Dr. William Attaway / CEO-Appreciation at Work. Leadership Coach. Author. Speaker

The Five Languages Most Leaders Never LearnedDr. William Attaway didn't set out to become one of the country's most sought-after leadership coaches. He started as a stock guy at a drugstore, dropped out of college twice, watched a telecom giant disappear inside five years, and learned the hard way that leading people is nothing like running a process. In this episode, William sits down with Paul Povolni to share the moments that shaped his philosophy, the productivity system he's used for 20 years, and the surprising data behind why most workplace recognition programs fall flat. As CEO of Appreciation at Work, the company behind the bestselling Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, William reveals how a small shift in how leaders communicate value can drive a 22 percent productivity lift without adding a single new hire. If you've ever lost a key team member and wondered what really happened, this conversation will reframe everything.GUEST BIO:Dr. William Attaway is the CEO of Appreciation at Work and an executive coach with more than 30 years of experience leading teams and developing leaders. He is the host of the Catalytic Leadership Podcast, ranked in the top 1.5 percent of shows globally, where he sits down with high-performing entrepreneurs, agency owners, and catalytic leaders from around the world. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama and now based in northern Virginia, William holds a PhD in archaeology and biblical backgrounds, which has taken him on multiple seasons of digs in Jordan. He is the author of Catalytic Leadership: 12 Keys to Becoming an Intentional Leader Who Makes a Difference, and he leads the company behind the bestselling Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, co-authored by Dr. Paul White and Dr. Gary Chapman. A leader devoted to his faith and his family, William has been married to his wife Charlotte for 28 years, and they have two exceptional young adult daughters.Link: joinaaw.comSend us Fan MailPaul Povolni (Voppa) is the founder of Voppa Creative and a creative leader with over 30 years of experience in brand strategy and design. Based in Jackson, Mississippi, he has worked with clients internationally, leading teams in award-winning branding while serving as a coach and speaker. Paul delivers workshops and keynotes on brand strategy, creative thinking, and organizational culture, and hosts The Headsmack Podcast: Conversations with Misfits. His work centers on helping organizations lead with Clarity, Creativity, and Culture.Headsmack WebsiteVoppa Creative Website