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Deep Leadership: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Jon S. Rennie
“Leadership is a People Business.” That's the philosophy of this leadership podcast from Jon Rennie. It's real-world, actionable advice from Jon as well as his expert guests. As a former Cold War Submarine Officer who spent 22 years leading businesses in Corporate America before starting his own manufacturing business, he knows that leadership matters!
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago37 min
#0440 – Stop Managing People and Start Building Owners with Greg Hawks
Stop Managing People and Start Building Owners Most leaders spend their careers trying to manage people. What if the real goal isn't better management... but building owners? In this episode of the Deep Leadership podcast, I sit down with keynote speaker, leadership advisor, and bestselling author Greg Hawks to explore why ownership is the missing ingredient in so many organizations. Greg shares his powerful Owners, Renters, and Vandals framework and explains how leaders unintentionally create disengaged employees by limiting autonomy, discouraging contribution, and rewarding compliance over commitment. We also discuss how great leaders unlock ownership through trust, accountability, meaningful recognition, and a culture where people think beyond their own department and begin acting in the best interest of the entire organization. If you're a leader who wants to build a high-performing culture where people take initiative, solve problems, and genuinely care about the mission, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately. In this episode, you'll learn: The difference between owners, renters, and vandals in the workplace Why most employees start with an owner's mindset and what causes them to lose it How leaders unintentionally create disengaged teams Five practical ways to unlock ownership in your people Why accountability is a gift, not a punishment The power of specific recognition and intrinsic motivation How to eliminate silos by helping leaders think "whole house" instead of protecting their own department Why ownership is a mindset that transforms both leadership and life Whether you lead a small business, a Fortune 500 team, a nonprofit, or you're preparing for your first leadership role, this conversation will challenge you to stop managing people and start building owners. Connect with Greg Hawks : Website: https://www.greghawks.com/ Book: https://amzn.to/4bbnwVc Subscribe to Deep Leadership: If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe and share it with someone who wants to become a better leader. Sponsors: Cadre of Men Farrow Skin Care Salty Sailor Coffee Company Leader Connect The Qualified Leadership Series ____ Get all of Jon Rennie's bestselling leadership books for 15% off the regular price today! HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 2 weeks ago36 min
#0439 – Why Working Harder Is Making You Less Effective with Alex Davids
Why Working Harder Is Making You Less Effective | Alex Davids Most leaders believe the path to better results is simple: work harder, stay busy, and push through. But what if that mindset is actually making you less effective? In this episode of the Deep Leadership podcast, I sit down with performance expert Alex Davids to explore the neuroscience behind sustainable high performance. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies and fast-growing startups, Alex explains why our brains weren't designed for constant busyness and how recovery, focus, and intentional space are essential for better leadership. We discuss why so many leaders mistake activity for productivity, how constant distraction quietly drains cognitive performance, and why your best ideas often appear only after you stop trying so hard. We also explore what AI means for the future of leadership and why our uniquely human ability to think deeply may become our greatest competitive advantage. If you've ever ended a day mentally exhausted despite never leaving your desk, this conversation will change how you think about work. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why working harder often leads to worse results• The neuroscience behind cognitive recovery and deep thinking• How constant distraction steals your energy and creativity• Why your best ideas happen when you stop forcing them• How AI is changing leadership and the value of human thinking• Practical ways to improve focus, decision-making, and sustainable performance Connect with Alex Davids: Website: https://nextevolutionperformance.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/high-performance-coach-alexandra-davids-neperform/ Subscribe to Deep Leadership: If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe and share it with someone who wants to become a better leader. Sponsors: Cadre of Men Farrow Skin Care Salty Sailor Coffee Company Leader Connect The Qualified Leadership Series ____ Get all of Jon Rennie's bestselling leadership books for 15% off the regular price today! HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 25, 202637 min
#0438 – Why the Best Leaders Never Planned to Be Leaders with Jessie Hathcock
Most people think great leaders have always dreamed of being in charge. But what if the opposite is true? In this episode of Deep Leadership, I sit down with Jessie Hathcock, President of The Loading Dock and founder of Scale Simple, to explore how purpose, humility, and service shape exceptional leaders. Jessie shares her remarkable journey from middle school teacher and nonprofit leader to leading one of North Carolina's most successful coworking communities through the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss why the best leaders often never planned to lead, how a clear personal mission can guide difficult decisions, why culture matters more than credentials, and how businesses can become powerful forces for good. If you're leading a team, building a company, or simply trying to make a greater impact, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why many of the best leaders never sought the title• How purpose becomes an anchor during uncertainty• Why mission, vision, and values matter more than ever• How great leaders build cultures where people thrive• Why hiring for values often beats hiring for experience• How businesses can create lasting impact while still growing profitably Jessie Hathcock’s Resources: The Loading Dock: https://www.theloadingdock.com/ Scale Simple: https://scale-simple.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessie-hathcock-7049a5b2/ Subscribe to Deep Leadership: If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe and share it with someone who wants to become a better leader. Sponsors: Cadre of Men Farrow Skin Care Salty Sailor Coffee Company Leader Connect The Qualified Leadership Series ____ Get all of Jon Rennie's bestselling leadership books for 15% off the regular price today! HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 20, 202636 min
#0437 – Your Body Knows You’re Burned Out Before You Do with Melissa Gonzalez
Your Body Knows You're Burned Out Before You Do What if the warning signs of burnout show up long before you recognize them? In this episode of Deep Leadership, I sit down with Melissa Gonzalez, author of The Purpose Pivot, to explore why so many high achievers ignore the signals their bodies are sending them until it's too late. After a life-threatening health crisis forced her to stop, Melissa discovered that true leadership isn't about pushing harder. It's about learning to recognize the difference between healthy ambition and unsustainable hustle. We discuss why burnout isn't a badge of honor, how purpose evolves throughout your career, and why listening to your intuition may be one of the most important leadership skills you can develop. Melissa also shares practical tools, including her "energy audit," to help leaders identify what fuels them, what drains them, and how to make meaningful changes before a crisis forces the issue. If you've ever felt exhausted, stuck, or wondered whether it's time for a change, this conversation will help you rethink what success really means and how to build a career that is both impactful and sustainable. In this episode, you'll learn: Why your body often recognizes burnout before your mind does The hidden cost of hustle culture and constant busyness How to tell the difference between positive and negative stress Why purpose naturally changes throughout your career How an "energy audit" can reveal what's draining you Practical ways to pivot without turning your life upside down How sustainable leaders create greater long-term impact Melissa Gonzalez’s Resources: Book: https://amzn.to/4oMR2X2 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purposepivotwithmelissa/?hl=en Subscribe to Deep Leadership: If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe and share it with someone who wants to become a better leader. Sponsors: Cadre of Men Farrow Skin Care Salty Sailor Coffee Company Leader Connect The Qualified Leadership Series ____ Get all of Jon Rennie's bestselling leadership books for 15% off the regular price today! HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 4, 202641 min
#0436 – Why the Best Leaders Stop Trying to Control Everything with Yining Wang
Stop trying to control everything. Most leaders believe their job is to control outcomes, manage every detail, and have all the answers. But what if that mindset is actually making leadership harder? In this episode, Yining Wang joins me to discuss why the best leaders stop trying to control everything and instead focus on developing inner clarity, self-awareness, and purpose. Drawing on his experience advising leaders around the world, Yining explains how fear, uncertainty, and the need for control can cloud judgment and create unnecessary stress. We also explore resilience, entrepreneurship, the future of leadership in an AI-driven world, and why leaders who stay grounded in their values are better equipped to navigate change and uncertainty. If you're feeling overwhelmed by constant demands, rapid change, or the pressure to have all the answers, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership and decision-making. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the need for control can undermine leadership effectiveness How inner clarity leads to better decisions under pressure The connection between purpose, resilience, and long-term success Why entrepreneurs must learn to embrace uncertainty How AI is changing the future of leadership and work Practical ways to stay grounded in a noisy and rapidly changing world Yining Wang’s Resources: Website: https://sincerealignmentgroup.com/ Subscribe to Deep Leadership: If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe and share it with someone who wants to become a better leader. Sponsors: Cadre of Men Farrow Skin Care Salty Sailor Coffee Company Leader Connect The Qualified Leadership Series ____ Get all of Jon Rennie's bestselling leadership books for 15% off the regular price today! HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- May 30, 202641 min
#0435 – Why Your Excuses Are Holding You Back with Patrick Engasser
Why Your Excuses Are Holding You Back What if the biggest thing standing between you and success isn't your circumstances, your competition, or your limitations... but the excuses you've accepted as truth? In this episode of Deep Leadership, I sit down with Patrick Engasser, bestselling author, business coach, motivational speaker, and former top-performing sales leader. Patrick has been blind since birth, yet he built a remarkable career leading sales teams, coaching entrepreneurs, and helping leaders achieve extraordinary results. Patrick shares how he transformed what many would see as a limitation into a competitive advantage, why mindset always comes before strategy, and how leaders can stop letting obstacles define their future. We also discuss the power of relationships, the importance of leading by example, and why people follow leaders who do hard things when no one is watching. If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or limited by your circumstances, this conversation will challenge the way you think about adversity and inspire you to take action. In this episode, you'll learn: • How to turn your biggest challenge into your greatest advantage• Why mindset must change before results can change• The hidden cost of excuses in leadership and life• How great leaders build trust through relationships• Why people follow actions, not words• Practical habits that help high performers stay focused and resilient• How to lead yourself before leading others Patrick's story is a powerful reminder that our limitations rarely determine our future. The stories we tell ourselves do. Patrick Engasser’s Resources: Website: https://patrickengasser.com/ Free Strategy Session: https://talkwithpatrick.com/ Subscribe to Deep Leadership: If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe and share it with someone who wants to become a better leader. Sponsors: Cadre of Men Farrow Skin Care Salty Sailor Coffee Company Leader Connect The Qualified Leadership Series ____ Get all of Jon Rennie's bestselling leadership books for 15% off the regular price today! HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- May 21, 202643 min
#0434 – Why High-Trust Teams Outperform Everyone Else with Dr. Dennis Reina & Dr. Michelle Reina
What makes people trust a leader? And why do some teams thrive under pressure while others fall apart? In this episode of Deep Leadership, I sit down with trust experts Dr. Michelle Reina and Dr. Dennis Reina, co-founders of Reina Trust Building and authors of The Art of Trust Building, to explore the real impact trust has on leadership, culture, and performance. We dive deep into: Why high-trust teams consistently outperform low-trust teams The hidden damage caused by micromanagement The three dimensions of trust every leader must understand How leaders unintentionally break trust What it takes to rebuild trust after betrayal or failure Why trust begins with self-trust How great leaders create environments where people thrive Michelle and Dennis bring more than 30 years of research and real-world experience helping organizations build stronger cultures through trust. This conversation is packed with practical leadership insights you can apply immediately with your team, your company, and your own leadership journey. If you want better communication, stronger accountability, a healthier culture, and higher-performing teams, this episode is for you. Dr. Dennis Reina & Dr. Michelle Reina’s Resources: Website: https://reinatrustbuilding.com/ Free Assessment: https://assessments.reinatrustbuilding.com/its/register Book: https://amzn.to/4tISdHH LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellereina/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisreina/ Subscribe to Deep Leadership: If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe and share it with someone who wants to become a better leader. Sponsors: Cadre of Men Farrow Skin Care Salty Sailor Coffee Company Leader Connect The Qualified Leadership Series ____ Get all of Jon Rennie's bestselling leadership books for 15% off the regular price today! HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- May 17, 202638 min
#0433 – Why Innovation Fails Without the Right People with Dr. Bruce Vojak
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 technology The connection between innovation and organizational resilience How great leaders create cultures where ideas can surface Why some employees can “see patterns” others miss The hidden innovators already inside your company How mature industries can still create breakthrough innovation Why introverts often become powerful innovators The 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. Dr. Bruce Vojak’s Resources: Website: https://www.breakthrough-innovation-advisors.com/ Books: https://amzn.to/4nwDUoa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bvojak/ Subscribe to Deep Leadership: If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe and share it with someone who wants to become a better leader. Sponsors: Cadre of Men Farrow Skin Care Salty Sailor Coffee Company Leader Connect The Qualified Leadership Series ____ Get all of Jon Rennie's bestselling leadership books for 15% off the regular price today! HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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About Deep Leadership
“Leadership is a People Business.” That's the philosophy of this leadership podcast from Jon Rennie. It's real-world, actionable advice from Jon as well as his expert guests. As a former Cold War Submarine Officer who spent 22 years leading businesses in Corporate America before starting his own manufacturing business, he knows that leadership matters!
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