Leadership lens

About Leadership lens

Leadership Lens is a podcast for founders, executives, and people leaders who want to build stronger teams and make better leadership decisions. Hosted by the founder of SearchWorks LLC, the show explores leadership through the real-world lens of hiring, talent development, culture, and decision-making at the highest levels of an organization.

Publisher

Taylor Robinson

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

31 Jan 2026

Latest episode

14 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Apr 2026

   Great leaders don’t push control… they push clarity

   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 Widner 01:52 Why purpose matters more than execution 03:09 What happens when success isn’t clearly defined 05:31 Communicating vision during acquisitions 09:40 “Coffee with Ken” and leadership accessibility 10:13 Why leadership is about people, not just tech 11:32 Ken’s unconventional path into IT 14:03 From music store to psychology mindset 15:39 Treating IT like a “dysfunctional family” 16:27 Why technical skills aren’t his superpower 17:57 Making IT approachable across the business 20:40 How leaders evaluate new technology 21:56 “I’m not the department of no” 24:01 Why companies can’t handle too much change 26:01 The reality of AI and where money is actually made 27:31 FOMO and bad tech decisions 30:10 The real challenge: user adoption 31:38 Why adoption matters more than implementation 32:01 Defining success before choosing tools 33:54 Change management and driving adoption 35:03 Why timing matters more than the tech itself 36:31 Final thoughts on leadership and vision

2. 

   7 Apr 2026

   Vision without alignment is just chaos with a mission statement

   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 Welcome 00:34 – Who is Chris Beer? (Wizard of Ops explained) 01:33 – What is EOS? (Simple explanation) 03:44 – The Integrator Role Breakdown 05:48 – What an Outsourced Integrator Actually Does 07:35 – Working Across Multiple Companies 09:10 – How EOS Breaks During Growth 12:12 – Scaling from $2M to $10M (What Changes) 13:57 – What’s Next: Becoming an EOS Implementer 18:27 – How Experience as an Integrator Adds Value 21:40 – From Trader to Operator: Career Transition 26:42 – Decision-Making as a Superpower 27:07 – Final Thoughts & Where to Find Chris

3. 

   31 Mar 2026

   Great leaders don’t react to change — they architect it.

   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 Johnson 01:28 The 5 leadership roles in uncertain times 03:09 Leader as Beacon – Vision, alignment & clarity 10:09 Leader as Coach – Motivation & stakeholder inspiration 15:16 Leader as Innovator – Failing fast & MVP thinking 25:09 Leader as Change Agent – Aligning systems & people 28:55 Leader as Architect – Building adaptable organizations 32:24 Which leadership role matters most right now 33:34 Final thoughts & closing

4. 

   24 Mar 2026

   This is what companies don’t talk about… until it’s too late

   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 & Welcome 00:09 – Guest Introduction: Jody LaVoie 01:43 – Jody’s Personal Story: Life-Changing Knock on the Door 04:28 – Taking Over the Family Business After Tragedy 06:41 – How to Support Someone Experiencing Grief 08:05 – Practical Ways to Help: Listening & Specific Actions 09:15 – Transition to The Grief Company & Helping Others 12:21 – Grief in the Workplace: Beyond Death 14:17 – How Grief Shows Up at Work & Team Awareness 15:50 – Different Levels of Grief & Tailored Responses 17:07 – Employee Fear & Open Communication 18:46 – Building a Culture that Supports Grief 19:44 – Bereavement Policy vs. Organizational Culture 21:51 – How Workshops & Coaching Sessions Work 23:17 – Returning to Work After Grief 24:54 – Flexibility in Bereavement Policies & Reentry Plans 27:29 – Key Takeaways for Managers & Executives 28:40 – Closing Remarks & Appreciation

5. 

   17 Mar 2026

   The real reason employees aren’t changing jobs right now

   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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:12 Rob Wilson’s background and career journey 02:18 Working in a family business 03:48 Setting boundaries between family and business 06:01 Opening a restaurant in St. Martin 08:17 Lessons learned running a restaurant 09:10 HR laws in the U.S. vs Europe 11:18 HR trends and the employment landscape in 2026 13:35 Why benefits matter more than ever in hiring 17:12 Why healthcare costs keep rising 18:23 The real secret to great sales 20:31 Building relationships instead of selling 21:12 Final thoughts and closing

6. 

   6 Mar 2026

   A marketing exec becoming CEO? Twice. Here’s how.

   🎙 From CMO to CEO (Twice) | Franchise Growth, Brand Strategy & The Future of IRL Experiences In 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 roles What makes a successful franchise owner Why self-awareness beats experience The future of in-person events post-COVID The loneliness epidemic & experience-driven brands And even… speed wrestling as dating 😅 If you're an entrepreneur, executive, recruiter, or future franchise owner — this episode is packed with practical insight. ⏱ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Lee Feldman 01:42 – Lee’s Career Journey: From Music to CEO 03:35 – How a Marketing Executive Becomes CEO (Twice) 06:44 – Youth Franchise Brands Explained 08:34 – 3 MasterChef Junior Winners?! 09:59 – Acquiring & Scaling Established Brands 11:29 – Franchise Model & Expansion Strategy 12:29 – How Franchising Has Changed 14:32 – What Makes a Great Franchisee 17:53 – Hiring Beyond the Resume 19:58 – Building Replaceable, Scalable Systems 21:27 – Post-COVID Events & Experience Trends 23:20 – The Loneliness Epidemic & IRL Engagement 24:19 – Speed Wrestling Instead of Speed Dating?! 26:08 – The Business Model of Dating Events 27:40 – AI, Recruiting & Getting Found on LinkedIn 30:34 – Entrepreneurship vs Employment 30:49 – Final Thoughts

7. 

   24 Feb 2026

   Will AI Remplace Your Sales Team? / LeaderShip lens

   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 & Introduction 01:09 – Steve’s Unconventional Career Path 04:18 – Lessons from Early B2B Sales 06:29 – Building Global Revenue Teams 09:09 – Staying Relevant in Tech’s Rapid Evolution 10:51 – AI, Agents & the Future of Sales 15:26 – Should AI Replace SDRs? 19:05 – The Modern Go-To-Market Strategy 20:39 – Why ICPs Matter More Than Ever 21:39 – Personalization vs. “Spray and Pray” 24:05 – Advice for Boutique Firms Without Big Data 27:48 – Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways

8. 

   17 Feb 2026

   Beyond the Numbers: A Guest-First CFO

   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 Lens 00:56 – What Does a CFO Actually Do? 02:46 – Why Levi Works Restaurant Shifts 04:02 – Staying Close to the Guest Experience 07:13 – Building a Culture That Supports Operations 09:02 – The Restaurant Industry After COVID 12:15 – Margin Pressure & The “Value Proposition” 13:17 – Health Trends, GLP-1 & Changing Consumer Behavior 15:44 – From the White House to Hospitality 17:00 – Lessons from Government & Philanthropy 20:05 – Why Levi Chose the Restaurant Industry 22:24 – Switching Industries: What Actually Matters 25:23 – The #1 Trait Levi Recruits For: Grit 27:42 – How to Really Vet a Candidate 29:25 – Why Fit Beats Skill 31:14 – Hiring, Managing & Getting the “Off Script” Version 33:47 – Culture, Authenticity & Leadership Philosophy 35:12 – Final Thoughts

9. 

   10 Feb 2026

   Driving Growth in Private Equity–Backed Companies - Leadership Lens

   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 growth If 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 Background 02:10 – Why Paul Chose Accounting (and Why It Still Matters) 03:45 – The Accounting Talent Shortage Explained 05:30 – Advice for Aspiring CFOs 07:00 – 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 ERP 14:30 – Hiring Finance Leaders: Culture vs Technical Skills 16:00 – Case Studies in Interviews: Helpful or Harmful? 18:45 – The Paper & Pencil CPA Exam Story 20:00 – From Family Business to Entrepreneurship 23:00 – Why Paul Went Back for His MBA at Kellogg 25:30 – Private Equity vs Founder-Led Businesses 27:00 – Scaling with Data vs Shooting from the Hip 29:30 – Final Takeaways

10. 

    31 Jan 2026

    How AI Is Reshaping, Leadership, Hiring And marketing

    How to Use AI to Work Smarter, Build Culture, and Lead Better | Leadership Lens Podcast In 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 daily 01:03 – Mark Reifenrath’s origin story & founding Spinutech 02:57 – Building company culture organically vs intentionally 06:01 – Using core values as a decision-making framework 06:52 – AI’s impact on marketing, strategy, and efficiency 07:28 – Why leaders should run toward AI, not fear it 10:08 – Market shifts, efficiency pressure, and AI’s role 11:25 – What it means to be “AI-native” at work 12:10 – Finding small AI time-savers that compound 14:28 – Using AI agents in leadership meetings (EOS/L10) 15:56 – What AI agents are and how businesses use them 17:03 – 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 education 23:16 – How beginners should start using AI today 25:09 – The “AI handicap” analogy (golf + tech adoption) 26:22 – Using AI to create content faster and better 27:53 – AI in recruiting, interviewing, and talent assessment 29:01 – How Mark used AI to replace himself as CEO 31:38 – Risks of AI-written resumes and interviews 32:25 – Hiring debate: AI users vs non-AI users 34:35 – AI’s long-term impact on education and work 36:02 – Final thoughts on leadership, AI, and the future

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