The Evolution Partners

The biggest productivity gains rarely come from adding more—they come from removing what no longer serves you. Productivity expert Donna McGeorge calls this “red brick thinking”: identifying what can be removed to create space for better decisions, clearer priorities and more meaningful work.  Donna is an international speaker and bestselling author of 15 books. Her practical approach to reclaiming time has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes and Fast Company.  Donna explains why “addition bias” keeps organisations overloaded, how reducing meetings and protecting thinking time improves performance, and why the greatest gift you can give your future self is removing the red bricks that no longer belong. She also shares why leaders should aim to operate at 85% capacity instead of 100%, how to build room for better thinking, and why creating space – not filling it – is becoming one of the most valuable leadership skills of all.  Takeaways   Stop adding solutions before asking what can be removed instead first.  The best productivity gains come from strategic subtraction, not constant addition.  Protect thinking time because busy leaders rarely make their best decisions.  Too many meetings often reveal low trust rather than genuine collaboration needs.  Operate at 85% capacity to create room for unexpected challenges daily.  Creating space is becoming one of today’s most valuable leadership advantages everywhere.  Your future self will thank you for removing unnecessary red bricks today.  Artificial intelligence saves time only if you intentionally protect that newfound space.  Follow Donna McGeorge https://donnamcgeorge.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnamcgeorge/  https://www.instagram.com/  Donna’s books https://donnamcgeorge.com/books/ Red Brick Thinking: Make Space. Find Focus. Move Forward The ChatGPT Revolution The 1 Day Refund: Take Back Time, Spend It Wisely The First 2 Hours: Make Better Use of Your Most Valuable Time The 25 Minute Meeting: Half the Time, Double the Impact  Books recommended It's Who You Know: How a Network of 12 Key People Can Fast-track Your Success https://link.amazon/B0exg5l0Z  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The central challenge of AI is not learning new tools. It’s learning to organise information, redesign workflows and lead change. Dave Hajdu argues that businesses focusing only on AI are solving the wrong problem.  Dave Hajdu is an entrepreneur, technology leader and founder whose career began at Microsoft before launching and scaling multiple technology businesses, including TinyPulse, the employee engagement platform acquired by WebMD. Today, as founder of Edge8 and the AI Officer Institute, he helps organisations prepare for the next generation of AI-powered work.  Dave explains why successful AI adoption is driven far more by information, processes and leadership than technology itself. He shares practical examples of compressing recruitment, marketing and business workflows, explains why prompting is becoming less important than business frameworks, and outlines how leaders can build organisations where humans and AI agents work together to create lasting competitive advantage.  Takeaways   AI rewards better thinking, not simply faster adoption of new technology today. Organised information creates greater competitive advantage than expensive AI tools alone today. Leaders must redesign workflows before expecting meaningful results from artificial intelligence initiatives. Successful AI implementation depends more on planning than rapid execution and experimentation. Future leaders will manage both talented people and intelligent AI agents together. Business frameworks produce stronger AI outcomes than clever prompting techniques ever will. Companies embracing AI thoughtfully will attract stronger talent and outperform slower competitors. The biggest opportunity is transforming processes, not chasing the latest AI applications.  Follow Dave Hadju https://www.davehajdu.com/ https://www.ai-officer.com/ https://edge8.ai/  Dave’s book https://www.davehajdu.com/books The Other 50% The Four Offices of the Future Books recommended The Innovator's Dilemma - Clayton Christensen https://amzn.to/4eowAqF Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review. Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The biggest risk of AI isn’t that it will replace us. It’s that we’ll stop exercising the critical thinking, judgment and curiosity that make us human. Speaker and facilitator Bethan Winn helps leaders and teams strengthen critical thinking, communication and decision making through her work at Human Skills Co. She works across business, government and education, helping people think more clearly, question assumptions and make better decisions.  Bethan explains why convenience always comes with trade-offs, how leaders unintentionally train people not to think for themselves, and why judgment is now a core leadership skill. She also shares practical frameworks for making better decisions, developing stronger thinking habits, and using AI to challenge our thinking rather than replace it.  Takeaways  Critical thinking weakens when we outsource too much thinking to artificial intelligence. Leadership improves when questions replace answers and people develop independent judgment together. Convenience always carries trade-offs, especially when thinking becomes someone else’s responsibility entirely. Strong leaders coach decision-making instead of solving every problem for their teams. Better decisions require curiosity, humility, patience, and willingness to challenge personal assumptions regularly. Artificial intelligence works best when questioning our thinking instead of replacing it. Reading deeply and reflecting carefully strengthens mental muscles increasingly weakened by convenience daily. The future belongs to people combining human judgment with technology’s extraordinary capabilities wisely. Follow Bethan Winn https://www.bethanwinn.com.au/  Bethan’s book The Human Edge: Critical Thinking in the Age of AI by Bethan Winn https://amzn.to/43q8lDn  Books recommended Why You Can't Pay Attention by Johann Hari https://amzn.to/4fS33In  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Customer service expert Monique Richardson argues that exceptional service starts long before a customer interaction. It begins with leadership, culture and how people inside the organisation are treated. Monique is an author, speaker and consultant, for more than two decades, she has helped organisations across Australia create customer experiences that build loyalty, trust and lasting relationships.  She explains why service is everyone’s responsibility, how leaders can create a culture that empowers employees, and why ease of experience is often the most overlooked driver of customer satisfaction. Monique also explores trust, service recovery, psychological safety, difficult customer behaviour and the powerful connection between employee experience and business performance.  Takeaways  Great customer service starts with leaders who genuinely care about people.  Employee experience directly shapes the quality of every customer interaction.  Customers remember how simple, easy and human experiences feel.  Trust begins when frontline teams are present, engaged and empowered.  Training creates confidence, consistency and better service across every generation.  Service failures become opportunities when businesses learn from them properly.  Empathy matters, but abusive customer behaviour must have clear boundaries.  Customer service is an attitude, not a separate business department.  Follow Monique Richardson https://www.moniquerichardson.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-richardson-customerservicetraining/  Monique’s books World Class Service https://amzn.com/0645792721 They Serve Like We Lead https://amzn.com/0645792705 Managing Difficult Customer Behaviour https://amzn.com/B08HL8MJQS Books recommended Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl https://amzn.to/3PUJLqS  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)   Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The biggest barrier to growth is often not a lack of talent, effort or ideas. It is the complexity that quietly accumulates inside organisations, consuming time, energy and attention. Lisa Bodell believes that when leaders focus on removing unnecessary work, rather than adding more, they create the space for better thinking, stronger performance and more meaningful results.  Lisa is a futurist, keynote speaker, and founder of FutureThink. Her work has helped organisations including Google, Pfizer, Citigroup and the U.S. Navy simplify how they operate.  Lisa explains why subtraction is a powerful leadership skill, how unnecessary rules and processes damage culture, and why simplicity creates a competitive advantage. She also explores the opportunities and risks of AI, the importance of protecting thinking time, and what leaders must do to build organisations where high performers thrive.  Takeaways   Simplicity creates focus, helping leaders prioritise what matters most daily.  Complexity grows when organisations continually add without ever subtracting.  The best leaders think like sculptors, removing unnecessary work deliberately.  Subtraction should be viewed as focus, not loss or failure.  AI creates value when it frees humans for better thinking.  Fear prevents people challenging outdated rules, processes and assumptions regularly.  High-performing cultures require accountability, clarity and meaningful work expectations.  Leaders should protect thinking time instead of executing calendars endlessly.  Follow Lisa Bodell https://lisabodell.com/ https://www.futurethink.com/  Lisa’s books Why Simple Wins: Escape the Complexity Trap and Get to Work That Matters https://amzn.to/4doNYuM Kill the Company: End the Status Quo, Start an Innovation Revolution https://amzn.to/498E9Ql  Books recommended The Social Animal: A Story of How Success Happens by David Brooks https://amzn.to/4vuVoEm Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Honesty is not a value to put on the wall. It is a behaviour, a skill and a choice leaders must practise every day. Dom Thurbon is an entrepreneur, researcher, writer and speaker who has spent nearly 20 years helping leaders and organisations change behaviour through disruption. He has built and sold two global businesses, worked as a partner at EY, co-founded Alchemy Labs and written several publications.  Dom explains why truth is so difficult inside organisations, how silence becomes a form of dishonesty, and why leaders must go first. He reveals how cultures gradually drift away from honest conversations, often without anyone intending it. The result is frustration, disengagement and problems that grow larger because nobody feels safe enough to speak up.  Dom says that honesty is not simply a value to aspire to but a skill that must be learned and practised. He challenges leaders to stop seeing themselves as passengers in culture and instead recognise their role in creating it, one conversation, one decision and one behaviour at a time.  Takeaways  Truth is not a value; it is a skill leaders practice.  Silence often causes more damage than outright dishonesty ever does.  People frequently choose acceptance and belonging over difficult honest conversations.  Every interaction teaches others what behaviour is acceptable and rewarded.  Small problems become major failures when truth is repeatedly ignored.  Leaders create honest cultures by demonstrating vulnerability and going first.  No news rarely means good news; it often signals fear.  Honest organisations are built through behaviours, not values statements alone.  Follow Dominic Thurbon https://domthurbon.com/  Dominic’s book To Be Honest: How making truth happen builds better businesses, lives and societies https://amzn.com/1923186434  Books recommended The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Pat Lencioni https://amzn.to/43Sruho Determined: Life Without Free Will by Robert Sapolsky https://amzn.to/440O87a  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior leaders do not get ownership from their leaders simply by setting expectations. According to leadership coach and author Kylie Paatsch, ownership grows when people feel known, trusted, supported and clear about what matters.  Kylie is a leadership coach and speaker who has spent more than 30 years leading at every level and more than 20 years coaching and facilitating senior leaders from mid-level through to C-suite.  Kylie explains why leading leaders requires a shift from doing to enabling, why transactional meetings flatten energy, and how unclear expectations are often mistaken for people problems. She shares her Know, Show, Grow model for building trust, loyalty, responsibility and initiative in leadership teams.  Takeaways  Leading leaders requires influence, not simply managing people and tasks.  Transactional meetings destroy connection, energy, ownership and meaningful team engagement.  Clear expectations prevent confusion disguised as resistance, disengagement or poor performance.  People want leaders who make them feel heard and understood.  Ownership grows when leaders enable thinking instead of fixing everything.  Trust strengthens when leaders consistently match their actions with words.  Leaders often know performance metrics better than they know people.  High challenge backed by high support unlocks stronger leadership performance.  Follow Kylie Paatsch https://kyliepaatsch.com.au/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyliepaatsch/  https://www.instagram.com/kyliepaatschleadership/  Kylie’s book The Connect Effect: How to Build Loyalty, Ownership and Engagement with Your Leaders https://amzn.com/1998528847  Books recommended Dare to Lead by Brene Brown https://amzn.com/1785042149  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Entrepreneurs often build the business they want, then try to fit their life around it. The better path is to define the life you want first, then build a business that supports it. That’s according to Brian Brault, a seasoned entrepreneur, leadership educator and former global chair of Entrepreneurs’ Organisation.  Brian built and scaled multiple companies, including Advanced Facilities Services, and now works through Legacy of Significance to help founders, leadership teams and families align leadership, purpose and relationships.  Brian explores the danger of staying in the zone of excellence instead of the zone of genius, why relational authority matters as businesses scale, and why legacy is ultimately shaped by how we live, lead and serve others.  Takeaways   Entrepreneurs create better businesses when they design their lives first, not last.  The zone of excellence can quietly drain energy, purpose and long-term fulfilment.  Great leaders build more leaders instead of creating dependent followers around them.  Relational authority matters more than positional authority as organisations grow and scale.  Businesses scale faster when founders stop believing they must do everything.  Healthy conflict strengthens teams when people feel safe, heard and respected.  Entrepreneurs often regret sacrificing relationships in pursuit of power, status or money.  Leadership is ultimately about serving others, building trust and creating meaning.  Follow Brian Brault https://legacyofsignificance.com/  Books recommended Discover Your True North by Bill George https://amzn.to/42PpgyV  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)   Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Great leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about creating clarity, communicating with empathy and helping people perform at their best under pressure. Leadership expert Leah Mether argues that the “soft skills” of communication, accountability and psychological safety are now the hardest and most valuable skills in business, especially in a world increasingly shaped by AI and constant change.  Leah works with leaders and teams across Australia to strengthen communication, leadership and workplace culture, particularly in high-pressure and male-dominated industries.  She explains why unclear expectations create conflict, why “difficult people” are often misunderstood, and why discomfort should not be confused with psychological unsafety. Leah also explores leading through uncertainty, balancing empathy with accountability, and why human skills will become the defining advantage in the future of work.  Takeaways  Clear expectations prevent confusion, stress and wasted time across teams.  Psychological safety still allows tough conversations and honest feedback at work.  Great leaders balance empathy, accountability and clear communication under pressure.  Technical skill alone rarely creates strong, effective and trusted leaders.  Most workplace conflict starts from assumptions instead of upfront clarification.  Strong leaders challenge ideas without attacking people or damaging trust.  Human skills matter more as AI reshapes workplaces and leadership roles.  Leadership starts with understanding how others experience your behaviour.  Follow Leah Mether https://www.leahmether.com.au/ https://www.leahmether.com.au/category/video/  Leah’s books Soft Is the New Hard: How to Communicate Effectively Under Pressure https://amzn.to/42xPOoa Steer Through the Storm: How to communicate and lead courageously through change https://amzn.to/4wlQtGO  Books recommended Red Brick Thinking by Donna McGeorge https://amzn.com/1394360843  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)   Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeling stuck is not always a warning sign. Often, the discomfort, uncertainty and challenge people try to avoid are the very conditions that produce growth.  Performance consultant, speaker and author Andrew Horsfield discusses why so many capable people mistake struggle for failure. Drawing on his work with leaders in business, elite sport and education, Andrew explains the difference between productive struggle and burnout, why busyness can become a form of avoidance, and how reflection creates awareness and better decision-making.  He shares practical strategies for building a more intentional life, including how to align daily actions with long-term priorities, transition between roles with purpose, and recognise whether your effort is genuinely moving you forward.  Takeaways  Growth often feels uncomfortable before it becomes meaningful, rewarding and transformative.  Burnout begins when effort loses meaning, direction, recovery and emotional balance.  Busyness often distracts people from uncomfortable truths requiring honest reflection and change.  Progress matters more than perfection when building meaningful work, leadership and relationships.  High performers struggle most when trying satisfying everyone instead of leading courageously.  Reflection helps people recognise harmful patterns before burnout quietly takes control completely.  Living intentionally requires aligning daily decisions with deeply important long-term personal values.  The most fulfilling lives are built through challenge, purpose, growth and connection.  Follow Andrew Horsfield https://andrewhorsfield.com/  Andrew’s book Better: Escape Average, Beat Burnout, Own Your Life https://www.booktopia.com.au/better-andrew-horsfield/book/9781764492508.html  Books recommended The War of Art by Steven Pressfield  https://amzn.to/4daErqX  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)   Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future is not something technology decides for us. According to applied futurist Brian David Johnson, leaders must keep humans at the centre, retain their agency, and actively shape what comes next.  Brian David Johnson is an applied futurist who helps governments, militaries, corporations and startups build actionable visions of the future. He was the first futurist at Intel Corporation, influencing decisions impacting billions of devices. He is Director of the Threatcasting Lab at Arizona State University, a senior fellow at Phaedrus, and a prolific author of nonfiction and science fiction. His work focuses on human-centred innovation, emerging technologies and preparing organisations for future risks and opportunities.  Brian discusses artificial intelligence, human labour, resilience, science fiction prototyping and why optimism is a deliberate act. He explains why leaders should ask what they are optimising for, what they should never automate, and how better stories help build better futures.  Takeaways  Technology doesn’t decide the future; humans must actively shape it.  Leaders fail when they focus on tools instead of people.  Artificial intelligence is software; humans remain responsible for outcomes.  Efficiency alone creates fragile organisations vulnerable to disruption and attack.  The future of work requires redefining value of human contribution.  Optimism is a choice that enables action rather than fear.  Strong cultures reward questioning, failure, and early problem discovery.  Storytelling helps leaders explore futures more effectively than spreadsheets.  Follow Brian David Johnson https://www.phaedrusllc.com/  https://threatcasting.asu.edu/  BDJ’s books What You Need to Know About AI https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CNLZ3Q1C/ The Future You https://amzn.com/0062965077 Science Fiction Prototyping https://amzn.com/3031006682 Wizards and Robots https://amzn.com/B06XWR7KZJ 21st Century Robot https://amzn.com/B00PTBV4AK  Books recommended Future Shock by Alvin Toffler https://amzn.to/4vL2oxH Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)   Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the second of this two-part series Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake and I continue to answer the rest of the 25 questions entrepreneurs must answer to build an enduring great company.  After exploring vision and strategy in part one, this conversation moves into leadership, execution and the economic engine. We discuss why second-level leaders matter, why accountability must be documented and reviewed, and how effective meeting rhythms, priorities and metrics help turn strategy into consistent results.  We also examine the financial disciplines that give leaders real confidence, including Profit Per X, productivity, working capital, customer lifetime value, acquisition cost, forecasting, resource allocation and return on invested capital. The result is a practical framework for building stronger leadership, better execution and compounding business freedom.  Takeaways   Second-level leaders determine whether growth compounds or quietly stalls.  “A” players lift standards, accountability and performance across the business.  Scorecards turn vague expectations into clear ownership and better coaching.  Execution improves when priorities, metrics and meeting rhythms work together.  Strong meetings create timely decisions, alignment and genuine business momentum.  Profit Per X clarifies how the business truly creates value.  Realistic forecasts build confidence, commitment and better strategic decision-making.  Disciplined execution creates stronger profits, freedom and long-term business value.  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this special 100th episode, I’m joined by Andres Zylberberg and Richard Peake. We unpack the 25 questions every entrepreneur must answer. It is a framework designed to help business owners assess where growth is happening, where it is stalling, and what may be holding the business back.  In part one of this two-part series, we focus on two of the five disciplines in the Compounding Growth Scorecard: vision and strategy. From purpose, values and long-term goals through to customer problems, competitive advantage and measurable progress, the distinction becomes clear between having good intentions and building a business with real alignment. Good businesses do not grow by accident. They grow when leaders make deliberate choices, communicate them well and stay focused on what matters most.  Takeaways   Clarity in vision keeps everyone aligned and pulling in same direction.  Long term goals only matter if they turn into real priorities.  Purpose and values mean nothing unless they actually guide behaviour.  Strategy is about choosing what to do and what not.  Understanding your customer beats talking about what you sell every time.  Growth comes from doing the work, not just planning it.  One clear metric can bring a whole team together fast.  Real growth balances revenue, margins and the right kind of customers.  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The true test of leadership is not what a person knows, but how they behave when the pressure is on. That’s according to behavioural risk strategist Preetie Boler, who insists that many workplace problems commonly seen as technical are, in fact, behavioural.  With 30+ years’ experience in legal and commercial roles across construction and facilities management, Preetie explains why trust can be damaged in a single moment and why self-awareness alone is not enough to change that.  She shares the behavioural patterns and practical tools she uses to help leaders respond more intentionally in high-pressure situations. Preetie explores how behaviour shapes culture, influences team performance, and determines whether leaders create safety, collaboration and trust when it matters most.  Takeaways  Leadership is revealed in behaviour, especially during moments of pressure.  Under pressure, unconscious habits override even the best intentions.  Trust can be built or broken in a single conversation.  Self-awareness alone is not enough to change leadership behaviour.  Small behavioural shifts can dramatically improve team trust and performance.  Leaders must pause to choose intentional responses, not default reactions.  Behavioural patterns shape culture more than strategy, skills or knowledge.  Great leaders create safety, clarity and trust when stakes are highest.  Follow Preetie Boler https://www.empoweredbydesign.com.au/  Preetie’s book Shiftcode Leadership: A guide to building thriving teams and a positive workplace culture https://amzn.to/3PzDSyR  Books recommended Mans search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl https://amzn.to/4d9BHfr  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your results in negotiation are shaped long before you enter the room – the internal dialogue you carry determines whether you ask, hold firm, or settle early. That’s according to negotiation specialist Glin Bailey, whose background in commercial finance and two decades in multinational organisations brings a distinctive lens to negotiation.  Glin shares her belief that every negotiation happens twice: externally with others, and internally  within ourselves. She outlines how identity, emotional intelligence and self-awareness influence outcomes, and introduces her VALUE method for navigating power imbalances, reframing price-driven discussions, and consistently securing stronger, more considered agreements.  Takeaways  Your inner negotiation shapes every external negotiation long before words appear. Identity determines whether you ask boldly or settle far too early. Negotiation mastery begins with self-awareness, regulation and disciplined preparation. Price is rarely the whole story; value creates stronger leverage. Power often shifts through perception, not just size or status. The hardest question is usually the one most worth asking. Email can confirm agreements, but often weakens real negotiation outcomes. Better agreements with others begin with better agreements with yourself. Follow Glin Bayley https://simplyglin.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glinbayley/ Glin’s book The Negotiation Playbook: Strategies That Work and Results That Last https://amzn.to/4sO7wyF  Books recommended The Science of Scaling by Ben Hardy https://amzn.to/47beAxb  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sustained performance is not built on willpower alone. Leaders who ignore sleep, recovery and the biological effects of stress eventually compromise decision-making, energy and long-term health.  Camilla Thompson is one of Australia’s leading biohacking experts and executive wellness coaches, working with high-performing leaders to optimise health, performance, and longevity. After experiencing burnout, sepsis, and prolonged illness linked to mould exposure and misdiagnosis, she rebuilt her health and now helps others understand the biological drivers of performance.  Through this conversation, Camilla reframes biohacking as practical, accessible health optimisation, exploring recovery, sleep, stress, and personalised health strategies that give leaders a sustainable competitive edge.  Takeaways  Leadership suffers when biology is ignored and recovery is treated as optional.  Burnout often begins with high performance habits pushed far beyond sustainability.  Sleep, hydration, nutrition and recovery directly shape decision quality and energy.  Many leaders operate like elite athletes but neglect structured recovery completely.  Biohacking is best understood as practical, preventative, evidence-based health optimisation.  Mould exposure can cause profound illness, misdiagnosis, trauma and prolonged recovery.  Healthspan means extending the years lived with strength, clarity and vitality.  Small daily habits can create better energy, resilience and long-term performance.  Follow Camilla Thompson https://www.biohackme.com.au/  Camilla’s book Biohack Me: The Practical Guide to Everyday Biohacks Anyone Can Use to Optimise Their Health and Longevity https://www.amazon.com.au/Biohack-Me-Practical-Everyday-Longevity/dp/1394334036  Books recommended The Gift: 12 Lessons to Save Your Life https://amzn.to/4rOSto7  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you want the best out of your team, you can’t bludgeon them with data and expect it to stick. Numbers inform, but stories are what people remember, repeat and act on. Gabrielle Dolan is a leading expert on business storytelling, having worked with organisations including Australia Post, National Australia Bank and Accenture. She is the author of six books on leadership communication.  She explores why the brain is wired for story, and how storytelling builds trust, clarity and influence. Gabrielle also highlights common mistakes, the risks of inauthentic storytelling, and how to use simple, real stories to bring strategy to life.  Takeaways  Stories drive action because people remember emotion before logic. Leaders overuse data because it feels safer than storytelling. If people do not understand, communication responsibility sits with you. Authentic stories build trust, credibility and emotional connection with teams. Short, clear stories outperform long, rambling explanations every time. AI can assist storytelling but cannot replace real human experience. Culture is shaped by stories that spread through organisational grapevines. Great leaders use multiple stories to bring strategy to life. Follow Gabrielle Dolan https://gabrielledolan.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielledolan/  Gabrielle’s books Stories for Work: The Essential Guide to Business Storytelling https://amzn.to/4kUTkBc Magnetic Stories: Connect With Customers & Engage Employees With Brand Story Telling https://amzn.to/4s0njKQ Story Intelligence: The Craft of Authentic Storytelling, Made Smarter with AI https://amzn.to/4bqrbxT Books recommended Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect https://amzn.to/470cD6x  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review  Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a peripheral experiment; it is becoming a defining force in how organisations operate, compete and grow. Leaders who treat it as a simple software upgrade risk missing the far deeper transformation already underway.   That’s according to Steve Brown, futurist, author, and former Intel and Google DeepMind executive, who examines what practical AI adoption really requires. Drawing on decades of experience helping organisations think long term, Steve explains why leaders must move beyond basic AI enablement and into process redesign and AI-first thinking.  He explores the leadership shift from expert authority to curious exploration, the promise of digital coworkers, the infrastructure demands powering AI, and why, despite rapid change, the future should remain deeply human.  Takeaways  AI is transforming business faster than most leaders can comprehend.  Enablement alone delivers little without redesigning workflows and operating models.  Leaders must shift from certainty to curiosity, experimentation, and exploration.  Digital coworkers can offload, elevate, and extend human capability significantly.  Clean, connected data remains essential for useful and scalable AI.  AI-first companies will outperform traditional businesses that delay meaningful transformation.  Rapid efficiency gains will not reduce demand for AI infrastructure.  Human judgment, empathy, and connection remain vital in an AI-driven world.  Follow Steve Brown https://www.stevebrown.ai/  Steve’s books The AI Ultimatum: Preparing for a World of Intelligent Machines and Radical Transformation https://amzn.to/4lxuyHW The Innovation Ultimatum: How six strategic technologies will reshape every business in the 2020s https://amzn.to/4dcxt6A  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)   Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peptides are rapidly emerging as one of the most discussed frontiers in modern medicine and longevity science. Yet alongside the promise sits significant confusion, misinformation and regulatory complexity. Understanding where peptides genuinely fit within evidence-based healthcare is becoming increasingly important for clinicians, entrepreneurs and high-performing professionals seeking better health outcomes.   That’s where Paloma Hatami comes in. She is a multidisciplinary entrepreneur with degrees in arts, commerce and law, she also holds advanced qualifications in nutrigenomics and medical genetics, including studies through Stanford University. She has founded and exited multiple ventures, including Oscar & Wilde, and now leads several health-focused companies including Actionable Genomics, MyGene, Therapeptics and Therapath Medical.  She discusses peptide therapy, the difference between clinical medicine and biohacking trends, the importance of pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing, and where peptides may legitimately support health span, recovery and modern longevity strategies.  Takeaways  Peptides may shape medicine’s future, but misinformation is spreading just as fast.  Evidence, regulation and medical supervision matter far more than online hype.  Not all peptides are equal, and quality control is critical.  Biohacking trends often spotlight therapies before science fully catches up.  Peptides can support recovery, but they are not magic fixes.  Lifestyle, nutrition and sleep still form the foundation of health.  Illegal imports and grey-market products carry serious risks and unknowns.  The real opportunity lies in careful, ethical, evidence-based clinical application.  Follow Polama Hatami https://therapath.com.au/ https://mygene.com.au/  Books recommended We'll Prescribe You a Cat: The feel good Japanese bestselling book https://amzn.to/4b6Rwlw  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A strong leadership team is not built by accident. It comes from clarity, trust, high standards and the courage to stop tolerating mediocrity. That’s according to Dominic Monkhouse, a UK-based business coach who works with founder CEOs growing through the complexity of scale.  Dominic explains why A-teams matter, how great coaches help people see potential they cannot yet see in themselves, and why honest leadership is essential for scale.  He explores customer-centric culture, coaching frameworks, team performance, core values, and the hard leadership decisions required to build a business that can truly thrive.  Takeaways Great leaders should stop tolerating mediocrity and build teams with clarity. A-teams are shaped by trust, standards, alignment and honest conversations. Great coaches see potential people cannot yet see in themselves. Culture works best when values shape behaviour, not wall posters. Customer trust grows when teams solve problems fast and own mistakes. Frameworks matter, but judgment matters more when complexity shows up. Scaling a business means upgrading people, roles, habits and expectations. Ask yourself: would I hire this person again tomorrow? Follow Dominic Monkhouse https://www.monkhouseandcompany.com/  Dominic’s booksMind your F**king business https://amzn.asia/d/0aaZEgGx F**k plan B https://amzn.asia/d/09mTDLSJ  Books recommended It's the Manager: Moving From Boss to Coach by Jim Harter https://amzn.asia/d/0687me9q What a Unicorn Knows: How Leading Entrepreneurs Use Lean Principles to Drive Sustainable Growth by Matthew E. May, Pablo Dominguez, Nick Mehta https://amzn.asia/d/0gWEUaXr Beyond Performance 2.0: A Proven Approach to Leading Large-Scale Change by Scott Keller & Bill Schaninger https://amzn.asia/d/05dKV4mr  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Stanley is a former education CEO and Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel who has spent decades building leaders in high-stakes environments. Now a Director at the CEO Institute WA and Team Smart, he designs strengths-based leadership and change programs across business, government and elite sport, including BHP, Chevron, the West Coast Eagles and the WA Institute of Sport. Steve shares 39 hard-won lessons he’s distilled into a private handbook for his family — principles on extreme ownership, discipline over excuses, ego control, trust, assumptions versus facts, and having the tough conversations you’d rather avoid. It’s a practical, values-driven episode about the behaviours that shape leadership, and the legacy they leave behind.  Takeaways   Own your decisions; your life reflects accumulated choices.  Discipline today prevents regret and difficulty tomorrow.  Excuses feel comfortable now but compound future consequences.  Ego silences wisdom and weakens effective leadership.  Trust grows through credibility, reliability, intimacy, reduced self-interest.  Assumptions destroy clarity; facts create better decisions.  Have difficult conversations early; delay magnifies damage.  Family matters most; time invested becomes enduring legacy.  Follow Steve Stanley https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanleysteve/  Books recommended Shift Code Leadership by Preetie Boler https://amzn.to/3MZrN5b Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/ Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI can lift performance fast, but only if you guard the thinking, the standards, and the trust behind it. That’s according to Leanne Shelton, founder and CEO of Human Edge AI Training. Leanne shares her journey from copywriting to AI training and keynote speaking after early shifts in client behaviour signalled that AI was changing the nature of knowledge work.  She explains the risks of inconsistent adoption, “shadow AI,” and over-reliance that can dilute judgment and customer experience. Leanne outlines her HABITS framework for leaders – humans, AI customisation, business implementation, and tactical strategy – so organisations move beyond experimentation into structured capability.  Takeaways  Use AI deliberately or risk eroding quality and trust.  AI should enhance thinking, not quietly replace judgment.  Human judgment must remain central as automation accelerates.  Productivity gains mean little if standards quietly decline.  Strategy first, then AI, never the other way.  Train AI like a junior, not expert replacement.  Consistency across teams protects brand and customer trust.  Pause before adopting tools and protect long-term capability.  Follow Leanne Shelton https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanneshelton/ https://humanedgeai.com/  Leanne Shelton’s book AI Human Fusion: A non-techy human-first approach to AI for busy leaders https://amzn.to/4amblVF Books recommended The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins https://amzn.to/4aNm9v4 The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma https://amzn.to/4tJSJq4 The Everyday Hero Manifesto by Robin Sharma https://amzn.to/4az2Neh Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Best-selling author Mike Michalowicz returns to explore what sits beneath financial systems: psychology, habits, and the personal behaviours that drive money stress. Mike explains why successful entrepreneurs often struggle with money despite strong businesses, highlighting the tension between business and personal finances.  He discusses lifestyle inflation, the myth that growth fixes everything, and why true financial control comes from clarity, intentional habits, and conscious decision-making – allowing business owners to lead calmly, sustainably, and with confidence.  Takeaways  Money stress comes from habits and psychology not income or intelligence alone.  More revenue amplifies existing behaviours, rather than fixing broken financial systems habits.  True financial control comes from clarity, intentionality and conscious daily money decisions.  Lifestyle creep quietly erodes profitability even as businesses appear successful externally outside.  Separating personal and business finances is essential for sustainable leadership and focus.  Growth without discipline creates fragility stress and constant reactionary decision making cycles.  Profit first reveals underlying problems forcing better pricing cost control and priorities.  Financial security allows owners to lead calmly serve clients and think long.  Follow Mike Michalowicz https://mikemotorbike.com/ https://mikemichalowicz.com/  Mike’s books The Money Habit: The Worry-Free Way to Financial Independence https://amzn.to/3NrTB2c Profit First https://amzn.to/46hE4JB Clockwork https://amzn.to/46g8ImC All In: How Great Leaders Build Unstoppable Teams  https://amzn.to/3TSTnRE The Pumpkin Plan https://amzn.to/4kN1ZE7 Get Different: Marketing That Can't Be Ignored!   https://amzn.to/3IXfYtN Surge: Time the Marketplace, Ride the Wave of Consumer Demand, and Become Your Industry's Big Kahuna https://amzn.to/4kSgneC Fix This Next https://amzn.to/417zJ8e The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur https://amzn.to/3TTnsAr The Recession Response https://amzn.to/40xAGqm  Books recommended on this episode LAST TIME EP66 Reset: How to change what’s not working by Dan Heath https://amzn.to/4lFr8Ss  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia is entering a period of long-term labour scarcity and rapid demographic change driven by ageing, low fertility, and migration-led population growth. Hari Hara Priya Kannan, Chief Data Scientist at The Demographics Group, explains why these shifts matter for business and the economy. She outlines how population trends influence workforce availability, consumer behaviour, and long-term planning, and why these forces are structural rather than temporary.  Hari discusses Australia’s increasing cultural diversity, the challenges of attracting and retaining talent, and the growing mismatch between skills supply and demand. She also explores how generational change is reshaping expectations of work, why small businesses can play a critical role in workforce development, and how AI will reshape tasks rather than eliminate jobs, increasing the value of adaptability, judgment, and human skills.  Takeaways  Australia’s labour shortages are structural, driven by ageing populations and low fertility.  Most population growth now comes from migration rather than natural increase.  Businesses must plan for constant workforce churn and intensifying competition for talent.  Australia’s workforce and consumer base are becoming more multicultural and multi-generational.  Younger generations prioritise purpose, flexibility, and alignment over traditional career loyalty.  Small businesses can attract talent through authenticity, growth opportunities, and mentorship.  AI is replacing tasks, not people, increasing demand for human judgment.  Adaptability and continuous learning are essential skills in a rapidly changing economy.  Follow Hari Hara Priya Kannan https://www.tdgp.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/hari-hara-priya-kannan/  Books on this episode Adapt: Mastering change in four steps by Andrea Clarke https://amzn.to/3LtNtFC  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Glazer is a bestselling author, podcast host, and founder of Acceleration Partners, a global partner marketing agency known for its remote-first approach, values-based culture, and commitment to developing talent. Known for blending strategy with practical leadership, Robert brings a grounded, real-world perspective to conversations about work and life.  He explores why so many people operate without clarity, how values are discovered rather than invented, and what happens when work, relationships, and community are no longer aligned. At its core, this is a conversation about self-awareness, intentional leadership, and living with greater consistency and purpose.  Takeaways  Core values are discovered through reflection, not created through aspiration or external pressure.  Misalignment between values and daily decisions quietly erodes satisfaction over time.  Clarity about values makes difficult decisions simpler, faster, and more consistent.  Negative emotional reactions often reveal values more clearly than positive ideals.  Work, relationships, and community must align with values to sustain fulfilment.  Crisis often forces value awareness, but intentional reflection prevents unnecessary pain.  Authentic leadership begins with understanding personal values, strengths, and limitations.  Values-driven choices keep people centred, reducing regret and internal conflict.  Follow Robert Glazer https://robertglazer.com/ https://www.accelerationpartners.com/  Robert Glazer’s books: The Compass Within: A Little Story about the Values That Guide Us by Robert Glazer https://amzn.to/4pzAoJn Rethinking Two Weeks' Notice: Changing the Way Employees Leave Companies for the Better by Robert Glazer https://amzn.to/4i636xE Elevate: Push Beyond Your Limits and Unlock Success in Yourself and Others by Robert Glazer https://amzn.to/3R3IjQf Books recommended: The 4-Hour Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris https://amzn.to/48dV4RC  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Butler is an expert working at the intersection of psychology and performance. Mark helps leaders and teams perform under pressure while reducing the mental-health risks that quietly undermine results. He’s known for turning complex psychological insights into practical tools leaders can use immediately. His work sits at the forefront of burnout prevention, psychosocial hazard compliance, and sustainable high performance for mid-market, owner-led companies.  Mark explains how burnout, performance, and mental health are deeply interconnected, and why leaders often miss the early warning signs in themselves and others. He discusses how creating psychological safety, addressing organisational causes of stress, and focusing on wellbeing as a driver of performance can help leaders build resilient, high-performing teams.  Takeaways  Burnout is usually an organisational problem, not a personal weakness or failure.  Leaders often notice burnout in others long before recognising it in themselves.  Emotions drive behaviour, performance, and decision-making more than logic alone.  Psychological safety allows teams to speak up before issues become serious.  Wellbeing is a stronger predictor of performance than engagement scores.  Middle managers play a critical role in identifying psychosocial risks early.  Compliance with psychosocial laws can directly improve culture and performance.  Adding meaningful play and connection can be more powerful than taking work away.  Follow Mark Butler https://www.markbutler.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-butler/ [email protected] Author’s book UP YOURS!: The Pursuit of Radical Self-care by Mark Butler https://amzn.to/3Xd59rH Books recommended Lead from the Heart by Mark C Crowley https://amzn.to/4rhG6kO The Power of Employee Well-Being: Move beyond Engagement to Build Flourishing Teams by Mark C Crowley https://amzn.to/48zmotq  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Germany’s Mittelstand is the quiet engine of its economy, and Australian mid-market leaders can learn a lot from it. In this last of the summer series Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake and I examine how these often family-owned firms dominate narrow global niches by focusing on being the best in the world at one thing.  They think in decades, not quarters, and build deep capability through apprenticeships and long-term people development. They also grow patiently, prioritising financial discipline over fast expansion and debt-driven scale. Many well-known German brands (like Miele, Stihl and Kärcher) fit this model without being huge corporations. The core lesson for Australia: win through focus, craft, and stewardship – not size.  Takeaways  Australia can learn from Germany’s Mittelstand by staying focused instead of chasing everything.  Thinking long term consistently beats chasing short-term wins and quick growth.  Going deep in one niche can still create global relevance and real impact.  Patient ambition and discipline matter more than flashy growth or constant expansion.  Investing in people and craft builds capability competitors can’t easily copy.  Strong financial discipline creates resilience without relying on rapid scale.  A stewardship mindset helps leaders build businesses designed to last.  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many leaders avoid pricing decisions due to fear of losing volume, yet pricing has the greatest impact on profitability. Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake and I continue our summer series on why pricing must be treated as a core business function rather than an ad hoc reaction when profits decline.  A critical factor is pricing elasticity: different products and services respond differently to price changes, and profit often sits in low-elasticity areas where prices can increase with minimal volume loss. Structured pricing systems, clear guardrails, regular review cadences, and defined ownership help remove guesswork and fear. Shifting the mindset from cost-plus or fear-based pricing to value-based pricing enables smarter decisions, better conversations, and sustained profit growth.  Takeaways  Pricing decisions drive profit more than volume, costs, or overhead reductions. Fear of losing volume often causes leaders to delay necessary pricing changes.  Different products have different price elasticities, and most leaders misjudge them.  Profit often sits in low-elasticity areas where price increases barely affect demand.  Clear pricing guardrails remove emotion and improve decision-making across teams.  Value-based pricing shifts conversations from discounts to impact and outcomes delivered.  Regular pricing reviews create discipline, predictability, and sustained profitability.  In this episode, we mention Hermann Simon who is the world’s leading expert on pricing. More information: https://hermannsimon.com/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business owners often feel frustrated when their P&L shows strong profits but there’s little cash in the bank. This disconnect isn’t incompetence or unfairness – it’s a misunderstanding of how cash really flows through a growing business. In this fifth summer series episode, Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake and I discuss how profit and cash are not the same.  Growth itself consumes cash through working capital tied up in inventory, labour, receivables, and timing differences. Relying only on the P&L creates a false sense of security, a “mirage” of sustainability. The real insight comes from understanding cashflow statements, balance sheets, and the cash conversion cycle. With clear management reporting and a customer-funded business model, owners can see where cash is absorbed, regain control, and make smarter decisions that turn paper profits into real, usable cash.  Takeaways  Profit on paper does not guarantee cash sitting safely in your bank.  Revenue growth often consumes cash faster than most business owners realise.  Relying only on the P&L creates a dangerous illusion of financial success.  Cashflow statements reveal where profitable businesses actually lose usable cash.  Working capital quietly bridges the gap between profit figures and cash.  Fast growth without cash discipline can turn businesses into cash vacuums.  Shortening the cash conversion cycle releases trapped cash for growth.  Clear management reporting gives leaders control, confidence, and better decisions.  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekly meetings are the cornerstone of effective execution, yet they often fail by becoming unfocused status updates that drain energy and momentum. When designed well, the weekly meeting creates rhythm, clarity, and accountability, helping teams move faster and avoid surprises at month or quarter end.  I’m joined again this episode for our summer series by Andres Zylberberg & Richard Peake. We discuss how effective weekly meetings, over time, build peer accountability and trust, enabling leaders to challenge, support, and align with one another. Rather than adding more meetings, improving the quality of this single meeting can transform execution, focus, and overall business performance.  Takeaways   Weekly meetings drive execution by aligning priorities, metrics, and decisions every week.  Bad meetings drain energy through updates; great meetings create momentum and clarity.  Preparation and a clear agenda prevent rabbit holes and unfocused discussion.  Weekly meetings should focus on important work, not just urgent activity.  Collective decision-making accelerates progress and reduces end-of-quarter surprises.  Peer accountability strengthens performance when commitments are visible and tracked.  Consistent meeting rhythm builds trust, alignment, and leadership discipline.  Better meetings matter more than adding more meetings to the calendar.  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many business owners slowly drift from loving their business to feeling trapped by it. The spark fades, Mondays are dreaded, and frustration replaces purpose. This happens when growth is chased for its own sake, signals of drift are ignored, and the owner tries to shoulder everything alone.  Richard Peake, Andres Zylberberg and I return for this third part of this summer series to discuss how to get your passion back on track. The path back begins with honest reflection: Why did you start? What would make you love it again? Re-design your role, delegate what drains you, involve your team in planning, and adopt a steady rhythm of goals and accountability. With patient, disciplined action, the business can once again give energy rather than take it.  Takeaways   Business owners can slowly drift from loving their work to feeling stuck.  Chasing growth for growth’s sake often backfires and slowly wears people down.  Warning signs build up when owners push problems aside and keep going.  Trying to handle everything alone eventually leaves owners exhausted and pretty frustrated.  Reconnecting with why the business started can quickly spark motivation again inside.  Redesigning your role helps you focus on work that actually energises you.  Simple planning rhythms bring clarity, steady progress, and less stress every week.  Letting your team contribute reveals hidden issues and builds real shared ownership.  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/   Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Developing strong second-level leaders is essential for any organisation aiming to break through its next growth ceiling. Richard Peake, Andres Zylberberg and I examine the predictable points where companies stall, and the leadership evolution required to move beyond them. Common warning signs – including swamped executives, constant decision bottlenecks, and missed market signals – show why the old way of operating stops working as a business grows.  We discuss how to empower emerging leaders with true functional ownership, how mindset shifts drive organisational maturity, and why proactive development must begin long before the pain appears.  Takeaways   Strong second-level leaders are key to breaking through growth ceilings.  Sharing real responsibility keeps the executive team from becoming a bottleneck.  Leaders need to shift from doing everything to growing the people around them.  When managers are overloaded, it’s a sign the structure isn’t keeping up.  Clear ownership helps everyone make better decisions and move faster.  Growing leaders early makes growth smoother when things start ramping up.  Teams perform best when leaders coach instead of constantly putting out fires.  Evolving your mindset is essential to scale beyond what got you here.  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quarterly performance reviews are often dreaded by employees and managers alike, largely because they’re treated as bureaucratic, last-minute tasks rather than meaningful coaching conversations. However, done properly, performance conversations can be one of the most powerful tools to consistently grow your people and your business.  This is the first episode of a summer series, where I am joined by Andres Zylberberg and Richard Peake. We explore how performance reviews should be intentional, generous and part of a broader people system – from hiring to onboarding to regular check-ins – that frees individuals to focus on doing their best work.  Takeaways  Quarterly reviews work best as supportive coaching conversations, not bureaucratic tasks.  Clear role scorecards provide expectations, reducing surprises and aligning staff effectively.  Scheduling reviews early encourages preparation, fostering trust and constructive performance discussions.  Independent red-amber-green ratings create structure, enabling objective conversations about progress ongoing.  Regular quarterly rhythms surface issues sooner, supporting continuous improvement across teams.  Structured discussions help clarify misunderstandings, distinguishing capability problems from misaligned expectations.  Generous, intentional feedback strengthens relationships and accelerates long-term momentum within organisations.  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you want to stay sharp, energetic and high-performing well into your later decades, you need to deliberately invest in your healthspan, not just your lifespan. Sport and exercise physician Dr Peter Larkins is a former Olympic middle-distance runner and one of the pioneers of sports medicine in Australia. Across his career, Peter has worked with elite athletes, AFL clubs, national teams and major media networks.  Peter breaks down the five pillars of healthy longevity, the real-world benefits of movement and strength training, how to eat well on the road, the role of sleep and mindset, and what the most successful leaders who age well all have in common.  Takeaways  Healthy longevity comes from deliberately investing in your healthspan, not just your lifespan.  Movement is medicine, and even small amounts of consistent activity dramatically improve long-term health.  Strength training delivers powerful metabolic benefits far beyond simply building bigger, stronger muscles.  Sleep is critical recovery, directly influencing energy, cognition, mood and daily performance capacity.  Nutrition works best when your plate is colourful, simple and mostly plant-focused each day.  High-performing leaders who age well share drive, mindset discipline and consistent personal health habits.  Incidental activity – stairs, walking, standing – adds meaningful benefits for time-poor entrepreneurs and executives.  A balanced approach, not extreme protocols, creates sustainable wellbeing and long-term high performance.  Follow Dr Peter Larkins https://www.drpeterlarkins.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/drpeterlarkins/  Books on this episode The Healthy Hundred by Dr Peter Larkins https://www.linkedin.com/in/drpeterlarkins/ Good to Great by Jim Collins https://amzn.to/3XaAr2m Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles https://amzn.to/4riJADO  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strong marriages don’t succeed by luck -- they succeed by design. Leading family lawyer and Leach Legal founder Catherine Leach shares the patterns she’s seen over 35 years that determine whether a relationship thrives or falls apart. Recognised nationally for her strategic approach to family law, she has guided thousands of couples through complex transitions and brings a rare blend of empathy, clarity and realism to the topic.  Beyond her legal practice, Catherine has held senior governance roles with the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation in Asia-Pacific, co-founded the Family Law Association of Victoria, and mentors entrepreneurs navigating both business and family pressures. She reveals the real reasons marriages fail, why some endure, and what entrepreneurs must understand to protect both their relationships and their wealth.  Takeaways  Strong marriages thrive on steady communication, mutual respect and choosing the right battles.  Small unresolved grievances compound over years and quietly erode even stable relationships.  Entrepreneurs often struggle because obsessive work patterns push family connection aside.  Financial imbalance fuels mistrust when one partner avoids or fears understanding the numbers.  Strategic divorces start with transparency, calm process and resisting emotional escalation traps.  Long-term relationship success requires deliberate planning, shared vision and consistent everyday effort.  Follow Catherine Leach https://leachlegal.com.au/ Books on this episode The Fourth Turning by William Strauss and Neil Howe https://amzn.asia/d/4NJFZ8C  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth Enjoying the show? Leave a review. Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first meeting can make or break a sale. Discovery-style meetings – where salespeople focus on gathering data – often fail to deliver meaningful value. Instead, Lee Salz introduces the consultation mindset, where sales professionals lead with insight, empathy, and emotion to create momentum from the very first conversation.  Lee Salz is one of the world’s leading voices in sales differentiation. As founder of Sales Architects, he helps companies design sales strategies that win more deals at higher prices. Lee shares frameworks for empathetic expertise, consultation cliffhangers, and how to systemise a first-meeting process that transforms the sales experience and strengthens long-term relationships.  Takeaways  The first meeting determines whether a deal gains traction or fades away completely.  Salespeople must shift from discovery to consultation to deliver real, meaningful value early.  A consultation mindset focuses on insight and leadership, not interrogation through endless questions.  Empathetic expertise creates emotional connection, helping buyers feel genuinely understood and supported.  Stories outperform features and benefits by engaging emotion and improving message retention.  Consultation cliffhangers build curiosity and momentum, ensuring buyers want a second meeting.  Recap emails written in the buyer’s language reinforce understanding and trust.  A strong sales process – not just strong salespeople – creates scalable, consistent success.  Follow Lee Salz https://salesarchitects.com/  https://www.assessmysales.com/ https://www.facebook.com/LeeBSalz https://x.com/salesarchitects https://www.instagram.com/theleesalz/ https://www.youtube.com/@theleesalz/videos  Lee’s books The First Meeting Differentiator: Transforming Sales-Focused Discovery Into Client-Centric Consultations https://amzn.to/405ZtBn Sales Differentiation: 19 Powerful Strategies to Win More Deals at the Prices You Want https://amzn.to/4ecBINZ Sell Different!: All New Sales Differentiation Strategies to Outsmart, Outmaneuver, and Outsell the Competition https://amzn.to/4e0kGT4  Books recommended Selling From The Heart by Larry Levine https://amzn.asia/d/f83bQw6 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a reviewSupport the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

High-performing organisations aren’t built on strategy alone – they’re built on leadership teams that stay curious, connected and calm. That’s the core message from organisational psychologist, author and leadership expert Stephanie Bown, who has spent 20+ years helping founders, startups, scale-ups and market disruptors embed high-performance habits and culture. Stephanie works with leaders to strengthen trust, alignment, and performance through science-backed behavioural systems like the LSI. Stephanie explains how strategy, culture, and leadership interlock to create enduring success, why developing mid-level leaders is critical for growth, and how silence in meetings can be the first warning sign that a culture is beginning to drift. Takeaways  High-performing organisations thrive when leadership teams stay curious, connected and calm under pressure. Culture, strategy and leadership must operate as one interconnected system for real performance. Silence in meetings is often the first signal that trust is breaking down. Great leaders grow their people instead of doing the work themselves. A culture drifts when honesty is replaced by politeness or avoidance. Systems create habits, and habits determine whether performance endures or fades. High-performing teams are independent thinkers who build collective capacity together. Better businesses focus on sustainability, trust and alignment – not just growth for growth’s sake. Follow Stephanie Bown https://stephaniebown.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniebown1/ https://www.instagram.com/stephiefromthebay/#  Books on this episode Curious, Connected and Calm by Stephanie Bown https://amzn.asia/d/craeCTh Purpose, Passion and Performance by Stephanie Bown https://amzn.asia/d/2nK6u2A Fierce Conversations: Achieving success in work and in life, one conversation at a time by Susan Scott https://amzn.to/47ul0qu  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The key to building a thriving business is surrounding yourself with what Danielle Mulvey calls “five-star employees” — the top 15% of talent who think and act like owners. Danielle has scaled multiple businesses generating over $50 million annually while working only around 10 hours a week, thanks to her proven hiring system.  Drawing on 25 years of experience, Danielle reveals the five essential criteria for identifying five-star talent, how to design a hiring gauntlet that attracts the right people and repels the wrong ones, and why clear metrics and cultural alignment are non-negotiable. She also shares practical steps to upgrade an average team without disrupting what works — and how the right hires can be the catalyst for sustained growth and profitability.  Takeaways  A clear hiring gauntlet helps attract high performers and repel low-quality candidates.  Core values alignment is the foundation for building a strong, cohesive team culture.  Testing skills before hiring prevents costly mistakes and ensures candidates can deliver results.  Clear success metrics empower employees to self-manage and drive consistent performance.  Toxic employees drain productivity and morale, making timely exits essential for growth.  Hiring for aptitude and cultural fit is more important than filling a vacancy quickly.  Great hires produce at least 3.5 times their salary in business value.  Follow Danielle Mulvey https://theallincompany.com/ https://daniellemulvey.com/  Books on this episode  How great leaders build unstoppable teams with Michael Michalowicz https://amzn.to/4lPEtba HR Magic by Danielle Mulvey will be released in October. Details: https://daniellemulvey.com/ You Haven't Taught Until They Have Learned: John Wooden's Teaching Principles and Practices by Swen Nater https://amzn.to/4ofryRu  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/ Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some companies keep climbing, while others plateau – and the difference often comes down to where leaders focus their time and energy. Kevin Lawrence is founder of Lawrence & Co, co-author of Scaling Up, and my co-host for 166 episodes of The Growth Whisperers.  Kevin explains why growth only happens when CEOs stay in the cockpit, fix their eyes on opportunity, and summon the courage to push forward – especially when the business starts to feel comfortable. Improvement is necessary, but it’s not enough. Real growth requires being future-focused, externally engaged, and bold enough to make the tough calls.  Takeaways  CEOs must stay in the cockpit, focused on opportunity, not internal distractions.  Improvement matters, but without growth initiatives, companies eventually lose momentum and stall.  Courage fuels growth—fear pulls leaders into safety, comfort, and missed opportunities.  Many strategic plans look impressive but fail to drive real customer expansion.  Earned growth comes from delivering value so exceptional that clients do the selling.  Loyalty to underperforming team members can quietly kill momentum and stall progress.  The best CEOs spend most of their time engaging directly with the market.  A strong team allows leaders to focus on long-term vision, not firefighting.  Follow Kevin Lawrence https://lawrenceandco.com/  The Growth Whisperers podcast https://evolutionpartners.com.au/podcast-tgw/  Books on this episode The Four Forces of Growth by Kevin Lawrence https://a.co/d/iNhnHlI Your Oxygen Mask First by Kein Lawrence https://a.co/d/dyxsA4F Better Simpler Strategy by Felix Oberholzer-Gee https://amzn.to/4qmPaoe  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A better life isn’t something that happens by accident — it’s designed, deliberately and with intent. In this last episode of our seven-part series on ‘Bigger isn’t Better’, Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake and I explore what it truly means to live a life of purpose, balance, and fulfillment.  We examine how true success comes from compounding progress across five foundations: health, wealth, wisdom, happiness, and family. From proactive health and intentional wealth to lifelong curiosity, joy through virtue, and building a family “cathedral,” this brings together everything learned across the series — reminding us that success isn’t about more, it’s about better.  Takeaways  A better life is built with intention, not by chasing endless growth.  Health is the foundation, created through endurance, balance, and daily self-discipline.  Wealth is fuel for freedom, guided by clarity around what’s truly enough.  Wisdom grows when curiosity replaces ego and learning becomes a lifelong habit.  Happiness thrives at the intersection of purpose, moderation, and living with virtue.  Fulfillment comes from meaning, not momentary pleasure or the pursuit of more.  Strong families are cathedrals built over time through presence, rituals, and love.  A life by design compounds small, intentional choices into lasting freedom and joy.  Details of my new book: Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO  Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.  Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most owner-led businesses don’t fail due to lack of growth – they fail because they lack financial discipline. In this penultimate episode of the ‘Bigger isn’t Better’ series, Richard Peake and Andres Zylberberg join me to examine how financials drift toward unprofitability when money is treated as a goal rather than a resource.  Undisciplined spending in pursuit of growth creates a cycle of poor returns and reactive decisions. A better approach uses financial discipline, budgeting, and forecasting to drive intentional investment and compound returns. Sustainable success comes from managing money wisely, reinvesting with purpose, and prioritising profit over revenue to create long-term value and stability.  Takeaways  Financials drift toward unprofitability when costs rise silently and prices stay fixed.  Treating money as a resource instead of a goal creates lasting business stability.  Undisciplined spending in pursuit of growth traps businesses in a destructive doom loop.  Financial discipline, budgeting and forecasting drive intentional investment and compounding returns.  Profit, not revenue, is the true measure of business success and sustainability.  Strategic reinvestment balances business growth, lifestyle funding and external asset building.  Clarity and discipline in money management protect against impulsive, reactive decisions.  Long-term value emerges when every dollar is required to deliver measurable returns.  Details of my new book: Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO  Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.  Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Offerings tend to drift toward mediocrity over time: adding products, chasing growth, and copying corporations dilute a company’s soul and distinctiveness. In this fifth ‘Bigger isn’t Better’ episode, we encourage owner-led businesses to resist the temptation of scale-for-scale’s-sake and instead focus on what they can truly be the best at.  My fellow coaches Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake and I explore the dangers of incremental mediocrity and the strategic importance of creating unique, evolving, hard-to-copy offerings. By aligning better offerings with better customers, businesses can build enduring value, restore leadership energy, and fall back in love with their company.  Takeaways  Offerings drift toward mediocrity when businesses chase scale instead of mastery.  Distinctiveness and evolution are key to creating a hard-to-copy, high-value offering.  Copying corporate strategies leads owner-led businesses into complexity and diluted focus.  Good enough is not good enough for meaningful, lasting customer relationships.  Owner-led companies must invest only in what they can be the best at.  Mediocre offerings drain leadership energy and erode passion for the business.  Better offerings come from rejecting growth-for-growth’s sake and embracing purposeful simplicity.  Compounding differentiation creates momentum, loyalty, and long-term strategic advantage in competitive markets.  Details of my new book: Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/ Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Building customer advocacy – where trust and loyalty lead to customers fighting to stay with you – drives greater long-term profit and sustainability than endlessly chasing new growth. Better customers, not more customers, create compounding value.  In part four of this series, Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake challenge and I challenge the belief that growth for its own sake is valuable, contrasting transactional corporate relationships with the irreplaceability and advocacy owner-led businesses can build.  We introduce a framework of customer types – advocates, sceptics, dealers, and buyers – and unpack how exceeding expectations creates loyalty and compounds profit.  Takeaways  Better customers generate more value than constantly chasing new ones for growth.  Owner-led businesses thrive by building trust, loyalty, and advocacy with their customers.  Transactional relationships erode loyalty and make your business easy to replace.  Advocacy means customers trust you, stay longer, and refer others without prompting.  Focusing on lifetime value unlocks compounding returns and reduces marketing spend over time.  Exceeding expectations creates emotional loyalty that corporations struggle to replicate.  Building customer relationships is a strategic advantage, not just a sales function.  Details of my new book: Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO  Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.  Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teams tend to drift toward dysfunction without intentional leadership, whilst prioritising rapid growth often leads to rushed hiring, misalignment, and toxic culture. I discuss a better approach in this third of a seven-part series with Andres Zylberberg and Richard Peake; that is, to build teams of “curious achievers” – people who are both responsible and inquisitive.  These individuals elevate performance, strengthen cohesion, and create meaningful impact. When aligned around purpose and values, such teams generate compounding momentum. The foundation is soul: fostering pride in the product, the manager, the team, and the company to sustain long-term success.  Takeaways  Growth-focused hiring leads to B and C players who lower overall team performance.  Curious achievers are both responsible and inquisitive – ideal for building high-performing, soulful teams.  Toxicity forms when teams lack clarity, cohesion, and a shared sense of purpose.  A-players thrive in environments that value impact, learning, and meaningful contribution.  Misaligned teams waste energy on low-impact work and interpersonal friction.  Pride in product, team, manager, and company is essential for retention.  A better team creates compounding results through trust, accountability, and aligned execution.  Details of my new book: Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chasing growth without clarity can quietly erode your business. In this second episode of a seven-part series, Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake and I explore how the relentless pressure to get bigger – driven by psychology, DNA and societal cues – often leads entrepreneurs down the wrong path.  Without intention, this pursuit of “bigger” causes drift – teams grow toxic, customers indifferent, offerings mediocre, and profits thin. By focusing on “better” over “bigger,” businesses can build stronger teams, deeper customer loyalty, and more refined offerings. With clarity, discipline, and intention, growth becomes the by-product of a better business – and a better life! – designed, not defaulted.  Takeaways  Teams naturally drift toward toxicity without intentional leadership and cultural alignment over time.  Customers become indifferent when offerings lack consistency, innovation, and meaningful engagement.  Clarity, discipline, and design create lasting business and personal success.  Impulsive risk-taking often stems from unexamined psychological, genetic, and societal conditioning.  Many business goals are actually expenses mistakenly seen as markers of success.  Growth without strategy leads to erosion of profitability, purpose, and team cohesion.  Better businesses emerge from compounding small improvements across people, products, and profit.  A clear definition of “winning” prevents entrepreneurs from chasing the wrong goals.  Details of my new book: Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO  Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.  Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is the first in a seven-part series exploring the themes of my forthcoming book ‘Bigger Isn’t Better, Better is Better’. Joined by Evolution Partners coaches Andres Zylberberg & Richard Peake, the discussion introduces the central premise: that for owner-led companies, increasing size does not necessarily deliver greater freedom, wealth, or fulfilment. Instead, I propose a framework built around compounding improvements in five core areas—team, customers, offering, financials, and life by design.  The series aims to provide leaders with practical insights, real-world examples, and guidance on building a better business and a more meaningful life.  Takeaways  A better business focuses on compounding improvements, not just chasing rapid growth.  Owner-led companies require discipline and patience to avoid becoming impulsive risk takers.  Growth without strategy, team alignment, or profitability often leads to frustration and regret.  Entrepreneurship promises freedom, but without structure it can trap owners in unfulfilling businesses.  Falling out of love with a business is more common than often acknowledged.  Compounding in team, customers, offering, and financials creates sustainable success and fulfilment.  ‘Better is better’ challenges the assumption that every business must always grow bigger.  Aligning business performance with personal goals ensures both professional achievement and a meaningful life.  Details of my new book: Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Putting profit first isn’t just a financial tactic, it’s a mindset shift that helps entrepreneurs build businesses that thrive without burnout. Celebrated author and small business advocate Mike Michalowicz shares how flipping traditional business thinking on its head can lead to lasting success. Mike built and lost multimillion-dollar businesses before discovering the frameworks that now help millions of founders avoid burnout and build sustainable companies.  He breaks down how to identify your business’s most critical function to creating a team that thinks and acts like owners. He introduces concepts like the Queen Bee role, the Business Priority Pyramid, and the power of psychological ownership, while driving home his mission to eradicate entrepreneurial poverty.  Takeaways   Entrepreneurial poverty is widespread and avoidable with the right systems and mindset.  The Queen Bee role is the one business activity that must always function.  Clockwork helps founders design businesses that run smoothly without their constant involvement.  Psychological ownership inspires teams to act like owners without legal equity.  Most entrepreneurs fix the wrong problems because they don’t follow a clear hierarchy.  A better business supports both personal goals and sustainable, long-term profitability.  Simplifying entrepreneurship makes freedom, impact and profit achievable for more business owners.  Follow Mike Michalowicz https://mikemotorbike.com/ https://mikemichalowicz.com/  Mike’s books Profit First https://amzn.to/46hE4JB Clockwork https://amzn.to/46g8ImC All In: How Great Leaders Build Unstoppable Teams  https://amzn.to/3TSTnRE The Pumpkin Plan https://amzn.to/4kN1ZE7 Get Different: Marketing That Can't Be Ignored!   https://amzn.to/3IXfYtN Surge: Time the Marketplace, Ride the Wave of Consumer Demand, and Become Your Industry's Big Kahuna https://amzn.to/4kSgneC Fix This Next https://amzn.to/417zJ8e The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur https://amzn.to/3TTnsAr The Recession Response https://amzn.to/40xAGqm  Book recommended Reset by Dan Heath https://amzn.asia/d/9rBvPHe Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Putting people at the centre of business is the hallmark of the Small Giants community – leaders who choose to be great instead of big. Jean Moncrieff, who stepped into the role of community head in 2025, shares how values-driven leadership transformed his own business and why it continues to shape a global network of purpose-led entrepreneurs.  A longtime member turned coach, Jean discusses the origin of Small Giants, the importance of community, and how businesses are embracing alternative ownership models like ESOPs and employee ownership trusts. He explains the power of vulnerability, the impact of intentional leadership, and how younger generations are reshaping expectations around purpose at work.  Takeaways   True leadership begins with vulnerability, intentionality, and a clear sense of purpose.  Employee ownership models help preserve company soul and legacy through succession.  Values aren’t posters – they’re filters for decisions, culture, and everyday operations.  Mindset shifts in founders often unlock growth and sustainable business transformation.  Younger generations are drawn to purpose-driven workplaces that reflect their values.  Community creates resilience – leaders thrive when they’re not building alone.  Succession planning is strongest when leaders focus on people, not just profit.  Great businesses are built by founders who let go and empower others.  Follow Jean Moncrieff https://smallgiants.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanmoncrieff/  Books recommended on this episode The AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions by Geoff Woods https://amzn.to/3H2YFHm Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big, 10th-Anniversary Edition by Bo Burlingham https://amzn.to/45dyeGQ  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cash isn’t just a by-product of profit, it’s the lifeblood of every business. Yet many leaders chase revenue and focus on profit while overlooking the numbers that truly matter. Alan Miltz explains why understanding cash flow is the key to building stronger, more valuable companies.  Alan is the co-founder of Cashflow Story, software used by tens of thousands of businesses in more than 90 countries, and he sits on 15 company boards. With more than 30 years’ experience helping CEOs and boards “speak the language of cash,” he’s become a global authority on turning numbers into strategy.  Alan reveals how small shifts in pricing, margins, and working capital can dramatically transform results.  Takeaways   Small 1% changes in pricing, margins, or working capital can transform results.  Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, but cash is always king.  Most CEOs only master profit, yet fail to understand their cash story.  Growth often drains cash faster than it generates profit, leaving businesses vulnerable.  Sustainable growth requires balancing profit, working capital, overheads, and cash flow management.  Banks value cash flow more than profit – understanding this strengthens business partnerships.  A better business predicts, delegates, and repeats simple cash-driven improvements consistently over time.  Follow Alan Miltz https://www.alanmiltz.com/ https://cashflowstory.com/  Books on this episode Scaling Up co-authored by Alan Miltz https://scalingup.com/book/ Good to Great by Jim Collins https://scalingup.com/book/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Great teams don’t happen by accident – they’re built through intentional coaching, clarity, and culture. Leadership coach and best-selling author Mike Goldman returns to explore the deeper drivers of team performance and why growing your people is the most powerful way to grow your business.  Drawing on decades of experience, Mike unpacks a practical five-step framework to strengthen your team, boost engagement, and drive results. From ditching outdated performance reviews to investing more in your high performers, he explains what truly makes a difference and how to measure it.  Takeaways  Great leaders prioritise growing people as the key to sustainable business growth.  Performance management must evolve beyond outdated reviews to meaningful, ongoing coaching conversations.  High performers need investment, challenge and growth – or risk disengaging or leaving entirely.  Most leaders over-invest in low performers and underinvest in their top talent.  Culture fit is as critical to performance as productivity and technical skills.  Weekly one-on-ones focused on coaching and accountability outperform traditional review cycles.  Labels like “A player” can limit how leaders develop and support individuals.  Talent density is measurable – and improving it directly improves team performance and profit.  Mike was previously on episode 4 of The Evolution Partners podcast. Please listen here:  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/podcast/03-building-a-breakthrough-leadership-team-with-mike-goldman/  Follow Mike Goldman https://www.mike-goldman.com/ https://strengthoftalent.com/  Books on this episode The Strength of Talent: How to Grow Your People to Grow Your Profit by Mike Goldman https://www.amazon.com/Strength-Talent-Grow-People-Profit/dp/1774585855 The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier  https://amzn.to/4eA6TD8  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  Follow me: on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  Enjoying the show? Leave a review Support the show: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionpartnersperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.