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
Leading with Ownership and Passion | Wolfgang Schram [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:48
In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Wolfgang Schram shares his extraordinary journey from Germany to the global concert touring industry, and ultimately to leading engineering teams in the corporate world. He disc…
The Art of Building Trust and Embracing Failure | Jill Willard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:36
In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, host Bill Lennan speaks with Jill Willard, Chief Technology Officer at IXOPAY, about her leadership journey and how she empowers software and payments teams to build trust, embr…
Lessons in Leadership and Adaptation | with Darshan Bildikar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:32
In this conversation, Darshan Bildikar shares his journey from being an introverted builder to a successful engineering manager. He discusses his early experiences in programming, his transition into management, and his…
The Cupid of Computer Science | with Rodrigo D. A. Senra [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:44
In this powerful episode of the 40% Better podcast, host Bill Lennan talks with educator and professor Rodrigo Senra about his groundbreaking philosophy on teaching and education.Rodrigo argues that a teacher's job is no…
Learning Through the School of Hard Knocks | with Amit Mital [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:23
Join host Bill Lennan on the 40% Better podcast as he sits down with veteran executive Amit Mital for a candid look at his 25-year career.In a world that prizes learning from others, Mital shares why his own personal exp…
Sales Engineering for the Win | with Mike Bourgeois [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:33
In this powerful episode of 40% better, host Bill Lennan sits down with sales leader Mike Bourgeois to dive deep into the essential mindset that separates top sales professionals from the rest: customer-centric selling.M…
The Fight That Made a Leader | with Chris Carter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:07
Welcome to the 40% Better podcast with your host, Bill Lennan!Join us for an inspiring conversation on leadership and personal growth as Chris Carter shares his remarkable journey of self-discovery and resilience. In thi…