2025 trailer - new season launches 4th February!

Can AI revolutionise the way your business operates, or even redefine entire industries?This special episode of Curious Leadership was recorded as a live panel at the CEO Summit 2025, where Dominic was joined on stage by guests Neil Marley, Kevin Bradley, Pedro Arriaga, and John Readman to explore how AI is driving business productivity and innovation across various sectors. Neil reveals how Neologik pivoted from its roots in training technologists to harnessing AI for document automation, a strategic shift mirroring the evolving job market. Kevin brings a unique perspective on Omegro's strategic growth within Constellation, while Pedro shares how AI has supercharged productivity at his facilities management platform, Pego. John shares insights on AI's transformative role in digital marketing, moving beyond predictive analytics to empower data-driven decision-making at Modo25.Our panellists offer their perspectives on how businesses can navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, balancing the human role of integrating it into teams, and how to align employee mindsets with technological advancements. Hear about the rapid evolution of software development and how agile methodologies can accelerate innovation, including advice on overcoming tech debt, enhancing user interaction through voice prompts, and the competitive edge offered by quick MVP development and AI-driven platforms. As AI continues to shape industries, we explore the need for education to prepare the next generation with skills in question formation, philosophy, ethics, and domain-specific expertise. 

Elaine Jobson is a dynamic CEO, board director, and culture strategist with over 30 years of experience scaling fitness and wellness brands across Australia, Africa, Asia, and Europe.  As CEO of Jetts Fitness, she spearheaded the Management Buyout (MBO), restoring the brand to private ownership and founder-driven leadership. Under her guidance, Jetts has flourished, expanding into new markets and repositioning for sustainable, high-performance growth.  Elaine’s passion for values-driven, high-performing cultures is at the heart of her leadership philosophy. Her book, High Performance Through Happy People, captures her insights on building thriving teams that deliver exceptional results.  A sought-after keynote speaker, Elaine energises audiences at industry conferences, leadership summits, and corporate events, sharing expertise on leadership, culture strategy, franchising, and team performance. Known for her sharp operational and commercial acumen, Elaine is a proven leader in strategic growth, franchising, and culture transformation - making her one of the most impactful figures in the industry today.In this episode, Dominic uncovers how the implementation of a Net Promoter Score (NPS) should be a business philosophy rather than just a survey. With Elaine providing insights on identifying detractors through customer feedback, the importance of delivering what she calls “brilliant basics”, and the significance of empowering her club managers and staff to enhance customer service to create a positive culture. Elaine also shares the rapid growth and expansion of the Jetts Fitness brand, their franchise model, commitment to good profit, the evolving perception of fitness as a means for mental health, and looks ahead at opportunities in the global fitness market, particularly in emerging territories like India.DiscoverHow Leadership Drives Growth: Strong leadership is essential for managing growth, stabilising operations, and adapting to changing business environments.How to Build a Positive Culture: A happy, engaged workforce leads to higher performance and better organisational outcomes. Culture is a key driver of long-term success.How Metrics Can Improve Performance: Tools like customer satisfaction scores provide valuable insights and help businesses refine their services to meet customer needs, fostering loyalty.Opportunities in Emerging Markets: Expanding into new markets with growth potential requires strategic planning, market understanding, and partnerships to capitalise effectively.How Scalable Business Models are Key: Structuring businesses to scale - for instance, through franchising or other replicable models - enables sustainable growth and adaptability across regions.Book recommendations:Elaine’s book High Performance Through Happy People is out nowDominic’s book Mind Your F**king Business is out now

Keith Ferrazzi, founder of Ferrazzi Greenlight, is a pioneering executive coach, thought leader, and New York Times #1 bestselling author. For over two decades, he’s transformed Fortune 500 companies, unicorn startups, and governments by challenging teams to break silos and embrace "teamship" over leadership. As the leader of the Greenlight Research Institute, Keith drives innovation in team performance and collaboration. His Radical Innovators Collaborative unites bold thinkers for groundbreaking ideas and best practices. A prolific writer featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and more, Keith’s books include Never Eat Alone, Leading Without Authority, and the cutting-edge Never Lead Alone. In 2024, he received the prestigious Coaches 50 Award, honouring the world’s top executive coaches. Beyond coaching, he’s a philanthropist and strategic investor committed to driving meaningful social impact.In this episode, Dominic explores innovative collaboration methods such as co-elevation and constructive conflict, the need for a shift from individual resilience to collective team resilience and the potential of AI in shaping future team structures. Keith shares anecdotes from coaching executive teams and the insights gained from his research on high-performing teams, highlighting the importance of collaboration, feedback, and a culture of candour in achieving team success. Hear his thoughts about moving away from traditional hierarchical models to more fluid, self-managed teams, advocating for a culture of openness and shared responsibility.DiscoverShift from Leadership to Teamship - Leaders are encouraged to empower their teams to self-manage rather than controlling or micromanaging by transitioning from a traditional leadership model to "teamship" - where responsibility is shared across the team. This helps dismantle silos within organisations, fostering collective accountability and better performance.Candour Over Conflict Avoidance - Radical transparency and open feedback are critical for high-performing teams. Avoiding conflict often leads to mediocrity, while embracing candid and constructive feedback leads to innovation and trust. Practical tools like "candour breaks" and stress testing enable teams to comfortably critique ideas and improve collaboration.Asynchronous Collaboration and Agile Practices - Traditional meeting-centric collaboration methods are inefficient. Harnessing asynchronous collaboration (e.g., collecting input via shared documents) and agile sprints can make decision-making faster and more inclusive. This modern approach aligns team efforts around Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and prevents siloed working.Redefining Teams Beyond Org Charts - Teams aren’t merely those on the organisational chart. Instead, they should be built dynamically around specific goals or KPIs. For example, solving a sales issue may require involvement from marketing, product, and finance—not just the sales department. This approach reduces finger-pointing and fosters cross-functional ownership.Practices for Building Resilient and Celebratory Teams - High-performing teams focus not only on achieving results but also on maintaining team well-being. Practices like monthly "energy checks" ensure team members support one another during challenging times. Additionally, celebrating successes creates a culture of positivity and enhances morale. Peer-to-peer recognition is particularly impactful and energising.Book recommendations:Andrew McAfee - The Geek Way<a href="https://www.diamandis.com/abundance" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

It was a daily grind of ‘win the work, do the work, get paid for the work, only to have to find more work to replace the work’ that led David Hart (known as the ‘Agency to SaaS guy’) to sell his agency and embark on a new SaaS business.After founding digital agency Codegent in 2004, by 2014, after acquiring another agency, Thin Martian, David felt like he was on the treadmill to nowhere. In 2016, he launched SaaS business, ScreenCloud, which hit 8 figures in ARR after only six years and continues to see strong growth year-on-year. The switch has created significant financial value for him and his co-founders, investors and staff.&nbsp;David now advises other agencies and early-stage SaaS founders on scaling their own products, He sits on five boards as a NED and is the author of Productized: Stop Selling Time and Transition to Selling SaaS.&nbsp;In this episode, Dominic uncovers the strategies and mindset shifts necessary to transform a service-oriented business into a thriving SaaS company. We explore the contrasting dynamics of hiring and growth between the agency and SaaS models and the critical role of building an experienced team to achieve rapid expansion. David lays bare the exhilarating yet daunting task of burning through investment to scale revenue, the importance of aligning with market needs and avoiding the pitfalls of launching products without demand. DiscoverStart by Testing Your Idea: Before creating a product, it's important to make sure people actually need it. You can do this by asking potential customers questions that get to the heart of their problems. A good product should either help people make money, save money, or solve an important issue they worry about.Moving from Services to Products: David transitioned from running a company offering services to selling a product. This shift allowed his business to grow faster and become easier to scale compared to offering services.Spending Money to Grow: To grow a software business like ScreenCloud, David had to spend money up front, especially to get new customers. Investors encouraged him to spend boldly to grow quickly, even if the business wasn’t immediately profitable.Focusing on One Thing Is Key: David realised that trying to create multiple products at once made it hard to succeed. Instead, focusing on creating one strong product helped him and his team direct their time, energy, and resources more effectively.Learning from Early Failures: Before ScreenCloud, David worked on many products that didn’t succeed. He learned that talking to potential customers early on and finding out if they’d actually pay for a solution are critical steps to avoid wasting time and money on ideas that won't work.Book recommendations:April Dunford - Sales Pitch &amp; Obviously AwesomeRob Fitzpatrick - The Mom TestDavid’s book Productized is out nowDominic’s book Mind Your F**king Business is out now

Maria Ross, a keynote speaker, author, strategist, and empathy advocate, believes cash flow, creativity, and compassion can coexist. Founder of Red Slice, she advises organisations on leveraging empathy for better engagement. She authored ‘The Empathy Dilemma: How Successful Leaders Balance Performance, People, and Personal Boundaries’ and hosts ‘The Empathy Edge’ podcast. A dynamic speaker, Maria has addressed top conferences like TEDx, The 3% Conference, and Salesforce, with her insights featured in outlets such as MSNBC, NPR, Forbes, and Huffington Post.In this episode, Dominic explores empathy's role in leadership and business success. With Maria explaining how empathy can be cultivated, especially in education, and addresses the challenge of balancing empathy with performance. Maria introduces the five pillars of empathetic leadership - self-awareness, self-care, clarity, decisiveness, and joy - offering a framework to enhance empathy while ensuring high performance. They explore effective leadership, the role of decisiveness, joy, and empathy in workplace culture, and how leaders can make tough decisions without causing team stress.DiscoverBalance Empathy with Action: Empathy doesn’t mean avoiding tough decisions. Instead, it’s about acting compassionately while staying focused on goals. Gathering different perspectives helps make thoughtful choices, but avoid overthinking - decisiveness keeps progress on track.Clarity and Transparency Build Trust: Clear communication is essential. Whether setting boundaries, making decisions, or solving problems, being explicit about your intentions reduces misunderstandings and creates trust. Explaining your rationale helps others feel heard and valued, even if they don’t agree with your decisions.Empathy Can Be Learned and Strengthened: Empathy is a skill that can grow with practice. Similar to building a muscle, environments that promote listening, curiosity, and collaboration can nurture this ability. Making an effort to understand others’ experiences leads to stronger connections and better outcomes in every aspect of life.Empathy Drives Problem-Solving and Innovation: Empathy allows you to understand others' needs, fears, and motivations, which can lead to better solutions in any situation. Empathy isn’t just about relationships - it’s also a catalyst for better decision-making and innovation.Book recommendations:Rob Volpe - Tell Me More About ThatDr. Adam Dorsay - Super PsychedRobin Dreeke - Unbreakable AlliancesAnna Liotta - Unlocking Generational CodesMaria’s books The Empathy Dilemma &amp; <a href="https://red-slice.com/the-empathy-edge-book/"

Kaihan Krippendorff is a world-renowned business strategist, innovation authority, and CEO of Outthinker Networks - a powerhouse of chief strategy and innovation leaders shaping the future of business. A former McKinsey consultant, he’s heralded as one of the top 30 global thinkers in strategy and innovation by Global Gurus and Thinkers50, with a proven track record of helping organisations generate over $3 billion in transformative growth.The bestselling author of six books, including Outthink the Competition and Driving Innovation from Within, Kaihan’s latest work, Proximity, is a Next Big Idea Club must-read endorsed by thought leaders like Adam Grant and Malcolm Gladwell. He’s a go-to voice for innovation and strategy, regularly writing for Harvard Business Review and Fast Company and hosting podcasts like Outthinkers and The Chief Strategy Officer.Kaihan has partnered with global giants like Microsoft, IBM, Procter &amp; Gamble, and JP Morgan, while teaching at top institutions like Wharton Executive Ed and NYU. A sought-after speaker and media contributor, he inspires audiences worldwide, blending his global perspective and multicultural insights from his base in Miami, Florida.In this episode, Dominic explores the intricacies of strategic thinking and the critical distinction between strategic planning and true strategy. With Kaihan highlighting the growing importance of proximity in value creation, focusing on how businesses can innovate closer to the moment demand arises. They also examine the shifts in various industries including the evolution of defence technology, the disruptive impact of 3D printing on manufacturing, the need to rethink inventory and production processes, and how AI is reshaping information delivery.DiscoverProximity as a Strategic Advantage: How businesses can achieve competitive advantages by creating value closer to the time and location where demand appears. Examples include Coca-Cola's Freestyle machines and advances in 3D printing for customisable solutions.Strategic Insights from Ancient Principles: The 36 strategic patterns derived from ancient Chinese fables, such as “Seize the Deer in the Headlights Moment” and “Embrace What’s Been Abandoned,” which empower businesses to outthink competitors and exploit overlooked opportunitiesShifting from Planning to Creation: Traditional strategic planning processes and shifts in focus toward narrative-driven strategy, emphasising the power of constraints in sparking innovative ideas.Sustainable Innovation in Multiple Industries: How proximity can lead to both environmental and business advantages. Real-world examples of sustainability-driven innovations include hydroponic farming and lab-grown meat, to eliminating waste in production and inventory management. Book recommendations:Bruce Greenwald - Competition DemystifiedMarcus Collins - For The CultureDr. Sandra Matz - MindmastersKaihan’s books Proximity and The Art of the Advantage are out nowDominic’s book <a...

James Kerr is a writer, coach, and consultant who specialises in leadership, culture and mindset in high-performing teams. His global bestseller, 'Legacy' has been described by The Daily Telegraph as “the modern version of Vince Lombardi’s guides to coaching”, saying that "for those searching for genuine keys to team culture, it is manna from heaven".James has worked with Tier One Special Forces, the English Premier League, international cricket, Formula One, America’s Cup, Major League Baseball, and Olympic pathways. He has guest lectured at Westpoint Military Academy, Sandhurst and Eton College and written for the BBC, Independent, Times and Guardian. His corporate clients have included Google, Spotify, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey &amp; Co, Adidas, and Arc'teryx.In this frank discussion, Dominic explores the synergy between individual leadership and collective vision, and the critical role of cultural evolution in maintaining relevance and potency. James shares how the iconic “Sweeping the Shed” mantra, revolutionised team culture at the All Blacks, and how these principles can be applied beyond the rugby field into business and everyday life.DiscoverThe Role of Values in Sustainable Success: By embracing values such as humility, responsibility, and respect, the All Blacks created a foundation for long-term success, demonstrating that values-driven cultures outperform talent-driven ones.The Power of Rituals and Symbols: The enduring significance of the Haka demonstrates how rituals and symbols can reinforce identity, unity, and purpose within a team.Leadership Across Domains: The principles of leadership and cultural excellence are universal and can be applied across diverse fields, demonstrated by James’ work in sports, military, and business. Neuroscience and Leadership: The interplay between neuroscience and performance underpins how understanding the brain's responses to fear and confidence can inspire leaders to strike a balance between challenges and support, fostering growth and accountability.Book recommendations:Viktor Frankl - Man's Search For MeaningDaniel Kahneman - Thinking, Fast and SlowDaniel Coyle - The Culture CodeJim Collins - Good To GreatJames' book Legacy is out now. Dominic’s book Mind Your F**king Business is out now.&nbsp;

A message from Dom about some exciting changes coming to the podcast from next week.

In this conversation, Ben Hunt-Davis shares insight into what drives and empowers an Olympic gold-winning team. A Former Olympic rower turned successful entrepreneur, Ben is the author of the acclaimed book Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?Tune in for invaluable insights from Ben’s illustrious rowing career, recounting the journey from consistently finishing at the bottom to clinching Olympic gold. Discover the transformative power of team alignment and purpose, the crucial role of feedback and trust, and the non-negotiable importance of shared goals—whether in sports or business.This episode delves into the details of team dynamics, the impact of clear communication, and the courage to embrace discomfort for the sake of improvement. Tune in, and let’s make your business unstoppable!TakeawaysFinding team alignment and purpose.Fostering a culture that values collective success over individual glory.The pivotal role of clear goals and regular feedback in driving continual improvement.Everyone brings different strengths and life situations to the table. Leveraging those differences to optimise performance.Embracing open, honest feedback as a tool for growth, even when it’s uncomfortable.Timestamps(00:00) Title with Ben Hunt-Davis.(01:05) Coining A Phrase.(03:10) Uni Drop Out To Full-Time Athlete.(08:01) How Clear Expectations Lead To Gold.(11:27) Helping A Team Get Clarity and Purpose.(13:52) Team Dynamics.(17:44) Constructive Conflict.(19:09) Improving Focus and Learning.(22:34) Helping Others Improve With Uncomfortable Truths.(25:19) Difficult Real-Life Scenarios.(27:02) Quick Fire Questions.(32:58) People a bit better inspire relatable progress.(33:54) Dad advises but feels unqualified for career guidance.About Ben Hunt-DavisBen is an experienced performance coach, facilitator and world-class keynote speaker. Ben has spent the last 20+ years specialising in translating his Olympic-winning strategies into everyday business success.Specifically focusing on leadership and team development, Ben has designed and run training courses, conferences and events for more than 100 different organisations.Ben and executive coach Harriet Beveridge published the best-selling book Will It Make The Boat Go Faster? in 2011. Their real-world application of Ben’s rowing crew’s strategies, habits, and mindset is world-renowned. The performance principles underpinning their story still shape the philosophy of our business today. Ben is an expert in galvanising executive teams and organisations behind a shared ‘Crazy Goal’.Ben consistently leads and inspires teams to deliver exceptional results. He is a three-time Team GB staff member at the Summer Olympics and chair of organising committees for two international rowing events in the UK.Follow Ben Hunt-DavisWebsite: https://willitmaketheboatgofaster.com/&nbsp;LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhuntdavis?originalSubdomain=uk&nbsp;X: https://x.com/olympianben&nbsp;Books by Ben Hunt-DavisWill It Make The Boat Go Faster Book RecommendationsJames Holland books - https://griffonmerlin.com/&nbsp;Mentioned in this episode:Get Mind Your...

In this conversation, Chris Fenning – communications expert, coach and author – deep dives into transforming workplace communication. Tired of inefficient meetings? Chris suggests empowering all participants to take charge, seeking clarity on agendas, and addressing distractions head-on to boost engagement.Chris offers his unique perspective on communication, including his methods for delivering impactful updates and simplifying complex topics. From his advice on honing email effectiveness to his insights on intertwining leadership skills with everyday exchanges, Chris offers valuable tools for ensuring your message is heard loud and clear.Listen and get practical tips on breaking down the barriers to effective communication in the workplace and how to leverage AI's potential. Chris shares book recommendations and a fresh outlook that will leave you inspired. Whether you're an intern or an executive, this episode promises actionable strategies to revolutionise how you connect and convey your ideas. So, let's jump in and learn how to mind your f**king business more efficiently!TakeawaysClarity is key for clear communication.Shared responsibility for effective and efficient meetings.How to handle distractions and bring conversations back politely.Positive problem solving to demonstrate competence.Top tips for effective email communication.Goal, Problem, Solution Communication Model.Public Speaking vs. Communication Fundamentals.Timestamps(00:00) Be More Effective in Communication with Chris Fenning.(00:17) Early Life Crisis Leading To Comms.(04:36) Learning How To Teach.(06:48) Clear, Concise, and To-The-Point Methodologies.(09:20) Asking The How.(11:40) Goal, Problem, Solution.(14:08) Safety in Mediocracy.(18:16) Psychological Safety in Leadership.(19:09) Delivering Bad News.(21:05) Effective Emails and AI.(26:55) Clear Communication in Questions.(29:32) When Should Comms. Be Taught?(32:42) Teaching Across Levels.(34:41) How To Do Meetings Differently.(39:35) Quick Fire Questions with Chris Fenning.(41:40) Book Recommendations.About Chris FenningChris Fenning helps us master our communication at work. He helps experts talk to non-experts, teams talk to executives, and much more. Chris's practical methods are used in organisations like Google and NATO, and have appeared in the Harvard Business Review. He is also the author of multiple award-winning books on communication and training that have been translated into 16 languages.&nbsp;Find out how Chris can help you at www.chrisfenning.com&nbsp;Follow Chris FenningWebsite: https://chrisfenning.com&nbsp;LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fenning/&nbsp;YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmIXD8AIH-LUV-B1V5KJ4Ww&nbsp;Books by Chris FenningThe First Minute: https://chrisfenning.com/books/#the-first-minute&nbsp;Effective Emails: https://chrisfenning.com/books/#effective-emails&nbsp;39 Ways to Make Training Stick: <a href="https://chrisfenning.com/books/#39-ways" rel="noopener noreferrer"...