Are you moving too fast to give advice when the real opportunity is to lead through curiosity?

In this episode, I sit down with bestselling author and coaching expert Michael Bungay Stanier to unpack what it really means to become a more effective leader, coach, and communicator. We dive into the powerful idea that the best leaders are not the ones with the fastest answers, but the ones who stay curious a little longer. Michael shares why letting your team struggle is often the key to their growth, how leaders accidentally become bottlenecks, and why the instinct to jump in with advice can actually limit the people around us. We also explore how coaching skills can transform everything from leadership and delegation to client relationships and sales conversations.

Along the way, Michael breaks down the mindset shifts and practical scripts that help leaders bring out the best in others. We talk about the surprising cost of doing everything yourself, the hidden "advice monster" that shows up in conversations, and how asking the right questions can unlock better thinking, stronger teams, and deeper relationships. He also shares the four paradoxes of great leadership including humble confidence, fierce love, and the ability to care deeply about outcomes while also letting go of control.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• Why the best leaders are willing to let people struggle and what that unlocks

• The hidden reason many high performers accidentally become bottlenecks

• How the "advice monster" quietly sabotages leadership and collaboration

• A simple phrase that instantly shifts conversations from advice to coaching

• The surprising way curiosity can improve both leadership and sales conversations

• The four paradoxes that powerful leaders learn to hold at the same time

• Why great conversations often come down to just a few powerful questions

• How staying curious longer can build stronger teams, relationships, and results

If you want to become a better leader, communicator, and coach to the people around you, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can start using immediately. Tune in and see how a few simple shifts in how you ask questions and show up in conversations can completely transform the impact you have on the people you lead.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

The Coaching Habit (revised edition) on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0j43EVpR

Learn how to show up fully present and human: MBS.works/best

Head to TheCoachingHabit.com for free book downloads and bonus materials

What does it really mean to lead boldly when the stakes are high and the path ahead isn't perfectly clear?

In this episode, I sit down with leadership expert and author Leigh Burgess to unpack what bold leadership actually looks like in practice. We explore why so many high-performing professionals second guess themselves when making big decisions, having difficult conversations, or stepping into higher levels of leadership. Leigh shares the five core traits she believes define bold leaders and explains how strategic risk taking, trust building, and resilience play a critical role in leading teams and organizations forward.

Throughout our conversation, we dive into the mindset shifts required to move from hesitation to confident action. Leigh offers practical ways leaders can strengthen their ability to navigate uncertainty, build meaningful networks, and create a clear vision even when the road ahead feels foggy. If you've ever felt the tension between playing it safe and making the bold move your intuition is nudging you toward, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what courageous leadership really looks like.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• The five traits that separate bold leaders from hesitant ones

• Why strategic risk is often the missing ingredient in leadership growth

• A surprising reason many high performers struggle with bold decision making

• How trust impacts your ability to move teams forward during uncertainty

• The role resilience plays when outcomes don't go as planned

• What "network weaving" really means and why it matters for leaders

• A simple mental shift that helps you act even when the full path isn't visible

If you're ready to lead with more confidence, take smarter risks, and create greater impact inside your organization, this episode will give you plenty to think about. Tune in to hear Leigh's insights and start identifying where you can take your next bold step as a leader.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Get Your Copy of The Bold Leader: https://a.co/d/02eqZbgQ

Check out Leigh's Website: https://leighburgess.com/

Connect with Leigh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theboldleader/

Ever wonder why some leaders, brands, and businesses seem to communicate so clearly that people instantly trust them, buy from them, and follow their vision? In this episode, I sit down with communication strategist and author Oliver Aust to unpack why communication is often the hidden bottleneck holding teams, businesses, and leaders back. We dive into why communication is the ultimate leverage skill in modern knowledge work, and how mastering it can transform everything from sales conversations and client loyalty to leadership influence and brand positioning.

Together, we explore the psychology behind powerful messaging and the subtle communication dynamics most professionals overlook. Oliver shares the core principles behind his "Message Machine" framework, including how clarity beats complexity, why connection matters more than perfection, and how leaders can frame conversations in ways that inspire action instead of resistance. We also talk about differentiation in crowded markets, the role fear plays in decision-making, and a surprisingly simple framework for preparing impactful presentations in minutes instead of hours.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• Why communication (not strategy, talent, or expertise) is often the real bottleneck in growing teams and organizations

• The surprising reason clarity consistently outperforms complexity in messaging and persuasion

• How the best communicators balance connection and authority in conversations

• A simple mental shift that can instantly make your marketing and messaging more compelling

• The hidden fears that influence client decisions (and how great communicators address them)

• Why being different beats being "better" in branding and positioning

• How trust is built faster than most people think—and the tiny habits that make it stick

• A fast framework for preparing speeches or presentations that actually move people to action

If you've ever felt like your ideas should be landing better, or that your expertise isn't translating into influence, sales, or growth, this episode will challenge how you think about communication. Tune in to learn the subtle shifts that can dramatically improve how you lead conversations, position your work, and connect with the people who matter most.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Connect with Oliver Aust on LinkedIn

Speak Like a CEO show on Spotify, Apple and YouTube

Speak Like a CEO newsletter

21 Storytelling Frameworks