Love in Action

Episode recap If you are a champion of human-centered leadership and want to see your people flourish, Marcel would love to speak with you to explore partnership opportunities. Book a call here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2026-02 In my latest conversation on The Marcel Podcast, I sat down with author, keynote speaker, and executive coach Bruce Mayhew to explore what it really means to become an inspired leader. Bruce’s own journey—from a quiet, introverted kid who often felt unnoticed to a trusted leadership advisor—shaped much of our conversation. We explored some very practical leadership questions: How do you balance care and accountability? What does it take to build trust and transparency on a team? How can leaders create a strong microculture, even when the larger organizational culture isn’t ideal? How can leaders better understand the goals and aspirations of the people they lead? One message stood out: Leaders don’t have to wait for the organization to create a great culture. They can begin creating one within their own team. Bio: Bruce Mayhew is a corporate trainer, keynote speaker, executive coach, and author of The Path of an Inspired Leader. His leadership combines emotional intelligence with strategic vision, blending human-centered and forward-thinking approaches. Featured on major Canadian media, his insights appear in Fast Company, HuffPost, and The Globe & Mail. He lives in Ontario, Canada. Timestamp: [00:00:03] – Welcome and Introduction to Inspired Leadership [00:02:22] – Bruce’s Canadian Roots and Warming Up the Conversation [00:02:48] – From Quiet Introvert to Finding a Voice [00:05:09] – Discovering Human Skills at McDonald’s [00:08:26] – Curiosity, Growth Mindset, and Loving New Ideas [00:10:57] – Why Bruce Wrote The Path of an Inspired Leader [00:14:09] – What Is an Inspired Leader? [00:19:42] – Accountability as a Two‑Way Street [00:20:35] – Microculture: Culture at the Ground Level [00:24:48] – Transforming a Broken Team Culture [00:30:28] – Knowing People’s Stories and Career Goals [00:35:41] – Time‑Machine Advice to His Younger Self [00:36:43] – Book Recommendations for Leaders [00:38:50] – Final Lessons on Authentic Leadership and Ambition [00:40:06] – The “House” Metaphor for Culture [00:41:24] – How to Connect with Bruce Mayhew About the Show: The Marcel Podcast (formerly the Love in Action podcast) ranks in the top 2% of all podcasts globally and is distributed in 160 countries. The show features deep conversations with the world's top leadership experts, authors, scientists, and thought leaders about what it means to flourish as leaders and human beings. Episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow us and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Now Accepting Podcast Sponsors: If interested in sponsoring an episode, contact Marcel here: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/contact/ Connect with Bruce Mayhew: Website - https://brucemayhewconsulting.com/ Book: https://brucemayhewconsulting.com/book LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucemayhewconsulting/ Connect with Marcel Schwantes: Substack: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/ X: https://x.com/MarcelSchwantes YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MarcelSchwantes1 Instagram: https://instagram.com/marcel.schwantes/

Episode recap: On August 26, at 12:00 noon Eastern Time, I’m teaching a live Leadership Trust Workshop. Registration is open now. Go to the link below and reserve your place. Seats are limited. Register here: https://www.frombosstoleader.co/trusted-leader-workshop In this solo episode of The Marcel Podcast, Marcel challenges leaders to rethink workplaces built primarily for output and efficiency—especially in the age of AI—and instead design environments where people can genuinely flourish. Marcel closes with an invitation to his upcoming Leadership Trust Workshop for leaders who want stronger relationships, greater ownership, and healthier teams. Register here: https://www.frombosstoleader.co/trusted-leader-workshop Bio: Marcel Schwantes is a leadership coach, speaker, author, and advocate for more humane workplaces. Marcel’s work includes: Leadership coaching Leadership development courses Keynote speaking, workshops, and offsite retreats Executive roundtables and culture strategy sessions Marcel is the author of Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss. Whether coaching a CEO or training a leadership team, Marcel’s #1 goal is the same: To help leaders and the people they lead flourish as human beings. Timestamp: 0:00 – Welcome back, summer in Chattanooga, and invitation to connect on LinkedIn, X, and Substack 0:40 – Calling out the cliché “people are our greatest asset” vs. what the data really shows 1:10 – The real problem: workplaces optimized for output, not human flourishing (especially with AI) 1:45 – Are your people just surviving work or actually growing as human beings because of it? 2:10 – The fear-based belief that focusing on people will hurt performance 2:40 – Human-centered leaders: why putting people first drives better business outcomes 3:10 – The future winners: companies where people feel valued and challenged to become better humans 3:40 – Designing work differently: respect, dignity, and empowerment vs. transactional environments 4:10 – Human-centered conviction: every person matters, even when they’re not in the room 4:30 – Practical Step 1: Three questions to ask in your next leadership meeting 5:00 – Practical Step 2: Replacing control with trust plus clear expectations and accountability 5:35 – Showing up as a leader: intention, authenticity, and telling the truth (good, bad, and ugly) 6:00 – Practical Step 3: Defining what “great work” and “a good job” actually mean for your people 6:35 – Bigger vision: workplaces where people grow, heal, and become better versions of themselves 7:05 – The beauty of trust and why Marcel is committed to building flourishing workplaces 7:30 – Invitation: Live Leadership Trust Workshop – August 26, 12:00 p.m. Eastern on Zoom 8:05 – What you’ll get: diagnose breakdowns, learn trust-building behaviors, and leave with a 30‑day action plan About the Show: The Marcel Podcast (formerly the Love in Action podcast) ranks in the top 2% of all podcasts globally and is distributed in 160 countries. The show features deep conversations with the world's top leadership experts, authors, scientists, and thought leaders about what it means to flourish as leaders and human beings. Episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow us and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Now Accepting Podcast Sponsors: If interested in sponsoring an episode, contact Marcel here: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/contact/ Follow Marcel: Substack: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MarcelSchwantes1 Instagram: https://instagram.com/marcel.schwantes/

Episode recap: If you are a champion of human-centered leadership and want to see your people flourish, Marcel would love to speak with you to explore partnership opportunities. Book a call here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2026-02 Bio: Mark Abbott is the Founder and CEO of Ninety, which helps leadership teams build extraordinarily productive, humane, and resilient companies. He is a serial entrepreneur, investor, coach, and author who is widely regarded as a pioneering voice in modern company-building. Timeline: 00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Mark Abbott and Ninety 02:00 – Mark’s personal story and competitive drive 03:20 – “I help founders build great leaders” 05:00 – From banking and private equity to building Ninety 07:10 – Why culture really matters (beyond perks) 08:35 – Three types of culture: relationship, agreements, principles 12:30 – Matching culture to pace and ambiguity of your market 14:10 – What it means to build a “humane” culture 15:35 – Ideal employee profile vs. ideal customer profile 17:00 – The five elements at the soul of a company 18:00 – The global leadership deficit and self‑serving leaders 21:00 – How Ninety and AI support culture and leadership habits 23:00 – Quarterly conversations, feedback, and agreements 25:20 – When high‑growth companies “lose their way” culturally 27:00 – High care vs. high performance: getting the balance wrong 30:30 – The real job of every leader: helping the company win 31:50 – Complexity of leadership: leading, managing, coaching, mentoring 35:00 – Thinking in stages of development as you scale 38:00 – Advice for first‑ and second‑time founders 40:00 – Ego development and the inner journey of a leader 42:00 – One thing leaders must do to truly flourish today 42:56 – Where to find Mark and learn more about Ninety About the Show: The Marcel Podcast (previously the Love in Action podcast) is ranked in the top 2% of all podcasts globally and is distributed to 160 countries. The show features deep conversations with the world's top leadership experts, authors, scientists, and thought leaders about what it means to flourish as leaders and human beings. Episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow us and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Free tool: Discover how much employee turnover may be truly costing your organization. Get your free employee turnover cost calculator here: https://marcel-schwantes-zvbpnt.subscribepage.io/ Now Accepting Podcast Sponsors: If interested in sponsoring an episode, contact Marcel here: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/contact/

If you are a champion of human-centered leadership and want to see your people flourish, Marcel would love to speak with you to explore partnership opportunities. Book a call here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2026-02 In this episode of The Marcel Podcast, Marcel talks with Dusty Holcomb, founder and CEO of The Arcqus Group, about leadership in the age of AI. Dusty shares why leaders must not let AI distract them from the fundamentals: clear outcomes, self-leadership, accountability, and communication that keeps people connected to the work that matters. Bio: Dusty Holcomb is CEO of Arcqus Group, a keynote speaker, an executive advisor, and a catalyst for growth-focused executives. Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome back & podcast rebrand 02:05 – Meet Dusty Holcomb & The Arcqus Group 04:57 – Dusty's leadership journey and early influences 08:26 – The leadership lesson that changed everything 10:41 – Leaving corporate to launch Arcqus 12:30 – Leading in the age of AI 14:05 – Advice for first-time CEOs 15:49 – Why reflection is a leadership superpower 16:37 – Blind Spot #1: Lack of clarity 20:31 – Blind Spot #2: Chasing AI tools instead of outcomes 22:10 – Five questions every team member should answer 23:58 – From mercenaries to missionaries 25:03 – Why self-leadership comes first 29:56 – Two simple self-leadership practices 32:51 – Redefining accountability 36:10 – Why great leaders repeat themselves 40:31 – Living your organization's values 40:57 – A leadership habit that builds trust 43:40 – Leadership fundamentals in the AI era 45:46 – Give yourself grace and space to think 47:20 – Dusty's free leadership resource 48:21 – Where to connect with Dusty 49:22 – Final thoughts & closing About the Show: The Marcel Podcast (previously the Love in Action podcast) is ranked in the top 2% of all podcasts globally and is distributed to 160 countries. The show features deep conversations with the world's top leadership experts, authors, scientists, and thought leaders about what it means to flourish as leaders and human beings. Episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow us and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Free tool: Discover how much employee turnover may be truly costing your organization. Get your free employee turnover cost calculator here: https://marcel-schwantes-zvbpnt.subscribepage.io/ Now Accepting Podcast Sponsors: If interested in sponsoring an episode, contact Marcel here: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/contact/

Episode recap This episode is brought to you by Peak Performers, a nonprofit staffing agency that champions professionals with disabilities. Learn more at www.peakperformers.org If you’ve ever wondered what shaped Ken Blanchard into one of the most trusted leadership voices of our time, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look. I sat down with Martha Lawrence—Ken’s longtime friend, collaborator, and biographer—and what unfolded was a rich mix of humor, history, and heart. In her new book, “Catch People Doing Things Right: How Ken Blanchard Changed the Way the World Leads,” Martha reveal the real Ken. She walks through her own journey as well—how a post-9/11 turning point led her to Blanchard’s organization and eventually to writing the definitive biography that captures his wisdom, quirks, and quiet resilience. Bio A former editor at Simon & Schuster and Harcourt, Martha C. Lawrence has shaped the voices of some of the world’s most successful thought leaders. As executive editor at Blanchard, she has collaborated with Ken Blanchard for more than 20 years. Her editing credits include multimillion-copy bestsellers and #1 New York Times titles. Lawrence is passionate about leadership, storytelling, and capturing legacies that matter. She is the author “Catch People Doing Things Right: How Ken Blanchard Changed the Way the World Leads.” Quotes: I knew I could not have worked alongside a human being who not only was so innovative and intelligent and heart-centered, but who lived the same things he's teaching. If one of the takeaways from the book is that you don't have to be perfect to be successful. You want to lift people—you want to catch them doing things right. Takeaways: True leadership is based on humility, trust, and the authentic desire to lift others up. Setbacks and personal challenges can become sources of strength and inspiration. Servant leadership means supporting your team from the bottom up, not ruling from the top. The best leaders are those who make others feel valued and recognized for their contributions. Lifelong learning and collaboration can fuel both personal and organizational growth. Timestamps: 0:00:00 — Sponsor Message & Podcast Welcome 0:01:30 — Marcel introduces Ken Blanchard's influence and today’s theme 0:02:30 — Introducing guest Martha C. Lawrence and her background 0:05:00 — Martha shares her story and career path 0:07:30 — Martha discusses overcoming personal adversity 0:10:54 — How Martha began working with Ken Blanchard 0:12:54 — Inspiration to write Ken’s biography 0:16:09 — Ken’s connections and meeting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 0:19:33 — How Ken’s parents shaped his leadership values 0:21:21 — The inverted pyramid and servant leadership explained 0:23:13 — Ken’s mentors, co-authors, and learning philosophy 0:25:07 — Ken’s personal and professional setbacks 0:27:38 — Ken’s humor and breaking the rules 0:31:26 — The evolution of Ken’s servant leadership philosophy 0:33:39 — "The One Minute Manager"—origins and impact 0:35:54 — Are the principles of "The One Minute Manager" still relevant? 0:37:51 — Research and surprises from Ken's archives 0:39:57 — Including love in leadership and chapter discussion 0:42:42 — What readers can gain from the book; catching people doing things right 0:45:08 — Distinguishing between care and love in leadership 0:47:39 — Speed Round: What makes Martha smile, her inspirations, and hopes 0:53:33 — The big takeaway: Leadership is love 0:54:25 — Where to find Martha and Ken’s resources online 0:55:01 — Closing gratitude and episode wrap-up Conclusion: The stories shared in this episode remind us that genuine leadership is shaped by humility, resilience, and compassion. Ken Blanchard’s journey proves that success is rooted as much in character as in achievement. Martha’s perspective brings to life the transformative effect of working alongside a true role model. Their e