Are you ready to discover what happens when bold leadership and innovation come together? In this episode of the Grow Think Tank podcast, I sit down with Jeff Lu, Founder & CEO at Akool, an AI-powered video platform that has skyrocketed with an unbelievable 37,000% revenue growth. AKOOL is the No.1 on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list. Jeff pulls back the curtain on how he’s blending cutting-edge AI with video production while building a culture where creativity, risk-taking, and open communication thrive. We talk about why psychological safety is the foundation of breakthrough ideas, how collaborations with academic institutions fuel innovation, and why transparency is key to driving team accountability. Jeff also shares how leaders can transform failures into learning opportunities and why meticulous execution is just as important as visionary thinking. If you’re a leader who wants to inspire innovation and turn it into real business growth, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

In this episode, I explore the mindset of the Controlling Leader — the CEO who struggles to let go. As companies scale, many leaders believe their constant involvement is essential for maintaining efficiency, but this need for control often stifles growth and burns out both the leader and their team.

I highlight the importance of effective delegation and how empowering others builds the autonomy needed for long-term success. I challenge listeners to reflect on their own micromanagement tendencies and introduce an upcoming training on five essential steps to create self-sustaining businesses.

To evolve from a Controlling Leader into a strategic, visionary one, letting go is not just an option — it’s a necessity for building a thriving, resilient culture.

In this episode of the Grow Think Tank podcast, I sit down with Brittany Latson, Managing Partner, Account and Operations at HashtagHealth, to talk about what it really means to be Leading with Integrity. HashtagHealth No.3,091 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list. Brittany shares how integrity guides her leadership style and shapes a people-first culture—one that prioritizes collaboration, supports working parents, and builds strong, ethical client relationships in the pharmaceutical sector. She explains how her unique blend of ‘tough love’ and genuine guidance empowers her team’s growth while keeping values at the forefront. We also discuss HashtagHealth’s recent acquisition and how compassionate leadership and a strong culture are helping expand their mission to improve healthcare communication. This conversation is a powerful example of how Leading with Integrity drives both business success and meaningful impact.