ScaleX™ Insider Podcast

In this clip from ScaleX™ Insider, Brian Solis breaks down what leaders really need to understand about AI in 2026 — and why most people are approaching it the wrong way.
Rather than chasing tools or fearing disruption, Brian explains that AI is best understood as a thinking partner. One that helps founders test ideas, expand their thinking, and move faster without waiting for permission, funding, or technical expertise.
This conversation reframes AI not as technology to master, but as a mindset shift — one that rewards curiosity, experimentation, and a willingness to learn in public.
 
KEY INSIGHTS
AI is not a tool — it's a collaborator for thinking, testing, and learning

Leaders must learn to articulate where they are and where they want to go

You no longer need to hire before you experiment — AI lets you prototype ideas instantly

The future belongs to those who can think, test, and adapt quickly

Scaling today means scaling your imagination before scaling your team



THE CRITICAL LESSON
AI doesn't reward expertise — it rewards curiosity.
Brian explains that the biggest limitation leaders face is not technology, but mindset. Those who approach AI with a beginner's mind unlock far more value than those who try to use it as an efficiency tool.
The real power of AI lies in helping you become someone you couldn't be before — testing ideas, building tools, and exploring opportunities that once required entire teams.
 
PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS FOR LEADERS
Treat AI as a thinking partner, not a shortcut



Use AI to test ideas before investing time or money



Let AI help you explore possibilities, not just optimise tasks



Build the habit of asking better questions, not finding faster answers



Stay open — the moment you think you "know," you stop learning



WHY THIS MATTERS FOR FOUNDERS & SCALING LEADERS
Brian highlights that growth today is no longer about doing more — it's about thinking differently.
Leaders who succeed in the next decade will be those who:
Embrace continuous learning

Use AI to extend their capabilities

Stay adaptable as tools, markets, and expectations evolve

Approach uncertainty with curiosity rather than fear



AI is not the destination.
It's the accelerator.
 
CONNECT WITH BRIAN SOLIS
🔗Website: https://www.briansolis.com
🔗LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansolis
 Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0DCL6RLV6

In this ScaleX™ Insider clip, Brian Solis unpacks one of the most overlooked reasons people feel stuck despite working hard: they're saying yes to the wrong things.
Drawing from his books Life Scale and Mind Shift, Brian explains why progress isn't about doing more — it's about aligning daily actions with long-term direction. Without that alignment, even the busiest people slowly drift further away from the life and impact they want.
KEY INSIGHTS
Being busy often masks a lack of direction

Progress only happens when daily actions align with long-term vision

Distractions don't just waste time — they quietly reshape priorities

What you say yes to determines what you say no to

Focus isn't about discipline — it's about awareness

Most people don't fail from lack of effort, but from lack of clarity

THE CORE LESSON
The real non-negotiable isn't productivity — it's intention.
Brian explains that true progress begins when you stop reacting to noise and start consciously choosing what deserves your time, energy, and attention. Without that filter, even meaningful effort leads you in the wrong direction.
This is where Life Scale and Mind Shift intersect: understanding how algorithms, habits, and modern life quietly pull us off course — and how to regain control.
PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS
Audit where your time actually goes

Track distractions the same way you track tasks

Ask: "Is this moving me closer to the life I want?"

Reduce noise before adding more tools

Treat focus as a daily decision, not a personality trait

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR LEADERS
For founders, operators, and high performers, mindset is the multiplier.
If your thinking is scattered, your strategy will be too. If your focus is intentional, everything else compounds faster.
As Brian explains, mindset isn't soft — it's the foundation for scale.
ABOUT BRIAN SOLIS
Brian Solis is a world-renowned digital anthropologist, futurist, and Head of Global Innovation at ServiceNow.
He advises global organisations on digital transformation, AI, innovation, leadership, and the future of work. Brian has published over 60 research reports and several bestselling books, including Life Scale and Mindshift.
His work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, CIO, and more. He is a former LinkedIn Top Influencer and is followed by over 800,000 people worldwide.
CONNECT WITH BRIAN SOLIS
🔗Website: https://www.briansolis.com
🔗LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansolis
Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0DCL6RLV6

What if the greatest challenge facing leaders today isn't technology itself — but how we think about it?
In this episode of ScaleX™ Insider, Brendan McGurgan is joined by world-renowned digital anthropologist, futurist, and author Brian Solis for a powerful conversation on mindset, leadership, and navigating growth in an era defined by AI, acceleration, and constant disruption.
Brian shares why meaningful scale begins not with tools or tactics, but with how leaders think, perceive, and make decisions. Drawing from his bestselling books Life Scale and Mind Shift, he explains how founders and executives can move from reaction to intention, from overwhelm to clarity, and from noise to meaningful progress.
This episode explores how leaders can develop the mental frameworks required to grow sustainably, lead with confidence, and embrace innovation without losing focus or purpose.
Episode Highlights:
Scaling Begins with Mindset
Why true scale starts with how leaders think, not how fast they grow.
Life Scale vs Life Speed
How constant motion creates the illusion of progress — and why slowing down leads to better outcomes.
The Cost of Distraction
How algorithms, social media, and constant input quietly derail focus, clarity, and long-term vision.
The Six Stages of Mind Shift
Brian breaks down the framework behind his work:
Receive – Creating space to observe what matters

Perceive – Understanding patterns instead of reacting to noise

Weave – Connecting insights into meaning

Conceive – Imagining new possibilities

Believe – Developing conviction and agency

Become – Acting with clarity and purpose



Signal vs Noise in the Age of AI
Why most leaders feel overwhelmed by AI — and how to identify what actually matters.
AI as an Augmentation Tool
How AI enhances thinking, experimentation, and execution rather than replacing human judgment.
The Power of a Beginner's Mind
Why curiosity and openness are now essential leadership traits.
From Reaction to Intention
How stepping back enables better decisions, stronger strategy, and sustainable growth.
 
Key Takeaways
Scaling begins with mindset, not technology

Most leaders are reacting instead of responding intentionally

AI is a multiplier, not a solution

Focus comes from subtraction, not addition

Clarity enables better decisions and stronger leadership

Curiosity is a competitive advantage

Frameworks turn complexity into clarity



 
About Brian Solis
Brian Solis is a world-renowned digital anthropologist, futurist, and Head of Global Innovation at ServiceNow.
He advises senior leaders around the world on innovation, digital transformation, and the future of work. Brian has published more than 60 research reports and several bestselling books, including Life Scale and Mind Shift, exploring how technology shapes business, behavior, and society.
Often referred to as "The CEO Whisperer," Brian works closely with executives across industries to help them rethink leadership, customer experience, and AI-driven transformation.
He is a regular contributor to Forbes, Harvard Business Review, CIO, and Worth, and was named one of the original LinkedIn Top 500 Influencers, alongside Bill Gates, Richard Branson, and Arianna Huffington. His work is followed by over 800,000 people worldwide.
Connect with Brian Solis
Website: https://www.briansolis.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansolis
Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0DCL6RLV6
Subscribe & Listen
Watch on YouTube: Simple Scaling Channel
Listen on Apple Podcasts: ScaleX Insider
Listen on Spotify: ScaleX Insider
This episode is essential for:
Founders and SME leaders navigating growth

CEOs and executives adapting to AI and disruption

Entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed or reactive

Leaders seeking clarity, focus, and direction

Anyone interested in mindset, innovation, and future-ready leadership

About ScaleX™ and Simple Scaling
ScaleX™ Insider is brought to you by Simple Scaling — creators of the ScaleX™ Accelerator Programme.
A 12-month journey for ambitious SME leaders combining strategy, mindset work, and peer support to break through growth plateaus.
Host: Brendan McGurgan
Website: simplescaling.com
Subscribe & Listen
Watch on YouTube: Simple Scaling Channel
Listen on Apple Podcasts: ScaleX Insider
Listen on Spotify: ScaleX Insider

In this insightful episode of ScaleX™ Insider, Brendan McGurgan sits down with Claire Colvin, business partner, leadership strategist, and expert in scaling people-centred businesses, as they wrap up Season 18. Claire reflects on the most powerful lessons from the season and shares her personal and professional intentions for 2026, offering practical advice for leaders navigating growth, connection, and success in a noisy world.
KEY INSIGHTS:
Be clear on what success looks like—define it personally and professionally before getting distracted by tools, trends, or AI.

Align with your values—living in alignment ensures fulfillment and authentic decision-making.

Prioritise connection intentionally—relationships are a critical source of energy, support, and personal growth.

Rituals and reflection matter—Claire shares how creating personal intentions and connection walks can help reset and refocus after challenging periods.

Self-care fuels performance—prioritising your own well-being ensures you can show up fully for your team and business.

Break vision into practical priorities—align long-term goals with actionable steps that move the business forward.



THE CRITICAL LESSON:
Scaling a business and leading with purpose requires clarity, alignment, and presence. By defining what success means to you, connecting intentionally, and nurturing your own energy, you can navigate challenges with confidence, make decisions in alignment with your values, and continue to grow personally and professionally.
PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS FOR LEADERS:
Take time to articulate what success looks like for you in 2026.

Reflect on your values and ensure they guide decisions and priorities.

Prioritise meaningful connections—schedule rituals and interactions that matter.

Build daily or seasonal reflection routines to reset focus and energy.

Break your vision into concrete actions that move the needle for your business.



ABOUT CLAIRE COLVIN:
Claire Colvin is a business partner, leadership strategist, and advisor to high-growth SMEs. She specialises in helping leaders scale people-centred businesses by combining strategy, values, and practical frameworks that enable teams to thrive. Her experience spans executive leadership, scaling businesses, and mentoring leaders to perform at their best while staying aligned to purpose.
CONNECT WITH CLAIRE COLVIN:
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/claire-colvin

In this standout episode of ScaleX™ Insider, Brendan McGurgan is joined by Claire Colvin — business partner, leadership strategist, and expert in scaling people-centred businesses — to unpack one of the most powerful insights from Season 18: how presence, confidence, and intentionality can transform the way leaders show up.
Claire reflects on a key message shared by guest Jim Murphy about confidence — and why all the usual advice around nutrition, sleep, exercise, and relationships, while important, misses one crucial element: being fully present in the moment. She explains how anxiety and self-doubt often arise when we overthink the future or worry about judgment, and how bringing your full attention to the here and now can unlock authentic confidence and enhance connection with others.
Claire and Brendan explore actionable ideas for leaders to build this presence and intentionally show up in their professional and personal lives, offering practical takeaways to help SME founders, executives, and team leaders perform at their best.
KEY INSIGHTS:
Confidence isn't just about rituals — it's about being present in the moment.

Anxiety and self-doubt often come from overthinking the future or worrying about others' perceptions.

Presence allows you to focus on connecting and engaging with others, rather than getting lost in your own thoughts.

Intentionality in actions and priorities is the bridge between confidence and authentic leadership.

Self-care rituals (sleep, nutrition, exercise, relationships) are important, but mindful presence amplifies their impact.



THE CRITICAL LESSON:
True confidence emerges not from external routines alone, but from fully showing up in the moment. By focusing on presence and intentional action, leaders can engage authentically, reduce self-doubt, and inspire others around them.
 
PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS FOR LEADERS:
Pause before meetings or decisions — focus on the here and now.

Bring attention to the people you are connecting with rather than your own worries.

Align daily actions with your intentions to build confidence over time.

Pair presence with your usual wellness rituals to maximize their effect.

Reflect on how your leadership energy impacts others, not just yourself.



ABOUT CLAIRE COLVIN:
Claire Colvin is a business partner and leadership strategist specialising in people-centred business growth. She helps SME leaders and high-growth companies scale successfully by focusing on culture, values, leadership, and authentic connection.
 
CONNECT WITH CLAIRE COLVIN:
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/claire-colvin