Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract

In this episode, we sit down with Mary Olson-Menzel, leadership coach and author of "What Lights You Up?," to explore how leaders can reignite their purpose and help others do the same. We dive into the challenges of staying connected to personal values in a world of constant change, the importance of leading gracefully, and how empathy can drive individual and team success. Join us as we uncover the power of lighting the path for others and finding what truly fuels you as a leader. More about Mary at https://mvpexec.com/about/mary-olson-menzel/ More about Dan Pontefract at https://www.danpontefract.com

In this episode of Leadership NOW, host Dan Pontefract chats with acclaimed filmmaker Mike Downie about his documentary "The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal," which tells the incredible story of The Tragically Hip. Mike shares the more profound insights behind the film, exploring the themes of resilience, love, and collaboration that defined the band’s remarkable journey. Listeners will hear Mike’s reflections on working with archival footage and intimate interviews to bring this four-part documentary to life. He provides a behind-the-scenes look at how The Tragically Hip stayed true to their values, both as musicians and as leaders who prioritized integrity and trust above all else. If you’re interested in leadership, authenticity, or simply a fan of The Hip, this episode offers valuable lessons on the power of unity and perseverance in the face of challenges. Discover how the band's collaborative spirit shaped their legacy and what leaders today can learn from their example. More about Mike Downie at https://couragefilms.ca/ More about Dan Pontefract at https://www.danpontefract.com/

In this episode, Dan Pontefract sits down with Andrew Barnes, the visionary behind the global four-day workweek movement. Andrew shares how his bold experiment at Perpetual Guardian in New Zealand redefined productivity and work-life balance, sparking a worldwide conversation. From boosting employee engagement and well-being to challenging traditional leadership thinking, Barnes reveals the secrets behind the 180-100 model that’s changing the future of work. Tune in to discover how fewer hours can deliver more—and why the movement is gaining traction globally. Andrew Barnes has made a career of market-changing innovation and industry digitization. He owns and is a director of Coulthard Barnes, Perpetual Guardian, and New Zealand’s largest crowdfunding website, Givealittle. Best known as co-founder of 4 Day Week Global, the international not-for-profit advocates for and supports organizations with their journey to a shorter, productivity-focused workweek. Their 100-80-100™ model has earned worldwide acclaim, with the organization being named a TIME 100 Most Influential Company for 2023. In the last five years, Andrew has worked with countless companies and advised over a dozen national and regional governments on how their populations will work in the future. He was also recently recognized on the Forbes Future Of Work 50 list as a leader in workplace innovation. His most recent achievement in June 2024 has been the recognition and award of an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for outstanding achievement and support in the community. Find out more about Andrew's work at https://www.4dayweek.com/book More about Dan Pontefract at https://www.danpontefract.com/

Dr. Deborah Heiser, the founder and CEO of The Mentor Project™, is a leading figure in the field of aging. Her work, which brings experts to mentor students worldwide for free, has had a significant impact. As an applied developmental psychologist, a TEDx speaker, and a Psychology Today contributor, she specializes in midlife and beyond. Her research, which covers a wide range of topics related to aging, has been recognized with grants awarded from NIA/NIH and Pfizer. A frequent expert guest on syndicated and local talk radio shows, Deborah contends that our most precious natural resources are not coal, oil and gas but intellect, expertise, and skills. She is a proponent of utilizing our world experts through mentorship and firmly believes that we are all built to give back. Coming out in 2024 is a new book titled “The Mentorship Edge.” More details about Deborah at https://mentorproject.org/mentor/deborah-heiser/ More information about Dan Pontefract at https://www.danpontefract.com/

Todd Cherches, an award-winning professor and CEO of BigBlueGumball, shares his insights on visual leadership and effective communication. He recounts his transformation from a TV addict to a visual communication expert. The discussion highlights the importance of metaphors and visual storytelling in conveying complex ideas. Todd introduces his visual leadership formula and emphasizes how simplifying concepts can enhance engagement. Explore the significance of empathy in leadership and how collaborative power can unlock potential.

Join us in this enlightening episode of Leadership NOW as Dan Pontefract sits down with Dr. Maja Zelihic, Dean of the Forbes School of Business and Technology and co-author of “The Power of Perception.” Dr. Zelihic delves into the profound impact of perception on leadership and decision-making. She shares compelling stories, including a transformative e-learning project in Zambia, and discusses how emotional intelligence and the EPIC process can help leaders overcome biases and foster more inclusive, innovative organizations. Don’t miss this deep dive into the hidden dynamics that shape our professional and personal lives. Outside of FSBT, she serves as a Distinguished Professor at the School of Business, Woxsen University, India. Dr. Zelihic serves on the Board of Advisors of the International Fellowship Program in Arbitration and Scientific Assessment, the comprehensive global academic review platform. Dr. Zelihic’ s work has been published in more than 20 peer-reviewed journals, and her research ventures have taken her across the globe. For more about Dr. Zelihic visit https://www.uagc.edu/about/faculty/maja-zelihic For more about Dan Pontefract visit https://www.danpontefract.com/

Join Dan Pontefract in a thought-provoking discussion with Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg, author of “What’s Your Problem?” and a leading expert on problem-solving and innovation. Discover how reframing problems can unlock new solutions and drive organizational success. Wedell-Wedellsborg shares key insights on overcoming biases, fostering psychological safety, and rethinking goals with flexibility and adaptability. This episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories that will revolutionize your approach to leadership and problem-solving. Listen now to transform your mindset and empower your team. Wedell-Wedellsborg's research has been featured in The Economist, Forbes, Bloomberg, Businessweek and The Financial Times. HR Magazine listed him as a “Top 20 International Thinker”. Thinkers50 listed him on their 2021 Radar. Wedell-Wedellsborg holds an MA in Media Science from the University of Copenhagen and an MBA from IESE Business School. Prior to his business career, He served for four years as an officer with the Danish Royal Guards. As an executive advisor and keynote speaker, Wedell-Wedellsborg has addressed organizations such as Cisco, Microsoft, Citigroup, Time Warner, Caterpillar, Amgen, Prudential, Union Pacific, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, the Wall Street Journal, and the United Nations. More about Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg at https://wedellsblog.com/ Dan Pontefract can be reached at https://www.danpontefract.com/

Join us in this enlightening episode of Leadership NOW as Dan Pontefract sits down with Pete Bombaci, the founder of The GenWell Project. Pete shares the inspiring story behind the movement and discusses the critical importance of fostering human connections in our increasingly digital world. Discover how loneliness and social isolation impact our health and what practical steps we can take to build stronger, more compassionate communities. From technology’s double-edged sword to the transformative power of workplace relationships, Pete’s insights will inspire you to reconnect with those around you and make meaningful interactions a daily habit. Don’t miss this compelling conversation on how simple acts of connection can lead to a happier, healthier society. More about the GenWell Project at https://genwell.ca/ More about Dan Pontefract at https://www.danpontefract.com/

Join us in this enlightening episode of Leadership NOW as I sit down with Josh Blair, CEO and co-founder of Impro.ai. Blair shares his insights on creating a new category in business innovation: performance technology. Discover how Impro.ai leverages AI and human strategists to enhance employee performance, foster leadership, and drive organizational success. Tune in to learn about real-world applications, success stories, and Blair’s unique leadership philosophy that balances empathy with execution. Impro.ai is a high-tech company that enables corporations to elevate their performance. Through their AI-powered platform, Impro provides daily performance guidance to employees and organizational performance insights to executives. Impro.ai is at the forefront of developing performance technology, a groundbreaking approach that integrates AI and human expertise to transform employee behavior and organizational efficiency. By combining AI-driven data insights with the personalized touch of Impro performance strategists, the platform offers tailored guidance to help employees improve their mindsets, behaviors, and habits. This innovative method not only boosts individual performance but also provides executives with actionable insights to drive strategic decision-making and achieve remarkable business outcomes. More about Josh Blair and Impro at https://www.impro.ai More about Dan Pontefract at https://www.danpontefract.com

Daniel Trabucchi is Senior Assistant Professor of Platform Thinking, and Tommaso Buganza is Full Professor of Leadership & Innovation, both at Politec-nico di Milano. They are Scientific Directors of the Observatory Platform Thinking HUB and co-authors of the book, "Platform Thinking: Read the Past, Write the Future." Tommaso and Daniel join Dan Pontefract on Leadership NOW to discuss all things 'platform thinking.' They do not disappoint. Both Trabucchi and Buganza were recently appointed to the Thinkers 50 Radar Class of 2024. Find out more about their book, "Platform Thinking" at https://platformthinking.eu/ Find out more about Dan Pontefract at www.danpontefract.com