The Evolution Partners

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.

True success comes from aligning purpose, values, and peace—not just chasing profit. Keith Roberts blends ancient Buddhist wisdom with modern business strategy to help entrepreneurs lead with clarity and intention. Through the Oak Journal, he offers tools rooted in the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to guide intentional living and ethical leadership.  Keith shares how understanding suffering, embracing accountability, and letting go of ego can radically shift how we lead and live. His approach encourages leaders to prioritise time, peace, and purpose – building better businesses by focusing on what truly matters rather than just revenue or growth.  Takeaways  Ancient Buddhist principles can guide modern entrepreneurs through uncertainty and challenge.  Daily reflection, meditation, and journaling create space for clarity and intentional action.  Right livelihood means making money without compromising values or causing harm.  Understanding suffering helps leaders face setbacks with resilience and perspective.  Core values must be authentic, lived, and protected – even when money is at stake.  Letting go of ego opens the door to more meaningful leadership growth.  Time and freedom – not revenue – are the ultimate measures of wealth and success.  Follow Keith Roberts https://keithrobertsiii.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/OakJournalMethod https://www.instagram.com/theoakjournalmethod/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/zenman/  Books on this episode The Zen of Business: Ancient Wisdom to Help Modern Leaders Lead with Intention, Clarity, and Purpose by Keith Roberts https://amzn.to/3I7k1n5 The Eternal Flame: Ancient Wisdom for Today's Modern Leader by Keith Roberts https://amzn.to/4lzsfD2  How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie https://amzn.to/40y1eaL 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.

AI and demographic shifts are transforming business faster than ever, demanding relentless execution, constant adaptation, and a focus on capturing market share over simply chasing growth. That’s according to Greg Crabtree, a speaker, entrepreneur, and author known for helping business owners gain financial clarity and scale profitably.  Drawing on data from 100 mid-market U.S. companies, Greg reveals the economy is flatter than official reports suggest, with necessary businesses growing while discretionary ones decline. AI is rapidly replacing jobs, challenging traditional business models and creating a unique “street-fighter economy” focused on market share, not growth.  Greg advises leaders to plan quarterly, prioritise execution, and build strong moats around their companies. He also warns that as AI compresses margins, businesses must adapt faster than ever, combining profitability discipline with the agility to rethink strategies in a changing landscape.  Takeaways   AI is replacing jobs faster than expected, reshaping business and workforce dynamics globally.  Economic growth is flat, with necessary businesses thriving and discretionary ones struggling significantly.  Mid-market companies must prioritise execution and market share over chasing continuous growth.  Quarterly deep planning sessions are essential to stay ahead in this fast-changing economy.  Strong company culture now directly drives profitability and market share like never before.  Debt reliance is risky; disciplined profitability generates the best long-term financial resilience.  AI democratises capabilities, allowing small businesses to outpace larger firms with focused innovation.  Demographic decline limits growth, forcing businesses to optimise operations and defend their market position.  Greg was previously on episode 12 of The Evolution Partners podcast. You can listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7EnYdhakoFOHqz4ab0lGqQ?si=DUJGxjxKT2S9ODwoOnzxog  Follow Greg Crabtree https://www.simplenumberscri.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/simplenumberscri/ https://www.facebook.com/CRISimpleNumbers https://x.com/SimpleNumbrsCRI https://www.instagram.com/crisimplenumbers/  Greg’s Books Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits!: 4 Keys to Unlock Your Business Potential https://amzn.to/4a70X0I  Simple Numbers 2.0 - Rules for Smart Scaling: A Play by Play Analysis for Pure Growth https://amzn.to/4bkMwXP  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.

Jason Ross, co-founder of Time Under Tension, Australia’s first generative AI experience agency, explores the rapid evolution of AI and its transformative impact on business. He discusses how AI agents are already automating complex workflows, assisting with hiring, and redefining customer interactions.  Jason outlines the importance of engaging entire teams in AI adoption, prioritising education and experimentation over fear. He also explains how companies can minimise hallucinations by combining intent detection with trusted data sources. Reflecting on exponential progress, he highlights why creativity and curiosity will determine success in an AI-enabled future.  Takeaways  AI thrives when entire teams learn, explore, and experiment together openly.  Generative AI agents automate workflows, boosting productivity across many business areas.  Combining intent recognition and trusted data reduces hallucinations in AI applications.  Exponential AI growth requires creativity and curiosity over prediction and caution.  Employees already use AI, highlighting the need for structured training programs.  Successful businesses identify and test AI use cases before competitors do.  Voice and video avatars create fresh ways to engage customers effectively.  AI adoption demands cultural change and active participation across all business levels.  Follow Jason Ross https://www.timeundertension.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsnrss/ https://timeundertension.substack.com/  Books on this episode Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick https://amzn.to/4khOnk5 AI-related websites mentioned on this episode AI 2027 https://ai-2027.com/ HeyGen (AI-generated videos) https://www.heygen.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.   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 Green is a globally recognised leadership coach, author and speaker who works with CEOs and executive teams to build accountable, high-performing cultures. Mark shares why fear – whether driven by ego, scarcity or failure – is the biggest hidden blocker to performance and accountability. He outlines the three elements of accountability, the power of role clarity, and how tolerating underperformance can erode credibility and culture. Mark also explores the transformation that happens when leaders stop trying to be liked and instead focus on being respected. From feedback to core values, he explains how great leaders lead by example – and why empathy, not ego, is the foundation of real leadership. Takeaways Leaders must confront fear – of ego, scarcity or failure – to unlock their own and others’ potential. What a leader tolerates sets the standard for culture, performance and team behaviour. Clarity around role outcomes transforms vague expectations into accountability and measurable results. Accountability begins with leaders who consistently model the behaviours they expect from their teams. Feedback should be frequent, constructive and normalised – not reserved for annual reviews or crisis moments. Raising expectations often inspires higher performance, not lower morale, when communicated with purpose and clarity. Tolerating toxic high-performers undermines trust, morale and long-term organisational health. Course correction through small, regular feedback prevents larger issues and builds a culture of continuous improvement. Follow Mark Green https://mark-green.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachmarkgreen/  Books on this episode Creating a Culture of Accountability by Mark Green https://amzn.asia/d/ftBa0FJ Activators: A CEO’s Guide to Clearer Thinking and Getting Things Done by Mark Green https://amzn.asia/d/8a1JaXr  A podcast which Mark recommends: The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish  https://open.spotify.com/show/1VyK52NSZHaDKeMJzT4TSM  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.

Travis Luther is a sociologist and entrepreneur who spent a year interviewing terminally ill individuals – many of them fellow entrepreneurs – to uncover what really matters when people confront their own mortality. The result is a set of powerful life lessons drawn from those facing the end: live authentically, act with urgency, and define success on your own terms.  Travis also created the Time Traveller Method, a framework to help people move beyond past trauma and live with greater purpose. He shares insights on closing the gap between our lived and unlived lives, the emotional cost of denying our true selves, and how confronting death can inspire deeper presence, connection, and clarity about what matters most.  Takeaways  Live with urgency by accepting that time is finite and tomorrow is never guaranteed.  Redefine success based on meaning and personal values, not money, metrics, or external expectations.  Bridge the gap between who you are and who you hoped you’d become.  Tell the truth about what you want without apology, explanation or delay.  Let go of roles and relationships that no longer serve your wellbeing or identity.  Love like you’re leaving – fully, openly, and without reservation.  Stress from living inauthentically can have a real and lasting impact on physical health.  Design a simpler life focused on fewer, more meaningful priorities that reflect your true self.  Follow Travis Luther https://travisluther.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisluther/ https://www.youtube.com/@TravisLutherMA https://x.com/travisluther https://www.facebook.com/travisscottluther/# https://www.instagram.com/travisscottluther/  Books on this episode Travis’s book, What We Learn When We Learn We Are Dying, will be released late July 2025. Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing https://amzn.to/4jSD5Tq  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.

Family businesses succeed when leaders set clear expectations, treat everyone equally, and separate family roles from business responsibilities with disciplined accountability. Mike Moreau shares insights from decades of coaching and his own experience running a family business. Mike is the founder of Proactive Leadership Group, where he’s helped over 1000 companies build healthier, more scalable organisations. Mike explains why assumptions, special treatment, and unclear roles create conflict and dysfunction. He outlines his five keys to success, including defining values, clarifying expectations, and maintaining candid communication. He also discusses succession planning and why it’s critical to confirm the next generation truly wants to lead. Consistent reviews and scorecards keep everyone aligned.  Takeaways  Family businesses struggle when roles and expectations are unclear or assumed.  Treat family employees equally to build respect and maintain healthy work dynamics.  Define clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations to avoid conflict and confusion.  Quarterly reviews and scorecards keep accountability high and performance transparent.  Start succession planning early and confirm heirs truly want leadership roles.  Special treatment for family breeds resentment and undermines team morale over time.  Core values and clear behaviours help align everyone around a shared culture.  Make improvements systematically and give yourself grace to avoid feeling overwhelmed.  Mike was on also on Episode 13 of The Evolution Podcast:  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/podcast/013-the-importance-of-a-coach-with-mike-mirau/  Follow Mike Mirau https://www.resultsimproved.com/  Books on this episode The Family Business Manifesto by Michael Mirau https://amzn.asia/d/4Z4XMDp Reset: How to change what’s not working by Dan Heath https://amzn.asia/d/azS24uY 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.

David Jenyns is an Australian entrepreneur, author, and systems expert who founded SYSTEMology to help business owners free themselves from daily operations. After successfully systemising himself out of his digital agency in 2016, he now leads a global movement focused on building scalable, process-driven businesses.  David first appeared back in episode 10, outlining his SYSTEMology framework. He returns to take systemisation to the next level. He explains how AI has removed major bottlenecks in documentation and accelerated implementation across all departments.  David breaks down the qualities of a great systems champion, why systemisation is more critical than ever, and how it frees founders to work on the business, not in it. David shows how smart systems build better, more scalable, and ultimately more valuable businesses.  Takeaways  Systemisation frees founders to lead strategically instead of being stuck in daily business operations.  A systems champion drives documentation, adoption, and improvement without relying on the business owner.  AI accelerates systemisation by removing the friction of manual documentation and process extraction.  Great systems champions are naturally organised, detail-oriented, and have the capacity to follow through.  Systemisation begins with capturing what works – not perfecting it – so processes become repeatable and scalable.  Documentation alone isn’t systemisation; habits, accountability, and adoption complete the loop.  Resistance to systems often stems from unclear ownership, lack of clarity, or poor cultural reinforcement.  Businesses that embrace systems and AI simultaneously gain speed, scalability, and resilience against disruption.  David Jenyns was on Episode 10 of The Evolution Podcast: https://evolutionpartners.com.au/podcast/010-implementing-systems-to-enable-growth-with-david-jenyns-systemology/  Follow David Jenyns https://www.systemology.com/  https://www.systemhub.com/  https://www.davidjenyns.com/  https://www.facebook.com/davidjenyns  https://twitter.com/davidjenyns   Books on this episode Systems Champion by David Jenyns SYSTEMology by David Jenyns https://www.systemology.com/book/ Lean Marketing with Allan Dib https://amzn.asia/d/6j2gyui  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.

Kaihan Krippendorf, former McKinsey consultant and founder of OutThinker Networks, has helped global companies generate over $3 billion in new revenue through strategic innovation.  Drawing from ancient Chinese stratagems, his work reveals timeless principles behind modern business tactics. Kaihan discusses how AI is accelerating strategic cycles, reshaping product-market fit, and empowering organisations to experiment faster. He sees employee-centric cultures as the next competitive frontier and urges mid-market firms to rethink value delivery in a digital age. His message: better businesses adapt quickly, think differently, and empower people at every level.  Takeaways   Strategy is less about fixed plans and more about adaptability and optionality in uncertain environments.  Breakthrough ideas often come from ancient patterns, not entirely new strategic concepts.  Getting closer to the point of customer-demand creates an unmatched competitive advantage.  AI accelerates every stage of strategy, from ideation to execution and market feedback.  Culture and employee engagement are becoming as critical as customer focus in strategic success.  Mid-market companies can outthink competitors by moving faster, not by being bigger.  Empowering employees with entrepreneurial freedom dramatically improves retention, innovation, and financial performance.  Digital services around a core product often carry more value than the product itself.  Follow Kaihan Krippendorf https://kaihan.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaihankrippendorff/ Kaihan Krippendorf’s books Proximity: How Coming Breakthroughs in Just-in-Time Transform Business, Society, and Daily Life https://amzn.to/42wIaK6  Outthink the Competition: How Innovative Companies and Strategists See Options Others Ignore https://amzn.to/3XZ99Na  Driving Innovation from Within: A Guide for Internal Entrepreneurs https://amzn.to/4imQfal   Books recommended Competition Demystified: A Radically Simplified Approach to Business Strategy by Bruce Greenwald https://amzn.to/43zSRMy  Americana: A 400-Year History of American Capitalism by Bhu Srinivasan https://amzn.to/4mOzyYW   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.

Cameron Herold – dubbed the CEO Whisperer – shares how he scaled 1800-GOT-JUNK? from $2M to $106M in six years, helped build billion-dollar companies, and founded the COO Alliance. He explains why company culture, premium pricing, and relentless PR were critical to success, and reveals why most CEOs misunderstand the COO role.  Cameron also discusses his entrepreneurial upbringing, how ADD and bipolar traits are superpowers for leaders, and the power of crafting and executing a “Vivid Vision.” He offers practical insights on leadership, meetings, team alignment, and AI adoption. His core message? Hustle hard, care deeply for your people, and never stop aligning your vision with action.  Takeaways  A vivid vision aligns teams, attracts talent, and drives momentum toward a shared future.  The right COO complements a CEO’s weaknesses and evolves with the company’s growth stage.  Most entrepreneurs underestimate how critical operational leadership is to sustainable business scaling.  Mental health traits like ADHD and bipolar can become entrepreneurial superpowers when understood and embraced.  Employees won’t care deeply about your company until you deeply care about their lives.  Great meetings don’t suck – people just haven’t been taught how to run or attend them properly.  Momentum beats perfection; ship fast, iterate often, and learn by doing instead of waiting.  Follow Cameron Herold https://cameronherold.com/ https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance/ https://www.facebook.com/cameronherold/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronherold/  https://x.com/CameronHerold Cameron’s booksVivid Vision https://amzn.to/45hzdrb  The Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO https://amzn.to/44M2r1k Double Double: How to Double Your Revenue and Profit in 3 Years https://amzn.to/4dmcYlW  Meetings Suck https://amzn.to/3FlNEjm  The Miracle Morning for Entrepreneurs https://amzn.to/4jd7mfk  Free PR: How to Get Chased By The Press Without Hiring a PR Firm https://amzn.to/4dzmceU   Books recommended on this episode Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing  https://amzn.to/43ySqU1   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.

Radek Sali transformed Swisse Wellness from a $13 million operation into a $650 million global brand, ultimately selling it for $2.1 billion. Radek shares the deeply personal and professional journey behind that success – from his upbringing with pioneering health-focused parents to the burnout that followed the deal.  He reveals the cultural principles and brave decisions that fuelled Swisse’s growth, the lessons he learned through failure, and why purpose, passion and profit are inseparable in building enduring businesses. Now at the helm of impact-driven investment firm Light Warrior, Radek explains why values-led companies aren’t just ethical – they’re more effective.  Takeaways  Culture is the ultimate competitive advantage no competitor can easily replicate.  Burnout often hits after success, not during the sprint to it.  Purpose, passion and profit must coexist for sustainable business growth.  Wellness is the foundation of performance, resilience and clear-headed leadership.  Therapy and meditation unlock clarity, calm and long-term decision-making power.  Work-life balance is outdated – embrace meaningful work-life integration instead.  Brave cultural shifts enable scalability and empower high-performance teams.  Success without soul isn’t success – values must guide every business decision.  Follow Radek Sali https://www.linkedin.com/in/radeksali/   Books on this episode How to Build a Billion-Dollar Business by Radek Sali https://amzn.to/4djcMnp The Surrender Experiment by Michael A. Singer https://amzn.asia/d/6zEq0ZK  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.

Jim Grant has more than 25 years’ experience helping executives across Australia build emotionally intelligent, high-performing teams. Jim explains why real coaching starts with self-awareness – not strategy – and how diagnostics like the MSCEIT tool can transform leadership effectiveness.  Jim challenges surface-level leadership advice, advocating for obsessive clarity, vulnerability-based trust, and feedback as daily practice. He unpacks what separates professional coaches from amateurs, explores how fear and anxiety drive poor leadership behaviours, and highlights why emotional intelligence – measured, not assumed – is a critical asset in the AI era.  Takeaways  Self-awareness must come before strategy for leadership to be effective.  Emotional intelligence is a measurable ability, not a personality trait.  Real coaching isn’t advice-giving – it’s facilitating behaviour change through deep listening.  Amateur coaches focus on problems; professionals guide toward solutions and growth.  Clarity is a leadership responsibility, not a one-time communication event.  Vulnerability-based trust is the foundation of any high-performing team.  Leaders must learn to read the room and manage emotional dynamics.  Fear and anxiety often drive micromanagement and ineffective leadership behaviours.  Follow Jim Grant https://www.jimgrant.com.au/ Books on this episode Jim Grant’s workbooks and leadership tools: https://www.jimgrant.com.au/online-store/  Emotional Agility by Susan David https://amzn.to/4kqAiBz  Love, Hope and Leadership by Gary Burnison https://amzn.to/3FawXr5   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.