.beautyhealth.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:What happened during my first hydrafacial.The big change that's happening in the beauty industry.Why more men are getting into the beauty treatments.How hybrid working is driving the skin care industry.His workout regime. Why he left the “Big Beauty” and transitioned to leading a smaller organization.What it’s like working with Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian.How he gets feedback from the frontlines.Their positive LinkedIn strategy.The quote he uses to motivate his team.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Get your team's full effort.You can’t lead a team that’s not committed. What truly separates teams today is how much they buy-in to the mission and their willingness to invest their discretionary effort. You’ll love the mindset of Ivan Tornos, CEO and President of the orthopedics giant, Zimmer Biomet, who is working to transform the company and an entire industry. They are a 96-year-old company in 125 countries with a mission to alleviate pain and improve the quality of life around the world.Discover the actionable strategies, real-life success stories, and leadership secrets that can transform your team's dedication and propel your organization to the next level. Ivan has 30 years of experience in medtech working around the globe including senior leadership at BD, Medtronic, Baxter, and Johnson and Johsnon with MBAs from The Wharton School, The University of Miami and undergraduate degree from The University of Georgia.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivantornos/Company Link: https://www.zimmerbiomet.com/enWhat You’ll Discover in this Episode:The leadership trait that Ivan most admires.How to find great mentors and sponsors.Cleaning tanning beds - What it taught him about leadership.The 3 C’s he leads by.A twist in his career that accelerated his growth.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

He adopted one mantra. Got it tattooed. Then his career took off!Get ready for a big dose of inspiration from Chris Rack, CEO at MRP. He shares the transformational insight that accelerated his career, the tattoo that motivated him, and why he broke the company dress code his first day as CEO. I got chills multiple times in this interview, so be prepared to get a few yourself! Chris’ leadership and personal perspective is so powerful and if you’re considering Account Based Marketing (ABM) or refining your marketing approach, we also get into the incredible tools that MRP to connect organizations to the right buying groups and decision-makers.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherrack/Company Link: https://www.mrpfd.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:Why introverted sales leaders are having so much success.Why he has a wall of “Flawed Heroes” in his office.The "Mr. Miyagi" leadership strategy.The reason he decided to go all-in on tattoos.The power of Account Based Marketing and one tool leaders need.Product-led growth versus people-lead growth: Why you must understand the difference.How Chris lost 80 lbs in a year.Movie recommendations for the whole family.How to tell what your kids will remember about you.Quotes:“Be you. The world will adjust.”-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Don’t miss Ed Sims' powerful CEO story of shattering cultural barriers, helping thousands of employees, and inspiring an entire country.He discovered his airline's ultimate competitive advantage that ensured it survived the Pandemic and became a thriving organization. Ed worked and was mentored by Sir Richard Branson. He rose from airport check in agent to CEO of two major airlines. He was CEO of Airways New Zealand and Canada’s top low fare airline, WestJet, which he led… …through the largest private equity deal in aviation history.….through COVID-19… the worst crisis in aviation history.Now he serves on the board of KiwiRail and is Board Advisor for Virgin Australia.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardsimsCompany Link: https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:His favorite lesson from working for Sir Richard Branson.The blockbuster deal he negotiated on a “Shoestring Budget”.His innovation that makes a 17-hour flight enjoyable.What your authenticity reveals about your competitive advantage.Why he was invited to a sweat lodge and presented with a feathered headdress .A lesson leading the largest private equity deal in aviation history. Why as CEO he often served as a flight attendant (not as a passenger).The strategy he used to save the airline during the pandemic.  Losing an aircraft - Insight for leading in a crisis.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

A documentary showed his weakness….… then it elevated his leadership and inspired thousands.Godard Abel is a 5x B2B SaaS Entrepreneur and Co-Founder and CEO of G2, the world's largest and most trusted software marketplace, which he co-founded in 2012. G2 is used by 80 million people annually with over 2 million authentic peer reviews. It’s valued at $1.1B today.While Godard’s career on the surface looks like a massive succession of “homeruns”, he wasn’t feeling successful on the inside. He was struggling mightily with his mental and physical health.  He was in a bad place and made an incredible personal comeback.Then he felt compelled to share the darkest moments in a LinkedIn/Hubspot documentary because he believes it can help others.I love his story, and I think you’ll be inspired as I was.—-He also serves as Executive Chairman of ThreeKit, a leading 3D visualization technology company, and Logik.io, a next generation configuration technology. Previously, he was Founder and CEO of SteelBrick, which was acquired by Salesforce and also previously co-founded BigMachines, where he served as CEO and built it into a leading software-as-a-service provider which was acquired by Oracle in 2013.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/godardabel/Company Link: https://www.g2.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:What drives him.The impact of attending a Waldorf school as a child.Why he decided to show his most vulnerable side in a documentary.Using anxiety and uncertainty as fuel to create.How having a coach has helped him.His “Entrepreneur Alter Ego”.What happened when his company faced bankruptcy.How a forum he joined changed his life.What happens in his CEO peer-group meetings.What he’s doing now that he’s never done at previous companies.How authenticity is transforming his business and industry.Why Linkedin is becoming the gold standard of trust.What he learned from his first business as a teenager.A tip for talking to your kids about business.Resources:Spiraling Up: Spotlighting startup founders on their paths to becoming unicorns.   https://www.hubspot.com/startups/docuseries -----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Get inspired by this powerful message from Kevin Murphy, Area President at Gallagher, where he started as an intern and rose to the President’s role over 16 years.He shares his personal leadership strategy to create a powerfully transcendent culture that engages employees and drives long-term commitment and success. What leader doesn’t want that!You’ll also hear the inspiring story behind this idea that he discovered in his first big leadership role when he was relocated to Kingston, Jamaica and he’s been building on it ever since. Gallagher is the Insurance, Risk Management, Consulting CompanyHe’s a perennial “40 under 40” nominee in the markets he’s served and has the distinction of having 4 boys under 6 years old.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinfmurphy/Company Link: https://www.ajg.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:What he learned about leading from the US Special Forces.How to “intersect” with great leaders.The coffee meeting that changed his life.What drives him.A transcendent leadership moment.Help to boost leadership in West Africa. What happened in Kingston, Jamaica that accelerated his leadership.How you really reach the front line.Resources:Lead the Team Interview with Admiral Scott Giberson Episode 217 100,000 Lives saved By He and his Team: but No One Know their Name https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-000-lives-saved-by-he-and-his-team-but-no-one/id1530970744?i=1000620766426 Ian Vickers - Global Partners in Hope-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Ever been on a CRUISE?? There’s a cruise line CEO leading a revolution. Captain Dan Blanchard of UnCruise founded a unique cruise experience that’s inspired me and thousands around the world.The cruise industry is dominated by three big players, and you’ll be motivated by Dan’s dynamic approach to business, group dynamics, and commitment to sustainability. My family and I recently returned from a trip, and it was a transformative, unforgettable adventure for all of us.As owner and CEO of UnCruise Adventures Small Ship Cruising, Dan leads a small ship adventure travel company that creates connection to nature, and sustainable travel.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/company/un-cruise-adventures/Company Link: https://uncruise.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:Dan’s inspiration to take on the Goliath of the cruise industry.What it was like growing up on a tugboat.Designing “Cruise Ship Magic” on the back of a napkin.Why the Alaskan Inside Passage is perfect for adventure travel.“Glacial Facials’ and Ice Caves.The one thing that helps him recruit GREAT employees.His 1,000 lb bear encounter: A hair-raising tale.What it was like being adopted into the Tlingit tribe in Alaska.His greatest leadership tip.What saved the cruise industry during the Pandemic.The reason cruise lines work well for executive retreats.Why he eliminated WiFi on his cruise ships.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

He had Steve Jobs and Bill Gates as Mentors in the Same Year.Get inspired by Ted Tanner, CIO of BigBear.ai, who shares his incredible personal journey that literally changed the world.Discover the “TAO of Tech Leadership”... how the natural order of human wisdom and tech can harmoniously come together.He’s like the Rick Rubin of Sound and Technology. There’s so much to absorb here from the distilled wisdom of the incredible lineage of his mentors like Steve Job, Bill Gates, and so many others. He’s on the bleeding edge of sound, tech, and Machine Learning, and you’ll want to hear his predictions where it's all headed.It’s poignant, metaphysical, and stretches the imagination about what’s possible.Ted’s motto is “Ship Software, Change The World”.BigBear.ai’s mission is to deliver clarity for the world’s most complex decisions. BigBear.ai’s AI-powered, decision intelligence solutions are leveraged in three core markets: global supply chains & logistics, autonomous systems and cyber. Their customer’s include BigBear.ai’s customers, which include the US Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, and the US Federal Government.He’s also served in senior leadership roles at companies like IBM (CTO and Chief Architect - Watson Health), Co-Founder and CTO PokitDok, Apple, and Microsoft.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoretanner/Company Link: https://bigbear.ai/Personal Website: http://www.tedtanner.org/ What You’ll Discover in this Episode:How a catastrophic injury became a pivotal moment.Steve Jobs and Bill Gates - What he learned working for both.The very first meeting he had with Steve Jobs.Ted’s approach to finding great mentors.Why he used rejection letters as wallpaper.What it takes to become a leading CTO.Why leaders must become technical AND strategic.Machine learning - What leaders need to do now.Resources:The Courage to Create - Rollo May-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Beating the dominant competitor isn’t easy.It can feel impossible to change your customers’ hearts and minds when they’re entrenched deeply with a “big brand”, even when they’re getting inferior service.Well get inspired by this leadership insight from Bob Armour, Chief Marketing Officer at M1: The Finance Super app. They are taking on the big brands of the financial industry.He shares the key trait he instills in every employee so they continue to persevere, achieve explosive growth, and turn their smaller size into a compelling advantage.You can leverage this with your team to shape to boost effectiveness, impact, and morale.M1 helps people manage and grow their wealth with Investing, Saving, Borrowing, and Spending all in one place. Over half a million people trust M1 with more than $7.2 billion in assets. He received his undergraduate degree at Notre Dame and his MBA from Northwestern.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobarmourcmo/ Company Link: https://m1.com/ What You’ll Discover in this Episode:His first job that led to an unexpected leadership insight.Two hacks - Greek yogurt and 80’s one-hit wonders.The one trait he’d like to instill in every employee.Why becoming an insurgent company is a competitive advantage.Three surprising trends in the world of personal finance.What he learned in American Samoa.Three success strategies for every leader.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Your next email should be a “love letter”.My friend and NYT bestselling author, Chris Brogan, explains how this simple mindset shift is the pathway to more effective and successful communication for leaders and even entire organizations.It changes everything.There’s a catastrophic communication breakdown between companies and customers; and equally bosses and employees. It’s getting worse with AI. The world needs more human, heart-powered communication and leaders that step up and adopt this perspective and skill will endure.In this jam-packed interview he shares the secrets he’s learned since becoming one of the world’s top bloggers (since 1980 and also writing a weekly newsletter that’s at the core of much of his success).Every leader should hear this interview because it will teach you to be more human and genuine in your communication. This helps you build trust at deeper levels and builds a stronger workforce.Here’s a bit more of Chris’s street cred:New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of 10 books and counting and professional public speaker with over 1000 speeches delivered across 14 countries.Appfire where he’s Chief of Staff to the CEO.Host of the Backpack Show, - the LIVE video TV show.CEO of his own company (Owner Media). One the top bloggers in the world (He’s been at it since 1998).Wrote the Foreword to my book, The QUIT Alternative: The Blueprint for Creating the Job You Love…WITHOUT Quitting.LinkedIn Profile https://linkedin.com/in/cbroganCompany Link: https://appfire.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:The power of writing a personal newsletter every week.What happens for your team when you communicate from the heart.The 3-step process that makes your communication powerful every time.The question you should ask before sending an email.What big organizations need to learn from small businesses.“Scaling Intimacy” - Bringing authenticity to your leadership in a bigger way.His world-renowned 3 Words Exercise that’s used by many successful leaders.Why you shouldn’t run your team “like a family”.Why leadership is options management.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Get ready for a delightful dose of wisdom that transcends the humble lemonade stand.My daughter is a seasoned lemonade stand entrepreneur, but in this interview, she shares her insights about the single afternoon that was more successful than ALL the other times combined!You’ll discover the one pivotal change she made that made it more fun and significantly boosted her sales.  Turns out, we can apply this to our work and personal life!-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Leaders, you can learn to enjoy the moment.It doesn’t always come naturally for multi-tasking leaders. There always seems to be another opportunity to explore or a “fire to fight”. But, you miss too much when you’re always on the move versus enjoying the moment with your team, friends, or family.That’s where this powerful message from Global COO, Jon Ragan at ThreeSixty Group comes in. He shares an impactful personal story of realizing the importance of presence and enjoying the moment even under the most difficult circumstances.You can immediately apply this lesson to your professional and personal life to make them more meaningful, purposeful, and fun.In case you’re not familiar with it, ThreeSixty Group owns iconic brands including FAO Schwarz, Sharper Image, Wembley, and Vornado sold in over 90,000 retail locations around the world.Jon also has expertise in driving enterprise growth and transformation at Fortune 500 companies including General Electric, Grainger, and Weyerhaeuser.LinkedIn Profile http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonraganCompany Link: https://www.thethreesixtygroup.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:Beekeeping and Boy Scouts - The Powerful Lesson he Learned.Advice He’d Give his Younger Self.The Big Benefit of Having a Hobby.What the Enneagram Revealed.A Strategy to Maintain Work-life Balance.The Unexpected Twist that Led to his Success.How Leadership Starts with his Onboarding Strategy.The Worst Leadership Advice he’s Heard.How you Discover the “Sweet Spot” of your Personal Leadership. -----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

To Be Great, You Need Great Mentors.Avoid using your time, energy, and resources “reinventing the wheel”.There’s someone that’s been there and succeeded. It's up to you to identify who to ask for feedback then be open to what’s said.That’s mentorship, you’re going to take a lot from this powerful interview with COO and Executive Vice President at Juniper Networks, Manoj Leelanivas.He shares a poignant story of the impact of mentorship in his own life and reveals his personal mentorship playbook that ALL professionals can benefit from…. whether your a mentor, mentee or both!If you don’t know Manoj he’s responsible for all products, engineering, and cloud operations. He also oversees all marketing to align products with Juniper's go-to-market strategy and execution.Juniper has over 9,000 employees in 50 countries and nearly $5 billion in revenue.He’s a leader within the technology industry and the majority of his years of intellectual curiosity and professional leadership have been dedicated to Juniper’s vision of connecting everything and empowering everyone.With over 30 years of expertise in the technology industry, Manoj has experienced first-hand how being a mentor and mentee can play a pivotal role in career success. LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/mleelanivasCompany Link: https://www.juniper.net/us/en.htmlWhat You’ll Discover in this Episode:What he’s Learned as a Podcasting Executive.What renowned Cisco CEO, John Morgridge, taught him about work-life balance.How to get your team to do their best work.His three-step approach to mentorship.Why there’s a correlation between mentoring and job satisfaction.How great mentorship impacted his life.Advice for young professionals looking for mentors.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Draw inspiration from Srini Koushik, CTO of Rackspace, who shares the special trait that stands out as the key to being a successful AI leader. AI is transforming our world at a rapid pace, yet too many leaders are missing the vital leadership characteristics to lead in this dynamic environment.With over 36 years of experience in the tech world including executive roles at Hewlett Packard Enterprises, Nationwide, Magellan, and IBM, it’s been instrumental to his success and he’s fostered it in thousands of his employees.Srini is also the Founder and Global Leader of Foundry for AI by Rackspace (FAIR). Rackspace is one of the world's leading cloud companies.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinikoushikCompany Link: https://www.rackspace.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:Srini’s favorite leadership story.How do we all live symbiotically with AI?What Maslow’s Hierarchy teaches us about AI.The warning from NAFTA.How leaders prepare for the future of AI.A strategy to become a life-long learner.How to use a “think break” to power your day.What it was like immigrating to the US at 21.The importance of being an optimistic leader.Why photography is a great leadership teacher.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

“Not Failing” is worse than failing.Josh Leatherman, Chief Marketing Officer Service Express, shares a powerful strategy to turn failure into success without harming your business or career. While failure may slow you down and make you doubt yourself, avoiding it altogether is even worse. Embrace failure as a chance to grow and seize new opportunities. Thanks to Josh's advice, you can have the best of both worlds and turn failures into stepping stones towards success.Josh has an amazing track record of success, partnering with his executive team to grow the company from $30 million in annual revenue to over $300 million. He’s grown the Marketing department from 2 people to over 100 during his time at Service Express by focusing on performance. He’s been featured in AdAge, is a graduate and now Fellow of The Marketing Academy and was recently named a 101 Top B2B Marketing Influencer by CMO Huddles.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshualeatherman/Company Link: https://www.serviceexpress.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:A strategy to teach your team to fail WITHOUT making a major mistake.Tiny test, tremendous triumph: A case study.The $300MM insurgent company: A revenue success story.How Executives can lead on social media and drive change.How his company fosters double digit growth every year.What leaders need to do to get a seat at the table.The strategy that makes his team flourish.The twist in his career that accelerated his growth.Quotes:"Forget the mistake, remember the lesson.”“Your compensation is not correlated to how hard you work, it’s correlated to how hard you are to replace.”-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Should you fire someone who always agrees with you?A strong, supportive team may seem appealing, but there’s a destructive risk when you dig deeper… Blind Consensus.True leaders empower feedback with constructive disagreement and debate, especially surrounding their own ideas. This isn’t easy because it requires reducing your ego and truly listening.Danielle du Toit is the President of SeatGeek’s Enterprise business and shares her strategy for creating a powerful feedback mechanism and how it’s strengthened her team to achieve greatness.She joined SeatGeek at the start of 2019 at the launch of its enterprise business and has grown SeatGeek’s client roster to hundreds of global organizations at the league and team level across the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, English Premier League, golf, tennis, motorsports, and more.SeatGeek was built in 2009 as the only mobile ticketing marketplace created with fan experience top of mind. Prior to SeatGeek, Danielle held similar roles in fast-paced growth businesses at Salesforce, Cheetah Digital, Bullhorn, and ExactTarget. She has also been recognized as a Sports Business Journal “Game Changer” and a Notable Woman in Sports by Crain’s NY.A native Zimbabwean, she earned a Physics and Computer Science degree from Rhodes University in South Africa.https://powertofly.com/up/danielle-du-toit-s-beliefs-on-work-experienceLinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-du-toit-95a68b3/Company Link: https://seatgeek.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:What happened that transformed her leadership approach forever.How the "'Flowers Market' strategy helped her become a better leader.A strategy to get helpful feedback from your team. How crossing borders, builds leaders: The profound lessons of leadership across cultures.Advice for empowering female leaders and breaking barriers. -----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

One question revealed her leadership style.It weakens your impact when you “perform” or “fake it til you make it” as a leader. Even if you’ve pulled it off for a while, it eventually catches up with you and decreases your motivation leading to burnout. Your career is a life-long journey and it’s vital to play the long game!Michelle Chiantera is Chief Marketing Officer at Alludo and shares the inspiring moment she discoverd her authentic leadership style and the insightful question she asked that helped her accelerate her career to the executive ranks.Alludo is a global technology company with 2.5 million customers based in Ottawa, ON that includes Parallels®, CorelDRAW®, MindManager®, and WinZip®. Michelle has had a 25-year career and also served as a senior leader at CISCO and serves on the board of Building Minds in South Sudan (BMISS) and as the Fundraising Chair (June 2020-present). As part of the BMISS work, Michelle funds a woman-owned business in the village of Mayen-Abun in Twic State, South Sudan. Through hard work and the BMISS investment, Michelle is incredibly proud that the business owner was able to send her first child to a university in Egypt.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellechiantera/Company Link: https://www.alludo.com/en/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:What happened when she funded a woman-owned business in South Sudan.Tribal Beer?What reveals your personal leadership style.The mantra that’s guided her career.What it's like being the first person in your family to go to college.When losing her dream job because of her biggest opportunity.The mistake people make when asking for help.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Get inspired by our Wilderness Guide, Mareth Griffith, who led us on an epic adventure in the Alaskan Wild. You’ll discover her amazing stories and insights for leading your team through even the most dangerous situations and conditions.She’s worked on expedition cruise ships since 2015, leading adventurous souls on epic quests to seek out glaciers, bears, and whales in the wilds of coastal Alaska and beyond. In her fifteen years as an Alaska naturalist, she’s worked for remote lodges inside Kenai Fjords National Park, led winter sea kayaking trips in Alaskan fjords, and worked as a tour guide for a marine mammal rehabilitation center. Outside of Alaska, Mareth has guided in Antarctica, Mexico, Hawaii and Northern Ireland—where her nearest neighbors included two thousand puffins and the ghost of a spectral black horse.Mareth graduated with a degree in music from Smith College, and worked as a theatrical sound technician on the East Coast for two years before returning to Alaska for good. She holds certifications as a Wilderness First Responder, ACA coastal kayak guide, and is a Coast-Guard-licensed boat captain. Mareth plays violin and guitar, and her writing has been published in literary journals and through Parvus Press. When she’s not in the field, Mareth lives in an off-grid cabin surrounded by blueberry bushes in the woods outside of Seward, Alaska.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/mareth-griffith-b1239715/Company Link:https://uncruise.com/https://www.facebook.com/mareth.griffith?mibextid=LQQJ4d What You’ll Discover in this Episode:The secret to guiding a thrilling Alaskan trip (regardless of age or ability).Crucial leadership behaviors in the face of danger: A guide's perspective.Taming guests’ fear and anxiety in the Alaskan wilderness.Crafting an unforgettable experience: The storytelling secrets of great guides.Face-to-face with a bear: How to react and prevail in the wilderness.The hardest lesson she learned as a guide.A time her mettle was tested when leading a glacier trek.Why she chose the life of a wilderness guide.What it’s like living off the grid in Alaskan winters!-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

He and his Team Saved 100,000+ Lives and No One Knows their Name.Get inspired by Two-Star Admiral Scott Giberson (Ret), who led and won with the Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service versus one of the nastiest infectious diseases in history (Ebola).You'll hear the key lessons learned of what it takes to lead a team against a raging infectious disease breakout, including communicating with the most powerful leaders in the world like the President of the United States.The story is so remarkable that it inspired a documentary, "The Invisible Corps" that was just released by PBS!Scott served as a 2-star Rear Admiral, Deputy U.S. Surgeon General, Assistant U.S. Surgeon General, and Commander, Commissioned Corps Ebola Response West Africa.Check it out!LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-giberson-71111556/Company Link: https://ami.health/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:The Invisible Corp that won the war against Ebola (and what he learned as their leader).What leader can do to “decomplexify” in a crisis.The critical phone call with President Obama.The advice he’d give his younger self today.The twist in his career that led to his growth.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Patrick Urban, President of Merz Aesthetics, shares the remarkable role that toxins, injectables, and fillers play in today's Zoom calls and Town Halls, backed by the surge of the "Zoom Boom" within the Aesthetics industry.Get inspired by Patrick's transformative leadership journey and the empowering mission that drives their organization. He shatters so many misconceptions (and many that I had) that advanced skin-care is exclusively for celebrities and influencers. LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-urban-78821112/Company Link: http://merzaesthetics.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:His leadership philosophy distilled into one saying.Why he grounds his career in 'digging in'.The one skin-care hack that tops them all.Debunking aesthetic industry misconceptions.Why the ‘Zoom Boom” accelerated the aesthetics industry.Navigating uncertainty: Leading with clarity when the path fades.Why he prioritizes life balance versus work-life balance.What he does to trust his gut.Why he recommends every leader study psychology. The book fueling Patrick's leadership inspiration.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Legendary CEO of Home Depot, GE Power System, and Chrysler, Bob Nardelli says there's one skill every leader needs to succeed.Discover the one thing he’s sought to foster in himself in his 53-year career and also instill in this team. Once you develop it, you can accelerate your results in any company and any industry.Bob Nardelli is widely recognized as one of the best operating executives in the world with 52 years of experience leading major public corporations and private equity groups.During his nearly 30-year tenure at the General Electric Co (GE), he quadrupled operating profits for GE Power Systems from $5B to $20B. As the Chairman and CEO, he then doubled the size of The Home Depot from $45B to $91B and helped save Chrysler Corp during the financial institution meltdown.His new firm, XLR-8, LLC, Investment & Advisory Co., helps companies identify weaknesses and improve performance and clients includes a number of Fortune 500 companies and privately held businessesDue to his support and commitment to veterans he’s received the US Secretary of Defense Freedom Award twice.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobnardelli/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:The greatest compliment Jack Welch ever paid him. The leadership skill behind his success as CEO of 3 iconic companies. Unveiling the key to opening 1000 Home Depot stores (one every 48 hours). The secret to staying sharp at 75 while still traveling 200 days a year. Bob's tip for accelerated learning in a new CEO role. The trust-building hack he used with his team. The inverted triangle of accountability. Lessons learned from negotiating with one of the largest unions in the world. Rescuing Chrysler from financial meltdown.How to make a gut-wrenching decision. The Aha Moment he had during a 6-Hour testimony in front of Congress. How "lateral promotions" became his key to career advancement. Strategic vs. Tactical: When to dive into the details. The story behind hiring 35,000 veterans at Home Depot.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

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. She has extensive experience leading organizations through transformational change, innovation and growth. She also speaks to many executives and board members on the criticality and benefits of having a strong cyber risk strategy and positioning.She previously was a senior leader with Split, Databricks, Riverbed Technologies, and Cisco.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmariappan/Company Link: https://www.zscaler.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:A strategy to create opportunity from adversity.How parenting has impacted her leadership journey.The essential question leaders must ask about cybersecurity.The alarming impact of deep fakes on companies: A startling example.Empowering your team: A proven strategy to instill accountability.What she’s learned as a DEI Executive Sponsor.What employee resource groups can do for your organization.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

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 a team of over 50 marketing professionals.Before joining Premier Inc, she spent over a decade in Washington, D.C. There she grew her health tech and marketing experience as a leader with the American College of Cardiology. She led the development of a suite of digital apps that empower cardiovascular patients to take control of their health.Kaycee’s a graduate of Florida State University with a MBA from American University.Premier Inc is a leading healthcare improvement company headquartered in Charlotte, NC. They work with more than 4,000 U.S. hospitals and health systems, approximately 175,000 other providers and organizations, and other industry stakeholders to co-develop solutions that support high-quality, efficient and sustainable care delivery models. They’ve also been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® 14 years in a row, LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaycee-kalpin-b928bb33/Company Link: https://www.premierinc.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:A tip for fast-tracking your way to executive leadership.Why becoming the note-taker can lead to becoming decision-maker.The key trait she'd instill in every employee.Powerful advice she’d give her younger self today.The art of storytelling: Lesson from from the C-Suite.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

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.Amy is the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer at Aspirion. She’s served in the healthcare technology industry for almost 30 years and is fiercely committed to being a force that makes healthcare BETTER. For over two decades, Aspirion has helped healthcare providers maximize their hospital revenue recovery by focusing on their most challenging reimbursements.Amy also served as President and Chief Executive Officer at SPH Analytics, President at MedAssets / nThrive, and held senior leader positions with Allscripts, Microsoft, and M*Modal. She also serves as an Independent Director and Board Member at Experity and Pendrick Healthcare Partners.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-amick-5945255/Company Link: http://www.aspirion.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:The crucial first step: What she prioritizes in her first week on the job.The benefits of taking a long-term approach to your career.Her proven method for balancing work and life.Prioritizing the essentials: Why leading with 'What Matters Most' is critical.What she does to boost productivity.The power of visuals and narrative: How leaders can communicate effectively.How leaders should use imagery and storytelling to communicate.The moment she found her authentic leadership style.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

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 Source.The Entrepreneur's Source is a 35-year old company that provides personalized coaching for people looking to transition out of their current career and find a path to self-sufficiency. The Entrepreneur's Source helps individuals achieve their Income, Lifestyle, Wealth, and Equity goals through Career Ownership. LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfrois/Company Link: https://entrepreneurssource.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:The art of open-ended questions: How they can help you transform your leadership style.Why you must invest in your own development (and not wait on your company).From backstage to center stage: Tips for making the shift to CEO.Embracing failure: How learning from your mistakes can help you achieve your goals faster.Avoiding burnout: Strategies for maintaining entrepreneurial wellness and wellbeing.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

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 St. Barthelemy, in the Caribbean, and Couture Harvest, a portfolio of vineyards that are pioneering organic and biodynamic viticulture and innovative techniques like under sea aging, and experimental gold and titanium barrels, to produce award winning wines.Condé Nast recognized the Royal Champagne as the Best Resort in France and has repeatedly named Le Barthélemy the Best Resort in the Caribbean, and both hotels have been ranked among the Best Resorts in the World.She’s shaped generations of industry leaders as an educator at the world’s leading hospitality schools including Cornell and Boston University, and in a graduate program at Harvard University.She’s also a philanthropist dedicated to making a positive impact and pushing boundaries and improving education, sustainability, and more.   LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisedupre/Company Link: https://www.champagnehospitality.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:Award-winning wines with sea aging and experimental gold and titanium barrels.Her secret to achieving the Top Resort in France and the Caribbean.  What her first job picking up cigarette butts taught her about leadership.How resorts will be different in the next 5 years.The thing a smaller resort can do to beat out big chain resorts.Using a “Glory Spiral” to motivate your team and handle disgruntled customers.The moment her mettle was tested.How she uses a failure to achieve success and enable others.What she’s learning teaching at Harvard.The “Make It Pop” leadership strategy.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Total Wine &amp; More has grown into the country‘s largest independent retailer of fine wine.&nbsp;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 team. He shares how it improves productivity,&nbsp;process, and the customer experience!𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐞 &amp; 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚‘𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞®—was founded in 1991 when brothers David and Robert Trone opened their first wine store in Delaware. Now they’ve grown to 249 stores across 27 states and continue to open on average 15 stores each year!Their typical store carries more than 8,000 world-class wines from every wine-producing region in the world. In addition, Total Wine &amp; More carries more than 2,500 beers, from America‘s most popular beers to hard-to-find microbrews and imports, and more than 3,000 different spirits from every price range and category.&nbsp;Troy joined them in 2017 as Chief Stores Officer. During his tenure, he led the Stores Organization to achieve significant milestones, including:Leading the stores team through the pandemic.&nbsp;Rapidly innovating processes to enable the digital business.&nbsp;Developing talent to fuel growth.&nbsp;Supporting real estate initiatives with new stores and an extensive modernization plan.&nbsp;Driving laser focus on the customer experience.Prior to joining Total Wine, Troy held senior leadership positions with Office Depot, Toys R Us and The Home Depot.&nbsp;At Office Depot, as COO and President of Retail he led the retail merger of Office Depot and Office Max.&nbsp;At Toys R Us, as EVP of Stores and Services he led their omni-channel efforts and was an early adopter of many of the services retailers practice today.&nbsp;Troy spent 16 years with The Home Depot beginning as a manager trainee when they had 135 stores and he held roles of increasing responsibility culminating with the role of Division President, Northern Division with over 600 stores and $24B in revenue.&nbsp;Troy grew up in retail working at his father’s grocery store where the values of customer service, teamwork, and work ethic were instilled in him at an early age.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-rice-b78aaa1/Company Link: https://www.totalwine.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:From railroad to retail executive: An inspiring career journey.A deeper look at why retail has him hooked for life.Inside the first Home Depot Leadership Program: A career-changing experience.Leadership lessons from legends: Learning from Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank (Founders of Home Depot).The personal motto that guided his career success.A work-life balance strategy.Parenting and business: When to talk to your children about your career.Pandemic pivot: How Total Wine's strategic shift led to accelerated success.What beverage should you serve at a Board dinner?Who founded the Cosmo?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channel<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

He grew it from $3MM to $300MM.Powerful interview from Ron Alvesteffer, President &amp; 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 employees.You won’t want to miss it!Service Express is an industry-leading data center solutions provider specializing in multi vendor maintenance, hybrid cloud, and managed infrastructure services.&nbsp;They have the highest Net Promoter Score in the World in the industry.During his 25 years of ongoing leadership at Service Express, he expanded the company's international footprint through nine acquisitions and turned a US team of 15 into a global team of over 1,000. Ron has helped grow the company's revenue from $3 million to $300 million and is on track to achieve its goal of $500 million in 2025.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronalvesteffer/Company Link: https://www.serviceexpress.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:Unlocking the hidden potential of social media for your business.A proven promotion strategy for career advancement.The DNA of culture: How Service Express defines and maintains its core values.Leading with integrity: A key principle that drives Ron's personal and professional life.The biggest difference between leading 15 and 1000.Why you should never wait on a job title to lead.The boldest leadership move he’s ever seen.&nbsp;Striking the balance between employee care and performance.Work-life integration strategies for leaders.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

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&nbsp;innovative approach is changing the game for workplace wellness and paving the way for a brighter future.Kapsch TrafficCom is an Austrian-based provider of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) offering solutions across their customers’ entire value chain including urban mobility,&nbsp;road user charging, and sustainable mobility. They are the same company that created the EZ pass for toll booths across the Northeast.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/jb-kendrick-3970976aCompany Link: https://www.kapsch.net/enWhat You’ll Discover in this Episode:What the “Velvet Shark” taught her about leadership.Her four tenets of leadership: Insights from a successful business leader.A big leadership lesson she learned from SCUBA.From pecans to people: How a family business shaped her management style.The one trait she’d like to instill in every employee.A mentor who rose from school teacher to the first female board of director for AFLAC.An unexpected twist that catapulted her career to new heights.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Obsess or fail.These words have become the new mantra for every business leader who wants to thrive in today's challenging market.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;Enter Kay Oswald, CEO and Board Member at Technogym USA. In this interview, he shares the most vital trait he instills in every employee and lays out the essential steps to building a culture that obsessively focuses on the customer experience.If you want to ensure your team not only survives but thrives in the long term, you can't afford to miss his playbook.Technogym, the Wellness Company is a world leader in designing and manufacturing fitness equipment. They have over 2,300 employees across 14 branches in Europe, America, Asia, Middle East and Australia,&nbsp;Technogym exports 90% of its production to 100 countries. Every day, over 50 million people train with Technogym equipment in more than 80,000 Wellness Centers and 300,000 homes all over the world.&nbsp;Technogym has been the Official Supplier of the last 8 editions of the Olympic Games - from Sydney 2000 to Tokyo 2020. Its dedication and state-of-the-art solutions are used by many top-level athletes and sports teams from tennis star Rafael Nadal to Ferrari Formula 1.Kay is also a Board Member at A111 and Mi Abuelito Te Presta.He’s also had leadership roles at Philips Consumer Lifestyle and KitchenAid, and Smiledirectclub.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayoswald/Company Link: https://www.technogym.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:Unlocking the CEO's mind: Revealing hacks to gauge curiosity and openness in interviews.The life-changing lesson one CEO learned on his second job.Insights from a CEO's fitness journey and the favorite workout machine that gets him there.The future of fitness: Predictions for how equipment will look different in 5 years.The single biggest trend shaping the future of fitness.No more terrible hotel gyms: How Technogym solved the hospitality industry's biggest problem.The mindset that drives success.Starting on the right foot: How the CEO sets the tone for staff meetings to keep the focus on what matters.The most memorable call he ever took.How his biggest mistake led to his greatest success.Optionality: The key to future-proofing your career and business.Why a CEO's leadership style must match the company's balance sheet.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

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.&nbsp;Can you really afford to leave your security to chance? Find out how to protect your data and safeguard your business against disaster in my interview with David Cagigal, former CIO for the State of Wisconsin and Zscaler Executive Advisor.&nbsp;His experience includes information technology visioning and strategic planning and management. He’s&nbsp;experienced in converging business strategies with ever-changing and innovating information technologies.Also he was appointed to the CIO role by both Republican and Democrat administrations.Zscaler enables the world’s leading organizations to securely transform their networks and applications for a mobile and cloud first world.&nbsp;Zscaler services are 100% cloud-delivered and offer the simplicity, enhanced security, and improved user experience that traditional appliances or hybrid solutions are unable to match.&nbsp;Used in more than 185 countries, Zscaler operates the world’s largest cloud security platform, protecting thousands of enterprises and government agencies from cyberattacks and data loss.&nbsp;LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-cagigal-1409a/Company Link: https://www.zscaler.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:A success strategy to transition from the public sector to private sector.The leadership strategy he used to maintain his role under both Republican and Democrat administrations.The cybersecurity risk your team can't afford to ignore.The single biggest priority for cyber security for your team.How losing his job three times led to his greatest success.A work-life balance hack.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

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 build a successful business while preserving important professional connections.Benco Dental is the largest privately held dental distributor in North America.Mike’s had an untraditional career starting in software development, detour into Sales Operations, and then back to IT - which now encompasses traditional IT but also enterprise-wide project management and continuous improvement.After 11.5 years at Benco, quitting in May to start his own business in the fall focused on generational AI.LinkedIn Profile http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelburns4Company Link: https://www.benco.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:Why he was compelled to share his resignation news on LinkedIn.Gen AI's mission: Solving threats and seizing opportunities.The unexpected transformations of AI's impact on our world.Taking the leap of faith: How to determine if entrepreneurship is right for you.The crucial step to take before resigning from your job.Three distinct ways corporate life prepares you for entrepreneurship.Unlearning corporate mindsets for entrepreneurial success.Lessons in success from attending four high schools in four years.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

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 limitations into limitless possibilities.He’s also held leadership roles in 8 different airlines including United Airlines, Qatar Airlines, Indigo, and Air New Zealand.Michael has been legally blind since birth and serves as Chairman of the International Air Transport Association’s working group on Accessibility (IATA is the trade association for the world’s airlines, representing some 290 airlines or 83% of total air traffic.)He’s a graduate of Iona University with an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.&nbsp;LinkedIn Profile https://co.linkedin.com/in/michaelswiatekCompany Link: https://www.avianca.com/us/en/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:The inspiring story of a legally blind newspaper delivery boy.Unleashing your superability: The ultimate tool for self-discovery and empowerment.The three vital imperatives for every leader: Keys to achieving lasting impact.Using the “1,000 day career cycle” to accelerate your success.Breaking barriers: The truth about executive leadership with a disability.What it's like being an executive with a disability.How one setback paved the way for unprecedented success.Tech tools for the vision impaired that every leader can use.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

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.&nbsp;It’s time to bring authenticity to your leadership style, overcome self-doubt, and step confidently into your role as a successful leader.Check out this interview!Julie Spurlin is Chief Human Resources Officer with HCSS, a software company serving the heavy civil construction industry, headquartered in Sugar Land, TX.&nbsp;She has over 25 years of experience in HR, mainly in technology organizations including RSA (a Dell Technologies Company) and Software AG.&nbsp;&nbsp;Her experience covers HR Business Partnership, Global HR strategy, M&amp;A, public, private and PE held companies, and really encompasses all parts of the Employee Lifecycle support.She believes in keeping heart at the center of leadership and maintaining a servant mindset.LinkedIn Profile http://www.linkedin.com/in/jaspurlinCompany Link: https://www.hcss.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:Uncovering the leadership lessons of football legend, Frank Beamer.The secret to retaining star leaders who've already quit.The qualities leaders need to secure their seat at the table.The importance of inspiring the next generation of leaders for a stronger future.Leading with heart: The power of authenticity in leadership.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

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.Too often brainstorming turns unproductive and can leave everyone feeling like it was a waste of time and money. From startups to established corporations, Paul’s strategy share will show you how to leverage the "jam session" mentality to achieve breakthrough results.Ascendion is a full-service software engineering company.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-roehrig-phd-020785/Company Link: https://ascendion.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:Drumming up leadership lessons: Insights from a Syracuse Music Hall of Fame inductee.Unexpected leadership: Navigating the challenges and opportunities.Collaborative writing: The key to unlocking your book's potential.From idea to fun: How to determine if writing a book is right for you.Blues lessons for AI: What a legendary musician can teach us about technology.Taming the machines: Strategies for leading in an AI world.Resources:Monster: A Tough Love Letter On Taming the Machines that Rule our Jobs, Lives, and Future - Paul Roehrig, Ben PringWhat To Do When Machines Do Everything: How to Get Ahead in a World of AI, Algorithms, Bots, and Big&nbsp;- Malcolm Frank, Paul Roehrig, Ben Pring-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

"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.&nbsp;You’ll discover how his approach can turn your workplace into a dynamic, empowered environment where employees are eager to take ownership of their work and drive impressive results.Mark’s been in logistics and transportation for 28 years. He joined the company 18 years ago and worked his way up from salesperson to the top US role.GW is a family-run transportation and logistics organization with a 550-year history with more than 8,400 employees. They are the longest-running transportation company in the world having started in 1474.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccullough-b787a364/Company Link: https://www.gw-world.com/us/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:What playing Nintendo as a kid can teach you about leadership.The career insight from running a paper route at 11 years old.How a company thrives for 550 years.What happened when he had an “empty suit” manager.The realization he had when his mettle was tested during COVID.Why he’s a believer in having a “flat” organization.His biggest source of inspiration in life and how a tough time got him through.An insight for increasing work-life balance.The story of a career setback that led to a comeback.A colorful story of when someone was fired.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

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 the Chief Academic Officer and Provost at the University of Phoenix. He’s developed and championed this research, and he shares how you can use it to become a more effective leader and develop your team.He holds a PhD in Higher Education Administration from Bowling Green State University, as well as a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University.John supports the University of Phoenix Career Institute ®, which was created to address broad, persistent and systemic barriers to career advancement through research-based solutions and impactful partnerships that break down barriers Americans face in their careers. The institute just launched its third-annual Career Optimism Index, which is a comprehensive study of American workers’ career perceptions.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwoodseducator/Company Link: https://www.phoenix.edu/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:How one of the greatest football players in history delivered a dose of inspiration.The surprising result of the Career Optimism Index.Why career optimism reduces the cost of turnover for companies.How exactly the unemployment rate impacts career optimism.An unexpected twist that led to his career success.What he learned about leadership from his first job.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

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 then quickly transitioned into the President's role when the business was integrated into the broader Kroger enterprise.Vitacost.com, Inc. is a leading online retailer and direct marketer of natural, organic, and sustainable health and wellness products,&nbsp;Guy served in senior leadership roles at Albertsons, Garden of Life, Tractor Supply Company, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/guyburgstahler/Company Link: https://www.vitacost.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:How competitive sports can shape your leadership.The upside of Impostor Syndrome.What pets can teach every leader about success.Tips for rapid eCommerce profit acceleration.Passion to prosperity: Turning your passion into business success.The ultimate parenting hack for busy leaders.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Without one critical element, your business is at risk of stagnation or failure.&nbsp;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 could mean the failure of your enterprise.West Shore Home is a powerhouse in the home remodeling world. During his tenure they’ve grown revenue by 1,000%+ with the majority of that coming organically.He started his career in IT and Business Systems before transitioning to a 15 year career in Corporate &amp; Institutional Banking with PNC Financial Services Group and Huntington Bancshares.&nbsp;He received his undergraduate degree from Duquesne University and his MBA from University of Pittsburgh.West Shore Home started as a local window &amp; door replacement company in a small Pennsylvania suburb and has grown into a technology-enabled home improvement powerhouse with over 2,500 employees across 13+ states. With continued national expansion plans, they’ve committed to staying true to their roots with a customer-first mindset and an employee-centric culture.&nbsp;This includes over 20,000 5-star reviews on Google, Facebook, etc and were recently recognized as a “Top Workplace USA’.LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-b-99950214/Company Link: https://westshorehome.com/What You’ll Discover in this Episode:No free rides: The compelling case for earned leadership.How one thing solved 95% of his business woes.Lessons from the financial frontline: What banking taught him&nbsp;about leadership.An M&amp;A tip that can mean success or failure.Surviving the business rollercoaster: Why executives must plan for every cycle.The journey to becoming America’s most admired home remodeling company.The incredible story of his first week as CFO (which happened to be the day the Pandemic shut things down).-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter