The Next Interview Show

Doland White

Each week, I pull back the curtain on what it really takes to lead at a higher level. Alongside my guests—expert leaders in their own right—I share modern strategies, hard-earned leadership insights, and real coaching scenarios drawn from the work I do with executives and teams across the country. No theory. No fluff. Just practical guidance you can put to work the moment the episode ends.

  1. He Built Companies. They're All Gone. | Bill Holzendorf

    1 day ago

    He Built Companies. They're All Gone. | Bill Holzendorf

    Bill Holzendorf built multiple companies across his tech career. None of them exist today. But something did survive — and it's the one thing most leaders overlook. In this episode, Bill sits down with Doland White to unpack what three decades in tech leadership actually taught him. Not the frameworks. Not the boardroom tactics. The real stuff: why relationships outlast companies, how empowering your people is the only growth strategy that compounds, and what it means to build a legacy that has nothing to do with revenue.If you're leading a team, running a business, or trying to build something that lasts — this one's for you. If you're a Director, VP, SVP, CEO, or growth-minded leader, this conversation offers practical insight into building high-performing teams while creating lasting relationships. • Build trust by empowering people to make decisions and learn from mistakes. • Develop future leaders by creating opportunities beyond their current roles. • Recognize when someone is in the wrong role and help them find their strengths. • Create team success through accountability, communication, and support. Q: How do leaders build trust? A: By giving people ownership and supporting them through setbacks. Q: How do you grow future leaders? A: Invest in their development even when it means they outgrow your team. Q: What creates strong team performance? A: Psychological safety, accountability, and clear communication. Time Stamps 00:00 Leadership Journey 03:30 Relationships Over Companies 08:00 Trust and Psychological Safety 18:00 Building Future Leaders Follow, subscribe, and share for more leadership insights and practical strategies. Guest: Bill Holzendorf The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence®, and known as The Empowerment Guy. Each episode delivers practical insights, powerful stories, and bold conversations designed to help leaders empower their teams, accelerate growth, and lead with confidence.

    36 min
  2. How to Build a Customer Experience Your Competition Can't Copy | John Formica

    9 Jun

    How to Build a Customer Experience Your Competition Can't Copy | John Formica

    John Formica spent more than a decade helping lead Disney Resort properties and learning what truly creates customer loyalty. In this episode of The Next Interview, we explore why leadership, culture, trust, and customer experience are inseparable—and why many organizations focus on revenue while ignoring the experiences that drive long-term growth. If you're a Director, VP, SVP, CEO, or business owner looking to improve team success, communication, autonomy, and execution, this conversation provides practical leadership insights you can implement immediately. • Why loyalty is built before, during, and after the sale • How Disney hires for roles instead of job descriptions • Why core values fail when leaders stop reinforcing them • How culture becomes a competitive advantage Q: How do leaders create customer loyalty? A: By consistently delivering trust-based experiences at every touchpoint. Q: Why do great cultures outperform average cultures? A: Because people understand expectations, accountability, and purpose. Q: What is the biggest hiring mistake leaders make? A: Hiring for skills without evaluating role alignment and culture fit. Timestamps 0:00 Introduction and Disney lessons 11:20 Hiring for role vs. job 25:40 Building culture through accountability 50:15 AI and the future of customer experience Follow, subscribe, and share this episode with a leader who wants to build stronger teams, greater trust, and sustainable growth. Guest Information John Formica Customer Experience Expert & Former Disney Resort Leader Website: https://johnformica.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnformica Book: Making the Customer Experience Magical https://www.amazon.com/Making-Customer-Experience-Magical-Competition/dp/1733316207 The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence, and known as The Empowerment Guy. Each episode delivers practical insights, powerful stories, and bold conversations designed to help leaders empower their teams, accelerate growth, and lead with confidence. Lead With Confidence®: https://a.co/d/0hqSy7LA Website: Https://www.dolandwhite.com

    1hr 4min
  3. Leaders Who Believe in People First Win | Brian Proctor

    2 Jun

    Leaders Who Believe in People First Win | Brian Proctor

    As The Next Interview approaches Episode 100, Doland White welcomes Brian Proctor back to explore one of leadership's most important challenges: overcoming limiting beliefs and creating lasting personal growth. Drawing from decades of experience alongside his father, Bob Proctor, Brian shares practical lessons on confidence, authenticity, trust, and leadership transformation. If you're a Director, VP, SVP, CEO, or entrepreneur looking to strengthen leadership effectiveness, improve decision-making, and create better team performance, this conversation offers actionable wisdom you can apply immediately. • Why authentic leadership creates trust faster than imitation • How small daily actions compound into significant results • A practical exercise for identifying limiting beliefs • Why leaders must believe in people before people believe in themselves Q: How do leaders overcome limiting beliefs? A: By becoming aware of them, challenging them, and replacing them with empowering beliefs. Q: Why is authenticity important in leadership? A: Authenticity creates trust and strengthens communication. Q: How do leaders build confidence? A: Through consistent action and keeping commitments to themselves. Timestamps 00:00 Brian's journey and Bob Proctor's legacy 07:15 Authentic leadership 15:10 Small daily actions create momentum 22:45 Limiting beliefs and confidence Follow, subscribe, and share for more leadership insights. Guest Information Brian Proctor Author, Speaker, Host of Born to Win Podcast Website: BrianProctor.com The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence, and known as The Empowerment Guy. Each episode delivers practical insights, powerful stories, and bold conversations designed to help leaders empower their teams, accelerate growth, and lead with confidence.

    40 min
  4. How Leaders Build Resilience Without Burning Out | Russell Harvey

    26 May

    How Leaders Build Resilience Without Burning Out | Russell Harvey

    Leadership today is filled with pressure, uncertainty, and constant change. In this episode of The Next Interview, Russell Harvey — known as “The Resilience Coach” — joins Doland White for a powerful conversation about resilient leadership, VUCA environments, trust, and why the best leaders don’t just survive pressure… they grow through it. If you’re a Director, VP, or CEO trying to lead through overwhelm, shifting priorities, or team stress, this episode delivers practical insights on leadership, communication, emotional resilience, and executive coaching strategies that improve team success. • Why resilient leadership starts with behavior, not titles • The difference between good stress and destructive stress • How leaders create optimism without toxic positivity • Why team performance always reflects leadership behaviors Q: What is VUCA leadership? A: Leading effectively through volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. Q: How do resilient leaders build trust? A: By creating clarity, psychological safety, and honest communication. Q: What causes leadership burnout? A: Constant pressure without reflection, support, or behavioral alignment. Timestamps 00:00 — Russell Harvey’s leadership journey 11:40 — Good stress vs bad stress 26:20 — Toxic positivity in leadership 33:40 — The 3 responsibilities of resilient leaders Follow, subscribe, and share for more leadership insights that move entertainment into action. Guest Information Russell Harvey — The Resilience Coach - https://www.theresiliencecoach.co.uk/ LinkedIn: Russell Harvey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/russelltheresiliencecoach/ The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence, and known as The Empowerment Guy. Each episode delivers practical insights, powerful stories, and bold conversations designed to help leaders empower their teams, accelerate growth, and lead with confidence. Lead With Confidence®: https://a.co/d/0hqSy7LA

    57 min
  5. Rich Smith Reveals the Systems Leaders Need to Scale Without Chaos

    19 May

    Rich Smith Reveals the Systems Leaders Need to Scale Without Chaos

    Most companies don’t fail because they lack talent or innovation. They fail because leadership, communication, and execution fall out of alignment. In this episode of The Next Interview, Rich Smith joins Doland White for a candid conversation about founder-led companies, growth plateaus, and the leadership systems required to scale without chaos. Rich shares lessons from leading organizations through rapid growth, operational breakdowns, and even post-bankruptcy recovery. Together, they unpack why strategy alone is never enough—and why trust, autonomy, and accountability are critical to team success. You’ll learn: • Why founders often become the bottleneck to growth • How strong CMOs connect strategy to business outcomes • Why alignment matters more than activity • How behavioral science influences leadership and communication Q: Why do leadership strategies fail? A: Most strategies fail because teams were never aligned around ownership and execution. Q: What creates sustainable growth? A: Clear systems, accountability, and aligned leadership behaviors. Q: Why does authenticity matter in leadership? A: Teams can immediately sense when leadership communication lacks alignment and trust. Timestamps: 00:00 – Rich Smith’s journey 15:10 – Strategy vs tactics 24:40 – Founder bottlenecks 33:20 – Behavioral science and trust Follow, subscribe, and share the podcast for more leadership insights that help teams grow with confidence. Guest Information Rich Smith Founder & Growth Advisor https://richmsmith.com/ The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence, and known as The Empowerment Guy. Each episode delivers practical insights, powerful stories, and bold conversations designed to help leaders empower their teams, accelerate growth, and lead with confidence. Https://www.dolandwhite.com #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #TeamSuccess #Innovation #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #TrustInLeadership #FounderLeadership #GoToMarketStrategy #LeadWithConfidence

    53 min
  6. Doland White: Why Leaders Become the Bottleneck

    12 May

    Doland White: Why Leaders Become the Bottleneck

    You’ve built a strong team—but somehow everything still runs through you. In this solo episode, Doland White breaks down the leadership trap that turns high-performing teams into dependent ones—and how to fix it using a people-first operating system grounded in trust, communication, and accountability. This episode is for leaders who feel stuck in constant activity but aren’t seeing results. If you’re managing more than leading—or your team is waiting on you to move forward—this conversation will challenge how you think about execution, autonomy, and leadership systems. Key Insights & Strategies: • Identify the 5-step “spiral of death” that kills team ownership • Shift from doing to leading using a simple 3-domain self-check • Apply the Empowerment Operating System to rebuild trust and execution • Focus on one leadership domain at a time for real traction Q: How do I know if I’m the bottleneck? A: If decisions, progress, and ownership consistently depend on you, you are. Q: What creates empowered teams? A: Trust, communication, growth, and accountability working together as a system. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 12:30 Spiral of Death 26:00 4 Leadership Domains 34:30 How to Apply Follow, subscribe, and share to grow your leadership impact. Guest: Doland White, Host Website: dolandwhite.com The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #TeamSuccess #LeadershipDevelopment #Empowerment #Accountability #BusinessStrategy #HighPerformingTeams #LeadershipMindset #TrustInLeadership

    22 min
  7. Lisa A. Riegel: Why Change Fails

    5 May

    Lisa A. Riegel: Why Change Fails

    Lisa A. Riegel joins the conversation to break down one of the biggest leadership challenges: why change doesn’t stick. Drawing on neuroscience and real-world leadership experience, she reveals what’s actually happening beneath the surface when teams resist—and how trust, clarity, and behavior shape performance. If you’re a leader trying to drive results without burning out your team, this episode gives you a new lens. This isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about leading smarter, understanding how the brain responds under pressure, and building systems that support real execution. Key Insights & Strategies: • Build trust through consistency—one broken signal starts erosion • Recognize fear triggers before they disrupt performance • Replace motivation tactics with systems that drive commitment • Lead behavior change by reducing cognitive overload Q&A • Why do teams resist change? → Because their brain perceives threat, not opportunity • How do leaders build trust fast? → Through reliability, clarity, and consistency • What breaks trust? → One repeated inconsistency Timestamps • 0:00 – Lisa’s journey • 18:00 – Brain science of fear • 30:00 – Trust breakdown • 40:00 – Leadership tools Follow, subscribe, and share if you’re committed to building empowered teams. Guest: Lisa A. Riegel Author: NeuroWell Website: https://www.epinstitute.net/ Host: The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White Lead With Confidence®: https://a.co/d/0hqSy7LA

    53 min
  8. Sabrina Parsons Answers: How Do Leaders Balance Accountability and Autonomy?

    28 Apr

    Sabrina Parsons Answers: How Do Leaders Balance Accountability and Autonomy?

    Sabrina Parsons, CEO of Palo Alto Software, joins the conversation to unpack one of the biggest leadership tensions: how to build a culture of trust without sacrificing accountability. This episode goes beyond theory into real leadership decisions—what works, what breaks, and what leaders often miss. If you’re a Director, VP, or CEO navigating growth, team performance, or decision-making under pressure, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, communication, and execution. Key Insights: • Planning isn’t about being right—it’s about creating data to make better decisions • Culture must be lived daily, not defined once • Autonomy works only when paired with clarity and accountability • Data and transparency are the foundation of trust Q: How do leaders build trust without micromanaging? A: By aligning clear goals with autonomy and transparency. Q: Why does culture fail in companies? A: Leaders don’t consistently model the behaviors they expect. Timestamps: 00:00 Journey | 18:00 Culture + KPIs | 36:00 Trust + Accountability | 44:00 AI & Leadership Guest: Sabrina Parsons, CEO, Palo Alto Software Website: https://www.liveplan.com Host: Doland White, executive coach and author of Lead With Confidence. The Next Interview delivers insights to empower leaders and accelerate growth. Get your copy of LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE at www.dolandwhite.com Follow, subscribe, and share for more leadership insights. #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #TeamSuccess #Trust #Accountability #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessStrategy #Empowerment #Innovation #LeadWithConfidence

    49 min

About

Each week, I pull back the curtain on what it really takes to lead at a higher level. Alongside my guests—expert leaders in their own right—I share modern strategies, hard-earned leadership insights, and real coaching scenarios drawn from the work I do with executives and teams across the country. No theory. No fluff. Just practical guidance you can put to work the moment the episode ends.