High Performance Series: Leading with Passion, Vulnerability, and Purpose | Deon MacMillan
The Resilience PodcastShow Notes
This show has concluded — Brad now hosts FLAME with Brad Hook, conversations on performance, creativity and resilience. Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1183VwVwDpcGsLYOnqF0Ke All platforms: https://flame.live/podcast This episode is brought to you by the Resilience Assessment and hosted by Brad Hook. Order your copy of Brad's new book, Start With Values, now! The guest: Deon is the Global Chief People Officer at PAX8. With a diverse background that includes growing up in Alaska and a career spanning HR, leadership, and consulting, Deon is passionate about cultivating high-performance teams and fostering cultures of empathy and candor. Connect Deon on LinkedIn Get Resilience Assessment for yourself or your team In this episode, Deon discusses her journey from Alaska to becoming a global leader in HR. She explores key leadership values, the complexities of building high-performance teams, and how vulnerability and compassion play central roles in driving sustainable performance. Deon shares insights on leadership, emotional intelligence, and why understanding people deeply is critical to success in today’s fast-paced business world. Key Takeaways: Vulnerability is Strength: Great leadership embraces vulnerability. When leaders are open about challenges and mistakes, it creates a space for learning and resilience. Emotional Intelligence is Crucial: Leaders who develop self-awareness and empathy can better navigate team dynamics, especially in remote or global environments. Building Resilience through Stressors: Just like muscles grow through stress, professional resilience grows when individuals are given challenging tasks that push them out of their comfort zones. Personal Connection Fuels Performance: Understanding what motivates your team on a personal level (affirmation, feedback, or support) can significantly increase discretionary effort and long-term engagement. Quotes: "There is no one-size-fits-all. You have to meet the individuals where they are and understand what makes them tick." "Passion drives discretionary effort—the extra mile that defines high performance." "Compassionate candor can be tough, but it's crucial for creating environments of growth and learning." "Great leaders have failed—it's those who’ve been knocked down and got back up who make the most impactful leaders." "Resilience is built when you apply pressure, face challenges, and allow for mistakes." Tune in to the full conversation for an in-depth exploration of these themes and stay connected for more transformative content in upcoming episodes.
More from The Resilience Podcast
This show has concluded — Brad now hosts FLAME with Brad Hook, conversations on performance, creativity and resilience. Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1183VwVwDpcGsLYOnqF0Ke All platforms: https://flame.live/podcast If you're a coach, you can now take the Resilience Assessment for free — part of our support for you through the “We Care About Coaches” initiative. This episode is brought to you by the Resilience Institute Certifications and hosted by Brad Hook. Order your copy of Brad's new book, Start With Values, now! The guest: Dr. Yosi Amram, MIT-trained engineer, tech CEO turned psychologist, and spiritual intelligence researcher, joins us to explore how leaders can bring more meaning, purpose, and humanity into the workplace. With roots in science and lived experience, Yosi unpacks how qualities like humility, presence, and compassion can drive better business outcomes and more fulfilling lives. Key takeaways Spiritual intelligence is about embodying timeless human values—like compassion, integrity, and joy—in everyday life and leadership. Research shows that spiritually intelligent leaders create more inspired teams, stronger financial results, and better well-being. Purpose, gratitude, and presence aren’t just feel-good traits—they’re measurable predictors of resilient, anti-fragile leadership. You don’t need to be religious or spiritual to build spiritual intelligence—it’s about how you show up, not what you believe. Inspiration is a form of energy. Leaders breathe life into teams by being connected to their own inner meaning.
This show has concluded — Brad now hosts FLAME with Brad Hook, conversations on performance, creativity and resilience. Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1183VwVwDpcGsLYOnqF0Ke All platforms: https://flame.live/podcast Curious about your own resilience? As a coach, you can take the Resilience Assessment for free — our way of supporting you through the We Care About Coaches initiative. This episode is brought to you by the Resilience Institute Certifications and hosted by Brad Hook. Order your copy of Brad's new book, Start With Values, now! The guest: Dr. Marcia Reynolds is a Master Certified Coach (MCC), former president of the ICF, and author of several bestsellers including Coach the Person, Not the Problem. Known for her groundbreaking work on reflective inquiry and emotional intelligence, she helps leaders and coaches ignite breakthroughs that stick. Key Takeaways Great coaching creates a safe space for people to rethink who they are and what they want.
This episode is brought to you by the Resilience Institute Certifications and hosted by Brad Hook.
This episode is brought to you by the Resilience Institute Certifications and hosted by Brad Hook.
This show has concluded — Brad now hosts FLAME with Brad Hook, conversations on performance, creativity and resilience. Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1183VwVwDpcGsLYOnqF0Ke All platforms: https://flame.live/podcast This episode is brought to you by the Resilience Institute Certifications and hosted by Brad Hook. Order your copy of Brad's new book, Start With Values, now! Book a Resilience Speaker. Guest Overview: Susan Cantrell, Vice President of Products Workforce Strategies at Deloitte Consulting, is a renowned expert on the future of work and human capital. She is the co-author of Workforce of One and has been widely published in Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, and MIT Sloan Management Review. Susan brings decades of expertise in exploring innovative workforce strategies that bridge human sustainability and business outcomes. LinkedIn: Susan Cantrell Deloitte Insights: Explore the Human Capital Trends Report and more at Deloitte Insights. In this episode, Susan Cantrell dives into the concept of human sustainability, explaining how organizations can create value for workers as human beings while driving better business outcomes. She shares insights from Deloitte's research, discusses the evolving role of AI and technology in the workplace, and highlights leadership competencies essential for guiding organizations through rapid change. Susan also emphasizes the importance of microcultures, personalized workforce strategies, and a balanced approach to change management. Key Takeaways 1. Human Sustainability: Supporting worker well-being, equity, and growth drives long-term business success. 2.AI as an Enabler: AI augments human capabilities, fostering better outcomes when used ethically and transparently. 3. Microcultures: Allowing diverse team dynamics strengthens innovation and aligns with organizational values. 4. Future-Ready Leadership: Leaders must co-create, communicate openly, and prioritize imagination to navigate change. 5. Personalized Strategies: Hyper-personalized approaches engage workers and align individual and business goals. 6. Experimentation and Play: Creating space for iterative learning builds resilience and drives innovation.