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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EMAIL Jerome@narativ.com
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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

In this debrief episode, Julienne and Jerome reflect on the thought-provoking conversation from Episode 133 with Carlo Odicino, who challenges the commonly accepted notion of "work-life balance." Carlo rejects the idea that work should be viewed as separate from life, arguing instead that we should strive for balance in life itself, integrating both work and non-work activities. Jerome and Julienne discuss the implications of this perspective, particularly for individuals working in purpose-driven industries like life sciences.

Key Takeaways:

• Purpose and Passion in Work: Carlo's point about the connection between passion for one's work and the risk of burnout resonates, especially in fields like life sciences, where people are often deeply driven by a personal connection to their mission. Even in purpose-driven careers, the boundaries between work and personal life can blur, leading to challenges in maintaining balance.
• Life Balance, Not Work-Life Balance: The idea of life balance emphasizes that all aspects of life—work, family, health, and leisure—are interconnected. Finding a balance between these elements is essential, but it requires conscious effort and self-awareness.
• Burnout in Purpose-Driven Careers: Even in industries where people are passionate and driven by a sense of mission, burnout is a real concern. Jerome shares insights from a recent collaboration with a pharmaceutical company where storytelling was used as a strategy to combat burnout and foster a sense of appreciation among employees.
• Celebrating Achievements and Pausing: One approach to addressing burnout is taking intentional pauses to celebrate achievements, both big and small. Recognizing and appreciating the hard work of employees can go a long way in reducing stress and creating a more sustainable work culture.
• Using Stories to Foster Engagement: Sharing personal stories within an organization can help employees feel valued and connected to the larger mission. Storytelling, as seen in the example of the pharmaceutical company, creates a sense of belonging and reinforces the organization's values.

Reflection Prompts:

• How do you currently manage the balance between your work and personal life?
• What boundaries (or lack thereof) do you see in your own life between work, rest, and other responsibilities?
• How can you create more space for celebration and pauses in your work culture to prevent burnout?

Call to Action: Get 25% off our self-paced online course Lead With Your Story, created in partnership with

Participate in Narativ’s Online Course: Lead With Your Story
Learn how to craft and communicate your leadership story.
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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

In this episode of Leadership Story Talks, hosts Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan welcome Kevin Eikenberry, Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group and author of Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence. With over 30 years of experience developing leaders across the globe, Kevin brings fresh insight into what it takes to lead effectively in today’s complex, ever-shifting workplace.

This conversation goes beyond frameworks and titles. It’s about mindset. Kevin shares how flexibility, paradox, and curiosity can be the keys to unlocking potential—in ourselves and others.

You’ll Hear:

🌀 Why “flexible” leadership is today’s must-have skill – and how it differs from indecision or inconsistency.

🔄 Leadership as leverage – how one small comment from a leader can unintentionally ripple into weeks of work.

🧠 From Asking to Advising – striking the right balance as a coach, manager, or mentor.

🌱 The Power of Perspective – why the stories that shape us (like Kevin’s moment with a neighboring farmer) can guide how we lead.

🤝 Unlocking Potential – how belief, trust, and curiosity influence our ability to grow others.

🛠️ Leadership in a Remote World – what’s changed, what hasn’t, and how to stop yearning for a workplace that no longer exists.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Leadership isn’t a title—it’s a choice made moment to moment.
✅ Uncertainty is a constant—flexibility helps us meet it with confidence.
✅ The best coaches and leaders flex between asking powerful questions and offering targeted advice.
✅ We all have influence—and sometimes, it’s the smallest things we say that have the biggest impact.
✅ If you want to lead people well, start by believing in their potential.

Resources:

• 📘 Flexible Leadership book
• 🌐 Website
• 📚 Blog
• 🎙 Podcast
• 🔗 LinkedIn
• 👍 Facebook
• 📸 Instagram
• 🐦 Twitter
• ▶️ YouTube
• 🎵 TikTok

🎁 Don’t miss Kev

Participate in Narativ’s Online Course: Lead With Your Story
Learn how to craft and communicate your leadership story.
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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
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TWITTER @narativ

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In this debrief episode, hosts Julienne Ryan and Jerome Deroy reflect on their conversation with Jennifer Langton, former NFL executive and champion of player safety, innovation, and ethical tech. They discuss how Jennifer’s unique leadership style—grounded in empathy, curiosity, and continuous learning—led to groundbreaking work in AI and athlete health, and what we can all take from her example.

At a time when tech often feels impersonal, Jennifer's story is a reminder that the most effective innovation happens when people are placed at the center.

You’ll Hear:

💡 Empathy as a Leadership Strategy – How Jennifer built trust across disciplines by leading with compassion and listening first.

🧠 Becoming a Student Again – Why great leaders are willing to admit what they don’t know and learn from subject matter experts around them.

🏈 A Mission-Driven Approach to Innovation – How her work at the NFL prioritized player health, making the use of AI truly purpose-driven.

🎤 From Injury to Impact – How a personal turning point shaped Jennifer’s trajectory and deepened her leadership values.

🌟 The Power of Pivots – Why stories of resilience—especially from athletes and performers—carry powerful lessons for anyone navigating change.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Human-First Leadership Wins – Progress happens when you start with people, not processes or platforms.

✅ Expertise Is Everywhere – Great leaders don’t have all the answers. They know how to bring the right voices into the room—and listen.

✅ Your Story Is Your Strength – Personal turning points, like Jennifer’s athletic injury, often spark the greatest professional growth.

✅ Performance Meets Presence – In high-stakes roles, being grounded in your values and present in your relationships is what sustains long-term success.

✅ Inspiration Is Contagious – When leaders model empathy and learning, it empowers others to do the same—and creates cultures where collaboration thrives.

For anyone looking to grow as a leader while staying true to themselves, this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Tune in and be inspired by what’s possible when compassion meets strategy.

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.

We encourage you to 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

Hosts Julienne Ryan and Jerome Deroy sit down with Anil Singhal, CEO and Co-founder of NETSCOUT and author of The 5% Rule of Leadership. With 40 years at the helm of a company that has grown from a startup to a billion-dollar enterprise, Anil brings a wealth of wisdom grounded in experience, fairness, and deeply held values.

Anil shares the story behind his book and the powerful leadership framework it introduces: focus early effort on the most impactful decisions—the crucial 5% that drive 95% of outcomes. What begins as a principle becomes a company-wide approach that promotes empathy, trust, retention, and transparency across a global organization.

You’ll Hear:

• The Story Behind the 5% Rule – How Anil developed this concept over decades and why he uses it to mentor the next generation of leaders.
• Fairness as a Leadership Strategy – How fairness leads to better transparency, stronger culture, and better business results.
• The Power of Listening – Why defining problems clearly—before proposing solutions—builds alignment, trust, and efficiency.
• Human-Centered Succession Planning – How NETSCOUT is building its future through policies, alumni networks, and long-term values.
• Storytelling as a Leadership Tool – How shared stories and lived values are the key to knowledge transfer, employee engagement, and long-term success.

Key Takeaways:

• Start with Values – Whether you’re founding a company or leading through change, define and stick to your values—especially in tough times.
• Focus on the First 5% – Strategic preparation early on reduces wasted effort and improves long-term outcomes.
• Trust Multiplies Over Time – Invest in relationships early and avoid transactional behavior (like earn-outs) that can erode long-term commitment.
• Institutionalize What Works – Codify successful practices so they’re scalable and repeatable, even after leadership transitions.
• Prioritize People – Start with happy employees. They create happy customers, which leads to happy shareholders.

This episode is essential listening for any leader—whether you're building a startup or guiding a legacy company into the future.

Resources:

📘 Anil’s Book: The 5% Rule of Leadership
www.5percentrulebook.com

👨‍💼 Connect with Anil Singhal on LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/anil-singhal

🏢 Follow NETSCOUT

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

In this special episode of Leadership Story Talks, hosts Julienne Ryan and Jerome Deroy step back from their usual format to address something that’s on many people’s minds—uncertainty. With rapid change, economic anxiety, and social division dominating conversations, they explore how we can approach difficult moments with intention, curiosity, and connection.

This conversation is a raw and honest reflection on how we process change, find common ground with others, and build bridges in challenging times. Whether it’s through personal reflection, seeking support, or simply stepping into a conversation with openness, this episode is an invitation to navigate uncertainty with purpose.

You’ll Hear:

• The Power of Self-Reflection – Why challenging our own assumptions can help us better engage with others in uncertain times.
• Navigating Fear and Anxiety – Understanding our natural responses to uncertainty—fight, flight, or freeze—and how to work through them.
• Leaning on Your Community – The importance of identifying supportive spaces and trusted individuals who provide judgment-free conversation.
• Finding Small Anchors in Conversations – How shared human experiences, even as simple as a comment about the weather or a shared hobby, can open the door to deeper connection.
• Moving Through the Unknown with Action – How small, intentional steps—whether through movement, self-care, or playfulness—can shift our mindset and help us navigate uncertainty with more confidence.

Key Takeaways:

• Look Inward Before Looking Outward – Before engaging in difficult conversations, take time to understand your own assumptions and emotions.
• Find a Safe Space for Honest Dialogue – Whether it’s a friend, mentor, or therapist, having a non-judgmental sounding board is invaluable.
• Reconnect with Playfulness and Creativity – Tapping into imagination and fun can help us envision a more positive future and take action toward it.
• Step into Conversations with Curiosity – Instead of avoiding difficult interactions, approach them with an open mind and a willingness to listen.
• Take Care of Yourself First – Movement, nature, and small grounding exercises can help shift from a place of fear to a place of possibility.

We recorded this episode because, like many of you, we’re processing a lot right now. If you’re feeling uncertainty, we invite you to reflect, connect, and explore new ways of navigating change.

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.

We encourage you to 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