Real Relationships Real Revenue - Audio Edition | Invest in Relationships to Build Your Business and Your Career

What does it really mean to lead boldly when the stakes are high and the path ahead isn't perfectly clear? In this episode, I sit down with leadership expert and author Leigh Burgess to unpack what bold leadership actually looks like in practice. We explore why so many high-performing professionals second guess themselves when making big decisions, having difficult conversations, or stepping into higher levels of leadership. Leigh shares the five core traits she believes define bold leaders and explains how strategic risk taking, trust building, and resilience play a critical role in leading teams and organizations forward. Throughout our conversation, we dive into the mindset shifts required to move from hesitation to confident action. Leigh offers practical ways leaders can strengthen their ability to navigate uncertainty, build meaningful networks, and create a clear vision even when the road ahead feels foggy. If you've ever felt the tension between playing it safe and making the bold move your intuition is nudging you toward, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what courageous leadership really looks like. Topics We Cover in This Episode: The five traits that separate bold leaders from hesitant ones Why strategic risk is often the missing ingredient in leadership growth A surprising reason many high performers struggle with bold decision making How trust impacts your ability to move teams forward during uncertainty The role resilience plays when outcomes don't go as planned What "network weaving" really means and why it matters for leaders A simple mental shift that helps you act even when the full path isn't visible If you're ready to lead with more confidence, take smarter risks, and create greater impact inside your organization, this episode will give you plenty to think about. Tune in to hear Leigh's insights and start identifying where you can take your next bold step as a leader. Resources Mentioned: Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! Get Your Copy of The Bold Leader: https://a.co/d/02eqZbgQ Check out Leigh's Website: https://leighburgess.com/ Connect with Leigh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theboldleader/

Ever wonder why some leaders, brands, and businesses seem to communicate so clearly that people instantly trust them, buy from them, and follow their vision? In this episode, I sit down with communication strategist and author Oliver Aust to unpack why communication is often the hidden bottleneck holding teams, businesses, and leaders back. We dive into why communication is the ultimate leverage skill in modern knowledge work, and how mastering it can transform everything from sales conversations and client loyalty to leadership influence and brand positioning. Together, we explore the psychology behind powerful messaging and the subtle communication dynamics most professionals overlook. Oliver shares the core principles behind his "Message Machine" framework, including how clarity beats complexity, why connection matters more than perfection, and how leaders can frame conversations in ways that inspire action instead of resistance. We also talk about differentiation in crowded markets, the role fear plays in decision-making, and a surprisingly simple framework for preparing impactful presentations in minutes instead of hours. Topics We Cover in This Episode: Why communication (not strategy, talent, or expertise) is often the real bottleneck in growing teams and organizations The surprising reason clarity consistently outperforms complexity in messaging and persuasion How the best communicators balance connection and authority in conversations A simple mental shift that can instantly make your marketing and messaging more compelling The hidden fears that influence client decisions (and how great communicators address them) Why being different beats being "better" in branding and positioning How trust is built faster than most people think—and the tiny habits that make it stick A fast framework for preparing speeches or presentations that actually move people to action If you've ever felt like your ideas should be landing better, or that your expertise isn't translating into influence, sales, or growth, this episode will challenge how you think about communication. Tune in to learn the subtle shifts that can dramatically improve how you lead conversations, position your work, and connect with the people who matter most. Resources Mentioned: Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! Connect with Oliver Aust on LinkedIn Speak Like a CEO show on Spotify, Apple and YouTube Speak Like a CEO newsletter 21 Storytelling Frameworks

Are you chasing success… or building something that actually lasts? In this episode of Real Relationships Real Revenue, I sit down with Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe to unpack why it's often harder to sustain success than it is to achieve it in the first place. We dive into what separates high performers who burn out from those who stay at the top over the long haul, including how to design your life and business with intention instead of running on autopilot. We talk about control versus chaos, why rest is not a reward but a performance strategy, and how the most elite performers build systems of support instead of trying to do everything alone. We also explore what it really takes to stay adaptable in a fast-moving world. This conversation goes beyond productivity hacks and gets into the deeper frameworks that help you show up calm, clear, and effective. If you've ever felt stretched thin, stuck in "go mode," or unsure how to keep growing without sacrificing your health, relationships, or impact, this episode will shift the way you think about success. Topics We Cover in This Episode: Why peak performance has more to do with design than discipline The hidden habit high achievers use to avoid burnout What most people get wrong about "working harder" How to spot the early warning signs of unsustainable success The surprising link between values and adaptability What elite performers build behind the scenes that others ignore How to create momentum without living in constant urgency If this conversation resonates with you, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who's striving for more but wants to do it the right way. Resources Mentioned: Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! Dr. Robyne's Resources: Adapt & Reset Tool Discover – Pre-Order 'I Hope So: How to Choose Hope Even When It's Hard' Hope isn't just a feeling – it's the key to rewiring your brain for resiliency and well-being, even in the toughest times. Listen – Resiliency Redefined Podcast Conversations about resiliency, well-being, performance and everything in between-what it takes to be well. Join – Stress Wisely Live Webinars Rooted in research, built for real life. Join this interactive live webinar every season. Stay Connected – Subscribe to Dr. Robyne's Newsletter Get exclusive tools, strategies, and Everyday Resiliency—straight to your inbox.

What if grit isn't about pushing harder but about knowing when to pivot, pause, and play the long game? In this episode, I sit down with Joel Goldberg, longtime Kansas City Royals announcer, speaker, and author, to pull back the curtain on what high-performing athletes can teach us about resilience, failure, and sustained success in business and life. Drawing from decades inside professional sports, Joel shares the real, behind-the-scenes moments you never see in post-game interviews… the slumps, the setbacks, and the quiet decisions that separate those who burn out from those who endure. We dig into what it actually means to "manage failure," why baseball might be the ultimate teacher of resilience, and how grit shows up in unexpected ways. Along the way, Joel shares unforgettable stories of players who refused to quit, leaders who stayed disciplined when no one was watching, and the mindset shifts that allow people to keep moving forward when the outcome feels uncertain. Topics We Cover in This Episode: Why failure isn't the problem, but how you process it might be The hidden habits elite performers rely on long before success shows up How to tell the difference between working harder and working smarter What "grit" really looks like behind the scenes of professional sports Why rest, recovery, and off-seasons are strategic, not lazy The subtle ways resilience shows up in relationships and trust-building How staying open to new approaches can change your entire trajectory If this conversation sparked something in you, don't let it end here. Take a moment to reflect on where you might be chasing the same result the same way and what your next move could be instead. Share this episode with someone who's in the middle of a tough season, and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss future conversations on real relationships, real resilience, and real growth. Resources Mentioned: Order your copy of Give to Grow Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today! Connect with Joel Find Joel on LinkedIn