AI adoption requires a human-centered approach: success depends not on technology alone, but on how organizations help their people embrace and leverage AI tools effectively.
In this episode of High Octane Leadership, Donald Thompson shares a recent presentation offering practical insights on implementing AI strategies across organizations. Drawing from his journey of growing multiple companies and leading digital transformations, Donald provides actionable frameworks for effective AI adoption.
What You'll Learn:
About Donald:
Donald Thompson is an award-winning CEO, multi-exit entrepreneur, and nationally recognized leader who has transformed industries and inspired executives across the globe. Donald has built and scaled multiple companies to acquisition, led post-merger integration, and now builds repeatable performance systems as Managing Director of the Workplace Options Center for Organizational Effectiveness.
In this episode, Donald shares invaluable insights on AI adoption and strategic leadership, drawing from his extensive experience in growing multimillion-dollar firms and building high-performance teams with a global perspective. His approach to AI implementation emphasizes both technological advancement and human-centered transformation, making this conversation particularly relevant for business leaders navigating the integration of AI into their organizations. Donald's recognition by EY, Forbes and Fast Company, combined with his practical experience in business exits and team building, offers listeners actionable strategies for leveraging AI while managing organizational change.
Resources:
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
Trust and empathy are critical leadership currencies in today's uncertain business landscape, especially when navigating internal communications and team dynamics.
In this episode of High Octane Leadership, host Donald Thompson engages with Bianca Freedman, CEO of Edelman Canada, to explore effective leadership strategies, building trust, and creating psychological safety in the workplace. As the youngest regional CEO in Edelman's global network, Bianca shares insights from leading 300 employees across five offices and achieving strong double-digit growth.
What You'll Learn:
About the Guest(s)
Bianca Freedman is the CEO of Edelman Canada, where she oversees strategy, operations, and culture across five offices and nearly 300 employees. Appointed in 2022 as the youngest regional CEO in Edelman's global network, she has led the organization to strong double-digit growth and numerous creative accolades, including top ranking at Cannes Lions 2024. Under her leadership, Edelman Canada has earned recognition as one of the best workplaces in Canada and best workplaces managed by women in 2025.
In this episode, Bianca shares valuable insights on building trust in uncertain times, effective internal communications, and creating psychological safety in the workplace, drawing from her experience leading a major professional services organization through complex business environments. Her practical approach to leadership and focus on empathy-driven decision-making offers valuable lessons for both emerging and established business leaders.
Resources:
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
In this inspiring episode of High Octane Leadership, Donald Thompson sits down with professional soccer player Brianna Pinto to explore how sports can break down barriers and create lasting social impact. Learn how the Pinto Futball Foundation is dismantling structural and financial obstacles in soccer while creating opportunities for underserved communities.
Whether you're an aspiring change-maker or established leader, discover powerful insights about using privilege for purpose, building inclusive spaces, and the intersection of athletic excellence with community leadership. Brianna shares her journey from collegiate athlete to professional player and nonprofit founder, offering practical wisdom on balancing multiple passions while driving meaningful change.
What You'll Learn:
About the Guest(s)
Brianna Pinto is a professional soccer player with NC Courage and co-founder of the Pinto Futball Foundation, established in 2021. A former UNC-Chapel Hill athlete, she serves as the North Carolina Courage representative for the NWSL Players Association and is a member of the US Soccer Athletes Council. Her leadership extends beyond the field through her work with organizations like the Black Women's Player Collective and her role as the US youth representative for the FIFA United Bid Committee in 2018, where she helped secure hosting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In this episode, Brianna shares her mission to dismantle structural and financial barriers in soccer, particularly for black and brown youth, while discussing her vision for creating accessible spaces for future generations of athletes. Her combination of professional athleticism, community leadership, and advocacy for equity in sports makes her insights valuable for both aspiring athletes and organizational leaders committed to creating positive social impact.
Resources:
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
Writing a book can be a powerful catalyst for building thought leadership and accelerating business success, but the journey requires strategic planning and expert guidance.
In this episode of High Octane Leadership, host Donald Thompson sits down with Bob Bachelor, an accomplished author of 15 books and strategic communications expert, to explore the complete roadmap for successfully writing and publishing a book that builds professional credibility and drives business growth.
What You'll Learn:
About the Guest(s)
Bob Bachelor is a distinguished author, strategic communicator, and publishing expert with over 15 books authored and 19 edited works to his credit. As a PhD in English Literature and experienced ghostwriter, he has helped countless business leaders and professionals transform their expertise into published works, including a bestselling biography of Stan Lee. Currently leading global content strategy initiatives at Workplace Options, Bob specializes in developing thought leadership programs and authentic communication strategies that drive organizational success. His expertise in both traditional publishing and modern content creation, including AI integration and strategic communications, makes him an invaluable resource for aspiring authors and business leaders looking to establish their thought leadership presence.
Resources:
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
Legacy Leadership: Building and Expanding a Family Business While Staying True to Core Values
In this episode of High Octane Leadership, Donald Thompson sits down with Drew Turner, President of Collegiate Sports Associates (CSA), to explore the evolution of a boutique executive search firm from its athletics-focused roots to a broader academic leadership recruitment powerhouse, while maintaining the relationship-driven culture that made it successful.
What You'll Learn:
About the Guest(s)
Drew Turner is the President of Collegiate Sports Associates (CSA), a premier executive search firm specializing in collegiate athletics and academic leadership recruitment. With deep roots in collegiate athletics administration and a background spanning multiple Division I institutions, Drew has transformed CSA from a boutique firm into an industry leader conducting over 50 high-profile searches annually. Under his leadership, CSA has become one of the top three premier search firms in college athletics, managing critical placements including athletic directors at Ohio State and football searches at institutions like North Carolina and Texas A&M. In this episode, Drew shares insights on legacy leadership, business transformation, and the strategic expansion of CSA into academic executive recruitment, drawing from his experience in growing a family business while maintaining its core values of relationships, trust, and results.
Resources:
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
Transforming workplace learning and leadership through the power of storytelling and shared experiences.
In this episode of High Octane Leadership, I connect with Emily Best, founder and CEO of Seed&Spark, to explore how her company is revolutionizing both creative funding and corporate learning through Film Forward, an innovative platform that uses short films to drive meaningful behavioral change and team development.
What You'll Learn:
- How to transform psychological safety from concept to practice through specific behavioral frameworks
- Why traditional online learning fails to build team cohesion and how shared experiences drive lasting change
- The critical difference between empowerment and actually understanding power dynamics in the workplace
- How women leaders can navigate workplace expectations without falling into the "comfort provider" trap
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
In this insightful episode of High Octane Leadership, I sit down with recent UNC-Charlotte graduate and rising professional Diana Garland to unpack the realities of Gen Z in the workplace. With candor, insight, and a touch of humor, Diana challenges stereotypes and offers a fresh perspective on what Gen Z truly values: purpose, mentorship, psychological safety, and meaningful work. This episode offers a two-way masterclass in leadership across generations. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this conversation bridges the generational divide with empathy, truth, and actionable takeaways.
We talk about what Gen Z actually wants from work, redefining hustle and rejecting quiet quitting, how to deliver (and receive) tough feedback, the power of mentorship and mutual respect and why leadership is always about relationships.
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
What if nearly half of Alzheimer’s cases could be prevented through lifestyle changes, and you could deliver that impact at scale?
In this episode of High Octane Leadership, host Donald Thompson interviews Adam Schultz, founder of Mindr, a groundbreaking digital health startup focused on preventing Alzheimer's and dementia through lifestyle interventions.
In this episode, you'll discover:
This isn't just another health app story; it's about digitizing hope for millions of families.
📍 Follow me on:
📌 LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook
Follow Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/durmadam
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
What do people say about you when you're not in the room—and more importantly, what do
you want them to say? In this crossover episode of High Octane Leadership and Diversity:
Beyond the Checkbox, Donald and Jackie Ferguson—co-founders of The Diversity Movement
and spouses in life and business—get candid about why personal branding is no longer optional
for professionals at any level. Together, they unpack how your personal brand can drive
business, open career doors, and create influence before you even show up.
About Jackie Ferguson
Jackie Ferguson is the host of the top-rated podcast Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox, where she leads honest conversations on leadership, equity, and belonging with thought leaders and change makers across industries. As a certified diversity executive and co-founder of The Diversity Movement, Jackie helps organizations build inclusive cultures through education, content, and strategy.
Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn.
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
What’s the real secret to building a high-performing team? Donald Thompson is joined by Amri B. Johnson—author, business strategist, and founder of Inclusion Wins—for a conversation about why employee engagement, not empty initiatives, is the true driver of organizational excellence.
Together, they explore how today's leaders can create thriving workplaces where trust, psychological safety, and shared purpose aren't just ideals—they're measurable advantages. Amri reveals why companies that prioritize authentic engagement outperform competitors, and how relational skills, empathy, and culture-building are essential tools for future-proofing leadership in a turbulent world. Donald and Amri also take a global view, examining how the shifting perception of U.S. leadership impacts companies worldwide—and why empathy and civility are more critical than ever to attracting and retaining top talent.
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
Is it possible to drive high performance without sacrificing humanity? Donald sits down with Gui Costin—entrepreneur, author, and founder of Dakota—to prove that the answer is a resounding yes. From 14 jobs in 17 years to building a $25 million business, Gui shares how he went from chasing success to leading with purpose.
You’ll hear Gui’s refreshing take on developing Gen Z talent, why structure and kindness aren’t mutually exclusive, and how face-to-face networking powers his company’s rapid growth. Plus, Gui reveals his “Be Kind” leadership philosophy, why Division I athletes make great sales hires, and why every business should aim to keep its best employees.
If you’re ready to scale your business and your mindset, this conversation is full of cheat codes you can use right now.
Want a signed copy of Gui’s latest book? Email him at gui@dakota.com.
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
What does it take to turn a personal challenge into a groundbreaking startup? In this episode, Donald talks with Paula Jackler, founder and CEO of Ozzie, an AI-powered financial wellness platform. Paula shares her story of navigating the challenges of immigrating from Brazil to the U.S., student debt, and the startup world. Hear how she combined her background in psychology and tech to create a platform that transforms how people understand and manage their finances. With insights on resilience, entrepreneurship, and building a mission-driven business, this conversation is a must-listen for aspiring founders and leaders.
Learn more about Paula’s story and Ozzie’s vision at ozzieapp.com.
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere, but should CEOs embrace it or approach with caution? Donald and Bob Batchelor sit down for a conversation about AI’s role in leadership, business strategy, and personal productivity. Together, they tackle the real questions: Is AI just another tech trend, or is it a game-changer for business leaders? How can CEOs effectively integrate AI without resistance from their teams? And what makes human leadership irreplaceable in an AI-driven world?
With insights from their upcoming co-authored book, Donald and Bob break down AI adoption, the impact on job markets, and the ethics of Big Tech’s control over AI. They also discuss how AI can serve as a powerful thought partner—boosting innovation, enhancing productivity, and even helping leaders test new ideas faster.
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is facing unprecedented challenges—from federal policies to corporate lawsuits. In this conversation, Donald and Bob Batchelor dive into the evolving DEI landscape, the pressures facing business leaders, and how to navigate the shifting political and corporate tides. As DEI faces increased scrutiny, how can companies safeguard their progress, preserve workplace culture, and reshape their strategies for long-term success? Donald offers insights from the C-suite and boardrooms, providing a practical, results-oriented approach to maintaining inclusive workplaces in challenging times. Tune in for a bold, no-nonsense discussion on leadership, business resilience, and the future of DEI in America.
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
Donald welcomes back trusted advisor and thought leadership guru Bob Batchelor for a deep dive into the art and science of executive branding. Together, they explore how thought leadership and authentic storytelling are game-changers for professionals and organizations alike. Learn about...
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
What if leadership came with a cheat sheet? In this episode, Donald Thompson shares his personal playbook for success, packed with hard-earned lessons from scaling multimillion-dollar businesses, navigating tough conversations, and building inclusive, high-performing teams. Discover how curiosity, resilience, and strategic networking can transform your leadership style and accelerate your growth. With candid stories and practical advice, Donald empowers leaders at every level to dream bigger, learn faster, and lead with purpose.
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
Can DEI fuel business growth and innovation? In this episode, Donald sits down with Amber Keister, a certified diversity executive and storytelling pro, to unpack how companies like Toyota and Ford are realigning DEI strategies to match their business objectives. They cut through the noise of media headlines to reveal how smart, pragmatic DEI creates engaged employees, loyal customers, and stronger bottom lines. From inclusive leadership tips to rethinking workplace culture, listen to learn how aligning DEI with business goals can transform your organization.
Read my latest column in WRAL Techwire.
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
In this episode, Donald sits down with Bob Batchelor, award-winning author of Stan Lee: A Life and The Bourbon King, to discuss his new book, The Authentic Leader. Bob is VP of Global Marketing and Communications at Workplace Options. Unlike many leadership books, often written by CEOs, Bob blends his expertise in strategic communication with lessons learned on the front lines of corporate America. He and Don take a deep dive into why leaders should invest energy and effort in thought leadership using Don’s experiences as a case study. Tune in as we explore Bob’s journey from content creator to CEO whisperer, revealing what he has learned over three decades of being a spy in the business world.
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
In today's rapidly changing business landscape, maintaining a strong company culture is essential for navigating periods of uncertainty, like labor volatility, CEO transitions, and economic fluctuations. Donald underscores the pivotal role that leaders play in preserving and nurturing culture and relationships during these tumultuous times. He believes that leadership should be adaptable, focusing on authentic connections and communication to maintain stability within the organization. His experience in leadership and commitment to inclusion inform his perspective that a robust company culture not only enhances business outcomes but also attracts and retains talent. By prioritizing DEI and empathetic communication, especially during mergers and acquisitions, Donald says that leaders can mitigate the emotional impact on employees, fostering a cohesive and resilient work environment.
(00:00:42) Leadership's Role in Nurturing Stability Amid Uncertainty
(00:07:47) Navigating Crisis Through Authentic Leader Connections
(00:16:59) Driving Business Success through DEI Integration
(00:21:02) Navigating Employee Emotions During Mergers
(00:25:23) Maintaining Authentic Connection with the Team
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
In this episode of High Octane Leadership, Donald and co-author Kurt Meriwether join Roderick Lewis to explore the insights behind the Inclusive Leadership Handbook. Donald and Kurt discuss the challenges leaders face today, from navigating cultural intelligence to fostering collaboration in an increasingly complex and volatile world. They explain the impetus for writing the book, emphasizing the need for actionable leadership strategies and offering real-world examples of how inclusive leadership can drive success. Learn how to build stronger teams, break down silos, and lead with empathy—without sacrificing business results.
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.
Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.
