In this episode of The People Playbook, host Jason Taylor sits down with Joe Salemi, Executive Director of Landscape Ontario, to explore what it really takes to lead with empathy, build high-performing teams, and create a culture that thrives -even when you're not in the room.

Joe shares his personal journey from software to association leadership, what it means to step into the shoes of a legend, and why the best leaders empower others to lead too. We also dive into the leadership gap facing many landscape businesses, the power of peer-to-peer vulnerability, and how one green tie became a symbol of trust and transformation.

If you're a leader, culture builder, or entrepreneur navigating people challenges -this one is a must-listen.

In this powerful and candid conversation, George Croft- Senior Advisor at First Key Consulting and Non-Executive Board Member at BrewDog - joins Jason Taylor to reflect on a leadership journey that spans decades in the beverage industry. From his humble beginnings at Labatt to transforming Waterloo Brewing into a national player, George shares how persistence, people-first leadership, and radical candor shaped his approach and legacy.

This episode is a masterclass in leading with values, building resilient teams, and making the tough calls when it counts. Whether you’re scaling a company or growing your career, George’s wisdom will challenge and inspire you.

In this episode of The People Playbook, I sit down with Steven Wright, President and CEO of Focus, to unpack one of the most common - and costly - misconceptions in sales: the belief that success comes from hiring the elusive sales “rockstar.”

Steven shares how his team helps growth-minded business owners scale by installing systems, structure, and leadership that empower average performers to become great - and great performers to thrive without the business owner micromanaging every deal.

We talk about:
✔ The dangers of chasing unicorn salespeople
✔ Building a sales engine that’s scalable and predictable
✔ How to balance structure with human flexibility
✔ Real-world stories of sales teams transformed
✔ What business owners must let go of to truly lead

If you're tired of being stuck in sales management mode and want to build a self-sustaining growth machine - this conversation is for you.