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Listen "Innovate or Die: Stay on Offense | Travis Hann"
Episode Synopsis
Summary
In this episode, executive search leader Travis Hann joins Anthony to break down what “Innovate or die” really looks like in practice. They dig into why comfort is dangerous for founders, how humility fuels great leadership, and why execution beats endless strategy. Travis shares hard-won lessons from leading CEO searches - what separates magnetic leaders from pretenders, how to avoid analysis paralysis, and when to rip off the band-aid on tough decisions. They also explore AI’s real role in hiring (“AI can identify, but humans qualify”), the power of storytelling to align teams, and how to build a culture that top talent wants to join. From delegation during founder transitions to staying on offense when the market gets choppy, this conversation is a playbook for resilient, growth-minded leadership.
Special Guest
Travis Hann is a partner at Pender & Howe, an executive search firm that builds leadership teams across North America and globally through its alliance network. He specializes in CEO and C-suite searches, helping founders and boards find leaders who combine humility, EQ, and execution. A student of continuous improvement, Travis champions evidence-based hiring, real-world testing over theory, and creating cultures that attract top performers.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Travis Hann and “Innovate or Die” concept
02:30 – Challenges of Leadership and Continuous Learning
06:00 – The Importance of Experience and Storytelling in Leadership
10:45 – AI’s Impact on Executive Search and Business Operations
15:20 – Finding and Attracting Top Talent
20:15 – The Role of Coaches and Mentors in Leadership
24:00 – Execution vs. Strategy in Business
27:45 – AI’s Potential in Automating Business Processes
30:30 – Company Culture and Employee Engagement
33:00 – Discussion of Pender’s Executive Search Services
36:26 – Closing Remarks and Favorite Golf Course
TRAVIS’ INFO:
Website: https://penderhowe.com/en/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-hann/?originalSubdomain=ca
Firm: Pender & Howe – Executive Search
PODCAST INFO:
Website:
https://FutureFactory.live
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0SsZRdrvWTUs1QY6Zu1sU6
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-factory/id1659895549
Amazon Music:
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/207e04aa-11a1-4b28-964a-148608422a49/future-factory
FUTURE FACTORY SOCIAL:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/futurefactorypodcast/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FutureFactoryFF
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/futurefactorypodcast
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/futurefactorypodcast
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@futurefactorypodcast?_t=8ZIxAf4Orra&_r=1
ANTHONY'S SOCIAL:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/anthonyamunategui/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/anthony.amunategui.3
Find great guests at PodMatch
https://www.joinpodmatch.com/futurefactorypodcast
In this episode, executive search leader Travis Hann joins Anthony to break down what “Innovate or die” really looks like in practice. They dig into why comfort is dangerous for founders, how humility fuels great leadership, and why execution beats endless strategy. Travis shares hard-won lessons from leading CEO searches - what separates magnetic leaders from pretenders, how to avoid analysis paralysis, and when to rip off the band-aid on tough decisions. They also explore AI’s real role in hiring (“AI can identify, but humans qualify”), the power of storytelling to align teams, and how to build a culture that top talent wants to join. From delegation during founder transitions to staying on offense when the market gets choppy, this conversation is a playbook for resilient, growth-minded leadership.
Special Guest
Travis Hann is a partner at Pender & Howe, an executive search firm that builds leadership teams across North America and globally through its alliance network. He specializes in CEO and C-suite searches, helping founders and boards find leaders who combine humility, EQ, and execution. A student of continuous improvement, Travis champions evidence-based hiring, real-world testing over theory, and creating cultures that attract top performers.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Travis Hann and “Innovate or Die” concept
02:30 – Challenges of Leadership and Continuous Learning
06:00 – The Importance of Experience and Storytelling in Leadership
10:45 – AI’s Impact on Executive Search and Business Operations
15:20 – Finding and Attracting Top Talent
20:15 – The Role of Coaches and Mentors in Leadership
24:00 – Execution vs. Strategy in Business
27:45 – AI’s Potential in Automating Business Processes
30:30 – Company Culture and Employee Engagement
33:00 – Discussion of Pender’s Executive Search Services
36:26 – Closing Remarks and Favorite Golf Course
TRAVIS’ INFO:
Website: https://penderhowe.com/en/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-hann/?originalSubdomain=ca
Firm: Pender & Howe – Executive Search
PODCAST INFO:
Website:
https://FutureFactory.live
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0SsZRdrvWTUs1QY6Zu1sU6
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-factory/id1659895549
Amazon Music:
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/207e04aa-11a1-4b28-964a-148608422a49/future-factory
FUTURE FACTORY SOCIAL:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/futurefactorypodcast/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FutureFactoryFF
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/futurefactorypodcast
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/futurefactorypodcast
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@futurefactorypodcast?_t=8ZIxAf4Orra&_r=1
ANTHONY'S SOCIAL:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/anthonyamunategui/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/anthony.amunategui.3
Find great guests at PodMatch
https://www.joinpodmatch.com/futurefactorypodcast
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