In this episode of the People Dividend Podcast, host Mike Horne speaks with Telle Whitney, a pioneer in technology and diversity. They discuss Telle's journey in tech, the importance of fostering inclusive cultures, and the six C's of thriving organizations: creativity, courage, confidence, curiosity, communication, and community. Telle emphasizes the need for leaders to rethink traditional notions of meritocracy and the importance of collaboration in innovation. The conversation concludes with actionable advice for creating more inclusive and innovative workplaces.

Key Points:

• The myth of meritocracy can hold organizations back.

• True innovation often comes from collaborative teams, not lone geniuses.

• The six C's—creativity, courage, confidence, curiosity, communication, and community—are essential for thriving cultures.

• Courage is critical for leaders to foster an open environment.

• Curiosity can be developed as a skill in teams.

• Community plays a vital role in supporting individuals in their careers.

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at [email protected]

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Telle Whitney: https://www.tellewhitney.com/about

In this episode of The People Dividend, host Mike Horne welcomes Stephanie Chung, a leadership strategist and author of Ally Leadership. Together, they explore what it truly means to lead inclusively, and why the most effective leaders today are those who prioritize empathy, curiosity, and cultural awareness.

Stephanie shares powerful insights on how leaders can build high-performing, psychologically safe teams by embracing diversity, addressing privilege with intention, and leading with both head and heart. The conversation touches on generational differences, inclusive team cultures, and the leadership mindset shifts required in today's evolving workplace.

Key Takeaways:

• Ally Leadership means leading people who are not like you, with empathy and understanding.

• Privilege isn't negative, it's a powerful tool to build trust when acknowledged and used wisely.

• Curiosity is the gateway to better leadership. Ask more. Assume less.

• The most effective leaders foster an environment where every team member can thrive.

• Small adjustments in attention and communication can unlock higher team performance.

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at [email protected]

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Stephanie Chung https://stephaniechung.com/about/

In this episode of the People Dividend podcast, Mike Horne interviews Maria Brinck, a global leadership expert, about her book 'The Leadership We Need' and the necessary shifts in leadership paradigms. They discuss the importance of a strengths-based approach, lessons from indigenous leadership, and the need for leaders to engage with their teams authentically. Maria emphasizes the significance of self-knowledge and the balance between traditional and modern leadership styles to foster innovation and create thriving environments for people and ideas.

Key Points:

• Leaders today must evolve to meet societal challenges.

• Indigenous leadership emphasizes community over individualism.

• Navigating traditional mindsets requires strategic adaptation.

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at [email protected]

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Maria Brinck https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariabrinck/, https://www.mariabrinck.com/

In this episode of The People Dividend Podcast, host Mike Horne sits down with Steve Fisher, renowned design futurist, to explore how emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), are transforming the way we lead, work, and think.

Steve shares why it's essential for leaders to embrace AI as a collaborative partner, not a replacement, and how systems thinking can help us design more resilient, adaptive organizations. They dive into what it means to be future-ready, why curiosity and empathy are critical leadership traits in the age of intelligence, and how to future-proof your mindset in a rapidly changing world.

Whether you're a leader navigating digital transformation or simply curious about how to stay ahead of the curve, this conversation offers powerful insights to help you thrive in the future of work.

Key Takeaways:

• AI is a collaborator, not a threat. Leaders must reframe how they approach technology.

• Systems thinking empowers us to shape the future instead of reacting to it.

• Curiosity and adaptability will be the most valuable leadership traits in the years ahead.

• Designing the future means embracing complexity, diversity, and human-centered innovation.

Resources & Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at [email protected]

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Steve Fisher https://www.stevenfisher.io/

In this powerful episode of The People Dividend Podcast, host Mike Horne sits down with leadership development expert Therese Miclot to uncover what it really takes to lead with authenticity in today's fast-changing world.

You'll learn how today's most effective leaders navigate self-doubt, embrace empathy, and develop the emotional intelligence needed to guide teams through uncertainty and change. From overcoming imposter syndrome to mastering facilitation skills, this episode is packed with practical leadership insights you can apply right away.

Whether you're an executive, team leader, or aspiring manager, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone serious about authentic leadership, resilience, and growth-focused communication.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is about people, not power or process.

• Empathy and clarity are critical for building trust and driving performance.

• Great leaders ask better questions and stay curious.

• Facilitation skills help leaders support teams through complex change.

• Managing your inner voice is step one to leading others effectively.

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at [email protected]

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Therese Miclot https://www.theresemiclot.com/

"If you're not tracking the right metrics, you're missing the opportunities to improve your performance and your team's performance and ultimately your organization's results." - Mike Horne

In this episode of The People Dividend Podcast, leadership expert Mike Horne explores how people-centric leadership metrics impact real business outcomes. If you're leading a team or organization, measuring the ROI of leadership isn't just a nice-to-have, it's essential.

You'll learn how employee engagement, retention rates, workplace culture, and diversity and inclusion metrics all tie directly into innovation, productivity, and long-term success. Mike shares practical strategies and resources to help you become a more effective, people-first leader, and shows you which metrics truly matter for growth.

Key Takeaways:

• How people-centric leadership directly drives business growth

• Why engaged employees lead to better performance.

• Which leadership metrics actually reflect meaningful impact

• The role of diversity and inclusion metrics in long-term success

• Resources to help you lead with purpose and measurable outcomes

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at [email protected]

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

In this inspiring episode, Mike Horne sits down with Bronson Hill, a former medical sales professional turned real estate investor and purpose-driven entrepreneur. As the managing member of Bronson Equity, Bronson shares how he walked away from the corporate grind to create a life built around financial freedom, impact, and personal fulfillment.

From multifamily real estate investing to humanitarian work combating human trafficking, Bronson dives into the mindset shifts required to transition from employee to entrepreneur, and how taking control of your time, health, and wealth can unlock a more meaningful life.

If you're seeking clarity on how to escape the 9–5, achieve financial independence, and align your success with a greater purpose, this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Time is your most valuable asset, not money. Learn how to make the most of it.

• Entrepreneurship starts with a mindset shift.

• Health and fitness are foundational to high energy and long-term success.

• Wealth with purpose creates the freedom to contribute meaningfully to society.

• Success in one area often opens doors in others.

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at [email protected]

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Bronson Hill: www.bronsonequity.com

"Leisure has meaning when it's in tension with effort, when it's in tension with something that asks more of us than pure relaxation or fun or just even lighthearted stimulation." - Elizabeth Parsons

In this episode of The People Dividend Podcast, host Mike Horne sits down with Elizabeth Zelenka Parsons, a retirement transition expert and author of Encore: A High Achiever's Guide to Thriving in Retirement. Together, they explore how high achievers can find fulfillment, purpose, and meaning beyond financial success as they transition into retirement.

Elizabeth challenges the traditional view of retirement as "the end" of productivity, reframing it as a new chapter of growth and contribution. She explains why redefining success, planning in decades, and building strong relationships are essential for a thriving post-career life.

Whether you're years away from retirement or already planning your next act, this episode will inspire you to approach the future with curiosity, purpose, and balance.

Key Points:

• Redefine success: Learn how high achievers can shift from accomplishment-driven goals to purpose-driven living.

• Start early: Plan for retirement in 10-year increments to build a more intentional and fulfilling future.

• Look beyond money: True fulfillment comes from relationships, community, and meaningful engagement—not just financial security.

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at [email protected]

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Elizabeth Parsons:

http://www.zelinkaparsons.com/ or https://www.encoraco.com/.or https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-zelinka-parsons-3b58a52/

"I'm a technologist at heart. I was a computer dork as a kid, and then I decided, I think it'd be really cool and you can make money building technology that just makes people's lives less hard."

- Adam Jackson

In this episode of The People Dividend Podcast, host Mike Horne sits down with Adam Jackson, tech entrepreneur and CEO of BrainTrust, a decentralized talent marketplace using AI to transform hiring. Adam shares how BrainTrust connects global talent with career opportunities faster, fairer, and more inclusively, by eliminating bias and streamlining recruitment through large language model (LLM) technology.

From his early days as a self-described "computer dork" to launching several successful ventures, Adam dives into the challenges of hiring at scale and how AI-powered recruitment tools are shaping the future of work for both employers and job seekers.

Key Takeaways:

• How BrainTrust uses AI to match top talent with the right roles.

• Why inclusive, bias-free recruiting is the future of hiring.

• How AI is improving the speed and quality of the hiring process.

• The power of technology to make work more human, not harder.

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at [email protected]

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Adam Jackson

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

https://www.usebraintrust.com/about

https://www.crunchbase.com/person/adam-jackson

Feeling stuck in your career or unsure about your next move? In this episode of The People Dividend, host Mike Horne sits down with career coach Michelle Schafer to explore what it really takes to make a meaningful career change.

From aligning your work with your values to using storytelling to stand out on your resume and LinkedIn profile, Michelle offers actionable strategies to help you pivot with purpose and confidence. Whether you're launching a job search, contemplating a career shift, or redefining success on your terms, this episode is packed with career coaching wisdom to help you move forward with clarity.

What You'll Learn:

How to align your career with your personal values for lasting fulfillment Why storytelling is your greatest asset on your resume and LinkedIn How to turn career pivots into proof of resilience, growth, and value

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin Email Mike at [email protected] Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/, LinkedIn Mike's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/, Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about MIchelle Schaefer:

https://mschafercoaching.ca/cultivatingcareergrowth/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleschafercoaching/