Pittsburgh Pirates VP to Founder - with Nayli Russo

In this episode, Sean sits down with Nayli Russo, founder and CEO of Russo Leadership, a leadership consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations achieve their goals without fostering a burnout culture. Nayli shares her inspiring journey from being a pharmacist in Venezuela to becoming a prominent leadership consultant for Fortune 500 companies. She discusses the importance of intention, adaptability, and resilience in entrepreneurship, emphasizing that high performance is not accidental but rather a designed outcome.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Founders should build their leadership skills early on, rather than waiting until their company grows. Early leadership habits create the foundation for a high-performing culture and effective decision-making. An actionable strategy must be clear and understandable for everyone in the organisation. It should include specific actions, measurable metrics, and decision guardrails to help guide the company towards its goals. A strong company culture is defined by how work gets done daily, not by superficial perks like ping pong tables or fancy values on the wall. Intentional design of culture is crucial for preventing burnout and ensuring high performance. Entrepreneurs must be willing to unlearn old habits and adapt their strategies as they grow. A growth mindset allows for learning from failures and pivoting when necessary, rather than being attached to a single idea or outcome. Focus on leading indicators that can drive results, rather than solely relying on lagging indicators like revenue. Understanding the actions that lead to desired outcomes is essential for making timely adjustments to strategy. BEST MOMENTS "You have to build your leadership muscle before you think you need it." "Vision without execution is just a really expensive daydream." "Your culture is the worst behaviour you tolerate." "I always knew I was going to go and have my own company." "The skills that got you to where you are today are not the skills that are going to get you to the next level." HOST BIO Meet Your Host: Sean O’Hara, MBA – Entrepreneur, Sales Strategist, and Relentless Business Optimist. With over 20 years in the trenches—working with businesses ranging from scrappy startups to Fortune 1000 giants — Sean brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience to every conversation. Known for his sharp sales acumen and down-to-earth style, he doesn’t just talk business—he lives it and loves it! Sean’s superpower? Asking the right questions, then stepping back to let the wisdom flow. His curiosity-driven interview style unlocks actionable insights, powerful stories, and the kind of truth today’s entrepreneurs actually need. If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, Sean’s the guide you’ll want in your corner. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/