#0421  –  Stop Fixing Problems - Do This Instead with George Pesansky

#0421 – Stop Fixing Problems - Do This Instead with George Pesansky

Author: Jon S. Rennie March 21, 2026 Duration: 38:10
Stop Fixing Problems! Most leaders are trained to hunt problems, fix issues, and eliminate failure. But what if that mindset is actually limiting performance? In this episode, Jon sits down with George Pesansky, author of Super Performance, to challenge the way we think about leadership, operations, and improvement. Instead of obsessing over what’s broken, George explains how the best leaders identify what’s working—and then scale it. You’ll learn: Why focusing on failure holds teams back The concept of the “Golden Hour” and how to replicate peak performance How leaders unknowingly create a culture of mediocrity Why your best people may be holding back (and how to unlock them) A better way to drive consistent, high-level results If you want to build a high-performing team, it starts with changing what you pay attention to. George Pesansky's resources: https://georgepesansky.com/ https://myblendedlearning.com/ https://amzn.to/4lJm4gU Sponsors: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cadre of Men⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Farrow Skin Care⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Salty Sailor Coffee Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leader Connect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Qualified Leadership Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ____ Get all of Jon Rennie's bestselling leadership books for 15% off the regular price today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For anyone who’s ever felt that leadership advice can be too theoretical or disconnected from reality, Deep Leadership offers a grounded alternative. Host Jon S. Rennie operates from a simple, powerful belief: “Leadership is a People Business.” This isn’t about abstract concepts; it’s about the tangible, often messy work of guiding teams and organizations. Jon brings a unique perspective shaped by his time as a Cold War Submarine Officer and over two decades leading within Corporate America before founding his own manufacturing company. In each episode, he translates that extensive experience into practical, actionable insights you can apply immediately. The conversations here delve into the core of what makes leadership work-or fail-across business, culture, and society. You’ll hear from Jon and a variety of expert guests as they explore the philosophical and practical dimensions of guiding people, discussing everything from daily management challenges to broader cultural forces that shape how we work. This podcast is built on the conviction that leadership matters profoundly, and that getting it right requires depth, reflection, and a relentless focus on the human element. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that cut through the noise and get to the heart of leading well.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 424

Deep Leadership
Podcast Episodes
#0313  –  Adaptive Leadership with Erik Kellener [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:21
Today, I’m joined by Erik Kellener, and we're talking about Adaptive Leadership. Erik is a partner at Evolution, a coaching, consulting, and investment firm. He is a leadership coach, management consultant, and strategic…
#0311  –  Finding Joy in Your Career with Randi Roberts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:32
Today, I’m joined by Randi Roberts, and we're talking about Finding Joy in Your Career. Randi is president of Randi Roberts Coaching and founder of the Fulfilling Career, Happy Life community. She is an executive and car…
#0310  –  Military to Corporate Leadership with Joe Polanin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:07
Today, I’m joined by Joe Polanin, and we're talking about Military to Corporate Leadership. Joe is a retired US Navy Captain who spent 30 years in in Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal. He deployed around the world for com…
#0308  –  Listen, Learn, then Lead with Brian Lillie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:04
Today, I’m joined by Brian Lillie, and we're discussing what it means to Listen, Learn, then Lead. Brian is a United States Air Force veteran and a globally recognized transformational leader with more than 20 years of C…
#0307  – Cooking Up High Performance with Frank Kitchen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:17
Today, I’m joined by Frank Kitchen, and we're talking about Cooking Up High Performance. Frank is known as “The performance chef.” He is an author and keynote speaker who works with organizations to “fire up” the perform…
#0306  –  Inspiring Compassionate Leadership with Sara Schairer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:31
Today, I’m joined by Sara Schairer, and we're talking about Inspiring Compassionate Leadership. Sara is the founder and executive director of COMPASSION IT, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire daily comp…
#0305  –  The Power of Positive Humor with Steve Shenbaum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:59
I’m joined by Steve Shenbaum, and we're talking about The Power of Positive Humor in leadership. Steve is the founder of Game On Nation, a nationally recognized communication firm that employs game dynamics and improvisa…
#0304  –  Navigating Digital Transformation with Michael Schank [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:53
Today, I’m joined by Michael Schank, and we're talking about Navigating Digital Transformation. Michael is the Founder and Managing Director at Process Inventory Advisors. He has over 25 years of experience as a manageme…