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Go Relational First: Building Trust Beneath the Transaction
Welcome back to Beneath the Transaction.
This week we’re joined by Sean MacMillan, VP of HR for Captain D’s and a leader deeply rooted in applied organizational and behavioral science.
Sean has spent years helping executive teams build leadership pipelines, strengthen employee experience, and translate culture work into measurable business outcomes — especially in high-pressure, frontline environments.
But this conversation isn’t about HR trends.
It’s about relationships.
Together, we explore:
The difference between transactional and relational leadership
Why transparency and emotional sharing build trust
The role of vulnerability in shaping culture
How small cultural gestures carry deep meaning
The power of storytelling in connecting people
Why consistency builds credibility
And why growth always requires discomfort
Sean reminds us that culture isn’t shaped in grand declarations — it’s formed in daily interactions.
You can’t build trust from a distance.
You can’t outsource vulnerability.
And you can’t create accountable people without first creating safe, relational space.
If you’re serious about leadership, culture, or personal growth, this episode will push you to examine how you show up.
Because before strategy, before systems, before outcomes —
You have to go relational first.
It takes a Tribe to practice transformation.
Let’s practice this together.
Chapters
00:00 Lost Footage and New Beginnings
01:07 Introducing Sean MacMillan
01:48 The Scope of HR at Captain D's
04:00 Passion for Culture and Human Experience
05:10 Transactional vs. Relational Dynamics
07:05 Building Trust and Relationships
09:34 The Importance of Vulnerability
12:36 Cultural Gestures and Their Meanings
15:14 The Breath of Life: Aloha and Connection
17:53 Transformational Leadership and Personal Growth
24:35 The Power of Storytelling in Leadership
29:12 Consistency and Emotional Sharing
34:10 Navigating Difficult Conversations
40:18 Embracing Discomfort for Growth
45:05 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
48:59 Closing Thoughts on Potential and Best Efforts 49:37 podcast close 2-.mp4
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By Chris & Kenzie Pineda
5
1111 ratings
Welcome back to Beneath the Transaction.
This week we’re joined by Sean MacMillan, VP of HR for Captain D’s and a leader deeply rooted in applied organizational and behavioral science.
Sean has spent years helping executive teams build leadership pipelines, strengthen employee experience, and translate culture work into measurable business outcomes — especially in high-pressure, frontline environments.
But this conversation isn’t about HR trends.
It’s about relationships.
Together, we explore:
The difference between transactional and relational leadership
Why transparency and emotional sharing build trust
The role of vulnerability in shaping culture
How small cultural gestures carry deep meaning
The power of storytelling in connecting people
Why consistency builds credibility
And why growth always requires discomfort
Sean reminds us that culture isn’t shaped in grand declarations — it’s formed in daily interactions.
You can’t build trust from a distance.
You can’t outsource vulnerability.
And you can’t create accountable people without first creating safe, relational space.
If you’re serious about leadership, culture, or personal growth, this episode will push you to examine how you show up.
Because before strategy, before systems, before outcomes —
You have to go relational first.
It takes a Tribe to practice transformation.
Let’s practice this together.
Chapters
00:00 Lost Footage and New Beginnings
01:07 Introducing Sean MacMillan
01:48 The Scope of HR at Captain D's
04:00 Passion for Culture and Human Experience
05:10 Transactional vs. Relational Dynamics
07:05 Building Trust and Relationships
09:34 The Importance of Vulnerability
12:36 Cultural Gestures and Their Meanings
15:14 The Breath of Life: Aloha and Connection
17:53 Transformational Leadership and Personal Growth
24:35 The Power of Storytelling in Leadership
29:12 Consistency and Emotional Sharing
34:10 Navigating Difficult Conversations
40:18 Embracing Discomfort for Growth
45:05 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
48:59 Closing Thoughts on Potential and Best Efforts 49:37 podcast close 2-.mp4