The Wisdom Of... with Simon Bowen

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Matthew Pollard, founder of Rapid Growth and bestselling author of The Introvert's Edge series. From struggling with a visual processing disorder and severe introversion to building five multimillion-dollar businesses before age 30, Matthew reveals how systematic approaches consistently outperform natural talent in every commercial context where outcomes matter. Discover why disadvantages force innovation, how practice creates authenticity, and the critical distinction between hustle alone and hustle within strategic frameworks.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to codify your genius into systematic frameworks: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the power of systematic thinking over natural ability04:32 The visual processing challenge that forced systematic problem-solving09:18 Why introversion became a competitive advantage in sales15:44 From commission-only sales to the number one performer in six weeks21:56 The Leonardo DiCaprio principle: practice creates authentic delivery28:12 How to convert intuitive expertise into teachable frameworks34:08 Why small, agile operations with strong systems outmaneuver larger competitors40:25 The critical insight: you're one tiny skill away from success46:33 Hustle with great strategy versus hustle without direction52:47 Rapid-fire questions and final wisdomAbout Matthew PollardKnown as the Rapid Growth guy, Matthew Pollard is responsible for five multimillion-dollar business success stories, all before the age of 30. His humble beginnings, the adversities he faced, and his epic rise to success demonstrate that anyone, with the right strategies and systematic approach, can achieve extraordinary outcomes.Today, Forbes calls him "the real deal," Global Gurus lists him as a Top 30 Sales Professional, SellingPower Magazine named him their 2023 Sales Kickoff Speaker of the Year, Sales World Magazine lists him as a Top 50 Speaker, and BigSpeak highlights him as an international Top 10 Sales Trainer.He's also the founder of Introvertu.com and the bestselling author of The Introvert's Edge book series, which has sold over 100,000 copies and been translated into 15 languages.With over a decade of experience coaching 3,500+ businesses on rapid growth methodology, Matthew brings a unique perspective to the intersection of systematic process design and commercial strategy. His approach combines rigorous framework development with practical implementation to create solutions that work regardless of natural talent or personality type.Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Matthew represents a new generation of business coaches who are leveraging systematic thinking to challenge the conventional wisdom that success requires extroversion, natural charisma, or innate sales ability.Connect with Matthew PollardLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewpollardspeaker/Personal Website: https://matthewpollard.com/Facebook: https://facebook.com/MatthewPollardSpeakerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewpollardspeaker/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MatthewpollardTwitter: https://twitter.com/MatthewPollard_About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletter.Join Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Bernie Brookes AM, Order of Australia recipient and Australian Retail Hall of Fame inductee, whose 40-year career has shaped the retail landscape across four continents. From architecting Woolworths' $5+ billion Project Refresh to transforming Myer under new ownership and turning around South Africa's largest non-food retailer, Bernie reveals the systematic approach to business transformation that most leaders overlook. Discover why the best turnaround strategies already exist inside your organization and how focus groups with your own people can unlock billion-dollar insights.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systemically about complex business challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction to Bernie Brookes and his transformation philosophy 05:42 The overlooked power of focus groups in business turnarounds 12:18 Why broken companies already know what's wrong - and how to extract that wisdom 18:29 Building fact-based reality through staff, supplier, and customer insights 24:17 The PMO framework - structuring leadership accountability for transformation 31:45 Communication strategies that turn resistance into momentum 37:23 "Talk to your horse" - multi-channel communication for organizational change 43:56 International expansion lessons from India, China, and South Africa 51:12 The truth principle - why transparency accelerates transformation 58:37 Leadership philosophy and the intersection of people and performanceAbout Bernie Brookes AMBernie Brookes is a Managing Director and CEO with over 40 years of expertise in retail transformation and turnaround excellence. His career spans four continents, leading some of the world's most complex business transformations, including Woolworths' $5+ billion Project Refresh, Myer's complete carve-out and rebuilding under new ownership, and the dramatic turnaround of South Africa's largest non-food retailer.As an Order of Australia recipient, Australian Retail Hall of Fame inductee, and UN 'He for She' ambassador, Bernie combines business acumen with a philosophy of truth and entrepreneurship that has transformed industries across Australia, India, China, and South Africa.Currently serving on multiple boards, including CEO Institute Chair since 2018, and advising private equity firms, Bernie represents the intersection of systematic business transformation and principled leadership that defines the next generation of global business excellence.Connect with BernieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernie-brookes-am-13570b11a/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletter.Join Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass.

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Peter Ritchie, the first McDonald's employee outside North America, who transformed a struggling franchise concept into Australia's most respected employer brand. From building systematic training programs that developed 50,000+ careers to expanding across Asia-Pacific and serving on major corporate boards, Peter shares profound insights on leadership development, systematic excellence, and the art of building sustainable business systems. Discover why "the salvation is in the numbers" and how systematic people development becomes the ultimate competitive advantage.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systemically about complex business challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the adventure that launched a franchise empire 07:32 Building systems from scratch - why McDonald's invested in training over marketing 15:47 "The salvation is in the numbers" - people math versus financial math 22:15 The seven-year test - persistence through initial challenges and losses 28:03 International expansion wisdom - commit to local managers and give them responsibility 34:18 Leadership instinct versus learned skills - sporting background meets business 41:26 Why hiring from within beats recruiting experienced managers 48:33 The training philosophy that made McDonald's Australia's best first job55:41 Board experience and bringing McDonald's excellence to other organizations 62:19 Details, structure, and tracking - the foundation of systematic excellence 68:45 Building leaders who build leaders - confidence development at scaleAbout Peter RitchiePeter Ritchie was the first employee of McDonald's Australia and the first employee of the McDonald's system outside North America. During the 1970s and 1980s, he played a major role in every aspect of the company's development, from establishing raw product suppliers to constructing new stores and developing comprehensive training programs. McDonald's Australia grew to more than 500 stores and 50,000 employees during his time as Chief Executive.Peter helped establish McDonald's in most countries across Asia and the Pacific, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and New Zealand, serving as a founding Board Member for several of these operations. He has served on the boards of numerous listed and unlisted companies, including Westpac Banking Corporation, Seven Group Holdings Limited, and Golf Australia.In 2003, Peter was honored with an Order of Australia award for service to business, education, and industry development. In 2013, he received a Doctor of Business degree from The University of New South Wales in recognition of his eminent service to the community.Connect with Peter Ritchie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-ritchie-3719b574/Book: The Magic of McDonald’sAbout Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletter.Join Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Abdul-Qawiyy Hammed, founder and CEO of The Phnyx Watches, whose extraordinary entrepreneurial journey began at age 11 with ₦2,000 in capital. From generating over $1 million in a single day at 19, to selling two companies for $128 million by 21, to building a luxury watch brand with 565,000 customers on the waitlist, Abdul-Qawiyy reveals how systematic thinking and exit-focused business building creates true generational wealth. Discover why betting on yourself isn't just motivational advice - it's a strategic framework for building businesses that generate investment capital, not just revenue.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to turn your entrepreneurial genius into systematic frameworks: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the mindset that drives systematic wealth creation07:42 The ₦2,000 story: building paid-in-advance models at age 11 15:28 From $1M day to $128M exit: the psychology of building to sell 23:15 ThePhnyxWatches and turning personal pain into brand positioning 31:46 The Capital Multiplication System: coaching 50 entrepreneurs to $250M exits 39:33 Generational wealth vs individual success: thinking beyond your business 47:29 Phoenix principle: resilience as competitive advantage54:18 Speed of execution and the third-world entrepreneur advantage 61:05 Personal philosophy and the power of betting on yourselfAbout Abdul-Qawiyy HammedAbdul-Qawiyy Hammed is the founder and CEO of The Phnyx Watches, a luxury watch brand with over 565,000 customers on its waitlist. Starting his entrepreneurial journey at age 11 with just ₦2,000 in capital, Abdul-Qawiyy generated over $1 million in a single day through eCommerce at 19 and sold two companies for a combined $128 million by age 21.Based between Dubai and Lagos, he operates a consulting and education business, helping founders scale businesses to eight and nine figures. His mission extends beyond personal success to building generational wealth and creating systematic opportunities for minority-owned brands.The Phnyx Watches represents more than luxury timepieces - it embodies resilience and triumph over adversity, designed for those who have "risen from the ashes of poverty and self-doubt." Abdul-Qawiyy channels personal experiences, including the loss of his mother and grandmother, into meaningful social impact through cancer research donations and youth education initiatives.Connect with Abdul-Qawiyy HammedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdul-qawiyy-hammed-1592a0132/ Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theabdulqawiyy/ ThePhnyxWatches Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thephnyxwatches/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theabdulqawiyy Website: https://thephnyx.com/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletter.Join Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclas.s

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Ant Williams, a business psychologist and world champion freediver who bridges academic knowledge with extreme athletic experience to revolutionize performance under pressure. Ant shares how his decision to test pressure performance theories at the limits of human survival created a systematic methodology that transforms high-stakes business performance. Discover the T-minus framework for peak performance, the power of deliberate identity switching, and why "leaning into discomfort" unlocks breakthrough results when everything is on the line.Ready to master the systematic approach to capturing business wisdom? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Ant's unique combination of business psychology and world-class freediving 08:15 The decision to test pressure performance theories through extreme experience 16:42 From coaching risk-takers to becoming a world record holder himself 25:33 The T-minus framework and systematic approach to high-pressure situations 34:18 The deliberate identity switch: Accessing hidden mental and physical resources 43:27 How to "lean into discomfort" and transform pressure into competitive advantage 51:44 Business applications of extreme performance psychology for executive leadership 58:19 Why peak performance requires systematic preparation, not just hopeAbout Ant WilliamsAnt Williams is a business psychologist and world champion freediver who draws on his academic knowledge and elite athletic experience to teach leaders mental toughness. Ant helps leaders build courage, perform under pressure and achieve their aspirations.Wanting to understand if anyone could learn to become a risk-taker, Ant decided to take up freediving and learn firsthand how to perform under pressure. He has set a world record for being the deepest man under ice, holds his breath for over eight minutes, dives to 100m depths, and swims 240m on a single breath. Ant stars in the Apple TV documentary "Ice Dive."Ant brings these intense learnings to executive education, helping clients boost leadership capability, develop new service delivery models, innovate in mature markets, improve sales effectiveness and develop impactful consulting skills.Connect with Ant Williams: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ant-williams-leadership/ Website: https://modusleadership.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freediveguy/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/antwilliams.freediver/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletter.Join Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Cameron Herold, founder of COO Alliance and the man known as "The CEO Whisperer."  Cameron shares profound insights on why vision alone never drives scale and how the smartest entrepreneurs systematically delegate everything except their genius. Discover the hidden taxonomy of second-in-command roles, why context matters more than concepts in delegation, and the "Jigsaw Puzzle of Business" framework that Fortune 500 companies pay millions to understand.Ready to master the systematic approach to capturing business wisdom? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Cameron's unconventional entrepreneurial journey 06:42 Why having 14 businesses by age 18 was actually the perfect preparation 14:28 The 1-800-GOT-JUNK transformation and what board members really need to see 22:15 Why "scale is not an extension of vision" and where most entrepreneurs break 30:36 The taxonomy of second-in-command roles and matching COOs to company stages 38:52 The Jigsaw Puzzle of Business metaphor and systematic framework for growth 45:18 The delegation trap that keeps companies stuck under $10 million52:07 Context vs concepts and why onboarding time should match recruiting time 58:44 The emotional regulation skills that matter more than technical knowledgeAbout Cameron HeroldCameron Herold is the founder of COO Alliance and host of the Second In Command podcast, known globally as "The CEO Whisperer." As the former COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK, he engineered the company's spectacular growth from $2 million to $106 million in revenue in just six years. The publisher of Forbes magazine stated, "Cameron Herold is the best speaker I've ever heard...he hits grand slams."Cameron is the author of 6 bestselling books, including The Second In Command, Vivid Vision, and Double Double. He has spoken in 26 countries across all 7 continents, and his Second In Command podcast consistently ranks in the top 5% of all business podcasts with over 2 million downloads.Connect with Cameron Herold: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronherold/   Website: https://cameronherold.com/  COO Alliance: https://cooalliance.com/ Second In Command Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLhrkfRg9PlkvgEGJ5Xmcaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletter.Join Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Nick Halaris, author of Profit+ newsletter and real estate entrepreneur, who discovered that the American Dream nearly destroyed his life, and how that crisis led to a revolutionary approach to building wealth while building community. From his Stanford Law background to investing in over $300 million worth of properties, Nick shares profound insights on servant leadership, the new model of citizenship, and how to profitably serve urgent needs. Discover why "success without compromise" isn't just an idealistic concept, but the most practical path to sustainable business impact.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systemically about complex business challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the pursuit of success without compromise06:18 The American Dream infection and early entrepreneurial drive12:36 Crisis as catalyst: when businesses blow up and lawsuits fly18:52 The philosophical breakthrough that changes everything about success25:44 Why business schools teach the opposite of what works33:29 The ownership revolution: turning employees into business owners38:22 Building a new model of citizenship beyond just voting45:36 The filter that changes every business decision: serving urgent needs profitably52:12 Renaissance thinking applied to modern entrepreneurship challengesAbout Nick HalarisNick Halaris is the author of Profit+, a popular newsletter read by over 20,000 mission-driven individuals, and the host of the Nick Halaris Show, a podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of people working to make the world a better place. Every week, Nick publishes articles designed to help people pursue success without compromise and sits down with socially conscious entrepreneurs, investors, nonprofit leaders, civic activists, and political leaders.Nick has spent the last 15 years as a real estate entrepreneur and has invested in over $300 million worth of properties. He is co-founder and President of Metros Capital, a design-centric residential development firm based in West Hollywood with a track record that includes investing and developing over 2,500 multifamily units and 150 homes.With a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan, Nick brings a unique perspective that combines legal training, business acumen, and philosophical depth. He believes that business should be a force for good and is committed to a vision of success that prioritizes community well-being over individual achievement.Connect with Nick HalarisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-halaris-4a25b93/Website: https://nickhalaris.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickhalaris/Twitter: https://x.com/nickhalaris?lang=enAbout Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletter.Join Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass.

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Trevor Yager, founder and chairman of TrendyMinds, who built a 30-year digital marketing empire by systematically doing the opposite of what every other agency owner does.  Drawing on his background in psychology and decades-long relationships, Trevor offers powerful insights into values-driven leadership, transparent business practices, and what it really takes to build sustainable competitive advantages . Discover how prioritizing relationships over revenue creates the strongest foundation for long-term business success.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systemically about complex business challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the unconventional path from psychology to digital marketing empire05:28 The college decision and why human behavior became a business advantage12:43 Early mistakes and how owning them became a competitive strategy18:47 Building TrendyMinds from screenprinting to digital transformation25:19 The transparency strategy that "shouldn't have worked" during acquisition discussions32:14 How to avoid becoming a dinosaur while staying true to core principles38:56 The ideation advantage and why creativity matters more than tools in the AI era45:23 Long-term relationship building versus short-term revenue optimization52:37 Values-driven decision making and the State of the Union invitation58:44 The anti-agency playbook and systematic disruption through principled leadershipAbout Trevor YagerTrevor Yager is the founder and chairman of TrendyMinds, a leading digital marketing agency he started as a college student in 1995. Under his leadership, TrendyMinds has grown from a small startup into a full-service agency trusted by global enterprise clients, including Salesforce, Eli Lilly, Indiana University Health, and Cummins.Now serving as Chairman, Trevor guides the strategic vision and growth of the company while investing in startups, commercial real estate, and new ventures. His work has earned multiple Inc. 5000 listings and industry recognition for campaigns that genuinely improve lives.With a background in psychology, history, and political science, Trevor brings a unique human-centered perspective to business strategy and relationship building. He represents a values-driven approach to entrepreneurship that prioritizes long-term sustainable growth over short-term profits.Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Trevor continues to mentor emerging entrepreneurs while overseeing strategic acquisitions and investments across multiple industries.Connect with Trevor YagerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevoryager/Website: https://trendyminds.com/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/trendyminds/p/C02YU0jvGEi/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrevorYager/Twitter: https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2FtrevoryagerAbout Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletter.Join Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Lauren Flanagan, CEO and co-founder of Sesame Solar, a company that's redefining emergency response through renewable mobile nanogrids. From her near-death experiences that shaped her mission to building technology that deploys clean power in disaster zones within 15 minutes, Lauren shares profound insights on first-principles thinking, testing breakthrough solutions in existential scenarios, and the wisdom of challenging incumbents through evolution rather than revolution. Discover how thinking systemically about urgent problems creates the foundation for global impact and why sometimes the hardest test cases produce the most scalable solutions.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systemically about complex business challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and bold leadership 05:30 From SaaS pioneer to climate innovator - Lauren's journey to Sesame Solar 12:15 The Dominica test case - when Hurricane Maria became an existential business challenge 18:45 First principles thinking - how to make complex technology radically simple 25:20 The urgent need vs early adopter framework for market entry 32:10 Why "test case thinking" beats venture capital in the early stages 38:40 Challenging deeply entrenched incumbents without declaring war 44:25 The philosophy of coexistence vs disruption in breakthrough innovation 50:15 How near-death experiences shape business mission and long-term thinking 52:30 The negotiation Lauren would most want to observe - Ukraine and World War III preventionAbout Lauren FlanaganLauren Flanagan is the co-founder, chair and CEO of Sesame Solar, which manufactures the world's first 100% renewably-powered Mobile Nanogrids. She is also Managing Director of Belle Capital USA, an early stage venture fund that invests in high growth tech companies in underserved capital markets around the US.Lauren has more than 25 years experience in founding and operating technology companies, and has invested in 32 companies in the past 8 years. Before founding Sesame Solar, Lauren co-founded WebWare Corporation, one of the first Software as a Service (SaaS) companies, which was acquired by a publicly traded company in 2003. She has consulted for technology leaders including Apple, IBM, Microsoft, and Xerox.Lauren received Trailblazer Awards in 2000 and 2001 from the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and was awarded IT Software CEO of the Year for 2002 by Frost and Sullivan. BusinessWeek selected her as one of the Top 25 Angels in Tech in 2010. She was recognized on the 2024 Grist 50 list for driving fresh solutions to our planet's biggest problems.Sesame Solar's customers include the Army Corps of Engineers, US Marine Corps, US Air Force, cities and counties, major telecommunications companies, and NGOs. The company is backed by Morgan Stanley, VSC Ventures, PAX Angels and high-net-worth investors.Connect with Lauren FlanaganLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laflanagan/ Website: https://www.sesame.solar/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sesame.solarAbout Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletterJoin Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

In this episode of The Wisdom Of ... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Sam Thevanayagam, Founder and CEO of Parts Life, Inc., a defense industry leader who has revolutionized how we think about servant leadership in high-stakes environments. From his journey as an immigrant entrepreneur to building a family of companies serving critical F-35 program components, Sam shares profound insights on faith-driven leadership, systematic human development, and turning adversity into competitive advantage. Discover how cricket lessons from his father became a business philosophy that consistently outperforms traditional command-and-control management.Ready to elevate your leadership thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systematically about complex leadership challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00  Introduction and the challenge of integrating faith with business leadership 05:18  Building people through companies versus building companies through people12:36   The First 10 Runs in Singles: why patience beats aggression in competitive markets 18:52   Cricket wisdom applied to defense manufacturing and high-stakes decision making 25:44 Creating environments where people achieve their God-given potential 33:29  The bankruptcy acquisition that became an F-35 program success story 38:22  Servant leadership in practice: moving from head to heart to action 45:36  The infinite loop model of sustainable leadership impact 52:12  Faith as competitive strategy in secular business environments58:30  Legacy wisdom: focus on little things and big things take care of themselvesAbout Sam ThevanayagamSam Thevanayagam is a Sri Lankan-born, American entrepreneur, author, and thought leader in defense and aviation sustainment. As Founder and CEO of Parts Life, Inc. (parent company of DeVal Lifecycle Support and LC Engineers, Inc.), he leads a family of companies specializing in obsolescence management and supply chain solutions for military assets across all five domains: land, sea, undersea, air, and space.Sam brings 30 years of executive leadership experience, specializing in quality assurance, operations management, supplier development, and strategic sourcing. In addition to his bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Sam’s commitment to continuous learning spans certifications and continued education programs in areas such as servant leadership, product and inventory management, supply chain reengineering and AI’s implications on business strategy.Sam is the author of "The First 10 Runs in Singles: Life Lessons from the Game of Cricket," translated across seven languages. His book examines strategies taught by his father and how cricket principles apply to business and life..Connect with Sam ThevanayagamLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samthevanayagam Website: https://www.samtnetwork.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamTNetwork/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samtnetwork/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv0xOLVIPw4P9Abp-6lwGIQ About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletterJoin Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass