“You have to help your leaders understand that the organization is not a machine. The organization is a living organism.” - Ernesto Gomez

In this episode of The People Dividend, host Mike Horne sits down with Ernesto J. Gomez, executive leader and author of Regrowth, to explore how companies can reignite growth by scaling human potential—not just systems.

Together, they discuss what really stalls organizational momentum, why stewardship beats leadership in today’s world of work, and how embracing a humanistic, people-first approach to leadership creates a thriving culture of innovation and sustainable growth.

Whether you're in HR, talent development, or executive leadership, this conversation offers actionable strategies to help your team unlock performance, drive engagement, and view your organization as a living, evolving system.

Key Points:

• Why a humanistic approach to leadership creates lasting results

• How to unlock employee potential and boost workplace productivity

• The difference between leadership and stewardship—and why it matters

• Practical steps for HR and business leaders to prevent stalled growth

• Why treating your organization like a living system leads to better decisions

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike’s Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Ernesto Gomez:

Website: https://aspenmindset1.com/

Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernesto-g%C3%B3mez-arzapalo-8783ab43/

Ernesto’s Book Regrowth on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Regrowth-Organizations-Overcome-Unlocking-Potential/dp/1959009176/

“Even if an airplane can go at a thousand kilometers an hour, we're still really interested as humans in how fast a human can run.” – Nellie Wartoft

In this episode of The People Dividend podcast, host Mike Horne speaks with Nellie Wartoft, CEO and founder of Tigerhall, about the future of organizational communication, the real drivers of change management, and what it means to lead with a people-first mindset.

Nellie shares her journey from Sweden to Singapore and her mission to disrupt traditional internal communications strategies. Together, they explore how to engage employees during change initiatives, why generic frameworks fail, and how companies can focus on outcomes over remote work policies.

With the rise of AI and remote teams, Nellie offers strategic guidance for people and culture leaders on tailoring communication, understanding employee needs, and driving meaningful, measurable transformation.

Key Points:

• Traditional internal communications have alarmingly low engagement rates—leaders must rethink their approach.

• Outcome-based strategies are more effective than rigid remote work policies in driving transformation.

• People-first communication means understanding your audience and solving real business problems—not just applying generic frameworks.

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike’s Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Guest Links – Nellie Wartoft

linkedin.com/in/nelliewartoft

tigerhall.com

Can joy actually make you a better leader? Joel Zeff thinks so—and he’s got the stories (and laughs) to prove it.

In this episode of The People Dividend podcast, host Mike Horne sits down with Joel Zeff—keynote speaker, humorist, and author—to explore how joy, humor, and improvisation can transform your leadership style and elevate workplace culture.

Drawing on years of experience working with teams across industries, Joel shares how improv principles help leaders embrace change, stay engaged, and lead with empathy and resilience. He emphasizes that creating a positive workplace starts with supporting your team, asking what they need to succeed, and fueling their passion through appreciation.

This episode is packed with laughs, leadership wisdom, and actionable tips for improving team engagement, communication, and culture—no matter your industry or leadership level.

Key Points:

• Improv is a powerful leadership tool that teaches adaptability, collaboration, and presence in the moment.

• Positive support and appreciation are critical to building high-performing, passionate teams.

• Great leaders ask, “What do you need to succeed?”—and then actively support their team’s success.

Links:

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike’s Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn More about Joel Zeff

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelzeff/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joelzeff

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiOqpNYF4qZZoYByIlLGuog

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394278954

https://www.joelzeff.com