764: Leadership is Like Golf: Choose the Right Tool for the Moment - Ask Denis

Leadership isn’t about having every tool. It’s about knowing when to use the right one. Denis Gianoutsos draws a powerful leadership lesson from the game of golf. Just like on the course, leadership requires more than a full toolkit; it demands precision and timing. As Denis puts it, “Leadership isn't about having every tool. It's about knowing when to use the right one.” And when the pressure’s on, he reminds us, “You don't need to use every club in the bag, in every round, but you better know which one to reach for.” From teeing off a bold vision to putting with empathy, this episode is a masterclass in leading smarter, not just harder.Ready to elevate your game? Tune in.It’s Not the Tools. It’s the Timing.The golf analogy that resonated with top talent leaders in EuropeThe real difference between having skills and knowing when to use themWhy timing matters more than tools in leadershipThe Driver vs. the PutterUnderstanding which leadership style fits each momentHow mismatched responses can cost trust, opportunities, and moraleLeading with force vs. leading with finesseWhat’s Really in Your Bag?Taking an honest inventory of your current leadership strengthsIdentifying missing or underdeveloped skillsWhat every leader needs in their toolkit to thriveKnow the Course, Play with IntentionWhy daily leadership challenges are never the sameHow observation and awareness drive better decision-makingPracticing intention instead of reactionProgress Over PerfectionThe mindset shift from doing it all to doing it wellBeing strategic under pressureThe leadership challenge that sparked this entire episodeKey Quotes:“Leadership isn't about having every tool. It's about knowing when to use the right one.” - Denis Gianoutsos“You don't need to use every club in the bag, in every round, but you better know which one to reach for when the pressure’s on.” - Denis GianoutsosBook a Strategy Call with Denis https://app.leadingchangepartners.com/widget/bookings/callwithdenisgianoutsos The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World Executive Guide Featuring 10 Key Themes and 42 Strategic Insights from Worldwide Leaders https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead Connect with Denis:Email: [email protected]: www.LeadingChangePartners.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos 

What does it truly mean to lead when the world around you crumbles and rebuilds itself?This episode features host Denis Gianoutsos' most powerful conversations with two extraordinary leaders. Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, born to political dissidents in Soviet Kazakhstan, witnessed her world collapse overnight—yet discovered that leadership is a dynamic space we enter and exit, not a fixed title. Ken Miller, a healthcare executive with 32 years of global experience, reveals the athletic mindset required for modern leadership and why our most outstanding teachers are found in our closest relationships, not boardrooms.Join Denis Gianoutsos for this transformative mashup—your perspective on leadership may never be the same.EP 221 - Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva: Leadership as a Dynamic Space: From Soviet Collapse to Revolutionary ThinkingBorn in Soviet Kazakhstan to political dissidents, witnessed sudden USSR collapse, creating a complete vacuumRedefines leadership as a space you enter and exit daily, not a fixed title or position.Draws from Kazakh nomadic culture,e viewing leadership as a dynamic circle larger than any individualIdentifies daughter and parents as most significant leadership influences, emphasizing self-love before leading othersEP 225 - Ken Miller: Healthcare Leadership and the Athletic Mindset: Building Legacy Through Purpose32 years in healthcare at companies like Sanofi, Pfizer, Roche, choosing impact over just profitDescribes leaders as athletes - highly competitive with a tireless appetite for success and sacrificeEmphasizes continuous learning and personal development rather than relying on organizationsCites Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a favorite leader for authenticity and fighting for something bigger than himselfKey Quotes:"Leadership for me is a space. You enter and exit many times a day." - Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva"You've gotta have a work ethic, which is second to none, to really have an impact around the world." - Ken MillerThe 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World - FREE Executive Guide Download https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead Connect with Denis:Email: [email protected]: www.LeadingChangePartners.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos 

Some of the most powerful leadership breakthroughs begin far from the boardroom:  on frozen rinks, at unexpected crossroads, and in moments that demand reinvention.In this powerful mashup, Denis Gianoutsos is joined by Dennis Mark and Jared Hummel - two leaders who prove that adaptability, humility, and bold connection are the real markers of success.From Fortune 10 boardrooms to AI startups, from hockey locker rooms to private equity turnarounds, they reveal what it truly means to stay ahead of the curve and lead with both grit and grace.Ready to rethink the way you lead? This one’s for you.EP 215 – Dennis Mark: Adapt, Anticipate, Add ValueNavigating the shift from Fortune 10 corporate leadership to AI startupsHow serving on global nonprofit boards reshaped his leadership perspectiveEmbracing mindset change and flexibility to stay ahead of the curveBuilding long-term, value-driven relationships through intentional networkingEP 218 – Jared Hummel: Grit, Growth, and Getting Back UpUsing sports psychology and team dynamics to lead business growthRising fast: from controller at 22 to scaling a company as CEOLearning leadership while managing older teams at a young ageThe work ethic and risk-taking mindset behind bold career movesKey Quotes:“You need to change the world, but you need to change yourself first.” -  Dennis Mark“Digital marketing is a new generation of people.” - Jared Hummel“I think people tend to get hung up about the word ‘networking’, and it’s not about networking, it’s about building relationships for the future.” -  Denis GianoutsosThe 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World - FREE Executive Guide Download https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead Connect with Denis: Email: [email protected]: www.LeadingChangePartners.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos

The pressure is off, but are you drifting?Many leaders rise when the stakes are high. But what happens when the noise fades, the urgency settles, and the spotlight dims?In this episode, Denis Gianoutsos tackles one of leadership’s most overlooked challenges: sustaining momentum when the pressure plateaus. With the same clarity and candor he’s known for, Denis outlines five powerful strategies to help leaders stay deliberate, creative, and energized, even in the calm.From seasons of chaos to moments of calm, this episode brings a fresh perspective on motivation, purpose, and performance.Reignite Your Edge When It’s QuietWhy boredom, not burnout, is the real threat in plateau seasonsThe silent killer of momentum: comfortWhy your energy must be tied to your why, not just your whatFrom Firefighting to Future-BuildingThe quiet seasons are a gift: here’s how to use themHow white space fuels creativity and innovationWhy your best ideas are born in the calm, not the chaosProtect and Elevate Personal EnergyStop managing time, start managing your energyThe “racehorse” principle of peak recoveryWhat your team needs from you (hint: it’s not more hustle)Create New Pressure On PurposeDon’t confuse quiet with comfortHow intentional pressure can reignite momentumRedefining what great looks like for you and your teamCelebrate Wins, Reset GoalsWhy leaders skip celebration, and why they shouldn’tHow resetting goals fuels the next wave of achievementUse reflection to reignite directionKey Quotes:“Ideas, programs, and innovation are born in the calm, not the chaos.” - Denis Gianoutsos“Energy isn’t just about caffeine or the hustle. It’s about purpose, rhythm, and perspective.” - Denis GianoutsosBook a Strategy Call with Denis https://app.leadingchangepartners.com/widget/bookings/callwithdenisgianoutsos The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World Executive Guide Featuring 10 Key Themes and 42 Strategic Insights from Worldwide Leaders https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead Connect with Denis:Email: [email protected]: www.LeadingChangePartners.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos 

Can your past become the foundation for powerful leadership?In this thought-provoking mashup, host Denis Gianoutsos is joined by Denice Torres and Kevin Dedner, two leaders whose greatest lessons came not from boardrooms but from lived experience.Denice, a former janitor who rose to the C-suite at Johnson & Johnson, shares how being underestimated helped her see others more clearly and lead with compassion. Kevin, now a mental health advocate and CEO, reflects on a moment of reckoning as a teenager that reshaped his values and purpose.Together, they unpack the real work of leadership: embracing your story, building confidence in others, and showing up with presence, not pretense.If you’re leading through change, challenge, or reinvention, this episode is for you.EP 213 – Denice Torres: Leading from the Margins to the BoardroomRising from a steel-town janitor job to executive leadershipHow one sponsor shifted her trajectory and gave her self-confidenceLeadership as service: helping others feel seen, valued, and empoweredLetting go of ego to truly lead with heartEP 216 – Kevin Dedner: Purpose, Pressure, and Personal GrowthA life-threatening experience that demanded a new directionWhy conscious leadership begins with reflectionHonoring his 104-year-old grandmother as his most powerful leadership modelThe invisible influence of everyday leaders and legacy through actionKey Quotes:“Leading others is such a privilege, we have the ability to help others be seen, and when they're seen, they can flourish.” - Denice Torres“We’re always leading, someone’s always watching us, we’re teaching valuable lessons just by the things we do daily.” - Kevin Dedner“It comes down to not just what we say, but how we treat people as leaders. One word, one conversation, it can change someone’s life.” - Denis GianoutsosThe 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World - FREE Executive Guide Download https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead Connect with Denis: Email: [email protected]: www.LeadingChangePartners.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos

What does it mean to succeed when success is no longer just about money?In this candid mashup, host Denis Gianoutsos sits down with Matt Edmundson and Richard Taurima, two dynamic voices who took vastly different roads to leadership. From building global e-commerce brands to navigating cultural intelligence and decentralized finance, they unpack lessons on identity, purpose, and leading with impact, often learned the hard way.You might be an executive navigating complexity, a founder rewriting your playbook, or someone simply questioning traditional success; this episode delivers rich insights and timeless reminders.If you're ready to redefine what leadership looks like in your own life, hit play.EP 222 – Matt Edmundson: Family, Faith, and the Ungoaled LifeSuccess is measured by relationships, not richesLessons from working with the ultra-wealthy: what money can’t buyLeading through values, not titles, starting with self-masteryEP 224 – Richard Taurima: Culture, Cashflow, and CallingFrom sales to sovereign systems: leadership in a decentralized worldHow cultural fluency shapes global business successAccountability in leadership: why it breaks down and how to rebuild itKey Quotes:“If you want to achieve something more than just what you can do with your own skills and talents, you have to lead people.” – Matt Edmundson“Leadership is about making people accountable and the result is that your customers are happy, your staff is happy, and you're making money.”– Richard Taurima“When an organization or a family is not going well, it really shows and sticks out.” – Denis GianoutsosThe 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World - FREE Executive Guide Download https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead Connect with Denis: Email: [email protected]: www.LeadingChangePartners.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos

True leadership isn’t tested in comfort. It is revealed in moments of disruption.Host Denis Gianoutsos is joined by two powerhouse voices:  Rhonda Vetere and Jim Massey.  They offer unfiltered insights on navigating transformation, rebuilding identity, and leading through complexity.From boardrooms to global stages, from leadership in STEM to dismantling legacy systems, these conversations reveal what it takes to lead with conviction and resilience, especially when the world turns upside down.If you're facing transition, uncertainty, or reinvention, this episode will offer practical insights, refreshing truth, and real encouragement to help you move forward on your terms.EP 500 – Rhonda Vetere: Grit, Global Perspective, and Getting DirtyMoving across industries to avoid silos and stay growth-orientedThe power of cultural immersion and learning through experienceWhy instant gratification is killing true leadership developmentHow grit, humility, and hands-on work still win in a digital worldEP 422 – Jim Massey: Identity, Systems, and Sustainable ImpactChange as the only constant, and how to lean into itMoving from high-profile executive roles to a personal reinventionShifting human behavior by dismantling “BS” built systemsWhy your support network is everything during identity transitionsKey Quotes: "You have to dig deep, go into details, go into your spirit, your soul, think change, and get your hands dirty." - Rhonda Vetere "Change is happening around you, but the amazing part of who you are and what you are hasn't changed." - Jim Massey "We need to be always changing, while preparing ourselves for the next change, even if we don't understand it yet." - Denis GianoutsosThe 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World - FREE Executive Guide Download https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead Connect with Denis: Email: [email protected]: www.LeadingChangePartners.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos

When everything feels uncertain, what separates those who lead with impact from those who just hold a title?In this dynamic mashup episode, host Denis Gianoutsos invites three powerhouse leaders—Christopher Salem, Ian Clough, and Andrew Bryant—to share their diverse perspectives on how leadership evolves through experience, identity, and self-leadership.From transformative coaching to family legacies to rebounding from business collapse, each leader offers a unique lens on what it really means to lead today. Whether you're an emerging leader, a seasoned executive, or somewhere in between, this episode offers insights that will challenge, encourage, and ground your leadership journey.EP 198 – Christopher Salem: Leading by ConnectionFrom sales to transformation: How vulnerability fuels effective leadershipWhy “being present” is the superpower modern leaders needCreating future leaders by modeling ownership and trustThe power of aligning shared values before offering solutionsEP 201 – Ian Clough: Identity, Mentorship, and IntegrityBuilding leadership credibility outside of family legacyWhy defining your leadership identity mattersMentors, honesty, and surrounding yourself with truth-tellersAuthenticity and reputation as the true leadership currencyEP 203 – Andrew Bryant: The Practice of Self-LeadershipFrom physiotherapist to global leadership consultantAccept, Adjust, Advance: the mindset for transformationWhy leadership is contextual, not hero-basedThe daily discipline of influencing your thoughts, feelings, and actionsKey Quotes:“We have to be able to lead by example and be a resource.” – Christopher Salem“No one is gonna realize their potential without support.” – Ian Clough“Leadership is always about context.” – Andrew Bryant“Being present is probably one of the biggest things that a lot of leaders could do today.” – Denis GianoutsosThe 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World - FREE Executive Guide Download https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead Connect with Denis: Email: [email protected]: www.LeadingChangePartners.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos

True leadership isn’t about being in charge,  it’s about being ready when no one else is.In this mashup episode, Denis Gianoutsos brings together three remarkable voices—Dave Greenberg, Peggy Smith, and Fredrik Härén—to unpack the lived realities of modern leadership. These stories span from rescue helicopters to corporate boardrooms to remote islands, each revealing how authentic leadership is forged through lived experience, continuous learning, and the courage to reassess in real time.Tune in to hear what it really means to lead when no one’s watching, and how presence, humility, and creativity are reshaping the future of leadership.EP 107 – Dave Greenberg: Leadership That Keeps You AliveRedefining success on your termsLessons from early leadership misstepsApplying the SAFE decision-making modelStaying alive through constant reassessmentEP 131 – Peggy Smith: Leading Beyond the CamerasLeadership rooted in lived experienceThe power of showing up with integrityInspiration drawn from everyday momentsBalancing personal and professional presenceEP 197 – Fredrik Härén: Leadership for the Next 20 YearsBecoming an expert through curiosityWhy leadership matters more than innovationHonoring everyday, unsung leadersTeaching future leaders through independenceKey Quotes:“The leadership I learned over time was knowing when not to take off and knowing when to turn back.” – Dave Greenberg“I choose a set of characteristics and attributes for a leader… individuals that are inspirational, that show up authentically, that have a great deal of humility.” – Peggy Smith – Peggy Smith“Sometimes being an expert means knowing more than the audience… and in my case, I knew 10 weeks more.” – Fredrik Härén“I think a lot of people fall into leadership by mistake.” – Denis GianoutsosThe 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World - FREE Executive Guide Download https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead Connect with Denis: Email: [email protected]: www.LeadingChangePartners.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos

Your calendar just blew the halftime whistle. Now the question is: will you coast or will you accelerate?Denis Gianoutsos issues a timely challenge to leaders everywhere: Don’t let the second half of the year slip by. Drawing inspiration from elite sports, he positions this midyear moment as a rare opportunity to pause, reset, and step into the next chapter with renewed intention and energy.This episode is your personal locker room talk: honest, motivating, and full of practical wisdom. Whether you’ve maintained momentum or lost it, Denis lays out the mindset and moves needed to finish strong.Halftime Perspective: Reflect Before You SprintWhy the midpoint of the year is a powerful leadership momentThe value of pausing before pushing aheadKey questions to reflect on: wins, setbacks, habits, and lessonsResetting With IntentionRe-align with what matters now, not what mattered in JanuaryDropping guilt and focusing on renewed vision and clarityDefining direction, pace, and standards for the rest of the yearAvoiding the Autopilot TrapRecognizing when you’re on cruise controlReclaiming your focus and cutting through the noiseStaying adaptable when conditions shiftAccelerate with PurposeThe difference between deliberate acceleration and blind hustleLetting go of what doesn’t work and doubling down on what doesBuilding momentum with consistent small actionsYour Call to Lead BiggerThe next six months hold massive potential, but only if you choose to moveA rallying call to reflect, reset, and accelerateHow to move from intention to actionKey Quotes:“You can lead stronger, think sharper, and live and lead bigger—but only if you decide to move.” - Denis Gianoutsos“Leaders grow when they slow down enough to learn.” - Denis GianoutsosBook a Strategy Call with Denis https://app.leadingchangepartners.com/widget/bookings/callwithdenisgianoutsos The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World Executive Guide Featuring 10 Key Themes and 42 Strategic Insights from Worldwide Leaders https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead Connect with Denis:Email: [email protected]: www.LeadingChangePartners.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos