Leadership Journeys [256] - Don Hammond - "Great leaders don’t seek victory—they create progress for everyone."

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast. I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name. In this powerful episode of Choosing Leadership, host Sumit Gupta sits down with Don Hammond, CEO at Tech Consulting, for an unfiltered conversation on what it really takes to lead with authenticity and courage in today’s fast-changing world. From turning around struggling teams to aligning entire organizations, Don shares hard-earned lessons on building trust, accountability, and progress that lasts. Together, they challenge the myth that leadership is about being liked — revealing instead how fairness, honesty, and clear expectations drive true excellence. Whether you’re leading a startup or scaling a global team, this episode will help you rethink how you empower people and make bold, strategic moves without burning out. Tune in to discover how to lead with more clarity, courage, and joy — starting Monday morning. You can find Don Hammond at the links below https://www.linkedin.com/in/donhammond100/ In the interview, Don shares "Leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers — it’s about creating the space where everyone can make progress together." "Authenticity in leadership isn’t about being nice — it’s about being honest, fair, and consistent, even when it’s uncomfortable." "True empowerment only happens when accountability is shared — between the individual and the organization." "Great leaders don’t chase perfection. They take bold, strategic risks that move the whole team forward." "If your people are dreading Mondays, it’s not a motivation problem — it’s a leadership problem." "Turning B and C players into A players is the ultimate act of leadership — it starts with clarity, courage, and care." "Leadership negligence often hides behind being 'nice.' Authentic leaders tell the truth with love — no sugarcoating, no surprises." "Progress beats perfection. Leaders who wait for the perfect moment often miss the moment that matters most." "When leaders explain their decisions with fairness and transparency, they earn trust — not compliance." "Choosing leadership is a daily act of courage — to design not just success, but a life of joy, meaning, and impact for everyone around you."