In this episode, I sit down with Sylvana Rochet – the leadership advisor trusted by execs from Tesla, Slack and Apple – to talk about how to lead through the chaos of high-stakes transitions without leaving your people behind. Whether it’s an IPO, a layoff, or a burnout-fuelled exit, Sylvana helps leaders get clear, stay human, and lead with intention.

We dig into the real blind spot most execs miss: the emotional fallout of change. You can’t just tick off the legal and financial to-do list and expect the team to bounce back by Thursday. We unpack how slowing down, asking better questions, and connecting to your true intentions can transform the way you show up and lead. Whether you're scaling fast or just figuring out what’s next, this one’s gold.

How to lead through big transitions without losing your people

Plan for the people – Most leaders focus on logistics and forget the emotional reality of transition. Your people need space to process. Give it to them.

Slow down to speed up – Honour the human side of change now and you’ll move faster later with a team that’s energised and bought in.

Use the three C’s – Clarity, curiosity and courage. Get clear on your intention, get curious about what you don’t know, and find the guts to do what’s right, even when it’s hard.

Set your intention – Every conversation, every decision, every day. Don't drift. Be intentional with how you show up and what you want to create.

Practise X-ray listening – Go deeper than the first answer. Ask better questions. Listen for what’s said and unsaid. That’s where the truth is.

Timeline summary

[02:55] – The leadership blind spot in transitions: ignoring the human element [06:33] – “Slow down now so you can go faster later” – why pacing matters [07:37] – The Three C’s: clarity, curiosity and courage – your go-to framework [12:01] – “Your real intention? To prove you’re as good as your sibling.” [14:13] – The billboard test: What is your intention? [19:03] – How to practise X-ray listening and actually hear what matters [23:39] – Listening as an act of relationship, not just a transaction [25:00] – Transition coaching: clarity, courage and what's next [27:16] – Build an identity that no one can take from you [27:41] – Book rec: The Courage to Be Disliked and why it’ll blow your mind

Links & resources

📘 Book recommendation: The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga 🔗 Connect with Sylvana Rochet on LinkedIn

If this episode sparked something for you, share it with a fellow leader going through change. And don’t forget to rate, follow and review Leadership that Sells – let’s help more managers lead first and sell more.

What’s the smartest way to take over a team without falling into the usual traps? In this episode, I’m joined by Carl Sharperson Jr. — a former Marine Corps pilot, corporate VP and leadership coach who’s worked with brands like Chick-fil-A, BMW and Lockheed Martin. Carl shares the exact process he uses to walk into a new team and turn it into a high-performing system (not just a team).

We get into how authenticity and resilience aren’t just personal values — they’re strategic leadership tools. Carl breaks down his "join-up" approach for building trust, getting buy-in and turning adversity into fuel. No theory here. Just straight-up, battle-tested tactics from someone who’s lived it in the military, the boardroom and life-or-death moments. If you’re a leader stepping into a new role — or rebuilding a struggling team — this one’s essential.

Build trust with a “join-up” conversation — start with your own story Ask what the org can do better, from their perspective Set expectations and invite the truth, even if it’s uncomfortable Ask: “How can I help you?” Solve one problem, earn long-term loyalty Co-create the vision, strategy and plan — don’t dictate Focus on the system: people, processes, relationships and metrics Teach resilience: if you quit once, it gets easier to quit again

[04:52] - The P&G plant that outperformed by building trust and diversity [11:07] - Carl’s join-up method: the conversation every new leader should have [13:20] - “Help them with one problem, and you’ve got a friend for life” [16:13] - Turning trust into results with clear, co-created goals [20:01] - Why high performance means building systems, not just teams [24:46] - Resilience in action: what football, cancer and leadership have in common [31:33] - Why you should go with their solution, even if yours is better [36:08] - The real leadership challenge execs confess too late: balance [40:08] - Carl’s message to the world: “Love covers a multitude of sins”

👉 www.carlsharpersonjr.com 📘 Sharp Leadership: Overcome Adversity to Lead with Authenticity — available on Amazon

If this episode helped shift your perspective, do me a favour: rate, follow, share or leave a review. Let’s help more leaders lead first and sell more.

In this episode of Leadership That Sells, I sit down with Dmytro Tymoshchuk, serial entrepreneur, co-founder of DST Group and CEO of ToolsOn, a platform that’s set to transform how digital businesses manage operations. But what starts as a chat about building software quickly reveals a deeper superpower: Dmytro is a master at finding hidden talent and unlocking people’s potential.

We talk about his journey from engineer to entrepreneur, the challenges of managing complex businesses with duct-tape tools like Excel, and the real reason so many startups fail. Dmytro explains how he built not one but two successful companies by spotting greatness in people others overlook—whether it’s a prompt engineer hiding in a basement or a future CTO working their way up from the ground floor.

We get into practical ways to identify raw talent, the questions that matter in an interview, and how to turn people’s passion into performance. If you're tired of hiring the obvious candidates and want to start finding the difference-makers, this one’s for you.

- Look for people already creating things, even if it's not in your field.

- Prioritise hands-on experience over academic abstraction.

- Pay attention to how they speak—clear, precise language often signals deep thinking.

- Give them a real challenge with purpose and autonomy, then see how they run with it.

- Offer remote flexibility as a serious advantage to attract motivated self-starters.

- Nurture internal talent—developing leaders from within often beats hiring externally.

[02:01] – “I'm a geek who doesn't code” – how Dmytro helps engineers make better decisions [04:22] – The pain of patchwork tools: why ToolsOn is built for digital-first operations [10:10] – “We're not building a Swiss army knife” – how a framework beats a feature list [14:45] – 100 customer interviews in 2 months: solving problems people actually care about [22:34] – Behind the build: the 13-year journey of trust and team chemistry [29:03] – Finding a prompt engineer in a music producer’s basement [36:34] – The roadmap mindset: how to turn talent into scalable execution [43:40] – Why you should train people to be great at what they’re already good at [46:57] – “Be responsible and live by your conscience” – wisdom from Dmytro’s grandmother

• Connect with Dmytro on LinkedIn

If this episode made you think differently about talent, teams or your own leadership potential, do me a favour: follow the show, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and leave us a quick rating or review. Let’s build better leaders, one episode at a time.

When it comes to exiting a business, most founders are stuck. They’re too embedded in the day-to-day, too essential to operations, and too burnt out to even think straight about what comes next. In this episode, I sat down with award-winning exit strategist Christine Nicholson to unpack exactly how to shift that.

Christine has helped hundreds of business owners go from overworked to overjoyed — guiding them to exits worth millions. We talked through why most businesses fail to sell, the three types of exits every founder must make, and the tactical mindset shifts required to hand over control without fear.

If you’re even thinking about selling — this is required listening. No fluff, just practical, punchy advice from someone who’s done it all.

If you want to make your business sellable and achieve the exit you deserve, Christine says you need to:

• Reduce owner reliance: Your business can’t be dependent on you — get yourself out of the day-to-day operations.
• Know your numbers: Poor financial reporting kills deals. Prep your data room early and do it right.
• Prepare for due diligence: It’s hell if you’re not ready. Easy to do upfront, brutal if you leave it too late.
• Build a push-up team (not a hang-off team): Hire stalagmites — people who lift you up, not stalactites who drag you down.
• Follow the 5 steps to a successful exit:

1. Know where you are now (value + saleability)
2. Decide what you want
3. Get the team involved
4. Let go with confidence (build controls into the business)
5. Exit by design — not by accident

[03:00] - “Oh, I wonder what that’s like?” — how Christine’s career was defined by curiosity, not a plan [08:57] - The three exits every business owner must make: daily ops, control, and ownership [10:15] - The three most common reasons businesses fail to sell [13:20] - Why due diligence is “Dante’s 10 levels of hell” if you’re not prepared [14:44] - “Hire people who push you out the door” — Christine’s stalagmites vs stalactites model [17:00] - The five-step roadmap to a successful business exit [22:17] - Start here: if you got hit by a bus tomorrow, what would your team need to survive? [27:02] - “Your team are already making up a story about your exit — tell them the one you want them to believe” [31:06] - The real difference between coaches and mentors [33:08] - What the military taught Christine about leadership: clarity, certainty, consistency

• Christine’s website: christinenicholson.co.uk
• Her book: Sell It and sequel How To Sell Your Business
• Connect with Christine on LinkedIn

In this episode of Leadership That Sells, I’m joined by the ever-curious and charismatic Jack Cohen — mentor capitalist, strategic consultant, pilot, black belt, and author of Freedom Frameworks. Jack's story is one of relentless skill acquisition, diverse experience, and a deep commitment to serving others. We dig into what it really takes to grow a team, a career and a company — and it all comes down to tools, frameworks and a very particular mindset.

We talk about how the most interesting people do the most interesting business, why leadership is about creating pull energy not pushing tasks, and how to lead your life (and your people) with intention. If you’ve ever found yourself managing without a clear north star or repeating the same year of experience over and over — this one’s for you.

We get into how to use frameworks to manage yourself before managing others, the reason context is king, and how to turn success into wisdom by sharing it. Jack shares why he wrote Freedom Frameworks, what Batman taught him about business, and how you can use “pull energy” to get your people to move faster and more effectively — and most importantly, in the right direction.

• Define a compelling vision of the future — not just goals, but a vivid story of success.
• Begin with the end in mind to activate intrinsic motivation.
• Create “pull energy” by connecting people emotionally to outcomes they care about.
• Build context around your content — people act faster when they understand why.
• Apply simple frameworks to manage yourself, then use those to support your team.
• Reframe challenges as opportunities — your language shapes their reality.

[03:07] – Jack’s Thunderball moment: how James Bond inspired a life of skills, speed and service [05:35] – The three ingredients of career success: skills, experiences, relationships [07:10] – Why success without sharing is selfish: the wisdom loop from Jack’s 10-year-old son [10:12] – Batman as the ultimate mentor capitalist: no powers, just tools and leverage [12:37] – How Freedom Frameworks was born from mentoring young professionals [14:58] – “Context gives meaning to content” — and why pull energy beats push every time [16:02] – Picture your future: how storytelling unlocks momentum in life and leadership [16:42] – Source activities vs outcomes: how clarity drives effective strategy

• Freedom Frameworks book by Jack Cohen
• Learn more at Dark Knight Ventures

In this episode of Leadership That Sells, I sit down with Torben Nurby, former Danish military recon captain, leadership expert, and author of The Contextual Leader. We dive into the crucial difference between situational and contextual leadership—why understanding the broader business environment is the key to leading effectively. Torben shares his insights on how to diagnose before acting, shape organizational culture for success, and align leadership approaches to different business challenges. If you want to stop leading with a one-size-fits-all playbook and start making a real impact, this episode is for you.

How to lead effectively in different contexts:

• Understand that context sustains performance—it’s not just about reacting to daily situations.
• Before making changes, assess the external complexity and align internal structures accordingly.
• Set the right guardrails—structure teams, decision-making, and processes to enable the desired behaviors.
• Adapt leadership styles to match the organization’s stage—a turnaround requires different leadership than a high-growth startup.
• Identify and leverage subcultures to drive performance instead of seeing them as obstacles.
• Diagnose first—prescription without diagnosis is malpractice in leadership too.

Timeline summary:

[01:15] - Torben’s journey from military recon to leadership consultancy and authorship. [06:45] - What is contextual leadership, and why does it matter more than situational leadership? [12:20] - A real-world example: How one leader turned around a struggling furniture company by reshaping its context. [19:30] - The role of subcultures in performance—how to harness them instead of fighting them. [25:10] - Why great leaders don’t come in with pre-set solutions but instead analyze first. [31:00] - Universal leadership traits: Authenticity, relationships, and adaptability.

Links & resources:

• The Contextual Leader by Torben Nurby

Enjoyed this episode? If you found value in this conversation, please rate, follow, and share the podcast with fellow leaders. Your support helps us continue bringing expert insights to help you lead first and sell more!

In this episode, I sit down with Garrett Delph, CEO of Clarity OPS, who’s spent 25 years streamlining global businesses, turning chaos into clarity, and building systems that empower people to thrive. Garrett shares his philosophy on simplifying the "operational engine room" of business and how sturdy systems and aligned teams drive growth.

We dive into the synergy between leadership and systems, exploring why even the best leaders need robust frameworks to ensure clarity and alignment. Garrett shares actionable insights on spotting operational inefficiencies, crafting clear job descriptions, and understanding the critical role humans play in tech-driven workflows. We even riff on the perfect analogy for business operations—spoiler: it involves baking cakes and aligning bolts on classic cars!

Whether you're scaling a company, troubleshooting operational gaps, or pondering the future of tech in business, this episode is packed with practical advice and big ideas. Garrett’s vision for “Convergent Leadership 360” ties it all together, creating a roadmap for leaders looking to harness the power of systems and people.

Timeline Summary

• [00:01] - Garrett’s journey and philosophy: simplifying chaos and building durable business systems.
• [02:20] - The “operational engine room” and its impact on breaking through the 9 out of 10 business failure stat.
• [06:00] - Why a lack of clarity and communication often derails businesses—and how to fix it.
• [10:20] - The DNA of job descriptions: aligning roles with outcomes for seamless teamwork.
• [14:00] - Diagnosing business problems through organizational alignment and decision-making clarity.
• [20:00] - Humans vs. technology: balancing tech stacks with the irreplaceable power of people.
• [27:05] - Convergent Leadership 360: the marriage of leadership and systems for holistic business success.

Links & Resources

• Connect with Garrett Delph on LinkedIn: Garrett Delph
• Learn more about Clarity OPS: clarityops.co
• Follow Garrett’s articles on Medium: Garrett’s Medium

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and share the podcast! Your support helps us bring more insightful conversations to leaders and entrepreneurs like you

In this episode, we explore the intersection of leadership, kindness, and culture-building with Kristy Pretzinger, CEO of WG Content and author of Your Cultural Balance Sheet. Kristy shares her journey from freelance writer to building a successful content company anchored in kindness. She reveals how values like empowerment, curiosity, and joy can shape a thriving workplace and why businesses should prioritize culture as much as profit.

We dive into actionable strategies to foster psychological safety, reduce workplace stress, and encourage innovation. Kristy shares how meditation and mindful breaks have transformed her team's productivity and well-being. Whether you're leading a small team or a global organization, this conversation offers profound insights into creating environments where people—and ideas—flourish.

Episode Highlights [1:04] - Kristy’s journey: from freelance writer to CEO with kindness as a cornerstone. [3:31] - Empowerment, curiosity, kindness, and fun: living company values beyond the laminated card. [7:08] - Fear, love, and leadership: the emotional foundation of a thriving workplace. [15:34] - Vulnerability and authenticity: how to lead effectively without "over-sharing." [22:39] - What is a cultural balance sheet, and why every leader needs one. [26:23] - The power of mindful practices: using meditation and device breaks to improve creativity and focus. [29:00] - The direct link between leadership self-awareness and team performance.

Links & Resources

• Learn more about WG Content: wgcontent.com
• Connect with Kristy Pretzinger on LinkedIn: Kristy Pretinger

Closing Remarks If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and share the podcast! Your support helps us bring more insightful conversations like this to your ears.