STRATEGIC STORYTELLING: Why Some Stories Drive Your Success At Work But Others Don't, with Anjali Sharma

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Anjali Sharma about their book, "STRATEGIC STORYTELLING: Why Some Stories Drive Your Success At Work But Others Don't." Anjali Sharma is the founder of Narrative: The Business of Stories and is one of the most sought-after keynote speakers trusted by international brands seeking guidance on finding, developing, and using their stories to make a dynamic change happen. Sharma works with private and government organizations to determine what their individual and unique business challenges are, and by incorporating story skills, she crafts individualized solutions to help solve those challenges. She is trusted by brands such as LinkedIn, Airbnb, Bytedance, TikTok, and Meta.   Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Andrew Hartman about how leaders can help their team members better manage their time. Andrew Hartman is the Founder of Time Boss, an organization that helps leaders and their teams reinvent their relationships with time to get more done with less stress and anxiety. Andrew founded Time Boss after burning out several times, even losing his sense of smell for a season. He has taken all he has learned over the years to build a system to help business leaders and their teams and avoid the same mistakes and chaos and find their highest sustainable pace. Andrew is a Fractional COO with 18+ years of experience supporting the launch of software and technology startups.  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Robb Munger about sustainable community revitalization projects. Robb Munger, founder of Exodus Place, champions transitional housing for homeless men. With a background in finance, where he established a leading financial company in manufactured housing, Munger’s journey took a pivotal turn when he joined the board of Guiding Light Mission. There, he propelled a struggling rescue mission into prominence and transformed a former state corrections facility into Michigan’s largest non-governmental transitional housing, offering new beginnings to those in need. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Jan Barlow about how today's and future leaders can integrate human sustainability practices. As Founder of Better Job Fit, Jan is driven by a passion for transforming lives and creating sustainable human, social, and economic impact in communities. At Better Job Fit, they believe in empowering individuals and businesses to grow with purpose. Through their programs, they foster conscious leadership, social impact education, and personal development, equipping people to thrive, inspire, and lead for the greater good. they also specialize in supporting transitioning business owners through the 10 Stages of Business Growth—a framework designed to guide owners at every step, whether preparing for an exit, scaling, or navigating complex M&A processes. Their goal is to ensure these transitions are seamless, strategic, and aligned with both personal and professional goals AND YOUR PEOPLE. By focusing on workforce awareness and behavior diversity, they foster shame-free environments where people and organizations can reach their full potential. Their work is about more than just business—it’s about tapping into unknown strengths, creating opportunities for conscious leaders, and making an impact that matters. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Doug Howarth about hypernomics and improving our understanding of markets and decision-making processes. At fourteen, Doug Howarth was faced with a problem that would pursue him for decades. He had just been exposed to the 2D and 3D coordinate systems of René Descartes. While they offered a framework for many problems, he wondered: What other plotting systems exist that we haven’t seen? Shortly after, Doug found out that his kidneys were failing and that clouded his thinking. Persevering through this challenge, he majored in economics at Washington State University, graduating top of his class. In 2002, Doug’s best friend, Tim Schreiner, gave him a kidney. When he came to after the operation, his brain was clear for the first time in thirty years, and he was determined to make maximal use of his improved mental capacity. Not long after that, when he and his wife went shopping for a new washing machine, as she weighed her options aloud, he realized she had solved a multidimensional problem in her head. He instantly recognized that people throughout the store were subconsciously doing similar evaluations for all their considered purchases. In that moment, Doug Howarth discovered Hypernomics, the study of market actions across four or more dimensions, the plotting systems he had been wondering about for three decades. He founded Hypernomics Inc. on his ideas, which has worked for NASA, Virgin Galactic, and Lockheed Martin. Along with two others, he’s been awarded US Patent 10,402,838 for the world’s first 4D analytic software. Wiley will publish his book, Hypernomics: Using Hidden Dimensions to Solve Unseen Problems, in January 2024. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Jordan Burton about mastering the art of interviewing and tools and strategies for hiring exceptional talent. Jordan Burton has an unusual job—he’s a professional interviewer. Over the past 17 years, he has conducted several hundred multi- hour interviews with CEOs and other C-level candidates on behalf of major private equity firms and corporate Boards. He has leveraged his experiences to train the leadership teams of top VC/PE investors and high-growth companies to become exceptional at hiring and interviewing. Having trained over 3,000 executives and investors, Jordan is renowned for his skill in conducting rich, interactive conversations that delve deep into candidates’ personal and professional histories. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Dennis S. Holland about the Net Connected Score, a new KPI for workplace culture. As CEO, Dennis is leading Quantum Connections into a new era of innovation, expansion, and transformation. Leveraging the organization’s 40-year history of clinical innovations and philanthropic successes, he is charting an exciting path of sustainable growth through the delivery of transformative relational competency programs to new markets including corporations and nonprofits as well as educational, government, and faith-based institutions around the world. Dennis’ reputation for changing brand discussions from challenge to opportunity is met with his consistent success at driving remarkable market growth and thought leadership outcomes for numerous companies on a global scale. Examples include leading a large military-focused financial services turnaround that yielded a 45% increase in target market favorability within one year of launch; supporting a 10x growth in market cap for FIS (NYSE: FIS) through effective brand integration and product positioning for numerous acquisitions; and serving as an expert marketing resource for The Kellogg Companies, ATT, Worldpay, EDS, and other global brands. Dennis is the father of two beautiful, grown children. He’s an avid traveler with a goal of visiting every continent, an amateur photographer, and a diehard gym-goer, trail-walker, and beach fanatic. And as a member of the Knights of Columbus with his local church, he spends as much time as possible serving his community. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

This article explores the critical importance of effective communication during organizational change, emphasizing that successful transformation requires more than simply announcing changes. It demonstrates how leaders must proactively build trust by explaining the rationale behind changes, addressing employee concerns with empathy, and fostering two-way communication throughout the process. Drawing on research and real-world examples, the authors illustrate how transparency helps overcome natural resistance to change by reducing uncertainty and giving employees a sense of control and partnership in the transformation. The article provides practical strategies for leaders to equip employees with necessary resources and training, measure ongoing engagement, and create a collaborative environment where change is viewed as an opportunity rather than a threat. Ultimately, it concludes that organizations achieve more successful transitions when leaders approach change as a partnership built on honest communication, understanding of emotional reactions, and mutual investment in long-term success.  

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with David Gray about empower your team. David Gray is the CEO of FedUp Foods, a leading external manufacturer for functional, flavorful beverages in North America. An innovator in his field, David leverages his wealth of experience to help companies grow in a way that positively impacts society and the environment. David’s work as a CEO centers around his commitment to community, culture and continual learning. David is a Six Sigma trained CEO and a 2022 winner of The Pros to Know Award which recognizes outstanding executives whose accomplishments offer a roadmap for other leaders looking to leverage supply chain for competitive advantage. A transformative leader, David drives impact through best-in-class performance improvement across internal and external clients, and lean and agile processes to enhance profitability. His uncanny ability to shift the way brands think, act, and go-to-market have made him a sought-after leader and motivator in the industry. Prior to joining FedUp Foods, David served as the President and CEO of GreenSeed, a global contract packager of natural foods. His diverse work experience across private equity and the food industry allowed him to scale GreenSeed into a high performing, positive-impact company which was recognized in 2015 as the 5th fastest-growing packaging company in North America. A highly requested speaker, David has presented on noteworthy stages at Mo Summit, Real Leader and Georgia Tech. He has served on boards domestically and internationally. David’s impressive track record is a testament to his experience and education, having studied at Yale University, Georgia Tech, and Hope College. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Cameron Herold about evolving your team so that it doesn't need a "tie-breaker". Cameron Herold has decades of experience in operations, scalability, company culture, and so much more. Cameron Herold, founder of the COO Alliance and the Invest In Your Leaders course, is known as the "CEO Whisperer" for helping top businesses like Sprint Telecom and a Middle Eastern monarchy double their profits and revenue within three years. Starting his entrepreneurial journey early, Cameron built two $100 million companies by age 35 and later drove 1-800-GOT-JUNK?'s growth from $2 million to $106 million in revenue and from 14 to 3,100 employees in just six years. A captivating speaker, Cameron has spoken in 26 countries across all 7 continents, including Antarctica. He is the top-rated lecturer at EO/MIT's Entrepreneurial Masters Program. Rich Karlgaard of Forbes calls him "the best speaker I've ever heard...he hits grand slams." Cameron is also an accomplished author of six books, including Vivid Vision and the global bestseller Double Double, endorsed by Seth Godin. He’s a frequent podcast guest, appearing on shows like The Jordan Harbinger Show, Achieve Your Goals with Hal Elrod, BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast,, and hundreds more, as well as has been featured in CNN, Forbes, Inc., HuffPost.  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!