Waking Giants Voice Edition

In this episode, I talk to Kate Billing of Blacksmith in New Zealand. Blacksmith is a boutique leadership development practice using fully human development approaches to evolve leadership at a personal and collective level. Kate and I discuss everything from trust, healing the planet and the ability for us to create a better future through conscious capitalism.

In this quick update, I share a few thoughts on the past week and in fact past few months on how we and I have got to where we are. It ain't pretty, but its worth it.

On this episode, I talk mindset and the Stockdale Paradox with Jamie Mckenzie of Pure Productions taking into account the challenges that leaders currently face globally.

On this episode of The Leadership Diaries, I talk to David Neal of The Eighth Mile Consulting about how leadership plays out in uncertain times. Not just related to the current global pandemic but through technology, human behaviour and everything that a leader is required to understand to build strong, purposeful businesses. We touch on the core skills required to be a great leader including, pace, values, vulnerability and context.

4 Day Week Global is a not-for-profit community established by Andrew Barnes and Charlotte Lockhart to provide a platform for like-minded people who are interested in supporting the idea of the four day week as a part of the future of work. findthegaps Co-Founder, Grant Difford talks to Andrew on the impact on business, how leadership will play a huge part in the success of the 4 Day Week and where the mission is taking them.

Max Parekura talks about how Koda Sports has come to fruition from what began as a desire to remain involved in the New Zealand sporting industry along with the identification of the ability to improve the current sports management offering. Max discusses how Koda Sports helps professional sportspeople use their sporting careers as gateways for life opportunities.

Depression is one of those subjects that many people dance around and are fearful of sharing. In this findthegaps Session, we discuss the tools David used to get himself through the depths of depression and come out the other side with a new game plan and 3 new businesses.

Today I was reading over the transcript of the William Pike interview we did and I had lost sight how much purpose drove his story and informed his future.

In this session, we explore how the need of one person can be the seed of a business and change a market forever. Also building an event that that is driven by the participants and not the sponsors. So many learnings for startups and entreprenuers.

We all know that we can be doing more to help our fellow humans and protect our planet, but very few act. Today we talk to Hayden Smith, founder of Sea Cleaners Trust. He educates us on the serious problem of plastic and other waste in our waterways and oceans. He also provides insight into what we can do about it if we all work together and play our part.

With so much talk about AI and its impact on all facets of life, we decided it best to talk to someone in the know. Josh Comrie is a serial New Zealand Tech Investor and co-founder of Ambit AI. Being a complete novice in the space, Josh gave some serious insights for anyone wanting to explore the AI, along with insights for EVERY business owner looking to build a sustainable future.

On today's FindThe_Gaps Session we talk to Mat Wylie from Customer Radar. One of New Zealand's leading customer feedback platforms. Mat shares his vast knowledge on the changing landscape of customer feedback and how it is an essential part of every business's long-term strategy.

In this session, we talk to SleepDrops founder, Kirsten Taylor about purpose, teamwork and the impact our busy lives are having on our long-term health. Kirsten shares her experience and passion for sleep and the part it plays in our ability to lead rich and fulfiled lives.

In this podcast, we talk to the Design Champion of Auckland, Ludo Campbell-Reid. When it comes to 'jobs' there are few that match the need for long-term vision and that can have such an impact on millions of people. Urban design is a human process that uses the environment to craft outcomes. Ludo shares extraordinary insight and unbridled passion for what is fast becoming the coolest 'little' city in the world!

Today's podcast is a true example of a human with the right attitude to life. Having lost his leg when Mt Ruapehu erupted in 2007, William shares with me his journey during the event and how he mapped his road to recovery and beyond. As you will hear there was never any doubt he would get back to the life he had but now he had some new goals and a vision for the impact he wanted to make in the world. This interview is both humbling and inspiring... and proves that suffering is part of what makes you stronger.

In this session, I talk to one of the most respected architects in New Zealand, Ken Crosson of Crosson Architects. The podcast came from a conversation I had with Ken a few years back about being a practitioner in a creatively led business and not losing sight of your values. Ken is a well-versed speaker and still holds that passion for what he does after 30 years, 'practising'.

Today's podcast is with Haka Tourism Group's founder Ryan Sanders. He had the vision to create a unique Kiwi experience for backpackers looking for something a little different and more personal. 10 years on and a short time after opening their first and second hotels, Ryan talks to us about building a business that you connect with and looking inward as a leader and entrepreneur.

In this session, I talk to Chris Simmons, SVP Americas and APAC at 9 Spokes.com. Chris has been involved in strategy his whole professional career and is currently developing one of New Zealand's fastest growing digital platforms for small business on a global scale. Chris explains that without a purpose, the strategy may not work.

Today's podcast is with the founder of Spaceworks NZ, Lizzi Whaley. Lizzi is someone I have known for a long time and always admired how focused she has been on meeting her goals. Also she just has a raw approach to life that we can all learn from. Lots of laughs, swearing and storytelling from one of New Zealand's most respected designers.

On today's podcast, we talk to Marisa Fong about life after exiting a business. Four years ago Marisa sold Madison Recruitment, a business she had spent 15 years developing with a partner to eventually sell. Now she spends her time as an angel investor and prominent advocate for woman's entrepreneurial and leadership journeys.

Sarah Clearwater is a practitioner of Design Thinking, creating new ways to drive both employee and customer relationships. Human centred design is growing in its use as we look for ways to drive both our businesses and engage in the communities that our customers belong to, looking for more meaningful connections with brands.

Liam Bowden founded luxury brand Deadly Ponies over 12 years ago. Today we talk about the journey in the luxury fashion world, being a luxury brand in New Zealand and what it takes to stay at the top of your game when it come to culture and maintaining your vision.

On today's session, I sit down with 5x World Champion Terenzo Bozzone. I wanted to learn more about the business of being a professional triathlete at the top of his game and the challenges it brings. Terenzo shares his experiences on family, injury, sponsors and motivation.

On this session I spend time with Luella Whalan, serial entrepreneur, sharing her insights on Startup Planning, Customer Service, Exit Strategy and Clean Toilets. There are some real gems in here from someone who has experienced the full range of demands of business.

Today we discuss the theory behind the Butterfly Effect, Quantum Mechanics and how easy it really all can be - if we make that our choice.

Today I talk with triathlon legend and world class triathlon coach Sam Warriner. Sam has coached me to the World Championships along with many others. An elite triathlete that competed at the Beijing Olympics, won many races including Ironman, she shares with me her thoughts and philosophy on what it takes to achieve challenging goals, understanding peoples needs and patience.

It's all about authenticity and apparently we all need to be coached to understand it. Not sure Paul and I agree on this one. We also discuss the three C's of vulnerability - courage, connection and compassion...

In this session I speak to Scott Rice, renowned event organiser and founder of the Ocean Swim Series in New Zealand. Having worked together I knew Scott would be able to shed some light on building a cornerstone event and how over the past 10 years the demands and needs of his customers have changed.

When we try to change our course we often hit barriers that we can't overcome in both business and our personal lives. In this podcast we explore how they form, where we fail and how we can create better habits.

Today I digest my role as a leader and how often the vision of a founder or leader is far removed from the team around them.

Over a rare lunch with my wife we discussed the virtues of a University education and what will suit my 4 year to get there. Culture and diversity or formal learning and more importantly will University be relevant when it comes times to make the decision.

So many of us are able to rev the engines and get all excited about the 'big' idea, but so often quit before we start. Here Paul and I discuss the reasons why action is so important and why we struggle to execute.

In this session I reflect on a lost customer but then the results he gained just days after the conclusion on the professional relationship. Don't underestimate the power of confidence.

This FindThe_Gaps Session explores the changing times of the global removals industry. Rather than focus on the fairly uninteresting subject matter, Raymond talks about the place technology is playing in their growth and how the changes in global migration is dictating how people move around the world.