Peak Performance Leadership

Welcome to an invigorating exploration of leadership through the lens of purpose-driven action and mindset evolution. In today's rapidly changing world, leaders face unprecedented challenges that demand more than just traditional management skills. This episode delves into the fundamental aspects of effective leadership: establishing a clear direction and purpose, adapting to modern workforce dynamics, and evolving sales strategies to foster meaningful interactions. At the core of this discussion is the power of living with purpose. Leaders who align their daily actions with a well-defined purpose are more likely to make impactful decisions, engage their teams, and drive organizational success. Moving beyond the conventional top-down, task-focused approach, this episode advocates for a leadership style that prioritizes quality over quantity, ensuring each interaction is significant and goal-oriented. Among the key takeaways are the importance of self-reflection, the necessity of adapting leadership styles to meet contemporary needs, and the critical role of neuroscience in creating psychologically safe environments. Through compelling real-world examples, this episode highlights how purpose-driven leadership not only mitigates burnout but also paves the way for achieving remarkable outcomes. This episode is a must-listen for leaders seeking to refine their strategies, inspire their teams, and lead with intention in an era marked by profound transformation. Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical tools that will help you navigate the complexities of modern leadership with clarity and purpose.  As a child who overcame the daunting challenge of a speech impediment, Ron has made it his life’s mission to empower employees, executives and entrepreneurs all over the world and transform their lives by removing life limiting belief systems. For 36+ years, Ron Karr has excelled at sales and leadership positions, for which he is recognized as the leading "Sales Success Expert" and has appeared as a guest on national TV including FOX , Bloomberg, C-Suite Network and others. He is an in-Demand Global Keynote Speaker, and Highly Acclaimed Author of Lead, Sell, or Get Out of the Way. For his extensive client list of leading organizations, he has helped clients including: AGFA, YPO, Hertz, UPS, United Natural Foods, and Marriott Hotels produce over a billion dollars in incremental revenues. When you seek solutions to remove barriers, position your products/services more powerfully and achieve bigger results in less time, Ron Karr will enthusiastically motivate and train your organization to achieve and exceed sales goals.  Topics During this interview Ron and I discuss the following topics: How to find the right mindset in the first placeHow leaders can be driven with purpose vice tasksHow leaders can get past their limiting beliefsThe neuroscience behind conversations How to create an environment for psychological safety For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/210

Christine Whitecross is a Canadian retired lieutenant-general. A graduate of Queen's University and the Royal Military College of Canada, she has served in Germany, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. Whitecross has twice been named one of Canada's 100 most-powerful women. She was commandant of the NATO Defense College in Rome. She has been made a commander of the Order of Military Merit, received the Meritorious Service Medal (United States) for service in Afghanistan and the Canadian Meritorious Service Medal for her role as secretary-general of the International Military Sports Council.] Whitecross was the first female three-star general to be appointed in the CAF.   Whitecross has held several high-level staff posts including as Director of the Infrastructure and Environment Corporate Service, Chief of Staff for the Assistant Deputy Minister, Joint Engineer of Canada Command, Executive Assistant to the Chief of the Air Staff, and Chief Military Engineer of the Canadian Armed Forces. In Bosnia, she was head of logistics and manpower for the engineer contingent of UNPROFOR and was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications with ISAF in Afghanistan. Whitecross has commanded 1 Construction Engineer Unit and was deputy commander of Canadian Operational Support Command.  In February 2015 Whitecross became head of a team tasked with responding to allegations of sexual misconduct in the CAF. She was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general on 26 May 2015, becoming the most senior female Canadian military engineer. Whitecross was appointed commander of Military Personnel Command in June 2015.[4] In summer 2017 she became commandant of the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy, being elected by representatives of the 28 NATO member states. She is the first woman and the third Canadian to hold the position. Whitecross retired from the military in December 2020.  Topics During this interview Christine and I discuss the following topics: What drew her to military life and becoming a leaderHer experiences as a brand new officerHow to get pass coworkers who were difficult to work withHow to stick to the moral high-groundHow she handled members of other culturesHow to get a team to achieve peak performanceHow she felt when she was promoted to Lieutenant-GeneralLessons learned about culture change in organizations For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/209

Leaders across the world and all industries find themselves in a very similar situation - employee shortages due to the "Great Resignation." The Great Resignation is the ongoing phenomenon where large numbers of employees have been leaving their jobs in search of other opportunities or life changes. But why is this happening in the first place and how can leaders mitigate it to protect their organizations. That is what we are investigating today.  Why the Great Resignation? When the Global COVID-19 pandemic struck the world, it caused a large number of people to either be laid off from their job, furloughed, or forced to work from home. This was coupled with the ever increasing "This Great Resignation is due to employees rethinking what work means to them in a post-pandemic world." NPR explains that this “Great Resignation” is due to employees reevaluating what work means to them, how they are valued by employers, and how they spend the majority of their time. Topics In this solo episode I talk about the following topics: What the Great Resignation isWhy psychological Safety is importantHow to establish connection with your teamWhy workplace wellbeing is importantHow to address burnout Check out our new Leader Growth Mastermind and start enhancing your leadership skills today! https://movingforwardleadership.com/mastermind For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/208

There are some people who always need to be right. In their minds there is always a winner and there is always a loser. Deep down, very few of us like these people. And yet, we often work for them, we work with them, and if we’re honest, we may even be one of them.  Hamish Thomson is a CEO, board and startup adviser, consultant, speaker and investor. A New Zealander from birth, he has been a successful CEO/Regional President and Global Brand head for Mars Incorporated (UK, Australia and Chicago), a senior marketing and sales lead for Reebok International (England and the Netherlands) and a fresh-faced account executive in the London advertising scene. He is a non-executive director of OzHelp (one of Australia’s leading mental health and suicide prevention foundations) and currently resides in in Sydney with his wife and three children.  Topics During this interview Hamish and I discuss the following topics: Why leaders don’t have to have all the answersHow to manage constant dissatisfaction as leaderHow drains and radiators affect your organizationHow bad bosses are actually great bossesWhy you need to show your authentic self all the time For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/207

The hybrid workforce is here to stay. As the impact of COVID-19 lingers, it’s clear that the way we work has changed forever. Whilst some of us will return to the office, the flexibility of remote working is too enticing for many employees to give up. However, a hybrid workforce comes with its own unique challenges that leaders must prepare for. Colin Ellis is a renowned culture change expert with 30-plus years of helping transform organizations around the world. Whether it's the way that projects are delivered, how teams work together or how to change the DNA of an organization He provides practical information on how to make change easy. He uses case studies, experience and plenty of humour to keep people engaged and laughing!  Topics During this interview Colin and I discuss the following topics: Why hybrid work actually enables peak performanceHow work is something we do and not where we areHow leaders can create culture of peak performance in a hybrid environmentHow to develop a hybrid work plan toKeeping organizational synergy while having a split organizationMistakes to avoid when having hybrid teamHow to maximize technology for hybrid For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/206

Reports of scandals continue to rock both public and private sectors. Nearly one in four employees report witnessing unethical behavior in their workplace. Such actions leave long-lasting impressions internally across the organization and externally across the public at large — damaging not only any influence the bad actors have, but — often unwittingly — that of their teams. It’s time to rethink the adage “there’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’.” Actually, the “I” represents influence, which all team members must embrace if they want their team to excel. Some would go so far as to say that influence is the most important facet of one’s personal and professional life. The influence even small actions have will create a ripple effect. Knowing this, we become more consciously aware of the influence we wish to project, which helps us to become the best version of ourselves and, by association, leads to the success of our teams.  Brian began his career as an accountant but did not enjoy public accounting. After a short term at a big 6 accounting firm, he started Business Accounting Solutions in 1988, which he later sold to Cornerstone Consulting Group. Recognizing the need many small businesses had for sound management advice, Brian went on to start Individual Advantages, LLC, which was later rebranded DBA IA Business Advisors in 2015, as a think tank to develop customized, yet affordable, management solutions driven by our focus on people, process, and technology. Since 1988, Brian has helped over 18,000 business owners and managers on all seven continents (yes, Antarctica, too). Coming from companies of all sizes, he has helped them make decisions to help them grow personally and as an organization. He has a PhD in organizational psychology, a master’s degree in management information systems, a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and is a certified Six Sigma master black belt consultant.  Topics During this interview Brian and I discuss the following topics: Why he went to Antarticia WHy leaders should be the “I” in the teamWhy being influential as a leader is importantWhy SMART Goals are not the end allWhy understanding your role is crucialDelegate like a proWhy knowing your people is important to avoiding failuresStrategies to find time to be better prepared as a leaderTactics to influence culture change in an organizationHow leaders can can slow down For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/205

Experts have long said that morning habits and routines are a pathway to achieving peak performance. If you study the great leaders of our time and those of before, a solid morning routine stands out as a common dominator. However, as of late the morning routine has been under attack from all forms of distractions and other things wanting to steal your limited time but more importantly your focus.  The following are 8 morning habits for leaders to achieve peak performance by incorporating into their morning.  Topics The following are 8 habits which can kick start our day! Avoiding the PhoneExerciseReadEat a Healthy BreakfastJournalPlan Your DayPractice GratitudeMake Your Bed For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/204

Gordon Bennett is an author, entrepreneur, academic, educator, and speaker. He comes with two decades of military service as an army logistics officer and years as an entrepreneur. Over the years he has held a variety of positions from executive to Commandant of the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre—the Canadian military’s national logistics training canter for all military logistics personnel. He has been published in a wide variety of journals and the popular media on the topics of design thinking, innovation, creativity, logistics, and leadership. He was the lead author of the textbook, The Logistics Practitioner: Leadership and Fundamentals of Army Sustainment published by the University of Toronto Press and the French version by Université Laval. His most recent book Misfit Design Thinking: Using Design Thinking to Energize Innovation and Creativity highlights lessons learned and problem solving techniques from years of critical thinking and problem solving in a variety of situations. His next textbook is scheduled to be published in 2022. Topics During this interview Gord and I discuss the following topics: What design thinking is How to execute Problem DiscoveryWhy idea generation is importantThe structure of the design team and its importanceHow leaders can establish a safe culture within their design teamThe impacts a careerist can have on the design team and organizationAdvice for implementation and testing of solutionsHow to apply implementation and testing on non-physical solutionWhere leader fail in implementing the system For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/203

Cassa Grant is the creator of Wonderbrand™ and Wonderleader,™ the coaching programs that help you SHOW UP as the kind of leader you’d want to follow. She helps her clients communicate better, get more buy-in, and feel really great about how they’re spending time in their business. They become confident leaders with unstoppable influence, unbeatable stories, and powerful personal brands.   Her techniques mix brand and storytelling strategy, performance coaching, and subconscious mindset work to help transform her clients from who they THINK they are into who they REALLY are so they can make their mark on the world. Cassa is a certified NeuroLinguistic Programming practitioner, life, and business coach. Topics During this interview Cassa and I discuss the following topics: What an off beat leader isHow off-beat leaders can “own” who they areHow to bring your personality to front as a leaderHow to adjust being a leader of former peersHow to open communication with a superior in a different location For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/202

A highly sought-after keynote speaker, educator and author, Gabrielle has worked with thousands of high-profile leaders from around the world and helped countless of Australia’s top 50 companies and multinationals to humanise their communications – Telstra, EY, Accenture, VISA, Australia Post, National Australia Bank, Amazon, Vodafone and the Obama Foundation to name drop a few. She holds a master’s degree in management and leadership from Swinburne University, an associate diploma in education and training from the University of Melbourne, and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education in both the Art and Practice of Adaptive Leadership and Women and Power: Leadership in a New World. Gabrielle is also the bestselling author of Real Communication: How to be you and lead true, a finalist in the Australian Business Leadership Book Awards for 2019. Her other published books include Stories for Work: The Essential Guide to Business Storytelling (2017), Storytelling for Job Interviews (2016), Ignite: Real Leadership, Real Talk, Real Results (2015) which reached the top five on Australia’s bestselling business books and Hooked: How Leaders Connect, Engage and Inspire with Storytelling (2013). Her latest title, Magnetic Stories: Connect with customers and engage employees with brand storytelling was published by Wiley in March 2021.  Topics During this interview Gabrielle and I discuss the following topics: What’s the problem with acronyms and slang in organizationsHow they lead to confusion in organizationsWhen and how leaders should use acronyms, jargon, and slangHow to get teams and organizations away from using these poor communication stylesWhether or not speaking directly is to be avoided or not For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/201