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From The Top with Chad Hesters

From The Top with Chad Hesters

By: Boyden
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From The Top with Chad Hesters is the podcast for mid-cap, family-owned, privately held, and larger organizations facing big decisions about leadership, succession, and hiring the right people. I’m Chad Hesters, executive search partner, leadership advisor, and former U.S. Naval Intelligence Officer. Each month, I sit down with CEOs, founders, board members, and leadership experts to discuss the real challenges of finding and hiring the leaders who can move a business forward and the ever-changing landscape that is the world. You won’t hear corporate jargon or fluffy theories here. Just honest stories, lessons learned, and practical advice you can use. If you’re a decision-maker who wants to avoid expensive hiring mistakes, make smarter leadership decisions and have a better understanding of the world, this show’s for you. Subscribe now to From The Top with Chad Hesters, and let’s get to work. https://www.boyden.com/Boyden Career Success Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Why Grit Is Killing Your High Performers And What Elite Teams Do Instead | Dr. Amy Athey

    Why Grit Is Killing Your High Performers And What Elite Teams Do Instead | Dr. Amy Athey
    Jun 23 2026
    What if the difference between burnout and sustained high performance came down to four fundamental skills? In this episode, Chad Hesters sits down with Dr. Amy Athey, a performance psychologist who's spent 25+ years helping everyone from Navy SEALs to Fortune 500 executives show up at their best, to explore why most leaders miss the holistic approach to performance, how the "four C's" composed, clarity, connect, and courageous action apply to your executive role, and the critical distinction between grit and what Dr. Athey calls "psychotic grit." Whether you're navigating high-stakes boardroom decisions or leading through uncertainty, this conversation reveals why wellness and performance psychology aren't luxuries, they're competitive advantages that extend careers, prevent burnout, and unlock sustainable excellence.
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    36 mins
  • Startup to Stewardship: How a family business was Built to Matter with Josephine Sukkar

    Startup to Stewardship: How a family business was Built to Matter with Josephine Sukkar
    Apr 13 2026
    What if the secret to scaling a billion-dollar business came down to one principle: never let your people feel the fear you felt on day one? In this episode of From the Top with Chad Hesters, host Chad Hesters sits down with Josephine Sukkar AM, co-founder of construction powerhouse Buildcorp, to explore how intentional, controlled growth builds lasting culture, why family business partnerships require evolving together, and how boards can balance governance with entrepreneurial courage. Whether you're navigating geographic expansion, building risk frameworks around big ideas, or scaling a family-owned enterprise, Josephine's 35-year journey reveals the strategies that transform startups into industry leaders—and why your market value is the sum of your experiences, not your title.
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    25 mins
  • The ROI of Psychological Safety in Business with Donald Thompson

    The ROI of Psychological Safety in Business with Donald Thompson
    Feb 19 2026
    From starting as "employee number seven" at a startup to becoming a multi-exit entrepreneur and award-winning CEO, Donald Thompson shares his blueprint for elite leadership. In this conversation with Chad Hesters, discover how "hustling with humility," fostering psychological safety, and leading with empathy drive organizational success. Learn valuable lessons on making tough decisions, navigating the age of AI, and building resilient teams that communicate effectively regardless of rank.
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    30 mins
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