On this episode of The Leadership Standard, Leland Vittert shares a powerful story of resilience, mentorship, and becoming strong in a world that doesn’t always make room for difference.

Diagnosed with autism as a child, Leland was relentlessly bullied, underestimated, and told—explicitly—that he didn’t fit. What followed was not a neat success story, but years of difficulty shaped by an extraordinary decision from his father: to step away from his career and devote himself fully to preparing his son for a world that would not bend for him. That choice, grounded in love, discipline, and unyielding standards, changed the trajectory of Leland’s life.

Today, as one of America’s most respected journalists and news anchors, Leland offers a rare and deeply honest perspective on leadership forged through adversity. His reflections on earned self-esteem, emotional control, mentorship, loneliness, and standing up to bullies resonate far beyond his personal story—especially for CEOs and leaders navigating pressure, isolation, and high-stakes decision-making.

This conversation is not about labels or limitations. It’s about refusing to quit, choosing strength over resentment, and learning how presence, discipline, and empathy can shape not only a career, but a life. For anyone leading others—or simply trying to lead themselves through challenge—this episode offers clarity, perspective, and hope that stays with you long after the episode ends.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction: The Leadership Standard with L

00:02:05 Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism

00:07:20 Why Born Lucky Isn’t Just About Autism

00:08:37 “Everyone Thinks Your Son Is Weird” – A Defining School Moment

00:08:59 Why Born Lucky Is Bigger Than Autism

00:11:06 Autism Doesn’t Look the Way People Expect

00:11:29 A 70-Point IQ Gap and a Devastating Diagnosis

00:12:50 The Decision to Never Let a Diagnosis Define Him

00:13:59 A Universal Story of Parental Love and Hope

00:14:32 When His Father Quit His Career to Be Fully Present

00:15:16 Recounting the Art Teacher Incident as an Adult

00:16:03 The Emotional Toll on a Father Who Never Quit

00:17:31 “Self-Esteem Is Earned, Not Given”

00:20:18 “If You Quit, They Win” – A Life-Defining Lesson

00:23:01 The Fraternity Rejection That Became a Turning Point

00:24:46 Realizing Self-Change Was Necessary

00:26:14 Learning Empathy, Conversation, and Human Connection

00:28:23 Advice for CEOs Dealing With Quiet or Narcissistic Bullies

00:32:27 Loneliness at the Top of Leadership

00:33:22 Vulnerability, Marriage, and a Small Trusted Circle

00:34:09 “You’re Not Alone” – The Real Impact of Born Lucky

00:35:24 Using Loneliness as Fuel Instead of Weakness

00:36:51 Mentorship in the Age of AI

00:38:04 His Mother’s Quiet Strength Behind the Scenes

00:39:37 The Cost of Autism on Siblings and Family Loyalty

00:41:05 First Professional Mentor Who Took a Chance on Him

00:43:09 The Three A’s: Appreciate, A Moment, An Action

00:49:26 Outro: Reflection

TEC Canada is where the brightest minds in leadership gather. Learn how membership supports growth-minded executives: https://bit.ly/3INwmxq

Connect with Leland Vittert at linkedin.com/in/lelandvittert

Buy the book “Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism” on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Born-Lucky-Dedicated-Grateful-Journey/dp/140025468X

The Leadership Standard, hosted by TEC Canada speaker and leadership development and resilience expert Jamie Mason Cohen, features in-depth conversations with subject matter experts all across the business spectrum. Featuring thought leadership and actionable insights to challenge your assumptions—and inspiring stories of business triumphs, struggles, and perseverance that provide a motivational push—every episode of The Leadership Standard is a revealing discussion about the life of business and the business of life.

On this episode of the Leadership Standard, Jamie welcomes Dr. Preet Banerjee: neuroscientist, and one of Canada’s most compelling and respected voices on money and decision-making for a powerful, fast-moving conversation that every Canadian small-to-mid-size business leader needs to hear. Dr. Banerjee breaks down why 95% of AI projects fail, how employees are secretly using shadow AI tools to stay productive, and why scams are becoming more sophisticated than ever. He also reveals the behavioural traps that cause leaders to make poor financial decisions, shares vivid examples you’ll never forget, and offers clear strategies for navigating uncertainty, simplifying decisions, and planning proactively for 2026.

This podcast is powered by TEC Canada. Learn how we’re building ⁠⁠better leaders⁠.⁠

Follow Dr. Preet on Instagram

Visit Dr. Preet at his website

ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP STANDARD PODCAST

The Leadership Standard, hosted by TEC Canada speaker and leadership development and resilience expert Jamie Mason Cohen, features in-depth conversations with subject matter experts all across the business spectrum. Featuring thought leadership and actionable insights to challenge your assumptions—and inspiring stories of business triumphs, struggles, and perseverance that provide a motivational push—every episode of The Leadership Standard is a revealing discussion about the life of business and the business of life.

On this episode of the Leadership Standard, Amanda Lindhout shares her profound journey of resilience and recovery. 

Amanda was kidnapped at gunpoint in Somalia and held hostage for 460 days. That experience, and the PTSD which followed, set into motion her healing, growth and transformation. Today, her fresh perspective on navigating challenges inspires audiences around the world to look for what is emerging from the ashes in times of personal and professional crisis.

An unparalleled voice on the topics of resilience, extraordinary mindset and transformation, she has delivered over 500 keynotes in 28 countries for some of the biggest companies in the world. Her insights serve as a beacon of hope and guidance for leaders facing challenges in their own lives.

This podcast is powered by TEC Canada. Learn how we’re building ⁠better leaders.⁠

ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP STANDARD PODCAST

The Leadership Standard, hosted by TEC Canada speaker and leadership development and resilience expert Jamie Mason Cohen, features in-depth conversations with subject matter experts all across the business spectrum. Featuring thought leadership and actionable insights to challenge your assumptions—and inspiring stories of business triumphs, struggles, and perseverance that provide a motivational push—every episode of The Leadership Standard is a revealing discussion about the life of business and the business of life.

Connect with Amanda Lindhout at https://amandalindhout.com/

Read her remarkably moving memoir: A House in the Sky: https://www.amazon.com/House-Sky-Memoir-Amanda-Lindhout-ebook/dp/B00A27XEMW

Connect with Jamie Mason Cohen at: https://jamiemasoncohen.com/

In this episode of The Leadership Standard, host Jamie Mason Cohen interviews Michele Romanow, renowned entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and Dragon on Dragons' Den. They discuss the importance of speed over perfection in business, the lessons learned from childhood, and the shift from perfectionism to execution. Michele shares her entrepreneurial journey, including her experiences with failure, the dynamics of investor-founder relationships, and how Clearco is transforming access to capital for entrepreneurs. The conversation concludes with insights on the future of entrepreneurship and its potential to drive societal change.

This podcast is powered by TEC Canada. Learn how we’re building ⁠better leaders.⁠

Follow Michele on ⁠Instagram⁠.

Check out ⁠Clearco.⁠

ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP STANDARD PODCAST

The Leadership Standard, hosted by TEC Canada speaker and leadership development and resilience expert Jamie Mason Cohen, features in-depth conversations with subject matter experts all across the business spectrum. Featuring thought leadership and actionable insights to challenge your assumptions—and inspiring stories of business triumphs, struggles, and perseverance that provide a motivational push—every episode of The Leadership Standard is a revealing discussion about the life of business and the business of life.

In this episode of The Leadership Standard, host Jamie Mason Cohen interviews Michele Romanow, renowned entrepreneur, venture capitalist and Dragon on Dragon’s Den. They discuss the importance of speed over perfection in business, the lessons learned from childhood, and the shift from perfectionism to execution. Michele shares her entrepreneurial journey, including her experiences with failure, the dynamics of investor-founder relationships, and how Clearco is transforming access to capital for entrepreneurs. The conversation concludes with insights on the future of entrepreneurship and its potential to drive societal change.

This podcast is powered by TEC Canada. Learn how we’re building better leaders.

Follow Michele on Instagram.

Check out Clearco.

ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP STANDARD PODCAST

The Leadership Standard, hosted by TEC Canada speaker and leadership development and resilience expert Jamie Mason Cohen, features in-depth conversations with subject matter experts all across the business spectrum. Featuring thought leadership and actionable insights to challenge your assumptions—and inspiring stories of business triumphs, struggles, and perseverance that provide a motivational push—every episode of The Leadership Standard is a revealing discussion about the life of business and the business of life.

In this episode of The Leadership Standard, Jamie Mason Cohen, Scott Osmond, and Marshall Goldsmith discuss the importance of self-promotion for coaches, the lessons learned from early coaching experiences, and the traits that make effective coaches. They delve into the concept of 'feedforward' as a positive approach to feedback, the impact of AI on coaching, and the growing need for human coaches in a world increasingly reliant on technology. The discussion also highlights the importance of vulnerability in leadership, the role of generosity in fostering community, and the ongoing learning process for coaches.

This podcast is powered by TEC Canada. Learn how we’re building better leaders.

ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP STANDARD PODCAST

The Leadership Standard, hosted by TEC Canada speaker and leadership development and resilience expert Jamie Mason Cohen, features in-depth conversations with subject matter experts all across the business spectrum. Featuring thought leadership and actionable insights to challenge your assumptions—and inspiring stories of business triumphs, struggles, and perseverance that provide a motivational push—every episode of The Leadership Standard is a revealing discussion about the life of business and the business of life.

This popular episode of The Leadership Standard featuring Simon Lancaster is back, with refreshed audio and timeless insights into the art of leadership communication.Simon Lancaster is one of the world’s top speechwriters, trusted by Fortune 500 CEOs and political leaders alike. In this conversation with host and leadership expert Jamie Mason Cohen, Simon breaks down the ancient art of persuasion—ethos, logos, and pathos—and reveals how today’s leaders can use these timeless tools to connect, inspire, and influence.In this episode, you’ll discover:- Why emotion, not logic, is what truly moves people- How to use metaphor and storytelling to leave a lasting impact- A six-step framework for writing powerful, persuasive speeches- Why vision is the most powerful word in leadershipDrawing on neuroscience, history, and personal experience, Simon shares memorable examples and practical tips that will transform the way you communicate.If you missed it the first time, don’t miss it now. This remastered episode is your playbook for mastering the language of leadership.

This standout episode of The Leadership Standard featuring Dr. Beau Lotto was one of our most talked-about conversations—and for good reason. We’ve remastered and re-released it so you can experience it again (or for the first time) with improved audio and timeless insights.

Beau Lotto is a neuroscientist and world-renowned expert in perception whose research reveals how we see the world not as it is, but as it’s useful for us to see. He’s helped brands like Cirque du Soleil, Microsoft, and L’Oréal reimagine creativity and innovation through the lens of neuroscience.

In this episode, hosted by TEC Speaker and branding expert Gair Maxwell, Beau shares:

• A practical framework for navigating uncertainty

• How to approach problems differently—personally and professionally

• How to foster innovation through a deeper understanding of perception

As a three-time TED main stage speaker and founder of the Lab of Misfits, Beau blends science, storytelling, and strategy to challenge how leaders think—and see.

If you missed it the first time, don’t miss it now.

In this episode of The Leadership Standard, host Jamie Mason Cohen sits down with two powerhouse leaders at the forefront of a national movement: Lara Murphy, CEO of Calgary Wild FC and founder of Ryan Murphy Construction, and Deanna Zumwalt, Executive Chair of Calgary Wild FC and business executive with a bold vision for equity in sport.Together, they’re helping lead Calgary Wild FC, part of the Northern Super League, Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league. But their influence goes far beyond the field.Key Takeaways from the Episode:· The power of sport in shaping leadership: Both leaders reflect on how early athletic experiences built resilience and confidence.· Creating lasting impact: Calgary Wild FC is more than a soccer team—it’s a platform for driving equity and representation in professional sports.· Business wisdom on and off the field: Lara and Deanna draw parallels between team-building, business operations, and leading with purpose.· Staying inspired: Hear the quotes, athletes, and books that continue to fuel their work and perspective.This conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about creating inclusive leadership, scaling with purpose, and turning bold ideas into lasting change.

In this episode of The Leadership Standard, host Jamie Mason Cohen sits down with Michael Bungay Stanier—bestselling author, Rhodes Scholar, and founder of Box of Crayons—to explore how better conversations can transform leadership and workplace relationships. 

With global recognition for his work on curiosity-led leadership, Michael shares practical strategies from his latest book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, and reflects on how vulnerability, clarity, and connection can reshape how we lead and collaborate.

Michael Bungay Stanier shares his own leadership journey, from being rejected as a Rhodes Scholar to building one of the world’s most impactful coaching companies. He also discusses how TEC Canada played a key role in amplifying the leadership of Box of Crayons’ CEO and why creating “Best Possible Relationships” is the most powerful move a leader can make in 2025 and beyond.

Through storytelling, wit, and years of experience training managers across the globe, Michael Bungay Stanier offers valuable takeaways for business owners, executives, and team leaders who want to lead with more intention and curiosity. His insights will resonate with anyone looking to elevate their communication, culture, and impact.

• Why your success depends on the quality of your working relationships.

• How to have a “Keystone Conversation” that builds trust from the start.

• When to repair a working relationship—and when to let it go.

• Why staying curious longer is a leadership superpower in 2025.

Listen now and learn how better conversations can lead to stronger teams, better results, and more human leadership..