Why Human Leadership Still Wins in the Age of AI I Joshua Gould

Why Human Leadership Still Wins in the Age of AI I Joshua Gould

Author: Bill May 15, 2026 Duration: 52:04
Welcome to 40 Percent Better with Bill Lennan featuring Joshua Gould, Group CEO @ thebigword In this episode, Bill Lennan and Joshua Gould dive into leadership, AI, business growth, technology transformation, and what it really takes to build resilient teams in a rapidly changing world. Joshua shares his journey of growing thebigword from a $6 million business into a company generating over $100 million in revenue. The conversation explores AI evolution, leadership principles, communication skills, sales mindset, startup challenges, hiring resilient people, and how technology can strengthen human potential instead of replacing it. Topics covered: • AI and leadership in modern business • Building resilient teams • Scaling from millions to $100M+ revenue • Hiring for mindset and adaptability • Communication and people skills • Sales psychology and rejection • Startup growth lessons • Human leadership in an AI-driven world 40 Percent Better Bill Lennan Joshua Gould Group CEO @ thebigword Connect with Joshua Gould on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuadgould/ #40percentbetter #BillLennan #JoshuaGould #Leadership #AI #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Technology #Startups #Sales #Management #Podcast I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/ Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qkqdMPkR9BqYPM7UPa4P0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership #40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems. #technologyleadership #productmanagement #engineeringleadership #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #podcast

Hosted by Bill, 40% Better-Engineering Leadership is a conversation for those who build and guide technical teams. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical dialogue focused on the tangible mechanics of morale, motivation, and output. Each episode features a single expert in employee engagement, and together we dissect the specific strategies that lead to measurable leaps in performance. You'll hear detailed explorations into what actually moves the needle for engineers and their managers, translating research and experience into actionable leadership techniques. The goal is straightforward: to provide the insights that can help your team operate at a significantly higher level of effectiveness and satisfaction. Tune in for a focused, deep-dive podcast that cuts through the noise of generic management advice, offering concrete ideas you can apply directly to the unique challenges of engineering leadership.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

40% Better - Engineering Leadership
Podcast Episodes
Talking leadership with Shawn Richards of Blue Sky consulting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:36
Leadership, mental frameworks, making systems, and improving team performance :-)Shawn's origin story.(he started as an accountant)Surprising mental frameworks Shawn has but his clients don't know yet. Financial impacts…
10x Engineers Don't Exist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:21
but 2x teams doThere's a myth that super-human engineers exist and can outperform 10 "regular" engineers. This is the 10x myth of productivity. It's a lie. And it's a damaging lie on multiple fronts.2x teamsInstead of lo…
Discomfort and Leadership [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:26
Rule 1 of leadership is helping the team operate better.Rule 2 is that even if Rule 1 is uncomfortable - you are still responsible to do it.This episode dives into Rule 2.Yes, you can :-)
Leaders Are Not Trusted [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:55
This is a sad reality of leadership. So many negative stories (and experiences) about managers/supervisors/leaders who do not take good care of their teams.
Overcoming Introversion with Felix Boecker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:31
I'm a fan of anyone working on introversion. Felix is doing excellent work.Learn more about Felix at http://brokesurgeon.com#40pb
The Initiative Advantage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:27
How did you do that?I've been asked repeatedly by colleagues and execs. Across all the other mental models and skills - initiative is critical.

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