The Pay-It-Forward Society

Bryan Liles has been working in tech for almost 30 years with roles at VMware, Digital Ocean, AWS, and more. He is known for being a great technical leader. He is not a people manager. In this episode, I wanted to explore leadership as an Individual Contributor, and Bryan was the perfect guest for this. He believes in helping others at work so that everyone can win. On this episode of the Pay-It-Forward Society, we talk about: The difference between being a boss and being a leader. Leaders help everyone succeed, not just themselves. How you can be a leader in what you do, even if you’re not in charge. Bryan talks about leading in tech by sharing new ideas and ways of working. Bryan’s goal is to improve the people around him. He shows us that when one person wins, it doesn’t mean someone else loses. Ways to make a good impact at work even if you don’t have power or a big title. It’s about setting a good example and encouraging your teammates. Bryan’s own stories about leading in tech. He gives tips for others who want to make a big impact too. Bryan shares his thoughts on how anyone at work can be a leader, showing us that it’s about what you do, not your job title. Bryan mentioned several books during this episode including: - Start with Why by Simon Sinek - Wiring the Winning Organization by Gene Kim and Steven J. Spear - Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug - Accelerate: Building and Scaling High Performing Technology Organizations by Dr Nicole Forsgren, Gene Kim, Jez Humble - What If? by Randal Munroe ---------------------------------------------- Where to follow Bryan Liles - X: https://twitter.com/bryanl - LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanliles/ Where to find Romain Jourdan: - LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjourdan/ - Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rjourdan_net - Subscribe to The Pay-It-Forward Society newsletter: https://www.tpifs.com Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of the Pay-It-Forward Society, we sit down with Adrian Koehler, a 0-bullshit coach and co-founder of Take New Ground. Adrian shares his insights into what truly makes a leader effective and how to cultivate a culture of commitment and purpose within organizations. Our conversation reveals: Leadership as a Personal Commitment: Adrian underscores the importance of leaders seeing their role as a personal vocation, far beyond the confines of a job. The Power of Vulnerability: He advocates for vulnerability as a strength, enabling leaders to connect authentically with their teams and foster a culture of trust. Designing Organizations for Impact: Adrian discusses strategies for organizational design that encourage innovation, engagement, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The Legacy of Leadership: The conversation also touches on the legacy leaders leave behind, emphasizing the significance of making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. This episode is a treasure trove for anyone interested in redefining leadership and organizational success through the lens of purpose and authenticity. ---------------------------------------------- Where to follow Adrian Koehler LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriankoehler/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrian.k/?hl=en Check-out Adrian’s podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-naked-leadership-podcast/id1495058489 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/73ZuLDaxdfhCNYXlmIQy01?si=9a5b25f227f64ae1 Where to find Romain Jourdan: LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjourdan/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rjourdan_net Subscribe to The Pay-It-Forward Society newsletter: https://www.tpifs.com Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

James Colgan is a seasoned product leader with a track record in tech companies like Rackspace, Microsoft, Slack, and more recently Spendesk. In this episode, he joins us to share his insights on leading through innovation and strategic frameworks. In our conversation, we cover: The essence and impact of the W model in strategic planning: https://review.firstround.com/the-secret-to-a-great-planning-process-lessons-from-airbnb-and-eventbrite Techniques for effective team communication and decision-making The role of leadership in driving product-led growth Implementing cultural transformation within tech organizations Keys to aligning team objectives with organizational goals This episode is packed with James' valuable experiences and actionable advice for anyone looking to sharpen their leadership skills in the tech industry. ---- During the episode, we discussed and mentioned several impactful books, which include: "Empowered" by Marty Cagan "Hit Refresh" by Satya Nadella "The Culture Map" by Erin Meyer "Team Topologies" by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais ----- Where to follow James Colgan LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesacolgan Threads: @sfojames Check-out James’s newsletter! https://www.beyondthebuild.ai/?r=2qvebn&utm_campaign=subscribe-page-share-screen&utm_medium=web Where to find Romain Jourdan: LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjourdan/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rjourdan_net Subscribe to The Pay-It-Forward Society newsletter: https://www.tpifs.com Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Ryan Johansen is a seasoned leader with a diverse background in tech sales and leadership coaching. Ryan brings a wealth of experience, from navigating the complexities of team management to overcoming personal challenges in his career. The conversation is a blend of personal anecdotes, hard-earned wisdom, and practical advice for anyone in a leadership role. In this conversation, we addressed several topics: First-Time Leadership ChallengesOvercoming BurnoutEmpathy in LeadershipContinuous LearningCurrent Focus ----- In our conversation, we mentioned several books: ------ Where to follow Ryan Johansen LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjohansen1/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjohansen1/ Website: http://ryanjohansen.live Where to find Romain Jourdan: LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjourdan/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rjourdan_net Website: https://www.tpifs.com to subscribe to the newsletter of The Pay-It-Forward Society! Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jovonia Thibert, who goes by Jo, joins us to share engineering leadership lessons from her 20 years at Boeing and Amazon. In this episode, Jo shares some key lessons from her experience as a leader: Her faith and desire to show love also shape her inclusive, compassionate leadership style. ----- In our conversation, we mentioned several books: The Five Dysfunctions of a TeamEscape VelocityThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleAtlas of the HeartThe Light We Carry ------ Where to follow Jovonia Thibert: LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jovoniathibert/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/JovoniaThibert Where to find Romain Jourdan: LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjourdan/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rjourdan_net Website: https://www.tpifs.com Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Vincent Moindrot, CEO of French car rental startup carlili.fr, shares his journey through a leadership crisis. Vincent reacted poorly when cash flow issues required layoffs. He abruptly fired staff without empathy. This destroyed employee trust and led to 50% turnover. With coaching, Vincent rebuilt trust through weekly reconnect meetings and transparent communication. He learned to align actions with values instead of perceived business needs. This experience taught Vincent the importance of vulnerability, authenticity and courage in leadership. He focuses on clearly conveying Carlyle's vision and improving communication as the company scales. Vincent's story offers a cautionary yet hopeful tale of losing trust rapidly through poor leadership decisions, then gradually regaining it by recommitting to transparency. A great lesson of humility, redemption, and continous improvement. Vincent credits Let My People Go Surfing by Patagonia's Yvon Chouinard and The Pyramid of Clarity framework for providing leadership inspiration. Where to follow Vincent Moindrot: LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentmoindrot/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Vincent_M Where to find Romain Jourdan: LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjourdan/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rjourdan_net Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Want to learn how to craft a compelling vision and rally your team? Tune into this insightful conversation with Bill Brown, an accomplished HR leader with 30 years of experience. Bill shares his wisdom on demonstrating compassionate leadership, defining an impactful vision through vivid storytelling, and driving a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations. You'll hear Bill's tips on bringing diverse perspectives into the workplace to connect business strategy with the employee experience. He stresses the importance of listening, following through, and sparking intrinsic motivation in your team. Bill also discusses his new book on company culture along with recommending must-read books by Simon Sinek, Reed Hastings, Julie Zhuo and more. If you're looking to inspire your team and elevate the employee experience, don't miss this episode. How to get in touch with Bill Brown? https://www.linkedin.com/in/tpcbill/ https://www.thinkpeopleculture.com/ info@thinkpeopleculture.com Books/authors mentioned: Start with Why by Simon Sinek The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek No Rules Rules by Reed Hastings The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo The Execution by Larry Bossidy Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Meg Brennan has over 20 years of experience driving strategy and operations for top technology companies. She shared her unique perspective on leadership combining strategic thinking, operational excellence, and a passion for developing people. Meg described her zig-zag career path starting in sales and working across various functions like enablement, product management, and partner marketing. A key moment was joining Riverbed as Director of Operations where she had excellent managers who saw her potential and provided opportunities to develop into a VP. Having an executive coach helped Meg shift from being a manager focused on control to being a true leader. Her coach taught her to "step into the gap" in conversations by defining the problem and solution without taking on all the work. This helped Meg learn to think bigger about the company instead of just her own team's needs. As an introvert, Meg gains energy from small groups and data analysis. She had to learn the confidence to make faster decisions. Meg believes leaders need both visionary extroverts and data-driven introverts to make thoughtful choices. Extroverts provide inspiration while introverts supply helpful analysis. Meg champions bringing more women into technology even though it can be lonely as a woman leader in tech. Men need to help by taking on diversity work, checking biases, and proactively mentoring women. Meg remains optimistic that even small actions by "good guys" can drive change. Providing clarity, through constant communication on priorities, is vital to empower teams. Eliminating conflicting goals lets people align to a shared mission. Meg emphasizes the importance of hiring different thinkers and not just people like yourself. Diversity of thought leads to better ideas and solutions. The name of the book I could not remember during the recording is Move Fast and Fix Things Meg recommended Quiet: The Power Of Introverts and Multipliers Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of the Paid-It-Forward Society podcast, I reflect on my journey as a leader. I also share my aspirations for the podcast, and the community I am building. This time, it is as if I interviewed myself. I discuss the challenges I've faced, the importance of communication and team dynamics, and highlight some of the inspiring guests who have appeared on the show. I also reveal my plans for the future, including launching a newsletter and creating a community space for listeners. This is the beginning of Season 2, I am very excited by what's coming next! Join me as we explore leadership and learn from each other's experiences. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the conversation with Shannon L. Rich, the President and CEO at Oklahoma Hall of Fame, we delved into her inspiring journey into leadership. Shannon shared valuable insights and experiences, highlighting the significance of diversity, equality, and creating inclusive work environments. Shannon emphasized the importance of challenging traditional norms and breaking barriers in order to create opportunities for oneself. She discussed her early career, where she took on roles that were unconventional for women at the time. Despite facing initial resistance, she demonstrated her passion, drive, and commitment to her community, which eventually led to breakthrough opportunities. Mentorship and sponsorship played a crucial role in Shannon's journey. She highlighted the impact of individuals who believed in her potential and took a chance on her, even when she lacked the traditional qualifications or experience. She emphasized the need for men and women to support each other in the workplace and provide opportunities for growth and development. Shannon also emphasized the importance of diversity in leadership. She highlighted the benefits of having diverse voices at decision-making tables, as it leads to better outcomes and a broader perspective. By fostering inclusive environments and creating high-performing teams, organizations can unlock the full potential of their workforce. Continuous learning and personal growth were key aspects of Shannon's leadership journey. She mentioned the value of seeking out new sources of information, engaging in discussions, and challenging oneself to step out of comfort zones. Shannon acknowledged the need to find a balance between work and personal life, highlighting the importance of taking time off to recharge and engage in activities outside of work. Throughout the conversation, Shannon's passion for equality and her commitment to empowering others shone through. Her story serves as a powerful example of perseverance, resilience, and the transformative impact of diversity and inclusion in leadership. For those interested in having Shannon speak at events, they can visit the LeadHERboard website or email info@theleadherboard.com As a recommended read, Shannon suggests "Everything is Figureoutable" by Marie Forleo. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the podcast episode of "The Pay-It-Forward Society," Romain interviews Dominic Tremblay, the CEO of TUX Creative House, an advertising company. Dominic shares his journey into leadership and discusses the implementation of a four-day workweek in his company. He emphasizes the importance of work-life balance and the need for employees to recharge their creativity. Dominic highlights that productivity is not solely dependent on the number of hours worked but on the quality of work and the ability to disconnect and find deep work time. He talks about the initial introduction of half-day Fridays and later transitioning to a full day off on Fridays. Dominic mentions that client satisfaction and business retention have remained strong, while productivity rates have actually improved. He addresses the challenges of the creative industry, such as finding uninterrupted time for deep work and managing teams in different time zones. Dominic also shares insights from books he has read, including "Death by Meeting" and "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team," which have influenced his leadership approach. Throughout the conversation, Dominic's passion for creating a positive work environment and fostering a healthy work-life balance shines through. His experience in the corporate world has shaped his commitment to finding meaningful work and the importance of letting go of certain responsibilities as a leader. Dominic's openness to learning, staying curious, and embracing change have been key factors in his success as a leader. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of "The Pay-It-Forward Society," Romain engages in an inspiring conversation with Paloma Garcia, a dynamic leader in the technology industry. Paloma shares her inspiring journey into leadership, offering valuable insights and lessons for aspiring leaders. Throughout the discussion, Paloma emphasizes the importance of maintaining a growth mindset. She highlights the significance of setting clear goals and continuously seeking personal and professional development. Paloma's own experiences navigating challenges and overcoming obstacles serve as valuable lessons for listeners. Additionally, Paloma discusses her coaching and training experiences, emphasizing the power of storytelling in effectively conveying messages. Her ability to connect with others through compelling narratives is a skill she encourages aspiring leaders to cultivate. Paloma provides valuable recommendations for personal growth resources, such as Brené Brown's video "The Call to Courage" on Netflix and Frank Slootman's book "Amp It Up" which focuses on leading for hypergrowth. This engaging conversation with Paloma Garcia serves as a powerful source of inspiration for listeners, offering practical advice, personal anecdotes, and a wealth of knowledge gained from Paloma's journey into leadership. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we talk with Holly Foxcroft, a neurodiversity consultant and advocate, about how to create a more neuroinclusive workplace. Holly shares her personal experiences of living with autism and ADHD, and how this has shaped her work in this area. She also offers practical tips for leaders looking to create a more inclusive culture for neurodivergent individuals. Understanding Neurodiversity Holly emphasizes the importance of understanding neurodiversity and how it can manifest in different ways. She encourages leaders to educate themselves on the topic from various different avenues and not just take one person's word for it. She also stresses the need to be accountable for one's biases, whether conscious or unconscious. Lived Experience Holly stresses the importance of listening to people's lived experience and how it can offer a more heartfelt and empathetic understanding of neurodiversity. She recommends reading books such as "Why I Jump" and "Dirty Laundry " to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of people with autism and ADHD respectively. Being an Inclusive Leader Holly emphasizes the need for leaders to be more inclusive and to create a culture where everyone feels supported. She suggests that leaders ask for help and learn from people who have walked in the shoes of neurodivergent individuals. She also recommends that leaders make neurodiversity a boardroom subject and ensure that it is spoken about as a strategic movement from the top down. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, Romain interviews Steve Cuss , a seasoned leader with over three decades of experience in the video game industry. Steve shares his story of resilience and transformation, having faced significant challenges in 2012 when he was forced to take a three-month hiatus due to stress-induced depression caused by a toxic work environment. Steve's journey to becoming a liberated leader began when he took time off to reflect on his leadership style and recognize the need for change. This experience led him to develop a new approach to leadership, one that emphasizes self-awareness, personal authenticity, and emotional intelligence. As the founder of The GamePlan Consultancy, Steve now provides executive expertise, drawing on his invaluable insights on liberated leadership. Additionally, he hosts The Liberated Leadership Interview Series, a podcast featuring inspiring leaders from diverse backgrounds. Throughout the episode, Steve shares his perspective on creating hyper-engaged teams that deliver world-class results through liberated leadership. He emphasizes the importance of empowering teams to take ownership and fostering an environment of trust and psychological safety. Steve believes that true leadership involves finding out what people need and getting it for them, while also recognizing that you are never the finished article. He believes that the currency of leadership is decision-making and judgment, and that this should be based on an individual's need. From Steve's perspective, leadership is not about finding out what everybody wants and getting it for them. It's about finding out what people need and getting it for them. Podcast The Liberated Leadership Steve's talk at 2018 GDC Give up control: Zen and Art of Leadership Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

in this episode, we speak with Sam Nchinda, a seasoned leader with a passion for learning and growth. Sam shares his insights on how his background being an Olympic athlete has shaped his leadership style, as well as his experiences fostering creativity and curiosity within his team. The main ideas of the episode include: Tune in to this episode for more insights from Sam on leadership, learning, and growth, but also getting to learn more someone trully exceptional! Sam recommended reading Nelson Mandella's memoirs Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Remi Vespa, President of Blue Trail Software, is committed to creating a better model for for-profit companies centered on the empowerment of their stakeholders. With nearly 40 years of experience building and managing companies as a CEO, Remi has spent years researching company structure and organization to improve employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and sustainability. In this episode, Remi discusses his path as a leader, the challenges he faced earlier in his career, and what brought him to find new ways of organization. He also dives deep into employee engagement and how to build that environment, and shares the data behind why companies with better work environments for their employees yield better retention rates and improve engagement for the benefit of customers. Remi recommends two books, "Resonant Leadership" and "The Power of Positive Deviance". Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, I had a conversation with Franco Banfi, the Chief Operation Officer of Decathlon US. With more than 20 years of experience at Decathlon, Franco shares his passion for sports and the company's mission of making sports available to everyone. We dive into Decathlon's philosophy of customer focus and corporate values, including inclusive leadership, and responsibilities. Franco also shares insights from inspiring leaders who have influenced his leadership style. Throughout our conversation with Franco Banfi, we discovered the secrets behind Decathlon's success in retaining employees and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Franco also gave us insights into his own leadership style, which was influenced by inspiring leaders such as Julio Velazco - the coach of the Italian national volley-ball team - and Michel Leclercq, the founder of Decathlon. He emphasized the importance of focusing on developing the strengths of team members and hiring people who are stronger than oneself. Join us as we explore the story of Franco Banfi and Decathlon, and gain valuable insights into leadership and creating a culture of continuous improvement. Franco recommended the book The Partnership Economy Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

I approached Daryl Hammett , GM of Global Demand and Operations at AWS, after reading an interview of him. Once I read it, I knew I wanted to have a conversation and learn from him. We never met nor worked together before. What Daryl shared in this paper resonated with me so strongly, that I had to talk to him, it was a no-brainer. And this discussion was trully mind blowing!🤯 Daryl has accumulated profound leadership wisdom over his 30+ year career spanning technology, sales, and global business. A core theme is that exemplary leaders focus outward, not inward. As Daryl learned in the Navy, leadership is not about the leader but about serving others. Listening is critical for understanding people’s needs. Daryl stresses being fully present, asking thoughtful questions, and actively listening without judgement. This builds connection and helps match the support to the individual. Leaders must also be self-aware and authentic. Knowing one’s values prevents compromising them when pressured. Daryl explains that diversity and inclusion create space for people to belong as their authentic selves. Leaders should hire for cognitive diversity and remain open to input. He provides the metaphor of a team with expertise in various sports - by teaching each other, all become more versatile. Interrogating reality before acting is another key. Identify obstacles so they can be addressed. Daryl advocates simplification, prioritization and intentionality. Leaders should be accountable through modeling desired behaviors. Overall, Daryl Hammett emphasizes that exceptional leaders uplift others. They build inclusive, authentic cultures where people feel valued, inspired and empowered to do their best work. We talked about Disc assessment and Hermann Whole Brain assessment. Daryl also referred to the book The CEO Paradox. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

💪 Alison Conigliaro-Hubbard has an incredible, and communicative energy. In this conversation, she shared how to lead with courage and curiosity, the importance of creating long-lasting relationships, and many personal stories that were trully inspiring. I also really liked her mantra "If it is to be, it is up to me." I am all about Ownership, and that resonated very well with me. Read her Book: Lessons in Life and Leadership: Women Leaders Offer a Lifetime of Wisdom to Work and Live By">Lessons in Life and Leadership: Women Leaders Offer a Lifetime of Wisdom to Work and Live By Alison also recommended this book: The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company You can hire Alison for getting coached. Get in touch with her on LinkedIn or her website . Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

There is always a first time. Mark Seager is the one who gave me the opportunity to embark on this new journey. Little did I know at that time, that it was a major career switch. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.