My Favourite Failure: Giving up my dream opera career - Caroline Dowd-Higgins

What happens when a successful home exchange company tries to launch a rental business? Emmanuel Arnault, CEO of Home Exchange, shares his experience of investing a million dollars in a new rental venture that ultimately failed. Emmanuel dives into the strategic mistakes they made, the challenges of balancing a flagship business with a new side project, and the important lessons he learned about leadership and resource allocation along the way. From the initial planning stages to the final decision to pull the plug, He discusses the importance of adapting one's leadership style as a company grows and the pitfalls of relying too heavily on intuition when launching a new venture. Sponsors Vanta - get 20% off security certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2: https://vanta.com/secretleaders Personio - all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders -- Newsletter Sign up here: https://secretleaders.email/. You can find our historic newsletters here: https://www.secretleaders.com/episodes.

Can you achieve high performance without losing yourself? Jake Humphrey, top sports broadcaster, believes the key to high performance is inner contentment. He shares his radical approach to happiness and achievement. From overcoming bullying to battling imposter syndrome, he's learned that true success isn't about accolades, but about being true to yourself. Through personal stories and practical tips, Jake offers a roadmap for redefining success on your own terms. Discover the mindset shifts and daily practices that have transformed his relationships, career, and sense of purpose. Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking balance or just someone craving a more fulfilling path, Jake's insights will challenge your assumptions and inspire you to prioritise joy. Tune in to unlock a new level of performance and satisfaction in all areas of life … Sponsors Vanta - get 20% off security certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2: https://vanta.com/secretleaders Personio - all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders -- Newsletter Sign up here: https://secretleaders.email/. You can find our historic newsletters here: https://www.secretleaders.com/episodes.

Jerry Rosengarten is a seasoned, serial entrepreneur and designer who, somewhat unexpectedly, created a revolution in menswear when he designed the leisure suit. However, the leisure suit's success was short-lived. Jerry reveals how knockoffs and cheaper fabrics flooded the market, ultimately leading to the downfall of his business. Through his experiences, Jerry imparts valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, emphasising the importance of pivoting in the face of challenges and having a reliable "drizzler" – a steady source of income to fall back on during tough times. His story serves as a reminder that even the most promising ventures can unravel, and adaptability is key to long-term success. … Sponsors Vanta - get 20% off security certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2: https://vanta.com/secretleaders Personio - all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders -- Newsletter Sign up here: https://secretleaders.email/. You can find our historic newsletters here: https://www.secretleaders.com/episodes.

As a founder, uncertainty is the air you breathe. Sam Conniff, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and co-creator of the Uncertainty Experts, shares his invaluable insights and strategies for navigating the unknown and transforming your relationship with risk. Drawing from his experience and the Uncertainty Experts program, Conniff breaks down the mental models and techniques that can help you find stillness and comfort in the face of uncertainty—and reveals how anyone can build their uncertainty tolerance and thrive in the chaos. … Promo Uncertainty Experts Use this link to get 25% off when you join the Uncertainty Experts experience: https://www.uncertaintyexperts.com/offers/kCVosyU9/checkout?coupon_code=SECRETLEADERS Start by measuring your uncertainty tolerance: https://www.uncertaintyexperts.com/quiz Check out the research behind it all Here and Here Sponsors Vanta - get 20% off security certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2: https://vanta.com/secretleaders Personio - all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders -- Newsletter Sign up here: https://secretleaders.email/. You can find our historic newsletters here: https://www.secretleaders.com/episodes.

Alison Caffrey opens up about the perfect storm she faced as a new mom and entrepreneur. With her business reliant on her time and her husband losing his income, Alison found herself answering client emails mere hours after giving birth. She shares her emotional journey, from using alcohol to cope with stress to the realisation that her business needed a complete overhaul.  … Sponsors Vanta - get 20% off security certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2: https://vanta.com/secretleaders Personio - all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders -- Newsletter Sign up here: https://secretleaders.email/. You can find our historic newsletters here: https://www.secretleaders.com/episodes.

As a leader, your number one job is to be an effective communicator.,  Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Charles Duhigg shares his incredible insights and practical strategies for mastering the art and science of effective communication.  Drawing from his new book, "Supercommunicators," Duhigg breaks down the techniques that set apart those rare individuals who seem to have a magic touch when it comes to conversations and connections—and reveals how anyone can tap into those same skills.  From handling tough talks and building trust to crafting messages that motivate and inspire, this masterclass in communication is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone seeking to build stronger relationships and unlock their full potential. … Sponsors Vanta - get 20% off security certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2: https://vanta.com/secretleaders Personio - all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders -- Newsletter Sign up here: https://secretleaders.email/. You can find our historic newsletters here: https://www.secretleaders.com/episodes.

Tom McLeod, a serial entrepreneur, shares his wild journey of building 5 companies and surviving a dozen failures. From spy camera apps to failed iPhone tossing games, Tom's story is a masterclass in resilience and failing fast. He reveals the gut-wrenching story of his startup Omni, which despite a successful exit, fell short of his ambitious vision. Tom's key lesson? Take loads of shots, learn from failures, and avoid getting knocked out. … Sponsors Vanta - get 20% off security certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2: https://vanta.com/secretleaders Personio - all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders -- Newsletter Sign up here: https://secretleaders.email/. You can find our historic newsletters here: https://www.secretleaders.com/episodes.

There is a problem. Lawyers and Founders have misaligned incentives. Daniel van Binsbergen, lawyer turned founder, shares his perspective on tackling legal challenges in the startup world. Having Founded and exited Lexoo, a legal marketplace, DVB bridges the gap between the legal world and the entrepreneurial mindset. From prioritising legal matters and managing risk tolerance, to fostering a productive relationship with your lawyer and adapting to the fast-paced startup environment - expect actionable insights and candid advice on how to effectively handle legal aspects while not being distracted from your business.

Failing Forward! An Opera Singer's Lessons in Resilience and Reinvention From the opera stage to executive coaching, Caroline Dowd Higgins exemplifies resilience and courage. She recounts her promising opera career's harsh realities, including a pivotal breakdown and questioning if the sacrifices were worth the suffering. With wisdom, Caroline shares lessons on recognising when to pivot, seeking feedback, and embracing her mantra: "The suffering is optional." … Sponsor Check out Personio - the all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders

“99% of successful businesses don’t have a strategy” Alex Smith, a renowned business strategist who argues that real strategic skill isn't about getting caught up in overwhelming complexity, but about identifying key differences that set you apart from competitors. To bring these ideas into reality, Alex and Dan break down brilliant yet straightforward strategies used by companies like Southwest Airlines, Nintendo, Grenade bars, and 5-hour Energy drinks.