The Evolution Partners

Strong marriages don’t succeed by luck -- they succeed by design. Leading family lawyer and Leach Legal founder Catherine Leach shares the patterns she’s seen over 35 years that determine whether a relationship thrives or falls apart. Recognised nationally for her strategic approach to family law, she has guided thousands of couples through complex transitions and brings a rare blend of empathy, clarity and realism to the topic.  Beyond her legal practice, Catherine has held senior governance roles with the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation in Asia-Pacific, co-founded the Family Law Association of Victoria, and mentors entrepreneurs navigating both business and family pressures. She reveals the real reasons marriages fail, why some endure, and what entrepreneurs must understand to protect both their relationships and their wealth.  Takeaways  Strong marriages thrive on steady communication, mutual respect and choosing the right battles.  Small unresolved grievances compound over years and quietly erode even stable relationships.  Entrepreneurs often struggle because obsessive work patterns push family connection aside.  Financial imbalance fuels mistrust when one partner avoids or fears understanding the numbers.  Strategic divorces start with transparency, calm process and resisting emotional escalation traps.  Long-term relationship success requires deliberate planning, shared vision and consistent everyday effort.  Follow Catherine Leach https://leachlegal.com.au/ Books on this episode The Fourth Turning by William Strauss and Neil Howe https://amzn.asia/d/4NJFZ8C  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth Enjoying the show? Leave a review. Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first meeting can make or break a sale. Discovery-style meetings – where salespeople focus on gathering data – often fail to deliver meaningful value. Instead, Lee Salz introduces the consultation mindset, where sales professionals lead with insight, empathy, and emotion to create momentum from the very first conversation.  Lee Salz is one of the world’s leading voices in sales differentiation. As founder of Sales Architects, he helps companies design sales strategies that win more deals at higher prices. Lee shares frameworks for empathetic expertise, consultation cliffhangers, and how to systemise a first-meeting process that transforms the sales experience and strengthens long-term relationships.  Takeaways  The first meeting determines whether a deal gains traction or fades away completely.  Salespeople must shift from discovery to consultation to deliver real, meaningful value early.  A consultation mindset focuses on insight and leadership, not interrogation through endless questions.  Empathetic expertise creates emotional connection, helping buyers feel genuinely understood and supported.  Stories outperform features and benefits by engaging emotion and improving message retention.  Consultation cliffhangers build curiosity and momentum, ensuring buyers want a second meeting.  Recap emails written in the buyer’s language reinforce understanding and trust.  A strong sales process – not just strong salespeople – creates scalable, consistent success.  Follow Lee Salz https://salesarchitects.com/  https://www.assessmysales.com/ https://www.facebook.com/LeeBSalz https://x.com/salesarchitects https://www.instagram.com/theleesalz/ https://www.youtube.com/@theleesalz/videos  Lee’s books The First Meeting Differentiator: Transforming Sales-Focused Discovery Into Client-Centric Consultations https://amzn.to/405ZtBn Sales Differentiation: 19 Powerful Strategies to Win More Deals at the Prices You Want https://amzn.to/4ecBINZ Sell Different!: All New Sales Differentiation Strategies to Outsmart, Outmaneuver, and Outsell the Competition https://amzn.to/4e0kGT4  Books recommended Selling From The Heart by Larry Levine https://amzn.asia/d/f83bQw6 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a reviewSupport the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

High-performing organisations aren’t built on strategy alone – they’re built on leadership teams that stay curious, connected and calm. That’s the core message from organisational psychologist, author and leadership expert Stephanie Bown, who has spent 20+ years helping founders, startups, scale-ups and market disruptors embed high-performance habits and culture. Stephanie works with leaders to strengthen trust, alignment, and performance through science-backed behavioural systems like the LSI. Stephanie explains how strategy, culture, and leadership interlock to create enduring success, why developing mid-level leaders is critical for growth, and how silence in meetings can be the first warning sign that a culture is beginning to drift. Takeaways  High-performing organisations thrive when leadership teams stay curious, connected and calm under pressure. Culture, strategy and leadership must operate as one interconnected system for real performance. Silence in meetings is often the first signal that trust is breaking down. Great leaders grow their people instead of doing the work themselves. A culture drifts when honesty is replaced by politeness or avoidance. Systems create habits, and habits determine whether performance endures or fades. High-performing teams are independent thinkers who build collective capacity together. Better businesses focus on sustainability, trust and alignment – not just growth for growth’s sake. Follow Stephanie Bown https://stephaniebown.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniebown1/ https://www.instagram.com/stephiefromthebay/#  Books on this episode Curious, Connected and Calm by Stephanie Bown https://amzn.asia/d/craeCTh Purpose, Passion and Performance by Stephanie Bown https://amzn.asia/d/2nK6u2A Fierce Conversations: Achieving success in work and in life, one conversation at a time by Susan Scott https://amzn.to/47ul0qu  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The key to building a thriving business is surrounding yourself with what Danielle Mulvey calls “five-star employees” — the top 15% of talent who think and act like owners. Danielle has scaled multiple businesses generating over $50 million annually while working only around 10 hours a week, thanks to her proven hiring system.  Drawing on 25 years of experience, Danielle reveals the five essential criteria for identifying five-star talent, how to design a hiring gauntlet that attracts the right people and repels the wrong ones, and why clear metrics and cultural alignment are non-negotiable. She also shares practical steps to upgrade an average team without disrupting what works — and how the right hires can be the catalyst for sustained growth and profitability.  Takeaways  A clear hiring gauntlet helps attract high performers and repel low-quality candidates.  Core values alignment is the foundation for building a strong, cohesive team culture.  Testing skills before hiring prevents costly mistakes and ensures candidates can deliver results.  Clear success metrics empower employees to self-manage and drive consistent performance.  Toxic employees drain productivity and morale, making timely exits essential for growth.  Hiring for aptitude and cultural fit is more important than filling a vacancy quickly.  Great hires produce at least 3.5 times their salary in business value.  Follow Danielle Mulvey https://theallincompany.com/ https://daniellemulvey.com/  Books on this episode  How great leaders build unstoppable teams with Michael Michalowicz https://amzn.to/4lPEtba HR Magic by Danielle Mulvey will be released in October. Details: https://daniellemulvey.com/ You Haven't Taught Until They Have Learned: John Wooden's Teaching Principles and Practices by Swen Nater https://amzn.to/4ofryRu  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/ Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some companies keep climbing, while others plateau – and the difference often comes down to where leaders focus their time and energy. Kevin Lawrence is founder of Lawrence & Co, co-author of Scaling Up, and my co-host for 166 episodes of The Growth Whisperers.  Kevin explains why growth only happens when CEOs stay in the cockpit, fix their eyes on opportunity, and summon the courage to push forward – especially when the business starts to feel comfortable. Improvement is necessary, but it’s not enough. Real growth requires being future-focused, externally engaged, and bold enough to make the tough calls.  Takeaways  CEOs must stay in the cockpit, focused on opportunity, not internal distractions.  Improvement matters, but without growth initiatives, companies eventually lose momentum and stall.  Courage fuels growth—fear pulls leaders into safety, comfort, and missed opportunities.  Many strategic plans look impressive but fail to drive real customer expansion.  Earned growth comes from delivering value so exceptional that clients do the selling.  Loyalty to underperforming team members can quietly kill momentum and stall progress.  The best CEOs spend most of their time engaging directly with the market.  A strong team allows leaders to focus on long-term vision, not firefighting.  Follow Kevin Lawrence https://lawrenceandco.com/  The Growth Whisperers podcast https://evolutionpartners.com.au/podcast-tgw/  Books on this episode The Four Forces of Growth by Kevin Lawrence https://a.co/d/iNhnHlI Your Oxygen Mask First by Kein Lawrence https://a.co/d/dyxsA4F Better Simpler Strategy by Felix Oberholzer-Gee https://amzn.to/4qmPaoe  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A better life isn’t something that happens by accident — it’s designed, deliberately and with intent. In this last episode of our seven-part series on ‘Bigger isn’t Better’, Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake and I explore what it truly means to live a life of purpose, balance, and fulfillment.  We examine how true success comes from compounding progress across five foundations: health, wealth, wisdom, happiness, and family. From proactive health and intentional wealth to lifelong curiosity, joy through virtue, and building a family “cathedral,” this brings together everything learned across the series — reminding us that success isn’t about more, it’s about better.  Takeaways  A better life is built with intention, not by chasing endless growth.  Health is the foundation, created through endurance, balance, and daily self-discipline.  Wealth is fuel for freedom, guided by clarity around what’s truly enough.  Wisdom grows when curiosity replaces ego and learning becomes a lifelong habit.  Happiness thrives at the intersection of purpose, moderation, and living with virtue.  Fulfillment comes from meaning, not momentary pleasure or the pursuit of more.  Strong families are cathedrals built over time through presence, rituals, and love.  A life by design compounds small, intentional choices into lasting freedom and joy.  Details of my new book: Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO  Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.  Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most owner-led businesses don’t fail due to lack of growth – they fail because they lack financial discipline. In this penultimate episode of the ‘Bigger isn’t Better’ series, Richard Peake and Andres Zylberberg join me to examine how financials drift toward unprofitability when money is treated as a goal rather than a resource.  Undisciplined spending in pursuit of growth creates a cycle of poor returns and reactive decisions. A better approach uses financial discipline, budgeting, and forecasting to drive intentional investment and compound returns. Sustainable success comes from managing money wisely, reinvesting with purpose, and prioritising profit over revenue to create long-term value and stability.  Takeaways  Financials drift toward unprofitability when costs rise silently and prices stay fixed.  Treating money as a resource instead of a goal creates lasting business stability.  Undisciplined spending in pursuit of growth traps businesses in a destructive doom loop.  Financial discipline, budgeting and forecasting drive intentional investment and compounding returns.  Profit, not revenue, is the true measure of business success and sustainability.  Strategic reinvestment balances business growth, lifestyle funding and external asset building.  Clarity and discipline in money management protect against impulsive, reactive decisions.  Long-term value emerges when every dollar is required to deliver measurable returns.  Details of my new book: Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO  Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.  Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Offerings tend to drift toward mediocrity over time: adding products, chasing growth, and copying corporations dilute a company’s soul and distinctiveness. In this fifth ‘Bigger isn’t Better’ episode, we encourage owner-led businesses to resist the temptation of scale-for-scale’s-sake and instead focus on what they can truly be the best at.  My fellow coaches Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake and I explore the dangers of incremental mediocrity and the strategic importance of creating unique, evolving, hard-to-copy offerings. By aligning better offerings with better customers, businesses can build enduring value, restore leadership energy, and fall back in love with their company.  Takeaways  Offerings drift toward mediocrity when businesses chase scale instead of mastery.  Distinctiveness and evolution are key to creating a hard-to-copy, high-value offering.  Copying corporate strategies leads owner-led businesses into complexity and diluted focus.  Good enough is not good enough for meaningful, lasting customer relationships.  Owner-led companies must invest only in what they can be the best at.  Mediocre offerings drain leadership energy and erode passion for the business.  Better offerings come from rejecting growth-for-growth’s sake and embracing purposeful simplicity.  Compounding differentiation creates momentum, loyalty, and long-term strategic advantage in competitive markets.  Details of my new book: Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/ Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Building customer advocacy – where trust and loyalty lead to customers fighting to stay with you – drives greater long-term profit and sustainability than endlessly chasing new growth. Better customers, not more customers, create compounding value.  In part four of this series, Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake challenge and I challenge the belief that growth for its own sake is valuable, contrasting transactional corporate relationships with the irreplaceability and advocacy owner-led businesses can build.  We introduce a framework of customer types – advocates, sceptics, dealers, and buyers – and unpack how exceeding expectations creates loyalty and compounds profit.  Takeaways  Better customers generate more value than constantly chasing new ones for growth.  Owner-led businesses thrive by building trust, loyalty, and advocacy with their customers.  Transactional relationships erode loyalty and make your business easy to replace.  Advocacy means customers trust you, stay longer, and refer others without prompting.  Focusing on lifetime value unlocks compounding returns and reduces marketing spend over time.  Exceeding expectations creates emotional loyalty that corporations struggle to replicate.  Building customer relationships is a strategic advantage, not just a sales function.  Details of my new book: Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO  Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.  Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teams tend to drift toward dysfunction without intentional leadership, whilst prioritising rapid growth often leads to rushed hiring, misalignment, and toxic culture. I discuss a better approach in this third of a seven-part series with Andres Zylberberg and Richard Peake; that is, to build teams of “curious achievers” – people who are both responsible and inquisitive.  These individuals elevate performance, strengthen cohesion, and create meaningful impact. When aligned around purpose and values, such teams generate compounding momentum. The foundation is soul: fostering pride in the product, the manager, the team, and the company to sustain long-term success.  Takeaways  Growth-focused hiring leads to B and C players who lower overall team performance.  Curious achievers are both responsible and inquisitive – ideal for building high-performing, soulful teams.  Toxicity forms when teams lack clarity, cohesion, and a shared sense of purpose.  A-players thrive in environments that value impact, learning, and meaningful contribution.  Misaligned teams waste energy on low-impact work and interpersonal friction.  Pride in product, team, manager, and company is essential for retention.  A better team creates compounding results through trust, accountability, and aligned execution.  Details of my new book: Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chasing growth without clarity can quietly erode your business. In this second episode of a seven-part series, Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake and I explore how the relentless pressure to get bigger – driven by psychology, DNA and societal cues – often leads entrepreneurs down the wrong path.  Without intention, this pursuit of “bigger” causes drift – teams grow toxic, customers indifferent, offerings mediocre, and profits thin. By focusing on “better” over “bigger,” businesses can build stronger teams, deeper customer loyalty, and more refined offerings. With clarity, discipline, and intention, growth becomes the by-product of a better business – and a better life! – designed, not defaulted.  Takeaways  Teams naturally drift toward toxicity without intentional leadership and cultural alignment over time.  Customers become indifferent when offerings lack consistency, innovation, and meaningful engagement.  Clarity, discipline, and design create lasting business and personal success.  Impulsive risk-taking often stems from unexamined psychological, genetic, and societal conditioning.  Many business goals are actually expenses mistakenly seen as markers of success.  Growth without strategy leads to erosion of profitability, purpose, and team cohesion.  Better businesses emerge from compounding small improvements across people, products, and profit.  A clear definition of “winning” prevents entrepreneurs from chasing the wrong goals.  Details of my new book: Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO  Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.  Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is the first in a seven-part series exploring the themes of my forthcoming book ‘Bigger Isn’t Better, Better is Better’. Joined by Evolution Partners coaches Andres Zylberberg & Richard Peake, the discussion introduces the central premise: that for owner-led companies, increasing size does not necessarily deliver greater freedom, wealth, or fulfilment. Instead, I propose a framework built around compounding improvements in five core areas—team, customers, offering, financials, and life by design.  The series aims to provide leaders with practical insights, real-world examples, and guidance on building a better business and a more meaningful life.  Takeaways  A better business focuses on compounding improvements, not just chasing rapid growth.  Owner-led companies require discipline and patience to avoid becoming impulsive risk takers.  Growth without strategy, team alignment, or profitability often leads to frustration and regret.  Entrepreneurship promises freedom, but without structure it can trap owners in unfulfilling businesses.  Falling out of love with a business is more common than often acknowledged.  Compounding in team, customers, offering, and financials creates sustainable success and fulfilment.  ‘Better is better’ challenges the assumption that every business must always grow bigger.  Aligning business performance with personal goals ensures both professional achievement and a meaningful life.  Details of my new book: Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Putting profit first isn’t just a financial tactic, it’s a mindset shift that helps entrepreneurs build businesses that thrive without burnout. Celebrated author and small business advocate Mike Michalowicz shares how flipping traditional business thinking on its head can lead to lasting success. Mike built and lost multimillion-dollar businesses before discovering the frameworks that now help millions of founders avoid burnout and build sustainable companies.  He breaks down how to identify your business’s most critical function to creating a team that thinks and acts like owners. He introduces concepts like the Queen Bee role, the Business Priority Pyramid, and the power of psychological ownership, while driving home his mission to eradicate entrepreneurial poverty.  Takeaways   Entrepreneurial poverty is widespread and avoidable with the right systems and mindset.  The Queen Bee role is the one business activity that must always function.  Clockwork helps founders design businesses that run smoothly without their constant involvement.  Psychological ownership inspires teams to act like owners without legal equity.  Most entrepreneurs fix the wrong problems because they don’t follow a clear hierarchy.  A better business supports both personal goals and sustainable, long-term profitability.  Simplifying entrepreneurship makes freedom, impact and profit achievable for more business owners.  Follow Mike Goldman https://mikemotorbike.com/ https://mikemichalowicz.com/  Mike’s books Profit First https://amzn.to/46hE4JB Clockwork https://amzn.to/46g8ImC All In: How Great Leaders Build Unstoppable Teams  https://amzn.to/3TSTnRE The Pumpkin Plan https://amzn.to/4kN1ZE7 Get Different: Marketing That Can't Be Ignored!   https://amzn.to/3IXfYtN Surge: Time the Marketplace, Ride the Wave of Consumer Demand, and Become Your Industry's Big Kahuna https://amzn.to/4kSgneC Fix This Next https://amzn.to/417zJ8e The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur https://amzn.to/3TTnsAr The Recession Response https://amzn.to/40xAGqm  Book recommended Reset by Dan Heath https://amzn.asia/d/9rBvPHe Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Putting people at the centre of business is the hallmark of the Small Giants community – leaders who choose to be great instead of big. Jean Moncrieff, who stepped into the role of community head in 2025, shares how values-driven leadership transformed his own business and why it continues to shape a global network of purpose-led entrepreneurs.  A longtime member turned coach, Jean discusses the origin of Small Giants, the importance of community, and how businesses are embracing alternative ownership models like ESOPs and employee ownership trusts. He explains the power of vulnerability, the impact of intentional leadership, and how younger generations are reshaping expectations around purpose at work.  Takeaways   True leadership begins with vulnerability, intentionality, and a clear sense of purpose.  Employee ownership models help preserve company soul and legacy through succession.  Values aren’t posters – they’re filters for decisions, culture, and everyday operations.  Mindset shifts in founders often unlock growth and sustainable business transformation.  Younger generations are drawn to purpose-driven workplaces that reflect their values.  Community creates resilience – leaders thrive when they’re not building alone.  Succession planning is strongest when leaders focus on people, not just profit.  Great businesses are built by founders who let go and empower others.  Follow Jean Moncrieff https://smallgiants.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanmoncrieff/  Books recommended on this episode The AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions by Geoff Woods https://amzn.to/3H2YFHm Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big, 10th-Anniversary Edition by Bo Burlingham https://amzn.to/45dyeGQ  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cash isn’t just a by-product of profit, it’s the lifeblood of every business. Yet many leaders chase revenue and focus on profit while overlooking the numbers that truly matter. Alan Miltz explains why understanding cash flow is the key to building stronger, more valuable companies.  Alan is the co-founder of Cashflow Story, software used by tens of thousands of businesses in more than 90 countries, and he sits on 15 company boards. With more than 30 years’ experience helping CEOs and boards “speak the language of cash,” he’s become a global authority on turning numbers into strategy.  Alan reveals how small shifts in pricing, margins, and working capital can dramatically transform results.  Takeaways   Small 1% changes in pricing, margins, or working capital can transform results.  Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, but cash is always king.  Most CEOs only master profit, yet fail to understand their cash story.  Growth often drains cash faster than it generates profit, leaving businesses vulnerable.  Sustainable growth requires balancing profit, working capital, overheads, and cash flow management.  Banks value cash flow more than profit – understanding this strengthens business partnerships.  A better business predicts, delegates, and repeats simple cash-driven improvements consistently over time.  Follow Alan Miltz https://www.alanmiltz.com/ https://cashflowstory.com/  Books on this episode Scaling Up co-authored by Alan Miltz https://scalingup.com/book/ Good to Great by Jim Collins https://scalingup.com/book/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Great teams don’t happen by accident – they’re built through intentional coaching, clarity, and culture. Leadership coach and best-selling author Mike Goldman returns to explore the deeper drivers of team performance and why growing your people is the most powerful way to grow your business.  Drawing on decades of experience, Mike unpacks a practical five-step framework to strengthen your team, boost engagement, and drive results. From ditching outdated performance reviews to investing more in your high performers, he explains what truly makes a difference and how to measure it.  Takeaways  Great leaders prioritise growing people as the key to sustainable business growth.  Performance management must evolve beyond outdated reviews to meaningful, ongoing coaching conversations.  High performers need investment, challenge and growth – or risk disengaging or leaving entirely.  Most leaders over-invest in low performers and underinvest in their top talent.  Culture fit is as critical to performance as productivity and technical skills.  Weekly one-on-ones focused on coaching and accountability outperform traditional review cycles.  Labels like “A player” can limit how leaders develop and support individuals.  Talent density is measurable – and improving it directly improves team performance and profit.  Mike was previously on episode 4 of The Evolution Partners podcast. Please listen here:  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/podcast/03-building-a-breakthrough-leadership-team-with-mike-goldman/  Follow Mike Goldman https://www.mike-goldman.com/ https://strengthoftalent.com/  Books on this episode The Strength of Talent: How to Grow Your People to Grow Your Profit by Mike Goldman https://www.amazon.com/Strength-Talent-Grow-People-Profit/dp/1774585855 The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier  https://amzn.to/4eA6TD8  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

True success comes from aligning purpose, values, and peace—not just chasing profit. Keith Roberts blends ancient Buddhist wisdom with modern business strategy to help entrepreneurs lead with clarity and intention. Through the Oak Journal, he offers tools rooted in the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to guide intentional living and ethical leadership.  Keith shares how understanding suffering, embracing accountability, and letting go of ego can radically shift how we lead and live. His approach encourages leaders to prioritise time, peace, and purpose – building better businesses by focusing on what truly matters rather than just revenue or growth.  Takeaways  Ancient Buddhist principles can guide modern entrepreneurs through uncertainty and challenge.  Daily reflection, meditation, and journaling create space for clarity and intentional action.  Right livelihood means making money without compromising values or causing harm.  Understanding suffering helps leaders face setbacks with resilience and perspective.  Core values must be authentic, lived, and protected – even when money is at stake.  Letting go of ego opens the door to more meaningful leadership growth.  Time and freedom – not revenue – are the ultimate measures of wealth and success.  Follow Keith Roberts https://keithrobertsiii.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/OakJournalMethod https://www.instagram.com/theoakjournalmethod/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/zenman/  Books on this episode The Zen of Business: Ancient Wisdom to Help Modern Leaders Lead with Intention, Clarity, and Purpose by Keith Roberts https://amzn.to/3I7k1n5 The Eternal Flame: Ancient Wisdom for Today's Modern Leader by Keith Roberts https://amzn.to/4lzsfD2  How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie https://amzn.to/40y1eaL Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI and demographic shifts are transforming business faster than ever, demanding relentless execution, constant adaptation, and a focus on capturing market share over simply chasing growth. That’s according to Greg Crabtree, a speaker, entrepreneur, and author known for helping business owners gain financial clarity and scale profitably.  Drawing on data from 100 mid-market U.S. companies, Greg reveals the economy is flatter than official reports suggest, with necessary businesses growing while discretionary ones decline. AI is rapidly replacing jobs, challenging traditional business models and creating a unique “street-fighter economy” focused on market share, not growth.  Greg advises leaders to plan quarterly, prioritise execution, and build strong moats around their companies. He also warns that as AI compresses margins, businesses must adapt faster than ever, combining profitability discipline with the agility to rethink strategies in a changing landscape.  Takeaways   AI is replacing jobs faster than expected, reshaping business and workforce dynamics globally.  Economic growth is flat, with necessary businesses thriving and discretionary ones struggling significantly.  Mid-market companies must prioritise execution and market share over chasing continuous growth.  Quarterly deep planning sessions are essential to stay ahead in this fast-changing economy.  Strong company culture now directly drives profitability and market share like never before.  Debt reliance is risky; disciplined profitability generates the best long-term financial resilience.  AI democratises capabilities, allowing small businesses to outpace larger firms with focused innovation.  Demographic decline limits growth, forcing businesses to optimise operations and defend their market position.  Greg was previously on episode 12 of The Evolution Partners podcast. You can listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7EnYdhakoFOHqz4ab0lGqQ?si=DUJGxjxKT2S9ODwoOnzxog  Follow Greg Crabtree https://www.simplenumberscri.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/simplenumberscri/ https://www.facebook.com/CRISimpleNumbers https://x.com/SimpleNumbrsCRI https://www.instagram.com/crisimplenumbers/  Greg’s Books Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits!: 4 Keys to Unlock Your Business Potential https://amzn.to/4a70X0I  Simple Numbers 2.0 - Rules for Smart Scaling: A Play by Play Analysis for Pure Growth https://amzn.to/4bkMwXP  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Ross, co-founder of Time Under Tension, Australia’s first generative AI experience agency, explores the rapid evolution of AI and its transformative impact on business. He discusses how AI agents are already automating complex workflows, assisting with hiring, and redefining customer interactions.  Jason outlines the importance of engaging entire teams in AI adoption, prioritising education and experimentation over fear. He also explains how companies can minimise hallucinations by combining intent detection with trusted data sources. Reflecting on exponential progress, he highlights why creativity and curiosity will determine success in an AI-enabled future.  Takeaways  AI thrives when entire teams learn, explore, and experiment together openly.  Generative AI agents automate workflows, boosting productivity across many business areas.  Combining intent recognition and trusted data reduces hallucinations in AI applications.  Exponential AI growth requires creativity and curiosity over prediction and caution.  Employees already use AI, highlighting the need for structured training programs.  Successful businesses identify and test AI use cases before competitors do.  Voice and video avatars create fresh ways to engage customers effectively.  AI adoption demands cultural change and active participation across all business levels.  Follow Jason Ross https://www.timeundertension.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsnrss/ https://timeundertension.substack.com/  Books on this episode Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick https://amzn.to/4khOnk5 AI-related websites mentioned on this episode AI 2027 https://ai-2027.com/ HeyGen (AI-generated videos) https://www.heygen.com/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO  Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.  Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.   Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Green is a globally recognised leadership coach, author and speaker who works with CEOs and executive teams to build accountable, high-performing cultures. Mark shares why fear – whether driven by ego, scarcity or failure – is the biggest hidden blocker to performance and accountability. He outlines the three elements of accountability, the power of role clarity, and how tolerating underperformance can erode credibility and culture. Mark also explores the transformation that happens when leaders stop trying to be liked and instead focus on being respected. From feedback to core values, he explains how great leaders lead by example – and why empathy, not ego, is the foundation of real leadership. Takeaways Leaders must confront fear – of ego, scarcity or failure – to unlock their own and others’ potential. What a leader tolerates sets the standard for culture, performance and team behaviour. Clarity around role outcomes transforms vague expectations into accountability and measurable results. Accountability begins with leaders who consistently model the behaviours they expect from their teams. Feedback should be frequent, constructive and normalised – not reserved for annual reviews or crisis moments. Raising expectations often inspires higher performance, not lower morale, when communicated with purpose and clarity. Tolerating toxic high-performers undermines trust, morale and long-term organisational health. Course correction through small, regular feedback prevents larger issues and builds a culture of continuous improvement. Follow Mark Green https://mark-green.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachmarkgreen/  Books on this episode Creating a Culture of Accountability by Mark Green https://amzn.asia/d/ftBa0FJ Activators: A CEO’s Guide to Clearer Thinking and Getting Things Done by Mark Green https://amzn.asia/d/8a1JaXr  A podcast which Mark recommends: The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish  https://open.spotify.com/show/1VyK52NSZHaDKeMJzT4TSM  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO  Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.  Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.