Strategy and Leadership Podcast

John St. Pierre, an entrepreneur who created a $100 million business, shares his journey and the life lessons learned from being fired. He emphasizes the importance of crafting a comprehensive life plan that aligns personal goals with professional aspirations. John discusses the power of daily practices like journaling and visualization, urging entrepreneurs to engage in introspection for personal growth. Key topics include balancing ambition with patience and the necessity of taking intentional actions for long-term success while avoiding burnout.

Myriam Hadnes,is a facilitation evangelist with a PhD in behavioral economics, shares insights on the art of facilitation and its impact on organizational dynamics. She emphasizes the importance of psychological safety, vulnerability, and authenticity in creating a conducive environment for collaboration and breakthrough moments. Miriam also highlights the role of facilitation in transforming organizational culture and leadership mindset.   Takeaways Facilitation is not limited to those with the title of a facilitator; it is a mindset that can be adopted by managers to transition from micromanaging to leadership. Psychological safety, vulnerability, and authenticity are crucial in creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and collaborating effectively. The role of a facilitator is to make the implicit explicit, promote vulnerability, and encourage a culture of curiosity and collaboration within the group. Facilitation plays a significant role in transforming organizational culture and leadership mindset, leading to improved team dynamics and better outcomes. The art of facilitation involves preparation, attunement to the needs of the group, and the ability to interpret silence and unspoken dynamics within the group.   Sound Bites "I think every manager needs to learn how to facilitate at least a bit to step out of the micromanaging burden into leadership." "As a facilitator, the next step is to show them that there is a higher goal that brings them all together so that they're all on the same side." "When we reply to other people more with 'yes and,' we help the person to feel good about themselves because they feel seen."  

Ty Wiggins, a leadership expert and CEO Transition Practice Lead at Russell Reynolds Associates, shares valuable insights on stepping into the CEO role. He delves into adapting leadership styles, the significant gap between expectations and reality, and the crucial role of effective communication. Wiggins emphasizes curiosity as a key trait for new CEOs and discusses the profound impact of organizational culture on success. His experience offers a roadmap for leaders striving to create collaborative and inclusive teams while balancing immediate demands with long-term vision.

Aslak De Silva, CEO of Selfly Store, discusses the innovative business model of intelligent vending machines and the use of AI in retail. The conversation covers topics such as the unique features of Selfly Store, the role of innovation in business, the impact of dynamic pricing, and the experience of being a board member. Aslak also emphasizes the importance of communication, transparency, and lifelong learning in leadership.   If you prefer to get a video, subscribe on YouTube. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. Learn more at: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator

Brad Sugars, president and founder of Action Coach Global, shares insights on business coaching, leadership, and business modeling. He discusses the importance of coaching, management, and leadership skills, as well as the evolution of business strategies. Brad emphasizes the significance of leverage, scalability, marketability, and opportunity in business strategy. He also highlights the differences in coaching for new businesses versus established businesses, and the value of external experience in achieving business results.   Official Bio: Brad is the Chairman and Founder of ActionCOACH, a multi-million-dollar franchise providing result-driven education and business solutions to entrepreneurs and executives in 70+ countries across the world. Since starting it in 1993, Brad has scaled up his venture into an award-winning global enterprise that coaches 15,000 businesses on a weekly basis, helping them grow, sustain, and succeed. With over 30 years of experience in the entrepreneurial space, Brad has established himself as one of the world’s leading business coaches. He has lent his professional expertise to 9+ companies as a CEO, besides building his personal brand as a renowned business guru, keynote speaker, and best-selling author. https://www.amazon.in/Pulling-Profits-Out-Hat-Company/dp/1732049726 https://www.actioncoach.com/ and https://bradsugars.com/   If you prefer to get a video, subscribe on YouTube. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. Learn more at: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator

In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, host Anthony Taylor sits down with Christopher Volk, an accomplished author and business veteran known for his expertise in wealth creation and financial strategy. Christopher, who has a storied career in commercial banking and leading multiple businesses, shares his journey from starting at a bank to taking companies public and engaging with giants like GE and Berkshire Hathaway. His book, "The Value Equation," serves as a cornerstone for the discussion, offering insights into the fundamental principles that drive business success. Throughout the conversation, Christopher delves into the practicalities of taking a company public, the importance of leveraging other people's money (OPM), and how to balance shareholder's equity with debt to optimize business growth. He explains how understanding and managing six core financial variables can make a company more valuable and shares his belief in the universal virtues of free enterprise. He also touches on maintaining liquidity, making prudent long-term investments, and efficiently utilizing assets and capital to maximize returns. This episode is a treasure trove for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors looking to deepen their understanding of business finance and wealth creation.   Prefer to get video, subscribe on Youtube. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1   About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING:   SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster.   For teams: We can facilitate your strategic planning offsite meeting and strategic plan creation. As well as support your strategic plan implementation.   For individuals leading strategy: Join our community of strategy leaders who have learned SME Strategy’s approach and tools for aligning teams, and driving strategic plans forward.   For more visit www.smestrategy.net/    

In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, host Anthony Taylor converses with Brent Kedzierski, Shell's former Head of Learning Strategy and Innovation and current Chief Industrial Advocate at Human Works. Brent shares his extensive insights on human-centered industry, emphasizing the necessity for a strategic approach to leadership development and the evolution of the workplace in response to changing generational expectations. Drawing from over two decades of experience, Brent discusses the critical differences between large multinationals like Shell and SMEs (Small to Medium Enterprises) in how they develop and support their workforce. He explains the need for a well-defined leadership pipeline and exposes the flaws in the prevalent practice of promoting technically proficient individuals to leadership roles. The conversation also covers the evolving expectations of Gen Z employees, the importance of psychological safety in the workplace, and the future of work design.   Connect with SME Strategy: www.smestrategy.net Connect with Anthony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ Work with a strategic planning facilitator on your next strategy offsite: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator  

Summary Steve Dennis, president and founder of SageBerry Consulting, discusses the transformation of the retail industry in the digital age and the challenges faced by companies in adapting to change. He emphasizes the need for leaders to embrace a mindset of continuous transformation and make the necessary mindset shifts to drive success. Dennis also highlights the importance of imagination and creativity in business, as well as the need to think beyond traditional constraints and business models. He encourages leaders to take a portfolio approach to innovation and be willing to take calculated risks.   Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor, keynote speaker, and bestselling author focused on growth, innovation, and the impact of digital disruption. Steve's groundbreaking book--"Remarkable Retail: How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption"--is a perennial international bestseller, and his provocative ideas on the future of shopping and consumer behavior are regularly featured in the media, in his role as a Forbes senior contributor, and through the award winning Remarkable Retail podcast. His new book is "Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption" During a storied and diverse career as a C-suite executive at two Fortune 500 companies–and most recently as a consultant and member of several boards–Steve has worked with dozens of brands to catalyze and design their journey to remarkable results. As a sought-out keynote speaker, Steve has delivered inspiring talks on six continents, sharing his unique perspectives on what it takes to reignite customer growth in a world of constant change and shifting consumer preferences. Steve is President of SageBerry Consulting. Prior to founding SageBerry, he was the chief strategy officer for the Neiman Marcus Group, where he also led the company's customer insight, loyalty, and multichannel marketing efforts. Keywords retail, digital transformation, leadership, mindset shifts, innovation, disruption Takeaways The retail industry has been greatly impacted by digital technology and faces challenges in adapting to the changing landscape. Leaders need to embrace a mindset of continuous transformation and be willing to make the necessary mindset shifts to drive success. Imagination and creativity are crucial in business, and leaders should think beyond traditional constraints and business models. A portfolio approach to innovation, combining incremental improvements and game-changing ideas, can help companies stay competitive. Leaders must be willing to take calculated risks and be open to exploring new opportunities. Titles Taking a Portfolio Approach to Innovation The Importance of Mindset Shifts in Leadership Sound Bites "If the world has changed so much, why have you changed so little?" "Safe is risky." "Destruction is a means for creation." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:44 The Impact of Digital Technology on Retail 04:11 The Need for Mindset Shifts in Leadership 08:43 Unleashing Imagination and Creativity in Business 10:07 Taking a Portfolio Approach to Innovation 12:05 Embracing Calculated Risks and New Opportunities 21:14 Conclusion and Call to Action

Projjal Ghatak (JJ) is the CEO and co-founder of Onloop, a company focused on rethinking how goals and feedback are handled within organizations using AI-powered technology. JJ has extensive experience in leadership and management roles, including as the former head of strategy and international business development at Uber. He holds an MBA from Stanford and is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance workplace productivity. JJ enjoys following Tiger Woods and is an active angel investor, driven by a desire to make complex processes more insightful and engaging. Episode Summary: In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, Anthony Taylor hosts Projjal Ghatak, fondly known as JJ, the CEO and co-founder of Onloop. They delve into the importance of delivering feedback in a manner that fosters growth, collaboration, and curiosity rather than judgment. With JJ's extensive background in leadership roles and his innovative approach at Onloop, he shares insightful perspectives on enhancing organizational performance through AI-driven feedback mechanisms. JJ elaborates on his philosophy of minimizing friction in goal alignment and feedback processes. Drawing analogies from sports coaching, he emphasizes the necessity of capturing regular observations and converting them into actionable insights through generative AI. The conversation further delves into Onloop’s proprietary framework for collaborative team development, which aims to demystify and simplify the manager’s role, making it more engaging and efficient. By comparing the fitness industry's motivational tactics, JJ advocates for making workplace productivity practices equally appealing and beneficial. Key Takeaways: Curiosity over Judgment: Approaching feedback with curiosity rather than judgment leads to more constructive and less confrontational interactions. Hierarchical Needs of Team Members: JJ discusses a five-tiered hierarchical approach to managing team productivity, focusing first on motivation and clear goal setting. Insights Through Generative AI: The use of generative AI in Onloop’s platform helps transform unstructured observations into specific, actionable feedback. Effective Feedback Delivery: Constructive feedback, when direct, kind, and specific, helps individuals recognize their superpowers and identify areas for improvement. Cultural Transformation: Shifting the narrative from "performance management" to "cultural transformation" enhances receptivity and engagement within teams. Notable Quotes: "Are you approaching things with curiosity? Are you approaching things with judgment? When you start approaching things with curiosity, there is a much greater probability that you will end up being helpful." "We try to make the process of goal alignment and feedback as fun as possible." "Every team member has five hierarchical needs, and it's every manager's job to manage those five needs hierarchically." "If people don't want to do something, start off at a negative, then no matter how positive things are, it takes a hurdle." "Give managers a simple way to think about how they drive high performance in their teams." Resources: Projjal Ghatak on LinkedIn Onloop Website Anthony Taylor on LinkedIn refer to get video, subscribe on Youtube. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1   About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster.  

Hortence Le Gentil is an esteemed author, coach, and speaker, specializing in leadership transformation. She is the author of "The Unlocked Leader" and a member of the prestigious MG 100, a group of top coaches under the mentorship of Marshall Goldsmith. With a diverse background in show jumping, marketing, and entrepreneurship, Hortence has coached numerous CEOs and senior executives, helping them unlock their potential and lead with empathy. Episode Summary: In this captivating episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, host Anthony Taylor engages with Hortence Le Gentil, a renowned leadership coach and author of "The Unlocked Leader." Hortence shares her multifaceted journey from being a show jumper to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the recycling steel industry, eventually finding her calling as a leadership coach. With clients ranging from industry leaders like Ralph Lauren and the president of Levi’s, Hortence's insights offer profound wisdom on overcoming personal and professional mind traps. Hortence delves deep into the concept of "mind traps," which are obsolete beliefs that hinder personal and professional growth. Using her own experiences and client stories, she illustrates how identifying and overcoming these limiting beliefs can lead to unlocking one’s full potential. Hortence emphasizes the importance of listening to one's inner voice and pursuing paths that align with one's true self, a philosophy that has guided her dynamic career. Key Takeaways: Recognizing Mind Traps: Understand that mind traps are outdated beliefs that restrict growth and how identifying them is the first step towards self-improvement. Overcoming Trauma: Both significant and subtle traumas can create limiting beliefs. Addressing these is crucial for personal growth. Listening to Your Inner Voice: Finding your path requires tuning into your inner voice, which guides your true desires and ambitions. Leadership and Empathy: Effective leadership today extends beyond traditional metrics; it involves genuine empathy and human connection. Personal and Professional Growth: Breaking free from mind traps not only enhances professional performance but also enriches personal life. HORTENSE LE GENTIL is a world-renowned executive leadership coach, speaker, and author. She guides CEOs and senior executives on their journey from hero leaders to human leaders. Guided by 30 years in business, working across industries—including media consulting and advertising—and as an entrepreneur. Hortense was a 2021 and 2023 nominee for the Thinkers 50 Coaching and Mentoring Awards, and has been ranked #5 on the Global Gurus list by World Management Global Gurus. She is a certified Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered™ coach and a member of MG100 Coaches. Author of THE UNLOCKED LEADER: Dare to Free Your Own Voice, Lead with Empathy, and Shine Your Light in the World (Wiley, September 26, 2023), and ALIGNED: Connecting Your True Self with the Leader You’re Meant to Be (2019), Hortense is a contributor to Harvard Business Review and ThriveGlobal.com, and has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., and Business Insider. She is based in New York.   This Episode is supported by Cascadia Partners Fleet Electrification Consulting Practice.  Are you interested in learning how you can electrify your fleet? Learn more at https://www.cascadiapartners.ca/resources/fleet-electrification-consulting