Take Command: A Leadership Podcast

Mr. Wai Phyo is someone who has defined his leadership through grit, resilience, and a deep belief in people. When he took over his father’s instant noodle business at age 23 with only two years of experience, he faced a crisis that could have broken anyone. He says, “Grit is the single most important characteristic that separates the extraordinary from the ordinary… you have to acknowledge failure, embrace it, and overcome it.” Wai Phyo’s episode is filled with practical leadership insight. He shares how he moved from ego-driven expansion into unrelated businesses to focused, synergistic growth across food manufacturing, nationwide distribution, and technology. He explains why succession is “not a right, it’s a privilege,” and how building a culture of trust starts with the mindset of “this is our workplace.” He also reflects on Myanmar’s connection to How to Win Friends and Influence People, and how that philosophy shaped his people-first leadership style.

Wemimo Abbey is a purpose-driven entrepreneur transforming financial inclusion in the U.S. through Esusu, a fintech that helps renters build credit and access flexible payments. His leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in resilience, faith, and the principle of “falling forward” from failure. Abbey believes that meaningful impact comes from combining bold ambition with humility, saying, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." He shares vivid stories from his journey—from growing up in the slums of Lagos, Nigeria, to navigating predatory loans in the U.S., to building a billion-dollar company alongside his co-founder, Samir Goel. Abbey reveals how embracing failure, learning from each setback, and maintaining an unwavering focus on purpose can turn adversity into opportunity. Tune in for an episode packed with actionable insights on leadership, resilience, and building organizations that uplift communities.

Ivan Tornos is a purpose-driven CEO leading one of the world's top medtech companies, and his leadership philosophy was profoundly shaped by Dale Carnegie principles. Ivan brings his complete self to every challenge, balancing high-stakes results with genuine care for people, saying, "Great leaders are able to inspire performance and execute performance—that's my 4P model: Purpose, planning, people, and processes." Ivan shares powerful stories from his journey—from early family tragedies that ignited his healthcare passion to transforming Zimmer Biomet into a bold solutions innovator with partners like Arnold Schwarzenegger. He reveals his "winning in five dimensions" framework (spiritual, personal, physical, mental, professional) and hard-won wisdom: "What you're not gonna do is far more important than what you're gonna do." Tune in for an episode packed with actionable insights on authentic leadership, calendar discipline, and patient-first urgency.

Sanjay Gupta is someone who has balanced a high-stakes career as a practicing neurosurgeon and CNN Chief Medical Correspondent through curiosity, humility, and lifelong learning. He says, “Everyone's a teacher, if you allow them to be, and you should be a good student, a good and willing student, and then also teach at the same time when you can.” Sanjay’s episode is packed with amazing advice. He talks about Dale Carnegie's transformative impact on public speaking and relationships, the power of admitting "I don't know" to build collaboration, and brain health hacks like brisk walks over intense runs. Sanjay wants others to thrive, saying, “What Dale Carnegie really taught me: It's not that hard to do, it's just that most people don't—spend the extra minute building someone up.” Tune in for this and other shining nuggets of Sanjay’s wisdom.

Danica Patrick has built a career defined by fearless choices, relentless drive, and embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth. She shares, “Ignorance is bliss... you don’t know what to be afraid of then,” reflecting on her bold decision at 16 to race in England. This special 100th episode of Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast is packed with inspiration. Danica opens up about building confidence through tough decisions, trusting your potential even when the path is uncertain, and staying resilient by loving what you do. She champions action over hesitation, saying, “Always saying yes to the hard steps.” Tune in for her raw stories and timeless insights on the Take Command podcast.