Storytelling shapes leadership, builds trust, and creates lasting change.

On this episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, Fatu Kaba, a Liberian peace activist, entrepreneur, and author, shares how storytelling became her most powerful tool. From surviving civil war to advocating for marginalized voices, she discusses how truth-telling challenges systems, fosters inclusion, and strengthens leadership.

Fatu explains why leaders who embrace storytelling create deeper connections, inspire action, and build organizations that stand for something greater. She also reflects on the impact of performative inclusion, the importance of listening, and the courage it takes to create real change.

More about Fatu Kaba: https://www.heartsglobal.ca

More about Dan Pontefract: https://www.danpontefract.com

Liberian Peace Activist and Entrepreneur Fatu Kaba and the Importance of Storytelling

The workforce is aging, but many leaders are still acting as if nothing has changed.

On this episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, CEO and author Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, a global expert on gender, generational shifts, and longevity, unpacks what organizations must do to stay ahead. 

She explains why age diversity is a leadership blind spot, how demographic shifts are reshaping talent strategies, and what wise leaders are doing to future-proof their organizations.

Avivah challenges outdated assumptions about work, career longevity, and leadership. She explores the opportunities that come with longer, multi-stage careers—and why companies that fail to adapt will struggle to compete.

More about Avivah Wittenberg-Cox: https://www.avivahwittenbergcox.com/

More about Dan Pontefract: https://www.danpontefract.com/

Are Leaders Ready for an Aging Workforce? Featuring CEO and Author Avivah Wittenberg-Cox

Rigid leadership is failing us—especially now. On this episode of Leadership NOW, Dan Pontefract speaks with bestselling author and leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry about his latest book, "Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence."

Eikenberry argues persuasively that leaders trapped in habitual thinking or overly reliant on personality labels miss opportunities to adapt effectively in today’s complex world. 

He introduces the concept of “flexors”—leadership decisions that require intentional flexibility rather than automatic, comfort-driven reactions.

In this lively conversation, Eikenberry outlines why flexibility is no longer optional, explains the practical skills and habits leaders must adopt, and offers clear advice to move beyond rigidity into intentional, adaptive leadership.

For more about Kevin and his book, including a gift, visit:
	•	https://www.kevineikenberry.com/flexible
	•	https://www.kevineikenberry.com/gift

More about Dan Pontefract at https://www.danpontefract.com/

Author Kevin Eikenberry Wants Leaders to Stop Clinging to Habit

Rose Fass, founder of Fass Forward Consulting Group and former CTO at Xerox, joins Dan Pontefract on Leadership NOW to discuss why organizations repeatedly overlook the crucial layer of middle management.

Rose reveals the critical role of the "messy middle" in translating strategy into execution and why senior leaders must meaningfully engage rather than ignore these vital managers. She explains how genuine, unscripted conversations—not PowerPoint decks—lead to successful transformation, and underscores why wisdom and innovation have no age limit.

It's a powerful conversation that challenges the status quo about middle managers and the real nature of leadership.

More about Rose Fass at: https://www.fassforward.com/
More about Dan Pontefract at: https://www.danpontefract.com/

75-Year-Old Founder Rose Fass Wants Leaders to Stop Ignoring the Messy Middle

In this insightful episode of Leadership NOW, Dan sits down with entrepreneur and acclaimed author Faisal Hoque to discuss the transformative power—and hidden perils—of artificial intelligence. Drawing from his latest book, "TRANSCEND: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI," Faisal explores why the greatest leadership challenge today is balancing AI’s vast potential with human judgment, ethics, and dignity.

Faisal and Dan dive deep into practical frameworks leaders can immediately use to guide AI ethically and strategically. From addressing algorithmic bias to maintaining authentic human connections in increasingly automated workplaces, they unpack why leadership in the AI age demands clarity, compassion, and purpose.

Join this critical conversation to learn how to ensure your organization’s smartest technologies amplify human strengths rather than undermine them.

For more about Faisal Hoque visit: https://faisalhoque.com/
For more about Dan Pontefract visit: https://www.danpontefract.com/

Author Faisal Hoque on Preserving Humanity in the Artificial Intelligence Era

Gary Officer, President and CEO of CWI Labs, joins Dan Pontefract on Leadership NOW to discuss why organizations repeatedly overlook older workers—and why it's strategically and socially damaging. 

Officer explains how ageism impacts organizational productivity, innovation, and culture. He debunks common myths around older employees' technological skills, health care costs, and salary expectations, offering compelling insights and examples of successful intergenerational teams. 

This episode highlights why age inclusiveness isn't simply about fairness; it's a crucial competitive advantage.

For more information about Gary A. Officer visit: https://www.cwilabs.org/
For more information about Dan Pontefract visit: https://www.danpontefract.com/

CEO Gary Officer Wants Organizations to Stop Ignoring Older Workers

Maureen Wiley Clough, seasoned technology leader and host of the podcast It Gets Late Early, joins Dan Pontefract on Leadership NOW to discuss the overlooked yet costly issue of ageism in today’s workplaces. 

Clough highlights why age diversity isn’t simply an ethical responsibility but a strategic advantage. She dismantles harmful myths about older employees’ technological capability, cost, and adaptability, and provides actionable insights for leaders on cultivating meaningful intergenerational mentorship and organizational resilience.

If your organization values inclusion, it’s time to start genuinely including older employees.

More about Maureen Wiley Clough: https://www.itgetslateearly.com/
More about Dan Pontefract: https://www.danpontefract.com

Ageism is Hurting Your Organization with Maureen Wiley Clough

When companies go through a merger or acquisition, most leaders obsess over financials and spreadsheets. But according to Jennifer Fondrevay—founder of Day1 Ready and author of Now What?—the real failure happens when leadership ignores people. 

In this episode of Leadership NOW, we explore what really drives post-acquisition chaos, the arrogance of deal-making, and why culture buddies and pre-mortems are essential to getting it right. 

If your company is planning a deal, this conversation is your human integration blueprint.

More information about Jennifer Fondrevay at https://jenniferjfondrevay.com/
More information about Dan Pontefract at https://www.danpontefract.com/

Jennifer Fondrevay on Fixing the Human Side of M&A

Maria Franzoni has booked Neil Armstrong and Liza Minnelli—and mentored hundreds of speakers in between. In this episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, she explains what separates the truly bookable speaker from the rest, and how those same principles apply to leadership, business, and long-term impact.

We explore how speaker bureaus are evolving in an AI-enabled world, what event organizers actually want, and why celebrity status means far less than clarity, value, and being frictionless to work with. Maria also walks through her new model, The Bookability Formula, and why the most successful speakers aren’t always the most famous—they’re the most useful.

This is a masterclass in leadership positioning disguised as a conversation about keynote speaking. If you want to lead with more presence, pitch with more purpose, or build influence that lasts, you’ll want to listen through to the end.

Learn more:
Maria Franzoni: https://www.mariafranzoni.me
Dan Pontefract: https://www.danpontefract.com


Maria Franzoni on Bookability and Leading in the Speaking Industry

What does it take to go from “nice-to-have” to non-negotiable?

In this episode of Leadership NOW, Dan Pontefract sits down with Christa Haberstock—founder of See Agency and Bookable Speakers, and author of Become a Bookable Speaker. 

Together, they unpack what it means to lead with an “obvious advantage”—the kind of value that gets you rebooked, respected, and remembered.

From her early days selling keynote talent on 100% commission to building a cohort-based model for speaker development, Christa shares what leaders and speakers alike often miss: it’s not just about telling a story—it’s about solving a problem others can’t. 

Clarity, community, strategic partnerships, and purpose aren’t just concepts—they’re prerequisites for relevance.

For more information about Christa Haberstock, visit: https://bookablespeakers.com/the-book
For more information about Dan Pontefract, visit: https://www.danpontefract.com

Christa Haberstock on Being Bookable as a Speaker

Dan Pontefract is an award-winning author, leadership strategist, and culture change expert. Dan's podcast explores all aspects of leadership, organizational culture, purpose, and professional development. 
 
Dan is the best-selling author of five books: WORK-LIFE BLOOM, LEAD. CARE. WIN., OPEN TO THINK, THE PURPOSE EFFECT, and FLAT ARMY. A renowned speaker, Dan has presented at four different TED events and also writes for Forbes and Harvard Business Review. Dan is an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria, Gustavson School of Business, and has garnered more than 20 industry awards over his career.
 
Previously, as Chief Envisioner and Chief Learning Officer at TELUS—a Canadian telecommunications company with revenues of $14 billion and 50,000 global employees—he launched the Transformation Office, the TELUS MBA, and the TELUS Leadership Philosophy, all award-winning initiatives that dramatically helped to increase the company’s employee engagement to record levels of nearly 90%. Prior to TELUS, he held senior roles at SAP, Business Objects, and BCIT. He is honoured to be on the Thinkers50 radar list.

New tracks tagged #Dan Pontefract