Curious Leadership with Dominic Monkhouse

In a world where knowledge is power, one woman dared to question the effectiveness of traditional learning methods. Sherry Coutu's unwavering curiosity led her on a journey of discovery from Cambridge University to the heart of entrepreneurial success. But her path took an unexpected turn when she realised that the resources meant to ignite growth were failing entrepreneurs like her. Now, she stands on the precipice of a groundbreaking solution that could revolutionise learning and unlock limitless potential. This week on The Melting Pot, we learned from Sherry Coutu, a prolific British entrepreneur with an unyielding drive for catalysing progress in business growth. Her portfolio showcases a seamlessly fascinating journey through the tech industry, marked by her triumphant co-founding roles in companies like Interactive Investor International and LinkedIn, which continue to dominate their respective niches. Add her impactful stint as an angel investor, and it's clear she can identify, back, and shepherd startups to exponential growth. Her firm belief in the power of learning has instigated her remarkable contributions towards bolstering educational endeavours, making her an advocate for skills development. Download and listen to learn more. On today's podcast: Helping scale-ups solve the skills problemThe outcomes from the UK scaleup reportThe value of choosing the right learning pathThe five barriers to growthHow Superpower helps scale-ups with talent acquisition and development Follow Sherry Coutu:Superpower websiteLinkedInTwitterThe Scale-up report 2014 Book recommendations: Atlas ShruggedThe AllianceThe Startup of YouMasters of ScaleLessons in Chemistry Enjoyed the show?Leave a Review 

If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by your inability to effectively influence behaviour, despite your best efforts, then you are not alone! You may be tirelessly implementing marketing strategies, leadership tactics, or political campaigns, only to witness minimal impact on the desired outcomes. Instead of influencing behaviour, you find yourself facing resistance, indifference, or even backlash from the very individuals you are trying to engage.Drawing from his experience in the advertising world and his academic background, Marcus Collins stands as a beacon in understanding and influencing human behaviour through culture. He’s put his theories to practice crafting successful campaigns for mammoths like Google and Nike, earning him widespread recognition including a spot on Advertising Age’s 40 under 40. His insightful book, For the Culture, accentuates his understanding of culture's profound influence on behaviour. Nowadays, Marcus continues to influence minds as a professor at the esteemed Ross School of Business, University of Michigan.In this episode, Marcus talks about how to get people to do things that they didn't necessarily think they wanted to do, whether that's buying an iPod or supporting the Brooklyn Nets. Because this is about moving people. How all of those tools and the knowledge that has been garnered by the advertising industry can be applied in churches or organisations to get people to move? Also, as leaders, what can we do to build a culture? What are the elements that define it? What makes people behave the same way as another person? How do you make things attractive to people so that they want to move? Download and listen to learn more. On today’s podcast: Understanding the power of culture to influence behaviourLeveraging shared meanings in advertisingThe role of culture in personal developmentThe concept of ‘moving people’Defining brand and its cultural implications Follow Marcus Collins:WebsiteLinkedInFor The Culture Book recommendations: The Society of the SpectacleThe Kingdom of Prep Enjoyed the show? Leave a Review

Does this sound familiar? As a founder or CEO of a venture-backed startup, you've likely been told that you need to work harder and longer hours to scale your business. But despite your relentless efforts, you're still facing challenges and not seeing the desired results. The pain of pouring your heart and soul into your business, only to be met with roadblocks and frustrations, is all too real. It's time to break free from this ineffective action and discover the strategies that truly empower you to overcome scaling challenges and maximise your potential for success.This week on The Melting Pot, we learned from Rachel Turner, a seasoned founder coach with over two decades of immersion in the entrepreneurial realm. An early adopter of executive coaching since the '90s, Rachel's journey takes a unique path as she leans into applied psychology to optimise business success. Author of the Founder Survival Guide, she translates years of personal experiences and insights to help fellow founders overcome their own hurdles during the transition from startup to scale-up. Once an entrepreneur herself, Rachel's understanding of founder psychology is unparalleled, making her coaching approach as engaging as it is enlightening. Download and listen to learn more. On today’s podcast: The crucial role of coaching in founder’s successUnderstanding the concept of minimally viable CEOCoaching venture-backed company’s foundersThe warrior, the architect and the monarchThe future of technology and coaching Follow Rachel Turner:VC Talent LabLinkedInThe Founder’s Survival Guide Book recommendations:The AdvantageMeditationsThe Daily StoicHow to make friends and influence people Enjoyed the show? Leave a Review 

In the digital era, achieving successful transformation is not just important—it's essential. For business leaders and executives, the challenge lies in approaching this change strategically and efficiently. Fortunately, they can navigate this by adopting an iterative approach to organisational change, concentrating on relevant business problems, and nurturing a culture of experimentation and validation. Add in the elements of continuous learning and execution, and you have a comprehensive strategy for digital transformation. This week, our guest David Rogers guides us through a framework to help you tackle these challenges.David is an author, faculty at Columbia Business School, and an advisor to senior business leaders. Over the years, he developed a passion for helping companies navigate the complexities of the digital age. It was observing the struggles of organisations clinging to their pre-digital identities that sparked David's interest. Seeing a clear dividing line between companies born before and after the internet era, he recognised the blind spots that often held them back. He realised that these companies were stuck in their ways, and their assumptions about their business were outdated. He encourages organisations to get better at shutting things down, accepting change, and moving forward. While many established companies were struggling with the rapid pace of digital transformation, there was a significant minority who were succeeding. This prompted David to delve deeper, discovering that successful companies followed a specific pattern. Rather than viewing digital transformation as a threat, these companies created a shared vision unique to their firm, addressing their particular needs and challenges in the digital age. Today, David focuses on helping companies navigate this complex process. His optimistic outlook and belief in the power of change are inspiring, showing the world that digital transformation may be daunting but far from impossible.Download and listen to learn more. On today's podcast: Helping established businesses adapt to digital transformationUnderstanding your customer's problem firstDriving change in a rapidly changing worldThe Barriers to digital transformationRethinking Governance inside an established business Follow David Rogers:WebsiteLinkedInThe Digital Transformation Roadmap Book recommendations: Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One SeesEnjoyed the show? Leave a Review 

Does it feel like something is missing in your remote work environment? Have you been told to just schedule more virtual meetings to enhance collaboration, only to end up feeling disconnected and unproductive? The pain of trying to foster human connection through endless video calls is real, and it's time to explore alternative ways to achieve meaningful collaboration.Jim Kalbach had always been an advocate for remote work, long before the world was thrust into a virtual environment due to the pandemic. Working with Citrix, makers of GoToMeeting, he had already been navigating the remote collaboration space for over a decade. But, he quickly realised that the conventional etiquette of an in-person office setting didn't translate well into a virtual space. The norms, the rituals, and even the simple act of turn-taking in a meeting required a rethink. It was this realisation that pushed him on a journey to find alternative ways to foster human connection in a remote work environment. He began experimenting with intentional habits and rituals, aiming to create a sense of inclusivity and equity in virtual participation. Introducing microstructures such as popcorning, a method of taking turns in a meeting, proved to be a game changer, fostering a sense of connection among team members. His efforts were guided by a single principle - intentionality. The pandemic may have ripped off the band-aid of conventional norms, but in its wake, it also presented a unique opportunity to reimagine and redefine the remote work experience.In this week’s episode, Jim will uncover the untapped potential of remote work and the transformative power of collaboration tools and will walk us through the common pitfalls of virtual meetings and how to turn them into productive engagements.Download and listen to learn more. On today’s podcast: Harnessing digital tools for effective team communicationUsing Mural to enhance team collaborationTeam agreements in remote workDiving into the Jobs To Be Done framework Follow Jim Kalbach:WebsiteLinkedIn Jim’s books:The Jobs To Be Done PlaybookMapping ExperiencesDesigning Web NavigationKiller Walking Bass  Book recommendations:Playing to WinA New Way To ThinkReinventing Organizations Enjoyed the show? Leave a Review

In the world of professional services, how you approach sales and how you price your products or services can make or break your business. Our guest this week has seen how shifting from a price buyer to a value buyer mindset has a massive impact on the success of a business.This week we’re learning from Blair Enns, the founder of Win Without Pitching. Blair is known for his impactful insights on pricing strategies and value-based selling in professional services, whose journey began 21 years ago. He perceived creative professionals as people working in advertising or design, a mindset that gradually transformed with the shifting dynamics of the creative firm market. He realised that creativity was more than that; it was the ability to see, bring a novel perspective to a problem, and propel entrepreneurs towards their vision. He now guides them through the process of selling, not as a predatory act, but as a path of facilitating and helping clients buy. Blair's path was not without its challenges. He grappled with the balance between selling as an expert versus a vendor, and the different outcomes each role could produce. While being an expert provided more power and leverage, being a vendor resulted in reduced impact, lower margins, and a higher cost of sale. Recognising the importance of vision and selling, Blair began to view these roles as the foundations of leadership, a perspective that helped him let go, take risks, and say no in order to scale his business. Embracing these lessons, Blair is now inspiring others to do the same, helping them navigate their own journeys in the world of professional services.Download and listen to learn more. On today’s podcast: Overcoming the fear of sellingWinning without pitchingImplementing a bold pricing strategyShifting from price-buyer to value-buyer Follow Blair Enns:BooksLinkedIn2BOBS podcastTwitterYouTube Book recommendations:Million Dollar ConsultingImplementing Value Pricing$100M OffersThe Boutique. How to start, scale and sale a professional services firmSecret Tradecraft of Elite Advisors Enjoyed the show? Leave a Review

Do you desire a life of growth and fulfilment as you navigate your midlife transition? Are you ready to challenge the negative stereotypes about ageing that may be holding you back? Join us as our guest, Jeff Hamaoui shares the solution to reframing ageing as a time of personal growth and purpose. Discover how you can achieve a life of meaning, embracing the untapped potential within you during this transformative phase.This week on The Melting Pot, we learned from Jeff Hamaoui, a seasoned social entrepreneur with a rich background in sustainable practices and innovative ventures. Cutting his teeth in the ever-evolving realm of green business, Jeff's professional journey has seen him partnering with leading corporations like NASA, Nike, and Ikea. After a twenty-year stint in California spearheading various social initiatives, he co-founded the Modern Elder Academy. Drawing from his vast experience, Jeff now heads programming at the academy, using his knowledge to design impactful and immersive learning experiences.In this episode, Jeff challenges the negative narratives and stereotypes about ageing. He argues that age is not a barrier to success and that older people have valuable resources, wisdom, and the potential to make a significant impact in the world. In fact, the data shows that the most successful enterprises in the US are actually started by people aged 45 and older. Jeff also discusses the need to reframe ageing and embrace the opportunities that come with it. He believes that as life expectancy increases, we need to reconsider what it means to get old and focus on taking care of physical health to ensure a longer health span. Download and listen to learn more. On today’s podcast: Rewriting the narratives around entrepreneurshipThe role of Modern Elder Academy in midlife transitionsThe three elements of a healthier midlifeChanging the view about masculinity and feelings Follow Jeff Hamaoui:WebsiteLinkedIn Book recommendations:Of Boys and MenI Don’t Want To Talk About It Enjoyed the show? Leave a Review

This week we’re learning from Andrew Winston, one of the most widely read writers on sustainable business, and a globally-recognised expert on megatrends and how to build companies that thrive by serving people and the planet. Andrew’s journey into the realm of sustainability was a winding one. His formal education in economics and his subsequent tenure as a consultant instilled in him the strategic approach he would later need. However, it was the dot-com crash that turned the tide and urged him to follow a new path. He yearned for something more meaningful, leading him to pursue a degree in environmental management. He didn't anticipate that his first book, written like a consultant and not an environmentalist, would become a bestseller and lay the foundation for his work in helping companies understand the role of business in society. He passionately believes that profits and sustainability are not mutually exclusive and that the majority of a company's value lies in its intangible aspects, such as brand value and customer loyalty. In this episode, Andrew emphasises the need to think beyond traditional business models and consider the broader societal and environmental impacts of operations. He also discusses the B Corp certification and Benefit Corporations, encouraging small to medium-sized enterprises to explore these avenues for demonstrating their commitment to environmental and social responsibility. Andrew also addresses the perception of sustainability practices in Asian companies and dispels myths surrounding China's efforts in renewable energy. Download and listen to learn more. On today’s podcast: Green to Gold and the two-by-two matrixWhat makes leaders care about sustainabilityThe politicisation of social and environmental issuesMultinationals and sustainabilityThe value of the B Corp Certification Follow Andrew Winston:WebsiteLinkedInNet Positive The Pig PivotGreen To GoldGreen Recovery  Book recommendations:The Ministry for the FutureThe Inner Game of Tennis Enjoyed the show? Leave a Review

In a world where pricing is often feared and neglected, one woman is on a mission to bring some light to the topic. But what happens when she reveals the power of pricing to shape customer actions and boost business performance? Find out on a new episode of The Melting Pot with Dominic Monkhouse. This week we learned from pricing expert and the founder of Untapped Pricing, Jenny Millar. With a decade worth of hands-on experience in managing the fees for selling on eBay's European platforms, she has a deep understanding of how to use pricing as both a financial boost and a mechanism for customer behaviour management. She extends her ability to help organisations discover their product's true value, leaving no room for guesswork. Jenny's unique insights, drawn from both qualitative and quantitative customer research, provide game-changing guidance for businesses eager to leverage pricing to optimise growth. Download and listen to learn more from Jenny Millar. On today’s podcast: Unearth the hidden power of pricingUsing pricing to shape customer behaviourUnderstanding the power of price optionsDebunking some of the most common pricing mythsThe importance of an evolving pricing strategy Follow Jenny Millar:WebsiteLinkedInThe Pricing ScoreappBitesize pricing tactics Book recommendations:The Mom Test  Enjoyed the show? Leave a Review  

Dr. Alan Barnard, CEO of Goldratt Research Labs and a Theory of Constraints expert, shares insights on optimizing business performance. He reveals how identifying constraints can double net profits without increasing sales. Alan emphasizes the importance of management attention as a key limiting factor in thriving businesses. Through real-life examples, he illustrates strategies for improving operational efficiency and navigating emotional decision-making. Plus, he recommends impactful books to inspire ambitious goal-setting and strategic thinking.