What if your biggest leadership problem isn't a lack of time, but how you're using it?

In this episode of The People Playbook, Jason Taylor sits down with Michael Cupps, Vice President of Data Intelligence Practice at Rulesware, author of The Time Bandit, and host of The Habit Architect Podcast.

Together they unpack why most organizations don't have a data problem — they have an intelligence problem. Michael shares why leaders are drowning in dashboards but starving for clarity, how unnecessary complexity quietly slows teams down, and why asking "why?" might be the most important question in business.

They also dive into:

• Why leaders lose time by saying yes to everything
• The difference between urgent work and important work
• How AI should eliminate friction instead of creating more noise
• Why consistency matters more than intensity in leadership
• The surprising habit top-performing leaders protect above all else

If you're a CEO, executive, or people leader looking to build a more focused team and reclaim your time, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways you can apply immediately.

What does it take to build high-performing teams, create cultures that thrive, and lead organizations through change?

In this episode of The People Playbook Podcast, Jason Taylor sits down with Ron Cecillon, President & CEO of Denny's Canada, Bar One, and the Northland UK & Ireland Restaurant Group at Northland Properties. With more than 30 years of leadership experience, Ron shares the lessons he's learned leading brands through growth, acquisitions, and transformation.

Jason and Ron discuss why culture truly eats strategy for breakfast, how leaders can navigate change without creating uncertainty, the importance of curiosity and accountability, and why great leaders focus more on asking questions than having all the answers. They also explore the powerful connection between employee experience and customer experience, and what separates great teams from the rest.

If you're a CEO, people leader, or aspiring leader looking to build stronger teams and a better culture, this conversation is packed with practical leadership insights you can apply immediately.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why culture is the ultimate business multiplier
• How to lead teams through change with clarity and trust
• The leadership traits Ron looks for in future leaders
• Why accountability is essential for long-term success
• How great leaders create environments where people thrive

What if one of the biggest costs in your business doesn't appear anywhere on your P&L?

In this episode of The People Playbook, Jason Taylor sits down with Bob Borcherdt, Founder & CEO of IN2GREAT, to explore the hidden impact of unused human capacity and why most organizations are leaving performance, productivity, and profitability on the table.

Bob shares lessons from decades of leadership consulting, executive coaching, and working with elite sports organizations. Together, they discuss why clear expectations outperform motivation, how great leaders create environments where people thrive, and why one-on-one conversations may be the most underutilized tool in leadership today.

If you're a CEO, executive, manager, or aspiring leader looking to build stronger teams and unlock greater performance, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.

In this episode:

• The hidden cost of unused human capacity
• Why clear expectations drive performance
• Leading individuals instead of managing everyone the same way
• The power of behavioural data and mental maps
• Lessons from professional sports teams and championship cultures
• Why one-on-ones are the future of leadership development
• The difference between ideas, plans, and execution
• Leadership systems that create long-term success

What separates leaders who succeed from those who quit too soon?

In this episode of The People Playbook Podcast, Jason Taylor sits down with Adrian Capobianco, Co-Founder & CEO of Because I Love It (BILI), to discuss entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership, and the realities of building businesses in fast-moving industries.

Adrian shares why vision without execution is just an idea, how great leaders balance optimism with experience, and why adaptability is often more important than having the perfect plan. He also explores the difference between being busy and creating meaningful outcomes, the importance of momentum in business, and how leaders can empower teams to think like owners.

Whether you're a founder, executive, or emerging leader, this conversation is packed with practical insights on building teams, navigating setbacks, and creating lasting success.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why vision, planning, adaptability, and resilience are critical leadership traits
• How to know when to double down versus walk away from an idea
• The difference between activity and real business outcomes
• Why great leaders avoid reacting too quickly
• How to create accountability without sacrificing creativity
• The mindset shifts that help founders and leaders scale successfully

What separates great leaders from average ones?

In this episode of The People Playbook, Jason Taylor sits down with Geoffrey Toffetti, CEO of Frontline Performance Group, to discuss the leadership principles that drive high-performing teams and thriving cultures.

Geoffrey shares lessons from leading major business transformations, scaling a company from services to SaaS, and building an organization where people come first. The conversation explores trust, employee engagement, coaching, accountability, culture, leading through change, and why the best leaders are willing to step into the fire before asking their teams to do the same.

You'll also hear Geoffrey's thoughts on AI, leadership humility, communication during times of uncertainty, and the career advice he gives to young professionals looking to build extraordinary careers.

If you're a CEO, leader, manager, or anyone responsible for building teams, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.

Key topics include:
• Building a people-first culture
• The hidden cost of disengaged employees
• Why trust must be given before it's earned
• Coaching high performers and low performers alike
• Leading through rapid change and uncertainty
• The leadership traits AI can never replace
• Lessons learned from leadership failures and successes
• Advice for the next generation of leaders

This is a masterclass in servant leadership, culture, and building organizations people want to be part of.

What does it take to build a brand that lasts more than 60 years without losing its culture along the way?

In this episode of The People Playbook Podcast, Domenic Primucci sits down with Jason Taylor to talk about leadership, culture, franchise growth, and the people-first mindset that helped turn Pizza Nova into one of Canada’s most recognized restaurant brands.

Domenic shares why listening is one of the most important leadership skills, how strong core values create consistency across hundreds of employees and franchisees, and why scaling too fast can destroy the soul of a company. He also opens up about leadership lessons learned over decades in business, the importance of humility, and how trust is built through everyday actions.

This conversation is packed with practical insights for leaders, entrepreneurs, franchise operators, and anyone trying to build a high-performing culture that lasts.

In this episode:

• Why culture starts with frontline employees
• How Pizza Nova maintains consistency across locations
• The leadership lessons Domenic learned over decades in business
• Why listening matters more than talking
• How to scale without losing your company’s identity
• The role humility plays in strong leadership
• Building trust, alignment, and accountability across teams

What does it really take to build a business that lasts - and a culture that people actually believe in?

In this episode of The People Playbook Podcast, Jason Taylor sits down with Chris Fisher, Founder and Brand President of Shine Window Care and Holiday Lighting, to unpack over 25 years of leadership, growth, and lessons learned in franchising.

Chris shares why “making a difference” is more than just a phrase - it’s the foundation of everything they’ve built. From leading independent franchise owners to navigating conflict, protecting culture at scale, and learning when to let go, this conversation is packed with practical leadership insights.

They also dive into:

• Why great leadership starts with serving others
• How to handle conflict without damaging relationships
• The importance of humility as you scale
• Why “breathing” might be your most underrated leadership tool
• What separates franchise owners who thrive from those who struggle

If you’re building a team, scaling a business, or trying to lead with more intention—this episode is for you.

What does it actually take to build a people-first culture that performs?

In this episode of The People Playbook Podcast, Jason Taylor sits down with Chris Caldwell, President & CEO of Community National Bank, to break down the leadership principles that don’t change, even as industries evolve.

Chris shares why no one is “above the work,” how understanding your team’s “why” drives real performance, and why simple, common-sense leadership often beats overcomplicated strategies.

They also dive into:

• How to build trust as a new CEO
• Why culture is contagious (for better or worse)
• The difference between managing people and truly leading them
• How to maintain human connection in an increasingly digital world

If you’re leading a team, scaling a company, or trying to become a better leader, this conversation is a masterclass in keeping people at the center of everything you do.