413 | Neil Johnson | Leadership That Inspires: How to Lead People, Not Just Projects
Manage episode 479766064 series 2705304
What does it take to build a thriving international finance career—and still make time to give back? In this episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris Thomson sits down with Neil Johnson, a proud Student Works alumnus who went from summer painting manager to CEO of Duke Capital, a publicly traded firm based in England.
Neil shares the pivotal lessons from his early Student Works days—leading a team of 200 at just 22 years old, burning out after his first summer, and learning to work smarter the second time around. He reflects on how those experiences shaped his approach to leadership, culture-building, and risk-taking in high-stakes finance roles at Canaccord Genuity and beyond.
You’ll also hear the story behind how Neil launched Duke Capital from his home office, the unique business model that set them apart, and how long-standing relationships fueled their growth. Plus, he opens up about his work with the Terry Fox Run in London and how giving back has become a new source of purpose.
This is a powerful conversation about resilience, mentorship, and building something meaningful—from both a business and human perspective. Enjoy!
In This Episode You'll Learn:
- Why early entrepreneurial experiences can shape your entire career
- How to turn burnout into long-term growth
- What it takes to build and maintain a strong business culture
- Why inspiring others is at the core of effective leadership
- How trusting relationships fuel long-term business success
- Why giving back can become your biggest motivator
- And much more...
Resources:
414 episodes