In this episode of Leadership Story Talks, hosts Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan engage with Gary Danoff, an executive coach and former leader at Google and Microsoft.

The conversation explores Gary's formative experiences, particularly his childhood insights into human behavior and communication. They delve into the challenges of career transitions, emphasizing the importance of reframing setbacks as opportunities. The discussion also highlights effective leadership strategies during turbulent times, advocating for personal connections and empathy in leadership roles. Gary shares inspiring stories from his coaching practice, illustrating the transformative power of storytelling and personal engagement in the workplace.

Takeaways ~ Gary's childhood experiences shaped his understanding of human behavior.
Reframing challenges can lead to new opportunities.
Empathy is crucial in supporting clients through transitions.
Leaders should engage personally with their teams during crises.
Business is inherently personal, and leaders must connect on that level.
Creating a safe environment fosters clarity and growth for clients.
Career transitions can lead to unexpected and positive outcomes.
Effective leaders lead from the front and show vulnerability.
Storytelling is a powerful tool for leaders to connect with their teams.
Networking and personal connections are vital in today's business landscape.

LinkedIn

Email: gary@garydanoff.com

Podcast: What's Next Now!

Web: www.garydanoff.com

Insta: @garydanoff

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Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

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EMAIL Jerome@narativ.com
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/narativ-inc
TWITTER @narativ

Buy Julienne’s book here

In this debrief episode, Jerome and Julienne reflect on a powerful insight from Anil Singhal about embracing inevitable disruption and using company values as a steadfast guide through change. The discussion opens with a personal question: When were you faced with disruption, and how did you respond?

Julienne recalls witnessing corporate downsizing and restructuring—scenarios where clear communication and values-based leadership made all the difference. When leaders communicated transparently and demonstrated alignment with core values, they retained trust—and talent.

Jerome shares a deeply personal story of disruption: the birth of his daughter during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unable to be present post-surgery due to hospital protocols, he found ways to take meaningful action from afar. This moment highlights how disruption often brings a feeling of helplessness, but even small, value-driven actions can have real impact.

Together, they underscore the importance of not retreating during times of crisis, but instead leaning into core values, communicating openly, and finding productive paths forward—even in uncertainty.

Key Takeaways

• Accelerate, Don’t Resist: When disruption is inevitable, facing it head-on and controlling the timeline can mitigate damage and build resilience.
• Double Down on Values: Values shouldn’t fluctuate with circumstances. In fact, they become even more critical during times of upheaval.
• Transparent Communication Builds Trust: During organizational change, people need clarity. Silence and secrecy lead to fear, confusion, and loss of talent.
• Find Your Sphere of Influence: Even if you can’t change the circumstances, meaningful actions within your control matter—for leaders and individuals alike.

Resources

• LISTEN to the interview with Anil Singhal HERE
• Anil's BOOK ~ The 5% Rule of Leadership: Using Lean Decision-Making to Drive Trust, Ownership, and Team Productivity

Participate in Narativ’s Online Course: Lead With Your Story
Learn how to craft and communicate your leadership story.
Self-paced, 100% online.
Use code NARATIV for 25% off → Register Here

Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

Please join our mailing list to stay updated on all our latest episodes and events.

EMAIL Jerome@narativ.com
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/narativ-inc
TWITTER @narativ

Buy Julienne’s book here

Jerome and Julienne sat down with Taylor Scott—author, keynote speaker, and founder of Lead With Hospitality. Taylor brings over two decades of leadership experience from the hospitality and entertainment industries and shares how a moment at the beginning of his career planted the seeds for his leadership philosophy rooted in making people feel welcome, comfortable, and important.

Key Takeaways

• Great leadership is rooted in humanness, not hierarchy.
• Emotional connection precedes effective management - which means leading with empathy.
• Simple plans, from feeding your team to learning someone’s name, can radically shift culture.
• Organizational values to guide hiring, onboarding, and retention strategies.
• Vulnerability in leadership builds trust.

Taylor's links LinkedIn Instagram Website

Books

• Lead With Hospitality
• Ballgames to Boardrooms
• Give Hospitality (July 8, 2025)

References

• The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt
• Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip & Dan Heath
• The Power of Moments by Chip & Dan Heath
• The Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn
• Leadership Development Workshops and Edutainment Facilitation Training available at LeadWithHospitality.com
• Support Relief Efforts:
  • Maui Strong Fund – Hawaii Community Foundation
  • American Red Cross Disaster Relief

FREE ~ Action plans from both Lead With Hospitality and the upcoming Give Hospitality

Participate in Narativ’s Online Course: Lead With Your Story
Learn how to craft and communicate your leadership story.
Self-paced, 100% online.
Use code NARATIV for 25% off → Register Here

Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

Please join our mailing list to stay updated on all our latest episodes and events.

EMAIL Jerome@narativ.com
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/narativ-inc
TWITTER @narativ

Buy Julienne’s book here