Take Command: A Leadership Podcast

Dale Carnegie Flagship Podcast, Joe Hart

Embark on a journey of real-life business insights and inspiring personal growth narratives. Welcome to Dale Carnegie Take Command: A Leadership Podcast, where we seek to uncover what leadership means in today’s world. Hosted by Joe Hart, CEO of Dale Carnegie, we’ll be talking to diverse leaders across various industries to help unlock your potential for success. We’ll be sharing real-life insights into leadership—which in turn can help spark the next level of your growth as a leader.

  1. Grit Is Not Optional: Leading Through Crisis with Courage and Heart

    MAR 24

    Grit Is Not Optional: Leading Through Crisis with Courage and Heart

    About the Guest: Mr. Wai Phyo is a leading entrepreneur and business leader in Myanmar whose companies span food manufacturing, nationwide distribution, and technology. He is Managing Director of Yathar Cho Industry Ltd. and Cho Cho Industry Ltd., among the largest instant noodle manufacturers in the country, and also oversees Myanmar Zarla Distribution, one of the largest B2B distribution platforms. His technology ventures include Parama Technologies, OneLink Technologies, and Cannopy Technologies. He serves as Vice President of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, founding President of the Myanmar Young Entrepreneurs Association, and is a 2017 Eisenhower Fellow. Wai Phyo is known for his resilience in a volatile environment, his commitment to developing future leaders, and his focus on preparing organizations for an AI-driven future. He believes in reskilling and redeploying people so they can thrive as technology evolves. Hear more about how he turned a family business into a multi-company enterprise in this episode of the Take Command Podcast. What You Will Learn: Why grit is essential to extraordinary leadership and how to build it through failure How to move from scattered expansion to focused, synergistic growth Why succession is a privilege and how to prepare leaders to step up confidently How to create a culture of ownership, trust, and shared responsibility How to apply empathy, respect, and genuine interest in a modern organization How AI can boost productivity while creating new opportunities through reskilling Join us for this episode of the Take Command Podcast to explore what it takes to lead through uncertainty and build something lasting. Wai Phyo combines humility, long-term thinking, and a strong belief in people. He doesn’t claim to have all the answers, but his journey offers clear lessons for any leader looking to turn challenges into opportunity. Please rate and review this Episode! We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

    34 min
  2. Nothing to Lose, Everything to Build

    MAR 10

    Nothing to Lose, Everything to Build

    About the Guest: Wemimo Abbey grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where he witnessed his mother borrow at 400% interest to fund his education. That early experience inspired him to co-found Esusu, helping millions of Americans get credit for paying rent and access fair financial services. Abbey has been recognized on the TIME100 NEXT List and named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2023. He serves on the SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, the University of Minnesota Crookston Board of Trustees, LEDA, and co-chairs the LACMA Director Circle. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota and earned an M.P.A. from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. What You Will Learn: How to turn early adversity and rejection into entrepreneurial success The power of resilience, faith, and purpose in leadership Why failure is a stepping stone and “falling forward” accelerates growth Strategies for building mission-driven companies that create tangible impact Lessons on teamwork and collaboration: going far together, not just fast alone Discover how to lead with impact, embrace failure as a tool for growth, and create opportunities for others while building a sustainable business. Join Joe and Wemimo for a conversation full of inspiration, practical wisdom, and the mindset needed to make a difference. Please rate and review this Episode! We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

    39 min
  3. Beyond Shareholders: Rethinking What Winning Means

    FEB 24

    Beyond Shareholders: Rethinking What Winning Means

    About the Guest: Ivan Tornos grew up in Madrid, Spain, facing profound loss—his father, uncle, and brother all passed at 45 from cancer—which fueled his mission to "alleviate pain and extend life" in healthcare. Now CEO of Zimmer Biomet, a century-old medtech giant, he's expanding from orthopedics into robotics, AI, and infection prevention, aiming to become "the boldest medtech company on Earth." Early in his career, Ivan struggled with leadership until embracing purpose alongside execution. "Once you get the purpose right and you're authentic about it, that's not enough—you gotta inspire performance and manage performance," he explains, outlining his 4P algorithm honed over 31 years at companies like J&J and Baxter. Listen to hear how he "fired himself from email," blocks personal KPIs in his calendar (like gym time and calling his 90-year-old mom), and prioritizes patients over short-term shareholders—creating low turnover and high engagement at a $20B+ market cap firm. What You Will Learn: The 4P leadership model (Purpose, Plan, People, Processes) for turning vision into results How to define winning holistically across spiritual, personal, physical, mental, and professional dimensions with personal KPIs Why saying no and ruthless calendar audits (every Sunday) beat busyness every time Balancing hugs and "kicks" as a leader, plus allowing failure for bold innovation Ivan delivers transformative advice for leaders at any level, rooted in Dale Carnegie authenticity. "Purpose equals a sense of urgency when you're dealing with other people's lives," he says. Discover how to lead with intention, build unbreakable teams, and live carpe diem when you listen to this inspiring episode of the Take Command Podcast. Join Joe and Ivan for stories, frameworks, and the discipline to win big. Please rate and review this Episode! We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

    29 min
  4. Keep Sharp in Chaos: A Surgeon's Mindset Hack

    FEB 10

    Keep Sharp in Chaos: A Surgeon's Mindset Hack

    About the Guest: Sanjay Gupta comes from a family of trailblazers. His mother, the first woman engineer hired at Ford Motor Company—a refugee who fled India at age 5—took Dale Carnegie courses to conquer public speaking fears, making How to Win Friends and Influence People a family staple. Inspired by her grit, Sanjay pursued neuroscience early, became a White House fellow, and joined CNN just before 9/11, evolving from healthcare wonk to global reporter on wars, disasters, and outbreaks—while still operating in war zones. That’s why Sanjay is CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, a practicing neurosurgeon at Emory, a bestselling author (Keep Sharp), and a Dale Carnegie graduate. He credits the course (taken at 16–17) for turning speaking terror into TV poise for millions. Hear more about blending medicine, media, and mentorship when you listen to this episode of the Dale Carnegie Taking Commandpodcast. What You Will Learn: Insights into how family resilience shapes bold careersLessons in humility as a leadership superpower ("Say 'I don't know'—it galvanizes teams")Stories about Dale Carnegie's hacks like using names and unsolicited praise notesThe hard truth on brain health: movement grows neurons, but brisk walks beat sprints for optimal resultsJoin us for this deep dive into balancing dual careers, learning from everyone, and optimizing your mind for peak performance. Sanjay isn’t just a reporter—he’s a perpetual student turning lessons into action. Tune in today to learn from one of the best. Please rate and review this Episode! We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

    44 min
  5. Driven: Danica Patrick on High-Performance Mindset and Modern Leadership

    JAN 27

    Driven: Danica Patrick on High-Performance Mindset and Modern Leadership

    About the Guest: Danica Patrick grew up in a household where discipline and high standards were the norm, with her father urging, “get up, don’t waste the day.” She started go-karting at 10 and by 14 had dominated nearly every race, which led sponsors to fund her Dale Carnegie course. Her grit propelled her to become a trailblazing race car driver—the first woman to win an IndyCar race, lead laps at the Indy 500, and finish it—while also building a career as an author, podcast host, and media personality. Her mantra of blind faith and expanding comfort zones has guided her journey, proving that “when things are meant for you, they go fast.” Hear her full story on this Take Command episode. What You Will Learn: How embracing early discomfort, like leaving high school to race in England, can forge unshakable confidenceThe role of passion and cumulative effort in bouncing back from setbacksMindset shifts like leaning into change, pushing harder, and knowing when to pivotInsights on resilience, health hacks from her Pretty Intense era to modern biohacking, and her vision for a driving school rooted in real workJoin us for Danica’s candid reflections and practical advice. She doesn’t just talk about success—she shows how courage, grit, and curiosity drive it. Tune in today to learn from one of the most daring and inspiring athletes of our time. Please rate and review this Episode! We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

    39 min
  6. Seismic Shift in the Age of AI: Building Teams That Feel Seen, Heard, and Valued

    JAN 13

    Seismic Shift in the Age of AI: Building Teams That Feel Seen, Heard, and Valued

    About the Guest: Michelle K. Johnston, Ph.D., traces her passion for leadership and connection back to childhood, when she discovered Dale Carnegie’s work in her father’s study and learned the lesson of genuine connection through Carnegie’s story of his dog, Tippy. That early spark shaped her path as a leadership professor, executive coach, bestselling author, and podcast host. Her first book, The Seismic Shift in Leadership, emerged from her work with healthcare executives navigating constant change. Her latest collaboration with the world’s number one executive coach, Marshall Goldsmith, launched in London following Thinkers50 conversations on why humanity will always outperform technology. Michelle encourages leaders to shift their focus from the constant “what” of tasks to the critical “who” of people, starting with themselves. A former Loyola University leadership professor, she now coaches CEOs and senior executives to rethink calendars, rebuild engagement, and lead in ways that reduce burnout and increase results. Her message is clear: connection isn’t soft. It drives retention, satisfaction, and real business performance. What You Will Learn: Why today’s loneliness epidemic rivals the health impact of smoking 15 cigarettes a dayHow your calendar reveals your true priorities and how to redesign it around peopleWhy digital meetings don’t automatically create connectionSimple questions that deepen trust and engagementHow small language shifts can transform feedback and relationshipsThis episode of Take Command is a thoughtful, energizing conversation about leading with heart in a high-tech world. Michelle blends timeless Dale Carnegie principles with modern leadership realities, offering practical wisdom you can apply right away. Tune in to connect more deeply and lead more effectively. Please rate and review this Episode! We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

    39 min
  7. 95% Decisions, 100% Impact: Rethinking Leadership

    11/25/2025

    95% Decisions, 100% Impact: Rethinking Leadership

    About the Guest: Bill Anderson grew up learning the value of influence and positive leadership from his parents, who instilled in him the importance of helping others succeed. As a teen, he took a Dale Carnegie course that shaped his communication and storytelling skills—tools he has carried throughout his career. He has held leadership roles across major organizations, including leading transformations that stripped away layers of bureaucracy and replaced them with models that empower employees, focus on purpose, and accelerate results. Bill’s philosophy is simple but profound: give people the tools, trust, and freedom to make decisions, and incredible things will happen. Bill has guided organizations with tens of thousands of employees and operations in over 100 countries, using leadership principles that emphasize humility, clarity, and impact. He says, “I sat down with my team… and said, I can’t do this myself. No way. The only way this is gonna work is if all of us are totally committed to this.” What You Will Learn: Why empowering people at all levels drives better decisions and faster executionHow to break bureaucracy and redesign organizations around mission and purposeThe power of curiosity and relentless improvement in leadershipHow storytelling and influence can inspire people and create meaningful changeJoin us for this episode to explore what it means to lead boldly, focus on people, and make systems work for humans—not the other way around. Bill doesn’t just talk about leadership theory; he shows how to implement it at scale, creating organizations that are faster, smarter, and more empowering. Tune in today to learn from one of the most impactful leaders in modern business. Please rate and review this Episode! We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

    39 min
4.6
out of 5
119 Ratings

About

Embark on a journey of real-life business insights and inspiring personal growth narratives. Welcome to Dale Carnegie Take Command: A Leadership Podcast, where we seek to uncover what leadership means in today’s world. Hosted by Joe Hart, CEO of Dale Carnegie, we’ll be talking to diverse leaders across various industries to help unlock your potential for success. We’ll be sharing real-life insights into leadership—which in turn can help spark the next level of your growth as a leader.

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