Disruption can arrive like a sudden change in season:  sweeping in with force, but also clearing space for new beginnings. 

For leaders who embrace it, change becomes a powerful teacher, guiding teams toward resilience, creativity, and renewal. The question is: how will you step into what’s next with clarity and courage?

In this Ask Denis episode, Denis Gianoutsos shares lessons from his recent keynote in Christchurch, New Zealand, where leaders gathered around the theme Turning Disruption into Opportunity. He explores how you can prepare yourself and your team to thrive in uncertain times by strengthening your mindset, protecting your energy, and cultivating curiosity.

Leadership in times of change is about showing up stronger, modeling resilience, and creating an environment where your people feel safe to adapt.

Listen now and discover how to transform disruption into a competitive advantage that empowers both you and your team.

• Every disruption carries the seeds of a new opportunity
• Leaders who choose growth can unlock innovation in challenging times
• Conferences and conversations reveal the power of reframing change

• A strong mindset and mental fitness allow you to stand tall in uncertainty
• Consistent physical movement fuels the energy leaders need to perform
• Ongoing learning keeps you adaptable, relevant, and future-ready

• Teams reflect the mindset, energy, and habits they see in their leaders
• Leaders build confidence by equipping people with tools and skills
• Safe environments encourage experimentation, learning, and resilience

• Positive energy creates momentum that inspires teams
• Trust and empathy strengthen relationships in times of change
• Courage and curiosity ensure leaders remain relevant and effective

Key Quotes:

“Well, what if disruption wasn’t something to fear, but something to embrace?” – Denis Gianoutsos

“For you to lead through disruption, you’ve got to be on top of your game.” – Denis Gianoutsos

Book a Strategy Call with Denis https://app.leadingchangepartners.com/widget/bookings/callwithdenisgianoutsos 

The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World 

Executive Guide Featuring 10 Key Themes and 42 Strategic Insights from Worldwide Leaders 

https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead 

Connect with Denis:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.LeadingChangePartners.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ 

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos

Leadership today isn’t about titles—it’s about courage, adaptability, and creating value when certainty disappears.

In this mashup, Denis Gianoutsos sits down with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, global authority on project management, and Douglas J. Utberg, corporate leader turned entrepreneur. Antonio shows why projects are the lifeline of every organization’s future, while Doug shares his raw journey from corporate layoff to entrepreneurial reinvention.

Together, they reveal how influence, resilience, and vision redefine what it means to lead in times of disruption.

Tune in to discover how navigating projects and transitions can transform your leadership.

EP 315 – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez: Managing the Future Through Projects

• Project management is the lifeline of strategy, not just tactics
• Shifting from operations to leading change
• Influencing without authority in a matrix world
• Why every CEO’s future rests on projects

EP 320 – Douglas J. Utberg: From Corporate Exit to Entrepreneurial Identity

• Laid off to launch into entrepreneurship
• Identity and belonging beyond the corporate world
• The “swamp” every entrepreneur must survive
• Building leadership through value, resilience, and mindset

“If one project is difficult to manage, how do you manage 100 or 1000? If leaders don’t spend time on it, the future of their organization is at stake.”– Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez

“As a corporate employee, I was paid whether I created value or not. As an entrepreneur, the only way anything happens is if you do it.” – Douglas J. Utberg

“Leadership has to change if you want to succeed in today’s world.” – Denis Gianoutsos

The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World - FREE Executive Guide Download https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead 

Connect with Denis: 

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.LeadingChangePartners.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ 

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos 

Some leaders are forged in combat zones, others on the playing field, but both reveal that leadership is ultimately about courage, vulnerability, and creating connection.

In this mashup, Denis Gianoutsos brings together Kenneth Harbaugh, a former Navy pilot, veteran advocate, and podcast host, and Ron Macklin, a former professional football player, corporate leader, and founder of Macklin Connection. Though their paths could not be more different, both share timeless lessons on facing fear, building trust, and stepping into leadership when it matters most.

This is about the kind of leadership the world needs today: real, human, and unafraid.

Tune in to this powerful mashup episode to explore how embracing fear, serving with purpose, and choosing connection over protection can transform the way we lead.

• Burn the Boats: Why true commitment requires eliminating escape routes
• Team Rubicon: mobilizing over 100,000 veterans into global disaster relief efforts
• How military service instills a lifelong ethic of service and leadership
• The power of continuing to serve beyond the uniform

• From offensive lineman to corporate executive: lessons in resilience and teamwork
• Why fear is universal and how acknowledging it unlocks authentic leadership
• Breaking the façade of networking: moving from shields-up to genuine connection
• Building cultures of trust and creativity through Macklin Connection

“The US has an all-volunteer force, and that desire to serve doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It’s in the DNA of these veterans.” – Kenneth Harbaugh

“I wrote the book Everyone Is Afraid, which really gives people the ability to notice that being afraid is normal and we’re all doing it. And the only way to deal with it is to talk about your fears.” – Ron Macklin

“Isn’t it interesting to see how people don’t put their hand up to lead, they want someone else to do it.” – Denis Gianoutsos

The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World - FREE Executive Guide Download https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead 

Connect with Denis: 

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.LeadingChangePartners.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ 

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos 

Some are calling AI a ticking clock on leadership roles, while others see it as just another tool. 

Denis Gianoutsos brings clarity to the debate in this powerful episode, showing why AI isn’t replacing leaders but why leaders who fail to adapt may soon find themselves irrelevant.

From boardroom conversations to global studies, Denis explains what’s happening as AI reshapes organizations. He explores how leaders can embrace AI as a partner, free themselves from administrative overload, and double down on the uniquely human qualities that machines can’t replicate: vision, trust, empathy, and culture.

Catch the full discussion now.

• Why AI isn’t replacing leadership, but reinventing it
• How global research paints a more balanced picture of the future
• What “flattened organizations” mean for modern leaders

• Tasks AI is already taking over, and why that’s good news
• The shift from communication channels to strategy, innovation, and culture
• Why 40% of leadership skills will need to evolve by 2030

• Mindset shifts: AI as a partner, not a threat
• Why “high tech requires high touch” is truer than ever
• Practical actions to experiment, redesign your role, and upskill your team

• Coaching, empathy, and ethical decision-making as irreplaceable strengths
• Why curiosity is your insurance policy against irrelevance
• A challenge: If AI gave you two hours back each week, how would you reinvest them?

• Try one AI tool this week for prep or analysis.
• Block time for more face-to-face coaching conversations.
• Share your thoughts with Denis, will AI replace leadership, or simply redefine it?

“AI isn’t replacing leaders. Leaders who fail to adapt - they will be replaced.” – Denis Gianoutsos

“AI is powerful, but the buck stops with a human leader.” – Denis Gianoutsos

Book a Strategy Call with Denis https://app.leadingchangepartners.com/widget/bookings/callwithdenisgianoutsos 

The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World 

Executive Guide Featuring 10 Key Themes and 42 Strategic Insights from Worldwide Leaders 

https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead 

Connect with Denis:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.LeadingChangePartners.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ 

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos

Some leaders guide with numbers, others with innovation, but both reveal that leadership is about purpose, adaptability, and influence.

In this mashup, Denis Gianoutsos brings together Chad Hufford, a financial planner and performance coach from Alaska, and Sondra Sutton Phung, Marketing General Manager for Electric Vehicles at Ford. Though from very different industries, both share a mission of leading change with intention:  Chad through purpose-driven financial stewardship that transforms lives, and Sondra through driving the global shift to EVs while sharing leadership lessons from her 25-year international career.

This is about the leadership we need for the world we’re stepping into.

Catch the full episode to explore why leadership starts with purpose, how to balance knowledge with execution, and why influence beats authority in shaping the future.

• From biochemistry to financial planning: a journey shaped by intention
• The 2008 financial crisis as a leadership crucible
• “Job-optional lifestyle”: reframing retirement as freedom and purpose
• Why leadership in finance is about guidance, hope, and vision, not just numbers

• A 25-year global career at Ford across Japan, China, Thailand, and the U.S.
• From skeptic to believer: why EVs represent both innovation and sustainability
• Mentorship and advocacy as accelerators of non-traditional career paths
• Building systems and insights across Asia-Pacific to shape customer engagement

Key Quotes:

“You do not get to choose whether you’re a leader or not, you only get to choose if you’re an effective one.” - Chad Hufford

“Mentors and advocates are the bridge that helps you cross into the next level of leadership.” - Sondra Sutton Phung

“Whatever is going on for you, you’ll have a lot more confidence because you do have that knowledge, that intent and purpose, and what you’re focusing on.” - Denis Gianoutsos

The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World - FREE Executive Guide Download https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead 

Connect with Denis: 

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.LeadingChangePartners.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ 

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos 

Some leaders challenge systems. Others reframe the future of business itself.

In this mashup episode, Denis Gianoutsos features Dr. Judy Lubin and Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, two powerhouse voices reshaping our understanding of leadership. 

Dr. Lubin, founder of the Center for Urban and Racial Equity, demonstrates how equity must extend beyond representation to encompass structural change. Meanwhile, Antonio, a global thought leader on projects, argues that the real work of leadership lies not in operations but in mastering change through project-based transformation.

This is about the leadership we need for the world we’re stepping into.

Catch the full episode to explore why equity matters most, how projects drive modern leadership, and why influence beats authority.

• From representation to transformation: Why diversity is only the beginning
• DEI isn’t enough: How to embed equity in decision-making, policies, and culture
• The role of intention: Why equity requires sustained, deliberate commitment
• Leadership with communities, not just over them: Building just institutions through shared power

• The shift from operations to projects: Why execution is the new leadership language
• Leadership without authority: How to influence teams you don’t manage
• What CEOs get wrong: Most don’t know how many projects they’re running or why they matter
• From tactical to transformational: Rebranding project management for the boardroom

“Diversity is important, but the I and the E are even more critical.” – Dr. Judy Lubin

“The future of your organization sits in your projects. If you don’t spend time on them, that future is at stake.” – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez

The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World - FREE Executive Guide Download https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead 

Connect with Denis: 

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.LeadingChangePartners.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ 

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos 

Some leaders wait for the perfect moment. However, the most successful ones make the most of the cards they have at their disposal. In this episode, Denis shares why thriving in uncertainty comes down to three essentials: mindset, attitude, and language.

From reframing challenges as opportunities to using deliberate language that fuels resilience, Denis demonstrates how to lead with courage, creativity, and consistency, regardless of the conditions.

Catch the full discussion now.

• Why success is less about perfect conditions and more about how you respond
• How mindset opens possibilities others can’t see
• The impact of your attitude on culture and performance
• Why language can either trap you or empower you
• Making every move with your endgame in mind

• How mindset shapes your ability to see opportunities
• Why attitude fuels belief even in challenging conditions
• The role of deliberate language
• Protecting your mental and emotional state like you guard your strategy

3 Practical Calls to Action for Leaders

• Reflect and decide how to play your cards better
• Upgrade your language to shift mindset and team energy
• Share your challenge with Denis on social media

Key Quotes:

“You don’t get to choose the hand you are dealt in business and life and leadership, but you do get to choose how you play it.” – Denis Gianoutsos 

“Leaders that bring energy and passion really start to attract people, and people want to be part of it.” – Denis Gianoutsos

Book a Strategy Call with Denis https://app.leadingchangepartners.com/widget/bookings/callwithdenisgianoutsos 

The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World 

Executive Guide Featuring 10 Key Themes and 42 Strategic Insights from Worldwide Leaders 

https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead 

Connect with Denis:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.LeadingChangePartners.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ 

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos

Some leaders command a stage. Others master connection through a screen.

In this mashup, Denis Gianoutsos features Peter Hopwood and Heather Osgood, two leaders from very different worlds who share one essential skill: communicating with clarity and impact.

From building presence in virtual spaces to scaling a business from scratch, they reveal how leadership adapts when the environment and the stakes change.

Tune in to discover how connection, clarity, and mindset can transform your leadership in today’s changing world.

EP 308 – Peter Hopwood: Leading Through Connection

• Why connection, not charisma,  is the No. 1 skill for virtual leadership
• How to translate in-person public speaking techniques to Zoom
• The subtle body language cues that signal confidence through a screen
• Why “making people feel comfortable” makes leadership easier

EP 311 – Heather Osgood: From Doing to Leading

• Lessons learned from 17 years as an entrepreneur
• The turning points in scaling from one employee to a thriving team
• Why Sarah Blakely is her leadership role model
• “Dream a bigger dream”,  the mantra that drives her business growth

Key Quotes:

“Connection is the number one thing. The first thing you need to do is think, ‘How can I connect better?’” – Peter Hopwood

“What exactly is your role as a leader? There’s a big transition that happens so you can stop doing and start leading.” – Heather Osgood

The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World – FREE Executive Guide Download

https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead

Connect with Denis:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.LeadingChangePartners.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos

Some leaders are forged in boardrooms. Others are forged in battle.

In this mashup, Denis Gianoutsos features Hermann Simon and Mario Bekes, two leaders whose paths have taken them from Cold War tensions and combat zones to building global businesses and protecting corporate integrity.

From commanding in the German Air Force to pioneering the field of pricing consultancy, Hermann Simon reveals how formative experiences shaped his leadership style and the founding of Simon-Kucher & Partners. Mario Bekes shares how his time in military intelligence and investigations forged a leadership philosophy built on protection, responsibility, and example.

What happens when leadership is tested in the highest-stakes environments? When leaving security means starting from scratch. When investigations become a tool for trust and resilience.

Press play and see what it takes to lead when the pressure is real.

EP 306 – Hermann Simon: Hidden Champions and the Courage to Lead

• How a farm boy and aspiring fighter pilot became a global pricing authority
• Why leaving a secure job to start a company was “the ultimate motivation”
• Lessons from Cold War nuclear readiness and student leadership
• The traits that define leaders of the world’s unknown market champions

EP 309 – Mario Bekes: Protecting People, Preserving Integrity

• From combat to corporate: leadership lessons from the front lines
• How fear, fight, and freedom became the pillars of his business
• Why every leader must accept: “It is not when or how, but it’ll happen”
• Using investigations to strengthen, not just safeguard, your business

Key Quotes:

“If you do not want to have a boss above you, you must become a leader. You must stand on your own feet.” – Hermann Simon

“If you don’t lead by example, you are not a leader.” – Mario Bekes

The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World – FREE Executive Guide Download

https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead

Connect with Denis:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.LeadingChangePartners.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos

AI isn’t coming. It’s already here, and it’s time leaders treated it that way.

In this episode, Denis Gianoutsos tackles a pressing and provocative question: Who owns AI in your organization?

Denis makes it clear. AI is no longer just an IT initiative or tech experiment. It’s a leadership issue. And passing it around like a hot potato won’t cut it anymore.

He breaks down the real risks of fragmented ownership and challenges boards, CEOs, and executive teams to take accountability for AI’s strategic role across every part of the business. From ethics and risk to culture, performance, and customer experience, AI deserves a seat at the leadership table.

If your team is overwhelmed by the speed of change or stuck waiting for someone else to figure it out, this episode is the wake-up call you need.

Tune in now.

• Why AI is not just a technology issue, it’s a leadership issue
• The risks of avoiding ownership and waiting too long
• How AI connects to strategy, people, and performance

• How will AI enhance our core business
• Do we have a clear implementation strategy
• Are we building with purpose or reacting to hype
• Where does AI sit in our org chart, and is that the right place
• Do we have a cross-functional team leading the AI strategy
• Are our people trained to work with AI or against it

• Why the board, CEO, and executive team all share responsibility
• How to move AI from a siloed initiative to a cross-functional asset
• Reframing AI from threat to opportunity
• Why curiosity, courage, and clarity matter more than perfection

“If you're not leading AI, AI is gonna lead you.” – Denis Gianoutsos

“Leadership is about leaning in. It's about getting curious and taking responsibility even when it's all new.” – Denis Gianoutsos

Book a Strategy Call with Denis https://app.leadingchangepartners.com/widget/bookings/callwithdenisgianoutsos 

The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World 

Executive Guide Featuring 10 Key Themes and 42 Strategic Insights from Worldwide Leaders 

https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead 

Connect with Denis:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.LeadingChangePartners.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisgianoutsos 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisgianoutsos/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipischanging/ 

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DenisGianoutsos