Strategy And Leadership Podcast

In every industry, there are strategies that quietly outperform the conventional wisdom. In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Andy Weiner, Founder and President of RockStep Capital, one of the most innovative retail real estate investment firms in the United States.Andy’s career spans more than 40 years across retail operations, commercial real estate, and shopping center redevelopment. Before launching RockStep Capital, he served as Vice President of Operations for Weiner’s Stores, a regional chain that grew to 159 locations across Texas and Louisiana. Today, RockStep Capital owns and operates nearly 10 million square feet of shopping centers across 11 states, specializing in the revitalization of enclosed malls and open air retail in secondary and tertiary markets.In this conversation, Andy explains why RockStep invests in “hometowns” under a million people, how local partnerships reduce risk and unlock value, and why big institutional players routinely overlook

Most leaders can handle the easy 92 percent of their day. It is the remaining 8 percent that defines them. In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Dr. JP Pawliw-Fry, one of the world’s leading authorities on pressure, performance, and the neuroscience of leadership.JP is the New York Times bestselling author of Performing Under Pressure and co-founder of the Institute for Health and Human Potential. For more than 25 years, he has coached and trained elite performers and teams across NASA, the CIA, the US Army and Navy, the Olympics, the NBA, the NFL, and global Fortune 100 companies, including Google, Goldman Sachs, Coca-Cola, BMW, IBM, and Johnson & Johnson. His research on leadership behavior and culture has appeared in Harvard Business Review and media outlets worldwide.In this conversation, JP explains the Last 8 Percent, the small but critical set of difficult moments that disproportionately shape organizational culture, execution, and long-term success. He

Growth is exciting until it starts costing you more than it is making you. In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Ben Hansen, five time Inc. 5000 entrepreneur and founder of Profit Doctor, about why scaling too fast without fixing your profit problems is a recipe for burnout.After building an eight figure company with more than 100 employees, Ben learned firsthand that more revenue does not always mean more success. Through his Profit Doctor programs, he now helps CEOs and business owners cure what he calls “Profititis,” when your top line keeps growing but your bottom line stays flat.In this conversation, Ben shares practical ways to increase margins, cash, and distributions in just 90 days, often without adding more workload or pressure. He also explains why most companies are following the wrong playbook, chasing growth like tech startups instead of optimizing for profitability like sustainable businesses.► Work with us to facilitate your strategic plan: https://

How can organizations embrace AI to transform marketing without losing the human connection that drives trust and brand loyalty? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Matt Seitz, Chief Marketing Officer and Partner at Prosperity Capital Advisors, as well as CMO of C2P Enterprises and JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management.Under Matt’s marketing leadership, JL Smith achieved 40% average annual growth from 2020 to 2024, C2P launched one of the industry’s first in-house marketing agencies for advisors, and Prosperity Capital Advisors now supports over 130 independent financial advisors nationwide. Recognized as a ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES 2025 CMO of the Year finalist, Matt has led standout campaigns like the OBBB initiative and The Rainmaker Multiplier, which earned national attention for creativity and results.In this conversation, Matt shares how AI is reshaping marketing strategy, why the traditional funnel is being replaced by continuous loops of engagement, and how l

How can leaders inspire innovation, engagement, and performance without relying on having all the answers? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Dr. Debra Clary, author of The Curiosity Curve: A Leader’s Guide to Growth and Transformation Through Bold Questions, and former executive at Frito Lay, Coca Cola, Jack Daniel’s, and Humana.Across more than three decades in Fortune 50 organizations, Dr. Clary has helped leaders shift from transactional to transformational cultures by building curiosity into the core of how teams think and perform. Her research reveals a direct correlation between curiosity and leadership effectiveness and shows how leaders who ask bold questions create more engaged, innovative, and high performing teams.In this conversation, Dr. Clary shares how leaders can turn curiosity into a strategic advantage, foster cultures of openness, and drive long term growth by asking better questions.► Work with us to facilitate your strategic plan:https://co

How can leaders create truly inclusive workplaces without blame, shame, or political polarization? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Mike Lynch, executive coach, author of From Ally to All In, and former HR leader at Capital One.After more than two decades guiding global teams, Mike has developed the Ally to All In Framework, a practical roadmap that helps leaders move beyond performative allyship toward authentic and sustained inclusion. His five building blocks, Awareness, Acknowledgement, Atonement, Accountability, and Amplification, offer a clear structure for leaders ready to do the real work of inclusion.For today’s executives, inclusion is not a side initiative, it is a business imperative. When leaders understand how to use their privilege and influence for good, they build stronger cultures, foster innovation, and unlock engagement across their organizations.In this episode, Mike shares how inclusive leadership starts with awareness and evolves through

How can leaders turn tension into teamwork, and disagreement into innovation? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Bob Bordone, USA Today Bestselling Author, Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School, and nationally recognized expert in negotiation and conflict resolution.Bob has spent his career helping people navigate the most challenging conversations—in politics, education, corporate life, and everyday relationships. His new book, Conflict Resilience, explores a research-backed approach to talking across divides without losing our values, our relationships, or the integrity of our organizations.For executives and organizational leaders, conflict resilience is fast becoming a 21st-century leadership imperative. Unresolved tension can stall decision-making, erode trust, and weaken culture. Building conflict resilience means learning to reframe disagreement, manage emotion, and transform friction into creativity and connection.In this episode, Bob shares how leaders ca

How do the world’s biggest companies navigate transformation, stay innovative, and lead through uncertainty? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Louisa Loran, transformation architect, global executive advisor, and author of Leadership Anatomy in Motion.Louisa has shaped industries across tech, logistics, and luxury—leading transformation at Google, Maersk, and Diageo. At Google, she launched a billion-dollar supply chain solutions business and led strategic business transformation for the company’s largest clients in EMEA. At Maersk, she co-authored the strategy that redefined the brand globally, helping pivot the company from traditional shipping to integrated logistics. Earlier in her career at Moët Hennessy and Diageo, she helped iconic brands innovate at the intersection of heritage and digital transformation.With over two decades of experience across continents and industries, Louisa brings a rare blend of commercial clarity and human-centered leadership. I

How do you build teams that truly work, empower people’s strengths, and adapt leadership for the future of work? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with David Kolbe, CEO of Kolbe Corp, a company celebrating 50 years of helping leaders and organizations unleash innovation through the Kolbe Concept®.David has lived and breathed Kolbe his entire life. An author, speaker, and visionary behind many of Kolbe’s products and innovations, he is known for helping business leaders harness conation—the instinctive way people take action—to drive performance and results. With expertise spanning law, finance, organizational design, and team building, David has assisted thousands of professionals worldwide through seminars, workshops, and speaking engagements. His career began in Washington D.C. as Legislative Director for a U.S. Congressman, before practicing law at Gammage & Burnham, one of Arizona’s top firms, and later joining the family-founded Kolbe Corp.In this podcast,

How do you build resilience, lead under pressure, and thrive in the mental game of business? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Sébastien Page, Chief Investment Officer and Head of Global Multi-Asset at T. Rowe Price, where he oversees more than $500 billion in assets. Sébastien is also the author of The Psychology of Leadership (Harriman House), named a must-read by The Next Big Idea Club and a Top Ten Leadership Book by Brian Dodd. Recognized as one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Finance, Sébastien shares how lessons from sports psychology, stress management, and resilience can help leaders perform at their best.► Register for our upcoming webinars:

How do you build a career and a leadership style rooted in people, culture, and curiosity? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Jim Fielding, former CEO of Claire’s, President of Disney Stores Worldwide, and President of 20th Century Fox Consumer Products. Jim is also the author of All Pride, No Ego and host of the Jim Fielding & Friends podcast. With over 40 years of experience across retail, media, and entertainment, Jim shares lessons on adapting to revolutions in retail, leading teams through change, and why the future of business is all about human connection. Key Topics Covered Why the “future of retail” is really about people How to lead change when everyone adapts differently Why long-term planning beats “90 day transformations” How leaders can balance confidence and humility (All Pride, No Ego) Why culture, not money, is the key to attracting top talent Lessons from Retail’s Evolution Jim reflects on his career journey from department stor

How do you build teams that truly work together instead of falling into dysfunction? In this Strategy and Leadership podcast, Dr. Colin M. Fisher—Associate Professor of Organizations and Innovation at UCL School of Management and author of The Collective Edge—shares two decades of research on group dynamics, creativity, and collaboration. Drawing from both his academic career and his background as a professional jazz musician, Colin reveals the science behind effective teamwork, why groups take on “a life of their own,” and how leaders can unlock their team’s hidden potential. ► Work with us to facilitate your strategic plan: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator ► Learn more about our courses: https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Leading-Strategy-Execution In this podcast, you will learn: ☑️ Why groups are more than the sum of their parts. ☑️ How the first meeting sets lasting team norms. ☑️ The dangers of groupthink—and how to prevent it. ☑️ Why leaders must balance over-engaging vs.

How do you lead nonprofits like businesses while staying true to your mission? In this episode, Andy Price, CEO & Scout Executive of the Grand Canyon Council, shares lessons from over 30 years in nonprofit leadership. He reveals how to inspire volunteers, measure real impact, and turn around organizations in crisis. Watch the full conversation to learn strategies for aligning passion with purpose while driving sustainable growth. ► Work with us to facilitate your strategic plan: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator ► Learn more about our courses: https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Leading-Strategy-Execution In this podcast, you will learn: ☑️ Why passion is the foundation of sustainable leadership. ☑️ The unique challenge of leading volunteers versus employees. ☑️ How nonprofits can operate like businesses with “dividends to society.” ☑️ The importance of measuring outcomes, not just inputs. ☑️ How to execute a turnaround during an organizational crisis. This video is for: ▶️ C

Why do the world’s leading brands increasingly act like startups? In this episode, Co-CEO of Cro Metrics, Gwen Hammes, shares her insights from working with global giants such as Mars, Kimberly-Clark, Stellantis, Clorox, Levi Strauss, Sargento, and SC Johnson. Drawing from her decades of experience at iconic agencies like Ogilvy, FCB, and DDB, Gwen explains how experimentation, data, and creativity combine to unlock growth and build lasting brand love. With a proven track record of helping Fortune 500 companies overcome unseen barriers and shift consumer behavior, Gwen offers invaluable lessons for leaders seeking to foster innovation, empower their teams, and deliver measurable impact. Watch the full conversation for actionable advice on how to lead with data-driven confidence while still embracing creativity and human connection. Work with us to facilitate your strategic plan: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator Enroll your SLT in our: Management Training on Strategy Execution.  In th

Why does fearless leadership matter more than ever? In this podcast, entrepreneur and author Brendan P. Keegan unpacks what it means to be a fearless leader and how to create environments that support high performance. With over 25 years as a CEO and now on a mission to build one million fearless leaders, Brendan shares lessons from business, motorsports, and his own life about courage, culture, and continuous growth. About the Guest: Brendan P. Keegan is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author of Dare to Disrupt: The 8 Pillars of Transformation. He has served as CEO of six companies, invested in ventures spanning motorsports to technology, and is Co-Owner of Andretti Global. Brendan is also the founder of The Fearless Leadership Experience, with over 150,000 subscribers on LinkedIn, dedicated to his mission of building one million fearless leaders Listen to the full conversation to learn actionable leadership advice that will help you perform at your best and inspire others to do the same. Work with us t

Why do so many innovation initiatives fall flat—even in successful companies? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor sits down with innovation expert Robyn Bolton to discuss what leaders get wrong about innovation, how to create the right conditions for it to thrive, and what it takes to build a truly innovative culture. With experience at P&G and other leading brands, Robyn shares actionable stories and surprising truths about leadership, risk, and repeatable innovation. ► Work with us to facilitate your strategic plan: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator   In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why innovation is more than just a process • How leaders accidentally kill innovation by “doing what worked before” • Why operating instincts are the enemy of innovation instincts • What it means to “channel your inner George Costanza” • How to hedge risk and lead through uncertainty   Who it's for: • CEOs, Entrepreneurs, and Strategy Leaders • Innovation teams and

In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, our guest, Vanessa Druskat, author of "The Emotionally Intelligent Team: Building Collaborative Groups That Outperform the Rest," provides valuable insights into what makes some teams succeed while others fail. Vanessa discusses the importance of psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and team dynamics. She shares her journey from academia to developing a model for building emotionally intelligent environments where team members thrive. Discover how understanding team interactions and cultivating trust can transform the way teams function. Vanessa explains the role of empowerment, belonging, and the many-to-many relationships crucial for team success. Whether you're a leader looking to improve team performance or curious about the intricacies of team dynamics, this episode offers practical advice and thought-provoking perspectives.

Welcome to this exciting episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) with our expert guests, Josh Davis and Greg Promushkin. As authors of 'NLP and the Science of Positive Change,' they share their unique insights into how NLP can be practically applied in everyday life and leadership to foster significant and lasting changes. Our discussion highlights the importance of effective communication, understanding and meeting others mentally and emotionally, and practicing the art of influence. Whether you are looking to improve your leadership skills or personal development, this episode provides valuable strategies and real-world examples of how NLP can help you achieve your goals. Tune in and discover the difference that makes the difference, a step towards better communication and leadership. Subscribe for more insightful conversations like this one on the Strategy and Leadership Podcast.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to NLP

In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, Dr. Julie Wilson shares her journey as a family doctor and healthcare leader. She discusses her passion for ethical business practices, the importance of creating a positive workplace culture, and her vision for expanding healthcare access. Dr. Wilson emphasizes the need for effective communication and compassion in leadership, as well as the significance of fostering a supportive environment for employees. The conversation highlights her commitment to driving system-level change in healthcare and her excitement for future growth in her organization.   Access our courses to support your strategy leadership: https://courses.smestrategy.net/ Learn more about our Strategic Planning Facilitation Services    ► Contact SME Strategy: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ► Connect with Anthony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/

Andrew Miller, the president and CEO of United Way of Skagit County and the co-founder and CEO of Tulip Valley Farms. Discover how Andrew transitioned from a career in Air Force intelligence to embracing life as a tulip farmer, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to both farming and community work. Andrew shares his unique strategic insights, discussing the challenges and opportunities in the tulip farming industry, the transformation of the United Way of Skagit County, and the importance of adaptability and curiosity in leadership. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a nonprofit leader, or someone fascinated by unconventional career paths, this episode offers valuable lessons on maintaining an agile mindset and navigating change in today's fast-paced world.