Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders

Hosted by Mike LeJeune

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116

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Aug 2026

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About the show

The show for leaders who care about having an engaged, purpose driven workforce. Gallop surveys show that in today's economy 75% of the workforce feels disengaged. Learn from Interviews with industry leaders who understand the importance of how engaged employees impact culture, drive productivity and ignite their teams.

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August 14, 2026Episode 7634 min

The Quality of Engagement: How Relationships Shape Performance

What separates high-performing teams from teams that simply get the work done? In this episode of Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders , we explore how leadership development, self-awareness and employee engagement shape team performance and workplace culture. The conversation looks at how stronger relationships, better communication and greater self-awareness can help leaders build high-performing teams that are both productive and sustainable. Guest Introduction Curtis Sprouse is the CEO and president of Eureka Connect. With a background in finance, accounting and organizational leadership, Curtis has spent years working with behavioral science and behavioral data to help leaders better understand why people act and react the way they do. His work focuses on leadership development, communication, self-awareness and improving team performance. What You'll Learn About Leadership, Engagement and Team Performance If you're trying to improve employee engagement, strengthen workplace culture or build a high-performing team without becoming the leader who has to solve every problem, this conversation is for you. Curtis and Mike discuss why great leaders teach people to think instead of telling them what to think, how self-awareness affects communication and why a team can deliver strong results without actually being a healthy team. You'll also hear how behavioral data can support leadership development, why trust and relationships influence team performance and what leaders can do to create stronger employee engagement. If you lead people, develop leaders or want to build a healthier workplace culture, you'll leave with practical ideas you can apply to your team.

May 6, 2026Episode 7555 min

The Mindset That Changes Everything

The conversation explores the concept of mindset and its impact on health, wellness, and business success. It delves into the power of belief, visualization, and effort in shaping outcomes. The discussion also touches on the role of positivity, energy, and alignment in achieving goals and overcoming obstacles. The conversation covers topics such as overcoming fear, taking risks, building confidence, and the importance of physical training for mental edge. It also delves into the power of mindset, gratitude, and the impact of a healthy routine on overall well-being. About the Guest: Dan Staggs is the founding partner of iMatch, a premier executive search and recruiting firm serving the technology and financial sectors. He is also the founder of Stags Performance, where he focuses on mindset, wellness, performance optimization, and helping others create sustainable systems for health, discipline, and high performance. Dan’s personal journey through major health challenges reshaped his perspective on leadership, energy, resilience, and the connection between physical wellness and mental performance. His passion today is helping others unlock greater clarity, focus, discipline, and purpose in both business and life. Takeaways Mindset is the foundation that drives everything in life. Effort and belief in oneself are key to achieving success. Alignment, energy, and intuition play a significant role in shaping outcomes. Overcoming fear and taking risks The power of mindset and gratitude Chapters 00:00 The Power of Mindset 21:34 Navigating Business Challenges with Mindset 36:51 Overcoming Fear and Taking Risks 42:39 The Importance of Physical Training for Mental Edge 50:12 The Power of Mindset and Gratitude Connect with Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danstaggs/ Learn more about iMatch: https://www.imatch.com/

April 21, 2026Episode 7440 min

Why Most Leaders Fail at Change (And What to Do Instead)

The conversation explores the theme of change management and its impact on individuals and organizations. It delves into the challenges of change, the importance of psychological safety, and the need for effective leadership during change. Naomi Hardy shares her insights on the dynamics of change and the role of leaders in championing change. Takeaways Change is an experience that people go through, and understanding the cycles of change can help reduce feelings of isolation and resistance. Psychological safety is crucial in creating an environment where individuals feel safe to think and speak differently, fostering engagement and productivity during change. Effective change management requires a marriage of process and behaviors, with a focus on understanding the impact of change on individuals and the organization. Chapters 00:00 The Dynamics of Change 07:40 Change Leadership and People Management 19:40 Unique Challenges in Offshore Work Environments 30:53 Psychological Safety and Engagement 38:15 Measuring the Impact of Change Connect with Naomi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomijhardy/ Learn more about Dunamis: https://dunamischange.com/

January 14, 2025Episode 5122 min

Part I: Clarity Amidst Chaos: Leadership Lessons for Thriving in Uncertainty

In this episode of Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders , Mike Lejeune connects with Tim Silk, founder of Acacia Days, to explore leadership principles that endure through uncertainty. Together, they delve into self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the power of soft skills to build resilient teams and lasting legacies. Discover how curiosity, reflection, and engagement can transform not only workplaces but also the leaders steering them. Topics discussed Redefining Leadership for the Uncertain Future The Misunderstood Power of Soft Skills Curiosity as a Leadership Superpower The Leader's Role in Driving Engagement Navigating AI's Role in Leadership Reflection as a Leadership Action Connect with Tim Silk

April 14, 2025Episode 5621 min

Part II: Regrowth: Unlocking Human Potential to Lead Tomorrow's Organizations

Introduction: Welcome back! In Part 2 of our conversation with Ernesto Gomez, we dive deeper into the practical aspects of fostering engaged, purpose-driven teams. Ernesto expands on his framework introduced in Part 1, focusing on the three crucial dimensions that unlock potential: talent density, culture, and mindset. Learn actionable strategies to cultivate these areas within your own organization and empower your team to reach new heights. Summary: Building on the foundation laid in Part 1, Ernesto Gomez elaborates on his "talent density, culture, and mindset" system for maximizing team potential. He explains how intentionally designing for the right talent mix, nurturing a supportive and growth-oriented culture, and fostering both individual and collective positive mindsets are essential. Ernesto emphasizes that creating the right "spark" of ideas and purpose can awaken dormant energy within individuals and drive collective performance. He provides a framework for leaders to think strategically about these three interconnected dimensions to cultivate an environment where people can thrive. Highlights: Understand the interconnectedness of talent density, culture, and mindset in driving performance. Learn how fostering a "spark" of ideas and purpose can unlock dormant energy within your team. Explore the importance of intentionally designing for the right "talent density" within your organization. Gain insights into how to cultivate a company culture that supports growth and high performance. Discover the significance of nurturing both individual and collective mindsets to overcome limitations. Key Takeaways: Unlocking team potential requires a holistic approach that considers talent, environment, and individual/collective beliefs. Purpose and meaningful ideas are powerful catalysts for engagement and performance. Strategically building teams with the right mix of skills and perspectives is crucial. A positive and growth-oriented culture provides the context for individuals to flourish. Cultivating a strong individual and collective mindset empowers teams to overcome challenges and achieve more. Next Steps: Reflect on the current talent density within your teams. Are you bringing together the right mix of skills and perspectives? Assess your current company culture. Does it actively support growth, collaboration, and a positive mindset? Consider how you can foster a stronger sense of purpose and generate energizing ideas within your organization. Think about strategies to nurture a more resilient and growth-oriented mindset in both individuals and your team as a whole.

November 22, 2023Episode 3918 min

Part II: Drive Productivity to Scale Results to New Heights!

February 27, 2026Episode 7226 min

Part I: Unrecruitable: How to Build a Team Your Competitors Can't Steal

What makes someone truly unrecruitable? In Part 1 of this conversation, Mike Lejeune sits down with Jonathan Whistman, CEO of WhoHire and author of Unrecruitable: How to Build a Team Your Competitors Can't Steal. Jonathan has built and sold companies, authored The Sales Boss, and now helps organizations use data and identity-driven leadership to build high-performance teams that competitors can't poach. This episode challenges conventional thinking about hiring, retention, and culture. In This Episode: Why every business is actually in the human business The biggest mistake leaders make in hiring Why "gut instinct" fails more often than we admit The Think–Feel–Act framework for engineering culture Why identity determines whether someone stays or leaves The real math behind finding top 5% performers Key Takeaways: Culture doesn't happen accidentally — it can be engineered. If you want different behavior, shape thinking first. Hiring is not an administrative task — it's a half-million-dollar decision. People don't leave jobs. They leave environments that don't fit their identity. Next Steps: Audit your hiring process — are you using data or gut? Define clearly: What do you want your people to think about your organization? Share this episode with a leader who is struggling with retention. Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanwhistman/ 🎁 Special Bonus for Listeners Jonathan has extended a special offer exclusively for listeners of this episode. If you purchase a copy of Unrecruitable and message Mike with a photo of you holding the book, Jonathan will personally provide: Two complimentary tickets to his live, two-day training event in Scottsdale, Arizona. At this intensive session, you'll learn: How to conduct a Talent Reveal Interview How to run effective group interviews How to lead executive-level interviews How to implement the Think–Feel–Act audit inside your organization Practical systems for building an unrecruitable team You can bring a member of your leadership team with you — both tickets are courtesy of this podcast. To claim your tickets: Purchase Unrecruitable. Send a photo of you with the book to Mike. We'll provide next steps for the Scottsdale event.

May 17, 2022Episode 125 min

026: Time to Scale Your Business

Because when we figure out where your devotion lies…everything else is just noise. Helping speakers build the businesses of their dreams! Jane works with people who speak for a living to position effectively, earn higher fees, build their brand and platform, engage prospects with unique marketing materials and build a successful long term business. 2:02 Looking back at what happened in 2020 5:35 The power of mindset 7:56 Setting impossible goals 10:22 Dan Sullivan's Four Cs 16:45 What's taking place and how you can scale your business 19:46 Consistency and accountability

February 27, 2026Episode 7227 min

Part II: Unrecruitable: How to Build a Team Your Competitors Can't Steal

What actually makes someone stay? In Part 2, Mike Lejeune and Jonathan Whistman move from hiring strategy to leadership execution — how to deeply care, coach hard, and build an identity people won't walk away from. Jonathan shares practical examples of: Recruiting the spouse Earning the right to have difficult conversations Designing onboarding that shapes identity Creating championship-level rituals inside organizations This conversation goes beyond retention strategies — it's about building people. In This Episode: How to show people they matter (beyond surface-level care) Why leaders must earn the right to deliver hard feedback How to coach performance tied to personal identity Identity rituals that cement belonging Why champions don't need micromanagement — they need standards Key Takeaways: People stay where they feel seen and developed. Difficult conversations only work when trust is established. Identity is stronger than compensation. Leaders must raise their benchmark before raising expectations. Next Steps: Have one deeper conversation this week that goes beyond KPIs. Evaluate your onboarding — does it shape identity? Raise your standard — and communicate it clearly. Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanwhistman/ 🎁 Special Bonus for Listeners Jonathan has extended a special offer exclusively for listeners of this episode. If you purchase a copy of Unrecruitable and message Mike with a photo of you holding the book, Jonathan will personally provide: Two complimentary tickets to his live, two-day training event in Scottsdale, Arizona. At this intensive session, you'll learn: How to conduct a Talent Reveal Interview How to run effective group interviews How to lead executive-level interviews How to implement the Think–Feel–Act audit inside your organization Practical systems for building an unrecruitable team You can bring a member of your leadership team with you — both tickets are courtesy of this podcast. To claim your tickets: Purchase Unrecruitable on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Unrecruitable-Build-Team-Competition-Steal/dp/B0GNKXFTQQ Send a photo of you with the book to Mike. We'll provide next steps for the Scottsdale event.

August 28, 2019Episode 1130 min

011: How Do You Unlock Success?

No matter what your productivity has been year-to-date, the last months of the year will define your productivity. It can be filled with great achievement, momentum-building activities to finish the year strong and lay groundwork for launching the new year. Are you focused on the key results you want to achieve? Are you committed to making them a reality? Are you willing to grade how successful you were?