John Daniel is a veteran HR executive with deep experience in leading people and creating a positive company culture. He is a recognized thought leader and speaks at various organizations on culture, leadership, human behavior, and change management. After forty-seven years in the banking industry, John retired in 2021—his most recent executive role having served as chief human resources officer at First Horizon Bank. He is a recipient of the 2020 James House Williamson Award for his contributions in advancing the HR profession. In 2022, John was a fellow at Harvard University, studying social impact strategies as part of the Advanced Leadership Initiative. He is a social entrepreneur and owner of Bluff City Pickleball Club in Bartlett, TN—its mission to promote health, well-being, and social engagement. John is active in his community and serves on the boards of the United Way of the Mid-South, Seeding Success, First 8, The Center for Transforming Communities, and River City Capital. A heart transplant recipient, John and his wife, Leslie, were honored in 2022 with the Living Heart Award by the American Heart Association for their contributions to the AHA. The annual award is now named in their honor.
“Understanding others is the name of the game in today’s world, business and personal. John Daniel synthesizes decades of research in psychology and behavioral neuroscience into easy-to-understand terms that gives us the knowledge to become better professionals, leaders, and people. His stories from his personal and professional lives bring the content to life and provide examples on how to apply our newly found understanding and insights to our everyday situations.” —Bill Burch, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, PCC, Executive Coach, Former HR Leader and President of Harmony Coaching and Consulting “With Ancestral Mindset, John Daniel provides a concise framework for understanding how leaders and those they lead process everyday interactions and events. With his thirty-plus years of experience in HR, he translates his framework into understandable and actionable steps to improve individual and organizational performance. I consider this a must-read for any new or emerging leader.” —Bryan Jordan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Horizon Bank “Anyone who has served in a leadership role knows that while strategy, financial management, and other traditional disciplines are important, understanding and managing people effectively is what truly makes the difference. John Daniel’s insightful, important, and must-read new book will help current and aspiring leaders understand human behavior at a deep level by explaining the evolutionary and neurological underpinnings of what makes us all tick. John’s own extensive leadership experience allows him to add practical advice and firsthand examples to drive home his lessons.” —Bill Burke, former CEO of The Weather Channel Companies and Founder of The Optimism Institute “Ancestral Mindset is a fascinating compilation of John Daniel’s decades-long study of human behavior and leadership development. Packed with research on brain evolution, behavioral neuroscience, psychology, and leadership theory, Daniel delivers an engaging, insightful, and applicable guide for leaders who want to better understand and lead their teams. His valuable, time-tested insights woven together with heartfelt stories and case studies make this a valuable resource for leaders.” —Cindy Cleveland, Chief Talent Officer, Diversified Trust