Episode - Leadership Through the Power Leadership Through the Power of Story I Gavin McMahonof Story I Gavin McMahon

Episode - Leadership Through the Power Leadership Through the Power of Story I Gavin McMahonof Story I Gavin McMahon

In this episode of 40 Percent Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Gavin McMahon, CEO of fassforward and author of Story Business, for a fascinating conversation about leadership, storytelling, team alignment, and the power of creating shared context. Drawing from his experience working with organizations around the world, Gavin explains why storytelling is one of the most effective tools a leader can use to inspire action, build trust, and help teams make better decisions. The discussion explores how leaders can create motivated, high-performing teams by focusing less on directing every task and more on helping people understand the bigger picture. Topics covered include: * Why storytelling is a critical leadership skill * The difference between empowerment and agency * How great leaders create alignment across teams * The Hope, Fear, and Reason framework for influencing decisions * Building intrinsically motivated teams * Product storytelling and innovation lessons from Slack * Why engineers and technical professionals benefit from storytelling skills * Leading organizational change through better communication * Creating cultures that encourage ownership and growth Gavin also shares stories from his career, insights from researching and writing Story Business, and practical advice for managers, executives, founders, and aspiring leaders looking to improve how they communicate and influence others. About Gavin McMahon Gavin McMahon is the CEO of fassforward, a consulting firm that helps organizations navigate transformation and change. He is the author of Story Business, a book that explores how storytelling can be used to drive better leadership, stronger brands, more effective products, and healthier organizational cultures. Connect with Gavin McMahon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmcmahon/ Subscribe to 40 Percent Better for more conversations on leadership, technology, management, and personal growth. #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #GavinMcMahon #fassforward #CEO #Leadership #Storytelling #Management #TeamLeadership #BusinessLeadership #CommunicationSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment #Podcast I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast

Friction Free Leadership That Works I Jimmy Burroughes

In this episode of 40 Percent Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Jimmy Burroughes, Founder of Aidencoach.io, to explore what real leadership looks like beyond job titles and hierarchy. The conversation dives deep into practical leadership lessons drawn from military cadets, software teams, and modern organizations struggling with complexity, trust, and execution. Jimmy shares his core philosophy of leadership as a mindset, not a position, and introduces powerful ideas like friction removal and compound performance through his Simplify to Amplify approach. Together, Bill and Jimmy unpack why so many teams feel stuck despite working hard, and how clarity, ownership, and better communication can unlock significantly higher performance. They also discuss how leaders can reduce overwhelm by prioritizing impact over urgency, using simple frameworks like weekly alignment check-ins, the 3 by 3 by 3 method, and setting clear decision boundaries within teams. The discussion highlights how trust, autonomy, and role clarity directly influence motivation, engagement, and results. Bill brings his experience from product and startup environments, connecting leadership theory to real-world execution challenges in tech teams, prioritization battles, and stakeholder management. Key topics covered: Leadership as a mindset Friction removal in organizations Simplify to Amplify framework Compound performance and 1 percent improvements Building trust and psychological safety Role clarity and ownership in teams Managing priorities and stakeholder alignment Practical communication systems for leaders Guest: Jimmy Burroughes, Founder, Aidencoach.io Connect with Jimmy Burroughes on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmyburroughes/ Host: Bill Lennan Podcast: 40 Percent Better If you are a team leader, manager, or aspiring leader looking to improve team performance without adding complexity, this conversation offers practical, real-world tools you can start using immediately. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast

Why Human Leadership Still Wins in the Age of AI I Joshua Gould

Welcome to 40 Percent Better with Bill Lennan featuring Joshua Gould, Group CEO @ thebigword In this episode, Bill Lennan and Joshua Gould dive into leadership, AI, business growth, technology transformation, and what it really takes to build resilient teams in a rapidly changing world. Joshua shares his journey of growing thebigword from a $6 million business into a company generating over $100 million in revenue. The conversation explores AI evolution, leadership principles, communication skills, sales mindset, startup challenges, hiring resilient people, and how technology can strengthen human potential instead of replacing it. Topics covered: • AI and leadership in modern business • Building resilient teams • Scaling from millions to $100M+ revenue • Hiring for mindset and adaptability • Communication and people skills • Sales psychology and rejection • Startup growth lessons • Human leadership in an AI-driven world 40 Percent Better Bill Lennan Joshua Gould Group CEO @ thebigword Connect with Joshua Gould on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuadgould/ #40percentbetter #BillLennan #JoshuaGould #Leadership #AI #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Technology #Startups #Sales #Management #Podcast I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast

Leadership, Power, and Real Growth at Work I Charley Wedeen-Zittle

In this episode of 40 Percent Better, Bill Lennan sits down with Charley Wedeen-Zittle, Sr. Value Engineer at Box, for a raw and thoughtful conversation about leadership, power dynamics, and what actually makes people thrive at work. Charley shares how her leadership journey began early in life, shaped by a strong sense of responsibility and a belief that if you care, you step up. From student leadership to navigating complex workplace environments, she reflects on lessons learned the hard way, including balancing efficiency with empathy and learning how to lead with people, not over them. This conversation goes deep into what separates good leaders from ineffective ones. You will hear honest perspectives on intrinsic motivation, why co-creating environments leads to better outcomes, and how leadership is less about control and more about enabling others to succeed. Bill and Charley also unpack the idea that leadership is a system that can be learned, practiced, and improved over time. A major theme throughout the episode is the gap between what companies say and what they actually do. Charley challenges performative approaches to leadership, diversity, and workplace culture, explaining why checking boxes never replaces genuine care for people. She also shares real experiences navigating toxic environments and offers clear, practical advice on how to handle difficult managers, when to give feedback, and when it is time to walk away. The discussion also explores managing up, managing across, and understanding power structures inside organizations. Charley breaks down how to communicate effectively with leaders, advocate for yourself, and build influence without formal authority. Bill adds insights on leadership as a learnable system, including how breaking skills into small, repeatable actions can help anyone grow into a stronger leader. You will also hear powerful insights on resilience, personal responsibility, and the courage it takes to operate outside your comfort zone. Whether it is giving feedback, navigating difficult conversations, or building emotional composure, this episode offers practical ways to grow both professionally and personally. Topics covered: leadership development and mindset managing up and influencing without authority workplace culture and employee experience handling toxic managers and difficult situations intrinsic motivation and team performance leadership systems and skill building career growth and feedback strategies personal responsibility and resilience Featuring: Bill Lennan Host of 40 Percent Better Charley Wedeen-Zittle Sr. Value Engineer Box Connect with Charley Wedeen-Zittle on Linkedln - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wedeen/ If you are looking to become a better leader, navigate workplace challenges, or understand how to build real influence at work, this episode delivers clear, honest, and actionable insights. Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, growth, and real experiences from the tech world. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast

Leadership Without a Title in Tech I Juan Boyce

Step inside a real-world tech leadership journey in this episode of 40 Percent Better with Bill Lennan and guest Juan Boyce, Chief Technology Officer, Principal Software Engineer at Boyce Tech. Juan shares how he got started in software engineering at startups, where leadership often shows up before the title does. He talks about automating his early work, earning recognition from leadership, and learning how to influence teams through action rather than authority. The conversation explores the difference between startup environments and large companies, why hands-on problem solving matters, and how early exposure to responsibility can shape stronger engineers and leaders. Juan also opens up about making bold career moves, including relocating to Silicon Valley to level up his skills and opportunities. A big part of this episode focuses on adaptability. Juan explains how multiple career pivots pushed him toward self-reflection, helping him sharpen his thinking, improve decision making, and stay relevant in a fast-changing tech landscape. From transitioning programming languages to embracing AI-driven development, his journey highlights what it really takes to evolve over time. You will also hear practical insights on software architecture, including how to think in trade-offs, design scalable systems, and build with long-term flexibility in mind. Juan shares why coding languages matter less than understanding systems, and how modern tools like AI are reshaping the way developers work. This episode is especially valuable for aspiring developers, engineers early in their careers, and anyone curious about leadership in tech. Juan offers grounded advice on getting started, building real projects, staying out of your comfort zone, and choosing a career path you genuinely enjoy. If you are looking to grow in tech, lead without a title, or understand how to stay adaptable in a changing industry, this conversation delivers clear, honest insights from someone who has lived it. Topics covered: software engineering careers startup vs corporate experience leadership without a title career pivots in tech software architecture and system design AI in software development adapting to change in technology building real-world coding skills Featuring: Bill Lennan Host of 40 Percent Better Juan Boyce Chief Technology Officer, Principal Software Engineer Boyce Tech Connect with Juan Boyce on linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juanboyce/ Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, growth, and real stories from the tech world. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast