730: Leadership is a Verb, Not a Noun - Jack M. Cohen

What if leadership wasn’t a title, but a toolbelt?

In this insightful and energizing episode, Denis sits down with Jack Cohen, founder of Dark Knight Ventures and former CEO of Cohen Financial, to unpack the deeper essence of leadership. Jack brings decades of wisdom across real estate, finance, and entrepreneurship, and a unique perspective shaped by Batman, bourbon, and his own “superhero complex.”

Together, they explore why leadership must be seen as a verb, an active, evolving force, rather than a static noun. From redefining team success to challenging comfort-zone leadership, Jack offers powerful metaphors and hard-earned truths for leaders ready to stop reacting and start leading forward.

Meet Jack Cohen: Investor, Operator, Optimizer

• Former CEO of Cohen Financial, scaling it from $200M to $1B
• Founder of Dark Knight Ventures, a consultancy inspired by Batman’s utility belt
• Author of The Freedom Framework and lifelong student of leadership and curiosity

Leadership Is a Verb, Not a Noun

• Many leaders “arrive” at a title and stop evolving; leadership must stay active
• True leadership means guiding, guarding, and propping others up
• It’s about pulling others toward a shared future, not pushing them toward performance

Curiosity and Context: The Leader’s Superpowers

• Jack’s childhood heroes: Curious George and Batman (yes, really)
• Leadership today is about creating a context that others want to step into
• The quote that changed everything: “Follow the one who makes you curious where they’re going.”

Outcome Over Activity: Escaping the Tyranny of the Present

• Too many teams are buried in busywork and tactical execution
• Leaders must rise above daily noise to see the long-term vision
• Strategy demands distance from the trenches, not deeper digging

From Sports Teams to Shareholders: What Real Leadership Looks Like

• Why the triangle of traditional hierarchy should be flipped
• Great leaders leave a legacy by building coaching trees, not kingdoms
• Lessons from John Wooden, Bill Walsh, and even controversial figures like Hitler and Trump, studied not for approval, but for insight into influence

Key Quotes:

“Leadership is a verb, not a noun.” — Jack M. Cohen

“Follow the person who makes you curious where they’re going.” — Jack M. Cohen

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The 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World 

Executive Guide Featuring 10 Key Themes and 42 Strategic Insights from Worldwide Leaders 

https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead 

Connect with Jack:

Website: darkknightventures.net

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-m-cohen-9543269/

Connect with Denis:

Email: [e-mail]

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