E319 | From Know-It-Alls to Learn-It-Alls with Dan Pontefract
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In this conversation, Dan Pontefract – leadership and culture change strategist, best-selling author, and keynote speaker – and Dominic Monkhouse discuss various aspects of leadership, culture change, and emotional intelligence within organisations. They explore the importance of creating a supportive work environment, the impact of leadership on culture, and the need for organisations to adapt to changing dynamics. Pontefract shares insights from his experiences at TELUS and emphasises the significance of nurturing a culture that values collaboration and emotional intelligence. The discussion also touches on the concept of learned helplessness in organisations and the need for leaders to foster a sense of belonging and safety among their teams. Additionally, they discuss the importance of continuous learning and the role of purpose in driving engagement and satisfaction in the workplace.
On today’s podcast:
- Emotional intelligence is crucial for effective leadership.
- Organisations often promote individuals without considering their EQ.
- Culture change requires a unified leadership philosophy.
- Learned helplessness can hinder organisational growth.
- Leaders should focus on developing their teams.
- A supportive work environment fosters collaboration and innovation.
- Work-life balance is not always achievable; it’s about blooming.
- The canoe metaphor illustrates the need for aligned leadership.
- CEOs play a significant role in shaping organisational culture.
- Continuous learning is essential for personal and professional growth.
Follow Dan Pontefract
- Website – https://www.danpontefract.com/content/
- Linkedin – https://ca.linkedin.com/in/danpontefract
- Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/@dan.pontefract
- Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dan.pontefract
- TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@danpontefract
- X – https://twitter.com/dpontefract?lang=en-GB
- Books – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Dan-Pontefract/
Who is Dan Pontefract
Dan Pontefract is a leadership and culture change strategist, best-selling author, and keynote speaker with over two decades of senior executive experience at SAP, TELUS, and Business Objects. He has worked with top organisations like Salesforce, Amgen, Virgin Media O2, and Nestlé to enhance their operations.
Dan has written five influential and award-winning books, including “Work-Life Bloom” and “Lead. Care. Win.” He writes for Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and other top publications.
A dynamic speaker, Dan has presented at four TED events and over 600 keynotes. He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business and has earned 25 awards.
Dan is honored to be on the Thinkers50 Radar list. HR Weekly listed him as one of its 100 Most Influential People in HR. PeopleHum listed Dan on the Top 200 Thought Leaders to Follow. Engagedly named him to their Top 100 HR Influencers list and Inc. Magazine listed him as one of the top 100 leadership speakers. Over his career, he has earned over 25 professional, leadership, and author awards.
Quick Questions
Q: What drives you every day?
Dan Pontefract: Rock and roll. A Ford Mach -E.
Dominic Monkhouse: As I asked it I was thinking to myself somebody’s gonna give me the name of a car and then you did
Q: What’s your genius?
Dan Pontefract: My wife.
Dominic Monkhouse: What does she think your genius is?
Dan Pontefract: Herself! (laughs) Just kidding. I’d say I’m an autodidact—relentlessly dissatisfied with the status quo and endlessly curious. Sometimes to her detriment, as she tells me to tone it down!
Q: What’s an unpopular opinion you hold?
Dan Pontefract: The DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) argument. I think we need to be cautious about how it’s evolving, and I believe there will be some challenges ahead.
Q: What’s the most significant risk you’ve taken?
Dan Pontefract: Leaving a full-time job with no real plan to become a company of one.
Dominic Monkhouse: Were you happy with that decision?
Dan Pontefract: I am now, but at the time, I had no idea what I was doing.
Q: How do you measure success?
Dan Pontefract: If I can live my purpose—helping people see each other through rather than just seeing through each other—and I receive that feedback, then I consider it a successful day, week, or month.
Q: What’s the last thing you’ve learned or a skill you’ve acquired?
Dan Pontefract: I’ve picked up the ukulele recently. It’s like a four-string mini guitar, and I’ve gotten pretty good at a couple of easy chords.
Dominic Monkhouse: Did you already play another instrument?
Dan Pontefract: Yes, I learned to play the piano by ear.
Q: What’s your biggest source of inspiration?
Dan Pontefract: Team members. Listening to their stories, what drives them, and what challenges they face—it’s inspiring.
Q: What’s the biggest myth in business?
Dan Pontefract: Shareholder primacy—the idea that the only purpose of a company is to generate wealth for shareholders. Good God, can we move on from that?
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