Deep Leadership

Most companies think innovation is about technology, strategy, or process. Dr. Bruce Vojak says they’re wrong. In this episode of Deep Leadership, Jon Rennie sits down with innovation expert Dr. Bruce Vojak to explore why innovation succeeds or fails based on the people inside the organization. Drawing from decades of experience at companies like Motorola and from his research on “serial innovators,” Bruce explains how breakthrough ideas actually happen and why mature companies must innovate if they want to survive. They discuss: Why innovation is more than creativity or new technologyThe connection between innovation and organizational resilienceHow great leaders create cultures where ideas can surfaceWhy some employees can “see patterns” others missThe hidden innovators already inside your companyHow mature industries can still create breakthrough innovationWhy introverts often become powerful innovatorsThe leadership mistakes that quietly kill innovation If you lead a business, manage a team, or want your organization to stay competitive in a rapidly changing world, this conversation is packed with practical insight. Dr. Bruce Vojak is the co-author of No Excuses Innovation and Serial Innovators and advises organizations on building sustainable innovation cultures that drive long-term success.

Most leadership advice tells you to “just be authentic.” But what happens when the workplace pressures you to become someone else? In this episode of Deep Leadership, I sit down with leadership coach, consultant, and author Dr. Rashida Leverett to explore why authentic leadership is so difficult in today’s workplace. Drawing from over 30 years of experience in the military, government, higher education, and corporate leadership, Rashida explains how many leaders struggle with what she calls “identity fragmentation” — becoming one person at work and another everywhere else. We discuss: Why middle managers are often the most overlooked leaders in organizationsThe trust gap created when leaders say one thing but do anotherHow leaders lose credibility without realizing itWhy self-awareness and emotional intelligence matter more than everRashida’s “Four Sights of Visionary Leadership” framework: foresight, insight, hindsight, and oversightHow to integrate your values into leadership without becoming performative or preachy This conversation is packed with practical leadership wisdom for anyone trying to lead with integrity, clarity, and conviction in a complicated world.

What happens when AI enters the workplace at full speed? In this episode of Deep Leadership, I sit down with futurist, bestselling author, and workplace expert Jacob Morgan to discuss why the future of work will reward high performers more than ever before. We explore the return of accountability in the workplace, the growing divide between high performers and average contributors, and why AI won’t replace the best employees—it will amplify them. Jacob also shares insights from his new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, including: Why “entitlement culture” at work is endingHow AI will reshape leadership and employee experienceWhy accountability is making a comebackThe future of hybrid work and workplace flexibilityHow leaders can use AI to amplify humanity instead of replacing itWhat employees must do now to stay valuable in the AI era This conversation is a wake-up call for leaders, employees, and anyone thinking about the future of work. If you want to stay relevant, future-ready, and valuable in the age of AI, don’t miss this episode.

The Networking Mistake That Could Cost You Your Career What happens when you lose your job… and realize you have nobody to call? In this episode of Deep Leadership, I sit down with networking expert and author Greg Roche to discuss why so many professionals wait too long to build meaningful relationships and how that mistake can quietly damage careers. Greg shares how losing his HR leadership role forced him to rethink networking completely. As an introvert, traditional networking events felt awkward, exhausting, and ineffective. So he developed a different approach built around authentic one-on-one relationships instead of cold conversations and crowded mixers. We also dive into why connection inside organizations matters more than compensation, why employees leave when they feel disconnected, and how leaders can create stronger cultures through intentional relationships. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable networking, struggled to maintain professional relationships, or realized your network isn’t as strong as it should be, this conversation is packed with practical advice you can use immediately. In this episode: Why most people build their network too lateThe introvert-friendly approach to networkingHow to reconnect with old contacts naturallyWhy trust-based relationships improve retentionThe hidden reason employees leave organizationsSimple ways leaders can build stronger workplace connections

Why do smart people get things so wrong? In this episode of Deep Leadership, I sit down with Professor Peter Lamont to explore a powerful idea: it’s not what you think that matters most—it’s how you think. We dive into his concept of Radical Thinking—a different approach to critical thinking that challenges you to examine the roots of your beliefs. Peter explains why every one of us is operating from a limited view of reality, shaped by what we notice—and what we miss. If you're a leader, this conversation will challenge how you make decisions, how you communicate, and how you understand others. Because leadership is a people business—and people see the world in very different ways. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your view of the world is always incompleteWhat Radical Thinking really means (and why it matters)How echo chambers and algorithms shape your thinkingWhy curiosity matters more than being rightHow better thinking leads to better leadership If you want to make better decisions, lead more effectively, and see the bigger picture—this episode is for you.