The Strategy and Leadership Podcast with Anthony C. Taylor

Daniel Hindi, software engineer and CEO of NOEM.ai with 25+ years building SaaS and multiple exits. He discusses starting AI projects from real problems, not tools. He explains how AI can remove shallow work and restore job meaning. He talks about reducing fear, democratizing AI, prompt engineering as leadership communication, and practical quick wins like chatbots for support and conversion.

Most leaders believe success comes from better tools, better strategies, or better tactics. But under real pressure, those things rarely determine the outcome. What actually matters is the operator behind them—and whether they can stay focused, disciplined, and effective when conditions aren’t ideal.In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, host Anthony Taylor sits down with Simon Jeffries, former UK Special Forces operator, Royal Marines Commando, and founder of The Natural Edge. After completing Special Forces selection and serving three combat tours, Simon transitioned into entrepreneurship and performance coaching, where he now works with founders and senior leaders to build the capacity to perform consistently under pressure.Simon shares the key lessons he learned moving from elite military environments into the world of business. While many entrepreneurs focus on tactics, productivity hacks, or motivation, Simon explains that elite performers train something different: performance itself. Without systems for focus, discipline, and emotional control, leaders often fall into boom-bust cycles where short bursts of effort are followed by burnout, distraction, or inconsistency.The conversation explores how high-performing environments like Special Forces and professional sports deliberately train performance capacity, while most organizations expect people to simply show up and perform without that preparation. Simon breaks down the three pillars of performance—hardware, software, and habits—and explains how leaders can build systems that make high performance repeatable rather than dependent on motivation.Anthony and Simon also discuss the role of environment in shaping performance, the importance of reducing friction in decision-making, and why preparation and structure allow leaders to stay calm and effective even when pressure increases.The episode closes with a simple challenge for listeners: choose one habit in your physical health, one mindset practice, and one structural routine—and test them consistently for seven days to see how much your performance improves.Enroll in our strategic thinking training today for $0!https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Strategic-Leadership-ToolkitIf you want your team’s execution to be smoother, faster, and easier, your team needs the right tools and coaching. Enroll in the Strategy Leadership Accelerator and level up your leadership team.https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Leading-Strategy-ExecutionIn this episode, you will learn: How elite environments train performance instead of relying on motivation Why entrepreneurs often fall into boom-bust cycles under pressure The three pillars of performance: hardware, software, and habits How leaders can build systems that make success the path of least resistance Why environment and structure matter more than willpower How small daily habits compound into consistent high performanceConnect with Simon JeffriesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonjeffriesWebsite: https://thenaturaledge.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenaturaledgeAbout the HostAnthony Taylor is the CEO and Founder of SME Strategy and a trusted expert in organizational alignment and strategy execution. With over 15 years of experience facilitating strategic planning and leadership development, he helps organizations align their people, accelerate execution, and achieve their biggest goals.Connect with Anthony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604About SME StrategySME Strategy is a management consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and implementation. We help organizations align their teams around a shared vision so they can focus on what truly drives results.Learn more: https://www.smestrategy.netPodcast produced by: https://www.rednyne.com

For many entrepreneurs, growth means hiring more people, increasing revenue, and expanding into new markets. But what if there were another path to scaling—one that uses capital markets, partnerships, and strategic acquisitions to grow faster and more efficiently?In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, host Anthony Taylor sits down with Callum Laing, partner at Unity Group, investor, entrepreneur, and M&A practitioner who has been involved in more than 100 transactions and helped create over $500 million in shareholder value. Callum specializes in helping ambitious entrepreneurs use the capital markets to scale their companies and unlock new opportunities for growth.Callum explains how small and mid-sized companies can think differently about scaling by leveraging public markets, partnerships, and acquisition strategies rather than relying solely on organic growth. Drawing on decades of experience working with entrepreneurs, investors, and boards, he shares how capital structures and strategic positioning can unlock growth opportunities that many business leaders overlook.The conversation explores Callum’s work building and leading MBH Corporation PLC, a publicly listed holding company designed to help profitable small businesses scale through an agglomeration model. Instead of forcing companies to merge operations, the model allows independent businesses to retain their identity while benefiting from shared resources, capital access, and strategic alignment.Anthony and Callum discuss the realities of mergers and acquisitions, the common mistakes leaders make when approaching deals, and why ego and impatience often undermine successful partnerships. Callum also shares why entrepreneurs must think differently when operating in capital markets, and how the strategic “game” changes once businesses move from private ownership to public market environments.The episode closes with a powerful insight for leaders: scaling a company isn’t only about growing bigger—it’s about building the right structures, partnerships, and strategy that allow businesses to create long-term value.Responsible for strategy?We’ve created Strategic Leadership Foundations — a concise executive course on alignment, decision-making, and execution structure.It’s free, practical, and designed for leaders running the process themselves.Enroll here:https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Strategic-Leadership-ToolkitFor in-person strategic planning and leadership alignment programs:https://www.smestrategy.netIn this episode, you will learn:How small businesses can use capital markets to accelerate growthWhy mergers and acquisitions can be powerful tools for scaling companiesHow the agglomeration model allows businesses to grow without losing independenceThe strategic differences between running a private company and operating in public marketsWhy patience and alignment matter more than speed when structuring M&A dealsHow entrepreneurs can think differently about partnerships, capital, and long-term value creationConnect with Callum LaingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/callumlaing/Unity Group: https://www.unity-group.com/Website: https://www.callumlaing.com/About the HostAnthony Taylor is the CEO and Founder of SME Strategy and a trusted expert in organizational alignment and strategy execution. With over 15 years of experience facilitating strategic planning and leadership development, he helps organizations align their people, accelerate execution, and achieve their biggest goals.Connect with Anthony: linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604About SME StrategySME Strategy is a management consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and implementation. We help organizations align their teams around a shared vision so they can focus on what truly drives results.Learn more: www.smestrategy.netPodcast produced by: www.rednyne.com

Dr. Michael Orkin, Professor Emeritus of Statistics and author on chance and gambling mathematics. He dives into probability, randomness, and cognitive bias. Discussions cover lotteries and rare events, correlation versus causation, prediction markets, house edge and expected value, and the Kelly Criterion for sizing bets. Practical risk framing for strategic decision-making is highlighted.

In many organizations, engagement is treated as a morale metric or a human resources initiative. But what if engagement isn’t a byproduct of strategy — what if it is the strategy?In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, host Anthony Taylor sits down with Christine Miller, former CEO of Melinta Therapeutics and seasoned Life Sciences executive, to explore how disciplined strategic planning, structural clarity, and cross-functional alignment can transform enterprise performance. With a background spanning engineering, portfolio leadership, and executive transformation, Christine shares how she helped reshape an organization by building a clear five-year roadmap anchored in four unwavering strategic priorities.Christine explains why engagement cannot be separated from execution. Leaders often chase growth without building the structural foundation required to sustain it. By aligning teams around long-term objectives, reinforcing priorities annually, and resisting the temptation to chase distractions, her organization increased engagement from 69% to 95%, achieved profitability for the first time, and more than doubled revenue.The conversation dives into the realities of leading in complex, highly regulated industries where innovation, regulatory oversight, and stakeholder alignment must coexist. Christine outlines how designing products with patients and payers in mind requires long-term thinking, rigorous data discipline, and iterative strategy — not reactive decision-making.Beyond operational structure, Christine shares insights into leadership visibility and the importance of advocating for both yourself and your team. She reflects on the underrepresentation of women in senior biotech roles and explains how strategic self-promotion, mentorship, and collective amplification can strengthen leadership pipelines across industries.Anthony and Christine explore what it takes to move from vision to execution, why strategic planning is often hardest to start but most valuable over time, and how leaders can create clarity in the face of macro uncertainty.The episode closes with a powerful reminder: growth without foundation is fragile. Engagement, when treated as a strategic lever rather than a scorecard, becomes one of the most powerful drivers of enterprise value.Responsible for strategy?We’ve created Strategic Leadership Foundations — a concise executive course on alignment, decision-making, and execution structure.It’s free, practical, and designed for leaders running the process themselves.Enroll here:https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Strategic-Leadership-ToolkitFor in-person strategic planning and leadership alignment programs:https://www.smestrategy.netIn this episode, you will learn:Why engagement must be designed structurally, not sociallyHow to build and maintain a five-year strategic roadmapThe role of cross-functional alignment in driving enterprise valueWhy disciplined priorities outperform reactive decision-makingHow long-term strategy supports innovation in regulated industriesThe importance of visibility and self-advocacy in leadership progressionConnect with Christine MillerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinemiller95/About the HostAnthony Taylor is the CEO and Founder of SME Strategy and a trusted expert in organizational alignment and strategy execution. With over 15 years of experience facilitating strategic planning and leadership development, he helps organizations align their people, accelerate execution, and achieve their biggest goals.Connect with Anthony: linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604About SME StrategySME Strategy is a management consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and implementation. We help organizations align their teams around a shared vision so they can focus on what truly drives results.Learn more: www.smestrategy.netPodcast produced by: www.rednyne.com

In a business world driven by growth targets, dashboards, and scale, leaders are often told that expansion is the ultimate measure of success. But what if the real challenge isn’t scaling bigger, it’s protecting what matters?In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, host Anthony Taylor sits down with Richard Mah, former Global Head of Digital Marketing at ASICS and now steward of Northern Cafe and Grill, a family-run Vancouver diner that has served its community since 1949. With more than 20 years of experience leading digital teams across Asia, aligning global markets, and building performance-driven platforms, Richard has lived the world of multi-million-dollar budgets, executive reporting, and international KPIs. Today, he applies that same strategic thinking to a deeply local, human-centered business.Richard shares what it was like to build digital infrastructure from scratch at ASICS, break down data silos across regions, and align diverse markets around a single performance dashboard. He reflects on the realities of leading inside hierarchical organizations, earning executive buy-in, and balancing global strategy with local cultural nuance.The conversation then shifts from corporate boardrooms to brunch service. Richard explains why he chose to return to Vancouver and join his family at Northern Cafe and Grill, a 1949 diner that has since been named Yelp’s Top Place to Eat in Canada. Rather than chasing rapid expansion, Richard and his family focus on consistency, community, and care. They listen closely to guests, protect the legacy of the brand, and modernize thoughtfully without losing the soul of the business.Anthony and Richard explore the tension between efficiency and hospitality, innovation and stewardship, and scaling versus sustaining. Richard argues that while many businesses pursue hype and growth, long-term success often comes from doing one thing exceptionally well and honoring the vision that built trust in the first place.The episode closes with a powerful reminder that leadership looks different at every scale. Whether managing global teams or greeting guests by name, protecting what matters may be the most strategic decision a leader can make.Enroll in our strategic thinking training today for $0!https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Strategic-Leadership-ToolkitIf you want your team’s execution to be smoother, faster, and easier, your team needs the right tools and coaching. Enroll in the Strategy Leadership Accelerator and level up your leadership team.https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Leading-Strategy-ExecutionIn this episode, you will learn:Why alignment is more challenging than strategy in global organizationsHow to build digital teams and unified dashboards across multiple marketsWhy localization and cultural nuance matter in international brand growthThe difference between scaling a brand and stewarding a legacyWhy consistency often beats hype in long-term brand buildingHow care and hospitality can become strategic advantagesConnect with Richard MahLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahrichard/Northern Cafe and Grill: https://northerncafeandgrill.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northerncafeandgrill/About the HostAnthony Taylor is the CEO and Founder of SME Strategy and a trusted expert in organizational alignment and strategy execution. With over 15 years of experience facilitating strategic planning and leadership development, he helps organizations align their people, accelerate execution, and achieve their biggest goals.Connect with Anthony: linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604About SME StrategySME Strategy is a management consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and implementation. We help organizations align their teams around a shared vision so they can focus on what truly drives results.Learn more: www.smestrategy.netPodcast produced by: www.rednyne.com

Why good decisions often fail after they’re made — and how leaders can align intuition, planning, and execution so choices actually turn into results.Even strong strategies can fall apart if organizations aren’t designed to execute them. Decisions that look right on paper often fail downstream, not because they were wrong, but because the systems, structures, and judgment required to carry them through were never put in place.In this solo episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, host Anthony Taylor examines why execution breaks down after decisions are made and what leaders can do to prevent it. Drawing on years of experience working with leadership teams, Anthony explains how strategy is less about the plan itself and more about the upstream conditions that allow people to make good decisions consistently.Anthony explores how judgment is shaped by organizational design, why treating all decisions equally undermines execution, and how prioritization, trade-offs, and sequencing determine whether work actually gets done. He challenges leaders to rethink how resources are allocated, how focus is created, and how teams are supported to act with clarity rather than noise.The episode also unpacks the role of meetings, decision rights, and leadership responsibility in surfacing uncertainty before it becomes costly. Anthony makes the case that execution improves when leaders intentionally design environments that reduce friction, eliminate unnecessary choices, and create space for reflection and alignment.This episode is a practical guide for leaders who want their decisions to survive execution and turn strategic intent into measurable progress.Enroll in our strategic thinking training today for $0!https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Strategic-Leadership-ToolkitIf you want your team’s execution to be smoother, faster, and easier, your team needs the right tools and coaching. Enroll in the Strategy Leadership Accelerator and level up your leadership team.https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Leading-Strategy-ExecutionIn this episode, you will learn:- Why good decisions fail during execution- How upstream structures shape downstream results- Why focus and trade-offs matter more than more initiatives- How leaders can design organizations for better judgment- What it means to align planning, intuition, and execution- How to create conditions that allow teams to execute with clarityAbout the HostAnthony Taylor is the CEO and Founder of SME Strategy and a trusted expert in organizational alignment and strategy execution. With over 15 years of experience facilitating strategic planning and leadership development, he helps organizations align their people, accelerate execution, and achieve their biggest goals.Connect with Anthony: linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604About SME StrategySME Strategy is a management consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and implementation. We help organizations align their teams around a shared vision so they can focus on what truly drives results.Learn more: www.smestrategy.netPodcast produced by: www.rednyne.com

In a time defined by rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, and shifting assumptions about work, innovation alone is no longer enough. Leaders are being challenged to rethink not just what they build, but how and why they build it.In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, host Anthony Taylor sits down with JoAnn Garbin, former Microsoft innovation leader and founder of Regeneris Labs, to explore what comes after traditional innovation models. Drawing on decades of experience inside Microsoft, startups, and now a venture studio, JoAnn shares how her thinking has evolved from driving innovation within large systems to designing entirely new regenerative models for work and value creation.JoAnn reflects on a major personal and professional inflection point that led her to step away from Big Tech and intentionally rebuild from first principles. She explains why her team spent eighteen months in what she calls an “amorphous blob” phase, experimenting, testing, and resisting the pressure to prematurely define a business model. That process ultimately led to the creation of Regeneris Labs, a venture studio designed to remove constraints and allow experienced builders to create at scale.The conversation explores why the venture studio model offers a powerful alternative to consulting, accelerators, and traditional startups, especially in a world shaped by AI. JoAnn makes the case that AI is a disruptive force on par with steam or electrification, but argues that technology alone never creates transformation. Instead, it must be paired with new organizational and economic models, much like the factory system enabled the industrial revolution.Anthony and JoAnn also discuss team design, trust, and why “Swiss Army knife” leaders are essential in periods of uncertainty. Rather than relying too early on deep, narrow expertise, JoAnn explains why adaptive, cross-boundary leaders are better suited to navigate constant change. The episode closes with a forward-looking exploration of capitalism, regeneration, and the opportunity to design new systems that better align technology, work, and human outcomes.Enroll in our strategic thinking training today for $0!https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Strategic-Leadership-ToolkitIf you want your team's execution to be smoother, faster, and easier, your team needs the right tools and coaching. Enroll in the Strategy Leadership Accelerator and level up your leadership team.https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Leading-Strategy-ExecutionIn this episode, you will learn:Why innovation alone is no longer sufficient for long-term successHow regenerative ventures differ from startups, consultancies, and acceleratorsWhy AI must be paired with new organizational and economic modelsHow to design teams for adaptability and trust in uncertain environmentsWhy experienced builders are often constrained out of meaningful workWhat leaders can learn from historical technology-driven transformationsConnect with JoAnn GarbinWebsite: https://www.joanngarbin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanngarbin/About the HostAnthony Taylor is the CEO and Founder of SME Strategy and a trusted expert in organizational alignment and strategy execution. With over 15 years of experience facilitating strategic planning and leadership development, he helps organizations align their people, accelerate execution, and achieve their biggest goals.Connect with Anthony: linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604About SME StrategySME Strategy is a management consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and implementation. We help organizations align their teams around a shared vision so they can focus on what truly drives results.Learn more: www.smestrategy.netPodcast produced by: www.rednyne.com

As organizations grow, management quality often becomes the biggest constraint on performance. Yet most managers are promoted without training, leaving them to navigate people leadership through trial and error.In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, host Anthony Taylor speaks with Ashley Herd, former McKinsey HR leader, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and founder of Manager Method, about how organizations can build confident, capable managers at scale. Drawing on her experience across law, HR, and global consulting, Ashley shares a practical perspective on why management capability is frequently overlooked and how that gap impacts culture, performance, and risk.Ashley explains how HR is often viewed as a compliance function rather than a strategic partner, and why that mindset limits organizational effectiveness. She explores how compliance and culture can work together, not in opposition, when leaders focus on transparency, clarity, and human-centered decision-making. The conversation highlights common breakdowns in feedback, performance reviews, and engagement surveys, and why ongoing manager development matters more than annual processes.The episode also looks ahead to the future of people leadership, including how AI is changing expectations for managers and why organizations must clearly define what is expected, allowed, and possible. Rather than replacing human leadership, Ashley argues that technology makes confident, well-trained managers more important than ever.Enroll in our strategic thinking training today for $0!https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Strategic-Leadership-ToolkitIf you want your team’s execution to be smoother, faster, and easier, your team needs the right tools and coaching. Enroll in the Strategy Leadership Accelerator and level up your leadership team.https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Leading-Strategy-ExecutionIn this episode, you will learn:Why most managers struggle due to a lack of training, not a lack of effortHow HR and leadership can work together to scale management capabilityThe balance between compliance, culture, and performanceWhy feedback and recognition cannot be once-a-year conversationsHow leaders should prepare managers for the future of work and AIConnect with Ashley HerdWebsite: https://www.managermethod.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyherd/About the HostAnthony Taylor is the CEO and Founder of SME Strategy and a trusted expert in organizational alignment and strategy execution. With over 15 years of experience facilitating strategic planning and leadership development, he helps organizations align their people, accelerate execution, and achieve their biggest goals.Connect with Anthony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/About SME StrategySME Strategy is a management consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and implementation. We help organizations align their teams around a shared vision so they can focus on what truly drives results.Learn more: https://www.smestrategy.netPodcast produced by: https://www.rednyne.com

In mature industries, innovation is often misunderstood as novelty, experimentation, or disruption for its own sake. But for organizations facing margin pressure, increased competition, and slowing growth, innovation is not a buzzword. It is a mechanism for strategic renewal.In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, host Anthony Taylor speaks with Bruce Vojak, Managing Director of Breakthrough Innovation Advisors, about how established organizations can renew themselves without destabilizing the core business. Drawing on more than four decades of experience across executive leadership, board service, academic research, and advisory work, Bruce shares a pragmatic and disciplined view of innovation that moves beyond hype.Bruce explains why many mature companies default to cost-cutting and optimization when under pressure, and why that approach often accelerates long-term decline. He outlines his framework, built on alignment, simple processes, and innovation exemplars, and shows how leaders can assess whether their organization is truly capable of innovation or merely incremental improvement.The conversation also explores innovation as a deeply human act of discovery, the role of pattern recognition in leadership, and how executives should think about emerging technologies like AI without overcommitting too early. Rather than chasing novelty, Bruce emphasizes renewal rooted in reality, customer needs, and organizational truth.Enroll in our strategic thinking training today for $0!https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Strategic-Leadership-ToolkitIf you want your team's execution to be smoother, faster, and easier, your team needs the right tools and coaching. Enroll in the Strategy Leadership Accelerator and level up your leadership team.https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Leading-Strategy-ExecutionIn this episode, you will learn:- Why innovation should be viewed as strategic renewal, not novelty- How mature organizations lose their ability to renew over time- Why cost-cutting is not a sustainable long-term strategy- How alignment determines whether innovation efforts succeed or stall- What role do innovation exemplars play inside established companies- How leaders should approach AI amid uncertainty and rapid changeConnect with Bruce VojakWebsite: https://www.breakthrough-innovation-advisors.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bvojak/About the HostAnthony Taylor is the CEO and Founder of SME Strategy and a trusted expert in organizational alignment and strategy execution. With over 15 years of experience facilitating strategic planning and leadership development, he helps organizations align their people, accelerate execution, and achieve their biggest goals.Connect with Anthony: linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604About SME StrategySME Strategy is a management consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and implementation. We help organizations align their teams around a shared vision so they can focus on what truly drives results.Learn more: www.smestrategy.netPodcast produced by: www.rednyne.com