September 5, 2025

Leader Lab Episode 1: The Healthy Art of Managing Change with Art Papas

Welcome to the first episode of the special Leader Lab series! In this episode, Dane Groeneveld sits down with Art Papas, Founder & CEO of Bullhorn. Art shares how Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team shaped his leadership journey, and why it took years (and some tough feedback) to fully put those lessons into practice. He also shares why admitting “I don’t know” can actually make you a stronger leader, how leaders can create environments where open dialogue and accountability drive real results, and how to navigate growth and transitions smoothly. 

Art reflects on the tough but rewarding transition from venture-backed to private equity, when Bullhorn faced rapid growth alongside low employee morale and customer dissatisfaction. He explains how reshaping team culture, listening to customer feedback, and aligning employees around clear behaviors turned those challenges into a turning point for the company. He also emphasizes the importance of honesty, storytelling, and setting clear expectations when guiding teams through change. 

His philosophy? Don’t sugarcoat the hard stuff. Be upfront, give people space to adapt, and then move forward together.

If you’ve ever wondered how to lead teams that don’t just hit numbers but also thrive together, you’ll get a lot from this conversation.

🔗 Connect with Art Papas on LinkedIn and check out The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team

Leadership Development Exercise: How Do You Lead3r?

Leadership, like any discipline, is strengthened through consistent practice. Just as physical training develops strength and resilience, reflective leadership exercises help build emotional intelligence, awareness of your natural response tendencies, and an understanding of healthy team dynamics.

This exercise is part of the ‘How Do You Lead3r?’ series – incorporating short, purposeful prompts designed to stretch your thinking around the topic of ‘leadership and teamwork’. 

You can complete the questions individually as a journaling activity or use them to spark a rich conversation with your team or peers. The goal is to reflect honestly, share generously, and develop practical insights you can carry into your everyday leadership practice.

Reflective Questions:

1.     What were some of the early positive influences that shaped your approach to teamwork?
2.     How do you respond when a company is thriving financially, but facing poor staff morale or low customer satisfaction?
3.     What core beliefs guide your leadership and your approach to building strong teams?
4.     During a merger or acquisition, what’s your strategy for creating a unified, high-performing culture?
5.     How do you balance individual autonomy with collective accountability and success?
6.     How can teammates challenge one another to grow—without creating unnecessary tension?
7.     What advice would you give to someone who feels like an outsider on their team?

Next Steps:

Remember, there’s no ‘right or wrong’ answer – leadership is contextual and constantly evolving. The real value comes from engaging with the questions, staying curious, and listening to others’ perspectives.

For more bite-sized leadership development drills like this, explore the full ‘How Do You Lead3r?’ series at the Future of Teamwork Podcast. Each episode and exercise is designed to help you lead with greater intention, connection, and impact.

If you’re looking for a fuller development program – connect with our Team Effectiveness or Coaching specialists to learn more about your options.