In this powerful and inspiring episode of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast, we sit down with Don Romano, CEO of Hyundai Canada, to unpack his revolutionary approach to leadership that reshaped the entire company's culture. Don shares his compelling journey from battling challenging customer and dealer relations to fostering a thriving environment where trust, inclusivity, and open dialogue are the cornerstones of success.

Through captivating stories and key experiences, Don illustrates the power of listening and cultural understanding, drawing from his time in the Middle East to his current initiatives at Hyundai Canada. Learn about "Discussions with Don," an initiative that promotes honest and fear-free communication, and see how this approach has driven both productivity and creativity within the organization. Don's perspective on the delicate balance between being receptive to feedback and managing expectations offers invaluable insights for leaders at all levels.

Lastly, we explore the profound impact of authentic leadership and values alignment. Hear firsthand how Don integrates core values like honesty, integrity, and resilience into the very DNA of Hyundai Canada, and how these principles have spurred business growth and innovation. Don's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is not just a corporate mantra but a lived reality that provides a competitive edge and a more engaging workplace. This episode is filled with valuable wisdom for anyone seeking to cultivate a positive, inclusive and high-performing organization.

What You’ll Learn:

• Rebuilding trust through active listening.

• The significance of fostering a psychologically safe environment for driving innovation and performance.

• How authenticity and self-awareness shape effective management.

• Strategies for integrating diversity, equity and inclusion into business practices.

• How inclusivity can transform company culture.

• The importance of aligning organizational values with employee development.

• The balance between being receptive to feedback and managing expectations.

Podcast Timestamps:

(00:00) Rebuilding Trust Through A Listen-First Philosophy

(12:44) Asking Questions: A Key Change Management Skill

(20:03) The Power of Authentic Leadership

(28:00) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Driving Forces for Success

(32:57) Core Values Alignment: A Leadership Superpower

(44:07) Leading with Empathy

More of Don:

Don Romano is the President and CEO of Hyundai Canada, a position he has held since January 2014. Under his leadership, Hyundai Canada has risen to become one of the nation's leading automotive brands and the largest mainstream electric vehicle distributor. Romano is recognized for championing initiatives that promote a diverse and inclusive corporate culture, resulting in Hyundai Canada being named a great place to work for five consecutive years and one of the best workplaces for women. The company has also been honored as a five-star Diversity and Inclusion Employer by Human Resources Director. In 2021, Automotive News named Romano a notable champion of diversity. Prior to joining Hyundai, Romano held senior positions at Toyota, Nissan North America, and Mazda Motor Company.

Mentions:

Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott

Key Topics Discussed:

Positive Leadership, Building Trust, Open Communication, Organizational Culture, Customer Experience, Active Listening, Receiving Feedback, Authentic Leadership, Values Alignment, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Employee Development, Creativity, Positive Work Environment, Psychological Safety, Self-Awareness, Empathy, Adaptability, Career Development, Learning from Mistakes, Fostering Innovation, High-Performance Leaders, Inclusive Organization, CEO Success.

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

This month, I reflect on a unique and transformative experience that took me out of my comfort zone: a salmon fishing retreat on a remote river in my home province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Joined by five incredible individuals— Andrew, Enrique, Geoff, Mark, and Pete —we embraced the opportunity to disconnect from our usual routines and engage deeply with one another. Despite the low water levels limiting our fishing time, we made the most of our days by engaging in profound conversations that touched on everything from politics and religion to social issues like homelessness. It was an eye-opening experience that highlighted the power of authentic, values-driven dialogue among highly accomplished individuals.

Listen in as I share the lessons and insights gleaned from this retreat, emphasizing the importance of open and respectful communication even on potentially contentious topics. These five days were a testament to the enriching power of genuine human connections. This episode is not just about the retreat but also about how such experiences can foster personal growth, build strong relationships, and reinforce the core values that drive effective leadership.

What You’ll Learn:

• The immense value of authentic human connection.

• The importance of disconnecting to reconnect with our core values.

• How to have constructive conflict and mutual respect, even on contentious topics.

• Balancing passion with humility: The key ingredients to an engaging conversation and personal growth.

• The power of community and diverse perspectives.

Podcast Timestamps:

(00:00) – Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone

(03:31) - Deep Conversations Among Diverse Individuals

(10:35) – Constructive Disagreement and Mutual Respect

(17:14) - Gratitude for Community and Connection

Key Topics Discussed:

Positive Leadership, Personal Retreat, Newfoundland and Labrador, Transformative Experience, Profound Deep Conversations, Open Dialogue, Respectful Dialogue, Authentic Human Connection, Personal Growth, Effective Leadership, Self-care, Core Values, Diverse Backgrounds, Inspiration, Recharge, Genuine Conversation, CEO Success

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Jerry Kaplan, a leading authority in artificial intelligence and a prolific entrepreneur, as we unpack the profound implications of generative A.I. Jerry, an adjunct lecturer at Stanford, dives into his motivations behind his latest book, "Generative Artificial Intelligence: What Everyone Needs to Know," stressing the necessity of understanding this fast-paced field. We dissect what generative A.I. is, the distinctions it holds from previous A.I. waves, and the vast potential it has in reshaping our interactions with technology and society at large.

Throughout our discussion, we explore the seismic shifts generative A.I. is bringing to the job market and the broader workforce. From the evolution of work since the 1800s to contemporary changes, we see how technological advancements have altered job roles—sometimes displacing old ones while creating new opportunities. Generative A.I. stands poised to revolutionize creative and analytical tasks, even in software development, while underscoring the enduring importance of human empathy and personal interaction in a rapidly changing job landscape.

We also delve into the rise of emotionally expressive A.I. and its societal impacts, from elder care to reducing political extremism. Jerry provides valuable insights into the concepts of A.I. hallucination and superintelligence, debunking myths and emphasizing the responsible use of A.I. technologies. Our conversation wraps up with a forward-looking perspective on the future of A.I. and society, highlighting the need to address wealth inequality and ensure the benefits of A.I. are widely distributed, fostering a more equitable and optimistic future.

What You’ll Learn:

• What is Generative A.I.

• How is Generative A.I. different from previous waves of A.I.?

• The seismic disruptions from A.I. in the job market.

• The rise of emotionally expressive AI and its impacts on society.

• The innovative potentials and the ethical challenges we face with Generative A.I.

• The critical importance of empathy in an A.I.-driven world.

Podcast Timestamps:

(00:00) – What is Generative Artificial Intelligence?

(04:56) - Impacts of Generative A.I.

(12:36) - Job Market Shifts Due to Automation

(26:28) - Rise of Emotional A.I. Companions

(41:00) – A.I. Hallucination and A.I. Superintelligence

(52:14) - The Future of A.I. and Society

More of Jerry:

Jerry Kaplan is a distinguished Artificial Intelligence expert, serial entrepreneur, technical innovator, educator, and bestselling author. He holds a PhD in Computer and Information Science from the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in AI, and a BA from the University of Chicago. Kaplan has founded numerous technology startups, two of which became public companies, and has been a key contributor to the development of groundbreaking technologies such as tablet computers, smartphones, online auctions, and social computer games. Currently, he is an Adjunct Lecturer at Stanford University, where he teaches about the social and economic impact of AI. Kaplan's literary contributions include four influential books, with his latest, "Generative Artificial Intelligence: What Everyone Needs to Know," offering a comprehensive exploration of AI's evolving landscape. His work has earned him recognition in major publications and accolades such as the Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-kaplan/

Key Topics Discussed:

Positive Leadership, Artificial Intelligence, Generative A.I., Automation, Technological Advancements, Workforce Disruption, Emotional A.I., Superintelligence, Wealth Inequality, Responsible Use of Technology, A.I. Hallucination, Future of A.I., Ethics for Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/