Leaders Of Transformation

Have you ever chased success, only to realize it didn't give you the freedom or fulfillment you hoped for? In this transformative episode, host Nicole Jansen sits down with Mark Rampolla - founder of ZICO Coconut Water, co-founder of Groundforce Capital, and author of The Entrepreneur's Guide to Freedom: 7 Steps to Living Beyond Limits. Mark shares a refreshingly honest look at building ZICO from his garage into a global brand which he sold to Coca-Cola for $200 million (before buying it back a few years later) - and the unexpected discovery that financial success alone doesn't guarantee meaning or joy. Together, Nicole and Mark dive into why entrepreneurs become trapped in the pursuit of more, how the success industry subtly shapes our definitions of achievement, and the practical steps to experiencing internal freedom and fulfillment—right now. If you've ever wondered why your wins still feel incomplete, this conversation offers a roadmap for shifting your mindset, avoiding burnout, and leading from a place of clarity and purpose. You'll also hear what investors truly look for in founders and why personal transformation is the hidden engine behind sustainable business growth, even in seasons of loss. What We Discuss in This Episode What does real success look like, and how does your definition evolve as you grow? Why do entrepreneurs remain stuck in the cycle of chasing more, and how does the success industry reinforce it? How can you prevent burnout and create genuine satisfaction while building your business? What are Mark's seven steps to entrepreneurial freedom and fulfillment? How does self-awareness open the door for personal and team transformation? Which inner habits and tools help you navigate challenges and create lasting freedom? What do top investors like Mark value in founders beyond revenue and metrics? How did losing his home in the Palisades wildfire reshape his perspective on what truly matters? Why is self-reflection essential for both business success and personal joy? How can you begin practicing fulfillment, peace, and purpose in your business today? Timestamps & Highlights 00:00 - Why Success Doesn't Equal Fulfillment 04:50 - Be Honest with Yourself 08:12 - How the Success Industry Creates Burnout 09:58 - Success Through Fulfillment and Presence 15:39 - Personal Growth Strategies for Entrepreneurs 17:44 - Shared Freedom and Self-Reflection 20:28 - Escaping the More Mindset 23:32 - Creating Challenges After Retirement 26:18 - Choosing Passion and Purpose 30:59 - Investor Insights: What Founders Must Know 32:54 - How to Lead with Purpose & Clarity 36:25 - Life Lessons from Losing Everything in a Fire 39:50 – Finding Freedom Within 10 Key Takeaways for Finding Freedom & Fulfillment Beyond Money 1. External success doesn't equal inner fulfillment. Financial wins feel good—but they rarely create the deep satisfaction we're truly seeking. 2. The success industry profits from your sense of not enough. Entrepreneurs are constantly sold the belief that the next achievement will finally make them happy. 3. Personal growth is the real engine of business growth. Your company can only expand to the level of your own self-awareness and development. 4. Fulfillment is available in the present moment. Freedom isn't something you achieve later - it's something you cultivate now. 5. Self-awareness creates genuine confidence. Seeing your strengths clearly - and owning your blind spots - accelerates your leadership. 6. Your limiting beliefs are not reality. Challenging your assumptions opens the door to new possibilities and breakthroughs. 7. Burnout undermines your whole ecosystem. Your team and your company feel the impact when you're depleted - renewal is non-negotiable. 8. Coachability and humility matter more than ego. Investors and partners look for leaders who are curious, adaptable, and willing to grow. 9. Loss can become a doorway to freedom. Releasing attachments to things reveals deeper sources of peace and inner security. 10. Lasting success is built on inner transformation. When you evolve on the inside, your relationships, leadership, and business naturally elevate. Favorite Quotes Your business can't grow if you don't. If I can build safety and security within me, without the house—that is liberating and powerful. What annoys us in another is a reflection of what's going on in us. Join Nicole Jansen for this powerful, eye-opening conversation with Mark Rampolla. Discover how to cultivate genuine freedom, fulfillment, and purpose - starting today - from the inside out. Episode Resources: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/business/548-freedom-over-fortune-life-lessons-from-zico-founder-mark-rampolla Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com ________ 📣 SUBSCRIBE to the Leaders of Transformation Podcast 👇 CONNECT with Nicole Jansen on Social Media ▶︎ YOUTUBE ▶︎ INSTAGRAM ▶︎ FACEBOOK ▶︎ LINKEDIN

If someone were to make a documentary about your life, what moments would you want them to highlight? In this heartfelt episode, Nicole Jansen sits down with master storyteller, creative entrepreneur, and Heritage Films founder Chance McClain. With a background as diverse as his documentaries—army veteran, sports radio pioneer, musician, and filmmaker -Chance McClain has crafted more than 800 cinematic documentaries dedicated to preserving family legacies. Together, Nicole Jansen and Chance McClain dive deep into the art of legacy storytelling, the healing power of forgiveness, and why capturing the nuances of real life transforms memory into meaningful heritage. Discover how documenting your life, no matter how imperfect, can serve as a gift to future generations, shape family values, and mark a new chapter for your family's story. What We Discuss in This Episode If a documentary were made about your life, what stories and moments would you want to include? How is Chance McClain's eclectic background helping him capture family legacies? Why do families need to document their stories now, not later, and how do imperfections make stories more valuable? What role does forgiveness play in transforming family histories and breaking negative cycles? What surprises emerge when interviewing family members, and how do vulnerability and authenticity deepen connection? How can any family, regardless of budget, begin documenting stories today? What role does technology and curiosity play in modern storytelling? How do family values and cycles repeat or change—and what choices do we need to make for transformation? What message does Chance McClain want to leave for his children and future generations? Practical resources and first steps for preserving your family's legacy. 10 Key Takeaways for Preserving Your Family's Legacy Your family's stories are not just anecdotes—they're vital carriers of values and lessons for future generations. Imperfection adds authenticity; it's better to record your story now than wait for the "perfect" time. Technology—from phones to AI—makes documenting memories easier than ever. Vulnerability and real moments, eye rolls included, transform documentaries into true heritage. Forgiveness breaks cycles, allowing families to heal and grow in new directions. Every family has hidden struggles; acknowledging them opens doors to deeper connection. Consciously choosing which stories and values to highlight sets new legacy standards. What you say about yourself (busy, tired, "hard") shapes your mindset and actions. Collaboration with loved ones enriches your family film and honors your unique story. Legacy means giving roots and wings: the truth of where you came from and the freedom to chart a new path. Favorite Quotes from Heritage Films Founder, Chance McClain "Forgiveness matters. At some point, you've got to just cut it and forgive." "It's not just the stories, it's the values you're really capturing." "If you take out the quirks, you're lying. Keep it real." "You can break cycles or continue them. It's a decision, and willpower is key." Episode Show Notes and Resources: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/relationships/547-every-family-has-a-story-the-power-of-heritage-films-with-chance-mcclain Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com ________ 📣 SUBSCRIBE to the Leaders of Transformation Podcast 👇 CONNECT with Nicole Jansen on Social Media ▶︎ YOUTUBE ▶︎ INSTAGRAM ▶︎ FACEBOOK ▶︎ LINKEDIN

What if the secret to thriving as a new manager is not found in your title, but in how you show up—day after day—for your peers and team? In this hands-on episode of Leaders of Transformation, we sit down with Noel Massie, former VP of US Delivery Operations at UPS and author of the essential guide Congrats! You've Been Promoted. Drawing on over forty years of frontline leadership, Noel Massie reveals what it really takes to succeed when you step into a supervisory role—no matter your age or experience. Sharing stories from UPS and practical wisdom for new managers, Noel Massie unpacks the core habits that set effective leaders apart: cultivating peer champions, learning from mentors, embracing patience, and investing in hands-on growth. This episode is jam-packed with actionable advice, role-play techniques, and concrete strategies to help you transition, inspire, and lead with confidence from day one. Whether you're newly promoted or preparing for your first management position, you'll find motivation, real-world examples, and a blueprint for turning your promotion into lasting impact. What We Discuss in this Episode The biggest mindset shift required for new managers. How "showing up" for others creates lasting influence in any organization. Why coaching and humility are indispensable for growth. What proactive steps every manager should take immediately after promotion. Real-world role plays: handling difficult team members and conflict—UPS style. The importance of embodied leadership values (not just policies). How to understand and align with your team's core motivators. Practical ways to build trust and respect on the front lines. Breaking through impatience and career plateaus as a leader. Feedback mechanisms for continual growth. Timestamps & Highlights 00:00 Leadership Tips for New Managers 06:22 Career Journey Growth Through Mentorship 08:59 Be a Team Player 11:44 Lessons from a Barbershop 15:17 Humility Fuels Entrepreneurial Growth 17:46 Success, Expectations and Control 22:15 Practical Leadership for Frontliners 25:41 Core Values and Boundaries 28:52 Servant Leadership Mindset Explained 30:19 Leadership Shifting Focus From Self 33:28 Effective Leadership Through Listening 37:13 Origins of Core Values 42:26 Leadership: A Transformative Progression 45:50 Bridging Leadership Culture Disconnects 48:04 Leadership Requires Frontline Support 50:38 Reflect on Leadership Feedback 10 Key Takeaways for New Managers Success begins with serving others—help your peers; they'll become your champions and advocates. Coaching is essential at every level; seek mentors and role models, and don't hesitate to learn from them. Be patient and humble; accept feedback and make corrections—that's how real growth happens. Give more than you expect to receive; generosity builds organizational trust and influence. Find out who excels in your team or company—study their habits and build relationships. After being promoted, invest in developing your leadership skills; don't wait for formal training. Role play and rehearse difficult scenarios so you're prepared for tough conversations. Make culture tangible by putting values like integrity, respect, and communication into daily action. Meet with your team members individually; discover their motivators and non-negotiables. Request honest feedback and commit to self-reflection—leadership is a continual discipline. Favorite Quotes "You can't hope to get more than you give." "Leadership isn't just a promotion—it's a discipline." "Culture is built at the top, but it's executed at the bottom." Ready to transform your approach and succeed as a new manager? Dig into this episode, grab Noel Massie's book, and start practicing—because real leadership is learned on the ground, one interaction at a time. Episode Resources https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/leadership/546-how-to-succeed-as-a-new-manager-lessons-from-ups-and-beyond-with-noel-massie Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com ________ 📣 SUBSCRIBE to the Leaders of Transformation Podcast 👇 CONNECT with Nicole Jansen on Social Media ▶︎ YOUTUBE ▶︎ INSTAGRAM ▶︎ FACEBOOK ▶︎ LINKEDIN

How do you turn a personal frustration into a $75 million brand—with no experience in the industry? In this episode of Leaders of Transformation, host Nicole Jansen interviews Justin Baer, founder of Collars & Co., who transformed a simple idea—a dress-collar polo shirt—into one of the fastest-growing luxury menswear brands in America. With no background in fashion and a long history of entrepreneurial experiments (and failures), Justin shares how he built a multimillion-dollar brand through relentless action, rapid testing, and the courage to launch imperfect ideas. His story of Shark Tank success and partnership with Mark Cuban reveals how persistence, timing, and customer feedback can turn a simple product into a household name. You'll learn: How to identify business opportunities from everyday frustrations Why "done" is better than "perfect" when launching a new product The power of storytelling and viral marketing (including the TikTok video made by his daughter) How to scale fast while staying true to your brand vision What it takes to go from side hustle to a $75 million business in just three years If you're an entrepreneur, innovator, or aspiring business leader, this conversation will inspire you to take action—before you feel ready—and trust the process of learning, testing, and growing along the way. 🎧 Tune in to discover how bold experimentation and faith in your vision can lead to extraordinary results. Episode Highlights 00:00 — Perfection Is the Enemy of Progress: Launch Before You're Ready 01:20 — From Frustration to Fashion: The Birth of Collars & Co. 03:35 — Going Viral: The TikTok Video That Changed Everything 04:39 — Overnight Success? The Truth Behind Years of Failures 05:54 — 50+ Business Ideas Later: How Failing Fast Led to Breakthrough 10:46 — Inside Shark Tank: What Really Happens Behind the Scenes 14:00 — Partnering with Mark Cuban: Lessons from a Billionaire Investor 16:01 — When You Know You Have a Hit: Handling Hype and Criticism 19:33 — The Pandemic Effect: Perfect Timing Meets Preparation 21:03 — Leadership Lessons: Reinvesting, Scaling, and Staying Obsessed 24:45 — Smart Growth: Knowing When (and When Not) to Cash Out 26:01 — Scaling Up: New Channels, Product Expansion & Brand Momentum 27:33 — Listen and Pivot: How Customer Feedback Drives Innovation 31:18 — First Sales, Fast Testing, and Building Credibility from Scratch 33:47 — Think Big, Start Small: The Blueprint for Sustainable Growth 35:40 — Final Takeaway: Transformation Begins When You Take Action Favorite Quotes On Failure: "You learn when you lose. If it doesn't work, this isn't going to be your only idea. You'll come up with thirty more." On Perfectionism: "The shirt we launched four years ago is nothing like the shirt we have now. I didn't want to wait three years to create a perfect product—I wanted a minimal viable product." On Customer Feedback: "It's being open to pivoting and listening to your customers really intently. Where is the pain that you can solve for people?" Enjoy this episode and remember: leaders of transformation don't wait for perfect—they take action, iterate, and learn their way to exponential impact. Connect with Justin Baer Website: https://collarsandco.com Instagram: @collarsandco Full Episode Show Notes: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/business/545-transforming-a-simple-idea-into-a-75m-success-story-with-justin-baer-founder-collars-co Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com ________ 📣 SUBSCRIBE to the Leaders of Transformation Podcast 👇 CONNECT with Nicole Jansen on Social Media ▶︎ YOUTUBE ▶︎ INSTAGRAM ▶︎ FACEBOOK ▶︎ LINKEDIN ▶︎ X

How can reframing your approach to talent, technology, and learning future-proof your entire organization? In this episode, Nicole Jansen sits down with Steve Cadigan—renowned talent strategist, former LinkedIn VP of Talent, and author of Workquake—to unlock what it means to truly lead in an era where work is being reinvented at lightning speed. Drawing on experience guiding LinkedIn through explosive growth, building world-class cultures, and advising the likes of Google and Harvard, Steve shares a bold blueprint for navigating AI, fostering "career security," and turning today's workplace challenges into tomorrow's breakthrough opportunities. Steve and Nicole challenge the status quo in how leaders approach AI, talent development, and organizational design. From leveraging AI to unleash human potential (not just cut costs), to building learning-centric cultures that attract and retain top talent—even in a world of short tenures and ever-evolving skills—this is essential listening for leaders ready to thrive in the future of work. Episode Timestamps 0:00 – Career Security vs. Job Security 1:40 – The Promise & Pitfalls of AI 4:10 – Asking Better AI Questions 9:24 – Discovering Hidden Talent 10:14 – Work Trends: Change & Upskilling 13:43 – AI Case Study: Prudential's Approach 16:07 – Rethinking Retention 21:13 – Learning Over Tenure 23:46 – Companies as Learning Hubs 31:14 – Growth Through New Challenges 34:09 – Embracing Experimentation 36:14 – Adaptability & Pandemic Lessons 41:13 – The Human Side of Tech 42:00 – Action Steps for Leaders 10 Key Takeaways Career Security Beats Job Security: The modern workforce values opportunities for growth over the false promise of long-term employment. Leaders that invest in employee learning build true loyalty and adaptability. AI is More Than Automation: Most companies only use AI to cut costs or replace jobs. Its real power lies in redefining work, solving new problems, and unlocking human creativity. Ask the Right Questions: "How can we use AI to rethink our work altogether?" opens far more potential than "How do we do this same process faster?" Hidden Talent Is Everywhere: Most organizations don't know the full extent of their people's skills. AI can help surface and map internal capabilities, opening up new pathways for growth and engagement. Experimentation Over Benchmarks: There are no established playbooks for this new era. Leading organizations experiment constantly—and learn quickly from the results. Retention is Out, "Returnship" is In: Rather than focusing on keeping people forever, forward-thinking companies build relationships that welcome alumni back and track who returns and why. Hire for Learning Agility: Technical skills expire fast; the ability to learn quickly is now the most sought-after trait in hiring and promotion. Break the Boxes: Job titles and prior roles excessively limit talent. When employees' true capabilities are surfaced, internal mobility and innovation soar. The Joy of Newness: Growth, engagement, and breakthrough innovation come from giving employees new challenges—even if they stretch comfort zones (and tenures are short). Reclaiming the Human Side of Tech: Leaders should use AI and digital tools to create more meaningful, joyful work experiences—not just greater efficiency. Ready to future-proof your organization? Dive in, get inspired, and take action. Episode Resources: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/business/544-unlocking-human-potential-with-ai-steve-cadigan Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com ________ 📣 SUBSCRIBE to the Leaders of Transformation Podcast 👇 CONNECT with Nicole Jansen on Social Media ▶︎ YOUTUBE ▶︎ INSTAGRAM ▶︎ FACEBOOK ▶︎ LINKEDIN ▶︎ X