Inside Influence

In a business landscape that’s changing rapidly - it’s no secret that the companies staying ahead of the curve are getting better and faster at reinventing themselves. Spotting opportunities, responding to competition, or - more frequently - even becoming their own competition. But what - and this is a question I’m asking a lot at the moment - sits in the DNA of a company that can reinvent an entire category? Or a business that completely reinvents itself - or an individual that sparks the momentum that reinvents an entire conversation?Some might say it’s being really clear about what your target audience wants… and others, including the prime example we’re looking at today, might just agree with the immortal words of Henry Ford: ‘If I had asked them what they wanted - they would have said faster horses”My guest today is Joseph Michelli - is a psychologist-turned best selling author - who has dedicated his career to decoding how category reinventors such as Starbucks, Zappos and now Air BnB change the game.In his latest book, The Airbnb Way, Michelli and his team took an unprecedented inside look at the influence of one of the largest disruption stories of our time. To give you some perspective on that... Air BnB now has over 4 million listings in 220+ countries - higher than the top five major hotel brands combined. In 2016 - in New York City alone - the estimated hotel revenue lost to Airbnb was totalled at $365 million. Four years later... there’s only one direction that number would have gone in.The research of Joseph and his team involved interviewing hundreds of Airbnb hosts and guests in over 11 countries - what they found - was that the same five words kept playing on repeat. The power of belonging, trust, hospitality, empowerment and community.So in today’s podcast, we take a deep dive into those words and quite a few more. The ground we covered including:What it takes to truly reinvent an industry or productDesigning for trust - staying in a stranger’s house!The power and influence of powerfully designing and telling your storyThe noble art of hosting - probably the biggest one for meThe line between giving people options, and giving them too much choiceIf you’re working hard to create something that cuts through business as usual - then this conversation is definitely for you. So if you’re anything like me and this year has kicked off with a commitment to cut back on caffeine - pour yourself a herbal tea - get out your notepad and pen and enjoy the incredible insights of Joseph Michelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings everyone, my name is Julie Masters and welcome to another episode of Inside Influence. In which I delve into the minds of some of the world’s most fascinating influencers – or experts in influence - to get to the bottom of what it really takes to own your voice - and then amplify it to drive an industry, a conversation, a movement or a nation.____________________________________________________________________________Have you ever caught yourself wondering if you’re the right person for the job? I’m talking about that feeling that eventually - everyone is going to figure out that you’re making it up as you go along. That questioning how you even found yourself in the position you are, doing the things that you’re doing? Wondering when (not if) anyones eventually going to ‘find you out’?And secondly - here’s the biggie - have these thoughts ever stopped you from shooting for something - or asking for something - that really mattered?Today’s topic is a deeply personal one for me...I know for me there has been countless times in my life, not just my career, where I’ve thought to myself “”? And now that you’re here, how on earth are you going to pull this off?” As a mum, a founder, a speaker, my inner voice can sometimes be deafening than the sound of the busy-ness, even louder than the sound of the triumph, can I probably don’t have enough fingers and toes to count how many times my inner voice has been loud enough to stop me at the last minute from taking a dive into something beautiful.That’s what makes today’s podcast guest and conversation, such a deeply personal one for me, because I know the grips that Imposter Syndrome has had on me in the past, and I’m sure for you as well, and So - as one of the first in the year - I went on a mission to find the No 1. Voice on the planet on imposter syndrome.Find we did - and her name is Valerie Young, Valerie has spoken at some of the world’s largest and most diverse organizations as Apple, Chrysler, Boeing, Microsoft, IBM, Facebook, BP, Google, TED - and the list just keeps going - as well as at over 85 colleges and universities including Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, MIT, and Oxford.I...:Just exactly how far-reaching the effects of imposter syndrome are - here’s a clue it doesn’t belong to an age group or a gender - in fact - the further up the tree you go - the more likely you are to deal with itWhat it can do, to even the most capable of people - and why it’s vital that we learn to deal with it or miss out on vast amounts of potentialThe tools to re-frame that voice in our heads when it appears - to literally take the ‘freeze effect’ and use it as fuelDeveloping new responses to failure and mistake making - this one has been huge for me this past year. Starting with my conversation with Mark Schulman - drummer for Pink and the phrase ‘Am I free to fail?’Why the belief that we are imposters relies on one fundamentally untrue assumptionAnd what to do when we feel that cycle of self-doubt kick inThis was one of those conversations, that started out for me - and hopefully will continue to gain traction as we start discussing - in more and more places - and certainly on this podcast - the stories that keep us small - in business, in society and in life - and ways to flip that narrative to make the largest contribution we’re capable of making.And that involves first believing that we deserve to be there.So grab your favorite biscuits, I’m all in on Tim Tams at the moment - make sure you’ve got your pen and paper handy - and let 2020 be the year you finally let that imposter go. Enjoy my conversation with - Valerie Young.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings everyone, my name is Julie Masters and welcome to another episode of Inside Influence. In which I delve into the minds of some of the world’s most fascinating influencers – or experts in influence - to get to the bottom of what it really takes to own your voice - and then amplify it to drive an industry, a conversation, a movement or a nation. ____________________________________________________________________________One of the things I notice a lot in talking to people about influence - and influencers - especially those that have managed to harness attention long enough to redefine or reinvent an entire industry - is the assumption that it must be sexy.Like the hero’s journey - only in a cool T-shirt. A one way upward trajectory - where you can always see a light beconning at the end of the tunnel, and everything you try either works - or provides an obvious answer around what will.Yet never - in 20 years of working with, talking to influencers - have I heard anything like that version of events. Usually it starts with a feeling - a nagging thought that something is missing - a product, a service, a conversation. And then begins a seemingly never ending process of figuring out what happens next. And that generally involves years of starting conversations you have no idea how you’ll finish. Experimenting with strategies you’re not sure you fully understand. Selling ideas or products you have no clue how you’re going to build. And sitting on the office floor once everyone has gone home - trying to remember why you started.I saw a diagram on Instagram the other day… what people think it looks like - what it actually looks like. AND THAT - IN MY EXPERIENCE - IS ABOUT AS TRUE AS IT GETS.For my next guest - that squiggely line began in a garage - and then a campervan - and then became one of the fastest growing online wine retailers on the planet. With an annual turnover already of more than $50 million- and a Global Tribe of Wine Lovers who - and trust me I’ve met a few - you can’t stop evangelising about their love for all things Mofo.As Co-Founder + CEO, my guest today Justin Dry has done what many would say was impossible - reinvent one of the oldest - most weighed down in tradition - categories imaginable. Wine.I first met Justin when I was asked to interview him on stage at a corporate event. So much gold came from that conversation - around what worked - but more importantly what didn’t - when it comes to starting, scaling, hacking attention, using social fuel and combining the powers of human interaction with cutting edge content. That all I remember is walking away feeling like ‘why didn’t we record that?!?’.In today’s conversation we talk about:The incredible, unexpected, journey of vinomofo - I don’t always dive into back story - it’s just not that kind of podcast - but with Justin I did - for specific purposeHow grassroots storytelling is at the heart of building any tribePractical tools on how to use online platforms to gain traction (including when to and when not to double down) - and what he sees coming next when it comes to online attentionHow to translate what works in a traditionally face 2 face (i.e. high touch) model (such as buying wine) into digital channelsHow to manage the issue of control when it comes to creating a culture where everyone is responsible for building digital engagementHis favorite and most expensive mistake - and what it taught him about being grown upAnd how the 5 love languages has transformed the way Justin’s manages team MofoWhat I love about Justin and the Vino Mofo story - is not only that it’s a story about being willing to back yourself, over and over again. Which is key number one in influencing anything - or anyone. But that it always, always - comes back to how many times you’re willing to get curious, reset, follow your gut and ask the question.A small shout out finally also to Justin and his amazing partner Asher - who - just last week - welcomed baby Matisse into the world. She’s gorgeous - and it’s hard to imagine how much wine would have been consumed in her honor over the past seven days. Congratulations guys. Enjoy the cocoon - and the caffeine.So - without further delay - pour yourself a glass - and enjoy my conversation with the Head Mofo himself - Justin Dry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Start with an announcement… This will be the last episode of Inside Influence for 2019. We’ve been on air now for two years - and come rain, shine, tech malfunctions, childbirth or recording in cupboards during blizzards - we’ve loved delivering an episode every two weeks. This year I’ve decided to do it a little differently - and we’ll be taking an extended break over Christmas. However fear not - normal programming - actually no scrap that - bigger and better programming - will resume on the 15th of January 2020. As a quick word to the creators out there - you’ll know what I mean when I talk about that essential tension between consistency and creativity. The irony being that while they’re both 100% vital to doing anything worthwhile - they often make uneasy bedfellows. I don’t have a universal answer to that balance - and to be honest I’d be watchful of anyone that claims they do. However what I have learnt over the years is that taking an intentional break - or deliberate pause - is often the moment that things just naturally move to the next level. As someone much wiser than me once said - ‘this is your train set - so drive it.’ And that includes choosing when to take a pit stop.So - while we peer under the bonnet, check the oil and figure out which parts of the show we want to supercharge next year. I’d love your feedback. What would you like to hear more of? Less of? How can we support you in having more of these conversations out there in the world? All ideas are good ideas so hit me and the team up on social, via the website or good old fashioned web mail at content@juliemasters.comOK… public announcement over - let’s move on to today’s guest. Here’s the question… is there any more important skill than being able to sustain a coherent, confident conversation? Can you think of any other super power that holds more possibility? Or more strength?As a business owner, leader and parent - I can promise you that any time I have looked at the priorities of skills that I need to develop - for myself - and in those I’m here to support - it hits number one on the list every time. Imagine if you could broach that subject that’s painful or uncomfortable for you - and deepen rather than fracture your connection with that person. Or ask for what you want OR stand up for something you truly believed in.Fast forward a year - what would your life and relationships look like now? Which would still be there? And how fiercely open minded would you have become? And probably more importantly in the world right now - where intolerance and our seeming inability to hold constructive dialogue with those that disagree with us - that hold different views and values. Online and Offline. What would our teams, communities and governments look like if we knew how to successfully tackle hard and yet vital topics - with curiosity, respect and an intention to move forward together - rather than score a point?Someone asked me - ‘would you rather be right or would you rather be in relationship?’. For me the answer is always the latter. And let me tell you that’s hard. That’s a hard commitment to keep. Especially when what’s at stake is high. But there is a difference between mindlessly complying - and being open to other perspectives. You don’t have to agree in order to accept - and once someone feels truly accepted - that’s a place when bridges start to be built.My next guest in this episode is what I would consider a certified master in having powerful conversations. An award-winning journalist and author - throughout her 20-year career in public radio she has anchored programs including Tell Me More, Talk of the Nation, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition - some of America’s top rated radio programs. She is also the author of ‘We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter’. Synthesising everything she has learned about how to navigate respectful and important conversations.As an NPR host and journalist, Celeste has interviewed hundreds of people from all walks of life. From Nobel prize winners, truck drivers, plumbers to Heads of State. Sometimes on topics that fit with her personal viewpoints - and other times with people she disagrees with deeply. And once again it’s in the latter - where the most surprising moments can be found. In our conversation, Celeste and I danced - yes I’m going to say danced for this one - our way through some of the science, art and profound moments that are possible when you start committing to having conversations that matter. Including:Staying open enough to be amazed by everyone you meet - and that means everyone. I know full well you’re picturing one person right now that you’ve already pegged as an exception.How to actually begin difficult conversations. Often the hardest part right?The toughest conversation she’s ever had - and what she would do differently if she could do it over again.How by both focusing on and verbalising your intent in a difficult conversation - has the ability to change everything - and act as a rudder when things get off trackThe power of the human voice on physiological level - this bit quite seriously blew my mind - in fact I think if you listen you can hear my brain scramble when we get to this point. Definitely a rabbit hole I’ll be jumping down over Christmas.And the role of empathy, when to use it - how - and why it starts with a commitment to stop saying the phrase – ‘I know exactly how you feel.’ If I was going to end this podcast year on any note - it would be this one - we need to get better at having difficult conversations. Openly, frequently, respectfully and intentionally. Even when we don’t know what to say. And especially when we don’t agree.So - let’s start here. Pour a cup of tea, chai frappe latte - or whatever floats your caffeine boat. Is that a thing? I have no idea. Either way, pick a conversation in your life that deserves either a second OR first attempt. And get ready to learn from one of thee best on the planet when it comes to navigating what should come next after the words…. ‘We need to talk’.One of the fiercest, funniest people I’ve had the pleasure of spending time with - Celeste Headlee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the time it will take me to introduce my next guest - 2400 hrs of video will be uploaded to YouTube. Today alone - 5 billion videos will be watched - which - if you do the maths - should equate to 5 billion opportunities to interrupt and capture the attention of those eyeballs right? Wrong. More like 5 billion opportunities to get lost, unseen and be drowned out in one of the noisiest rooms on earth. So, in a world where we now have the ability to pause live TV, fast forward adverts, pay for ‘interruption free’ viewing and tune out billions of dollars of carefully crafted attempts to steal our attention. Or - in the world of my next guest - simply press ‘SKIP’ on the bottom right hand corner of the screen after 5 seconds.The question becomes - how do you make sure the stories you tell are UnSkippable?That was the question I asked my next guest the first time we met - nearly two years ago in the middle of a Boston blizzard. His response - and the data he was able to provide from having LITERALLY studied those 5 billion daily hours of Youtube viewing. Answered more questions for me about online storytelling than any conversation since. Hence - why he’s back today.My next guest is Ben Jones – Creative Director at Google and Head of Unskippable Labs. A team within Google that started the day Ben decided to put his own credit card on the line - brave man - to try and figure out exactly what makes a Youtube story or specifically advertisement - so compelling that it’s unskippable.In that conversation we broke down the Netflix Effect - and how it continues to defy the rules of attention (clue: if human attention spans are really at their lowest point - 8 seconds at last check - then why are we binge watching more TV series than ever before?), we talked about ideal story lengths, production values and the incredible results of how long we are literally willing to watch a video of a brick wall. I’m not joking - as it turns out - and Bens credit card bill will attest - the answer is a ridiculously long period of time. If you’re business is in any way dependant on trading attention, storytelling, or any form or content marketing - definitely go back in the archives and check it out.In today’s conversation - we go even deeper into the wilderness. Diving into the what is - and what is to come in the world of online storytelling - including topics such as:The bottom line traits that ALL unskippable stories all have in commonHow data can - and increasingly will - change the way we tell stories. Including machine learning and why it’s not time for Creative Directors to retire just yet. Good news or bad news - depending on how you look at it.The emergence of intent signals, what they are and and how we can use them to get more sophisticated about the stories we tell, to who and whenHow and when to pull the lever of customising content - to avoid wasting time and moneyWhether our ability to make good decisions when it comes to content - actually impairs the more data we have access toThe number one metric to double down on when it comes to amplifying what worksAnd obviously - what Ben sees coming on the horizon for digital storytellingI always love having people back on the show - it’s an opportunity to jump back in and explore the extra 10% of the iceberg we rarely have time to touch. In Ben’s case, and with 250 UnSkippable experiments and counting up his sleeve - it’s an iceberg of knowledge that just keeps on growing.So sit back, stretch out, stride through, sip on - I could literally keep going here - and enjoy my reunion with the man at the forefront of the future of storytelling. Ben Jones.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here’s today’s question - what Quest are you on? And then the next question - what’s the natural enemy of that quest? Not necessarily a person - but maybe an idea, a viewpoint - or a traditional way of doing things?For regular listeners of the podcast, you’ll know that a frequent topic of conversation is the power of storytelling. Whether it’s in the shows we binge watch on Netflix, the ads we skip past on YouTube, or the way we communicate our ideas in person or from a platform. The impact of a well crafted story is one of the most primal - and powerful - forms of influence on the planet. Not to mention the fastest way to cut through. And the most reliable tool in converting that cut through into action.Storytelling in business isn’t a new concept, we’ve been wondering how businesses should tell their brand story since ‘marketing’ began - literally since the origins of the word - where it began with stallholders trying to get their products to stand out in the town ‘marketplace’. So what’s changed? And what’s the next iteration of storytelling? Especially in a digital age where we can no longer out-shout, out-spend and out-interrupt to guarantee our target audiences attention?Today’s guest has built a career around these questions. And the belief that brands that will dominate in the future - and are in fact dominating today - are those that have taken storytelling to the next level - the level beyond simply telling - and into ‘story-doing’.Ty Montague - and his cofounders at co:collective - help companies innovate their customer experience using the methodology of Storydoing. Using his own words Ty considers himself a traditional advertising ‘refugee’ - having decided to pivot his entire career when he noticed - and couldn’t explain why - Starbucks could be on every corner - yet not spend a single dollar on traditional advertising. Ty took that one question and went on to build a philosophy, a methodology, a company and a global reputation on the answer. Then writing the stand out book - that if it isn’t already should be on the curriculum for every world-class marketing MBA: ‘True Story: How to Combine Story and Action to Transform Your Business’.In today’s conversation we dive into:The difference between story-telling and story-doing? How the best companies aren’t just telling their stories, but building their entire customer journeys around themThe bottom line (practically and from an execution standpoint) behind what a story-doing company does that worksThe importance of carefully defining a ‘Quest’ and a clear enemy - and why it’s at the core of our very humanity to gravitate towards those that stand for - and against - something importantHow to strategize for the iconic? This one was big for me - it’s one thing to aim to become an iconic brand - but few understand the grassroots strategy behind bringing that word to life. Why a pile of free T-Shirts can tell you more about your brand story - than a thousand surveys or data pointsHow to humanize your brand - by developing stories that authentically resonatePlus how Ty see’s story-doing playing out in the next horizon - when it comes to new emerging technologyNot to mention a few golden soap box moments - on how commiting to this new paradigm - literally has the power to solve some of the largest issues of our time.There were a lot of ‘aha’ moments for me in today’s conversation, but one of the biggest stand-outs was just how logical Ty’s philosophies are. This is a man who’s spent decades on the front line of building ideas - brands - and stories - that actually stick. And - as I find we uncover more often than not on this podcast - what he discovered in the arena - turns out to be the opposite of traditional wisdom.So - get ready to stop chasing impact unicorns - identify the gaps in your story - and start fiercely advocating for your Quest. You’ll definitely want your notepad for this one. Enjoy my conversation with storyteller from the front line - Ty Montague. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine getting a call from Barack Obama. In and of itself, that doesn’t sound like a usual day at the office. But beyond that, imagine getting a call from then-President Barack Obama asking you to work on the US Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. A team of individuals who role it is to advise the office of the President on the scientific and technological issues requiring attention the highest levels of Governemnet.If you’re a second-generation physicist, son of two astrophysicists and a biotech entrepreneur working on a cure for cancer - when that call comes - you vaguely consider faking the flu - and then jump straight in with both feet.This was the position that my guest today found themselves in. Luckily for Safi Bahcall, working on what he calls ‘loonshots’ is in his blood. Having already become fascinated - for very personal reasons that we’ll get into - with what (all too often) makes good teams kill great ideas. Safi started to research some of the great ideas that have already influenced the course of humanity - and what he found was surprising. Thanks to NASA, we’re trained to think that the key to innovation is to aim for moonshots  - seemingly huge audacious goals. However - what he found - was that it wasn’t in fact moonshots that created the first long distance phone call, or that created the technology that helped the Allies to win the second world war - it was something else. Something he now calls - a loonshot.Safi studied at Harvard and received his PhD in physics from Stanford. He was also a Miller Fellow in physics at UC Berkeley and worked as a consultant with McKinsey. Having co-founded a biotechnology company developing new drugs for cancer. He then also went on to lead its IPO and serve as its CEO for 13 years. To add to that extraordinary list of accolades - he is now also the author of a book you have to check out - Loonshots - How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas that Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries’. This interview was one of my favorite types - the type that goes far and wide, fusing a variety of different worlds - in order to create an altogether new perspective on an important topic. Some of those threads included:The real difference between a moonshot and a loonshot (and the fascinating history behind the concept of moonshots)Why understanding the molecular structure of water - at exactly 32 degrees Fareinheight - is pivotal to structuring teams that aren’t afraid to take important risksHow the traditional viewpoint ‘culture eats strategy for breakfast’ should be replaced with ‘structure eats culture for lunch’Why every organisation that requires innovation as it’s lifeblood - in that read every organisation - needs to have an Chief Incentives OfficerHow to love your artists and soldiers equally in order to effectively fill the gap between innovation and execution - this one huge for me...And finally - why any type of innovative ‘loonshot’ thinking requires mental space - and one of the best tools I have comes across in a long time to quiet the never ending mental chatter of your mindIf you ask Safi his greatest weapon in attempting to achieve the impossible - he will tell you it’s curiosity. Curiosity that came from having astrophysicists for parents. Curiosity that took him from consulting to the United States military, to starting his own Biotech company to cure the greatest health issue of our time - and that it’s this curiosity that’s at the heart of anyone that’s ever been crazy enough to attempt a loonshot.So - get curious. Sit back, strap in - and join me for an epic fusion of the unexpected, at the surface unrelated, but utterly compelling ideas - of Safi Bahcall. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m sure we’ve all had days that have felt like we did nothing but fight fires. Nothing but intensely analyse, inspect and wrestle with problems, both big and small, that at times feel like the sheer volume might crush us, or our organisation entirely.I can definitely tell you, from my own days of feeling like that, the last thing I often felt like I had, was a clear idea of how to address these issues in a manner where everyone wins. In fact some of the time it felt more like frantically getting one fire under control - just to move on and deal with the next.So I want you to imagine if every day was one of those days. If everyday your job was to tackle some of the biggest crises happening in an organisation, or in the media - and work out how to get them through it.My worst nightmare - and the reality for my guest this week. He walks alongside CEO’s, executives and organisations in some of their darkest hours, helping them work out exactly what they need to do in the midst of a crisis - to come out with their reputations intact (preferably increased - because that’s the opportunity not often talked about in crisis situations).As a reputation management and crisis communications expert, Bill Coletti knows his way around the most complex and sensitive situations a business may face.Having provided reputation defense to numerous high profile clients such as AT&T, American Airlines and Xerox, the thing that stood out to me most about Bill’s incredible approach to his work? He cares. I know that shouldn’t be a surprise - but I’ll admit it - the image I had in my mind of a reputation manager before this conversation was something along the Mad Men vibe - a spin doctor there to protect those than can pay from the worst of their actions.What I found? Couldn’t have been further from that stereotype.Bill’s approach to the people behind these crises, is deeply rooted in compassion. For those that have been impacted by the situation - but also for those in the midst of the fire, having to make very tough decisions with their livelihoods on the line... some due to their own mistakes - and others who just woke up one morning to a raging inferno they didn’t see coming. AND THAT is what elevates him to the best in his field.As much as I wanted to get into the strategies, techniques and tactics he’s road tested over years of being the front line - most of our conversation today is about people. And how to manage the expectations, responses and behaviour of people at critical moments:In today’s conversation with Bill we talked about:Crisis EQ - what it is, why it’s vital and how - like any other muscle - it takes trainingHow to get unstuck when a crisis first starts to unfold - when everyone is in flight or fight and you can feel the panic starting to spreadWhy most of us either ‘passively engage’ or over react when there’s an issue - and how to replace those responses with a process he calls Active Decision MakingThe importance of storytelling in controlling crisisA simple three-recipe for an effective apology… clue.. it doesn’t involve the words ‘if’ or ‘but’And finally - having the courage to speak truth to power. In critical moments there is often significant fear, not of the situation itself but of swimming against the tide and offering a different, unpleasant point of view - how to overcome those moments and share what you know constructively.One of the moments I knew I would enjoy this conversation as much as I did was when, in researching Bill’s work - I came across his love for a particular quote which has been one of my lifelong favourites:“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”Maya AngelouIn critical moments - when the stakes are high, emotions are stretched - and every new piece of information feels like a missile - it’s easy to forget that it’s often not what we do that makes the difference - but how we do it. And that’s what Bill unpacks.So, sit back - stride out - and pull into mind some of the critical moments you have in your life right now - organisationally, personally or socially - how much of an impact would it make if you had a blueprint ready to go?With that in mind - enjoy my conversation with one of the best in the business, Bill Coletti. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I want you to imagine the most complex challenge on your horizon at the moment - it might be a global issue, one within your network or organisation. Here’s the question - did it arrive with a roadmap? A simple route to get from A to B? Or even some guide posts around where to start?I’m guessing the answer is no - because - let’s face it - the more complex or high stakes the issue – the more complicated the solution. Why? Because it inevitably involves more stakeholders and collaborations to cross the finish line. Which means successfully navigating a whole series of competing agendas. Not to mention getting the attention of those who usually (if they are in a large enough position of power) do not hand it over easily.AND THEN - once you’ve herded the right big cats into the room – to use the words of my next guest - you need to become fluent enough in their language – to be able to translate the problem and opportunity in such a way that they are willing to commit to the solution - not just for that day - or while it’s easy - but for the long term. Get it wrong at any of those points and the process falls down. Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. Do not solve the problem. Still up for it? I hope so.From the outset - my guest today is in the business of harnessing big money. Specifically harnessing how that money it spent and invested in new ways - in order to create solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems.As Head of Sustainable and Impact Investing for the World Economic Forum, Katherine Brown describes her day job as ‘transforming complexity into concrete action - and navigating ambiguity to find shared value’. A far cry from where her journey began - killing time in the cloakroom of a pizzeria reading investment books. More on that later...Her role at the WEF essentially involves challenging traditional models of financial investment - including how we leverage emerging digital technology - so returns (and success) aren’t just only measured in dollars - but also in social and environmental outcomes. Posing one of my favorite questions at the highest level - what if we choose both?In today’s conversation Katherine and I cover a lot of territory. Including:The art of getting the right people in the room, at the right time and curating a constructive conversationThe significance of building a lighthouse - or an easily identifiable target when it comes to engaging those stakeholdersFlipping the story we tell as change makers - from risk to opportunity - and why risk will always get our attention - but only opportunity will keep us committed to a solution in the long termThe pivotal role investors and big business has to play in solving some of our world’s biggest problemsWhy to be successful you have to be willing to ‘go there’’ – we’ll talk about where that is in the later parts of the conversation.Why the Velocity, Scope and Systems of the 4th industrial revolution has the potential to solve some of the greatest challenges of our time - if we can leverage itAnyone that’s in the business of behavior change - particularly change where the stakes are high - will tell you that collaboration at any level can be frustrating. That’s before you get to global issues such as the 70 million people are forcibly displaced globally every year and trillions of potential dollars in aid investment. Getting any positive action in motion is complex, it’s messy.And yet - on the 20th of September - just seven days ago as I record this. Sixteen year old climate change activist Greta Thunberg called for one of the biggest climate change action strikes the world has ever seen. 4 million students and workers mobilised and took to the streets - in a mass climate protest that could well change the course of history. Almost exactly one year before? In August 2018 - at 15 years of age - Greta had sat alone striking outside her native Swedish Parliament. I guarantee you no one gave her a road map to get between those two points in time. Or permission to start. So it is possible.And you know the best place to start? Listening to those who are getting it done.With that in mind, sit back, strap in, buckle up and enjoy my conversation with the seismic force that is Katherine Brown.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings everyone, my name is Julie Masters and welcome to another episode of Inside Influence. In which I delve into the minds of some of the world’s most fascinating influencers – or experts in influence - to get to the bottom of what it really takes to own your voice - and then amplify it to drive an industry, a conversation, a movement or a nation. Here is the primary question I went into my interview with this week’s guest thinking about…What kind of leadership influence actually creates impact? Real impact.Sure as leaders we can request, motivate, incentivise - reprimand. But what happens when those tools don’t work? When we’ve tried everything we know - and the results are still falling way too far short? When we have that sneaking feeling in our gut that it’s us rather than them - and that a better leader could get this train back on track. It’s hard to admit those moments - because it means we have to stretch when we already feel stretched enough. Learn new tools and - hardest of all - admit to those we’re supposed to inspire that in this moment we’re as unsure as anyone else.And yet - it’s in those moments - according to my next guest - that we have the choice to do something different. To develop tools that are some of the most potent we have available as leaders. These tools are counter-intuitive. They involve slowing down - especially when you need results fast. To stop talking even when everyone is looking to you for answers. To really listen to our teams - and consider their purpose in going to work in the first place - rather than purpose we have given them. To trust the people around us implicitly until proven otherwise - and then tell the truth fast when things aren’t working. Essentially they involve unlearning everything we think we know as leaders.My guest today is the entertaining and unreservedly direct Nigel Risner. Nigel is a globally recognised specialist in company turnarounds - and author of ‘The Impact Code’. His journey into leadership began at 21 - as one of the youngest CEO’s of a financial services company in London. He started with the total sum of £12.80 in his pocket - and went on to lead that company through massive growth - eventually becoming the largest independent brokerage in the Country. But of course that’s not the end of the story. The course of true love - or true leadership - never ran that smooth. I also can’t think of many masterful CEO’s or Founders that I know that hit the bullseye on the first shot. Or the second or the third for that matter. Then came the financial crash of the 1980’s - and after a chain of events Nigel found himself making a previously inconceivable choice - to drive a mini-cab in the Company Bentley in order to pay the bills. What happened next - and the lessons he learnt - fire tested all the tools he now teaches when it comes to helping companies and teams successfully emerge from what would be considered ‘near fatal’ situations.In today's conversation Nigel and I go head first into:The importance of telling the truth quicklyThe art of deep trust - until proven otherwiseWhat it takes to show up intentionally and powerfully as a leaderWhy 17 mins is the magic number - I won’t go into more detail here - but it’s worth writing downHow to turn Feedback into Feedforward. A simple twist that completely changes the outcome.And the vital leadership pivot from coach to commentator I first heard about Nigel in a Facebook message that arrived one morning from a friend I admire. It said: ‘You need to check this guy out. He’s interesting.’So now I’m saying the same to you. Grab a coffee - get ready to dive into a world of what it takes to drive leadership impact - when the road most travelled disappears.Enjoy my conversation with Nigel Risner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.