What does it really take to build a championship organisation in one of the most competitive leagues in the world?

On this episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke sits down with Jon Horst, General Manager of the Milwaukee Bucks and one of the most respected executives in the NBA.

From starting as an intern to becoming the youngest GM in the league, Jon shares the mindset that shaped his rise - and the leadership principles that helped deliver an NBA championship and sustained excellence.

He reflects on building a team around Giannis Antetokounmpo, what makes Giannis so rare beyond talent, and why character is non-negotiable when constructing a winning culture.

Big topics:

Jon's reputation for recruitment and the “IP” behind their decision-making process

The balance between analytics and instinct

How clear communication cuts through high-stakes pressure

Why sustained success is about people, not just performance

Jon also speaks about the cross-pollination of leadership across sport - you’ll hear him mention leaders like Matt LaFleur (listen to Matt’s Empowering Leaders episode here) - and how community and shared learning elevate teams beyond what any individual can do alone.

Learn. Lead. Collaborate.

We are privileged to have Jon as part of our Aleda Connect community. Book a discovery call today to find out more about how you can learn and grow alongside people like Jon within our signature leadership program.

Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time.

Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.

What does it really take to build a championship organisation in one of the most competitive leagues in the world?
On this episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke sits down with Jon Horst, General Manager of the Milwaukee Bucks and one of the most respected executives in the NBA.
From starting as an intern to becoming the youngest GM in the league, Jon shares the mindset that shaped his rise - and the leadership principles that helped deliver an NBA championship and sustained excellence.
He reflects on building a team around Giannis Antetokounmpo, what makes Giannis so rare beyond talent, and why character is non-negotiable when constructing a winning culture.
Big topics:
Jon's reputation for recruitment and the &ldquo;IP&rdquo; behind their decision-making process
The balance between analytics and instinct
How clear communication cuts through high-stakes pressure
Why sustained success is about people, not just performance
Jon also speaks about the cross-pollination of leadership across sport - you&rsquo;ll hear him mention leaders like <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/empowering-leaders/id1579460058?i=1000604216461">Matt LaFleur (listen to Matt&rsquo;s Empowering Leaders episode here) </a>- and how community and shared learning elevate teams beyond what any individual can do alone.
Learn. Lead. Collaborate.
We are privileged to have Jon as part of our Aleda Connect community. <a href="https://calendly.com/matt-1756/30min">Book a discovery call today</a> to find out more about how you can learn and grow alongside people like Jon within our signature leadership program.
Head <a href="https://www.aledacollective.com/program/leadconnect">here</a> to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time.
Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU <a href="https://tinyurl.com/yzcchzea">here</a>.

In this series, Luke Darcy is joined by iconic leaders to unpack learnings and life lessons from these game changers in their chosen field, whether it’s sports, art, business or education. We’ll break down the fundamentals of the new style of leadership, such as collaboration, integrity and innovation, through the stories of these iconic leaders.

Empowering Leaders

In this series, Luke Darcy is joined by iconic leaders to unpack learnings and life lessons from these game changers in their chosen field, whether it’s sports, art, social venture, business or education. We’ll break down the fundamentals of the new style of leadership, such as collaboration, integrity and innovation, through the stories of these iconic leaders.

In this series, Luke Darcy is joined by iconic leaders to unpack learnings and life lessons from these game changers in their chosen field, whether it&rsquo;s sports, art, social venture, business or education. We&rsquo;ll break down the fundamentals of the new style of leadership, such as collaboration, integrity and innovation, through the stories of these iconic leaders.

Jon Horst: Championship Culture from an NBA Executive of the Year

What separates a good wine from a truly world-class one? 

According to Adam Wadewitz, it comes down to balance, finesse… and a relentless commitment to the vineyard.

Adam is the Chief Winemaker and Joint CEO at Shaw + Smith, one of Australia's most iconic cool-climate wineries, and one of the most decorated winemakers of his generation. In this episode, he takes us from the footy fields of Willunga in South Australia to the vineyards of Europe… sharing what drove him to the top of his craft, how great teams are built, and why he believes Australian Grenache is on the cusp of a new world chapter!

He also generously shares with you the list of his five wines to drink before you die, the legendary story behind Wendouree and how he came to hold cuttings from one of Australia's most coveted vineyards, and what he’s learned from a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conductor about leadership and energy.

Learn. Lead. Collaborate.

We are privileged to have Adam as part of our Aleda Connect community.

Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. 

Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.

What separates a good wine from a truly world-class one?&nbsp;
According to Adam Wadewitz, it comes down to balance, finesse&hellip; and a relentless commitment to the vineyard.
Adam is the Chief Winemaker and Joint CEO at Shaw + Smith, one of Australia's most iconic cool-climate wineries, and one of the most decorated winemakers of his generation. In this episode, he takes us from the footy fields of Willunga in South Australia to the vineyards of Europe&hellip; sharing what drove him to the top of his craft, how great teams are built, and why he believes Australian Grenache is on the cusp of a new world chapter!
He also generously shares with you the list of his five wines to drink before you die, the legendary story behind Wendouree and how he came to hold cuttings from one of Australia's most coveted vineyards, and what he&rsquo;s learned from a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conductor about leadership and energy.
Learn. Lead. Collaborate.
We are privileged to have Adam as part of our Aleda Connect community.
Start your leadership journey today. Head <a href="https://www.aledacollective.com/program/leadconnect">here</a> to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time.&nbsp;
Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU <a href="https://tinyurl.com/yzcchzea">here</a>.

Adam Wadewitz: The Iconic Winemaker on Passion, Precision and the Pursuit of World-Class Wine

Last week, our guest Luke Tunnecliffe told the story of his son Jack… eight and a half years old, non-verbal and autistic… and the search that brought his family to a clinic in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

This week, our guest is the doctor who runs that clinic.

Dr Kyle Daigle is a clinician, author and global thought leader in functional neurology. From his clinic in Louisiana, which attracts families and athletes from over 78 countries, Kyle is doing what many doctors said couldn't be done. He's helping non-verbal children find their voice, uncovering the hidden connections between the gut, the sinuses and the brain, and working with Olympians and elite athletes to unlock peak performance.

In this episode, Kyle shares the multi-system approach he uses to understand and treat complex neurological conditions, the surprising parallel between neurodiverse children and elite athletes, how sensory stimulation and light therapy are producing results that are changing families' lives, the leadership lessons forged through his own journey as an ADHD kid with a speech impediment, and the simple belief at the heart of everything he does - when you understand the brain, create safety and stay patient, incredible change is possible.

This conversation reflects Dr Kyle's clinical experience and personal philosophy. It is not intended as medical advice. Listeners should always seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals when making decisions about their own health.

Learn. Lead. Collaborate.

Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today.

Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.

Last week, our guest Luke Tunnecliffe told the story of his son Jack&hellip; eight and a half years old, non-verbal and autistic&hellip; and the search that brought his family to a clinic in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
This week, our guest is the doctor who runs that clinic.
Dr Kyle Daigle is a clinician, author and global thought leader in functional neurology. From his clinic in Louisiana, which attracts families and athletes from over 78 countries, Kyle is doing what many doctors said couldn't be done. He's helping non-verbal children find their voice, uncovering the hidden connections between the gut, the sinuses and the brain, and working with Olympians and elite athletes to unlock peak performance.
In this episode, Kyle shares the multi-system approach he uses to understand and treat complex neurological conditions, the surprising parallel between neurodiverse children and elite athletes, how sensory stimulation and light therapy are producing results that are changing families' lives, the leadership lessons forged through his own journey as an ADHD kid with a speech impediment, and the simple belief at the heart of everything he does - when you understand the brain, create safety and stay patient, incredible change is possible.
This conversation reflects Dr Kyle's clinical experience and personal philosophy. It is not intended as medical advice. Listeners should always seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals when making decisions about their own health.
Learn. Lead. Collaborate.
Start your leadership journey today. Head <a href="https://www.aledacollective.com/program/leadconnect">here</a> to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a <a href="https://calendly.com/matt-1756/30min">discovery call today.</a>
Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU <a href="https://tinyurl.com/yzcchzea">here</a>.

Dr Kyle Daigle: What the Brain Can Do - Autism, Healing & Human Performance

Luke Darcy sits down with Luke Tunnecliffe - a man who has spent most of his career behind the scenes shaping the biggest moments in Australian sport and media.

From walking into Collingwood at 17 to decades in the Triple M Footy chair and building JamTV alongside Eddie McGuire, Luke is a steady hand. A connector. A storyteller.

He’s been in rooms with Usain Bolt. Backstage with John Farnham. In Shane Warne’s man cave while Ed Sheeran played DJ.

But this conversation isn’t really about any of that.

It’s about Jack.

Luke and his wife Amy are raising three children, including their son Jack, who is nonverbal and autistic. Unwilling to accept treatment with no promise of positive change, they have spent years trying to understand what might help, and how to hold a family together when life doesn’t look the way you thought it would.

Luke speaks honestly about the strain - the financial weight, the exhaustion, the impact on siblings, the friendships that fall away and the ones that step up.

He talks about the way music became a lifeline for Jack. And how in one extraordinary moment, Ed Sheeran sat with his guitar beneath the MCG and sang to him - calming him in a way few others could. 

And then came a treatment plan that has changed everything. While there’s still a long journey ahead, the treatment has already led to the moment that Luke will hold onto for the rest of his life - Jack putting his arms around his neck and saying the three words he’d been waiting years to hear.

This is an episode about resilience, fatherhood, mateship - and what it feels like when hope slowly starts to return.

This conversation reflects Luke and his family’s personal experience. It is not intended as medical advice. Listeners should always seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals when making decisions about their own health.

Learn. Lead. Collaborate.

Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today.

Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.

Luke Darcy sits down with Luke Tunnecliffe - a man who has spent most of his career behind the scenes shaping the biggest moments in Australian sport and media.
From walking into Collingwood at 17 to decades in the Triple M Footy chair and building JamTV alongside Eddie McGuire, Luke is a steady hand. A connector. A storyteller.
He&rsquo;s been in rooms with Usain Bolt. Backstage with John Farnham. In Shane Warne&rsquo;s man cave while Ed Sheeran played DJ.
But this conversation isn&rsquo;t really about any of that.
It&rsquo;s about Jack.
Luke and his wife Amy are raising three children, including their son Jack, who is nonverbal and autistic. Unwilling to accept treatment with no promise of positive change, they have spent years trying to understand what might help, and how to hold a family together when life doesn&rsquo;t look the way you thought it would.
Luke speaks honestly about the strain - the financial weight, the exhaustion, the impact on siblings, the friendships that fall away and the ones that step up.
He talks about the way music became a lifeline for Jack. And how in one extraordinary moment, Ed Sheeran sat with his guitar beneath the MCG and sang to him - calming him in a way few others could.&nbsp;
And then came a treatment plan that has changed everything. While there&rsquo;s still a long journey ahead, the treatment has already led to the moment that Luke will hold onto for the rest of his life - Jack putting his arms around his neck and saying the three words he&rsquo;d been waiting years to hear.
This is an episode about resilience, fatherhood, mateship - and what it feels like when hope slowly starts to return.
This conversation reflects Luke and his family&rsquo;s personal experience. It is not intended as medical advice. Listeners should always seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals when making decisions about their own health.
Learn. Lead. Collaborate.
Start your leadership journey today. Head <a href="https://www.aledacollective.com/program/leadconnect">here</a> to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a <a href="https://calendly.com/matt-1756/30min">discovery call today.</a>
Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU <a href="https://tinyurl.com/yzcchzea">here</a>.

Jon Horst: Championship Culture from an NBA Executive of the Year

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