Author Archives: Nick Westergaard

Building a brand is about more than just what happens in the marketplace—it’s about what happens in the hallway. On this episode of On Brand, I’m joined by Josh Block, President of Block Imaging and author of People Matter @ … Read More →

We’ve all been told to just be yourself. But psychologist and author Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic—Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup and professor at UCL and Columbia—says that’s the worst advice you can take. In his new book, Don’t Be Yourself: Why Authenticity … Read More →

Recently, my wife and I spent the weekend in Miami for Unrivaled (women’s 3×3) basketball. I was so excited to get on a plane in zero-degree Iowa and deplane in sunny Florida. Could I leave my puffer coat in the … Read More →

Design is about more than just how something looks—it’s about how it works for the people using it. On this episode of On Brand, I’m joined by Lee Hoddy, Executive Creative Director at Conran Design Group, to discuss how experience-led … Read More →

The strongest brands don’t shout—they earn trust over time. That’s how Nikki Little approaches her work. She’s the CMO and co-owner at Franco, a women-owned, Detroit-based integrated communications agency with more than 60 years of history. After a full-circle career … Read More →

Today is a major milestone—Episode 600. My journey behind the mic began in 2012, and since then, this conversation has evolved from simple marketing tactics into the deeper pillars of leadership, communication, and storytelling. To celebrate, I’m flipping the script. … Read More →

Ashley Herd, founder of Manager Method and former Head of HR at McKinsey, explains why most managers aren’t actually failing—they’re just guessing. She breaks down her simple yet powerful three-step framework—pause, consider, and act—to help leaders move past the “speed … Read More →

Twenty-twenty-six marks my 26th year of fatherhood. It’s one of the longest-running aspects of my identity. At this point, I’m just leaning into most peak-dad behaviors. I watch the thermostat like a hawk. I have a black belt in dad … Read More →

While every non-alcoholic brand is shouting Dry January, Recess is telling you to quit. Literally. Joining us is Ben Witte, CEO and co-founder of the #1 mocktail brand, to unpack a provocative new campaign that swaps all-or-nothing resolutions for something … Read More →

Storytelling is easy to talk about—and hard to do well. On this episode of On Brand, I’m joined by John Elbing, Chief Storybuilder Officer at Standpoint, to unpack how his Storybuilding approach helps startups and brands clarify their value, sharpen … Read More →