Скачать или смотреть From Intern to Tech Entrepreneur – Dan Ward on The Leader’s Mindset Podcast

From Intern to Tech Entrepreneur – Dan Ward on The Leader’s Mindset Podcast

What if the key to becoming a great leader wasn’t knowing all the answers—but asking the right questions?

In this episode of The Leader’s Mindset, host Jason LeDuc sits down with Dan Ward, Co-Founder and President of Detroit Labs, a Detroit-based software design and development studio that’s partnered with global brands like Ford, GM, Volkswagen, and Jimmy John’s. From starting a company “boy band style” with co-founders he didn’t even know, to leading hundreds of employees through growth and innovation, Dan’s story is a masterclass in curiosity, mentorship, and leadership in the modern tech world.

💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How Detroit Labs Started — and why being matched with total strangers by investors turned out to be a superpower rather than a risk.
• The Power of Curiosity in Leadership — lessons Dan learned working directly with billionaire entrepreneur Dan Gilbert (Founder of Rocket Companies) and how inquisitiveness became his leadership edge.
• Why Great Leaders Empower Their Teams — how access, trust, and debriefing can transform mentorship and accelerate leadership development.
• What Makes a Great Co-Founder — and why successful partnerships depend on complementary skills, not shared opinions.
• Sales Lessons for Founders — the reality of building a service business where “you only stay in business if someone wants to buy what you’re selling.”
• AI and the Future of Work — how Detroit Labs uses AI for rapid prototyping and research—and why Dan believes AI won’t replace developers but will amplify the great ones.
• Balancing Leadership and Family — Dan’s powerful reflections on family, time management, and creating a company culture that values real life as much as real results.

From replacing keyboards at Rocket Mortgage to building a multimillion-dollar tech company, Dan shares real stories and insights that every leader, manager, and entrepreneur can learn from.

Whether you’re scaling a startup, leading a corporate team, or mentoring emerging leaders, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, teamwork, and growth.

💬 Question for You:
What’s one leadership lesson or mentorship moment that’s shaped the way you lead today? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your story.

Watch the full episode now and join the conversation about leadership, innovation, and building great teams.

Onward and Upward! 🚀

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How to reach Dan:
Website: https://www.detroitlabs.com/
LinkedIn:   / dward313  
Instagram:   / detroitlabs  


How to reach Jason LeDuc:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.leducleadership.com/
LinkedIn:   / jason-leduc-3469823  
Instagram:   / leducleadership