Building your LeaderBrand - Personal Branding, Digital Marketing, Sales, Leadership & Linkedin for Expert Business Owners & Executives.

I've had many conversations about leadership, but my discussion with Nick Smith was one of the most practical.We often think about strategy and tactics, but how often do we consider the energy of our team, or even ourselves? Where do we naturally excel, and where do we drain our batteries?💡 Understanding this is the key to unlocking performance, not just for your team, but for yourself.In this episode, Nick introduces the GC Index, a tool that reveals how we are naturally inclined to make an impact. It was a lightbulb moment for me, showing me exactly why I love starting things but struggle with finishing the details.Here are three key areas we explored:✳️ The GC Index & Your Energy - We discuss how knowing your profile (I'm a Strategist/Game Changer, Nick is a Polisher/Implementer) can change how you build your team and manage your own focus. It’s not about fixing weaknesses, but about building on strengths.✳️ Leadership as a Journey - Nick shares his framework for leadership, from 'Base Camp' (understanding yourself) to navigating 'Rough Terrain' (like difficult conversations) and finally to the 'Summit' (where leadership can become lonely).✳️ Curiosity Over Judgment - We touch on one of the most powerful tools for any leader: curiosity. Nick’s advice on asking more questions is a simple but effective way to handle almost any difficult situation.At the end of our conversation, I asked Nick for three actionable things you can do right now.Here’s what he suggested:👉 Recognise Differences: Stop trying to build a team of clones who think just like you. True strength comes from diversity of thought and energy. Use tools like the GC Index to build a well-rounded team where everyone operates in their zone of genius.👉 Ask More Questions: The next time you're in a difficult conversation and feel yourself becoming judgmental, pause. Instead of making a statement, ask a question. This simple shift can transform the dynamic and lead to better outcomes.👉 Read These Books: Nick recommended three books to sharpen your leadership and communication skills:The Jelly Effect by Andy BoundsDrive by Daniel PinkTeaming by Amy EdmondsonFind out more about Snick Smith : https://www.squarepegscoaching.com/00:00 — Welcome & episode intro 01:44 — Who is Nick Smith? 02:30 — What is the GC Index? 05:03 — My GC Index result 07:37 — Strengths, weaknesses & friction 09:03 — Using the GC Index to build teams 12:35 — Leadership as an energy system 16:24 — The leadership journey 20:34 — Coaching at the summit 22:37 — Diagnosing sluggish organisations 24:27 — Nick’s dream client 26:56 — Three practical amplifiers 28:13 — Recommended reading 31:27 — How to reach Nick & resources 34:08 — Wrap & sign-off----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business BlueprintIt's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : a...

I spoke with author and coach Robbie Swale about how leaders, coaches and experts can feel less overwhelmed and make clearer choices in complex times. His new book, The Power to Choose: Finding Calm and Connexion in a Complex World, is the backbone of our conversation. It shows simple ways to shift perspective, use curiosity when you’re stuck, and choose what actually deserves your time. If you’re juggling difficult conversations, packed calendars and competing priorities, the ideas Robbie shares will help you decide and act with less friction.Three key areas we cover🔍 How perspective shapes everythingMost of us see the world through a default lens. Robbie uses the old woman / young woman optical illusion to show how the same situation can feel true in different ways. Try on another perspective and you’ll often find conflict softens and options appear.🧭 Curiosity as the practical tool for stress and emotionWhen you feel contraction or a strong emotion, curiosity is the move. Ask - what’s really going on here? That small pause creates space, slows reactivity and gives you room to choose.⏱ Meaningful productivity - choosing what mattersRobbie’s Meaningful Productivity Blueprint reframes productivity for complex roles. Two concrete ideas we discuss - separate urgent from important, and use Warren Buffett’s 25 → circle 5 exercise to protect focus.Three simple actions you can take today (Robbie’s amplifiers)\🔁 Try the mental model - for one day, assume people are doing their best. Test it in two interactions and note the difference.📥 Download the Meaningful Productivity Blueprint at robbieswale.com and complete one worksheet this week.📝 Do Buffett’s 25 → list 25 goals/tasks, circle your top five, then treat the remaining 20 as your avoid-at-all-costs list for three months.Where to follow RobbieEverything starts at robbieswale.comApple Podcasts chapter markers 00:00:00 Intro - Why this episode matters 00:00:07 Robbie Swale - Guest intro and quick background 00:01:46 Who Robbie is - Leadership coaching and work focus 00:03:04 The Power to Choose - Why Robbie wrote the book 00:05:00 Perspectives - How our default lens shapes reality 00:08:02 The three-part framework - Choose, assume, be curious 00:10:01 Practical tools in the book - Questions and exercises 00:12:26 Tube story - Perspective in daily life 00:14:28 Manager inbox - Assume competence, not malice 00:16:26 Emotions vs perspective - Noticing the inner weather 00:19:39 Optical illusion - Seeing multiple truths at once 00:23:13 Polarisation - Complexity at scale and leadership impacts 00:29:58 Productivity reframed - Urgent vs important for leaders 00:32:54 Meaningful Productivity Blueprint - What it covers 00:36:55 Three amplifiers - Quick actions listeners can use 00:37:28 Amplifier 1 - Assume people are doing their best 00:38:49 Amplifier 2 - Download the Meaningful Productivity Blueprint 00:41:12 Amplifier 3 - Buffett 25 → circle 5 exercise explained 00:43:44 Saying no - Protecting your top five priorities 00:46:22 Where to find Robbie - robbieswale.com and podcasts 00:47:35 Outro - Final remarks and episode close----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business BlueprintIt's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter

Ever felt like you're doing great work, but you're stuck in a sea of sameness? 😥 You're not alone. Many experts and founders struggle to stand out, feeling like they're constantly trying to convince new prospects of their value.This week on ‘Building Your LeaderBrand’ I spoke with David Newman, author of "Market Eminence," about how to break free from this cycle. He shared a powerful approach to building a brand that's not just visible, but truly unmistakable.It's not about being wacky or putting on a show. It's about amplifying who you already are to create a category of one.✨ Here are a few things that really stood out for me:✳️ Build an "Electromagnetic Fence". Your brand should act like a magnet. It should powerfully attract your ideal clients, partners, and talent while just as powerfully repelling the bad fits. Stop trying to appeal to everyone.✳️ Find Your Contrarian Slant. What conventional wisdom in your field do you secretly think is wrong? What harsh truth are clients desperate for someone to finally say out loud? This is where your unique point of view lies, and it's the key to differentiation.✳️ Stop Trying to Be Liked. As businesses grow, founders often start playing it safe. They try to "sound smart" and "be liked," which leads to blending in. David argues you need to let go of these instincts and embrace the scrappy, opinionated, and authentic voice you had when you started.✨ Ready to take action? Here are three things David recommends you can do today:👉 Define Your Point of View. Answer these questions:❓What conventional wisdom in your field do you think is wrong?❓ What harsh truth are clients desperate for someone to acknowledge?❓ What strong opinion do you hold that would make insiders uncomfortable but resonates with ideal clients?👉 Shift Your Content from "How-To" to "How-to-Think". In a world of AI, information is a commodity. Your value is in your perspective. Share frameworks, principles, and manifestos that change how your audience sees the world.👉 Become a Trailblazer. Help your audience prepare for what's coming next. Share trends and future-cast to help them see around corners. This builds immense trust and positions you as a leader.If you want a quick win, start with the contrarian exercise. It’s the simplest way to stop being generic and start being memorable.More about David : David's assessment : https://doitmarketing.com/quizMarket Eminence Book : http://www.marketeminence.com/Chapters00:00:00 Intro — Why this episode matters Why I invited David and what you’ll get from this conversation.00:01:30 Guest intro — Meet David Newman & Market Eminence Who David is, his Do It Marketing work, and the idea behind Market Eminence.00:03:48 The problem — The “marketing monkey show” Why doing more of the same marketing won’t get you unstuck.00:08:42 Category of one — The Grateful Dead example How being radically different creates a category of one, not a stunt.00:11:42 The “electromagnetic fence” exercise A practical workshop: list nightmare clients and hires to clarify who you repel and attract.00:16:20 Authenticity vs attention stunts Why being distinct is about revealing who you already are, not putting on a show.00:22:25 Contrarian slant — 3 prompts to find your opinion David’s three questions to surface the contrarian views that will make you memorable.00:30:35 Founder identity — the bell curve and reclaiming your voice How leaders lose their edge and how to bring back the scrappy identity that scales.00:35:31 Short-term memory & relationships Why reappearing in people’s short-term memory matters more than chasing new leads.00:37:14 Three practical things to do today (David’s closing)...

Ever feel like you're doing all the right things with your personal brand but getting no real traction? In this solo episode, I break down why so many experts and leaders build brands that look good on the surface but lack real authority. The problem isn't your tactics; it's the order you're doing things in. Discover the three essential layers for building a brand from the inside out - one that builds deep trust and attracts the opportunities you deserve.In this episode, you'll learn:Why focusing on tactics first is the biggest mistake you can make.Layer 1: The Foundation - How to get clear on your leadership role, point of view, and identity.Layer 2: The Bridge - How to translate your internal clarity into a powerful external message.Layer 3: The Proof - The 7 signals the market looks for to confirm your authority.Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business BlueprintIt's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

It's a situation many of us face-the moment success is no longer enough. You might be in a career crisis, feeling unfulfilled despite your achievements, or leading a business that has lost its direction. This is what my guest, Ingo Rauth, calls the "purpose turn."For experts and entrepreneurs, whose identities are so closely tied to our work, this moment can be unsettling. We often scramble for the next project or opportunity without pausing to ask the most important question: What do I truly want?In this conversation, Ingo and I explore how to navigate these critical transitions. We discuss why looking inward to understand your core values is the essential first step before looking outward for opportunities.Here are three key areas we explored:🧭 Needs vs. Values: We often chase external desires like money or a specific job title, which are driven by immediate needs. Ingo explains that our core values are the lenses through which we see the world. Understanding them acts as a compass, guiding us to opportunities that are truly aligned with who we are and providing a sustainable source of energy.🎢 The Emotional Journey of Change: A career transition is an identity shift, and it often follows a path similar to the grieving process, including a "valley of despair." Recognising that this is a normal, scientifically-studied process helps you navigate the uncertainty with more grace and emerge faster.🔥 Alignment, Energy, and Flow: When you align what you do with your core values and strengths, work stops feeling like work. This alignment creates a powerful, self-sustaining cycle of energy and motivation, allowing you to tackle even the difficult parts of business without burning out.Here are three actions you can take after listening:Map Your Values: Take 15 minutes to list the people, companies, or brands you are drawn to. Next to each one, write down what you value about them. You'll start to see a pattern that reveals your own core values.Speak Your Truth: Start sharing your thoughts and feelings about your career path with someone you trust. Voicing your truth helps build the confidence and clarity needed to detach from an identity that no longer fits.Find Your Sounding Board: Whether it's a coach, a therapist, or a mentor, find someone who can give you the space to explore your thoughts without judgment. As Ingo says, you need to hear yourself speak your truth to make it real.If you're reading this and nodding along, that feeling of being stuck or at a crossroads is your signal. It’s the call to move from a career that simply looks right to one that truly feels right. This conversation is a roadmap for that journey. If you're ready to stop scrambling and start aligning, this episode is your first step.More about Ingo : https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingorauth/Podcast Chapters:[00:01:45] - What is the 'Purpose Turn'? [00:04:11] - Starting with the Crisis Moment [00:05:28] - Why 'Money' is the First Answer (and Why It's Wrong) [00:07:06] - A Framework for Finding Yourself: Core Values [00:11:36] - An Exercise: What Do You Value in the Companies You Admire? [00:13:25] - The Tension Between Needs and Values [00:17:01] - Your Emotional Response is a Clue [00:19:50] - When You're Unhappy but Not in Crisis [00:22:23] - The Next Step: Living Your Truth Out Loud...

It's clear that the nature of change has changed. It’s no longer something we plan for; it's a constant state. For leaders and entrepreneurs, this can be a huge source of stress and fear.If you've ever found yourself prioritising urgent but unimportant tasks over strategic projects, you'll know what I mean.In this episode, I'm joined by Grace Marshall, a productivity expert who specialises in navigating fear and change. We explore why we often avoid the important work and how to manage the underlying fears that drive our behaviours.Here are a few of the key areas we discussed:✳️ High-Functioning Fear: We explored how fear often masquerades as productivity or strategic high performance. Grace breaks down the four common fear responses-fight, flight, freeze, and fawn-and explains how they manifest in the workplace.✳️ Leadership in the Modern Workplace: We discussed the shift from traditional command-and-control leadership to a more collaborative and trust-based model, especially in remote and hybrid environments.✳️ The Power of Naming Your Fears: A key theme was the importance of surfacing and acknowledging fear. When we name our fears, they lose their power over us and can become a point of connection rather than isolation.Here are three actions you can take, inspired by my conversation with Grace:👉 Practise the Pause: Before your next meal, take 10 deep, slow breaths. This is a powerful way to build moments of intentional pause into a busy day.👉 Notice Your Fear Signals: Pay attention to how fear shows up for you. Do you speak faster, avoid certain tasks, or find yourself saying "yes" too often? Recognising your personal patterns is the first step to managing them.👉 Explore Grace's Work: If you want to dive deeper, check out Grace's book, "Struggle," and listen to her podcast, "What the Fear."Find out more about Grace and her work here : https://gracemarshall.com/----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business BlueprintIt's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

As we head into the homestretch of 2025, I'm taking a moment to reflect on the year and, more importantly, look ahead to what's next. In this solo episode, it's just you and me. No guests, just a straightforward conversation about how to make 2026 your best year yet.I've been thinking about the phrase: "You can't get second-gear results with first-gear strategies." But I believe the flip side is even more critical for most of us: you can't succeed in first gear if you're trying to use third-gear strategies. We see complex funnels and multi-platform approaches and think we need to do it all now. The result? Overwhelm.This episode is about mastering the fundamentals-the "first gear" work that truly powers your journey. I break down the six practical steps that form the foundation for creating your own reality and making your goals not just possible, but probable.Here are the six steps I cover for mastering your "first gear" in 2026:🎯 Clarity: You can't hit a target you can't see. It's about getting specific on what you truly want, not just what sounds good. The future responds to focus, not fog.⚡ Energy: Where your attention goes, your energy flows. This is about purposeful engagement and investing your focus in the things you say you want to achieve.🔥 Necessity: Desire gets you started, but necessity gets you across the finish line. Your goal has to shift from a "nice-to-have" to a non-negotiable part of your identity.🚀 Productivity: This is the action part of the equation. It’s about creating, shipping the work, and moving your dream from an idea in your head to a tangible thing in the world.🤝 Influence: Big dreams are rarely a solo mission. This is about building genuine relationships, a strong reputation, and a support system that opens doors you never knew existed.🦁 Courage: This is the final leap. It’s not the absence of fear but moving forward despite it because your mission has become more important than your comfort.I hope this gives you a practical framework to think about your goals for the year ahead. I'd love to know which of these steps you're focusing on for 2026. Reach out and let me know.(00:00) Introduction: Why You Need First-Gear Strategies for 2026Bob sets the stage for the year ahead, explaining why trying to use advanced, "third-gear" strategies can lead to overwhelm and why mastering the fundamentals is the key to real progress.(05:17) Step 1: Clarity - The Future Responds to FocusThe first and most critical step. Learn why vague goals like "be successful" don't work and how getting specific gives you a clear target to aim for.(06:28) Step 2: Energy - Where Your Attention Goes, Reality FollowsThis step is about directing your focus. It's not about hustle, but about purposeful engagement and investing your energy in the things you truly want.(09:04) Step 3: Necessity - Moving from 'Nice-to-Have' to Non-NegotiableDesire gets you started, but necessity gets you across the finish line. This is where your goal becomes a core part of your identity, making excuses irrelevant.(10:32) Step 4: Productivity - The Action Part of the Law of AttractionYou can't just visualize success; you have to create it. This section covers the importance of output, shipping the work, and turning ideas into tangible reality.(11:57) Step 5: Influence - Building Your Support SystemBig dreams are rarely a solo mission. Learn how to build genuine relationships and a strong network that will open doors and support your journey.(13:23) Step 6: Courage - The Leap Beyond Your Comfort ZoneThe final step is about taking the leap. Courage isn't the...

If you've ever felt stuck or that some invisible force is holding you and your business back, this episode is for you. It's easy to blame external factors like technology or strategy, but more often than not, the real barriers are internal. Fear is a powerful force that can keep us from reaching our full potential, often in ways we don't even recognize.In this conversation with Mark Franklin, author of "The Four Fears of Business Ownership," we get to the heart of what's really stopping you. We explore the common fears that show up for almost every entrepreneur and discuss how to move past them, not by ignoring them, but by understanding and embracing them.Here are a few key things we explored:The Four "Surface" Fears 👹: We break down the four most common fears that hold business owners back: perfectionism ("I'm not ready"), imposter syndrome ("I'm not good enough"), overwhelm ("I don't have time"), and the fear of failure.Your Internal "Thermostat" 🌡️: We discuss the idea that we all have a subconscious comfort zone or "thermostat" that dictates the level of success we allow ourselves to achieve. Pushing past this setting is key to growth.The Power of "What Do You Really Want?" ✨: Mark shares the two simple but powerful questions he asks every client to cut through the noise and connect with their deepest motivations, making it easier to take brave action.To help you start exploring this for yourself, here are three actions you can take:✍️ Journal with intention: At the end of each day, write down three things that went well or made you happy. It shifts your brain into a more positive mode.🏃‍♂️ Move your body: Even a 15-minute walk or workout can help clear your head and reset the mental noise.🫂 Explore "Havening": Look into this simple self-soothing technique of gentle touch to calm your brain and disarm historic limiting beliefs.Apple Podcasts & Spotify Chapters:(00:00) - The Two Most Important Questions for Clarity(01:59) - Meet Mark Franklin: The Four Fears Guy(03:26) - What Are The Four Fears of Business Ownership?(09:44) - Why Business Owners Are on a "Quest"(16:13) - The Alchemist's Metaphor for Personal Growth(20:48) - Moving from "Small" Fears to "Big" Fears(27:26) - How to Start Exploring Your Own Fears(31:47) - Practical Tools for Building Self-Awareness(37:28) - What Does an Amazing Client Look Like?(39:22) - How to Connect with Mark----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

If you're an expert, consultant, or coach trying to explain what you do, you've probably experienced that sinking feeling when someone's eyes glaze over mid-conversation. You know your work matters, but somehow the message isn't landing. This episode tackles one of the most critical skills for building your personal brand: the ability to communicate your expertise in a way that actually connects.Brian Miller, founder of a message design firm, joins me to break down how smart people can explain their big ideas to the rest of us. We explore why traditional presentation skills training often fails, how to design speeches that do the heavy lifting for you, and why your next keynote shouldn't try to teach everything you know.Three Key Areas We Discussed:🎯 The Audience-First Principle - Brian introduces the AFA (Audience First, Always) framework and explains why most experts lose their audience in the first three lines. We dig into the four ways to build a compelling premise: wants, problems, beliefs, and fears.🎤 The One Page Keynote Method - Forget charisma training and presentation skills workshops. Brian reveals why great speeches matter more than great speakers, and how his framework treats keynotes as a sequence of questions the audience is already asking.📝 Structure vs. Improvisation - We tackle the controversial question of how much you should script your talks. Brian's take? You need a plan, and "being authentic" isn't an excuse for winging it.Three Actions You Can Take:✅ Create Your Filter Framework - Before any communication (keynote, email, networking conversation), write one sentence: "For [audience] to achieve [impact] via [action]." This becomes your filter for what belongs in your message and what doesn't.🤔 Practice Curiosity Over Interest - When someone talks about something you don't care about, ask yourself: "Why do they care about this?" This shift creates genuine connection and opens doors to unexpected relationships.💬 Embrace Radical Responsibility - Adopt Brian's mantra: "Everything can be said clearly." When people don't understand you, it's not because they're not smart enough. It's because you haven't found the right way to explain it yet.https://keynotedesignbook.scoreapp.com/----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

In this episode, we dive into the world of personal branding and career development with Andy Storch, who has just published his new book, "Own Your Brand, Own Your Career," co-authored with Mike Kim. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or professional, understanding how to build and leverage your personal brand is crucial for success. Andy shares insights on how to navigate the complexities of personal branding, the importance of authenticity, and the role of content creation in career advancement.Key Takeaways:📈 Personal Branding as a Career Tool: Discover how personal branding can elevate your career by making you a known quantity within your organization and industry.📝 Content Creation Strategies: Learn safe and effective ways to start creating content that aligns with your career goals and personal brand.🤝 The Power of Networking: Understand the importance of building relationships and how walking the floor, both physically and virtually, can accelerate your career growth.Actions You Can Take:🔍 Define Your Brand: Reflect on what you want to be known for and ensure your actions align with this vision.✍️ Start Creating Content: Share insights from books, articles, or podcasts you consume to establish yourself as a thought leader.🌐 Engage with Your Network: Regularly connect with colleagues and industry leaders to build a strong professional network.✳️ Get the book : https://amzn.to/4pzEG3w✳️ Andy's Website : https://andystorch.com/----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

The world has fundamentally changed, and waiting for things to return to "normal" isn't a strategy - it's a trap. My guest Rick Yvanovitch, serial entrepreneur and author of "Business as Unusual: How to Thrive in the New Renaissance," learned this firsthand during COVID lockdowns in Vietnam. As experts and entrepreneurs building our personal brands, we need frameworks that help us thrive in this "business as unusual" world while maintaining balance across all areas of our lives.Three Key Areas We Explored:🏰 The Castle Framework for Life BalanceRick's powerful alternative to the Wheel of Life uses a castle metaphor where seven buildings represent different life aspects. Unlike the rigid wheel demanding perfect balance, your castle can be uniquely shaped with towers of different heights based on your priorities. The key insight: we all know when we're out of balance, even if we can't define perfect balance.💪 Strengths vs. Weaknesses: The Strategic ApproachInstead of working on weaknesses, Rick advocates doubling down on strengths while solving for critical weaknesses that could derail you. Since you like your strengths and you're good at them, there's no resistance to improvement. His solution for people management as an introvert? Using psychometrics as a "mathematical formula for people."🎯 Breaking Through Success ThermostatsWe explored internal success limits - that psychological thermostat keeping us at certain levels. The solution involves coaching to identify blind spots and raise that internal bar. Like sports teams, sometimes you need different coaches for different growth stages.Three Actions You Can Take:📚 Read "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson - Rick calls this one of the most important books he's ever read, focusing on seven-step principles that have become his philosophy of life.📧 Subscribe to Rick's Newsletter - "Business as Unusual TLDR" focuses on leadership challenges with simple acronyms and coaching-style exercises to help you practice solutions.🤝 Connect and Ask - Rick encourages reaching out on LinkedIn. As he says, "If you want anything, if you need anything, just ask." Building relationships and seeking guidance is how we grow.More from Rick : https://www.rickyvanovich.com/Ricks Book : https://amzn.to/4pZkLvT----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

Building a personal brand isn't just about posting content - it's about creating genuine connections that drive referrals, opportunities, and business growth. Whether you're a consultant, coach, or executive, the stories you tell become the raw materials for how people remember and refer you.In this conversation with brand storyteller Renee Frojo, we explore three critical areas that separate memorable personal brands from forgettable ones:🎯 The Big Story Framework - Moving beyond the single "signature story" to develop your ownable premise. Renee walks through her process of identifying cultural tensions in your industry and finding the intersection with your unique approach. We practice this live, demonstrating how to dig deeper than surface-level professional achievements to uncover the real transformation stories that connect.🔄 From Authenticity to Self-Awareness - Why "being authentic" has become problematic advice that leads to oversharing and trauma dumping. Instead, we discuss the concept of "becoming in public" - allowing your audience to witness your evolution and thought process without crossing into inappropriate territory. The goal shifts from showing everything to showing up with intentional self-awareness.📚 The Daily Story Collection System - How to never run out of content by developing what Renee calls "narrative intuition." Everything becomes potential content when you learn to spot the moments of change, the shifts in perspective, and the connexions between daily experiences and bigger business lessons.Three Actions You Can Take:📖 Read "The Human Brand" by Susan Fisk - Learn the warmth + competence formula that creates instant credibility and trust in all your communications.🎧 Listen to "How Stories Happen" podcast by Jay Akunzo - Study how excellent communicators break down their most effective stories and develop your own premise.✍️ Start "Homework for Life" practice - Spend 5 minutes daily noting what made you feel something today. Ask: what was the moment of change? This becomes your endless database of story material.https://www.reneelynnfrojo.com/----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

If you're building an expert business, you already know that referrals are the lifeblood of sustainable growth. What you might not realize is that 60% of revenue in healthy consulting businesses comes from referrals - yet most of us are doing it wrong. We're either constantly asking (which feels needy) or hoping great work alone will generate referrals (it won't). This episode breaks down a systematic approach that transforms how you think about and generate referrals.Three Key Areas We Explored🎯 The Problem with Asking for Referrals Stacey explains why the traditional "just ask" approach creates two major problems. First, it puts you on a hamster wheel - you have to keep asking forever because the ask becomes the trigger. Second, it psychologically burdens the person you're asking by adding work to their already full plate and forcing them to manufacture something that doesn't naturally exist.💡 The Five-Step Framework for Existing Referral Sources We dove into Stacey's proven system for getting more referrals from people who already refer you. The framework covers identifying your existing referral sources, creating a proper thank-you process, developing a 5-7 touchpoint plan over 12 months, using specific language that plants referral seeds, and systematizing the process so it actually happens consistently.🔄 Creating a Referable Client Experience The conversation shifted to Stacey's new book focus - making sure you're actually referable before trying to generate referrals. She breaks down the client experience into three stages (new, active, alumni) and explains the formula: great work + relationship-building touchpoints = referable experience. The key insight? How your clients feel while working with you matters more than the results you deliver.Three Actions You Can Take Right Now📝 Map Your Current Client Journey Take out a piece of paper and map every touchpoint from when someone says yes to working with you until they're done. Mark each touchpoint with a "W" for work or "R" for relationship-building. Most businesses will find they have mostly W's and need to add more R's - aim for about 20% relationship touchpoints.🔍 Identify Your Existing Referral Sources Go back through your last three years of clients and list where each one heard about you. Any name that appears is a referral source - this becomes your "list of gold." These people are usually closer to your next clients than you are, making them your lowest-hanging fruit for generating more referrals.📚 Get the Books Start with "Generating Business Referrals Without Asking" to work with your existing referral sources, then move to "The Referable Client Experience" to systematize how you make clients feel. Both books include practical frameworks you can implement immediately rather than just theory.Stacey's Website : https://staceybrownrandall.com/Stacey's Book : https://amzn.to/4p75yrD----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It

If you’re building a personal or leadership brand - whether you’re an entrepreneur, a consultant, or an exec thinking about your next move - LinkedIn and how you present yourself matters.In this episode I speak with Laurie Macpherson about making your personal brand employer-friendly, standing for something specific, and using simple, repeatable actions to be seen by the right people. These are practical signals that directly affect whether you get hired, promoted, or invited to collaborate.Three key areas we covered :✳️ Leadership brand vs. business brand - Why employees need their own “home base” online (LinkedIn) and how frequency of exposure builds reputation inside and outside organisations.✳️ Profile signals that attract employers - The headline, the About section, examples of impact, and the need to fill gaps so recruiters and hiring managers can quickly understand your fit.✳️ The BOLD method + practical career moves - Build, Own, Land, Distinguish - a simple way to plan next steps, own your achievements, tailor applications, and increase your visible credibility.Three actionable takeaways (do these this week)✨ Optimise one profile signal now - Update your LinkedIn headline to answer: Who do you help? What do you do for them? Add a one-line “how” so people instantly know your fit. (Small change, big signal.)✨ Turn achievements into proof - Pick one recent project and write 2–3 bullet points that show the outcome (numbers or concrete change). Use those bullets in your About, CV, and one LinkedIn post.✨ Make targeted outreach part of your routine - Pick three people who could help (former manager, peer, or small-business contact). Send a short message offering value (comment on their work, share a useful link) and ask one simple question. Repeat weekly.https://www.lauriemacpherson.com/----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

As we navigate a world increasingly shaped by AI, it's easy to get lost in the technical details of prompts and automation. But what about the human side of the equation? If you're building a business based on your expertise, understanding how AI is rewiring our psychology and our customers' behaviour is critical. It changes how we build relationships, create content, and ultimately, how we monetise our knowledge.In this episode, I speak with Mark Schaefer about his latest book 'How AI Changes Your Customers: The Marketing Guide to Humanity's Next Chapter', which explores the profound psychological impact of AI on humanity and marketing. We moved beyond the usual talk of efficiency and productivity to discuss what it truly means to be human-centric in a world where AI can simulate empathy.Here are three key areas we explored:🤖 Marketing to the AlgorithmWe discussed the shift where AI is becoming the decision-maker, acting as the new "customer". This means our marketing efforts need a dual focus. On one hand, we need to feed the AI with fresh, detailed data and social validation. On the other hand, we must create "AI overrides" through strong branding and word-of-mouth marketing, ensuring our businesses are chosen not by an algorithm, but by human preference and trust.🫂 The Pillars of Human ConnectionWe talked about the three foundational pillars that remain untouchable by AI. Your personal brand, your community, and your artful, human content. These elements create an emotional connection that AI can only mimic. We explored why showing up with vulnerability and creating content that reflects a genuine human experience is no longer just a good idea- it's a core strategy for relevance.💡 The Empathy IllusionMark shared how AI can create a convincing illusion of empathy, which can be weaponised to keep users engaged. We delved into the difference between this synthetic connection and the messy, imperfect, but real empathy that comes from shared human experience. The most humane company will win, but it requires the courage to be genuinely human.Based on our conversation, here are three actions you can take this week:1️⃣ Read 'Innovation and Entrepreneurship' by Peter Drucker. An old but incredibly relevant book that lays out a formula for integrating innovation into our daily lives.2️⃣ Refine your AI prompts. When using tools like ChatGPT, treat it like an intern. After giving your instructions, add the question, "Before you begin, do you have any questions?". This will help you get a much better result.3️⃣ Work on your personal brand. Every day you invest in your personal brand is like taking out an insurance policy for your career. It's the 20% AI can't replace and your last line of defence in an automated world.About Mark : businessesgrow.com----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

As a business owner or expert, you know you should be on LinkedIn, but the platform can feel like a chore. You want to look like an authority, but you don't have time to be online all day, and the endless scroll of the news feed can be draining. How do you show up in a way that feels authentic, attracts the right people, and respects your time?In this episode, I speak with Judi Fox about how to have fun and get results on LinkedIn. We explore how to navigate the platform with intention, so it works for you, not the other way around.Here are some of the key areas we cover:✳️ How to solve the puzzle of looking like a busy, in-demand leader while still being approachable to new clients.✳️ Why being different, even a bit quirky, is your greatest asset in attracting the right opportunities and filtering out the wrong ones.✳️ A healthy and effective way to use AI to support your content, using it as a tool for leverage rather than a shortcut that feels robotic.Ready to take action? Here are three things Judi suggests you can do right now:🦊 Build your own custom news feed. Instead of scrolling aimlessly, pick 10-20 peers, mentors, or ideal clients and intentionally engage with their content. This focuses your energy and tells the algorithm who you want to see and be seen by.🦊 Do the opposite of AI. In a world of automation, lean into human connection. Pick up the phone, write a personal note, or schedule an in-person meeting. These simple acts are powerful and will make you stand out.🦊 Create a 'wish list'. If setting rigid goals feels too high-pressure, try creating a wish list instead. It’s a gentler, more creative way to connect with what you want to invite into your life and business.https://stan.store/judifoxrocks----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

Today, I sat down with the brilliant Philip VanDusen, and we explored the critical importance of building your personal brand. For all of you experts, entrepreneurs, and executives out there, understanding and actively shaping your personal brand isn't just about looking good; it's genuinely about future-proofing your career and business. In a world where jobs can disappear through no fault of your own, your personal brand is your ultimate career insurance policy.Here are three key areas we delved into:✳️ Defining Your Brand: We discussed how to uncover what makes you tick, the problem you solve, and why you're different through strategic tools like the Brand Positioning Statement and Brand Pyramid. It's about finding clarity and making tough decisions on what you offer and to whom.✳️ Manifesting Your Brand in the World: Once you have that crystal-clear identity, we talked about how it becomes a filter for all your actions, from product development to social media posts. This ensures everything you put out into the world is aligned and intentional.✳️ Overcoming Emotional Hurdles: Philip and I tackled the emotional challenges of personal branding, like imposter syndrome and comparison. We highlighted the importance of being inspired by others without copying them directly, and knowing when to pull the plug on things that aren't working.Inspired by Philip's invaluable insights, here are three actionable takeaways you can implement today:✳️ Embrace Community, Not Competition: Shift your mindset. Instead of viewing others in your industry as rivals, see them as colleagues, collaborators, and part of a valuable community. These connections can fast-track your learning and open doors to incredible partnerships.✳️ Content is Currency: Start creating a body of work that showcases your expertise. Whether it's videos, articles, or audio, this content acts as a digital asset that works for you even when you're not actively selling, building visibility and attracting clients over time.✳️ Utilise the Personal Brand Wheel: Philip has developed a fantastic tool to simplify the often-overwhelming process of personal branding into 12 core activities. You can download this resource with examples and instructions at philipvandusenn.com/pbw. It's a brilliant way to gain focus and make your personal branding efforts more manageable.----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

If you've ever wondered how your personal brand shows up online, you've probably focused on Google. But the game is changing. The rise of AI search means we need a new way to think about our digital presence. Getting this right is no longer just an option; it's essential for anyone looking to build, market, and monetise their expertise.In this episode, I speak with Jason Barnard about the monumental shift from traditional search to AI-assistive engine optimisation. We explore the unique opportunity this presents for experts and small businesses to take control of their narrative and build a powerful digital legacy.Here are some of the key areas we discussed:🗣️ Your New AI Resume: We talk about how AI platforms like ChatGPT are becoming the new front door to your reputation. We explore what it means to shape what these systems say about you, moving beyond old metrics to build a brand that AI understands and recommends.💡 The Window of Opportunity: Large corporations are often slow to adapt. We discuss why this moment in digital history gives a distinct advantage to solopreneurs and small businesses who can organise their digital footprint quickly and effectively to educate the AI.🛠️ Claim, Frame, and Prove: Jason breaks down his powerful method for building authority. It involves claiming your expertise, framing your history to support your present value, and proving it with concrete evidence from your digital footprint.Feeling ready to take action? Here are three things you can do right now to start managing how AI perceives you:1️⃣ Build Your 'Entity Home': Before anything else, make sure you have a personal website. It doesn't need to be complicated. A simple homepage and an 'About' page are the perfect foundation. This website is the central point of reference for AI to understand who you are.2️⃣ Clarify Your Message: Take your 'About' page and write a clear, concise description of who you are, what you do, who you serve, and why you are credible. Start with what's most important today and use your past experiences to support your current positioning.3️⃣ Create Consistency: Update all your professional online profiles (like LinkedIn, YouTube, or any platform where you have a presence) to reflect the core message on your 'About' page. Link from your website out to these profiles, and where possible, link back. This connects the dots for the AI, confirming your story and building its understanding and trust in your brand.About Jason BarnardWe are at the second great inflection point in the digital age, and it’s a moment of immense opportunity for every high-growth business leader. The old rules of SEO are irrelevant. Today, the core challenge is simple: Can the new generation of AI Assistive Engines (like ChatGPT and Perplexity) accurately explain why you are the best choice in your market?If the answer is anything less than a resounding, enthusiastic "Yes," you are losing business—and missing out on time you simply can’t afford to waste.The Problem: Your Digital Past is Undermining Your PresentJason Barnard, CEO of Kalicube, learned this lesson the hard way. Early in his career, he was the CEO of an EdTech company (UpToTen) that built a children’s edutainment platform. It was a massive success: they hit a billion page views and competed head-to-head with giants like Disney, the BBC, and PBS.Yet, despite that success, Jason lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in new business. Why? Because after meeting him, potential clients would Google his name, find "voice of the blue cartoon dog," and their confidence would vanish. That experience forced him to crack the code on how machines understand people. That solution is now what he calls Digital Brand Intelligence, and it is the single most important asset for any ambitious leader today.The Core Client: For Whom Brand is an Existential AssetAt Kalicube,...

If LinkedIn feels like a minefield - whether you’re worried about sounding too salesy, posting into the void, or turning connections into clients - this episode is for you. Nicole Osborne, a LinkedIn strategist and trusted advisor to tech founders and agency owners, shares practical, mindset-shifting tactics to help you use the platform with confidence.3 Key Takeaways✳️ LinkedIn Isn’t About Your Peers - It’s About Your AudienceMany professionals avoid posting because they fear judgment from colleagues. Nicole’s reframe: Focus on attracting clients, not impressing peers. Speak to the people who need your expertise, not those who already have it.✳️ Start Small: Engage Before You CreateIf posting feels daunting, begin by commenting thoughtfully on others’ content. This builds visibility, trains the algorithm, and eases you into showing up consistently.✳️ Consistency > ViralityNot every post will "go viral," and that’s okay. Silent opportunities (referrals, DMs) often matter more than likes. Nicole’s mantra: Stay top of mind, not trendy.3 Actionable Steps✳️ Reintroduce YourselfShare a short, relatable story (e.g., a career pivot or lesson learned). Example: "When I left corporate, I struggled with X—here’s what changed everything."✳️ Audit Your Profile for "Talking Points"Add a human touch (e.g., Nicole’s pretzel emoji for her German roots) or a client-focused headline. Ask: What would make someone remember me after a networking event?✳️ Turn Client Conversations into ContentRepurpose a recent client question or win into a post. End with a low-barrier CTA like: "Has this ever happened to you? Comment below."Find our more about Nicole Osbourne : wunderstars.com/content-inspiration----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

As an expert, entrepreneur, or executive seeking to establish authority and credibility in your industry, understanding the strategic value of events can be a game-changer. Whether you're looking to grow your network, increase your visibility, or monetize your expertise, leveraging events effectively can propel you towards your goals.Key Takeaways from this Episode:💡 1. Strategy Over Tactics: Don't start planning an event without first defining its strategic purpose within your broader business plan. Understand how the event aligns with your overall objectives.📈 2. The Power of Simplicity: In the context of events, simplicity can be incredibly effective. Start small with intimate gatherings and focus on depth over breadth to build meaningful connections.📍 3. Understand Your Audience's Motivations: Whether opting for in-person or virtual events, grasp what drives your audience's engagement. Tailor your approach to meet their needs, ensuring a high-quality experience that justifies their participation.Actions to Amplify Your Impact:Based on Ruby Sweeney's Three Amplifiers for Success:Embrace Personal Development: Invest in self-learning to grow personally and professionally. Reflect on your life and business in seasons to set realistic expectations and focus on what truly matters at each stage.Prioritize Health and Nutrition: Make exercise, healthy eating, and mental well-being non-negotiables. This foundational aspect of your life significantly impacts your energy, focus, and overall brand.Identify Your 'Switch-Off' Activities: Discover and regularly engage in hobbies or practices that completely detach you from work, rejuvenating your mind and spirit.Connect with Ruby Sweeney:LinkedIn: Reach out to her directly for event strategy consultations.Website: theeventshub.com for comprehensive event solutions.----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.