786: Leadership is Changing Mash Up 2025 (ft. Ernie Sander and Matt McWilliams)

Just as nature shifts through its seasons, leadership evolves in rhythms and patterns.In this Ask Denis episode, Denis Gianoutsos explores the powerful connection between the seasons of nature and the seasons of leadership. From planting new ideas to harvesting hard-earned wins, Denis reveals how leaders can embrace change, lean into timing, and guide their teams with awareness and adaptability.You’ll discover why rushing through seasons can cost momentum, why winter is essential for renewal, and how the best leaders prepare not just for today but for the season ahead.Join the conversation and explore how to recognize the season you’re in, adjust with wisdom, and guide your team through ongoing change.Seasons as a Leadership FrameworkPlanting is where vision and trust take rootGrowth is the season of energy and momentumHarvest is the time for reflection and reinvestmentWinter is when resilience and renewal are builtThe Leader’s Role in Every SeasonProvide clarity and patience during plantingNurture momentum without causing burnout in growthCelebrate wins and capture lessons during harvestStrengthen culture and foundations in winterAdapting to Cycles of ChangeNot every team or project is in the same seasonGreat leaders recognize and lean into the current seasonChange is not disruption but the natural rhythm of leadershipKey Quotes:“The best leaders don’t fight the season they’re in. They recognize it, lean into it, and prepare for what’s next.”  -  Denis Gianoutsos “Change isn’t an interruption to leadership. Change is the pattern itself.”  -  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

True leadership shows up when life shifts unexpectedly and challenges push us to grow in ways we never imagined.In this powerful mashup, Denis Gianoutsos sits down with two leaders who’ve lived through extraordinary experiences: Dawn Abbott, an entrepreneur who turned personal tragedy into a lesson on delegation, culture, and freedom, and Jon Becker, a law enforcement and tactical expert who has spent nearly four decades working with the world’s elite units.From building businesses after loss to learning from Navy SEALs and Ironman races, this conversation explores resilience, empowerment, and what it really takes to lead when life pushes you to the edge.Catch the conversation and explore what it takes to grow, adapt, and lead with purpose through life’s toughest changes.EP431 – Dawn Abbott: Letting Go to LeadBecoming an entrepreneur at 21 and building multiple businesses with her husbandFacing the unexpected loss of her husband and business partner while raising a newbornLearning the power of delegation through hardshipDiscovering her passion for building culture, systems, and healthy teamsEP440 – Jon Becker: Growing by Pushing Your LimitsStarting his first business at 17, supplying climbing gear to the military and law enforcementGaining leadership lessons from the founders of SWAT and other elite operatorsUsing Ironman triathlons and racing as tools to push personal boundariesWhy great leaders focus on fundamentals and people, not just management systemsKey Quotes:“If I delegated and let my team do their job and empowered them to do that, I didn't have to be in the way so much.” – Dawn Abbott “Systems are managed, right? Quality is managed, air conditioning systems are managed, people are led.” – Jon BeckerThe 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 

Leadership is never static. It shifts with industries, technologies, and the way we communicate.In this mashup, Denis Gianoutsos brings together two voices who’ve navigated disruption from different worlds: Ernie Sander, a seasoned media executive turned strategist helping leaders amplify their brand, and Matt McWilliams, “The Affiliate Guy,” who turned accidents, failures, and experiments into a thriving business teaching others how to turn their passions into profits.From the fractured world of modern media to the systems behind digital marketing success, this conversation is packed with lessons on adaptability, iteration, and the courage to act before you’re “ready.”Tune in now and be inspired to rethink leadership, branding, and how to build influence in a rapidly changing world.EP407 - Ernie Sander: Reinventing Leadership Through MediaFrom the Wall Street Journal to startups: navigating the shift from print to digitalWhy fractured media gives leaders unprecedented opportunities to own their narrativeLaunching his own podcast, You Said What?, and uncovering the power of pivotal conversationsHelping executives clarify and amplify their personal brand in a noisy marketplaceEP428 - Matt McWilliams: Turning Passions Into ProfitsHow a fired golf instructor discovered an online business through Google adsBuilding one of the first affiliate programs and scaling to $1M+ a monthThe role of iteration: why perfection is the enemy of progressWorking with icons like Tony Robbins, Dean Graziosi, Jeff Walker, and Brian TracyWhy visibility and impact, not book sales, are the real ROI of publishingKey Quotes:“What I found is there could be a lot of depth in sort of small communications moments, and you don't always know it's gonna happen.” - Ernie Sander“Perfectionism is really just an excuse not to take action.” - Matt McWilliamsThe 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 every headline promises that AI will change the world or take your job, it’s no wonder leaders are feeling drained. The noise is constant, the “experts” are multiplying, and clarity can seem impossible to find.In this Ask Denis episode, Denis Gianoutsos explores the reality of AI fatigue and reveals how leaders can cut through the hype. Instead of reacting to every new trend, he shares how to pause, think clearly, and make deliberate choices that actually move your people and business forward.Leadership in an AI-driven world isn’t about coding or becoming a guru; it’s about curiosity, awareness, and guiding your teams with calm confidence. Listen now and discover how to turn AI from a source of fatigue into a tool for clarity, empowerment, and leadership growth.Finding Clarity in the NoiseWhy AI fatigue is real and what it means for leadersThe danger of chasing hype instead of building focusThe power of pausing, reflecting, and making deliberate choicesPractical Leadership MovesLook for real-world applications, not empty theorySeek out trusted voices who cut through the noiseEncourage curiosity and experimentation in your teamsLeading With ConfidenceAI is a tool to empower, not intimidateLeaders don’t need to be experts, just digitally awareCalm leadership creates clarity when noise is overwhelmingKey Quotes:“Great leaders don’t just follow trends. They pause, think, and make deliberate choices.” – Denis Gianoutsos“Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room about AI. It’s actually about guiding your people through the hype.” – 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

Leadership often arrives in life’s most unexpected moments.In this mashup, Denis Gianoutsos is joined by Julian Hayes II, a health strategist whose reluctant leadership journey began when personal challenges compelled him to step up, and Steve Summerfeld, a former freestyle motocross rider who turned a devastating accident into a path of reinvention and leadership.Together, they share powerful lessons on resilience, curiosity, and the importance of being proactive in health, in business, and in life.Tune in now and be inspired to lead with strength, adaptability, and vision.EP 317 – Julian Hayes II: Leading with Health at the CoreHow reluctant leadership emerged through personal life challengesWhy leaders must be proactive, not reactive, about health and businessThe parallels between small cracks in health and cracks in company cultureCuriosity as a driver for innovation in health, genetics, and leadershipEP 404 – Steve Summerfeld: From Motocross Crashes to Leadership LessonsGrowing up on a dairy farm and finding freedom in motocrossBuilding a career in freestyle motocross and athlete managementOvercoming a life-changing accident and learning to walk againEmbracing uncertainty and discovering leadership through reinventionKey Quotes: “Leadership is something that I didn't really think about. It's more something I was very reluctant about.” - Julian Hayes II “Facing your mortality every day teaches you not to take things for granted.” -  Steve Summerfeld “Life is short. If you have an opportunity, take the opportunity to go and ask that question.” - Denis Gianoutsos The 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 

Leadership is about stepping into uncertainty with resilience, vision, and adaptability.In this mashup, Denis Gianoutsos brings together two powerful voices in business and leadership: John Vuong, founder of Local SEO Search, and Nicole Baldinu, co-founder of WebinarNinja and The $100 MBA. John shares his journey from Yellow Pages sales to building a trusted digital agency, navigating disruption, and helping businesses transition online. Nicole opens up about leaving a teaching career to build global SaaS companies and podcasts, highlighting the realities of leadership out of necessity, not design.Together, they show what it takes to build something meaningful through clarity, relationships, and the courage to lead even when the path is uncertain.Tune in to discover how resilience, adaptability, and practical leadership choices can not only shape your business but also positively impact your life.EP 323 - John Vuong:  Building an SEO Agency from the Ground UpFrom Yellow Pages sales to launching a boutique digital agencyUnderstanding gaps in corporate structures and creating solutions for SMBsGrowing a team of 40 while adapting through disruptionHow relationship-driven service creates long-term business resilienceEP 416 - Nicole Baldinu:  From Teaching to Tech EntrepreneurshipTransitioning from education to co-founding global SaaS companiesBuilding the $100 MBA and WebinarNinja with no business backgroundLeadership lessons learned while managing distributed remote teamsThe balance between expectations, accountability, and trustKey Quotes:“I didn’t know anything about SEO. I just knew there was a need for authenticity, transparency, and trust.” – John Vuong“Leadership, for me, came out of necessity. Once you hire people, you realize you have to lead.” – Nicole Baldinu"Sometimes you just have to live within your control and avoid all the news and disruptors in 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 

Disruption can arrive like a sudden change in season:&nbsp; sweeping in with force, but also clearing space for new beginnings.&nbsp;For leaders who embrace it, change becomes a powerful teacher, guiding teams toward resilience, creativity, and renewal. The question is: how will you step into what’s next with clarity and courage?In this Ask Denis episode, Denis Gianoutsos shares lessons from his recent keynote in Christchurch, New Zealand, where leaders gathered around the theme Turning Disruption into Opportunity. He explores how you can prepare yourself and your team to thrive in uncertain times by strengthening your mindset, protecting your energy, and cultivating curiosity.Leadership in times of change is about showing up stronger, modeling resilience, and creating an environment where your people feel safe to adapt.Listen now and discover how to transform disruption into a competitive advantage that empowers both you and your team.Turning Disruption Into PossibilityEvery disruption carries the seeds of a new opportunityLeaders who choose growth can unlock innovation in challenging timesConferences and conversations reveal the power of reframing changeBuilding Your Leadership FoundationA strong mindset and mental fitness allow you to stand tall in uncertaintyConsistent physical movement fuels the energy leaders need to performOngoing learning keeps you adaptable, relevant, and future-readyElevating Your TeamTeams reflect the mindset, energy, and habits they see in their leadersLeaders build confidence by equipping people with tools and skillsSafe environments encourage experimentation, learning, and resilienceLeading With Energy and PurposePositive energy creates momentum that inspires teamsTrust and empathy strengthen relationships in times of changeCourage and curiosity ensure leaders remain relevant and effectiveKey Quotes:“Well, what if disruption wasn’t something to fear, but something to embrace?” – Denis Gianoutsos“For you to lead through disruption, you’ve got to be on top of your game.” – Denis GianoutsosBook a Strategy Call with Denis https://app.leadingchangepartners.com/widget/bookings/callwithdenisgianoutsos&nbsp;The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World&nbsp;Executive Guide Featuring 10 Key Themes and 42 Strategic Insights from Worldwide Leaders&nbsp;https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead&nbsp;Connect with Denis:Email: [email protected]: www.LeadingChangePartners.com&nbsp;Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos&nbsp;LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/&nbsp;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/&nbsp;YouTube Channel: <a...

Leadership today isn’t about titles—it’s about courage, adaptability, and creating value when certainty disappears.In this mashup, Denis Gianoutsos sits down with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, global authority on project management, and Douglas J. Utberg, corporate leader turned entrepreneur. Antonio shows why projects are the lifeline of every organization’s future, while Doug shares his raw journey from corporate layoff to entrepreneurial reinvention.Together, they reveal how influence, resilience, and vision redefine what it means to lead in times of disruption.Tune in to discover how navigating projects and transitions can transform your leadership.EP 315 – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez: Managing the Future Through ProjectsProject management is the lifeline of strategy, not just tacticsShifting from operations to leading changeInfluencing without authority in a matrix worldWhy every CEO’s future rests on projectsEP 320 – Douglas J. Utberg: From Corporate Exit to Entrepreneurial IdentityLaid off to launch into entrepreneurshipIdentity and belonging beyond the corporate worldThe “swamp” every entrepreneur must surviveBuilding leadership through value, resilience, and mindsetKey Quotes:“If one project is difficult to manage, how do you manage 100 or 1000? If leaders don’t spend time on it, the future of their organization is at stake.”– Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez“As a corporate employee, I was paid whether I created value or not. As an entrepreneur, the only way anything happens is if you do it.” – Douglas J. Utberg“Leadership has to change if you want to succeed in today’s world.” – 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&nbsp;Connect with Denis:&nbsp;Email: [email protected]: www.LeadingChangePartners.com&nbsp;Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos&nbsp;LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/&nbsp;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/&nbsp;YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos&nbsp;

Some leaders are forged in combat zones, others on the playing field, but both reveal that leadership is ultimately about courage, vulnerability, and creating connection.In this mashup, Denis Gianoutsos brings together Kenneth Harbaugh, a former Navy pilot, veteran advocate, and podcast host, and Ron Macklin, a former professional football player, corporate leader, and founder of Macklin Connection. Though their paths could not be more different, both share timeless lessons on facing fear, building trust, and stepping into leadership when it matters most.This is about the kind of leadership the world needs today: real, human, and unafraid.Tune in to this powerful mashup episode to explore how embracing fear, serving with purpose, and choosing connection over protection can transform the way we lead.EP 314 - Kenneth Harbaugh: From Navy Cockpits to Veteran AdvocacyBurn the Boats: Why true commitment requires eliminating escape routesTeam Rubicon: mobilizing over 100,000 veterans into global disaster relief effortsHow military service instills a lifelong ethic of service and leadershipThe power of continuing to serve beyond the uniformEP 554 - Ron Macklin: Everyone is Afraid, And That’s OkayFrom offensive lineman to corporate executive: lessons in resilience and teamworkWhy fear is universal and how acknowledging it unlocks authentic leadershipBreaking the façade of networking: moving from shields-up to genuine connectionBuilding cultures of trust and creativity through Macklin ConnectionKey Quotes:“The US has an all-volunteer force, and that desire to serve doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It’s in the DNA of these veterans.” – Kenneth Harbaugh“I wrote the book Everyone Is Afraid, which really gives people the ability to notice that being afraid is normal and we’re all doing it. And the only way to deal with it is to talk about your fears.” – Ron Macklin“Isn’t it interesting to see how people don’t put their hand up to lead, they want someone else to do it.” – 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&nbsp;Connect with Denis:&nbsp;Email: [email protected]: www.LeadingChangePartners.com&nbsp;Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos&nbsp;LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/&nbsp;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/&nbsp;YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos&nbsp;

Some are calling AI a ticking clock on leadership roles, while others see it as just another tool.&nbsp;Denis Gianoutsos brings clarity to the debate in this powerful episode, showing why AI isn’t replacing leaders but why leaders who fail to adapt may soon find themselves irrelevant.From boardroom conversations to global studies, Denis explains what’s happening as AI reshapes organizations. He explores how leaders can embrace AI as a partner, free themselves from administrative overload, and double down on the uniquely human qualities that machines can’t replicate: vision, trust, empathy, and culture.Catch the full discussion now.The Real Question Leaders Should AskWhy AI isn’t replacing leadership, but reinventing itHow global research paints a more balanced picture of the futureWhat “flattened organizations” mean for modern leadersWhere AI Fits in LeadershipTasks AI is already taking over, and why that’s good newsThe shift from communication channels to strategy, innovation, and cultureWhy 40% of leadership skills will need to evolve by 2030Staying Relevant in an AI-Driven WorldMindset shifts: AI as a partner, not a threatWhy “high tech requires high touch” is truer than everPractical actions to experiment, redesign your role, and upskill your teamThe Human Advantage Leaders Can’t LoseCoaching, empathy, and ethical decision-making as irreplaceable strengthsWhy curiosity is your insurance policy against irrelevanceA challenge: If AI gave you two hours back each week, how would you reinvest them?3 Practical Calls to Action for LeadersTry one AI tool this week for prep or analysis.Block time for more face-to-face coaching conversations.Share your thoughts with Denis, will AI replace leadership, or simply redefine it?Key Quotes:“AI isn’t replacing leaders. Leaders who fail to adapt - they will be replaced.” – Denis Gianoutsos“AI is powerful, but the buck stops with a human leader.” – Denis GianoutsosBook a Strategy Call with Denis https://app.leadingchangepartners.com/widget/bookings/callwithdenisgianoutsos&nbsp;The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World&nbsp;Executive Guide Featuring 10 Key Themes and 42 Strategic Insights from Worldwide Leaders&nbsp;https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead&nbsp;Connect with Denis:Email: [email protected]: www.LeadingChangePartners.com&nbsp;Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos&nbsp;LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/&nbsp;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/&nbsp;YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos" rel="noopener noreferrer"...