Don Barden, Ph.D.

Guest: Don Barden, Ph.D.Hosts: Randy ChaffeeProducer / Director / Co-Host: Wes Wyatt Episode Summary:Behavioral economist Don Barden, Ph.D., explains why confidence drives economies, why ADHD can be a leadership superpower, and why female-led organizations are set to outpace the market. Drawing from his book “Here Come the Girls,” Don outlines data behind a 2028 tipping point for women in global leadership, how female leadership styles boost retention and profits, and how sales teams win by shifting from transactions to partnerships. Practical takeaways include leading with collaboration, making customers feel seen-heard-understood, and building relevance to earn a bigger share of wallet.Timestamps:(0:00) Third show of the day banter and pre-show was fire(0:42) Meet Don Barden, Ph.D.(1:42) Show open and proper name check: Randy Chaffee and Wes Wyatt(2:09) Don joins; “Dr. Pepper” as code and audience context(3:23) Gratitude for “Building Wins” and the trades(5:31) Don’s background: behavioral economist focused on the future, not the past(6:51) Optimism about the economy and why confidence matters most(8:38) Economics reflects behavior and vice versa; “which economy?”(9:58) Average worker is 39 and changes jobs every 3 years(11:15) ADHD and dyslexia as leadership superpowers; one-third of CEOs note(12:58) David vs. Goliath reframed: turn “disadvantages” into advantages(14:26) Confidence habits, attitudes, and the glass that can be refilled(18:54) Many workers haven’t “seen the movie” of past downturns; lead with grace(21:26) How leaders help younger teams through negativity(24:21) Sponsor: IBuyFromRandy.com(25:00) Book segment: “Here Come the Girls”(26:21) The math begins in the late 1950s; cultural mindset shifts(29:58) Projection: women surpass men in global leadership in 2028(30:12) Today’s level at roughly low 40s percent and rising(31:20) Beyond the math: are women good leaders? Findings say yes(32:11) Side-by-side businesses: female-led outproduces 3x revenue and profit(32:29) Tenure: 3 years average vs. 6 years with female leadership; productivity rises years 4–6(33:39) Why consumers choose female-led firms and employees stay(34:26) Leadership key: how she engages critical thinking and the team(35:49) Sales gold: how to sell to her — collaboration over conquest(38:01) Friendship → Transaction → Relationship → Partnership (the pinnacle)(41:14) Relevance beats relationship: tell the truth, grow together(41:39) AI as “spell check”; people still buy from people(43:18) Share of wallet expands when you’re a true partner(44:01) How female leaders solve problems: sympathy for the problem, empathy for the person(46:26) The “magic wand” question; 94% already know the fix(47:49) Create teams who feel seen, heard, and understood — then empowered(50:23) Collaboration bias: build with partners instead of conquering suppliers(51:07) The 3 Cs behind confidence: courage, commitment, capabilities(55:04) Exceed expectations; be creative, not competitive(56:00) Free e-copy offer for listeners who mention the show(57:01) Close: gratitude, action, and a celebratory “Dr. Pepper”Key Takeaways:Confidence moves markets. Lead with optimism and model calm, especially for teams that haven’t lived through prior downturns.Female leadership advantages compound: longer retention, rising productivity years 4–6, and 3x revenue and profit in side-by-side comparisons.Sell like a partner. Shift from transactions and “relationships” to partnership and relevance. Make buyers feel seen, heard, understood, and empowered.Problem-solving that works: separate the problem (sympathy) from the person (empathy), ask the “magic wand” question, and authorize action.Growth playbook: collaborate with like-minded operators, expand share of wallet, and consistently exceed expectations.Resources and Links:Book: “Here Come the Girls” by Don Barden, Ph.D. (mention Building Wins Live to request a free e-copy)Call to Action:Audit one key account and move it from “relationship” to “partnership.” Open with sympathy for their top problem, empathy for the owner, ask the “magic wand” question, and propose a collaborative plan with a defined next step.Hashtags: #BuildingWinsLive #Economy #BehavioralEconomics #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #Sales #PartnershipSelling #ADHD #Confidence #Collaboration