About the Guest:

Meet Asheesh Advani, a long-time entrepreneur and current CEO of Junior Achievement (JA). Asheesh had his first brush with the business world when he was voted CEO of a student business at the age of fourteen. As founder and leader of several entrepreneurial ventures, Asheesh learned the true meaning of “leadership,” which he says is still evolving as he pursues new goals and training. Asheesh wants nothing more than to empower his employees and the youths in JA by removing obstacles so others can succeed.

What You Will Learn:

• What it means to be above or below the line of curiosity
• Strategies for building self-confidence and where to find your biggest supporters
• Insights into leadership coaching and its impact on Asheesh’s businesses
• Lessons in resilience as a child with a stutter up to a CEO overseeing multiple ventures

Asheesh is a man who lives his truth daily. From the power of extracurriculars to the benefits of surrounding yourself with other smart people, you’ll learn from Asheesh’s every word in this lesson-packed episode.

Additional Resources:

Book: Modern Achievement ; Pre-order on Amazon- https://a.co/d/egjvBQz,

Junior Achievements

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About the Guest:

Say hello to Robin Holdren, a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer and now global leader and coach of Learning and Development at ABB, where she provides training opportunities to over 20,000 employees in 50 countries. Robin says she’s grown professionally and personally by embracing a lifelong education—not only through schooling but also by simply interacting with people and discovering more about them. Robin collaborates with Dale Carnegie to provide bespoke workshops, including a Women’s Leadership Development program, to ABB.

What You Will Learn:

• Why development is a lifelong journey and how to succeed along the way
• What being “authentic” really means and how it leads to humility
• Lessons in building credibility through earning respect, not wielding authority

Join us and listen to Robin's tales of showing empathy through her deployment during Desert Storm to the mechanics of how she helps others reach their goals with ABB.

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Embark on a journey of real-life business insights and inspiring personal growth narratives. Welcome to Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast, where we seek to uncover what leadership means in today’s world. Hosted by Joe Hart, CEO of Dale Carnegie, we’ll be talking to diverse leaders across various industries to help unlock your potential for success. We’ll be sharing real-life insights into leadership—which in turn can help spark the next level of your growth as a leader.

This isn't just a podcast, it's your gateway to a more confident, influential, and successful you. Because at Dale Carnegie, we believe in bringing out the best in you. Let the journey begin.

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About the Guest:

Meet Matt Norman, the president of Dale Carnegie, North Central US. Matt’s career started in technology, where he struggled with confidence, building relationships, and communication. Over time, and by following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather (both Dale Carnegie trainers), Matt learned to trade the comfort of solving tangible problems for a deeper understanding of the ambiguity of interpersonal relationships. His new book, Lead with Influence: A Proven Process to Lead Without Authority, helps people everywhere learn the importance of relationship-building and communicating ideas.

What You Will Learn:

• Strategies for blasting through self-perceptions to dig into unique leadership powers.
• Behind-the-scenes insights into the crafting of Matt’s new business book.
• Lessons on “slowing down to speed up” when it comes to crafting effective partnerships.
• Stories of Matt’s leadership growth and how you can get there too.

Join us for this insightful episode where you’ll learn how to be a leader without authority and how to gain buy-in through building quality interpersonal relationships. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Matt’s wisdom collected on his journey as leader of the largest North American operation in the Dale Carnegie network.

Episodes Notes:

Lead with Influence: A Proven Process to Lead Without Authority: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1722506822?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_2ANXW81GXVGANVP7ZW9Y_1

Lead with Influence Course: https://www.dalecarnegie.com/en/courses/6629

Matt Norman's Blog: https://www.mattnorman.com/

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About the Guest:

Meet Suzanne Sutter Chesnutt, a dynamic leader with a rich corporate leadership, philanthropy, and organizational development background. Suzanne's illustrious career culminated in her role as the CEO of Things Remembered, overseeing a massive 650-store organization. Her journey is characterized by a deep commitment to leadership development and significant contributions to charitable endeavors, particularly with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Since 2014, Suzanne has served as a Dale Carnegie Board Member.

What You Will Learn:

• Effective leadership strategies from a former CEO of a multi-store organization.
• The role of social responsibility in business and its impact on organizational success.
• The transformative power of personal and organizational change.
• Charitable endeavors and leadership development insights from a Dale Carnegie Board Member.

Join us for this enlightening event where you'll gain insights into effective leadership from a seasoned CEO. Discover the importance of social responsibility in business and the transformative power of personal and organizational change. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Suzanne's wealth of experience and wisdom.

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About the Guests:

Christina Dorr Drake & Rusty Drake are the co-founders of Willa’s Organic Oat Milk since 2020. The couple juggled launching their product while simultaneously navigating Christina's breast cancer diagnosis and facing the COVID-19 pandemic. This episode features Rusty, a former filmmaker & Dale Carnegie master trainer turned entrepreneur, and Christina, an advertiser, a resilient cancer survivor, a well-being enthusiast, and an entrepreneur. Together, they share their journey of self-care, entrepreneurship, resilience, and growth, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way.

What You Will Learn:

Communication Skills in Entrepreneurship: Rusty, drawing from his Dale Carnegie training background and experience, emphasizes the critical role of clear, frequent, and honest communication in entrepreneurship. Discover how effective communication impacts negotiation, sales relationships, and team leadership in the day-to-day operations of a global brand.

Relationship Building in Sales: Rusty delves into the heart of his approach to sales, highlighting the importance of relationships. As Head of Sales at Willas, Rusty uses his Dale Carnegie communication and sales skills to navigate various industries, mastering the unique "language" of different stakeholders. Learn how building connections and friendships is the key to success in diverse markets.

Resilience and Personal Agency: Hear Christina's inspiring story of confronting breast cancer head-on. She shares her perspective on taking ownership of her treatment plan, maintaining agency in the face of a challenging diagnosis, and turning adversity into strength. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder to flip the script and find empowerment in difficult times.

Self-Care Culture in Entrepreneurship: Both Rusty and Christina emphasize the importance of mental health, therapy, and coaching for themselves, their teams, and their business. They discuss their commitment to adding self-care sessions to busy work calendars. Discover how prioritizing mental and physical health contributes to a stronger foundation for both personal well-being and business success.

Asking for Help and Empowering Teams: Starting a business is challenging and demanding. Rusty and Christina share the importance of asking questions and seeking mentorship and help. Learn about the value of hiring experts to complement your skills and foster a sense of empowerment within your team. They highlight the power of collaboration, delegating tasks, and the strength that comes from learning and problem-solving together.

Summary of the Story:

Amidst the challenges of a global pandemic and a personal health crisis, Christina Dorr Drake and Rusty Drake not only launched a successful product but also built a resilient business. From effective communication to relationship building, resilience, and prioritizing self-care, their journey offers a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs and a testament to the strength that can arise from facing adversity with determination and grace.

Join us to learn how Christina & Rusty successfully navigate family entrepreneurship, from self-care to team synergy, and collective growth!

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About the Guest:

Niren Chaudhary is the CEO & Chairman of the Board of Panera Brands, one of the world's largest fast-casual restaurant companies. With prior roles as President of Krispy Kreme and 23 years at Yum! Brands, including the Global President of KFC, his leadership is unparalleled. Fluent in four languages, he supports DKMS, a leading non-profit with the world’s largest stem cell donor registry.

What will You Learn:

Chaudhary offers a leadership framework based on his experience with four core elements: courage, gratitude, generosity, and congruency.

1. Courage: Focus on what you can control, not on external circumstances.
2. Gratitude: Start each day with appreciation for what you have, rather than dwelling on losses.
3. Generosity: Embrace a generous heart, seeking opportunities to serve others.
4. Congruency: Align your thoughts, feelings, words, and actions to present a consistent version of yourself.

Become self-aware of our strengths: Caution against overplaying strengths, which can become weaknesses. 

As a lover of people, Chaudhary acknowledges the potential pitfalls of trust and decision-making. To counterbalance, he encourages leaders to surround themselves with truth-tellers who provide honest feedback. 

As a lifelong learner, Chaudhary advises against excessive ideation without implementation. A strong leadership team helps maintain focus and holds leaders accountable.

Chaudhary’s wisdom: "Don't solely develop competence; invest time in deepening your character, committing to your values and principles."

Interview Summary:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Niren Chaudhary, Chairman of Panera Brands, discovered the profound privilege that comes with leadership. Quickly mobilizing his team, they prioritized the health and safety of both team members and customers. Recognizing the significance of clear and simple messaging, as well as the need for a calm demeanor, the company embraced the pandemic as an "unprecedented opportunity to get stronger and better."

Chaudhary acknowledges that throughout his career managing hotels and holding key positions in renowned food brands, two defining moments in his personal life have shaped him profoundly: the loss of his eight-year-old and 18-year-old daughters. His older daughter Aisha's courageous response to a five-year life expectancy continues to inspire him. Aisha wrote a book, delivered TedTalks, and became the inspiration for movies like "The Sky is Pink" and "Black Sunshine."

Join us and listen to Niren's leadership insights on leading with courage, gratitude, generosity, and congruency. Be self-aware to not overplay our strengths and present one version of ourselves.

Show notes:

Panera Brands

"The Sky is Pink" 

"Black Sunshine Baby"

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About the Guest:

Alvaro Nuñez Alfaro, originally from Madrid, Spain, found himself drawn to the world of tennis at an early age. His dreams of becoming a professional tennis player laid the foundation for his resilient and adventurous spirit. Graduating as a valedictorian student,Alvaro used his proficiency in tennis as a lever to secure a scholarship in the U.S., kickstarting a journey that would transcend sports and lead him into the dynamic realm of entrepreneurship. He is the founder & CEO of the real-estate company Super Luxury Group in Miami, FL, bestselling author of “Level Up”, based in Miami, FL.

Beyond the business suit, Alvaro is a risk-taker with a penchant for adventure and extreme hobbies—someone who has jumped out of airplanes, flown helicopters, and conquered ultra-marathons and Ironman competitions. His story is not just about business; it's about embracing challenges head-on and turning setbacks into stepping stones for personal and professional growth.

He was recently named the “Best Health Influencer of the Year” by Influencers Insider.

What You Will Learn:

• The Power of Passion and Leverage: Discover how Alvaro navigated a career shift by leveraging his passion for tennis, turning it into a catalyst for personal and professional growth.
• Innovative Approaches to Business: Explore Alvaro's visionary strategies, including influencer marketing before its mainstream popularity, and understand how these approaches contributed to the success of his luxury real estate business.
• Aligning Values with Business Success: Understand the importance of aligning personal values with entrepreneurial endeavors, and how courage, resilience, and fearlessness played pivotal roles in Alvaro's life and career journey.

Interview Summary:

Alvaro Nuñez invites us into his world, from the tennis courts of Madrid to the creation of Super Luxury Group, a formidable player in the luxury real estate market. His narrative unfolds with moments of setback, resilience, and strategic innovation. 

Join us to gain valuable insights from Alvaro's journey that goes beyond business and get a glimpse into the life of an adventurous, passionate, and forward-thinking individual. Learn how you can leverage your passion, develop an innovative approach to business, and align your values to business success.

Take Command and Level up your life now!

Additional Assets:

Website: https://alvaronunez.com/

IG:  @alvaronunez

Book: Level Up: Turning Your Obstacles into Superpowers

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We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.