Leadership Is Changing

Sustainable leadership demands speed, discernment, and the courage to execute even when the path isn’t clear.

This 2025 mashup of Leadership is Changing brings together voices from the frontlines of entrepreneurship and innovation to explore what it really takes to lead in today’s world. Andrew Cordle, a serial entrepreneur, is known for launching and scaling companies with vision, speed, and a sharp ability to filter ideas that matter. Dan Brdar, a trailblazer in energy tech, has built a career turning breakthrough concepts into real-world solutions through execution, accountability, and purpose-driven leadership.

Guided by host Denis Gianoutsos, this conversation cuts through theory and explores the realities of leading through uncertainty, complexity, and change.

Tune in for practical insights on discernment, decision-making, and the kind of leadership that leaves a lasting legacy.

• Entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in launching and scaling companies
• Uses a personal filtering process to evaluate ideas and avoid shiny object syndrome
• Emphasizes loving the work over chasing financial wins alone
• Believes leadership emerges naturally through decision-making and discernment

• Engineer and CEO with deep expertise in commercializing emerging energy technologies
• Stepped into leadership by consistently solving problems and delivering results
• Advocates for coming to the table with solutions, not just problems
• Views decisiveness and accountability as core responsibilities of leadership

Key Quotes:

 “There’s a difference between impact and influence, and both matter in leadership.” – Andrew Cordle

The worst thing a leader can do is not make a decision.” – Dan Brdar

“Make a decision. It might not be perfect, but it moves you forward.” – 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 

What happens when leadership becomes a long game, and legacy is built quietly over decades?

This special 2025 mashup episode brings together two powerful voices in leadership:

Kristi Venta Diemoz, a 20-year eBay veteran who leads with consistency and heart, and Mel Engle, a strategic CEO driven by purpose and bold vision.

Together, they explore what it means to lead across seasons, adapt to constant change, and shape culture with intention.

Hosted by Denis Gianoutsos, this episode challenges short-term thinking and redefines what sustainable leadership looks like in today’s fast-moving world.

• 20 years of growth and reinvention at eBay
• Leadership is shaped through sports and early career roles
• Embraces change while staying aligned with purpose
• Values a deep connection in a hybrid work world

• Executive experience across pharma and consumer health
• Leads with strategic clarity and collaborative vision
• Calls out the cost of short-term, profit-first leadership
• Inspired by early lessons in autonomy and accountability

“I love helping others and supporting them and leading them, it was never really a conscious decision, but it’s just what felt right.”  - Kristi Venta Diemoz

“Thinking outside the box allows creative things to happen.” -  Mel Engle

“Do what you do, but do it really well.” - 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 

Leadership isn’t about having every tool. It’s about knowing when to use the right one. 

Denis Gianoutsos draws a powerful leadership lesson from the game of golf. Just like on the course, leadership requires more than a full toolkit; it demands precision and timing. As Denis puts it, “Leadership isn't about having every tool. It's about knowing when to use the right one.” And when the pressure’s on, he reminds us, “You don't need to use every club in the bag, in every round, but you better know which one to reach for.” 

From teeing off a bold vision to putting with empathy, this episode is a masterclass in leading smarter, not just harder.

Ready to elevate your game? Tune in.

It’s Not the Tools. It’s the Timing.

• The golf analogy that resonated with top talent leaders in Europe
• The real difference between having skills and knowing when to use them
• Why timing matters more than tools in leadership

The Driver vs. the Putter

• Understanding which leadership style fits each moment
• How mismatched responses can cost trust, opportunities, and morale
• Leading with force vs. leading with finesse

What’s Really in Your Bag?

• Taking an honest inventory of your current leadership strengths
• Identifying missing or underdeveloped skills
• What every leader needs in their toolkit to thrive

Know the Course, Play with Intention

• Why daily leadership challenges are never the same
• How observation and awareness drive better decision-making
• Practicing intention instead of reaction

Progress Over Perfection

• The mindset shift from doing it all to doing it well
• Being strategic under pressure
• The leadership challenge that sparked this entire episode

“Leadership isn't about having every tool. It's about knowing when to use the right one.” - Denis Gianoutsos

“You don't need to use every club in the bag, in every round, but you better know which one to reach for when the pressure’s on.” - 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 

What does it truly mean to lead when the world around you crumbles and rebuilds itself?

This episode features host Denis Gianoutsos' most powerful conversations with two extraordinary leaders. Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, born to political dissidents in Soviet Kazakhstan, witnessed her world collapse overnight—yet discovered that leadership is a dynamic space we enter and exit, not a fixed title. Ken Miller, a healthcare executive with 32 years of global experience, reveals the athletic mindset required for modern leadership and why our most outstanding teachers are found in our closest relationships, not boardrooms.

Join Denis Gianoutsos for this transformative mashup—your perspective on leadership may never be the same.

EP 221 - Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva: Leadership as a Dynamic Space: From Soviet Collapse to Revolutionary Thinking

• Born in Soviet Kazakhstan to political dissidents, witnessed the sudden USSR collapse, creating a complete vacuum
• Redefines leadership as a space you enter and exit daily, not a fixed title or position.
• Draws from Kazakh nomadic culture, viewing leadership as a dynamic circle larger than any individual
• Identifies daughter and parents as the most significant leadership influences, emphasizing self-love before leading others

EP 225 - Ken Miller: Healthcare Leadership and the Athletic Mindset: Building Legacy Through Purpose

• 32 years in healthcare at companies like Sanofi, Pfizer, Roche, choosing impact over just profit
• Describes leaders as athletes - highly competitive with a tireless appetite for success and sacrifice
• Emphasizes continuous learning and personal development rather than relying on organizations
• Cites Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a favorite leader for authenticity and fighting for something bigger than himself

Key Quotes:

"Leadership for me is a space. You enter and exit many times a day." - Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva

"You've gotta have a work ethic, which is second to none, to really have an impact around the world." - Ken Miller

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 of the most powerful leadership breakthroughs begin far from the boardroom:  on frozen rinks, at unexpected crossroads, and in moments that demand reinvention.

In this powerful mashup, Denis Gianoutsos is joined by Dennis Mark and Jared Hummel - two leaders who prove that adaptability, humility, and bold connection are the real markers of success.

From Fortune 10 boardrooms to AI startups, from hockey locker rooms to private equity turnarounds, they reveal what it truly means to stay ahead of the curve and lead with both grit and grace.

Ready to rethink the way you lead? This one’s for you.

• Navigating the shift from Fortune 10 corporate leadership to AI startups
• How serving on global nonprofit boards reshaped his leadership perspective
• Embracing mindset change and flexibility to stay ahead of the curve
• Building long-term, value-driven relationships through intentional networking

• Using sports psychology and team dynamics to lead business growth
• Rising fast: from controller at 22 to scaling a company as CEO
• Learning leadership while managing older teams at a young age
• The work ethic and risk-taking mindset behind bold career moves

“You need to change the world, but you need to change yourself first.” -  Dennis Mark

“Digital marketing is a new generation of people.” - Jared Hummel

“I think people tend to get hung up about the word ‘networking’, and it’s not about networking, it’s about building relationships for the future.” -  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

The pressure is off, but are you drifting?

Many leaders rise when the stakes are high. But what happens when the noise fades, the urgency settles, and the spotlight dims?

In this episode, Denis Gianoutsos tackles one of leadership’s most overlooked challenges: sustaining momentum when the pressure plateaus. With the same clarity and candor he’s known for, Denis outlines five powerful strategies to help leaders stay deliberate, creative, and energized, even in the calm.

From seasons of chaos to moments of calm, this episode brings a fresh perspective on motivation, purpose, and performance.

• Why boredom, not burnout, is the real threat in plateau seasons
• The silent killer of momentum: comfort
• Why your energy must be tied to your why, not just your what

• The quiet seasons are a gift: here’s how to use them
• How white space fuels creativity and innovation
• Why your best ideas are born in the calm, not the chaos

• Stop managing time, start managing your energy
• The “racehorse” principle of peak recovery
• What your team needs from you (hint: it’s not more hustle)

• Don’t confuse quiet with comfort
• How intentional pressure can reignite momentum
• Redefining what great looks like for you and your team

• Why leaders skip celebration, and why they shouldn’t
• How resetting goals fuels the next wave of achievement
• Use reflection to reignite direction

“Ideas, programs, and innovation are born in the calm, not the chaos.” - Denis Gianoutsos

“Energy isn’t just about caffeine or the hustle. It’s about purpose, rhythm, and perspective.” - 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 

In this thought-provoking mashup, host Denis Gianoutsos is joined by Denice Torres and Kevin Dedner, two leaders whose greatest lessons came not from boardrooms but from lived experience.

Denice, a former janitor who rose to the C-suite at Johnson & Johnson, shares how being underestimated helped her see others more clearly and lead with compassion. Kevin, now a mental health advocate and CEO, reflects on a moment of reckoning as a teenager that reshaped his values and purpose.

Together, they unpack the real work of leadership: embracing your story, building confidence in others, and showing up with presence, not pretense.

If you’re leading through change, challenge, or reinvention, this episode is for you.

EP 213 – Denice Torres: Leading from the Margins to the Boardroom

• Rising from a steel-town janitor job to executive leadership
• How one sponsor shifted her trajectory and gave her self-confidence
• Leadership as service: helping others feel seen, valued, and empowered
• Letting go of ego to truly lead with heart

EP 216 – Kevin Dedner: Purpose, Pressure, and Personal Growth

• A life-threatening experience that demanded a new direction
• Why conscious leadership begins with reflection
• Honoring his 104-year-old grandmother as his most powerful leadership model
• The invisible influence of everyday leaders and legacy through action

Key Quotes:

“Leading others is such a privilege, we have the ability to help others be seen, and when they're seen, they can flourish.” - Denice Torres

“We’re always leading, someone’s always watching us, we’re teaching valuable lessons just by the things we do daily.” - Kevin Dedner

“It comes down to not just what we say, but how we treat people as leaders. One word, one conversation, it can change someone’s life.” - 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

What does it mean to succeed when success is no longer just about money?

In this candid mashup, host Denis Gianoutsos sits down with Matt Edmundson and Richard Taurima, two dynamic voices who took vastly different roads to leadership. From building global e-commerce brands to navigating cultural intelligence and decentralized finance, they unpack lessons on identity, purpose, and leading with impact, often learned the hard way.

You might be an executive navigating complexity, a founder rewriting your playbook, or someone simply questioning traditional success; this episode delivers rich insights and timeless reminders.

If you're ready to redefine what leadership looks like in your own life, hit play.

• Success is measured by relationships, not riches
• Lessons from working with the ultra-wealthy: what money can’t buy
• Leading through values, not titles, starting with self-mastery

• From sales to sovereign systems: leadership in a decentralized world
• How cultural fluency shapes global business success
• Accountability in leadership: why it breaks down and how to rebuild it

Key Quotes:

“If you want to achieve something more than just what you can do with your own skills and talents, you have to lead people.” – Matt Edmundson

“Leadership is about making people accountable and the result is that your customers are happy, your staff is happy, and you're making money.”– Richard Taurima

“When an organization or a family is not going well, it really shows and sticks out.” – 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

True leadership isn’t tested in comfort. It is revealed in moments of disruption.

Host Denis Gianoutsos is joined by two powerhouse voices:  Rhonda Vetere and Jim Massey.  They offer unfiltered insights on navigating transformation, rebuilding identity, and leading through complexity.

From boardrooms to global stages, from leadership in STEM to dismantling legacy systems, these conversations reveal what it takes to lead with conviction and resilience, especially when the world turns upside down.

If you're facing transition, uncertainty, or reinvention, this episode will offer practical insights, refreshing truth, and real encouragement to help you move forward on your terms.

• Moving across industries to avoid silos and stay growth-oriented
• The power of cultural immersion and learning through experience
• Why instant gratification is killing true leadership development
• How grit, humility, and hands-on work still win in a digital world

• Change as the only constant, and how to lean into it
• Moving from high-profile executive roles to a personal reinvention
• Shifting human behavior by dismantling “BS” built systems
• Why your support network is everything during identity transitions

Key Quotes:

"You have to dig deep, go into details, go into your spirit, your soul, think change, and get your hands dirty." - Rhonda Vetere

"Change is happening around you, but the amazing part of who you are and what you are hasn't changed." - Jim Massey

 "We need to be always changing, while preparing ourselves for the next change, even if we don't understand it yet." - 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

When everything feels uncertain, what separates those who lead with impact from those who just hold a title?

In this dynamic mashup episode, host Denis Gianoutsos invites three powerhouse leaders—Christopher Salem, Ian Clough, and Andrew Bryant—to share their diverse perspectives on how leadership evolves through experience, identity, and self-leadership.

From transformative coaching to family legacies to rebounding from business collapse, each leader offers a unique lens on what it really means to lead today. 

Whether you're an emerging leader, a seasoned executive, or somewhere in between, this episode offers insights that will challenge, encourage, and ground your leadership journey.

• From sales to transformation: How vulnerability fuels effective leadership
• Why “being present” is the superpower modern leaders need
• Creating future leaders by modeling ownership and trust
• The power of aligning shared values before offering solutions

• Building leadership credibility outside of family legacy
• Why defining your leadership identity matters
• Mentors, honesty, and surrounding yourself with truth-tellers
• Authenticity and reputation as the true leadership currency

• From physiotherapist to global leadership consultant
• Accept, Adjust, Advance: the mindset for transformation
• Why leadership is contextual, not hero-based
• The daily discipline of influencing your thoughts, feelings, and actions

“We have to be able to lead by example and be a resource.” – Christopher Salem

“No one is gonna realize their potential without support.” – Ian Clough

“Leadership is always about context.” – Andrew Bryant

“Being present is probably one of the biggest things that a lot of leaders could do today.” – 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