Super Powered: Leadership, Strategy, Decision Making & Peak Performance - Stories & Strategies from World-Class Performers for Executive Success

Ever feel overwhelmed when everything seems to be changing at once? Donna Dupont transforms that chaos into clarity using systems thinking. She spots patterns others miss and finds leverage points in complex situations that can transform how leaders make decisions under uncertainty.With over 25 years helping organisations navigate complexity—from H1N1 and Ebola responses to NATO climate security projects—Donna brings battle-tested frameworks from the front lines of crisis management. She's won 7 government awards for excellence in policy and strategic planning, plus recognition for her award-winning research on "Anticipation in Emergency Management."This isn't just theory though. Donna openly shares how she went from being naturally anxious to building comfort with uncertainty through deliberate practice. Her practical approach to breaking free from mental prisons will change how you see challenges and opportunities around you.Key Talking Points:The "boundary principle" that prevents teams getting lost in complex systems—and why one military syndicate succeeded whilst another struggled without itHow to take inventory of your discomfort zones and identify three key drivers of change that concern you mostThe counter-intuitive reason to share extreme scenarios—not because you believe they'll happen, but to surface hidden assumptions about the futureWhy anticipation in emergency management was just 24-48 hours, but extending time horizons could prevent repetitive crisesThe mindset assessment that determines whether teams focus on threat mitigation or opportunity leverageLinks & Resources:Donna's website: purplecompass.caLinkedIn: Donna DupontBook recommendation: "Thinking in Systems" by Donella MeadowsToday's Exercise: The Systems Pattern ScannerThis practice helps you identify hidden patterns and feedback loops in your personal or professional challenges. It builds awareness of what drives complexity whilst revealing potential intervention points.Steps to Apply:Choose one turbulent situation in your life (start small, not global challenges)Ask: What's driving this pattern's growth or persistence?Identify potential cascading consequences if it continuesExplore: Can you slow down what's driving it?Consider: How might you mitigate the consequences to bring more balance?Look for feedback loops—where effects become new causesPractice this lens weekly until systems thinking becomes naturalStrategic Storyteller Newsletter:This episode explores how mental models shape what we see as possible futures—and how challenging those assumptions opens new strategic options. For more insights on breaking limiting beliefs and reframing complex challenges, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter at robdwillis.com/newsletter. Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.

Ever wondered how barbers get complete strangers to open up within minutes? Tom Davies has mastered this art whilst cutting hair across continents. From serving in the military to building a loyal following as "Yorkshireman Abroad" on TikTok, he's learned to connect with everyone from closed-off Russians to addiction-struggling regulars.Working at an upscale English-speaking barbershop in Berlin—one of Europe's most diverse cities—Tom spends 45 minutes with each client, transforming awkward silences into meaningful conversations. His counter-intuitive approach has helped him navigate cultural barriers, language differences, and deeply personal moments, all whilst holding sharp tools near people's heads.This isn't just about haircuts—it's about the psychology of human connection and how the right question can unlock anyone.Key Talking Points:The game-changing question "What don't you like about your hair?" that gets clients talking faster than traditional approachesWhy reading the room matters more than being chatty—including when to offer complete silenceHow to navigate difficult conversations, from addiction struggles to war trauma, without overstepping boundariesThe "work question" strategy that turns small talk into meaningful connections every timeWhy being a barber in Berlin taught him that everyone needs someone to listen, especially menLinks & Resources:Tom's TikTok: @YorkshiremanAbroad• Instagram: @YorkshiremanAbroad• St. Leonard's Barbershop (Berlin): @stleonardsbarbershop• Book Recommendation: It Begins With You: The Nine Hard Truths About Love by Jillian TureckiToday's Exercise: The Work Question StrategyThis simple conversation starter helps you connect with anyone by tapping into something they're genuinely expert in—their daily work experience. It works because people spend most of their waking hours at work, making them natural experts who can teach you somethingSteps to Apply:Ask "What do you do for work?" as your opening questionListen for emotional cues—do they love it, hate it, or sound neutral?If they love it: Ask what specifically they enjoy or what they're working onIf they hate it: Ask what they'd rather be doing or what hobbies they're passionate aboutIf neutral: Dig into the details—"What does that actually involve day-to-day?"Look for connection points from your own experience, however smallLet their energy guide whether to go deeper or pivot to other topicsStrategic Storyteller NewsletterTom's approach to reading people and asking the right questions mirrors the psychology behind compelling storytelling—both require understanding what really matters to your audience. For more insights on connecting through conversation and crafting narratives that resonate, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter at robdwillis.com/newsletter.Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.

Ever wonder why some people can walk into any room and instantly connect with strangers? Ian Rowland has spent 40 years mastering this exact skill. As a professional explainer who's worked with everyone from the FBI to Google to Coca-Cola, he's discovered that most of us squander 99% of the potential in our conversations.From being a member of the Magic Circle to becoming a freelance writer with four decades of experience, Ian understands the power of attention and human connection. His new book "People Joy" reveals the difference between passive autopilot conversations and active, intentional ones that create genuine connections.This isn't about manipulation or sales tricks—it's about authentic curiosity and generosity that transforms how people feel after meeting you. Ian shares practical frameworks that help you move from overlooked to memorable, whether you're networking, interviewing, or simply ordering coffee.Key Talking Points:The three foundations that transform conversations: how you feel about people, yourself, and conversations themselvesWhy "reading the room" isn't mystical—it's 200,000 years of human evolution working for youThe "10-second smile challenge" that creates practice opportunities with service industry heroes dailyHow genuine appreciation for others naturally leads to unexpected benefits and connectionsThe counter-intuitive approach of treating every interaction as a chance to make someone's day betterLinks & Resources:Ian's Website: ianrowland.comBook: "People Joy"LinkedIn: Ian RowlandToday's Exercise: The 10-Second Smile ChallengeThis simple practice builds your conversation skills while brightening others' days. It develops your ability to connect authentically and notice the impact of genuine attention.Steps to Apply:Set a mental challenge when meeting someone new or familiarAim to elicit a smile or laugh reflex within the first 10 secondsUse genuine warmth, eye contact, and attentive energyKeep score throughout your day—how many smiles did you create?Start with a goal of three smiles per dayPractice with service industry workers, colleagues, and strangersFocus on authentic appreciation rather than trying to get somethingStrategic Storyteller Newsletter:Ian's approach to genuine curiosity and attention mirrors the power of authentic storytelling in business. For more insights on connecting through stories that create real impact, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter at robdwillis.com/newsletter. Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.

Ever wonder why some companies thrive with clear direction whilst others stumble despite having brilliant strategies? Alex Brueckmann has cracked the code on turning organisational purpose into measurable strategic advantage through his Nine Elements of Organisational Identity framework.As a Wall Street Journal bestselling author of "The Strategy Legacy" and strategy facilitator working with billion-dollar companies across continents, Alex helps C-suite executives move beyond generic mission statements to create authentic identity that drives every decision. His approach has guided organisations with thousands of employees through complete strategic transformations.This isn't just theory from an ivory tower. Alex openly shares how leaders often get trapped in tactical thinking because it feels manageable, and reveals why even the most beautifully designed strategies fail when they hit the reality of company culture and leadership capability.Key Talking Points:Why starting with tactics instead of identity leads to strategy confusion and planning paralysisThe Nine Elements framework that every sustainably successful organisation needs in placeHow a billion-dollar global company with thousands of employees struggled to implement their "perfect" strategyWhy resistance during strategy implementation often means people care deeply about something being threatenedThe critical question every leader must ask: "Am I an accidental leader or do I actually want to lead?"Links & Resources:Alex's Website: brueckmann.caLinkedIn: Alex BrueckmannBook: "The Strategy Legacy - How to Future Proof a Business and Leave your Mark"Book Recommendation: "The Power of Regret" by Dan PinkRecommended Reading: "Power and Prediction" on AI's impact on societyToday's Exercise: The Retirement VisionThis forward-looking exercise helps you make decisions today that align with your long-term purpose and desired life outcome. It transforms how you approach daily choices by connecting them to your ultimate vision.Steps to Apply:Transport yourself mentally to your retirement ageVisualise exactly where you want to be living physicallyPicture how you want to spend your days in detailConsider what kind of life would give you the most meaningWork backwards to identify what decisions today support that visionBegin making choices with that future life in mindNotice how this clarity brings more purpose to current decisionsStrategic Storyteller Newsletter:Alex's insights on connecting purpose to measurable impact perfectly illustrate how the best leaders turn abstract concepts into concrete business advantages. For more frameworks on translating vision into tangible results, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter at robdwillis.com/newsletter. Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.

Ever felt stuck waiting for opportunities to find you? Andy Storch transformed his approach by recognising that career success isn't about going it alone—it's about strategically building relationships that open doors. From his first job at 15 through to becoming an author, speaker, and founder of multiple successful ventures, every major opportunity came through his network.Andy runs the Talent Development Think Tank community and hosts the Talent Development Hot Seat podcast with over 500 episodes and 500,000 downloads. He's moved from consulting at BTS to building his own speaking business whilst relocating from the US to Barcelona, proving you can design the career and life you want through intentional relationship building.What makes Andy's approach refreshing is his honesty about the loneliness epidemic affecting modern professionals and why traditional networking feels so uncomfortable. He shares practical frameworks for building genuine relationships rather than just collecting business cards, plus the systems that help busy professionals maintain meaningful connections over time.Key Talking Points:Why humans are social creatures by evolution but modern life has created an "epidemic of loneliness" despite being more connected than everThe counter-intuitive truth that "owning your career" doesn't mean doing everything on your own—every job Andy's had since age 15 came through connectionsHow to escape the business card-throwing networking trap by building one genuine relationship at a time, whether virtually or in personThe strategic approach to reconnecting with existing contacts and identifying new people to meet, including aspirational connections in your fieldWhy giving value first (even simple restaurant recommendations) matters more than formal systems, and how to avoid the "LinkedIn pitch trap"Links & Resources:Andy's Website: andystorch.comBook: Own Your Career Own Your LifeFree Resources: andystorch.com/bonusPodcast: Talent Development Hot SeatLinkedIn: Andy StorchBook Recommendation: The Midnight Library by Matt HaigCommunity: Talent Development Think TankToday's Exercise: The Strategic Outreach ChallengeThis two-part challenge helps you reconnect with existing contacts whilst building new strategic relationships. It removes the awkwardness by providing clear frameworks for both scenarios.Steps to Apply:Reconnect with 3 existing contacts: Scroll through your phone contacts, stop randomly, and pick someone you haven't spoken to in 6+ monthsSend a simple message: "Hey [name], I was thinking about you and haven't talked in a while. Hope you're doing well!"Connect with 3 new people on LinkedIn: Search for your job title or aspirational role (e.g., "Director of Finance")Send personalised connection requests: "Hi [name], I see you work in [field]. I also work in [field] and I'm looking to connect with other professionals in our space to learn from them. Would you be interested in connecting and having a chat sometime?"Follow up within a week: If they accept, suggest a brief virtual coffee to get to know each otherStrategic Storyteller Newsletter:Andy's insights on building authentic professional...

Ever wondered how fighter pilots handle multiple critical inputs simultaneously without crashing? Matt Gjertsen took that same ability to process complexity and applied it to leadership development. From instructing Air Force pilots to leading training at SpaceX, Matt discovered that great leadership boils down to three essential elements: building trust, giving feedback, and setting goals.With over 15 years of leadership experience across aerospace and technology, Matt now helps transform high-performing engineers into high-impact leaders through his company, Better Every Day Studios. His approach strips away the unnecessary complexity that overwhelms new managers and focuses on the simple behaviours that create lasting change.This isn't just theory—Matt shares how he applied these principles at SpaceX, where he onboarded every new employee for a full year and helped technical talent scale into the leadership roles needed for company growth.Key Talking Points:The three essential elements of leadership: building trust, giving feedback, and setting goals—and why they must be done in that specific orderHow deliberately taking 5-10 minutes for icebreaker questions in team meetings creates massive changes in team dynamics and trustWhy the first job of any leader is to create an environment where team members trust one anotherThe "chunking" concept from pilot training: how experience transforms complex sets of actions into single mental units, creating more mental capacityHow deliberate practice in Air Force training created pilots capable of refuelling two 500,000-pound aircraft flying at 250 mphLinks & Resources:Matt's Website: Better Every Day StudiosLinkedIn: Matthew GjertsenRecommended Resource: SBI Feedback Method (Situation, Behavior, Impact) from the NeuroLeadership InstituteToday's Exercise: Time Constraint ChallengeThis exercise helps simplify complex problems by using artificial time constraints to force prioritisation.Steps to Apply:Identify a project you're currently working on with a longer timelineAsk yourself: "If I had to complete this by the end of the week, how would I do it?"List what elements would be truly critical to success in that shortened timeframeIdentify which tasks or meetings you'd eliminate or postponeApply these insights to streamline your current approach, focusing only on what's essentialStrategic Storyteller Newsletter:For more insights on simplifying leadership like Matt's three essential elements approach, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter at robdwillis.com/newsletter. Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.

Ever wonder how top sales professionals convince complete strangers to give them time? Mafalda Johannsen transforms cold outreach through her unique "professional stalking" framework - deeply researching prospects to create meaningful connections when they have no reason to care. Her approach has delivered extraordinary results, with one campaign increasing meetings by 100% and opportunities by 233% in just one quarter.From a 100% commission role in Florida to heading business development at a European cloud company, Mafalda brings sales insights from across industries and cultures. Yet her path wasn't always smooth - she openly shares how theatre training and literature unexpectedly became her greatest assets in understanding human psychology.Key Talking Points:The foundation of prospecting starts with defining your ideal customer profile and identifying specific "triggers" that indicate readiness to buy (company growth increased meetings by 100%)Why most salespeople fail by rushing to close instead of focusing on sparking interest (with 14-17 touch points as the optimal cadence)How interviewing your existing customers reveals language patterns that transform your messaging ("bugs are an issue" versus "your team can focus on strategic projects")Why reading quality literature has been more valuable than industry experience for understanding human motivationLinks & Resources:Mafalda's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mafaldajohannsenBook: "Sales for People Who Don't Think They Have Talent" (Portuguese)Podcast: "A Day in the Life of a Buyer Persona"Book Recommendation: "A Swim in a Pond in the Rain" by George SaundersToday's Exercise: The Two-Question Customer SurveyThis quick survey helps uncover hidden buying triggers and competitive advantages without requiring extensive customer interviews. It provides valuable insights with minimal effort from both you and your customers.Send a brief survey to current customers asking: "When did you look for our solution and why us over competitors?"Analyse responses for patterns in timing of purchase decisions and competitive advantagesUse this data to refine your messaging and approach to prospectsFollow up with deeper interviews based on the most insightful responsesStrategic Storyteller Newsletter:For more insights like Mafalda's approach to "professional stalking" and understanding buyer psychology, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter at robdwillis.com/newsletter. Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.

Ever felt like you've lost touch with what truly makes you tick? Salima Saxton transforms leaders by helping them reconnect with their authentic voice. As a Moth MainStage storyteller, actor, and relational dynamics coach, she bridges the gap between performative speaking and genuine communication that resonates deeply with audiences.From forgetting what she liked during years of motherhood to now coaching female entrepreneurs and corporate leaders, Salima's journey proves that authenticity isn't about "vomiting out every aspect of yourself." Her work with Women Are Mad (a mental health movement with 15k followers and over 1 million podcast downloads) demonstrates how vulnerability creates powerful connections.Key Talking Points:Authenticity is for yourself first—it's about tuning into what makes you tick rather than performing for othersEvery seven years our cells renew completely, making authenticity a constantly evolving journey of self-discoveryThe most memorable speeches break all the "rules" but succeed through genuine connection and honestyThe power of showing your foibles with humour creates stronger connections than projecting perfectionLinks & Resources:Salima's Website: salimasaxton.comWomen Are Mad Podcast: @womenaremadWomen Are Mad Website: womenaremad.orgBook: "The Year of Undoing" by Salima Saxton (forthcoming)Podcast Recommendation: This American LifeToday's Exercise: Say NoThis simple but powerful exercise helps you reclaim your authentic preferences and boundaries. By practicing saying "no" to things that don't feel right, you'll develop stronger self-awareness and clearer communication.Steps to Apply:Identify something you feel a "no" about this week (can be small or significant)Practice saying no clearly without over-explainingObserve how it feels and what happens afterwardNotice if it becomes easier to recognise and honour your true preferencesStrategic Storyteller Newsletter:For more insights on finding your authentic voice like Salima demonstrated, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter at robdwillis.com/newsletter. Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.

Ever wondered why some stories make the news while others get ignored? Josh Wheeler can spot a newsworthy angle where others see only corporate announcements. His superpower lies in finding the sweet spot between broadcaster needs, brand objectives and audience interests - transforming standard PR into stories that captivate radio and TV producers.From founding Be Broadcast with its 95% client retention to building award-winning campaigns for global brands, Josh's strategic approach has delivered results that clients "have never seen before." But his journey wasn't always smooth sailing - he spent years reading trade publications outside his comfort zone to develop the news instinct that now helps clients break through.Key Talking Points:The "Mrs. Miggins from Wigan" framework that transforms corporate messages into stories broadcasters want to coverHow reframing an epilepsy charity's message from inward to outward increased public engagement by 75%Why limiting campaign launches to one per week delivers better results than the factory approachThe counter-intuitive approach that puts emotional impact before corporate messagingLinks & Resources:Be Broadcast: bebroadcast.co.ukJosh's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joshwheelerbroadcastPR Stack by Steven Waddington (Book Recommendation)Be Broadcast Little Book (Free Media Resource)Coffee and Crime PodcastToday's Exercise: The Audience Lens FrameworkThis exercise helps you shift perspective from brand-centric thinking to audience needs, making your stories more appealing to media outlets.Steps to Apply:Write down three emotions you want your target audience to feel about you or your brandCreate seven interview questions, starting with "Tell me about yourself" and ending with "Where can I get more information?"Answer each question from your audience's perspective, focusing on their challengesUse these answers as the foundation for your PR messaging planStrategic Storyteller Newsletter:Finding your audience's emotional triggers is key to compelling broadcast PR. For more insights like Josh's "Emotion Wheel" technique, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter at robdwillis.com/newsletter. Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.Sign-Up Here

On this special birthday episode, I share my favourite listener challenges from past Super Powered conversations. From Yoela Palkin's contrarian thinking exercise that helped her step away from day-to-day operations and focus on strategic exits at 77 Labs, to Henry Kayser's simple networking strategy that generated countless meaningful connections during his career in sales, each habit offers practical frameworks from exceptional leaders.What to expectYoela Palkin's "Challenge Everything" exercise (listen to full episode)Henry Kayser's outreach system (listen to full episode)Alex MH Smith's daily writing exercise (listen to full episode)Bob Gentle's "Captain's Log" (listen to full episode)Lindsey Frances 5 Breaths exercise (listen to full episode)Links & Resources:My LinkedIn: Rob D. WillisBob Gentle's The Reach MethodMatthew Kimberley's Five Things a Day: PDF DownloadDex App: Contact Management ToolStrategic Storyteller Newsletter:For more insights like Yoela's contrarian thinking framework, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter. Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.Get it Here

Ever wished you had an expert in your pocket? Georgie Peake transformed from data strategist to AI learning pioneer by solving a universal problem: bridging the gap between knowledge and practical skills. As CEO of Rehearsable, she helps experts create AI-powered practice environments where learners can apply their training with immediate, personalised feedback.From building award-winning data solutions at Channel 4 to developing AI tutors that simulate real-world conversations, Georgie's track record speaks for itself. But her journey wasn't always straightforward - her own struggles with difficult workplace conversations revealed the need for safe, judgment-free environments where anyone can practice without fear of embarrassment.Key Talking Points:The three game-changing benefits of AI for learning: "expert in your pocket" availability, safe/judgment-free practice environments, and truly personalised feedback at scaleWhy AI creates surprisingly realistic emotional reactions even when practicing uncomfortable conversationsHow the "Two Sigma problem" proves one-to-one tutoring improves performance by two standard deviations - now possible for everyone through AIThe counter-intuitive approach: practice with AI on skills you're already good at first to build intuition about its strengths and limitationsLinks & Resources:Rehearsable: rehearsable.aiLinkedIn: Georgie PeakeBook Recommendation: "Co-Intelligence" by Ethan MollickReferenced Research: Benjamin Bloom's "Two Sigma Problem" (1980s)Today's Exercise: The AI Practice PartnerThis daily exercise helps you develop both AI prompting skills and subject expertise through focused practice sessions with an AI tutor.Steps to Apply:Schedule five 15-minute time boxes in your calendar over the next weekChoose a skill you've recently learned but want to make stickAsk an AI: "I've recently learned about [skill]. For the next seven days, act as my practice partner to improve my recall"Request seven short, progressive activities to work throughPractice each day, noting which activities are most effective for your learning styleStrategic Storyteller Newsletter:For more insights like Georgie's approach to personalized learning pathways, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter. Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.Click Here and Get A Free Strategic Storytelling Guide

Ever wondered how elite marines handle chaos and fix problems that actually matter? Robert Heath Sr. brings military precision to leadership challenges, showing how to thrive in uncertainty rather than trying to control it.From commanding 400 Marines to saving millions for Fortune 500 companies as a consultant, Robert's journey proves his approach works. Starting as a teacher from Chicago's south side, he joined the Marines to understand power systems and leadership, achieving a 70% acquittal rate as a defence counsel by seeing problems differently.This conversation isn't just about military tactics—it's about identifying which problems deserve your attention and which are merely "urgency masquerading as importance." Robert shares his EMPOWER framework that transforms how leaders delegate and communicate.Key Talking Points:The 70% solution: You don't need perfect information to take action—a concept that freed Robert from analysis paralysisWhy we're rarely dealing with "problem people" and more often with "people who have problems"—a distinction that transforms leadershipHow poor communication costs businesses millions, with leaders mistakenly believing "telling equals understanding"The EMPOWER framework for delegating effectively and removing obstacles rather than solving every problem yourselfLinks & Resources:Website: tllcg.comLinkedIn: Robert Heath SeniorBook: "#1 Amazon Bestseller: Why Can't People Just Do Their Jobs"Book Recommendations: "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey and "Team of Teams" by General Stanley McChrystalToday's Exercise: The Root Cause FrameworkThis three-question framework helps you identify and solve problems more effectively by getting to their true source rather than treating symptoms.Steps to Apply:Ask "What is the problem?" - Define the actual difference between what you want and what you haveAsk "How is this problem keeping us from our objective?" - Determine its impact and importanceAsk "What would we see, hear, and feel if this problem didn't exist?" - Clarify your definition of successStrategic Storyteller Newsletter:For more insights like Robert's approach to thriving in chaos rather than controlling it, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter. Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.Sign-Up Here

Ever wondered why working harder isn't making you happier? Lindsey Frances transformed from a burned-out business consultant to becoming the architect of the Conscious Change Method, helping high-performers find joy in today rather than chasing tomorrow. Her counter-intuitive approach uses wearable health data to reveal what your body already knows: grinding isn't the path to success.As an ISF internationally accredited sophrologist, member of the British Psychological Society, and founder of Emotional Wealth Creation, Lindsey works with executives and entrepreneurs who've hit their limits. Her methods have helped law firm partners rediscover job satisfaction and C-suite leaders make critical mindset shifts—proving that data can wake people up to what's really happening inside.This isn't just about wellness—it's about becoming what Lindsey calls an "Emotional Billionaire." After experiencing professional burnout and depression herself, she discovered that true success comes not from consuming more but from accessing the rich resource of emotions that allows you to fully experience life's moments.Key Talking Points:Why pausing is the hardest yet most crucial step for high-achievers—"We're conditioned to think the faster we go and the more we do, the happier we'll be, but the reverse is true"How heart rate variability (HRV) data creates accountability that bypasses ego resistance—95% of clients initially claim "the data must be wrong"The counterintuitive discovery that intuition, not intelligence, produces your best work—but only when you're relaxed and not overworkingWhy finding joy in today's cup of tea is more powerful than waiting for tomorrow's achievements—"All of your joy and happiness is in today"Links & Resources:LinkedIn: Lindsey FrancesWebsite: lindseyfrances.co.ukPodcast: Rich Simple HumanWearable Technology Mentioned: WHOOP, OURA, MorpheusBook in Progress: "The Emotional Billionaire"Today's Exercise: The Five-Breath ChallengeThis simple practice helps you assess your present-moment awareness and builds concentration—a skill AI can't replicate.Find a quiet moment and place one hand on your stomachCount five full breaths using your five fingers as countersNotice whether your mind stays focused on your breath or wandersPractice daily to strengthen your ability to remain presentStrategic Storyteller Newsletter:For more insights like Lindsey's approach to becoming an "Emotional Billionaire" through present-moment awareness, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter at robdwillis.com/newsletter. Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.

Ever wondered what a medieval castle, Greek shield, or trench whistle could teach you about leadership? Sean Stewart transforms ancient artefacts into powerful decision-making tools. As "The Historian in the Boardroom," he helps leaders unlock wisdom from historical objects that serve as silent coaches during their toughest challenges.From designing award-winning exhibitions at English Heritage to coaching executives at PepsiCo and PwC, Sean's approach has helped hundreds of professionals across 17 years. Where others see museum pieces, he sees practical leadership weapons—physical reminders of time-tested principles that cut through corporate jargon and theoretical models.What started as casual observations about historical objects evolved into a powerful framework for leadership. Sean shares how sailing through literal storms at sea taught him that these ancient lessons aren't just interesting—they're essential for navigating today's business uncertainties with confidence and clarity.Key Talking Points:The "Achilles moment" framework for discovering what truly motivates each team member, creating self-sustaining motivation beyond typical "cattle prod" approachesWhy diverse teams thrive: Medieval castles demonstrate how seemingly contradictory elements can create stronger, more functional systemsThe "trench whistle principle" of authentic leadership—why the most effective leaders share risks alongside their teams rather than directing from safetyHow sailing through storms at sea taught Sean that staying calm during crisis has more impact on team performance than any motivational techniqueLinks & Resources:Sean's website: Past Forward TalksLinkedIn: Sean StewartBook: "Redefining The Leadership Code: Stories and Objects That Shape Greatness" (coming Spring 2025)Today's Exercise: The Ancient Object AnchorThis practice helps you identify and embody leadership principles that resonate deeply with you, creating physical reminders to guide decision-making during stressful moments.Reflect on a recent leadership challenge you facedFind or select an object that represents the lesson you learnedWrite down how this object embodies that leadership principlePlace the object where you'll see it during critical momentsWhen facing similar challenges, let the object remind you of your learned wisdomAfter several weeks, notice which object becomes your consistent "anchor"Strategic Storyteller Newsletter:For more insights like Sean's approach to creating North Star statements that unite diverse teams, join my free "Strategic Storyteller" newsletter.Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.Subscribe Here

Ever noticed a problem others seem blind to?Yoela Palkin turned that outsider perspective into three successful exits. From launching 30 iOS apps during the App Store's early days to challenging traditional VC wisdom, she spots inefficiencies insiders miss and transforms them into gold.With a track record of scaling MEA to $6 million with just 14 people and growing Baskit to $2 million ARR in 18 months, Yoela's contrarian approach delivers results. Now as founder of 77 Labs, she invests in companies solving unsexy but critical problems that others overlook. Her immigrant background and family's entrepreneurial resilience formed the foundation for her unique ability to see opportunity where others see obstacles.Key Talking Points:The three pillars of outsider thinking: pattern recognition from outside the system, resourcefulness over resources, and healthy skepticismWhy feeling the pain point personally is essential to developing a solution—if there are no dollar signs attached, it's not a real problemHow Yoela validates ideas by confirming the same problem in at least three places before trusting her instinctsWhy cash flow is king—prioritising breaking even quickly allowed her companies to succeed where venture-backed competitors failedLinks & Resources:Twitter: @yoelapalkinNewsletter: Anti-Status QuoWebsite: 77labs.comBook Recommendation: "How to Make a Few Billion Dollars" by Brad JacobsPodcast Recommendations: The Founders Podcast, Invest Like the BestToday's Exercise: The Challenge Everything ExerciseThis quarterly check-in helps you question your priorities and identify what's truly important. It forces you to take an outsider's perspective on your own work and determine what's worth continuing.Steps to Apply:Write down everything you're currently focused onFor each item, ask: "If I were not to do this, or if this were not to work, what would I be doing?"Challenge your assumptions by asking if the opposite were true, would your actions still make sense?Sort your priorities into two buckets: ideas that work and should continue, and tasks that should be eliminatedCommit to stopping activities that don't serve your ultimate goalsStrategic Storyteller Newsletter:For more insights like Yoela's framework for spotting opportunities others miss, join my free "Strategic Storyteller" newsletter. Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.Subscribe Here

Ever wondered how to make people take action after hearing your story? Dan Manning transforms complex ideas into compelling narratives that drive decisions. As a former fighter pilot who negotiated with Russian military and wrote speeches for top Air Force officials, Dan discovered the power of the "Story Pyramid" – a framework that's helped 800+ founders, executives and speakers create stories that get results.From selling a tech platform with a $50 story to negotiating international conflicts, Dan's approach focuses on one critical element: change. His brutally clear, concise storytelling style eliminates clutter to highlight the exact moment when transformation happens. Learn how vulnerability creates trust and why the shortest path to "yes" starts with understanding what your audience already wants.Key Talking Points:The 7-part "Story Pyramid" structure that makes complex ideas easy to understand and helped one founder secure their biggest investment check everWhy finding the precise "moment of change" is crucial – when you've "struck truth" both teller and listener often get tears in their eyesHow building vulnerability into stories creates 95% trust rates and why it should be "slightly scary but not terrifying"The counter-intuitive approach of using "tactical empathy" when negotiating with Russians during military operations in SyriaLinks & Resources:LinkedIn: Dan ManningWebsite: Build The StoryRecommendations:"Storyworthy" by Matthew Dicks"Six Second Stories" by B. Rain BennettMentioned: Paul Zak: Trust, morality - and oxytocinMentioned: Freytag's Pyramid (dramatic structure)Today's Exercise: The Why QuestionThis story-trapping technique helps uncover your most impactful personal stories by digging deeper than superficial explanations.Ask yourself "Why do I..." questions about life choices (Where you live, what you do, etc.)Write down your initial answer, but don't stop thereKeep asking "why" until you identify the specific moment when a decision was madeLook for the emotional catalyst or specific event that drove changeRefine this into a short story highlighting the transformationStrategic Storyteller Newsletter:The "Why Question" exercise exemplifies how finding your moment of change creates clearer, more impactful communication. For more insights like Dan's approach to editing out everything that doesn't serve your core message, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter.Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.Subscribe Here

Ever wondered why some businesses just seem to grow effortlessly whilst others hustle for every sale? Alex M H Smith strips away the strategic nonsense to reveal what actually creates leverage. As founder of Basic Arts and bestselling author of "No Bullsh*t Strategy," Alex helps businesses focus on creating unique value rather than copying competitors.Alex breaks down how 99% of businesses miss the strategic element that could multiply their returns with the same effort. His refreshingly direct approach has attracted thousands of followers who appreciate his ability to make complex strategic concepts remarkably simple.Key Talking Points:Why most businesses get trapped in "grafty stuff" when what they actually need is a clear strategy creating unique valueThe counterintuitive "retreat-style" setting that creates breakthroughs in just days versus months of structured workshopsHow great strategy often happens at "11:45 PM on a yacht" not in boardrooms, and why creative environments matterThe powerful "context shift" demonstrated when eat natural cereal bars discovered their real market wasn't yoga mums but "white van men"Links & Resources:Basic Arts WebsiteThe Hidden Path NewsletterNo Bullshit Strategy BookAlex on LinkedInAlex on X/TwitterAlex on InstagramVideo referenced: John Cleese on Creativity in Business (YouTube)Today's Exercise: Public Opinion JournalingThis practice helps develop your strategic thinking by clarifying your unique perspective and finding your authentic voice. It creates a habit of articulating clear thoughts that stand out from conventional wisdom.Write down 20 opinions you have about your industry or categoryChoose LinkedIn, X, or a relevant forum as your platformCreate simple text-only posts explaining each opinion and your reasoningNote which posts get more engagement (even small increases are significant)Develop those higher-engagement ideas by writing about them in different waysContinue the practice to develop your unique thesis and perspectiveStrategic Storyteller Newsletter:For more insights like Alex's approach to finding unique value through context shifts, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter. Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.Subscribe Here

Ever wondered how top companies handle 10x their workload without breaking a sweat? Irit Levi spots the systems gaps others miss - whether that's identifying redundant tasks that waste team hours or finding ways to make your customer journey seamless. She's the expert behind 13,697+ software recommendations that have transformed business workflows.From her early days as an instructional designer for high-tech companies to becoming a systems consultant who's tested 978+ tools, Irit has mastered the art of turning chaos into scalable processes. Having grown up across four continents, she developed a unique ability to quickly understand different environments and adapt systems accordingly.Despite her technical expertise, Irit reveals that systems often fail not because of technology but because of people. She shares the communication strategies that transform resistance into buy-in and how leaders can implement systems that teams actually want to use.Key Talking Points:Why successful systems must support your weak points - especially follow-up tasks where "we all drop the ball every so often"The counter-intuitive truth about control: systems don't remove control, they give you more of itHow to identify when your team needs better systems (duplicate code, customer journey inconsistencies, unclear responsibilities)The role of fear in systems adoption and why getting early buy-in from team influencers is crucialLinks & Resources:LinkedIn: Irit LeviWebsite: day-by-day.bizTool Recommendation: Airtable for team collaborationPodcast: Off Tangent, co-hosted with Zineb LayachiToday's Exercise: Process MappingThis exercise helps you identify opportunities for automation in your most critical workflows. By thoroughly documenting each step, you'll spot repetitive tasks that can be delegated to tools.Steps to Apply:Choose one critical process in your business (like sales or onboarding)Write out every single step in extreme detail, including decision pointsNote who is responsible for each task and approximate time requiredIdentify all qualification criteria, templates, and communication pointsReview the completed map and circle repetitive admin tasksResearch tools that could automate these specific tasksImplement one automation to test the impact on your workflow

Ever wondered why some teams feel like family while others feel like strangers sharing an office?Luca Buchholz is a global community architect who has scaled communities from local meetups to worldwide movements. Her counter-intuitive approach reveals that true communities aren't accidental - they're intentionally designed around shared purpose.From scaling international tech communities at Camunda to building nonprofit organisations, Luca's expertise in creating environments where people genuinely belong has made her a sought-after business coach. She openly shares how a painful childhood experience of exclusion sparked her lifelong mission to ensure everyone feels valued and connected.Key Talking Points:The critical difference between a group and a community: intentional design around a shared purpose that people feel is worth investing their time and energy intoWhy psychological safety, co-ownership and recognition are the three non-negotiable elements needed to foster genuine belongingHow a community must evolve as it scales, adapting communication channels while never compromising on core purpose and valuesThe surprising insight that successful communities should actually transform both their members and purpose over time, not remain staticLinks & Resources:Luca's LinkedIn: Luca BuchholzBusiness coaching websiteBook Recommendation: "The Art of Gathering" by Priya ParkerBook Recommendation: "Dare to Lead" by Brené BrownBook Recommendation: "The Fearless Organization" by Amy EdmondsonPodcast: Dare to Lead with Brené BrownToday's Exercise: The Check-In QuestionThis simple practice creates psychological safety and builds deeper connections within any group by opening space for authentic sharing beyond just work topics.Start your next meeting by asking everyone "How are you feeling today?" and giving space for genuine responsesListen actively without judgment to each person's answerAlternatively, send a direct appreciation message to a colleague highlighting something specific you value about themNotice how these small moments of connection strengthen relationships and build trust over time

"You work one year for one day." That's the reality of event planning.As creator of Present to Succeed, the world's largest presentation skills conference, Boris Hristov turned this pressure into opportunity, scaling from 3,000 online attendees to a hybrid event drawing thousands globally.Leading 356labs, Boris combines relentless attention to detail with presentation expertise to create transformative events. In this conversation, he shares hard-won insights about managing high-stakes situations, building robust systems, and understanding the context that shapes every interaction.Key Talking Points:How Silicon Valley Bank's collapse led to losing €110,000 in sponsor commitments in a single weekThe power of retrospective meetings: turning a venue's network failure into improved contingency planningWhy process precision matters: From detailed task templates to file naming conventionsThe crucial shift in marketing strategy: recognising who really values presentation skills trainingLinks & Resources:LinkedIn: Boris HristovWebsite: 356labs.comConference: Present to SucceedTraining: Virtual Events Essential TrainingToday's Exercise: The Phone-Free MorningThis practice helps regain focus and mental clarity by avoiding early-morning digital distractions. Instead of immediately checking your phone upon waking, dedicate the first 30 minutes to personal development.Steps to Apply:Place phone away from bedside the night beforeUpon waking, avoid checking phone for 30 minutesUse this time for breakfast, exercise, or learningNotice improved focus and reduced anxietyTrack progress using a wellness device if desired