Why Being Seen is the Ultimate Competitive Advantage with Alan McLaren

We often let small doubts stop us from taking big leaps, especially when it comes to putting ourselves out there. My guest this week, Alan McLaren, has spent a lifetime mastering the art of feeling the fear and doing it anyway, from the grueling cold calls of the 1980s to serving as the International Chair of YPO Gold, and most recently, founding his latest company STRATA Originals.In this episode, Alan reveals how building "trust at scale" has become the ultimate competitive advantage in an AI-driven world. We dive into the steps for owning your voice with authenticity, why your word matters more than any title, and how he rebuilt his entire business after losing 85% of his revenue overnight.This conversation is a masterclass in resilience and leading from the heart.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why clarity is the number one requirement for building a confident personal brandHow to move from being “terrified” of video to using it as a tool to build trust at scaleThe importance of making “deposits” in your family, fitness, and relationships to avoid a one-sided lifeHow to lead through influence rather than authority, a lesson from Alan’s time as YPO International ChairWhy your word matters and how a relentless follow-up system creates extraordinary opportunitiesThe role of self-awareness in becoming a better partner, parent, and leaderWhat We Discuss:0:00:00 – Introduction: Overcoming Fear0:01:04 – Meet the Guest: Alan McLaren0:02:15 – Understanding Fear and Authenticity0:04:16 – Taking Action Despite Fear0:06:54 – The Power of Video and Authenticity0:16:03 – Personal Stories of Resilience0:33:33 – The Importance of Responsibility and Self-Awareness0:34:55 – Integrity and Self-Awareness in Personal Growth0:37:18 – Character and Consistency in Life0:39:50 – Lessons from Family and Upbringing0:41:43 – The Value of Relationships and Trust0:45:10 – Building an Extraordinary Relationship0:50:31 – Parenting and Leading by Example0:52:58 – Becoming a Grandparent0:56:18 – Leadership Lessons from YPO1:04:52 – Pivoting During COVID: From Marketing to Leadership Branding1:09:02 – Client Success Stories1:10:18 – Building Trust at Scale1:10:34 – The Importance of Visibility1:15:32 – Steps to Build Your Brand1:22:49 – The Power of Storytelling1:29:50 – Core Values and Beliefs1:39:54 – Habits for Success1:40:45 – Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFollow Alan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanmclaren/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanmclaren23/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.mclaren1YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Alanmclaren23Follow Cameron:Instagram: https://instagram.com/cameronatlasYouTube: https://youtube.com/cameronatlasFacebook: https://facebook.com/cameronatlasLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/cameronatlas Newsletter Sign Up: https://cameronatlas.com/newsletterBook Cameron to Speak: https://cameronatlas.com/speaking