How Leaders Think with Kenny Lange

Les McKeown, Founder and CEO of Predictable Success, joins Kenny Lange to reveal the hidden patterns behind organizational growth. Drawing from his experience launching over 40 companies and advising global organizations, Les shares actionable insights on achieving sustainable success and leading teams through every stage of growth.Whether you’re a business leader, nonprofit executive, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers practical wisdom to help you navigate change, build high-performing teams, and keep your organization on the growth track. Tune in for a candid, human conversation that will challenge and inspire your leadership journey.Listen on Other PlatformsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzhGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54bYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcastsWebsite: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Les McKeown ResourcesWebsite: https://PredictableSuccess.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3970027Podcast: https://PredictableSuccess.com/podcastBooks MentionedPredictable Success: Getting Your Organization On the Growth Track – and Keeping It There - https://amzn.to/44sUtJVThe Synergist: How to Lead Your Team to Predictable Success - https://amzn.to/3TEUbt8Chapters00:00 - Welcome & intro01:15 - Meet Les McKeown03:10 - The Predictable Success framework06:25 - Recognizing growth patterns09:40 - Lessons from launching 40+ companies12:55 - Building high-performing teams16:20 - Navigating organizational change19:35 - Common leadership pitfalls22:50 - Nonprofit vs. business growth26:05 - The Synergist mindset29:30 - Advice for aspiring leaders32:45 - Books and resources35:00 - Final thoughts & takeaways36:30 - Where to connect with Les38:00 - Closing remarks#HowLeadersThink #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship

On today's episode of "How Leaders Think", host Kenny Lange is joined by Scott Ritzheimer, CEO of Scale Architects, for a deep dive into optimizing leadership styles in nonprofit organizations. They discuss common challenges nonprofits face, such as chronic underfunding and the need to break out of early struggling phases. Scott emphasizes the importance of utilizing the unique strengths of visionaries, operators, processors, and synergists. Whether you're leading a nonprofit or a for-profit, this episode offers essential insights on structuring your team for maximum impact and sustainability.Other places to find the “How Leaders Think” podcast:* Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh* Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=* Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts* Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Scot Ritzheimer Resources:Website: https://www.scalearchitects.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottritzheimerYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Scale_Architects The Synergist by Les Mckeown: https://amzn.to/4dthAXi#NonprofitSuccess #TeamSynergy #VisionaryLeaders #OperationalExcellence

Conflict isn’t just blowups—it’s the quiet moments where people stop speaking up, innovation stalls, and trust erodes. In this episode, Kenny Lange sits down with Dr. Jen Fry to unpack how leaders can turn conflict into a leadership advantage by building cultures of clarity, accountability, and repair. They talk sunk cost fallacy, moving fast without fear, and why mistakes can become the strongest trust-building moments. You’ll leave with a practical “baby step” you can take in the next 24 hours to see how your team experiences you.Listen on Other PlatformsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U= Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Jen Fry ResourcesWebsite: https://jenfrytalks.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenfry13 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenfrytalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenfrytalks Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/jenfrytalks YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jenfrytalks Book page: https://jenfrytalks.com/book/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/five-with-fry/id1790278475Books MentionedI Said No: How to Have a Backbone and Boundaries Without Being a JerkLeveling Up (Ryan Leak)Chapters00:00 - Sunk cost fallacy intro 00:30 - Welcome & Jen Fry bio 02:45 - Why conflict hurts companies 04:00 - The “small, insidious” breakdowns 05:45 - When talent threatens comfort 07:20 - Leaders over-identify with “the way” 11:10 - Pivoting fast in tech 13:20 - Andy Stanley: date the model 15:10 - Sports: speed, scouting, adjustment 18:10 - Clean breaks vs “dragging debt” 21:30 - Spend money to make money 22:10 - The mistake spectrum (0–10) 24:10 - 5,000 texts: accountability test 25:10 - Rupture & repair builds trust 29:10 - “Go toward the smoke” 33:00 - 24-hour step: ask your assistant 35:00 - “What’s it like to be me?” 39:10 - Where to find Jen + wrapHashtags#HowLeadersThink #Leadership #OrganizationalCulture #ConflictResolution

Trust isn’t “soft”—it’s measurable, and it directly impacts revenue, reputation, and retention. In this episode, Kenny Lange sits down with Kim Bohr, President & COO at SparkEffect, to unpack why well-intended leaders unintentionally erode trust through small daily actions. Kim explains SparkEffect Trust Elasticity™, how psychological safety strengthens teams during disruption, and why alignment between words and actions matters more than most leaders realize. You’ll walk away with practical steps—including the 5 Cs of Trust—to build trust resilience in the next season of change.Listen on Other Platforms Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U= Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Kim Bohr Resources Website: https://sparkeffect.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimbohr/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkeffect_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555355996682 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sparkeffect-us Podcast: https://couragetoadvancepodcast.podbean.com/ Episode landing page (goes live near publish date): https://sparkeffect.com/hltHashtags #HowLeadersThink #Leadership #TrustInLeadership #PsychologicalSafety

What does it take to pivot when things are going well—but the world (and your work) is changing fast? In this episode of How Leaders Think, Kenny Lange talks with Dr. Sharon Spano, founder of Spano & Company, about strategic planning that actually gets implemented, leading through uncertainty, and building the ability to adapt without drifting. They unpack why long-range planning still matters, how leaders can cut through the noise, and what accountability looks like when execution is the real challenge. Sharon also shares how she’s used AI as a thought partner to gain clarity and make better decisions without outsourcing her discernment.Listen on Other Platforms Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U= Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Sharon Spano Resources Website: https://sharonspano.com Podcast Appearances: https://sharonspano.com/podcast-appearances/Books Mentioned The Pursuit of Time and Money (Dr. Sharon Spano): https://amzn.to/4tQXYnTChapters00:00 - Cold open: AI as thought partner 00:55 - Welcome & Sharon Spano intro 01:30 - What’s on Sharon’s mind now 01:40 - Rebranding and pivoting a podcast 02:45 - When to pivot even if it’s working 03:10 - Big pivots: travel, market shifts, COVID 04:25 - Strategic planning changed after COVID 05:35 - Planning horizons: 3 years vs 10 years 08:10 - Vision, values, and getting to metrics 09:10 - Why most strategic plans fail 10:35 - Busy work vs real impact 12:20 - Too many meetings: redesigning cadence 13:05 - Accountability that drives execution 16:25 - Using AI for analysis and clarity 18:20 - Sharon’s new podcast and calling 21:05 - A first step to handle change better 44:25 - Where to find Sharon & closingHashtags#HowLeadersThink #LeadershipDevelopment #StrategicPlanning #ChangeManagement

Julie K. Rhodes, actor and author of the spiritual memoir Chronic Grace, reflects on how chronic illness and grief reshaped her view of success. She discusses Sabbath and mini-sabbaths as radical pauses. She explores humility, letting go of control, and practices that shift achievement-driven identity toward sustainable leadership rooted in belovedness.

Kristina Holle, leadership strategist and author who guides leaders from performative roles to embodied authenticity. She explores how survival patterns and leadership 'armor' fuel burnout. Short takes on vulnerability, integrating inner work with ambition, and practical first steps to notice your body, set intention, and remove draining energy.

Randy Griffin, Chair at C12 North Texas and entrepreneur with ministry and real estate roots, helps Christian leaders lead with clarity and kingdom purpose. He contrasts fear-based versus faith-based operating systems. Short takes cover why high achievers lose margin and joy, how Jesus invites partnership and surrender, and practical baby steps to reclaim peace and people-first leadership.

Preston Zeller, founder of Zellerhaus and creator of PsalmLog, is a developer and filmmaker who blends scripture, tech, and grief work. He discusses how loss reshapes priorities and leadership. He explores the pitfalls of a victim identity, forgiveness as ongoing release, and building AI tools that support spiritual formation without replacing community or God.

Janelle Miller Moravek, Executive Director of Youth & Family Counseling, leads nonprofit mental health access and workforce wellbeing. She discusses caring for staff in high-burnout settings. Topics include middle management as the ‘secret sauce,’ redesigning workloads, building psychological and financial safety, manager-first rollouts, and co-created standards of care.