Advertise on podcast: Lead to Succeed

It's important to see constraints not as obstacles that limit us, but rather as opportunities for innovation and creativity. By reframing our perspective, we can harness the power of constraints to drive progress and achieve remarkable outcomes. And this is exactly what Lead to Succeed guest Gary Harpst will demonstrate through his insightful experiences and practical wisdom. Gary Harpst, CEO of LeadFirst, is known for his fusion of faith and work, fostering agile organizations. With four decades of experience, he founded three successful businesses, one of which merged and was sold to Microsoft. He has authored three books. His latest book, "Built to Beat Chaos," makes the biblical case that we are all created to overcome chaos.

In today's competitive business landscape, where efficiency and systems often take precedence, some leaders stand out for prioritizing people above all else. Brian, our guest, epitomizes this ethos. Brian worked in retail for 35 years, from the stockroom to the corner office. He was a VP of stores for PacSun and Urban Outfitters and most recently ran Old Navy stores in Canada. His new book helps people write or rewrite their career outcomes.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), the emulation of human intelligence by machines, and Behavioral Science, the study of human behavior and decision-making, converge to create innovative approaches that optimize team dynamics. In this episode, James Lawrence will teach us how AI and Behavioral Science team up to improve how groups work. James is the co-founder of Happy, which enables organizations to enhance organizational culture, communication, and manager effectiveness at scale. Its Happy coaching platform uses behavioral science and AI to build a user manual for your entire team in less than 10 minutes. James previously served as chairman of the board for the Specialty Equipment Market Association. He also served as CEO and founder of Power Automedia and CEO of Speedvideo. Throughout his career, James strongly emphasized nurturing talent and fostering the next generation of leaders, always with an eye toward meaningful work.

In a marketing world filled with self-promotion, it's time for a change. Instead of shouting "Me, Me, Me," success now hinges on understanding and connecting with our audience. In this episode, our guest, Anthony Iannarino will be talking about the importance of shifting our focus from self-centered narratives to building genuine connections that resonate. Anthony is a highly respected international speaker, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and sales leader specializing in the complex business-to-business (B2B) sale. He is also a founder and managing partner of two closely held, family-owned businesses in the staffing industry, leading both entities in strategic planning while growing sales. Anthony is best known for his work at The Sales Blog, which has helped him gain recognition as a top thought leader in sales strategy. He is also the designer of Level 4 Value Creation™ and Building Consensus, methodologies that help sales organizations achieve transformational, breakthrough results. In each business, Anthony is focused on helping professionals reach their full potential. In 2007, while growing the sales force of his second staffing firm, he discovered a knack for coaching, and realized that he could make enduring contributions to a company’s sales culture. He began blogging about complex selling processes and gravitated toward B2B companies facing challenges in sales force management and performance. His transition to professional speaking, consulting, and workshop facilitation led to the development of a trademarked methodology that has proven instrumental in helping sales organizations achieve revenue goals. Listen in and learn more about the importance of building connections that matter.

Remaining entrenched in a career path that fails to resonate with one's true passion is a substantial life misstep. Opting for a fulfilling career isn't merely a luxury but an essential pursuit for a well-rounded and contented life. That’s exactly what our guest Cynthia Kay will be sharing about. Cynthia is the Founder of Cynthia Kay and Company, an award-winning media production company, an author, speaker, and an expert in small business leadership. That expertise comes from over three decades of building her own company. As a business leader and trailblazer among women keynote speakers, her success has been widely recognized. Cynthia works with current and aspiring small business leaders across sectors, industries, or growth stages to help them achieve their goals. She is past Chair of the National Small Business Association (NSBA). Listen in and learn more about mistakes leaders often make and how to avoid them.

Passion in the workplace is like the secret sauce that adds flavor to your professional journey. It's the fuel that propels you forward, turning a job into a fulfilling career. When you're passionate about what you do, it transforms your work into a labor of love. That’s what our guest Bjorn Billhardt will be talking about in this episode. Bjorn is CEO and founder of Abilitie, a global leadership development company. Prior to launching Abilitie, Bjorn co-founded Enspire Learning in 2001, an early pioneer of e-learning programs and business simulations. Bjorn holds a BA from the University of Texas and an MBA from Harvard Business School. A native of Hamburg, Germany, he came to the US as an exchange student in high school and now lives in Austin, TX with his wife and three young boys. Listen in and learn more about the importance of passion in a fulfilling professional life.

It's really important to regularly think about where we are in our work lives. This helps us grow, adapt, and stay healthy. Robert DeFinis is an expert who helps people do this. He's been working with kids, athletes, coaches, teams, leaders, and groups for more than twenty years. He knows a lot about doing well and has experience in education, leading nonprofits, law enforcement, and understanding behavior. Robert created Total Optimal Performance Solutions and RDF Books. He also helped start the Center for Teaching Excellence - Online. He's written books like The Hero Teacher, Gen-eXceptional, and some children's books about current issues. Listen in to learn why it's important to think beyond just the place where you work.

Most people’s pain comes because they’re unable to make relationships work. In the professional realm, effective communication is the heartbeat of collaboration, innovation, and productivity. It ensures that ideas flow seamlessly, teams align cohesively, and goals are achieved with precision. And today, that's exactly what our guest Steve Cockram will be sharing insights on. Steve is an inspirational communicator, serial entrepreneur, author, and confidante to elite leaders around the world. He is highly skilled at making people think, laugh, and act. Steve is a co-founder of GiANT Worldwide and GiANT London. He has co-authored multiple leadership books, including his most recent, THE COMMUNICATION CODE, which details how to set the parameters of a conversation from the outset, preventing misunderstandings and miscommunication, and highlights recognizing the power dynamics of interactions to help. Listen in and learn more about the importance of communication.

In the dynamic realm of business, the adage holds true: enterprises are either in a state of growth or on a trajectory towards decline, leaving no room for a middle ground. Our guest, Adam House will share valuable insights and tips to navigate this dichotomy effectively. Adam House is a seasoned entrepreneur with a diverse background as a former senior executive, professional basketball player, and team Co-Owner. Adam adds a unique perspective to business advising. Over his 25-year career, Adam has not only started, scaled, and exited multiple companies across various industries but has done so with his commitment to values such as faith, family, and personal interests.  Adam has a proven track record of excellence, being the Founder/CEO of DMA - acquired by V12 Group; Velocitude - developed by Akamai Technologies; and Qualmetrix - publicly traded on NASDAQ.  Despite the challenges of being a husband, father, and entrepreneur, Adam maintains his faith, family, and fitness priorities. Adam's professional journey has been a continuous cycle of learning and growth. Listen in and learn more about business success.

In the world of sales, genuine care is the key to success. When you genuinely care about your customers, it goes beyond just making a sale; it's about understanding their needs, providing value, and creating a positive experience. People are more likely to buy from someone they trust and feel genuinely cares about their well-being, that’s exactly what we will learn from our guest Jeremy Sandell. Jeremy is an online sales and marketing professional with more than $15,000,000 in 1:1 sales across 6+ different industries. He’s spent the last 12 years studying human behavior and evolutionary psychology and has developed a unique, non-salesy approach to sales that results in considerably higher than average closing rates in the high-ticket sales niche. Listen in and learn more about the importance of building trust in sales.

Uncovering the mission that sets our soul on fire is not just about finding purpose; it's about grabbing life by the horns and forging a path that screams, "This is who I am, and this is what I'm meant to do!”. In this episode, we're diving deep with our guest, Dr. Philip Hickman, as he unveils the riveting story of discovering his life mission and the impactful journey he embarked on to bring it to life. As a distinguished public speaker, Dr. Phil has presented at national conferences and workshops for organizations such as the U.S Department of Education and Columbia University. He is a prolific author with three books that showcase his groundbreaking methodologies in leadership, personalized learning, and emotional intelligence. Dr. Phil is a versatile entrepreneur, having created Plabook, an AI powered reading technology solutions firm. He has also co-founded multiple nonprofit organizations and played a key role in successful edutech ventures. Listen in and learn more about life missions.

Being the leading voice in healthcare funding requires the courage to be the first to ask and advocate for change. It's about empowering others to realize they're not alone, encouraging them to step up, and affirming that advocating for change is not just acceptable but essential. This is exactly what our guest Andrea Feigl will empower every leader to do. As Health Finance Institute's CEO and founder, Andrea brings extensive leadership experience in academia, the public sector, international organizations, and the global non-profit sector. Her past work focused on the economics and policies of preventing and treating the economic burden of chronic diseases, as well as on health financing and governance, UHC, and cost-effectiveness of chronic disease interventions. Apart from being the recipient of multiple prestigious awards, she has also authored several high-level reports, including Development Aid Flows for Chronic Diseases for the Center for Global Development and a leading WEF/Harvard report on the global economic burden of chronic diseases. Andrea was a Visiting Scientist at Harvard from 2015 to 2020 at the School of Public Health and is a Salzburg Global Fellow. Listen in and learn how to lead boldly in the healthcare industry.