The Leadership Exchange

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The Leadership Exchange

This is The Leadership Exchange, where we sit down with accomplished leaders and uncover the secrets of their success. Join us as we delve into their career journeys, discuss the challenges they faced, and explore the solutions they discovered along the way. Whether you're an aspiring leader or looking to enhance your leadership skills, this podcast offers valuable insights and inspiration from those who have navigated the path to success.

  1. 2D AGO

    How is AI Changing the Renewable Energy Industry?

    In this episode of The Leadership Exchange, Danny Thompson sits down with Mike Davey, VP of Product at Raptor Maps, to explore the impact of AI on product design, team efficiency, and the renewable energy sector. Mike shares lessons from working across fintech, adtech, and now clean tech—highlighting how AI can drive data efficiency without compromising quality. They unpack the human side of leadership, including the balance between empathy and accountability, the power of user manuals at work, and what separates good hires from great ones. Keypoints from this episode: - AI in renewable energy – Mike discusses how large language models (LLMs) can improve data quality and efficiency in industries like clean tech by reducing manual work and unlocking value from messy or incomplete datasets. - Balance between efficiency and oversight – The conversation highlights the importance of maintaining a human feedback loop when using AI tools to avoid over-reliance and ensure quality doesn’t suffer in the pursuit of speed. - Creativity vs. automation – Mike shares a cautionary tale about how auto-generated content can flatten user experiences, emphasizing that AI should amplify human value—not replace it. - Hiring in the AI era – From adding “just enough friction” to application forms to looking for outcome-oriented thinking, Mike explains how leaders can spot strong candidates and foster growth through structure, not micromanagement. Chapter 0:00 – AI bios and loss of differentiation0:40 – Intro to Mike Davey2:10 – AI and data efficiency in clean tech5:03 – Over-automation risks7:05 – Human oversight in AI processes10:01 – RAG and agentic workflows12:09 – Creativity loss with AI-generated content14:29 – AI tools in product and design18:25 – AI in hiring and filtering candidates21:48 – Identifying future leaders25:23 – OKRs and outcome thinking27:01 – Empathy vs accountability29:07 – User manuals for team alignment31:12 – Soft skills and adaptability33:43 – Wrap up Follow Mike Davie on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveymichael/ Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

    34 min

  2. APR 11

    How to Build a Tech Startup that Lasts

    In this episode, Tracy Lee sits down with Trip Barnes from Insperity to talk about the winding paths of leadership, startup life, and personal growth. Together, Tracy and Trip unpack what it means to build something that lasts—whether that’s a business, a family, or a mini cheesecake company started from a random party conversation. They explore the tension between hustle and burnout, how to recognize when it’s time to pivot, and what founders often miss when it comes to building culture and caring for people.Keypoints from this Episode -Career pivots and personal growth – Trip Barnes reflects on navigating multiple jobs, grad school, and mental health challenges to eventually find meaningful work supporting small businesses and startups. - Burnout and work-life balance – Tracy and Trip discuss the cost of hustle culture, how overworking can impact health, and why it's crucial to recognize personal limits before it's too late. - The importance of people and culture – Founders often overlook culture early on; this episode highlights why investing in people, benefits, and a supportive environment is key to long-term success. - Startups, support systems, and serendipity – From escape rooms to cheesecake businesses, the episode shows how small conversations and strong support networks can lead to big shifts and unexpected opportunities.Chapters0:00 – Introduction4:23 – Career pivots and lessons from the hospitality industry7:31 – Mental health, burnout, and learning balance14:04 – Founder mindset vs CEO mindset21:22 – Delegation, trust, and scaling a team25:06 – Advice for people ready to pivot31:00 – Supporting startups through ATDC and closing thoughtsFollow Trip Barnes on Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/trip-barnes/Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

    34 min

  3. APR 8

    What is “Industry 5.0”? Predictions on Human/ Machine Cooperation

    In this episode of Leadership Exchange, Rob Ocel is joined by Eric Poon, Head of IT at Shoppa’s Toyota Material Handling, for a fascinating conversation on the future of industry, the evolving role of humans in automation, and the ethical responsibilities of computing.Eric shares his journey from Peloton and PepsiCo to leading IT at a company with bold ambitions to double in size in five years. He breaks down what Industry 4.0 brought us—edge computing, IoT, automation—and why Industry 5.0 is the next step: one where humans and machines work together, not in competition.They explore why removing people entirely from the equation doesn't work, how data strategy underpins everything from AI to operational success, and what it really means to design ethical systems. Expect stories (including a wild AI résumé rejection), real-world insights on data governance, and a call for more human-centered approaches in tech.Key points from this episode:- Industry 5.0 emphasizes human-machine collaboration: While Industry 4.0 focused on automation and efficiency through technologies like IoT and edge computing, Industry 5.0 highlights the need for humans to work alongside machines—especially for creativity, nuance, and adaptability.- You can’t automate good judgment: Efforts to fully replace human workers with robots often fail. Eric shares that human insight is still critical, particularly in tasks that require context, subtlety, or ethical considerations.- Data strategy is foundational to AI success: Rather than jumping straight to AI, organizations must first build strong data governance practices. Without clean, well-structured data, even the best AI models will produce poor results.- Ethical computing goes beyond compliance: Designing responsible systems requires more than just following the law. Eric calls for integrating philosophy and ethics into tech development—especially as AI becomes more embedded in decision-making.Chapters0:00 – Why AI needs good data2:15 – What is Industry 5.0?4:56 – Why automation alone isn’t enough10:35 – Building a data strategy before AI19:39 – Ethics and responsibility in computing27:40 – Real-world AI failures and accountability36:18 – Final thoughts and how to connect with EricFollow Eric Poon on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epoon02/Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

    38 min

  4. APR 1

    How AI is Impacting Healthcare and Changing the Medical Field

    In this episode of Leadership Exchange, Tracy Lee chats with healthcare IT leader and WIT board member Monique Weeks about how AI is reshaping healthcare—and what that means for patients, professionals, and the future of work.They talk about the fear of AI replacing jobs, the need for human oversight, and how documentation tools can improve the patient experience. Monique also shares why she took a sabbatical, how she's redefining success, and what inspired her upcoming podcast, Unmasked Conversations. Keypoints from this episode: - AI is helping reduce administrative overhead in healthcare, allowing professionals to spend more time with patients. Rather than replacing jobs, it's positioned to augment and empower teams. - Certifications like the free Salesforce AI associate and specialist tracks (available through 2025) are a great way for people to upskill and stay relevant in a rapidly evolving job market. - Taking time off, like a sabbatical, can be a powerful way to realign your career with your values. Monique shares how stepping back gave her clarity on what kind of leadership and company culture she wants next. - Generational conversations in the workplace often overlook that priorities shift with life stages. Instead of categorizing people by age, leaders should focus on meeting their teams where they are in life. Chapters 0:00 Introduction and Welcome 2:11 Salesforce AI Summit 3:51 AI Adoption in Organizations 8:02 AI Opportunities in Healthcare 14:53 Healthcare Privacy Considerations 17:06 Taking a Sabbatical 21:42 Maintaining Well-being as an Executive 23:54 Evolving Workplace Culture 30:43 Upcoming Podcast: Unmask Conversations 33:19 Closing Information Follow Monique Weeks on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquecweeks/ Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

    36 min

  5. MAR 24

    What Engineers Get Wrong About Product Development

    Join Tracy Lee, CEO of This Dot Labs, in this episode of Leadership Exchange as she sits down with Nachi Desai, a technology leader who has held CTO roles at Beckett Collectibles, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Oriental Trading Company.In this conversation, Tracy and Nachi explore the challenges of transitioning from engineering to leadership and the importance of understanding the business side of technology. Nachi shares insights from his career, including the hard lessons learned through failure, the shift from focusing on personal success to empowering others, and the value of mentorship. He also discusses why engineers should "eat their own dog food"—immersing themselves in the products they build to truly understand user needs. Keypoints from this episode: - Transitioning from engineering to leadership requires a mindset shift. Leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room—it’s about enabling others to succeed. Engineers looking to step up must develop soft skills, business awareness, and the ability to drive consensus. - Failure is the best teacher in leadership growth. Nachiket shares how his biggest leadership lessons came from failures, including losing his first C-level job due to a lack of engagement with peers. True growth happens when leaders embrace failure as a learning opportunity. - Understanding the business is just as important as understanding the tech. Engineers who want to grow into leadership roles must go beyond coding and understand business fundamentals—listening to earnings calls, engaging with finance and marketing teams, and solving the right problems instead of chasing trends. - "Eat your own dog food" to build better products. A great leader and engineer should immerse themselves in their product. Whether it’s baking at Nothing Bundt Cakes or collecting trading cards at Beckett Collectibles, Nachiket emphasizes the importance of using the products you build to truly understand customer needs. Chapters 0:00 – Intro: Tracy Lee & Nachi Desai on Leadership1:01 – Nachi’s Journey: From Engineering to CTO3:55 – Learning Through Failure & Coaching10:02 – Engineers vs. Leaders: Mindset Shifts13:10 – Why Business Context Matters for Engineers18:26 – Growth, Communication & Culture Lessons25:20 – Mentorship, Motivation & Endgames29:26 – Reflections & Final Thoughts Follow Nachi Desai on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nachiket/ Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

    31 min

  6. MAR 19

    Revenue Quality Matters More than Closing Deals: Startup Sales Realities

    In this episode of the Leadership Exchange podcast, Tracy Lee chats with Michael Kovacs, former co-founder of Open Channel (acquired by Stripe), about the realities of startup sales, the importance of saying no to the wrong customers, and the evolving role of AI in SaaS. Michael shares how sales is really about helping people make progress, the lessons he learned from “painful yeses,” and why quality of revenue matters more than just closing deals. They also explore how AI could enable hyper-customized software experiences, reducing the need for manual integrations. Key points from this episode:- Sales is Helping, Not Just Selling – The best sales approach is guiding people toward the right solution, even if that means saying no.- Not All Revenue is Good Revenue – Taking on the wrong customers can hurt a business; prioritizing quality of revenue leads to better long-term success.- AI Will Enable Hyper-Customized SaaS – Future SaaS products could be tailored instantly for each user’s unique needs, eliminating one-size-fits-all software.- Most People Can Start a Business – The biggest barrier to entrepreneurship is mindset, not capability—just start.Chapters:00:00 AI: A Solution Looking for a Problem? 00:47 Welcome to The Leadership Exchange Podcast 02:03 From Startup to Acquisition: Michael’s Journey 05:23 The Reality of Selling in Startups 12:50 Saying No to the Wrong Customers 17:50 Customization at Scale: The Future of AI in SaaS 21:55 AI’s Potential in Different Industries 26:01 Advice for Founders: Just Start 27:40 Where to Find Michael KovacFollow Michael Kovacs on Social MediaLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljkovacsSponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

    28 min

  7. MAR 18

    Are AI Regulations Stifling Innovation or Safeguarding Human Rights?

    AI is revolutionizing industries, but are businesses truly prepared for the risks that come with it? In this episode of Leadership Exchange, Tracy Lee sits down with Bart Layton, founder of AI Guardian, to discuss the often-overlooked challenges of AI governance, compliance, and security.Bart shares real-world stories of AI gone wrong, including fraud detection models that lost companies millions of dollars and regulatory blind spots that could result in serious legal consequences. They explore the fast-changing landscape of AI regulations, highlighting why so many organizations struggle to keep up. As AI tools evolve at a rapid pace, many businesses are unknowingly exposing themselves to risks by failing to implement proper governance structures.Throughout the conversation, Tracy and Bart dive into the biggest compliance mistakes companies are making and discuss why shadow AI use—employees using AI tools without official approval—is skyrocketing. Bart also emphasizes the critical role of diverse governance teams in preventing AI bias and ensuring responsible AI implementation. With regulations like the EU AI Act and new state-level laws in the U.S. emerging, understanding how to navigate compliance is becoming more urgent than ever.Keypoints from this episode:- AI compliance is becoming critical as regulations like the EU AI Act and new state-level laws in the U.S. emerge. Many businesses are unprepared for the complexity of AI governance and the potential legal and financial risks.- AI failures can be costly, with real-world examples of fraud detection models making millions of dollars in mistakes. Without proper oversight, these errors can lead to significant business and customer impacts.- Shadow AI is a growing concern, with over 58 percent of employees using AI tools without their company’s knowledge. Organizations need clear AI policies to manage security and compliance risks.- Diverse AI governance teams help reduce risk. Companies that include a range of perspectives across demographics, expertise, and experience are better equipped to detect AI biases and prevent costly mistakes.Follow Bart Layton on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-layton/Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.coFollow This Dot Labs on Social MediaThis Dot Media X: https://x.com/ThisDotMediaThis Dot Labs X: https://x.com/ThisDotLabsThis Dot Labs Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thisdotlabs/This Dot Labs BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thisdotlabs.bsky.social

    26 min

  8. MAR 13

    How to Bring a Medical Device to Market (Why 90% of Products FAIL)

    In this episode of the Leadership Exchange Podcast, host Tracy Lee sits down with pediatric urologist and medical device innovation consultant, Dr. Emily Blum. They explore the complex world of medical device development—from identifying real clinical needs to navigating FDA regulations, market fit, and reimbursement challenges. Emily shares insights on why 90% of medical devices fail, the importance of customer discovery, and the surprising role of culture change in healthcare innovation. They also discuss the rise of continuous glucose monitors, the evolution of wearable health tech, and what startups need to consider before bringing a product to market.Key Takeaways from This Episode:- Why Most Medical Devices Fail – Around 90% of medical devices never make it to market, often because startups don’t conduct enough customer discovery. Many innovators build solutions for problems that don’t truly exist or fail to consider how real-world workflows impact adoption.- Regulatory and Reimbursement Challenges – Getting FDA approval is just one hurdle; securing reimbursement from insurers (especially CMS) is often even harder. Many devices fail commercially despite regulatory clearance because they lack a viable payment pathway.- Technology Isn’t Always the Answer – Not all healthcare problems require a new device or software solution. Sometimes, the real issue is a cultural or workflow challenge within hospitals. Understanding the root problem is crucial before jumping to a tech-based solution.- Wearable Health Tech and FDA Oversight – Devices like the Owlet baby monitor and Apple Watch illustrate how regulatory classification impacts product design and claims. Whether a device is considered a “wellness” product or a regulated medical device depends on the claims it makes, influencing its market potential and legal requirements. Chapters 0:00 Intro & The Challenge of Customer Discovery 0:27 Guest Introduction: Emily, Pediatric Urologist & Innovator 1:00 Medical Device Innovation & Market Success 2:22 The High Failure Rate of Medical Devices 3:49 Why Customer Discovery is Critical 4:11 A Urology Startup’s Misguided Innovation Story 5:07 Expanding Your Network for Better Insights 7:02 The Role of Epic in Healthcare Innovation 9:00 Technology vs. Culture Change in Healthcare 12:22 What Counts as a Medical Device? 15:02 FDA Regulations & Wellness Devices 16:59 Medical Device Development: Five Key Pillars 19:28 The Importance of Reimbursement Strategy 21:19 Continuous Glucose Monitors & Adoption Challenges 22:24 The Rise of CGMs in Consumer Health 23:25 Blood Sugar, Stress, and Behavioral Insights 24:02 Where to Find Emily & Closing RemarksFollow Dr. Emily Blum on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyblummd/Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

    25 min
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    About

    This is The Leadership Exchange, where we sit down with accomplished leaders and uncover the secrets of their success. Join us as we delve into their career journeys, discuss the challenges they faced, and explore the solutions they discovered along the way. Whether you're an aspiring leader or looking to enhance your leadership skills, this podcast offers valuable insights and inspiration from those who have navigated the path to success.

    Information

    • Creator
      This Dot Labs
    • Years Active
      2023 - 2025
    • Episodes
      79
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © This Dot Labs
    • Show Website
      The Leadership Exchange

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