336: Tools to Tackle Tough Conversations

336: Tools to Tackle Tough Conversations

336: Tools to Tackle Tough Conversations

What if you could navigate even the most challenging conversations with calmness, clarity, and confidence? This in-depth conversation with David Wood explores just that, diving into how to communicate more effectively in high-stakes moments, whether at work or in life. David shares his unique approach to coaching and communication, combining emotional awareness with practical tools. His latest innovation, WhisperLead AI, helps leaders role-play difficult conversations, receive coaching prompts, and even get real-time support during live interactions.

Our discussion goes beyond mechanics to emphasize authenticity and vulnerability as leadership strengths. David unpacks common pitfalls in conflict—like poor framing, making assumptions, or avoiding others’ perspectives—and offers techniques for building trust and achieving shared outcomes. Whether you’re leading a team or seeking better communication in your personal life, this conversation delivers practical wisdom and fresh ideas you can start using immediately.

David left behind a high-powered career as a Consulting Actuary for Ford, Sony Music, and Chanel—trading Park Avenue boardrooms for a mission to transform lives and businesses. He didn’t just start a coaching business; he built the world’s largest coaching business at the time, ranking #1 on Google for “life coaching”, serving 150,000 coaches globally.

But David’s story is about more than success—it’s about resilience. He’s survived a paraglider collapse and a fractured spine, battled anxiety and depression, and most recently, took on acting in Hollywood! Today, he helps leaders 4X their clarity AND productivity, and to love their life.

You’ll discover:

  • A powerful method for framing difficult conversations with positive intent
  • Why asking for the other person’s perspective first can shift everything
  • How AI tools like WhisperLead can coach you in real-time
  • The link between vulnerability and stronger leadership
  • A practical model for brainstorming solutions collaboratively

Watch the episode:

David’s Resources

Website

Focus.ceo

WhisperLead coaching tool

Free business/life assessment

Book

The Mouse in The Room—Because the Elephant Isn’t Alone

 

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333: The Go-Giver Approach to Leadership

333: The Go-Giver Approach to Leadership

333: The Go-Giver Approach to Leadership

What if the secret to success is giving more? In this episode, Meredith Bell speaks with Bob Burg, co-author of The Go-Giver, about why shifting your focus to consistently providing value leads to greater fulfillment and profitability. Bob explains the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success and how they apply to entrepreneurs, leaders, and teams.

You’ll come away inspired by Bob’s deep insights on value-based leadership, the true meaning of influence, and why receptivity is just as important as giving. Whether you’re growing a business or leading a team, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and equip you with timeless, practical wisdom.

The Go-Giver has sold well over a million copies and has been translated into 30 languages. Bob has created The Go-Giver Academy online learning portal featuring The Go-Giver® Success Vault, which includes all of his online courses and other business-building resources.

Bob is an advocate, supporter, and defender of the Free Enterprise system, believing that the amount of money one makes is directly proportional to how many people they serve.

You’ll discover:

  • The meaning of a “go-giver”
  • Why giving value is more profitable than chasing money
  • How to lead with authenticity without using it as a crutch
  • The difference between genuine influence and manipulation
  • How being open to receiving fuels your ability to give more

Watch the episode:

 

Connect with Bob

        

Bob’s Resources

Website

Bob Burg

Daily Impact email

The Go-Giver (books)

The Go-Giver Academy/Success Vault

Saleswise Live™ Sales Mastery

The Go Giver Academy

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Leader-team communication and character skills

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Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.
Order from Amazon
Connect with Your Team Book - Grow Strong Leaders

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and Meredith M. Bell
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328: Building Real Relationships on LinkedIn

328: Building Real Relationships on LinkedIn

328: Building Real Relationships on LinkedIn

Curious how LinkedIn can actually help you build real business relationships—not just rack up connections? In this episode, LinkedIn expert Bill McCormick shares his journey from traditional sales to becoming a trusted advisor on the platform. Bill reveals why authenticity, curiosity, and genuine engagement are the keys to standing out and building trust, whether you’re networking, recruiting, or growing your business.

We dive into practical tips for optimizing your profile, engaging with others in a meaningful way, and using LinkedIn’s premium features (like Sales Navigator) to your advantage. Bill also shares his thoughts on AI and automation, and why the human touch still matters most. If you want to make LinkedIn work for you—without feeling salesy or inauthentic—this episode is packed with actionable advice you can use right away.

Bill is the Founder of Digi-Sales, a Digital Selling training company, and Digi-Sales Academy, an online video training platform where he shares his passion for helping professionals leverage the power of LinkedIn. Bill first started using digital sales techniques after he and his wife, Sue, started their own promotional product business.
By using social platforms, especially LinkedIn, they were able to build a very successful business. Bill then began to help other business owners, entrepreneurs and sales professionals learn how to use LinkedIn to increase sales.

Bill has conducted training for companies worldwide and specializes in helping to ‘make LinkedIn Human’ – explaining the platform in easy-to-understand ways, and recently launched the All Selling Is Social Podcast.

You’ll discover:

  • How to create a value-driven LinkedIn profile
  • The right way to connect and engage
  • Why curiosity builds trust on LinkedIn
  • Tips for using Sales Navigator effectively
  • The pitfalls of AI and automation on LinkedIn

Watch the episode:

Connect with Bill

  

Bill’s Resources

Website

Digi-Sales

Course

Social Selling Compass Course

Podcast

All Selling Is Social

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Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

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and Meredith M. Bell
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260: Discover the Matrix with Integrity

260: Discover the Matrix with Integrity

260: Discover the Matrix with Integrity

Do you remember Neo’s choice of the blue pill or the red pill in the movie, The Matrix? Angela Cusack explores this choice in the context of leaders and their ability to decide on the level of integrity they want to have with themselves and with others. It all hinges on the desire to break through illusions that keep us safe and do the work to become more self-aware through deep reflection.

In this important conversation, Angela shares key concepts from her book, Discover The Matrix, Integrity: The True Mark of Leadership. She shares her own journey, as well as some of her clients, in discovering how to “explore the space between.”

Angela is the founder of Igniting Success and she’s often called a company’s secret weapon – she works with C-suite execs & what she does is so transformative that it impacts the entire organization.

She’s a Master Certified Coach and has provided mentor coaching and supervision for coaches over the past 15 years to help them prepare for certification as PCC or MCC.

You’ll discover:

  • How the book’s title and contents tie in with the movie, The Matrix
  • Why Angela says integrity with self is the starting point of having integrity with others
  • What Angela means by “exploring the space between” and why it’s important for leader
  • The illusions we can have about ourselves that hold us back
  • Why “permission to unzip” is vital to becoming an authentic leader

Watch the episode:

 

Connect with Angela

      

Angela’s Resources

Websites

Igniting Success

Angela Cusack

Book

Discover The Matrix, Integrity: The True Mark of Leadership
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Austin Macauley Publishers, & retailers worldwide

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117: Embrace Pain to Avoid Suffering

117: Embrace Pain to Avoid Suffering

Can you imagine having your arm torn off your body at age 7? That was the reality that my guest, Brian Bogert, faced at that tender age. You’ll be inspired and moved hearing Brian’s story of the accident, his recovery, and how he has used that experience to pursue the path he’s on now. His goal is to impact one BILLION people in the next 25 years, to help them see how to experience No Limits Living. Get out your pen and paper because Brian shares so much wisdom that you’ll want to capture these insights and tips to apply later.

Brian is a passionate human behavior and performance coach, speaker, business strategist, top sales professional and philanthropic leader who believes in helping growth-minded individuals achieve the best version of themselves: meaning, their most authentic selves.

You’ll discover:

  • How to experience pain so you can move through it now and avoid suffering in the future
  • Ways to increase your levels of awareness to realize when you’re operating in a “victim” mindset
  • Questions you can ask others to help you identify blind spots…and the mindset you need to adopt before you ask
  • How to take personal responsibility even if you find yourself being emotionally triggered by someone’s words or actions
  • The advantages of approaching a situation from a neutral position

Watch the episode:

 

Connect with Brian

  
  
  
  
  
  

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Brian’s Website

BrianBogert.com

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