The Cantera Leadership Podcast

Hussein Hallak is the Founder and CEO of Next Decentrum, the launchpad for the world’s most iconic NFT products. He is also the Creative Director of Crypto Pharaohs, a collection of 7006 majestic NFT collectibles inspired by the rich history of ancient Egypt.

With over 25 years of experience in the world of innovation, technology and startups, it is no surprise that he has been featured in places like Forbes, BetaKit, Daily Hive, CBC. And in 2019, he was recognized as one of 30 Vancouver tech thought leaders and influencers to follow.

Listen to this episode of my interview with him and learn:

• About his company, Next Decentrum, and why they pivoted from a blockchain company for education to building an NFT platform.

• The biggest challenges of NFT, blockchain, and cryptocurrency technologies, and a brief history.

• How blockchain will impact businesses 5 or 10 years from now and how it creates a world where people can easily move their finances, assets, and identities between multiple marketplaces and properties online.

• Why NFTs should not be considered an investment (if you’re not a trader per se). And why should you have a personal reason for embarking on a new and potentially risky venture.

• The key element that makes a startup succeed and why some startups fail. As well as the different components of a startup that should be considered.

• Biggest mistakes that people make and are mostly not prepared for when venturing into startups.

• A deeper understanding of innovation and the different ways of how to be innovative.

And so much more….

Stay tuned and share your comments down below.

Links: 

https://youtu.be/-wX_rengCcg 

Cantera Leadership: https://www.canteraleadership.com/  

Follow Ben on social media: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-dueck/   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantera.leadership/  

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

To find out more about Hussein Hallak, go here: 

Next Decentrum: https://www.nextdecentrum.com/ 

Part 2 is now available for viewing & listening!

Kurt Schmidt is the President and Partner at Foundry, a strategy and custom design software agency that helps transform businesses through digital tools and applications. Foundry was listed in INC 5,000 fastest growing companies for two years in a row, in 2020 and 2021.

He also hosts his own podcast, the Schmidt List which aims to inspire people who manage projects, build digital products, and lead teams in design and technology.

Listen to part 2 of my interview with him and learn:

• Why you need to stop thinking about the “how” and more on the “why” so that your team can focus more on their key responsibilities.

• The importance of utilizing different platforms to communicate a message.

• The significance of being able to clearly define who you're going to work for, who you're going to do it for, and why you're doing it for them.

• The rationale for recruiting top talent during a company’s early stages.

…and so much more!!!

Also, find out his response to our surprise “fun” question at the end. 

Stay tuned and share your comments down below

You can also check out my previous guesting in the Schmidt-List podcast with the topic on “The New Leadership Style 2021.”

Links: 

https://youtu.be/z857kXI6bLU 

Cantera Leadership:  https://www.canteraleadership.com/ 

Follow Ben on social media: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-dueck/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantera.leadership/ 

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

Schmidt-List podcast: The New Leadership Style 2021 featuring Ben Dueck

https://youtu.be/w75_hHXNsm8?list=PL-PDaIvTGbC0JC_M4wUm5CKg4GX52_slX

To find out more about Kurt Schmidt, go here: 

Foundry: https://www.foundrymakes.com/ 

Schmidt-List: https://www.schmidt-list.com/ 

Kurt Schmidt is the President and Partner at Foundry, a strategy and custom design software agency that helps transform businesses through digital tools and applications. Foundry was listed in INC 5,000 fastest growing companies for two years in a row, in 2020 and 2021.

He also hosts his own podcast, the Schmidt List which aims to inspire people who manage projects, build digital products, and lead teams in design and technology.

This is part 1 of my interview with him. In our discussion we cover:

• His leadership style when it comes to working with his team.

• The importance of showing his vulnerable side to the people working for him.

• Why over-communicating is the most honest approach that will give you the ability to have a good night's sleep.

• The reason why organizations should put an effort in management training to prepare people for the challenges that comes with leading a team.

• How to be an intentional leader and why intentional conversations are beneficial for establishing good working relationships with employees.

• The advice he gives to new leaders on how to lead more effectively.

• The significance of a mindset shift and forming bonds with one another in an organization.

…and so much more!!!

Stay tuned and share your comments down below

You can also check out my previous guesting in the Schmidt-List podcast with the topic on “The New Leadership Style 2021.” Link in the comment section:

Links: 

https://youtu.be/TpaxOeYTADw

Cantera Leadership:  https://www.canteraleadership.com/ 

Follow Ben on social media: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-dueck/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantera.leadership/ 

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

Schmidt-List podcast: The New Leadership Style 2021 featuring Ben Dueck

https://youtu.be/w75_hHXNsm8?list=PL-PDaIvTGbC0JC_M4wUm5CKg4GX52_slX

To find out more about Kurt Schmidt, go here: 

Foundry: https://www.foundrymakes.com/ 

Schmidt-List: https://www.schmidt-list.com/ 

Part 2 is now available for viewing!

Over the years, Polly Craik has been involved in a variety of business and community-based groups, as stated below:

• One of the co-founders of Vexxit, an online platform that uses machine learning technology to help connect people with professionals in a way that is easy, efficient, and rewarding. 

Listen to Part 2 of my interview with her and learn the: 

• Value of building your network, both for your business and for yourself.

• Most important questions that leaders need to be asking themselves during this current business climate.

• Reason why Polly believes so much in committing to consistency and the importance of keeping up on things that will impact the business in the long run.

She also responded to our question regarding the type of the dish that will be named after her.

Enjoy listening in,  and share your comments down below.

Links: 

https://youtu.be/r9NRPiG5WYc 

Cantera Leadership:  https://www.canteraleadership.com/ 

Follow Ben on social media: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-dueck/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantera.leadership/ 

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

To find out more about Vexxit, go here: https://vexxit.com/ 

Over the years, Polly Craik has been involved in a variety of business and community-based groups, as stated below:

• One of the co-founders of Vexxit, an online platform that uses machine learning technology to help connect people with professionals in a way that is easy, efficient, and rewarding. 

Listen to  Part 1 of my interview with her and learn the: 

• Similarities and differences of leading a profit and a non-profit organization 

• Traits of a strong leader that should be emulated.

• Reason why employees follow true leaders aside from the hierarchy that they have in an organization. 

• Biggest challenge that companies are facing today and what should leaders do to overcome it. 

• Rationale behind why Polly would not change anything from her past experiences. 

And so much more….

Enjoy listening in,  and share your comments down below.

Links: 

https://youtu.be/nBO5nXUn5KI  

Cantera Leadership:  https://www.canteraleadership.com/ 

Follow Ben on social media: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-dueck/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantera.leadership/ 

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

To find out more about Vexxit, go here: https://vexxit.com/ 

Part 2 is now available for viewing!

Kim Ulmer is the Regional President of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut and Western Ontario. She has been a part of RBC for over 30 years and leads a workforce of 2,600 employees who are dedicated to working together, to meet and exceed the needs of their valued retail, small business, and commercial clients.

She plays an active role in the Asper MBA executive mentorship program at the University of Manitoba and many other community involvements as well. She also holds an MBA from Dalhousie University and calls Winnipeg her home.

Listen to this part 2 of my interview with her and learn: 

• The difference between diversity and inclusion and how it can bring about innovation and positive results to the organization as a whole.

• The important components of decision making frameworks that should be embodied by the organization.

• What to do in case you get feedback that isn’t very positive or when things aren’t progressing as planned.

• Key pointers needed to be able to coach leaders and have an impact on results through leaders, and the factors that make getting results difficult.

• Which brings more benefit to the company. Is it perfect strategy or perfect execution?

• How allowing some room for mistakes can establish a company culture of learning and growing

• The skills that leaders need in order to succeed

She also answered our question on where she will take her team on a Leadership Retreat. 

Stay tuned and share your comments down below.

Link: 

Cantera Leadership:  https://www.canteraleadership.com/

Links: 

https://youtu.be/2LYwrgN3XqA 

Cantera Leadership:  https://www.canteraleadership.com/ 

Follow Ben on social media: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-dueck/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantera.leadership/ 

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

To find out more about RBC, go here: https://www.rbc.com/about-rbc.html

Kim Ulmer is the Regional President of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut and Western Ontario. She has been a part of RBC for over 30 years and leads a workforce of 2,600 employees who are dedicated to working together, to meet and exceed the needs of their valued retail, small business, and commercial clients.

She plays an active role in the Asper MBA executive mentorship program at the University of Manitoba and many other community involvements as well. She also holds an MBA from Dalhousie University and calls Winnipeg her home.

Listen to this part 1 of my interview with her and learn the: 

• Most challenging moments in her leadership career that stood out to her and how she reacted in that particular situation.

And so much more….

Stay tuned and share your comments down below.

Links: 

https://youtu.be/LE3qW2bl9Nc 

Cantera Leadership:  https://www.canteraleadership.com/ 

Follow Ben on social media: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-dueck/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantera.leadership/ 

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

To find out more about RBC, go here: https://www.rbc.com/about-rbc.html

Part 2 is ready to watch!

Paul Soubry is the President and CEO of New Flyer Industries (NFI), one of the world leaders in transportation technology. Prior to working in NFI, he served as President and CEO of StandardAero.  

Paul leads a worldwide organization of over 8000 employees but his leadership gems apply to leaders from organizations of all sizes.

His favorite quote: 

“ High tide raises all boats.”

Listen in to this part 2 of the interview and hear his tidbits on:

• What leaders need to do differently during times of crisis - the values of humility, transparency, and engagement.

And so much more….

He also answers who would play him in a movie and provides an interesting answer.

Stay tuned and share your comments down below.

Links: 

https://youtu.be/gcyJAyUu9VY   

Cantera Leadership:  https://www.canteraleadership.com/ 

Follow Ben on social media: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-dueck/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantera.leadership/ 

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

To find out more about New Flyer Industries, go here: https://www.nfigroup.com/ 

Paul Soubry is the President and CEO of New Flyer Industries (NFI), one of the world leaders in transportation technology. Prior to working in NFI, he served as President and CEO of StandardAero.  

He has received several recognitions and was named Canada’s Top CEO of the Year by National Post in 2016. 

Paul leads a worldwide organization of over 8000 employees but his leadership gems apply to leaders from organizations of all sizes.

He has led NFI through huge challenges and continues to lead well through COVID.

His favorite quotes: 

“ You Can Sometimes Fool the Fans, But You Can Never Fool the Players.” - Jack Stack, The Great Game of Business: The Only Sensible Way to Run a Company

“It’s amazing what could be accomplished when nobody cares who gets the credit.”

Listen in to this part 1 of the interview and hear his tidbits on:

•  The importance and challenges in communication...ensure understanding and learning!

And so much more….

Stay tuned and share your comments down below.

Links: 

https://youtu.be/0E0fYvSBoL0    

Cantera Leadership:  https://www.canteraleadership.com/ 

Follow Ben on social media: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-dueck/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantera.leadership/ 

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

Former politician and current community leader, Kevin Chief, continues to drop leadership wisdom in this second part of the video interview I had with him in the spring of 2021.

As an Indigenous leader, Kevin's view on the role of community in developing leaders is AWESOME. His words are inspiring and challenging all at the same time.

Hear him talk about:

• Being a role model and building structures to give young people the opportunity to be positive role models.

• Why role models are a fundamental part of the community. 

• Leaving room for OTHER voices and being a leader who strengthens others.

• Helping others by giving your time.

• His answer to our fun question.

And so much more….

Find Part 1 to hear more awesomeness from this great leader.

Stay tuned and tell me what you think in the comments.

Links: 

Part 1: https://youtu.be/y_AOXb-c8EM     

Part 2: https://youtu.be/4XGAFnSE5Ls    

Cantera Leadership:  https://www.canteraleadership.com/ 

Follow Ben on social media: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-dueck/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantera.leadership/ 

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

You can find out more about Kevin Chief using the following links:

https://twitter.com/kevin_chief 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinchief/