Andre Swanston is a dynamic tech innovator and media magnate whose ability to forecast industry shifts, identify opportunities, and take calculated risks has catapulted him to one of the Top 10 9-figure exits by a Black American. He was the co-founder and CEO of Tru Optik, a data and identity company for streaming media advertising, acquired by TransUnion in 2020.Swanston’s first venture was an event promotion and production company. At the age of 23, he opened one of New England’s most prominent nightclubs, and by 28, he had moved on to private wealth management at JP Morgan Chase & Co., becoming one of the youngest Vice Presidents of Investments.What’s important for Andre is learning and growing from experiences that prepare us for challenges later. The “magic” is that everyone has a unique combination of life experiences. He grew up in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the world, the Bronx, NY, where his father constantly motivated him by pointing out the success of people with diverse backgrounds.Andre’s biggest responsibility & definition of success is the evolution of the family - to provide more for our kids than we had, no matter who we are. This goal motivated him to keep going and deal with setbacks along the way.Andre left his investment banking job at JP Morgan to start his own company from nothing - one of his “riskiest and best” decisions in his life. He had a unique vantage point, seeing digital media as the most effective place to invest advertising dollars at that time and having access to angel investors he knew from his work at JP Morgan.The two most important things in building a business are creating a great team and learning to motivate As a leader, Andre pushes for what’s possible and even what’s impossible but realistic. When a team sees that we as leaders are fully invested – they are motivated by us. Swanston believes that a more diverse team drives creativity.Andre’s personal competitive advantage is having healthy ambition and confidence. It’s essential to have a larger goal to drive our ambition. Short-term confidence comes from preparation while long-term, it comes from life experiences, education, relationships, and taking decisions.His advice to younger people is: “Don’t rush; give yourself more time than you expect! Prepare yourself to work harder and longer! Believe in goodwill!”Join us to hear how Andrew builds a mindset of confidence, motivates a diverse team, and leads as an “optimistic realist”.  Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

Saana Azzam is the Founder, CEO & Chief Inspirational Officer of MENA Speakers, The Middle East’s leading speaker’s bureau. She is an award-winning international economist, Forbes contributor, an international keynotes speaker, and a business influencer. Her success is grounded in helping businesses in The Middle East select the right speakers for their events.Saana was born in Germany, raised in Sweden by Palestinian parents, has lived in the UK, USA, and the UAE (currently in Dubai), and speaks five languages. She defines herself as a citizen of the world and a sum of all the people she has met, all the places she has visited, and all the books she has read. She holds a Master’s in Economics and was named “Female Economist of the Year” by the Stockholm School of Economics in 2010. She then found her area of interest and specialized in Leadership Communication at Harvard University.After her career as a gold trader in banking, Saana realized that public speaking is what excites her and what she had always wanted to do. When she moved to Dubai, she saw there were no organizations representing speakers in the Middle East. She saw an opportunity and founded and grew her business in the events speaking industry. Her diverse background and cultural awareness helped her understand the various leadership styles practiced in different countries and became a speaking coach for young entrepreneurs. She defines her leadership style as servant and situational.Her advice to young female leaders is to take on opportunities going all in and be prepared to be uncomfortable. Saana believes that in 2022 we can easily change jobs with an open mind and heart, that micro careers are the new norm now, and we should not be afraid to try out new occupations. To stay aligned, Saana relays on coaches and mentors. Her routine includes meditation, journaling (in apps), and reading books. She emphasizes the importance of mental health and finding the things/places that help you stay balanced, calibrated, and feel good about yourself, so you can fully contribute to the success of your family, friends, team, and clients.Join us to hear Saana’s valuable insights on courage, persistence, finding your passion, and living a bit on the edge.  Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

Meet the original “shark” from the show Shark Tank, the infomercial creator, the pioneer of the As Seen on TV brand, and co-founding board member of the Entrepreneur’s Organization, Kevin Harrington. His legendary work behind the scenes of business ventures has produced more than $5 billion in global sales, the launch of more than 500 products, and the making of dozens of millionaires. Kevin’s been called the Entrepreneur’s Entrepreneur and has a passion for helping and mentoring entrepreneurs. Kevin’s entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 15, and by 18, he was building a million-dollar business. He is a true believer in reading books by authors such as Dale Carnegie and Zig Ziglar, as well as staying on top of current events and industry trends. He speaks about the importance of surrounding ourselves with and hiring more intelligent people than us, as well as finding great mentors. His experiences and endeavors have all been instrumental in leading him to where he is today. Kevin defines leadership as empowering others, giving directions, and not micromanaging but inspiring people to follow his ideas. He advises us not to be afraid to fail but to fail fast, fail cheaply, and not  lose our enthusiasm along the way. His recipe for success is having a vision, following it enthusiastically, and acting upon it.Join us to listen to Kevin’s leadership insights on the power of enthusiasm, acting upon your vision, and surrounding yourself with great mentors.  Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

Adam Mendler is the CEO of The Veloz Group, where he co-founded and oversaw ventures across a wide variety of industries.Adam is also the host of the leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he elicits insights from America's top CEOs, founders, athletes, celebrities, and political and military leaders. Adam has authored articles for Forbes, Inc., HuffPost, and “Leadership Lessons” in Thrive Global.Adam began his leadership journey at a young age. He held various leadership positions, like the class president, sports coach, or captain of the team. These endeavors have all been instrumental in leading him to where he is today. Leadership to him is the synergy that brings out the best in others and elevates the greater view of the team and the organization.Setbacks were constant experiences for Adam, especially when he founded the Veloz group. According to Adam, how we bounce back from failure is what defines us. He teaches us not to have regrets but to learn from our mistakes. Even if things don’t work out by themselves, we should pull from our collected experiences, and do our best next time. And if we are fearful, we should understand wh, break down what we are afraid of, and work on it. Join us to listen to Adam’s leadership insights on the power of learning, defining success, and combating fear. Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

Robert Forrester is the CEO of Vertu Motors plc, currently the fifth-largest automotive retailer in the UK. He got into his current role through a series of accidents. His life changed when he was diagnosed with a deadly disease. Immediately, he understood what he wanted to do next, personally and professionally. He believes that people need to figure out what they want from life early on, create a plan, and execute it.Strong mental preparation and focus helped Robert respond to setbacks with positivity. Robert’s advice on handling adversity with less stress and worry is to trust your support network, work on your mindset daily, and build your personality to be confident and aligned when faced with challenges.He believes that to build strong relationships, we need to show genuine interest in others and do things for them without expecting anything in return because loyalty and friendships are what we get back and that is priceless. Those are tips that Robert learned from reading Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People as a young leader. He admits that he was not a people person at the beginning of his career. Still, he quickly realized that he needed to work on his social skills to succeed in business, influence others, and achieve win-win outcomes.Join us and listen to Robert’s insights on mental focus, leadership, fast decision-making, and the power of communication during challenging times.Books and Authors mentioned in the Podcast:Marcus Aurelius –Meditations: Book of Knowledge and Philosophy Handbook our lives are what our thoughts make it”Dale Carnegie – How to Win Friends and Influence PeopleGreig Huntington - Risk: A Road Worth TravelingJohn MaxwellFranklin Covey Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

Keith Ferrazzi is a master networker and bestselling author of “Never Eat Alone”.  Keith’s experience as the Chief Marketing Officer of Deloitte and Starwood Hotels has informed his work as Founder and Chairman of Ferrazzi Greenlight, an executive consulting firm.According to Keith, what distinguishes highly successful people is the ability to build and cultivate meaningful relationships. He believes that generosity opens the door to relationships and empathy can transform a transactional relationship into a caring and genuine connection. Today, Keith shows organizations how insecurity and fear hinder relationships and how they could be overcome with practice. It’s a piece of advice that Keith shares consistently to help leaders gain the confidence and courage to reach out and connect. Join us to hear Keith’s advice on how to build your support network through meaningful relationships. Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

Portia Mount is a marketer who advocates for, writes, and speaks on career and lifestyle issues for working women. Portia is the Vice President of Marketing for Trane Technologies, a global climate technology company. One of her side passions is hosting a podcast for aspiring women: The Manifista Podcast. Portia is also a co-author of several best-selling career advice books: "Kick Some Glass: Ten Ways Women Succeed at Work on Their Own Terms”, “Beating the Impostor Syndrome,” and “Leadership Brand.”What helps Portia progress in her career is learning from experiences and from different people. Portia sees building relationships as a two-way process that happens over time and consists of genuine interest, curiosity, and a willingness to connect. Networking is something we should all do consistently and intentionally, especially in a time when people crave authentic connections.She describes balancing her work as an executive, author, and mom as being possible because all of these activities involve the theme of working women. Portiaadvises that we should do things that give us energy, tap into our core passions, and feed other activities. Blocking time for priorities, automating certain tasks, and outsourcing non-value-added items is crucial to managing stress and investing in the right people and activities.Portia shares how to overcome the “imposter syndrome” – when people feel they are not good enough in their job. None of us are immune to making mistakes but these can be teachable moments. It’s important to accept that we can be wrong, step up quickly, and forgive ourselves. We should ask for help and not ruminate. What drives and fuels Portia is her love for connecting with people and customers, as well as solving organizational problems. Her creative energy comes from sources outside of her daily job, such as reading and journaling. When she is stuck on a problem, Portia reaches out to her network for help and to gain an outside perspective. Leadership to Portia is established around setting a direction, getting a commitment to that direction, building a network, and creating an impact with a mission. Join us to hear Portia’s advice on balancing executive career, side passions, motherhood, and nurturing relationships! Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

Admiral Mullen is a retired United States Navy Admiral, who served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was appointed by President Bush and reappointed by President Obama. He advanced rapidly in the field of innovative technologies, championed emerging and enduring global partnerships, and promoted new methods for countering terrorism. Additionally, he taught at the Woodrow Wilson School of International and Public Affairs at Princeton University. Today he continues to teach Advanced Ethics and Leadership at the US Naval Academy.Admiral Mullen’s passion for leadership started with college sports. His passion to communicate came from his father, a Hollywood PR executive, and his interest in human relations was enhanced by the Navy, where he was provided the opportunity to travel internationally and get to understand different cultures.Mullen believes that creating a framework for yourself by establishing your values and principles is a foundation for discovering your true north and leadership style. Mullen advises that no matter what happens, we should never walk away from integrity. When faced with failure, we need to take the time to reflect on who we are and how we can improve in the future. When difficult and challenging situations approach, we as leaders should rely on our values, have the courage to ask for help, and understand accountability. Leadership encompasses taking responsibility in good times and bad. When a mistake is made, a leader is tested by how they persevere, and they must keep going instead of giving up. It is not about the failure itself, but how  the person handled it and what they learned the lessons. Another important skill is effective communication and managing relationships, particularly in such tense times. Having good relationships and strong mentors will continue to provide the support needed during all types of situations. Join us, and learn how to make tough decisions, understand culture and history, prepare ourselves for global challenges and make the world a better place. Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

Dave Winfield is a “true unicorn in sports” as the only athlete in history to be drafted by four professional sports leagues.Today, he is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, CEO of Winfield & Winfield, a NY Times best-selling author, speaker, business advisor, and philanthropist. Before best-selling books, Dave built confidence through reading, traveling, and winning new friends. Building a strong mental focus and toughness helped him to get through adversity and to become recognized and respected.To Dave, earning a “leader” or “Captain” title in sports is based on actions, accomplishments, attitude, techniques, talent, and giving back to others.  Dave defines personal leadership as making a positive impact on the people around us; being able to communicate our wisdom, and making a difference in the world.Join us as we listen to Dave’s positive approach to life and life-long learning, his mental focus and endurance practices, and his genuine desire to give back and leave a legacy.Listen here, or subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcastsResources Relevant to this Conversation:  Dave Winfield website Follow Joe Hart on LinkedIn Self-Improvement Books:As Men Think – James AllenThe Great Salesman in the World – Og MandinoHow To Win Friends & Influence People- Dale Carnegie  Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

At the age of 19, Daniela Fernandez founded Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) while being a student at Georgetown University. Today, Daniela is the CEO of SOA which has become the world’s largest network of young ocean leaders. SOA features the world’s first Ocean Solutions Accelerator – cultivating and accelerating innovative solutions to prevent the greatest threats to our planet and to protect and sustain the ocean’s health.Being self-aware, establishing priorities, and acting without fear are qualities that guided Daniela. Her fearless wisdom and willingness to take risks at a young age allowed Daniela to grow as a leader and become a global champion for her cause.As a Forbes 30 under 30, Daniela teaches young leaders to ask important questions that will help them identify their values and purpose. Daniela believes that self-awareness is a key to creating a foundation for young entrepreneurs – knowing who they are and who they want to be – so they can build their organizations’ vision, mission, and culture.Daniela’s secret weapons for motivating others are “vulnerability” and “curiosity”, specifically not having all the answers and not being afraid to ask for help, yet being willing to challenge the status quo. Daniela also attributes her success to an army of supportive mentors and advisors who always have her back. She inspires young entrepreneurs by giving them that same kind of support – providing them the resources they need to question themselves and to find answers.Join us to hear Daniela’s inspirational insights on how to be more self-aware, take risks, trust yourself, and be intentional. At the age of 19, Daniela Fernandez founded Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) while being a student at Georgetown University. Today, Daniela is the CEO of SOA which has become the world’s largest network of young ocean leaders featuring the world’s first Ocean Solutions Accelerator – cultivating and accelerating innovative solutions to prevent the greatest threats to our planet and to protect and sustain the ocean’s health.Being self-aware, establishing priorities, and acting without fear are qualities that guided Daniela. Her fearless wisdom and willingness to take risks at a young age allowed Daniela to grow as a leader and become a global champion for her cause.As a Forbes 30 under 30, Daniela teaches young leaders to ask important questions that will help them identify their values and purpose. Daniela believes that self-awareness is a key to creating a foundation for young entrepreneurs – knowing who they are and who they want to be – so they can build their organizations’ vision, mission, and culture.Daniela’s secret weapons for motivating others are “vulnerability” and “curiosity”, specifically not having all the answers and not being afraid to ask for help, yet being willing to challenge the status quo. DanielAt the age of 19, Daniela Fernandez founded Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) while being a student at Georgetown University. Today, Daniela is the CEO of SOA which has become the world’s largest network of young ocean leaders. SOA features the world’s first Ocean Solutions Accelerator – cultivating and accelerating innovative solutions to prevent the greatest threats to our planet and to protect and sustain the ocean’s health.Being self-aware, establishing priorities, and acting without fear are qualities that guided Daniela. Her fearless wisdom and willingness to take risks at a young age allowed Daniela to grow as a leader and become a global champion for her cause.As a Forbes 30 under 30, Daniela teaches young leaders to ask important questions that will help them identify their values and purpose. Daniela believes that self-awareness is a key to creating a foundation for young entrepreneurs – knowing who they are and who they want to be – so they can build their organizations’ vision, mission, and culture.Daniela’s secret weapons for motivating others are “vulnerability” and “curiosity”, specifically not having all the answers and not being afraid to ask for help, yet being willing to challenge the status quo. Daniela also attributes her success to an army of supportive mentors and advisors who always have her back. She inspires young entrepreneurs by giving them that same kind of support – providing them the resources they need to question themselves and to find answers.Join us to hear Daniela’s inspirational insights on how to be more self-aware, take risks, trust yourself, and be intentional. a also attributes her success to an army of supportive mentors and advisors who always have her back. She inspires young entrepreneurs by giving them that same kind of support – providing them the resources they need to question themselves and to find answers.Join us to hear Daniela’s inspirational insights on how to be more self-aware, take risks, trust yourself, and be intentional. Resources Relevant to this Conversation: Follow Daniela on LinkedIn Follow Joe on LinkedInFollow Dale Carnegie on LinkedInFollow SOA on LinkedInFollow Daniela on InstagramSOA - Become a memberThe Inconvenient Truth Film by All Gore Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.