In this episode of 5 Minutes With Andy, CEO Andy Freed previews a core leadership lesson from his book Lead Like the Boss: The Bruce Springsteen Framework for Elevating Your Leadership—revealing what leaders can learn about communication from Bruce Springsteen’s most important concert instrument.

Andy discusses:

• How the “think, feel, do” process sets the stage for effective communication.
• Why putting yourself in your audience’s shoes is key to making your message resonate.
• Ways to create moments that your audience will remember—and act on.

In this episode of 5 Minutes With Andy, CEO Andy Freed explains why every organization needs a clear central message that people can remember and repeat—like the chorus of a great pop song.

Andy discusses:

• Why talking points fall short.
• How the message triangle helps leaders communicate clearly and consistently from any angle.
• What makes a strong central message—and how you know when you’ve nailed it.

In this episode of 5 Minutes With Andy, CEO Andy Freed shares how a 30-second “thank you” early in his career shaped how he leads — and why small moments often make the biggest impact.

Andy discusses:

• Why the true promise of leadership lies in creating moments that motivate and inspire others.
• How being present and intentional in everyday interactions is at the heart of great leadership.
• Why telling someone they matter can shape how they see themselves — and their work.

In this episode of 5 Minutes With Andy, Virtual, Inc. CEO Andy Freed shares why having fun at work is serious business—and a core part of his leadership strategy for building trust, inspiring creativity, and driving results.

Andy discusses:

• Why fun should be part of your company values and leadership approach.
• How prioritizing fun in the workplace can strengthen teams and spark innovation.
• Practical ways to weave fun into your culture—and create a place people want to be.

In this episode of 5 Minutes with Andy, Virtual, Inc. CEO Andy Freed shares how the best leadership moments often happen behind the scenes — when leaders step back and create space for others to lead.

Andy discusses:

• Why leaders are always “on stage”, even in quiet, everyday moments.
• How the greatest act of leadership is growing more leaders.
• Simple, intentional ways to help others step up and shine.

In this episode of 5 Minutes with Andy, Virtual, Inc. CEO Andy Freed shares one of his most personal leadership lessons yet — how the way we talk about failure, especially to ourselves, shapes the kind of leader we become.

Andy discusses:

• Why the stories we tell ourselves about failure matter more than the failures themselves.
• How reframing failure is essential to growing, communicating, and leading with impact.
• What his own “loser resumé” reveals about perspective, resilience, and long-term success.

In this episode of 5 Minutes with Andy, Virtual, Inc. CEO Andy Freed shares his top tips for hiring smarter—and explores one of the most common mistakes leaders make when identifying talent.

Andy shares:

• Why grit, adaptability, and character matter just as much as what’s on a resumé.
• The value of hiring “native speakers” of emerging technology – who can put it to use right away.
• How leaders can rethink the hiring process to identify candidates that will build stronger, more resilient teams geared for the future.

In this episode of 5 Minutes with Andy, Virtual, Inc. CEO Andy Freed reflects on key takeaways from the TED 2025 conference in Vancouver—where the theme of “humanity reimagined” sparked big questions about the future of AI, leadership, and what it means to be human.

Andy shares:

• Why imperfection may be humanity’s greatest strength in the face of artificial intelligence.
• How stories of resilience, progress, and courage can reframe how we lead through uncertainty.
• Why “actionable hope” stood out as the most important message of the week.