James Laughlin is a globally recognized high-performance leadership strategist, #1 bestselling author of Habits of High Performers, and a 7-time world champion musician. He has coached everyone from PGA Tour professionals and elite athletes to Fortune 500 CEOs, helping leaders and teams achieve extraordinary results through intentional habits and mindset mastery.

As an international keynote speaker and host of the top-ranked Lead on Purpose podcast, James blends elite performance principles with practical leadership frameworks that drive personal growth, resilience, and sustainable success. Whether working with world-class rugby teams or senior executives, James helps people win in both life and business by building habits rooted in trust, wellbeing, and high performance.

SHOW SUMMARY

In this episode of the Selling from the Heart Podcast, Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by James Laughlin to explore what truly drives high performance. James shares that selling from the heart begins with trusting who you are, and explains why vulnerability is not weakness but one of the most powerful ways leaders and sales professionals build trust and connection.

The conversation introduces James’s powerful skillset, mindset, and heart set framework, reframing mindset as “mind flex”—the belief that our minds are not fixed, but adaptable through intentional habits. He defines high performance as consistently exceeding norms while maintaining healthy relationships and wellbeing, challenging the traditional “win at all costs” mentality.

James also dives into belief systems, daily reflection habits, storytelling as a trust-building tool, and the importance of radical clarity around what success actually looks like. This episode is packed with practical wisdom for anyone looking to perform at a higher level without sacrificing authenticity or wellbeing.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• High performance requires three pillars: skillset, mind flex, and heart set.
• Vulnerability is a leadership strength that builds trust and connection.
• True high performance includes wellbeing and healthy relationships.
• Beliefs drive attitudes, which shape behaviors and results.

HIGHLIGHT QUOTES

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Explore the secrets of heart-centered leadership and thriving workplace cultures with Culture from the Heart Podcast! Nominate a visionary CEO at www.culturefromtheheart.com!

Listen to Larry Levine’s Bestselling Book: Selling in a Post-Trust World! Now available on Audible! Transform your sales approach with insights that matter.

Subscribe to The Selling from the Heart Podcast Youtube Channel! Stay updated with the latest episodes and leadership tips: Selling from the Heart YouTube

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Ben Ortlip is a culture architect, strategist, and bestselling author who helps organizations turn workplace culture into measurable business success. As the founder of The Culture MRI®, Ben created a data-driven system that assesses and improves employee engagement and organizational performance—transforming culture from a “soft” concept into a strategic advantage.

Ben has worked with leading brands such as UPS, Delta, Salesforce, and Chick-fil-A, bringing decades of research and real-world insight into what truly motivates people at work. He is the author of Culture Is the New Leadership and Be the Sale, and a sought-after speaker on how human-centered culture drives performance, retention, and long-term profitability.

SHOW SUMMARY

In this episode of the Selling from the Heart Podcast, Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Ben Ortlip to explore what it truly means to “be the sale.” Ben explains that authentic selling is rooted in alignment, where both buyer and seller objectives are served through trust, not pressure.

Drawing from workplace psychology and culture research, Ben shares how today’s buyers are driven by autonomy, purpose, and connection. He introduces three core human needs, craft, cause, and community, and explains how sales professionals can become “magnetic” by mastering their expertise, championing their client’s mission, and building meaningful relationships.

This conversation challenges transactional selling and replaces it with a values-driven approach that fosters long-term trust, loyalty, and business success.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Trust significantly increases the likelihood of successful sales outcomes.
• Mastering your craft builds credibility and positions you as a true expert.
• Align with your prospect’s cause—focus on their mission, not your quota.
• Building community strengthens relationships and deepens trust.

HIGHLIGHT QUOTES

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Explore the secrets of heart-centered leadership and thriving workplace cultures with Culture from the Heart Podcast! Nominate a visionary CEO at www.culturefromtheheart.com!

Listen to Larry Levine’s Bestselling Book: Selling in a Post-Trust World! Now available on Audible! Transform your sales approach with insights that matter.

Subscribe to The Selling from the Heart Podcast Youtube Channel! Stay updated with the latest episodes and leadership tips: Selling from the Heart YouTube

Get Your Daily Dose of Inspiration:
Click Here for Your Daily Dose

Sheri Jacobs is an innovation keynote speaker, researcher, and CEO who helps organizations embrace change, spark innovation, and build smart risk-taking cultures. As founder of Avenue M Group, she has led research across more than a million data points, guiding leaders across industries, from healthcare to technology, on how to empower teams and drive sustainable growth.

A three-time bestselling author, including The Unexpected Power of Boundaries, Sheri blends data, strategy, and real-world insight to help leaders turn bold ideas into action. With over 300 keynotes and workshops delivered worldwide, she is known for making complex challenges practical, actionable, and inspiring. Outside of her professional work, Sheri is a marathoner, board leader, and wildlife photographer, bringing curiosity and clarity into everything she does.

SHOW SUMMARY

In this episode of the Selling from the Heart Podcast, Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Sheri Jacobs to explore why boundaries are not limiting—they are liberating in sales and leadership. Sheri shares how clearly defined boundaries create trust, safety, and focus while enabling creativity and smarter risk-taking.

Using powerful analogies, from fenced playgrounds to global marketing campaigns, Sheri explains the importance of defining the “what” (outcomes and constraints) before the “how” (execution). She also connects lessons from wildlife photography to sales, emphasizing patience, preparation, and adapting to changing conditions rather than trying to control outcomes.

The conversation highlights how boundaries improve deal quality, strengthen relationships, and create clarity for both sales professionals and clients. This episode offers practical guidance for setting guardrails that drive better performance, deeper trust, and more meaningful results.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Clear boundaries create trust, safety, and stronger performance.
• Boundaries enable creativity and innovation, they don’t restrict it.
• Define the “what” (outcomes) before the “how” (execution).
• Patience and observation build more trust than rushing the sales process.
• Preparation makes success look effortless.

HIGHLIGHT QUOTES

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Explore the secrets of heart-centered leadership and thriving workplace cultures with Culture from the Heart Podcast! Nominate a visionary CEO at www.culturefromtheheart.com!

Listen to Larry Levine’s Bestselling Book — Selling in a Post-Trust World! Now available on Audible! Transform your sales approach with insights that matter.

SUBSCRIBE to our YOUTUBE CHANNEL! Stay updated with the latest episodes and leadership tips: Selling from the Heart YouTube

Get Your Daily Dose of Inspiration:
Click Here for Your Daily Dose