Lead the Team (Top 2% of Podcasts)

Google’s “Wolverine” is now a $100M+ CEOKeith Rabkin, CEO of PandaDoc, is one of the few leaders I’ve met who can bridge the gap between "big-tech discipline and scrappy underdog grit".At Google, Keith was one of only 25 people (out of thousands of geniuses) to win the "Great Manager Award."His secret isn't just a high IQ; it's what he calls the "Wolverine Mindset" .It’s a relentless, "never-give-up" grit that focuses on one thing: obliterating roadblocks so the team can win.Our conversation forced me to rethink my own leadership style, especially how much time I spend clearing roadblocks versus just setting direction.Three ways Keith has lived the Wolverine mindset:- How the best "strategic" leaders get into the details to accelerate progress.- Why Keith left the safety of a global giant (Adobe) to hunt for survival in the trenches.- The controversial move he made that instantly drove 5x profitability.Question: Are we overvaluing "vision" and undervaluing raw determination?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

THE TRANSFORMATION WALLRandall Troutman, Winpak's, Chief Operational Excellence Officer leads a massive $1.1 billion transformation, tasked with turning 13 independent "kingdoms" into one efficient operating system.But there’s a moment in every change effort where leaders mistake resistance for failure, and that’s when teams stop following.Randall discovered that project success is never about the initial launch; it’s about what you do when the "physics of people" takes over.We went deep into the "Valley of Despair" in this interview... ...that predictable, dangerous phase where the initial hype dies and the true energy requirement sets in.EVERY BIG project I've ever been part of hits make-or-break moment! It’s the exact point where most leaders flame out, pack up, and say, "I knew it wouldn't work".In this episode, you'll discover:- How to recognize the "Valley" phase in real-time before it stalls your progress.- Why most change efforts quietly die exactly when they should be accelerating.- The framework for keeping thousands moving when fatigue and doubt peak.- The "Visual Roadmap" Randall used to make a global crisis actionable.If your initiative feels stalled, you aren't failing....you're just hitting THE WALL.It takes a courageous leader to admit they've lost momentum, but it takes a PRO to expect it and share the map to get out.Question: Ever had a big project lose momentum? What helped?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Leaders Are Built in the Blur.Jed Ayres, CEO of ControlUp, told me something most leaders won’t say out loud:Clarity usually comes after you move, not before.If you’re waiting for the perfect signal…You’re already late.That “responsible” decision you’re about to make?It might be the very thing slowing your flywheel before it ever turns.We talked about what it really takes to move when things aren’t clear:- When the leader (who drove 600% revenue growth in three years and a $1B valuation) believes the safe decision becomes the most dangerous one.- How a former dishwasher turned hotel owner turned tech CEO learned to scale transformation — long before collecting 10,000 metrics every three seconds.- What six Ironmans teach you about pushing when nothing feels like it’s moving.There’s a mental shift required when you can’t see the finish line.Many leaders miss it.So consider "Are you leading…or too focused protecting your downside?"Have you ever confused “responsible” with fear?-----Learn more about Jed and his organization here:https://www.controlup.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

That first all-hands.Patrick Dennis, CEO of Avaya, walked in expecting nerves and optimism.Instead, one question he was asked changed the room.It wasn’t dramatic or confrontational.But it was revealing.It showed to him that the organization wasn’t aligned on reality.And misalignment at that level doesn’t stay neutral. It compounds.I’ve seen this pattern more times than I can count.Leaders hear a question and assume pushback.But sometimes the question asked IS THE DATA.Sometimes the raised hand is the WARNING LIGHT.What inspired me most in our conversation was how Patrick responded.No corporate speak or protecting people from the numbers.You'll hear in our conversation how he chose to communicate with clarity, knowing it would cost comfort.That decision shifted everything and ultimately made HUGE results possible.It shifted the organization's trajectory.So, when your team asks the uncomfortable question,how often do you treat it as resistance or as information?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

The Hard SeasonMatt Zilli, CEO of Planview, told me the hardest years of leading a company through billion-dollar growth (including restructures, tough people decisions, and uncertainty) became the most valuable leadership training of his career.That really resonated for me. Some of the most uncomfortable stretches building my podcasts and business were the exact moments I wondered if I should pivot, slow down, or walk away. The audience wasn’t growing yet.The results weren’t obvious. The path felt uncertain.Ever had the "uncomfortable stretch"?You know, those seasons forced me to get clearer, tougher, and more patient as a leader.Matt called it in our conversation “SCAR TISSUE"...the kind you only earn by staying in the work when it’s not fun, not fast, and not guaranteed.Wins build confidence. Hard seasons build leaders.Looking back, the seasons I wanted to escape were often the ones doing the most to shape how I lead today.Question: Do you think we leave the hard season too early or make a mistake by preventing it all together?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Is obsession with "The Win" actually preventing it?John Leach CEO of FLS Transportation shared with me that fixating on the win is the fastest way to lose control.He breaks down what happens when he walked away from "personality-first" leadership to build a system where success isn’t a roll of the dice.It made me reflect on some of my own team's results where we delivered short term but they weren't always sustainable. Wish I'd chatted with John years ago!We discuss:The End of the "Charismatic" Leader: Why being "outgoing" eventually fails and the specific system that must replace it.Volatility Proofing: How to lead through government-induced market shifts and economic chaos.Transactional vs. Transformational: The only shift that allows you to scale a resilient team.The CEO Secret: Why elite performers ignore the final numbers to focus on controllable actions.Stop chasing the outcome. Start mastering the activity.Question: Could your team repeat last year's wins without you looking over their shoulder?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Missed Opportunity.Greg Smith, Founder of Thinkific, shared with me how most leaders are sitting on their most undervalued asset: their own expertise.And I’ve been guilty of this too.For years, I thought growth meant building something new (a new product, new offering, new initiative).BUT some of the biggest growth I’ve seen (in my own business and with companies I work with) came from teaching what they already knew.Not as marketing.Not as training.As a product.When leaders and their organizations share their thinking clearly and consistently, something powerful happens:Trust grows faster.A new sales channel opens.Revenue flows.Education and training used to be a COST CENTER. Now it’s becoming the new GROWTH CHANNEL.And truly, it makes sense because customers don’t just want vendors anymore.They want guides.Why are leaders still hesitant to monetize what they already know?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

High performance deceives.Alain Dias, CEO of Nortal Americas, knows a thing or two about building at scale..after all his team helped build the world’s very first "digital nation."When a leader with his kind of track record speaks about growth, I'm in!His interview is a gut-check for most organizations:If your expansion depends on a "Hero," you aren't ready to scale.In many cultures, we celebrate the "firefighter" who pulls the all-nighter to save the project. We give them the shout-outs and the awards.But as Alain points out, constant heroics are actually a warning sign.When you rely on individual brilliance to save the day, you aren't building a resilient business...you’re building a dependency.Beware "The Heroic Trap":- The Bottleneck: Critical knowledge stays trapped in one person’s head.- The Single Point of Failure: Your best people become your biggest risk for burnout.- The Chaos: As growth accelerates, clarity vanishes, and your "Hero" simply can't keep up.What I admire about Alain’s approach is the focus on maturity.World-class leadership is designing systems that make heroics unnecessary.Your vision can’t outrun your systems.Have you seen the limits of heroics?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Scale deceives.Barry Mainz, CEO of Forescout Technologies Inc., reveals how leaders unknowingly become responsible for massive risks they never personally approved.As your organization grows, leadership doesn’t just get harder, the real issues become harder to see.More effort stops producing better outcomes.And more hustle just starts masking risk.Barry’s work shows something unsettling:even elite tech leaders are often blind to 30–50% of the devices actually connected to their networks inside their own organizations.But that’s not a technology failure; it’s a leadership one.In our conversation, you’ll discover:- The Hidden Effort Tipping Point- The Great Leadership Management Flip- The Habit That Sabotages Scale- Why Hustle Is A Warning- The Dangerous Illusion Of ControlIf you spend all your time working in the business, you’ll may miss the off-radar decisions forming around you...until they surface as a crisis.A leadership question to consider:Is the leader who knows every detail actually a pro… or just a bottleneck in disguise?

Vikram Savkar, CEO of VitalEdge Technologies, shares how a demanding moment pushed him to rethink how he was operating...AND why choosing to reset earlier than most leaders do changed how he showed up as a leader, at work, and at home.The business here wasn’t the problem.But time at home was shrinking.And the way work followed him everywhere wasn’t something he wanted to normalize.Instead of waiting for a breaking point, Vikram created deliberate daily reset—and what happened next accelerated his results.We talked about that moment on Lead the Team, along with some unexpected influences that shaped how he leads today........including lessons from a surprising classic book most executives never read and a truly unforgettable early-career experience working for the iconic conductor Benjamin Zander.You don’t have to wait until life forces a reset.You can learn from a CEO who already has.Do you have a daily reset that helps you?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Pressure doesn't change the game...it reveals the leader. Mitch Stevison, President & CEO of Frontgrade Technologies, recently shared how a high-stakes missile test forced a decision no textbook could prepare him for. In this conversation, we break down the one skill he leaned on when the eyes of two nations—and a Senior Admiral—were watching.If you've ever had to make a high-stakes call under a microscope, Mitch’s insight on trust is a masterclass in leadership. What is the most important trait for a leader to have during a crisis? Subscribe to the show so you don't miss an episode on Lead the Team.-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Questioning unlocks elite performance.Pete Harris, President of Pipedrive, was at the pinnacle of his previous profession (one that he’d spent his entire career pursuing).Everything was on track... the prestige and the rank. But while many founders and leaders might push uncomfortable thoughts aside, Pete did something different.He used a specific type of curiosity to ask himself a question that 99% of leaders are too afraid to face....a question that forces you to confront whether you’re actually on the path you’re meant to be on.Answering it meant walking away from the very finish line everyone expected him to cross.That moment of clarity unlocked a version of himself he hadn't met yet......one capable of:- Finishing full-distance Ironmans.- Leading a global engine for 100,000+ businesses.Most leaders are too afraid the deeper question because they’re terrified of the answer.Pete leaned in and shows us this conversation how we all can too.When has asking the right question helped you?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Your office is deciding results.Anna Squires Levine, President of Industrious, leads a company that has spent more than a decade observing how office space impacts human behavior (across hundreds of locations and millions of workdays).Many leaders assume the office is just a place where work happens.But it's far more than that!She explains that the office space is quietly influencing things leaders usually attribute to culture, motivation, or performance.In their work, incredible patterns emerged at scale in:• How people show up at work• How they interact• What actions and behaviors are encouraged or avoided• And how energy moves through the dayLeaders rarely talk about this...even though they’re already accountable for the office space and the very outcomes it shapes.Do you ever think about how your office space can impact your results?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

This mistake taught leadership.Marcus Perez, President of Altera Digital Health, shares a moment that unfolded in a helicopter at low altitude (where mistakes don’t get a second chance) and still shapes how he leads today.A rule had been broken the day before.The next day, his commander took the controls.He didn't get lectured.He got something far more...Intense.Deliberate.Unforgettable.Some lessons just don’t need words.After Marcus shared this story with me on the show, it became clear why that personal experience carried more weight than any traditional feedback session ever could.Our conversation raises questions around:✅ When the most dangerous leadership decision is when you choose not to step in.✅ What really happens when you delay accountability under real risk.✅ How you know when stepping in helps… and when it backfires.👉 What mistake taught you the most?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Leadership tests you.Jason Liu, CEO of Wood Mackenzie, felt that test immediately when he stepped into the role right after a major merger.New team.New culture.Everyone watching how he’d show up.Instead of trying to project confidence the traditional way, he made a choice that could’ve easily gone wrong.It didn’t.What surprised me wasn’t the move itself......it was what it revealed about fear, trust, and credibility at the highest levels of leadership.Jason doesn’t talk about fear like something to eliminate.He talks about how leaders carry it, manage it, and still move forward anyway.You hear it in how he leads teams across 30+ countries.You see it in why he choose to put himself out front as the face of a 100-year-old brand.And you feel it in the moments where control would’ve been easier, but courage mattered more.This conversation stuck with me.When has leadership tested you the most?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Pressure felt like leadership (until it wasn’t)Josh Epstein, President & Chief Business Officer at Coder, learned this the hard way.I’ve seen urgency do two very different things to teams.Sometimes it sharpens focus and everything moves faster.Other times, it creates stress, confusion, and quiet burnout—while leaders think they’re “pushing for results.”Josh shared how early in his career, pressure felt like the right move… until it started costing trust and momentum.Increasing pressure wasn’t creating more effort...or the results he expected.It was one uncomfortable shift (that felt slower at first)......that ended up making everything faster.We unpack the full story in this week’s episode.So:👉 When things slow down, how effective has pressure been for you?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

AI failure rates shock me.Erin Gajdalo, CEO of Pluralsight, joined me and what she revealed about why AI projects collapse disturbed me even more..I expected to talk about tools, frameworks, and roadmaps.Instead, Erin asked me question I wasn’t ready for:“Is your team actually ready for this? How can you even tell?"Um...Because most leaders — myself included — push for AI adoption without slowing down to ask if our teams can actually absorb the shift.Erin has led major transformations at Avantax, LPL, and now Pluralsight... and she’s seen the same silent pattern across industries:Leaders blame the tech.Teams blame the workload.But the real problem is almost always hidden deeper.Readiness....and getting their quickly....is everything.In our conversation, she breaks down:👉 The blind spot most CEOs overlook.👉 Why 50% of AI projects fail.👉 What separates teams that finish from those that stall.👉 The first move every CEO should take when they realize their team can’t keep up.👉 And how her transformation background gives her a unique advantage in the AI era.This conversation changed the way I think about leading through AI.What’s the biggest AI readiness challenge you’re seeing in your teams right now?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Winning gold didn’t end the pressure. It intensified it.A truth Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing, came to understand through experience.That’s the incredible story behind Team USA’s recent historic gold……and the leadership turnaround that made it possible.When I sat down with Phil, I wasn’t expecting what came next.He walked into a sport in crisis.Broken culture. Divided membership. Declining trust. High visibility. Zero margin for error.And somehow, he rebuilt all of it…before making Olympic & Paralympic history.But not long after the gold, the pressure shifted…. Public controversy. Intense scrutiny. And—death threats no leader should ever face.Leaders talk about “high stakes.”BUT this is what high stakes actually looks like.Phil shares:• The day-one move that stabilized a fractured team • The bold Olympic decision that changed everything • The backlash that hit not long after the gold • How he led through threats, scrutiny, and congressional attention • The leadership tools he relied on when everything was on the lineThis is a powerful story of crisis leadership, culture repair, and resilience.If you’ve ever led under pressure, you’ll never forget this lesson.What’s one leadership lesson pressure taught you?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Dan Michelson, CEO of RLDatix North America, shared the feedback that reshaped how he leads.When things go well, it can actually blind you to areas where he needed to improve....and this is why so many successful leaders often fail.Most top performers don’t realize they’re slipping until someone has the courage to tell them something they didn’t want to hear.Dan shared that his initial reaction to feedback early in his career was to blame the person giving him the feedback...and years later, he’s more grateful for it than almost anything else.And when he stepped into leading a 2,300-person organization, the stakes around feedback got even higher. Any past success wasn’t going to carry him anymore. Clear, direct communication had to.That’s when he embraced the mantra that now guides his leadership:“Coaching is caring.”He even had a 3.5-hour feedback conversation with a leader on his team — not because something was broken, but because growth mattered that much.Here’s the truth:Feedback is rarely comfortable.But avoiding it costs far more.Great leaders choose the kind of discomfort that makes them better.Agreed?-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Winning alone is losing.Dennis Levene, CEO of Hometown, bet the business on his customers’ success… and it’s paying off.Most CEOs obsess over market share and margins.Dennis obsessed over a broken system robbing schools of money.And he asked the question that changed everything:“Why should $25 of my $100 school donation go to a fundraising company?”That wasn’t frustration — it was a blueprint.A blueprint for a company designed to win only when its schools do.Now, Hometown helps thousands of school communities raise more, keep more, and invest directly into the programs that shape students’ futures. Dennis shared the line that defines his entire model:“We align ourselves with our schools… when they’re successful, we’re successful.”This isn’t marketing.It’s business architecture.And it’s one of the most compelling leadership strategies I’ve seen.This episode is a masterclass in:-Engineering customer alignment into your business model-Leading with purpose without sacrificing performance-Turning shared success into a competitive advantageThe companies that endure aren’t built on extraction...They’re built on shared victories.What would it be like if you aligned more closely to your customers' success?👇 I’d love to hear your perspective..-----Follow Dennis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-levene/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Hugues Meyrath, CEO of Quantum, came back to lead the same company that built his career decades ago — a 45-year-old tech brand powering Hollywood, Space, and even the AI revolution.But when he returned, something was off.The spark was gone. The ownership was gone.And instead of hiding behind strategy decks or consultants, he did something far harder......he rebuilt the culture on truth.“If there’s a problem, we’ll fix it together. No excuses. No hiding.”That simple mindset — radical honesty + extreme ownership — changed everything.Teams started moving faster. Accountability returned. People cared again.It’s an incredible heartfelt turnaround story.If you’ve ever felt like your company lost its spark, this episode will remind you how to get it back — from the inside out.-----Follow Hugues https://www.linkedin.com/in/huguesmeyrath/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Ever made a call at work that backfired — big time?Rob Hahn, now COO at Pattern, knows exactly what that feels like.Early in his career as a young leader at Amazon, he faced a decision no leader ever forgets.At just 26 and leading thousands of people, a severe weather warning hit.He made the call to shut everything down.The storm never came.And the decision cost the company millions.But instead of hiding from it, Rob leaned in.He owned it. He learned from it.And that moment became the foundation for how he leads under pressure today.When we talked on Lead the Team, I was struck by how deeply that one experience reshaped his leadership philosophy.Rob shares how turning failure into fuel helped him rise to one of the top roles in a company that just completed a multi-billion-dollar IPO — and how you can do the same.If you’ve ever carried the weight of a bad call or a decision that didn’t go as planned, this conversation will help you see it differently — and lead stronger because of it.-----Follow Rob on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-hahn-12136736/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Jed Berger, Kenneth Cole Global President and CEO, is building something rare in business today — a brand that grows because it stands for something bigger.In his third appearance on Lead the Team, Jed reveals the hidden advantage behind Kenneth Cole’s continued success… and how purpose became their ultimate performance driver.“Purpose can’t just be a campaign. It has to live in every part of the company.” — Jed Berger, Kenneth Cole CEOWhat stood out to me is how Jed turns values into velocity.It’s not theory — it’s execution, culture, and results working in sync.If you’re leading a team, scaling a company, or just trying to build something that lasts…This episode shows how to align purpose with performance — and win the right way.-----Follow Jed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jedalexanderberger/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

It started with a freezer then and became a billion-dollar lesson.Dan Fachner, CEO of J&J Snack Foods — the company behind ICEE, Slush Puppie, and Dippin’ Dots — posted a video on LinkedIn that immediately caught my attention......he gets emotional while expressing gratitude to his team for their hard work and dedication. You can see how much he truly cares about his people, and I knew right then I wanted to have a deeper conversation with him.You see, Dan began his career delivering and servicing ICEE machines. That humble start shaped everything about how he leads today.His guiding principle...Care for people first.That simple mindset turned a frozen drink into a billion-dollar leadership strategy—built on empathy, communication, and trust.You're going to love this interview beause it will remind you that real leadership isn’t about hierarchy or authority—it’s about humility, gratitude, and care.If you lead a team, run a company, or aspire to do both, Dan’s story will shift how you think about leadership.🎧 The ICEE CEO’s Secret that Became a Billion-Dollar Leadership Strategy-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Bezos' Law - Chai Atreya, Chief Product Officer at ActiveCampaign, once helped build Amazon Alexa under Jeff Bezos.During one internal review, Bezos made a single comment — short, specific, and completely unexpected — that changed everything.He looked at the team and said:“I want Alexa to respond in under five seconds.”That one sentence forced every engineer to rethink what “great” really meant.They reimagined the architecture, redesigned the systems — and eventually, brought response times even lower.That’s "Bezos' Law":The tighter the constraint, the bigger the breakthrough.I was honestly in awe hearing how that single challenge reshaped Amazon’s design culture — and even more amazed at how Chai is now weaving that same mindset into ActiveCampaign’s AI to help small and midsize businesses scale faster, smarter, and simpler.It’s inspiring stuff — and it’ll change how you think about innovation, leadership, and speed.🎧 Hear the full story on the interview — it’s one of those “I’ll never build the same way again” moments.Your Turn: Have you ever had one short, sharp lesson from a leader that completely changed how you think or work?-----Follow Chai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atreya/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

He didn’t say he was ready. He proved it quietly.When I sat down with Dan Faulkner, CEO of SmartBear, he told me he was once passed over for a leadership role because he “hadn’t done it before.”The cruelest ceiling isn’t glass — it’s being boxed in by your own expertise.Being great at something… and never trusted with more.Instead of waiting for permission, Dan built his own readiness.He studied marketing at night.He learned product and finance from scratch.He said yes to the jobs no one thought he could handle.That rejection didn’t end his path — it defined it.He stopped asking for chances and started creating them.“You’re the steward of your own career,” he told me.“If you’re not driving it, you’re going to get the default.”Sometimes the most powerful motivation isn’t belief from others —it’s the doubt they hand you.Ever been told you weren’t ready?What did you do next?-----Follow Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielfaulkner/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Leadership Under FireHe Led Troops in Combat — Now He Leads Billion-Dollar CompaniesI first met Lance Olmsted, now President of IFS Copperleaf, expecting a story about discipline and precision.What I didn’t expect was how deeply human it would be.Lance served as a U.S. Marine. He learned to lead in the most uncertain environments imaginable — where hesitation could cost lives AND empathy wasn’t optional.That’s right...empathy.And you’ll never forget why when you hear his story.Those lessons stayed with him and became a positive guiding force.Today, he’s guiding global teams and helping industries use AI to make smarter, faster decisions.Before that, he helped drive a $1 billion unicorn exit by applying the same mindset that got his Marines home safe:✅ Focus on the mission, not the noise.✅ Act fast and adapt faster.✅ Build trust before you need it.✅ Lead with empathy, even under fire.His story is proof that military leadership still works — not because it’s rigid, but because it’s built on resilience, clarity, and purpose.Leadership isn’t about power — it’s about people. What’s your take?-----Follow Lance on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-olmsted-98708568/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Leaders Miss ThisMatthew Fitzpatrick, CEO of Invisible Technologies—the #2 fastest-growing AI company in America—leads with a principle many overlook:AI may power the future, but people give it purpose.What makes Matt’s leadership stand out isn’t the speed of growth—it’s the intentionality behind it.He reminds us that real progress doesn’t come from louder voices or faster code.It comes from people.From listening.From slowing down long enough to get it right.Here are a few principles he shared that every leader—AI or not—can use:🔹 “The loudest voice is often, if not always, wrong.” Quiet thinkers find the biggest breakthroughs.🔹 Hire great people, then trust them to listen deeply to customers.🔹 Bad data at scale isn’t innovation—it’s chaos.His boldest move as CEO?Removing layers of hierarchy so 380+ people can think and act like owners.This isn’t just about AI.It’s about leading with integrity, empathy, and purpose—when the pace of change feels relentless.👉 How do you keep leadership human in an AI-driven world?-----Follow Matt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-fitzpatrick-97b62722/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Sacrifice No One SeesJakub Vanek, Chief Operating Officer at Genpact Americas, has moved six times across four countries while scaling teams of thousands inside a $5B global organization.He admits the hidden cost of leadership isn’t just jet lag or late nights in the office—it’s missing his wife’s birthday, missing holidays, and asking himself the same question many ambitious professionals face: Family or Career?But here’s the opportunity: Jakub learned that the real measure of leadership isn’t the title or the miles traveled—it’s the relationships you keep along the way.“Sooner or later, this executive position will stop… Just keep those relationships.”That reminder hit me hard. The choice doesn't have to be family or career—that’s the trap. Real leadership is designing a path where both thrive together.👉 What have you learned about protecting what matters while chasing your career?-----Follow Jakub on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubvanekeurope/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Under Pressure, Leaders RiseWhen I spoke with Cyrill Kellerhals, COO of Andelyn Biosciences, I was struck by how calm and grounded he was while describing some of the toughest leadership moments of his career.At Novartis, one of the industry’s legendary companies, he encountered the kind of regulatory challenge that every leader dreads — a moment that could define the company’s future.Instead of panicking, he led his team through it and turned it into a success.Later, he carried those lessons into scaling a $34M operation and building a $200M biopharma facility. But what impressed me most wasn’t the numbers — it was the way he talked about leading with humility, purpose, and service to his people.His story is a reminder that real leadership isn’t about avoiding pressure. It’s about how you show up when the stakes are highest.-----Follow Cyril: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyrill-k-82a73152/Lean more about Andelyn Biosciences: https://www.andelynbio.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Most leaders say they want transparency.But when the pressure’s on, many unintentionally create cultures where people hide mistakes.Camilo Rueda — CEO of Aeropost and former U.S. Navy Submarine Officer — learned this lesson the hard way, thousands of feet below the ocean’s surface.As a young officer, one bad call almost ended his career. In that moment, he had two choices:👉 Hide the mistake and hope it stayed buried👉 Or raise his hand, take ownership, and face the consequencesHe chose ownership.It cost him in the short term — but it built the trust and resilience that later fueled his journey from the Navy to McKinsey to CEO.What struck me most in our conversation was this:“Real ownership isn’t solving everything yourself. It’s raising problems early, so you can solve them together.”That mindset shift changes everything.It turns mistakes into momentum, and pressure into perspective.💭 When leaders say “Don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions,” does it actually push teams to chase the “perfect” answer — and wait too long to speak up?-----Follow Camilo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camilo-rueda-5a62669/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Real leadership begins the moment your team starts to doubt you.Jeff Meredith, CEO of Chamberlain Group, has lived that moment. He took a 70-year-old garage door company and transformed it into a global tech powerhouse with 14M+ connected users. But as Jeff shared with me, the toughest part wasn’t the technology or the strategy—it was earning back his team’s trust in the middle of massive change.That resonated deeply with me. Because when the ground shifts under your feet, no business model or innovation will save you if your people stop believing.Jeff opened up about the leadership mistake that nearly cost him his team—and the exact steps he used to win them back. His story is a reminder that transformation isn’t just about vision; it’s about belief.If you’re leading through uncertainty, Jeff’s example proves one thing: no leader succeeds alone.-----Follow Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-meredith-90a744112/Learn more about Chamberlain: https://www.chamberlain.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Erase silos. Unite the company. Rebuild trust—fast.When I first heard Amy Martin, CMO at TruWest Holdings, talk about her “One Number” strategy the TURNAROUND stopped me in my tracks.She didn’t know if leaders would embrace it… or fight to protect their own KPIs.But once it landed, everything changed:-True C-suite alignment-Faster growth-A culture of shared accountabilityInstead of sales and marketing chasing different goals, they now share the exact same revenue target.In our conversation, Amy shares how she:-Won buy-in without causing whiplash-Turned resistance into trust-Built teams that row in the same directionIf your teams are working hard but not together, this is one you don’t want to miss.-----Follow Amy on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyallenmartin/Learn more about TruWest: https://truwestholdings.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Everyone tells their teams to “use AI.”But as Lucas Mendes (CEO of Revelo) told me, that almost never works.Employees don’t resist because they’re lazy.They resist because new tools feel intimidating, misunderstood, or disconnected from what really matters in their day-to-day.That’s where leadership comes in.Lucas shared how he turned an almost-failing startup into the backbone of AI — a network of 400k+ engineers powering the world’s top tech companies.But more importantly, he revealed how to get teams to actually change how they work — even when the future feels uncertain.If you’ve ever given a directive and wondered why nothing changed, this episode is for you.🎥 I Turned a Failing Startup Into the Backbone of AI (400k+ Engineers)-----Follow Lucas on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmzmendes/Learn more about Revelo - https://www.revelo.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Thomas Neergaard Hansen — President of Amplitude and former Microsoft and Dropbox executive — proved to me that even the most hard-earned leadership skills aren’t always enough.He’s led billion-dollar teams, navigated career reinventions, and even learned leadership lessons on a windsurfing board. In this episode, he opens up about the next leadership superpower every leader needs to survive — and thrive — in today’s AI-driven world.You'll discover:-Why the “career ladder” is gone for good-The daily habit he uses to stay ahead with his own team-How AI is shifting what makes a great leader-Why the best CEOs embrace what they don’t know-What windsurfing taught him about business risk and resilienceThis isn’t theory — it’s real, hard-won insight from the front lines of leadership.Only the leaders who adapt will last...-----Follow Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasneergaardhansen/Learn more about Amplitude: https://amplitude.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Running a theme park isn’t just rides and fun.It’s about leading elite teams that deliver with precision, creativity, and resilience—day in and day out.In this episode of Lead the Team, I sit down with Franceen Gonzales, Former President of Legoland Florida Resort—one of the hidden geniuses behind its success.We cover:- A strategy to inspire peak performance under relentless pressure.- The blueprint for orchestrating thousands of moving parts—and people—flawlessly.- The meeting structure that keeps teams performing at elite levels every day.Whether you lead engineers, creatives, or front-line teams, you’ll walk away with leadership lessons you can put to work immediately.So tell me—what’s one leadership habit that keeps your team winning?-----Follow Franceen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franceengonzales/Plan your next trip to Legoland: https://www.legoland.com/florida/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Some Lessons You Only Learn After FailingRishi Rana—CEO of Cyara and former global product leader at Microsoft—shares the leadership lesson you just can’t learn in a classroom.His career has been incredible having shared the stage with Bill Gates. Tripled revenue in a brutal turnaround. Led global teams under immense pressure.But what stands most in our interview?...how he talks openly about the missteps—failed launches, fractured teams, moments where it could’ve all fallen apart.It's a message for any leader trying to stay steady in the storm.He shares:✅ How to rebuild trust when things go sideways.✅ The key to making clear decisions in the middle of chaos.✅ A strategy to get teams focused on outcomes—not noise.If you’re navigating complexity and want to lead with more clarity, grit, and impact—this for you. Out now on Lead the Team: CEO-tested tools and strategies to lead your team better!👉 Ever had a leadership moment that nearly broke you—but shaped you instead?-----Follow Rishi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishi-rana-2397a9/Learn more about Cyara: https://cyara.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

If you’re not leading AI… it’s already leading you.Erik Huddleston, CEO of Aprimo and a 6-time exited founder, breaks down what every modern leader needs to understand about scaling with AI—before it’s too late.If you're leading a team and feeling the pressure of speed, complexity, and rising expectations… his message is for you."AI can produce more in a day than your entire team can in a year."That sounds like progress—until your message, culture, and brand start spinning out of control. Find out what most leaders overlook when adopting AI, and how to build the systems, guardrails, and leadership mindset to move fast without breaking trust.Whether you’re running a Fortune 500 division or building a company from scratch, this conversation will challenge how you lead—and give you real tools to scale your team, protect your brand, and lead with purpose.You’ll learn:→ How to lead when AI is moving faster than your org chart.→ Why scaling content isn’t the hard part—governance is.→ What it really means to “scale with control”.→ How to become the leader your team needs in uncertain times.Move from overwhelmed…to undeniably clear about what do next with AI within your organization.-----Follow Erik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehuddleston/Learn more about Aprimo: https://www.aprimo.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

When Ingram Micro Got TestedSanjib Sahoo, President of Ingram Micro’s Global Platform Group, was already preparing to lead under pressure—long before the headlines.Before the headlines.Before the cyberattack.Before the world was watching…When we recorded this conversation, none of us knew what was coming. But what Sanjib shared then feels even more powerful now.You'll hear the bold transformation he's driving inside a $48B tech giant that touches nearly 90% of the world’s population—and the personal transformation leaders must go through to meet the moment.“Doubt isn’t the enemy,” he told me. “It’s often the proof you’re doing something meaningful.”He doesn't interpret fear as a sign to back down—but a signal you’re on the right track...And when the pressure hits, how do you stay grounded—especially when everyone’s watching to see if you’ll crack or lead?This isn’t a crisis interview.It’s a real, unfiltered look at what leadership actually takes—when everything’s on the line.Recorded before the headlines.Proven after.🎧 Listen now on Lead the Top (a top 2% podcast)—and rethink boldness, fear, and what it means to lead under pressure..---Follow Sanjib on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjibsahoodigital/Learn more about Ingram Micro: https://www.ingrammicro.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Complacency costs growth.Sean Larkin, CEO of OnLogic, learned that lesson the hard way—just because your company is scaling doesn’t mean your people automatically will too.This really stuck with me......the same strengths that drive today’s success often become tomorrow’s roadblocks.He breaks out a 6-point professional development plan that’s as original as it is practical. It’s a must-hear for any leader who wants their team to keep up with the pace of change.You'll also discover:👉 The subtle early signs your team’s falling behind.👉 Why your best people may struggle to scale.👉 How to help high performers keep evolving.👉 What it really takes to lead when the speed (and growth) never slow down.If you think your team is “probably” ready for what’s next… this one’s for you.🎧 Episode’s live now.Because scaling isn’t about working harder. It’s about thinking smarter.-----Follow Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-larkin-nacd-dc-0517439/Learn more about OnLogic: https://www.onlogic.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

He had the talent to chase Broadway fame. But he saw something even bigger.Instead of staying in the spotlight, Ryan Stana, CEO of RWS Global, decided to build an entire world behind the scenes—one that now creates over a MILLION unforgettable moments every single day:🚢 Cruise ships🎢 Theme parks🎭 Broadway🏟️ Stadiums🌍 Seven offices around the worldHe wasn’t in it for the credit. He was in it to change the game.And the way he did it? By staying true to who he was.“Follow your dream, and the respect will come.”That line stuck with me.This conversation is memorable for me, because it’s such a powerful reminder: you don’t have to prove yourself to everyone. You just have to build something that matters.In the episode, Ryan shares:• Why authenticity earns respect faster than ego.• How to scale creativity without losing your vision.• The power of listening to every voice at the table.• The framework that keeps 8,000+ creatives aligned.• And the bold decisions that shaped his entire journey.If you’ve ever wondered how to lead without chasing approval of your team, stakeholders and even your customers...this is worth a listen.-----Follow Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanstana/Learn more about RWS Global: https://www.rwsglobal.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

☕ Bold taste. Bold leadership.Leading a global coffee powerhouse is no small feat—especially when your brand ranks among the world’s most influential:🌎 Over 4,100 stores across 37 countries👥 More than 20,000 employees worldwide🥤 Thousands of innovative self-serve Costa Express machines🏆 #2 largest coffeehouse chain globally 🇬🇧 #1 coffee chain in the UK, with over 2,700 outlets and a 26% market share.🎙️ In my recent conversation with Philippe Schaillee, CEO of Costa Coffee, we explored:-How a single setback nearly ended his career—and why he now calls it his greatest gift-The surprising reason not all coffee companies are winning hearts (and what Costa does differently)-What happens when your boldest ideas come from the last place you expectIf you lead big teams or big brands, this episode is a masterclass in clarity, resilience, and influence.-----Follow Philippe - https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippe-schaillee-40196b1/Learn more about Costa Coffee - https://www.us.costacoffee.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Cirque du Soleil fell—then made a HUGE comeback that no one saw coming. Enter Duncan Fisher, Chief Show Operations Officer.One of the world’s most iconic entertainment brands.Gone.Zero revenue. 5,000+ employees let go.Bankrupt.But instead of folding, they reimagined everything.🔥 8 touring shows relaunched in just 18 months🔥 Empowered teams operating 24/7 across the globe🔥 Purpose-driven execution: entertain the worldDuncan Fisher led the charge—and his story is wild.This episode has it all:🎙️ A last-minute phone call from the U.S. Secret Service🎙️ A presidential speech that almost didn’t happen🎙️ 600 trucks packed and shipped across continents🎙️ And a leadership philosophy forged under circus tents, spotlights, and survivalWant a masterclass in operational grit and brand resurrection?🎧 Listen in.This one will change the way you lead.-----Follow Duncan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-fisher-0964863b/Book your next Cirque Du Soleil show: https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

The Robot-Powered Future Is Here.When David Pinn, Brain Corp, stepped in as CEO —the company behind the world’s largest autonomous mobile robot fleet—he didn’t just scale innovation......he scaled belief.They've unleashed the power of 40,000 robots around the world...250 billion square feet cleaned and scanned $190 million raised.One big lesson?Change management and leadership is at the very foundation of effective technology.From Sam's club warehouse floors to NASA’s launchpads, BrainOS-powered robots are transforming how the world works today and tomorrow. You'll find out that their success has less to do with hardware and more to do with humans.Here’s what you’ll discover:- Why being too expert stifles innovation.- The game that always boost human and robot activity.- What will really drive ROI in the future.- Why curiosity—not code—is your most important leadership trait.This is a story that every innovator needs to hear.Listen to this if you lead people, work with tech, or just want to understand where the future is going (fast).-----Follow David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpinn/Learn more about Brain Corp: https://www.braincorp.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Skullcandy… he reimagined it.First week on the job at Skullcandy, Brian Garofalow scheduled a meeting called:“Teach Brian how headphones work.”Not a tech guy.Not an audio engineer.But a punk-rock marketer turned Silicon Valley founder turned private equity turnaround pro—And the new CEO of Skullcandy.What happened next?He did the unthinkable...🔥 Partnered with Bose—the supposed enemy.🔥 Reintroduced Skullcandy to the world with a surprise drop in NYC.🔥 Built a skate-ramp-in-the-office culture that people actually want to work in.🔥 Launched the best-reviewed product in years… in just 4 weeks.Oh—and he’s worn the same green sweater every day for 7 years to reduce decision fatigue.(Steve Jobs would be proud.)This episode is a masterclass in brand resurrection, strategic risk, and leadership that doesn't try to fit in.💬 What brand do you think is overdue for a Skullcandy-style comeback?-----Follow Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-garofalow-02b7bb2/Check out Skullcandy's latest new products: https://www.skullcandy.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

“We eat chaos for breakfast.”That’s the mindset Eldon Schaffer, CEO of TekniPlex, instills across 9,000 employees in 13 countries.On his first day, they lost one of their top five customers.Instead of blaming or panicking, Eldon...rallied the team to innovate fast— launching a new product and outpacing the competition in just 150 days.Since then, they’ve doubled the business and led a sustainability revolution—one egg carton and coffee pod at a time.🧠 200 Materials Science Experts 🧃 Billions of packaging components🌎 Unseen, but everywhereHere’s what stood out:• “Failure is not fatal.”• “Comfort zone kills growth.”• “Strategy is who does what.”• “Diversity drives better decisions.”• “Own it. Fix it.”🎧 Hear the full story on Lead the Team—a masterclass in leadership under pressure, fast decision-making, and what it really means to get everyone rowing in the same direction.💬 What’s your favorite leadership mantra?-----Follow Eldon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eldonwschaffer/Learn more about TekniPlex: https://tekni-plex.com/en-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

What if everything you believed about retirement… was wrong?Discover vital insights from Derek Coburn—author, wealth advisor, entrepreneur, co-founder of CADRE, an exclusive “un-networking” community for top business leaders, and now of the bold new book, Let’s Retire Retirement.He challenges the outdated notion that your best years come after your career ends. Instead, he argues that meaning, purpose, and growth shouldn’t be delayed—they should be designed into your life now.We unpack:-Why traditional retirement is broken.-The dangers of waiting to live fully.-How to architect a life that blends success and significance.If you’ve ever thought “I’ll do that when I retire”… this episode will make you rethink everything.-----Check out Derek's incredible and timely book here: https://www.derekcoburn.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

What if failure unlocks everything?COO Gaurav Juneja didn’t climb the ladder—he took the hard route no one wanted… and built the ladder himself.He failed early. He raised his hand for the toughest projects. He switched industries. He even coached squash at Harvard before becoming COO of a national fiber infrastructure company (Consolidated Communications/Fidium Fiber)🎧 Discover Gaurav's empowering ideas and strategies around:A “resume mindset” nearly held him back—and how he replaced it with a legacy mindset.The career move that didn’t work out… but built relationships that did.His mantra—“Stay calm in the eye of the storm”—guides how he leads under pressure.And why success isn’t about the title… it’s about leaving things better than you found them.Whether you’re leading a company or just trying to figure out your next move—this conversation is a blueprint for transforming uncertainty into growth.👇 What’s one lesson you learned from something not going your way?-----Follow Gaurav Juneja on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaurav-juneja-30787733/Learn more about Fidium Fiiber: https://www.fidiumfiber.com/Learn more about Consolidated Communications: https://www.consolidated.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

How do you revive a 100-year-old brand… without playing it safe?Andy Mecs, President of Chicken of the Sea, didn’t just inherit a legacy—he reshaped it.But not by chasing trends.Not by copying the competition.And definitely not by playing defense.Instead, he made a series of bold moves that most would’ve avoided—And in the process, turned a fading favorite into a rising force.In this episode, you’ll hear:The unexpected career moment that changed everythingHow he rebuilt trust—and a team—during the Great ResignationWhy zigging while others zag became his leadership edge🎧 What happened inside Chicken of the Sea is bigger than tuna.💬 What’s a time you bet on a harder path… and it paid off?-----Follow Andy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-mecs-b132486/Learn more about Chicken of the Sea: https://chickenofthesea.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Warehouse Unrest. 3 AM. T-shirt soaked in sweat. Alone.That’s where Joe Perkins, now COO of Carolina Handling, found himself early in his career —after pushing team productivity too far, too fast.💥 His team walked out.But instead of doubling down, Joe went back in—this time with humility.Together, they rewrote the rules. Built a new plan. And blew past the goals he thought were impossible.Joe went from player to coach, from telling to asking, and from forklift seller to logistics innovator.You’ll learn:🚫 Why “telling” doesn’t work🧠 How to get teams to own strategy💪 The 2 traits every employee needs🎯 Why goal-setting needs to evolve—or fail📬 And why his team now sends him postcards of their dreams“Pour into your people.”That’s Joe’s mantra—and after this conversation, you’ll never forget it.💬 What’s one lesson that changed the way you lead?-----Follow Joe on LinkedIn: Learn more about Carolina Handling: https://www.carolinahandling.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter