In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Scott Willingham, Founder and CEO of WakeEffect, a people-centered business advisory firm specializing in leadership development and organizational growth. With 25 years of experience spanning EdTech, sales leadership, and culture transformation, Scott shares how he blends frameworks like Predictive Index and Aslan Training to help companies build thriving cultures and high-performing teams. From his unexpected career pivot (thanks to his wife!) to founding WakeEffect—named after the legacy leaders leave behind—Scott reveals why self-awareness and servant leadership are the bedrock of sustainable success.

Scott dives into WakeEffect’s unique approach, where he serves as a trusted partner (not just a consultant) to clients like Nissan and mid-market firms, helping them hire smarter, coach effectively, and retain top talent. He also tackles the challenges of balancing client fulfillment with lead generation, emphasizing the power of mentorship and strategic partnerships for entrepreneurs. Whether you’re scaling a team or refining your leadership wake, Scott’s insights on culture-first growth and science-backed talent strategies are gold.