Dominate Your Day

Dominate Your Day is a leadership podcast for executives, emerging leaders, and difference makers who are ready to stop performing and start leading from identity—while driving results without burning out. Host Dana Williams—leadership strategist, Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths Coach, and creator of the Authentic Imprint™ framework—helps listeners understand their wiring, align their energy, and build sustainable influence. Through weekly solo episodes, live coaching, and interviews with leaders who have transformed from the inside out, Dana uses her Authentic Imprint™ framework—integrating strengths, core values, mission, Emotional Recognition—to address real-world leadership challenges. Listeners walk away with practical tools to live in their strengths, dominate their day, and transform their life from the inside out.

On Trailblazing as a Leader with CEO Ellen Wood - Episode 338 03/24/2026

On Trailblazing as a Leader with CEO Ellen Wood - Episode 338 On this episode of Dominate Your Day, Ellen Wood, CEO of VCFO, talks about what it means to be a trailblazer. Nearly 30 years ago, Ellen pioneered the fractional CFO model long before “virtual” became part of everyday business language. What started as a bold, unconventional idea has now served more than 6,000 clients and helped define an entire industry. We discuss culture, accountability, and leadership. Over the years, Ellen has learned that culture isn’t a “soft” concept it’s the heart of the business. By involving employees in defining core values and ultimately elevating “people first” to the top priority, she has intentionally shaped an organization rooted in integrity and service. Her perspective reinforces the truth that authentic leadership is about walking the talk building strong systems, empowering people, and staying true to your values while you grow. Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Great leadership starts with culture. Ellen reminds us that intentionally defining values and truly putting people first creates the foundation for long-term success. 2. Strong leaders build accountability into their organizations. They do this by clearly defining roles, setting expectations, and ensuring that ownership sits with one person, not many. 3. Leadership is about walking the talk. Leaders should model integrity, give back to the community, mentor the next generation, and continuously grow so your team can grow alongside you. Episode Minutes: Minute 5:00 - Building a strong organizational culture and defining core values Minute 9:00 - Industry trends: consolidation and the future vision for VCFO Minute 12:00 - Leadership influences and mentoring practices Minute 16:00 - The significance of accountability and systems like EOS Links + Resources from This Episode: Connect with Ellen Learn more about Take the free 3-minute Get a copy of Dana’s book, Learn more about /episode/index/show/dominateyourday/id/40558470

What You Tolerate Reveals Your Values 03/17/2026

How to Make Lasting Change in Your Community with Author Sharon Eubank - Episode 336 03/10/2026

How to Make Lasting Change in Your Community with Author Sharon Eubank - Episode 336 On this episode of Dominate Your Day, I had the privilege of sitting down with Sharon Eubank to talk about her new book, , and the powerful lessons she’s learned from nearly three decades of global humanitarian work. Sharon emphasizes that real help is always an exchange grounded in respect, dignity, and listening rather than assuming we know what’s best for others. We also discuss the leadership principles behind her work, especially the belief that we are most powerful where we live. Sharon explains how lasting change happens within trusted networks teams, neighborhoods, and organizations that hold one another accountable and unite around a shared purpose. She reflects on how service and purpose-driven teamwork can counter polarization and digital isolation, strengthen communities, and even improve mental health. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to make a positive impact within their community. Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Small acts matter more than we think. Real impact doesn’t have to be big or global it’s about giving the right help at the right time in the right way. Even simple acts, done with empathy, can restore dignity and humanity. 2. We are most powerful where we live. Lasting change happens in our own communities, where we understand the culture, speak the language, and have long-term relationships. Don’t underestimate the influence you have right where you are. 3. Great leadership empowers, it doesn’t dictate. Instead of solving problems for people, strong leaders help others build confidence to find their own solutions creating purpose-driven, trusted teams that make meaningful impact together. Episode Minutes: Minute 10:00 - Prioritizing where you are most powerful - your community Minute 11:00 - The importance of trusting and empowering those around you in leadership Minute 13:00 - Lessons from humanitarian work applicable to purpose-driven teams Minute 16:00 - Reflections on human nature, polarization, and community connection Links + Resources from This Episode: Get a copy of Sharon’s book, Take the free Get a copy of Dana’s book, Learn more about /episode/index/show/dominateyourday/id/40350755

Are you compromising your values? - Episode 335 03/03/2026

How Vulnerability Creates Real Connection with Connection Coach, Shari Leid - Episode 334 02/24/2026

Burnout vs. Misalignment: How to Spot It in Your Leadership - Episode 333 02/17/2026

How Early Entrepreneurship Shapes Confidence with Build-A-Biz Kids Co-Founder, Leah Coss - Episode 332 02/10/2026

How Early Entrepreneurship Shapes Confidence with Build-A-Biz Kids Co-Founder, Leah Coss - Episode 332 In this episode of the Dominate Your Day podcast, I speak with speaker, identity strategist, and co-founder and CEO of Build-A-Biz Kids, Leah Coss, to explore how early identity formation shapes the trajectory of our lives. Leah shares her personal journey from growing up in a chaotic and unsafe environment, to making destructive choices as a teenager, to experiencing a pivotal moment of self-awareness that changed everything. We also discuss the powerful mission behind her nonprofit organization, Build-A-Biz Kids. While the programs teach business, public speaking, and digital literacy to kids, the real impact lies in experiential learning that develops confidence, decision-making, resilience, and self-awareness. Leah explains why soft skills not technical skills are now the most critical for the next generation, and how giving kids real responsibility and ownership allows them to see feedback as data rather than rejection. By partnering with schools, libraries, and nonprofits, Build-A-Biz Kids is scaling this impact in a sustainable way reaching kids early, before the world defines who they are for them. Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Identity drives behavior. When kids (and adults) see themselves as capable, their decisions and outcomes change. 2. Confidence is built through experience, not instruction. Real ownership and real-world feedback create lasting growth. 3. Soft skills are future-proof skills. Resilience, decision-making, communication, and self-awareness are essential for both mental health and career success. Episode Minutes: Minute 1: A Journey of Transformation Minute 8: Building a Charity: The Birth of Build-A-Biz Kids Minute 18: Empowering the Next Generation: Skills for the Future Links + Resources from This Episode: Learn more about Build-A-Biz Kids at www.buildabizkids.com Connect with Leah Coss on Take the free 3-minute Get a copy of Dana’s book, Learn more about /episode/index/show/dominateyourday/id/39936475

How Self-Leadership Fuels Real Impact with Organizational Consultant Dr. Jacqueline Robinson - Episode 331 02/03/2026

How Self-Leadership Fuels Real Impact with Organizational Consultant Dr. Jacqueline Robinson - Episode 331 Organizational consultant Jacqueline Robinson joins me for a powerful conversation on authenticity, leadership, and what it truly means to lead from within. We explore my proprietary framework, Authentic Imprint™ the alignment of strengths, core values, mission, and emotional recognition and how these elements shift depending on the season of life you’re in. Jacqueline shares how her mission of elevating people and celebrating culture has served as a North Star throughout her career, even during seasons of caretaking, entrepreneurship, and personal disruption. Her reflections reinforce that authenticity isn’t static it’s a daily practice of self-management. We also went deep into emotional recognition and energy management, especially in a world filled with distraction, pressure, and constant task switching. Jacqueline highlightes how awareness naming emotions before they shape behavior allows leaders to respond instead of react. From leveraging CliftonStrengths intentionally, to dialing strengths up or down when needed, to redefining productivity as managing energy instead of time, this conversation is a reminder that leadership starts internally. When we lead ourselves well, alignment follows and so does impact, whether locally or globally. Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Authentic leadership starts with alignment: When strengths, values, mission, and emotional awareness work together, leadership feels more natural and sustainable. 2. Emotional recognition is a leadership skill: Pausing to notice and name emotions helps leaders stay grounded, focused, and intentional especially during stressful seasons. 3. Manage energy, not just time: True productivity comes from protecting attention, prioritizing what matters most, and honoring what fuels your well-being. Episode Minutes: Minute 3: Exploring the Authentic Imprint Assessment Minute 9: Understanding Strengths and Emotional Recognition Minute 15: Aligning Actions with Values Minute 29: Managing Energy vs. Time Links + Resources from This Episode: Learn more about Jaclynn’s work at Explore purpose-driven products at Follow Jaclynn on Take the free 3-minute Get a copy of Dana’s book, Learn more about /episode/index/show/dominateyourday/id/39861780