Listen "No Poker Face Leadership with Denny LeCompte "
Episode Synopsis
What if the trait that once got you in trouble became your greatest leadership asset?Denny LeCompte, the CEO of Portnox, has built his leadership philosophy on a foundation of unfiltered transparency. He owns his mistakes in company-wide emails, actively invites dissent, and aligns his teams by always sharing the complete picture. A former cognitive psychology PhD turned tech leader, Denny reveals how embracing “the opposite of a poker face” can fuel trust, improve retention, and boost performance—all without the drama.In this conversation with Dave Osh, Denny shares the defining moments that shaped his approach. He discusses trading performative “niceness” for genuine care, creating an environment where it's safe to disagree (rather than making hollow promises), and using his own self-awareness to set healthier expectations for his teams. We also explore how to achieve alignment without theatrics, why “more money” is a poor motivator for pursuing management, and what it truly takes to maintain a strong culture as a startup scales.Why it matters: Leaders don't need more slogans about empathy; they need practical ways to make candid debate both safe and productive. Denny’s playbook offers a clear guide on how to achieve exactly that.Denny LeCompte is the CEO of Portnox, a company he has led for four years through rapid growth and a transition to a globally distributed team. Drawing on his background as a cognitive psychologist, Denny applies a science-informed perspective to decision-making and bias, writes weekly reflections for his company, and champions a culture where challenging the boss is not just allowed, but encouraged.https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennylecompte/https://www.portnox.com/ ⏰ Timestamps (placeholders)00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections00:38 Welcome to CEO Peak with Denny LeCompte01:17 Transparency and Leadership Philosophy04:35 Authenticity and Vulnerability in Leadership08:12 Creating a Safe and Open Work Environment16:59 Handling Conflict and Building a Cohesive Team22:20 Understanding Team Motivations22:33 Addressing Interdepartmental Tensions23:28 Promoting Problem-Solving Conversations25:15 Empathy and Alignment in Leadership26:28 The Importance of Open Communication27:41 Balancing Team Dynamics35:24 Avoiding Unproductive Drama39:52 Personal Growth and Leadership41:51 Parenting Lessons and Patience44:31 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsDave Osh is a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow.Company website: https://www.varlinx.com/Personal website: https://www.daveosh.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveosh/ Book: The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI https://www.amazon.com/CEO-Potential-Transcend-Organization-Lasting/dp/B0DMMPQFCW TEDx: Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World - https://youtu.be/UhCBv9MX-ks
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