Ep225 Zach Smith - Beyond Bucket Lists: How Mindful Travel Transforms Leadership

Your vacation is a wasted opportunity for growth.Most leaders treat travel like a checklist, moving from one destination to the next without any real change. This episode challenges that approach, revealing a powerful connection between meaningful travel and effective leadership. Mike O’Neill sits down with Zach Smith, the founder and CEO of anywhere.com, a travel company built on creating profound experiences rather than just selling trips. Zach explains the critical difference between being a tourist and becoming an explorer. He shares how stepping out of your comfort zone in a new culture builds the same resilience and perspective needed to navigate the complexities of business. Mike and Zach break down the practical steps for shifting your mindset from passive observation to active presence, turning your time off into a powerful tool for personal and professional development.Key Insights to Look Out For:- The problem with the "bucket list" mentality and how it prevents you from having truly transformative experiences.- Why intentionality is the key to both meaningful travel and impactful leadership.- How to remain patient and lead effectively when your business comes to a complete standstill.Listen now to learn how to approach your next trip as a chance to grow, not just a chance to get away. If this conversation sparks a new idea, consider sharing it with a fellow leader.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unstuck.show/225

Your company's charitable giving might be a waste of money and goodwill.Most business owners treat charitable giving as a reactive task, responding to endless requests with limited budgets, which leads to frustration and diluted impact. This episode changes that. Host Mike O’Neill sits down with David Aft, a civic leader and the president of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia, who has spent decades helping businesses transform their giving from an obligation into a powerful strategy. David explains how to handle the constant pressure of donation requests and build a charitable plan that aligns with your brand, energizes your employees, and creates a lasting positive effect you can feel good about.Key Insights to Look Out For:- A simple 'rule of thirds' to structure your giving budget, balancing customer requests, employee passions, and your company’s core mission.- How to create a charitable mission statement that lets you say 'no' with confidence and 'yes' with genuine enthusiasm.- The shift from reactive, transactional giving to a strategic approach that amplifies your brand and boosts employee morale.Listen to this conversation to get the clarity you need to make your generosity both meaningful and strategic. If this episode helps you, share it with another leader who could use the guidance.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unstuck.show/204

Stop letting your future self remain a blurry image.In this episode of "Get Unstuck and On Target," host Mike O’Neill sits down with Lindsay Hack, a certified coach and founder of HacktiveFit Coaching. Lindsay has developed a revolutionary AI-powered vision board experience that helps leaders visualize success with remarkable clarity. This isn't your typical vision board; it's a powerful tool that leverages AI to create a vivid, emotionally resonant picture of your future self. Mike O’Neill, known for his expertise in ethical leadership and coaching top executives, guides the conversation, sharing his own experience with Lindsay's process and offering his unique perspective on how visualization fuels leadership growth. They explore the practical applications of this AI vision board for leaders and coaches, and what happens when you can finally see your future with absolute clarity.Key Insights to Look Out For:- How traditional vision boards fall short and why AI is the missing piece for true visualization.- The neuroscience behind why seeing your future self, with emotional accuracy, makes achieving goals more likely.- Real-world examples of how this AI vision board experience has helped individuals move from feeling stuck to taking decisive action.Don't just dream about your success—see it, feel it, and then achieve it. Listen to this episode to learn how to transform your aspirations into a clear, actionable reality. If you found value in this conversation, consider subscribing and sharing it with a fellow leader.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unstuck.show/223

Pick up a copy of Tim's book, Everybody Leads here:  https://a.co/d/5dZkQzEMost CEOs carry the weight of leadership alone, but Baker Donelson's Tim Lupinacci discovered a revolutionary approach that transformed his 1,300-person law firm into a powerhouse of shared responsibility. In this candid conversation with Mike O'Neill, Tim reveals how abandoning traditional top-down management created record-breaking growth even through a global pandemic.Tim shares the pivotal moment when a harsh confrontation with his boss changed his entire perspective on leadership. As chairman and CEO of one of America's 100 largest law firms spanning 24 offices across 15 states, Tim demonstrates how creating a culture where "everybody leads" has dismantled the typical professional hierarchy that limits most organizations.Mike explores how Tim's approach to curiosity and authentic relationship-building has allowed him to scale his leadership impact without carrying the burden alone. You'll hear practical strategies for empowering team members at all levels to take ownership and drive results collectively.Key Insights to Look Out For:Why most leaders fail to tap into their organization's full potential by clinging to outdated command-and-control modelsHow Tim's "COURAGE" framework provides a practical roadmap for leading through uncertainty and rapid changeThe counterintuitive way Tim uses town halls and engagement surveys to build genuine trust across all levels of his firmListen now to discover how you can transform your leadership approach from solitary struggle to shared success. This episode isn't just about Tim's journey—it's about helping you create a culture where everyone contributes their best. Subscribe to "Get Unstuck and On Target" for more conversations that will help you lead with confidence and achieve extraordinary results.Find all the show notes and links here:  https://www.unstuck.show/222

In this powerful episode, Mike O'Neill sits down with Mike Blake, founder of High Score Strategies, who made the bold decision to relocate his business valuation firm from Atlanta to Portugal. Not for political reasons or tax benefits—but because his greatest talents were gathering dust, slowly eroding his sense of purpose and happiness.Mike Blake brings over 20 years of experience in business valuation, specializing in hard-to-value assets like software code, intellectual property, and early-stage technology companies. Throughout this candid conversation, he reveals how living abroad has transformed not just his personal life but made him a sharper, more focused business leader. His expertise in valuing complex assets combined with his natural talent for languages and cultural adaptation creates a unique perspective on leadership that business owners can immediately apply.Host Mike O'Neill expertly guides the discussion through Blake's professional transformation, drawing out practical wisdom on how curiosity becomes a competitive advantage, why non-judgmental problem-solving builds stronger teams, and how recognizing when you're stuck can be the most valuable business insight of all.Key Insights to Look Out For:- Why using your second-best talents instead of your best ones creates a spiritual drain that eventually impacts your business performance- How adopting a posture of curiosity rather than judgment transforms client relationships and team leadership- The power of acknowledging when there's no good solution to a problem—and why sometimes the best advice is telling clients they're genuinely stuckThis episode isn't just for those considering international relocation—it's for any business owner feeling misaligned with their true strengths or facing difficult transitions. Listen now to gain fresh perspective on what it takes to make meaningful change, even when it requires significant sacrifice. Mike's story will inspire you to honestly assess where your talents are being underutilized and find the courage to make necessary shifts in your business and life.Remember to subscribe to Get Unstuck and On Target for more conversations that blend strategic business insights with authentic leadership wisdom. Your next breakthrough might be waiting in this episode.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unstuck.show/221

Still trapped in credit card debt despite a six-figure income? You're not alone.In this episode, Mike O'Neill interviews Nancy Ward, a financial coach who specializes in helping high-earning professionals escape credit card debt without relying on traditional budgets or shame-based tactics. Nancy shares her unique approach to understanding spending habits and rebuilding your relationship with money. She highlights why leaders should care about their team's financial well-being and how it impacts overall performance. Mike O'Neill adds his insights from years of coaching, emphasizing the importance of empathy and awareness in leadership.Key Insights to Look Out For:- How analyzing your spending categories can be more effective than traditional budgeting.- Why financial stress affects professional performance and what leaders can do to support their teams.- Practical tips to break free from the "pay for it later" trap and regain control of your finances.Ready to transform your financial situation and lead with greater empathy? Listen to this episode and start implementing these strategies today. Don't forget to share this episode with a friend who needs it!Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unstuck.show/220

Is your success a mask hiding a deeper struggle?In this episode, Mike O'Neill speaks with Gordon D Melville, also known as the Long Bearded Guy and King of EQ, a breakthrough mentor and emotional intelligence expert. Gordon helps high-impact leaders transform not just what they do, but who they are at their core. Drawing from his work with pro athletes and elite men, Gordon shares how to identify the signs of misalignment and reclaim your true self. Mike O'Neill adds his insights on recognizing worth beyond professional achievements.Key Insights to Look Out For:Understand why separating "what you do" from "who you be" is vital for lasting fulfillment.Learn how to spot the signs of being out of sync with your true worth, even when you appear successful.Find out why awareness and ownership are the keys to getting unstuck and living a more authentic life.Ready to remove the layers and reveal your true self? Listen now and start creating a legacy that resonates with your soul. Share this episode with a fellow leader who needs to hear this message.Find all the show notes and links here:  https://www.unstuck.show/219

Is your relationship with money secretly sabotaging your business success?In this episode, Mike O'Neill speaks with Shannon Simmons, a certified profit-first professional and financial coach, about the emotional ties we have with money and how these ties can either help or hurt business leaders. Shannon shares her experience in helping business owners take control of their cash flow, increase profits, and create businesses that align with their desired lifestyles. They talk about why money is often avoided and how to shine a light on it to understand it better.Key Insights to Look Out For:- Learn how guilt, shame, and embarrassment can impact your financial decisions and leadership.- Understand the key principles of the "Profit First" system and how to modernize the envelope system for your business.- Discover practical steps to shift your money mindset from fear and avoidance to freedom and empowerment.Ready to transform your relationship with money and your business? Listen to this episode and start implementing these lessons today. If this episode helps you, share it with another business owner!Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unstuck.show/218

Is employee loss silently killing your company's growth?In this special "Clarity Live" episode, Mike O'Neill turns the tables and gets coached live by Mitchell Levy, a global credibility expert, executive coach, and two-time TedX speaker. Mitchell, who has authored over 60 books and built more than 20 businesses in Silicon Valley, uses his unique CPOP (Customer Point of Possibilities) formula to help Mike articulate his purpose and gain a clearer understanding of his business. Listen in as they discuss the challenges mid-market executives face and how to create a framework for sustainable growth. Mike also shares his personal experiences and insights on the importance of aligning one's actions with their core values.Key Insights to Look Out For:Learn how to define your CPOP and use it as a compass for better decision-making.Understand the critical link between leadership, employee retention, and company culture.Hear Mitchell's advice on how to avoid the "fake it till you make it" trap and build genuine credibility.Ready to stop the revolving door and start building a thriving company culture? Tune in now to gain actionable strategies and a fresh perspective on leadership. If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it with a fellow business owner who could benefit from these insights.Find all the show notes and links here:  https://www.unstuck.show/217

Is your multi-generational team a ticking time bomb? Discover how to defuse the tension and turn generational gaps into your greatest strength.In this episode, Mike O'Neill interviews Porschia Parker-Griffin, founder and CEO of Fly High Coaching, and LinkedIn Top Voice. Porschia is an expert in helping organizations attract, engage, and retain top talent. They tackle the challenge of managing a workforce that spans up to five generations. Porschia shares her strategic insights and practical tools for leaders to bridge generational divides. Mike O'Neill adds his expertise, offering leaders actionable steps to adapt their communication and motivational strategies.Key Insights to Look Out For:Learn how to identify and unlearn the biggest misconceptions about different generations in the workplace.Understand the importance of collaborative cultures and communication styles that promote contribution from every team member, regardless of generation.Get practical tips on adapting to hybrid work environments by understanding generational preferences and prioritizing consistent communication.Ready to transform your multi-generational workforce into a high-performing team? Listen now and start building bridges across generations in your organization. Don't forget to share this episode with a fellow leader facing similar challenges.Find all the show notes and links here:  https://www.unstuck.show/216