Episodes

Chip Conley, a visionary leader in the hospitality industry, shares his journey from founding a boutique hotel company to redefining the guest experience at Airbnb. He then discusses his transition to creating the Modern Elder Academy, a midlife wisdom school. Chip emphasizes the importance of intergenerational collaboration and the need to create workplaces that value the contributions of all generations. He also highlights the lessons he learned from Airbnb, including the importance of focus a...

Emily Sander shares her journey from being a C-suite executive to becoming an ICF certified leadership coach. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability and agility in leadership, as well as the need to let go of perfectionism. Emily also discusses the role of a chief of staff and the key differences between a chief of staff and an executive assistant. She provides insights on effective leadership and the challenges faced by early executives and founders. Additionally, Emily talks about the i...

AI is here to make people more efficient, not replace them. Leadership is leadership, regardless of industry. Motivating intrinsically motivated people is more effective than trying to motivate unmotivated people. Entrepreneurship and leadership are challenging and often thankless. Staying power and risk-taking are important qualities for success. Radical candor and deep connections with people are crucial for effective leadership. AI has flaws and opportunities for improvement. It is important ...

Building a culture of innovation requires hiring innovative people, allocating time for innovation, and celebrating failure. Innovation is different from creativity, as it involves forward thinking and pushing boundaries. Balancing the need for innovation with the need for stability is important, with 80-90% of time focused on the core business and 10-20% on innovation. As a team grows, the culture changes, and it's important to be intentional about the vision. Investing in innovation through co...

Chris Fenning, a renowned author and communication expert, shares his journey from being an aerospace engineer to becoming a communications instructor and trainer. He discusses the gap he noticed in communication advice, particularly in being clear and concise. Chris introduces the concept of the 'first minute' and explains how framing a conversation with context, intent, and a key message can improve communication effectiveness. He also highlights the importance of focusing on solutions rather ...

In this episode, Avetis Antaplyan interviews Christian Boucousis, a former fighter pilot and founder of Afterburner. Christian Boucousis shares his journey from childhood dream to becoming a fighter pilot and how he transitioned to the business world. He explains the importance of speed and situational awareness in technology and how the fighter pilot mindset can be applied to improve decision-making and execution in business. Christian also discusses the underinvestment in planning and the need...

Join us in this compelling compilation episode where Kevin Marcus and Kevin Hanegan unravel the complexities of the modern data landscape. Kevin Marcus takes us through the challenges and implications of dirty data in business and technology, emphasizing the need for clean, accurate data management. Following this, Kevin Hanegan enlightens us on the critical importance of data literacy in empowering individuals and organizations to make informed decisions in an increasingly data-centric world....

Dive into the depths of Artificial Intelligence with Kevin Marcus and Cormac Twomey in this enlightening compilation episode. Kevin Marcus, a pioneer in the tech industry, shares his insights on how AI's inception has revolutionized our understanding and utilization of data. Following this exploration, Cormac Twomey delves into the future, discussing the profound ways AI is expected to transform the job market. This episode bridges the past and future of AI, offering a comprehensive view of its ...

Dive into a riveting conversation on The Tech Leader's Playbook, where technology meets transformative leadership and self-improvement. Today's guest, Holly Jean Jackson, shares an electrifying journey from the realms of tech to the heart of wellness and business coaching, providing invaluable insights for anyone looking to redefine their path to success. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Holly's Journey: Discover how Holly Jean Jackson transitioned from tech's high stakes to the liberating world...

In this enlightening episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan sits down with Mike Trigg, a Silicon Valley veteran, entrepreneur, and angel investor, to dive deep into the dynamics of tech leadership, the evolution of marketing in the tech space, and the vital role of strategic investment in fostering innovation. Mike shares invaluable insights from his extensive experience as a COO, CMO, and active investor in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Key Highlights: Journey into Tech:...

In this thought-provoking compilation episode, we explore the multifaceted world of Artificial Intelligence through the insights of two distinguished guests. Alexander De Ridder, a visionary in AI technology, delves into the transformative benefits and groundbreaking advancements AI brings to various industries. Following this optimistic outlook, Craig Sixta, a cybersecurity expert, presents a compelling counterpoint by highlighting the potential security threats and ethical considerations AI po...

In this special compilation episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, we delve into the dynamic world of sports leadership, featuring insights from two trailblazers: Rex Kalamian, esteemed assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons, and Dr. Jen Welter, the pioneering first female coach in NFL history. Join us as we explore the parallels between sports and tech leadership, uncovering strategies that drive team success on and off the field.Key Highlights:Rex Kalamian's Approach to Team Building: Dis...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Tech Leader’s Playbook. In this episode, our host, Avetis Antaplyan, delves into the mind of a serial entrepreneur and investor, Chaz Wolfe, who has successfully ventured into diverse fields such as real estate, home service, franchising, hospitality, and consulting. Key Highlights: Early Beginnings : Chaz shares his journey from his initial ventures and how these experiences laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial career. Overcoming Challenges ...

In this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, host Avetis Antaplyan has a fascinating conversation with Dr. Jen Welter, the first female coach in the NFL and a trailblazer in sports and leadership. Jen shares insights from her unique journey, starting from a love for football in her childhood to making history in one of the most male-dominated sports. Episode Highlights: Jen’s Early Years and Love for Football: Jen discusses her childhood, her early exposure to football, and how she turned her ...

Join host Avetis Antaplyan in an insightful episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, featuring tech advisor and strategist Brian Childress. With a strong background in software engineering, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, Brian shares his experiences in guiding CTOs and CEOs through critical technical decisions and the landscape of modern technology. Key Takeaways : Gain insights into the unique challenges non-technical founders face in the tech industry. Learn about key considerations when hi...

In this insightful episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, host Avetis Antaplyan engages with Loren Rosario-Maldonado, a global HR expert and a champion of leadership optimization and cultural intelligence. Loren shares her vast experience in transforming corporate cultures and developing strategies for leadership excellence and team cohesion in the modern, diverse work environment. Key Takeaways : An exploration of the evolving nature of leadership in the global corporate world. Insights into th...

In this episode, Avetis Antaplyan interviews Andrew Kahl, CEO of BackBox, about his experience in building and selling startups, the importance of customer success, and the impact of AI on network automation and security. Andrew shares his journey of co-founding and selling Credent Technologies, a data encryption software company, and his current role at BackBox. He emphasizes the significance of long-term customer relationships and the need for trust and genuine care. Andrew also discusses the ...

Join Avetis Antaplyan in an enlightening episode as he converses with Alexander De Ridder, the tech maestro behind INK Content, Inc., and Smyth OS. Alexander shares his extensive knowledge on AI's revolutionary role in business and marketing, providing insights into the future of collaborative AI agents and AI-driven transformations in various industries. Key Takeaways : Discover how AI is reshaping the world of marketing and business. Learn about the functionalities and impact of Smyth OS in th...

In an enlightening episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, host Avetis Antaplyan engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Jason Rosoff, CEO of Radical Candor. They delve into the nuances of the Radical Candor philosophy, its implementation in modern workplaces, and its profound impact on leadership and team dynamics. Key Takeaways : An exploration of the Radical Candor concept and its essential role in organizational culture. Practical advice on implementing Radical Candor in everyday bus...

In this insightful solo episode, Avetis Antaplyan, a member of the Forbes Tech Council, explores the evolving landscape of the workplace as teams gradually return to the office. Drawing from his recent Forbes article, "Redefining the Office: Navigating the Delicate Dance of Bringing Teams Back," Avetis delves into the complexities and considerations that leaders must navigate in this transitional phase. Key Takeaways : An in-depth analysis of the current state of workplaces as organizations tran...

In this insightful episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan sits down with his business partner, Jeff Mitchell, a seasoned tech recruiting expert with over 35 years of experience. Jeff, the driving force behind HIRECLOUT, shares his journey of building successful startup recruiting firms, the art of talent acquisition in the tech industry, and the importance of building real, lasting relationships in a competitive space. Key Takeaways : Unpacking Jeff's illustrious career in techn...

In this illuminating episode, Avetis chats with Bryan Clayton, the driving force behind GreenPal. Transitioning from a background in landscaping to creating a revolutionary tech-driven platform, Bryan shares the strategies, challenges, and data-driven methodologies that have propelled GreenPal to the forefront of its industry. Key Takeaways : The innovative methods Bryan employed to secure GreenPal’s initial 1,000 users and how this strategy evolved over time. The intricacies of pricing in a two...

In this riveting episode, Avetis sits down with the multifaceted entrepreneur Robert Indries. From humble beginnings in Transylvania, Robert has traveled the globe, founded multiple 7-figure businesses, and contributed immensely to various non-profit initiatives. Dive deep into his business strategies, personal achievements, and adventures that span continents. Key Takeaways : Understand the influence of Robert's early experiences on his entrepreneurial journey. Discover the universal business p...

In this solo episode, Avetis delves into the transformative power of hiring for retention. Through effective hiring practices that align with business objectives and retention-focused strategies, businesses can experience unparalleled growth. Dive into Avetis's insightful guide on the alignment of business goals with the right candidates and discover the secret sauce to retaining stellar talent. Key Takeaways : The undeniable connection between business growth and retention-focused hiring. Cruci...