Leadovation

Dean Newlund, Mission Facilitators International

Transform leadership success with 'LEADOVATION: Reimagine. Facilitate. Flourish.' This podcast, ideal for executives and HR professionals, offers a unique blend of innovative leadership strategies and practical insights. Dive into a world where reimagining traditional approaches, facilitating effective solutions, and flourishing in a dynamic business environment are key. Each episode is packed with real-world examples and actionable advice, addressing challenges like employee engagement, workload management, and rapid organizational growth. Whether you're advancing your career or driving company success, 'LEADOVATION' is your guide to sustainable leadership excellence.

  1. Donna Dupont: How Future-Ready Leaders Think: Turning Weak Signals into Strategy Before Disruption Hits

    6D AGO

    Donna Dupont: How Future-Ready Leaders Think: Turning Weak Signals into Strategy Before Disruption Hits

    About Donna Dupont: Donna Dupont, Founder and Chief Strategist of Purple Compass, is an award-winning designer and futurist with over 25 years of experience collaborating with leaders. She helps organizations build future literacy, navigate uncertainty, and drive impactful change. Combining systems thinking with strategic foresight, she empowers leaders to mitigate risks, enhance preparedness, and seize opportunities for innovation, transformation, and resilience. Recognized with seven government awards, Donna’s work spans critical areas like climate change, health security, and emergency management, with her futures research earning accolades from the Canadian Defence and Security Network and the Association of Professional Futurists.   In this episode, Dean Newlund and Donna Dupont discuss: Short-term problem solving versus long-term foresightWeak signals and emerging issues before disruption hitsAmbidextrous leadership balancing now and nextUsing disruption as fuel for innovationMental models shaping how leaders respond to uncertainty  Key Takeaways: Schedule recurring leadership conversations that explore five- to ten-year future scenarios alongside quarterly planning.Actively identify weak signals by asking teams what new patterns they are seeing that they have never seen before.Create ambidextrous structures that protect business as usual while allowing innovation to be tested safely.Build psychological safety so teams feel comfortable sharing unconventional ideas and intuitive hunches.  "When you are working with a future-oriented mindset, you're usually starting not from a management mindset, but more of an innovator or visionary.” — Donna Dupont   Connect with Donna Dupont:   Website: https://www.purplecompass.ca/ Email: donna@purplecompass.ca LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/donna-dupont FutureMinds Coaching Collective (free/monthly) - https://www.purplecompass.ca/coaching/     See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I   Connect with Dean: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/ The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlund Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/ Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.com Phone: 1-800-926-7370   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    44 min
  2. John Dwyer: From Seinfeld to $15 Billion: How Direct Response Marketing Beats Branding

    JAN 6

    John Dwyer: From Seinfeld to $15 Billion: How Direct Response Marketing Beats Branding

    About John Dwyer: John is a marketing enigma, a “direct response customer attraction expert” who thinks way outside the box, and his marketing consultancy business is called The Institute Of Wow, with John’s mantra being that one’s marketing needs to “wow” prospects. He’s also the guy who shocked the marketing world some years back when he convinced Jerry Seinfeld to come out of retirement to be the spokesman for an Australian banking institution, The Greater Building Society, heading up a “free vacation campaign” which broke home loan lending records and remains folklore in the global banking industry. This was probably one of the most successful “incentive-promotions” in the world, resulting in many billions of dollars in extra home loans.  John helps business owners understand how to exploit platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn by implementing “incentive-based marketing offers” that can be targeted specifically to certain audiences. His client list reads like a Who’s Who of business and includes the likes of Rupert Murdoch’s News Ltd, 7-Eleven, Westfield Shopping Centres, Walt Disney, KFC, and BP, because they acknowledge he is “the master of creating incentives that work.”   In this episode, Dean Newlund and John Dwyer discuss: Why most marketing efforts fail to prove real ROIHow direct response marketing builds brands and drives sales simultaneouslyThe role of incentives and sampling in moving customers off the fenceUsing data and statistics to earn credibility with executivesTranslating creative ideas into measurable business outcomes  Key Takeaways: Track cost per lead and conversion rates daily so you can identify ad fatigue early and change creative before performance drops.Design marketing offers that distract attention from price by using incentives, sampling, or bonuses instead of discounts.Present marketing results to executives using statistics and ROI metrics rather than ideas, branding language, or vanity metrics.Turn your expertise into a high-converting offer by giving value first, then inviting prospects to engage deeper instead of selling immediately.  "Give, give, give, give before you ask.” — John Dwyer   Connect with John Dwyer:   Website: https://theinstituteofwow.com Email: john@theinstituteofwow.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/instituteofwow/ See how incentive-based vacations can drive instant leads: https://vacationsincentive.com/ Discover how Facebook contests can generate qualified leads fast: https://fbcontestleads.com/     See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I   Connect with Dean: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/ The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlund Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/ Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.com Phone: 1-800-926-7370   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    40 min
  3. Luis Garcia: How AI Is Transforming Employee Training for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses

    12/30/2025

    Luis Garcia: How AI Is Transforming Employee Training for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses

    About Luis Garcia: Luis Garcia is a seasoned international executive with over 25 years of experience in technology, digital media, and education, specializing in driving new ventures and products to rapid growth by building effective teams that harness innovation, technology, and creativity. He is the president of PETE, an Orlando-based tech startup that enables organizations to deliver personalized workforce learning at scale using AI. Before joining PETE, Luis spent nearly twenty years at Full Sail University, where, as VP of Full Sail Online and VP of Emerging Technologies, he helped establish the institution as a pioneer in online education. Earlier in his career, he served as Vice President of Product Development at quepasa.com and holds an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.   In this episode, Dean Newlund and Luis Garcia discuss: Scalable training challenges in small and mid-sized organizationsInstructional design versus training delivery rolesAI-powered learning and simulation technologyTeaching soft skills through self-paced educationBalancing technology and human interaction at work  Key Takeaways: Replace shadowing-based onboarding with self-paced courses that can stand alone without relying on expert trainers.Separate instructional design from subject matter expertise to create training that scales without pulling leaders away from their jobs.Use AI-driven simulations to allow employees to practice real conversations like de-escalation and customer objections before facing them in real life.Design training around clear learning outcomes so employees can demonstrate applied behavior, not just memorized information.  "AI is an enabler to supercharge the human, and not to replace it.” — Luis Garcia   Connect with Luis Garcia:   Website: https://www.pete.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisegarcia/     See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I   Connect with Dean: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/ The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlund Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/ Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.com Phone: 1-800-926-7370   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    30 min
  4. Ingrid Dahl: The Rebellious Leader: How Boldness, Vulnerability, and Connection Transform Teams

    12/23/2025

    Ingrid Dahl: The Rebellious Leader: How Boldness, Vulnerability, and Connection Transform Teams

    About Ingrid Dahl: Ingrid Hu Dahl is an author, speaker, and leadership coach, and the founder of her own coaching and consulting business dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders. With over two decades of experience in learning and development, she specializes in leadership, inclusion, and belonging across corporate, media, nonprofit, and social justice sectors. A TEDx speaker and founding member of the Willie Mae Rock Camp in Brooklyn, Ingrid has a lifelong passion for amplifying underrepresented voices and has written, filmed, and directed two short films exploring identity, representation, and the mixed-race experience. She is certified by the International Coaching Federation and the Center for Creative Leadership and lives in California with her wife, Courtney, and their dog, Palo Santo.   In this episode, Dean Newlund and Ingrid Dahl discuss: Blind spots that influence how leaders show upThe ego’s role in shaping team dynamicsEmotional patterns that affect leadership presenceChallenges of connection in virtual environmentsRebelliousness as a form of authentic leadership  Key Takeaways: Create a practice of noticing ego-driven behaviors—in real time—and redirecting your focus back to purpose, connection, and the team’s shared outcome.Reduce trigger-based conflict by acknowledging your emotional reactions, identifying the belief underneath them, and choosing a different behavioral response that aligns with your values.Make virtual meetings more engaging by defining a clear purpose, rotating leadership, and setting explicit expectations for camera-on participation and shared contribution.Strengthen psychological safety by proactively asking team members about their fears, hopes, and needs, and modeling vulnerability without letting emotions dominate the environment.  "The mundane allows the opportunity to disengage.” — Ingrid Dahl   Connect with Ingrid Dahl:   Website: https://www.ingridhudahl.com/ Book: Sun Shining on Morning Snow: https://www.sunshiningonmorningsnow.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingridhudahl Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ingridhudahl/       See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I   Connect with Dean: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/ The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlund Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/ Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.com Phone: 1-800-926-7370   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    35 min
  5. Jason Hreha: Stop Forcing Change: What Behavioral Science Really Says About Leadership Growth

    12/16/2025

    Jason Hreha: Stop Forcing Change: What Behavioral Science Really Says About Leadership Growth

    About Jason Hreha: Jason Hreha is a behavioral scientist and entrepreneur specializing in applying behavioral science to solve business challenges. After studying neuroscience at Stanford and conducting research in BJ Fogg's Persuasive Technology Lab, Jason has spent 15 years developing Behavioral Strategy, a methodical approach for turning research into actionable business solutions. As Global Head of Behavioral Science at Walmart, he established and led the company's first behavioral science team, and he also founded Dopamine and co-founded Kite.io, later acquired by Quixey. As CEO of Persona, Jason transforms talent assessment through research-backed psychometric tools that predict employee performance and fit, and his book Real Change challenges conventional approaches to habits through science-based frameworks. Jason's work has been cited in Atomic Habits and featured in Inc.com, Knowledge at Wharton, and BigThink, and he continues to advise organizations on applying behavioral science for innovation and growth.   In this episode, Dean Newlund and Jason Hreha discuss: Understanding how core personality traits drive leadership effectivenessExploring why emotional stability underpins real emotional intelligenceExamining the limits of adult personality change and what that means for teamsRecognizing how interpersonal friction often comes from mismatched stylesConsidering how AI models express measurable personalities that shape user behavior  Key Takeaways: Identify your own trait profile using a validated Big Five assessment so you can play the leadership “hand” you actually have instead of chasing traits you do not possess.Reduce conflict by assuming others cannot easily change their styles and instead adapt your expectations so collaboration becomes easier and less personal.Strengthen your culture by clarifying norms, incentives, and strategic consistency so the environment aligns behavior without needing personality change.Use AI tools more effectively by understanding their default personality traits and adjusting your prompts or model choice to complement—not mirror—your own tendencies.  "It’s hard to be emotionally intelligent if you’re angry or upset or annoyed or freaked out.” — Jason Hreha   Connect with Jason Hreha:   Website: https://www.personatalent.com/ Blog: https://www.thebehavioralscientist.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CVCZ2VR9 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebehavioralscientist LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hreha/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/personatalent/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/jhreha & https://x.com/PersonaTalent Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/choosepersona/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.behavioral.scientist     See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I   Connect with Dean: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/ The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlund Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/ Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.com Phone: 1-800-926-7370   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    42 min
  6. Jenn Cohen: Don’t Poo-Poo the Woo-Woo: How to Lead and Live Through Intuition

    12/09/2025

    Jenn Cohen: Don’t Poo-Poo the Woo-Woo: How to Lead and Live Through Intuition

    About Jenn Cohen: Jenn Cohen has always been captivated by the power of intuition. After a life-changing experience in her 20s, she explored how intuition could shape her life and career. During her 27 years in the entertainment industry, Jenn found that intuitive decisions often led to success. Now an intuitive consultant, she helps individuals and organizations unlock potential, gain clarity, and achieve their goals through practical, intuition-based strategies. Jenn’s work fosters growth, creativity, and purpose in both personal and professional realms.   In this episode, Dean Newlund and Jenn Cohen discuss: How intuition functions as our original sense before logic takes overWhy does fear appear when intuition guides major life decisionsWhat it means to balance the left and right brain in leadershipHow spiritual practices help reconnect us to intuitive awarenessHow intuition can operate inside corporate and creative environments  Key Takeaways: Build daily awareness by noticing your emotional cues in real time and using them as signals to pause rather than react.Strengthen intuitive decision-making by pairing logical analysis with moments of quiet presence where insight can surface.Use the I.A.M. method—Identify, Ask, Mend—to interrupt mental spirals and bring your nervous system back into balance.Practice meditation, nature immersion, or automatic writing consistently to keep your intuitive “channel” clear and accessible.  "When we are able to connect with our intuition, with that spiritual side, what it does is allow us the opportunity to appreciate what is around us on this journey here on this physical Earth; it's not separate.” — Jenn Cohen   Connect with Jenn Cohen:   Website: https://www.jenncohenintuitive.com/ Email: jenn@jenncohenintuitive.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-cohen-intuitive-consultant/       See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I   Connect with Dean: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/ The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlund Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/ Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.com Phone: 1-800-926-7370   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    39 min
  7. Brad Englert: How to Build Authentic Connections in a Transactional World

    12/02/2025

    Brad Englert: How to Build Authentic Connections in a Transactional World

    About Brad Englert: Brad Englert is the founder of Brad Englert Advisory and an author, advisor, career coach, and technologist. Brad worked for Accenture for 22 years, including 10 years as a partner. He then served the University of Texas at Austin for eight years, including seven years as the Chief Information Officer. Prior to Accenture, Brad held managerial positions in payroll/human resources and labor relations at the Internal Revenue Service, and was a high school teacher in Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. Brad earned a Master of Public Affairs degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Arts degree in social sciences with honors and distinction from Shimer College, which is now the Shimer Great Books School at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.   In this episode, Dean Newlund and Brad Englert discuss: The difference between real relationships and surface-level networkingHow internal and external influences shape career growthBuilding trust with bosses, peers, and customersCreating meaningful connections in virtual work environmentsWhy authenticity and consistency drive long-term partnerships  Key Takeaways: Focus your relationship building by clearly identifying your internal and external spheres of influence and then intentionally nurturing only the relationships that matter most to your goals.Strengthen your standing with your boss by consistently asking what they are trying to achieve, how you can support their success, and what expectations need to be clarified or reset.Build trust across teams by scheduling intentional one-to-one conversations—virtually or in person—where you learn what people value, what they struggle with, and how you can help.Create stronger long-term partnerships by showing up consistently, being transparent, and prioritizing proactive collaboration instead of only stepping in when problems arise.  "You don’t have to build relationships with everyone—you need to be strategic and intentional.” — Brad Englert   Connect with Brad Englert:   Website: https://bradenglert.com/podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BradEnglertAdvisory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradenglert Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.englert.121 & https://www.facebook.com/BradEnglertAdvisory/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradenglertauthor Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bdlindert.bsky.social Medium: https://medium.com/@bradenglert     See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I   Connect with Dean: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/ The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlund Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/ Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.com Phone: 1-800-926-7370   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    29 min
  8. Kim Rogne: From Burnout to Balance: How High Achievers Can Slow Down Without Losing Their Edge

    11/25/2025

    Kim Rogne: From Burnout to Balance: How High Achievers Can Slow Down Without Losing Their Edge

    About Kim Rogne: Kim Rogne is a dynamic Keynote Speaker, Leadership Trainer, and #1 Bestselling Author passionate about inspiring driven professionals to thrive in every aspect of their lives. With 25 years of experience in real estate sales, brokerage management, and business investing, Kim has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs, guiding them through challenges from startup to success. As a former CEO of a multi-million-dollar brokerage, she understands the unique needs of business owners and uses her expertise to empower them to achieve balance and purpose. Through her company, For The Love Of, Kim helps individuals and teams unlock their potential with tailored coaching, inspiring talks, and actionable resources. Visit her website to connect with Kim, explore her digital library, or schedule a session. A wife, mother, and lifelong learner, Kim’s energy and insights are sure to spark motivation and ignite positive change in your life and business.   In this episode, Dean Newlund and Kim Rogne discuss: Redefining balance for high achievers beyond comparisonThe emotional and psychological roots of burnoutLessons from trauma and forced slowdown as catalysts for changeEgo, control, and the illusion of productivity in leadershipReflection, self-awareness, and delegation as tools for sustainable success  Key Takeaways: Define what balance personally means to you—free from comparison, external standards, or social media illusions—and recognize the moments when you’re already living it.Build regular reflection into your schedule, whether through journaling, quiet mornings, or monthly check-ins, so you can slow down enough to notice what needs to shift before burnout hits.Practice the “Four D’s”—do, delegate, delay, or dump—to lighten your load and retrain your mind to see asking for help as a strength rather than a weakness.Pay attention to when busyness becomes a form of self-validation, and intentionally replace that constant need to fix and prove with rest, purpose, and self-compassion.  "When we do slow down, we can recognize when we’re in balance.” — Kim Rogne   Connect with Kim Rogne:   Website: http://kimrogne.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimrogne/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.lewerenzrogne & https://www.facebook.com/KimRognesForTheLoveOf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimrogne/     See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I   Connect with Dean: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/ The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlund Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/ Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.com Phone: 1-800-926-7370   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    43 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
68 Ratings

About

Transform leadership success with 'LEADOVATION: Reimagine. Facilitate. Flourish.' This podcast, ideal for executives and HR professionals, offers a unique blend of innovative leadership strategies and practical insights. Dive into a world where reimagining traditional approaches, facilitating effective solutions, and flourishing in a dynamic business environment are key. Each episode is packed with real-world examples and actionable advice, addressing challenges like employee engagement, workload management, and rapid organizational growth. Whether you're advancing your career or driving company success, 'LEADOVATION' is your guide to sustainable leadership excellence.