Lead the Team (Top 2% of Podcasts)

Hosted by Ben Fanning

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Real CEOs. Real Stories. Hosted by Ben Fanning—2025 Gold Stevie Award winner for Best Business Podcast and ranked in the Top 2% globally—Lead the Team draws on over 600 CEO interviews to take you inside the minds of leaders from brands like Honeywell, HP, IBM, Dunkin’, and L’Oréal. In each episode, you’ll hear raw, unfiltered stories of leading through rapid growth, high-stakes decisions, and make-or-break moments—plus the CEO-tested tools and strategies they use to build high-performing teams. From turning around billion-dollar brands to sparking innovation at scale, these leaders share lessons you can put into action right now to lead your own team better. Subscribe now. ------------- https://www.benfanning.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/

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August 18, 202629 min

The Customer Conversation That Changed a Company | CEO Motus, Phong Nguyen

When Phong Nguyen stepped into the CEO role at Modus—a technology platform processing over $2 Billion annually in driver reimbursements—he skipped the victory lap and did something his team was terrified to arrange: he got on a call with one of their biggest, angriest ex-customers. The client "ripped them a new one," exposing a hard reality: Modus had lost its innovation edge and treated them transactionally. But instead of getting defensive, Fong took a walk to cool down, gathered his leadership team, and used that uncomfortable call to recalibrate the company’s "true north". Within 12 months, they won that customer back. In this episode of Lead The Team , host Ben Fanning sits down with Phong Nguyen to discuss: The Ex-Customer Playbook: Why calling lost accounts yields the rawest, most valuable strategic data. Customer Centricity vs. Customer Success: Why true customer focus is a business strategy, not a metrics-driven department. Leading Through Perspective: How growing up as a Vietnamese refugee shaped his long-term view on work ethic, discipline, and opportunity. "Liked vs. Respected": The screaming match early in his career that forced him to develop his own philosophy on modern management. Uncovering Hidden Signals: Moving past surface-level KPIs to align with actual customer business outcomes. Resources & Links Get Weekly Insights: Receive vital takeaways from every episode directly to your inbox at benfanning.com/insight . Rate & Review: Enjoying the show? Take 10 seconds to rate, follow, and drop a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help more leaders discover the show. ----- Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben Fanning Speaking and Training inquires Subscribe to my Youtube channel LinkedIn Instagram Twitter

August 15, 202637 min

The Quarter From Hell That Created a $500M AI Company | Gong's Amit Bendov

Every leader eventually faces a moment when the numbers stop making sense. For Amit Bendov , Co-Founder and CEO of Gong, that moment came during what he calls "the quarter from hell." Sales were collapsing, investors were asking tough questions, and every report looked normal. The CRM had data—but none of the answers. That painful experience sparked an idea that would become Gong , one of the world's leading AI-powered revenue platforms, now generating more than $500 million in annual recurring revenue . In this episode of Lead the Team , Amit shares the leadership lessons behind that defining moment and explains how AI is changing the way leaders understand customers, coach teams, and make better decisions. In this episode: Why "the quarter from hell" became the origin story of Gong The leadership blind spot that almost every executive faces Why traditional CRM systems fail when leaders need answers most How AI helps leaders spot problems before it's too late The operating rhythm used by elite sales organizations The hiring traits Amit looks for in future leaders Why ownership and curiosity separate great leaders from everyone else Whether you're a CEO, founder, executive, sales leader, or entrepreneur, this conversation offers practical lessons on leading through uncertainty, building better teams, and using AI to create a lasting competitive advantage. ----- Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben Fanning Speaking and Training inquires Subscribe to my Youtube channel LinkedIn Instagram Twitter

August 11, 202639 min

The AI Security Threat Leaders Aren't Ready For | Dennis Kozak, CEO of Ivanti

AI isn't just transforming business—it's transforming cyberattacks. In this episode of Lead the Team , Ben Fanning sits down with Dennis Kozak, CEO of Ivanti , to discuss why artificial intelligence is changing cybersecurity faster than most organizations can adapt. After leading companies through cloud computing, mobile, remote work, cybersecurity, and now AI, Dennis explains the leadership principles that remain constant even as technology rapidly evolves. He shares the story of a company that unknowingly allowed attackers to remain inside its systems for more than a year—even though the security patch already existed. The lesson isn't just about technology. It's about leadership, prioritization, and preparing organizations for a future where AI accelerates both innovation and risk. You'll also learn: • Why AI is changing cybersecurity forever • How executives should think about AI adoption and risk • The leadership mistake that leaves organizations vulnerable • Why companies fail to deploy critical security patches • How to balance long-term strategy with constant operational fires • What separates future executives from everyone else • Why curiosity and adaptability matter more than expertise in the AI era If you're a CEO, executive, technology leader, or anyone responsible for navigating AI transformation, this conversation offers practical leadership lessons for one of the fastest-changing business environments in history. ----- Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben Fanning Speaking and Training inquires Subscribe to my Youtube channel LinkedIn Instagram Twitter

August 9, 202629 min

One Cell Tower Survived | Chris Hillabrant, CEO of Crown Castle

Chris Hillabrant was only days into a new role in New York when the September 11 attacks changed everything. As communications infrastructure across Manhattan began to fail, his team discovered they had one cell site still standing. What happened over the next 72 hours became one of the defining leadership moments of his career. Technicians drove into the city, manually hauled thousand-pound equipment dozens of stories to triple the site's capacity, opened the network to competitors, redirected hundreds of surrounding antennas toward Manhattan, and helped provide 10,000 cell phones to first responders coordinating rescue efforts. Now the President and CEO of Crown Castle, Chris shares the leadership lessons that crisis forged—and how they continue to shape the way he builds teams today. In this episode, Chris discusses: What leading through the chaos of 9/11 taught him about communication and trust Why preparation is only the starting point—and adaptability wins in a crisis The leadership decision to help competitors when lives were on the line How to develop leaders who are ready before the crisis arrives Why the best career opportunities are often the hardest assignments The importance of succession planning and building a deep leadership bench The surprising childhood failure that taught him to obsess over customers Why raising your hand for difficult challenges has shaped every stage of his career Whether you're leading a global organization or a small team, this conversation is a masterclass in leading with clarity, courage, and purpose when the stakes couldn't be higher. ----- Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben Fanning Speaking and Training inquires Subscribe to my Youtube channel LinkedIn Instagram Twitter

August 4, 202633 min

The Impossible Decision That Shaped This CEO | Doug Braun

What does it take to make the kind of decision that changes how you lead forever? In this episode of Lead The Team , Ben Fanning sits down with Doug Braun , CEO of eProductivity Software (EPS), to discuss the leadership experiences that shaped his philosophy long before he became CEO. Doug shares the unforgettable story of a company making the difficult decision to walk away from a customer representing nearly half of its revenue, and how witnessing that moment taught him one of the most important lessons of his career: great leaders choose long-term success over short-term comfort. The conversation also explores leading through acquisitions, building trust across organizations, embracing AI, and why Doug believes every leader should spend more time listening than talking. Whether you're a CEO, executive, entrepreneur, or aspiring leader, you'll walk away with practical insights on courageous decision-making, leadership under pressure, organizational transformation, and building cultures where people can thrive. In this episode: The leadership decision that shaped Doug's career Why great leaders choose "fast pain" over "slow pain" Building trust during mergers and acquisitions Leading people through uncertainty and change How AI is transforming leadership and manufacturing Practical leadership lessons every executive can apply If you enjoy conversations about leadership, business, AI, and executive performance, be sure to follow Lead The Team for new episodes featuring world-class leaders and actionable insights. ----- Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben Fanning Speaking and Training inquires Subscribe to my Youtube channel LinkedIn Instagram Twitter

August 2, 202643 min

How to Beat a Monopoly and Outsmart AI | CEO, Thryv Joe Walsh

He Beat a Monopoly. Then Had to Reinvent Everything. What do you do when the business model that made you billions faces sudden, total obsolescence? Most executive leaders miscalculate technological shifts—they either panic and move too early, or ignore the noise and move too late. In this episode of Lead the Team , host Ben Fanning sits down with Joe Walsh, Chairman and CEO of Thryv , to break down the tactical frameworks required to lead a legacy brand through the absolute chaos of print, digital, SaaS, and now AI revolutions. Joe famously scaled Yellow Book from $38 million to a $2 billion national powerhouse by dismantling an entrenched phone company monopoly. But his greatest leadership test wasn't storming the castle—it was repeatedly reinventing the business when the entire technological landscape shifted underneath him. If you are currently navigating massive industry uncertainty, AI implementation, or market disruption, this conversation serves as your executive blueprint for the new rules of survival. CHAPTERS 00:00 – The Real Definition of a CEO: Predicting the Future for Your People 04:08 – The Danger of the Bleeding Edge: Why the Second Mouse Gets the Cheese 07:16 – Shattering a Monopoly: The Hertz-Avis Strategy That Scaled Yellow Book to $2B 11:31 – The Core Principles of Value: Giving Proof and Credibility in Advance 14:43 – The NASDAQ Turnaround: Converting a Dying Print Giant into an MRR Machine 19:43 – Managing Wall Street & Fighting Legacy Inertia Simultaneously 25:36 – Corporate Blindspots: Why Enterprise Missed the Main Street Tech Boom 33:38 – The AI Landscape for Local Business: Democratization vs. Tech Debt 37:37 – Leading Through the Blur: The Golden Rule of Modern Disruption 41:17 – "Stay Calm and Carry On": Overcoming Executive Overwhelm EXECUTIVE RESOURCES & LINKS Scale Your B2B Brand With a Podcast: Learn our 5-step framework and schedule a 20-minute operational briefing with Ben’s team: BenLeads.com/schedule . Get the Executive Briefing: Get vital insights and tactical frameworks from this episode delivered directly to your inbox: benfanning.com/insight . Connect with Thryv: Discover how Joe and his team help Main Street businesses win with modern software. 👥 JOIN THE MOVEMENT Take 10 seconds to Rate, Follow, and Review the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help keep this positive leadership movement alive! ----- Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben Fanning Speaking and Training inquires Subscribe to my Youtube channel LinkedIn Instagram Twitter

July 27, 202635 min

How an Underdog Beat the Market Leader | Alessio Artuffo, CEO of Docebo

How do you beat the industry leader when everyone says you don't belong? In this episode of Lead The Team , Ben Fanning sits down with Alessio Artuffo , CEO of Docebo, who helped transform a small Italian startup into a global SaaS leader, scaling the business from roughly $1 million to more than $200 million in ARR . Alessio shares the pivotal moments that shaped both the company and his leadership—from being underestimated because of his accent, to winning an enterprise customer that was ten times larger than Docebo's annual revenue by competing against the industry's biggest player. He also explains why authenticity beats polish, how clarity becomes a competitive advantage as organizations grow, and why the best leaders inspire rather than control. In this episode, you'll learn: How underdogs can outperform industry leaders Why proving people wrong became Alessio's greatest source of motivation The leadership principles behind scaling from startup to global SaaS company How to build teams that thrive through trust, clarity, and accountability Why AI is transforming workplace learning—and what leaders need to do differently Whether you're building a startup, leading a growing organization, or competing against companies much larger than your own, this conversation offers practical lessons on leadership, resilience, and scaling with purpose. Chapters: 00:00 – How an underdog startup challenged the market leader 02:18 – Why Alessio joined a 15-person company 06:39 – The challenges of expanding into North America 09:22 – The customer who criticized his accent 13:35 – Winning an enterprise deal against the industry's biggest competitor 20:19 – Scaling a culture built on clarity and trust 24:28 – How AI is reshaping workplace learning 33:10 – Why great leaders choose grace over force ----- Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben Fanning Speaking and Training inquires Subscribe to my Youtube channel LinkedIn Instagram Twitter

July 22, 202643 min

Advance Auto Parts CEO is Rebuilding from the Front Line | Shane O'Kelly

What separates great CEOs from everyone else? According to Shane O'Kelly , President and CEO of Advance Auto Parts, it starts by getting out of the boardroom and onto the front line. After taking over an $11 billion company with nearly 5,000 locations and more than 60,000 team members, Shane's first move wasn't another strategy meeting—it was visiting stores, listening to employees, and uncovering the leadership blind spots holding the business back. In this episode of Lead the Team , Shane shares the leadership philosophy that has guided him from West Point and Army Ranger School to leading some of America's largest organizations. You'll learn: Why leaders should never become "tourists" The power of leading from the front line How one store visit exposed major operational challenges Why Advance invested $100 million in its people before it could comfortably afford to The importance of the "Say-Do Ratio" in building trust How to identify high-potential leaders early Breaking down organizational silos Why servant leadership creates lasting business results The habits Shane uses to sustain high performance under pressure Whether you lead a global enterprise or a growing team, this conversation offers practical lessons on building trust, staying connected to your people, and leading meaningful transformation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:43 The Ranger School failure that shaped Shane's leadership 08:21 His first days leading an $11 billion company 09:07 Why every CEO should start on the front line 12:00 "Don't be a tourist" leadership 14:25 The $100 million investment in frontline employees 15:24 The store visit that changed everything 19:05 Why frontline employees tell you the truth 21:09 The "Say-Do Ratio" and building credibility 25:24 Fixing the employee experience first 30:23 How Shane identifies future leaders 35:31 Breaking down silos inside large organizations 39:21 Staying healthy while leading under pressure 42:16 What's next for Advance Auto Parts Connect with Ben Fanning Follow Lead the Team for weekly conversations with CEOs and executive leaders on leadership, organizational transformation, AI, high-performance teams, and the future of work. ----- Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben Fanning Speaking and Training inquires Subscribe to my Youtube channel LinkedIn Instagram Twitter

July 7, 202631 min

Why Change Initiatives Fail | MSX Deputy CEO, Andrea Sorrenti

Most leaders think they know why people resist change—but they are usually wrong. In this episode of Lead the Team , Ben Fanning sits down with Andrea Sorrenti, Deputy CEO of MSX International, to expose the hidden truth about corporate transformation: it’s not resistance holding your team back, it’s fear. After nearly three decades leading global teams through major automotive industry shifts, Andrea shares the raw leadership lessons that only come from painful, real-world mistakes. In this episode, you’ll discover: The Discipline of Staying: Why spending 30 years at one company taught him what job-hopping never could. The "Fear" Factor: How to communicate "what's in it for them" to help your team embrace massive technological disruptions like AI. The Supplier of the Year Trap: Why winning is the exact moment you need to double down, not sit on your laurels. "Pick Up the Damn Phone": Why human connection and face-to-face interaction are becoming an executive's ultimate competitive edge in an AI-driven world. Whether you’re a CEO, executive, founder, or an ambitious professional navigating leadership under pressure, this conversation will challenge you to build a culture that welcomes big ambitions. Timestamps: 00:00 – The real reason teams resist change (It’s fear, not resistance) 02:03 – What 30 years at one company teaches you about execution discipline 04:02 – How to break out of being "pigeonholed" in your career 05:11 – The crucial skill of articulating your ambition to leadership 08:36 – How to reinvent yourself without losing your core identity 09:38 – Getting thrown into the deep end: Andrea’s hardest career shift 12:31 – Overcoming executive fear in the age of AI disruption 15:11 – How MSX scales capabilities with AI while protecting human connection 17:42 – "Pick Up the Damn Phone": The battle against corporate email culture 19:44 – The costly mistake made after becoming Supplier of the Year 22:27 – Reading your audience: A universal principle for leading across cultures 24:40 – Roger Federer’s 54% rule: Processing executive failure 28:04 – How radical transparency with a customer saved a failing market 🔗 Connect & Grow: Get Vital Insights: Don't miss the core takeaways. Get key leadership insights delivered directly to your inbox at http://benfanning.com/insight Build Your Corporate Podcast: Discover our 5-step profitable podcast framework to scale your brand authority. Schedule a 20-minute strategy call at http://BenLeads.com/schedule Support the Mission: Take 10 seconds to rate, follow, and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help more bold leaders discover the show! ----- Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben Fanning Speaking and Training inquires Subscribe to my Youtube channel LinkedIn Instagram Twitter

July 5, 202643 min

Box COO: If Nothing Feels Broken, You're Moving Too Slowly | Olivia Nottebohm

AI is changing leadership faster than most executives can lead their team. In this episode of Lead the Team , Ben Fanning sits down with Olivia Nottebohm, COO of Box , to discuss why the companies that win technology shifts aren't the ones with the perfect strategy—they're the ones willing to move before they have all the answers. After helping scale Google Cloud, Dropbox, Notion, and now Box, Olivia shares the leadership frameworks she's used to navigate some of the biggest technology shifts of the last two decades. You'll learn: How to make faster decisions without having all the information. How to turn AI anxiety into optimism across your organization. What separates the companies that win technology shifts from the ones that get left behind. Why speed beats certainty during periods of massive change. How elite leaders build teams that thrive under pressure. Whether you're a CEO, executive, founder, or ambitious professional navigating leadership in the AI era, this episode will challenge the way you think about decision-making, organizational transformation, and leading through uncertainty. Chapters 00:00 – If Nothing Feels Broken, You're Moving Too Slowly 02:02 – The Biggest AI Mistake Leaders Are Making 03:59 – Why Speed Beats Certainty 07:54 – Reinventing Organizations for the AI Era 09:16 – Turning AI Anxiety into Optimism 14:16 – Why Data Strategy Determines AI Success 17:40 – Leading Teams Through High-Pressure Sprints 22:22 – The Culture Behind Elite Technology Companies 25:07 – Why Great Leaders Embrace Failure 30:11 – Turning Vision into Execution 33:36 – The Transition from Consultant to Operator 36:49 – Why Empathy Makes Leaders More Effective 42:51 – Olivia's Final Leadership Advice Ben Fanning interviews world-class executives, founders, and leadership experts to uncover the real-world lessons shaping modern organizations. Topics include AI leadership, executive psychology, high-performance teams, decision-making, organizational transformation, communication, and leadership under pressure. Follow Lead the Team for weekly conversations designed to help you become the leader others want to follow.