Lean Into the Storm: The Buffalo Mindset

To celebrate the launch of Small Things Make a Big Difference, Spencer Holt shares why he wrote the book and what the journey taught him. With a closer look at personal energy, discover a simple 10-second practice to bring more intention to your next meeting, conversation, or moment at home. Small choices, repeated consistently, can change how we lead and live.

Leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about connection.What if the real secret isn’t telling people what to do… but helping them believe why it matters?Loved this conversation with Scott Youmans (VP of Sales at Tarsus) on empathy, influence, and a simple What–Why–How–Why framework that inspires real action.Plus… a great story about knocking on doors to make friends as a kid. That says it all 🚲

Be more Buffalo!Lately, I’ve been noticing a pattern in both leadership and life:When challenges come, we either lean in… or we run with the storm.In this episode, I share a simple but powerful analogy from growing up in Southern Alberta, the difference between buffalo and cows, and what it teaches us about facing hard conversations, decisions, and moments that matter.If you’re navigating something right now, this one might resonate.And if someone comes to mind who could use it......please pass it along.

In this episode of Small Things Make a Big Difference, I sit down with leadership expert, bestselling author, and Culture Works co-founder Adrian Gostick.You may know Adrian from The Carrot Principle, All In, or Leading with Gratitude. But in this conversation, we go deeper.We explore:Why culture is “the perfume in the air” — and how leaders shape it every dayThe three simple, low-cost actions that immediately improve engagementThe surprising lesson Adrian learned about gratitude as a senior executiveWhy specificity matters more than generic praiseHow hybrid work is reshaping culture (and what great leaders are doing about it)His 15-year journey to writing his first fiction novel, Jack Slade and the Butcher BirdOne of my favorite takeaways?The best leaders aren’t the smartest in the room — they’re the best at asking questions and bringing out the brilliance in others.This conversation is a powerful reminder that small habits — listening well, sharing future vision, expressing specific gratitude — create extraordinary cultures.And yes… we talk Beatles too.If you care about culture, leadership, and becoming more intentional in how you show up — this one’s for you.

New episode: When Truth Becomes CareOne of the hardest leadership lessons?If you truly care about people, you have to be willing to tell them the truth. In this episode of Small Things Make a Big Difference, I sit down with Gaby Bourbara President of AstraZeneca Canada, to talk about values, courageous conversations, and why honesty—when rooted in care—is one of the most human leadership acts there is. From coaching kids’ hockey to leading complex organizations, this conversation is a powerful reminder that care without truth isn’t leadership… and truth without care doesn’t land.

Leadership, Hand-Dipped with Rod Holt (Global Leader Group) : What chocolate, mistakes, and generosity teach us about leading teams.In this special holiday episode, I sit down with my brother Rod to explore how a simple family tradition, hand-dipping chocolates reveals powerful leadership lessons. Together, we unpack what mistakes can teach us, why generosity builds trust, and how intentional rituals create belonging and stronger teams. It’s a reminder that leadership isn’t about grand gestures, but small, consistent acts done with care.As we close, we also want to acknowledge that this time of year can be hard. Many people are navigating job loss, uncertainty, or transition. If that’s you or someone you know—Rod and I would love to help. We’re offering a few complimentary coaching sessions where you can think out loud with us and get support during this season. The first eight people who reach out to us on LinkedIn will be set up for a session. And if you know someone who could use this right now, please share this episode with them.Small things really do make a big difference.

In this episode, Sasha Koloskov from AstraZeneca helps us rethink leadership at the jagged frontier of AI. Together, we dive into how leaders can stay soulful and human while using AI wisely, and why pausing, reflecting, and redefining roles between humans and machines is essential for creating safety, purpose, and even “superhuman” performance in our teams.A timely and important discussion as AI reshapes the world of work at an unprecedented pace.

New Thanksgiving episode! 🦃In just 3 minutes, I share three simple ways to be thankful , no journals, no stress, just small habits that can lift your day.A micro-moment.A specific thank-you.And one thing you appreciate about… you.A perfect gratitude reset for the holiday season.Thankful for this community.

In this episode of Small Things Make a Big Difference, I sit down with Tony Ramy, Executive Vice President at Mayne Pharma, whose leadership philosophy blends high care with high accountability.Tony shares the small but powerful habits behind his success, from winning the morning with disciplined routines to intentionally hitting the decline button to create space for what matters most: developing people.You’ll hear stories of humble leadership learned from immigrant parents, insights on balancing empathy with performance, the art of radical candor, and how to coach individuals into greatness they can’t yet see in themselves.If you want to lead with more energy, clarity, courage, and humanity—this one’s for you.

What if great leadership wasn’t about making more decisions, but knowing which ones really matter?In this week’s episode of Small Things Make a Big Difference, I sit down with Mike Menta, CEO of Red Nucleus, to explore what he’s learned in his first year leading a fast-growing global company. From Jeff Bezos’ “two tiers of decisions” to the art of empowering others, Mike shares how he’s building a culture where people love both the work they do and the place they do it.We talk about:- How to know when to decide — and when to let go-Why happy people drive business performance-The surprising power of compartmentalization and being “in the moment”-What it means to really care about your people — at work and at homeIt’s a conversation about leadership, balance, and the small choices that shape extraordinary results.