Challenging common leadership mantras with wisdom, wit, and real-world stories.In this episode of Built to Last, Levi and Colby are joined by leadership expert, award-winning author, and jazz bassist Pierre Battah. What begins as a nostalgic reconnection turns into a candid, insightful exploration of leadership, organizational culture, and the future of work. Pierre shares personal stories from his transition from HR executive to independent consultant and speaker, lessons learned through tough client calls, and his approach to reshaping culture from fear-based to learning-oriented environments.The conversation dives into the nuances of facilitation, performance psychology, and the evolving employer-employee relationship. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or emerging leader, this episode offers practical wisdom and plenty of inspiration.Links and Resources MentionedPierre Battah –https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierrebattah/Pierre Battah’s website and book https://www.pierrebattah.com/Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) https://www.canadianspeakers.org/David Allen – Getting Things Done https://gettingthingsdone.com/Quotes Worth Sharing“It’s not about being happy—it’s about being engaged.” “I didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur. I set out to be independent—and then got hooked.” “Culture isn’t ‘people first.’ It’s results through people.” “Safety isn’t soft. It’s the foundation for productivity.” “Not all things that are curious are part of the work.”Segment Breakdown07:00 – Changing the Employer-Employee RelationshipReframing leadership in the age of talent scarcity.From “you’re lucky to have a job” to “we’re lucky to have you”Why culture change is harder than culture theory14:00 – People First? Not Quite.Why “people first” can be misleadingThe importance of balancing empathy with high standardsCreating cultures that are challenging, not coddling20:00 – Breaking the Culture of FearA real-world example of cultural fear at a successful companyTransitioning to a learning culture: the power of debriefs, safe space, and senior-level self-awarenessWhy some leaders need to step back for progress to happen27:00 – When to Walk Away from a ClientRecognizing misalignment, even when you're hiredEthics and candor in advisory rolesWhen great work isn’t the right fit33:00 – Craft of Facilitation & SpeakingPierre’s journey from comfortable speaker to certified proLearning the science behind storytelling, delivery, and adult educationThe blend of edutainment and real impact41:00 – Writing a Book & Building CredibilityThe surprising reason Pierre decided to write Humans, ResourcedBehind the scenes of hybrid publishing and distributionWhy a book may not be a business—but it can still build one61:00 – Advice for Young ProfessionalsStop chasing passion—start with what you’re good atThe unexpected journey from engineering to agricultureWhy trying and failing early matters68:00 – The Future of Work & LeadershipThe two biggest trends to watch: AI and patterns in your own businessImportance of white space and strategy timeWhy being surrounded by big thinkers matters75:00 – The Limits of Psychology in Change WorkBehavior change vs. emotional diagnosisOrganizational coaching and habit adoptionThe role of incentives in leadership development83:00 – Levi & Colby Reflect on ResistanceWhy meaningful change often starts with organizing your dataThe resistance to long-term investment when ROI isn’t immediateWhy “working with” instead of “working at” is a mantra at Iron House 

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