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Storytelling for Business Leaders: Graham Brown

The Three-Box Storytelling Framework

The Hidden Psychology Behind Stories that Change Behavior

Episode 288 (Graham is based in Singapore) This is a repeat of episode #68.

In this conversation with Graham Brown, we explore:

• how the three-box storytelling model simplifies complex ideas

• why backstory builds trust before persuasion begins

• how fear of the unknown blocks decision-making

• why analogies help audiences understand faster

• how familiar stories lower resistance to change

• why emotion outlasts facts in memory

• how storytelling increases confidence over time

• why selling is really about guiding people through uncertainty

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Graham Brown is the founder of Pikkal & Co, an award winning podcast agency based in Singapore. He has the experience of hosting over 400 episodes on his podcast. 

Podcast Guesting Pro is a dedicated Podcast Booking Agency that works with B2B thought leaders. They help you reach new audiences and build your authority by booking you on podcasts to showcase your expertise and spread your message. Learn more here...

https://www.podcastguesting.pro/

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Key Lessons from this conversation with Graham Brown:

• Effective business storytelling follows a simple three-scene structure: past, present, and future

• Audiences connect with backstory before they care about solutions

• Selling is about reducing fear of the unknown, not proving superiority

• Familiar stories make unfamiliar ideas easier to accept

• Analogies act as short-form stories that speed understanding

• Trust is built through shared experiences and common ground

• Change happens when staying the same feels riskier than moving forward

• Emotion—not facts—is what people remember after a presentation

• Confidence comes from practiced storytelling, not natural talent

• Every presentation improves through testing, feedback, and refinement

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Servant Leadership in Business: Jim Hardwick

When You Serve First, Business Follows

How a Servant’s Heart Builds Trust, Teams, and Sustainable Sales

Episode 287 (Jim is based in Arizona)

In this conversation with Jim Hardwick we explore:

• why serving others builds trust faster than traditional selling

• how servant leadership strengthens teams without weakening authority

• the role of vulnerability in effective leadership

• why intentional service creates long-term business growth

• how listening to employees improves motivation and retention

• the difference between serving from obligation versus passion

• why giving time and advice often returns greater value than money

• how service creates personal fulfillment beyond financial success

• the connection between trust, sales, and sustainable growth

• practical ways leaders can serve locally without grand gestures

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About our guest:

Jim welcomes your questions about sales. Enjoy a no-charge conversation with him. 

Call him - 623-451-1080

Email - jhardwick@salesxceleration.com

Jim Hardwick on Linkedin

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Key lessons from this podcast:

• serving others builds trust, which is the foundation of sustainable business growth

• a servant’s heart shifts leadership from taking to giving without weakening authority

• intentional service creates stronger relationships with employees, clients, and communities

• vulnerability from leaders encourages honesty, loyalty, and higher engagement

• serving employees’ personal goals increases motivation and performance

• trust grows when leaders focus on helping rather than selling

• service must come from genuine passion, not obligation

• giving time, advice, or attention often creates greater long-term value than money

• servant leadership improves sales by focusing on solving real problems

• meaningful service creates personal fulfillment beyond financial success

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12 Communication Lessons from David Copperfield

How David Copperfield Creates Belief

What a Master Illustionist Taught Me about Communication and Leadership

This wasn't an intterview. It was me live on stage with David Copperfield at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. I had no idea that I would learn so much from this experience as a volunteer in his magic act.

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Key Lessons from this experience:

• there is no magic, only mastery

• perception matters more than reality

• people believe what they want to believe

• the audience (customer) is always right

• preparation and rehearsal create confidence

• calm response beats visible stress

• great teams move in harmony

• hope is a powerful motivator

• fun strengthens connection

• vulnerability builds trust

• technology must support the message, not replace it

• self-investment is the real secret

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In this live stage performance we explored:

• why mastery beats magic every time

• how perception shapes belief

• influencing belief without controlling people

• respecting the audience while guiding outcomes

• the role of rehearsal in consistent performance

• responding calmly when things go wrong

• building teams that move in sync

• using hope as a leadership force

• making professionalism fun

• why vulnerability strengthens credibility

• keeping technology in its proper place

• investing in yourself as the ultimate advantage

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Listening vs Hearing, The Leadership Advantage: Julian Treasure

The Missing Leadership Skill: How to listen for Real Results

Listening for Oppportunity, Danger and Challenge 

Episode 285 (Julian is based in the Orkney archipelago northeast of Scotland)

In this conversation with Julian Tresure we explore:

• why listening is a learnable skill rather than a personality trait

• the difference between hearing and conscious listening

• how personal filters shape what people hear

• why senior leaders often struggle most with listening

• how validation changes difficult conversations

• the impact of poor listening on organizational culture

• why diversity of opinion matters more than agreement

• how listening supports better decision-making in times of change

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About our guest Julian Treasure:

Julian Treasure is an author and international speaker on sound and communication skills. His five TED talks have been viewed over 150 million times and his book “How To Be Heard” won both Audie and SOVAS awards for best business audiobook. His company The Sound Agency has been helping major global brands to improve their sound since 2003.

Learn more about Julian and his programs at 

https://www.juliantreasure.com/

Books by Julian Treasure

https://www.juliantreasure.com/books

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Key learning points

• listening is a learnable skill, not a natural talent

• most people significantly overestimate how well they listen

• listening is the foundation of effective communication

• every person listens through unique filters shaped by experience and emotion

• strong emotions reduce the ability to listen well

• listening becomes more difficult as people gain seniority and authority

• organizations suffer when leaders avoid listening to bad news

• validation is essential for productive dialogue and healthy relationships

• diversity of opinion strengthens decision-making and resilience

• listening helps leaders detect opportunity, danger, and challenge

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From Rock Bottom to Millionaire: David Price

Communication, Recovery, and Massive Action

Massive Success Requires Massive Action

Episode 285 (David spends his time between Floirda and Puerto Rico)

In this conversation with David Price we explore:

• how a destructive inner narrative keeps people stuck and how to rewrite it

• why massive change requires massive action

• how relocating or disrupting routine can break old patterns

• how listening to successful people accelerates learning and results

• how emotional truth drives better communication and better sales

• how to uncover the client’s real fears and desires through deeper questions

• why vulnerability and honesty strengthen client trust

• how to succeed in selling the most intangible product—life insurance

• why heart and resilience matter more than experience in entrepreneurship

• how refusing to quit transforms long-term outcomes and personal identity

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About our guest, David Price:

David spent nearly 20 years battling addiction and has been clean and sober for 12 years.

He entered the insurance industry in 2018 and became one of the fastest to reach millionaire status.

In 2004 he walked away from a $2 million annual income to rebuild on his own term after challenging how agents were being treated.

Learn more about David and working with him in the life insurance business at:

https://tpglife.com/

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Key lessons from this conversation with David Price:

• change demands massive action, not minor adjustments

• listen to people who demonstrate results, not those who speak the loudest

• emotional self-talk shapes choices, progress, and setbacks

• drastic change in environment can break destructive patterns

• selling begins with uncovering the client’s emotional reason for buying

• effective communication requires truth, clarity, and genuine listening

• emotional sales outperform logical sales, especially for intangible products

• success in entrepreneurship depends on showing up consistently

• heart, resilience, and coachability matter more than experience

• momentum grows when you refuse to quit and commit daily to action

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Why Servant Leaders Win: Gary Ridge

The Donkey Leadership Mindset Every Leader Needs

From "I Don't Know: to Great Leadership

Episode 284 (Gary is based in California)

In this conversation with Gary Ridge we explore:

• how humility accelerates learning and strengthens leadership

• why saying “I don’t know” unlocks collective intelligence

• what servant leadership looks like in practice inside WD-40

• how leaders shift from managing to coaching

• why culture requires consistency, not charisma

• what it means to lead from the “stinky locker room”

• how clarity about “what an A looks like” transforms performance

• why purpose matters more than product

• how to protect culture by removing toxins early

• how great leaders help people step into the best version of themselves

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About Our Guest, Gary Ridge:

Garry has 25 years of experience as Chairman and CEO of WD-40 Company. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego, where he teaches the principles and practices of corporate culture in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership program.

He’s the USA Today Bestselling Author of Any Dumb Ass Can Do It and co-author of Helping People Win at Work with Ken Blanchard.

Learn more about Gary Ridge and his services at

https://thelearningmoment.net/

Follow Gary on Linkedin   

https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge/

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Key Points from this Conversation with Gary Ridge:

1. Leadership begins with humility and the willingness to say “I don’t know.”

2. Great leaders embrace the role of forever learner and forever teacher.

3. Coaching, not managing, is the true work of effective leadership.

4. Trust is built in the “stinky locker room,” not the corner office.

5. Culture requires values, behavior, and consistency — not quick fixes.

6. Purpose gives meaning beyond the product and unites people around impact.

7. Clarity about “what an A looks like” prevents conflict and accelerates performance.

8. Leaders must remove cultural toxins early, even when performance is high.

9. Ego destroys leadership; empathy and awareness enable it.

10. Leadership is not about the leader — it is about helping people step into the best version of themselves.

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The Dirty Dozen Words That Destroy Your Message

12 Words and Phrases That Sabotage Your Communication

Communication Tips from George Torok

Episode 283

In this episode we explore:

• why vague words prevent listeners from seeing what you mean

• how double negatives create confusion and weaken your intent

• where emotional trigger words derail your message

• how insulting phrases show unintended arrogance

• why self-diminishing language lowers your authority

• how dishonest openers destroy trust

• why clichés signal lazy thinking

• when jargon works and when it alienates people

• how slang phrases degrade the message

• why absolutes distort meaning

• how weak adverbs dilute clarity

• how filler words clutter your message and add noise

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George Torok is known as The Speech Coach for Executives. He helps business leaders speak with more confidence, clarity and consiness.

Learn more about communication coaching with George at https://speechcoachforexecutives.com/

Arrange for weekly presentations tips at https://toroktips.com/

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Key Learning Points from George

• eliminate vague words like “stuff” and “things” because they communicate nothing

• avoid double negatives which confuse listeners and weaken your intent

• beware emotional trigger words that create unintended reactions

• drop insulting phrases that imply superiority over your audience

• stop using self-diminishing phrases that reduce your credibility

• remove dishonest or insincere qualifiers that signal lack of authenticity

• avoid clichés that show lazy thinking and add no value

• use technical jargon only with those who understand it

• remove slang terms that degrade your message and your audience

• limit absolutes, which are usually inaccurate exaggerations

• avoid weak adverbs like “very,” “really,” and “pretty”

• eliminate filler words that clutter your message and reduce clarity

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Charisma, Connection & Credibility: Roz Usheroff

Fear, AI & Leadership: How to Stay Human in a Digital World

The Truth About Executive Presence

Episode 282 (Roz is based in Florida)

In this coversation with Roz Usheroff we explore:

• how authenticity shapes executive presence

• why emotional intelligence matters more than polish

• how leaders can support people through AI-driven uncertainty

• the rise of “quiet cracking” and what it signals

• why psychological safety fuels innovation

• where charisma comes from and how it works

• the power of host behavior in building trust

• how leaders can read the room and adjust

• why embracing imperfections increases credibility

• how to seek useful feedback without creating defensiveness

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About our guest Roz Usheroff:

Roz is the founder of the Usherfoll Institute whose core mission is to help people discover and understand their unique talens and embrace their leadership capabilities that lead to both personal and corporate profitability.

She is host of The Roz Usheroff Podcast that is designed for professionals who want to enhace their leadership presence, personal brand and career trajectory by developing executive presence.

Learn more about Roz and her services at https://usheroff.com/

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Key Lessons from this conversation with Roz Usheroff:

• authenticity is the foundation of executive presence and differentiation

• emotional intelligence is more important than polish or perfection

• leaders must help people navigate fear, uncertainty and AI disruption

• psychological safety drives innovation and engagement

• charisma is not extroversion; it is the ability to connect and make people feel seen

• host behavior builds trust, approachability and stronger leadership presence

• leaders must read the room, adapt and adjust based on emotional cues

• perfection erodes connection; humanity strengthens credibility

• feedback must be sought strategically through third-party questions

• avoid being an “advice monster”; ask deeper questions before offering solutions

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A Better Way to Drive Change: Jeff Wetherhold

Why Top-Down Change Fails and how leaders can fix it

How to lead change without burning out or losing your team

Episode 281 (Jeff is based in Maine)

In this conversation with Jeff Wetherhold we explore:

• why 88% of change initiatives fail and what leaders consistently overlook

• how treating change as a communication challenge shifts results

• how ambivalence, not resistance, explains employee behaviour

• how motivational interviewing helps leaders reduce resistance

• why reflections help people reveal their own motivations

• why benefits must be discovered rather than declared

• how top-down directives undermine trust and buy-in

• how leaders can engage skeptics without burning out

• why individual conversations drive organizational change

• how leaders can begin using these tools immediately

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About our guest, Jeff Wetherfold:

Jeff has 20+ years understanding what helps or hinders change for people and organizations. He is a former behvioral science researcher who has learned and worked extensively in the fields of change management, process improvement, motivational interviewing and leadership communication.

Learn more about Jeff and hisspeaking, training and coaching services at https://www.jeffwetherhold.com/

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Key lessons from this conversation with Jeff:

• in this conversation we explore why 88% of organizational change fails and what leaders overlook

• in this conversation we explore why change is primarily a communication challenge, not a technical one

• in this conversation we explore how leaders mistakenly assume employees hold fixed attitudes toward change

• in this conversation we explore the concept of ambivalence and why every person has reasons both for and against change

• in this conversation we explore why top-down change efforts almost always fail

• in this conversation we explore how motivational interviewing helps leaders move people toward change

• in this conversation we explore why leaders need more reflections and fewer questions

• in this conversation we explore how to identify and amplify employees’ intrinsic motivations

• in this conversation we explore why benefits must be defined by employees, not assumed by leaders

• in this conversation we explore why organizational change succeeds only when individuals choose to change

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Five Roles Every High-Performing Team Needs: Mark Murphy

Don't force teamwork, harness your team's superpowers

Great teams don't need to be friends

Episode 280 (Mark is based in Georgia)

In this conversation with Mark Murphy, we explore:

• why you don’t have to like your teammates to perform well together

• how forced fun can kill real teamwork

• the five essential roles that make up every high-performing team

• how to diagnose what’s missing when your team is stuck

• why adaptive leadership means the best person leads in each situation

• how understanding others’ strengths makes collaboration easier

• why leaders should stop trying to fill every role themselves

• how team diversity creates synergy instead of friction

• what new team leaders often get wrong

• how real teamwork feels more like training for a marathon than going to a party

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About our guest, Mark Murphy:

Mark is a New York Times bestselling author with books, Hiring for Attitude, Hundred Percenters and his latest, Team Players: The Five Critical Roles Your Need to Build a Winning Team.

You can learn more about Mark, his books, reserch and programs at his website

https://www.leadershipiq.com/

Take the free quizs to clarify your leadership traits.

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Key Lessons from this conversation with Mark Murphy:

• teams don’t need to be friends to be effective

• fake team-building activities can actually hurt performance

• high-performing teams rely on five critical roles: director, achiever, stabilizer, trailblazer, harmonizer

• it’s okay not to like everyone on your team—focus on results, not relationships

• leadership on great teams is adaptive—who leads changes based on the situation

• knowing your strengths and appreciating others’ roles builds trust and efficiency

• team balance matters more than team bonding

• great leaders don’t try to play every role—they delegate and empower others

• when teams stall, identify which missing role is causing the blockage

• success is measured by outcomes, not by how much fun the team has

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