In this episode of Growth Think Tank, I chat with Peter, the CEO of Your Your Money Line, about People First Leadership and its role in enhancing organizational success. We discuss the vital link between employee well-being and performance, highlighting financial health as a key stress reducer. Peter emphasizes the importance of empathy, accountability, and open communication in fostering a supportive team culture, leading to improved collaboration and reduced turnover. Our conversation reveals that prioritizing people is both a moral and strategic necessity for sustainable growth in businesses.

Episode Highlights & Time Stamps
4:08 The Importance of Financial Well-being
6:25 Defining People First Leadership
7:47 Building a People First Culture
12:10 Values That Shape Leadership
16:02 Challenges in Implementing Leadership Values
22:22 The Impact on Bottom Line

Key Takeaways
➤󠁯People-first leadership drives performance.
➤󠁯Employee financial stress directly impacts productivity.
➤󠁯Empathy is a leadership skill, not a personality trait.
➤󠁯Growth requires courage and accountability.
➤󠁯Feedback is an act of care.
➤󠁯Culture and accountability must coexist.
➤󠁯Retention is the clearest ROI of people-first leadership.

About Peter Dunn:
Peter Dunn (aka Pete the Planner) is an award-winning financial expert and leader in financial wellness. As CEO and founder of Your Money Line, he has helped shape the employee financial-benefits space. A longtime columnist for USA TODAY, author of multiple books, and host of Pete the Planner Show, Dunn is a trusted national voice on money and workplace financial health. He has also been named one of Indiana's most influential leaders by the Indiana Business Journal.

How to Connect with Peter Dunn:
LinkedIn: Peter Dunn https://www.linkedin.com/in/petetheplanner/
Company Website: Your Money Line https://www.yourmoneyline.com
Blog & Media: https://www.yourmoneyline.com/hr-and-benefits-resources

In this episode, I discuss the evolution of CEO leadership, emphasizing that "What got you here won't get you there," as introduced by Marshall Goldsmith. I share insights from over 800 interviews, focusing on the need for leaders to adapt their mindsets and strategies as their businesses scale. Through a client's growth story, I highlight the importance of strategic shifts and personnel changes to meet new challenges. I encourage leaders to continuously reassess their approaches and balance operational tasks with empowering their teams, reinforcing that effective leadership is a dynamic and evolving journey.

Episode Highlights & Time Stamps

3:28 The Challenge of Growth
5:52 Evolving as a Leader
7:14 The Importance of Transformation
8:38 Conclusion and Next Steps

Key Takeaways

• What helps you start a business can eventually slow its growth
• Scaling requires upgrading your team, strategy, and leadership mindset
• Complexity grows faster than most CEOs expect
• The best leaders evolve early — not when things break
• A CEO's real job is building leaders, not doing everything themselves

Resources & Next Steps

Ready to take your leadership energy to the next level?
Explore free training and resources at training.coreelevation.com
to help you identify energy leaks, strengthen your leadership presence, and elevate your team's performance.

In this episode, I speak with Kirsten Baker, CEO of Jeenie, Inc. (ranked No. 271 in 2025), a platform dedicated to breaking down language barriers through live interpretation. We explore the powerful intersection of AI innovation and the irreplaceable human element required for meaningful communication. Kirsten shares her perspective on building a culture of innovation, highlighting collaboration, embracing failure as a learning tool, and leading with purpose. We also discuss Jeenie's mission-driven approach to leadership, the importance of hiring for values alignment, and the successes of managing a diverse, fully remote team. Our conversation offers a compelling look at the future of Jeenie and underscores how effective leadership empowers people, nurtures creativity, and drives collective innovation.

Episode Highlights & Time Stamps
2:08 Leading Innovation
10:23 Core Leadership Principles
16:35 Embracing AI in Business
17:35 Creating a Culture of Innovation
23:20 Wrapping Up Insights

Follow me on Twitter @genehammett
Website: www.genehammett.com

About Kirsten Baker
Kirsten Brecht Baker is CEO & Co-Founder of Jeenie, an AI+Human multilingual and multicultural platform powering the next generation of smart-tech and AI for more inclusive communication. A Wharton MBA and serial entrepreneur, she has built and scaled ventures across SaaS, tech, and global market development. She is an Ernst & Young 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year, and made the top lists of Forbes, Inc., and Fast Company for leading in equity, innovation, and human connection. She is also a member of YPO, the SAFE-AI Task Force, INC. Leadership Forum, and Fast Company's Impact Council.

How to Connect with Kirsten Baker:
LinkedIn: Kirsten Baker https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-brecht-baker/
Company Website: Jeenie, Inc. https://jeenie.com/

Resources & Next Steps
Ready to take your leadership energy to the next level?
Explore free training and resources at training.coreelevation.com to help you identify energy leaks, strengthen your leadership presence, and elevate your team's performance.

🌐 Explore More: training.coreelevation.com
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode: Growth Think Tank Podcast