Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract
Self-Improvement
About
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 six books: THE FUTURE OF WORK IS GREY, WORK-LIFE BLOOM, LEAD. CARE. WIN., OPEN TO THINK, THE PURPOSE EFFECT, and FLAT ARMY. A renowned speaker, Dan has presented at five 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 t
Episodes
- Ep 5: The Leader's Move Toward the Experience Dividend
In the final episode of "Five Shades of Grey," Dan Pontefract argues that leaders should focus on earning the Experience Dividend, the counterpart to Age Debt. He suggests that impactful change comes from making different decisions, not fr…
- Ep 4: The Silent Saboteur of Ageism
This episode of Leadership NOW features Dan Pontefract discussing ageism as the last socially acceptable bias in the modern workplace. It explores the prevalence of ageism among American workers and its various forms, affecting the young,…
- Ep 3: The Pressure Points of Longevity
This episode discusses the modern concept of retirement, noting it is less than a century old and was designed with flaws. It highlights financial insecurity among older Americans and how current HR systems are outdated for a workforce tha…
- Ep 2: The Experience Conundrum
In episode two of Leadership NOW, Dan Pontefract addresses the 'experience conundrum,' the challenge organizations face when experienced employees leave without documenting their tacit knowledge. He highlights examples like NASA and the ne…
- Ep 1: The Demographic Bill Comes Due
This episode of Leadership NOW addresses the demographic shift from a bell-shaped workforce to a bulb shape, impacting organizational systems like pensions and hiring. It highlights impending workforce challenges across sectors like air tr…
- Change Fluency with Author Jay Kiew
If change is constant, why do so many workplaces still treat it like an occasional project—complete with a timeline, a comms plan, and a hope that people “buy in”? Jay Kiew argues that this is exactly why leaders keep running into fatigue,…
- When Learning Finally Becomes The Work with Lori Niles-Hofmann
Corporate learning used to measure success by the size of its course catalogue and the number of completions. That world is fading. Employees now have access to commercial-grade learning inside tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, and leaders ex…
- Leadership In The Longevity Era with Leanne Clark-Shirley (American Society on Aging)
There is a demographic shift hiding in plain sight. In a few short years, the United States will have more people over 60 than children under 18. For Leanne Clark-Shirley, that statistic is not a curiosity for actuaries. It is “the mega tr…
- Ron Tite: Purpose Is A Growth Strategy
Purpose has become the corporate word of the decade, yet in many organizations it behaves more like a slogan than a strategy. In this Leadership NOW conversation, I sit down with Ron Tite, author of "The Purpose of Purpose," to explore wha…
- Dr. Megan Gerhardt On Gentelligence And Leading Across Generations
Dr. Megan Gerhardt joins Leadership NOW to unpack Gentelligence, her research-driven approach to leading an intergenerational workforce. We talk about why the narrative around generations has been so negative and how chronocentrism quietly…
- Serve the Customer’s Customer with Executive Coach Shakeel Bharmal
Shakeel Bharmal lays out a practical playbook for relevance and performance. Begin with the customer’s customer to escape your own lens and create value that sticks. Coach as your default leadership stance—“Leadership is 80% about being a…
- James Root of Bain & Company - Designing Work Around Six Archetypes
James Root of Bain & Company unpacks "The Archetype Effect"—six distinct motivations that show up across roles, industries, and countries—and why a one-path ladder misses most of the value. We explore how to design work around what people…
- CEO Victoria Tomlinson on Unretirement, Age Inclusion, and Older Workers
Victoria Tomlinson, chief executive of Next-Up, FRSA, BBC Expert Woman, bestselling author, TEDx and international speaker, explains how to value and invest in 50+ talent before and after retirement. We explore the Three R’s—recruitment, r…
- David Liddle on Rewriting People and Culture
David Liddle argues that legacy grievance and disciplinary procedures corrode trust, suppress performance, and institutionalize fear. In this conversation, the TCM Group and People and Culture Association founder outlines a practical reset…
- Christa Haberstock on Being Bookable as a Speaker
What does it take to go from “nice-to-have” to non-negotiable? In this episode of Leadership NOW, Dan Pontefract sits down with Christa Haberstock—founder of See Agency and Bookable Speakers, and author of Become a Bookable Speaker. Togeth…
- Maria Franzoni on Bookability and Leading in the Speaking Industry
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 t…
- Mandy Gill on Grit, Goals & Getting Back Up
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 resili…
- Jennifer Fondrevay on Fixing the Human Side of M&A
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 peo…
- Ageism is Hurting Your Organization with Maureen Wiley Clough
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 diver…
- CEO Gary Officer Wants Organizations to Stop Ignoring Older Workers
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 organi…
- Author Faisal Hoque on Preserving Humanity in the Artificial Intelligence Era
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: Unl…
- 75-Year-Old Founder Rose Fass Wants Leaders to Stop Ignoring the Messy Middle
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…
- Author Kevin Eikenberry Wants Leaders to Stop Clinging to Habit
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 Le…
- The Expertise and Knowledge Crisis with Dr. Richard E. Clark
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 m…
- Dr. Keith Keating on Why L&D Is Failing and How to Fix It
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…
- Are Leaders Ready for an Aging Workforce? Featuring CEO and Author Avivah Wittenberg-Cox
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…
- Death to the February Fiasco: Why Annual Performance Reviews Must Go
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 an…
- Liberian Peace Activist and Entrepreneur Fatu Kaba and the Importance of Storytelling
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 powerf…
- The Workforce is Shrinking. Now What? With Author Bradley Schurman
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 Schurma…
- Rethinking Work Through Longevity with CEO Simon Chan
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 conversa…
- Wirearchy at 25: Shaping the Future with Jon Husband
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,…
- Aging Sideways with Social Gerontologist Jeanette Leardi
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…
- Michael Clinton on Roaring into the 100-Year Life
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 t…
- Dr. Neri Karra Sillaman on Purpose-Driven Leadership in Fashion
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 share…
- Raising Barns and Accountability with Author Vince Molinaro
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 cri…
- Seth Godin Talks Strategy
Join leadership strategist Dan Pontefract as he sits down with best-selling author Seth Godin in this special episode of Leadership NOW to explore the philosophy behind effective strategy. In this engaging conversation, Godin shares key in…
- Strategist David Lancefield on Giving People the Space and Trust to Lead
David Lancefield is the founder of Strategy Shift and a trusted advisor to over 50 CEOs. In this episode of Leadership NOW, David and Dan dive deep into what it truly means to lead with trust. They discuss how empowering teams, fostering i…
- What Lights You Up with Author Mary Olson-Menzel
In this episode, we sit down with Mary Olson-Menzel, leadership coach and author of "What Lights You Up?," to explore how leaders can reignite their purpose and help others do the same. We dive into the challenges of staying connected to p…
- Filmmaker Mike Downie: Lessons from The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal Documentary
In this episode of Leadership NOW, host Dan Pontefract chats with acclaimed filmmaker Mike Downie about his documentary "The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal," which tells the incredible story of The Tragically Hip. Mike shares the more…
- The Four-Day Workweek Revolution with Andrew Barnes
In this episode, Dan Pontefract sits down with Andrew Barnes, the visionary behind the global four-day workweek movement. Andrew shares how his bold experiment at Perpetual Guardian in New Zealand redefined productivity and work-life balan…
- Dr. Deborah Heiser: Unlocking Generativity to Shape Future Leaders
Dr. Deborah Heiser, the founder and CEO of The Mentor Project™, is a leading figure in the field of aging. Her work, which brings experts to mentor students worldwide for free, has had a significant impact. As an applied developmental psyc…
- How Visual Leadership Transforms Communication with Todd Cherches
In this episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, I sit down with Todd Cherches, CEO and co-founder of BigBlueGumball, to explore the unique intersection of visual thinking and leadership. Todd, an award-winning professor and author o…
- The Power of Perception: Insights with Dr. Maja Zelihic
Join us in this enlightening episode of Leadership NOW as Dan Pontefract sits down with Dr. Maja Zelihic, Dean of the Forbes School of Business and Technology and co-author of “The Power of Perception.” Dr. Zelihic delves into the profound…
- Unlocking the Power of Reframing with Author Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg
Join Dan Pontefract in a thought-provoking discussion with Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg, author of “What’s Your Problem?” and a leading expert on problem-solving and innovation. Discover how reframing problems can unlock new solutions and dri…
- The Power of Social Bonds with the GenWell Project Founder Pete Bombaci
Join us in this enlightening episode of Leadership NOW as Dan Pontefract sits down with Pete Bombaci, the founder of The GenWell Project. Pete shares the inspiring story behind the movement and discusses the critical importance of fosterin…
- CEO Josh Blair on Pioneering Performance Technology with Impro.ai
Join us in this enlightening episode of Leadership NOW as I sit down with Josh Blair, CEO and co-founder of Impro.ai. Blair shares his insights on creating a new category in business innovation: performance technology. Discover how Impro.a…
- Platform Thinking with Daniel Trabucchi and Tommaso Buganza
Daniel Trabucchi is Senior Assistant Professor of Platform Thinking, and Tommaso Buganza is Full Professor of Leadership & Innovation, both at Politec-nico di Milano. They are Scientific Directors of the Observatory Platform Thinking HUB a…
- Eldera CEO Dana Griffin and the Untapped Wisdom of the Elderly
Dana Griffin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Eldera, an innovative platform dedicated to bridging the gap between generations. Dana joins Leadership NOW where Dan delves into her journey, the inspiration behind Eldera, and her vision for a fu…
- Digital Wellness with Chief Evangelist Amy Blankson
Amy Blankson is a happiness expert, the Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist of the Digital Wellness Institute, and the author of several bestselling books, including "The Future of Happiness." Amy joins Dan Pontefract on Leadership NOW for a d…
- Ilya Kneppelhout and The Offline Club’s Quest Against Digital Overload
Ilya Kneppelhout co-founded The Offline Club as a response to our increasingly digital world. In this episode of "Leadership NOW," we explore the club's origins, digital intoxication, loneliness, and how It aims to "inspire people to swap…