Guest: Jonathan Moody

What if I told you the most successful CEOs I've interviewed this quarter share one counterintuitive trait? They don't try to be the smartest person in the room. From architecture to military leadership to digital transformation, the pattern is unmistakable. 
Looking back at this quarter's most listened-to episodes—featuring Jonathan Moody (Moody Nolan), Rear Admiral Brian Luther (Navy Mutual), Ryan Frederick (Transform Labs), Harold Green (Global Emissionary), Eddie Solomon (Net at Work), Joe Yaccarino (MTF Biologics), Jeff Ostenso (Ironmark), and James Hyman (serial turnaround CEO)—I discovered something remarkable.
The golden thread connecting every transformative leader: They refuse to be the smartest person in the room.
From Jonathan's "create more footprints, not bigger shoes" philosophy to Brian's "reflected light leadership," from Ryan's embrace of "continuous not knowing" to Eddie's insight that "entrepreneurship belongs in psychology," these leaders share seven powerful traits:
→ Anti-ego leadership - Building teams instead of thrones→ Vulnerability as strength - Admitting what they don't know→ Empowerment over control - Creating conditions for others to succeed→ Psychological wisdom - Understanding leadership is about mindset→ Radical transparency - Building trust through openness→ Purpose-driven growth - Companies that matter, not just profit→ The learning advantage - Staying curious regardless of expertise
Whether it's Harold at 69 still having daily learning conversations, Joe asking "is that even legal?" and building from curiosity, Jeff realizing his company "feeds 500 people," or James discovering that Hollywood leadership doesn't work—the pattern is clear.
The most successful leaders amplify their impact by avoiding being the bottleneck.
Join me as we unpack the strategies that turn good companies into thriving communities where everyone succeeds together.
Some of the episodes in this list:
EP105: Reflected Light: Leading Through Your People
EP103: The Power of Humble Listening in Leadership
EP96: Making Carbon Reduction Measurable and Meaningful
EP87: Why This Successful Family Business Said No to Nepotism
EP83: Heroes at Every Level of Healthcare Innovation
EP81: How Teaching the Game of Business Built an Empire
EP63: A CEO’s Competitve Edge - Mastering the Art of Corporate Turnarounds
 
 
 

Deborah Fell reflects on one of the most powerful leadership insights from her conversation with Jonathan Moody: the radical humility of a CEO who built his success by recognizing he didn't need to be the central force driving everything. When Jonathan became CEO of Moody Nolan in January 2020, just before the pandemic, he made a crucial decision to create an executive team structure rather than trying to fill his legendary father's singular leadership role.
In this brief yet impactful commentary, Deborah explores how Jonathan's approach challenges the traditional CEO archetype and why his vulnerability and team-first mindset have become the foundation for navigating unprecedented uncertainty. For leaders struggling with the pressure to be perfect or those building their executive teams, Jonathan's story offers a refreshing alternative to the lone-wolf leadership model.
The full episode is here.
ABOUT JONATHAN MOODY:
Driven by a passion to continue his father’s legacy, Jonathan D. Moody has entrenched himself in firm leadership, driving growth and innovation. Moody Nolan has grown to over 350 employees and 12 offices across the nation. The firm’s designs have now won over 300 design citations, including 47 from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and 44 from the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Jonathan has helped continue and extend the firm’s position as the largest African American-owned architecture firm. Moody Nolan continues to garner national attention by promoting “diversity by design.”
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Jonathan Moody, CEO of Moody Nolan—recognized by Fast Company as one of the world's most innovative architecture firms—reveals the decade-long succession journey that positioned him to lead just before the pandemic struck.
"More time is better," Jonathan reflects on the gradual handoff from his father—a process filled with strategic "sink or swim" moments and culminating in a smooth transition of power in January 2020. His insights on building an executive team, establishing trust through transparent communication, and maintaining the firm's "diverse by design" philosophy provide a blueprint for sustainable leadership transition.
For family businesses and organizations planning succession, Jonathan's humble approach offers practical wisdom on preserving company values while evolving the leadership model—proving that deliberate, patient transitions build the strongest foundations for navigating uncertainty.
ABOUT JONATHAN MOODY:
Driven by a passion to continue his father’s legacy, Jonathan D. Moody has entrenched himself in firm leadership, driving growth and innovation. Moody Nolan has grown to over 350 employees and 12 offices across the nation. The firm’s designs have now won over 300 design citations, including 47 from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and 44 from the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Jonathan has helped continue and extend the firm’s position as the largest African American-owned architecture firm. Moody Nolan continues to garner national attention by promoting “diversity by design.”
CONNECT: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM