Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract

Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract

Dan Pontefract is an award-winning author, leadership strategist, and culture change expert. Dan's podcast explores all aspects of leadership, organizational culture, purpose, and professional development. Dan is the best-selling author of five books: WORK-LIFE BLOOM, LEAD. CARE. WIN., OPEN TO THINK, THE PURPOSE EFFECT, and FLAT ARMY. A renowned speaker, Dan has presented at four different TED events and also writes for Forbes and Harvard Business Review. Dan is an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria, Gustavson School of Business, and has garnered more than 20 industry awards over his career. Previously, as Chief Envisioner and Chief Learning Officer at TELUS—a Canadian telecommunications company with revenues of $14 billion and 50,000 global employees—he launched the Transformation Office, the TELUS MBA, and the TELUS Leadership Philosophy, all award-winning initiatives that dramatically helped to increase the company’s employee engagement to record levels of nearly 90%. Prior to TELUS, he held senior roles at SAP, Business Objects, and BCIT. He is honoured to be on the Thinkers50 radar list.

Episodes

Maria Franzoni on Bookability and Leading in the Speaking Industry

June 24, 2025 • 40 mins
Maria Franzoni has booked Neil Armstrong and Liza Minnelli—and mentored hundreds of speakers in between. In this episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, she explains what separates the truly bookable speaker from the rest, and how those same principles apply to leadership, business, and long-term impact. We explore how speaker bureaus are evolving in an AI-enabled world, what event organizers actually want, and why celebrit...
Mark as Played

Mandy Gill on Grit, Goals & Getting Back Up

June 18, 2025 • 39 mins
What do ultra-marathons, workplace distractions, and failed goals have in common? Mandy Gill. In this candid episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, Mandy shares her journey—from overcoming anorexia to guiding leaders through resilience and workplace wellness. Her book "Reset with Resilience" is a blueprint for bouncing forward through setbacks. We explore her signature “catch it, check it, change it” method, the psychology...
Mark as Played

Jennifer Fondrevay on Fixing the Human Side of M&A

May 7, 2025 • 39 mins
When companies go through a merger or acquisition, most leaders obsess over financials and spreadsheets. But according to Jennifer Fondrevay—founder of Day1 Ready and author of Now What?—the real failure happens when leadership ignores people. In this episode of Leadership NOW, we explore what really drives post-acquisition chaos, the arrogance of deal-making, and why culture buddies and pre-mortems are essential to getting it ri...
Mark as Played

Ageism is Hurting Your Organization with Maureen Wiley Clough

April 19, 2025 • 35 mins
Maureen Wiley Clough, seasoned technology leader and host of the podcast It Gets Late Early, joins Dan Pontefract on Leadership NOW to discuss the overlooked yet costly issue of ageism in today’s workplaces. Clough highlights why age diversity isn’t simply an ethical responsibility but a strategic advantage. She dismantles harmful myths about older employees’ technological capability, cost, and adaptability, and provides actionab...
Mark as Played

CEO Gary Officer Wants Organizations to Stop Ignoring Older Workers

April 9, 2025 • 38 mins
Gary Officer, President and CEO of CWI Labs, joins Dan Pontefract on Leadership NOW to discuss why organizations repeatedly overlook older workers—and why it's strategically and socially damaging. Officer explains how ageism impacts organizational productivity, innovation, and culture. He debunks common myths around older employees' technological skills, health care costs, and salary expectations, offering compelling insights and...
Mark as Played

Author Faisal Hoque on Preserving Humanity in the Artificial Intelligence Era

April 5, 2025 • 36 mins
In this insightful episode of Leadership NOW, Dan sits down with entrepreneur and acclaimed author Faisal Hoque to discuss the transformative power—and hidden perils—of artificial intelligence. Drawing from his latest book, "TRANSCEND: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI," Faisal explores why the greatest leadership challenge today is balancing AI’s vast potential with human judgment, ethics, and dignity. Faisal and Dan dive deep ...
Mark as Played

75-Year-Old Founder Rose Fass Wants Leaders to Stop Ignoring the Messy Middle

March 26, 2025 • 37 mins
Rose Fass, founder of Fass Forward Consulting Group and former CTO at Xerox, joins Dan Pontefract on Leadership NOW to discuss why organizations repeatedly overlook the crucial layer of middle management. Rose reveals the critical role of the "messy middle" in translating strategy into execution and why senior leaders must meaningfully engage rather than ignore these vital managers. She explains how genuine, unscripted conversatio...
Mark as Played

Author Kevin Eikenberry Wants Leaders to Stop Clinging to Habit

March 17, 2025 • 36 mins
Rigid leadership is failing us—especially now. On this episode of Leadership NOW, Dan Pontefract speaks with bestselling author and leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry about his latest book, "Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence." Eikenberry argues persuasively that leaders trapped in habitual thinking or overly reliant on personality labels miss opportunities to adapt effectively in today’s complex wo...
Mark as Played

The Expertise and Knowledge Crisis with Dr. Richard E. Clark

March 12, 2025 • 41 mins
In this episode of Leadership NOW, we delve into the critical issue of knowledge loss within organizations. When seasoned employees retire or depart, they often take invaluable tacit knowledge with them—expertise that isn't documented in manuals or training materials.​ Join us as we explore the insights of Dr. Richard Clark, Professor Emeritus at the University of Southern California, who has dedicated his career to addressing thi...
Mark as Played

Dr. Keith Keating on Why L&D Is Failing and How to Fix It

March 5, 2025 • 46 mins
Learning and Development (L&D) teams are at a crossroads. Too many still operate as order takers, delivering training on request without questioning whether it’s the right solution. Dr. Keith Keating, Chief Learning and Development Officer at BDO Canada and author of "The Trusted Learning Advisor," believes this outdated mindset limits impact and credibility. In this episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, Keating explains ...
Mark as Played

Are Leaders Ready for an Aging Workforce? Featuring CEO and Author Avivah Wittenberg-Cox

February 21, 2025 • 34 mins
The workforce is aging, but many leaders are still acting as if nothing has changed. On this episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, CEO and author Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, a global expert on gender, generational shifts, and longevity, unpacks what organizations must do to stay ahead. She explains why age diversity is a leadership blind spot, how demographic shifts are reshaping talent strategies, and what wise leaders are ...
Mark as Played

Death to the February Fiasco: Why Annual Performance Reviews Must Go

February 20, 2025 • 23 mins
In this blunt, zero-guests, and entertaining episode of Leadership NOW, Dan Pontefract unleashes his frustrations on the outdated practice of the annual performance review. He traces its historical roots, explains why it hurt engagement and innovation, and offers a better path forward. If you are tired of cramming twelve months of work into a single, awkward meeting, tune in for Dan’s pointed critique and practical alternatives ...
Mark as Played

Liberian Peace Activist and Entrepreneur Fatu Kaba and the Importance of Storytelling

February 19, 2025 • 36 mins
Storytelling shapes leadership, builds trust, and creates lasting change. On this episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, Fatu Kaba, a Liberian peace activist, entrepreneur, and author, shares how storytelling became her most powerful tool. From surviving civil war to advocating for marginalized voices, she discusses how truth-telling challenges systems, fosters inclusion, and strengthens leadership. Fatu explains why lead...
Mark as Played

The Workforce is Shrinking. Now What? With Author Bradley Schurman

February 13, 2025 • 42 mins
The workforce is changing faster than most leaders realize. By 2030, there will be more people over 65 than under 18 in the U.S.—a demographic shift that is already reshaping economies, labor markets, and business strategy. Bradley Schurman, author of "The Super Age: Decoding Our Demographic Destiny," joins Dan Pontefract on Leadership NOW to break down what this means for organizations. In this conversation, Schurman unpacks why ...
Mark as Played

Rethinking Work Through Longevity with CEO Simon Chan

January 28, 2025 • 37 mins
As we step into an era where living to 100 is no longer an anomaly, how should leaders rethink work, talent, and organizational design? On this episode of Leadership NOW, Simon Chan, CEO and Founder of Adapt With Intent, joins the conversation to challenge outdated workplace models and explore how organizations can better harness the power of an age-diverse workforce. “We’re not just an aging population; we’re an age-diverse one,...
Mark as Played

Wirearchy at 25: Shaping the Future with Jon Husband

January 19, 2025 • 61 mins
In this episode of Leadership NOW, Dan Pontefract sits down with Jon Husband, the pioneer behind Wirearchy, to reflect on 25 years of this transformative concept. Together, they delve into the evolution of leadership, exploring how trust, credibility, and collaboration are reshaping the modern workplace. Jon shares his perspective on the shift from rigid hierarchies to dynamic flows of power, the challenges and opportunities of...
Mark as Played

Aging Sideways with Social Gerontologist Jeanette Leardi

January 14, 2025 • 36 mins
Aging isn’t a new problem to solve; it’s a chance to reimagine. In this episode of Leadership NOW, Jeanette Leardi, a social gerontologist and author of "Aging Sideways," challenges outdated views on aging and offers a fresh perspective on how we can embrace life’s later stages with purpose and possibility. We explore the surprising ways our brains adapt as we age, the importance of intergenerational connections, and why older adu...
Mark as Played

Michael Clinton on Roaring into the 100-Year Life

January 6, 2025 • 33 mins
How do you embrace the second half of life with purpose, energy, and vision? In this episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, author Michael Clinton ("Roar into the Second Half of Your Life) shares how to reimagine the next chapter through reinvention, lifelong learning, and leadership. Clinton dives into his concept of “rewiring instead of retiring,” offering actionable insights for thriving in the 100-year life. From confr...
Mark as Played

Dr. Neri Karra Sillaman on Purpose-Driven Leadership in Fashion

October 27, 2024 • 41 mins
On this episode of Leadership NOW, host Dan Pontefract sits down with Dr. Neri Karra Sillaman, the founder of B Corp-certified Moda Métiers, to explore her transformative journey from refugee to leader in luxury fashion. Dr. Sillaman shares her vision for redefining success through purpose-driven leadership, where resilience, sustainability, and integrity are woven into every decision. Together, they discuss how Dr. Sillaman’s ...
Mark as Played

Raising Barns and Accountability with Author Vince Molinaro

October 23, 2024 • 41 mins
In this insightful episode of Leadership NOW, Dan Pontefract engages in a dynamic discussion with Vince Molinaro, a renowned leadership expert and New York Times best-selling author of "Community of Leaders." Together, they explore the critical role of leadership accountability in today’s fast-paced and complex business landscape. Molinaro shares his thoughts on the importance of developing leaders at all levels, breaking down or...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Mobile

Wearables

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.