Chef Mike Lata - FIG and The Ordinary (James Beard Award-Winner)

How do you revive a 100-year-old brand… without playing it safe?Andy Mecs, President of Chicken of the Sea, didn’t just inherit a legacy—he reshaped it.But not by chasing trends.Not by copying the competition.And definitely not by playing defense.Instead, he made a series of bold moves that most would’ve avoided—And in the process, turned a fading favorite into a rising force.In this episode, you’ll hear:The unexpected career moment that changed everythingHow he rebuilt trust—and a team—during the Great ResignationWhy zigging while others zag became his leadership edge🎧 What happened inside Chicken of the Sea is bigger than tuna.💬 What’s a time you bet on a harder path… and it paid off?-----Follow Andy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-mecs-b132486/Learn more about Chicken of the Sea: https://chickenofthesea.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Warehouse Unrest. 3 AM. T-shirt soaked in sweat. Alone.That’s where Joe Perkins, now COO of Carolina Handling, found himself early in his career —after pushing team productivity too far, too fast.💥 His team walked out.But instead of doubling down, Joe went back in—this time with humility.Together, they rewrote the rules. Built a new plan. And blew past the goals he thought were impossible.Joe went from player to coach, from telling to asking, and from forklift seller to logistics innovator.You’ll learn:🚫 Why “telling” doesn’t work🧠 How to get teams to own strategy💪 The 2 traits every employee needs🎯 Why goal-setting needs to evolve—or fail📬 And why his team now sends him postcards of their dreams“Pour into your people.”That’s Joe’s mantra—and after this conversation, you’ll never forget it.💬 What’s one lesson that changed the way you lead?-----Follow Joe on LinkedIn: Learn more about Carolina Handling: https://www.carolinahandling.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Flex. Adapt. Win.That’s the playbook for Ananta Islam, CEO at Körber Supply Chain Americas, who’s scaling a global operation with one mission:Build teams that trust, strategies that empower, and a culture that moves at the speed of change.Here’s what stood out in our conversation:👉 Why leadership must flex across generations—even down to emojis👉 The underrated power of self-awareness (and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you)👉 Turning strategy into a daily practice, not a dusty PDF.👉 Every company needs to “Find Their A”—and what that really means.What’s one belief or behavior you had to flex to become a better leader?-----Follow Ananta on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ananta-islam-89580aaa/Lean more about Körber: Körber Group website: https://www.koerber.com/en/Körber Business Area Supply Chain: https://koerber-supplychain.com/Körber LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/k%C3%B6rber/Körber Business Area Supply Chain LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/koerber-supply-chain/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Lifeline in a War Zone 📡Nicole Robinson, President of DataPath, shares the harrowing moment when her team’s satellite system—the world’s largest fleet of defense-certified terminals—helped civilians escape to safety.......in the middle of a war. ⚠️ This wasn’t luck. It was leadership.And for Nicole and her team, saving lives isn’t a one-time story—it’s the mission. Every.Single. Day.Imagine being stranded in the middle of a jungle. A desert. A ship at sea.No cell towers. No Wi-Fi.But the mission can’t wait—and lives are on the line.That’s where Nicole and her team come in—building invisible lifelines that deliver connection, hope, and survival.In this episode:✅ The satellite launch that changed everything.✅ How one employee’s awakening redefined impact.✅ Why real leadership starts by challenging culture.If you believe leadership is about more than metrics—if you believe purpose drives performance—this one’s for you.Have you ever lead in a crisis?🎙️ Check it out now on Lead the Team podcast, ranked in the top 2% globally-----Follow Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-robinson-a7a825b/Learn more about DataPath: https://datapath.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

🍴 CHEF’S FIRE.Talent gets you started.Obsession takes you further.But it’s fire and vision that forges a true chef.Mike Lata, James Beard Award-winning chef and founder of Charleston’s celebrated FIG and The Ordinary, didn’t just build restaurants —...he's built a legacy grounded in passion, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence.In this conversation, Mike shares what few ever see behind the plate:🔥 The brutal early years most don't survive.🔥 The moment he considered quitting — and what pushed him through.🔥 The deep personal standards that light every dish, every service, every dream.This isn’t just about food.It’s about craft.Vision.Heart.And the fire it takes to build something that lasts.-----Follow Mike on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikelataEat at his incredible restaurants:FIG - https://eatatfig.com/The Ordinary - https://eattheordinary.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Some leaders manage.Some leaders survive.A rare few — power the world.Brad Childers, President and CEO of Archrock, doesn’t just lead a company.He fuels the infrastructure that powers modern life — keeping energy flowing when the world needs it most.With over a decade as CEO and a 30-year career at the intersection of energy, innovation, and strategy, Brad has a deep conviction about the role energy plays in liberating humanity from darkness, cold, and toil — and a sharp eye for what’s next.In this conversation, Brad shares the real story behind leadership:⚡ How to relieve the hidden weight the leaders carry.⚡ The faith that keeps you moving.⚡ A step to win the Future.If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to lead when everything’s on the line — this episode will change how you see leadership — and the power behind the modern world.-----Follow Brad and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-childers-7363955/Learn More about Archrock: https://www.archrock.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

💥 Ever felt like the underdog… and wondered if you could actually win?Richard Leurig, President of Accruent, built an entire career out of beating industry titans — with speed, clarity, and purpose.✅ Outlasted the mortgage meltdown✅ Scaled MoneyGram in a federal crisis✅ Built “The Better Everyday Way”In this bold episode, he shares how to lead through chaos, simplify to grow, and turn setbacks into superpowers.🎧 Listen now — and get the playbook for underdog victories.👇Question for you: When’s a time being the underdog actually gave you an edge?-----Follow RIchard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rkleurig/Learn more about Accruent: https://www.accruent.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

What happens when a doctor, raised to save lives, suddenly finds himself in the high-stakes world of business with no playbook to guide him?Dr. David Stern, CEO of Experity, opens up about his journey from the fast-paced world of urgent care to leading a tech company that serves thousands of clinics across the country. But his isn’t just a story of business success—it’s a story of raw determination, personal growth, and leadership forged in the fires of crisis.Dr. Stern reflects on the pivotal moments that nearly broke him—like the federal investigation that threatened everything he built. How did he pull through the darkest times? What lessons did he learn as he transformed from a physician into the leader his company desperately needed?In this powerful conversation, Dr. Stern shares the advice he would give to his younger self, how he rewired his approach to leadership, and the humbling truth he discovered when everything seemed lost.This isn’t just about business—it’s about resilience, the courage to pivot, and the heart it takes to lead when the stakes are highest.-----Followed David on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/urgentcaredoc/Learn more about Experity - https://www.experityhealth.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

The Hard ConversationWhat if your biggest leadership breakthrough, started with a brutally honest performance review?Well Shri Parikh, didn’t just turn around an underperforming team member—he changed that person’s life. And in return? That person incredibly mentored his teenage son through one of the most difficult chapters of his life. The result? A lifelong bond… and a leader reborn.Shri is the President and Executive Vice President of Ovik Health, a subsidiary of the legendary Milliken & Company—recognized for over 160 years of innovation and values-driven impact across the globe.He reveals how purpose, performance, and personal values come together to shape the kind of leader who builds trust that transcends the workplace.If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with more heart, more impact, and more legacy… then Shri's message is for you.Let's go!-----Follow Shri - www.linkedin.com/in/shri-parikh-a462244Learn more about Ovik Health and Milliken - https://www.milliken.com/en-us-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

What if your biggest leadership advantage… was knowing when to say less?Today’s guest is Hans Stig Moller, CEO of Odyssey Logistics—a global logistics powerhouse that moves freight across 130 countries. But here’s the twist: Hans doesn’t lead with volume. He leads with calm. Curiosity. And radical humility.Raised in Denmark, shaped by gritty experience in the shipping yards, and guided by a deeply people-first mindset, Hans opens up about what it really takes to earn trust at scale—without burning out or losing yourself in the title.In this episode, you’ll hear how a moment behind the scenes in accounting forever changed how Hans views “leading by example”… how a career setback turned into an MBA on steroids… and why he believes listening—truly listening—is one of the most underrated executive skills.We also go deep on how he tracks his time like a venture investment, why he says AI is transforming logistics quarter by quarter, and how his Danish roots still shape every boardroom and town hall he steps into.If you’re leading a team, navigating growth, or just trying to become a more grounded, strategic version of yourself—this one will hit home.-----Follow Hans on LiinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hans-stig-moller/Learn more about Oddessy Logistics: https://odysseylogistics.com/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter