Breakfast Leadership Show

In this episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, Michael sits down with Mike Goldman to challenge the status quo of performance management. Traditional reviews often disengage employees and hinder organizational progress. Instead, Mike shares why leaders must focus on people growth as the true driver of profit. They dive into the concept of “high-performance math” — showing that investing in top performers yields the greatest returns. Too often, leaders spend energy on underperformers while high performers walk away due to toxic culture or poor management. Mike also introduces his simple talent management framework, designed to replace outdated annual reviews with ongoing coaching, accountability, and development. His insights, drawn from his latest book, stress the importance of making tough calls, avoiding mediocrity, and building an environment where employees actually look forward to work. A must-listen for leaders ready to transform how they grow and retain talent. https://StrengthOfTalent.com Podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-better-leadership-team-show/id1670173291 Website:  https://www.mike-goldman.com/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mikegoldmancoach LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgoldman10/

Active Listening in Leadership Michael and Mick explored why active listening is at the core of great leadership. Rather than listening just to reply, they emphasized listening to truly understand — making people feel seen and valued. Mick shared a recent insight from the “experience revolution,” where 75% of client satisfaction is based on how people feel, not just on what gets done. Together, they highlighted how leaders can build stronger teams by asking questions like, “What are you proud of that we may not be recognizing?” Loyalty Beyond Reason in Hospitality Michael reflected on his personal loyalty to certain hotels, often choosing them over more convenient options. He compared this to sports stadiums and entertainment venues that deliver unforgettable experiences, inspiring loyalty that defies logic. Mick expanded on this concept of “loyalty beyond reason,” sharing lessons from global stadium designers who helped shape experiences for the World Cup and Olympics. Experiences Over Material Possessions Michael shared how he and his wife prioritize experiences over material goods, recognizing that memories last far longer than products like appliances or smartphones. Experiences spark creativity, curiosity, and joy, and he explained how leaders who design meaningful client experiences not only enrich their work but also strengthen long-term relationships and outcomes. Harmony in Work and Life Mick reframed the common idea of “work-life balance” into a broader vision of life integration. He encouraged leaders to step away from rigid linear thinking and embrace space for creativity and lateral ideas. With finite time, he advised finding mentors who offer honest feedback and guidance. Michael echoed these insights, noting that harmony — not balance — is what allows people to thrive personally and professionally. Embracing Challenges for Personal Growth The conversation turned to resilience and growth under pressure. Michael stressed the importance of focusing on what can be controlled — mindset, habits, and health — while Mick used his “orange juice” analogy to illustrate that how we respond to challenges reveals our preparation. Both agreed that being challenged is vital to staying relevant and avoiding stagnation, especially when surrounded by people who care enough to push us forward. Networking and Next Steps To close, Michael and Mick discussed ways listeners can continue learning from Mick’s work through his Instagram, LinkedIn, and website. The conversation underscored how leadership rooted in listening, loyalty, and life integration can transform both personal growth and organizational success. Website:  https://www.2blimitless.com/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mick-todd-a887b313/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/2blimitless/?hl=en    

Supporting Underrepresented and Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs with Kate On this episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, I welcome Kate, a Silicon Valley CEO, coach, and venture capitalist. She has dedicated her career to supporting underrepresented and mission-driven founders who bring unique perspectives and innovative solutions to their communities. We discuss the motivations that drive entrepreneurs in healthcare, AI, and climate tech, and how clarifying purpose is key to long-term impact. Kate also shares strategies for navigating toxic and fear-based leadership environments, offering a practical toolkit built from 30 years of experience. Together, we explore how leaders can resist hierarchical pressures, build resilience, and thrive without sacrificing values. Kate’s new book, Unbreakable, will be released on October 28, and provides guidance for professionals facing toxic leadership cultures. __________________________________________________ Kate (she/they) is a CEO coach, venture capitalist, and author based in Silicon Valley. She is dedicated to helping leaders unlock agency and navigate challenges with clarity, strategy, and hope. Through her work, she creates meaningful connections and empowers people, whether readers, clients, or peers, to move through difficult realities with resilience and grace. Her expertise in fear-based leadership comes from her own lived experience and was sharpened through years in high-performance environments such as startups, private equity, management consulting, and big tech. Kate’s mission is to remind those facing bullies or fear-driven systems that they are not alone, and that their power runs deeper than they realize. Kate works primarily with mission-driven, underrepresented startup CEOs who want to grow businesses that are not only profitable but also human-centered. Her writing, spanning nonfiction and comedy, equips people with the skills to thrive while inviting the world to feel more connected, warm, and authentically human. Outside of her professional work, Kate expresses her creativity through writing music and comedy specials, exploring the Bay Area food culture, and spending time with her service dog, Annie. website:  https://www.katelowry.com/ New book:  Unbreakable Preorder links: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FR1G981Y/ref=sr_1_2? https://www.amazon.com/Unbreakable-Thrive-Under-Fear-Based-Leaders-ebook/dp/B0FQ71FW72/ref=sr_1_1 Social media links:.  https://www.instagram.com/kateunbreakablelowry/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579366067469 https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinejlowry/  

Real Estate Investment Strategies Bronson discussed his journey to financial freedom through real estate investing, highlighting his transition from single-family homes to larger multifamily properties and other assets like oil and gas. He emphasized the importance of passive income and shared insights from his book "Fire Yourself," which provides a framework for investors to achieve financial independence. Michael agreed with Bronson's perspective, noting that real estate remains a stable investment due to the enduring need for housing, and they discussed the challenges and opportunities in various investment strategies. Advantages of Multifamily Property Investments Michael and Bronson discussed the advantages of investing in multifamily properties over single-family homes, highlighting the steady and predictable income stream they provide. They emphasized the importance of diversifying revenue streams to mitigate market risks and the need to consider the value of one's time when managing properties. Bronson noted that while some people enjoy the hands-on aspect of property management, others may prefer time freedom, and he stressed that no investment is truly passive. Investment Education and Mentorship Bronson and Michael discussed the importance of understanding investment risks and the value of having both mentors and peers in the investing community. Bronson emphasized the significance of educating oneself about investments and the benefits of joining mastermind groups to share experiences and learn from others' successes and failures. He also mentioned his book "Fire Yourself" as a guide for high net worth individuals looking to start investing. Mindset for Self-Made Wealth Bronson discussed his upcoming book "Rich Brain," which explores how wealthy individuals change their mindset to achieve financial success, challenging the common belief that most wealth is inherited. He shared that 86% of millionaires are self-made and highlighted the importance of mindset and personal development in achieving wealth. Bronson also mentioned that he is rewriting the book to expand on the topic and plans to release it in 2025. The conversation concluded with Bronson offering a free guide on his top investments for 2025, which listeners can access by texting "cash flow" to  Website:  https://bronsonequity.com/home-bronson-equity/

Unlocking Business Growth: Overcoming Common Obstacles," explores various challenges that can hinder a business's progress. It identifies self-doubt as a significant internal barrier for entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of confidence. The document also highlights the negative impact of outdated and inefficient processes, advocating for digitalization and operational audits to improve organization. It stresses the necessity of innovation to differentiate products and services in the market and underscores the critical importance of meeting customer expectations and delivering on promises to maintain client loyalty. Finally, the text points to a business's insignificance or lack of relevance as a potential growth impediment, suggesting a renewed focus on passion and market differentiation. Link to source: What's Holding Your Business Back?

In this episode, we explore a surprising but powerful signal of workplace burnout: the 8.9% surge in energy drink consumption. While many view this as just another consumer trend, the data reveals something deeper:  employees are increasingly turning to stimulants to combat chronic fatigue, mounting stress, and relentless workloads. We unpack how this reliance on quick energy fixes creates a dangerous cycle. Energy drinks may mask exhaustion in the short term, but they erode long-term health, disrupt sleep, and prevent recovery. Instead of addressing the systemic roots of burnout, organizations risk normalizing a culture where artificial energy becomes a substitute for balance and rest. The conversation calls on leaders to look beyond the symptom: rising energy drink use, and confront the causes: poor work design, excessive demands, and lack of recovery time. True prevention lies in redesigning work for sustainability, fostering a culture that prioritizes rest, and supporting employee mental health. By doing so, we can break the cycle and reduce the need for artificial boosts. Get help to address your burnout:  https://FreeFromBurnout.com Do you work in a toxic workplace?  Find out how to change that:  https://Community.BreakfastLeadership.com Source article:  https://www.breakfastleadership.com/blog/when-energy-drinks-spike-by-89-what-it-truly-reflects-about-burnout-in-our-workforce  

In this powerful conversation, Michael and Eva dig into the growing crisis of leadership burnout, fueled by pandemic pressures and economic uncertainty. Eva shares alarming trends in burnout rates among leaders, while Michael outlines how to set teams up for success and tackle the real causes behind the exhaustion. Together, they explore why protecting your energy and prioritizing well-being isn’t a luxury — it’s a leadership essential. Healing at the Root – Beyond Quick Fixes Eva’s personal journey of overcoming chronic illness sparks a discussion on why surface-level solutions like medication and supplements aren’t enough. Michael emphasizes that true recovery often requires pairing medical approaches with deep therapeutic work. They break down how factors like stress, mineral imbalances, and hidden lifestyle triggers can impact long-term health — and why addressing the root cause is the only sustainable path forward. The Whole Picture: Body, Mind, and Spirit This episode goes deeper than typical health advice. Michael and Eva stress the importance of a truly holistic approach — one that embraces physical health, emotional resilience, and spiritual connection. From the often-overlooked metaphysical side of wellness to tools like the Akashic Records for self-discovery, they share how self-awareness can become your best defense against stress and anxiety. Simple Steps to Personal Growth Growth doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Michael and Eva share strategies that start small but make a big impact — from conducting a life inventory to eliminating energy drains. They discuss the power of curiosity, the importance of daily habits, and why having the right guide can keep you focused and moving forward. Discover Your Energy Blueprint Eva invites listeners to explore her work at The Elevate Institute, where they can take the Essential Energy Quotient test and learn more about her retreats and resources for total well-being.   Eva Vennari is the founder and CEO of The Elevate Institute, a cutting-edge True Holistic Health practitioner firm specializing in empowering over-burdened adults to take charge of their body, their decisions and their energy. She is the Creator of REVEAL Optimal Health Program designed to restore the physical body. She is the Creator of RESTORE Spiritual Sessions that return your spiritual body to Sovereignty. And she is the Creator of Essential Love Experience, which focuses on mastering self-love vs self-sacrifice. Through science and common-sense habit changes, one can create shifts for a higher quality of life that far outlast the time invested.   She is on a mission to dismantle the status quo of the sickness industry along every facet of the spectrum. Often what we call normal is just common. Having spent most of her adult life suffering from over 30 physical, emotional and spiritual symptoms and fighting for her sanity she decided to take matters into her own hands. That’s when everything shifted and Eva found the key to unlocking an authentic healing journey. Eva now educates worldwide on how over-burdened and stuck adults can exit the endless grind and take charge of their well-being to thrive in their lives.

Guest: Will Linssen – Triple Win Leadership in Action In this episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, we sit down with Will Linssen, a globally recognized leadership coach and the #1 Amazon bestselling author of Triple Win Leadership Coaching. Will’s approach has empowered over 100,000 leaders at world-renowned organizations including LinkedIn, Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz, Saudi Aramco, and Samsung. As the creator of the Triple Win Leadership Coaching framework, Will delivers one of the most results-driven methodologies in the industry — boasting a 95% success rate in improving leadership effectiveness, boosting team engagement, and driving measurable business performance. We dig deep into how Will helped a struggling multinational FMCG company increase profit per employee by 80% and reduce overhead by 30% — all without layoffs or restructuring. Instead, the transformation came by reshaping how leaders connect, trust, and engage with their people. In this conversation, we explore: Why many CEOs outgrow the leadership styles that once made them successful The shift from founder-led to system-led leadership, and how to let go without losing control What 100,000+ leaders reveal about sustainable performance change The emotional side of AI adoption that organizations overlook How trust becomes the new leadership operating system for high-impact teams Will also serves as an advisor to Harvard Business Review, is a LinkedIn Top Voice, and continues to shape the future of leadership with his latest #1 Amazon New Release: Triple Win Leadership Coaching. 🔗 Learn more about Will: Triple Win Leadership Coaching on Amazon  🎧 Catch more episodes: https://BreakfastLeadership.com/blog

In this episode, Bill and Michael unpack the “Last 8%” of conversations — the toughest parts we often avoid but that carry the most impact. They explore how leaders can build cultures of high connection and high courage, share personal stories from healthcare and startup leadership, and offer strategies for handling tough truths, hiring challenges, and team performance. Bill Benjamin, a global keynote speaker who blends practicality with science in his approach to leadership. With degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science, Bill uses brain-science to help people master emotional intelligence, perform under pressure, and build what he calls a high-performance “Last 8%” culture. Audiences appreciate his high energy and engaging style, whether he is speaking to surgeons, the U.S. Marines, NASA engineers, or executives at Amazon, Intel, and Goldman Sachs. Bill does not just share theory. He is open about the struggles he faced early in his career and how applying the strategies he now teaches made him a stronger leader, husband, and father. He is funny, relatable, and committed to understanding the real challenges organizations face, weaving those directly into his sessions. That is why top organizations from the Mayo Clinic to NASA trust him when performance and leadership matter most. HBR Article:  https://hbr.org/2025/09/the-secret-to-building-a-high-performing-team Website: https://ihhp.com/  

Join Kenny Lange, a dedicated leadership and scaling coach, foster and adoptive parent, and host of How Leaders Think, as he explores the transformational journey of fostering 18 children. Kenny connects the lessons of parenting to effective leadership, emphasizing the need for emotionally safe spaces in both home and organizations. He passionately advocates for amplifying frontline ideas to spur innovation and discusses the dire consequences of poor leadership, including rising mental health claims and turnover rates.