The Leadership Podcast

• TLP459: Small, Consistent Actions Over Time with Adam Contos

  Adam Contos is a former SWAT leader turned CEO, leadership advisor, and author of “Start With a Win: Tools and Lessons to Create Personal and Business Success.”  In this episode, Adam begins by defining a "win" in leadership not as just hitting KPIs or completing projects, but as creating momentum through small, daily victories.  Adam stresses the importance of fostering a culture of accountability within teams, but without micromanaging. He explains that accountability is about creating an environment where people can succeed, rather than policing behavior.  When discussing setbacks, Adam reminds us that challenges are inevitable, but it’s how leaders respond that defines them. Instead of reacting emotionally, strong leaders respond thoughtfully, seeing setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than roadblocks. Adam also discusses how to sustain momentum, and highlights how constant, small improvements drive long-term results.  Adam’s insights provide a fresh approach to leadership, showing that small, consistent actions over time can build lasting success. If you’re ready to implement these principles in your leadership journey, this episode is a must-listen.     Key Takeaways [05:22] Jan asks Adam to define a "win" in leadership. Adam clarifies that a win isn’t just about KPIs or project completions. Instead, he believes it’s about creating momentum. He calls them "micro wins," like waking up before the alarm. Small wins add up, laying the foundation for bigger successes down the road. [06:34] Jan asks what shifts momentum for a team. Adam points to emotional intelligence, learning from failures, and adjusting strategies. Leaders help create a culture of confidence and resilience, guiding their teams to focus on strengths and not dwell on setbacks. [07:59] Adam shares that successful leaders don’t leave their days to chance. They start by setting clear priorities, communicating expectations, and modeling discipline. Jan asks if leaders should set boundaries or let teams determine their own priorities. Adam says it’s a mix. Leaders need to define expectations and values, but also give teams the flexibility to make their own decisions. [11:39] Adam explains that accountability isn’t about policing; it’s about creating an environment where people can succeed. Jan references a past guest who discussed the difference between what people want to do versus what they should do. He asks Adam how leaders can handle high-potential individuals who resist extra responsibility. Adam suggests challenging teams to grow while respecting their individual aspirations. Success isn’t a one-size-fits-all, and leaders must find the right balance between encouragement and autonomy. [15:16] Adam responds to the question about handling setbacks by saying that volatility and challenges are inevitable in all areas of life. What defines a person is how they respond. He reminds himself that each setback is just a chapter, not the whole story. Strong leaders see adversity as a stepping stone, not a stopping point. He stresses the importance of responding thoughtfully, not emotionally, to setbacks and learning from them for the future. [18:07] Adam explains that leaders are made, not born. Instead of testing people under stress, leaders should train them to handle pressure by gradually increasing their exposure to challenging situations. This builds the skills and confidence needed to handle future stress. [22:22] Jan asks how leaders balance confidence and humility. Adam says confidence without humility can lead to arrogance and failure. He explains that the balance shifts depending on the audience and context. For instance, sales teams may need more confidence, while executive teams might appreciate more humility. [24:18] Adam talks about executive presence, which is about gravitas, communication, and appearance. He shares how Jamie Dimon commands a room without saying a word, demonstrating the power of presence. Adam advises leaders to always show up prepared, look like they care, and deliver messages that resonate with their audience. [27:01] Adam explains that success creates momentum but warns that it can also lead to complacency if leaders think it will sustain itself. He stresses the need for continuous improvement to prevent stagnation. Adam points to Team Sky’s cycling success under Sir David Brailsford, where the focus was on constant, small improvements. Successful teams are driven by a mission, not just results. [34:58] Adam concludes by encouraging people to focus on creating wins every day. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing actions that lead to positive results, rather than getting stuck on unproductive tasks. He advises adopting a proactive mindset and viewing daily tasks as opportunities, not obligations. [36:47]  And remember...“ Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win. ” - Sun Tzu   Quotable Quotes "A win isn't a KPI. A win isn't completing a project. A win more than anything is just creating momentum." "Successful leaders don't leave their day to chance." "If you walk in and sit down at the table in a meeting and you're pounding your fist and cussing things like that, guess what? The employees are going to do that. They're going to pound their fist and cuss at things when you're not in the room." "Great leadership starts before the first meeting. It's built in the moments of preparation and personal discipline." "I think you should allow people to spread their wings and fly as high and far and fast as they possibly can." "Accountability isn't about policing." "We need to create an environment where people can be as successful as they want to be." “volatility and setbacks have happened since the beginning of time. But ultimately you have to understand they don't define you. Your response to them is what defines you. “ "Great leaders really train themselves to see adversity as kind of a stepping stone and really not a stopping point in their career and their life.” “I think you can start putting pressures on people to see how they start to respond. And frankly, you can educate people. Leaders are made, they're not born." "Anyone can be taught, but it's hard to teach someone who doesn't want to learn." “if you have confidence without humility, it becomes arrogance, and that's when you get your butt kicked." "Know your audience, show up like a leader. I don't care where you're at, show up like a leader, look like you care and like you tried, and then deliver a message that resonates with your audience." “Success breeds complacency if you let it." "The best teams just don't work for results. They work for a mission. And if that mission is continuously developing and improving, they're probably going to continue to win because they're continuing to revitalize that momentum." "But the reality is the big guy started as a little guy at some point also, they just perpetually were able to ignore the losses that they were facing." "Set a culture, be a good person and live that culture. And if people like it, great. If they don't, great." "Focus on being better at a leader, as a leader, and focus on taking one more step towards your accomplishments."   This is the book mentioned in this book   Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | Adam Contos Website | Adam Contos | Adam Contos X (Twitter) | Adam Contos Facebook | Adam Contos LinkedIn | Adam Contos Instagram |  

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• TLP458: How to Build a Business that’s Smarter than You with Pippa Begg

  Pippa Begg, is the co-founder and CEO of Board Intelligence and co-author of “Collective Intelligence: How to Build a Business that’s Smarter than You.”  In this episode, Pippa discusses the mindset shifts required for leaders to let go of control and empower others, emphasizing the dangers of hubris and the importance of questioning one's own authority. She also addresses the common struggle with delegation, advising leaders to trust their teams and ask powerful questions that drive innovation and collaboration. Pippa dives deep into the topic of communication, sharing a powerful example of how poor communication cost a brilliant opportunity. Pippa explains how AI can enhance decision-making in boardrooms by supporting human intelligence and uncovering biases, rather than replacing human input.  When discussing power struggles in the boardroom, Pippa explained that they often arise from misalignment on what’s important, especially regarding value creation. Pippa talks about the importance of balancing focus with flexibility, and shares how organizations can continually assess their strategies, asking the right questions that allow the organization to adapt to dynamic markets.  This episode is especially relevant for senior leaders looking to develop resilient businesses that thrive in an ever-changing world.     Key Takeaways Quotable Quotes "The pace of AI development can call all of that out. So really the thing that's blocking progress here is not the pace of technology. It's the pace of human adoption." "Humans don't take perfect decisions. We know about unhelpful decision making heuristics that we use. We know about bias that we have." "We are better when we're being observed than when we're not being observed." "We rush to find the answer... and often what we're doing there is we end up rushing to find an answer to not quite the right problem." "Many amazing business successes. The idea did not come from the CEO or from the board." "Most of the time when there is border and power struggles, it's because there's misalignment on what's important." "If we are willing to expose our thinking, if we are willing to expose our writing, if we are willing to expose our conversations, then not only could we be prompted, but we can just hold a mirror and just see what we're doing, really reflect on it." "Focus is absolutely critical to an organization's success, but blind focus can be its downfall, as we saw with Nokia."   This is the book mentioned in this book   Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | Pippa Begg Website | Pippa Begg Recent Sunday Times profile (UK): Pippa Begg Recent research published into board effectiveness: Pippa Begg Latest BI fundraise: Pippa Begg LinkedIn |  

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• TLP457: The Power of Positive Sleep with Giles Watkins

  Giles Watkins—coach, speaker, and author of “Positive Sleep: A Holistic Approach to Resolve Sleep Issues and Transform your Life (Positive Wellbeing).” In this episode, he explores why quality sleep is essential for high performance, decision-making, and long-term success. He dives into sleep’s role in workplace culture—how it affects performance, decision-making, and even global business operations. Giles discusses how different cultures view sleep, how leaders can help their teams without overstepping personal boundaries, and why some companies are incorporating naps into the workplace.  If you’ve ever struggled with sleep, wondered how to optimize your rest, or lead a team that could benefit from better sleep habits, this episode is packed with insights.     Key Takeaways [02:34] Giles explains that while awareness around sleep has improved, people are still sleeping an hour less than they did 50 years ago. He attributes this to distractions like artificial lighting, phones, and technology. While the body can physically recover from lost sleep, the brain does not regain the same benefits, such as memory consolidation and emotional processing. [09:09] Jan asks Giles to define sleep, referencing Part 2 of his book. Giles shares a definition from Harvard Medical School, describing sleep as a reversible state where activity decreases, external responsiveness drops, and the brain undergoes essential restoration processes. He emphasizes that modern sleep science is still evolving, with ongoing debate about its full impact on cognition, learning, and mental health. [16:09] Giles explains that sleep needs gradually decrease with age, but the change is not dramatic. Factors such as genetics, environment, and personal habits play a role. Some people naturally need less sleep, while others struggle with shifting rhythms over time. He highlights that recognizing these differences is key for leaders managing diverse teams with varied sleep patterns. [23:37] Jan shares his experience in the military, where sleep deprivation was common, but he personally struggled with it. Giles confirms that while some individuals can push through exhaustion, it is not sustainable. He compares chronic lack of sleep to “social jet lag,” disrupting natural rhythms and leading to lower motivation, reduced focus, and diminished quality of work. [27:58] Giles recalls his first experience working in Vietnam, where employees would nap under their desks after lunch. Initially shocked, he later realized it was an effective way to recharge. He contrasts this with Western cultures, where working through lunch is often seen as a sign of dedication. Businesses with global teams need to be aware of these cultural differences to maximize productivity. [36:37] Giles highlights the importance of bedtime routines—consistent sleep schedules, limiting screen exposure, and wind-down activities. He notes that many adults with sleep issues lost their childhood sleep habits after leaving home. Encouraging good routines in children can set them up for long-term sleep success. [41:19] Giles states that 80% of sleep problems can be resolved with behavioral changes, such as reducing screen time before bed, avoiding alcohol late at night, and sticking to a consistent schedule. He advises leaders to treat sleep as a priority, just like diet and exercise, to enhance their performance. [43:14]  And remember, Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together. - Thomas Dekker   Quotable Quotes “We’ve evolved as a species, but we haven’t evolved to sleep an hour less than we did 50 years ago.”  “Leaders assume their teams are like them. Some love breakfast meetings, some don’t. Some don’t mind late-night emails, others do.”  “The one long sleep is a post-industrial idea. Before factories, people often had two sleeps with a break in between.”  “The French have an expression that translates as ‘the bicycle in your head.’ To sleep well, you have to get off the bicycle.”  “You can survive with bad sleep, but you won’t thrive.”   This is the book mentioned in this book   Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | Giles Watkins Website | Giles Watkins LinkedIn |

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• TLP456: The Curiosity Switch: How Leaders Stay Ahead with Jamie Beaton

  Jamie Beaton is CEO of Crimson Education, helping students gain admission to top universities. A Harvard, Stanford, Yale, and Princeton graduate, he also founded Crimson Global Academy and authored “ACCEPTED! Secrets to Gaining Admission to the World's Top Universities.” In this episode, Jamie reveals the mentors who shaped his leadership, including legendary investor Julian Robertson, and explains how to accelerate growth as an emerging leader. He discusses the challenges of leading a global company, how cultural differences impact leadership, and what truly defines top talent beyond credentials. He also dives into the “curiosity switch”—the key to staying relevant, inspired, and continuously learning. Jamie shares a pivotal moment in his leadership journey—balancing the demands of running Crimson while attending Stanford Business School, a decision that tested his resilience and investor relationships. He also provides insight into how leaders can build high-performance teams, manage ambition without burnout, and create a culture of excellence and execution. If you want to learn how to lead with curiosity, build a world-class team, and navigate high-stakes decisions, this episode is a must-listen.     Key Takeaways [02:43] Jamie shares his love for Warhammer, a strategy board game that takes him across the world to compete. He finds it a great way to disconnect from work and engage in a different kind of strategic thinking. [03:58] Jamie credits Julian Robertson, founder of Tiger Management, as a major influence. Julian took him under his wing, instilling confidence in his abilities and teaching him the balance between competitive drive and integrity. [08:58] Jamie’s experiences across countries like New Zealand, China, Singapore, and the U.S. have broadened his leadership perspective. He emphasizes that while leadership principles are universal, cultural differences impact feedback styles, work ethics, and hierarchical structures. Leaders must adapt to these variations to be effective. [11:35] Jamie highlights feedback styles as one major cultural difference. In places like Japan and China, direct feedback can be seen as disrespectful, while in the U.S. and New Zealand, a blunt and fast-paced communication style is more accepted. Work ethic expectations also differ, with China’s 996 culture (9 AM – 9 PM, six days a week) contrasting with New Zealand’s emphasis on work-life balance. However, he believes that people everywhere are drawn to ambitious, high-performance teams. [15:01] Jamie introduces the "curiosity switch", explaining that some people are naturally driven to learn while others become complacent. He believes curiosity can be reignited by exposing yourself to new industries, ideas, and challenges. Leaders who continuously push themselves to learn remain relevant. [17:38] Jamie admits that his rapid thinking once created chaos within his teams. Over time, he built a leadership team with specialized roles—some focused on executing ideas, while others thrived in early-stage innovation. By structuring his organization this way, he ensures creativity doesn’t disrupt operational stability. [21:09] Jamie values learning agility, ambition, and integrity over academic credentials. He shares a story about his co-founder, Fungzhou, who started with limited English at 18 and now manages hundreds of employees globally. He believes top talent is defined by their ability to adapt, seek feedback, and push beyond their comfort zone. [25:43] Jamie acknowledges that in the early years, he wasn’t easy to follow. To improve, he surrounded himself with strong communicators who could translate his vision into clear, actionable steps for the team. Over time, he became more aware of how his leadership style impacted others, ensuring his team had the clarity they needed. [27:11] Jamie has learned that face-to-face time is irreplaceable. He prioritizes in-person interactions with his executive team and country managers, even flying 18 hours for a two-day event. He believes that an hour in person builds more trust than 30 hours on Zoom, making these investments critical for leadership success. [29:22] Jamie describes the tension of balancing business school at Stanford while leading Crimson. His investors were skeptical, fearing it would be a distraction, while his team worried about his physical absence. Despite these doubts, Jamie pushed through, believing the skills and networks he gained would ultimately help Crimson grow. [34:01] Jamie credits his responsibility to his team, ambition, and the support of his co-founders as his guiding forces. He emphasizes that having trusted partners who can step in when needed is critical for sustaining leadership over the long haul. [37:02] Jamie explains that when your curiosity switch is on, work feels exciting and effortless. When it’s off, every task feels like a burden. To reignite curiosity, he advises evaluating your work, relationships, and digital habits, ensuring you remove anything that drains your energy. [39:26] And remember, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” - Benjamin Franklin   Quotable Quotes “People love to be on a winning team.You know, I think if you have that fast-paced intensity, ambitious goals, the ability for fast career progression, fast learning, you know, that is addictive to people anywhere and that's definitely very infectious.” “You don't view feedback as some sort of negative thing, but actually as sort of like this addictive fuel for more growth.” “When the curiosity switch is on, every day you're working, it doesn't feel like you're working. You know, it feels like this exciting, adrenaline-packed, exhilarating adventure.” “If you're in the wrong lane, staying there longer won't fix it.” “I think the most notable thing about different cultural backgrounds or a couple, but one of them would be how you give feedback.”   This is the book mentioned in this book   Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | Jamie Beaton Website | Jamie Beaton LinkedIn | Jamie Beaton Instagram |  

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• TLP455: Break Free from Self-imposed Limitations

  Kasey D’Amato’s experience goes from launching a dermatology division and founding a global skincare brand to building a multi-seven-figure real estate portfolio. In this episode, Kasey shares her insights on how leaders can avoid burnout, overcome stagnation, and create a life that aligns with their true purpose.  She introduces her Holistic Leadership Mastery™ Framework, which breaks leadership into four essential quadrants and explains why so many leaders feel overwhelmed despite their achievements. We discuss why leaders should periodically disconnect, how to recalibrate every 90 days, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. She also shares her personal story of career reinvention, going from a physician assistant to a business leader and leadership coach. Kasey emphasizes that many successful professionals eventually feel stuck, questioning, "What’s the point?" even when they have achieved financial success. She explains how leaders can overcome this by focusing on emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-awareness. Kasey also talks about how leaders can break free from self-imposed limitations. She also discusses the importance of regularly evaluating time and energy allocation, challenging leaders to reassess 20% of their calendars every 90 days.  Whether you’re thinking about a career pivot or struggling with burnout, this episode provides actionable insights to help you lead a fulfilling life.     Key Takeaways [02:12] Kasey and her husband rescue and rehabilitate large dogs with difficult pasts. She finds that this requires calm, confident leadership, much like business leadership. [04:20] Many leaders neglect their personal well-being, relationships, and joy. Kasey’s framework breaks leadership into four quadrants: business acumen, self-leadership, team leadership, and industry leadership. A strong leader balances all four. [06:58] Kasey agrees that leaders often misallocate time and energy. Most spend too much time on tasks that don’t drive results. She recommends reviewing time allocation every 90 days to ensure alignment with goals. [08:24] Leaders often focus solely on strengths but may ignore personal weaknesses that could limit them in the long run. Kasey believes that while focusing on strengths is good, leaders should also be aware of what they are neglecting and consciously decide how to balance priorities. [14:15] She felt she had mastered her previous roles and began asking, “Is this all there is?” She realized she wanted to impact others in a broader way, leading her to reinvention. [19:21] Kasey advises completely disconnecting from routine for at least a week (ideally out of the country) to gain clarity. It takes about five days for the mind to stop focusing on daily work and start thinking about bigger questions like “Am I happy?” [24:35] Leaders often avoid tough decisions or self-improvement. Kasey recommends surrounding yourself with three types of accountability partners: mentors, peers, and direct reports. [28:34] Kasey plays the “What If” game with clients. If they say they don’t have time or money, she asks, “What if you did? What would you do differently?” This helps reverse engineer solutions and uncover creative options. [35:59] And remember, “When you have balance in your life, work becomes an entirely different experience. There is a passion that moves you to a whole new level of fulfillment and gratitude, and that's when you can do your best for yourself and for others.” - Cara Delevingne   Quotable Quotes “Am I happy? Is this the life I dreamed of?”  “We are our own problem. Look in the mirror.”  “If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.”  “You need to recalibrate your time and energy every 90 days.”  “The first step to resilience is awareness. Just being aware changes everything.”  “What if you did have time? What would you do differently?”  “I’m the queen of reinvention.”  “Confidence is critical. If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will.”    Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | Kasey D’Amato Website | Kasey D’Amato Facebook | Kasey D’Amato LinkedIn | Kasey D’Amato Instagram | 

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