Leadership Elevation: Mastering the Human Element

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Justin Jones-Fosu about his book, I Respectfully Disagree: How to Have Difficult Conversations in a Divided World.

Justin Jones-Fosu is the embodiment of energy, both at home as a dedicated father to two spirited children and atop the world's highest peaks, having recently conquered one of the famed 7 Summits. But Justin's passion for elevation doesn't end with trekking, it's mirrored in his professional ascent as a captivating business speaker, innovative social entrepreneur, and insightful workplace researcher. At the helm of Work. Meaningful., Justin is the driving force and CEO behind a movement that empowers organizations across the globe, delivering over 50 keynote addresses a year on the pivotal topics of meaningful work and inclusion. His mission is to ignite a transformation in corporate culture, guiding organizations and individuals to ascend to their peak potential through mastery of mindset, purpose, and performance. Justin is not only a pathfinder in the wilderness but also in the literary world, authoring essential reads such as "Your WHY Matters NOW," "The Inclusive Mindset," and his latest thought-provoker, “I Respectfully Disagree: How to have Difficult Conversations in a Divided World.” His work is a compass for those seeking direction on creating connections in an often-fragmented society. With a flair for infusing humor into his well-researched content, Justin doesn't just give a speech; he crafts an experience, leaving his audience not just informed but transformed. His approach is not merely to inform but to inspire, not just to direct but to make a difference.

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In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Juan Betancourt about how companies can operationalize agility for all teams.

Juan Betancourt, CEO of Humantelligence, is a visionary leader with a lifelong commitment to reshaping the business landscape for the better. Having observed the limitations of conventional human capital management systems during his time in the software industry, Juan recognized a need for innovation. It was this realization that led him to Humantelligence, where he saw the potential to revolutionize productivity, motivation, and employee retention while making it accessible to all. With a track record of revitalizing global brands like Puma and overseeing the US division of Décathlon, Juan's expertise is unmatched. A Harvard economics graduate with an MBA from The Wharton School, Juan is committed to making work better for all and actively engages in community leadership roles. 

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In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Captain Kelly J. Gordon about balancing team dynamics and leadership.

Captain Kelly J. Gordon is an accomplished motor yacht captain, public speaker, social media influencer, and the 2022 recipient of A Crew Yachting's Master 500-GT award. The former chemistry professor grew up on a farm in a small town in Indiana, where she developed the work ethic and drive that have made her successful. Her thirst for adventure has led her to become one of the busiest and most respected captains.

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In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with how leaders can build highly engaged teams in today's performance-focused environment.

Dr. Roger A. Gerard is the owner of Sloan & Gerard Consulting, a private consulting practice serving executives and boards in strategic planning, operational planning, executive coaching, and management development. He also specializes in process improvement, and the use of lean methodologies in bringing about significant and measurable organizational improvement. He is the former Chief Learning Officer for ThedaCare, an integrated healthcare delivery system, retiring from that position in 2014 after 23 years in that role. Dr. Gerard has a 52-year career history leading executive and management development initiatives, in both large and small organizational environments. His work has been primarily within the healthcare industry, but he has also spent a quarter of his career consulting in manufacturing and service industries nationwide. In addition, he is a creative photographer, and provides help to his wife Debra in her fine art business (www.sloangerardstudio.com). Previously, Dr. Gerard served as Vice President of Northern Michigan Hospitals and as the Director of Organizational Development. Before joining NMH, he was Creative Manager for Quality Systems for Sandy Corporation where he consulted with major clients (Burroughs, IBM, General Motors, Hyatt, etc.) on systemic leadership development and quality improvement projects. Dr. Gerard is the author of Owning the Room: Leading with Mind, Heart and Spirit to Make Extraordinary Choices in a Demanding World and the forthcoming title, Lead With Purpose: Reignite Passion and Engagement For Professionals in Crisis. He also co-authored On the Mend: Revolutionizing Healthcare to Save Lives and Transform the Industry. Dr. Gerard has presented at numerous national conferences and locally throughout Wisconsin and Michigan on leadership and lean in the healthcare industry. He earned his Ph.D. in Management and Applied Decision Sciences from Walden University in 2001.

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In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Alida Miranda-Wolff about leaders' role in promoting and supporting inclusion and belonging.

Alida Miranda-Wolff is a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) practitioner committed to teaching love and cultivating belonging. She is an Amazon-bestselling author of two books with HarperCollins Leadership, Cultures of Belonging: Building Inclusive Organizations That Last (February 2022) and The First-Time Manager: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (May 2024). She is principal at SR4 Partners, a full-service DEIB and employee advocacy firm, which serves hundreds of clients across the world. She hosts Care Work with Alida Miranda-Wolff, a podcast about what it means to offer care for a living. In 2021, Alida received The University of Chicago’s Early Career Achievement Award. She is a graduate of The University of Chicago and holds certificates from the School of the Art Institute (graphic design) and Georgetown University (DEI). She lives in Chicago with her partner, toddler, rabbits, and cats. When she’s not working, reading, writing, or parenting, Alida is wild gardening, interior designing, and falling down research rabbit holes.

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In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Shahar Botzer about the future of social impact investing and current trends and opportunities.

Shahar Botzer is co-founder and managing partner at Good Company, an early-stage VC fund with a mission to back bold entrepreneurs who solve the world’s biggest challenges for people and the planet. They invest in software-driven innovations in Digital Health, Education, Energy, Circular Economy, and Agriculture because they believe these are the domains where technology can rewrite the future.

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In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Jamie Ramsden about creating a sense of community in a highly-fragmented workplace and world.

Jamie Ramsden is CEO & Founder at Adastra Leadership. He is an Executive Leadership Coach and Former CEO, and is the author of "Let's Go!"

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In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Paul Falcone about recruiting and interviewing in a tight labor market and how to identify 'high-probability' hires.

Paul Falcone is a renowned expert on effective hiring, performance management, and leadership development, specializing in helping companies build higher performing leadership teams. He spent the last three decades in human resources executive roles at organizations including Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, NBCUniversal, Time Warner, and City of Hope Cancer Center Hospital.

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In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Tammy Watchorn about what it takes to become a "Change Ninja"!

Tammy Watchorn is an experienced change management specialist who honed her expertise through years in the public sector, where she navigated complex organizational challenges. After encountering numerous obstacles to innovation, she developed a strategic approach to change management that she calls the "Change Ninja" methodology—focusing on subtle, effective techniques that eliminate barriers and resistance. As the author of "The Change Ninja Handbook," Tammy offers a unique, gamified approach to change management, helping professionals overcome workplace resistance through practical, often humorous strategies. Following a significant personal challenge, she applied her professional expertise to her own circumstances, demonstrating the universal applicability of her methods. This experience inspired her second book, "The Change Ninja Returns, and this time it's personal," scheduled for release in Autumn 2024. Tammy's work combines neuroscience principles with proven change management tools to help individuals and organizations navigate transitions more effectively and create space for creativity and innovation.

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In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Johnathan Grzybowski about leveraging your organizational talent to win in the future of work.

Johnathan Grzybowski is Co-Founder at Penji and it is his goal in life if to help small business owners, agencies, and entrepreneurs with their biggest problems, finding reliable talent to help them with the growth of their business.

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