#155: From Rock Bands to Boardrooms: How Creativity Fuels Leadership

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SHOW NOTES:

In this episode of Stories With Traction, Matt Zaun sits down with David Nast, CEO of Nast Partners, to explore how creativity, storytelling, and grit have shaped his life from the stage as a rock musician to the boardroom as a business coach.

David shares how writing fiction every morning has not only improved his mental clarity but also increased his business performance. With 21 novels written and three CEO roles under his belt, David unpacks the lessons he’s learned from building multiple Vistage groups and transitioning away from high-pressure industries into more purpose-driven work.

In this episode, they dive into:

✅ Why creativity isn’t a luxury, it’s a leadership tool
✅ How daily writing (even fiction!) can lead to a 39% increase in productivity
✅ Why starting with “mood” makes you a better storyteller, songwriter, and coach

…and much more!

BIOS:

David B. Nast is the CEO and Managing Partner of Nast Partners. He’s a three-time CEO, an award-winning business coach, and a Vistage Chair. David combines behavioral science, AI, and leadership coaching to help organizations eliminate bias in decision-making and build healthier, more productive teams. Outside of business, he’s a novelist, a former rock musician, and a lifelong Prince fan.

Matt Zaun is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who shows business leaders how to inspire action and drive results through the power of strategic storytelling. With a track record of catalyzing significant sales growth for over 300 organizations across industries—from financial services to health and wellness—Matt’s approach has been proven to deliver measurable impact.