What if the name you were born with became a barrier to your dream job? Jahanzaib Ansari faced this exact challenge and used his personal story of overcoming discrimination to fuel his passion to create a hiring process that partners with giants like IBM and Deloitte to ensure fairer hiring practices. Through his eyes, you’ll uncover the journey of leading an innovative company in Canada, navigating the hurdles of growth, and using artificial intelligence to champion equality and inclusion in the workforce.

The tech world is ever-changing, and staying ahead requires a unique set of skills. Emphasizing a growth mindset and the ability to remain agile, Jahanzaib discusses how openness to feedback and surrounding oneself with a skilled team can enhance leadership effectiveness. We delve into the importance of resilience in weathering economic challenges and organizational changes. Learn strategies to transform from a negative mindset to one of opportunity and growth, acknowledging that every leader's journey is filled with its own set of trials and triumphs.

The episode wraps up with a focus on navigating AI ethics and fostering trust in professional relationships. Jahanzaib brings attention to the increasing role of Chief Ethics Officers in ensuring ethical use of data and preventing discrimination. We discuss best practices for hiring, advocating for collaboration between recruiters and hiring managers, and the importance of objective competency setting. As the conversation unfolds, we highlight the significance of building trust and fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, despite the societal polarization surrounding these efforts. Jahanzaib underscores the need for organizations to remove unfair gatekeepers, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, have equal opportunities to thrive.

What You’ll Learn:

• The evolution of leadership in the fast-paced world of A.I.

• Building resilience and fostering a growth mindset

• Navigating A.I. ethics and promoting bias-free hiring practices

• The importance of trust and collaboration in professional relationships

• Overcoming societal polarization to champion Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives

Podcast Timestamps:

(00:00) - Turning Bias Into Opportunity: Knockri's Origin Story

(14:59) - Building Resilience Through A Growth Mindset

(29:36) - Navigating Ethics: A.I. and Hiring Practices

(36:29) - Building Trust and DEI Practices

(44:20) - Mastering Self-Leadership Is A Lifelong Process

More of Jahanzaib Ansari:

Jahanzaib Ansari is the co-founder of Knockri, an award-winning behavioral assessment platform that integrates ethical AI with I/O Psychology to revolutionize hiring. Driven by a mission to create a more inclusive, fair, and efficient recruitment process, he partners with Fortune 500 companies like IBM, Deloitte, SAP, and the Canadian Federal Government to help them build diverse teams and foster equity. Beyond leading Knockri, Jahanzaib serves as a Next Generation Business Leader to the Business Council of Canada, collaborating with top executives to drive meaningful change. A recognized thought leader in AI, the Future of Work, and Diversity, he has spoken at prestigious international events and earned accolades such as Innovator of the Year by Ascend, the Exceptional Leadership Award by AUSCAN Forum, and a spot on HRD Magazine’s list of Canada’s Rising Stars.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jansari1/

Key Topics Discussed:

Positive Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Tech Innovation, Adaptability, A.I., Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Hiring, Ethics, Resilience, Growth Mindset, Agility, Receiving Feedback, Persistence, Collaboration, Building Trust, DEI, Leading with Transparency, Chief Ethics Officer, Establishing Credibility, Emerging Leaders, Servant Leadership, Self-Leadership, CEO Success

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/

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

What if the key to navigating today's whirlwind of chaos and uncertainty lies in four universal qualities? As we journey through Gallup's Global Leadership Report, we unpack what followers worldwide are desperately seeking from their leaders. This episode shines a spotlight on how authentic leadership can serve as an anchor in turbulent times, and why empathy and compassion are becoming non-negotiable in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Hope, identified as the most pressing need, is dissected through real-world examples, illustrating its power to inspire resilience and forward-thinking. Join us in reflecting on these qualities and learn how embracing them can foster environments of stability and growth, paving the path for a brighter future for everyone.

What You’ll Learn:

• Real-world examples of leadership during turbulent times.

• The critical role of trust and how to nurture it.

• How hope can drive motivation and resilience.

• Practical tips to integrate the four needs of followership into your daily leadership.

Key Topics Discussed:

Positive Leadership, Global Leadership Report, Gallup, Stability, Compassion, Trust, Hope, Authentic Leadership, Empathy, Resilience, Managing Disruption, Stephen M.R. Covey, Human Connection, A.I., Personal Growth, Evidence-Informed Leadership, CEO Success

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

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

Rebecca Kacaba, CEO of DealMaker, joins us on the Do Good to Lead Well podcast, sharing her captivating journey from a corporate attorney to a trailblazing entrepreneur reshaping North America's tech landscape. Her transition from law to entrepreneurship is driven by a desire to tackle the financing hurdles startup founders face. Rebecca's story is rich with lessons in empathy, resilience, and persistence, and how being mindful of our mindset can bring about transformative changes in our personal and professional lives.

We explore the traits essential for leadership today, particularly adaptability and grit, which are crucial in the ever-evolving tech world. Rebecca shares her insights on fostering adaptability within organizations through creative exercises and how maintaining a solid vision aligned with strategic goals is crucial for leaders. Balancing empathy with leadership responsibilities, she illustrates how fostering a culture of integrity and autonomy can democratize access to capital markets, showcasing DealMaker's mission.

Rebecca also candidly discusses overcoming imposter syndrome and embracing authenticity. She shares how being genuine reduces stress and builds meaningful connections. The episode wraps up with a thoughtful discussion on AI's impact on leadership, emphasizing the need for empathy and visionary leadership. Rebecca's insights provide a wealth of knowledge for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs eager to make a significant impact beyond their balance sheet.

What You’ll Learn:

• The essential traits for modern leadership, such as adaptability and grit.

• Strategies for fostering adaptability within organizations.

• Overcoming imposter syndrome

• Embracing authenticity to build meaningful connections.

• The role of AI in the future of leadership and the enduring need for empathy and visionary leadership.

Podcast Timestamps:

(00:00) – The Journey from Attorney to Tech CEO

(10:50) - Building Adaptive Leadership with Grit

(26:30) – The Importance of Empathy and Integrity in Leadership

(38:43) - Embracing Authenticity and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

(46:33) - Navigating AI and the Future of Leadership

More of Rebecca:

Rebecca Kacaba is the CEO and co-founder of DealMaker, a leading capital-raising platform revolutionizing the industry with cutting-edge technology. A former securities lawyer with over a decade of experience on Bay Street, she co-chaired the Toronto Venture Technology and Emerging Growth Companies group at a global law firm before launching DealMaker to streamline and modernize fundraising. Under her leadership, DealMaker has processed over $2 billion in transactions, earning recognition on Deloitte’s Canada Technology Fast 50 and North America’s Fast 500 lists, ranking alongside and even above industry giants like Zoom and DraftKings. Named one of North America’s most innovative lawyers by the Financial Times and one of Canada's most admired CEOs, Rebecca is dedicated to empowering founders to raise capital as easily as e-commerce, turning supporters into shareholders and reshaping the future of capital markets.

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

Mentions:

DealMaker: https://www.dealmaker.tech/

Key Topics Discussed:

Positive Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Tech Innovation, Adaptability, Inspiration, Core Values, Artificial Intelligence, Financing, Startup Founders, Empathy, Resilience, Persistence, Grit, Capital Markets, Leading with Integrity, Authenticity, Dealing with Imposter Syndrome, Vulnerability, Mentorship, AI Strategy, Visionary Leadership, Personal Growth, CEO Success

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

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