The Next Level Leader

Jon Harris | Apex Performance
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

The Next Level Leader is the podcast for leaders who refuse to stay where they are. Hosted by leadership and performance coach Jon Harris, each episode brings honest conversations, proven frameworks, and the mindset shifts that actually change how you lead. From real-world stories to practical tools you can apply right away, this show delivers what you need to lead with vision, execute with confidence, and adapt when it matters most. Whatever level you lead at, this show meets you where you are - and pushes you to what's next.

  1. 3 hrs ago

    The Next Level Leader w/ David Fung

    Authority Isn't Influence: David Fung on Leading Change, Building Trust, and Why Great Leaders Are Great Teammates First Ever gotten a promotion and expected people to finally listen to you? Executive coach David Fung joins Jon Harris to explain why authority without influence is just dictatorship, and breaks down the science-backed framework leaders need to build trust, drive change, and stop leading alone. David Fung left a 23-year career in tech, including years in high-pressure technical sales, to become a leadership and executive coach. He now works with executives and executive teams navigating major transitions, helping them lead through chaos in their personal lives, work lives, and team dynamics. In this episode, you'll learn: Why authority without influence is dictatorship, and what true influence actually requires The 3 elements of influence: connection, credibility, and relevance Why great leaders must be great teammates before they can lead others well The 3-part science of change: vision, dissatisfaction, and willingness Jack Welch's approach to leading change: what it is, why it's happening, and what's in it for them Why "leadership is lonely" is a myth, and how to build community as a senior leader How self-leadership and modeling vulnerability build trust for after-action reviews Why AI is disrupting outdated processes and spreadsheets before it disrupts leadership jobs Connect with David Fung: Website: https://coachfulcoaching.com/ Social Media Links:  https://www.youtube.com/@coachfulcoaching https://www.instagram.com/coachfulcoaching/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidfung2/ Hosted by Jon Harris on The Next Level Leader Podcast, bringing you practical tools and methodologies from top leadership voices to help you take your leadership to the next level. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome, and why leadership coaches collaborate instead of compete 01:51 David Fung's path from 23 years in tech to executive coaching 04:04 What athletes and top salespeople teach us about competition and community 08:06 The myth of the "lone wolf" leader 09:58 Why giving first builds trust and reciprocity 12:11 Debunking the myth that "leadership is lonely" 14:01 Authority vs. influence: why authority alone is dictatorship 14:53 The 3 elements of influence: connection, credibility, relevance 20:05 Jack Welch's rule for leading change 21:00 Why organizations resist change: the science of safety 22:46 The 3-part theory of change: vision, dissatisfaction, willingness 26:24 Reading the moment: The First 90 Days and matching your leadership style 30:00 "We've faced change before": lessons from COVID, 9/11, and 2008 31:56 Where AI is really disrupting work (hint: it's not leadership jobs yet) 37:42 Why leaders should run after-action reviews like military and sports teams 38:06 Self-leadership: modeling vulnerability before asking for feedback 44:19 "To influence others, you have to show you can be influenced by them" 47:25 Final advice: start with self-leadership Subscribe to The Next Level Leader Podcast for more conversations with top leadership voices, and leave a review if this episode helped you level up!

  2. Sep 4

    The Next Level Leader w/ Forrest Derr

    Guest Background Forrest Derr spent about 18 years in the office furniture/supply industry, eventually becoming VP of Operations over logistics, warehousing, distribution, and technology. He then moved into telecom (VoIP and internet), where his company adopted EOS after reading Traction and worked with an implementer for four years. After a chance conversation with another fractional integrator, Forrest saw an opportunity to help multiple companies at once rather than working inside a single one, and now works as a fractional COO/integrator — primarily with companies already running on EOS. He also founded an EOS networking group in Fairhope, Alabama that has since grown to roughly 70 chapters nationwide. What is EOS? EOS is described as an operating system for running a business — not software, but a set of fundamental systems and structures covering vision alignment, clearly defined roles and responsibilities, and disciplined meeting rhythms (notably the weekly 90-minute "Level 10," or L10, meeting). Forrest estimates over 400,000 businesses currently run on EOS, some self-implemented and others guided by a certified implementer. Building the Right Team: The Accountability Chart A recurring theme was building an accountability chart around the needs of the business — not around the people currently in the building. Forrest advises leaders to imagine designing the org chart from scratch based on where the company needs to be in 12 months, then determine who fits which seat, rather than creating seats to accommodate long-tenured employees who may not fit ("Susie's been here 20 years" is not a reason to keep a seat that no longer serves the business). Each seat should carry just 5–7 core responsibilities — the 20% of activities that drive 80% of results — paired with scorecard metrics so people know whether they're winning or losing without needing a manager to tell them. Accountability and Resistance to Change Introducing scorecards and real accountability typically surfaces resistance. Forrest calls people who self-select out "volunteers" — high performers embrace metrics, while low performers who prefer to stay unseen tend to leave. He argues this is healthy: losing someone unwilling to be held accountable usually brings relief to the rest of the team and clears the way to bring in a stronger replacement. He's observed a compounding effect where upgraded ("A-player") hires attract other strong talent from their networks. The Visionary/Integrator Relationship Forrest explained the two core EOS leadership roles: Visionary — typically the founder; idea-driven, emotional, often pursuing multiple directions at once. Integrator — the second-in-command who leads the leadership team and channels the visionary's energy toward focused execution. Common Blind Spots The blind spot Forrest raises most often with founders and leadership teams: What is the exit strategy? He argues every major business decision should be made in service of a defined future outcome — whether that's an ESOP conversion, a sale to private equity, or another path — and that many leaders are unknowingly building toward a valuation or timeline that their current business model can't support. Jon added a related distinction he uses with founders and solopreneurs: whether they're building a "lifestyle business" (which can't be sold apart from themselves) or a sellable asset — neither is wrong, but the distinction should be a deliberate choice that guides decisions. Forrest intentionally works himself out of a job: 6–9 month (up to 12-month) contracts aimed at helping a company determine whether an internal "closet integrator" already exists or whether they need to hire one externally, then setting up the structure for a permanent hire. He typically works with three client businesses per week, one day each. derrconsulting.com | LinkedIn: Forrest Derr

  3. Jul 31

    Next Level Leader w/ Julien Godbarge

    Julien Godbarge spent 15 years rising through a private equity-backed company before becoming CEO of a Dubai-based platform company. The first four years were a textbook private equity success story: process improvements, rebranding, tech upgrades, and an industry roll-up that made money and felt exhilarating. Then it unraveled. A flawed ERP dashboard inflated his EBITDA projections, post-pandemic supply chain issues forced him to buy equipment he'd planned to rent, debt covenants tightened, competitors turned hostile, and a new product launch dragged on. Within six months, he went from "top of the world" to breaking down in tears at an airport, unable to think clearly. Julien and Jon unpack the blind spots that turned a run of external pressure into a full collapse: the "Atlas Syndrome" of believing you alone have to carry every burden, tying self-worth to performance and outcomes rather than process, and the danger of building an entire identity around a job or title. They also cover the "denial tax" - the cost of not processing hard things as they happen - and why resilience, not just raw talent or work ethic, is the trait that actually protects high performers. Julien now writes and coaches on this through his book, Crash and Learn, and his 10 Blind Spots assessment. About Julien Godbarge: Former CEO of a private equity-backed platform company, author of Crash and Learn, and executive coach. After his own burnout and recovery, he built a framework around 10 leadership blind spots to help executives spot and avoid the same collapse. Get in touch with Julien Julien's Website - The 10 Blindspots Connect on LinkedIn Key Topics & Timestamps 00:02 — Julien's background: 15 years in a lower-middle-market PE-backed company, then CEO of a Dubai platform company 06:00 — The first four "great" years: process improvement, rebranding, tech stack overhaul, industry roll-up 07:38 — The first crack: a flawed ERP dashboard inflates EBITDA projections 09:00 — Compounding crises: supply chain shortages, forced equipment purchases, tightening debt covenants 10:10 — Fallout from the roll-up: competitors turn adversarial, one poaches half his sales team 11:32 — The six-month slide: stress → sleep loss → anxiety → depression → breakdown at the airport 16:16 — Why it's "lonely at the top" — isolation as both circumstance and self-imposed habit 18:08 — The "Atlas Syndrome": believing you alone must carry every burden 19:01 — Identity fused with job title/performance, and why that's fragile 22:19 — Performance-based self-worth, and how it starts in childhood (grades, rewards) 23:52 — Julien's bonus-negotiation story: linking family provision and self-worth to hitting an EBITDA number 26:14 — Why resilience — not just talent — is what coaches and scouts actually look for 32:20 — McKinsey's shift toward recruiting for resilience, not just pedigree 33:35 — Psychological safety as a prerequisite for talking about resilience without it turning into "participation trophy" mockery 41:04 — Reframing work-life balance as harmony measured over months/quarters, not days 41:38 — The "denial tax": the compounding cost of not processing setbacks in real time 42:52 — Process over outcome — judging effort and fulfillment, not just results 46:22 — Where to find help: 10blindspots.com and the 10 Blind Spots assessment

  4. May 15

    Next Level w/ Pete Sacco

    NEXT LEVEL WITH PETE SACCO In this wide-ranging conversation, Jon and Pete cover everything from the impact of AI on the workforce to optimizing human performance and the intersection of those two topics. Pete has a fascinating background with a wide-ranging experience - from technologist and tech founder to data-center consultant, author, and speaker - Pete covers a lot of ground. Find out more about Pete: https://www.petesacco.com/ Let's Go Do Great Things! www.apexperformance.one

  5. Mar 23

    Next Level w/ Tristin Vaccaro (pt. 2)

    Ahead of ISC West, I have a follow-up conversation with Tristin regarding all things Marketing and Branding. As always, Tristin delivers a wealth of knowledge and actionable recommendations to take your Marketing game to the Next Level. Connect with Tristin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristinvaccaro/ Let's Go Do Great Things!

  6. 2025-12-30

    Next Level w/ William C. Davis

    Next Level w/ William C. Davis In this episode, Jon sits down with leadership expert and author William C. Davis to unpack what’s broken in modern leadership—and how to fix it. With nearly 40 years of experience and a 90%+ retention track record, William shares why leadership must return to its core: people, trust, and connection. This conversation explores the difference between managing and leading, the cost of poor leadership, and why humility, empathy, and self-awareness are essential for building high-performing teams. A powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about control—it’s about enabling others to succeed. How to connect with William https://www.williamcdavis.net/

  7. 2025-10-31

    Next Level w/ Jenny Casson

    In this episode of The Next Level Podcast, Jon Harris sits down with Jenny Casson — Olympian rower, entrepreneur, and performance coach — for a powerful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the pursuit of purpose beyond competition. Jenny shares her journey from national team rower to co-founder of Daylilie Bras, revealing how setbacks, injuries, and transition moments can fuel growth. They dive deep into the mindsets that drive sustained excellence — focusing on controllables, finding gratitude in hardship, and redefining success through curiosity and daily consistency. This is a masterclass in turning adversity into advantage and learning to belong in every room you walk into. Key Takeaways Process over outcome: True fulfillment comes from the daily pursuit, not the single result. Resilience through reflection: “Be okay with not being okay” — your self-talk shapes your comeback. Performance framework: Be the best. If not, be your best. If not, just do your best — and give 100 % of what you have that day. Entrepreneurial purpose: Channel competitive drive into impact — build products and environments that make others feel seen. Belonging and leadership: Show up with intention, know your worth, and lead yourself before leading others. Get connected with Jenny and Daylilie: https://www.daylilie.com/ https://www.instagram.com/daylilie_bras/ https://www.instagram.com/jenny_joan_casson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercassonoly/

  8. 2025-09-26

    Next Level w/ Rowan Stone

    In this episode of the Next Level Podcast, I sit down with Rowan Stone, CEO of Sapien, to explore the future of AI, data, and human knowledge. Rowan shares his personal journey from heavy engineering in Scotland to diving headfirst into crypto and Web3 — and how those risks led him to pioneer a decentralized data foundry that empowers people across 100+ countries to monetize their expertise. We talk about what it really means to hit reset on your career, the tension between risk and responsibility, and the courage it takes to leave comfort behind in pursuit of passion. Rowan opens up about the lessons he’s learned building startups, the challenges of earning trust in a crowded AI landscape, and why the quality of data — not just algorithms or compute — is the key to safe, useful, and impactful AI. This conversation moves beyond the tech, touching on education, the creator economy, and what it means to shape a future where people aren’t left behind but are empowered to participate. If you’re curious about the intersection of leadership, innovation, and humanity’s role in AI, this episode will leave you inspired to take your next leap. Show Notes 00:00 – Welcome back to the Next Level Podcast and intro to Rowan Stone, CEO of Sapien.05:30 – Rowan’s journey from heavy engineering in Scotland to diving headfirst into crypto and building in Web3.12:40 – Taking the leap: leaving comfort behind to pursue passion, risk vs. responsibility, and what drives career pivots.20:15 – Building Sapien: why data quality is the missing piece in AI and how their decentralized data foundry empowers people worldwide.32:00 – Leadership lessons from scaling startups, cold start challenges, and keeping teams aligned in a fast-moving space.41:50 – Beyond the tech: how Sapien’s model could transform education, the creator economy, and global participation in AI.55:10 – Advice for the next generation of leaders, and Rowan’s personal “Next Level.”1:01:30 – Where to learn more about Sapien and how to get involved. If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to like the episode, subscribe to the Next Level Podcast, and follow along on social so you never miss future insights from leaders pushing the boundaries of technology and performance.

See All (58)

Trailer

About

The Next Level Leader is the podcast for leaders who refuse to stay where they are. Hosted by leadership and performance coach Jon Harris, each episode brings honest conversations, proven frameworks, and the mindset shifts that actually change how you lead. From real-world stories to practical tools you can apply right away, this show delivers what you need to lead with vision, execute with confidence, and adapt when it matters most. Whatever level you lead at, this show meets you where you are - and pushes you to what's next.

Information

  • Creator
    Jon Harris | Apex Performance
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jon Harris | Apex Performance
  • Show Website
    The Next Level Leader