Fellow Travelers

Dudley Slater and Steven Taylor’s book, Fusion Leadership, includes stories from a variety of powerful and influential people who have experienced the personal and organizational benefits of this leadership mindset. We call them our fellow travelers.

Come meet the dynamic leaders who are traveling the Fusion Leadership journey by your side, and let us know if you would like to join the Movement.

We invite you to engage with Fellow Travelers and others, joining the conversation and sharing your stories or leadership challenges.

Coach Terry Porter

Coach Terry Porter

Two time NBA all-star, NBA head Coach and current coach of the University of Portland Pilots

“I wish I could have read Fusion Leadership years ago but I’m so glad I’ve read it now. It serves as both a validation of the principles I believe in and a guiding source of advice and inspiration for the future.”

Robert Van Antwerp

Robert Van Antwerp

chief engineer (retired), Army Corps of Engineers

General Robert Van Antwerp, the consummate servant leader, sought guidance from the battalion chaplain in the Saudi desert on his journey toward answering the question “Who owns the crisis?” At that time, however, then-lieutenant Van Antwerp likely had no idea that those lessons would be central to the re-building of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Chip Bergh

Chip Bergh

president and CEO, Levi Strauss & Co.

When contemplating the most effective path to leading the combination of Gillette with Procter & Gamble, Chip Bergh did not have to think long about the question of “How do you motivate employees to manifest the vision?”
Ray Davis

Ray Davis

CEO (retired) Umpqua Bank

Before reinventing the competitive approach to retail “stores” in the commercial banking industry Ray Davis was fixated on making sure he had the right team. As the 5 o’clock train was leaving the station, Ray had no doubt how he would answer the question “Who is going to kick-ass, and how?”
Colleen Abdoulah

Colleen Abdoulah

CEO (retired) of WOW Cable and Internet

J.D. Power consistently recognized WOW Cable and Internet as the leader in providing a superior customer experience during Colleen Abdoulah’s tenure, and you can learn the insightful metaphor she leveraged in her answer to the question “Who do you prioritize in your organization?” in a preview of Fusion Leadership.

Darrell Cavens

Darrell Cavens

Founder and CEO of Zulily

Darrell Cavens learned how to “shut up and listen,” thanks to the direct feedback of a manager early in his career. Once you hear Darrell’s story you will understand how this lesson helped catalyze his leadership style and set him up to build one of the most successful new retail businesses in a generation.
Dr. Leslie Braksik

Dr. Leslie Braksik

consultant, author and co-founder of My Next Season

In answering the question “How much do you pay yourself and others?” Dr. Leslie Braksick was certain that a smaller piece of a larger pie would be far more satisfying (and financially rewarding) than a larger piece of a smaller pie.
Jeff Pinneo

Jeff Pinneo

president and CEO (retired) of Horizon Air

Jeff Pinneo learned firsthand how to earn the loyal following of his team at Horizon Air, in part because he overcame the unenviable task of having to answer the question “How do you deliver bad news?”
Dave Shaffer

Dave Shaffer

president (retired), DePaul Industries

Dave Shaffer drew upon an amazing experience he and his family shared helping the homeless when he thought about the question “Whose job is it to step up for the customer?”

Endorsements

"Breaks through the Clutter..."


There has been a great deal written on leadership.  Slater breaks through the clutter with a practical, candid, engaging and relatable roadmap for leading an organization of any size, in any industry.


-Art Winkleblack, EVP & CFO, HJ Heinz (retired)

Fusion Leadership
2017-05-15T12:50:57-04:00
"Breaks through the Clutter..." There has been a great deal written on leadership.  Slater breaks through the clutter with a practical, candid, engaging and relatable roadmap for leading an organization of any size, in any industry. -Art Winkleblack, EVP & CFO, HJ Heinz (retired)

"I Intend to Apply Fusion Leadership Principles in my Business..."


As an early investor in Integra Telecom I spent many years observing up close the incredible impact of Fusion Leadership. This was long before Dudley even knew that that’s what he was practicing. This book helped me truly understand how Dudley was able to guide Integra through some very difficult economic times to become a real success. I fully intend to apply his Fusion Leadership principles in managing my own business.


-John Hunt, managing director, Abry Partners

Fusion Leadership
2017-05-15T12:51:13-04:00
"I Intend to Apply Fusion Leadership Principles in my Business..." As an early investor in Integra Telecom I spent many years observing up close the incredible impact of Fusion Leadership. This was long before Dudley even knew that that’s what he was practicing. This book helped me truly understand how Dudley was able to guide Integra through some very difficult economic times to become a real success. I fully intend to apply his Fusion Leadership principles in managing my own business. -John Hunt, managing director, Abry Partners

"A Must Read for Anyone Leading an Organization..."


70% of the nation’s workforce hates their jobs” Wow! No wonder companies struggle and employees hate going to work.  Dudley Slater and Steven Taylor provide real life personal examples of servant leadership explaining both the personal and business benefits of following this leadership approach.   Servant leaders activate the human potential and provide meaning for the workforce.   This book was inspiring to me with its real-life examples and the nonlinear path Dudley followed to learning the benefits and the power of putting the need to serve first.   It is a must read for anyone leading an organization and looking to create a committed workforce with a common passion that can outperform the competition.


-Michael Marchi, COO, American Standard Brands (retired) and president & CEO, Grohe Americas (retired)

Fusion Leadership
2017-05-15T12:51:34-04:00
"A Must Read for Anyone Leading an Organization..." 70% of the nation’s workforce hates their jobs” Wow! No wonder companies struggle and employees hate going to work.  Dudley Slater and Steven Taylor provide real life personal examples of servant leadership explaining both the personal and business benefits of following this leadership approach.   Servant leaders activate the human potential and provide meaning for the workforce.   This book was inspiring to me with its real-life examples and the nonlinear path Dudley followed to learning the benefits and the power of putting the need to serve first.   It is a must read for anyone leading an organization and looking to create a committed workforce with a common passion that can outperform the competition. -Michael Marchi, COO, American Standard Brands (retired) and president & CEO, Grohe Americas (retired)

"A Fresh Perspective on Company Culture..."


Dudley Slater has done something that is difficult to do: write a business book that offers a fresh perspective on company culture.  Together with his own valuable experiences as CEO of Integra Telecom, Slater seamlessly weaves in other leadership perspectives on how to empower your workforce and improve an organizational culture.  Well worth the read.


-Merritt Paulson, owner and CEO of the Portland Thorns and MLS Champion Portland Timbers

Fusion Leadership
2017-05-15T12:51:57-04:00
"A Fresh Perspective on Company Culture..." Dudley Slater has done something that is difficult to do: write a business book that offers a fresh perspective on company culture.  Together with his own valuable experiences as CEO of Integra Telecom, Slater seamlessly weaves in other leadership perspectives on how to empower your workforce and improve an organizational culture.  Well worth the read. -Merritt Paulson, owner and CEO of the Portland Thorns and MLS Champion Portland Timbers

"A Must Read for any Current or Aspiring Leader..."


Fusion Leadership goes to the core question of how to engage workers in any organization, recognizing that its not your title or rank that inspires others, and offers a practical road-map and fresh perspective, shared through entertaining, real-world stories. A must read for any current or aspiring leader.


-Bill Cooney, (retired) Air Force General and president and deputy CEO, USAA

Fusion Leadership
2017-05-15T12:52:15-04:00
"A Must Read for any Current or Aspiring Leader..." Fusion Leadership goes to the core question of how to engage workers in any organization, recognizing that its not your title or rank that inspires others, and offers a practical road-map and fresh perspective, shared through entertaining, real-world stories. A must read for any current or aspiring leader. -Bill Cooney, (retired) Air Force General and president and deputy CEO, USAA

"A Practical, Engaging Tool Box..."


Fusion Leadership makes a compelling case that great organizations build true value by investing in people, providing a practical, engaging tool box for any leader who wants to achieve transformative results. The fresh perspective provided by Fusion Leadership makes this a “go to” resource for any leader.


-Brendan Scollans, partner, and Jan Vesely, director, EQT Partners

Fusion Leadership
2017-06-02T20:37:46-04:00
"A Practical, Engaging Tool Box..." Fusion Leadership makes a compelling case that great organizations build true value by investing in people, providing a practical, engaging tool box for any leader who wants to achieve transformative results. The fresh perspective provided by Fusion Leadership makes this a “go to” resource for any leader. -Brendan Scollans, partner, and Jan Vesely, director, EQT Partners

"Help Others Reach their Full Leadership Potential..."


Masterful in its humility, candor, and powerful storytelling, Dudley Slater's reflection on leadership displays a deep understanding of and reverence for his subject. The book reflects an earnest desire to help others reach their full leadership potential and avoids the common pitfall of simply relaying a personal "success story". Slater clearly cares more about the cause of his message than causing the reader to think well of the messenger. People who aspire to lead others well--at any level of any organization--will be well-served by this book and will return to it again and again for its practical wisdom.


-Mark Ganz, president and CEO, Cambia Health Solutions

Fusion Leadership
2017-06-02T20:40:21-04:00
"Help Others Reach their Full Leadership Potential..." Masterful in its humility, candor, and powerful storytelling, Dudley Slater's reflection on leadership displays a deep understanding of and reverence for his subject. The book reflects an earnest desire to help others reach their full leadership potential and avoids the common pitfall of simply relaying a personal "success story". Slater clearly cares more about the cause of his message than causing the reader to think well of the messenger. People who aspire to lead others well--at any level of any organization--will be well-served by this book and will return to it again and again for its practical wisdom. -Mark Ganz, president and CEO, Cambia Health Solutions

"Leadership is Earned Not Bestowed..."


Leadership is earned not bestowed. This book will change the way you view leadership and show you how to enhance your company’s enterprise value by earning your employees’ respect and loyalty. Former CEO Dudley Slater engages you with personal stories and interviews of CEOs who have learned how to harness the power of fully engaged employees.


-Carlyn R. Taylor, global co-leader of corporate finance & restructuring, FTI Consulting

Fusion Leadership
2017-06-02T20:48:59-04:00
"Leadership is Earned Not Bestowed..." Leadership is earned not bestowed. This book will change the way you view leadership and show you how to enhance your company’s enterprise value by earning your employees’ respect and loyalty. Former CEO Dudley Slater engages you with personal stories and interviews of CEOs who have learned how to harness the power of fully engaged employees. -Carlyn R. Taylor, global co-leader of corporate finance & restructuring, FTI Consulting
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