Dan Pontefract
@danpontefract.com
Award-winning 5-times author | leadership & culture strategist | keynote speaker | 4-time TEDx | Thinkers50 Radar | wristwatch hater 🇨🇦
I am not a Simon Sinek fan. He likely has no idea who I am. That's 100% okay. But, over the years, I have internally and silently kept to myself about his "thought leadership." Today, I decided not to be so silent. TL;DR - I don't agree most times.
July 18, 2025 at 1:08 AM
I am not a Simon Sinek fan. He likely has no idea who I am. That's 100% okay. But, over the years, I have internally and silently kept to myself about his "thought leadership." Today, I decided not to be so silent. TL;DR - I don't agree most times.
Sadly, I’m shocked to report—because, you know, Ole Chatty is an AI party killer—that I find myself doing the same thing.
If you read my work, I have always loved using em-dashes. Now I actually go through & replace them with semicolons or parentheses (even when dashes would be better) because people assume they are AI
Reminds me of the great Delve Collapse - use of the word dropped after it became associated with AI.
Reminds me of the great Delve Collapse - use of the word dropped after it became associated with AI.
June 26, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Sadly, I’m shocked to report—because, you know, Ole Chatty is an AI party killer—that I find myself doing the same thing.
Dear BBC,
Given it’s the G7 Summit, could you do us a favour?
On your app and web platform, could you create a dedicated subsection for Canada not dissimilar to what you have for the UK and Australia?
We’d be so appreciative.
Sincerely,
Canada 🇨🇦
Given it’s the G7 Summit, could you do us a favour?
On your app and web platform, could you create a dedicated subsection for Canada not dissimilar to what you have for the UK and Australia?
We’d be so appreciative.
Sincerely,
Canada 🇨🇦
June 16, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Dear BBC,
Given it’s the G7 Summit, could you do us a favour?
On your app and web platform, could you create a dedicated subsection for Canada not dissimilar to what you have for the UK and Australia?
We’d be so appreciative.
Sincerely,
Canada 🇨🇦
Given it’s the G7 Summit, could you do us a favour?
On your app and web platform, could you create a dedicated subsection for Canada not dissimilar to what you have for the UK and Australia?
We’d be so appreciative.
Sincerely,
Canada 🇨🇦
In 2016, when Microsoft launched its chatbot Tay on Twitter, it was taken offline after about 24 hours, primarily due to... wait for it... denying the Holocaust.
My, how times have changed at Twitter, where a bug has evolved into a feature.
My, how times have changed at Twitter, where a bug has evolved into a feature.
May 18, 2025 at 5:39 PM
In 2016, when Microsoft launched its chatbot Tay on Twitter, it was taken offline after about 24 hours, primarily due to... wait for it... denying the Holocaust.
My, how times have changed at Twitter, where a bug has evolved into a feature.
My, how times have changed at Twitter, where a bug has evolved into a feature.
I’m thrilled by Harvard University’s action. It’s also a #leadership lesson for all of us. Here’s what I wrote: www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
Harvard University’s Bold Lesson On Integrity And Saying No
Harvard University's refusal of federal government demands shows leaders why integrity and courage matter when values are tested.
www.forbes.com
April 15, 2025 at 5:36 AM
I’m thrilled by Harvard University’s action. It’s also a #leadership lesson for all of us. Here’s what I wrote: www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
Important new book from Faisal Hoque: "Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI." Check out these:
🔗⃗ Forbes Column: www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
🔗⃗ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/a...
🔗⃗ Spotify Podcasts: open.spotify.com/episode/1lPg...
🔗⃗ YouTube Video: youtu.be/B3Tx7LJ9eRM
🔗⃗ Forbes Column: www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
🔗⃗ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/a...
🔗⃗ Spotify Podcasts: open.spotify.com/episode/1lPg...
🔗⃗ YouTube Video: youtu.be/B3Tx7LJ9eRM
April 7, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Important new book from Faisal Hoque: "Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI." Check out these:
🔗⃗ Forbes Column: www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
🔗⃗ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/a...
🔗⃗ Spotify Podcasts: open.spotify.com/episode/1lPg...
🔗⃗ YouTube Video: youtu.be/B3Tx7LJ9eRM
🔗⃗ Forbes Column: www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
🔗⃗ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/a...
🔗⃗ Spotify Podcasts: open.spotify.com/episode/1lPg...
🔗⃗ YouTube Video: youtu.be/B3Tx7LJ9eRM
If you're Canadian, one can only surmise that Carney's call with Trump went extraordinarily well last week for "Liberation Day" not to include additional #tariffs against Canada. It seems that USMCA is being honoured, presumably until a new government is elected in Canada on April 28.
April 2, 2025 at 9:35 PM
If you're Canadian, one can only surmise that Carney's call with Trump went extraordinarily well last week for "Liberation Day" not to include additional #tariffs against Canada. It seems that USMCA is being honoured, presumably until a new government is elected in Canada on April 28.
In 1961, JFK travelled to Canada, spoke in the House of Commons, and basically said, "Canada, you are awesome. Let's always be friends.” #leadership
March 29, 2025 at 10:30 PM
In 1961, JFK travelled to Canada, spoke in the House of Commons, and basically said, "Canada, you are awesome. Let's always be friends.” #leadership
Walking through a cherry blossom blizzard is one of life's most wonderful treats.
March 26, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Walking through a cherry blossom blizzard is one of life's most wonderful treats.
Five books. I’ve written five books and Meta stole them all for their AI tool. Thousands of authors are in the same boat. It is so, so, so distressing. www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
Meta Stole My Books—And CEO Mark Zuckerberg Approved It
Meta pirated millions of books to train its AI. Mark Zuckerberg approved the steal.
www.forbes.com
March 25, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Five books. I’ve written five books and Meta stole them all for their AI tool. Thousands of authors are in the same boat. It is so, so, so distressing. www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
It's not a new idea but a new take on the idea. "How will you show up?" #leadership #leaders #democracy www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
The Bully Or The Collaborative: How Will You Show Up?
While the bullies may be currently having their time in the limelight, history tells us they often lose late.
www.forbes.com
March 22, 2025 at 12:53 AM
It's not a new idea but a new take on the idea. "How will you show up?" #leadership #leaders #democracy www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
A few World Happiness Report observations:
1) Costa Rica - woah!
2) Consistency defined in Finland, Denmark & Iceland
3) US of A(n) Unhappiness
1) Costa Rica - woah!
2) Consistency defined in Finland, Denmark & Iceland
3) US of A(n) Unhappiness
March 20, 2025 at 7:08 AM
A few World Happiness Report observations:
1) Costa Rica - woah!
2) Consistency defined in Finland, Denmark & Iceland
3) US of A(n) Unhappiness
1) Costa Rica - woah!
2) Consistency defined in Finland, Denmark & Iceland
3) US of A(n) Unhappiness
Rewatched “The Social Network” tonight. Prescient and OMG 15 years later re: Zuckerberg.
March 18, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Rewatched “The Social Network” tonight. Prescient and OMG 15 years later re: Zuckerberg.
Rewatched “Schindler’s List” last night. So good. Lost in the mix? The aftermath.
Schindler failed at several business ventures post-war and eventually relied on financial support from "Schindler Jews" association—the people whose lives he saved during the war.
An overall extraordinary story.
Schindler failed at several business ventures post-war and eventually relied on financial support from "Schindler Jews" association—the people whose lives he saved during the war.
An overall extraordinary story.
March 9, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Rewatched “Schindler’s List” last night. So good. Lost in the mix? The aftermath.
Schindler failed at several business ventures post-war and eventually relied on financial support from "Schindler Jews" association—the people whose lives he saved during the war.
An overall extraordinary story.
Schindler failed at several business ventures post-war and eventually relied on financial support from "Schindler Jews" association—the people whose lives he saved during the war.
An overall extraordinary story.
"Elbows Up," Canada. It's time. My latest column on Forbes. cc. @charlieangus104.bsky.social and @arlenedickinson.bsky.social 🇨🇦
www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
Enough Politeness—Why Canada Needs Elbows Up Leadership Now
The U.S. has imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. It's time the country adopted an "elbows up" leadershp strategy.
www.forbes.com
March 4, 2025 at 11:25 PM
"Elbows Up," Canada. It's time. My latest column on Forbes. cc. @charlieangus104.bsky.social and @arlenedickinson.bsky.social 🇨🇦
www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
When I read Zeihan's alarming book, I couldn't put it down. Mostly because I thought it was a fictional spy novel. It wasn't. It was rather prescient, sad as it is to say. Of his many predictions, Zeihan was correct—that the U.S. would abandon the role of global 'free world' leader.
March 1, 2025 at 12:21 AM
When I read Zeihan's alarming book, I couldn't put it down. Mostly because I thought it was a fictional spy novel. It wasn't. It was rather prescient, sad as it is to say. Of his many predictions, Zeihan was correct—that the U.S. would abandon the role of global 'free world' leader.
Can’t tell you how good it feels to be Tesla free.
February 20, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Can’t tell you how good it feels to be Tesla free.
I remember meeting and listening to @umairh.bsky.social at the Drucker Forum in 2013. Maybe 2012?
I was impressed. Then, I started following his writing & various appearances.
It got darker & darker. Not apocalyptic, just failed state stuff.
I couldn't shake it. So dark.
And now? He was right.
I was impressed. Then, I started following his writing & various appearances.
It got darker & darker. Not apocalyptic, just failed state stuff.
I couldn't shake it. So dark.
And now? He was right.
February 19, 2025 at 4:56 AM
I remember meeting and listening to @umairh.bsky.social at the Drucker Forum in 2013. Maybe 2012?
I was impressed. Then, I started following his writing & various appearances.
It got darker & darker. Not apocalyptic, just failed state stuff.
I couldn't shake it. So dark.
And now? He was right.
I was impressed. Then, I started following his writing & various appearances.
It got darker & darker. Not apocalyptic, just failed state stuff.
I couldn't shake it. So dark.
And now? He was right.
Olympian Melissa Humana-Paredes said: “Winning at all costs is a terrible strategy.” I agree.
If leaders “win at all costs” they myopically focus on the goal & disregard people’s emotions to achieve the "win."
The cost of winning lies in investing in the well-being of others.
Photo by Luke Hales
If leaders “win at all costs” they myopically focus on the goal & disregard people’s emotions to achieve the "win."
The cost of winning lies in investing in the well-being of others.
Photo by Luke Hales
January 23, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Olympian Melissa Humana-Paredes said: “Winning at all costs is a terrible strategy.” I agree.
If leaders “win at all costs” they myopically focus on the goal & disregard people’s emotions to achieve the "win."
The cost of winning lies in investing in the well-being of others.
Photo by Luke Hales
If leaders “win at all costs” they myopically focus on the goal & disregard people’s emotions to achieve the "win."
The cost of winning lies in investing in the well-being of others.
Photo by Luke Hales
👀
New randomized, controlled trial by the World Bank of students using GPT-4 as a tutor in Nigeria. Six weeks of after-school AI tutoring = 2 years of typical learning gains, outperforming 80% of other educational interventions.
And it helped all students, especially girls who were initially behind.
And it helped all students, especially girls who were initially behind.
January 15, 2025 at 10:39 PM
👀
Reposted by Dan Pontefract
I'm thrilled that Forbes contributor @danpontefract.com is highlighting my book, "AGING SIDEWAYS: Changing Our Perspectives on Getting Older." Check it out, as well as the fun chat we had on his Leadership Now podcast: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbbI...
www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
Why It’s Time To Tilt Your View On Aging
The aging brain often excels at making nuanced decisions and synthesizing knowledge from experience. Why aren't you supporting the fact that aging is a good thing?
www.forbes.com
January 15, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I'm thrilled that Forbes contributor @danpontefract.com is highlighting my book, "AGING SIDEWAYS: Changing Our Perspectives on Getting Older." Check it out, as well as the fun chat we had on his Leadership Now podcast: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbbI...
www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
www.forbes.com/sites/danpon...
My podcast, "Leadership NOW," is in its 4th season. I chat with people from around the planet on issues related to leadership and organizational culture. Available wherever you get your podcasts. #podcast PS. Apple Podcast direct link: podcasts.apple.com/my/podcast/l...
January 15, 2025 at 5:36 AM
My podcast, "Leadership NOW," is in its 4th season. I chat with people from around the planet on issues related to leadership and organizational culture. Available wherever you get your podcasts. #podcast PS. Apple Podcast direct link: podcasts.apple.com/my/podcast/l...
I’m in Tokyo at the moment and the incredible civility and calm on the subway is a lesson—if not a metaphor—for people in North America.
January 13, 2025 at 12:32 PM
I’m in Tokyo at the moment and the incredible civility and calm on the subway is a lesson—if not a metaphor—for people in North America.