Listening With Leaders

Mark Reynolds, founder of The Reynolds Group LLC, spent seven years in the Army trying to become a pilot, but a string of setbacks sent him into accounting instead.In this episode, he tells Doug Noll how an unexpected encounter with an accounting-firm partner opened that door, and how he eventually traded a decade-long career advising nonprofits for coaching leaders. They explore why founders may need to step back before they can grow, how listening can help clients feel genuinely seen, and why even high achievers need space to celebrate their wins. Reynolds also shares his push to become more visible, including putting his face on the Nasdaq jumbotron, and the surprising fact that he used to be a comic.Check out Mark's work HERE.Connect with Mark on LinkedIn HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

At age 10 or 12, N3 Business Advisors' founder Nitin Khanna spotted a chance to buy pashmina shawls from his uncle and resell them to his teacher, a first deal that hinted at the entrepreneur he’d become. In this episode, he tells host Doug Noll why so many construction owners trying to sell are really trying to sell a job built around themselves, and how a seven-day break can reveal what the business can, and can’t, do without them.They also get into the risks buyers may overlook in a big backlog, why a $10 million offer may mean far less in the owner’s pocket, and how frank conversations about expectations can save a deal—or prevent a bad partnership.Check out Nitin's work HERE.Connect with Nitin on LinkedIn HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, your host Doug Noll welcomes Melissa Robinson-Winemiller, an empathy expert and former professional French horn player.Melissa shares her journey from performing with Ray Charles to pursuing a doctorate in leadership after experiencing workplace trauma. They explore empathy's definitions, distinguishing cognitive from affective empathy, and discuss resistance to empathy in leadership. Both agree empathy will become increasingly vital as AI reduces human connection. Melissa also previews her upcoming books and dissertation defense, while the conversation closes on a personal note, revealing Melissa's talent for baking Boston cream pie from scratch.Check out Melissa's work HERE.Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, your host Doug Noll speaks with Christa Quarles, CEO of Parallels, about her non-linear career spanning Wall Street, gaming startups, and enterprise software.Christa shares how curiosity and asking good questions have been her constant through line. The conversation explores the power of deep listening, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety in leadership. Christa also reflects on leading Parallels through a complex corporate separation, emphasizing that authentic, empathetic leadership, rooted in vulnerability rather than positional authority, is what truly inspires people to follow.Check out Christa's work HERE.Connect with Christa on LinkedIn HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, your host Doug Noll interviews Anthony Trucks, a former NFL player turned transformational identity shift coach.Anthony shares his remarkable journey from a difficult childhood in foster care, marked by poverty and abuse, to earning an NFL career through relentless hard work. He discusses his concept of "dark work", the unseen effort behind success, and the "dominator" mentality that helps overcome adversity. Anthony also opens up about personal struggles, including divorce and reinvention, and explains how he now coaches executives to identify blind spots, embrace discomfort, and achieve meaningful growth.Check out Anthony's work HERE.Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com