Growth doesn't happen by accident. It requires focus, courage, and the willingness to think differently.

In this episode of It's Lonely at the Top, Nancy MacKay sits down with Kevin Lawrence, Founder and CEO of Lawrence & Company and bestselling author of Your Oxygen Mask First and Your Oxygen Mask First for Leaders. Together, they explore the ideas behind Kevin's latest book, Four Forces of Growth, and what it takes for CEOs to create sustainable, long-term growth.

Kevin shares why so many leadership teams become trapped solving small problems instead of pursuing big opportunities, and how leaders can shift from a problem-focused mindset to one centred on growth. Drawing inspiration from the principles of flight, he introduces the Four Forces of Growth: Lift, Thrust, Gravity, and Drag, and explains how each one influences organizational performance.

Whether you're leading through uncertainty, scaling your business, or looking to reignite momentum, this conversation offers practical strategies to help you focus on what matters most.

Order Nancy’s New Book:

Drawing on two decades of experience with more than five thousand leaders, Nancy reveals how to prioritize health, strengthen relationships, reclaim time, and develop resilience. Order ‘It's Lonely at the Top: CEO Strategies for Inspiring Yourself and Your Team’ today: https://bit.ly/3OcBTQH

Join a MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Peer Group:

MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠ brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. Learn more: https://mackayceoforums.com/members/

In the ever-evolving world of business, many leaders find themselves grappling with feelings of isolation. As a CEO, the weight of decision-making can feel heavy, and the road to success often feels lonely.

In this podcast, Nancy MacKay speaks with Sarah Mackinnon, CEO of Delta Q Technologies, and Katie Bennett, a trusted advisor for executives and Master Certified MacKay Forum Chair, on overcoming the challenges of CEO isolation. From leveraging peer networks to prioritizing personal well-being, these strategies can help you thrive in your leadership role.

Sarah Mackinnon is one of a handful of women leaders in the Canadian tech space. Sarah brings drive and a sense of humour to her role at Delta-Q. Sarah has been key to Delta-Q’s success, inspiring and guiding finance and operations teams, while navigating through periods of growth and transformation, prior to transitioning into the CEO role, where she now oversees all aspects of the business. Prior to joining Delta-Q, Sarah held senior finance roles in several successful BC based technology companies, providing insight into the financials and driving results, leading to successful acquisitions and exits. Today, as CEO, Sarah is focused on the next phase of growth for Delta-Q; looking to “charge the future” as a strong partner to existing customers and other stakeholders, while also seeking new partnerships and markets, where Delta-Q can demonstrate its expertise in vehicle electrification, in step with increased global demand for sustainable solutions.

Katie Bennett is a big-picture strategic thinker with laser insight and is deeply inspiring. Her contagious energy is what she is known for. Over the past 20+ years, after an 11-year career in advertising, Katie pivoted to coaching and strategic planning, working with CEO’s and Executives to build high-functioning leadership teams aligned around a clear and actionable strategic plan, and designing systems of accountability to deliver results. Katie has an uncanny ability to make the complex simple; to coax leaders out of their comfort zone; to build high degrees of trust with a group very quickly; and to hold people accountable to their results. Katie holds an HBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and is a certified coach with The Coaches Training Institute and the ICF.

Order Nancy’s New Book:

Drawing on two decades of experience with more than five thousand leaders, Nancy reveals how to prioritize health, strengthen relationships, reclaim time, and develop resilience. Order ‘It's Lonely at the Top: CEO Strategies for Inspiring Yourself and Your Team’ today: https://bit.ly/3OcBTQH

Join a MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Peer Group:

MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠ brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. Learn more: https://mackayceoforums.com/members/

In a world increasingly dominated by digital communication, the importance of human connection has never been more critical. Many of us find ourselves feeling isolated, despite being more connected than ever online.

In this podcast, Nancy MacKay speaks with Pete Bombacci, Founder of GenWell, and Joe Oswald, a former CEO and current MacKay CEO Forum Chair, on how to foster meaningful relationships that enhance our well-being.

Pete Bombaci is a pioneering social change leader and the Founder and CEO of GenWell, a Canadian registered charity dedicated to fostering Canada’s Human Connection Movement since its inception in 2016. With an unwavering commitment to advancing social connection and social health, Pete leads GenWell’s mission to educate, empower, and catalyze Canadians around the critical role that social health plays in mental, physical, and societal well-being. GenWell’s work is grounded in growing global and public health evidence, and has been recognized by the World Health Organization, which identifies social connection as a foundational pillar of health and a powerful upstream solution to many of today’s most pressing challenges. Prior to founding GenWell, Pete served as Country Director of the Movember Canada Foundation, where, over five years, he helped raise $142 million for men’s health initiatives and led Canada to become Movember’s top fundraising country worldwide.

Joe Oswald is an Executive Coach and MacKay CEO Forum Chair who believes in the importance of creating one’s own future. In his view, success requires a combination of strategic thinking and intentional action. He has firsthand experience leading a team of over 250 professionals through the global pandemic and making a mid-career pivot to pursue a new path. As an experienced global President, Joe understands the value of strong leadership. He specializes in helping individuals develop energized, highly engaged teams that are focused on achieving organizational goals. What sets Joe apart is his extensive lived experience. Now, as a certified coach, he helps leaders set ambitious goals and provides the support they need to navigate challenges effectively.

Order Nancy’s New Book:

Drawing on two decades of experience with more than five thousand leaders, Nancy reveals how to prioritize health, strengthen relationships, reclaim time, and develop resilience. Order ‘It's Lonely at the Top: CEO Strategies for Inspiring Yourself and Your Team’ today: https://bit.ly/3OcBTQH

Join a MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Peer Group:

MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. Learn more: https://mackayceoforums.com/members/