Why Leaders Should Be Selfish - Gary Parsons

What if being a little more selfish could actually make you a better leader? In this episode of The Engaging Marketeer, Darren Jamieson sits down with Gary Parsons, founder of The Selfish Thinking Company, to explore why leaders need to protect their energy, set stronger boundaries and stop glorifying burnout. They dive into hustle culture, four-day working weeks, hybrid teams, delegation, vulnerability, mental health, making mistakes and why stepping back can sometimes be the smartest way to grow a business. Gary also shares his own experience of rapid growth, burnout and learning to trust the people around him. Expect honest stories, sharp insights, plenty of laughs and a few unexpected conversations about horse riding too.  About your guest: Gary Parsons is the founder of The Selfish Thinking Company and a professional speaker, mentor and trainer specialising in leadership, mental health and workplace wellbeing. Drawing on his experience of rapidly scaling a people consultancy while experiencing severe depression and burnout, Gary helps leaders establish healthier boundaries, empower their teams and build sustainable organisations. He is also involved with the Professional Speaking Association and campaigns on behalf of people with visible differences through Changing Faces and Facial Palsy UK. You can connect with Gary here: Website: https://garyparsons.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyparsonsuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GaryParsonsUK/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garyparsonsuk/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@garyparsonsuk About your host: Darren has worked within digital marketing since the last century, and was the first in-house web designer for video games retailer GAME in the UK, known as Electronics Boutique in the States. After co-founding his own agency, Engage Web, in 2009, Darren has worked with clients around the world, including Australia, Canada and the USA. iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/engaging-marketeer/id1612454837 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenjamieson/ Engaging Marketeer: https://engagingmarketeer.com Engage Web: https://www.engageweb.co.ukSupport the show: https://engageweb.clubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.