Claim OwnershipLead the Team (Top 2% of Podcasts)
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© Copyright 2025 Ben Fanning
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Real CEOs. Real Stories.
Hosted by Ben Fanning—2025 Gold Stevie Award winner for Best Business Podcast and ranked in the Top 2% globally—Lead the Team draws on over 600 CEO interviews to take you inside the minds of leaders from brands like Honeywell, HP, IBM, Dunkin’, and L’Oréal.
In each episode, you’ll hear raw, unfiltered stories of leading through rapid growth, high-stakes decisions, and make-or-break moments—plus the CEO-tested tools and strategies they use to build high-performing teams.
From turning around billion-dollar brands to sparking innovation at scale, these leaders share lessons you can put into action right now to lead your own team better.
Subscribe now.
-------------
https://www.benfanning.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/
Hosted by Ben Fanning—2025 Gold Stevie Award winner for Best Business Podcast and ranked in the Top 2% globally—Lead the Team draws on over 600 CEO interviews to take you inside the minds of leaders from brands like Honeywell, HP, IBM, Dunkin’, and L’Oréal.
In each episode, you’ll hear raw, unfiltered stories of leading through rapid growth, high-stakes decisions, and make-or-break moments—plus the CEO-tested tools and strategies they use to build high-performing teams.
From turning around billion-dollar brands to sparking innovation at scale, these leaders share lessons you can put into action right now to lead your own team better.
Subscribe now.
-------------
https://www.benfanning.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/
416 Episodes
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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
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