In this insightful episode of High Octane Leadership, I sit down with recent UNC-Charlotte graduate and rising professional Diana Garland to unpack the realities of Gen Z in the workplace. With candor, insight, and a touch of humor, Diana challenges stereotypes and offers a fresh perspective on what Gen Z truly values: purpose, mentorship, psychological safety, and meaningful work. This episode offers a two-way masterclass in leadership across generations. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or ...
Jul 02, 2025•47 min•Season 8Ep. 165
What if nearly half of Alzheimer’s cases could be prevented through lifestyle changes, and you could deliver that impact at scale? In this episode of High Octane Leadership, host Donald Thompson interviews Adam Schultz, founder of Mindr, a groundbreaking digital health startup focused on preventing Alzheimer's and dementia through lifestyle interventions. In this episode, you'll discover: The medical study that changes everything we know about brain health The hidden workforce crisis: 1 in 6 emp...
Jun 19, 2025•31 min•Season 8Ep. 163
What do people really say about you when you're not in the room? In this crossover episode of High Octane Leadership and Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox, I sat down with Jackie Ferguson, yes, my better half, to talk about all things personal brand: how to build one, why it matters more than ever, and how it can open doors before you even knock. Your brand is working with or against you every day. Time to take the wheel. In the episode, we dive into: * Why personal branding is no longer optional *...
Jun 05, 2025•30 min•Season 8Ep. 164
What’s the real secret to building a high-performing team? Donald Thompson is joined by Amri B. Johnson—author, business strategist, and founder of Inclusion Wins—for a conversation about why employee engagement, not empty initiatives, is the true driver of organizational excellence. Together, they explore how today's leaders can create thriving workplaces where trust, psychological safety, and shared purpose aren't just ideals—they're measurable advantages. Amri reveals why companies that prior...
May 01, 2025•32 min•Season 8Ep. 162
Is it possible to drive high performance without sacrificing humanity? Donald sits down with Gui Costin —entrepreneur, author, and founder of Dakota—to prove that the answer is a resounding yes. From 14 jobs in 17 years to building a $25 million business, Gui shares how he went from chasing success to leading with purpose. You’ll hear Gui’s refreshing take on developing Gen Z talent, why structure and kindness aren’t mutually exclusive, and how face-to-face networking powers his company’s rapid ...
Apr 17, 2025•33 min•Season 8Ep. 161
What does it take to turn a personal challenge into a groundbreaking startup? In this episode, Donald talks with Paula Jackler, founder and CEO of Ozzie, an AI-powered financial wellness platform. Paula shares her story of navigating the challenges of immigrating from Brazil to the U.S., student debt, and the startup world. Hear how she combined her background in psychology and tech to create a platform that transforms how people understand and manage their finances. With insights on resilience,...
Apr 03, 2025•32 min•Season 8Ep. 160
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere, but should CEOs embrace it or approach with caution? Donald and Bob Batchelor sit down for a conversation about AI’s role in leadership, business strategy, and personal productivity. Together, they tackle the real questions: Is AI just another tech trend, or is it a game-changer for business leaders? How can CEOs effectively integrate AI without resistance from their teams? And what makes human leadership irreplaceable in an AI-driven world? With insights f...
Mar 20, 2025•56 min•Season 8Ep. 159
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is facing unprecedented challenges—from federal policies to corporate lawsuits. In this conversation, Donald and Bob Batchelor dive into the evolving DEI landscape, the pressures facing business leaders, and how to navigate the shifting political and corporate tides. As DEI faces increased scrutiny, how can companies safeguard their progress, preserve workplace culture, and reshape their strategies for long-term success? Donald offers insights from the C-su...
Mar 06, 2025•53 min•Season 8Ep. 158
Donald welcomes back trusted advisor and thought leadership guru Bob Batchelor for a deep dive into the art and science of executive branding. Together, they explore how thought leadership and authentic storytelling are game-changers for professionals and organizations alike. Learn about... Why defining your narrative is critical in today’s celebrity-driven economy. How thought leadership builds trust, credibility, and business value. The role of storytelling in connecting with employees, client...
Jan 23, 2025•57 min•Season 8Ep. 157
What if leadership came with a cheat sheet? In this episode, Donald Thompson shares his personal playbook for success, packed with hard-earned lessons from scaling multimillion-dollar businesses, navigating tough conversations, and building inclusive, high-performing teams. Discover how curiosity, resilience, and strategic networking can transform your leadership style and accelerate your growth. With candid stories and practical advice, Donald empowers leaders at every level to dream bigger, le...
Jan 16, 2025•55 min•Season 8Ep. 156
Can DEI fuel business growth and innovation? In this episode, Donald sits down with Amber Keister, a certified diversity executive and storytelling pro, to unpack how companies like Toyota and Ford are realigning DEI strategies to match their business objectives. They cut through the noise of media headlines to reveal how smart, pragmatic DEI creates engaged employees, loyal customers, and stronger bottom lines. From inclusive leadership tips to rethinking workplace culture, listen to learn how ...
Dec 13, 2024•25 min•Season 8Ep. 155
In this episode, Donald sits down with Bob Batchelor, award-winning author of Stan Lee: A Life and The Bourbon King, to discuss his new book, The Authentic Leader. Bob is VP of Global Marketing and Communications at Workplace Options. Unlike many leadership books, often written by CEOs, Bob blends his expertise in strategic communication with lessons learned on the front lines of corporate America. He and Don take a deep dive into why leaders should invest energy and effort in thought leadership...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 8Ep. 154
In today's rapidly changing business landscape, maintaining a strong company culture is essential for navigating periods of uncertainty, like labor volatility, CEO transitions, and economic fluctuations. Donald underscores the pivotal role that leaders play in preserving and nurturing culture and relationships during these tumultuous times. He believes that leadership should be adaptable, focusing on authentic connections and communication to maintain stability within the organization. His exper...
Oct 25, 2024•29 min•Season 8Ep. 153
In this episode of High Octane Leadership, Donald and co-author Kurt Meriwether join Roderick Lewis to explore the insights behind the Inclusive Leadership Handbook. Donald and Kurt discuss the challenges leaders face today, from navigating cultural intelligence to fostering collaboration in an increasingly complex and volatile world. They explain the impetus for writing the book, emphasizing the need for actionable leadership strategies and offering real-world examples of how inclusive leadersh...
Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 8Ep. 152
In this episode, Donald delves into the hidden costs of a relentless schedule packed with back-to-back meetings and non-stop demands. Far from a badge of honor, overscheduling can erode your effectiveness as a leader, harm your mental health, and stifle your ability to innovate. Donald discusses the mental strain of constant context switching and how it can lead to burnout and decreased creativity. By prioritizing high-intensity work, embracing rest and recovery, and making time for continuous l...
Sep 05, 2024•8 min•Season 8Ep. 151
Anson Dorrance retired Sunday as quite possibly the most successful coach of all time of any sport, having led the UNC Women's Soccer program to an astounding 22 national titles. In this episode, originally released in July of 2020, Anson talks about how he quantifies competitiveness, lessons learned from watching Dean Smith run practice, his perspective on the Black Lives Matter protests and why he's much more focused on human development than athletic development. Anson's Book, Vision of a Cha...
Aug 14, 2024•39 min•Season 8Ep. 151
In the world of organizational development, there's been a buzz about repackaging DEI to focus on workplace belonging and inclusive cultures for boosting employee engagement and driving growth. Donald is all for this shift, highlighting the importance of prioritizing employee well-being, trust and belonging to foster collaboration, innovation and productivity. With his background in leadership and DEI programming, Donald shares his perspective shaped by data that shows inclusive leadership and p...
Jun 20, 2024•17 min•Season 7Ep. 150
The DEI movement has gained momentum, driven by a recognition of the need for more inclusive societies. Donald highlights the power of storytelling in fostering inclusivity and sees criticism as an opportunity for growth. In this episode, he emphasizes the importance of effective communication, pragmatic approaches, and the role of AI in refining DEI strategies, advocating for authentic storytelling to drive meaningful change. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and ex...
Jun 13, 2024•53 min•Season 7Ep. 149
In this episode, Dionne Griffin-McGee, a dynamic entrepreneur, speaker and CEO of D.G. McGee Enterprises, is sharing her journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship with Donald. Highlighting her relentless drive to overcome challenges as a Black woman in leadership, they explore her book, "Finding Your Roar," and delve into what she learned about management and DEI over the course of her career. Ready to roar? High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive co...
Jun 06, 2024•43 min•Season 7Ep. 148
Inclusive leadership drives organizational growth, enhances team performance, and fosters a sense of belonging, all contributing to your business's success. In this episode, Donald shares strategies from his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the importance of creating environments where every team member feels valued and empowered. Listen to explore the principles that make inclusive leadership a cornerstone for long-term success and a competitive advantage in today's dynamic business landsc...
May 30, 2024•29 min•Season 7Ep. 147
How do leaders support their top talent without encouraging burnout? In this episode, Donald and Jackie Ferguson explore the unique challenges both leaders and talent face, debunk common myths about productivity, and discuss strategies that foster a healthy environment for exceptional performance and recovery. Tune in to learn how to navigate the pressures of high achievement while maintaining physical, mental, and emotional well-being. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement ...
May 23, 2024•56 min•Season 7Ep. 146
From the power of transparent communication to innovative methods of recognition, Donald and Jackie Ferguson uncover the key ingredients for leading a highly engaged workforce. Learn how transparent communication builds trust and loyalty while fostering an environment of openness and collaboration, and take note of innovative ways to ignite motivation and fuel productivity by appreciating and listening to your team members. With real-world examples and expert advice, they decode the secrets to a...
May 16, 2024•50 min•Season 7Ep. 145
In this solo episode, Donald explores the personal and professional challenges faced as a successful business leader. He talks about the importance of empathy, mental health, and the impact of life's ups and downs on one's career. Donald shares insights on maintaining a balance between work and personal life, as well as the value of seeking support and embracing vulnerability as a leader. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson , is a pr...
May 09, 2024•26 min•Season 7Ep. 144
Donald and Zach Nunn delve into the nuanced relationship between failure, feedback, and growth. They emphasize the importance of contextualizing critiques, reframing setbacks as learning opportunities, and aligning team efforts with the organization's overarching goals. Plus, they call out the need for leaders to provide constructive feedback that empowers their teams to reach new heights. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson , is a p...
May 02, 2024•54 min•Season 7Ep. 143
Donald and Zach Nunn, founder of Living Corporate, share their insights on navigating the challenges of work-life balance as passionate entrepreneurs. They delve into the importance of work-life integration, the seasons of career growth, and the power of building a strong professional network to maximize efficiency and achieve long-term success. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson , is a production of Earfluence and is part of the Li...
Apr 25, 2024•40 min•Season 7Ep. 142
Learn how to align your efforts with corporate goals, leverage leadership access, and understand the deeper dynamics of your organization with Donald Thompson. Through the power of asking high-quality questions, understanding communication preferences, and fostering true collaboration across teams, this episode will help you take the next steps to become an influential CEO, executive, and leader. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson ,...
Apr 18, 2024•28 min•Season 7Ep. 141
Last week, Donald and Kurt Merriweather talked about growing your business from concepts to customers. This week, they're back to talk about the CEO's leadership role in startup transformation, from defining the compelling vision to building high-performance teams, all while balancing innovation with scalability. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson , is a production of Earfluence and is part of the Living Corporate Network . Order UN...
Apr 11, 2024•57 min•Season 7Ep. 140
In this episode, Donald and Kurt Merriweather dissect the pivotal phase of growing a business from a concept to a million-dollar revenue generator. Dive into actionable strategies for market validation, cultivating a growth mindset, and leveraging frameworks like the Six Thinking Hats for innovation to establish credibility in a competitive landscape. Tune in to uncover the blueprint for entrepreneurial success and unlock the keys to sustainable business growth. High Octane Leadership is hosted ...
Apr 04, 2024•47 min•Season 7Ep. 139
Step into the world of high-octane negotiation with Donald as he delves into the intricacies of the art of negotiation. From multimillion-dollar business deals to everyday scenarios like negotiating with kids, or buying a car, Donald shares practical strategies honed through years of experience. Discover how understanding the perspective of your negotiating partner, mastering timing, and fostering collaborative dialogue can lead to win-win outcomes. Whether you're negotiating a raise or closing ...
Mar 28, 2024•40 min•Season 7Ep. 138
Join Donald and Bob Batchelor as they teach you to turbocharge your team's potential. From handling challenging situations with integrity to setting clear expectations for behavior and performance, they explore the critical role of leadership teams in driving organizational success. Together, they dissect the nuances of leadership, emphasizing the importance of leaders as role models and champions of organizational culture. Bob shares his perspectives on the evolving landscape of leadership deve...
Mar 20, 2024•42 min•Season 7Ep. 137
