When times get tough, we rely on leaders to make the hard decisions. That's why their character is so critical—it can make or break a team, a company, or even an entire organization.

In this episode, Jess Carter sits down with Ernest O'Boyle to explore the "dark triad" of leadership and how these toxic traits can quietly sabotage a workplace. Professor Ernest shares his research on how these traits often go unchecked, leading to manipulation and a toxic culture. They discuss how leaders with dark triad traits can distort data, influencing outcomes and undermining trust in data-driven decisions.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How toxic leadership traits impact team performance

• The effects of narcissism and Machiavellianism in leadership dynamics

• How to build and maintain a positive workplace culture despite challenging behaviors

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction to the episode with Ernest O'Boyle
(02:00) The dark triad traits in leadership
(06:45) How narcissism and psychopathy show up in the workplace
(10:25) Leadership in high-pressure environments
(14:10) Managing manipulative behaviors in teams
(18:00) How organizational culture shapes leadership behavior
(22:15) Ethical dilemmas in decision-making
(27:30) Can toxic leadership traits be reformed?

Ernest's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernest-o-boyle-4547a729/

AI can make decisions fast. But weak data foundations still slow everything down.

In this episode, Jess Carter sits down with Senior Director of Data Platform & Governance at Hungryroot Ben Ganzfried to discuss what it takes to build trust in data as companies grow. At Hungryroot, data does more than support reporting. It informs recommendations, recipes, and inventory decisions.

Ben shares lessons on building data foundations that help teams move faster with more confidence. He explains why governance should reinforce accountability, not create friction, and why unclear ownership becomes a bigger risk when more decisions depend on data.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why data governance is crucial for business growth

• Best practices for managing data security and accessibility

• How to foster a data-driven culture within your organization

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction to the episode with Ben Ganzfried
(02:41) How Hungryroot uses data to personalize the customer experience
(08:39) Making faster decisions through better governance
(14:15) The rise of data and AI leadership roles
(19:23) Why ambiguity becomes a risk as systems scale
(23:38) Curiosity as part of data-driven leadership

Ben's LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/ben-ganzfried-1a5a8620a/?skipRedirect=true

Links from the episode -

https://www.cdomagazine.tech/opinion-analysis/lessons-in-ambiguity-data-ai-and-the-limits-of-informal-coordination

https://benganzfried.com/f/the-nature-of-data-the-foundation-we-forgot-and-why-it-matters

https://benganzfried.com/f/the-year-the-margin-for-error-disappeared

https://www.cdomagazine.tech/opinion-analysis/lessons-in-ambiguity-data-ai-and-the-limits-of-informal-coordination

Some moments define the kind of leader you are. When the stakes are high and the data is incomplete, your character becomes the strategy.

In this episode, former FBI agent Herbert Stapleton joins Jess Carter to explore the role of integrity, decision-making, and leadership in high-stakes environments. Drawing from his two decades of experience in federal law enforcement, Herb shares his insights on how character and effective leadership are essential when the stakes are life and death. He discusses the importance of honesty, accountability, and the challenges of making tough decisions with incomplete information.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to lead with integrity under intense pressure

• The importance of humility and confidence in leadership

• Ways to foster trust and loyalty within your team during crises
  
  

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction to the episode with Herbert Stapleton
(02:20) Herb's journey from law school to the FBI
(06:34)  Leadership development in the FBI
(10:03) Decision-making with incomplete information
(14:32) How to deal with crises in corporate settings
(17:35) Prioritizing wellness in your team
(22:21) Developing character in the age of AI
(28:33) Can integrity be taught?

Herb's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herb-stapleton-b94a19126/

https://www.dinsmore.com/