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The Seismic Shift with Michelle K. JohnstonWelcome to Seismic Shift - a leadership podcast that focuses on connection. Author: Michelle K. Johnston
Welcome to Seismic Shift - a leadership podcast that focuses on connection. Im your host, Michelle K. Johnston: management professor, executive coach, and leadership expert. I believe that todays leaders need more than power and control to get the best from their teams; they need connection. Through interviews with some of todays top business leaders, we are going to explore how leaders' ability to connect with themselves, their teams, and their organizations defines their ultimate success or failure. This podcast runs in close parallel to my new book, The Seismic Shift in Leadership, where you can find even more insights from me and the brilliant leaders I interviewed this season. So let's set our sights on connection and get ready to take on the daunting, yet exciting, challenge of this Seismic Shift. Language: en Genres: Business, Careers, Management Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Connection as a Competitive Advantage, featuring Dennis Lauscha
Episode 13
Wednesday, 29 April, 2026
Dennis Lauscha carries one of the most demanding leadership portfolios in sports—President and CEO of the New Orleans Saints, the New Orleans Pelicans, and a wide network of Gayle Benson companies. Sitting down at the Saints training facility, Michelle Johnston and Dennis unpack what’s changing fastest in the NFL and NBA—and what leaders can learn from it. Dennis breaks down a major business reality fans don’t always see: how the shutdown of regional sports broadcast partners forced teams to rethink distribution, marketing, and the entire way games reach the public. The Saints and Pelicans responded by moving deeper into content creation and direct-to-consumer offerings—expanding visibility across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle, and reframing what “small market” even means. He and Michelle tackle the real tension leaders feel: calendars that don’t match values, the pressure professional sports can put on families, and the manager’s responsibility to set clear expectations and coach performance with honesty and respect.CHAPTERS:00:00 A capital gap across the Gulf South00:36 Inside Dennis Lauscha’s role leading Saints, Pelicans, and Benson companies01:41 The seismic shift: regional sports networks disappear03:10 Becoming a content company: broadcasts, radio, and direct-to-consumer05:52 Connection at scale: listening systems and “number one” fan experience07:34 Kaizen in action: making every voice speak up in meetings09:23 Psychological safety: bring the problem and a solution11:42 Beyond Gen Z labels: explain the “why” and set people up to win14:51 One life, one calendar: leadership pressure and work-family balance18:39 Why the Benson Leadership Academy exists22:37 Leader vs. manager: art + science25:28 Loyalty and trust as a talent strategy26:42 The “it factor,” DEI, and widening the talent pipeline30:06 Dennis’ career path: Loyola, CPA, and the Saints audit that changed everything37:42 Leadership under Gayle Benson and the “double/triple bottom line”42:45 Advice for breaking into pro sports: commitment, growth, and opportunity44:35 Closing and thanksSpecial thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!Track Title: My Heart's On FireFollow Michelle for more inspiring content:Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSeismicShiftwithMichelle LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnston-0264b5bInstagram: instagram.com/michellekjohnston Website: https://michellekjohnston.com/
