High Octane Leadership

Join us in this thought-provoking episode as we delve into the significance of Pride Month and discuss important topics surrounding the LGBTQ+ community. Our guests, Susie Silver and Royce Hoffner, provide unique insights on the evolution of Pride Month, its historical roots as a resistance movement, and the importance of celebrating resilience and equality. We also examine recent marketing campaigns by Anheuser-Busch and Target, analyzing the potential consequences of well-intentioned actions that may lack strategic planning or alignment with the target audience. Together, we explore the significance of trust, authenticity, and sustained support, highlighting the importance of fostering meaningful connections and understanding within the business realm. Tune in to gain valuable insights on navigating discussions, driving positive change, and empowering diverse communities.

High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. 

Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.

A few weeks ago, we heard from Hacking HR's Enrique Rubio on How to be a Leader in an Empathetic World. Today, Don gives his thoughts on how we can be high octane leaders in an empathetic world, when too often empathetic is seen as soft. And it doesn't mean having to reduce expectations on results.

High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.

Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.

When Abha Bowers became CEO of Walk West, her team started treating her a little bit differently because she's now the boss. And she wondered - since she doesn't look like most CEOs, she hugs way more than other CEOs, she's a feeler, a laugher, an empath - would she have to change her leadership style?  Could she truly ever be effective as a leader?

So she hired someone who's been there, Executive Coach Ravila Gupta. Together they worked on vulnerability, navigating being the only one in the room, breaking the glass ceiling, the River of Life, and how to become a transformative leader.

Today Donald talks to both women about how Executive Coaching has advanced their careers.

Abha Bowers is the CEO of Walk West, Certified Nutritionist and Personal Trainer.
Ravila Gupta is an Executive Coach and CEO of the Bagchi Group.

High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.

Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.

We've all heard about Quiet Quitting and The Great Resignation. In the job market, we've seen salaries increase, and not necessarily because of better performance.  With the economy favoring employees, are they no longer motivated to become excellent?  Is the market creating an Epidemic of Average?  If so, what can leaders do about it?

High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.

Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.

Today we share this episode of the Charity Champions Podcast, guest-hosted by Donald Thompson.
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Easterseals UCP is serving thousands of people in this community - people with disabilities, Autism, and other behavioral challenges. With 2,300 employees, the depth of work and support they provide is as impressive as it is heart-warming.  Today, we hear from two of those team members, Laurie Nederveen and Marta Quintana, as they share both their whys for joining Easterseals UCP and some of the programs they're focused on.

Donate to Easterseals UCP
Easterseals UCP events including Kendra Scott Gives Back Event Decmeber 3, 2022

High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.

Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.

In September 2017, Enrique Rubio saw a problem - the world of technology was moving so fast, and HR was moving very slowly (it at all). It was completely disconnected from how the technology was moving the world forward. So he decided to do something about.

Today, Don and Enrique talk about Hacking HR, HR trends, creating a better and more equitable workplace, and how to be a more empathetic leader.

Enrique Rubio is the Founder of Hacking HR, a global learning community of HR and business leaders, HR practitioners, vendors, consultants, and everyone else interested in learning, sharing, collaborating and advancing the HR profession.  

High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.

Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.

On today's episode, Donald Thompson recaps his time speaking at and attending the Black Men XCEL Conference, which is "designed to elevate and empower Black men to be recognized for their value and talent."  

High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.

Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.

In a recent study, 80% of people who identify as Democrats see Republicans as being out of control and a threat to democracy, while 80% of Republicans see Democrats as being out of control and a threat to democracy. So what do we do as leaders when politics bleeds into how we work and live every day?  Political analyst, journalist, and marketing consultant Billy Warden joins us to discuss.

High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.

Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.

Tru Pettigrew, Chief Diversity Officer of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, comes on High Octane Leadership to discuss the role of diversity in the professional sports arena, what organizations are doing it right, how negative narratives can impact our performance, and the mental health conversation amongst the professional athletes.
 
About Tru Pettigrew:

Tru Pettigrew enters his second season with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx and his first as Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Pettigrew previously served as the Timberwolves Vice President of Player Programs and Diversity & Inclusion. Pettigrew oversees all diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts including setting the strategic vision across all four franchises – the Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Lynx, Iowa Wolves, and T-Wolves Gaming.

Following the murder of George Floyd, Pettigrew played an integral role with the team from convening team discussions around race relations and social justice to serving as a bridge for community dialogue with Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo and other civic members.
Prior to joining the Timberwolves and Lynx, Pettigrew operated his own consulting firm helping organizations build bridges of trust and understanding across various areas of division. As a part of his bridge building efforts, he founded Barbershop Rap Sessions, which is a platform that leverages barbershops across the country as a trusted venue for hosting facilitated dialogue between Law Enforcement and communities of color. He also serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and has spent time working with brands such as Nike, Hennessy, Unilever, and Ford.

He currently serves on the Board of North Carolina’s Center on Actual Innocence. Pettrigrew earned his degree from DeVry University.

High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.

Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.

Two episodes ago, Don shared his thoughts on imposter syndrome and what leaders can do about feeling inadequate. He references the book, Find Your Fierce: Interrupt Imposter Syndrome and Own Your Success, and talks about the impact it has had on his approach.  Today, Don brings on the author of that book, leadership consultant and speaker Teresa Sande, to get her take on imposter syndrome, the "reference man", and what we and why we're so much more than our titles at work.

High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.

Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.