The Science of Team Building with James Lawrence: Lead to Succeed 130

Artificial Intelligence (AI), the emulation of human intelligence by machines, and Behavioral Science, the study of human behavior and decision-making, converge to create innovative approaches that optimize team dynamics. In this episode, James Lawrence will teach us how AI and Behavioral Science team up to improve how groups work.

James is the co-founder of Happy, which enables organizations to enhance organizational culture, communication, and manager effectiveness at scale. Its Happy coaching platform uses behavioral science and AI to build a user manual for your entire team in less than 10 minutes.

James previously served as chairman of the board for the Specialty Equipment Market Association. He also served as CEO and founder of Power Automedia and CEO of Speedvideo. Throughout his career, James strongly emphasized nurturing talent and fostering the next generation of leaders, always with an eye toward meaningful work.

Building Connections that Matter with Anthony Iannarino: Lead to Succeed 129

In a marketing world filled with self-promotion, it's time for a change. Instead of shouting "Me, Me, Me," success now hinges on understanding and connecting with our audience. In this episode, our guest, Anthony Iannarino will be talking about the importance of shifting our focus from self-centered narratives to building genuine connections that resonate.

Anthony is a highly respected international speaker, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and sales leader specializing in the complex business-to-business (B2B) sale. He is also a founder and managing partner of two closely held, family-owned businesses in the staffing industry, leading both entities in strategic planning while growing sales. Anthony is best known for his work at The Sales Blog, which has helped him gain recognition as a top thought leader in sales strategy. He is also the designer of Level 4 Value Creation™ and Building Consensus, methodologies that help sales organizations achieve transformational, breakthrough results.

In each business, Anthony is focused on helping professionals reach their full potential. In 2007, while growing the sales force of his second staffing firm, he discovered a knack for coaching, and realized that he could make enduring contributions to a company’s sales culture. He began blogging about complex selling processes and gravitated toward B2B companies facing challenges in sales force management and performance. His transition to professional speaking, consulting, and workshop facilitation led to the development of a trademarked methodology that has proven instrumental in helping sales organizations achieve revenue goals.

Listen in and learn more about the importance of building connections that matter.

Rethinking Paths with Cynthia Kay: Lead to Succeed 128

Remaining entrenched in a career path that fails to resonate with one's true passion is a substantial life misstep. Opting for a fulfilling career isn't merely a luxury but an essential pursuit for a well-rounded and contented life. That’s exactly what our guest Cynthia Kay will be sharing about.

Cynthia is the Founder of Cynthia Kay and Company, an award-winning media production company, an author, speaker, and an expert in small business leadership. That expertise comes from over three decades of building her own company. As a business leader and trailblazer among women keynote speakers, her success has been widely recognized.

Cynthia works with current and aspiring small business leaders across sectors, industries, or growth stages to help them achieve their goals. She is past Chair of the National Small Business Association (NSBA).

Listen in and learn more about mistakes leaders often make and how to avoid them.

Transform your Work Journey Through Passion with Bjorn Billhardt: Lead to Succeed 127

Passion in the workplace is like the secret sauce that adds flavor to your professional journey. It's the fuel that propels you forward, turning a job into a fulfilling career. When you're passionate about what you do, it transforms your work into a labor of love. That’s what our guest Bjorn Billhardt will be talking about in this episode.

Bjorn is CEO and founder of Abilitie, a global leadership development company. Prior to launching Abilitie, Bjorn co-founded Enspire Learning in 2001, an early pioneer of e-learning programs and business simulations. Bjorn holds a BA from the University of Texas and an MBA from Harvard Business School. A native of Hamburg, Germany, he came to the US as an exchange student in high school and now lives in Austin, TX with his wife and three young boys.

Listen in and learn more about the importance of passion in a fulfilling professional life.

Beyond The Walls of Institution with Robert DeFinis: Lead to Succeed 126

It's really important to regularly think about where we are in our work lives. This helps us grow, adapt, and stay healthy.

Robert DeFinis is an expert who helps people do this. He's been working with kids, athletes, coaches, teams, leaders, and groups for more than twenty years. He knows a lot about doing well and has experience in education, leading nonprofits, law enforcement, and understanding behavior.

Robert created Total Optimal Performance Solutions and RDF Books. He also helped start the Center for Teaching Excellence - Online. He's written books like The Hero Teacher, Gen-eXceptional, and some children's books about current issues.

Listen in to learn why it's important to think beyond just the place where you work.

Mastering the Art of Communication with Steve Cockram: Lead to Succeed 125

Most people’s pain comes because they’re unable to make relationships work. In the professional realm, effective communication is the heartbeat of collaboration, innovation, and productivity. It ensures that ideas flow seamlessly, teams align cohesively, and goals are achieved with precision. And today, that's exactly what our guest Steve Cockram will be sharing insights on.

Steve is an inspirational communicator, serial entrepreneur, author, and confidante to elite leaders around the world. He is highly skilled at making people think, laugh, and act.

Steve is a co-founder of GiANT Worldwide and GiANT London. He has co-authored multiple leadership books, including his most recent, THE COMMUNICATION CODE, which details how to set the parameters of a conversation from the outset, preventing misunderstandings and miscommunication, and highlights recognizing the power dynamics of interactions to help.

Listen in and learn more about the importance of communication.

Embracing the Discomfort with Adam House: Lead to Succeed 124

In the dynamic realm of business, the adage holds true: enterprises are either in a state of growth or on a trajectory towards decline, leaving no room for a middle ground. Our guest, Adam House will share valuable insights and tips to navigate this dichotomy effectively.

Adam House is a seasoned entrepreneur with a diverse background as a former senior executive, professional basketball player, and team Co-Owner. Adam adds a unique perspective to business advising. Over his 25-year career, Adam has not only started, scaled, and exited multiple companies across various industries but has done so with his commitment to values such as faith, family, and personal interests.

Adam has a proven track record of excellence, being the Founder/CEO of DMA - acquired by V12 Group; Velocitude - developed by Akamai Technologies; and Qualmetrix - publicly traded on NASDAQ.

Despite the challenges of being a husband, father, and entrepreneur, Adam maintains his faith, family, and fitness priorities. Adam's professional journey has been a continuous cycle of learning and growth.

Listen in and learn more about business success.

Take that Step Today with Shawn Shewchuk: Lead to Succeed 117

We all have wise individuals in our lives—those who have successfully navigated challenging circumstances. Ignoring their golden advice would be a mistake, right?

In this episode, our guest Shawn Shewchuk will inspire us to do just that, while also sharing profound insights from his professional and personal journey.

Shawn is known as the #1 results coach and 2x best-selling author. He has helped over 12,000 clients in his professional career and has over 5,000 keynote presentations to his credit.

Listen in and learn more about Shawn’s inspiring insights.

Beyond Business with Alex Atwood: Lead to Succeed 116

In the world of work, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of financial success. However, what many of us often overlook is that the environment in which we work plays a pivotal role in our overall satisfaction and well-being. That’s one area that we’ll be discussing with Lead to Succeed guest Alex Atwood.

Alex is a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and staffing sectors, and an emerging coach in the psychedelics field. He is also a public speaker, angel investor, podcaster, and philanthropist.

Alex gained business acumen early on, starting with selling candy at a markup in elementary school, and went on to found several companies, including Sanistaff and the Hospitality Training Institute. One of his significant accomplishments was pivoting his hospitality staffing agency during the COVID-19 pandemic, getting 75% of his workforce back to work in just 21 days.

Listen in and learn more about leadership and personal growth.

Become a Leadership Junkie with Tim Lupinacci: Lead to Succeed 114

Leadership isn't tied to titles or roles; it's about using your qualities to create a positive impact. “Everybody Leads”: That’s what Lead to succeed guest Tim Lupinacci will be sharing about.

Tim Lupinacci spent the first 28 years of his legal practice focused on helping financial institutions solve complex problems arising in commercial restructuring and bankruptcy matters throughout the country. Four years ago, he was selected as CEO and Chair of Baker Donelson, which is one of the 100 largest law firms in the country. In this, and prior, leadership positions, he has led the Firm through significant organizational change, growth, and the global pandemic. He continues leading Baker Donelson through its five-year BakerVision 2028 strategy, and the execution of its Diversity & Inclusion Compact.

As a self-professed “leadership junkie”, Tim’s journey to stepping up as a leader began thirty years ago as a young lawyer after disappointing a boss with an epic failure. In the three decades since, Tim has studied, read, and grown his leadership skills through hard work, being curious, trying novel ideas, failing, learning from the failures, and getting better every day. This culminated in launching a non-profit called “Everybody Leads” focused on empowering individuals in underserved communities with basic leadership skills and confidence to better lead themselves, lead others, and lead in the community.

Listen in and learn more about becoming a leadership junkie.

Lead to Succeed dives deep into personal leadership journeys, seeking to understand how leaders got to where they are today, and the challenges & successes that they experienced along the way