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From The Top with Chad Hesters: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Boyden
From The Top with Chad Hesters is the podcast for mid-cap, family-owned, privately held, and larger organizations facing big decisions about leadership, succession, and hiring the right people. I’m Chad Hesters, executive search partner, leadership advisor, and former U.S. Naval Intelligence Officer. Each month, I sit down with CEOs, founders, board members, and leadership experts to discuss the real challenges of finding and hiring the leaders who can move a business forward and the ever-changing landscape that is the world. You won’t hear corporate jargon or fluffy theories here. Just honest stories, lessons learned, and practical advice you can use. If you’re a decision-maker who wants to avoid expensive hiring mistakes, make smarter leadership decisions and have a better understanding of the world, this show’s for you. Subscribe now to From The Top with Chad Hesters, and let’s get to work. https://www.boyden.com/
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 weeks ago32 min
Are We Preparing Students for the Real World with John Pellman
In this episode of From the Top with Chad Hesters, host Chad Hesters sits down with Dr. John Pellman, CEO and Founding Member of Capital College and Career Academy, to explore why 65% of high school graduates need an alternative to four-year degrees, how to build sustainable workforce development partnerships that benefit employers and students alike, and the key strategies to transform education from a college-obsessed system into one that prepares young people for real-world careers. Whether you're a business leader concerned about workforce talent pipelines, an HR executive seeking entry-level talent, or a CEO rethinking how your company develops tomorrow's workforce, this conversation offers strategic insights into bridging the skills gap. Tune in to discover how intentional career education and employer partnerships can solve one of America's most pressing talent challenges—and why the European apprenticeship model might hold answers for American business.
- Sep 23, 202633 min
Inside the Rise of a $60B Space Force Organization with Alan Brechbill
What if the most advanced technology in the world still runs on relationships? In this episode of From the Top with Chad Hesters, host Chad Hesters sits down with Captain Alan Brechbill, a 28-year Navy intelligence veteran who helped architect the U.S. Space Force from a blank sheet of paper, to explore how you build consequential organizations in high-stakes environments, why influence matters more than authority when leading across organizational boundaries, and the critical role face-to-face relationships play in driving complex initiatives forward. Whether you're standing up a new division, navigating matrix leadership, or scaling operations in emerging markets, this conversation reveals the unglamorous truth behind building billion-dollar enterprises and why your next critical win might depend on a cup of coffee, not a process. Tune in to discover how servant leadership and strategic relationship-building can transform how you lead in an increasingly complex world.
- Aug 25, 202630 min
Why AI Metrics Are Misleading Leaders Every Day with Elaine Barsoom
What if the strategy that looks perfect on paper actually fails in execution? In this episode, Chad Hesters sits down with Elaine Barsoom, Founder of waveco.ia and an architect of organizational transformation who's guided teams from American Express to Nike through digital disruption and AI adoption, to explore why execution is the real differentiator, how to build repeatable frameworks without stifling agility, and the critical leadership decisions that determine success or failure when implementing emerging technology. Whether you're navigating digital transformation, scaling AI initiatives, or bridging the gap between vision and results, this conversation reveals the people, processes, and culture shifts required to actually move the needle and the costly mistakes that happen when leaders skip the hard work of organizational change.
- Jun 23, 202635 min
Why Grit Is Killing Your High Performers And What Elite Teams Do Instead | Dr. Amy Athey
What if the difference between burnout and sustained high performance came down to four fundamental skills? In this episode, Chad Hesters sits down with Dr. Amy Athey, a performance psychologist who's spent 25+ years helping everyone from Navy SEALs to Fortune 500 executives show up at their best, to explore why most leaders miss the holistic approach to performance, how the "four C's" (Composed, Clarity, Connect, and Courageous Action) apply to your executive role, and the critical distinction between grit and what Dr. Athey calls "psychotic grit." Whether you're navigating high-stakes boardroom decisions or leading through uncertainty, this conversation reveals why wellness and performance psychology aren't luxuries, they're competitive advantages that extend careers, prevent burnout, and unlock sustainable excellence.
- Apr 13, 202624 min
Startup to Stewardship: How a family business was Built to Matter with Josephine Sukkar
What if the secret to scaling a billion-dollar business came down to one principle: never let your people feel the fear you felt on day one? In this episode of From the Top with Chad Hesters, host Chad Hesters sits down with Josephine Sukkar AM, co-founder of construction powerhouse Buildcorp, to explore how intentional, controlled growth builds lasting culture, why family business partnerships require evolving together, and how boards can balance governance with entrepreneurial courage. Whether you're navigating geographic expansion, building risk frameworks around big ideas, or scaling a family-owned enterprise, Josephine's 35-year journey reveals the strategies that transform startups into industry leaders—and why your market value is the sum of your experiences, not your title.
- Feb 19, 202630 min
The ROI of Psychological Safety in Business with Donald Thompson
From starting as "employee number seven" at a startup to becoming a multi-exit entrepreneur and award-winning CEO, Donald Thompson shares his blueprint for elite leadership. In this conversation with Chad Hesters, discover how "hustling with humility," fostering psychological safety, and leading with empathy drive organizational success. Learn valuable lessons on making tough decisions, navigating the age of AI, and building resilient teams that communicate effectively regardless of rank.
- Jan 15, 202637 min
Navigating the Complex World of Global Sports with Jonny Gray
What makes a leader truly effective in high-stakes, complex environments? In this episode, Chad Hesters sits down with Jonny Gray, a global sports executive and former military commander, to explore how to lead through uncertainty, manage competing stakeholder interests, and build resilient teams when the stakes—and emotions—run exceptionally high. Whether you're navigating regulatory challenges, managing personalities larger than life, or steering organizational change, this conversation reveals the timeless leadership principles that work across sectors and the critical lessons learned from commanding in the field to the boardroom.
- Nov 6, 202533 min
Curiosity vs Expertise Why Leaders Are Generalists with Xenia Wickett Founder of Wickett Advisory
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, successful leadership requires a combination of curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to balance specialist expertise with generalist perspectives. In this episode of From the Top, host Chad Hesters speaks with Xenia Wickett, founder of Wickett Advisory and former leader at prestigious institutions including Chatham House and the US National Security Council. They explore the evolving demands on modern leaders and how to develop the essential skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex global environment.
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About From The Top with Chad Hesters
From The Top with Chad Hesters is the podcast for mid-cap, family-owned, privately held, and larger organizations facing big decisions about leadership, succession, and hiring the right people. I’m Chad Hesters, executive search partner, leadership advisor, and former U.S. Naval Intelligence Officer. Each month, I sit down with CEOs, founders, board members, and leadership experts to discuss the real challenges of finding and hiring the leaders who can move a business forward and the ever-changing landscape that is the world. You won’t hear corporate jargon or fluffy theories here. Just honest stories, lessons learned, and practical advice you can use. If you’re a decision-maker who wants to avoid expensive hiring mistakes, make smarter leadership decisions and have a better understanding of the world, this show’s for you. Subscribe now to From The Top with Chad Hesters, and let’s get to work. https://www.boyden.com/
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