Get excited as High Octane Leadership joins forces with The Living Corporate Network! Join Donald and Living Corporate's founder Zach Nunn for an electrifying discussion on how this partnership is reshaping the landscape of workplace fairness, leadership, and professional growth. Prepare to be inspired as these influential thought leaders share their passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, setting the stage for a new era of leadership excellence. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Div...
Mar 14, 2024•8 min•Season 7Ep. 136
Donald and Bob Batchelor take a deep dive into the intricate world of providing effective feedback across diverse cultures. Drawing from his extensive coaching experience, Donald shares practical strategies to tailor communication, foster trust, and initiate positive change within teams. Learn how to craft purposeful phrases, navigate cultural nuances, and transform feedback into a powerful tool for future success. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that equips leaders with the skills to enhance...
Mar 13, 2024•41 min•Season 7Ep. 135
In this episode, Donald explores the crucial role delegation plays in leadership, offering practical strategies to empower your team and drive business success. Learn the positive impacts of effective delegation on employee growth, team dynamics, and overall business wellness. Discover a 30-10-10 approach to managing your time, allowing you to focus on strategic growth, team management, and personal development. If you're ready to overcome barriers, build trust, and create a thriving workplace, ...
Mar 06, 2024•38 min•Season 7Ep. 134
Join Donald and Jason Gillikin as they break down the keys to successful C-suite conversations. In this episode, they talk through the intricacies of C-suite power dynamics, common obstacles faced in executive discussions, and actionable strategies that will enhance your executive engagement skills. Whether you're a seasoned leader or climbing the corporate ladder, this is your go-to guide for mastering the conversations that matter in the C-suite. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversi...
Feb 28, 2024•37 min•Season 7Ep. 133
Join Donald and Jason Gillikin in this episode of High Octane Leadership as they pull back the curtain on the Six Thinking Hats method, revealing its practical application in real-world decision-making scenarios. Dive deep into the stories of triumph and lessons learned as Donald shares his two decades of experience using this transformative approach. Whether you're a seasoned executive, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a team leader, this episode offers valuable insights and strategies to sharpen y...
Feb 21, 2024•32 min•Season 7Ep. 132
Join Donald Thompson as he dives into the heart of the controversy and analyzes specific cases where Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts have been met with significant resistance. This no-holds-barred discussion examines the motives and arguments of DEI critics at the core of the overall backlash against DEI. Join the battle against misinformation as Donald analyzes specific cases, revealing the true motives behind DEI critics. Brace yourself for an unapologetic discussion and firstha...
Feb 14, 2024•37 min•Season 7Ep. 131
Join Donald Thompson in this insightful episode as he delves into the dynamic landscape of hybrid work with Jackie Ferguson, co-founder of The Diversity Movement. From the unexpected positives to the potential pitfalls, Donald and Jackie explore the nuances of remote and in-person collaboration. Learn how to communicate productivity effectively, foster a strong team culture in a hybrid environment, and adapt your leadership strategy to the evolving needs of diverse professionals. Get ready for a...
Feb 07, 2024•39 min•Season 7Ep. 130
Embark on a journey through the stages of coachability with Donald Thompson and Zach Nunn in this insightful episode. From early career perspectives to the importance of having a coach in mid to senior-level leadership, the conversation unravels the layers of coaching's impact on professional growth. Gain valuable insights into how coaching accelerates personal development and discover practical tips for finding the right coach. This episode is a must-listen for leaders seeking to optimize their...
Jan 31, 2024•27 min•Season 7Ep. 120
In this episode of High Octane Leadership, Donald Thompson explores the five pillars of personal branding: building trust, controlling your narrative, and integrating branding with expertise. Drawing from his journey as a CEO and entrepreneur, Donald emphasizes the importance of authenticity and engagement in establishing a strong personal brand. Tune in to learn actionable strategies for crafting your brand promise and leveraging it to create meaningful connections in the business world. High O...
Jan 24, 2024•27 min•Season 7Ep. 119
"Success Unlocked: Mastering Goal Setting and Achievement" features Donald Thompson, recognized by EY, Forbes, and Fast Company, discussing how successful people consistently achieve their goals. He shares key strategies for setting clear, actionable objectives and the importance of discipline in their pursuit. Donald also highlights adaptability in overcoming challenges and the role of perseverance. A significant focus of the episode is the value of mentorship in goal achievement. How Mentorshi...
Jan 17, 2024•46 min•Season 7Ep. 118
Join us for "Real Talk: Winning Strategies in Business," where Zach Nunn chats with Donald Thompson, EY Entrepreneur of the Year. This episode cuts through the noise with real talk about business in 2023. Donald shares firsthand lessons from his latest win: The Diversity Movement's successful sale to Workplace Options. They'll discuss staying strong in tough economies, smart business choices, and the ins and outs of selling a company. It's all about learning from 2023 to make smarter moves in 20...
Jan 10, 2024•31 min•Season 7Ep. 117
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of leadership development and cultural competency with the innovative TDM LeaderView assessment tool. Donald, joined by Bob Batchelor, Director of Public Relations and Publications at The Diversity Movement, shares insights on the impetus behind creating LeaderView and the critical competencies it addresses. Discover why traditional leadership tools fall short and how LeaderView bridges the gap, providing actionable insights for leaders at every level...
Nov 29, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 6Ep. 116
Join us in this engaging episode as we dive into the world of artificial intelligence with our special guest, Rajeev Kapur. Rajeev shares insights into his new book, "AI Made Simple: A Beginner's Guide to Generative Intelligence," and sheds light on the incredible potential of AI in our daily lives. Discover how AI can buy you time, enhance creativity, and transform the way we work and live. Rajeev also explores the importance of responsible AI use, addressing challenges like deepfakes and the n...
Nov 08, 2023•36 min•Season 6Ep. 115
Join us in this enlightening episode as we delve into the incredible journey of shifting from stress-driven leadership to thriving in your zone of genius. Our special guest, Hannah Abad, a highly regarded mindset and peak performance coach, shares invaluable insights on becoming a healthy high achiever. Learn the art of leading from a place of calm, confidence, and clarity. Discover the powerful secrets to breaking free from stress addiction, fostering team ownership, and nurturing a culture of ...
Oct 11, 2023•42 min•Season 6Ep. 114
Join Don in an insightful conversation with Jamie Ousterout, the newly appointed Chief Experience Officer at The Diversity Movement. From her proud upbringing in Colorado to her pivotal role in shaping the organization's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Jamie shares her inspiring journey. Discover how her unique experiences have shaped her leadership style, her unwavering commitment to positive change, and her strategies for cultivating inclusivity, including the importance of givin...
Sep 27, 2023•34 min•Season 6Ep. 113
In this insightful episode, we flip the script, and Grant Kloefkorn, an account executive at Salesforce, interviews me! Join us as we delve into the transformative journey from a sales career to prestigious leadership roles like the C-Suite. Uncover the strategies for building robust relationships with marketing teams, mastering your company's brand strategy, and remaining at the forefront of industry innovation. Tune in for a captivating discussion on career growth and effective leadership deve...
Sep 13, 2023•56 min•Season 6Ep. 112
In this engaging episode, join us as we uncover the world of authentic leadership and its impact on achieving organizational excellence. Kevin Ragin, a seasoned organizational development expert renowned for his healthcare acumen, takes us on a journey through the art of effective leadership. Explore the transformative power of self-awareness, situational acumen, and the pivotal role of fostering high-performance teams. Gain insights into Kevin's unique leadership coaching methodology, which har...
Aug 30, 2023•36 min•Season 6Ep. 111
Join Donald Thompson in this episode as he navigates the complex landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the business world. Gain practical insights on fostering a truly inclusive workplace, dismantling empty promises, and understanding diverse DEI approaches. Explore real-world scenarios, including challenges in enhancing diversity statistics and prioritizing genuine inclusion over optics. Discover actionable steps for leaders and organizations to integrate DEI initiatives into g...
Aug 16, 2023•25 min•Season 6Ep. 110
Join Donald in this captivating episode as he engages in a candid conversation with Shelley Willingham, Chief Revenue Officer at The Diversity Movement. Discover Shelley's remarkable journey from adversity to becoming an influential advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion. Gain valuable insights into how DEI drives business success and learn about the strategies that can help business leaders create a more inclusive and diverse workplace. Shelley dispels misconceptions surrounding DEI and e...
Aug 02, 2023•39 min•Season 6Ep. 109
Join Donald Thompson in this thought-provoking episode of the High Octane Leadership podcast as he dispels common misconceptions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Gain valuable insights into how DEI goes beyond being just an HR issue, becoming a critical business imperative for creating a culture-centric organization. Explore practical examples and insightful anecdotes that highlight the importance of amplifying differences and fostering an environment where individuals feel va...
Jul 19, 2023•21 min•Season 6Ep. 108
Join us in this thought-provoking episode as we delve into the significance of Pride Month and discuss important topics surrounding the LGBTQ+ community. Our guests, Susie Silver and Royce Hoffner, provide unique insights on the evolution of Pride Month, its historical roots as a resistance movement, and the importance of celebrating resilience and equality. We also examine recent marketing campaigns by Anheuser-Busch and Target, analyzing the potential consequences of well-intentioned actions t...
Jun 28, 2023•54 min•Season 6Ep. 107
A few weeks ago, we heard from Hacking HR's Enrique Rubio on How to be a Leader in an Empathetic World . Today, Don gives his thoughts on how we can be high octane leaders in an empathetic world, when too often empathetic is seen as soft. And it doesn't mean having to reduce expectations on results. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence . Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donal...
Dec 14, 2022•24 min•Season 5Ep. 106
When Abha Bowers became CEO of Walk West, her team started treating her a little bit differently because she's now the boss. And she wondered - since she doesn't look like most CEOs, she hugs way more than other CEOs, she's a feeler, a laugher, an empath - would she have to change her leadership style? Could she truly ever be effective as a leader? So she hired someone who's been there, Executive Coach Ravila Gupta. Together they worked on vulnerability, navigating being the only one in the room...
Dec 07, 2022•52 min•Season 5Ep. 105
We've all heard about Quiet Quitting and The Great Resignation. In the job market, we've seen salaries increase, and not necessarily because of better performance. With the economy favoring employees, are they no longer motivated to become excellent? Is the market creating an Epidemic of Average? If so, what can leaders do about it? High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence . Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S ...
Nov 30, 2022•29 min•Season 5Ep. 104
Today we share this episode of the Charity Champions Podcast , guest-hosted by Donald Thompson. --- Easterseals UCP is serving thousands of people in this community - people with disabilities, Autism, and other behavioral challenges. With 2,300 employees, the depth of work and support they provide is as impressive as it is heart-warming. Today, we hear from two of those team members, Laurie Nederveen and Marta Quintana, as they share both their whys for joining Easterseals UCP and some of the pr...
Nov 23, 2022•32 min•Season 5Ep. 104
In September 2017, Enrique Rubio saw a problem - the world of technology was moving so fast, and HR was moving very slowly (it at all). It was completely disconnected from how the technology was moving the world forward. So he decided to do something about. Today, Don and Enrique talk about Hacking HR, HR trends, creating a better and more equitable workplace, and how to be a more empathetic leader. Enrique Rubio is the Founder of Hacking HR , a global learning community of HR and business leade...
Nov 16, 2022•35 min•Season 5Ep. 103
On today's episode, Donald Thompson recaps his time speaking at and attending the Black Men XCEL Conference , which is "designed to elevate and empower Black men to be recognized for their value and talent." High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence . Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson . High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coa...
Nov 09, 2022•33 min•Season 5Ep. 102
In a recent study, 80% of people who identify as Democrats see Republicans as being out of control and a threat to democracy, while 80% of Republicans see Democrats as being out of control and a threat to democracy. So what do we do as leaders when politics bleeds into how we work and live every day? Political analyst, journalist, and marketing consultant Billy Warden joins us to discuss. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a ...
Nov 02, 2022•38 min•Season 5Ep. 101
Tru Pettigrew, Chief Diversity Officer of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, comes on High Octane Leadership to discuss the role of diversity in the professional sports arena, what organizations are doing it right, how negative narratives can impact our performance, and the mental health conversation amongst the professional athletes. About Tru Pettigrew: Tru Pettigrew enters his second season with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx and his first as Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Pett...
Oct 26, 2022•43 min•Season 5Ep. 100
Two episodes ago, Don shared his thoughts on imposter syndrome and what leaders can do about feeling inadequate. He references the book, Find Your Fierce: Interrupt Imposter Syndrome and Own Your Success , and talks about the impact it has had on his approach. Today, Don brings on the author of that book, leadership consultant and speaker Teresa Sande , to get her take on imposter syndrome, the "reference man", and what we and why we're so much more than our titles at work. High Octane Leadershi...
Oct 19, 2022•37 min•Season 5Ep. 99
