Leveraging Thought Leadership

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Helping Leadership Pivot | Lori Michele Leavitt | 433

2022-10-0619:54

When businesses talk about "making a pivot," it's often thought of as something that must happen quickly and with great impact. The reality is – a successful pivot is often anything but quick, and true impact can be difficult to implement. Who better to discuss bringing big changes to organizations than the "Pivot Catalyst," Lori Michele Leavitt! Lori is the founder and President of Abridge Corp, as well as an accomplished coach, consultant, trainer, speaker, and author of The Pivot: Orchestrating Extraordinary Business Momentum. Lori shares her insights on bringing about large-scale business changes, from building momentum to bringing people on-board with the shift in mindset. If you want to make a pivot, the leadership of the organization needs to encourage the adoption of many small changes by many people over time - not demand massive changes all at once! Momentum and buy-in are both key to any lasting change. Lori has guided many businesses and leaders through this kind of process, and has learned a great deal about organizations undergoing large-scale change. She shares how she turned her processes into a book, and later, software that she continues to iterate. She's moved the needle on management software, building a leadership operating system called Aligned Momentum. Codifying your message and process into a book is complicated, but it's another step to then turn your content into software! Lori shares insights into the process she went through with her content, sharing her insights into the future of consulting software as it continues to evolve. Three Key Takeaways: * Helping an organization successfully pivot starts with getting the cultural decision-maker on board with change. * Being the smartest person in the room isn't the best way to have a lasting impact as a coach. * Change often happens faster in a safe space, and it's good to have peers and allies to help identify your blind spots in the process of organizing and driving change.

How Rituals (Not Routines) Transform Leadership and Life | Erin Coupe | 678

2025-11-1320:25

What if you could stop running on empty—and still perform at your best? That's the question Erin Coupe, author of "I Can Fit That In" (and host of a podcast by the same name), invites leaders to ask. She challenges the old "time management" mindset that rewards burnout and box-checking, replacing it with a human-centered strategy of presence, choice, and renewal. Her message? Productivity doesn't come from cramming more into your day—it comes from creating rituals that restore you. Erin works with executives and teams to help them shift from survival mode to sustainable performance. Through keynotes, workshops, and cohort-based learning, she guides people to design their own energizing rituals—intentional practices that bring clarity, calm, and connection. It's not about doing more. It's about aligning what you do with what truly matters. Her approach transforms corporate cultures. Teams that once ran on autopilot begin building trust, transparency, and shared language. Leaders rediscover focus and resilience. And when people take these lessons home—teaching them to spouses, partners, and even kids—the impact multiplies. As Peter Winick explores in this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Erin's work goes beyond productivity hacks or quick fixes. It's about conscious leadership. Healthy boundaries. Self-respect. And recognizing that how we show up—at work and at home—is a choice. Tune in to hear how organizations are embracing her frameworks to create more intentional, energized, and emotionally intelligent workplaces—one ritual at a time. Three Key Takeaways: • Rituals energize, routines drain. Intentional rituals create meaning and renewal, while rigid routines often lead to burnout. • Mindset drives performance. Shifting from overcommitment to presence and self-respect builds clarity and sustainable success. • Culture grows through connection. Shared rituals and language strengthen trust, resilience, and emotional intelligence within teams. Loved Erin Coupe's insights on transforming burnout into clarity through intentional rituals? Then don't miss our conversation with Dre Baldwin on Think Big, Act Bigger. Both episodes explore how mindset shapes sustainable performance—Erin focuses on the inner rituals that ground us, while Dre breaks down the mental systems that drive consistent action. Together, they form a one-two punch for leaders who want to perform at a high level without losing themselves in the process.

The Power of the Pause: Why Slowing Down Fuels Stronger Leadership | Melissa Gonzalez | 677

2025-11-0942:22

What happens when life forces you to stop—and that pause changes everything? Melissa Gonzalez, Principal at MG2 Design and author of "The Purpose Pivot: How Dynamic Leaders Put Vulnerability and Intuition into Action", knows firsthand. A medical crisis made her rethink what success truly means. Once a Wall Street professional turned retail design expert and author of "The Pop-Up Paradigm", Melissa built a thriving business helping brands tell their stories through physical spaces. But when her own defining moment arrived, she found a new story to tell—one about purpose, well-being, and the strength found in vulnerability. In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Melissa joins Bill Sherman to explore how life's disruptions can fuel transformation. She shares her evolution from building pop-up experiences for brands to helping leaders embrace intuition, pause with purpose, and redefine balance. Through dozens of interviews with women leaders, Melissa uncovered a truth many resist—taking time to pause isn't weakness; it's wisdom. Melissa also discusses the art of integrating her message of purpose into her business world. She reveals how partnerships with brands like Nordstrom, Simon G. Fine Jewelry, and Crate & Barrel amplified her book's message through events and collaborations that celebrate defining moments. Her story is a masterclass in aligning personal growth, thought leadership, and business strategy—without losing authenticity. From managing the emotional and physical toll of overachievement to embracing JOMO (the joy of missing out), Melissa's journey offers a reminder: the most powerful pivots often happen when you stop chasing and start listening. Three Key Takeaways: • Pause is Power – Taking time to slow down, reflect, and prioritize well-being isn't a weakness—it's a strategic strength. Melissa's personal experience taught her that real success comes from making intentional choices rooted in impact, not busyness. • Authentic Integration Fuels Influence – Thought leadership grows when your personal mission aligns with your professional platform. Melissa leveraged her network, brand partnerships, and events to bring The Purpose Pivot to life—blending purpose-driven storytelling with business acumen. • Vulnerability Creates Connection – Sharing personal defining moments invites others to reflect on their own. Through candid storytelling and interviews, Melissa shows that embracing vulnerability deepens relationships, inspires trust, and sparks meaningful change. If Melissa Gonzalez's story inspired you to rethink success, balance, and the power of the pause, don't stop there. Check out The Non-Linear Thought Leadership episode with Elizabeth McCourt. Both conversations explore how vulnerability, authenticity, and unexpected turns can become catalysts for growth. Melissa's journey shows how a defining moment can reshape purpose. Elizabeth's episode builds on that idea—revealing how non-linear paths, reinvention, and resilience fuel thought leadership. Listen to both, and you'll walk away ready to embrace uncertainty, lead with heart, and turn every pivot into possibility. Listen next: The Non-Linear Thought Leadership | Elizabeth McCourt

The DPD Framework: How to Decide Faster and Lead Smarter | Dr. Geoffrey Mount Varner | 676

2025-11-0620:48

What happens when life-and-death decision-making meets the boardroom? Today our guest is Dr. Geoffrey Mount Varner—a physician, author of "FAST DECISIONS: Think Fast. Be Bold. Be Fearless", and leadership expert—shares how his experience in emergency medicine led him to develop a powerful framework for decision-making under pressure. As the former head of Washington D.C.'s emergency Ebola response, Dr. Varner learned that hesitation can be deadly. Today, he brings that same clarity and urgency to the world of business leadership. Dr. Varner explains how most leaders waste valuable "decision energy" by treating every choice as equally important. His approach teaches executives to quickly identify which decisions deserve deep thought and which can be made in seconds. At the core of his DPD framework—Deep Breath, Pause, Decide—is a deceptively simple but scientifically grounded process that empowers leaders to quiet emotion, activate intuition, and make confident, timely decisions. He and Peter Winick dive into how the corporate world often rewards inaction—where delayed or avoided decisions are seen as safe career moves. Dr. Varner argues that indecision is, in fact, a decision—and one that can cripple organizations. He offers practical, repeatable ways for leaders to break through analysis paralysis, train their teams for agility, and create a culture of accountability and speed. Finally, Dr. Varner reflects on his own transition from medicine to thought leadership—transforming his crisis-tested experience into a business-ready system. Through books, speaking engagements, and workshops, he's building a new generation of leaders who make better choices, faster. Because in both medicine and business, the ability to decide well can be the difference between success and failure. Three Key Takeaways: • Decisiveness Is a Trainable Skill. Great leaders aren't born decisive—they're trained. Dr. Varner's DPD framework (Deep Breath, Pause, Decide) helps leaders manage emotion, engage intuition, and act with confidence under pressure. • Not All Decisions Deserve Equal Attention. Leaders often waste energy treating minor choices like major ones. Dr. Varner categorizes decisions by consequence—low, medium, and high—so leaders can spend their time where it matters most. • Indecision Is Still a Decision. In business as in medicine, delayed action carries risks. Dr. Varner reminds leaders that avoiding decisions is itself a choice—one that can stall progress, weaken accountability, and erode trust. If you found value in this episode's focus on making faster, smarter decisions under pressure, you'll want to check out "Making Better Decisions Through Thought Leadership" with Thomas Lahnthaler. In that conversation, Thomas explores how the strategic use of thought leadership isn't just about ideas—it's about preparing teams for inevitable crisis-points, creating choices rather than waiting for them, and harnessing collective insight when the pressure's on. Listen to both episodes back-to-back to unlock how frameworks + mindset + action combine to turn uncertainty into advantage and hesitation into leadership momentum.

The Power of Women's Stories in Tech | Miri Rodriguez | 675

2025-10-3015:59

What happens when a storyteller from Microsoft turns her lens on the women shaping technology's past, present, and future? Today on Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick sits down with Miri Rodriguez, CEO of Empressa AI, best-selling author, storyteller at Microsoft, and co-author of "The Women of Microsoft" (Wiley). Miri reveals how a simple Teams message from a colleague in Poland sparked a global collaboration — uniting 50 women from across cultures, career levels, and disciplines to tell their stories of innovation, resilience, and purpose. Miri's thought leadership centers on mission-driven storytelling — using narrative as a strategic tool for inclusion and brand love. She shares how metrics like "brand love" go beyond data to measure emotional impact, connection, and loyalty. Her goal isn't just to celebrate women at Microsoft, but to ensure their contributions are recorded in the technological history being written right now. She challenges leaders to think beyond traditional boundaries of thought leadership inside corporations. For Miri, there's no dividing line between personal purpose and professional platform — every story she tells aligns with her mission to empower women's voices. Her journey demonstrates how clarity of purpose can attract the right opportunities and how a clear mission can transform your work into a force multiplier. This conversation is a masterclass in how to use storytelling as strategy — to inspire action, build communities, and leave a lasting mark on the narrative of innovation. Three Key Takeaways: • Mission-driven storytelling creates lasting impact — when your message aligns with a clear purpose, it naturally attracts opportunities and amplifies your influence. • Emotional connection is a powerful metric — concepts like "brand love" show that loyalty and inspiration can be measured through human connection, not just numbers. • Authentic voices shape the future — sharing real stories, especially from underrepresented groups, ensures that innovation and progress include every perspective. If you were struck by the power of storytelling, emotional connection, and mission-driven leadership in this episode, the conversation with Jenna Fisher will take you deeper into those same themes in a corporate leadership setting. In her interview, you'll hear how she interviewed dozens of women leaders to uncover the real barriers and strategies for rising to the top, even when the rules seem stacked against you. Listen next to discover how to merge narrative, metrics, and career strategy into a playbook for women (and all leaders) to advance influence, voice, and impact. Listen now: "Women in Corporate Leadership"

How Thought Leaders Win the Publishing Game | Ken Lizotte | 674

2025-10-2323:58

What's the real ROI of a book? That's the question Peter Winick poses to Chief Imaginative Officer of Emerson Consulting, author of "The Expert's Edge: Become the Go-To Authority People Turn to Every Time" and publishing expert Ken Lizotte, in this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership. Ken has helped more than 350 thought leaders turn their ideas into published works—books, blogs, and articles that position them as authorities in their fields. He's seen it all: the excitement of a new book idea, the confusion around agents and publishers, and the reality that the book itself isn't the profit center—it's the door opener. Ken breaks down the evolving world of publishing—traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing—and reveals how authors can choose the right path based on their business goals. He and Peter cut through the myths about literary agents, unpack how the publishing game really works, and share why alignment between author and publisher is so rare (and so essential). More importantly, Ken makes it clear that a book's success isn't measured in units sold—it's in how well it builds credibility, opens doors to speaking gigs, attracts clients, and establishes long-term brand authority. Whether you're dreaming about your first book or looking to turn ideas into influence, this conversation will show you how to treat your book as a strategic asset, not just a creative project. Three Key Takeaways: • A Book's True ROI Isn't in Sales—It's in Strategy. The financial return on a nonfiction book rarely comes from copies sold. Instead, it comes from what the book enables: paid speaking gigs, consulting work, and business growth. A book is a credibility tool, not a revenue product. • Authors Must Choose the Right Publishing "Game." Traditional publishing, hybrid, and self-publishing each serve different goals. Ken stresses that authors need to decide early whether they're playing the publisher's game (focused on sales volume) or their own game (using the book as a business and thought leadership tool). • A Great Book Builds Authority, Not Just Audience. The most successful thought leaders use their books to define expertise, attract the right clients, and create long-term influence. The focus shouldn't be on pleasing everyone—it's about reaching the specific audience where your ideas have the greatest impact. If you're fired up by Ken Lizotte's strategies for making a book a business-building tool, then you'll definitely want to hear Lucinda Halpern's episode too. In it, Lucinda debunks the myths that trap many thought leaders—like thinking an agent guarantees a book deal, that publishers will handle all marketing, or that you need huge social media numbers to get published. You'll walk away with clearer insight into publishing timelines, how to build a platform that matters, and how to make a book a lead-generation engine, not just a creative side project. Tune in and get sharper on how to align your ideas, your reach, and your publishing strategy—all toward real growth.

How Great Thought Leaders Use Podcasts to Scale Influence | Ryan Estes | 673

2025-10-1620:55

What makes a podcast truly powerful — and worth your time? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick sits down with Ryan Estes, co-founder of Wildcast and Kitcaster, to unpack what separates a great podcast guest — and host — from the rest. Ryan's work connects CEOs, founders, and thought leaders to the right audiences through strategic podcast placement. His mission: to turn conversations into meaningful distribution. Ryan explains why founder-led marketing outperforms brand marketing — by as much as 80%. He reveals how showing up authentically on podcasts isn't just about exposure; it's about building credibility, creating demand, and sparking conversations that open doors to your ideal clients. Together, Peter and Ryan explore what makes a podcast worth appearing on. It's not about chasing the biggest show or the biggest name — it's about relevance. For many business leaders, the right niche podcast might be the only place where all their potential buyers are listening. Ryan walks through how to identify the right shows for your goals, the importance of energy and chemistry in a podcast conversation, and how to develop the skills — from delivery to lighting — that make you a guest worth remembering. They also discuss the "guest hygiene" problem: why so many smart leaders fail to prepare properly, neglect to promote their episodes, or treat podcasts like disposable media hits. Ryan argues that building a personal distribution network — your own voice, audience, and presence — is an investment that carries over to every project, every company, and every new venture. If you've been thinking about launching a podcast, or becoming a sought-after guest, this episode is your roadmap to doing it right — and doing it with purpose. Three Key Takeaways: • Founder-led marketing drives results. When leaders speak directly to audiences through podcasts, their message builds far more trust and engagement than traditional brand marketing. • Relevance beats reach. The best podcasts for business growth aren't always the biggest — they're the ones where your ideal buyers actually listen and engage. • Consistency builds credibility. Thought leaders who prepare well, promote their episodes, and keep showing up authentically develop a personal brand that outlasts any single company or project. If this conversation inspired you to think differently about using your voice and platform, take the next step by listening to our episode with Srinivas Rao. He dives deep into how creativity, curiosity, and personal expression fuel powerful thought leadership. Discover how to build an audience that connects with your ideas — not just your brand. Listen here.

Why the Best Idea Isn't Enough | Gavin McMahon | 672

2025-10-1239:06

What if the world didn't reward the best ideas — but the best-packaged ones? That's the question at the heart of this conversation between Bill Sherman and Gavin McMahon, CEO of fassforward and author of Story Business. Once an engineer designing submarines, Gavin discovered that technical brilliance alone doesn't move ideas forward — storytelling does. Now, he helps leaders use story as a tool for influence, clarity, and change. In this episode, Bill and Gavin explore why ideas don't speak for themselves — and how story gives them a voice. They unpack the idea of "storytelling power" versus organizational power, and why leaders who can't tell stories struggle to inspire action. Gavin defines story as "information wrapped in emotion for commercial purpose" — a deceptively simple definition that can transform the way you present ideas. They also dive into Gavin's concept of "grandma language," the art of making complex ideas accessible without losing credibility. Using examples from CEOs and real-world leaders, Gavin shows how mixing simple and sophisticated language helps ideas stick — even in high-stakes environments like cybersecurity or strategy. You'll also hear about the seven-year journey of writing Story Business — how Gavin refined his thinking, wrestled with simplicity, and learned that clarity comes only after doing the hard work of distillation. Along the way, he and Bill reflect on humility in communication, the creative joy of writing, and why being "nicer to people" may be the best advice for every thought leader. If you've ever struggled to make your ideas land — this conversation will show you how story turns insight into impact. Three Key Takeaways: • The Best Idea Doesn't Win — The Best-Packaged One Does. Gavin argues that success isn't about having the smartest idea, but the clearest, most emotionally resonant one. Storytelling gives ideas power, helping them stand out and gain traction in organizations that aren't true meritocracies. • "Grandma Language" Makes Ideas Stick. Gavin introduces the concept of blending "credibility language" (expert terminology) with "grandma language" (simple, human words). The balance builds trust and accessibility — a must for leaders trying to communicate complex ideas to busy or distracted audiences. • Simplicity Is Earned Through Hard Work. Writing Story Business taught Gavin that true simplicity comes only after deep thought and refinement. As he tells Bill, people make ideas complicated because they haven't finished thinking them through — and clarity is proof of mastery. If this conversation on Story Business sparked new ways to think about how you share ideas, you'll love hearing from Michelle Mellon in Thought Leadership and Storytelling. She dives deep into how narrative builds trust, shapes perception, and turns expertise into connection. Listen next: Thought Leadership and Storytelling with Michelle Mellon — and discover how to make your stories resonate long after the meeting ends.

The Power of Peer-to-Peer Leadership | Ken Banta | 671

2025-10-0921:11

What happens when senior executives step into a room and speak with radical candor? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick sits down with Ken Banta, Founder and CEO of the Vanguard Network, to explore how real leaders grow stronger through dialogue—not monologues. Ken doesn't just advise on leadership—he builds ecosystems where executives learn directly from each other. The Vanguard Network creates peer-to-peer forums where GCs, CEOs, and senior leaders share their toughest challenges and unfiltered lessons. The power comes not from lectures or PowerPoint, but from raw, honest conversation. Members of his network walk away with two powerful outcomes. First, practical insights they can use immediately—solutions drawn from peers who've been there before. Second, the relief of knowing they're not alone. When a board chair demands instant answers, having the confidence that others face the same issues is invaluable. These conversations create resilience, credibility, and a stronger sense of leadership presence. Ken also shows how these networks spark new thought leadership. Dialogue around real problems fuels fresh ideas, posts, and even books like his "Seeing Around Corners". This isn't theory—it's leadership in action, captured and shared for broader impact. The results are tangible. Leaders leave with new strategies, new allies, and sometimes even new career opportunities. One member walked peers through a cyberattack disaster, openly admitting mistakes and lessons. Another two struck a career-changing deal over dinner. This is thought leadership at its highest level—intimate, applied, and deeply human. If you want to see how conversation transforms into influence, this episode is for you. Three Key Takeaways: • Dialogue beats monologue. Executives gain more from candid peer conversations than from lectures or presentations. • Leaders don't stand alone. Sharing challenges in trusted forums provides reassurance and practical solutions. • Conversations spark influence. Real stories and exchanges fuel new thought leadership, stronger presence, and fresh opportunities. If you found Ken Banta's episode insightful, you'll want to keep the momentum going with Karen Leland's conversation on the performance of thought leadership. Ken showed how peer-to-peer dialogue fuels fresh insights and builds executive presence. Karen takes it a step further, exploring how leaders can deliver their ideas with clarity, confidence, and authenticity so they truly land with an audience. Together, these two episodes connect the what and the how of thought leadership: Ken highlights the power of conversations that spark ideas, while Karen shows you how to perform those ideas so they inspire action. Listen to Karen's episode to learn practical strategies for elevating your communication, amplifying your presence, and making your thought leadership unforgettable.

The Power of Discipline and Candor in Executive Leadership | Des Hague | 670

2025-10-0220:53

What happens when a CEO treats thought leadership as essential as strategy? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick sits down with Des Hague, an acclaimed executive who has led global brands like PepsiCo, IHOP, and Centerplate, and now advises startups, nonprofits, and private equity firms. He's also the author of "Think Your Way to the Top" and "15 Minutes of Shame", with a third book on the way. Des doesn't see thought leadership as an optional side project. For him, it's the natural extension of leadership itself—codifying the models, frameworks, and mindsets that fuel success. He shares why talent is always the starting point, how leaders must prioritize relentlessly, and why making time for writing and reflection is a choice, not a luxury. We dig into the dangers of mediocrity and entitlement, the critical role of sacrifice, and how to stay focused in a world addicted to distraction. Des's mantra, NSL—Never Stop Learning—pushes leaders to reject complacency and demand excellence from themselves and others. He also opens up about resilience, accountability, and how leaders respond to their lowest moments. Through transparency and candor, Des reframes failure as a lesson, not a life sentence. His story challenges executives to hold themselves to higher standards, embrace growth, and remain relentless in their pursuit of impact. This is an episode for leaders who want more than buzzwords. It's about discipline, clarity, and the courage to lead with integrity—even when the spotlight is harsh. Three Key Takeaways: • Thought leadership is leadership. Codifying frameworks, sharing ideas, and investing in personal development are essential for leading organizations and people effectively. • Focus and sacrifice drive results. Great leaders prioritize ruthlessly, avoid distractions, and make deliberate trade-offs to create time for what matters most. • Resilience and accountability matter. Owning mistakes, learning from setbacks, and maintaining a growth mindset separate leaders who stagnate from those who continue to make an impact. If you enjoyed Des Hague's perspective on leadership, focus, and turning ideas into impact, you'll want to dive into our episode with Will Milano. Both conversations tackle the discipline behind thought leadership—how leaders move beyond inspiration to frameworks, focus, and execution. Des shows how personal accountability and clarity shape great leadership, while Will unpacks how organizations can build a repeatable engine that scales those ideas into measurable business results. Together, these episodes give you a 360° view: the mindset of the leader and the system that powers the enterprise. Listen to both, and you'll walk away with practical insights for making thought leadership not just personal, but organizational. Listen to Will's episode here.

The Currency of Time | John Coyle | 669

2025-09-2845:09

What if time wasn't fixed, but something you could stretch, compress, and reframe? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Bill Sherman sits down with John Coyle—Olympian, design thinking expert, and author of "Design for Strengths". John has spent his life chasing the meaning of time, from hundredths of a second on the ice to decades in thought leadership. His work asks us to reconsider not just how much time we have, but how we experience it. John shares how fleeting moments can reset the trajectory of our lives—an insight that came from his Olympic journey where fractions of a second separate gold from "first loser". He explains the Greek distinction between Chronos (clock time) and Kairos (human, transformative time) and why organizations and leaders need to design for the moments that truly matter. We explore John's unique career path—from competing alongside Lance Armstrong and working with Enron to translating neuroscience and psychology into practical lessons on leadership, innovation, and resilience. Along the way, he reveals how flow state, storytelling, and emotional engagement can make time slow down and make ideas stick. You'll also hear John's most powerful Kairos moment—the story of a silver medal, a boy who became an Olympian, and how one act of kindness changed two lives forever. It's a reminder that you never know when a small choice can alter someone's future. This conversation challenges leaders to rethink their relationship with time, memory, and meaning. It's not about adding years to your life—it's about adding more life to your years. Three Key Takeaways: • Moments reset the future. Leadership pivots often come from brief Kairos moments that redefine direction more than years of steady effort. • Memories are the currency of time. Flow states, risk, and storytelling create lasting memories that make life feel longer and leadership more impactful. • Design for strengths, not weaknesses. Leaders unlock innovation and resilience when they focus on amplifying strengths instead of patching flaws. If you found value in today's conversation about designing time, flow, and moments that move you forward, you'll want to listen to Maximizing the Flow of Ideas for Your Organization with guests Jeremy Utley and Perry Klebahn. That episode digs into how leaders generate more ideas over time—and why volume, variety, and experimentation are just as important as insight or vision. Both episodes ask a powerful question: how do you create an environment where your best ideas don't just happen—but compound? In short, if you want tools for turning strengths into breakthroughs, and moments into momentum—this is your next listen. It'll help you scale creativity, lead from possibility, and expand what "thought leadership" can mean across your team or organization.

From Notebook to Transformation | Klint Guerry | 668

2025-09-1822:47

What if the key to transformation isn't a new app, a coach, or a seminar—but a 99-cent notebook? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick sits down with Klint Guerry, Group Vice President at Sewell Automotive Companies and author of "A Guide to Self Disruption". Klint reveals how a simple daily practice evolved into a powerful system for accountability, focus, and lifelong learning. At the heart of Klint's thought leadership is the Guerry Notes Process—a structured, five-step method that has shaped his career, his leadership, and now, the lives of others. It's not about lofty theories or abstract models. It's about discipline. Responsibility. Curiosity. Service. Humility. These principles are practical, repeatable, and deeply transformative for anyone serious about growth. Klint explains how great leaders, teams, and individuals thrive not on charisma alone, but on process. Just as top athletes rely on rigorous training, professionals need daily systems to harness their strengths, stay focused, and deliver extraordinary results. His framework isn't just personal—it applies to mentoring, team development, and building high-performance cultures. The book itself functions as both a mentor and a tool. With prompts, exercises, and curated wisdom, it bridges the gap between intention and action. For leaders, it's a way to instill accountability and growth in their organizations. For individuals, it's a guide to disrupting old patterns and unlocking potential. Klint's work is a reminder that thought leadership is about more than ideas—it's about building processes that others can adopt, adapt, and thrive within. Whether you're a CEO, a rising professional, or a mentor, his insights will challenge you to ask: What system am I using to become the best version of myself? Three Key Takeaways: • Process beats charisma. Long-term success isn't about charm or improvisation—it's about having a disciplined, repeatable system that drives accountability and results. • Five principles power growth. Responsibility, focus, curiosity, humility, and service form the foundation of the Guerry Notes Process, helping leaders and teams consistently elevate performance. • A simple tool creates transformation. A 99-cent notebook, used daily with intention, can become a personal operating system for lifelong learning, stronger mentorship, and building high-performance cultures. If Klint's episode got you thinking about the power of process, discipline, and structure in driving growth, you'll want to dive into this conversation with Manja Horner on Thought Leadership and Adult Learning. Both episodes explore how simple, repeatable systems can transform potential into performance—whether through a daily notebook practice or by designing learning experiences that stick. Together, they show you how to move beyond inspiration into measurable impact. Listen here to see how you can apply these ideas to sharpen focus, accelerate growth, and create lasting change: Thought Leadership and Adult Learning with Manja Horner.

Building Authority Through the Boardroom | Erik Hanberg | 667

2025-09-1431:41

What does it take for a self-published author to turn a niche book into a best-seller—and then hand it over to a traditional publisher for its second edition? Erik Hanberg did just that with "The Little Book of Boards: A Board Member's Handbook for Small and Very Small Nonprofits". His journey offers lessons in entrepreneurship, publishing strategy, and the business of thought leadership. In this episode, Erik shares how his early board experiences shaped his expertise and sparked a desire to help others avoid common pitfalls. What started as trial by fire became a passion for teaching—and a book that has sold more than 40,000 copies. By targeting a highly specific audience, he created a resource that spread by word of mouth, bulk orders, and Amazon's niche algorithms. We explore the business side of publishing, from self-funded ads that fueled sales growth to negotiating with a Big 5 imprint for the book's second edition. Erik reveals the financial trade-offs between steady monthly royalties as an independent author and the broader reach a publisher's distribution network can provide. He also explains how he negotiated a contract that protected his long-term interests. Beyond sales, Erik talks about the opportunities that came once he became "the guy who wrote the book." From board retreats across the country to consulting engagements, his authorship opened doors that no marketing campaign alone could create. And as AI reshapes how people access answers, Erik reflects on why human experience, frameworks, and authenticity still matter in thought leadership. If you've ever wondered how to transform expertise into a platform, or how to balance independence with institutional backing, Erik's story is both practical and inspiring. Three Key Takeaways: • Niche sells big. By writing The Little Book of Boards for small and very small nonprofits, Erik reached the largest segment in the nonprofit space—and sold more than 50,000 copies. • Publishing is strategy, not luck. Erik turned modest sales into consistent revenue by investing in Amazon ads, then leveraged his track record to negotiate a traditional publishing deal on his terms. • Books open doors. Beyond royalties, authorship positioned Erik as an authority, leading to nationwide consulting and board retreat opportunities—proof that thought leadership creates business growth far beyond the page. If Erik Hanberg's story showed you how a single book can spark authority and open doors in the nonprofit world, you'll want to hear how Andrew Button is doing the same—this time in local communities. Andrew shares how thought leadership builds courage, activates ideas, and fuels grassroots change. Don't just think about scaling ideas nationally—see how they thrive locally, too. Listen now to Andrew Button's episode on thought leadership in local communities.

The Power of Saying Yes: How Curiosity Fuels Thought Leadership | Dan Ariely | 666

2025-09-1124:27

What if gambling with your time was the smartest investment you could make as a thought leader? Today on Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick sits down with Dan Ariely—renowned behavioral economist, three-time New York Times bestselling author, and one of the sharpest minds in decision science. His work has influenced companies like Google and Apple, guided governments, and sparked movements in how we understand human behavior. Dan shares why he doesn't believe in rigid career paths but instead embraces intellectual adventure. His approach? Say yes to opportunities, experiment widely, and learn fast. From writing children's books to advising on Middle East diplomacy, he treats each project as a test of impact and possibility. It's thought leadership powered by curiosity, not by a fixed roadmap. We explore how Dan chooses where to focus his time and energy—not on where the money is, but on where humanity is underperforming. Whether it's helping people rethink end-of-life care, confronting our irrational use of social media, or tackling the psychology of sleep, his work points toward reducing suffering and increasing human well-being at scale. What stands out is not just Dan's research, but his method. He embeds himself in the world he studies. He spends Fridays with palliative care doctors and end-of-life doulas, visits slums to understand poverty, and listens deeply to those at the margins. For him, real thought leadership means turning lived experience into research-backed insights—and transforming those insights into powerful stories people remember. This conversation is a masterclass in aligning expertise with purpose. Dan shows how storytelling, data, and empathy intersect to create impact. And he reminds us that luck isn't found—it's generated by saying yes, trying widely, and learning relentlessly. Three Key Takeaways: • Gamble with your time wisely — saying yes to diverse opportunities creates luck, generates new insights, and fuels thought leadership. • Focus where humanity underperforms — the biggest impact comes from tackling areas where society consistently falls short, like end-of-life care, social media use, or health behaviors. • Turn research into stories — embedding in real-world experiences and translating data into memorable narratives makes ideas resonate and spread at scale. If you found this episode thought-provoking, you'll want to keep the momentum going with our conversation on organizational thought leadership in nonprofits with Marci Alboher. Both episodes shine a light on how thought leadership can tackle the places where humanity underperforms—whether it's rethinking end-of-life care and decision-making, or changing the narrative around aging and intergenerational collaboration. In Dan's episode, you'll hear how curiosity and experimentation fuel insights that reduce suffering and spark change at scale. In Marci's, you'll discover how nonprofits can amplify voices, craft stories, and shift perceptions to unlock the untapped value of older generations. Together, these episodes show how purpose-driven thought leadership—grounded in storytelling and human impact—can create real transformation. Listen to Marci's episode next and expand your perspective on how ideas can drive change across both individuals and organizations.

Why Safe Teams Fail—and How to Lead for Real Innovation | Stephanie Chung | 665

2025-09-0419:33

What happens when every member of your team thinks, works, and communicates differently? Do you see chaos—or do you see opportunity? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick sits down with Stephanie Chung, bestselling author of "Leading People Who Are Not Like You" and a pioneering executive in the aviation industry. Stephanie challenges leaders to move beyond surface-level diversity and embrace the reality that every team is built on differences—in age, gender, culture, abilities, experiences, and thinking styles. Her thought leadership reframes leadership for today's workplace. This isn't about DEI checkboxes. It's about ROI. Leaders who know how to harness diverse perspectives build stronger, more innovative, and more resilient organizations. Stephanie introduces her ALLY framework—Ask, Listen, Learn, and then act—to help leaders cut through the noise and lead with both head and heart. She points out that too many leaders default to "safe teams" where everyone looks different but thinks the same. Safe teams don't innovate. They underperform. Great leadership requires stepping into the challenge of managing complexity and difference. Stephanie's work equips executives with the tools and mindset to do just that. Stephanie also highlights the real business case. Diverse teams deliver better outcomes, but only when leaders develop the skill—and courage—to engage differences instead of ignoring them. Her book and keynotes are sparking a movement that's helping organizations move past fear of mistakes and into a more open, adaptive, and human style of leadership. If you lead people—and especially if they're not like you—this conversation will challenge your assumptions and expand your playbook for growth. Three Key Takeaways: • Safe teams underperform — When everyone thinks alike, innovation stalls. Real growth comes from embracing differences, not avoiding them. • Leadership is about ROI, not DEI checklists — Diverse teams deliver stronger results, but only if leaders know how to harness and manage those differences. • The ALLY framework matters — Ask, Listen, Learn, and then act. This simple model helps leaders navigate generational, cultural, and communication gaps effectively. If Stephanie's episode got you thinking about the challenges—and opportunities—of leading people who aren't like you, then you'll want to dive deeper with Lily Zheng's episode on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Deconstructed. Both conversations cut through the noise and focus on what really drives results: leaders who can embrace differences, move beyond surface-level DEI checklists, and create teams that thrive. Where Stephanie gives you the ALLY framework to navigate everyday leadership dynamics, Lily brings a data-driven lens to diagnose what's working and what isn't inside organizations. Listen to both, and you'll walk away with a sharper playbook for leading diverse teams, boosting innovation, and turning inclusion into real ROI.

Why "Letting Go" Could Be Your Best Growth Strategy | Cary Prejean | 664

2025-08-2431:16

Are you the bottleneck in your own business? Many entrepreneurs wear every hat—CEO, sales, R&D, even accounts receivable—yet still feel stuck. Cary Prejean, founder of Strategic Business Advisors and author of three books, has spent 40 years helping business owners shift from operator to visionary leader. In this episode, we explore why entrepreneurs don't need to become great managers—and why trying to do so can hold them back. Instead, Cary shows how to build processes that keep the business running without you, freeing you to focus on vision, growth, and impact. We break down the opposite skill sets of entrepreneurs and managers—why one thrives on vision, speed, and risk, while the other thrives on stability, patience, and process. Cary explains how to use the language of leadership to engage your team, enroll them in your mission, and empower them to take ownership. It's about letting go without losing control, and creating repeatable, scalable systems that make you irrelevant to daily operations—in the best possible way. Cary shares practical ways to get the attention of distracted, fast-moving entrepreneurs, starting with the right questions. He reveals how to uncover hidden bottlenecks, fix chronic operational headaches, and stop training your team to rely on you for every decision. We also discuss the parallels between leading people and prompting AI—clear direction, desired outcomes, and the freedom to innovate. From his roots in accounting to his evolution as a leadership advisor, Cary's journey offers a blueprint for sustainable growth. We talk about his upcoming books—one on common business-killing mistakes, and another on the lost art of relating—and how improving communication can transform not only your business but your relationships. If your business can't run without you for more than a day, this conversation could be your turning point. Three Key Takeaways: • Entrepreneurs shouldn't try to become great managers — The skill sets are fundamentally different. Instead of forcing yourself into a management mold, focus on evolving into a visionary leader who sets direction, inspires others, and empowers the team to execute. • Build processes that run the business without you — Repeatable, scalable systems free you from daily firefighting. When your team owns the process and delivers consistent results, you can step away from the weeds and focus on growth and innovation. • Empower and engage your team through clear vision and communication — Enroll employees in your mission, give them ownership of solutions, and resist micromanaging. Leadership is about prompting for outcomes, not dictating every step—just like using AI effectively. If Cary's episode got you thinking about how to stop being the bottleneck in your own business, Jonathan Raveh's conversation is your perfect next step. Both episodes tackle the same core challenge—how to move from doing it all yourself to building systems and empowering others. Cary shows you how to evolve from operator to visionary leader, while Jonathan dives deep into scaling thought leadership so your ideas can live and grow beyond you. Listen to Jonathan's episode to see how you can turn your vision into a shared organizational capability, equip your team to contribute their voices, and create thought leadership that scales—without burning you out. Pair these two episodes and you'll have a roadmap for scaling both your business and your ideas.

The Career Framework That Helps You Make Smarter Moves | Michael Horn | 663

2025-08-2120:18

What if your next career move wasn't about climbing the ladder—but making real progress toward a life of purpose? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick sits down with Michael Horn—author, speaker, and co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation —to explore how thought leadership can transform education, careers, and the way we make big life decisions. Michael has spent decades applying the "Jobs to Be Done" framework—originally developed by Clayton Christensen—to help individuals and organizations rethink their goals. He's worked alongside entrepreneurs, university presidents, and innovators who are reshaping the future of learning and work. His latest book, "Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career", takes this powerful research and makes it personal—helping people make smarter, more fulfilling choices. We dig into how ideas evolve beyond their original intent. Christensen's theory of disruptive innovation started with disk drives, yet found its way into steel mills, education, and now career design. Michael shares how "Jobs to Be Done" is following a similar path, expanding from product design into deeply human territory—helping people identify the real motivations driving their decisions. We also tackle the big shifts in higher education. From universities facing demographic cliffs to the innovators thriving in the post-COVID landscape, Michael offers an unflinching look at what it takes for institutions to adapt—or be left behind. His insights bridge the gap between theory and practice, showing how thought leadership can both diagnose challenges and drive measurable change. This conversation is a masterclass in taking a proven idea, reimagining its applications, and building influence by serving a market that's ready for transformation. Whether you're leading an organization, shaping public policy, or charting your own next move, Michael's approach offers a blueprint for progress. Three Key Takeaways: • Decades of consulting experience can be distilled into a compelling book that captures proven strategies, lessons learned, and actionable insights for a targeted audience. • Translating expertise into thought leadership requires transforming complex, insider knowledge into clear, engaging narratives that resonate beyond your immediate industry. • A well-crafted book serves as a strategic asset, building credibility, expanding reach, and opening doors to new opportunities and revenue streams. If you enjoyed hearing Michael Horn unpack how big ideas like Jobs to Be Done can move from theory into real-world impact, you'll want to keep the momentum going with Liz Wiseman's episode, Taking Thought Leadership from Page to Practice. Both conversations dive into the art of translating deep expertise into actionable strategies that resonate beyond your immediate circle. Michael explored how to adapt proven frameworks to education, careers, and personal decisions. Liz builds on that by showing how to make your thought leadership stick—turning insights into tangible change within organizations. By listening to both episodes, you'll gain a powerful one-two punch: Michael's perspective on expanding the reach of great ideas, and Liz's blueprint for ensuring those ideas drive real, measurable results. Together, they'll give you fresh tools to move your own thought leadership from inspiration to implementation.

Sustainable Business and the Power of Thought Leadership | Christopher Marquis | 662

2025-08-1417:15

What happens when world-class research escapes the ivory tower and takes root in the boardroom In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick sits down with Christopher Marquis — Professor of Chinese Management at the University of Cambridge and author of "Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profits and Socializes Costs" — to explore the art of turning academic insight into practical, high-impact business thinking. Chris is on a mission to bridge the gap between scholarship and the real world. He believes that ideas shouldn't be trapped in academic journals read by only a handful of peers. Instead, they should spark change in boardrooms, inspire sustainable business practices, and help leaders tackle global challenges like climate change. His work blends rigorous research with compelling storytelling, translating complex theories into actionable strategies that resonate with executives, policymakers, and entrepreneurs alike. From op-eds in The Washington Post to features in Harvard Business Review, Chris knows how to make ideas travel. He shares how brevity, boldness, and a clear thesis can elevate a message — and why writing 800 words for a newspaper can sometimes have more impact than publishing in the most prestigious academic journal. For Chris, thought leadership is about reach and relevance, not just citations and tenure points. The conversation dives into the discipline of choosing which ideas deserve a book, the craft of finding evergreen principles that survive political and economic cycles, and the skill of meeting business leaders where they are — without losing academic rigor. Chris also offers practical advice for academics ready to step beyond their university walls, connect with executive audiences, and position their work at the intersection of insight and impact. If you want to understand how to turn deep expertise into broad influence — without watering it down — this episode will show you how. Three Key Takeaways: • Academic credibility needs business reach — Groundbreaking research has little impact if it stays locked in academic journals. Translating ideas into accessible formats like op-eds, HBR articles, and books makes them actionable for business leaders. • Evergreen principles drive lasting influence — Successful thought leadership balances timeless core ideas (like sustainability imperatives) with timely examples that connect to current cultural, political, or economic contexts. • Storytelling bridges the gap — Data and theory matter, but real-world stories, case studies, and clear narratives are what resonate with executive audiences and create lasting engagement. If you enjoyed Christopher's episode, don't miss our conversation with Mark Smith, who built SHRM's thought leadership function from the ground up. Both share a passion for taking complex research and turning it into clear, actionable insights that reach the right audiences. Chris brings the global lens of sustainability; Mark offers the inside view of embedding thought leadership within an organization. Together, these episodes show you how to move ideas from theory to real-world influence. Listen here: Discovering Thought Leadership – Mark Smith

Beyond the Keynote: Building a Business Around Your Ideas | Keith Ferrazzi | 661

2025-08-1029:51

What if your team—not just your leaders—held the key to breakthrough performance? Today, Peter Winick sits down with long-time friend and bestselling author Keith Ferrazzi to explore why "leadership" alone isn't enough anymore. Keith's new work, "Never Lead Alone", moves beyond the individual and puts the spotlight on "teamship"—a powerful, often-overlooked force in organizational transformation. Keith shares how he's evolved from "Never Eat Alone"—a networking classic—into building high-performing teams inside Fortune 500 companies. But this isn't just about motivation. It's about methodology. Codified insights. Research-backed models. Keith reveals how he helps leaders double market cap by engineering behavior change at the team level, not just at the top. You'll learn why methodology beats storytelling, why collaboration is the new leadership, and how research—done with clients—can be both a content engine and a revenue stream. Keith also outlines how aspiring thought leaders can start by defining ten transformational takeaways, then refine and test them before writing a word. This episode isn't just for authors or coaches. It's for anyone serious about scaling their thought leadership into real impact. Whether you're inside a $200B company or building your brand, Keith shows you how to package your ideas to create change—and monetize it. Three Key Takeaways: • Teamship Over Leadership Keith introduces the concept of teamship—a shift from individual leadership to empowering entire teams to take ownership of outcomes. He argues that in today's complex environments, real transformation happens when everyone on the team steps up, not just the person at the top. • Codify Your Methodology Keith stresses that great thought leadership isn't just about storytelling—it's about creating repeatable, scalable systems. He encourages aspiring thought leaders to start by defining ten transformational takeaways and building their intellectual property around those core ideas. • Use Research as a Revenue Engine Rather than treating research as a cost center, Keith explains how he partners with organizations to co-create studies that drive both insight and income. This approach not only funds his work but creates built-in audiences and credibility before a book or product even launches. If Keith Ferrazzi's insights on teamship and codifying leadership resonated with you, don't miss our episode with Julie Williamson. Julie takes a deep dive into how aligned communication and leadership strategy can unlock the full potential of your teams—echoing Keith's core message that transformation isn't a solo act. Where Keith challenges leaders to move from authority to collaboration, Julie shows you how to create that alignment across teams to drive real results. Listen to both episodes and walk away with a clearer understanding of how to lead through teams, build scalable methodologies, and create impact across an entire organization. Listen to Julie Williamson's episode now.

Execution at Scale: Why Thought Leadership Drives Results at Mozilla | Suba Vasudevan | 660

2025-08-0718:40

What does it take to transform a mission-driven organization into a high-velocity execution machine? Today, Peter Winick sits down with Suba Vasudevan, COO of Mozilla, to explore how thought leadership drives impact inside and outside the organization. Suba isn't just talking about brand elevation—she's focused on aligning thought leadership with Mozilla's double bottom line: financial success and a healthy internet. You'll hear how she uses thought leadership to drive strategic clarity, cultural alignment, and real-world execution across a global, mission-focused team. Suba unpacks how leaders can build trust, model transparency, and scale their thinking across a workforce by showing up authentically—whether that's in a Slack message or on a podcast. From AI adoption to KPIs, Suba makes it clear: thought leadership isn't optional for modern executives—it's core to leading transformation. She offers a candid look at how leaders should use their voice—not just for visibility, but as a catalyst for cultural change, employee productivity, and long-term innovation. Suba's message is simple and powerful: If you're not investing in thought leadership, you're holding your team back. Three Key Takeaways: • Thought Leadership Is a Leadership Imperative Suba emphasizes that thought leadership isn't optional—it's foundational to effective leadership in today's world. It's how leaders align teams, build trust, and scale their vision across an organization. She views it as table stakes for anyone serious about transformation. • Execution and Culture Must Be Intertwined Driving results at Mozilla means more than setting KPIs. Suba connects culture to execution, highlighting that metrics only matter when they're backed by employee belief, buy-in, and shared values. Thought leadership is her tool to bridge that gap. • AI Is a Culture Shift, Not Just a Tech Shift Suba doesn't just endorse using AI—she models it. By openly using tools like ChatGPT and encouraging her team to do the same, she's shaping a culture of innovation, experimentation, and productivity. Her approach shows how leadership can normalize and accelerate change from the top. If you found Suba Vasudevan's episode valuable—especially her take on aligning leadership, culture, and execution—then you won't want to miss our conversation with Harry Kraemer on Value-Based Thought Leadership. Like Suba, Harry emphasizes the power of authenticity, clarity, and consistency in leadership. He explores how values-driven decision-making builds trust, scales alignment, and creates long-term impact inside complex organizations. While Suba applies these principles to tech and innovation, Harry brings a timeless leadership lens from his experience as a CEO and professor at Kellogg.

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SHANE SIMMONS