Leadovation

Dean Newlund, Mission Facilitators International
Leadovation

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. Bill Lennan: 40 Percent Better - Turning Leadership Philosophies into Actionable Behaviors

    4 DAYS AGO

    Bill Lennan: 40 Percent Better - Turning Leadership Philosophies into Actionable Behaviors

    About Bill Lennan: Bill Lennan is the founder of 40 Percent Better, a performance program that teaches anyone in business to be a more effective leader, create psychological safety, and ultimately improve business performance. Raised on islands and diversely educated, Bill has always focused on solving human as well as technical problems. Over the span of his tech career, he has built products, teams, and solutions for mobile, recruiting, e-commerce, social media, and now education. He has helped companies ranging from Google and Walmart to hotels and restaurants. Building high-functioning teams has been fundamental to Bill’s success. In this episode, Dean Newlund and Bill Lennan discuss: Building and sustaining high-performing teams The role of emotional resilience in leadership and teamwork Overcoming organizational friction to improve team productivity Effective communication and persuasion strategies in professional environments Developing habits and processes for long-term team success Key Takeaways: Emotional resilience can be developed by systematically addressing fears through small, manageable actions, building confidence that translates into improved performance in challenging situations. Weekly one-on-one sessions where team members can freely voice concerns foster trust, uncover recurring issues, and create an environment where individuals feel psychologically safe and focused. Effective persuasion for resources or organizational changes requires aligning proposals with leadership priorities, and using concrete data and success metrics to drive decisions. Adopting empowering mental models helps address challenges by encouraging proactive problem-solving, reframing limitations, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. "15-minute one-on-ones with everybody on my team every week... I just listen to their complaints. I don't care what they have to complain about... there's a catharsis in that.” — Bill Lennan Connect with Bill Lennan:  Website: https://40pb.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@billlennan 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 Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    45 min
  2. Nelson Nigel: From Uber Driver to Tech Entrepreneur: Transforming Ideas Into Impact

    DEC 10

    Nelson Nigel: From Uber Driver to Tech Entrepreneur: Transforming Ideas Into Impact

    About Nelson Nigel: Nelson Nigel, Founder and CEO of Kidmoto Technology, is an expert in transportation technology, specializing in safe and convenient travel solutions for parents with small children. In 2016, inspired by his experience as an Uber driver, he identified a gap in the market for child car seats in taxis and car services and developed a mobile app connecting parents with skilled drivers for secure airport transfers. Despite a challenging background, including growing up poor in New York and surviving a life-threatening train accident, Nelson built Kidmoto into a trusted brand operating in 52 U.S. cities, completing over 40,000 rides, achieving 7-figure revenue in 2023, and reaching a valuation of $25 million. In this episode, Dean Newlund and Nelson Nigel discuss: Innovative leadership in niche markets Transforming personal challenges into business opportunities The process and importance of business planning Building and managing a national infrastructure for startups Perseverance and execution in entrepreneurial ventures Key Takeaways: Develop a detailed business plan as your blueprint before starting any venture. Nelson emphasized the importance of "blueprints" in shaping Kidmoto’s foundation, revisiting and refining his plan consistently before taking action. Start small and focus on steady progress, as Kidmoto began in New York City, where Nelson tested and perfected the model before gradually expanding the service to 53 cities across the U.S. Resolve customer issues quickly and seek qualified advice, as Nelson learned the hard way when a refusal to issue a $75 refund—based on unqualified guidance—led to over $100,000 in lost business. Persevere with focus and execution, as Nelson worked up to 20-hour days to implement his vision step by step, comparing the process to following a mapped route that ensures consistent progress toward the goal. "You just have to start small. You creep, you crawl, you stand up, you balance. [Then you] start walking, [and eventually, you] start running.” — Nelson Nigel Connect with Nelson Nigel:  Website: https://kidmoto.taxi/ Email: nelsonnigel@kidmoto.taxi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonnigel/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/NelsonNigel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NelsonNigelNY 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 Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    25 min
  3. Renee Moorefield: From Team Effectiveness to Team Thriving

    DEC 3

    Renee Moorefield: From Team Effectiveness to Team Thriving

    About Renee Moorefield: Dr. Renee is the Co-founder and CEO of Wisdom Works, a social enterprise offering science-backed services to help leaders and teams thrive. They developed the holistic Be Well Lead Well Pulse® tool, which measures 19 psychometrics of well-being, resilience, and leadership impact. The tool has supported over 3,000 leaders in integrating the science of thriving into their lives and workplaces. Wisdom Works has collaborated with C-Suite executives from top global companies like Coca-Cola, Nike, AT&T, Hyatt, Roche, Barilla, Sainsbury, and Western Union. With 35+ years of experience coaching leaders, from Fortune 500 teams to social entrepreneurs, Dr. Renee is renowned for inspiring individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. In this episode, Dean Newlund and Renee Moorefield discuss: Thriving as defined in leadership and life Personalized leadership assessment tools Integrating well-being in workplaces Cultural shifts for sustainable leadership The power of vision and purpose Key Takeaways: Thriving is defined as feeling internally well-resourced and capable of meeting life and work complexities with vitality, competence, and a growth mindset, shifting from depletion to flourishing. The 'Be Well Lead Well Pulse' tool uses 19 psychosocial metrics, such as resilience and purpose, to identify where leaders and teams stand and to create actionable strategies for thriving. Organizations that integrate thriving into their practices see tangible benefits, including higher morale, engagement, and creativity, even during challenging times like the pandemic. Thriving requires the courage to question deeply ingrained habits, cultural norms, and personal identities, fostering alignment between values, energy, and actions in work and life. "Thriving is courageous work. It's not just about behaving normally. It is not just about changing behavior. It's about re-looking at how we are living, what we identify with, and the energy we're getting from that identity.” — Renee Moorefield Connect with Renee Moorefield:  Website: https://www.wisdom-works.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneemoorefield/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisdomworksgroup 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 Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    39 min
  4. Mike Robbins: We're All in This Together: Authentic Leadership in These Uncertain Times

    NOV 26

    Mike Robbins: We're All in This Together: Authentic Leadership in These Uncertain Times

    About Mike Robbins: Mike Robbins is a leadership expert and the author of five books, including his latest, We're All in This Together. He's a sought-after speaker with clients such as Google, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, Walmart, eBay, and many more. He and his work have been featured in the Harvard Business Review, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. In this episode, Dean Newlund and Mike Robbins discuss: Leadership strategies to combat burnout and foster resilience Authenticity and vulnerability in professional and personal settings Balancing productivity with mindfulness in a fast-paced, technology-driven world Cultivating team connection through appreciation and intentional practices Navigating societal and organizational crises with innovative and human-centered approaches Key Takeaways: Establishing intentional practices like keeping phones out of bedrooms, morning grounding routines and journaling can significantly enhance mental clarity, emotional resilience, and productivity. Structured exercises such as the "appreciation seat" foster deep connections, encourage vulnerability, and create a culture where team members feel seen and valued. Leaders who embrace authenticity and share their personal struggles openly inspire trust and create a space for meaningful human connection, even in professional environments. Prioritizing face-to-face interaction, emotional transparency, and reflective practices helps combat the modern challenges of burnout, technological overwhelm, and social isolation. "There's so much coming at everybody and so much chaos flying around. It's harder than ever to trust our intuition, but it's more important than ever because it's what the world needs right now.” — Mike Robbins Connect with Mike Robbins:  Website: https://mike-robbins.com/ Email: mike@mike-robbins.com Book: We're All in This Together: https://www.amazon.com/Were-All-This-Together-Performance/dp/140196527X Show: We're All in This Together: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/were-all-in-this-together/id1134737783 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrobbins/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/mikedrobbins Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikedrobbins/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikedrobbins 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 Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    44 min
  5. Kristen Brun Sharkey: Using Improv to Drive Real Change in Leadership and Innovation

    NOV 19

    Kristen Brun Sharkey: Using Improv to Drive Real Change in Leadership and Innovation

    About Kristen Brun Sharkey: Kristen Brun Sharkey is an executive coach and facilitator who spent 15 years leading teams in ad tech and marketing at major companies, including Yahoo, Verizon, and Hearst. She holds a Master’s degree in Management, Strategy, and Leadership from Michigan State University and is an ICF-credentialed coach. Through her company, Emboldify, Kristen leverages techniques and principles from improv theatre to enhance leadership skills, helping leaders at all levels improve their decision-making, drive innovation, and execute effective change. In this episode, Dean Newlund and Kristen Brun Sharkey discuss: Using improvisation to strengthen leadership presence and decision-making Improv techniques for driving innovation and creativity in business Improving team dynamics with collaborative storytelling and communication Strategies to overcome fear and resistance to creative activities Integrating improv methods into structured leadership coaching Key Takeaways: The "one-word story" exercise helps reduce overthinking, improve collaboration, and build trust by having participants contribute spontaneously to a collective story. The "Yes, And" technique fosters psychological safety in brainstorming, ensuring all contributions are validated and promoting an inclusive, innovative environment. Improv-based leadership exercises help leaders build authentic presence, overcome imposter syndrome, and engage their teams more effectively. Practical debriefs with improv activities provide actionable insights, turning creative exercises into real-world applications that enhance leadership and teamwork skills. "One of the things I really picked up from improv... I actually had a teacher who called it ‘yoga for the inner critic’… it really leads toward being able to separate what is your intuition from what is just your inner judge trying to shut things down.” — Kristen Brun Sharkey Connect with Kristen Brun Sharkey:  Website: https://www.emboldify.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenbsharkey/ Love and Leadership Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/love-and-leadership/id1757968042 12 Improv Exercises That Anyone Can Do on Their Own to Improve Their Leadership Skills: https://embldfy.link/bZUT 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 Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    29 min
  6. Alicia Branham: Balancing Authenticity and Strategy in Small Business Marketing

    NOV 12

    Alicia Branham: Balancing Authenticity and Strategy in Small Business Marketing

    About Alicia Branham: Meet Alicia Branham, the marketing powerhouse with a story beyond business savvy. Her journey reflects adaptability and determination, traits cultivated during her formative years when her parents uprooted her to Uruguay. With over 25 years as a Creative and Marketing Director in the Commercial & Industrial PVF and HVAC markets, Alicia is renowned as the “secret sauce” for transformative business growth. Her clients achieve prestigious accolades and industry recognition under her expert guidance, including magazine covers and Rep of the Year awards. In this episode, Dean Newlund and Alicia Branham discuss: Challenges small businesses face in marketing and branding The role of authenticity in personal and professional branding How mental health affects leadership and brand alignment The importance of consistency for building a strong marketing presence Using AI and technology to enhance small business marketing Key Takeaways: Regularly posting on social media, even if engagement is low initially, signals reliability to both algorithms and followers, which can significantly impact visibility. Using AI, like ChatGPT, can streamline content creation and offer small businesses cost-effective solutions for marketing strategy development. For businesses to grow effectively, it's often crucial to hire a marketing strategist who can align brand messaging with sales and growth objectives. Leaders who are open about personal challenges and mental health can foster a culture of authenticity, which resonates with clients and employees alike. "It is okay to go in a direction and realize it doesn't fit you and maybe it doesn't align with you anymore. And it's completely fine to switch. It's completely fine to pick up and switch chairs and move. It is 100 percent okay to do that.” — Alicia Branham Connect with Alicia Branham:  Website: https://www.aliciabranham.com/ & https://www.getbran.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-branham-3a24a310/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_real_aliciabranham/ Supply House Times: https://www.supplyht.com/authors/2238-alicia-branham 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 Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    33 min
  7. Claire Milligan: How Private Equity Drives Efficiency and Strategic Leadership

    NOV 5

    Claire Milligan: How Private Equity Drives Efficiency and Strategic Leadership

    About Claire Milligan: Whether she’s helping businesses transform their cloud spending or hitting the slopes as a ski patroller, Claire Milligan thrives on distilling complex problems down to their core issues — and turning these pragmatic findings into groundbreaking solutions. Through a journey spanning marketing, UX, and leadership roles at tech companies like Tallie and SpringAhead, she’s meticulously constructed a diverse skill set built upon hands-on expertise and an unrelenting thirst for knowledge. Now, as the CEO of startup Aimably, she’s applying her unique superpowers to help businesses grow by spending smarter and dramatically reducing their cloud costs. In this episode, Dean Newlund and Claire Milligan discuss: Private equity’s role in transforming and growing companies The expanding financial responsibilities of CTOs Cost reduction and financial efficiency in software companies Leadership continuity through acquisitions and turnover Aligning operations with long-term financial objectives Key Takeaways: Private equity helps companies transition from good to great by rigorously assessing core operations, eliminating inefficiencies, and focusing on mission-driven growth. Successful CTOs in private equity contexts must adopt a financial mindset, overseeing budgets, cost management, and return on investment for technology spending. Evaluating every role within a team based on adaptability and alignment with evolving business priorities is essential for CTOs managing acquisitions. Companies preparing for potential acquisition can benefit from acting as though they are selling, which enhances operational efficiency and scalability. Cloud infrastructure spending can significantly impact profitability, so companies should regularly audit and optimize their cloud costs. "The whole goal of private equity is to take a good company and make it great by examining everything as an opportunity to stop, reset, re-evaluate, and make sure you’re not wasting time or resources on things that aren’t core to your values or mission, driving much more success out of the same core architecture.” — Claire Milligan Connect with Claire Milligan: Website: https://www.aimably.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairemilligan/ 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 Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    27 min
  8. Kerry Robinson: Navigating the AI Revolution From Customer Service to Super Intelligence

    OCT 29

    Kerry Robinson: Navigating the AI Revolution From Customer Service to Super Intelligence

    About Kerry Robinson: Growing up, Kerry Robinson wanted to be the Prime Minister or a CEO. Fortunately for the world of AI, his career path never led him to Downing Street. An Oxford-trained physicist with a Master's in Artificial Intelligence, Kerry excels in turning complex tech into practical business solutions. As VP of Conversational AI at Waterfield Tech, he puts his 20+ years of experience to work leading their R&D team, enhancing business interactions through advanced chatbot and voice strategies, and reshaping the way they connect with customers. Welcome to the brighter, smarter, stronger side of AI. Kerry may have arrived first, but he’s committed to fostering the innovation that allows others to join him. In this episode, Dean Newlund and Kerry Robinson discuss: AI leadership in business transformation AI’s role in streamlining customer service Generative AI’s expanding capabilities and automation Ethical challenges and bias in AI systems The future of AI from general intelligence to superintelligence Key Takeaways: Contact centers should focus on problem-solving, not just customer engagement – AI helps streamline customer service, reducing the need for human interaction by addressing root problems instead of just managing calls. AI can outperform humans in specific tasks – In fields like radiology, AI is already more effective than humans at detecting issues like breast cancer, raising questions about human-AI collaboration. Generative AI improves through continuous training and feedback – AI models, like those used in customer service, can analyze conversations, learn from mistakes, and optimize themselves for better performance. Bias in AI models is inevitable and influenced by human decisions – Generative AI systems, like ChatGPT, are shaped by the biases of their human trainers, which affects the objectivity of the results. "The most important human task we have is to ask the right questions and have really good discussions with each other about [AI].” — Kerry Robinson Connect with Kerry Robinson:  Website: https://waterfieldtech.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/k3rryrobinson/ 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 Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    57 min
5
out of 5
56 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.

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