The Greatness Machine

What if you could avoid some of the biggest and most common mistakes that entrepreneurs make early on in their careers? On today’s show, Darius interviews the incredible Gino Wickman, founder, EOS Worldwide who gives us a peek into his Entrepreneurial Operating System. You will learn how you can avoid pain and get a smoother jumpstart when you use an EOS to run your business.  Early on in his story, Gino had his entrepreneurial fire lit, and he took charge of his family business at 25, turned it around, and sold it 7 years later. Over the next 5 years, he worked with more than 50 clients in an inspired phase of mad experimentation. At the end of this, he compiled all his learnings to form his famed Entrepreneurial Operating System. As of date, there are 375 EOS implementers and 100,000 companies worldwide that are running on this system.   As of now, Gino has withdrawn from EOS Worldwide so that he can focus his creativity and energies on his new project – The Entrepreneurial Leap. With his new passion project, Gino is helping entrepreneurs get a better jump start in life. Entrepreneurs, being natural risk-takers, are prone to diving in without proper planning and due diligence. And, as a result, they have to put up with a lot of avoidable pain.  In today’s show, Gino shares his three-step process which can help entrepreneurs chart out the best path ahead. You will also learn how you can get access to some including the e-Leap Assessment Tool and MyBiz Match. Topics include: Finding and using an entrepreneurial operating system The power of setting a BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal) The incredible impact Gino is making with Entrepreneurial Leap! Tools and Resources to help you in your entrepreneurial journey And other topics… Connect with Gino: Website: https://ginowickman.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginowickman/ Book: https://www.eosworldwide.com/get-a-grip-book  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/darius and get on your way to being your best self. How does one pull themselves up from struggling through addiction to become one of the top connectors in the world? Is it possible to break the link between pain and addiction? Joe Polish, Founder of Genius Network and considered one of the most influential connectors in the world, joins us on the Greatness Machine to talk about his new book, What’s In It For Them? 9 Genius Networking Principles To Get What You Want By Helping Others Get What They Want. In this episode, Darius and Joe explore the complex relationship between trauma, pain, and addiction. They delve into the concept of givers and takers and the importance of being someone who always gives. They also discuss the world of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the crucial role that mastering fundamental business skills plays in the industry. Topics include: Reasons why people resort to addiction as a solution to pain Joe looks back on how he battled drug addiction at such a young age What got Joe into entrepreneurship  The importance of learning the fundamental business skills Joe shares how Genius Network started Why you need to pay attention to what people complain about Ethics in life and business H.A.L.F. (Hard, Annoying, Lame, and Frustrating) versus E.L.F. (Easy, Lucrative, Fun) Joe explains what his new book What’s In It For Them is all about And other topics… Resources mentioned: The Five Love Languages: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Languages-Secret-that-Lasts/dp/080241270X Connect with Joe: Website: https://joepolish.com/  Book: https://whatsinitforthem.com/  Book: https://joesfreebook.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joepolish  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joepolish/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling bogged down by your “need” to set the benchmark, higher and higher every time? On today’s show, we interview the incredible artist turned-author, Victoria Labalme who shares with us her distilled wisdom on goal-setting, risk-taking, and our flawed attitude towards achievement.  Victoria taps into her extensive experience in theatre, comedy clubs, and films to help out artists, entrepreneurs, and C-suite uncover their hidden genius at work, on stage, and in life, in general. Our society of today puts immense pressure on achievement and winning.  On today’s show, Victoria shares why we need to change this attitude and get more comfortable with the “fog of not knowing”. We also question our judgmental society where we harbor incorrect biases. As someone who straddles across different professions, Victoria calls out this flawed mindset and emphasizes the need to respect people irrespective of their professional choices.  Topics include: The idea of goal-setting  Risk-taking and the pressure to achieve things  Creating your own path and why it is important to realign  How to get comfortable with the “fog of not knowing”  Our judgemental attitudes and how to overcome our biases And other topics… Connect with Victoria: Website: https://www.victorialabalme.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorialabalme/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/victorialabalme LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorialabalme/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most of us would like to live longer lives, but only if those extra years are healthy and happy.  The science of longevity may seem relatively new, but in fact, we've been increasing our own lifespans for the last century or so. We've gone from an average age of about 35 to something closer to 70-75 years, and that trend shows no sign of slowing down. In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Sergey Young, longevity investor, speaker, and author of The Science and Technology of Growing Young about our desire to live longer and happier lives, and his mission to extend the healthy lifespans of one billion people worldwide.  You'll discover the origins of longevity research and what brought a longtime investor such as Sergey into this field. You'll learn five habits we should adapt to promote longevity and health in our own lives. You'll also learn why Sergey believes that greater longevity is inevitable, as well as a concept he calls "the near horizon of longevity innovation." Join Darius and Sergey as they discuss finding the fountain of youth, being young, and feeling young!  Topics include: The origins of longevity research and what brought Sergey to the field as an investor Five things we should be doing to improve our own longevity Creating and extending life and something Sergey calls "the near horizon of longevity innovation” And other topics… Connect with Sergey: Website: https://sergeyyoung.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergeyyoung/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SergeyYoung200 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sergeyyoung200/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes a great Chief Operating Officer (COO)? A Chief Operating Officer (COO) plays a crucial role in the success of a company. The COO is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the business and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. This includes managing internal operations, such as finance, human resources, and IT, as well as external operations, such as sales and marketing. Hiring a great COO can have a significant impact on the growth and success of a company. A strong COO will have a deep understanding of the industry and the company's operations and will be able to identify areas for improvement and implement effective strategies to drive growth. They will also be able to lead and motivate employees, and work closely with the CEO to develop and execute the company's overall strategy. Cameron Herold, a top business consultant, best-selling author, and speaker, joins us on the Greatness Machine for the second time around to talk about his newest book, The Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO, where he shares details of the process of hiring a COO and successfully working with them. In this episode, Darius and Cameron lay down the characteristics that make a good COO, the roles and responsibilities of a Second in Command, and the most common mistakes entrepreneurs and CEOs make when hiring and onboarding a new COO. Cameron also talks about his decision to become a digital nomad and even shares a piece of advice to those who want to follow the same path.  Topics include: How and why Cameron was asked to leave 1800-GOT-JUNK The must-have traits of a great COO The motivation behind Cameron’s first book Double Double Cameron shares inspiration for writing The Second In Command The biggest failure point most entrepreneurs and CEOs make in looking for a second in command What caused Cameron to become a digital nomad and travel the world with his wife Cameron shares a piece of advice for those who are hesitant to travel And other topics... Resources mentioned: Traction by Gino Wickman: https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837  Cameron Herold on TGM (Part 1): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/35-cameron-herold-the-power-of-a-second/id1555334180?i=1000532262742  Connect with Cameron: Website: https://cameronherold.com/  Website: https://cooalliance.com/  Book: https://www.amazon.com/Second-Command-Unleash-Power-Your/dp/1544537603  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coo-alliance/  Course: https://investinyourleaders.com/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are you meant to be doing? Following your calling often means pursuing a career or path that is not necessarily conventional or typical, but that aligns with your unique talents and passions. It may involve taking a leap of faith and leaving a stable job to start your own business, or leaving behind a familiar community to explore new opportunities. Pursuing your calling can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. It will require you to stay true to your own values, beliefs, and passions. At the same time, following your calling means being authentic which also means being honest about your strengths and weaknesses, and being willing to take risks and make mistakes. Today, I am flying solo to share a story of how I took a big risk to follow my calling at a young age. I will also reveal how my authenticity and determination helped me prove my doubters wrong, how I even inspired others to cherish our uniqueness, and why it’s ok to be different.  Topics include: The first time I took a very big risk in high school How I went viral before the internet What I learned from leading my class  How to believe in yourself and why it matters The importance of authenticity One of the greatest gifts I ever received at a young age and how I leveraged that And other topics… Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you define success? The entrepreneurial path is a long and difficult one, filled with risks and obstacles to be overcome. On the other hand, there are great rewards to be found along that path as well, as long as you have a clear definition of what success means to you.  One path taken by many entrepreneurs is authorship - leveraging their experience, successes, and failures and sharing those insights with their readers. Such a path is often far more difficult than people realize and brings with it its own set of challenges. In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Mike Michalowicz, entrepreneur, speaker, and author of Get Different, Fix This Next, Clockwork, Profit First, The Pumpkin Plan, and The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur. His books have been published around the world and translated into 10 different languages, and he's passionate about connecting with entrepreneurs. You'll discover some of the challenges of writing, launching, and promoting a book, and why many new authors only focus on the first part of that process and forget the rest. You'll learn why "success" has almost as many definitions as those who strive for it in business and in life. You'll also discover why Mike believes that marketing is not in any way bothersome - in fact, it's the ultimate, deliberate act of kindness.  Join Darius and Mike as they explore the long and winding road to becoming an entrepreneur, as well as the rewards and pitfalls that can be found along the way.  Topics include: The challenges and rewards of writing, launching, and promoting a book, particularly for an entrepreneur How we each define success in different ways, based on our beliefs, experiences, and desires Why Michael believes that marketing is, in reality, a deliberate act of kindness And other topics… Connect with Mike: Website: https://mikemichalowicz.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemichalowicz/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikemichalowicz/ Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What defines an effective leader? What are the qualities employers look for in a leader? In an ever-changing workplace, an effective leader is an excellent communicator and someone who empowers their team. Integrity, honesty, and authenticity are essential attributes of a good leader. Good leadership involves defining outcomes and then helping team members use their talents to achieve them. Larry Yatch, an elite leadership strategist and the creator of the SEAL Success programs, joins us on the Greatness Machine for the second time around to talk about his book, How Leadership (Actually) Works: A Navy SEAL’s Complete System for Coordinating Teams. In this episode, Darius and Larry dive deep into leadership and discuss the six-pillar system that teaches companies how to effectively structure teams, manage behavior, and maximize self-regulation. They also discuss purpose alignment and the power of language in coordinating action with others.  Topics include: Larry talks about his book How Leadership (Actually) Works An overview of the 6 pillars of leadership Why Larry used to feel unfulfilled despite his achievements How to produce success as an individual or as a company Leveraging language for building a good team Language as a tool to coordinate action with others The difference between ego and confidence How to align individual, team, and organizational purpose The effects of social media and news on a person’s self-regulation Larry defines culture and leadership And other topics… Resources mentioned: Larry Yatch (Episode 1): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/141-larry-yatch-leading-like-a-navy-seal/id1555334180?i=1000583007928&l=ru  Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins: https://www.amazon.com/Cant-Hurt-Me-Master-Your/dp/1544512287  Connect with Larry: Website: https://www.sealteamleaders.com/ Book: https://www.howleadershipactuallyworks.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-yatch/ Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it possible to invest in real estate with little money? Investing in real estate has proven to be one of the safest and most profitable forms of long-term investing. Contrary to what many believe, you don’t need to have large amounts of capital to get started.  In fact, it is not necessary that you own a property, flip properties, or invest huge amounts of money in development deals in order to enter this lucrative market. Andrea Petersen, Co-Founder and CEO of the real estate crowdfunding platform School of Whales, joins us on the Greatness Machine to talk about her wide range of experiences from commercial real estate to renewable energy, hospitality, and banking. In this episode, Darius and Andrea dive deep into real estate investing, crowdfunding, entrepreneurship, success, purpose, and a lot more. Topics include: What made Andrea shift from banking to entrepreneurship What they do and offer with the School of Whales Where the name School of Whales comes from How School of Whales differ from Fundrise What types of returns the School of Whales are targeting What Andrea envisions the School of Whales to be in the future How Andrea defines success Investing in real estate in Miami And other topics… Connect with Andrea: Website: https://www.schoolofwhales.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-of-whales/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whalesfund/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you taken a moment to step off the hamster wheel to pause and reflect on whether your life is headed in the right direction?  On today’s show, we interview ex-CMO of Harley Davidson, Shelley Paxton who shares with us her wisdom on purpose, alignment, and discovery. You will learn the real truth about busyness and the importance of figuring out what’s truly important to you.  With her trademark sass and rebel attitude, Shelley shares her incredible life story, and how she ended up stewarding some of the most iconic organizations in the world including Harley, Visa, McDonald’s, and AOL. Shelley stumbled into the world of marketing and advertising because of her dad.  But years later, when she made it to the top of the corporate ladder, she still felt unfulfilled and non-aligned. So, at the height of her success, in 2016, she decided to give it all up and embark on her discovery journey. This ultimately led to Soulbbatical and her new life mission – which is to liberate the souls of leaders and organizations, by inspiring them to realize their greatest purpose and potential.  Topics include: Building a rabid brand following The real truth about busyness How to discover your life’s calling  Purpose of a sabbatical When your soul smacks you in the face  And more topics… Connect with Shelley: Website: https://www.shelleypaxton.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-paxton-759163/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulbbatical/ Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices