Become a Better Leader with the Unicorn Leaders Podcast 

In this high-energy episode of the Unicorn Leaders podcast, Fahd sits down with serial entrepreneur and author Adrian Salamunovic for a raw, real, and wisdom-packed conversation on what it takes to build—and exit—category-defining companies. Adrian shares the behind-the-scenes journey from selling his first business at 21 to founding DNA11 and CanvasPop, exiting for 30x EBITDA, and now launching The Exit podcast and founder community.

Together, they unpack what founders get wrong about scaling, the psychology behind great leadership, and why the smartest move isn’t always about being the smartest person in the room. From hiring to vision, from mental stamina to co-founder breakups, this episode is a tactical masterclass in how to build a business worth buying—without losing yourself along the way.

Building high-performing teams in fast-growth startups takes more than best practices; it requires ruthless clarity and the right balance of structure. In this episode Ali Farrell, three-time Chief People Officer now at Apprentice, draws on her corporate, VC-backed, PE-backed and bootstrapped startup experience to challenge outdated HR norms. She explains why ditching performance improvement plans beats overengineering, how providing just enough structure fuels scale, and why ownership and curiosity matter more than credentials. Tune in for Ali’s real-world tactics on leading through chaos and creating teams that thrive in the messy middle.

Think traditional learning and development can keep up with AI and hybrid work? In episode 20, Eva explains how she applied a product-led mindset at Fullscript, a company of 800 employees, to create agile and adaptive L&D strategies. She reveals the tools, resources, and community-building approaches she used to help individuals flourish. Tune in to discover how Eva’s innovative methods can transform your own learning programs.

Think social impact and high performance can’t coexist? In episode 19, Andre explains how he built a purpose-driven business and shares the leadership principles he embraced: letting go of micromanagement, building high-performing teams, and influencing decision-making processes. Get ready to unleash the unicorn leader within. Tune in for Andre’s actionable insights!

Feel like today’s strengths won’t carry you to tomorrow’s challenges? In episode 18, Jonah Midanik, whose journey spans being a bootstrapped startup founder, launching new corporate divisions at BigCo, and leading a venture-backed company, now helps businesses grow as COO and General Partner at Forum Ventures. He outlines a three-step roadmap for leaders: first, perform an honest self-assessment to spot your gaps; second, gather candid feedback from peers and mentors and write it all down; and third, decide if you’re fully committed and then marshal the resources to bridge those gaps. Tune in for Jonah’s actionable guide to leveling up your leadership.

Jeanette Dorazio, CEO of Leadpages, has held executive roles at Oracle, 8thBridge, Verifone, and Solera, and champions women’s inclusion in STEM. In episode 17 she reveals three leadership lessons: adopt an “outside-in” view of the market because real change happens beyond your office, listen first to understand all perspectives, and learn to interpret data effectively. Her top tip: lean into your strengths, regardless of others’ judgments, to reach the next level in your leadership journey. Tune in for Jeanette’s actionable advice!

On this episode we look at organizational systems and how to think when designing the organizational structure. Realizing that it should not be designed from a people centric place but rather around the needs and direction of your business. It’s important to be mindful when you do design around people and whether it is sustainable long term. Krista shares the top two reasons to consider when looking to expand a team.  First, think about whether the growth is significant and if in fact, a talent acquisition specialist becomes a specialty that is needed. Second, you reach a point and realize that the evolution of your organization and the complexity of products and solutions is growing. Some trends to look forward to: The skillsets for managers are looking very different, we promote people into roles and the manager role is the one they’re least prepared for while adding new skills on top of that.

Kyle Racki, co-founder and CEO of Proposify, has helped thousands of businesses streamline proposals and gain clearer insight into their sales pipeline. A serial entrepreneur, he also co-hosts The Racki and Symes Podcast to explore growth strategies. After five years running and selling a digital agency, Kyle built Proposify and distilled his CEO playbook. In episode 15 he outlines a CEO’s core responsibilities—shaping vision and values, assembling an executive team (yes, title politics matter), hiring leaders for context, navigating tough conversations, and enforcing accountability. He also shares a handy framework for assessing cash flow concerns during uncertain times. Tune in for Kyle’s practical tools and hard-earned lessons!

Meet Natalie Furness, CEO of RevOps Automated and Revenue Operations Consultant. She explains how aligning people around shared values and work styles reveals the best match between roles and environments. As a remote-work advocate, she acknowledges it isn’t for everyone and shows how to reshuffle teams for the right fit. Natalie stresses preserving personality and social bonds through tools like Slack, encouraging peers to check in on each other instead of controlling every detail. Her main advice: lead with empathy by recognizing remote-work challenges and using that understanding to support your team.

Chris Williams brings over 40 years of team-building experience, from installing car stereos and selling his first consulting firm to leading HR for 32,000 employees at Microsoft. Along the way he learned that a clear, active vision is the common denominator of high-performing teams. He explains how to diagnose a lack of vision, re-engage your direction and destination, and build trust by tackling challenges together. Chris also shows how personalized leadership—understanding each person’s unique strengths—elevates good managers into great ones. Tune in for his stories and practical advice!

Meet Shawna Stewart, VP of People and Operations at Railz Financial and a people-focused leader grounded in psychology and organizational behaviour. With deep expertise in performance management, operational effectiveness, succession planning, employee engagement, and talent development, Shawna shares sharp insights on today’s labour landscape. She opens up about her personal people-first approach, how it empowers her teams, and strategies for elevating organizations together. Tune in for a powerhouse episode packed with actionable takeaways!

Florent Schmahl, Chief of Staff at Growcer, an agtech company driven by purpose, explains how he shifted from honing hard skills to embracing meaningful work. He argues that purpose is not a fixed destination but an ongoing journey, and he urges teams to explore what truly motivates them instead of chasing a single “life purpose.” In this episode Florent shows how to turn big questions about passion into practical team strategies, and why focusing on real problems beats agonizing over existential dilemmas. Tune in for his actionable tips on finding impact and drive in any work environment!

Think a strong culture just happens? Laura Mindorff, COO at Wicket, shares tactical advice on building and sustaining culture through intentional rituals, culture champions, and the right metrics to track. She explains why consistent prioritization of culture, even when your plate is full, is the springboard for impactful work and lasting employee happiness. Tune in to borrow Laura’s proven practices for fostering a positive workplace culture!

Want to build an employer brand that truly resonates? In episode 9, Julia reveals how her humane recruiting approach pays dividends inside and out. She shares actionable tips for earning team trust, running a candidate-first hiring process, and maintaining a powerful employer brand—even in tough labor markets. Her bottom-line advice: remember every candidate is a person first. Tune in for Julia’s proven strategies to transform your recruitment game!

Ever feared conflict? Shawn MacDonell—whose journey spans sports coaching, teaching in Colombia, branding strategy, professional coaching, and founding a creative agency—shows how saying “yes” to diverse roles taught him to turn conflict into curiosity. In episode 8, he reveals why self-belief fuels experimentation, why giving good feedback is harder than it seems, and how reflecting on your beliefs can unlock growth. Tune in for Shawn’s truth bombs and actionable insights to break through your own barriers!

Ever thought leadership was just management? For Brittany Forsyth—former Shopify Chief Talent Officer—it’s about building a following toward a shared goal. In episode 7, she reveals how she tapped her natural leadership instincts to rise from bar manager to C-suite, shares hands-on tactics for crafting the ideal team dynamic, and candidly walks through her biggest missteps so you can sidestep them. Her core tip: identify what’s in your leadership toolbox—and never stop adding new skills. Tune in for Brittany’s must-have insights!

Think a one-size-fits-all talent strategy works? If it isn’t tied to your business goals—whether that’s $10M or $100M—you’ll waste time and money on programs that don’t resonate.

In episode #6, Amanda Gordon—VP of People at Rewind—shows you how to build a star team by starting with three questions: Why did they join? Why do they stay? Why did they leave? She outlines how to craft an EVP aligned with your objectives, why brutal honesty in interviews pays off, and why jumping into roles “before you’re ready” or choosing a small company can supercharge your career. Tune in for Amanda’s proven HR insights!

Ever felt uneasy about your career or emotionally drained by your field? In episode #5, Sam Witherspoon—founder & CEO of IMRSV Data Labs—explains why chasing profit alone undermines your vision and how genuine relationships are the true foundation of a strong team. He dives into the reality of client dependence, reveals his biggest entrepreneurial misstep, and champions “type two fun” as essential for long-term success. Tune in for Sam’s hard-won lessons to refine your leadership style!

Think fairness means treating everyone the same? True leaders honor individual needs. In episode #4, Cassy Aite—co-founder and CEO of Hoppier—reveals how your team’s values, environments, and levels of involvement shape motivation. She explains why authenticity is crucial, how misplaced praise can backfire, and why radical transparency unites everyone around a shared vision. Tune in for Cassy’s practical tips to elevate your leadership!

Did you know 70% of employee retention hinges on their manager? People don’t quit jobs—they quit managers.

In this episode, Aydin Mirzaee—co-founder and CEO of Fellow.app—explores how managers shape team performance and why “seeking advice” can sometimes backfire. He dives into key studies showing the power of embedding mission, values, and self-reflection into your leadership approach.

Tune in for Aydin’s expert insights and actionable tips to transform your management style!

Do you have room to grow when every misstep feels catastrophic? With stakes so high, you default to the safe path—until you build true psychological safety. In episode #2, Craig Handy—Global RevOps lead at Shopify and founder of Jameson Strategies—explains how leveraging psychology and human performance creates environments where top talent thrives. He’ll share practical strategies for fostering trust, why diverse leadership styles beat a one-size-fits-all approach, and how to cultivate the safety your team needs to take smart risks. Tune in for Craig’s actionable insights to elevate your leadership!

Do managers instinctively fear losing a valued employee? Why is it only now that leaders are urged to put individual goals first? In this episode, Michael Johnson—president & CEO of Multiview Financials and former CFO, with roots as an asset manager at AGF Management and Brookfield Renewable Energy—argues that radical commitment to people defines great leadership. He explains how embracing “boomerang employees” can enrich your culture, why healthy conflict beats uniform agreement, and even suggests firing half your team if they’re all “yes people.” Plus, he shares a lasting lesson from Canada’s 20th Prime Minister, Jean Chrétien. Tune in for Michael’s insights on elevating your leadership style!