Leading Edge with John & Alain

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A fresh take on leadership in business. Join John and Alain every other week as they dive into real conversations about what it takes to lead effectively in today’s workplace. Drawing from their experiences in leadership training and consulting, they explore the challenges leaders face—attracting and retaining top talent, building strong teams, and fostering cultures that inspire success. No corporate jargon, no fluff—just candid discussions, practical insights, and a bit of humor along the way. New episodes drop bi-weekly. Stay ahead of the leadership curve with Leading Edge.

Episodes

  1. FEB 18

    Write the Speech. Then Live It.

    What would your team say about you at your retirement party? What would your spouse say at your 30 year anniversary? What would your children say about you as a parent? In this episode of Leading Edge, John shares insights from a keynote by Dr. John Izzo that sparked deep reflection during a four and a half hour drive home. The challenge was simple but uncomfortable. Take 100 percent responsibility. Zero excuses. If your team is disengaged, unmotivated, or confused, where is your role in that? John walks through the power of writing three speeches about your future legacy and using them as a daily check against how you show up as a leader, spouse, and parent. This episode is not about perfection. It is about progress. It is about clarity. And it is about choosing to become the person you hope others will describe. If you are ready to stop blaming and start leading, this conversation is for you.

    13 min
  2. The Trust that Builds Leaders with Samantha Ennist

    10/28/2025

    The Trust that Builds Leaders with Samantha Ennist

    In this episode of Leading Edge, John Zettler sits down with Samantha Ennist, a lifelong educator turned organizational development and talent leader. Together, they explore how trust, mindset, and real-time coaching shape the leaders we need today. Samantha shares her perspective on what’s keeping leaders up at night — from succession and critical roles to the time crunch that challenges every manager. She introduces the idea of “vulnerable trust” — the kind of trust that goes beyond reliability to include honesty, openness, and a willingness to admit mistakes. John and Samantha unpack what it takes to build psychological safety, referencing Tim Clark’s four stages: inclusion, learning, contribution, and challenge. They discuss how leaders can weave coaching and development into daily work instead of treating them as separate activities. The conversation also touches on growth mindset versus fixed mindset, why technical skill is not the same as leadership, and how simple acts like listening and feedback can shift team culture. If you’re leading a team and want to create an environment where people feel safe to learn, speak up, and grow — this episode offers clear examples and practical advice you can use right away. Key Topics: What “vulnerable trust” means and how to build it The four stages of psychological safety How to coach in real time without adding meetings The link between mindset and leadership growth Building succession through daily work, not paperwork Quote from Samantha Ennist: “We need that soft place to land at work, just like we do at home.” Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at fairwindstraining.com.

    32 min

  3. 09/18/2025

    Delegation. Time management. Letting go of perfection.

    In this episode, John and Alain open up about their own struggles and wins in these areas. From overcommitting as volunteers, to realizing they can’t (and shouldn’t) do everything themselves, the conversation explores what effective delegation looks like in practice. Key takeaways: Why leaders often resist delegation—and the cost of holding on too long How to set guardrails while letting your team find their own path The importance of being okay with “good enough” work Using chunking and the Pomodoro technique to tackle overwhelming tasks How delegation connects to accountability, coaching, and team growth This is an episode full of practical tips, real-world stories, and encouragement for leaders who feel stretched too thin.

    17 min
  4. Pulling the Chute on the New Leadership Landscape with Jeff Sesol

    08/01/2025

    Pulling the Chute on the New Leadership Landscape with Jeff Sesol

    In the first-ever guest episode of Leading Edge, John sits down with entrepreneur, author, and leadership coach Jeff Sesol. Jeff shares the powerful skydiving story behind his company's name, "Pull the Chute," and how it serves as a metaphor for leaders feeling overwhelmed in today's fast-paced environment. They dive deep into the core themes of Jeff's book, The New Leadership Landscape, exploring why so many Millennial and Gen Z leaders feel unprepared, the critical importance of building trust through vulnerability and empathy, and why emotional intelligence is the non-negotiable skill for modern leadership. This conversation is packed with actionable advice on delegation, time management, and the simple-yet-profound mindset shifts required to lead effectively in our new world of work. Guest Information: Jeff Sesol: Leadership Coach, Entrepreneur, and author of The New Leadership Landscape. Website: https://www.pullthechute.net Book: The New Leadership Landscape LinkedIn: Jeff Sesol (Last name spelled S-E-S-O-L) Email: jeff@pullthechute.net [00:00:29] Introduction to Jeff Sesol and his new book, The New Leadership Landscape. [00:02:56] The powerful origin story of "Pull The Chute" and how a skydiving experience relates to being an overwhelmed business leader. [00:05:29] Why the leadership landscape is changing and the challenge facing Millennial leaders (69% feel unprepared). [00:08:28] The critical need for leaders to build trust and psychological safety within their teams. [00:09:31] The shift from "command and control" leadership to a modern style where leaders don't need all the answers. [00:11:27] Connecting modern leadership to Daniel Pink's three motivators: Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose. [00:12:29] Actionable advice on how to build trust: listen more, show appreciation, and explain the "why" behind tasks. [00:15:03] The concept of "slowing down to speed up" by focusing on relational, human connection instead of purely transactional work. [00:17:43] A practical strategy for leaders who feel overwhelmed: manage yourself in time by tackling small wins first. [00:20:01] Using the "Big Rocks and Little Rocks" analogy to manage large, overwhelming projects. [00:22:01] The two most important rules of emotional intelligence for leaders: "It's not about you" and the power of taking a pause. [00:23:40] Introducing the S.T.O.P. acronym for practicing impulse control. [00:25:29] How to connect with Jeff Sesol and learn more about his work. Resources Mentioned: Book: The New Leadership Landscape by Jeff Sesol Book: Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink Concept: The S.T.O.P. Acronym (Stop, Take a step back, Observe, Proceed mindfully) Connect with Leading Edge: Website: https://www.fairwindstraining.com Listen On: Spotify and other major podcast platforms. Key Topics & Timestamps:

    27 min

  5. 07/10/2025

    It’s Okay Not to Be Okay: Mental Health, Leadership, and the Power of Speaking Up

    In this honest and vulnerable conversation, John Zettler and Alain Lefebvre dive into a topic that affects every workplace today: mental health. John opens up about his own recent struggles with stress and burnout, how it crept up over time, and what finally pushed him to take action. The discussion expands into the role of leaders in recognizing and supporting mental health—not just in themselves, but across their teams. Whether you’re a senior executive, a frontline manager, or someone trying to balance all the roles life throws your way, this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and equipped to lead with empathy. What We Cover: John’s personal journey with stress, burnout, and seeking support How self-awareness tools can be a wake-up call Why vulnerability matters in leadership What signs leaders should look for in their teams Practical ways to open the door to supportive conversations The impact of trust and psychological safety in the workplace How leaders can model work-life balance This Episode Is For You If: You feel like you’re carrying too much right now You want to support a team member who may be struggling You’re wondering how to bring more humanity into your leadership style You’re looking for practical, real-world advice on mental health in the workplace Standout Moments: "I was getting 17 out of 20 stress markers on the assessment I built for others. That’s when I knew I needed help too." "We have to stop assuming disengagement means someone doesn’t care. It might mean they’re drowning." "You can’t expect your team to open up if they don’t feel safe with you. Trust is the starting point." Resources & Contact:Learn more about how Fairwinds Training helps leaders create psychologically safe, high-performing teams:www.fairwindstraining.comContact: john@fairwindstraining.com | 902.818.9087 Thanks for listening. If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it with a colleague or leader in your network who might need to hear it today.

    21 min

  6. 06/16/2025

    From the Baseball Field to the Boardroom: Leadership Lessons for Life

    In this episode, John shares how coaching his son’s baseball team reignited his passion—and reminded him how closely youth sports mirror business leadership. Alain reflects on his years coaching high school teams, drawing parallels in relationship-centered leadership. Key Takeaways: Make it relational: Learn names, interests, and what matters to your team Keep it fun: Creating joy makes learning—and work—feel meaningful Build on four pillars: Trust – Assume competence, give and receive confidence Respect – Walk the walk, treat everyone fairly Care – Show genuine interest in people’s lives Influence (Reciprocal) – Be shaped by others, not just leading them Vulnerability wins: Be human—own mistakes, show your real self Psychological safety: When people feel safe, they bring ideas, effort, and loyalty Inspiring Anecdote:They recall a Navy SEAL description of top teams: “We trust each other. We respect each other. We influence each other.” That “reciprocal” dynamic is exactly the model they’re using on the diamond and in the office. Connect & Learn More:Interested in elevating your leadership culture? Visit www.fairwindstraining.com or message John@fairwindstraining.com or alain@fairwindstraining.com to talk about coaching, team alignment, or leadership development. Resources Mentioned: Navy SEAL leadership philosophy Fairwinds Training’s core values: Trust, Respect, Psychological Safety, Relationship

    20 min

  7. 05/23/2025

    Leading Through Discomfort: How to Have Conversations That Matter

    In this episode, John and Alain dive deep into one of the most avoided — but critical — aspects of leadership: having difficult conversations. Whether you're a seasoned leader or stepping into management for the first time, this discussion is packed with relatable stories, practical tools, and a step-by-step approach you can use right away. They explore: Why avoiding tough conversations usually makes things worse A proven 4-step process for delivering clear, respectful feedback The emotional, practical, and relationship layers every conversation includes How to plan and prepare so you don’t freeze or get derailed in the moment Real-world tips to build confidence and empathy when the stakes are high If you're ready to stop avoiding and start leading with clarity and care — this one’s for you. Resources Mentioned: Fairwinds 4-Step Feedback Framework “Supercommunicators” podcast insights Emotional intelligence strategies for leadership Connect With Us:Want to learn more or connect directly with John or Alain? Visit us at www.fairwindstraining.com.

    28 min

  8. 04/29/2025

    “Wait… What Do You Actually Do?” A Straight Talk on What Fairwinds Offers

    In this episode, John and Alain finally answer one of the most common questions they get: What exactly does Fairwinds do? From the WHY behind their work to the specific services they offer, they lay it all out—no jargon, no fluff. Whether you're curious about their leadership development programs, custom workplace training, strategic HR consulting, or help with recruiting the right talent, this is the episode that connects the dots. What You’ll Learn: The 5-word mission that drives everything Fairwinds does Why making learning “fun and easy” is more than just a motto What makes their leadership development program stand out (hint: it's not cookie-cutter) The growing demand for HR strategy, talent acquisition, and real-world training Why Fairwinds isn’t just another recruitment agency—and why that matters Mentioned in This Episode: Emotional Intelligence Assessments Predictive Index / DiSC personality tools One-on-one coaching Custom case studies for construction, telecom, and more Connect with Us:Visit www.fairwindstraining.com to learn more or reach out directly. We’d love to hear from you.

    17 min
  9. From Retention to Actualization: Rethinking How We Support Talent

    04/25/2025

    From Retention to Actualization: Rethinking How We Support Talent

    In this thought-provoking episode, John sits down with Fairwinds team member Laura to unpack a critical shift in the way organizations think about retaining talent. Together, they explore the question: Are we giving people the opportunity to be good—or just trying to keep them? Laura offers a bold reframe, challenging leaders to move beyond retention and start focusing on actualizing talent. From creating psychologically safe environments to understanding neurodiversity in the workplace, they tackle what it really means to support every team member—especially those who don’t thrive in traditional systems. Whether you’re a leader, coach, or team member, this conversation will challenge how you think about performance, inclusion, and what it takes to bring out the best in your people.

    13 min

  10. 04/11/2025

    Stop Giving the Answers: How Coaching Helps Leaders Grow

    In this episode, we sit down for a real conversation about what we’ve been seeing in our coaching sessions lately. From time management to accountability to those tricky moments when leaders default to solving every problem themselves—we cover it all. We talk through stories from the field, where we’ve helped leaders set clearer expectations, hold people accountable, and stop giving away all the answers. You’ll hear how we encourage leaders to ask better questions, build trust with their teams, and create space for people to grow on their own terms. We also share what it’s like when coaching gets real—when someone has that breakthrough moment or becomes more open and vulnerable. That’s when we know we’re doing something meaningful. If you’re a leader, coach, or just someone looking to improve how you show up for others, we think you’ll take something away from this conversation. Want to connect or learn more about our coaching and leadership programs?Visit www.fairwindstraining.com or email us at john@fairwindstraining.com or alain@fairwindstraining.com

    14 min

  11. 02/12/2025

    The Secret to Attracting and Retaining Top Talent

    In this first episode ofLeading Edge with John & Alain, we dive into one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today—finding and keeping great people. John and Alain share their insights from working with leaders across industries, discussing why hiring the right person isn’t enough. From company culture to leadership impact, they break down what truly drives employee retention and why first impressions in onboarding can make or break long-term engagement. Key Takeaways:✔️ Why retention startsbefore the hiring process✔️ The role of leadership in keeping employees engaged✔️ How company culture influences attraction and retention✔️ Why consistency and trust are essential for strong teams Tune in every other week for real conversations on leadership, without the corporate jargon.

    21 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

A fresh take on leadership in business. Join John and Alain every other week as they dive into real conversations about what it takes to lead effectively in today’s workplace. Drawing from their experiences in leadership training and consulting, they explore the challenges leaders face—attracting and retaining top talent, building strong teams, and fostering cultures that inspire success. No corporate jargon, no fluff—just candid discussions, practical insights, and a bit of humor along the way. New episodes drop bi-weekly. Stay ahead of the leadership curve with Leading Edge.

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