In this series, we sit down with leaders who have not only navigated but thrived amidst uncertainty. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this podcast is your access to the strategies and insights of those who are redefining leadership in today's environment.
Hosted by Jim de Vries, Founder and Managing Partner of Enhance International Group, who brings over 30+ years of expertise in driving transformational change and facilitating high-impact solutions across organizations.
What happens when you discover that being "right" can kill your effectiveness as a leader?
In this transformative episode, Jose Pires—global excellence and innovation advisor to Fortune 50 companies and organizations ranging from startups to the Vatican—reveals why today's leadership crisis isn't what you think it is.
Jose has trained over 50,000 leaders across 50+ countries and challenges everything you thought you knew about leading in chaos. You'll discover:
🔥 Why most leaders are failing: The shocking truth about why we're in a "low" of both management AND leadership across all industries (and how disruption has become an excuse for incompetence)
🎯 The "duck and wait" problem: How talented people are actively waiting for your strategy to "blow by and die"—and what to do about it
⚡ Collaborative vs. Transactional Leadership: The evolution that separates multi-trillion dollar organizations from everyone else (and why most leaders never make this leap)
💡 The Innovation Execution Secret: Why real innovators aren't who you think—and how the "test of innovation execution" reveals the only four traits that actually matter
🚫 The "Being Right" Trap: Jose's powerful personal story of getting called out by an executive—and how this failure became the foundation of his entire philosophy
🎯 The Ikigai Framework: The Japanese secret to finding your purpose that 90%+ of leaders have never considered (and how to use it practically, not esoterically)
Plus: Why you should NEVER pick a company or industry to work for, the real difference between management and leadership, and why "move the needle" is the most dangerous phrase in business.
Whether you're a frontline manager or C-suite executive, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and give you a blueprint for creating massive positive change—starting today.
19 Oct 2025TRANSCRIPT
#9 - What Makes People Choose to Follow You? - Keren Novack
What does it take to transform from hiding behind your mother's skirt to confidently leading a company through major restructuring? In this raw and revealing conversation, Curion President Keren Novack shares the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership philosophy - including the day she had to lay off close friends and peers just 24 hours after becoming interim CEO.Discover why Keren believes titles don't make leaders, how she earned followership by elevating others, and the vulnerable truth about balancing three kids under 10 with running a 300-person company. You'll learn her counter-intuitive approach to transparency (hint: it's not what you think), why she "broke up" with her Apple Watch, and how one brave conversation with a struggling employee changed her entire career trajectory.Whether you're navigating your first leadership role or leading through uncertainty, this episode delivers practical insights on building authentic influence, managing difficult transitions, and creating cultures where people choose to follow - not because they have to, but because they want to.Key Topics:-- The difference between management and leadership (and why you need both)-- Navigating peer-to-leader transitions-- Building trust through vulnerability and authenticity-- Leading through major organizational change-- Balancing perfectionism with letting go-- Creating adaptive, recession-proof business strategies-- The future of AI in traditional industriesGuest: Keren Novack, President of Curion
27 May 2025TRANSCRIPT
#8 - Brutal Truth About American vs European Business Culture - Gerry Vos
Chairman Gerry Vos shares international business wisdom with host Jim de Vries, discussing strategic leadership, navigating uncertainty, and building trust in a global economy in this interview.
30 Apr 2025
#7 - The 'Opportunity Maximizer' Method - Marty Jacknis
In this electrifying episode of Conversations on Resilient Leadership, join host Jim de Vries as he sits down with Marty Jacknis – a remarkable leader who transformed his early academic struggles into a blueprint for extraordinary success.From ranking 405th in his high school class to becoming a top IBM sales performer and renowned leadership coach, Marty shares radical insights on turning challenges into opportunities. Learn how to:--Develop an "opportunity maximizing" mindset--Make informed decisions that can transform your business--Overcome self-limiting beliefs--Create a culture of continuous innovationPacked with powerful stories and hard-earned wisdom, this episode is a masterclass in resilient leadership that will challenge you to see potential where others see obstacles. Whether you're an emerging entrepreneur or seasoned executive, Marty's strategies will inspire you to rewrite your own success story.
14 Apr 2025
#6 - Inside the Biggest Turnaround in UK Banking History - Mike Amato
In this powerhouse episode of Conversations on Resilient Leadership, Jim de Vries sits down with Mike Amato: executive coach and author of The Better Way to Win. From leading the largest turnaround in UK banking history to co-founding one of the world’s top 100 wineries, Mike’s leadership journey is anything but conventional.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
The difference between leadership and management (and why most get it wrong)
How Mike rebuilt Barclays' culture from scandal to success
The single most important factor in driving team performance
Why most executive teams lack true inspiration—and what to do about it
A powerful framework for shifting from “execution excellence” to “strategic impact”
Whether you're in the C-suite or just stepping into leadership, this is a masterclass in building followership, leading through crisis, and building a purpose-driven organization.
“Leadership is a feeling. And the best leaders? They're felt.” - Mike Amato
17 Feb 2025TRANSCRIPT
#5 - A Security Industry Legend's Raw Story - Ken Gould
Join Jim de Vries in this riveting episode of Conversations on Resilient Leadership as he sits down with Ken Gould, a 50-year veteran of the security industry and founder of KG Consulting. Ken’s journey, from managing his family’s business to leading multimillion-dollar companies and shaping industry associations, offers a masterclass in resilient leadership.In this episode, Ken shares:Leadership vs. Management: Why visionary thinking, kindness, and humility define true leadership—not just task management.Crisis Resilience: Firsthand lessons from steering teams through 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, and the COVID-19 pandemic.The Power of Listening: How overcoming his own “driven” persona taught him the value of patience and empowering others.Building Trust: Simple yet transformative acts—like shoveling snow for a janitor or sending handwritten birthday cards—that forge loyal teams.Industry Insights: Why customer service, compliance, and embracing technology are critical for thriving in today’s security landscape.Packed with gritty anecdotes, actionable strategies, and Ken’s signature Brooklyn charm, this episode is a must-listen for leaders seeking to inspire, adapt, and leave a legacy. Whether you’re navigating crises or building a culture of kindness, Ken’s wisdom will fuel your leadership journey.Tune in now and discover how resilience, integrity, and a little old-school day-timer planning can redefine success.
14 Jan 2025TRANSCRIPT
#4 - I Fired My Best Friend - Jacquelyn Gernaey
Jim de Vries sits down with Jackie Gernaey, CEO of Seven Star HR, to explore her remarkable journey from hospital microbiologist to pioneering business leader, offering invaluable insights on building effective teams and navigating challenging business decisions.
2 Dec 2024TRANSCRIPT
#3 - Leadership Under Fire: John Cosgrove
John Cosgrove, President of Atlantic Handling Systems and former Mayor of Fair Lawn, NJ, shares his leadership principles and insights on building trust and navigating change in America's economic landscape.
13 Nov 2024TRANSCRIPT
#2 - Surviving the Startup Rollercoaster: Michael Loveless
When should entrepreneurs pull the plug, and when should they persevere?
In Episode 2 of Conversations on Resilient Leadership, Jim de Vries speaks with Mike Loveless, VP of AI and Analytics at intelgraph, about the art of balancing entrepreneurial vision with pragmatic decision-making.
From lessons learned in the trenches of tech startups to strategies for fostering resilience in today’s volatile landscape, Mike shares insights on cultivating tenacity, navigating partnerships, and leveraging AI to build robust, adaptive organizations.
Key highlights:
Mike Loveless’s entrepreneurial journey and leadership style
Balancing tenacity with the need to pivot in business
Building flat, inclusive organizations that foster innovation
The evolving role of AI in supply chain and business management
Strategies for proactive resilience and future-proofing your business
Whether you're a startup founder, seasoned executive, or aspiring leader, this episode offers practical wisdom on building adaptable, human-centered organizations that can thrive amid uncertainty.
Join us for a candid discussion that challenges conventional wisdom and offers fresh perspectives on sustainable business growth.
30 Oct 2024
#1 - Leading with Vision and Values: Assad Mirza
In this inaugural episode of Conversations on Resilient Leadership, host Jim DeVries sits down with Assad Mirza, CEO of Infinity Opex, for a candid exploration of authentic leadership in today's dynamic business environment.
Assad explains why self-awareness, having a bold vision, and building genuine connections with employees are the keys to leading organizations through turbulent times. He draws on his own career spanning multiple industries to reveal how he transformed struggling companies by first transforming the mindset and culture. Listeners will walk away with a fresh understanding of leadership that goes beyond titles and metrics to the heart of inspiring teams to achieve great things. This episode is a must-listen for any leader seeking to build more resilient, innovative, and purpose-driven organizations.
Key highlights include:
Why true leadership starts with leading yourself before leading others
How to create and implement a vision that truly engages all levels of an organization
The critical difference between vision and strategy in organizational success
Practical approaches to building genuine employee engagement
The "smell of the place" theory: measuring success beyond traditional metrics
Insights on navigating the current economic landscape and the future of AI in business
29 Oct 2024
Trailer: Conversations on Resilient Leadership
This week, Enhance International Group introduces Conversations on Resilient Leadership—a podcast series dedicated to exploring the principles and practices that define effective, resilient leadership in today’s complex world.
Inside a recent episode
#10 - Global Innovation Expert - Jose Pires
Published 4 Dec 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] The answer to this complicated questions is usually both when you're when you're when you're like struggling between things that pull in different directions. What we have learned from great enduring leaders and organizations is that they don't spend endless hours debating A or B. They have learned that the best solutions lie in the intelligent blending of A and B. So there is one key point there. The world of greatness is not an or world. The world of greatness is an and world. And that and world may feel like contradictory at times. You know, and I'm often guilty of sounding contradictory on the things that I say. […]
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