The Wisdom Of... with Simon Bowen

Over the past 12 months, Simon Bowen has spoken with dozens of the world's most consequential leaders on The Wisdom Of... Show. This special compilation episode brings together ten profound moments of wisdom and leadership that continue to resonate as we close 2025 and step into 2026. From manipulation with good intent to AI as a new species, from emotional intelligence gaps that determine senior leadership success to fear as a preparation tool, these insights reveal what leadership looks like at the highest levels.Ready to master the systematic approach to capturing and applying wisdom like this? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction: Celebrating a year of extraordinary leadership conversations03:45 Jeff Dudan: Leadership as manipulation with good intent and the power of positive influence09:22 Cameron Herold: Why scale is not an extension of vision and the context versus concept delegation trap16:18 Akshay Nanavati: Fear as a preparation tool and acceptance of isness as freedom from suffering23:54 Tamara Jackson: Being a light for others and the true meaning of authentic leadership31:07 Catriona Wallace: AI as a new species and the existential opportunities ahead38:45 Nick Halaris: Business as a constant force for good and the intention behind every transaction45:19 Mike Desjardins: The emotional intelligence gap that separates senior leaders who succeed from those who plateau52:38 Jim Garrison: Wisdom begins as rebellion and living in questions rather than answers59:43 Isaac Balbin: Humans plus machines and the future of competitive advantage67:15 Radek Sali: Insights on scaling businesses with wisdom and intentionAbout Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organisations, recognising that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organisations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletter.Join Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass.

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with The Hon. Victor Dominello, CEO of the Future Government Institute and Co-Founder of ServiceGen. As NSW's inaugural Minister for Customer Service and Digital, the first role of its kind anywhere in the world, Victor delivered landmark reforms that transformed fragmented government services into an internationally studied model of citizen-focused delivery. Discover the Trust Trinity framework that achieved 85% digital driver's licence adoption, how to build trust systematically in complex transformations, and why the moonshot approach beats incremental thinking every time.Ready to master the systematic approach to capturing transformational wisdom? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and creating the world's first Ministry for Customer Service and Digital07:15 The foundational principle: governments exist to serve people15:42 The Trust Trinity framework. Digital Identity, Digital Credentials, Performance24:18 Why 85% adoption is possible when trust is built systematically32:55 From dozens of agencies to one website, one phone number, one account41:30 The digital identity paradox. How control enhances privacy49:12 Performance measurement as feedback loops for continuous improvement57:08 COVID-19 response and the $1.4 billion Dine & Discover economic injection01:05:44 Moonshot thinking versus incremental improvementAbout The Hon. Victor DominelloVictor Dominello is a globally recognised leader in public sector transformation and a pioneer of secure, citizen-centred digital identity. His guiding principle is simple. Governments exist to serve people, and in the digital age, that service must be trusted, seamless, and measurable.As NSW's inaugural Minister for Customer Service and Digital, Victor delivered landmark reforms including one of the world's first fully digital driver's licences, with 85% adoption and 93% satisfaction, statewide QR check-ins, digital vaccine certificates, and the Dine & Discover programme which injected over $1.4 billion into local economies during COVID-19.Over his 12 years in cabinet, Victor held portfolios in Digital Government, Innovation, Finance, and Aboriginal Affairs. He drove transformative initiatives such as the creation of the Department of Customer Service, Service NSW, and the $2.1B Digital Restart Fund.Today, as CEO of the Future Government Institute, Victor advises governments, the World Bank, and major organisations on modernising services and embedding trust. He is also Chair of the Services Australia Independent Advisory Board, Senior Advisor to the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, and a Director of the Tech Council of Australia.Victor has been recognised in The Australian's Top 100 Innovators and in Okta's Identity 25 list of global visionaries, with his image featured on the Nasdaq Tower in Times Square.Connect with Victor Dominello:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victordominelloInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/victordominelloTwitter: https://x.com/VictorDominelloFuture Government Institute:...

In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of' Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Jack Gance, Chairman and Co-Founder of Chemist Warehouse. From opening his first pharmacy in 1972 to creating a multi-billion-dollar retail giant with over 600 stores, Jack shares his customer-first philosophy that transformed Australian retail. Discover his insights on maintaining culture through scale, the power of founder unanimity, the delicate balance between online and in-store experiences, and why true customer focus means imagining yourself on the receiving end of every interaction your business creates.Ready to elevate your leadership approach? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Jack's extensive background in pharmacy retail05:18 Customer value as a driving force rather than disruption12:36 How Chemist Warehouse expands markets rather than stealing share18:52 Supplier relationships and creating win-win partnerships25:44 Maintaining consistent culture across 600+ stores33:29 The power of unanimous decision-making among founders38:22 Why testing small before scaling saved millions in mistakes45:36 The surprising economics of online vs. in-store retail52:12 The future of retail: technology vs. human connection58:43 The ultimate customer experience test and legacy buildingAbout Jack GanceJack Gance opened his first pharmacy store in 1972, developing a successful distribution business through pharmacy before creating iconic Australian brands including Le Specs, Le Tan, Australis, and Colours of Australia. After building the largest pharmacy distributor business in Australia (which he sold in 1991), Jack completed an MBA at Monash and NYU Stern School of Business before returning to revolutionize the pharmacy industry.By 1993, Jack was running 35 stores through the My Chemist Pharmacy chain, which grew to 50 stores by 2000. He then created Chemist Warehouse, which became a major industry disruptor, commanding over 50% market share front of store and around 20% of all prescriptions written in Australia.Recently, Chemist Warehouse joined with Sigma Healthcare to create a $32 billion retail and pharmaceutical distribution powerhouse. Throughout his career, Jack has remained focused on his founding philosophy: "We are building this for our kids and grandkids, ensuring that we pass down a substantial, sustainable and successful business."Connect with JackLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-gance-96a38418/Website: https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/Website:...

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Bryan Adams, Co-Founder and CEO of Integrity, one of America's largest insurance and wealth management firms. From his upbringing in a small-town Texas funeral home to building a company that serves millions of families, Bryan shares profound insights on why technology without humanity creates nothing worth remembering, how small-town values scale to billion-dollar operations, and why the myth of being "self-made" is the biggest lie in business. Discover how legacy is operational, not aspirational, and why AI represents the greatest opportunity to amplify human connection at scale.Ready to systematise wisdom into frameworks that scale your business? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the founding principles from a Texas funeral home08:22 Why naming your company "Integrity" holds you accountable every day15:47 The myth of self-made entrepreneurs and the power of inherited principles23:18 How do you meet with every family? The scaling paradox of human connection31:52 Small-town values in billion-dollar operations: big business done the small-town way39:26 The delegation trap: concepts without context and why scale breaks47:15 AI as human amplifier: the opportunity everyone is missing55:38 The trust breach: when automation replaces people instead of amplifying them01:02:43 Legacy Safeguard and why everyone needs to be remembered01:09:17 Recording his parents' story nine days before his father passed01:15:32 The Integrity Foundation and legacy in action01:19:25 Final wisdom: lean into your parents' lives before it's too lateAbout Bryan AdamsBryan Adams is the Co-Founder and CEO of Integrity, leading the day-to-day operations of one of America's largest insurance and wealth management firms. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Integrity.Bryan is the Founder of Legacy Safeguard, LLC, a company dedicated to helping members leave a lasting legacy and be remembered long after they're gone. He's considered one of the nation's leading experts in the Senior Market and speaks frequently across the country about the importance of helping families on one of the most difficult days of their lives.Prior to founding Integrity, Bryan was Vice President of Corporate Development at Directors Investment Group, Inc., where he became the youngest Vice President in the company's history. He has a degree in Business Administration from Texas Tech University. Bryan and his family live in Highland Village, Texas.Connect with Bryan Adams:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-w-adams-2794b8159/Integrity: http://integrity.com/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organisations, recognising that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organisations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website:

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Dr. Isaac Balbin, a technologist, entrepreneur, and educational visionary who holds a PhD in electrical engineering and has expertise across 15+ technology domains, including blockchain, AI, quantum computing, and cannabis science. As founder of GLIDE (Generating Lifelong Interest in Deeper Education) and Executive Director of Green Gold Trading, Isaac bridges the gap between brilliant technology and solutions that actually serve people. Discover why collective intelligence matters more than individual genius, how learning while moving transforms education, why decentralising trust through technology serves humanity, and how to teach critical thinking in a post-truth world.Ready to master the systematic approach to extracting and applying educational and technology wisdom? Join Simon's exclusive Masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and "It's never been a better time to be alive" 02:26 The biggest issues in education: restrictiveness and disincentives to innovate 12:55 Living in a post-truth world: when nothing is true, everything is true 15:24 Technology's rhythm and cadence throughout human history 16:38 Educating people in scientific domains to enable intelligent discussions 17:58 Collective intelligence as humanity's most powerful tool 19:27 Teaching the scientific method through the "How do you know?" question 20:34 Decentralising trust through blockchain and distributed systems 23:28 The GLIDE Method: decentralising education and letting teachers innovate 24:49 Learning while moving: why Confucius and ancient Greeks walked while teaching34:20 Generating Lifelong Interest in Deeper Education (GLIDE acronym explained) 43:04 Healthcare advocacy and the role of technology in patient outcomes51:13 AI enabling entrepreneurs: testing billion-dollar ideas with AI tech teams1:00:51 Using technology while leaving people with their personal agency 1:02:05 Three quick questions: time travel, Einstein's mind, and lessons from setbacksAbout Dr. Isaac BalbinDr. Isaac Balbin is a technologist, entrepreneur, thought leader, and speaker with a vision for how technology can shape our future. He holds a PhD in electrical engineering, where he published articles, won awards, and published patents.  The setback of seeing his academic technology stall before commercialisation became a catalyst. As he moved into entrepreneurship, he encountered blockchain technology, recognising its potential long before it entered the mainstream conversation.Isaac has become a thought leader and expert across 15+ domains, including blockchain, AI, cannabis science, RFID, IoT, quantum technologies, and many more. He is the founder and CEO of GLIDE, a revolutionary educational paradigm that combines "learning while moving" with practical, real-life information, student self-awareness, and societal consciousness. He serves as Executive Director of Green Gold Trading, applying science and technology to advance evidence-based healthcare through cannabinoid therapeutics.Isaac's mission is to share what he knows and envisions with the world, so that no one is left behind as technology accelerates.Connect with Dr. Isaac Balbin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-isaac-balbin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbalbin11/ GLIDE:

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Mike Desjardins, CEO of ViRTUS, a leadership expert who has spent more than two decades helping leaders transform not just their businesses, but their people. Mike challenges what we think leadership really is, revealing why emotional intelligence is not a soft skill, but the concrete foundation for every result that truly matters in business. Discover the Leadership Triangle (IQ + EQ + AQ), why "the me has overtaken the we" threatens our collective future, and how curiosity becomes the most powerful tool a leader possesses.Ready to master the systematic approach to extracting and applying leadership wisdom? Join Simon's exclusive Masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and "As go the leaders, so goes the world" 05:11 The first-time leader trap: why personal excellence doesn't equal leadership success 08:47 Why you manage processes but lead people17:18 Teaching EQ practically across industries 24:32 The five components of emotional intelligence and building them in children 34:42 Adaptability Quotient (AQ) and operating with resilience in VUCA environments 37:20 Why subject matter expertise is just table stakes 42:43 The erosion of truth in leadership and untruth by omission 45:04 Expanding emotional vocabulary and the wheel of emotions 47:15 How curiosity builds instant connection 48:11 The $330,000 deal closed in 5 minutes after 55 minutes of genuine connection 54:15 Play and curiosity as the pathway to AI fluency 59:40 From fragmentation to collaboration: "The me has overtaken the we"About Mike DesjardinsMike Desjardins is CEO at ViRTUS, where he drives strategy, growth, and vision. With a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC's Sauder School of Business, a CPHR designation, and over two decades of experience transforming businesses, Mike is a master in strategy and leadership development.From entrepreneurial businesses to large public companies and public-sector organisations, Mike focuses on driving return on investment in every client engagement. He is passionate about leveraging his team to co-create ViRTUS's future vision and using ViRTUS as his vehicle to empower leaders both within the company and among their clients.Mike has been a member of the Entrepreneurs' Organisation (EO) since 2002 and served as President of the Vancouver Chapter. He received the Business in Vancouver Top 40 Under 40 Award in 2006 and served on the Board of Directors for CPHR BC from 2010-2016.Connect with Mike Desjardins: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedesjardins/ Website: https://www.virtusinc.com/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1i7yNzzuOnFa3CRf0Oynsf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtus.inc/ About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organisations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organisations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn:

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Mark Fitzgibbon, retired CEO and Managing Director of nib Group, who transformed a regional mutual health fund into Australia's fourth largest private health insurer and an ASX 100 company over 22 years. From local government reform to reshaping the clubs industry to building a healthcare empire, Mark shares profound insights on systematic transformation, critical thinking cultures, and why consistent outperformance requires discipline, not just vision. Discover how one leader's methodology works across completely different industries and why questioning everything becomes the foundation for lasting success.Ready to master the systematic approach to capturing transformation wisdom? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the three-sector transformation journey 07:18 Why transformation begins with replacing the senior management team 14:52 The "steel pipes moment" and keeping organisations focused on purpose 22:36 Building critical thinking cultures through psychological safety 29:44 The business model challenge method that drives consistent outperformance 37:22 Multi-sector validation and why the same principles work everywhere 44:18 Seeking outlier views over consensus thinking 51:33 The wisdom versus theory tension and staying intellectually curious 58:06 Post-executive reflections on 22 years of sustained transformationAbout Mark FitzgibbonMark Fitzgibbon is the retired CEO and Managing Director of nib Group, where he led the organisation from 2002 to 2025.  During his tenure, nib grew from a smaller regionally-based mutual health fund to Australia's fourth largest private health insurer. In 2007, nib listed on the ASX, rising to become an ASX 100 company with a portfolio of healthcare businesses across Australia and New Zealand. Today, nib covers or supports approximately 2 million people.Mark is well known for his progressive and entrepreneurial approach. nib has a long track record of challenging business models and innovation. Mark began his career in local government, culminating in leading three significant Councils in NSW. He was subsequently recruited as Chief Executive Officer at Clubs NSW and Clubs Australia, where he led an agenda of modernisation and developed responsible gambling practices across the sector.Mark holds an MBA (UTS), MA (MGSM), has attended Harvard Business School and INSEAD, and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is now pursuing a post-executive coaching career, sharing his systematic transformation wisdom with leaders navigating complex change.Connect with Mark Fitzgibbon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-fitzgibbon-3754504/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organisations, recognising that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organisations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website:...

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Dr. Katherine Hunt,  global leader in financial services ethics and founder of Ardentura Consulting. Katherine shares profound insights on why ethical frameworks drive growth faster than marketing budgets, how psychology explains why some businesses naturally attract talent and clients, and the customized decision-making systems that help companies double revenue while doubling profit. Discover why compliance and ethics are completely different animals, how to turn values into scalable systems, and the frameworks Fortune 500 companies pay millions to understand.Ready to master the systematic approach to building ethical frameworks? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Katherine's journey from academic to ethics practitioner08:15 Why ethics is "purely social" and what that means for growth16:42 The fundamental difference between compliance and ethical frameworks24:28 How Katherine's psychology background revealed the hidden drivers of referrals32:15 The customized ethical decision-making framework methodology40:36 Why staff retention is about purpose alignment, not compensation48:52 Client psychology principles that create automatic referrals56:18 How ethical frameworks multiply everything else you're doing well64:07 The AI multiplier effect and why ethical clarity matters more now72:44 Building ethical frameworks that scale from startup to enterpriseAbout Dr. Katherine HuntDr. Katherine Hunt is the founder and Managing Director of Ardentura Consulting and has been the global leader in financial services ethics for 11 years. She combines expertise in ethics with psychology to lead global growth projects with real-world impact. As Australia's most engaging speaker on ethics, Katherine has spoken in 15+ countries and has coached businesses since 2007.Katherine holds a PhD in Law and Economics, a Bachelor of Psychological Science, a Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Planning, and First Class Honours in Finance. She is an award-winning financial planner, a former tenured academic at Griffith University (8 years), author of two ethics textbooks, and a published researcher with 130+ citations across 20+ research papers.Katherine's focus is on helping practices achieve ethical growth through customized decision-making frameworks, combining two decades of business experience with academic rigor. Her clients consistently achieve doubled revenue, doubled profit, better staff retention, and stronger brand visibility through systematic ethical approaches.Connect with Dr. Katherine Hunt:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkatherinehunt/Twitter: https://x.com/katherinehuntWebsite: https://www.ardentura.com/ About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram:a...

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Jim Garrison, founder of Ubiquity University and co-founder of the State of the World Forum alongside Mikhail Gorbachev. Jim shares profound insights on why the next five years represent the most consequential period in human history, how wisdom begins as an act of rebellion, and why humanity must learn to integrate four intelligences simultaneously - human, nature, artificial, and cosmic. Discover why questions equalize people while answers subordinate them, and how living large enough to meet this civilizational moment requires the soul to expand, not the ego.Ready to master the systematic approach to capturing transformational wisdom? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the childhood moment that cracked open Jim's cosmic egg04:50 Why wisdom begins as an act of rebellion and Plato's allegory of the cave11:00 The skill of transformation: living your truth vs trying to convince people14:30 Thinking in civilization timeframes and the four levels of collapse happening now24:30 Co-founding the State of the World Forum with Mikhail Gorbachev31:00 The four fundamental data points and the multi-intelligence revolution framework44:30 Why 2025-2030 is the most consequential time in human history49:00 Questions equalize people, answers subordinate them - why Plato wrote dialogues54:00 Living in great moments: Buddha, Jesus, and recognizing we're in one right now01:00:00 Meeting the moment without ego - when the soul expands to serve the futureAbout Jim GarrisonJim Garrison is a visionary scholar, social activist, and founder of Ubiquity University, a global learning institution devoted to transforming education and fostering the evolution of human consciousness. His journey spans more than five decades of leadership in international relations, sustainability, and transformative learning.He co-founded the State of the World Forum alongside Mikhail Gorbachev, pioneering new forms of global collaboration through citizen diplomacy. He's dedicated his life to addressing what he calls the civilization challenges of our time: climate change, nuclear risk, and the transformation of human awareness.At the heart of Jim's work lies a simple yet profound idea - lasting change begins in consciousness. He's become one of the world's leading voices on how wisdom, education, and systems thinking can shift patterns of transformation and reveal how civilizations and people within them can evolve.Connect with Jim Garrison:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-garrison-4b414163/State of the World Forum: https://stateoftheworld.forumAbout Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website:a...

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Todd White, CEO of Rescue Mission Alliance and former President, COO, and CFO of Barna Group. With over 30 years of diverse leadership experience spanning startups, Fortune 500s, and faith-based organizations, Todd reveals why celebrating uncertainty beats chasing certainty, how to direct high performers without killing their genius, and the framework for integrating authentic purpose with aggressive business goals. Discover how to build organizations that don't just survive complexity but use it as competitive fuel, and why the best leaders embed their thinking into organizational DNA rather than keeping it locked in their heads.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systemically about complex business challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Todd's transition from for-profit to nonprofit leadership 02:20 Defining true entrepreneurialism: The love of solving complex problems 06:20 Why real solutions are transportable across departments and divisions07:00 Business basics: Starting with stewardship of money, time, resources, and people 11:40 Why your life as a leader becomes a promise to others 14:00 THE 100-DAY FRAMEWORK - Building the visual model live 14:20 The three levers: Revenue, cost controls, and efficiency16:00 Turning over rocks to find gold (not just hunting for problems) 17:30 The four quadrants: Foundation, Reach, Gold, and Priorities23:00 Which quadrant to start with (and why reach comes first) 28:00 The AdCheck story: When tactics change but strategy remains valuable 30:00 Strategy is context and relevance; tactics are concepts 32:00 The Patterson StratOp process and strategic planning 36:00 Scale for contribution vs. scale for commerce 42:00 The power of collaboration over competition 43:00 Culture is a feature; character is the benefit 46:00 Common sense isn't common: The book Todd started writing About Todd WhiteTodd White brings over 30 years of diverse leadership experience to his role as CEO of Rescue Mission Alliance. He most recently served as President, COO and CFO of Barna Group, a Christian research organization that provides data on the trends affecting faith and culture, for more than 10 years.Throughout his career, Todd has held senior leadership positions at various organizations, including serving as CFO and VP of Finance at Gospel Light Publications and as co-founder and President of AdCheck, Inc., a marketing and media company. He earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from California Lutheran University, and an MBA with an emphasis in Strategy and Economics from the New York Institute of Technology.Todd describes himself as "entrepreneurial-minded," which means he celebrates uncertainty, strives for growth, never stops learning, is always curious, asks tough questions and thoroughly enjoys solving complex problems.Connect with Todd WhiteLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddawhite/ Twitter: https://x.com/tawhite67?lang=en Rescue Mission Alliance: https://www.erescuemission.org/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on...

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Matthew Pollard, founder of Rapid Growth and bestselling author of The Introvert's Edge series. From struggling with a visual processing disorder and severe introversion to building five multimillion-dollar businesses before age 30, Matthew reveals how systematic approaches consistently outperform natural talent in every commercial context where outcomes matter. Discover why disadvantages force innovation, how practice creates authenticity, and the critical distinction between hustle alone and hustle within strategic frameworks.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to codify your genius into systematic frameworks: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the power of systematic thinking over natural ability04:32 The visual processing challenge that forced systematic problem-solving09:18 Why introversion became a competitive advantage in sales15:44 From commission-only sales to the number one performer in six weeks21:56 The Leonardo DiCaprio principle: practice creates authentic delivery28:12 How to convert intuitive expertise into teachable frameworks34:08 Why small, agile operations with strong systems outmaneuver larger competitors40:25 The critical insight: you're one tiny skill away from success46:33 Hustle with great strategy versus hustle without direction52:47 Rapid-fire questions and final wisdomAbout Matthew PollardKnown as the Rapid Growth guy, Matthew Pollard is responsible for five multimillion-dollar business success stories, all before the age of 30. His humble beginnings, the adversities he faced, and his epic rise to success demonstrate that anyone, with the right strategies and systematic approach, can achieve extraordinary outcomes.Today, Forbes calls him "the real deal," Global Gurus lists him as a Top 30 Sales Professional, SellingPower Magazine named him their 2023 Sales Kickoff Speaker of the Year, Sales World Magazine lists him as a Top 50 Speaker, and BigSpeak highlights him as an international Top 10 Sales Trainer.He's also the founder of Introvertu.com and the bestselling author of The Introvert's Edge book series, which has sold over 100,000 copies and been translated into 15 languages.With over a decade of experience coaching 3,500+ businesses on rapid growth methodology, Matthew brings a unique perspective to the intersection of systematic process design and commercial strategy. His approach combines rigorous framework development with practical implementation to create solutions that work regardless of natural talent or personality type.Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Matthew represents a new generation of business coaches who are leveraging systematic thinking to challenge the conventional wisdom that success requires extroversion, natural charisma, or innate sales ability.Connect with Matthew PollardLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewpollardspeaker/Personal Website: https://matthewpollard.com/Facebook: https://facebook.com/MatthewPollardSpeakerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewpollardspeaker/YouTube:a...

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Bernie Brookes AM, Order of Australia recipient and Australian Retail Hall of Fame inductee, whose 40-year career has shaped the retail landscape across four continents. From architecting Woolworths' $5+ billion Project Refresh to transforming Myer under new ownership and turning around South Africa's largest non-food retailer, Bernie reveals the systematic approach to business transformation that most leaders overlook. Discover why the best turnaround strategies already exist inside your organization and how focus groups with your own people can unlock billion-dollar insights.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systemically about complex business challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction to Bernie Brookes and his transformation philosophy 05:42 The overlooked power of focus groups in business turnarounds 12:18 Why broken companies already know what's wrong - and how to extract that wisdom 18:29 Building fact-based reality through staff, supplier, and customer insights 24:17 The PMO framework - structuring leadership accountability for transformation 31:45 Communication strategies that turn resistance into momentum 37:23 "Talk to your horse" - multi-channel communication for organizational change 43:56 International expansion lessons from India, China, and South Africa 51:12 The truth principle - why transparency accelerates transformation 58:37 Leadership philosophy and the intersection of people and performanceAbout Bernie Brookes AMBernie Brookes is a Managing Director and CEO with over 40 years of expertise in retail transformation and turnaround excellence. His career spans four continents, leading some of the world's most complex business transformations, including Woolworths' $5+ billion Project Refresh, Myer's complete carve-out and rebuilding under new ownership, and the dramatic turnaround of South Africa's largest non-food retailer.As an Order of Australia recipient, Australian Retail Hall of Fame inductee, and UN 'He for She' ambassador, Bernie combines business acumen with a philosophy of truth and entrepreneurship that has transformed industries across Australia, India, China, and South Africa.Currently serving on multiple boards, including CEO Institute Chair since 2018, and advising private equity firms, Bernie represents the intersection of systematic business transformation and principled leadership that defines the next generation of global business excellence.Connect with BernieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernie-brookes-am-13570b11a/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website:...

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Peter Ritchie, the first McDonald's employee outside North America, who transformed a struggling franchise concept into Australia's most respected employer brand. From building systematic training programs that developed 50,000+ careers to expanding across Asia-Pacific and serving on major corporate boards, Peter shares profound insights on leadership development, systematic excellence, and the art of building sustainable business systems. Discover why "the salvation is in the numbers" and how systematic people development becomes the ultimate competitive advantage.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systemically about complex business challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the adventure that launched a franchise empire 07:32 Building systems from scratch - why McDonald's invested in training over marketing 15:47 "The salvation is in the numbers" - people math versus financial math 22:15 The seven-year test - persistence through initial challenges and losses 28:03 International expansion wisdom - commit to local managers and give them responsibility 34:18 Leadership instinct versus learned skills - sporting background meets business 41:26 Why hiring from within beats recruiting experienced managers 48:33 The training philosophy that made McDonald's Australia's best first job55:41 Board experience and bringing McDonald's excellence to other organizations 62:19 Details, structure, and tracking - the foundation of systematic excellence 68:45 Building leaders who build leaders - confidence development at scaleAbout Peter RitchiePeter Ritchie was the first employee of McDonald's Australia and the first employee of the McDonald's system outside North America. During the 1970s and 1980s, he played a major role in every aspect of the company's development, from establishing raw product suppliers to constructing new stores and developing comprehensive training programs. McDonald's Australia grew to more than 500 stores and 50,000 employees during his time as Chief Executive.Peter helped establish McDonald's in most countries across Asia and the Pacific, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and New Zealand, serving as a founding Board Member for several of these operations. He has served on the boards of numerous listed and unlisted companies, including Westpac Banking Corporation, Seven Group Holdings Limited, and Golf Australia.In 2003, Peter was honored with an Order of Australia award for service to business, education, and industry development. In 2013, he received a Doctor of Business degree from The University of New South Wales in recognition of his eminent service to the community.Connect with Peter Ritchie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-ritchie-3719b574/Book: The Magic of McDonald’sAbout Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn:

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Abdul-Qawiyy Hammed, founder and CEO of The Phnyx Watches, whose extraordinary entrepreneurial journey began at age 11 with ₦2,000 in capital. From generating over $1 million in a single day at 19, to selling two companies for $128 million by 21, to building a luxury watch brand with 565,000 customers on the waitlist, Abdul-Qawiyy reveals how systematic thinking and exit-focused business building creates true generational wealth. Discover why betting on yourself isn't just motivational advice - it's a strategic framework for building businesses that generate investment capital, not just revenue.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to turn your entrepreneurial genius into systematic frameworks: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the mindset that drives systematic wealth creation07:42 The ₦2,000 story: building paid-in-advance models at age 11 15:28 From $1M day to $128M exit: the psychology of building to sell 23:15 ThePhnyxWatches and turning personal pain into brand positioning 31:46 The Capital Multiplication System: coaching 50 entrepreneurs to $250M exits 39:33 Generational wealth vs individual success: thinking beyond your business 47:29 Phoenix principle: resilience as competitive advantage54:18 Speed of execution and the third-world entrepreneur advantage 61:05 Personal philosophy and the power of betting on yourselfAbout Abdul-Qawiyy HammedAbdul-Qawiyy Hammed is the founder and CEO of The Phnyx Watches, a luxury watch brand with over 565,000 customers on its waitlist. Starting his entrepreneurial journey at age 11 with just ₦2,000 in capital, Abdul-Qawiyy generated over $1 million in a single day through eCommerce at 19 and sold two companies for a combined $128 million by age 21.Based between Dubai and Lagos, he operates a consulting and education business, helping founders scale businesses to eight and nine figures. His mission extends beyond personal success to building generational wealth and creating systematic opportunities for minority-owned brands.The Phnyx Watches represents more than luxury timepieces - it embodies resilience and triumph over adversity, designed for those who have "risen from the ashes of poverty and self-doubt." Abdul-Qawiyy channels personal experiences, including the loss of his mother and grandmother, into meaningful social impact through cancer research donations and youth education initiatives.Connect with Abdul-Qawiyy HammedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdul-qawiyy-hammed-1592a0132/ Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theabdulqawiyy/ ThePhnyxWatches Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thephnyxwatches/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theabdulqawiyy Website: https://thephnyx.com/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with...

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Ant Williams, a business psychologist and world champion freediver who bridges academic knowledge with extreme athletic experience to revolutionize performance under pressure. Ant shares how his decision to test pressure performance theories at the limits of human survival created a systematic methodology that transforms high-stakes business performance. Discover the T-minus framework for peak performance, the power of deliberate identity switching, and why "leaning into discomfort" unlocks breakthrough results when everything is on the line.Ready to master the systematic approach to capturing business wisdom? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Ant's unique combination of business psychology and world-class freediving 08:15 The decision to test pressure performance theories through extreme experience 16:42 From coaching risk-takers to becoming a world record holder himself 25:33 The T-minus framework and systematic approach to high-pressure situations 34:18 The deliberate identity switch: Accessing hidden mental and physical resources 43:27 How to "lean into discomfort" and transform pressure into competitive advantage 51:44 Business applications of extreme performance psychology for executive leadership 58:19 Why peak performance requires systematic preparation, not just hopeAbout Ant WilliamsAnt Williams is a business psychologist and world champion freediver who draws on his academic knowledge and elite athletic experience to teach leaders mental toughness. Ant helps leaders build courage, perform under pressure and achieve their aspirations.Wanting to understand if anyone could learn to become a risk-taker, Ant decided to take up freediving and learn firsthand how to perform under pressure. He has set a world record for being the deepest man under ice, holds his breath for over eight minutes, dives to 100m depths, and swims 240m on a single breath. Ant stars in the Apple TV documentary "Ice Dive."Ant brings these intense learnings to executive education, helping clients boost leadership capability, develop new service delivery models, innovate in mature markets, improve sales effectiveness and develop impactful consulting skills.Connect with Ant Williams: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ant-williams-leadership/ Website: https://modusleadership.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freediveguy/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/antwilliams.freediver/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram:

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Cameron Herold, founder of COO Alliance and the man known as "The CEO Whisperer."  Cameron shares profound insights on why vision alone never drives scale and how the smartest entrepreneurs systematically delegate everything except their genius. Discover the hidden taxonomy of second-in-command roles, why context matters more than concepts in delegation, and the "Jigsaw Puzzle of Business" framework that Fortune 500 companies pay millions to understand.Ready to master the systematic approach to capturing business wisdom? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Cameron's unconventional entrepreneurial journey 06:42 Why having 14 businesses by age 18 was actually the perfect preparation 14:28 The 1-800-GOT-JUNK transformation and what board members really need to see 22:15 Why "scale is not an extension of vision" and where most entrepreneurs break 30:36 The taxonomy of second-in-command roles and matching COOs to company stages 38:52 The Jigsaw Puzzle of Business metaphor and systematic framework for growth 45:18 The delegation trap that keeps companies stuck under $10 million52:07 Context vs concepts and why onboarding time should match recruiting time 58:44 The emotional regulation skills that matter more than technical knowledgeAbout Cameron HeroldCameron Herold is the founder of COO Alliance and host of the Second In Command podcast, known globally as "The CEO Whisperer." As the former COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK, he engineered the company's spectacular growth from $2 million to $106 million in revenue in just six years. The publisher of Forbes magazine stated, "Cameron Herold is the best speaker I've ever heard...he hits grand slams."Cameron is the author of 6 bestselling books, including The Second In Command, Vivid Vision, and Double Double. He has spoken in 26 countries across all 7 continents, and his Second In Command podcast consistently ranks in the top 5% of all business podcasts with over 2 million downloads.Connect with Cameron Herold: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronherold/   Website: https://cameronherold.com/  COO Alliance: https://cooalliance.com/ Second In Command Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLhrkfRg9PlkvgEGJ5Xmcaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram:

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Nick Halaris, author of Profit+ newsletter and real estate entrepreneur, who discovered that the American Dream nearly destroyed his life, and how that crisis led to a revolutionary approach to building wealth while building community. From his Stanford Law background to investing in over $300 million worth of properties, Nick shares profound insights on servant leadership, the new model of citizenship, and how to profitably serve urgent needs. Discover why "success without compromise" isn't just an idealistic concept, but the most practical path to sustainable business impact.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systemically about complex business challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the pursuit of success without compromise06:18 The American Dream infection and early entrepreneurial drive12:36 Crisis as catalyst: when businesses blow up and lawsuits fly18:52 The philosophical breakthrough that changes everything about success25:44 Why business schools teach the opposite of what works33:29 The ownership revolution: turning employees into business owners38:22 Building a new model of citizenship beyond just voting45:36 The filter that changes every business decision: serving urgent needs profitably52:12 Renaissance thinking applied to modern entrepreneurship challengesAbout Nick HalarisNick Halaris is the author of Profit+, a popular newsletter read by over 20,000 mission-driven individuals, and the host of the Nick Halaris Show, a podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of people working to make the world a better place. Every week, Nick publishes articles designed to help people pursue success without compromise and sits down with socially conscious entrepreneurs, investors, nonprofit leaders, civic activists, and political leaders.Nick has spent the last 15 years as a real estate entrepreneur and has invested in over $300 million worth of properties. He is co-founder and President of Metros Capital, a design-centric residential development firm based in West Hollywood with a track record that includes investing and developing over 2,500 multifamily units and 150 homes.With a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan, Nick brings a unique perspective that combines legal training, business acumen, and philosophical depth. He believes that business should be a force for good and is committed to a vision of success that prioritizes community well-being over individual achievement.Connect with Nick HalarisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-halaris-4a25b93/Website: https://nickhalaris.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickhalaris/Twitter: https://x.com/nickhalaris?lang=enAbout Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn:a...

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Trevor Yager, founder and chairman of TrendyMinds, who built a 30-year digital marketing empire by systematically doing the opposite of what every other agency owner does.  Drawing on his background in psychology and decades-long relationships, Trevor offers powerful insights into values-driven leadership, transparent business practices, and what it really takes to build sustainable competitive advantages . Discover how prioritizing relationships over revenue creates the strongest foundation for long-term business success.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systemically about complex business challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the unconventional path from psychology to digital marketing empire05:28 The college decision and why human behavior became a business advantage12:43 Early mistakes and how owning them became a competitive strategy18:47 Building TrendyMinds from screenprinting to digital transformation25:19 The transparency strategy that "shouldn't have worked" during acquisition discussions32:14 How to avoid becoming a dinosaur while staying true to core principles38:56 The ideation advantage and why creativity matters more than tools in the AI era45:23 Long-term relationship building versus short-term revenue optimization52:37 Values-driven decision making and the State of the Union invitation58:44 The anti-agency playbook and systematic disruption through principled leadershipAbout Trevor YagerTrevor Yager is the founder and chairman of TrendyMinds, a leading digital marketing agency he started as a college student in 1995. Under his leadership, TrendyMinds has grown from a small startup into a full-service agency trusted by global enterprise clients, including Salesforce, Eli Lilly, Indiana University Health, and Cummins.Now serving as Chairman, Trevor guides the strategic vision and growth of the company while investing in startups, commercial real estate, and new ventures. His work has earned multiple Inc. 5000 listings and industry recognition for campaigns that genuinely improve lives.With a background in psychology, history, and political science, Trevor brings a unique human-centered perspective to business strategy and relationship building. He represents a values-driven approach to entrepreneurship that prioritizes long-term sustainable growth over short-term profits.Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Trevor continues to mentor emerging entrepreneurs while overseeing strategic acquisitions and investments across multiple industries.Connect with Trevor YagerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevoryager/Website: https://trendyminds.com/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/trendyminds/p/C02YU0jvGEi/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrevorYager/Twitter:...

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Lauren Flanagan, CEO and co-founder of Sesame Solar, a company that's redefining emergency response through renewable mobile nanogrids. From her near-death experiences that shaped her mission to building technology that deploys clean power in disaster zones within 15 minutes, Lauren shares profound insights on first-principles thinking, testing breakthrough solutions in existential scenarios, and the wisdom of challenging incumbents through evolution rather than revolution. Discover how thinking systemically about urgent problems creates the foundation for global impact and why sometimes the hardest test cases produce the most scalable solutions.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systemically about complex business challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and bold leadership 05:30 From SaaS pioneer to climate innovator - Lauren's journey to Sesame Solar 12:15 The Dominica test case - when Hurricane Maria became an existential business challenge 18:45 First principles thinking - how to make complex technology radically simple 25:20 The urgent need vs early adopter framework for market entry 32:10 Why "test case thinking" beats venture capital in the early stages 38:40 Challenging deeply entrenched incumbents without declaring war 44:25 The philosophy of coexistence vs disruption in breakthrough innovation 50:15 How near-death experiences shape business mission and long-term thinking 52:30 The negotiation Lauren would most want to observe - Ukraine and World War III preventionAbout Lauren FlanaganLauren Flanagan is the co-founder, chair and CEO of Sesame Solar, which manufactures the world's first 100% renewably-powered Mobile Nanogrids. She is also Managing Director of Belle Capital USA, an early stage venture fund that invests in high growth tech companies in underserved capital markets around the US.Lauren has more than 25 years experience in founding and operating technology companies, and has invested in 32 companies in the past 8 years. Before founding Sesame Solar, Lauren co-founded WebWare Corporation, one of the first Software as a Service (SaaS) companies, which was acquired by a publicly traded company in 2003. She has consulted for technology leaders including Apple, IBM, Microsoft, and Xerox.Lauren received Trailblazer Awards in 2000 and 2001 from the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and was awarded IT Software CEO of the Year for 2002 by Frost and Sullivan. BusinessWeek selected her as one of the Top 25 Angels in Tech in 2010. She was recognized on the 2024 Grist 50 list for driving fresh solutions to our planet's biggest problems.Sesame Solar's customers include the Army Corps of Engineers, US Marine Corps, US Air Force, cities and counties, major telecommunications companies, and NGOs. The company is backed by Morgan Stanley, VSC Ventures, PAX Angels and high-net-worth investors.Connect with Lauren FlanaganLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laflanagan/ Website: https://www.sesame.solar/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sesame.solarAbout Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating...

In this episode of The Wisdom Of ... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Sam Thevanayagam, Founder and CEO of Parts Life, Inc., a defense industry leader who has revolutionized how we think about servant leadership in high-stakes environments. From his journey as an immigrant entrepreneur to building a family of companies serving critical F-35 program components, Sam shares profound insights on faith-driven leadership, systematic human development, and turning adversity into competitive advantage. Discover how cricket lessons from his father became a business philosophy that consistently outperforms traditional command-and-control management.Ready to elevate your leadership thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systematically about complex leadership challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00  Introduction and the challenge of integrating faith with business leadership 05:18  Building people through companies versus building companies through people12:36   The First 10 Runs in Singles: why patience beats aggression in competitive markets 18:52   Cricket wisdom applied to defense manufacturing and high-stakes decision making 25:44 Creating environments where people achieve their God-given potential 33:29  The bankruptcy acquisition that became an F-35 program success story 38:22  Servant leadership in practice: moving from head to heart to action 45:36  The infinite loop model of sustainable leadership impact 52:12  Faith as competitive strategy in secular business environments58:30  Legacy wisdom: focus on little things and big things take care of themselvesAbout Sam ThevanayagamSam Thevanayagam is a Sri Lankan-born, American entrepreneur, author, and thought leader in defense and aviation sustainment. As Founder and CEO of Parts Life, Inc. (parent company of DeVal Lifecycle Support and LC Engineers, Inc.), he leads a family of companies specializing in obsolescence management and supply chain solutions for military assets across all five domains: land, sea, undersea, air, and space.Sam brings 30 years of executive leadership experience, specializing in quality assurance, operations management, supplier development, and strategic sourcing. In addition to his bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Sam’s commitment to continuous learning spans certifications and continued education programs in areas such as servant leadership, product and inventory management, supply chain reengineering and AI’s implications on business strategy.Sam is the author of "The First 10 Runs in Singles: Life Lessons from the Game of Cricket," translated across seven languages. His book examines strategies taught by his father and how cricket principles apply to business and life..Connect with Sam ThevanayagamLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samthevanayagam Website: https://www.samtnetwork.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamTNetwork/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samtnetwork/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv0xOLVIPw4P9Abp-6lwGIQ About Simon BowenSimon has spent...