Scaling Up Business Podcast

What role does emotional maturity play in effective leadership, and how does it differ from emotional intelligence?This episode explores the concept of emotional maturity as a critical aspect of effective leadership. Christie Smith, co-author of the upcoming book “Essential,” discusses the importance of human connection, purpose-driven work, and creating a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion.Christie Smith is a leadership coach and advisor who has been helping Fortune 500 leaders navigate the complexities of the modern workplace for over 35 years. As the co-founder of the Humanity Studio, she's passionate about creating inclusive, purpose-driven work environments where everyone feels valued and empowered.Key topics that Bill and Christie explore in this episode: - Leaders acknowledging and addressing the emotional needs of their employees.  - The need for companies to create a safe space for employees to express their emotions and concerns.  - Aligning a company's stated value

In this episode, Bill shares his personal journey of helping a friend transition out of the CEO role in a growing business. He discusses the challenges of accountability within the team and how he implemented a functional accountability chart to distribute responsibilities. Bill emphasizes the importance of company values in empowering employees to think independently and collaborate effectively. Keep scaling.

How can leaders foster a culture of curiosity within their organizations? This episode explores the power of curiosity in leadership and how it can be used to drive innovation, growth, and change within organizations. Jon Bassford shares real-world examples and practical strategies for cultivating curiosity in yourself and your team. By fostering a culture of curiosity, leaders can create an environment where employees feel psychologically safe to share their ideas and feedback, leading to improved operational excellence and better business outcomes.Jon Bassford, CEO of Lateral Solutions, helps leaders level up their operations and achieve their goals. He's also the author of the upcoming book "The Curious Leader," a guide to cultivating curiosity for business growth and personal development. Key topics that Bill and Jon explore in this episode: - Curiosity in leadership and how it can drive innovation, growth, and change. - The biggest hurdles to creating curiosity are egos, fear, comfort

How can leaders develop a more selfless leadership style?In this episode, Bill talks with a world-renowned leadership coach about the importance of selfless leadership, the challenges of scaling up a business, and the role of coaching in leadership development. Today’s guest is Marshall Goldsmith, a New York Times bestselling author and a world-renowned leadership coach who helps leaders achieve extraordinary things. Key topics that Bill and Marshall explore in this episode: - The importance of selfless leadership and how it can benefit businesses.- The role of coaching in leadership development and how to find the right coach.- How entrepreneurs can identify appropriate clients.- Why coaches should never make coaching about themselves.- The power of generosity in leadership and how it can inspire others.- How to keep your mojo and stay motivated and enthusiastic about your work.- The benefits of having a coach and how they can help you achieve your goals.- The importance of being comfortable w

What are the key stages of scaling a SaaS startup?In this episode, SaaS veteran and serial entrepreneur Stijn Hendrikse shares his insights on how to scale a SaaS startup successfully. Drawing on his experience at Microsoft and other companies, Stijn discusses the key stages of scaling a SaaS company, the importance of building a strong team, and the challenges of balancing growth and profitability. Stijn Hendrikse is a tech professional with 30 years of experience in SaaS and AI. He spent time at Microsoft and founded Kolungi, a B2B SaaS marketing agency.Key topics that Bill and Stijn explore in this episode: - The importance of teamwork and collaboration, drawing parallels between military experiences and business leadership.- Insights into the unique culture at Microsoft and its focus on people and leadership development.- Strategies for effective outbound marketing and the importance of adding value.- Adapting to the changing landscape of content marketing and the need for hyper-relevance.- The

What are some of your most common fears people have when it comes to business communication, and how can you overcome them?In this episode, Bill and his guest dive into the world of communication, exploring how effective dialogue can transform both sales teams and leadership approaches.Today’s guest is Chris Jennings, a communications expert, business coach, and author who has turned his passions—including triathlons and entrepreneurship—into a winning strategy for helping sales teams thrive. Key topics that Bill and Chris explore in this episode: - The importance of clear communication in business and sales.- How to overcome the fear of conversation in professional settings.- The role of triathlon training in developing mental resilience.- Techniques for turning frontline employees into key contributors to sales.- The value of emotional intelligence in building trust with clients.- Why authenticity in conversations leads to better connections.- Practical tips for improving transitions between diffe

In this episode, Bill talks about effective monthly all-hands meetings for fostering communication within a company! Learn how to engage employees by incorporating updates, celebrating wins, and including diverse voices beyond just the CEO. Bill also explores creative ideas to enhance these meetings, such as combining them with social events. Keep scaling.

How can overcoming cultural constraints empower you to reach your full potential?In this episode, Dima Ghawi shares her inspiring journey of escaping cultural and personal confinement to pursue her own path. From surviving a controlling marriage to navigating cultural expectations, Dima discusses how she turned adversity into empowerment. She also highlights the importance of leadership, personal growth, and shattering the invisible barriers that hold us back.Today’s guest is Dima Ghawi, an energetic speaker, TEDx presenter, and author known for helping people unlock their true potential. Key topics that host Bill Gallagher and his guest explore in this episode: - Dima’s early life in Jordan and her grandmother’s metaphor of the “glass vase.”- How Dima’s arranged marriage and move to the U.S. led to personal isolation.- Her battle with depression and how it catalyzed her decision to leave the marriage.- How Dima became the first woman in her family to get a college education.- The role of forgivenes

In this episode, Bill talks about the transformative power of daily huddles for teams. Discover key tips for conducting effective huddles, including timing, standing participation, and engaging openings. Learn how to share good news, track relevant KPIs, and prioritize daily challenges to foster team connection and productivity. Implement these strategies to enhance communication and collaboration within your organization.Keep scaling.

How can leaders transform their anxiety into confidence to own any room they walk into?In this episode, Scott Ramey shares his deeply personal journey from panic attacks and anxiety to becoming a confident and authentic leader. He and Bill Gallagher discuss the importance of finding your voice and how vulnerability can transform both personal and professional life. Scott Ramey is a confidence coach and former corporate executive who specializes in helping individuals own their voice and lead with authenticity.Key topics that Bill and Scott explore in this episode: - Scott's first panic attack in college and how it shaped his path toward leadership development.- The importance of finding and owning your voice in professional settings.- How leaders can use vulnerability as a tool to connect with teams and audiences.- Techniques to build confidence and reduce anxiety in public speaking.- The role of presence in creating lasting impressions during speeches and meetings.- Scott’s framework for communicat

Bill looks at the common practice of discussing "stucks" and "blockers" in team meetings. Highlighting the psychological barriers that prevent team members from admitting they are stuck, Bill proposes a more constructive approach: focusing on "top challenges." This shift encourages open communication and collaboration, enhancing the quality of meetings and fostering a supportive team environment.Keep Scaling.

Is starting your own podcast really the best way to leverage the medium for business growth? And if it is, how can you craft a podcast pitch that actually gets you booked as a guest?In this episode, Bill and his guest discuss the power of podcasting for business growth. The discussion explores how authenticity and storytelling can help leaders build trust and credibility in the podcasting world.Today’s guest is Jeremy Ryan Slate, the CEO of Command Your Brand, a company that helps clients gain visibility through podcasting and media appearances. He is also the host of a podcast with millions of  listens and the author of "Unremarkable to Extraordinary."Key topics that Bill and Jeremy explore in this episode: - Jeremy explains how his background in history and PR influenced his understanding of storytelling and its impact on shaping public perception.- Learn why being a guest on other podcasts can be more effective than starting your own podcast, and how to leverage these appearances for maximum impa

In this episode, Bill discusses the importance of capturing commitments made during meetings using the "who, what, when" method. We're all forgetful, so let's take action to keep things top of mind.Bill emphasizes the need for a structured approach to ensure tasks are remembered and completed. By designating a reliable note-taker, teams can enhance accountability and productivity. This simple practice can significantly improve meeting outcomes and help organizations scale effectively.Keep scaling

What lessons can entrepreneurs learn from a Search and Rescue team? In this episode, Bill talks with Brian Beutler, CEO of Alianza, family man, and entrepreneur who lifts up others and serves his community. Key topics that Bill and Brian explore in this episode: - How our childhood memories shape our perceptions and preferences.- Brian talks about his family, which includes six children, and his involvement in the Utah County Search and Rescue team and the diverse challenges they face.- The high-stakes nature of search and rescue work and the fulfillment of helping people in their worst moments.- Brian shares how his experiences in search and rescue have taught him humility, perspective, and how to be a better leader.- The importance of patience, persistence, and the long-term view in business and life.- The value of diversity in ideas, experiences, and perspectives in business and life.- How psychological safety can help create a culture that allows for open dialog and diverse ideas.- The role

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of starting meetings with good news to foster a positive work environment! Introduce the concept of "more cowbell," encouraging your team to celebrate wins, no matter how small. By acknowledging achievements, even in challenging times, teams can shift their mindset and enhance morale. Simple celebrations can transform your workplace dynamics!Keep scaling.

At various points in our lives, we’ve all misunderstood certain things about mental health—either our own or someone else’s. How can we—as business leaders—focus on growth while also being more proactive about mental health solutions so that we can live happier, healthier, less stressed lives? In this episode, Bill talks with an entrepreneur who is passionate about creating supportive communities and has extensive experience in building and scaling businesses globally. Today’s guest is Stephen Sokoler, Founder and CEO of Journey, a mental health solution for modern and high-performance organizations. Key topics that Bill and Stephen explore in this episode: - Steven discusses his upcoming book aimed at setting standards for HR in supporting employee mental health.- The need for HR leaders to communicate the importance of mental health investments to CEOs and CFOs using common business language.- Steven’s personal story of losing 85 pounds and the transformational impact of meditation on hi

In this episode, Bill explores the concept of great execution through the framework of the 4D weekly meeting. Discover how to effectively structure your meetings with four key components: discovery, discussion, decision, and delegation. Learn the importance of focusing on critical issues and how to allocate time efficiently for maximum impact. This approach can enhance teamwork and drive progress within your organization.Keep scaling.

How can we demystify the practical applications of AI? Phil Pallen doesn’t pretend to be an AI expert. But he did research AI probably 100 times more than other “experts” out there. Oh, and he wrote a book about helping businesses kickstart their AI journey. In this episode, Phil shares his experiences using AI for personal branding and client work, all the while focusing on how AI can enhance efficiency and creativity. Phil Pallen is a brand strategist and, when it comes to demystifying AI, a helluva good teacher. Key topics that your host Bill Gallagher and his guest explore in this episode: - The importance of creating content that fulfills you personally, rather than solely for others.- Phil discusses the concept of being "selfish" in content creation, which can make it more engaging and sustainable.- Phil being fired from an internship due to media attention, and using that experience to launch his business.- Bill’s skepticism about the overhyped claims of AI. - How AI can p

Bill explains the essentials of effective quarterly planning. Discover the optimal timing, duration, and environment for your planning sessions to maximize productivity. Learn the importance of reviewing past performance, addressing key issues, and setting clear goals for the next quarter. Whether in-person or online, these strategies will help your team stay aligned, focused, and enhance your planning process!Keep scaling.

As business owners and CEOs, why are we sometimes hesitant to increase our prices? In this episode, Bill talks with a pricing expert about pricing strategies for business growth.Today’s guest is Casey Brown, a speaker, author, and founder of Boost Pricing, which helps companies generate more profit by empowering entrepreneurs and sellers to command the prices they deserve.Key topics that Bill and Casey explore in this episode: - How the fear of taking risks hinders confident pricing decisions.- Bill’s view that pricing at GE was accidental, not deliberate. - How buyers can lie about pricing, citing customer quotes and invoices as evidence.- Understanding the customer's buying signal and addressing their concerns rather than solely focusing on price.- An example where a restaurant increased prices by 10% on less popular items while leaving popular ones unchanged.- Challenging the idea that charging more than a certain amount is somehow "breaking the rules." - How small price increases can h