In this episode, Michael Apollo speaks with Dylan Piatti, Managing Director at Advantage Group International, about how leaders can navigate rapid technological, geopolitical, and organizational change without losing strategic focus or the human relationships that drive performance.

We discuss iterative scenario planning, vulnerability and reverse mentorship, how leaders can distinguish meaningful strategic shifts from noise, and why trust, collaboration, communication, and partnership should increasingly be treated as measurable business metrics. Drawing on his work with organizations and senior executives across global markets, Dylan explores how proactive, transparent communication can preserve trust even when execution falls short, and how regular feedback loops can help leaders adapt without constantly resetting strategy.

This conversation offers practical ways leaders and organizations can stay future-focused, challenge their assumptions, reduce reactivity, and build resilient, human-centered organizations as AI continues to reshape the nature of work.

Leading Minds Revealed with Michael Apollo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelapollo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelapolloofficial/ Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast Newsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast#section-1751049894114

Dylan Piatti Managing Director, Advantage Group International LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanpiatti/ Website: https://www.advantagegroup.com/

Timestamps

00:00 — Leading with clarity, humanity and trust 02:30 — The leadership mindset needed for uncertainty 03:30 — Why leaders need ongoing scenario planning 06:40 — Managing context switching and competing priorities 09:00 — Vulnerability, reverse mentorship and continuous learning 14:00 — Thinking beyond the most obvious future 18:20 — The hidden pressure and loneliness of senior leadership 27:55 — How often should leaders revisit strategy? 30:00 — Learning to say no and protecting what creates value 33:00 — Turning trust and collaboration into hard metrics 38:50 — Listening, bias and challenging your assumptions 42:00 — Why trust is a measurable business advantage 51:20 — How organizational change can erode trust 54:00 — Why transparent communication matters during disruption 57:45 — How AI may change the nature of trust 59:45 — What a humanoid robot revealed about being human 1:02:00 — Why leadership becomes more human as technology advances

#LeadingMindsRevealed #Leadership #StrategicLeadership #Trust #FutureOfWork

In this episode, Michael Apollo speaks with Sahana Mukherjee, Chief Strategy Officer at Providentia Advisors LLC and former Global Head of HR at Citi, about leading when uncertainty is a constant part of work. They discuss how digital transformation and AI are changing the pace of decision-making, why clarity matters more than a detailed plan, and how design thinking and systems thinking can help leaders identify friction across teams.

Sahana shares practical ways to build trust, involve people in change, and make adoption part of everyday workflows. For leaders shaping the future of work, the conversation offers a way to connect cross-functional leadership with the decisions, processes, and human support an AI-enabled workforce needs.

Leading Minds Revealed with Michael Apollo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelapollo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelapolloofficial/ Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast Newsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast#section-1751049894114

Sahana Mukherjee Chief Strategy Officer, Providentia Advisors LLC Former Global Head of HR, Citi Website: https://sahanamukherjee.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahanamukherjee/ Founder, Unveiled: Bridging the Gap

Timestamps 00:00 — Why uncertainty calls for a different approach to leadership 03:00 — How the pace and reach of change have shifted 06:00 — Choosing clarity over certainty 09:00 — Connecting the technical roadmap to the human experience 12:00 — Design thinking for people; systems thinking for scale 16:00 — Finding friction across the workflow 20:00 — Rethinking operating models for AI transformation 25:00 — Building trust and bringing people into change 31:00 — Decision frameworks and priorities that reduce overwhelm 36:00 — Connecting strategy, execution, and measurable impact 41:00 — Why Sahana moved from engineering toward human behaviour 45:00 — Designing systems that can adapt 49:00 — Unveiled and equitable access to career opportunities

#LeadingMindsRevealed #DigitalTransformation #ChangeLeadership #FutureOfWork #AIWorkforce

In this episode, Michael Apollo speaks with The Honourable Filomena Tassi, P.C., Senior Advisor at Barrack Hill Public Affairs and a former federal Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament, about how leaders can make difficult decisions with integrity, clarity, and compassion when the stakes are high. We discuss how she stayed grounded through the pace and pressure of public office, why thorough briefings and trusted counsel are essential to sound judgment, and how deep listening builds trust—even when a final decision cannot satisfy everyone. Drawing on her experience navigating the Port of Montreal strike during COVID-19 and bringing mindfulness into the House of Commons, Filomena offers practical ways leaders can hear competing perspectives, take difficult meetings, communicate honestly, and choose the most responsible path when no option is perfect. This conversation explores how presence, humility, and respect without agreement can help executives, teams, and organizations make better decisions, sustain trust, and lead without losing sight of who they are.

Leading Minds Revealed with Michael Apollo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelapollo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelapolloofficial/ Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast Newsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast#section-1751049894114

The Honourable Filomena Tassi, P.C. Senior Advisor, Barrack Hill Public Affairs Website: http://www.barrack-hill.ca LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/filomenatassi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbop3lTv88N/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FilomenaTassi/

Timestamps:

00:00 Leading with integrity when decisions have consequences 02:00 From law and chaplaincy to federal politics 07:00 Staying grounded in a high-pressure leadership role 12:00 Mindfulness, reflection, and physical exercise 15:00 A framework for making well-informed decisions 21:00 Carrying the weight of leadership responsibility 23:00 Giving your best and taking the leap 27:00 The Port of Montreal strike: when no choice is easy 30:00 Why leaders must take difficult meetings 34:00 Mindfulness as preparation for deep listening 37:00 How listening builds trust 40:00 Listening without judgment or an agenda 45:00 Bringing mindful moments to Parliament 47:00 Jon Kabat-Zinn, protesters, and the power of presence 50:00 Why respect does not require agreement 52:00 Closing reflections and connecting with Filomena

#LeadingMindsRevealed #ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipUnderPressure #DecisionMaking #DeepListening

In this episode, Michael Apollo speaks with Scott Morgan, General Manager at Thomson Reuters, an accomplished operating executive with 25 years of experience helping technology companies create value, accelerate growth, and scale through strategic transformation.

We discuss how leaders can navigate AI adoption and workforce change without losing the human core of leadership, including the pressure to improve efficiency, the importance of change management and employee enablement, and why judgment, creativity, empathy, trust, and psychological safety become even more important as technology reshapes work. Scott shares practical perspectives on introducing AI incrementally, redesigning roles rather than simply eliminating them, communicating openly during periods of uncertainty, and building high-performing teams that can adapt while carrying culture.

This conversation offers executives, senior leaders, and organizational decision-makers a grounded approach to treating AI as a partner while maintaining the human capabilities and relationships required for sustained performance.

Leading Minds Revealed with Michael Apollo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelapollo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelapolloofficial/ Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast Newsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast#section-1751049894114

Scott Morgan

General Manager, Thomson Reuters

Website: http://tr.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottemorgan/

00:00 — Why leadership must remain human in an AI-enabled world 02:00 — What leaders are misunderstanding about AI 04:00 — Avoiding the dehumanization of the workplace 05:00 — AI adoption, workforce fear and organizational pressure 07:00 — Why change management matters in AI transformation 08:00 — Scott’s 30% approach to introducing AI into work 10:00 — The risks of prioritizing efficiency over humanity 11:00 — AI as a partner, not a replacement 13:00 — Why human skills become more valuable as work changes 15:00 — Balancing executive pressure with bottom-up adoption 16:00 — Redesigning roles instead of simply eliminating them 18:00 — Communication, trust and high-performing teams 19:00 — Using bottom-up experimentation to drive AI adoption 20:00 — Why great leadership starts with “How are you doing?” 22:00 — Psychological safety and the human factors of performance 23:00 — How Scott thinks about selecting and building teams 25:00 — Why organizations shouldn’t overlook their “B players” 28:00 — Developing people during periods of rapid change 29:00 — How service, stewardship and accountability shaped Scott’s leadership 31:00 — Scott’s most important principle for leaders today 32:00 — Psychological safety, relatability and leading through uncertainty 34:00 — Closing reflections and where to connect with Scott

#LeadingMindsRevealed #Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #AILeadership #FutureOfWork #HumanCenteredLeadership #ChangeLeadership #PsychologicalSafety #OrganizationalChange #ArtificialIntelligence

In this episode, Michael Apollo speaks with Rudy Newbury, Chief Programs Officer at Taproot , about why effective leadership begins with a healthy relationship with oneself. Drawing on his experience in government, non-profits, Indigenous relations, children and family services, executive coaching, and organizational transformation, Rudy explores how self-awareness, healing, emotional regulation, and authentic relationships shape the way leaders show up.

We discuss practical approaches to cultivating presence, developing mid-level leaders through coaching, navigating conflict without becoming defensive, leading people through organizational change, and introducing AI in ways that protect human connection, confidentiality, and organizational values.

This conversation offers leaders practical ways to become more grounded, listen more deeply, create developmental relationships, and build cultures where people feel seen, heard, and understood.

Leading Minds Revealed with Michael Apollo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelapollo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelapolloofficial/ Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast Newsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast#section-1751049894114

Rudy Newbury Chief Programs Officer, Taproot Website: https://taproot.ca/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudy-newbury-91716b77/

00:00 – Why healing and self-relationship matter in leadership 02:15 – Leadership as a practice of healthy relationships 03:00 – What it means to have a healthy relationship with yourself 04:15 – Practical first steps: journaling, reflection, and grounding 05:45 – How presence helps leaders move through overwhelm 07:40 – The impact of putting down distractions and becoming present 08:50 – Why leaders cannot take people somewhere they have not been 10:30 – Building genuine relationships across distributed teams 11:00 – Developing mid-level managers through a coaching culture 12:05 – Helping people feel seen, heard, and understood 13:00 – What prevents leaders from being fully present 14:15 – Using breathing and intentional pauses to begin meetings 15:35 – Leading organizational transformation alongside employees 17:30 – Creating developmental relationships at work 18:10 – Using AI to reduce administrative demands 19:15 – Addressing employee apprehension about AI 21:00 – Practices that strengthen grounded leadership 22:00 – Why silence is an essential leadership skill 23:30 – The importance of community, mentors, and wise advisors 24:30 – Lessons from Indigenous ceremony and healing practices 26:00 – Recognizing that wisdom exists throughout an organization 27:00 – Why leadership sometimes means knowing whom to follow 29:50 – Responding to conflict with curiosity instead of defensiveness 32:20 – How self-awareness changes behaviour in difficult moments 33:30 – Building a balanced and developmental relationship with AI 35:00 – Why human connection must remain the priority 37:15 – Where to begin with healing-centred leadership 38:25 – Setting clear intentions for coaching conversations 39:20 – Learning more about Taproot and Rudy’s work 40:30 – Leadership as deeply human work

#LeadingMindsRevealed #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveLeadership #SelfAwareness #OrganizationalCulture

In this episode, Michael Apollo speaks with Jordan Redshaw, Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Communications at NATIONAL Public Relations, about how leaders can navigate crisis, urgency, and rapid change without creating unnecessary panic.

We discuss how to distinguish between a true crisis and an urgent issue, why a clear North Star helps teams stay focused under pressure, and how trust, empathy, decentralized leadership, and clear communication support stronger decision-making.

Drawing on Jordan’s experience in crisis response, stakeholder relations, high-pressure client advisory, and the Fort McMurray wildfire response and recovery, this conversation offers practical insight for leaders, executives, teams, and organizations seeking to lead with greater clarity, calm, and confidence during uncertain times.

Leading Minds Revealed with Michael Apollo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelapollo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelapolloofficial/ Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast Newsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast#section-1751049894114

Guest Jordan Redshaw Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Communications NATIONAL Public Relations Email: jredshaw@national.ca Website: https://www.national.ca/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanredshaw/

00:00 Introduction: Leading Through Crisis, Urgency, and Change 02:00 Why Leadership Feels Harder in an Age of Urgency 03:00 The Importance of Clear Outcomes and Simple Communication 04:30 Why Organizations Lose Their North Star 06:00 Calm, Confidence, and Clarity from Senior Leaders 08:30 How a Clear Mission Enables Decentralized Leadership 10:30 What Happens When Teams Lack Direction 12:30 Crisis vs. Urgent Issue: How Leaders Can Tell the Difference 14:00 Why Long-Term Trust Matters More Than Short-Term Reputation Management 16:00 Preventing Reactivity and Emotional Contagion in Leadership Teams 17:00 Building Trust Before Problems Escalate 18:30 Giving Teams Visibility Into What’s Ahead 20:00 Listening to Loud and Quiet Voices in the Room 23:30 AI, Change, and the Need for Humble Leadership 24:30 Supporting the Next Generation of Talent 26:00 Why Attitude Matters in Hiring and Development 29:30 How NATIONAL Builds Leadership Skills Through Training and Exposure 32:00 Breaking Down Silos and Aligning Communications Around Business Outcomes 35:00 Lessons from the Fort McMurray Wildfire Response 36:00 Leading with Empathy Under Extreme Stress 38:00 Selflessness, Service, and Human Behaviour in Crisis 39:30 The Power of a Clear Mission During Emergency Response 41:00 How Listening to Frontline Insight Shaped Recovery Support 44:00 What High-Performing Teams Have in Common 45:00 Empowerment, Trust, and Fast Decision-Making 48:30 Jordan’s Closing Advice for Leaders Facing Pressure 49:00 Look Inward First: What Environment Are You Creating? 49:30 Prioritization, Control, and Influence 50:30 Helping People Grow Through Leadership 52:30 How to Connect with Jordan Redshaw 53:00 Closing Reflections

#LeadingMindsRevealed #Leadership

In this episode, Michael Apollo speaks with Vincenzo Ciampi, MBA, ICD.D, Senior Vice President at iA Financial Group, about what it takes to lead people through rapid technological transformation, AI-driven change, and organizational complexity. We discuss the shift from command-and-control leadership to servant leadership, how executives can stay grounded while navigating uncertainty, and why leaders need to stay close to the front lines to hear the truth from employees and customers.

Vincenzo also shares practical insights on AI adoption, the importance of judgment and discernment, and why focusing on people, culture, and retention can ultimately strengthen performance. This conversation is highly relevant for executives, senior leaders, founders, and organizational decision-makers who want to lead transformation with clarity, humility, and human connection.

Leading Minds Revealed with Michael Apollo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelapollo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelapolloofficial/ Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast Newsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast#section-1751049894114

Vincenzo Ciampi SVP, iA Financial Group Company Website: https://www.ia.ca/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincenzociampi/

Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to leading through rapid technological change 02:00 How leadership has changed over time 02:45 Moving beyond command-and-control leadership 03:30 Why servant leadership matters today 05:00 Leading through accelerated change and AI disruption 06:30 When command-and-control leadership can still be useful 08:30 Balancing urgency with culture and inclusion 10:00 Staying focused during overwhelm and uncertainty 11:00 Why leaders need a flexible plan 12:00 AI, productivity, growth, and governance 14:30 Staying open while grounded in strategy 16:00 The AI leadership paradox 17:00 Why humility matters for senior leaders adopting AI 18:00 How organizations can prioritize AI initiatives 20:00 Building successful AI teams and business ownership 22:30 Why leaders need to stay close to the front lines 23:30 Listening beyond the senior leadership team 24:00 What leaders learn from call centres and customer conversations 25:30 Presence, authenticity, and making time for people 27:00 Building connection through informal conversations 28:00 The basketball story and breaking hierarchy 29:30 Collective intelligence and knowing people beyond work 31:30 Why AI cannot replace human judgment 32:30 Discernment as a leadership skill 33:30 Why focusing on people improves performance 35:00 The risk of only caring about results 36:30 Servant leadership, motivation, and development 38:00 Culture, retention, and the cost of neglecting people 40:00 Why employees stay when leaders invest in them 42:00 Leading with presence through future uncertainty 43:00 How to connect with Vincenzo 44:00 Closing reflections

#LeadingMindsRevealed #Leadership