ROAR Mindset: Leading Through Chaos

When people development and business growth happen together, we all win.

In this ROAR Mindset episode, host Peter Brandenburger talks with Delena Gutierrez, a certified coach with 17 years of corporate leadership experience, including senior and executive roles leading teams through growth and transition. She has seen up close what it takes to lead with courage and self-compassion, including her time inside a Deliberately Developmental Organization (DDO) where development was built into everyday work.

Delena helps leaders rethink their approach so both people and organizations can thrive. She shares how DDOs make development part of the operating system itself by integrating feedback, reflection, and shared learning into the flow of work. We explore the courage it takes to share development openly, how teams move past hesitation and expanding work to include individual growth creates thriving teams.

Related books and articles:

Immunity to Change by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey

An Everyone Culture: Becoming a Deliberately Developmental Organization by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey et al

HBR Article on DDO - https://hbr.org/2014/04/making-business-personal

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Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction to the ROAR Mindset

00:25 Meet Delena Gutiérrez: Leading Through Growth

02:00 What Is a Deliberately Developmental Organization (DDO)?

07:00 Why Development Belongs in Daily Work

10:00 The Cost of Avoiding Difficult Conversations

14:00 Retention, Trust, and Real Collaboration

18:00 Feedback Without Fear: Naming What’s True

22:00 The Fishbowl: Practicing Transparency and Challenge

25:00 Silence as a Leadership Tool

29:00 Integrating DDO Practices in Any Organization

33:00 Courage, Compassion, and Self-Leadership

38:00 Turning Chaos Into Growth

45:00 Leadership Lessons Relearned

48:00 One Word to Describe Her Leadership Mindset

In this episode, Peter Brandenburger speaks with Steve Porter about leading through disruption by strengthening customer relationships. Together, they explore how curiosity, empathy, and courage help leaders uncover what customers truly need, collaborate to innovate, and make confident decisions when the path ahead is uncertain.

Steve reflects on lessons learned from turning discarded components into opportunity, accelerating product launches with small agile teams, and building trust through honest conversations. They also discuss how to stay steady in moments of tension, when “no” is the right answer, and how mentorship and reflection sustain long-term leadership growth.

Resources Mentioned:

• MicroInequities: The Power of Small by Stephen Young – short introduction video
• The Power of the Five Whys: Drilling Down to Effectively Problem-Solve
• How I Did It: William Wang, CEO, Vizio (requires subscription), or LA Times: He lost money as a young CEO. Then he founded TV giant Vizio - Los AngelesTimes (free)

Connect with Steve: LinkedIn

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Roar Mindset

00:36 Personal Stories of Health and Resilience

02:27 Innovative Leadership in Technology

04:03 Navigating Uncertainty and AI Revolution

05:05 Lessons from Vizio Collaboration

09:58 The Power of Face-to-Face Interaction

13:15 Embracing Rotational Roles for Growth

17:28 Building Strong Relationships and Leadership

24:14 The Power of Asking 'Why'

26:03 Building Strong Customer Relationships

27:29 Mutual Value in Relationships

30:26 The Art of Saying No

39:25 Mentorship and Its Importance

44:53 Leadership Lessons and Mindset

47:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

True strength begins within.

In this episode of ROAR Mindset, host Peter Brandenburger talks with Addy Roff, a Certified Integral Coach, consultant, and marketing leader with more than twenty years of experience in the tech industry. Addy combines Integral Coaching and Product Marketing to help leaders build awareness, courage, and connection.

Together, they explore what it means to lead from within by finding energy and alignment in uncertain times. Addy shares how leaders can transform self-doubt into self-trust, listen to their inner wisdom, and take grounded, courageous action. Addy shares lessons from Playing Big by Tara Mohr, weaving together practical insights for quieting the inner critic, cultivating an inner mentor, and moving from perfectionism to purposeful action.

They also dive into Addy’s perspective on core nutrients or the daily sources of energy that sustain creativity and well-being. They discuss how fear, failure, and feedback can become teachers rather than obstacles. The conversation closes with Addy’s reflections on the wisdom she draws from her Icelandic roots. Enjoy!

Books Mentioned

• Playing Big — Tara Mohr

Other recommended related books:

• Soul Without Shame: A Guide to Liberating Yourself from the Judge Within — Byron Brown

• Real Self-Care — Pooja Lakshmin

• Positive Intelligence — Shirzad Chamine

Learn More About Addy

🔗 Website: www.addyroff.com

🔗 LinkedIn: Addy Roff

Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction to the ROAR Mindset

00:26 Meet Addy Roff: Integral Coach and GTM Leader

02:10 Discovering Core Nutrients that Sustain Leadership

08:15 The Energy of Alignment and Integrity

13:40 Lessons from Playing Big and the Inner Critic

20:30 The Enneagram Lens on Team Connection

27:15 Real Self-Care and Boundaries for Leaders

35:00 Positive Intelligence and the Power of Inner Awareness

43:40 Reconnection, Renewal, and Courage in Practice

48:00 Leadership Lessons Relearned

50:00 One Word to Describe Her Leadership Mindset

Harmony in leadership is not about agreement. It is about understanding.

In this episode of the ROAR Mindset, host Peter Brandenburger speaks with Ahmed Omer, a global technology leader who brings calm and connection to complex environments. Ahmed shares how he creates alignment among diverse teams by listening deeply, clarifying intent, and focusing on shared purpose.

He reminds us that most conflicts arise not from disagreement but from misunderstanding, and that alignment is one of a leader’s most powerful tools. By focusing on harmony rather than control, leaders can build trust, strengthen collaboration, and lead through disruption with confidence.

Connect with Ahmed on LinkedIn to learn more about his work guiding global teams through technical and cultural complexity.

Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction to the ROAR Mindset

00:24 Meet Ahmed Omer: A Leader Who Builds Harmony

02:10 Finding Rhythm, Happiness, and Flow

07:00 Navigating Noise and Building Trust

10:00 Aligning Teams Around Shared Purpose

14:45 Creating Strength-Based Organizations

21:30 Becoming a Partner of Choice

27:00 The Extra Mile: Adding Value Through Collaboration

30:00 Leading Through Disruption and Change

38:00 The Power of Listening Without Judgment

50:00 Turning Misunderstanding into Alignment

57:00 Techniques for Clarity and Connection

1:01:00 Leadership Lessons Relearned

1:03:00 One Word to Describe His Leadership Mindset

ROAR Mindset: Leading Through Chaos

Playing A Powerful Leadership Game with Archana Sundareshan.

In this episode of Roar Mindset: Leading Through Chaos, host Peter Brandenburger talks with Archana Sundareshan, a versatile technologist, creative, philanthropist, and trekker. Archana shares her journey from an influential role at Intel to exploring the deeper facets of leadership through the lens of power, game theory, and the transformative experience of trekking. Together, they discuss redefining power as internal energy, the finisher's mindset, work-life integration, and the minimalism learned from trekking. Archana shares a few tips she learned from trekking that apply to leadership.  Peter and Archana reflect on the importance of living in the present, the significance of mutual support, and the profound impact of community on leadership.

• Check out Archana’s travel stories and DIY guides at www.somedaynomadic.com
• Explore her photography in her published book The Moments I Took a Pause, with her second book currently in the works
• She is now ideating on Aurum Walls by Archana Sundareshan, a luxury concept that transforms photography into timeless, curated walls.

00:00 Introduction to the Roar Mindset

00:26 Meet Ana Sunder: A Multifaceted Leader

01:24 Exploring Leadership and Power

03:29 The Concept of Power and Self-Doubt

06:08 The Trekking Metaphor for Leadership

09:21 Ambitions and Game Theory

17:52 Applying Game Theory to Leadership

23:56 Personal Challenges and Career Reflections

25:07 Rediscovering Purpose and Work-Life Integration

26:27 A Life-Changing Call and New Beginnings

26:47 Balancing Career and Personal Life

27:30 The Power of Technology and Purpose

28:22 Identity Beyond Work

29:43 Game Theory and Life Milestones

30:40 Non-Linear Life Paths and Career Setbacks

35:45 Leadership Lessons from Trekking and Travel

42:25 The Importance of Community and Relationships

48:18 Final Reflections and Future Discussions

Leadership is a human endeavor, yet leaders often forget they are human too.

In this episode of the ROAR Mindset, host Peter Brandenburger converses with Emily Hannenberg, a leadership coach with a rich background as an army officer and a consultant for senior leaders. Emily shares insights on viewing leadership as a profound human endeavor, combining confidence with humility, and the importance of distinguishing facts from stories. She discusses the concept of tactical patience in decision-making, the loneliness often felt by leaders, the necessity of mindfulness and self-care, and draws intriguing parallels between surfing and leadership.

See more from Emily on her newsletter at A Human Endeavor

Follow her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyhannenberg/overlay/about-this-profile/

00:00 Introduction to the Roar Mindset

00:21 Meet Emily Hanenburg: A Leader with Depth

01:13 Exploring Leadership as a Human Endeavor

05:29 The Power of Confidence and Humility

08:37 Navigating Uncertainty and Change

15:45 Tactical Patience in Leadership

24:23 The Loneliness of Leadership

24:58 Building a Support Network

25:40 Delegation and Empowerment

25:49 Creating Personal Boards and Mentorship

27:39 The Importance of Community

28:50 Diversifying Sources of Connection

30:01 Shifting Perspectives: Work and Life Balance

32:23 Surfing Lessons for Leadership

38:34 The Power of Self-Care

40:42 Mindfulness and Energy Management

43:14 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Coach, facilitator, and former startup co-founder Liz Smith introduces the practice of aligned decision making. Through deceptively simple yet powerful questions starting with “is it mine to do?”  Liz helps leaders reduce burnout, sharpen focus, and lead from a place of integrity. In the episode, she guides me through a live decision, demonstrating how alignment not only transforms outcomes but also energy. Leaders will leave with a practical tool for saying yes to what matters most.

Liz offers a 6-month leadership coaching package designed for purpose-driven professionals who want to lead with greater clarity, alignment, and impact. It’s a powerful container for personal and professional transformation. She also partners with organizations to design and facilitate high-impact team engagements that support trust, communication, and performance. You can learn more at www.lizsmith.coach or reach out to connect directly.

00:00 Introduction to the Roar Mindset

00:26 Guest Introduction: Liz Smith

00:43 The Concept of Aligned Decision Making

01:00 Starting the Conversation with Liz

03:31 Exploring Aligned Decision Making

10:30 Practical Application: Peter's Dilemma

22:06 Corporate Adaptations and Team Applications

23:18 Challenges and Generational Differences

29:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Hamid Azimi, long-time Intel executive and now SVP at Marvell, reflects on three decades of leading technical innovation and high-performing teams. From early lessons in micromanagement to bold decisions that transformed failing programs into successes, Hamid shares stories about how trust, humility, and empowerment create a lasting impact. We discuss the importance of listening, inviting feedback, and building effective teams.  His stories reveal how conviction, trust, and support can carry teams through immense challenges.

00:00 Introduction to the Roar Mindset

00:26 Guest Introduction: Hamid's Journey

02:02 Hamid's Return from Retirement

05:17 Leadership Lessons: Micromanagement and Empowerment

12:26 Taking Bold Actions in Leadership

24:23 Authentic Leadership and Promises

25:09 Empowerment and Common Purpose

25:55 Building Trust with a New Team

27:24 The Power of Listening

27:54 Leading by Removing Roadblocks

29:25 Impact Beyond Technical Achievements

34:08 Feedback and Continuous Improvement

38:27 Trust and Empowerment in Leadership

43:31 Customer Orientation and Ownership

46:37 Final Thoughts on Leadership

Writer, coach, and recovery guide Dani Cirignano reframes chaos as a friend rather than a foe. Drawing from recovery work and chaos theory, she shows how disruption often precedes transformation. Dani highlights three principles for leaders facing uncertainty: trust, flexibility, and support. Together, we explore how embracing chaos creates conditions for innovation, resilience, and growth—both personally and organizationally. This dialogue offers leaders a new orientation: partner with life’s surprises instead of controlling and resisting them.

Follow Dani at

Newsletter: https://selfmade.substack.com/

Website: https://www.joinselfmade.co/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/danicirignano

Books: 

Leadership and the New Science - Margaret Wheatley

Emergent Strategy - adrienne maree brown (her name is intentionally not capitalized)

ROAR Mindset: Leading through Chaos is a podcast for leaders navigating today’s uncertainty. Hosted by Peter Brandenburger, it challenges the old playbooks and invites leaders to embrace chaos instead of resisting it. Each episode explores how to turn disruption into an advantage through clarity, humility, and mindset shifts. Drawing on three decades of experience leading teams through the “messy middle,” Peter shares stories and strategies with leaders who’ve faced disruption head-on. The podcast helps you sharpen your clarity, challenge your thinking, and transform insights into action.