After building and selling a successful business, Andreas Dankelmann decided to share his experiences with other entrepreneurs and business owners in growth mode.

Today, Andreas is a Vistage Chair at Vistage Worldwide, Inc., the world’s largest executive coaching organization for small and midsize business leaders. Andreas facilitates confidential peer advisory groups and provides one-on-one coaching to help CEOs and executives make better decisions to achieve better outcomes.

With over 20 years of executive leadership experience in Fortune 500 and privately held companies, Andreas also serves as an EOS Implementer, guiding leadership teams to gain clarity and traction.

Most business owners and executives of larger organizations will periodically find themselves stuck, burned out, overwhelmed, or frustrated by slow-moving progress. Even the best-run organizations periodically experience stalling growth and loss of momentum. So what’s really holding back growth?

According to Andreas Dankelmann, a seasoned coach and former entrepreneur, businesses plateau because the leaders stall. Andreas firmly believes that an organization cannot outgrow its leadership, and the first step toward transformation begins with personal growth.

When leaders become clearer on their long-term vision and step out of the day-to-day operations to gain a better perspective, their entire organization benefits. Andreas shares how making time for deep reflection, asking the right questions, and co-creating alignment with teams can dramatically shift business outcomes.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, host Roman Polnar sits down with Andreas Dankelmann, Vistage Chair at Vistage Worldwide, Inc., to talk about how transforming the leader first leads to sustainable business growth. They discuss the leadership mindset shift required for scaling, the importance of clarity and team alignment, and why business debt can silently slow momentum. Andreas also gives advice on creating space to think strategically.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Andreas Dankelmann on LinkedIn
• Vistage Worldwide, Inc.
• Fifth Ascent
• Sync’d Up
• Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman

Jason France is a retired Chief Master Sergeant from the US Air Force, an avid outdoorsman, author of Five Million Steps, and the Owner of Elevate Leadership Solutions. Having spent 31 years in the US Air Force, Jason experienced invaluable lessons in leadership, team-building, and strategic alignment. Since launching Elevate Leadership Solutions, Jason has partnered with business leaders to help them navigate complex challenges and foster high-performing cultures in their respective organizations.

In this episode, Jason shares personal and professional experiences that resulted in the most transformative and valuable realizations.

Is the strength you’ve built through years of leadership quietly holding you back? Many high performers push forward, driven by success, structure, and service, but rarely pause to unpack the pain they carry. How can slowing down lead to breakthroughs, deeper clarity, higher growth, and deeper successes?

According to Jason France, a decorated military leader, author, and leadership coach, transformation begins when we allow ourselves to be fully present even in our most difficult moments. Compartmentalizing trauma during military service disconnected Jason from his real life and his family, but eventually asking for help marked the start of personal healing and greater growth. That moment of vulnerability became a gateway to becoming a stronger father, husband, and leader. Upon retiring, Jason solo hiked the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail that led to his memoir titled Five Million Steps, where he shares meaningful moments of reflection, discoveries, and gratitude that inspired him and many of his readers.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar and Tove Hansen sit down with Jason France, Owner of Elevate Leadership Solutions, to talk about how presence and pain shape more powerful leaders. Jason shares why asking for help is a sign of strength, how his long-distance hike rewired his perspective, and why being in the moment matters more than chasing what's next. Jason also shares how leaders can support others through quiet, empathetic connection.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Tove Hansen on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Jason France: LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube
• Elevate Leadership Solutions
• Five Million Steps: Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail after Three Decades of Service to Our Nation by Jason France
• Enough: Climbing Toward a True Self on Mount Everest by Melissa Arnot Reid

Roman Polnar is the Founder and Managing Partner of Pillar6 Advisors, a multifaceted financial planning and wealth management firm geared toward serving successful individuals and families with active lifestyles. Roman is also a Partner at Pillar6 College Planning, where he helps families unlock debt-free money from the financial aid system so they can avoid loans and navigate the system with ease.

Roman has over 18 years of experience in the financial services profession, working for some of the nation’s most recognized names. After 10 years in the corporate world, he left to build an independent firm that would do things differently, and that’s when Pillar6 Advisors was born.

Leadership, business growth, and personal well-being often intersect in ways that require leaders to balance values, adapt to change, and prepare for the unexpected. From building mission-driven organizations and embracing emotional complexity to leveraging digital marketing and creating essential estate plans, today’s leaders are navigating challenges that demand both heart and strategy. So what can we learn from professionals who are blending integrity, adaptability, and forward-thinking planning?

Brad Stroh shares how his company’s culture of integrity, care, and advocacy empowers 3,000 team members to create meaningful impact for families facing financial hardship. Michael Koehler explores the emotional reality that all change comes with both gains and losses, encouraging leaders to approach transitions with empathy and awareness. Lael Sturm emphasizes the increasing importance of digital marketing in a world where in-person interactions are limited, urging businesses to make online engagement a central part of their growth strategy. Andy Cahill dives into the importance of expanding one’s emotional capacity to handle complexity and uncertainty without falling into reactive patterns. Finally, Rachel Dodson highlights the critical role of estate planning — especially healthcare directives — in ensuring individuals and families are prepared for unforeseen circumstances.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar reflects on these conversations with Brad Stroh, Michael Koehler, Lael Sturm, Andy Cahill, and Rachel Dodson. Their insights offer valuable guidance for leaders striving to align their business, personal, and financial lives with their values, even amidst an ever-changing world.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Brad Stroh on LinkedIn
• Michael Koehler on LinkedIn
• Lael Sturm on LinkedIn
• Andy Cahill on LinkedIn
• Rachel Dodson on LinkedIn