Real Relationships Real Revenue - Video Edition | Invest in Relationships to Build Your Business and Your Career

What does it really mean to lead boldly when the stakes are high and the path ahead isn't perfectly clear? In this episode, I sit down with leadership expert and author Leigh Burgess to unpack what bold leadership actually looks like in practice. We explore why so many high-performing professionals second guess themselves when making big decisions, having difficult conversations, or stepping into higher levels of leadership. Leigh shares the five core traits she believes define bold leaders and explains how strategic risk taking, trust building, and resilience play a critical role in leading teams and organizations forward. Throughout our conversation, we dive into the mindset shifts required to move from hesitation to confident action. Leigh offers practical ways leaders can strengthen their ability to navigate uncertainty, build meaningful networks, and create a clear vision even when the road ahead feels foggy. If you've ever felt the tension between playing it safe and making the bold move your intuition is nudging you toward, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what courageous leadership really looks like. Topics We Cover in This Episode: The five traits that separate bold leaders from hesitant ones Why strategic risk is often the missing ingredient in leadership growth A surprising reason many high performers struggle with bold decision making How trust impacts your ability to move teams forward during uncertainty The role resilience plays when outcomes don't go as planned What "network weaving" really means and why it matters for leaders A simple mental shift that helps you act even when the full path isn't visible If you're ready to lead with more confidence, take smarter risks, and create greater impact inside your organization, this episode will give you plenty to think about. Tune in to hear Leigh's insights and start identifying where you can take your next bold step as a leader. Resources Mentioned: Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! Get Your Copy of The Bold Leader: https://a.co/d/02eqZbgQ Check out Leigh's Website: https://leighburgess.com/ Connect with Leigh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theboldleader/

Oliver Aust, communication strategist and author who helps leaders craft clear, persuasive messages. He explains why communication is the growth bottleneck, why clarity outperforms complexity, how connection beats perfection, how fear shapes decisions, and simple frameworks for framing, hooks, and preparing presentations quickly.

Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, resiliency scholar and author who studies well-being and sustained performance. She explores why sustaining success is harder than achieving it. Short talks cover designing life for longevity, built-in recovery and seasonal rest, building a support team, values-driven adaptability, quick physiological resets, and experimenting with roles to shape legacy.

What if grit isn't about pushing harder but about knowing when to pivot, pause, and play the long game? In this episode, I sit down with Joel Goldberg, longtime Kansas City Royals announcer, speaker, and author, to pull back the curtain on what high-performing athletes can teach us about resilience, failure, and sustained success in business and life. Drawing from decades inside professional sports, Joel shares the real, behind-the-scenes moments you never see in post-game interviews… the slumps, the setbacks, and the quiet decisions that separate those who burn out from those who endure. We dig into what it actually means to "manage failure," why baseball might be the ultimate teacher of resilience, and how grit shows up in unexpected ways. Along the way, Joel shares unforgettable stories of players who refused to quit, leaders who stayed disciplined when no one was watching, and the mindset shifts that allow people to keep moving forward when the outcome feels uncertain. Topics We Cover in This Episode: Why failure isn't the problem, but how you process it might be The hidden habits elite performers rely on long before success shows up How to tell the difference between working harder and working smarter What "grit" really looks like behind the scenes of professional sports Why rest, recovery, and off-seasons are strategic, not lazy The subtle ways resilience shows up in relationships and trust-building How staying open to new approaches can change your entire trajectory If this conversation sparked something in you, don't let it end here. Take a moment to reflect on where you might be chasing the same result the same way and what your next move could be instead. Share this episode with someone who's in the middle of a tough season, and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss future conversations on real relationships, real resilience, and real growth. Resources Mentioned: Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! Connect with Joel Find Joel on LinkedIn

In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Robertson, former CEO and current Chairman of BBDO and author of The Creative Shift, to unpack why creativity gets squeezed out of adults, teams, and organizations and what it actually takes to bring it back. We talk about the difference between innovation and true creation, why most brainstorming fails, and how businesses unintentionally shut down their people's most powerful ideas. Andrew shares the research, stories, and real-world lessons behind some of the most iconic campaigns of our time and why creativity is not reserved for "creative people," but for anyone solving meaningful problems. We also go deep into the practical side. Andrew breaks down BBDO's famous Workout process, a structured and repeatable way to unlock breakthrough ideas in any organization. Along the way, we explore unforgettable stories from Snickers to Guinness to hard-earned failures that reveal how great ideas are actually discovered, protected, and brought to life. Topics We Cover in This Episode: Why innovation alone rarely creates real competitive advantage The surprising reason most teams believe they are "not creative" How redefining the problem can unlock entirely new solutions Why generating bad ideas is a critical step toward great ones The mindset shift that helps leaders evaluate risk without playing it safe How iconic ideas are often hidden in plain sight What most brainstorming sessions get wrong The conditions that allow creativity to thrive inside real organizations If you are leading a team, growing a business, or feeling stuck repeating what has always worked, this episode will challenge how you think about creativity and what is possible when you design for it on purpose. Tune in, listen closely, and ask yourself what could change if you stopped asking for one good idea and started creating space for many. Resources Mentioned: Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! Inquire About Andrew's Talks and Speeches: andrew.robertson@bbdo.com Link to Andrew's Book The Creative Shift: https://a.co/d/hVrfaHr Andrew Robertson Outlines Principles of Business Development Success: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-relationships-real-revenue-video-edition-invest/id1504330338?i=1000565194906

What if the one skill you think you're doing "well enough"… is actually the thing silently sabotaging your performance, your relationships, and your wellbeing? In this episode, I sit down with world-renowned sleep scientist Dr. Wendy Troxel to uncover the truth about the one behavior most of us think we've mastered — but absolutely haven't. We dive into why sleep is far more than a nightly routine, why high-performers struggle with it most, and how the noise of social media "sleep hacks" is leading so many people astray. I ask Wendy the questions we're all too embarrassed to ask — from middle-of-the-night wakeups and racing thoughts to travel schedules, workout soreness, grief, and the myth that effort alone can make us good sleepers. You'll hear Wendy break down the science in a way that's shockingly practical — and sometimes surprisingly counterintuitive. She explains why trying harder actually makes sleep worse, how to reset your internal clock without overhauling your life, and why one mindset shift could change everything. If you think you're an "okay" sleeper… this episode might change your mind in the best possible way. Topics We Cover in This Episode: The one reason most people dramatically overestimate their sleep skills Why high achievers struggle most with sleep — and why "grinding harder" backfires The simple daily practice Wendy calls the non-negotiable circadian reset The surprising pre-bed ritual that can reduce middle-of-the-night wakeups What to do when your brain starts problem-solving at 3 a.m. How soreness, pain, or heavy training days really impact sleep What grief and emotional overwhelm do to sleep — and the permission you actually need Wendy's science-based jet lag strategy (including exactly what not to do) If this episode opened your eyes to how sleep is shaping your performance, your mood, and your daily life more than you realized, share it with someone who needs to hear it too. Resources Mentioned: Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! Order your copy of Sharing the Covers Connect with Wendy on LinkedIn

What actually happens when generosity, influence, and habits collide in your business development work? That's the question I dive into in this second conversation with my friend Todd Sattersten, publisher of Bard Press and author of The 100 Best Books for Work & Life. We pick up exactly where Part One left off, right at the intersection of relationships, vulnerability, and connecting with others in a way that actually moves your work forward. From the surprising science behind why "givers" rise to the top (and sometimes sink to the bottom), to the behind-the-scenes mechanics of hospitality and how we make people feel in every interaction, this episode pushes far past surface-level tactics. In this conversation, I explore the nuance in generosity, the structures behind positive influence, and six books that can fundamentally reshape how you implement, focus, and stay consistent. We dig into the practical edges of reciprocity, the real reason some professionals burn out while others thrive, and why habits ultimately drive identity and long-term success. If you've ever wondered why some people seem to glide forward with clarity while others stall out, this episode reveals the less obvious patterns hiding underneath. Topics We Cover in This Episode: The subtle mistake that drains value from your "help" without you realizing it How hospitality reshapes the way clients experience your work The six psychological levers that quietly shape every business interaction A habit-building framework that works even when motivation doesn't How to create focus in a world that constantly tries to distract you The identity-level shift that fuels long-term growth The surprising reason goals alone can actually limit your success If you want to deepen your relationships, sharpen your focus, and build the habits that fuel long-term success, this is an episode you'll want to sit with, not just listen to once. Resources Mentioned: Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! Bard Press 100 Best Books for Work and Life

In this engaging discussion, Todd Sattersten, publisher and author, shares insights from his book, highlighting the importance of core beliefs and skills for personal growth. He dives into how discovering your purpose energizes you and connects to serving others. Todd emphasizes the value of celebrating small wins for motivation, and contrasts different goal-setting approaches. He also reveals findings from the Harvard study on social connections, illustrating how strong relationships enhance success and well-being. Expect practical strategies to transform your life and career!

What if the very doubts you're trying to silence are actually helping you become more confident? In this episode, I sit down with Kelli Thompson, leadership coach and author of Closing the Confidence Gap, to unpack the truth about confidence — why it's not about never feeling fear, and how curiosity and self-compassion are your biggest power moves. We explore the "But First" mindset that keeps you stuck, the cost of expensive thoughts, and the powerful shift that happens when you start listening to your body's wisdom, not just your head. Kelli and I dive into real, actionable frameworks for building confidence that sticks — whether you're preparing for a big promotion, leading a team, or simply trying to stop second-guessing yourself. Her tools are practical, evidence-based, and surprisingly heart-centered. If you've ever wondered how to feel confident before you've "earned" it, this conversation will change the way you see yourself and your leadership potential. Topics We Cover in This Episode: The surprising difference between confidence and cockiness — and how curiosity bridges the gap Why your "But Firsts" are secretly sabotaging your success How to turn expensive thoughts into valuable ones that propel your growth Why compassion (not criticism) is the key to lasting confidence The 4-part "LESS" model for doing less while achieving more How to make smarter decisions using your head, heart, and gut together Simple daily practices to build self-trust and resilience What your body is trying to tell you — and how to actually listen If you've ever doubted your readiness, your worth, or your next big move, this episode will remind you that confidence isn't something you wait for — it's something you create through action, awareness, and self-compassion. Listen in, take notes, and don't forget to check out Kelli's book Closing the Confidence Gap for even more powerful tools to boost your peace, potential, and paycheck. Resources Mentioned: Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! Purchase Kelli's Book, Closing the Confidence Gap Visit Kelli's Website Connect with Kelli on LinkedIn

Lorraine K. Lee, a LinkedIn Top Voice and author of Unforgettable Presence, shares insights on building an authentic personal brand. She discusses the significance of reputation and offers her EPIC framework—Experiences, Personality, Identity, and Community—as a guide. Lorraine emphasizes the importance of storytelling to showcase expertise, nurturing connections, and crafting unique introductions. Learn how to confidently discuss achievements without bragging and swap minimizing language for powerful phrases to enhance your impact.