Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract

Jennifer McCollum is an acclaimed speaker, consultant, coach, and author of the fab book "In Her Own Voice: A Woman’s Rise to CEO." It's the focus of her book, where Dan and Jennifer discuss several different facets of importance regarding gender equity and gender-related issues. With two decades of experience leading and building businesses in the leadership space, her expertise includes how to close the gap to gender equity, why the most effective leaders are inclusive leaders, and how to demystify inclusion for leaders and organizations. She has delivered workshops, keynotes, webinars, and podcasts to thousands of leaders globally on live and virtual stages. Jennifer is also the former CEO of Linkage, a SHRM company, where she oversaw the strategic direction and global operations of this global leadership development firm. Linkage has been consistently ranked as a top 20 training company worldwide, providing assessments, training, coaching, consulting, and conferences. Prior to Linkage, Jennifer spent 10 years in Atlanta working for The Coca-Cola Company. She also spent a decade growing businesses within Korn Ferry and the Corporate Executive Board (CEB), now Gartner. At CEB, she led product management within the leadership division, driving innovative solutions that helped organizations select, develop, and place leaders at all levels. She also ran CEB’s Leadership Academies business, which developed more than 30,000 professionals in 2,100 companies throughout 50 countries. Previously, Jennifer served as CEO of IntraVision, a leadership consultancy she founded and grew over the course of 8 years. She worked with public companies, start-ups, associations, and nonprofits. Her passion is creating vision, executing strategy, and managing cohesive teams toward aspirational goals, with a special focus on supporting women in leadership roles. More about Jennifer's book "In Her Own Voice" at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/731273/in-her-own-voice-by-jennifer-mccollum/ More about Dan Pontefract and the Leadership NOW program at www.danpontefract.com/podcast

Todd Hirsch is the "modern economist." In this episode of "Leadership NOW," he delves into the challenges of economic forecasting in today's unpredictable global environment. He discusses the limitations of traditional methods in accurately predicting economic trends amidst frequent, unforeseen 'black swan' events. Todd advocates for a shift from prediction to preparation, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and readiness for various potential outcomes. Our conversation further explores the impact of geopolitical events and environmental crises on the economy. Todd highlights how incidents like Russia's invasion of Ukraine and severe weather events directly affect economic conditions worldwide. He also addresses the erosion of public trust in economic expertise, noting the growing skepticism towards expert advice, especially during periods of economic uncertainty. Throughout the dialogue, Todd's insights illuminate the interconnected nature of global events and economics, stressing the need for leaders to be cognizant of a wide range of external factors that can abruptly shift economic landscapes. For more than 25 years, Todd worked as an economist for such renowned institutes as ATB Financial, the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Canada West Foundation, and the Bank of Canada. Having had a front-row seat to the key issues and trends impacting and transforming our world, Hirsch delivers dynamic, clear-eyed talks on the economy, adaptability, and creativity. Hirsch served as the vice president and chief economist for ATB Financial for over 15 years. He also previously taught economics at the University of Calgary and for the executive education program at the University of Alberta. In recognition of his work, Hirsch has received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum (2022) and Diamond (2012) Jubilee Medals, the University of Alberta’s Alumni Honour Award, and an honorary degree from Mount Royal University. The author of four books, Hirsch’s latest, Spiders in COVID Space: Adapting During and After the Pandemic, captures the inspiring and compelling stories of businesses and not-for-profits that reinvented themselves during the pandemic. He is currently the Director of the Energy Transition Centre at Innovate Calgary. Visit him at www.toddhirsch.com

Join me in a captivating episode of "Leadership NOW" as I sit down with Dr. Kirstin Ferguson as she unveils the nuances of modern leadership. An expert with a diverse background, including roles in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Royal Australian Air Force, Dr. Ferguson challenges traditional leadership models in her book, 'Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership.' She advocates for a more inclusive leadership definition, emphasizing that true leadership is about influencing change beyond formal titles. Dr. Ferguson introduces a balanced model that blends intellectual and emotional intelligence, essential for today's leaders. The conversation also explores her approach to democratizing leadership, encouraging every team member to embrace their leadership potential, thereby transforming organizational cultures. Dr. Ferguson's insights inspire a rethinking of leadership, highlighting its dynamic nature in our contemporary world. Dr. Kirstin Ferguson is one of the world's most recognised leadership experts. The winner of the international Thinkers50 Distinguished Award for Leadership, she is also ranked in the top 50 thinkers in the world. Kirstin researches, writes, speaks and advises major international brands on what it means to be a modern leader, and how to build modern leadership cultures. Kirstin’s career includes three decades of senior leadership experience including a previous appointment by the Australian Prime Minister as Acting Chair and Deputy Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Kirstin was recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2023 for her significant contributions to business, and gender equality. Kirstin has previously been the CEO of a global consulting firm, was a senior executive at a leading corporate law firm and spent nearly 10 years as an Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, including at a fighter jet squadron. Kirstin’s second book, Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership, debuted in the top 10 non-fiction bestseller list on release, and was named as one of the top 10 best new management books in the world in 2023. It was also awarded the Royal Society of Awards Career Book Award in 2023. Kirstin holds a PhD in leadership and culture as well as Honours degrees in Law, and also History. She is an Adjunct Professor at the QUT Business School and a Sir Winston Churchill Fellow. Visit https://www.kirstinferguson.com/meet-kirstin/ for more details.

Step into a world where innovation meets execution in the latest episode of Leadership NOW with my guest Steve Blank, the architect behind the Lean Startup revolution. We're dissecting the nuances of what it takes to blend day-to-day operations with the art of innovation, unearthing insights from the startup sphere that big businesses need to hear, and unpacking the transformative role of leadership in an ever-evolving business environment. This isn't just a chat; it's an expedition into the heart of entrepreneurial thinking. Tune in for this enriching dialogue and explore more in the accompanying Forbes article, where we delve deeper into the strategies shaping the future of leadership. It's an episode filled with thought-provoking ideas and actionable wisdom you won't want to miss. Steve Blank is a founding member at the Gordian Knot Center, an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University, and Senior Fellow for Innovation at Columbia University. Steve consults for the National Security establishment on innovation methods, processes, policies, and doctrine. He created the curriculum for the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps. At Stanford he co-created the Department of Defense Hacking for Defense and Department of State Hacking for Diplomacy curriculums. Steve arrived in Silicon Valley in 1978, at the very beginning of the startup boom, founded or was part of eight ventures. His book The Four Steps to the Epiphany is credited with launching the Lean Startup movement and which touted the principle that startups must operate differently from big companies to be successful. His follow-on book The Startup Owner’s Manual described a process for turning ideas into scale and his Harvard Business Review cover story redefined how large organizations can innovate at speed. In sum, Steve has changed how startups are built; how entrepreneurship is taught; how science is commercialized, and how companies and the government innovate. He has been described as the Father of Modern Entrepreneurship. Find out more about Steve at www.steveblank.com

Dr. Alexander (Alex) Osterwalder, founder & CEO of Strategyzer, is one of the world’s most influential strategy and innovation experts. A leading author, entrepreneur, and in-demand speaker, his work has changed the way established companies do business and how new ventures get started. In this episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, Alex lays out his nfluential ideas on modern business models, emphasizing the need for innovative strategies and a shift away from traditional business thinking. Continuously ranked in the top 50 management thinkers worldwide by Thinkers50 and a visiting professor at IMD, Osterwalder is known for simplifying the strategy development process and turning complex concepts into digestible visual models. Together with Yves Pigneur, he invented the Business Model Canvas, Value Proposition Canvas, and Business Portfolio Map – practical tools that are trusted by millions of business practitioners from leading global companies, including Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Mastercard, Sony, Fujitsu, 3M, Intel, Roche, Colgate-Palmolive, and many more. Strategyzer is an innovation powerhouse, providing online courses, applications, and technology-enabled services to help organizations effectively and systematically manage strategy, growth, and transformation. Osterwalder’s books include the international bestseller «Business Model Generation», «Value Proposition Design», «Testing Business Ideas», «High-Impact Tools for Teams» and «The Invincible Company,» A frequent and popular keynote speaker, Osterwalder travels the world discussing his ideas and strategies at Fortune 500 companies, premiere innovation conferences, and leading universities. He holds a doctorate from HEC Lausanne/Switzerland and is a founding member of The Constellation, a global not-for-profit organization connecting local responses to global issues around the world.

Liz Wiseman is a researcher and executive advisor who teaches leadership to top organizations worldwide. She wrote the New York Times bestsellers Multipliers, The Multiplier Effect, and Wall Street Journal bestsellers Rookie Smarts and Impact Players. In this episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, Liz shares several leadership tips and insights based on her books and research. It is a sprightly and deeply informative discussion. Liz is the CEO of the Wiseman Group, a leadership research and development firm headquartered in Silicon Valley, California. Some of her recent clients include Apple, AT&T, Disney, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Nike, Salesforce, Tesla, and X. Liz has received the top achievement award for leadership from Thinkers50. She has also been consistently named one of the world’s leading 50 management thinkers in its bi-annual ranking. Liz has conducted significant research in leadership and talent development. She writes for Harvard Business Review, Fortune, and various other business and leadership journals and is a frequent guest lecturer at Brigham Young University and Stanford University. She is a former executive at Oracle, where she worked as the Vice President of Oracle University and the global leader for Human Resource Development. Liz holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s in organizational behaviour from Brigham Young University.

Dan Pontefract is the host of Leadership NOW. Sure. But he's also an award-winning author. His latest book, "Work-Life Bloom: How to Nurture a Team That Flourishes" shakes up corporate culture by tackling sacred cows like employee engagement, work-life balance, and 'bring your best selves to work.' So, Dan decided to interview Dan about the book. Check out this special episode of Leadership NOW where Dan asks Dan the following questions, aided by the help of ChatGPT, the AI tool that digested the book and surfaced five very unique questions to ask Dan: • Challenging Conventional Wisdom: "'Work-Life Bloom' seems to challenge the traditional notion of work-life balance and employee engagement. What common myths or misconceptions about both of these concepts are you aiming to debunk with this book?" • Critique of Corporate Culture: "In your experience and research, where do most organizations fall short in fostering a culture that truly supports its team members? Can you give an example of a particularly toxic trend you've observed?" • Personal Sacrifices for Success: "Have you ever found yourself sacrificing personal happiness or well-being for career success? How did these experiences shape your perspective in 'Work-Life Bloom'?" • The Dark Side of Leadership: "You've seen various leadership styles throughout your career. What are some of the darker aspects of leadership that can affect the workplace, and how does your book address these?" • Controversial Advice: "Is there any advice in 'Work-Life Bloom' that you think might be controversial or counterintuitive to traditional business thinking? Why did you choose to include it?" • The Pandemic's Impact: "How has the pandemic altered your views on the concepts of work and life? Does 'Work-Life Bloom' tackle any uncomfortable truths that the pandemic has exposed in the workplace?" • Future Predictions and Warnings: "Looking ahead, what are some potential pitfalls or dangers you foresee if companies and leaders fail to embrace the principles of Work-Life Bloom?"

Gianpiero Petriglieri is Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD. His award-winning research and teaching focus on what it means, and what it takes, to become a leader. He is particularly concerned with leading well in the age of “nomadic professionalism,” in which people have deep bonds to work but loose affiliations to organisations. In this conversation with Dan Pontefract on Leadership NOW, Gianpiero discusses at length the need (and wish) for leadership to be an art. Building on two decades of experience studying and working with executives and companies around the world, he has refined a unique approach to experiential leadership development that aims to deepen and accelerate the development of individual leaders, as well as to broaden and strengthen leadership communities within and across organisations. At INSEAD, Gianpiero directs the Management Acceleration Programme, the school’s flagship executive programme for emerging leaders, and chairs the initiative for Learning innovation and Teaching Excellence. He also designs and directs customized leadership development programmes for multinationals in a variety of industries. He speaks widely on how to develop and exercise leadership in fast-changing, uncertain, and diverse workplaces. Gianpiero has chaired the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on new models of leadership and has been named one of the 50 most influential management thinkers in the world by Thinkers50. He has held Visiting Professor positions at the Harvard Business School, and at Copenhagen Business School. Prior to joining INSEAD, he contributed to executive programs and to the MBA at IMD and trained as a medical doctor and psychiatrist. More about Gianpiero at https://gpetriglieri.com/ including his essays, research, and other wonderful goodies. More about Dan at https://www.danpontefract.com

Stephen “Shed” Shedletzky — or “Shed” to his friends — helps leaders make it safe and worth it for people to speak up. He supports humble leaders — those who know they are both a part of the problems they experience and the solutions they can create — as they put their people and purpose first. A sought-after speaker, coach, and advisor, Shed has led hundreds of keynote presentations, workshops, and leadership development programs around the world. As a thought leader on psychological safety in the workplace, he supports leaders and organizations in all industries where human beings work. He is the author of Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up (October 2023). After years on a corporate track, Shed was introduced to and inspired by the work of Simon Sinek and, soon after meeting him, became the fourth person to join his team. For more than a decade, Shed has contributed at Simon Sinek, Inc., where, as Chief of Staff and Head of Brand Experience, Training & Development, he headed a global team of speakers and facilitators. Shed continues to speak and facilitate with Simon Sinek helping to create a more inspired, safe, and fulfilled world. Shed graduated from the Richard Ivey School of Business with a focus on leadership, communication, and strategy. He also received his coaching certification from The Co-Active Training Institute. He lives in Toronto with his wife and two young children. More about Stephen and Speak-Up Culture at https://www.shedinspires.com/SUCB More about Dan Pontefract at https://www.danpontefract.com

Josh Bernoff is an expert on how business books can propel thinkers to prominence. Book projects on which he collaborated have generated more than $20 million for their authors. Josh’s most recent book is "Build a Better Business Book: How to Plan, Write, and Promote a Book That Matters." He is also the author of "Writing Without Bullshit: Boost Your Career by Saying What You Mean" and the co-author of "Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies." He has authored, coauthored, or ghostwritten an additional eight business books. Josh works closely with nonfiction authors as an advisor, coach, editor, or ghostwriter. He has collaborated on more than 45 nonfiction books. He was formerly Senior Vice President, Idea Development at Forrester, where he spent 20 years analyzing technology and business. Prior to Forrester, Josh spent 14 years in start-up companies in the Boston area. Josh has a mathematics degree from The Pennsylvania State University and studied mathematics in the Ph.D. program at MIT. He lives with his wife, an artist, in Portland, Maine. More about Josh and his new book at https://bernoff.com/books More about Dan Pontefract and his work at https://www.danpontefract.com/