The Next Interview Show

The skills that made you successful can eventually make you the bottleneck. Entrepreneur, business coach, and Grow Smart author Mike DeJong joins Doland White to explore how Leadership Development turns individual capability into Leadership Trust, better Team Performance, and stronger accountability.

If you're a Director, VP, Founder, or CEO who still owns too many decisions, this conversation challenges your Leadership Mindset. Executive Leadership isn't about remaining indispensable—it's about developing people capable of leading.

• Identify whether you're operating as a Hunter, Architect, or GSD—and what capabilities your team needs around you.

• Use clear guardrails to expand autonomy without abandoning Accountability in the Workplace.

• Transfer small decisions first and expand authority as competence grows.

• Hire people capable of becoming better than you at work you shouldn't continue owning.

How do leaders stop being bottlenecks? Build people and systems that can make decisions without constant escalation.

How do you improve Workplace Culture? Pair autonomy with clarity, coaching, and accountability.

00:00 Mike's leadership journey


13:30 Becoming the bottleneck


17:30 Three leadership styles


29:30 Building leaders through guardrails

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Mike DeJong — Entrepreneur, Business Coach & Author of Grow Smart: Your Path to Transformation


Website: https://mikedejong.com/


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

The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence®, and known as The Empowerment Guy.

Each episode delivers practical insights, powerful stories, and bold conversations designed to help leaders empower their teams, accelerate growth, and lead with confidence.

Visit: https://www.dolandwhite.com/lwc and order your copy of Lead With Confidence® today.

Putting people first doesn't mean lowering the bar. It may actually be one of the smartest ways to raise it.

David Guttman is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and CEO mentor with more than 30 years of experience and multiple eight- and nine-figure business exits. In this episode of The Next Interview, David joins Doland White to challenge a common misconception about servant leadership: caring about people doesn't mean avoiding accountability.

Their conversation explores Leadership Development, Executive Leadership, Leadership Coaching, Business Leadership, and the Leadership Mindset required to build Leadership Trust without sacrificing performance. They unpack how transparency strengthens Workplace Culture, why autonomy requires responsibility, and how better communication improves Team Performance and Accountability in the Workplace.

If you're a Director, VP, Founder, or CEO trying to empower people while maintaining high standards, this episode is for you.

• Give people context and ownership—not simply instructions.

• Hire for curiosity and humility, not skills alone.

• Practice strong opinions, loosely held.

• Make accountability continuous so difficult conversations are never a surprise.

Q: Does servant leadership mean being soft? No—strong servant leaders combine genuine care with clear expectations.

Q: How do leaders build trust? Give people information, autonomy, and responsibility.

Q: What strengthens accountability? Consistent, candid feedback before performance becomes a crisis.

00:00 David's journey and facing mortality

15:00 What servant leadership really means

24:00 Transparency, ownership, and trust

38:00 Accountability and difficult conversations

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Guest: David Guttman — Serial Entrepreneur, Investor & CEO Mentor

Website: https://www.guttmanmedia.com

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RealDaveGuttman

The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence®, and known as The Empowerment Guy.

Each episode delivers practical insights, powerful stories, and bold conversations designed to help leaders empower their teams, accelerate growth, and lead with confidence.

Visit:

https://www.dolandwhite.com/lwc

and order your copy of Lead With Confidence® today.

Your company chose AI. Now a Director must turn “go figure it out” into results. In Episode 100, executive coach and author Doland White explains why AI strategy succeeds or fails where executive leadership meets operational reality.

Directors, VPs, founders, and CEOs will learn how leadership development, leadership coaching, business leadership, and a strong leadership mindset improve decision-making, communication, and execution while strengthening leadership trust, workplace culture, team performance, and accountability in the workplace.

• Translate the directive into a clear outcome and defined scope.

• Create trust and boundaries for responsible experimentation.

• Return operational learning to senior leadership.

Why do AI strategies fail? Teams cannot execute a mandate that means something different to everyone.

How can leaders reduce resistance? Replace ambiguity with honest communication and clear boundaries.

00:00 Why AI fails in the middle


08:20 AI reveals leadership problems


16:05 Translate the directive


23:30 Close the loop

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Episode information:
Doland White — Executive coach and author


Website: Https://www.dolandwhite.com

Episode Worksheet: Https://www.dolandwhite.com/aifails

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

About the Host

The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence®.

Each episode delivers practical insights, powerful stories, and bold conversations designed to help leaders empower their teams, accelerate growth, and lead with confidence.

Visit www.dolandwhite.com/lwc and order your copy of Lead With Confidence® today.

What is the true measure of leadership success? According to The Four Disciplines of Execution co-author Jim Huling, it isn't your results—it's the leaders you develop. In Part 2 of this conversation, we explore trust, autonomy, leadership multiplication, and the legacy every great leader leaves behind.

Most leaders focus on improving performance. The best leaders focus on multiplying people.

In Part Two of this conversation on The Next Interview, executive coach, former CEO, and The Four Disciplines of Execution co-author Jim Huling explores what leadership looks like after the strategy is written and the goals are clear. Together, we discuss why leadership is ultimately measured by the growth of the people who follow you—not simply by the results you achieve.

If you're a Director, Vice President, founder, or executive responsible for developing people, this episode offers a practical blueprint for Leadership Development, Executive Leadership, Leadership Coaching, and building a culture where trust, autonomy, and accountability create extraordinary Team Performance.

Jim explains why every employee silently asks two questions every day:

Am I doing work that matters?

Does anybody care?

Leaders who answer those questions well don't simply build successful organizations.

They build leaders who continue multiplying long after they're gone.

Key Insights

• Leadership is measured by the growth of people—not simply organizational performance.

• Recognition tells people what they did was valuable; leadership helps people believe they are valuable.

• Great leaders solve fewer problems so their teams become better problem solvers.

• Extraordinary organizations are built through trust, autonomy, and multiplication—not dependence.

Leadership FAQ

Q: What is the ultimate measure of leadership success?

The growth of the people who follow you. Great leaders leave stronger leaders behind.

Q: Why is autonomy so important?

Because every time leaders solve every problem themselves, they unintentionally weaken their teams instead of strengthening them.

Q: How do leaders create extraordinary team performance?

By helping people believe their work matters, that they matter, and by creating an environment where discretionary effort becomes a choice rather than an obligation.

Key Timestamps (Estimated)

00:00 — Every Employee Asks Two Questions

Why meaning and human connection matter more than ever in leadership.

11:30 — Recognition vs. Value

The difference between praising performance and helping people see their own worth.

23:00 — The Goal of Leadership Is Multiplication

Why great leaders build leaders instead of followers.

35:00 — Why Autonomy Creates Better Organizations

How solving every problem yourself slowly weakens your team.

46:30 — Viktor Frankl, Taking a Breath, and Leading with Intention

Why transformational leadership begins in the space between stimulus and response.

57:00 — Jim's Next Book

The fascinating idea of discretionary effort—and why some teams willingly give more than anyone can require.

Call to Action

If this episode challenged the way you think about Leadership Development and Executive Leadership, subscribe to The Next Interview, share this episode with another leader, and join the conversation. Every week we move leadership from entertainment into action.

Guest Information

Jim Huling

Executive Coach • Former CEO • Co-author of The Four Disciplines of Execution

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

Website: https://www.executioninsights.com/

About the Host

The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence®, and known as The Empowerment Guy.

Each episode delivers practical insights, powerful stories, and bold conversations designed to help leaders empower their teams, accelerate growth, and lead with confidence.

Visit www.dolandwhite.com/lwc and order your copy of Lead With Confidence® today.

Artificial intelligence is changing business faster than most organizations are prepared for—but technology isn't the competitive advantage. Leadership is.

In this episode of The Next Interview, executive coach, former CEO, and The Four Disciplines of Execution co-author Jim Huling shares why the future of Executive Leadership depends less on mastering AI and more on strengthening the human qualities technology can never replace. Together, we explore how great leaders develop judgment, curiosity, authenticity, and wisdom while using AI as a strategic tool instead of a substitute for thinking.

If you're a Director, Vice President, founder, or executive leading through rapid change, this conversation will challenge how you approach Leadership Development, decision-making, and the future of your organization. AI can increase speed and efficiency, but it cannot replace imagination, experience, or the ability to inspire people. The leaders who thrive won't simply adopt new technology—they'll become better thinkers because of it.

Key Insights

• Use AI to increase speed—not surrender your judgment.

• Authentic leadership is replacing the old model of appearing invulnerable.

• The best executive coaches develop better thinking rather than providing better answers.

• Human creativity, wisdom, and imagination remain your greatest competitive advantage.

Leadership FAQ

Q: Can AI replace executive leadership?

No. AI enhances productivity, but leadership still depends on human judgment, relationships, and wisdom.

Q: What's the biggest leadership risk with AI?

Allowing technology to replace independent thinking instead of strengthening it.

Q: What skill will matter most in the AI era?

The ability to think critically, make sound decisions, and inspire people through change.

Key Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome to the Special Two-Part Series

Doland introduces Jim Huling and explains why this conversation has been split into two episodes—starting with AI and leadership before moving into trust and people leadership next week.

03:30 — Jim Huling's Leadership Journey

From CIO and CEO to FranklinCovey and executive coaching, Jim shares the experiences that shaped his philosophy of leadership and why helping others succeed has become his greatest joy.

10:45 — The Reality of Executive Leadership

Why becoming the CEO is far different than most leaders imagine—and why authenticity has replaced the old "never let them see you sweat" model of leadership.

19:00 — AI Is a Tool—Not Your Judgment

Jim explains why AI should accelerate thinking rather than replace it, and why leaders must guard against surrendering creativity, wisdom, and independent thought.

28:30 — The Hidden Cost of Over-Reliance on AI

A coaching story illustrates what happens when leaders outsource their thinking instead of using AI to strengthen it.

36:00 — Leadership Requires Imagination

Why the leaders who thrive in the AI era will be those who continue developing judgment, curiosity, and wisdom while embracing new technology.

Call to Action

If this conversation challenged the way you think about leadership, follow The Next Interview, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and share the episode with another leader. Join the conversation by leaving a comment with your biggest insight, and help us empower more leaders to navigate the future with confidence.

Guest Information

Jim Huling

Executive Coach | Co-author of The Four Disciplines of Execution

Website: https://www.executioninsights.com/

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

About the Host

The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence®, and known as The Empowerment Guy.

Each episode delivers practical insights, powerful stories, and bold conversations designed to help leaders empower their teams, accelerate growth, and lead with confidence.

Visit www.dolandwhite.com/lwc and order your copy of Lead With Confidence® today.

Leaders don't lose influence because they lack knowledge—they lose influence when they can't communicate a clear message. As AI changes the way we work, the ability to lead with clarity, confidence, and authenticity has never mattered more.

This week, executive coach Doland White sits down with Maaya Konishi, CEO & Co-Founder of Communiqué, communication expert, and author of Becoming CEO. Together they explore why leadership communication is about far more than speaking another language. It's about helping people understand your vision, creating trust across cultures, and giving others confidence to follow.

If you're a Director, VP, or executive leading teams across departments, countries, or cultures, this conversation will challenge how you think about communication, workplace culture, leadership trust, and accountability in the workplace.

You'll discover:

• Why AI is making leadership communication more—not less—important

• How clarity creates confidence and drives team performance

• Why authentic leadership matters more than perfect communication

Leadership Questions

How can leaders communicate more effectively?

Start by becoming clear about the message before worrying about the words.

Can AI replace leadership communication?

AI can improve language, but only leaders create meaning, trust, and influence.

How do leaders build confidence?

Confidence grows through preparation, clarity, and taking action before feeling completely ready.

Time Stamps

00:00 Maaya's journey from language learner to CEO

12:18 Why confidence matters more than perfect English

23:46 AI, communication, and the future of leadership

36:52 Building trust across cultures through authenticity

Follow, subscribe, and share this episode with another leader who's committed to building stronger teams and better organizational culture.

Guest

Maaya Konishi

CEO & Co-Founder — Communiqué

Author — Becoming CEO: My Love of Languages, My Path to Leadership

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maaya-konishi-57a87821/

Website: https://communica.co.jp/news-digest/

About the Host

The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence®, and known as The Empowerment Guy.

Each episode delivers practical insights, powerful stories, and bold conversations designed to help leaders empower their teams, accelerate growth, and lead with confidence.

Visit www.dolandwhite.com/lwc and order your copy of Lead With Confidence® today.

Building a business with someone you love sounds inspiring—until growth, uncertainty, and everyday life collide. How do leaders maintain leadership trust, strengthen workplace culture, and scale without sacrificing relationships?

In this episode, Doland White sits down with Brian and Angela Burke, founders of Food First Travel, to explore what it truly takes to build a company, a family, and a legacy together.

This conversation is for founders, Directors, and VPs navigating growth, difficult decisions, and accountability in the workplace. If you're leading teams while balancing personal commitments, this episode offers practical wisdom for creating high performance teams without losing sight of what matters most.

• Build trust by making major business decisions together and communicating transparently.


• Adapt your business model based on customer feedback rather than founder attachment.


• Hire people who align with your values before focusing on technical skills.


• Identify your zone of genius and delegate intentionally to improve team performance.

Q: How do leaders scale without micromanaging?
A: Hire aligned people, trust them, and delegate with clarity.

Q: How do founders know when to pivot?
A: Listen closely to customers and adapt quickly.

Q: What creates strong organizational culture?
A: Shared values, curiosity, trust, and consistent communication.

00:00 Introduction and entrepreneurial journeys


15:45 Building a business as a couple


24:10 Hiring, delegation, and leadership trust


42:00 Creating a legacy company

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Guest: Brian & Angela Burke
Website: Food First Travel — https://foodfirsttravel.com

Food First Travel® designs culinary journeys for travelers who value exceptional dining, preferred access, and a stronger connection to place through its two offerings:

Culinary Travel Concierge
A members-only culinary travel service for travelers who value exceptional dining, preferred access, and seamless planning. Each journey is tailored around personal taste, pace, and priorities, with customized itineraries, sought-after reservations, and responsive support at every stage.

Culinary Travel Tours
Small-group culinary journeys through leading food and wine regions, designed for travelers who value depth, access, and ease. Each itinerary brings together acclaimed restaurants, notable vineyards, local producers, and hands-on culinary experiences to deepen understanding of regional cuisine and culture.

The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence, and known as The Empowerment Guy. Each episode delivers practical insights, powerful stories, and bold conversations designed to help leaders empower their teams, accelerate growth, and lead with confidence. Visit www.dolandwhite.com/lwc and order your copy of Lead With Confidence® today.

Many leaders believe they need more experience, better strategy, or stronger execution. But what if the real obstacle is the story you're telling yourself?

In this episode, executive coach and mindset expert Joseph Clough joins Doland White for a powerful conversation about leadership trust, workplace culture, and the hidden beliefs that quietly shape team performance and organizational culture. Joseph shares why imposter syndrome, anxiety, and self-doubt often stem from identity—not capability—and how leaders can begin rewiring those patterns.

If you're a Director, VP, founder, or executive responsible for high performance teams, this conversation will challenge how you think about accountability in the workplace, communication, and leadership development.

Key Insights & Strategies

• Identity drives behavior—change begins at the subconscious level.

• Leaders must take responsibility for how they communicate and show up.

• Childhood experiences often influence leadership behavior decades later.

• AI is a powerful tool, but leadership remains deeply human.

FAQ

Q: Why do leaders struggle with change?

A: Because most leaders attempt to change behaviors instead of beliefs.

Q: How can leaders overcome imposter syndrome?

A: By reshaping identity and limiting beliefs that create fear.

Q: Can AI replace leadership coaching?

A: No. Trust, empathy, and emotional connection remain uniquely human.

Time Stamps

00:00 – Joseph's personal transformation story

19:20 – Identity, fear, and leadership beliefs

35:40 – Responsibility and communication

49:30 – AI and the future of leadership

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Guest Information

Joseph Clough

Mindset Expert, Coach & Hypnotherapist

Website: JosephClough.info / https://www.josephclough.com/

Get the hypnosis app:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Hypnosis&hl=en_US

Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hypnosis-with-joseph-clough/id438205784

The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence, and known as The Empowerment Guy. Each episode delivers practical insights, powerful stories, and bold conversations designed to help leaders empower their teams, accelerate growth, and lead with confidence. Visit www.dolandwhite.com/lwc and order your copy of Lead With Confidence® today.

Most leaders are focused on technology, efficiency, and growth. But what if the real leadership advantage isn’t technology at all?

In this episode, Humphrey Christian shares his journey from Silicon Valley executive and technology leader to entrepreneur, podcast host, and advocate for self-discovery. Together, we explore leadership trust, workplace culture, accountability in the workplace, and why human connection still matters in an AI-driven world.

If you’re a Director, VP, COO, Founder, or CEO trying to build high performance teams while navigating constant change, this conversation offers practical leadership lessons you can apply immediately.

Key Insights & Strategies

• Why trust is the foundation of team performance and innovation

• How self-discovery helps leaders understand and develop people more effectively

• What AI can—and cannot—replace inside an organization

• How to overcome fear and resistance during periods of change

Quick Leadership Q&A

Q: How do leaders improve workplace culture?

A: Build trust, create accountability, and help people feel valued.

Q: What drives high performance teams?

A: Shared trust, clear expectations, and meaningful recognition.

Q: Can AI replace leadership?

A: No. Leadership requires context, judgment, empathy, and imagination.

Time Stamps

08:00 Self-discovery and leadership growth

17:00 Understanding people and unlocking potential

25:00 AI and the future of leadership

45:00 Trust, fear, and organizational change

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Guest Information

Humphrey Christian

Founder, Navin

https://naveem.com

The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence, and known as The Empowerment Guy. Each episode delivers practical insights, powerful stories, and bold conversations designed to help leaders empower their teams, accelerate growth, and lead with confidence. Visit www.dolandwhite.com and order your copy of Lead With Confidence® today.

Bill Holzendorf built multiple companies across his tech career. None of them exist today. But something did survive — and it's the one thing most leaders overlook.

In this episode, Bill sits down with Doland White to unpack what three decades in tech leadership actually taught him. Not the frameworks. Not the boardroom tactics. The real stuff: why relationships outlast companies, how empowering your people is the only growth strategy that compounds, and what it means to build a legacy that has nothing to do with revenue.If you're leading a team, running a business, or trying to build something that lasts — this one's for you.

If you're a Director, VP, SVP, CEO, or growth-minded leader, this conversation offers practical insight into building high-performing teams while creating lasting relationships.

• Build trust by empowering people to make decisions and learn from mistakes.

• Develop future leaders by creating opportunities beyond their current roles.

• Recognize when someone is in the wrong role and help them find their strengths.

• Create team success through accountability, communication, and support.

Q: How do leaders build trust?

A: By giving people ownership and supporting them through setbacks.

Q: How do you grow future leaders?

A: Invest in their development even when it means they outgrow your team.

Q: What creates strong team performance?

A: Psychological safety, accountability, and clear communication.

Time Stamps

00:00 Leadership Journey

03:30 Relationships Over Companies

08:00 Trust and Psychological Safety

18:00 Building Future Leaders

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Guest: Bill Holzendorf

The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence®, and known as The Empowerment Guy. Each episode delivers practical insights, powerful stories, and bold conversations designed to help leaders empower their teams, accelerate growth, and lead with confidence.