The Art of Quality

In this episode of The Art of Quality and Attention, William sits down with Patrick Boland. Patrick is a psychotherapist, leadership consultant, executive coach, and the author of The Contemplative Leader. He founded his consulting firm, Conexus, in 2013, and since then has worked with senior teams and leaders in global organizations ranging from Google, Unilever, Accenture, and Salesforce, to name just a few. Patrick was introduced to the show by fellow Art of Quality host Paul Higgins. Over the last couple of years, William has had the pleasure of getting to know Patrick and has been struck by the quality of his presence and the depth of his capacity to listen. William’s own experience of Patrick’s book, The Contemplative Leader, has been that of an excellent guide to shaping relationships and systems in ways that use one’s power and influence for the benefit of those around us. As Patrick himself would put it: The quality of presence we embody in our interactions fundamentally affects everything we do. The conversation that follows is a practical investigation into the qualities inherent in effective leadership, drawn from the lived experience of a seasoned leadership coach.

The podcast dives into the significance of quality through lived experiences. A standout topic is the relationship between iteration and success, highlighted by John’s insights from Geneva's watchmakers. Conversations explore how nature operates through countless experiments, mirroring the iterative process vital for growth. Paul links trust-building strategies from Les Schwab to practical application in everyday choices. The hosts emphasize how understanding quality transcends theory, encouraging listeners to embrace a more embodied and practical wisdom.

Eric Markowitz, a partner at Nightview Capital and former investigative journalist, dives into his intriguing research on the world's oldest companies and their secrets to longevity. He emphasizes the importance of practical work over mere ideas, critiquing modern management theories that neglect sustainable practices. Drawing insights from traditions in watchmaking and craftsmanship, Eric discusses how enduring companies prioritize human connection and financial prudence. He explores the balance between innovation and tradition, offering valuable lessons for lasting success.

In this enlightening conversation, Ed Halliwell, a seasoned mindfulness teacher and author, delves into the transformative power of attention. He reveals how distorted perceptions stem from desires and fears, clouding our reality. Ed discusses the distinction between attention and awareness, emphasizing the importance of cultivating both in personal and professional realms. He shares insights on how mindfulness can enhance leadership and creativity, and highlights the role of acceptance in overcoming inner negativity. Prepare for a journey toward clearer perception and compassionate self-awareness!

Dive into the fascinating world of power laws and discover how they shape our understanding of quality across nature and society. John shares his journey of uncovering patterns that reveal concentrated impact in various domains, from businesses to ecosystems. Learn why prioritizing the few impactful elements is crucial, and explore the dynamics of survival and growth in power laws. With insights on investment strategies and aligning with natural systems, this conversation challenges conventional thinking about averages in a compelling way.

Isik Tlabar, an intuition coach and breathwork facilitator, shares her journey from Turkish roots to becoming an expert in helping others unlock their inner knowing. She explains how breathwork swiftly accesses suppressed emotions and altered states akin to psychedelics. Isik discusses the calming effects of breathwork on the nervous system, emphasizing the importance of grounding and integration. Listeners will discover practical exercises to boost their intuition and learn how to shift from mind-driven to heart-driven choices, ultimately enhancing the quality of their lives.

Today's episode is about the story of the renowned Buchinger Wilhelmi fasting clinics based in Germany, Spain, and soon France, and their owner Leo Wilhelmi, who runs the business together with his cousin and brother in the fourth generation. Leo shares the founding story of his great-grandfather Otto Buchinger, who was the personal doctor of Prince Adalbert of Prussia during the early 20th century. He fell incurably ill but serendipitously stumbled upon a water-based fasting cure, which he developed into the famous Buchinger Wilhelmi fasting method. Leo then shares how, a century later, he faced a similar turning point. What began as a challenging situation unexpectedly placed him at the center of his generation’s biggest project: building a new clinic in the south of France.

Today's episode is about the story of the renowned Buchinger Wilhelmi fasting clinics based in Germany, Spain, and soon France, and their owner Leo Wilhelmi, who runs the business together with his cousin and brother in the fourth generation. Leo shares the founding story of his great-grandfather Otto Buchinger, who was the personal doctor of Prince Adalbert of Prussia during the early 20th century. He fell incurably ill but serendipitously stumbled upon a water-based fasting cure, which he developed into the famous Buchinger Wilhelmi fasting method. Leo then tells the story, how a century later, he faced a similar turning point. What began as a challenging situation unexpectedly placed him at the center of his generation’s biggest project: building a new clinic in the south of France.

Eric Markowitz, a Partner at Nightview Capital and former investigative journalist, shares insights from his globe-trotting quest studying multigenerational businesses for his book, Outlast. He discusses how his near-death experience sparked a fascination with endurance in cultures and companies. Eric highlights the importance of deep customer relationships over quick gains and the employee-first cultures seen in Italian firms. He also explores Japan's many long-lived companies and the role of respectful traditions in maintaining quality and longevity.

What if the most important aspects of quality can't be measured?  Victor Wooten - legendary bassist, educator, and philosopher - joins us to explore how tracking animals taught him to see the invisible patterns that create excellence in music, teaching, and life. Victor learned bass at age two. No rules. No corrections. Just freedom - the same way we learn to talk. Now a 5-time Grammy winner, he's discovered that the principles creating musical excellence apply everywhere: in organizations, in nature, in how we build things that last. This conversation goes places you won't expect. Why does Victor spend weeks tracking animals in the wilderness? How did a stranger's wave from a bus window change his entire life? What does it mean that modern music has been "compressed from a foot deep to a quarter inch" - and why should leaders care?