Leadership lens

What separates great companies from the rest isn’t just technology… it’s clarity.In this episode of Leadership Lens, Taylor Robinson sits down with Ken Widner, EVP & CIO at Do It Best, to break down how top leaders align mission, technology, and people to drive real results.From leading large-scale acquisitions to navigating the hype around AI, Ken shares a pragmatic approach to leadership, decision-making, and organizational change.If you’re a founder, operator, or leader trying to scale without losing clarity, this conversation is packed with insights you can actually apply.⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Ken Widner01:52 Why purpose matters more than execution03:09 What happens when success isn’t clearly defined05:31 Communicating vision during acquisitions09:40 “Coffee with Ken” and leadership accessibility10:13 Why leadership is about people, not just tech11:32 Ken’s unconventional path into IT14:03 From music store to psychology mindset15:39 Treating IT like a “dysfunctional family”16:27 Why technical skills aren’t his superpower17:57 Making IT approachable across the business20:40 How leaders evaluate new technology21:56 “I’m not the department of no”24:01 Why companies can’t handle too much change26:01 The reality of AI and where money is actually made27:31 FOMO and bad tech decisions30:10 The real challenge: user adoption31:38 Why adoption matters more than implementation32:01 Defining success before choosing tools33:54 Change management and driving adoption35:03 Why timing matters more than the tech itself36:31 Final thoughts on leadership and vision

What separates great companies from the rest isn’t just technology… it’s clarity.In this episode of Leadership Lens, Taylor Robinson sits down with Ken Widner, EVP & CIO at Do It Best, to break down how top leaders align mission, technology, and people to drive real results.From leading large-scale acquisitions to navigating the hype around AI, Ken shares a pragmatic approach to leadership, decision-making, and organizational change.If you’re a founder, operator, or leader trying to scale without losing clarity, this conversation is packed with insights you can actually apply.⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Ken Widner01:52 Why purpose matters more than execution03:09 What happens when success isn’t clearly defined05:31 Communicating vision during acquisitions09:40 “Coffee with Ken” and leadership accessibility10:13 Why leadership is about people, not just tech11:32 Ken’s unconventional path into IT14:03 From music store to psychology mindset15:39 Treating IT like a “dysfunctional family”16:27 Why technical skills aren’t his superpower17:57 Making IT approachable across the business20:40 How leaders evaluate new technology21:56 “I’m not the department of no”24:01 Why companies can’t handle too much change26:01 The reality of AI and where money is actually made27:31 FOMO and bad tech decisions30:10 The real challenge: user adoption31:38 Why adoption matters more than implementation32:01 Defining success before choosing tools33:54 Change management and driving adoption35:03 Why timing matters more than the tech itself36:31 Final thoughts on leadership and visionKey Takeaways:Clarity beats complexity every timeTechnology is only valuable if people actually use itMost companies adopt tools too fast and without purposeLeadership is about alignment, not controlSubscribe for more conversations on leadership, business, and growth.

In this episode of the Leadership Lens, Taylor Robinson sits down with operations expert Chris Beer—also known as the Wizard of Ops—to break down how companies scale without losing control, culture, or clarity.They dive deep into the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)—what it really is (hint: not software), why most businesses struggle with it, and how the integrator role acts as the critical balance to visionary leadership.Chris shares insights from working with 12 companies, her transition from trading on the Chicago Board of Trade, and why decision-making—not strategy—is the real bottleneck in most organizations.If you're a founder, operator, or leader trying to scale your business without chaos… this episode is for you.00:00 – Intro & Guest Welcome00:34 – Who is Chris Beer? (Wizard of Ops explained)01:33 – What is EOS? (Simple explanation)03:44 – The Integrator Role Breakdown05:48 – What an Outsourced Integrator Actually Does07:35 – Working Across Multiple Companies09:10 – How EOS Breaks During Growth12:12 – Scaling from $2M to $10M (What Changes)13:57 – What’s Next: Becoming an EOS Implementer18:27 – How Experience as an Integrator Adds Value21:40 – From Trader to Operator: Career Transition26:42 – Decision-Making as a Superpower27:07 – Final Thoughts & Where to Find Chris

In this episode of Leadership Lens, Cody W Johnson breaks down the five critical roles every leader must play to navigate uncertainty, complexity, and organizational change. From setting vision as a beacon to building adaptable systems as an architect, this conversation dives deep into real-world leadership during volatile times.Cody shares practical frameworks used inside his organization, including how to align teams, innovate quickly, lead through mergers, and design companies that can scale during crisis.If you're leading through change, this is a must-watch.00:00 Introduction – High-impact CEO Cody Johnson01:28 The 5 leadership roles in uncertain times03:09 Leader as Beacon – Vision, alignment & clarity10:09 Leader as Coach – Motivation & stakeholder inspiration15:16 Leader as Innovator – Failing fast & MVP thinking25:09 Leader as Change Agent – Aligning systems & people28:55 Leader as Architect – Building adaptable organizations32:24 Which leadership role matters most right now33:34 Final thoughts & closing

Join Taylor Robinson as he sits down with Jody LaVoie, a seasoned executive, certified coach, and founder of The Grief Company, to discuss navigating grief in the workplace. Jody shares her personal story, insights on supporting employees through loss, and strategies for creating a compassionate workplace culture.Timestamps / Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & Welcome00:09 – Guest Introduction: Jody LaVoie01:43 – Jody’s Personal Story: Life-Changing Knock on the Door04:28 – Taking Over the Family Business After Tragedy06:41 – How to Support Someone Experiencing Grief08:05 – Practical Ways to Help: Listening & Specific Actions09:15 – Transition to The Grief Company & Helping Others12:21 – Grief in the Workplace: Beyond Death14:17 – How Grief Shows Up at Work & Team Awareness15:50 – Different Levels of Grief & Tailored Responses17:07 – Employee Fear & Open Communication18:46 – Building a Culture that Supports Grief19:44 – Bereavement Policy vs. Organizational Culture21:51 – How Workshops & Coaching Sessions Work23:17 – Returning to Work After Grief24:54 – Flexibility in Bereavement Policies & Reentry Plans27:29 – Key Takeaways for Managers & Executives28:40 – Closing Remarks & Appreciation

What does it take to build a business that lasts for generations?In this episode of Leadership Lens, Taylor Robinson sits down with entrepreneur Rob Wilson, founder of Employco USA and Corporate Risk Management. With more than 35 years of experience in the B2B services industry, Rob shares insights on building a successful family business, developing strong company culture, and why relationships—not sales tactics—are the real key to long-term growth.Rob also discusses the changing landscape of HR in 2026, rising healthcare costs, and what leaders need to understand about hiring and retaining great employees today.From managing a family business across generations to opening a restaurant in St. Martin, this conversation explores leadership, culture, and entrepreneurship from someone who has built companies that stand the test of time.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:12 Rob Wilson’s background and career journey02:18 Working in a family business03:48 Setting boundaries between family and business06:01 Opening a restaurant in St. Martin08:17 Lessons learned running a restaurant09:10 HR laws in the U.S. vs Europe11:18 HR trends and the employment landscape in 202613:35 Why benefits matter more than ever in hiring17:12 Why healthcare costs keep rising18:23 The real secret to great sales20:31 Building relationships instead of selling21:12 Final thoughts and closing

🎙 From CMO to CEO (Twice) | Franchise Growth, Brand Strategy & The Future of IRL ExperiencesIn this episode of Leadership Lens with Taylor Robinson, we sit down with Leigh Feldman, CEO of Youth Franchise Brands, to talk about scaling franchise systems, moving from marketing leadership into the CEO seat (twice), and why engagement — not just experience — is the future of business.Lee shares insights on:How CMOs can position themselves for CEO rolesWhat makes a successful franchise ownerWhy self-awareness beats experienceThe future of in-person events post-COVIDThe loneliness epidemic & experience-driven brandsAnd even… speed wrestling as dating 😅If you're an entrepreneur, executive, recruiter, or future franchise owner — this episode is packed with practical insight.⏱ Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Lee Feldman01:42 – Lee’s Career Journey: From Music to CEO03:35 – How a Marketing Executive Becomes CEO (Twice)06:44 – Youth Franchise Brands Explained08:34 – 3 MasterChef Junior Winners?!09:59 – Acquiring & Scaling Established Brands11:29 – Franchise Model & Expansion Strategy12:29 – How Franchising Has Changed14:32 – What Makes a Great Franchisee17:53 – Hiring Beyond the Resume19:58 – Building Replaceable, Scalable Systems21:27 – Post-COVID Events & Experience Trends23:20 – The Loneliness Epidemic & IRL Engagement24:19 – Speed Wrestling Instead of Speed Dating?!26:08 – The Business Model of Dating Events27:40 – AI, Recruiting & Getting Found on LinkedIn30:34 – Entrepreneurship vs Employment30:49 – Final Thoughts

In this episode of Leadership Lens, Taylor Robinson sits down with revenue architect and go-to-market expert Steve Shauck to break down what it really takes to build scalable, repeatable growth engines in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.With 20+ years of experience, multiple private equity exits, and deep expertise across sales, marketing, RevOps, and customer success, Steve shares practical insights on building high-velocity revenue systems — and how AI is reshaping the future of go-to-market strategy.Whether you're a founder, revenue leader, or scaling operator, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways.00:00 – Welcome & Introduction01:09 – Steve’s Unconventional Career Path04:18 – Lessons from Early B2B Sales06:29 – Building Global Revenue Teams09:09 – Staying Relevant in Tech’s Rapid Evolution10:51 – AI, Agents & the Future of Sales15:26 – Should AI Replace SDRs?19:05 – The Modern Go-To-Market Strategy20:39 – Why ICPs Matter More Than Ever21:39 – Personalization vs. “Spray and Pray”24:05 – Advice for Boutique Firms Without Big Data27:48 – Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways

Welcome back to The Leadership Lens with Taylor Robinson.In this episode, Taylor sits down with Levi Martin, Chief Financial Officer and Strategy Officer at Bartaco. From time at the White House to behavioral health leadership to hospitality strategy, Levi’s journey is anything but traditional.They dive into what leadership really means, why titles don’t matter, how culture drives results, and why the best executives stay close to the front lines.If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, hiring manager, or aspiring executive — this conversation is packed with real-world insight.00:00 – Welcome to The Leadership Lens00:56 – What Does a CFO Actually Do?02:46 – Why Levi Works Restaurant Shifts04:02 – Staying Close to the Guest Experience07:13 – Building a Culture That Supports Operations09:02 – The Restaurant Industry After COVID12:15 – Margin Pressure & The “Value Proposition”13:17 – Health Trends, GLP-1 & Changing Consumer Behavior15:44 – From the White House to Hospitality17:00 – Lessons from Government & Philanthropy20:05 – Why Levi Chose the Restaurant Industry22:24 – Switching Industries: What Actually Matters25:23 – The #1 Trait Levi Recruits For: Grit27:42 – How to Really Vet a Candidate29:25 – Why Fit Beats Skill31:14 – Hiring, Managing & Getting the “Off Script” Version33:47 – Culture, Authenticity & Leadership Philosophy35:12 – Final Thoughts

In this episode of Leadership Lens, Taylor Robinson sits down with Paul Cronin — CPA, Kellogg MBA, and private equity-backed CFO — to unpack what it really takes to scale a business the right way.From Big 4 audit to entrepreneurship during the Great Recession… to leading finance in PE-backed companies, Paul shares hard-earned lessons on:• Why ERP implementations fail• How private equity actually scales companies• The accounting talent shortage no one’s talking about• What aspiring CFOs should focus on• Why culture beats credentials in hiring• The difference between founder instinct and data-driven growthIf you're a CFO, finance leader, founder, or private equity operator — this conversation is packed with practical insights you can use immediately.00:00 – Introduction & Paul’s Background02:10 – Why Paul Chose Accounting (and Why It Still Matters)03:45 – The Accounting Talent Shortage Explained05:30 – Advice for Aspiring CFOs07:00 – ERP Implementation Lessons (What NOT to Do)09:00 – “Don’t Believe Everything Your ERP Vendor Says”12:15 – Using Consultants vs Internal Teams for ERP14:30 – Hiring Finance Leaders: Culture vs Technical Skills16:00 – Case Studies in Interviews: Helpful or Harmful?18:45 – The Paper & Pencil CPA Exam Story20:00 – From Family Business to Entrepreneurship23:00 – Why Paul Went Back for His MBA at Kellogg25:30 – Private Equity vs Founder-Led Businesses27:00 – Scaling with Data vs Shooting from the Hip29:30 – Final Takeaways

How to Use AI to Work Smarter, Build Culture, and Lead Better | Leadership Lens PodcastIn this episode of The Leadership Lens, Taylor Robinson sits down with Mark Reifenrath, Chairman of the Board and former CEO & Co-Founder of Spinutech, for a deep dive into leadership, company culture, and the real-world use of AI in business.Mark shares his journey from starting a digital agency during the dot-com bubble to leading a 100+ person organization, along with practical insights on building authentic culture, hiring with AI, creating efficiency, and why leaders should be running toward artificial intelligence—not away from it.This conversation is packed with tactical examples, mindset shifts, and forward-looking ideas for business owners, executives, and anyone trying to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world.00:00 – How leaders should be thinking about AI daily01:03 – Mark Reifenrath’s origin story & founding Spinutech02:57 – Building company culture organically vs intentionally06:01 – Using core values as a decision-making framework06:52 – AI’s impact on marketing, strategy, and efficiency07:28 – Why leaders should run toward AI, not fear it10:08 – Market shifts, efficiency pressure, and AI’s role11:25 – What it means to be “AI-native” at work12:10 – Finding small AI time-savers that compound14:28 – Using AI agents in leadership meetings (EOS/L10)15:56 – What AI agents are and how businesses use them17:03 – Practical AI agent examples (HR, legal, RFPs)20:24 – Real-world AI learning hacks (AI-generated podcasts)22:22 – Personalized learning and the future of education23:16 – How beginners should start using AI today25:09 – The “AI handicap” analogy (golf + tech adoption)26:22 – Using AI to create content faster and better27:53 – AI in recruiting, interviewing, and talent assessment29:01 – How Mark used AI to replace himself as CEO31:38 – Risks of AI-written resumes and interviews32:25 – Hiring debate: AI users vs non-AI users34:35 – AI’s long-term impact on education and work36:02 – Final thoughts on leadership, AI, and the future