The Kind Leader with guest Dean Heistad

The Kind Leader

Summary

In this episode, Gino Degregori interviews Dean Heistad, the founder of Amelia Air and VP of technology operations for Vibrant Health. They discuss the importance of leading with kindness in different organizations and cultures. Dean shares his experiences in leading a volunteer organization and incorporating kindness in technology leadership. They also talk about the future of kind leaders and the impact they can have on organizations. Dean offers advice for young professionals and shares who he would like to have coffee with.

Takeaways

Leading with kindness is important in all organizations, regardless of the industry or sector. A growth mindset, focused on win-win situations, is essential for kind leadership. Investing in employee growth and education is crucial for building a strong and capable team. Understanding and respecting different cultures and backgrounds is key to effective leadership. Adversity should be seen as an opportunity for growth and learning.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction 00:29 Dean's Background and Kind Leadership 02:11 Leading with Kindness in Different Organizations 03:07 The Difference Between a Growth Mindset and a Fixed Mindset 04:34 Long-Term Growth Mindset in Business Relationships 05:26 Leading with Kindness in Volunteer Organizations 06:48 Amelia Air: Ending Homeless Shelter Pets 08:09 Incorporating Kindness in Technology Leadership 09:34 Investing in Employee Growth and Education 12:43 Leading Across Different Cultures 15:26 Creating Connections and Building Relationships 18:06 The Future of Kind Leaders 19:02 Success without Being Self-Serving 21:31 Letting Go and Trusting Your Team 22:47 Adversity as an Opportunity for Growth 26:25 The Impact of Kind Leaders on Organizations 30:21 Advice for Young Professionals 34:52 Coffee with Albert Einstein, Brene Brown, and Alanis Morissette 36:09 Closing Remarks