In this solo episode, host Mike Simmons kicks off 2025 with a focus on leadership, personal growth, and impactful goals. Drawing from experiences in business, family, and life, Mike shares insights into building better leaders, fostering collaboration, and addressing the persistent leadership gap. Key Quotes from Mike Simmons: "Leadership starts with self. Build self-worth, self-awareness, and self-confidence, and then earn the right to lead others." "Stop wasting your team’s time with ineffective meetings—engage them in solving real problems with clear next steps." "Think different so that you can do different, and ultimately, be different." Mike Simmons reflects on the successes and lessons of 2024 while setting an ambitious agenda for 2025. With two key goals—expanding the Leader Lab and hosting 200 guided whiteboard sessions—Mike emphasizes the importance of leadership development and effective collaboration. He also shares personal aspirations and strategies for achieving clarity and impact. Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Leadership Starts with Self Build a foundation of self-worth, self-awareness, and self-confidence. Assess and align personal values to lead authentically. Leadership isn’t a title—it’s a practice you earn and refine. 2️⃣ Effective Collaboration in Meetings Differentiate between communication, decision-making, and collaboration meetings. Use structured tools to focus meetings on problem-solving or alignment. Clear next steps and accountability prevent wasted time and effort. 3️⃣ The Leader Lab’s Mission A community for leaders who want to think and act differently. Focus on building leaders at every level—not just executives. Goal: 100 members by June 2025 to inspire and sustain a global leadership movement. 4️⃣ Guided Whiteboard Sessions for Results Facilitate 90-minute virtual sessions for teams to solve problems or design strategies. Engage team expertise to drive results with clarity. Develop team-building and sales skills using catalyst tools. 5️⃣ Goals Beyond Business Personal Goal: Achieve under 200 lbs. and 14% body fat by April. Family Focus: Create lasting impact and strengthen bonds through intentional action. Apply tools and systems to personal life for holistic growth. Action Steps for Listeners: Join the Leader Lab: Build your leadership capabilities. Book a Guided Whiteboard Session: Transform how your team collaborates. Reflect on how you can think differently about your leadership and process. 📧 Questions or Suggestions? Email podcast@findmycatalyst.com 🌐 Learn More: FindMyCatalyst.com

Vincent Pugliese, a former sports photographer turned entrepreneur, shares his transformative journey of creating meaningful experiences, building connections, and inspiring others to live with intention. From his spontaneous trip to the Rose Bowl to the deeply personal lessons learned from his late brother, Vince embodies the power of living authentically. His work focuses on helping people find freedom through creativity, community, and recurring revenue. Three Key Quotes: "Live your life. Eliminate the excuses. Do the work to make it happen." "Sales is not about doing something to someone; it's about doing something for someone." "You don’t need funnels or big budgets; conversations and relationships are what create meaningful impact." Vincent Pugliese dives into his philosophy of living a life rich in experiences, honoring loved ones, and inspiring action through connection. Sharing personal stories and actionable advice, Vince challenges us to reframe how we approach decisions, social media, and community building to create freedom and purpose in our lives. Check out Vince at - https://mymembershipfreedom.com/ Find Your Catalyst at - https://www.findmycatalyst.com/  5 Key Takeaways: The Power of Spontaneous Experiences Don’t wait for the "perfect time"—make the decision and act. Experiences leave lasting memories, not regrets. Facing loss can inspire a renewed commitment to living fully. Building a Legacy Through Stories Share personal stories to honor loved ones and connect with others. Vulnerability strengthens bonds and creates impact. Legacy is shaped by the relationships and experiences we leave behind. Reframing Social Media as a Tool for Connection Treat social platforms as a way to build attention, trust, and connections. Focus on creating valuable, authentic content. Personal engagement can lead to deeper relationships and greater impact. Embracing Mistakes and Uncertainty Mistakes are the greatest teachers; embrace them. Fear of imperfection often prevents meaningful action. Reframe challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Freedom Through Recurring Revenue Prioritize recurring income streams to free your time for what matters most. Align your business with personal values like family and creativity. True freedom is the ability to choose experiences over obligations.

Mike Simmons, founder of Find My Catalyst, reflects on 2024's milestones, challenges, and lessons learned. He dives into leadership, communication clarity, and strategies for personal and professional growth while sharing insights on building the Leader Lab and addressing leadership challenges. Three Key Quotes from Mike Simmons: "Stop what you would not start." Emphasizing the importance of eliminating activities and relationships that no longer serve your goals. "If you're looking for leadership, start with a mirror." Leadership begins with self-awareness and personal growth. "The revenue challenge inside your business is likely a culture challenge in disguise." Highlighting the deep connection between culture and financial success. Mike Simmons recaps 2024, exploring what worked, what didn’t, and where he’s stuck. From refining leadership strategies in the Leader Lab to improving communication clarity, Mike discusses creating space for growth, focusing on self-leadership, and the ongoing challenge of turning abstract concepts into actionable steps for personal and organizational success. Find Your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/ Key Takeaways: Leadership is a Personal Journey Leadership begins with self-awareness and self-improvement. Build clarity and focus to simplify decision-making and execution. Eliminate distractions and relationships that don’t align with your goals. The Power of Reflection Use a "start, stop, continue" framework to evaluate progress. Reflect on time management to prioritize meaningful experiences. Recognize and celebrate milestones to sustain momentum. Communication and Clarity Bridge the gap between abstract ideas and actionable plans. Use tools like whiteboards or soundbites for effective communication. Test and iterate on messaging to ensure alignment with your audience. Overcoming Business Challenges Address leadership and cultural challenges to unlock revenue growth. Create systems that facilitate autonomous conversions without direct involvement. Seek expert advice in areas like copywriting and marketing for improvement. Fostering Growth and Impact Engage in intentional outreach to amplify reach and influence. Leverage platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn for broader engagement. Focus on accelerating the transition from insight to action for clients and audiences.

Terence Daniels is an experienced golfer, community-builder, and business strategist. A former college athlete, Terence shares how his love for golf evolved into a passion for connecting people and leveraging lessons from the sport to enhance both personal and professional growth. He recently launched The Cactus Club AZ, a local golf community initiative aimed at fostering connections and sharing insights within Arizona’s vibrant golf scene. Key Quotes "Golf is a long journey, just like business. You might birdie one hole and bogey the next, but it's about how you plan and adjust that determines your success." "Community is the best part of golf—connecting with people you wouldn’t meet otherwise while learning and growing together." "Confidence is key in golf and business. If you believe in your approach, the likelihood of success is much higher." In this episode, Terence Daniels explores the parallels between golf and business, emphasizing the value of community, data-driven improvement, and strategic planning. He discusses his journey from competitive golf to building The Cactus Club AZ and shares tips for beginners, including the importance of group lessons and practicing with purpose. FInd Your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/ Key Takeaways Golf as a Catalyst for Growth Embrace the challenge: Golf teaches patience and resilience, traits essential for personal growth. Learn from others: Play with better golfers to improve, just as mentorship accelerates professional development. Focus on small wins: Like improving a single skill in golf, success in life builds incrementally. Community Drives Success Shared interests build connections: Golf brings together diverse people, fostering lifelong relationships. Group lessons ease intimidation: For beginners, community learning reduces pressure and builds confidence. Cross-community opportunities: Golf creates overlap with other interests, sparking unexpected collaborations. Parallels Between Golf and Business Strategic planning matters: In golf, as in business, understanding the “course” ahead leads to better results. Use data to improve: Track performance to identify weaknesses and focus your practice. Learn to fail fast: Both golf and business require resilience and quick recovery from setbacks. Confidence and Perspective Trust your preparation: Confidence in tested methods increases success in high-pressure situations. Adjust your lens: A fresh perspective, like setting the camera correctly in golf, changes how you solve problems. Avoid comparison: Stay focused on your journey, whether in golf or business. Starting Your Golf Journey Begin at the range: Use rental clubs and explore options like Topgolf for fun introductions. Join group clinics: Affordable and beginner-friendly, clinics build skills in a supportive environment. Celebrate progress: Success comes in small steps, like hitting the sweet spot or mastering one club. Links and Resources Connect with Terence Daniels: https://x.com/terencedaniels https://www.instagram.com/terencedaniels/ http://thecactusclubaz.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/terencedaniels/  Tools and Apps Discussed: Garmin Golf App, Arccos Golf

Jonathan Moss, a thought leader in AI and emerging technologies, dives into how AI can help streamline processes, empower individuals, and unlock creative potential. As a passionate advocate for leveraging AI as a "thought partner," Jonathan shares insights on practical use cases, the future of AI agents, and strategies for overcoming adoption hurdles. Key Quotes from Jonathan Moss "AI is not going to replace your job, but someone who uses AI in the same job as you will replace you." "Think of AI as an intern; it needs clear instructions, context, and practice to deliver great results." "The tools we use today are enabling humans to do better human things—they simplify and empower." In this episode, Jonathan Moss explains how AI tools can revolutionize workflows, from eliminating mundane tasks to supporting strategic decision-making. By viewing AI as an extension of human creativity, Jonathan emphasizes the importance of integrating these tools thoughtfully to achieve measurable outcomes while managing risks effectively. Key Takeaways 1. AI as a Thought Partner AI excels at augmenting human creativity by handling repetitive tasks. It can brainstorm solutions and highlight blind spots in decision-making. A successful approach to AI requires learning and refining prompts. 2. Enhancing Efficiency Across Functions AI tools reduce time spent on non-strategic tasks like meeting preparation. Conversational intelligence platforms can automate coaching workflows. Documenting and optimizing processes with AI saves significant time and resources. 3. Exploring Practical AI Applications AI simplifies research for market analysis, strategic planning, and onboarding. Platforms like ChatGPT and Notebook LM enable dynamic learning and adaptation. Real-world use cases include creating recipes, designing workflows, and enhancing customer interactions. 4. Mitigating Risks in AI Adoption Ensure data security by leveraging private models or walled garden setups. Address workforce concerns by emphasizing AI as a tool for enhancement, not replacement. Regularly validate AI outputs to prevent inaccuracies or over-reliance. 5. Future Trends: Custom LLMs and AI Agents Smaller, customized large language models (LLMs) tailored to specific needs will dominate. AI agents can autonomously accomplish objectives, such as travel bookings or process automation. Tools like Relevance AI and Notebook LM offer glimpses of this future potential. Actionable Challenge for Listeners Start small with AI: use a tool like ChatGPT or Canva for a personal task, such as brainstorming ideas or creating visuals. Reflect on how the tool simplifies the process and builds confidence for professional applications.

Mike Simmons explores the art of effective meetings using a "Jobs to Be Done" framework. As a leadership coach and expert in organizational dynamics, Mike breaks down common meeting challenges, offers actionable strategies, and introduces practical tools for fostering clarity, engagement, and collaboration. Three Key Quotes from Mike Simmons "Clarity is key—if you don't have a specific objective for the meeting, you're setting everyone up for frustration." "Stop combining decision-making, information-sharing, and collaboration into one meeting—it wastes time and energy." "Leverage the collective intelligence of your team to solve problems and design solutions collaboratively." Mike dissects meeting inefficiencies and introduces an approach that leverages a "Jobs to Be Done" framework to improve the effectiveness of your meetings. Categorizing meetings into decision-making, information-sharing, and collaborative types. By avoiding multitasking and fostering clarity, leaders can eliminate wasted time, enhance engagement, and drive meaningful outcomes. Tools like guided whiteboard sessions and clear next steps improve team alignment and accountability. Five Key Takeaways Define Meeting Objectives Clearly Meetings without objectives lead to confusion and wasted time. Use tools like a call plan to set the purpose and desired outcomes. Align the team on specific goals before starting. Different Types of Meetings Serve Different Purposes Decision-making: Share criteria and ensure alignment in advance. Information-sharing: Prepare pre-read materials and anticipate Q&A. Collaboration: Solve problems, design solutions, or align strategies as a group. Avoid Combining Meeting Types Multitasking meetings dilute focus and reduce effectiveness. Assess each meeting’s purpose and categorize accordingly. Create specialized agendas for each meeting type to enhance efficiency. Clarify and Assign Next Steps Use tools like color-coded notes or whiteboards to document decisions. Specify “who will do what by when” to ensure accountability. Publicly document agreements to eliminate misunderstandings. Harness the Power of Collaboration Guided whiteboard sessions enhance problem-solving and team cohesion. External facilitators can neutralize biases and encourage fresh perspectives. Leverage team diversity to innovate and tackle complex challenges effectively.

Tim and Mike dive into the challenges businesses face in hiring, the importance of leadership, and how fractional leadership can be a game-changer for organizations. They explore common hiring pitfalls, misconceptions about experience and skills, and the role mindset plays in leadership and business success. Their conversational style combines humor and actionable insights. Three Key Quotes: "If you think your leadership is defined by how much you meddle in day-to-day operations, you're doing it wrong." "Experience doesn’t predict future performance or motivation to succeed." "Hiring isn’t about finding a perfect resume—it’s about finding someone motivated and passionate to grow with your organization." Tim and Mike tackle hiring challenges, from assessing candidates effectively to crafting meaningful job descriptions. They emphasize the need for clear, repeatable hiring processes and the importance of mindset in leadership. With practical advice and engaging anecdotes, they shed light on overcoming biases, redefining "fit," and leveraging fractional leadership to drive growth. Find Your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/fractional Key Takeaways: Hiring Right is Critical: Success begins with the right team; everything else builds from there. Misguided job descriptions often exclude exceptional candidates. Skills matter, but motivation and passion are the ultimate drivers. Common Hiring Challenges: Overreliance on experience instead of transferable skills. Ineffective interview processes fail to reveal true potential. Biases and unrealistic expectations hinder decision-making. Building Better Hiring Processes: Map out processes to ensure consistency and measurable outcomes. Incorporate feedback loops to refine hiring strategies. Align job descriptions with real organizational needs, not templates. Fractional Leadership as a Solution: Fractional leaders provide specialized expertise without long-term commitments. They can elevate internal teams by modeling forward-thinking practices. Suitable for various roles, including HR, operations, and marketing. The Power of Mindset: Leadership challenges often stem from insecurity and lack of focus. Embracing openness and adaptability fosters better hiring and team dynamics. Leaders who think differently can inspire innovation and drive change.

John Karsant, founder of LevelUp Leads, shares his journey from tennis coaching to establishing a successful lead generation agency. With years of experience in sales development, John provides insights on building pipelines, hiring sales development representatives (SDRs), and the importance of aligning sales processes with organizational goals. Key Quotes: "If you don’t have a sales process and expect an SDR to figure it out, you’re setting them up for failure." "A lot of outbound campaigns fail because companies overlook the small things—like having a professional website and a clear social presence." "Don’t rely on one channel for leads; diversifying your approach is the key to long-term success." John Karsant discusses the essentials of building a scalable sales pipeline and the pitfalls of outsourcing sales development too early. He highlights the importance of leadership, process documentation, and aligning marketing and sales efforts. John also emphasizes the role of consistent branding and creating trust with potential clients. Find Your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/ 5 Key Takeaways: Start with the Basics: Document processes early, even if they evolve over time. Ensure internal resources are in place before outsourcing. SDRs need direction and tools to succeed; don’t hire without a solid sales framework. Outsourcing Sales Development: Pros: Faster go-to-market, reduced overhead, and immediate access to expertise. Cons: Risk of misalignment without clear internal processes. Choose outsourcing when the focus is on rapid scalability and experimentation. Building a Professional Presence: A polished website builds trust and credibility. Case studies and customer testimonials are critical for proving your value. Social media activity enhances visibility and establishes authority in your field. The Right Time for SDRs: Ensure product-market fit before scaling outreach. SDRs thrive when companies provide clear guidelines and ICP (Ideal Customer Profile). Avoid hiring if your company lacks a defined process or materials to support sales. Effective Lead Generation Strategies: Combine inbound and outbound efforts for maximum impact. Use data-driven insights, like growth rates and employee turnover, to identify prospects. Diversify lead-generation tactics to adapt to market changes and reduce risk. Connect with John Karsant on LinkedIn or visit LevelUp Leads to learn more about streamlining your sales development process. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who would benefit and tag John and the host on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Mike Simmons, leadership advisor, coach, guide and host of the "Find My Catalyst" podcast, emphasizes self-leadership as the foundation for guiding others. With years of experience helping leaders and teams achieve alignment and success, Mike shares actionable tools and insights for effective decision-making, communication, and goal execution. Key Quotes "Leadership starts with self. If you're looking for leadership, start with a mirror." "Use these tools as your lever, know where to place it based on your skills, and you will start moving the world." "The journey of 10,000 steps starts with one. Take one step aligned with your strategy to achieve your goals." In this episode, Mike explores the importance of self-awareness, confidence, and self-worth in leadership. He introduces practical tools like the 2x2 decision-making matrix and the game plan framework to improve execution and achieve meaningful results, encouraging listeners to adopt a mindset of continuous learning. Find your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/ 5 Key Takeaways Self-Leadership is the Foundation of Success Start with self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-worth. Leadership is a mindset: focus on controlling the controllables. Strong self-leadership attracts others and builds trust. Effective Decision-Making with the 2x2 Matrix Prioritize tasks by urgency and importance to manage time. Use energy and impact as criteria to focus on fulfilling and effective work. Delegate tasks that are high-impact but drain energy to create partnerships. Communication is a Two-Way Process Understand both your objectives and the audience’s needs. Use the "who, what, and next steps" framework for effective meetings. Clear communication fosters trust and ensures alignment. Goal Setting and Execution Simplified Break big goals into manageable steps to maintain focus. Align daily tactics with overarching strategies for maximum efficiency. Always define the "where," "how," and "when" for achieving goals. Leverage Tools to Drive Results Leadership is about using the right tools in the right context. Develop problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills. Regularly iterate and refine strategies in a collaborative environment.

Mike Simmons explores the intersection of leadership and meetings, focusing on how intentional planning and effective communication transform gatherings into powerful catalysts for success. He shares insights on running impactful meetings, leveraging collaboration, and cultivating leadership from self-awareness to organizational influence. 3 Key Quotes from Mike Simmons "Leadership starts with self. Once you lead yourself well, you earn the right to lead others." "Design backward and execute forward—clarity on objectives leads to impactful meetings." "Collaboration thrives when the right people are in the room, listening and engaging authentically." In this episode, Mike shares how leadership principles can transform meetings into catalysts for action. From decision-making to collaboration, he outlines strategies to align teams, solve problems, and achieve goals. Mike highlights tools like guided whiteboard sessions and the importance of starting with self-leadership to build stronger, thriving organizations. Find Your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/ 5 Key Takeaways Leadership in Meetings Effective leadership starts with self-awareness and self-confidence. Leading others is earned through personal growth and success. Leadership extends from individuals to teams, then organizations. Types of Meetings Decision-making: Provide clarity and criteria for group choices. Information-sharing: Engage through Q&A while conveying structured content. Collaboration: Solve problems or align on strategies collectively. Meeting Design Principles Have a call plan: Know objectives, participants, and desired outcomes. Design backward: Plan meetings to achieve specific next steps. Limit action steps: Keep follow-ups focused and manageable. Guided Whiteboard Sessions Enhance engagement using visual collaboration tools. Leverage group intelligence to align on tactics and strategies. Outside facilitators bring unbiased perspectives to problem-solving. Event and Meeting Preparation Define goals: Outline clear objectives for every interaction. Utilize tools: Event apps can facilitate connections and planning. Be curious: Engage with others authentically to build lasting relationships. Schedule a Guided Whiteboard Session with your team at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/whiteboard