The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving

Afleveringen

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  670: Harvard MBA Manisha Thakor on Hungry Ghost Mindset, How to Stop Being a Workaholic, Dealing with Work Addiction (Strategy Skills classics) 20.07.2026 55min

  For this episode, let's revisit a strategy skills classic interview with the author of MoneyZen: The Secret to Finding Your "Enough", Manisha Thakor. In this book, Manisha shares her candid journey out of the Cult of Never Enough—a painful mindset that tells you the money you earn, accomplishments you achieve, and praise you receive are always insufficient.   Manisha Thakor has worked in financial services for more than thirty years, with an emphasis on women's economic empowerment and financial wellbeing. A nationally recognized thought-leader in this space, Thakor has been featured in a wide range of publications including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, NPR, PBS, CNN, Real Simple, and Women's Health. Prior to writing MoneyZen, Thakor co-authored two personal finance books for women in their twenties and thirties. Today her work focuses on helping people of all ages to balance financial health and emotional wealth. Thakor earned her MBA from Harvard Business School, her BA from Wellesley College and is both a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). She splits her time between Portland, Oregon and rural Maine. Her website is MoneyZen.com. Get Manisha's Book here: https://rb.gy/od9zz MoneyZen: The Secret to Finding Your "Enough"   Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  669: Stop Making Stupid Investments (with Founder of The Ultimate Investor, David Leiter) 15.07.2026 57min

  David Leiter learned one of investing's hardest lessons while sitting on a trading desk during the dot-com boom. After watching seemingly everyone around him get rich, he finally gave in to the crowd, bought into the hype, and took a painful loss. The experience shaped a principle that has guided his investing ever since: "avoid big losses." In this conversation, David explains why most investment mistakes are not caused by fraud alone. Many begin with emotion, social proof, fear of missing out, and the assumption that if sophisticated investors or large institutions are participating, an opportunity must be safe. As he puts it, "Wall Street will sell you whatever is popular." Drawing on lessons from his book, Stop Making Stupid Investments, David discusses why successful investors often think differently from the crowd. He shares how contrarian thinking helped him recognize opportunities others ignored, why market euphoria and panic repeatedly create mispriced assets, and how investors can avoid being swept up by speculation. A central theme of the discussion is the distinction between innovation and investment. David believes artificial intelligence will transform the world, but cautions that "the technology is different than the investments." Investors can be right about a trend and still lose money if they pay too much for the underlying asset. Key topics include: • Why "avoid big losses" is the foundation of long-term wealth building. • How investors become vulnerable when they follow popularity, momentum, or fear of missing out. • What Jeff Bezos meant when he said, "the stock is not the company, and the company is not the stock." • Why great businesses can become poor investments when purchased at excessive prices. • How private investment opportunities can fail when decisions are driven by trust, charisma, or social proof instead of analysis and oversight. • The warning signs of scams and bad investments, including urgency, pressure tactics, and emotional manipulation. David also outlines his four-part framework for evaluating opportunities: understand how the business makes money, assess where it is likely to be in five to ten years, evaluate the quality of management, and determine whether the price is reasonable. Even a great business, he argues, can become a money-losing investment if purchased at the wrong valuation. Beyond investing, the conversation explores how AI is reshaping work and why human capabilities may become more valuable as technology advances. David argues that communication, empathy, relationship-building, and the ability to create "win-win situations" will remain powerful differentiators in a world where intelligence becomes increasingly accessible. The episode concludes with a deeply personal reflection on a recent medical misdiagnosis that forced him to confront the possibility that time might be limited. The experience led to a simple but profound realization: stop worrying about what other people think, stop waiting for permission, and focus on the work that matters now. Throughout the discussion, David returns to the same idea: investing, business, and life all improve when decisions are grounded in fundamentals rather than emotion. The challenge is learning to see clearly when everyone else is being pulled by fear, excitement, or the crowd. Get David's book, Stop Making Stupid Investments, here: https://tinyurl.com/nhaje6jt Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  668: Private Equity Firm CEO, Rick Walker, on Power, Success and Getting Results (Strategy Skills classics) 13.07.2026 1u 1min

  For this episode, let's revisit a strategy skills classic interview with an experienced founder, leader, and thinker across a variety of domains, Rick Walker. In this episode, Rick walks us through his leadership journey, how he built his first company in his 20's, the lessons he learned across multiple domains, and how he was able to do multiple things successfully, simultaneously. He also shared his views about fear, pride, faith, religion, and ethics in relation to leadership and business. Rick Walker scaled his first company to 400 employees when he was 26, and simultaneously, as Chairman, scaled a 53-country international nonprofit from 800 to 2,100 team members, simultaneously while helping his hometown of Houston attract over $5 Billion in job-creation investments. Rick's volunteer service also includes stints as a Director of a college in the middle east and Chairman of a $250 Million charitable foundation. His 3:30 AM wake-up call helps fit everything in.  Rick hosts a podcast to help multi-domain leaders learn well - and has interviewed friends, who also happen to be world-class leaders, such as billionaires, musicians, members of the President's Cabinet, US Senate, US Congress, and great thinkers. The podcast is hosted inside a 13,000-square-foot mansion, which was the former party mansion of a Fortune 500 CEO, which Rick restored and uses for his family office, charitable events, and podcasts.  Rick lives in Houston with his wife and 3 girls, where he spends much of his time serving alongside the best team members in his commercial real estate private equity firm.  Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  667: The Experience Economy Is Selling You Belonging 08.07.2026 24min

  People will save for four years, eat less, and travel across the world to watch their team play. Kris and Michael walk through Berlin during the World Cup and ask what that spending really buys. This is the first episode of the Walking Masterclass. Filmed in Berlin a few hours from the Switzerland and Canada match, the conversation moves from the cost of the World Cup to the experience economy, tribal economics, and the human need to belong. Kris and Michael discuss why people spend to be part of a tribe, why travel often works as an escape from the life you built, and why the two most important decisions you make are whether you marry and whom you marry. Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  666: How to Overcome Career Frustrations with New York University's Dr. Tessa West (Strategy Skills classics) 06.07.2026 1u 4min

  For this episode, let's revisit a strategy skills classic interview with the author of Job Therapy: Finding Work That Works for You, Dr. Tessa West. In her book, Dr. Tessa West helps you figure out the real reason you're unhappy and shows you how to find a new position in which you'll thrive, whether in a different role, company, or new industry altogether. Dr. Tessa West is Professor of Psychology at New York University, where she is a leading expert on the science of social relationships. Her academic research and writing for the media focuses on how to improve communication between employees, bosses, and hiring professionals across workplace settings.  She has over 100 academic publications and is a regular contributor to the Wall Street Journal. Her work has been covered by Scientific American, the New York Times, Financial Times, The Guardian, CNN, CNBC, ABC World News, TIME, Bloomberg, HBR, Fast Company, and the US Supreme Court. Her first book Jerks at Work published to rave reviews. Get Dr. Tessa's book here: https://rb.gy/e1iwmg Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  665: Google's Laura Mae Martin on How to Be Productive (Strategy Skills classics) 01.07.2026 54min

  For this episode, let's revisit a strategy skills classic interview with the author of Uptime: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing, Laura Mae Martin. In her book, Laura shows how to thrive no matter where you're working, giving concrete steps that help you focus on your priorities and keep good systems, routines, and tactics in place. Uptime explains how to make technology work for you and make "feeling on top of it" your new normal. It's a blueprint for operating at the highest levels of productivity while enhancing your own personal well-being. Laura Mae Martin is the Executive Productivity Advisor in the Office of the CEO at Google. She coaches Google's top executives on the best ways to manage their time and energy and sends out a weekly productivity newsletter that reaches tens of thousands of employees. During her 13-year tenure at Google, she has worked in sales, product operations, event planning, and now executive coaching. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and lives in Charlotte, NC, with her husband and three children. Get Laura's book, Uptime: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing, here: https://rb.gy/nu5qr6 Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  664: Negotiations in B2B Sales and Day to Day Leadership Situations with Andres Lares (Strategy Skills classics) 29.06.2026 52min

  For this episode, let's revisit a strategy skills classic interview with the co-author of Persuade: The 4-Step Process to Influence People and Decisions, Andres Lares. This book delivers a concise and insightful take on how to transform your ability to persuade others regardless of the setting. Persuade is perfect for executives, managers, entrepreneurs, and other business leaders who negotiate or influence regularly. It is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to improve their persuasion or deal-making abilities. Andres Lares is the Managing Partner at Shapiro Negotiations Institute. Lares' expertise ranges from coaching live negotiations for sports clients, including the Cleveland Browns, Brooklyn Nets, and more, to developing online content for facilitating real estate, advisory, media, banking, and pharmaceutical programs. He is a guest lecturer on negotiation and influencing at various universities, including Ohio University, and annually teaches a sports negotiation course at Johns Hopkins University. Lares is a recognized contributor to numerous national media outlets, including Forbes, Entrepreneur, Selling Power, Sales and Marketing Management, Training Mag, and many more. He is quoted in Forbes, Business Insider, Fast Company, MarketWatch, and Huffington Post.  Get Andres's book, Persuade: The 4-Step Process to Influence People and Decisions, here: https://www.shapironegotiations.com/resources/books/persuade/ Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  663: Ex McKinsey and LBS Lecturer, Dr. Rebecca Homkes, on High Growth Strategy (Strategy Skills classics) 24.06.2026 53min

  For this episode, let's revisit a strategy skills classic interview with the author of Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times, Dr. Rebecca Homkes. Survive, Reset, Thrive is a playbook for leaders derived from the author's first-hand experience working with executive teams across industries from software, technology, retail, fashion, and construction through to manufacturing. Drawing from over a decade of rich real-world experience, the author illustrates how to navigate the most complex strategic situations with a simple, executable approach. Rebecca Homkes explains how proactively to stabilize your business to withstand and grow through market shocks, reset your strategy to take account of new realities and thrive through uncertainty. Rebecca Homkes is a high-growth strategy specialist and CEO and executive advisor. She is a Lecturer at  The London Business School, Faculty at Duke Corporate Executive Education, Advisor and Faculty at the Boston Consulting Group focused on AI and Climate and Sustainability, and a former fellow at the London School of Economics Centre for Economic Performance. A global keynote speaker and recognized thought leader, she is also the global Faculty Director of the Active Learning Program with the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), leads several fintech accelerators, and serves on the boards of many high-growth companies. She earned her doctorate at the London School of Economics as a Marshall Scholar and is now based in Miami, the Bay Area, and London, UK. Get Rebecca's book here: https://rb.gy/aq85ee Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  662: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI with Mark Abraham, BCG's Personalization Lead (Strategy Skills classics) 22.06.2026 58min

  For this episode, let's revisit a strategy skills classic interview with the coauthor of the book Personalized: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI, Mark Abraham. In this episode, we explore the rise of personalization through digital tools and AI, and how companies and organizations are leveraging it to build connections and engage with their customers. We discuss companies that excel in this area, such as Starbucks with its personalization engine, and Spotify with its tailored music recommendations. Personalization is not just about data; it's also about responding effectively to customer insights, enhancing customer experiences, and driving growth. Mark Abraham is a senior partner at BCG and the founder of the firm's Personalization business, which he has built into a global team of more than 1,000 agile marketers, data scientists, engineers, and martech experts. He and his team have accelerated the personalization efforts of more than a hundred iconic brands (including Starbucks, The Home Depot, and Google) and built some of BCG's largest ventures and AI platforms, including Fabriq by BCG for personalization. Currently, Mark leads BCG's North American Marketing, Sales & Pricing practice and is reenergizing the growth and development of talent in what is one of the firm's largest regional practices. Get Mark's book here: https://shorturl.at/Qj6Ys Personalized: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  661: The Science of Sustainable Performance with Award Winning Science Writer Elizabeth Svoboda 15.06.2026 53min

  Elizabeth Svoboda, award-winning science writer and author of The Art of Pacing, examines a question that sits at the center of many successful careers: how to sustain high performance without exhausting the very resources that make meaningful work possible. Drawing on research, conversations with elite athletes, and her own experience, Svoboda argues that pacing is not about doing less. It is about managing energy with the same discipline and intentionality that top performers bring to training and competition. The discussion explores why many professionals develop an unhealthy relationship with work early in life, often equating constant effort with virtue and personal worth. Svoboda explains how this mindset can lead to burnout, diminished judgment, and a narrowing of long-term possibilities. Several practical lessons emerge from the conversation: Elite performers treat recovery as a strategic requirement, not a reward. Olympic athletes deliberately build rest, recovery, and tapering periods into their schedules to ensure they can perform when it matters most. Self-knowledge is a critical leadership skill. The ability to recognize personal limits, monitor energy reserves, and adjust effort accordingly often determines long-term effectiveness more than raw ambition. Mentors, coaches, and managers play an important role in helping people pace themselves. A trusted third-party perspective can identify patterns and risks that are difficult to see from within. Burnout rarely appears without warning. Changes in sleep, sustained physiological stress, declining motivation, and persistent exhaustion often signal the need to reduce commitments before deeper problems emerge. Recovery requires more than rest. Extended breaks can create the space needed to reconsider priorities, reassess career direction, and reconnect work with personal meaning. The conversation also examines the relationship between identity and achievement. Svoboda challenges the tendency to define self-worth through productivity, status, or professional success alone. She argues that identities rooted in character, contribution, and relationships are more resilient when careers encounter setbacks or unexpected change. A particularly practical section focuses on helping professionals reconnect with their own priorities. Svoboda discusses a reflective exercise designed to clarify purpose, identify meaningful goals, and distinguish personal aspirations from expectations inherited from employers, mentors, or social norms. The episode concludes with a thoughtful discussion about artificial intelligence. While acknowledging its practical uses, Svoboda argues that human relevance will increasingly depend on qualities machines cannot replicate: lived experience, judgment shaped by struggle, authentic perspective, and the ability to connect deeply with others. She also raises important questions about consent, compensation, and fairness in the development of AI systems. For senior professionals navigating demanding careers, this conversation offers a disciplined framework for thinking about performance, recovery, identity, and the conditions required to sustain meaningful work over the long term. Get Elizabeth's book, The Art of Pacing, here: https://tinyurl.com/u8tfy5c8 Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  660: Former Co-President and Board Member of WWE, George Barrios, on Systems Thinking, Conviction, and Leadership Under Pressure 10.06.2026 56min

  George Barrios spent more than three decades moving between strategy, finance, operations, and general management before helping lead the evolution of WWE from a North American live-event business into a global media company. In this conversation, he reflects on the principles that shaped that career and the lessons learned while leading large-scale change under intense scrutiny. A central theme is systems thinking. Barrios explains why effective leaders develop a deep understanding of how customers, markets, functions, incentives, and decisions interact rather than viewing problems through a single functional lens. He argues that better decisions often come from understanding second- and third-order consequences rather than focusing only on immediate outcomes. The discussion also explores where conviction comes from. Barrios rejects the idea that confidence is primarily a personality trait. Instead, he argues that conviction is built through preparation, rigorous analysis, and a willingness to develop a clear point of view. For leaders pursuing ambitious initiatives, this foundation becomes essential when facing skepticism, criticism, and uncertainty. Several practical lessons emerge: Strong leaders seek to understand the entire business, not just their area of expertise. Writing remains one of the most effective ways to sharpen thinking because it exposes gaps, inconsistencies, and unsupported assumptions. Courage is not the absence of fear. The fear associated with difficult decisions rarely disappears, but action reduces its influence. Storytelling is a leadership skill, not a communication accessory. People commit to difficult work when they understand the larger purpose behind it and can see their role within it. Significant achievements often require enduring what Barrios describes as the "swamp of despair," the period when progress is unclear, criticism is high, and abandoning the effort appears rational. The conversation also examines the implications of artificial intelligence. Barrios believes professionals should move beyond simply using AI tools and instead learn how to integrate them deeply into their workflows. At the same time, he emphasizes that AI cannot replace the value of an informed point of view developed through reading, writing, experience, and independent thinking. Drawing on his experience in media and sports, Barrios discusses why the economics of content creation are changing rapidly. As the cost of producing content approaches zero, differentiation increasingly depends on authenticity, trusted expertise, strong brands, and proprietary experiences that cannot be replicated by algorithms. He also explains why successful content organizations should think less about producing individual hits and more about building data-driven systems that consistently create, test, and refine content at scale. This is a conversation about leadership, judgment, resilience, and the discipline required to pursue difficult ideas when evidence is incomplete and consensus is absent. Get George's new book, Sometimes Wrong but Never in Doubt, here: https://tinyurl.com/4557tfpb Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  659: The Success Trap: Breaking the Cycle of Never Enough (with Brooke Taylor) 08.06.2026 53min

  Brooke Taylor spent more than a decade inside high-performance environments, including leadership roles at Google, before turning her attention to a question that many accomplished professionals quietly wrestle with: why does achievement so often fail to produce a lasting sense of fulfillment? In this conversation, she examines what she calls the "success wound" — the tendency to attach self-worth to performance, recognition, and external measures of success. Drawing from her own experience with burnout, addiction recovery, career advancement, and entrepreneurship, she explains how these patterns develop and why they continue to shape behavior long after professional success has been achieved. Among the key insights discussed: The root cause of many workplace struggles is not a lack of capability but an unhealthy relationship between achievement and identity. When self-worth becomes dependent on performance, even meaningful accomplishments can feel insufficient. Many high achievers operate from a small set of recurring beliefs, including "I have to prove my value through productivity," "If I fail, I am a failure," or "I am only as valuable as other people's opinions." These beliefs often drive behaviors such as overwork, perfectionism, people-pleasing, procrastination, and chronic dissatisfaction. Sustainable fulfillment comes more from how work is approached than from the specific role, title, or employer. Taylor argues that changing working habits and thought patterns frequently produces greater satisfaction than changing jobs. Emotional regulation begins with recognizing how stress, fear, and inadequacy are experienced physically. Rather than suppressing difficult emotions, she outlines a practical process for identifying them, understanding what they are communicating, and responding with curiosity rather than avoidance. Lasting behavioral change requires action, not insight alone. Taylor explains why taking deliberate "opposite actions" can be more effective than endless analysis when attempting to break entrenched habits. The discussion also explores addiction recovery, the role identity plays in sustaining behavior change, the hidden cost of codependency in professional life, and why many forms of burnout stem from carrying responsibilities that do not belong to us. Throughout the conversation, Taylor offers a thoughtful perspective on ambition, personal growth, and leadership. Her central argument is that professional success becomes more sustainable when it is no longer asked to answer questions of worth, belonging, or identity. For leaders navigating demanding careers, the episode provides a practical framework for examining the assumptions that drive performance and for building a healthier relationship with achievement itself. Get Brooke's book, Healing the Success Wound, here: https://tinyurl.com/4kfx8p9k Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  658: Market Engineering in the Age of AI with the CEO and founder of Traction Gap Partners, Bruce Cleveland 03.06.2026 57min

  Bruce Cleveland has operated at the center of several major shifts in enterprise technology: Oracle's early growth, the creation of enterprise CRM at Siebel Systems, the rise of SaaS through investments like Marketo and Workday, and now the restructuring of software markets through AI. This conversation focuses on a core idea behind those experiences: strong products alone rarely create market leaders. Cleveland argues that "product engineering is table stakes." The differentiator is what he calls market engineering: category design, positioning, messaging, storytelling, and thought leadership working together as a disciplined operating model led by the CEO, not just marketing. The discussion explores why companies struggle when they compete inside someone else's category, why distinctive language matters in gaining investor and customer attention, and why storytelling remains a strategic capability in technology businesses. Several practical themes emerge: Why category leaders capture a disproportionate share of market economics How positioning determines whether a company fits naturally into a customer's technology stack Why many firms waste capital on demand generation before establishing market relevance Which non-revenue signals executives should monitor before scaling go-to-market spending How AI is changing search, customer discovery, and software economics Why expertise and judgment remain valuable even as technical capabilities become easier to replicate Cleveland also explains why senior professionals should not underestimate the value of their experience in an AI-driven environment. His view is that the advantage increasingly comes from the ability to guide systems intelligently, not simply operate tools. For founders, executives, investors, and strategy leaders, this episode offers a practical framework for understanding how markets are defined, how companies earn durable differentiation, and why strategic narrative now matters as much as technology itself. Get Bruce's book, Market Engineering, here: https://tinyurl.com/4etpknu9 Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  657: Adjunct Professor at Cornell University, Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, on Critical Thinking vs. AI 01.06.2026 48min

  In this conversation with Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, the discussion examines what happens to judgment and critical thinking as AI becomes embedded in daily decision-making. Drawing on her background as an investigative journalist at Barron's, Einhorn explains how questioning assumptions and searching for disconfirming evidence shaped the development of her AREA Method for decision-making. She argues that AI should not be treated as an authority, but as a tool that requires active scrutiny and human judgment. Several points throughout the discussion: Use AI to challenge assumptions, not simply confirm them Ask for opposing viewpoints and missing evidence when using AI Verify citations and sources carefully, as hallucinations remain common Build expertise deeply enough to recognize flawed outputs Clarify the problem and your priorities before using the tool Treat discomfort in decision-making as part of serious thinking, not something to avoid The conversation also explores the growing risk of overreliance on AI, particularly among professionals who may begin outsourcing too much of their reasoning process. Einhorn argues that decision-making, contextual judgment, stakeholder awareness, and critical thinking will become more valuable as AI systems grow more capable. At its core, the episode is less about technology than about preserving independent thought. The central question is not whether AI will become more powerful, but whether people will continue exercising the skills required to think clearly, question effectively, and make decisions with conviction. Get Cheryl's book, The Human Edge, here: https://tinyurl.com/3h6k5wre Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  656: The Habits and Systems That Shape Success (with Fredric Marshall) 27.05.2026 52min

  Fredric Marshall spent decades helping companies including Apple, Pfizer, and Genentech solve problems in sales effectiveness, product launches, and organizational change. In this discussion, he explains why he views sales and leadership primarily as change management challenges: helping people move from where they are to where they want to be. The conversation centers on several practical ideas that shape long-term performance. Marshall argues that strong systems reduce stress because "the system is carrying the load, not you as a person or the team." He explains why high-performing people consistently invest in infrastructure, technology, and environments that remove friction and preserve attention for higher-value work. The episode also explores Marshall's "Super Eight" framework, which includes the neural net, biological health, relationships, systems, assets, and contribution. One of the central themes is that attention shapes outcomes. "Whatever you feed [neural nets], they get better at," he explains, arguing for greater discipline around information intake, habits, and social environments. Other insights from the discussion include: • Why emotionally intelligent and externally focused people often elevate entire organizations • How successful professionals balance initiative with responsiveness rather than operating in constant reaction mode • Why many entrepreneurs underestimate the value of their own time and capabilities • How journaling, repetition, and evidence gathering can gradually replace limiting beliefs • Why wealth creation often depends on investing simultaneously in productive assets and personal capability Marshall also shares research from his work studying top performers, identifying three recurring characteristics: action orientation, external focus, and the ability to question assumptions others accept too easily. The discussion is ultimately about building a life and career intentionally: curating what enters your attention, surrounding yourself with the right people, and constructing systems that support the future you are trying to create. Get Fredric's book, Thrive: The Antidote to Future Shock, here: https://tinyurl.com/smn4u5ts Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  655: BCG Managing Director and Partner, Kristy Ellmer, on Why Change Fails and How Great Leaders Build Real Transformation 25.05.2026 53min

  Kristy Ellmer has spent her career leading large-scale transformations across industries, countries, and operating environments. In this conversation, she explains why most change efforts fail — not because of bad strategy, but because organizations underestimate the human side of execution. A central idea from the discussion is the imbalance between the "what" and the "how" of transformation. Leaders spend enormous energy defining strategy, targets, and operating levers, but far less time on the behaviors and systems required for adoption. As Ellmer explains, "transformations or change are failing… on the elements of the how. It's not because there was bad strategy." She argues that many executives rush from alignment into execution before the organization is ready. One of the most counterintuitive lessons from her work is the need to pause after agreement is reached: "You need to take… up to two months to get organized." Without the right operating structure, early momentum eventually stalls. The conversation also explores why momentum must be designed intentionally. Discussing transformation work at Aetna, Ellmer explains the importance of visible early wins and helping employees understand "what's in it for you." She emphasizes that leaders are "responsible for momentum," not just strategy. Another major theme is resistance to change. Early in her career, Ellmer believed that "everybody will just get on board because things are right." Experience taught her otherwise. Different groups respond to different incentives, fears, and motivations. Her advice: "Be curious" about why people resist rather than assuming they are unwilling to change. She also challenges traditional views of change management, arguing that communication plans and training sessions alone are insufficient. "There is real science now out there on how humans really change," she says, and organizations that ignore that science struggle to achieve lasting adoption. The discussion also covers: why long transformations create fatigue when organizations never create "endings" how senior leaders should think about AI adoption versus AI hype why most companies are integrating AI as a workflow tool rather than fully replacing human work what separates successful consulting partners from those who simply "tick boxes" why career growth often comes from "leaning into uncertainty" Throughout the episode, Ellmer returns to one principle: organizations execute change more effectively when they treat employees with the same intentionality they would apply to external customers. "It's your job to sell the change," she says — not simply announce it. Kristy Ellmer is a Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG and a former Chief Transformation Officer, with decades of experience leading multiyear transformations inside global organizations. She is a coauthor of the book, How Change Really Works. Get Kristy's book, How Change Really Works, here: https://tinyurl.com/2zb4p63d Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift  
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  654: Associate Director of Culture and Change at BCG, Philip Jameson, on Why Most Transformations Fail 20.05.2026 52min

  Philip Jameson discusses why most organizational transformations fail despite strong strategic intent, significant investment, and broad awareness that change is necessary. Drawing on his work at Boston Consulting Group and the research behind How Change Really Works, Jameson argues that the core problem is often not strategy itself, but a poor understanding of "how humans behave during periods of change." The conversation begins with Jameson's unusual path into consulting through classical music and leadership at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He reflects on the orchestra's temporary departure from the Sydney Opera House during its renovation and why the experience fundamentally shaped his thinking about institutional change. "It was an experience that I had had of really a change gone right," he explains, "and it made me passionate about giving the gift of great change to as many people in my life as I could." A major focus of the discussion is what Jameson calls "false alignment" — situations where leadership teams behave "as if you're more agreed than you really are." He argues that many transformations fail because executives believe they share a common vision until operational specifics expose deep disagreements. The episode also explores why leaders often avoid disagreement altogether. Citing behavioral research from Julia Minson, Jameson explains that people routinely overestimate how damaging disagreement will feel in practice. "It is much worse to imagine having a disagreement with someone than it is to actually have a disagreement with someone," he says. Another major theme is agency. Jameson draws on the "IKEA effect," the tendency for people to value outcomes they helped create themselves. In successful transformations, employees feel they have "their thumbprint on the design of the change." "Change really works," he argues, "when the people affected by that change… feel that they have contributed meaningfully to it in some way." The conversation also examines why organizations frequently underestimate barriers to adoption. Jameson outlines seven common reasons employees resist new tools, systems, or behaviors — including skill gaps, lack of time, lack of perceived benefit, and fear of losing status or value inside the organization. Rather than treating resistance as irrational, he argues leaders should approach adoption with "deep empathy" and structured thinking about human behavior. Another important thread concerns rituals and operating cadence during transformation. Jameson describes successful change efforts as highly disciplined systems with consistent decision-making rhythms, clear forums, and predictable escalation paths. "In great changes," he says, "there's a very consistent drumbeat." The episode also explores storytelling as a strategic tool during periods of uncertainty. Jameson outlines three recurring narratives used in successful transformations: the threat story, the fitness story, and the destiny story. The strongest organizations, he argues, usually commit to one clear narrative rather than mixing several competing explanations. The latter part of the discussion turns to AI and organizational adaptation. Jameson views AI transformations primarily as behavioral transformations rather than purely technical ones. "Maybe you think of it as an AI change," he says, "but really it's about human beings." Throughout the conversation, Jameson returns to one central idea: organizations rarely fail because they lack intelligence or ambition. They fail because leaders underestimate how difficult it is for groups of people to change behavior collectively and sustain that change over time. For executives, operators, and transformation leaders, the episode offers a practical framework grounded not only in strategy, but in the behavioral science of how change actually happens. Get Philip's new book, How Change Really Works, here: https://tinyurl.com/2zb4p63d Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  653: Joe Pine, Author and Lecturer at Northeastern University, on the Future of Business 18.05.2026 52min

  Management advisor and author Joe Pine explores a question that sits beneath most business strategy discussions but is rarely addressed directly: what business is ultimately for. Drawing on decades of work spanning mass customization, the experience economy, and his latest research on transformation, Pine argues that many companies misunderstand the real value customers seek and therefore stop too early in how they create value. The conversation begins with the progression from goods and services to experiences and transformations. Pine explains that transformations differ from experiences in one critical way: they must endure through time. "Memories of experiences fade over time," he says, "but transformations have to be sustained through time, or you did not in fact transform." A central idea throughout the episode is that "all transformation is identity change." Pine argues that meaningful transformation is not simply behavioral improvement, but a shift in how people understand themselves, whether through enhancement, expansion, cultivation, or complete metamorphosis. The discussion also explores where aspirations come from. One of Pine's deeper observations is that many aspirations emerge after disruption, trauma, illness, divorce, loss, or failure. The traumatic event changes a person immediately; the transformation comes afterward in the effort to become whole again. Pine is careful to distinguish between what companies can and cannot do. "You don't transform people as a company," he explains. "They transform themselves. You create the conditions under which" transformation becomes possible. Another major theme concerns how businesses price value. Pine argues that companies often reveal what business they are truly in through what they charge for. Commodities are priced as undifferentiated inputs, services as activities, experiences as time, and transformations as outcomes. "You are what you charge for," he says repeatedly throughout the discussion. The conversation ultimately expands into a broader philosophy of business itself. Pine argues that the true purpose of business is not profit maximization alone, but "to foster human flourishing", helping people become "more of who they are meant to be." In this framework, profit is not the purpose of business, but the result of creating genuine human value over time. The episode also examines resistance to identity change, sustaining long-term transformation, coaching and guidance, the future role of AI, and why Pine believes artificial intelligence will function primarily as a tool that helps people live and work more effectively rather than replacing human purpose altogether. For executives, consultants, educators, coaches, and operators, the conversation offers a deeper framework for understanding differentiation, customer value, and the growing shift from selling products and services to guiding lasting human transformation. Get The Transformation Economy here: https://tinyurl.com/5663jcjj Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  652: Can Democracy Survive Free Market Capitalism? (with Professor of Economics Emeritus at Stanford University, Mordecai Kurz) 13.05.2026 52min

  Professor Mordecai Kurz argues that rising inequality is not simply the result of markets, but the combined effect of "technology, culture and policy" operating together over decades. Drawing on his forthcoming book, Private Power and Democracy's Decline, Kurz explains why he believes free market capitalism, left entirely unregulated, eventually concentrates both economic and political power. His central concern is not wealth alone, but the long-term erosion of democratic agency when monopoly power becomes permanent through patents, acquisitions, and technological dominance. A major focus of the conversation is artificial intelligence and the future of work. Kurz distinguishes between technologies that increase human productivity and technologies designed primarily to replace labor altogether. "The key," he argues, "was creating a situation of increasing the productivity of people rather than replacing them." The discussion also explores job displacement, democratic control over technology, monopoly formation, and the responsibility societies have to preserve human dignity amid rapid technological change. "We can have democracy and we can have free market capitalism," Kurz says, "but… we cannot have them both." For leaders navigating the implications of AI, automation, and economic concentration, the episode offers a rigorous framework for thinking beyond short-term efficiency gains and toward the long-term relationship between innovation, power, and democracy. Mordecai Kurz is a Professor of Economics Emeritus at Stanford University. He is the author of Private Power and Democracy's Decline: How to Make Capitalism Support Democracy. Get Mordecai's book, Private Power and Democracy's Decline, here: https://tinyurl.com/4ftzph7a Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift
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  651: Ford School of Public Policy Adjunct Attia Qureshi on the Hidden Psychology Behind Effective Negotiation 11.05.2026 50min

  Attia Qureshi examines negotiation not simply as a business skill, but as a core leadership capability that shapes influence, alignment, and decision-making. Drawing on experience across consulting, startups, academia, and international development, she explains why many capable professionals struggle in negotiations despite strong analytical skills. The discussion explores several practical themes: why preparation is often undervalued, how fear and emotional reactions affect judgment under pressure, and why negotiation should be treated as a skill built through repetition rather than theory alone. Qureshi also distinguishes influence from manipulation, emphasizing that durable cooperation is built through trust, reciprocity, and understanding shared interests. The episode covers organizational alignment, stakeholder management, rejection, and emotional resilience, including lessons from work in Colombia helping farming communities transition away from coca production. Throughout the conversation, Qureshi argues that effective negotiators are not necessarily the most aggressive or persuasive, but the ones who can stay disciplined, build trust, and navigate difficult conversations with clarity and composure. This episode offers practical insights for leaders seeking to improve negotiation, relationship management, and organizational effectiveness in both professional and personal settings. Attia Qureshi is an adjunct at the Ford School of Public Policy and previously at MIT's Sloan School of Management and Ross School of Business. The founder of Attia Qureshi Consulting, where she supports companies through negotiation, conflict resolution, and organizational strategy. Get Attia's book, Never Settle, here: https://tinyurl.com/2fyjhb5m Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift