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Failing My Way in Public: What Hosting the Dubai Airshow Taught Me About Success What does success really look like when no one is watching? In this episode of Failing My Way in Public to Success, I take you behind the scenes of the Dubai Airshow, one of the world’s largest aviation and aerospace events, and share what it actually takes to host live panels, pitch competitions, and keynotes on a global stage. This wasn’t about aviation expertise.It was about leadership, communication, adaptability, and resilience. Over five intense days at the Dubai Airshow, I: Hosted live panels with investors, VCs, founders, and industry leaders Moderated startup pitch competitions and innovation challenges Managed live audiences, technical issues, timing pressure, and last-minute changes Learned powerful lessons about failure, ego, preparation, and trust Why success cannot be measured by results alone How reputation and trust create career-defining opportunities What event hosting, sales, leadership, and startups all have in common How to stay calm, confident, and adaptable under pressure Why failing in public is often the fastest path to growth This episode is for: Entrepreneurs and startup founders Sales professionals and leaders Public speakers, MCs, and event hosts Anyone building a career through visibility and responsibility If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at major global events, this episode gives you the real story. 📌 Success isn’t about never falling.It’s about getting back up when others quit. 🔔 Subscribe for honest conversations about leadership, failure, sales, communication, and personal growth.👍 Like, comment, and share if this episode resonated with you. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

What does it really take to build a successful career as a lawyer in Dubai’s booming fintech scene — and how do you thrive in one of the fastest-evolving legal landscapes in the world?In this episode, I sit down with Anna Zeitlin, a UK-qualified lawyer and Partner at Addleshaw Goddard, specializing in fintech and financial regulation. Anna works closely with governments across the Middle East, shaping new regulatory frameworks, and advises conglomerates and multinational companies (MNCs) navigating the complex intersection of law, finance, and technology.🔑 Key moments & insightsWhat is fintech (really)? Anna explains how finance and technology are merging — and why the UAE is leading the charge.How Dubai stays ahead: Inside the UAE’s vision for blockchain, fintech hubs, and new regulatory shifts that are opening doors for global business.Working with government and global clients: How Anna and her firm collaborate with regulators and MNCs to shape financial innovation responsibly.Confidence and imposter syndrome: How to own your space even when you’re the youngest — or only — voice in the room.Listening and asking the right questions: Why the smartest people aren’t the ones with all the answers, but the ones who ask “bloody good questions.”Plain English law: Making complex ideas simple, building trust, and removing the jargon that keeps clients in the dark.Critical thinking in the age of AI: Why ChatGPT can’t replace curiosity, depth, or real-world experience.💡 Why you should watchIf you’re considering moving to Dubai, building a career in law, or exploring fintech and regulation, this episode gives you a front-row seat to what it’s really like inside the region’s most forward-thinking legal circles.You’ll get raw, honest insights on how to communicate with confidence, adapt fast, and build lasting relationships in a city where innovation never slows down.👥 Who this episode is forLawyers and professionals planning a move to DubaiFintech founders and investors exploring the UAE marketCorporate leaders and in-house counsels navigating regulationAnyone passionate about growth, communication, and authenticity in business🗣️ The vibeThis isn’t your typical legal chat. It’s real talk about success, self-doubt, ambition, and what happens when opportunity meets preparation.“This Is Your Turning Point” brings together voices shaping their industries — people who are rewriting the rules, one decision at a time.💬 If this episode resonates, like, comment, and share — someone you know could be at their own turning point right now.📩 Connect with Anna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-zeitlin-956246136/🎧 Subscribe for more honest conversations on sales, leadership, law, and the mindset behind success.🎙️ This Is Your Turning Point – with Anna Zeitlin, Partner at Addleshaw Goddard | Fintech & Financial RegulationHow Dubai Became a Global Fintech Hub | Lawyer Anna Zeitan on Law, Growth & Opportunity

Last month I attended the WHX TECH event, focuses on Technologies that are changing the healthcare sector. I was lucky enough to see, hear and speak with Sally Ann Frank who delivered a keynote on How To Craft A Compelling Value Proposition For Investors & Customers Sally Was kind enough to speak with me after and I was cheeky enough to ask her to do a quick podcast interview With more than 25 years of experience in high-tech business development, sales, and marketing, Sally is passionate about helping health and life sciences companies and startups use Microsoft technology to provide better, more-cost effective care. As the WW Lead for Health & Life Sciences at Microsoft for Startups, Sally works directly with founders, VCs, M12 and others in the industry to partner with Microsoft and accelerate their development and growth.Through business strategy planning, go-to-market development, and technical excellence, Sally enable startups to achieve their short-term revenue goals and long-term visions. I also leverage my extensive network and expertise to mentor, advise, and support startups in various programs and initiatives. In addition, Sally is a board member, speaker, and thought leader, who enjoys learning about the latest trends and innovations in the health and life sciences sector. ✅ The biggest mistakes founders make when pitching✅ Why starting with a clear “what” and “why” is essential✅ How to build a strong go-to-market and business model✅ The power of storytelling and empathy in corporate selling✅ The importance of bringing the right people into your journey – and letting go of ego✅ Real-world insights from Microsoft’s startup ecosystem✅ Lessons from unicorn founders and successful healthcare startups✅ The mindset needed to show up confidently on stage✅ Surprising wisdom from therapy dogs and emotional connection✅ Why repetition and feedback are key to great presentations Thank you for doing this pop up podcast, I really enjoyed it and know the audience will get value from your insights Feel free to connect with Sally on linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyafrank/ She has also published some great books that dive deeper into these topics https://www.sallyannfrank.com/

In this episode, I sit down once again with Dr Corrie Block, executive coach, author of The Chief Executive Coach, and one of the most respected voices in leadership and performance.Dr Corrie shares powerful insights from his new book — diving into what it really means to coach at the Olympic level of business, why most “executive coaches” aren’t truly qualified, and how companies like Google and lessons from The Trillion Dollar Coach (Bill Campbell) changed the way the world views leadership development.We talk about:🧠 The difference between therapy and true executive coaching🏆 Why every CEO plays an Olympic-level game — and what kind of coach they actually need💡 The neuroscience of flow and how to trigger 500% more productivity❤️ Why “happiness” can distract you from true fulfillment🔥 Why promoting “skills” instead of “mindsets” breaks leadership in most organizations⏱️ Why Dr Corrie believes all executive coaching should be ROI-positive (and even “free” to the company)This conversation goes deep — from Simon Sinek’s idea of vulnerability, to Marshall Goldsmith’s publishing pace, to Matt Damon’s “Good Will Hunting” and what it teaches us about real coaching.If you lead a team, coach executives, or just want to perform at your peak — this one’s for you.📘 Connect with Dr Corrie Block:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corrieblock/Website: https://www.corrieblock.com/Book: The Chief Executive Coach — available on Amazon💬 If you enjoyed this episode:👍 Like the video📝 Comment your biggest takeaway🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders and coaches redefining success#Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #DrCorrieBlock #Performance #FlowState #TheTrillionDollarCoach #MarshallGoldsmith #SimonSinek #MarkChatShow

The Failures of Having a Podcast 🎙️ | What I Learned from Season 1 of This Is Your Turning Point Social media shows everyone’s wins — but rarely the failures.In this episode, I share the truth about what went wrong (and right) in Season 1 of my podcast, This Is Your Turning Point. From awkward interviews to production mishaps and self-doubt, I’ve learned that the only way to succeed is by failing in public. If you’ve ever wanted to start a podcast, or you’ve struggled to stay consistent, this video is for you.I’ll show you:👉 What really happens behind the mic👉 The biggest mistakes I made (and what I’d do differently)👉 Why practice isn’t enough — you need real experience👉 How vulnerability can help you grow faster Every episode got a little better — because I kept going.The only way to get started… is to get started. A huge thank you to my incredible guests from Season 1:Andrew Stotter-BrooksDr. Corrie BlockEmma JordaanMichael KennerBushra AhmedDarren & Andrew (DNA)Adam WolfGreg Turner 💡 If you or someone in your team would like to be a guest on Season 2, visit:🌐 www.thisisyourturningpoint.com

LEWIS ALLSOPP: Building a World-Class Business in Dubai | Leadership, Risk & Growth | Season 2 PremiereWe are BACK with Season 2 — and we’re starting with a story that goes way beyond real estate.Lewis Allsopp, Chairman and Co-Founder of Allsopp & Allsopp Group, has built one of Dubai’s most respected businesses — a 650+ person company started in 2008 during the global financial crash.Yes, it’s a real estate business… but this is not just a real estate story.This is about vision, leadership, resilience, and what it takes to build something extraordinary in one of the most competitive cities in the world.In this episode, we dive into:🚀 Building through crisis - starting a company when others were quitting👬 Working with family - the dynamic between Lewis and his brother Carl📊 Scaling from 50 to 650 employees - what changes, what breaks, what evolves💡 Hiring: ready-made talent vs. raw potential🧠 The psychology of leadership - social pressures, failures, and self-belief💥 How to take big risks (and survive them)🥇 Book smart vs street smart - what actually matters⚠️ Why companies fail - the hard truths no one talks about🌍 Building a personal brand that opens doors💬 How to build a life that’s not just successful, but sustainableLewis has created more than a business - he’s built a culture, a team, and a life on his own terms.This conversation is for anyone who’s ever thought about taking a risk, leading people, or building something that lasts.👇 Watch the full episode to learn how great companies — and great lives — are really built.🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe for more real, unfiltered conversations with leaders shaping the Middle East and beyond.📍 Follow me on LinkedIn & Instagram for more behind-the-scenes insights.#LewisAllsopp #AllsoppAndAllsopp #DubaiBusiness #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #SuccessStories #DubaiPodcast #BusinessGrowth #Resilience #FoundersJourney #LeadershipPodcast #BuildSomethingGreat

📢 Mastering Communication: My Talk at Middlesex University’s Executive MBA Program 🎤 The OpportunityAfter hosting the CIPD Awards at The Ritz-Carlton in Dubai, I connected with key professionals, which led to an invitation to speak to Executive MBA students at Middlesex University. This is a great example of how networking and delivering value can open unexpected doors. 🗣️ The TalkDuring my session, I covered essential topics on communication and storytelling, focusing on:✅ The power of storytelling – How stories create impact and make your message memorable.✅ Understanding what’s important to the other person – The key to real connection and influence.✅ The 5 things we all want to be – A framework that helps you communicate in a way that truly resonates. 🚀 Why It MattersGreat communication isn’t just about what you say—it’s about how you make others feel. Whether in business, leadership, or everyday conversations, mastering these skills can set you apart. 🔗 Tune in to learn how you can elevate your communication skills and create meaningful connections! 4o

Following my pre event chat, what happened on the night? Enjoy episode and don't forget to like share and subscribe

People think you shouldn't work for free and In small parts I believe that but there are so many areas where it works to collaborate where it can benefit both sides . On this episode I share the build up to the Awards event i'm hosting, Exposure is very important, Along with this I speak about the 2 day broker course I delivered the last 2 days, I am not the biggest fan of online courses but unfortunately this is how the people want to engage so it is what it is.

Calling clients is tough! The internal doubts we have, the fear of being screamed at, it all plays around in our head! Along with a mindset shift of believing you are someone of value, why not try this approach. Rather than asking a client if the're interesting in buying what you're selling Btw, you're offering your services (something they know nothing about) Why not lead with value? Now think, what could be of value to the client? Watch this episode to learn techniques that will create value with your client and in turn lead to opportunities. This weeks episode I speak about networking but not in a place where you're uncomfortable standing around On the golf course where you can have a general conversation and start to establish trust with someone . That's what happened with me! The good thing about what I do is that what I teach is shown pretty much in my conversation with someone, Nothing to do with 1 liners, its about establishing trust . Really enjoyed last week, got out the apartment, worked in an office environment, met lots of new people and gave value to the community!

Why do you want to be a leader? Last week I had the opportunity to speak at HR summit & Expo in Dubai, I had the chance to talk about anything I wanted Straight away though I knew what I wanted to speak about . Understanding if leadership is the right move for you. You will know people who got promoted and were gone from the business in 6 months. Why does this happen? In my presentation I showed it from 2 sides. Should they have been a leader in the first place? What should the company be doing to protect the person? During my presentation I like to ask thought provoking questions, reason being, everyone knows what they’re doing but are they doing it? Along with my own experience I’ve been fortunate enough to have some incredible conversations with CHRO and senior leaders who not only talk but have proven strategies. I speak about these during my presentation. Do you think this can help you, your development and the development of people in your business? Want a copy of the presentation? I’ve put this together on 2 pages. If you want a copy! Comment in the box ‘YES’ and I’ll send it to you! Working with ICS Learn team, they wanted to make sure this presentation stayed evergreen so we recorded it. Comment YES YES for both 😂😂 People say I look so calm on stage but In all honestly, I have doubts constantly but I know if I can get through it, it really can bring value to people and make a difference in their lives .

If you can overcome this, you won’t care who you speak in front of. I’m the youngest of 3 boys, 1 of my brothers use to practice his wrestling moves on me, They would make me believe it was good business to swap a £5 note for a shiny 50 pence. I would get them back by informing my parents they had done bad things (like sneaking out) I’m no grass though 😂Our family tradition has always been Friday night family dinners, I’d say looking back it impacted my life in 2 ways First I hated the idea my friends were going out and I was stuck in doors but it really gives you the grounding and foundations needed, I appreciate my family time so much . Second was that being the youngest , I was the butt of all jokes, My dad never shied away from going along with my brothers and taking the mick out of me . I’m the youngest, I accept it, it’s fine 😂But , you can imagine the nerves and anxiety speaking at the table, worried anything I say will be ridiculed or picked at. Was a lot of this In my head? Maybe but either way it was how I felt. Fast forward many years , I can get up and speak in front of anyone, not worried about beingRediculed or have what I say be picked at, How am I able to do this? Well… I overcame the fear of speaking at the dinner table , When ever I’m nervous (which happens all the time) I go back to that dinner table and know it can never be worse than that time , If I can speak in front of my dad, I can speak in front of anyone! We can always picture worst case scenario for something we’re about to do,I go back to that time and I use it as a positive. Which moments can you go back to that will help you overcome the challenges you face now?

Failing my way (in public, in my car) to success On this episode I speak about hiring someone who was meant to raise the bar, a new benchmark on what success looks like, Trouble was, I made the wrong choice Now, if you make a bad choice you can either bite the bullet, hold or your hands up and solve the issue before it gets out of hand, Or you can drag it out and in the end, relationships , culture and all round energy can get effected watch this episode to see what happened to me, I do these videos to show the challenges, everyday is a struggle, I will tell you nothing comes easy and show you where I fail but I will fail my way to success. What happens when you don't make a decision as a leader?

On the show today, Bushra Ahmed A Dubai based, award winning DIFC litigator, arbitrator, and barrister, individually ranked in C&P and L500 in Dispute Resolution and Employment. Specialisms: banking, mis-selling, regulatory, employment and enforcement. We speak about transferable skills, conflict resolution, communication skills, listening skills, I am fascinated by law because I wanted to be a lawyer when I was younger but when I look at skills needed to be a lawyer, I have been able to apply those to what I do now and build a career In this episode we discussthe importance still of hard work even with AI , Everyone has seen the show SUITS but is there a Mike in the team?What is the reality of this? Transferable Skills: Boost Your Career Success Problem-Solving: The Power of Listening Smarter Ways to Resolve Disputes How UK Lawyers Practice Law in Dubai: A Unique Insight Mediation: The Key to Effective Leadership Understanding Mis-Selling in Financial Products: Legal Insights The Key to Conflict Resolution The Power of Evidence: Proving Your Case Effectively Ep 107 Practicing Law in the UAE, A UK Barristers Guide with Bushra Ahmed

As a leader, what would you do in this situation? This was a big eye opener for me. Around 6 years ago I decided I was leaving the company I worked at for 7 years, I have my own company now but back then I was looking for a leadership role at one of the flag ship companies In Dubai . During the interview I was asked a situational question. Mark, you’re leading a team and the the online product goes down, no one can open the app, no one can use it, what do you do ? Now, on reflection, I completely messed up here! My response I’ll do what ever I have to, I’ll do this job , I’ll do that job, I’ll be up all night to ensure it’s done and everyone is back on line!!At the time I thought it showed my grit and determination BUT The reason for the question was to see the level of trust I had in my team! What should I have done? Well I need to first of all picture that I know my team, I trust them and they are more than capable to get this issue resolved ! With that mindset I then can go about what is my role and that is to support them in the background Yes I have to still be hands on but in no way should I be trying to do the tech guys job when I don’t even know how to set up a laptop! Why am I saying this? 2 things 1 - I realized that maybe I’m not the leader I thought I was.2 - don’t be so eager during an interview to say you’ll turn the world upside down to get it doneThink what you would actually do in that role and probably something you’ve already been doing for a number of months / years.If you want to know what else happened during this Interview, something that meant I wasn’t even going to get the job in the first place, watch out for my “failing my way (in public) to success podcast Where I tell more of this story, you’ll be SHOCKED and I’m hoping it questions some of the stupidity that goes on today! Leaders, recruiters, interviewers, interviewees , what’s your thoughts on this? Has it happened to you? hashtag#leadership hashtag#interview hashtag#candidate hashtag#recruitment hashtag#grit hashtag#determination