Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher

A leader describes hitting the limit of nonstop busy and the personal costs it created. He explores how being the bottleneck blocks growth and why delegation is a trust issue. The conversation covers facing fear, creating space for strategic work, and switching from counting activity to measuring impact. Practical prompts include stop-doing lists and retraining identity to make busyness intentional.

What if your greatest leadership tool isn’t your brain, but your spirit?Bill Gallagher sits down with Dr. Yosi Amram, a licensed psychologist, engineer, and former CEO turned spiritual researcher, to explore how spiritual intelligence can profoundly shape leadership, decision-making, and performance. They dive into the key qualities of spiritual intelligence, how they relate to personal and organizational transformation, and why some of the most effective leaders operate from a deeper, more connected sense of purpose.Topics explored in this episode:(03:45) Defining Spiritual Intelligence*What spiritual intelligence really means (beyond religion or belief)*The difference between spirituality, emotional intelligence, and IQ*Why spiritual intelligence is critical for modern leadership(14:00) The Qualities of Spiritual Intelligence*In spiritually intelligent leadership, we have to follow our inner compass and also stay open to input *It’s in our biology to be part of a tribe, to have a purpose*We have a loneliness epidemic because we are isolated from the community(31:15) Performance and Spirituality: A False Tradeoff?*Productivity doesn’t have to come at the cost of soulSpiritually intelligent leaders outperform purely tactical ones*Our brains fill in the gaps and make assumptions all the time *The ROI of integrating purpose and personal growth into leadership(45:20) How to Cultivate Spiritual Intelligence*We have many different layers of love. *What leaders can do today to start building this capacity*Spiritual intelligence enriches you and your purpose. Thanks to Yosi Amram for being on the show!Yosi’s Book: Spiritually Intelligent LeadershipConnect with Yosi: https://yosi.health/Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshopBill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoachVisit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgallThis episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Will AI make us wiser or much dumber?In this solo episode, Bill Gallagher explores the growing role of artificial intelligence and how it intersects (and sometimes conflicts) with wisdom. As AI tools become more advanced, are we gaining real insight or simply outsourcing our thinking? Bill unpacks the nuances of what the future of AI really means. Topics explored in this episode:(02:30) AI Simply Can’t Do It AllAI offers speed, volume, and convenience, but that doesn’t mean it offers wisdom.Relying too heavily on tools can bypass necessary experience and reflection.Wisdom is earned through trial, error, and sometimes failure.(06:45) The Limits of AI in LeadershipAI can generate content, insights, and even strategies, but it cannot make judgment calls.The role of a leader is to see the bigger picture, understand nuance, source different opinions, and offer mentorship.Wisdom includes timing, empathy, and courage; none of which are codeable.(9:00) Should You Use AI? Make space to reflect before reacting.Use AI as a thinking partner, not a thinking replacement.Stay committed to learning through experience. There’s still value there.Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/ Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

In this engaging discussion, Scott Burgmeyer, co-founder of Become More Group and author, teams up with Tammy Rogers, also co-founder and a leadership development expert. They tackle the decline of deep thinking in workplaces, highlighting how busy lives lead to surface-level thoughts. Scott’s Swiss cheese analogy illustrates how systemic flaws can result in poor decisions, while Tammy emphasizes the value of structured reflection. They introduce practical frameworks like ROADD, urging leaders to cultivate intentional thinking for better decision-making.

Bill emphasizes the importance of approaching others with expectation of hearing "yes" rather than bracing for rejection. He points out that expecting a "no" can negatively affect one's demeanor and the way proposals are presented, potentially leading to self-sabotage before even fully articulating the pitch. To counteract this, Bill advises focusing on the potential "yes" by considering and speaking to what the other party might want or find beneficial, thereby crafting a more compelling and engaging proposal.Moreover, Bill delves into the psychological barriers that fear of rejection can create, suggesting that this fear can significantly impede one's ability to secure affirmative responses. He recommends acknowledging and setting aside this fear to focus on why the proposition could be appealing to the other party. If the fear of rejection is deeply ingrained, seeking external help or therapy might be necessary to overcome these hurdles. Ultimately, the aim is to move beyond the fear, speculate on potential wins for both parties and present a pitch that is both compelling and attuned to the interests and desires of the other person, thus improving the chances of hearing "yes" more frequently in business endeavors.

Ryan Hawk, an author and keynote speaker, shares insights on transforming leadership skills. He reflects on his Ohio upbringing where sports shaped his grit and growth. The conversation delves into the power of diversity in teamwork and the importance of deep listening. Hawk discusses the struggle to celebrate wins and advocates for continuous learning and self-care to fuel leadership effectiveness. He emphasizes the significance of seeking permission in teaching, fostering stronger relationships, and the liberating journey of always pursuing excellence.

Reflecting on the past year is key to ending strong. The ideal time is between Thanksgiving and mid-December. Bill encourages envisioning your life ten years from now to define your purpose. Setting realistic daily habits can help you achieve those long-term goals. He suggests creating a visual collage of your aspirations for daily motivation. Small changes can lead to significant results, ensuring you kick off the new year on the right foot.

Dan Clifford, a strategic advisor and former CEO, shares insights on planning impactful annual strategy offsites. He emphasizes the importance of pre-planning and choosing inspiring locations to foster creativity. Dan also discusses leveraging data and AI to inform discussions while ensuring the right attendees are present. They explore strategies for maintaining focus during sessions, the significance of agenda flow, and how to effectively follow up to ensure accountability and continuous improvement for the year ahead.

What if chasing “having it all” is exactly what’s making you miserable?In this episode, Bill challenges what “having it all” means and explores what actually creates sustainable happiness for high-performing leaders. He shares moments from when he had money, success, and recognition, but still felt empty, and explains why joy often comes from subtraction of things. Topics explored in this episode:(03:40) Success Without Joy Is Emptiness*Bill reflects on hitting financial and professional milestones; yet still feeling a strange emptiness. *Challenge the belief that: achievement = happiness. *External wins don’t always translate to internal satisfaction.(07:15) Why the Gratitude Advice Doesn’t Always Work*Break “Thanksgiving” into two core practices: Thanks (appreciation) and Giving (generosity).*Start with gratitude for team members, family, and yourself.*Let go of expectations, and express that through generous action.(10:50) The Secret Might Be: Wanting Less*True happiness often comes from removing things, not adding more. *Reconsider the idea of “having it all.” *Creating fewer goals for yourself actually might be the real key to fulfillment.Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/ Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall 

What does it really mean for people to feel like they matter in the workplace?In this episode, Zach Mercurio unpacks why mattering is the missing piece in most workplace cultures and how leaders can foster it. He also explores how a sense of value and contribution drives engagement, innovation, and retention. Zach is on a mission to make work and life more meaningful. As an author, researcher, and speaker, he helps leaders create environments where people feel valued. Topics explored in this episode: (02:15) The Science of Mattering* How mattering influences employee performance and well-being.* Why recognition alone isn’t enough to make people feel valued.(10:40) Workplace Disconnection* The hidden costs of employees feeling like they don’t matter.(18:55) The Role of Leaders in Creating Mattering* Mattering shouldn’t be just an HR initiative—it’s a leadership responsibility.(28:30) Purpose vs. Mattering* Why having a sense of mattering is more foundational than purpose.* Case studies of companies that have built cultures of mattering.(47:20) Building a Mattering-Centric Culture* The three key components of a workplace where people feel they matter.Thanks to Zach Mercurio for being on the show! Learn more about Zach: https://www.zachmercurio.com/Get Zach’s book: The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8XMWCLJ Connect with Zach on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachmercurio Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.  Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/ Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/