On this episode of the Encourage Mindset Podcast, host Ethan Van De Hey welcomes Ronen Wasserman — an Israeli-born entrepreneur and leadership thinker who relocated to Rockville, Maryland after building a career shaped by risk-taking, frustration with mediocre service, and a deep belief that human-first leadership is the future. Ronen shares his journey from feeling stuck in Israel to launching his own business and becoming a vocal advocate for leading with humanity in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Watch the Full Episode with Ronen Wasserman
From Israel to America: Ronen’s Journey
Ronen Wasserman is 45 years old and was born and raised in Israel before relocating to the United States about two and a half years ago. He tells Ethan that for much of his early life, he felt stuck — unsure of his path and searching for direction. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science because he did not know what he wanted to study, and was involved in politics during that time. But it was not until he pursued a master’s in business administration and started taking real risks that things began to change.
In 2009, Ronen opened a small business for his wife and invested significant hours and effort into making it work. That experience taught him the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and gave him the confidence to eventually take an even bigger leap — leaving a job at a company where he was frustrated by the poor service culture to start his own business. In a fitting twist, the company he left became his first client.
Why Mediocre Service Pushed Him to Start His Own Business
One of the most compelling parts of this episode is when Ronen describes the moment he realized he needed to go out on his own. He was working at a company where the employees operated like robots — they did what they were told but never brought ideas to the table, never challenged recommendations, and never provided genuinely thoughtful service. Ronen remembers thinking that he could do it so much better. The formula was not complicated: just provide good service and treat people like humans.
After three years of that frustration, Ronen quit and launched his own company. The fact that his former employer immediately became his first client validated what he already knew — the bar for human-centered service was low, and anyone willing to actually care about the work could stand out immediately.
Leading Like It Is 2030
The core of this episode is Ronen’s vision for leadership in an age of AI and automation. He argues that as technology handles more of the routine and technical work, the leaders who will thrive are the ones who double down on the human elements: empathy, connection, genuine service, and the ability to make people feel valued. Leading like it is 2030 means anticipating a world where AI handles the data and the processes, but humans still need to lead with heart, creativity, and relational intelligence.
Ronen and Ethan discuss how many organizations are already failing at this. Companies invest in the latest technology but ignore the culture and the people. Ronen’s experience of working in a soulless service environment is not unique — it is the norm. His challenge to the audience is to be the exception.
Taking Risks When You Feel Stuck
Ronen speaks directly to anyone who feels stuck in their career or life. His message is that the turning point does not come from finding the perfect opportunity — it comes from being willing to take a risk. Doing a master’s degree alone was not enough. Opening a business for his wife alone was not enough. It was the combination of education, experience, and the willingness to bet on himself that created momentum. He encourages the audience to stop waiting for certainty and start building from where they are.
Why This Episode Matters
Ronen Wasserman’s conversation with Ethan Van De Hey is a timely reminder that in a world racing toward automation and AI, the most valuable leadership skill is the ability to be genuinely human. If you are a leader navigating the AI revolution, an entrepreneur tired of working in cultures that treat people like machines, or someone feeling stuck and unsure of your next step, Ronen’s story shows that the path forward starts with taking a risk, providing real value, and putting humans first.
Connect with the Encourage Mindset Podcast
The Encourage Mindset Podcast is hosted by Ethan Van De Hey and brings together leaders, entrepreneurs, and high-performers who share their real stories and strategies for growth. Subscribe on YouTube to catch every new episode.
Related Episodes You Might Enjoy
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- Matt LeBris: Turn Failure into Fuel for Success
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