In this episode of Innovation Meets Leadership, host Natalie Born sits down with Brad McDonald — leadership designer, executive coach, and co-founder of Pattern Talent. With a mission to develop one million leaders, Brad brings deep insights from his work with organizations like Chick-fil-A, the U.S. Army, and the City of Phoenix.

Together, Natalie and Brad unpack the four dimensions of leadership — Character, Chemistry, Competence, and Capacity — and explore how these timeless principles shape emotionally intelligent, high-impact leaders. From building self-awareness to cultivating trust and unlocking the potential in others, this episode is a masterclass in leading with both head and heart.

[00:00 – 04:00] Brad’s Leadership Journey

• Growing up in a leadership-centered home and learning from his parents’ example.

• How early exposure to servant leadership through Chick-fil-A shaped his philosophy.

• Why Brad chose to dedicate his life’s work to developing leaders across industries.

[04:01 – 08:00] Character: The Foundation of Leadership

• Asking the essential question: Who am I as a leader?

• How self-awareness and emotional intelligence prevent unintentional harm.

• Why humility, integrity, and consistency build credibility and lasting trust.

[08:01 – 12:00] Chemistry: Building High-Trust Relationships

• Redefining “likability” through authentic curiosity and connection.

• The power of emotional security and presence when entering a room.

• Why curiosity and trust are the hidden superpowers of relational leadership.

[12:01 – 18:00] Competence: Knowing Your Unique Value

• Moving beyond skill to unique value contribution.

• Engaging both the head and heart of your team for sustainable performance.

• The difference between teaching and modeling — why imitation builds true capability.

[18:01 – 24:00] Capacity: Developing Leaders Who Multiply Leaders

• How to identify and nurture untapped potential in others.

• The leader’s role in creating “more, better, autonomous” leaders.

• Why leadership capacity expands through empowering others, not controlling them.

[24:01 – 29:00] The Refining Fire of Leadership

• Navigating challenges, setbacks, and chaos with resilience and perspective.

• How to process leadership growth questions in community, not isolation.

• Staying grounded and open through curiosity, humility, and feedback.

[29:01 – 31:00] Closing Reflections

• Brad’s call for leaders to invest deeply in both themselves and those they lead.

• How community, trust, and transparency unlock lasting transformation.

“Low self-awareness can unintentionally make or break a leader.” – Brad McDonald“Great leaders cultivate genuine curiosity about the people around them.” – Brad McDonald

“If you want infinite capacity as a leader, it’s found in your ability to develop the capacity of others.” – Brad McDonald

Website: patterntalent.coPodcast: The Daily Leader

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🎙️ Check out Natalie’s book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co. These are proven tools to transform your leadership and innovation approach.Visit innovationmeetsleadership.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Don’t just get out of the box — break the box and set it on fire.Let’s go transform something!

QuotesConnect with Brad McDonald

In this episode of Innovation Meets Leadership, Natalie Born sits down with Louisa Loran, former Google executive and author of Leadership Anatomy in Motion. With an impressive career spanning Diageo, Maersk, and Google, Louisa has redefined what it means to lead across industries—from building billion-dollar supply chains to transforming legacy business models.Louisa reveals how curiosity, courage, and emotional intelligence fuel lasting transformation.

She shares stories of stepping into roles before she felt “ready,” challenging corporate norms, and helping leaders unlearn habits that limit potential. Whether you’re navigating rapid change or seeking to inspire courage in your team, this episode will help you unlock your own leadership evolution.

[00:00 – 04:00] Louisa’s Journey Across IndustriesFrom Diageo to Maersk to Google—how curiosity guided her bold career transitions.Lessons from moving between consumer goods, logistics, and tech.Understanding brand legacy and the courage to step into unfamiliar worlds.

[04:01 – 08:00] The Power of Curiosity and Self-BeliefWhy curiosity is a leader’s greatest asset.Louisa’s seventh-grade dream of joining LVMH—and how it came true.Taking chances on roles you’re “not qualified” for and learning through action.

[08:01 – 11:00] Courage in Leadership TransformationWriting Maersk’s transformational strategy amid major restructuring.Why success isn’t just about having the right answers but addressing hidden fears.How courage and curiosity unlock organizational change.

[11:01 – 13:00] The Art of Asking Better QuestionsHow to ask questions that invite reflection instead of resistance.Building emotional intelligence and influence through curiosity.Positioning ideas for buy-in and collaboration at the executive level.

[13:01 – 16:00] Lessons from Google: A New Way of ThinkingShifting from hierarchical strategy to platform-based innovation.Learning to hold back as a leader and empower teams through exploration.Merging traditional business discipline with digital-era agility.

[16:01 – 21:00] The Four Pillars of Future LeadershipVisioning – Envisioning ambitious futures beyond current limits.Expanding – Leveraging collective intelligence to grow faster.Steering – Prioritizing and staffing for the future.Embodying – Becoming the leader your future organization needs.

[21:01 – 23:00] Transforming from the Inside OutWhy every transformation must start with the leader themselves.How fear and comfort can silently limit organizational growth.Encouraging leaders to unlearn and relearn continuously.

[23:01 – 24:00] Closing ReflectionsLouisa’s call to unlock “lost potential” within organizations.How to continue the conversation and bring courage into your own leadership journey.

Quotes:

“Curiosity is the driver that unlocks both courage and innovation.” – Louisa Loran

“It’s not about having the right answers—it’s about understanding what’s holding people back from acting on them.” – Louisa Loran

“Any business led by someone unwilling to start the transformation within themselves is wasting its greatest resource.” – Louisa Loran

Connect with Louisa LoranWebsite: louisaloran.comLinkedIn:

Louisa LoranBook: Leadership Anatomy in Motion

LEAVE A REVIEW + help another leader grow through innovation by sharing this episode, or click here to catch up on past episodes.

🎙️ Check out Natalie’s book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co.

These are proven tools to transform your leadership and innovation approach.Visit our website at innovationmeetsleadership.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review.Let’s go transform something!

In this episode of Innovation Meets Leadership, Natalie Born sits down with Doug C. Brown, CEO of CEO Sales Strategies and a sales growth expert who has generated over $900M in revenue for clients worldwide. Doug reveals how math, metrics, and automation can transform any sales organization into a predictable growth engine. From reducing refund rates by spotting hidden blind spots, to building AI-driven automation that scales follow-up and accelerates closes, Doug brings decades of experience that will challenge how you see sales. If you want your team to stop “throwing spaghetti at the wall” and start building sustainable revenue systems, this episode is for you.

[00:01 - 04:00] The Power of Math in Sales

• How Doug discovered “holes” in sales systems through metrics.

• The Tony Robbins & Chet Holmes case study: reducing refund rates from 16% to under 1%.

• Why blind spots exist in every business—and how to find them.

[04:01 - 10:00] Lessons from Early Business and Leadership

• Running his father’s business at 16 and learning optimization early.

• The “flat tire” analogy: why outside perspectives reveal what leaders miss.

• How math tells a story that leads to better decisions.

[10:01 - 14:00] Shifts in Sales Post-Pandemic

• Why the sales process has permanently changed.

• The rise of conversational selling.

• Consumers are more educated than ever—how to adapt.

[14:01 - 19:00] Three Steps to Improve Your Sales Team Today

• Get truthful goals from every salesperson.

• Define your ideal right-fit buyer (97% of companies don’t).

• Start measuring simple sales metrics: outreach, connections, responses, closes.

[19:01 - 24:00] Automation and the Fortune in Follow-Up

• Why consistent follow-up unlocks 5–15% more revenue.

• Automating repetitive sales tasks with CRMs and AI.

• Real examples: insurance sales, concierge AI, SiriusXM upsell systems.

[24:01 - 29:00] AI as a Sales Multiplier, Not a Job Killer

• Rita, the AI concierge, and how it redefined customer experience.

• AI’s role in profiling, research, and buyer engagement.

• Start small: automate one repetitive task, then scale.

[29:01 - 31:00] Final Insights & How to Connect with Doug

• Practical steps to embrace automation and AI in sales.

• Why ignoring sales automation means falling behind competitors.

Quotes“Every company has blind spots. Use math and metrics to find untapped revenue.” – Doug C. Brown“Ninety-seven percent of companies don’t know their ideal buyer. That’s wasted money and effort.” – Doug C. Brown“The fortune is in the follow-up. Automate it, and you’ll unlock growth you didn’t know you had.” – Doug C. Brown

Guest Links

• Website: ceosalesstrategies.com

• LinkedIn: Doug Brown

• Newsletter: ceosalesstrategies.com/newsletter

• Email: doug@ceosalesstrategies.com

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone scale their revenue with clarity and precision by sharing this episode or click here to catch up on past episodes.

🎙️ Check out Natalie’s new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co.

These are proven tools to transform your leadership and innovation approach. Visit our website at innovationmeetsleadership.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let’s go transform something!

In this episode of Innovation Meets Leadership, Natalie Born sits down with Scott Smith, CEO of True Network Advisors. Scott has transformed the employee benefits industry by building a thriving community of 93+ member agencies and curating industry-leading events that go beyond networking—they create unforgettable experiences.From humble beginnings in rural Alabama to leading one of the most collaborative networks in the industry, Scott shares how trust, authenticity, and obsession with customer experience fueled his journey. If you’ve ever wondered how to build communities that not only grow but last—or how leaders can balance kindness with clarity—this conversation is for you.

[00:00 – 04:00] Scott’s Origin Story

• How encouragement from peers led to founding True Network Advisors.

• Starting with 19 agencies in 2016 and scaling to 93+ today.

• Why being good and kind to people built the foundation for success.

[04:01 – 09:00] Designing Experiences That Matter

• The early missteps—like discovering hotel coffee costs $130 a gallon.

• Building events around learning first, fun second.

• Moving away from stuffy, transactional events toward collaboration, casual settings, and genuine connection.

[09:01 – 13:00] Mission, Identity, and Creativity

• True’s simple mission: “Help agencies and people grow, develop, and prosper.”

• Defining community identity: smart, curious, kind people who crave collaboration.

• Why it’s okay to be “repulsive” to the wrong people—and magnetic to the right ones.

[13:01 – 18:00] Authenticity and Vulnerability in Leadership

• The role of self-awareness and embracing who you are.

• Scott’s personal story of growing up in rural Alabama and the impact of his father’s struggles.

• How vulnerability builds trust and helps people feel less alone.

[18:01 – 24:00] Kindness Meets Clarity

• Why true kindness often requires tough conversations.

• Leadership as balancing honesty, accountability, and care.

• How clarity prevents blind spots that can derail careers.

[24:01 – 29:00] Leadership Lessons Learned

• Starting True at 45—and why he wishes he had risked earlier.

• The superpower of listening with empathy.

• Why kindness always wins, and how to ground leadership in love and care for others.

• “Listening is a superpower. If you become the best listener in the universe, you’ll stand out in any room.” – Scott Smith

• “Kindness isn’t just being nice. Sometimes the kindest thing you can do is tell the hard truth.” – Scott Smith

• “Our mission is simple: help agencies and people grow, develop, and prosper. Everything flows from that.” – Scott Smith

• LinkedIn: Scott Smith – True Network Advisors (search True Network Advisors Scott Smith)

• Website: truenetworkadvisors.com

• Concert Series: lakecityconcerts.com

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone lead with clarity and courage by sharing this episode, or click here to catch up on past episodes.

🎙️ Check out Natalie’s new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co.

These are proven tools to transform your leadership and innovation approach. Visit our website at innovationmeetsleadership.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let’s go transform something!

In this episode of Innovation Meets Leadership, Natalie Born sits down with Dr. Scott Hutcheson, biosocial scientist, senior lecturer at Purdue University, and author of Biohacking Leadership. Scott blends his academic expertise with real-world experience advising organizations—from startups to the White House—to uncover how biology shapes leadership and team performance. Drawing from both personal health insights and decades of research, Scott introduces “leadership biodynamics,” a model that reframes executive presence into measurable signals of warmth, competence, and gravitas. With 18 behavioral biomarkers and a practical diagnostic framework, leaders can finally translate the vague idea of presence into actionable skills that inspire trust, connection, and results. If you’ve ever wondered how to amplify your leadership impact—or why your influence isn’t landing the way you intend—this conversation is for you.

[00:00 – 04:00] Scott’s Journey into Biohacking LeadershipFrom organizational transformation failures to biosocial science.A diabetes diagnosis sparks personal biohacking experiments.How biology and behavior intersect in leadership performance.

[04:01 – 09:00] Redefining Executive PresenceWhy “executive presence” has been vague and poorly researched.Breaking it down into “executive” (thinking) and “presence” (behavior).The birth of leadership biodynamics: 18 biomarkers that leaders signal.

[09:01 – 13:00] The Three Pillars: Warmth, Competence, GravitasWhy warmth builds trust and connection.Competence as expertise and credibility.Gravitas defined as “feet on the ground, wings ready to take flight.”

[13:01 – 18:00] Turning Biomarkers into ActionUsing diagnostics and feedback to identify signal gaps.Why “narrating your thinking” helps others see your competence.Translating thought processes into presence that others can perceive.

[18:01 – 22:00] Leading with Warmth and Co-CreationHow leaders influence team neurochemistry with cortisol or oxytocin.A proven sequence: warmth → competence → gravitas.Design thinking parallels: inviting others into co-creation.

[22:01 – 25:00] Storytelling and the Power of Origin StoriesWhy scientists and engineers often need more warmth.A young innovator’s water purification story that unlocked funding.How adding human context amplifies technical competence.

[25:01 – 27:00] What’s Next for Biohacking LeadershipThe three-book series: Biohacking Leadership, Biohacking Teams, and Biohacking Organizations.Where to connect with Scott and explore his work.

Key Quotes:“Executive presence isn’t about how you dress—it’s about the signals you send through warmth, competence, and gravitas.” – Scott Hutcheson“No one can see how you think. The only way they know is through your presence.” – Scott Hutcheson“Co-creation creates the IKEA effect—people value what they helped build.” – Scott HutchesonConnect with Scott HutchesonWebsite: scotthutcheson.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scotthutchesonBook: Biohacking Leadership (available now from Wiley and major retailers)

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone lead with clarity and courage by sharing this episode, or click here to catch up on past episodes.🎙️ Check out Natalie’s new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co.These are proven tools to transform your leadership and innovation approach. Visit our website at innovationmeetsleadership.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let’s go transform something!

What Happens When Pressure Builds—and You Don’t Even Know It?

In this episode, Natalie Born sits down with Ryan Dunlap, conflict strategist, former hostage negotiator, and author of How to Untie a Balloon: A Negotiator’s Guide to Avoid Popping Under Pressure. Ryan brings real-life strategies from both interrogation rooms and executive coaching sessions, helping leaders recognize how pressure impacts their behavior and decision-making.

Through powerful metaphors—like the overinflated balloon—and practical frameworks such as FIRST and STOP, Ryan offers a roadmap for decompressing emotionally, resolving deep-seated conflict, and returning to leadership with clarity and strength. If you’re leading while stressed, burned out, or in constant response mode, this episode is a must-listen.

[00:01 - 04:16] The Balloon Metaphor and Hidden Pressure

Why law enforcement prepared Ryan less for pressure than pastoring did.

How a balloon exercise revealed the emotional buildup leaders carry.

The surprising connection between suspects and CEOs under pressure.

[04:17 - 08:00] The FIRST Framework

Feelings, Interests, Relationships, Situations, and Toll—breaking down complex issues into manageable parts.

Why most leaders try to solve everything at once—and how that backfires.

How FIRST builds sustainable emotional progress through small wins.

[08:01 - 12:00] Resilience, Conflict, and the Grudge Trap

Stats on how long we hold grudges—and the hidden cost.

Why strategy and resources don’t matter when we’re emotionally depleted.

The critical need to “suffer well” and build a healthier foundation before scaling.

[12:01 - 16:00] Identifying Internal Pressure Before You Explode

How to self-audit your automatic responses to stress.

The difference between seeking relief and pursuing resolution.

Recognizing that what you normalize might actually be a high-pressure state.

[16:01 - 20:59] Reclaiming Your Baseline

Understanding the hedonic treadmill and the identity toll of constant pressure.

The STOP model: Space, Time, Opportunity, Perspective.

A powerful question: “Who were you before the world hurt you?”

[21:00 - 26:00] Sabbaticals, Rest, and Redefining Productivity

Why many leaders are running unsustainable lives—and don’t know it.

The paradox of rest: You’re more productive when you pause.

Choosing the right kind of consequences: business strain vs. personal collapse.

[26:01 - 28:00] Daily Tips, Deeper Coaching & the Conflict-ish Community

Where to find Ryan’s 90-second daily videos.

How to get your copy of How to Untie a Balloon.

A look at Ryan’s upcoming academy for personal and professional transformation.

Quotes:

“Pressure causes us to lean into relief instead of resolution.” – Ryan Dunlap

“If you don't stop working, something bad is going to happen anyway. You have to choose—do you want the business to suffer or your family?” – Ryan Dunlap

“Who were you before the world hurt you?” – Ryan Dunlap

Connect with Ryan:

Website: https://www.conflictish.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanmdunlap

Social (TikTok, IG, YouTube): @conflictish

Book: How to Untie a Balloon (Available wherever books are sold)

Want More?

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone lead with clarity and courage under pressure by sharing this episode or click here to catch up on past episodes.

🎙️ Check out Natalie’s new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co.

These are proven tools to transform your leadership and innovation approach. Visit our website at innovationmeetsleadership.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let's go transform something!