What does it really take to scale a company from $20M to $300M+ while actually putting people first?

In this powerful episode, scale-up expert and former EVP Brad Furtney pulls back the curtain on the leadership playbook that transformed founder-led software businesses into high-performing, culture-driven powerhouses at Evercommerce.

Brad shares the exact moves he makes on day one when stepping into a growth-stage company, why OKRs became his secret weapon for alignment and accountability, how he built a 5-year leadership development engine that skyrocketed culture scores and profitability, and why most companies talk about “people first” but never actually measure it.

If you’re a leader who believes culture isn’t just a feel-good buzzword - it’s the ultimate growth multiplier - this conversation is pure gold.

Key takeaways:

• The first leadership move that creates instant strategic alignment
• How to turn individual OKRs into real accountability (and what to do when someone doesn’t buy in)
• Why the best performers don’t always make the best leaders (and how to spot the ones who will)
• The unexpected power of investing in first-time managers and “next-gen” talent
• One simple piece of advice Brad wishes he could give his 20-year-old self (and every young leader today)

If you’re ready to stop treating culture as a side project and start building a team that scales with you, hit play now.

In this episode of The People Playbook Podcast, Jason Taylor sits down with Matt Bell, CEO of Shelmerdine Garden Centre and founder of Geller's Design, to discuss what it takes to scale multiple businesses while keeping culture, leadership, and people at the heart of it all.

Matt shares his journey from growing Gellers into Winnipeg’s largest residential landscape company to acquiring Shelmerdine Garden Centre, revealing how thoughtful delegation, profit-sharing, and clear career paths drive engagement and retention. He also opens up about his personal experiences with cancer and how vulnerability and perspective have shaped his leadership style.

If you’re a CEO, leader, or aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on culture-building, leading with empathy, and staying grounded while scaling your business.

In this episode of The People’s Playbook Podcast, Jason Taylor sits down with Kellie Lefaive, CEO of Go Direct Solutions, to explore what it takes to lead effectively in fast-paced and ever-changing industries. Kellie shares her insights on staying calm amid chaos, aligning teams across multiple departments, and nurturing future leaders. She also opens up about her personal leadership journey, the lessons she’s learned, and the principles she stands by to create a culture of accountability, communication, and engagement.

Whether you’re a CEO, team leader, or aspiring leader, this conversation is packed with actionable advice on how to show up, stay grounded, and build a thriving organization.