On this episode of the Leadership with Heart podcast, I’m joined by someone very special to me, Andy Boian, founder of Dovetail Solutions and a longtime friend and collaborator. Andy first joined me on the show back in 2020 and was also featured in my book The Art of Caring Leadership. Since then, a great deal has changed, both for him and his company, and I was thrilled to bring him back to discuss where he stands now as a leader and how his journey has unfolded.
We discussed what it means to grow an organization with intention, to lead by listening, and to cultivate a culture where people feel safe enough to share their truth. Andy shared how he continues to live by the philosophy of speaking last, something he mentioned in our first interview that has stuck with me ever since. It’s not just a tactic; it’s a way of honoring the voices around him and building trust from the inside out.
Andy also opened up about how his company has evolved over the past five years, how they’ve weathered disruption and grown their reach, and how he’s now thinking about legacy. He shared that he’s entering a season of succession planning, gradually preparing to pass the torch while continuing to serve as a mentor and advisor. His desire to give back, to teach, and to write about what he’s learned was inspiring to hear.
We also discussed the role of AI in communication and storytelling as well as the importance of maintaining the human element in our work. As a speechwriter, Andy knows that words matter, but so do context, presence, tone, and lived experience. AI can assist, but it cannot replace the empathy or emotional insight that comes from years of connection.
What stood out most in our conversation was Andy’s consistency. He still believes in telling the truth, even when it’s hard. He still creates space for people to think, feel, and lead themselves toward their solutions. And he still leads with care, humility, and a deep understanding that trust is earned every single day.
If you’ve ever struggled with how to hold space as a leader, how to grow through grief, or how to lead a team without controlling every detail, this conversation will offer real encouragement. Andy reminds us that leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about knowing when to step back, when to listen, and when to let others rise.
About Andy
Andy Boian founded dovetail solutions in 2005, with this idea of facilitating the intersection of the corporate world with non-profit organizations/NGOs, and local, state and federal governments to accomplish seemingly intractable goals in communications, branding and marketing, community, and civic involvement, with results driven solutions. As its founder, Andy drives the direction, growth and strategy for the firm.
With more than 36 years of full-service communications, brand and messaging experience in all 3 areas of intersection combined, Andy has driven thousands of communications and marketing campaigns, which have led to national award-winning accolades and solid results. With communication as his passion, Andy has led brand efforts which are nationally recognized, in a myriad of industries which include real estate development and commercial real estate, aviation, hospitality, technology, life sciences, financial, design, automotive, aerospace, hospitality, luxury and legal services.
Andy has long been known and recognized for his unique, out of the box innovation and creativity. He is often associated with sensible, thoughtful and focused based work, which helps create a narrative for dovetail solutions’ client partners. Andy also has a long history of public affairs and crisis and issues management work, for which he is consistently recognized, both locally and nationally.
Andy collaborates with the best team at dovetail solutions to create, establish and protect the work on behalf of client partners. Recognized publicly as a born leader, Andy is best suited to lead the firm with the finest team in the business. He is a connector by nature and enjoys the work of facilitating mutually beneficial relationships with proven results. He has been quoted in numerous books, interviewed by many who seek to know more about his philosophy, and speaks regularly on topics directly relevant to that which he practices.
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About Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP
Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP is a highly sought-after speaker, 2x-TEDx speaker, diversity, equity and inclusion strategist, and contributor to leading news outlets. She is also the Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, a leading employee engagement and consulting firm. After over 25,000 employee engagement surveys and years of working with organizations to transform employee engagement, here’s what Heather has seen over and over: When you know how to listen, employees will tell you exactly what they need to bring their full selves to work. Book Heather to speak at your event or organization.
Visit heatheryounger.com or https://www.cmispeakers.com/heather-r-younger for more details.
