Leadovation

What if strategy isn’t the biggest barrier to business growth? Dean Newlund talks with Nick Avaria, founder of Agency Acquisitions, about founder bottlenecks, organizational blind spots, management, leadership, growth, and AI. In this episode, Dean Newlund and Nick Avaria discuss:Systems and structures that support business growthBlind spots that can quietly limit growthChallenges in making the jump from $2M to $8MWhy management matters alongside strong leadershipAI, talent, and changing approaches to workplace surveillance Key Takeaways:Examine whether your systems reinforce the behaviors you need, rather than assuming a stronger strategy will solve operational problems.Treat problems as part of growth and use them to identify where your systems, culture, or communication need to become more sophisticated.Build a function to a reasonably working level before handing it off, so a new leader can improve an existing foundation instead of starting from scratch.Give management its proper place alongside leadership, with clear systems and direction underneath the energy and vision leaders provide.Spend time experimenting with AI before delegating it entirely, so you understand its capabilities well enough to make informed decisions and hold others accountable. "When you have rock-solid management, and then you come and sprinkle some leadership on top, magic happens.” — Nick Avaria About Nick Avaria:Nick has spent over a decade as an agency owner, scaling multiple agencies past 7 and 8-figures per year. He has bought and sold 7 agencies and specializes in scaling, leadership, systems, and company culture.His philosophy is simple: Make more profit, reinvest in training, pay staff more, hire top performers, and repeat.After seeing agency owners burn out working 60+ hours per week, Nick began consulting to help them build profitable workplaces where employees and clients can thrive while spending less time behind their desk.He still owns agencies and has found a system that consistently scales agencies at high profits. Connect with Nick Avaria:  Website: https://agencyacquisitions.io/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AgencyAcquisitionsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickavaria/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nick_avaria/   See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I Connect with Dean:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkwWebsite: https://www.mfileadership.com/The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/Email: [email protected]: 1-800-926-7370 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Change is part of every leader’s job, but resistance is not always a communication problem.In this episode, Dean Newlund talks with Travis Hahler about the neuroscience behind resistance and how leaders can help people move forward through change. In this episode, Dean Newlund and Travis Hahler discuss:The brain’s response to uncertainty and why change can trigger resistanceNeurological barriers that shape transitions and influence responsesLoss, ambiguity, and emotional reactions during changeLeadership approaches to resistance and creating room for adaptationStaying curious as new technologies reshape how we work Key Takeaways:Resistance is often neurological rather than willful refusal; think in terms of routine, threat bias, and ambiguity aversion.Diagnose perceived loss by naming what people may fear losing, such as control, competence, relationships, or comfort.Create space and structure for adaptation with pacing, repetition, and safe opportunities to practice and fail.Use curiosity to surface root causes by asking what people need and what information or support is missing.Balance learning with delivery by protecting time for training and experimentation while keeping essential work moving. "Every change equals loss. And so it just naturally is something that our brain kind of pushes against.” — Travis Hahler About Travis Hahler:Travis D. Hahler transforms how Fortune 500 companies navigate change by revealing a startling truth: Resistance isn't rebellion—it’s biology. As Senior Director of Global Strategy and Transformation at Salesforce and Founder of The Neurological Nomad, Hahler brings neuroscience and business acumen to organizational transformation. Over fifteen years, Hahler has guided more than one hundred companies through successful transformations. Rethink Resistance represents Hahler’s mission to democratize neuroscience for business leaders. Connect with Travis Hahler:  Website: https://www.theneurologicalnomad.com/Book: RETHINK RESISTANCE: Embracing Neuroscience to Lead Transformational Change: https://www.amazon.com/Rethink-Resistance-Embracing-Neuroscience-Transformational/dp/1639081895LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisdhahler/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurologicalnomad/   See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I Connect with Dean:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkwWebsite: https://www.mfileadership.com/The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/Email: [email protected]: 1-800-926-7370 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Courage can show up in telling the truth, making difficult decisions, and acting without having all the answers. In this episode, Dean Newlund and Ryan Berman explore what courage looks like in leadership, how fear shapes our choices, and how we can build the courage to move forward.   In this episode, Dean Newlund and Ryan Berman discuss: Why telling the truth and staying authentic takes courage How fear shapes leadership and workplace culture Building courage through curiosity and experimentation Using knowledge, belief, and action to make decisions Managing loneliness and perspective in leadership   Key Takeaways: Create more alignment between your personal and professional self by examining whether your work reflects the values that give you energy. Make courageous conversations safer by checking impact and asking what the other person heard instead of assuming your intent was clear. Treat mistakes as part of experimentation, creating space to test ideas, learn from what happens, and keep moving. Use knowledge, faith, and action together to avoid paralysis from overthinking or recklessness from acting without enough understanding. Pay attention to relationships that may shift as you grow in leadership, and make connection and shared purpose part of how you lead.   "Knowledge plus faith plus action equals courage.” — Ryan Berman   About Ryan Berman: Ryan Berman is a corporate fear fighter, founder of Courageous, author of Return On Courage, and host of The Courageous Podcast. For 25+ years, Ryan has helped companies operationalize courage where they need it most, counseling organizations including Google, Procter & Gamble, Kellogg’s, Kraft Heinz, Bausch & Lomb, Tropicana, the Atlanta Falcons, and Snapchat. His consulting firm, Courageous, guides clients through courageous conversations, decisions, ideas, and transformation. Ryan believes that change is hard, but the hardships of not changing are far harder.    Connect with Ryan Berman:   Website: http://www.ryanberman.com/ Book: Return On Courage: https://www.returnoncourage.com/ Show: The Courageous Podcast: https://ryanberman.com/courageous-podcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bravewhatshard/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryan_berman/       See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I Connect with Dean:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkwWebsite: https://www.mfileadership.com/The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/Email: [email protected]: 1-800-926-7370 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

AI is reshaping jobs, workflows, and the way organizations operate. In this episode, Dean Newlund talks with Nadav Wilf, founder of ZeremAI, about how CEOs can build an AI strategy that drives business results.   In this episode, Dean Newlund and Nadav Wilf discuss: Where AI is changing jobs and responsibilities The three stages of AI use inside a business Turning AI productivity into deeper operational automation How different approaches to AI regulation affect innovation What AI companions could mean for human connection   Key Takeaways: Start with business needs and workflows when deciding where AI can create the most value. Move beyond basic prompting by progressing toward automated and AI native systems as your organization develops its capabilities. Look for entire responsibilities AI can take over rather than using it only to make existing tasks faster. Understand the tradeoffs behind AI regulation and how approaches in the United States, European Union, and China shape innovation, risk, and control. Be intentional about human relationships as AI companions become more common and consider how technology can support rather than replace human connection.   "AI is incredibly exciting. There's so much opportunity and things you can do, and there's a lot [you] can't do still, and it's about creating that relationship and finding that balance.” — Nadav Wilf   About Nadav Wilf: Nadav Wilf is an entrepreneur, investor, and the CEO of ZeremAI, a company at the forefront of AI implementation and systems automation. With a career spanning over two decades, Nadav is a three-time founder with multiple successful exits who has dedicated his life to understanding how technology can unlock human potential. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for human talent, Nadav approaches it as a catalyst for a high-performance culture, helping organizations restructure their workflows to reclaim massive amounts of productive time. A dynamic speaker and strategic advisor, he speaks passionately about the transition into an AI-first economy, the rise of AI agents, and how leaders can navigate the massive cultural and operational shifts of the modern workplace.   Connect with Nadav Wilf:   Website: https://zerem.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadavwilf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadavwilf/       See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I Connect with Dean:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkwWebsite: https://www.mfileadership.com/The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/Email: [email protected]: 1-800-926-7370 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Authority isn't about having the loudest voice or the biggest title. It's about consistently creating value that earns trust over time. In this episode, Dean Newlund sits down with Mitch Matthews to discuss building authentic authority, creating career options, communicating with authenticity, and leading with curiosity.   In this episode, Dean Newlund and Mitch Matthews discuss: Why authority is earned instead of borrowed The lighthouse post approach to building influence Creating more career options before you need them Showing up authentically instead of performing Leading with curiosity in difficult conversations   Key Takeaways: Borrowed authority may open doors, but lasting influence comes from consistently sharing your own experience and expertise. You don't need to quit your job to build something meaningful; small, consistent investments of time can create future opportunities. The most effective communication feels natural because people connect with authenticity more than a carefully crafted persona. Boredom often signals a need for growth, and introducing something new can restore energy and momentum. Curiosity creates space for understanding and makes difficult conversations more productive than trying to prove someone else wrong.   "When we talk about authority and impact, it's being able to say, 'How do we have a positive impact on the people we feel called to help?'” — Mitch Matthews   About Mitch Matthews: Mitch Matthews is a success coach, speaker, and creator of the top 1% podcast DREAM THINK DO - where he helps high-achieving leaders and entrepreneurs dream bigger, think better, and do more of what they were put on the planet to do. He’s worked with organizations like Nike, NASA, and Disney, and he’s the creator of The Authority Bridge™ - a proven process that helps professionals turn their experience into a coaching and speaking business they love.   Connect with Mitch Matthews:   Website: https://mitchmatthews.com/ Show: The DREAM THINK DO Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dream-think-do-motivation-encouragement-strategy/id958773768 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchmatthews/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mitch.matthews.104/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitch.matthews/ The Authority Bridge™ initiative: https://mitchmatthews.com/authoritybridge/ Get Mitch's weekly insights at MitchMatthews.com/4things Free guide on finding and keeping your first coaching clients at MitchMatthews.com/44ways Free resource for building a coaching or business practice at MitchMatthews.com/11prayers     See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I Connect with Dean:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkwWebsite: https://www.mfileadership.com/The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/Email: [email protected]: 1-800-926-7370 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.