Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders

Mike LeJeune
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The show for leaders who care about having an engaged, purpose driven workforce. Gallop surveys show that in today's economy 75% of the workforce feels disengaged. Learn from Interviews with industry leaders who understand the importance of how engaged employees impact culture, drive productivity and ignite their teams.

  1. The Mindset That Changes Everything

    May 6

    The Mindset That Changes Everything

    The conversation explores the concept of mindset and its impact on health, wellness, and business success. It delves into the power of belief, visualization, and effort in shaping outcomes. The discussion also touches on the role of positivity, energy, and alignment in achieving goals and overcoming obstacles. The conversation covers topics such as overcoming fear, taking risks, building confidence, and the importance of physical training for mental edge. It also delves into the power of mindset, gratitude, and the impact of a healthy routine on overall well-being. About the Guest: Dan Staggs is the founding partner of iMatch, a premier executive search and recruiting firm serving the technology and financial sectors. He is also the founder of Stags Performance, where he focuses on mindset, wellness, performance optimization, and helping others create sustainable systems for health, discipline, and high performance. Dan’s personal journey through major health challenges reshaped his perspective on leadership, energy, resilience, and the connection between physical wellness and mental performance. His passion today is helping others unlock greater clarity, focus, discipline, and purpose in both business and life. Takeaways Mindset is the foundation that drives everything in life.Effort and belief in oneself are key to achieving success.Alignment, energy, and intuition play a significant role in shaping outcomes. Overcoming fear and taking risksThe power of mindset and gratitude Chapters 00:00 The Power of Mindset21:34 Navigating Business Challenges with Mindset36:51 Overcoming Fear and Taking Risks42:39 The Importance of Physical Training for Mental Edge50:12 The Power of Mindset and Gratitude Connect with Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danstaggs/ Learn more about iMatch: https://www.imatch.com/

    56 min
  2. Why Most Leaders Fail at Change (And What to Do Instead)

    Apr 21

    Why Most Leaders Fail at Change (And What to Do Instead)

    The conversation explores the theme of change management and its impact on individuals and organizations. It delves into the challenges of change, the importance of psychological safety, and the need for effective leadership during change. Naomi Hardy shares her insights on the dynamics of change and the role of leaders in championing change. Takeaways Change is an experience that people go through, and understanding the cycles of change can help reduce feelings of isolation and resistance.Psychological safety is crucial in creating an environment where individuals feel safe to think and speak differently, fostering engagement and productivity during change.Effective change management requires a marriage of process and behaviors, with a focus on understanding the impact of change on individuals and the organization. Chapters 00:00 The Dynamics of Change07:40 Change Leadership and People Management19:40 Unique Challenges in Offshore Work Environments30:53 Psychological Safety and Engagement38:15 Measuring the Impact of Change Connect with Naomi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomijhardy/ Learn more about Dunamis: https://dunamischange.com/

    40 min
  3. Part II: Why Leaders Avoid Hard Conversations (And What It Costs Them)

    Mar 25

    Part II: Why Leaders Avoid Hard Conversations (And What It Costs Them)

    PART 2: Accountability, Trust & Leading Without Control Introduction Accountability isn't something you enforce—it's something that emerges. In this second half, the conversation shifts to how leaders create environments where people actually take ownership. Summary Mike and Sue unpack accountability as a result of leadership, not a command. They explore trust, micromanagement, and why leaders must stop stepping into other people's "seats." Highlights Accountability is a result—not a behavior you force Micromanagement is often disguised as care Leaders must stop "owning" everyone else's work Great leaders ask more questions than they give answers Key Takeaways Clear expectations create accountability Trust is built through systems, not just intention If you're in their seat, they can't grow into it Leadership is about coaching, not controlling Questions unlock more than answers ever will Suggested Next Steps Ask your team: "What does success look like in your role?" Stop solving problems that aren't yours to solve Replace answers with questions in your next meeting Evaluate where you might be unintentionally micromanaging Connect with Sue on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suehawkes/

    24 min
  4. Part I: Why Leaders Avoid Hard Conversations (And What It Costs Them)

    Mar 25

    Part I: Why Leaders Avoid Hard Conversations (And What It Costs Them)

    PART 1: Discipline, Delegation & Difficult Conversations Introduction This conversation starts with a simple idea: most leaders don't struggle because they lack knowledge—they struggle because they avoid what's uncomfortable. In this first half, we unpack discipline, delegation, and why difficult conversations aren't actually the problem. Summary Mike and Sue explore how discipline really shows up in leadership, why leaders become bottlenecks, and how avoiding conversations creates bigger problems over time. They reframe "difficult conversations" as necessary tools for growth—not conflict to avoid. Highlights Discipline is consistency, not punishment Leaders often block growth by not delegating Avoiding conversations creates "false harmony" Trust determines how directly you can communicate Key Takeaways Discipline is doing what matters—even when it's uncomfortable If you don't delegate, you become the ceiling Most "difficult conversations" are delayed conversations Clarity is the foundation of commitment and buy-in Leaders must create safety before delivering truth Suggested Next Steps Identify one conversation you've been avoiding Ask: "What am I protecting—myself or the relationship?" Delegate one task this week that you're holding onto Clarify expectations with your team (don't assume alignment) Connect with Sue on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/suehawkes/

    25 min
  5. Part II: Unrecruitable: How to Build a Team Your Competitors Can't Steal

    Feb 27

    Part II: Unrecruitable: How to Build a Team Your Competitors Can't Steal

    What actually makes someone stay? In Part 2, Mike Lejeune and Jonathan Whistman move from hiring strategy to leadership execution — how to deeply care, coach hard, and build an identity people won't walk away from. Jonathan shares practical examples of: Recruiting the spouse Earning the right to have difficult conversations Designing onboarding that shapes identity Creating championship-level rituals inside organizations This conversation goes beyond retention strategies — it's about building people. In This Episode: How to show people they matter (beyond surface-level care) Why leaders must earn the right to deliver hard feedback How to coach performance tied to personal identity Identity rituals that cement belonging Why champions don't need micromanagement — they need standards Key Takeaways: People stay where they feel seen and developed. Difficult conversations only work when trust is established. Identity is stronger than compensation. Leaders must raise their benchmark before raising expectations. Next Steps: Have one deeper conversation this week that goes beyond KPIs. Evaluate your onboarding — does it shape identity? Raise your standard — and communicate it clearly. Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanwhistman/ 🎁 Special Bonus for Listeners Jonathan has extended a special offer exclusively for listeners of this episode. If you purchase a copy of Unrecruitable and message Mike with a photo of you holding the book, Jonathan will personally provide: Two complimentary tickets to his live, two-day training event in Scottsdale, Arizona. At this intensive session, you'll learn: How to conduct a Talent Reveal Interview How to run effective group interviews How to lead executive-level interviews How to implement the Think–Feel–Act audit inside your organization Practical systems for building an unrecruitable team You can bring a member of your leadership team with you — both tickets are courtesy of this podcast. To claim your tickets: Purchase Unrecruitable on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Unrecruitable-Build-Team-Competition-Steal/dp/B0GNKXFTQQ Send a photo of you with the book to Mike. We'll provide next steps for the Scottsdale event.

    27 min
  6. Part I: Unrecruitable: How to Build a Team Your Competitors Can't Steal

    Feb 27

    Part I: Unrecruitable: How to Build a Team Your Competitors Can't Steal

    What makes someone truly unrecruitable? In Part 1 of this conversation, Mike Lejeune sits down with Jonathan Whistman, CEO of WhoHire and author of Unrecruitable: How to Build a Team Your Competitors Can't Steal. Jonathan has built and sold companies, authored The Sales Boss, and now helps organizations use data and identity-driven leadership to build high-performance teams that competitors can't poach. This episode challenges conventional thinking about hiring, retention, and culture. In This Episode: Why every business is actually in the human business The biggest mistake leaders make in hiring Why "gut instinct" fails more often than we admit The Think–Feel–Act framework for engineering culture Why identity determines whether someone stays or leaves The real math behind finding top 5% performers Key Takeaways: Culture doesn't happen accidentally — it can be engineered. If you want different behavior, shape thinking first. Hiring is not an administrative task — it's a half-million-dollar decision. People don't leave jobs. They leave environments that don't fit their identity. Next Steps: Audit your hiring process — are you using data or gut? Define clearly: What do you want your people to think about your organization? Share this episode with a leader who is struggling with retention. Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanwhistman/ 🎁 Special Bonus for Listeners Jonathan has extended a special offer exclusively for listeners of this episode. If you purchase a copy of Unrecruitable and message Mike with a photo of you holding the book, Jonathan will personally provide: Two complimentary tickets to his live, two-day training event in Scottsdale, Arizona. At this intensive session, you'll learn: How to conduct a Talent Reveal Interview How to run effective group interviews How to lead executive-level interviews How to implement the Think–Feel–Act audit inside your organization Practical systems for building an unrecruitable team You can bring a member of your leadership team with you — both tickets are courtesy of this podcast. To claim your tickets: Purchase Unrecruitable. Send a photo of you with the book to Mike. We'll provide next steps for the Scottsdale event.

    26 min
  7. Part II: How to Hire A-Players and Build a Growth Mindset Team

    Feb 12

    Part II: How to Hire A-Players and Build a Growth Mindset Team

    Scaling the Right Way: Integrity, Tough Conversations & Eliminating Leadership Noise What separates leaders who scale sustainably from those who burn out their culture? In Part 2 of this conversation, Jeremy Jenson shares the deeper leadership evolution behind building a $12M+ organization — and why integrity became the turning point in his journey. We move beyond strategy and into self-leadership. In this episode, we explore: • Why revenue alone is a dangerous focus • Letting go of high producers who lack integrity • The power of tough, honest conversations • Why leaders must eliminate "noise" to stay focused • Using EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) for clarity • How to give feedback that elevates performance • Why great leaders motivate through example, not fear • Building systems that protect your culture Jeremy also shares a powerful perspective shift: Success stops being about what you achieve — and starts being about what you help others achieve. If you're leading a team, scaling a company, or navigating growth, this episode will challenge how you think about clarity, accountability, and long-term success. If you haven't watched Part 1, start there to understand the foundation of the growth story. Connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjenson/

    19 min
  8. Part I: How to Hire A-Players and Build a Growth Mindset Team

    Feb 12

    Part I: How to Hire A-Players and Build a Growth Mindset Team

    How to Build a High-Performance Team That Scales (Without Losing Your Culture)  How do you scale a business from startup to millions in revenue — without losing your culture? In Part 1 of this conversation, Mike sits down with Jeremy Jenson, CEO of Encore Search Partners, to unpack the foundational principles behind building a high-performance team. Jeremy shares how he transitioned from running a marketing company to building one of Houston's top executive search firms — and what leaders must understand about scaling the right way. In this episode, we discuss: • How Jeremy went from startup to $12M+ in revenue • The leadership mistakes that slow down growth • Why loyalty without performance can stall your company • Raising performance standards ("raising the floor") • Building a KPI-driven culture without micromanaging • Why growth mindset is non-negotiable in hiring • How to attract A-players through content and visibility If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or team leader trying to scale your organization, this episode will challenge how you think about accountability, performance, and culture. 👉 In Part 2, we dive into integrity, tough leadership conversations, eliminating "noise," and the real transformation behind sustainable growth. Connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjenson/

    23 min
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The show for leaders who care about having an engaged, purpose driven workforce. Gallop surveys show that in today's economy 75% of the workforce feels disengaged. Learn from Interviews with industry leaders who understand the importance of how engaged employees impact culture, drive productivity and ignite their teams.

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