In this episode of Career Focus, I sit down with Jez Benton, founder of Canvas Leadership and host of the Route to the Top podcast, to explore the connections between leadership, personal values, and adventure. Jez shares stories from his life, including his ascent of Mount Everest and his work helping executive teams and leaders create meaningful culture change. We discuss topics like resilience, understanding motivation, building genuine relationships, and the importance of aligning work with personal values. Jez’s insights provide a refreshing perspective for early career professionals looking to build meaningful and fulfilling careers.

Show Notes with Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction: Meet Jez Benton and learn about his background and work with Canvas Leadership

5:06 - Canvas Leadership: How Canvas helps companies manage culture change and develop leaders who drive growth

10:04 - Leadership Post-COVID: Why today’s workplace requires new approaches to motivation and engagement

17:37 - The Importance of Employee Relationships: How managers can connect more personally with their teams

22:45 - Personal Values & Friendship: Jez shares how friendship, enjoyment, and adventure shape his life and work

30:23 - Adventure and Personal Growth: Jez’s journey as a mountaineer, including summiting Everest, and how adventure builds resilience

34:57 - Route to the Top: The origin story of Jez’s podcast, where he interviews leaders on mountain summits

40:17 - Advice for Early Career Professionals: Tips on understanding your values and taking calculated risks in your career

Resources Mentioned:

Canvas Leadership: https://canvasleadership.com/

Jez’s Podcast Route to the Top: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Connect with Career Focus:

Instagram: @careerfocuspod

YouTube: Career Focus with Dan Brodsky