In episode 286 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Thanos Diacakis, Software Delivery Coach, Fractional CTO, and business growth expert. With more than 25 years in software development, Thanos has worked with startups and global tech companies like Uber, where he led the integration of the JUMP Bikes acquisition, scaling the platform to 45,000 vehicles and over 2 million monthly trips.

We explore why so many organizations struggle to scale despite strong teams, and how misalignment between business leaders and engineering creates hidden bottlenecks, technical debt, and burnout. Thanos shares how leaders can communicate more clearly with tech teams to increase speed, quality, and outcomes.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to align business goals with engineering reality

• Why “doing Agile” often fails to deliver results

• The hidden cost of technical debt and quick fixes

• How leaders can spot and fix real bottlenecks in delivery

Tune in for a grounded, practical conversation on scaling technology teams without chaos.

You can connect with Thanos here: Thanos Diacakis' infrequently updated page

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In episode 285 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Katy McFee, executive coach and founder of Insights to Action. After 18 years in biotech and tech, driving nine-figure revenue while repeatedly being passed over, Katy cracked the code, landed a VP role, and was soon recruited as an EVP. Today, she helps high-performing women do the same without burning out or waiting for permission that never comes.

We talk about why so many brilliant women stay stuck at Director level, why the issue is rarely skills and almost always perception, and how small, strategic shifts can completely change how leadership sees you.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why high performers get overlooked despite strong results

• How perception shapes promotion decisions more than competence

• What it means to move from invisible to influentia

•  How to advance even when DEI support is missing

• When it’s time to leave the room and find one that fits

Tune in for a bold, honest conversation about visibility, power, and stepping into leadership on your own terms.

You can connect with Katy here Get Promoted To Executive Leadership - Insights to Action

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In episode 284 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Stefan Feuerstein, founder of ABC Delegation, author of A-B-C Delegation: The Manager’s Guide to Effective Delegation, and one of Oprah’s SuperSoul 100 leaders. With experience leading humanitarian operations and managing teams of thousands, Stefan brings a rare, real-world perspective on leadership under pressure.

We explore why leaders burn out not because they work too hard, but because they become bottlenecks, confusing delegation with task dumping. Stefan shares how his A-B-C Delegation framework helps leaders know when to stay involved, when to be informed, and when to step aside so teams can truly step up.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why delegation is not optional, but central to leadership

• How poor delegation creates burnout and stalls organizations

• How to systematize decision-making without micromanaging

• What it really means to empower teams and scale impact

Tune in for a practical, eye-opening conversation on delegation as a force multiplier in modern leadership.

You can connect with Stefan here A-B-C Delegation: Effective Delegation Tools and Strategies for Successful Management

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Anthony Cudjo, Founder of Human Optimization 3.0 (H3O), performance expert, and widely known as the “Teacher of Teachers.” With more than 37 years of experience in business consulting, executive coaching, NLP, and professional athletics, Anthony has helped thousands of leaders and individuals unlock their full physical, mental, and emotional potential.

We explore what it truly means to optimize the human experience, from mastering anxiety and dissolving limiting beliefs to tapping into the deeper intelligence encoded in our DNA. Anthony breaks down the H3O framework, the three power centers that shape every decision we make, and the daily practices that help people step into a more powerful, purposeful version of themselves.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What it means to “crack the code” of human optimization

• How to harmonize spirit, mind, and body for lasting transformation

• Why reconnecting with your Divine Intelligence changes everything

• How leaders can activate their potential and elevate others

🎧 Tune in for an energizing, transformative conversation about personal mastery, human potential, and the mechanics of becoming your most powerful self.

You can connect with Anthony here:

Website: https://urh3o.com

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Sid Jashnani, founder of Rekruuto, Certified EOS Implementer®, and holdco entrepreneur. Sid scaled his first company from $4M to $35M after transforming the way he communicated, delegated, and aligned his team. Today, he helps founders and leadership teams create clarity, accountability, and empowered cultures using the Entrepreneurial Operating System®.

We dive into why communication breaks down inside growing organizations, what leaders misunderstand about delegation, and how simple rhythms can shift a team from chaos to ownership. Sid also shares the key lessons he learned while transitioning from a directive leader to an empowering one.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why leaders struggle to communicate expectations clearly

• How to move from “do as I say” to true team ownership

• The Delegation Ladder and how to use it

• Communication rhythms that build alignment and reduce firefighting

• Lessons from scaling a business from $4M to $35M

• How structure and empathy work together in great leadership

🎧 Tune in for a practical, grounded conversation about clarity, leadership growth, and building teams that actually take ownership.

You can connect with Sid here: Sid Jashnani - London Based Certified EOS® Implementer | HoldCo

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Dain Dunston, acclaimed author of Being Essential and one of the most respected leadership advisors working today. For more than four decades, Dain has coached Fortune 100 executives, visionary founders, and CEOs on how to lead with presence, clarity, and radical self-awareness.

We dive into what it truly means to shift from performing leadership to essential leadership - the kind rooted in connection, authenticity, and deep inner awareness. Dain shares his insights on sensing “what wants to happen,” leading with love instead of control, and finding grace under pressure in the most challenging moments of leadership.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why so many leaders unknowingly operate from performance instead of presence

• How to sense “what wants to happen” and why it changes decision-making

• How the best leaders stay grounded in moments of crisis

• Two simple questions that can transform your leadership instantly

🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded conversation about self-awareness, courage, and the kind of leadership the world needs today.

You can connect with Dain here: Dain Dunston

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Katrena Friel, internationally recognized business mentor, award-winning author, and TEDx speaker. For more than 25 years, Katrena has helped entrepreneurs and leaders step into their Field of Excellence — positioning themselves with clarity, expanding their income streams, and building sustainable business ecosystems. We talk about what it truly means to become the expert in your industry, why so many entrepreneurs undervalue their brilliance, and how to create a business that not only grows but supports the way you want to live.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why expertise is not something you earn - it’s something you claim

• The most overlooked income streams in modern entrepreneurship

• How to build a business ecosystem that works even when you don’t

• The mindset blocks that stop leaders from stepping into visibility

• What it takes to turn ideas into income with confidence and speed

🎧 If you’re ready to elevate your influence, grow your revenue strategically, and stand out in your field with purpose and clarity, this episode will inspire you to think bigger about what’s possible.

You can connect with Katrena here: www.becomingtheexpert.com.au

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Behdad “Bee” Jamshidi, founder of CJAM – The Marketing Connector. After vetting more than 1,068 marketing agencies over the past seven years, Bee discovered that 89% of them fail to deliver meaningful results. Today, he helps business owners avoid costly mistakes by matching them with vetted, trustworthy agencies that actually move the needle.

We explore why hiring a marketing agency feels so overwhelming, why so many partnerships fail, and what leaders can do differently to protect their time, money, and momentum. Bee shares red flags to watch for, the essential questions every founder should ask before signing a contract, and how to build healthier, more effective agency relationships.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why 89% of agencies fall short and what the great ones do differently

• The biggest red flags business owners should notice immediately

• How to choose the RIGHT agency for your stage of growth

• The mindset shift founders need to build strong agency partnerships

🎧 Tune in for a practical and eye-opening conversation on hiring smarter, leading better, and building marketing systems that actually work.

You can connect with Behdad here:

https://cjammarketing.com

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Jennifer Powell, visionary CEO of JP Inc. and one of the earliest pioneers of the creator economy. Jennifer has spent more than two decades transforming influencers into globally recognized brands, leading groundbreaking licensing deals and product launches for icons like Chiara Ferragni, Rumi Neely, Sincerely Jules, and Danielle Bernstein.We dive into how creators can move beyond short-term partnerships and build long-term, scalable businesses through licensing their intellectual property.

In this episode, we explore:

• How to turn influence and audience trust into real, scalable businesses

• What separates creators who become brands from those who stay stuck in brand deals

• Practical ways to diversify income beyond the algorithm

• The mindset shift every creator needs to succeed

🎧 Tune in for an inspiring and practical conversation about entrepreneurship, influencer leadership, and building a business that lasts.

You can connect with Jennifer here

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Bruce Vojak, innovation strategist, author, and Founder of Breakthrough Innovation Advisors. With more than 40 years of experience across engineering, executive leadership, academia, and boardrooms, Bruce helps mature companies break out of stagnation and build lasting resilience.

We dive into why innovation feels so difficult for established organizations — and why so many default to cost-cutting instead of the strategic renewal they actually need. Bruce breaks down the myths surrounding innovation, the fears that silently shape decision-making, and what leaders can do to create cultures that support experimentation and long-term thinking.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why mature companies struggle with innovation

• How alignment and simple processes make innovation manageable

• The power of “innovation exemplars” inside organizations

• Why innovation doesn’t require massive budgets

• How listening to customers can spark meaningful breakthroughs

• What leaders can do today to start renewing their company’s future

🎧 Tune in for a practical and energizing conversation about innovation, leadership, and building companies that evolve instead of stagnate.

You can connect with Bruce here: https://www.breakthrough-innovation-advisors.com/bruce-vojak/

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.