Episodes
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Join us for a conversation about how your can use ClickUp not just as a productivity tool, but as a central hub for collecting feedback, refining offers, and staying aligned with his audience’s needs. He also explored how leaders can optimize their energy and attention to work smarter, not harder—breaking down big tasks and designing their day around natural rhythms. Systematizing feedback and aligning it with your energy cycles can create a powerful engine for innovation and consistency. You’ll want to grab a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy this episode.
1. Leveraging ClickUp for feedback and productivity
Mike discussed how he has been using ClickUp to streamline his business operations, particularly in gathering feedback from his community and audience. He explained how ClickUp's forms and project management features allow him to centralize feedback, iterate quickly on offerings like his virtual retreats, and maintain focus by having everything in one place.
Watch the 5-min Systems Segment on YouTube:
2. Harnessing energy and attention
Mike talked about the importance of understanding and leveraging your energy levels to be more productive. He explained how breaking down big tasks into smaller, low-energy actions can help you make progress even when you don't have a lot of motivation. Mike also discussed the concept of "attention paths" - looking at your to-do list through the lens of factors like time, resources, energy, activity type, and theme.
3. Developing principles and values
Mike emphasized the need to have principles in place that help you live up to your core values. He provided the example of being a night owl but also needing to show up early for workshops to serve his community. Mike suggested that principles act as scaffolding between your values and actions, allowing you to navigate tradeoffs and stay true to what's most important.
4. Recap and next steps
Mike shared information about where listeners can find his book "The Productivity Diet" and mentioned that he is working on a follow-up book called "Productiveness" that will focus more on the principles of being productive. He also discussed his plans to continue marketing "The Productivity Diet" this year and potentially release "Productiveness" in early 2024.
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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What does Toyota do instead of the usual leadership tactics?
In this insightful podcast episode, we explore how Toyota’s legendary approach to systems, leadership, and culture offers game-changing lessons for leaders at any scale, whether you're running a massive enterprise or a fast-growing startup.
1. Relentless Focus
At the core of Toyota’s philosophy is a relentless focus on effectiveness and efficiency, not through shortcuts, but by maximizing value-creating work and systematically reducing waste. Leaders will appreciate how Toyota improves quality and speed simultaneously, showing that excellence and efficiency are not opposites but partners.
2. Problem-solving
A key highlight of the discussion is Toyota’s deep-rooted problem-solving culture. Every employee is expected to be a problem-solver, and leadership’s main role is to empower and develop people to do just that. For leaders feeling stuck in firefighting mode, this episode reveals how investing in frontline problem-solving creates a smarter, faster, more resilient organization.
3. Strategic Execution
The episode also dives into strategic execution systems like Hoshin Kanri and PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) — powerful frameworks that ensure organizations focus on a few critical priorities while staying agile through continuous improvement. If you’re struggling with scattered efforts or unclear goals, these methods provide a clear blueprint to tighten focus and accelerate progress.
4. Respect
Another profound takeaway is Toyota’s unique interpretation of “Respect for People.” It’s not just about being kind — it’s about genuinely believing every team member has the ability to improve their work and actively creating a culture where they are expected and empowered to do so.
5. Engaging employees
Finally, leadership development gets a bold reframe: at Toyota, "a manager without a problem is a problem." Leaders aren’t judged by how well they maintain the status quo, but by how deeply they engage with work, remove burdens from their teams, and develop people’s capabilities over time.
If you're a leader aiming to build a high-performing, adaptive, and resilient organization, this episode isn’t optional listening — it’s essential.
Learn more about Mark Reich over at
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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Missing episodes?
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Great leaders don’t always have the answers, but they know how to ask the right questions. In this episode, executive coach Dave unpacks his 5 C’s coaching framework and explains how it helps leaders stay focused, flexible, and impactful in every conversation. He also reveals why “curious humility” is the underrated superpower that separates great coaches from average managers.
Highlights from the interview:
1. Five C’s of coaching
Dave explains his 5-part coaching framework that he developed to structure his coaching calls:
CapacityClarityCelebrationConversationCommitmentsThis framework provides a consistent structure while allowing flexibility to adjust based on the client's needs.
Listen to the 5-Min Systems Segment on my YouTube channel.
2. Avoiding tangents and staying focused
He shares how the framework helps him keep coaching sessions focused on the most important issues, rather than getting sidetracked by clients wanting to just talk about all the positive things happening. The framework allows him to consistently steer the conversation back to the key priorities.
3. Flexibility within the framework
He explains that he calls it a "framework" rather than a "system" to emphasize the flexibility it provides. The structure can be adjusted based on factors like the client's capacity on a given day, allowing more time for certain parts of the framework as needed.
4. Dave's background and path to coaching
He shares how he was always a talkative kid who was told he "talks too much" on his report cards. This led him to study organizational communications in college and eventually get trained as an executive coach, before transitioning to full-time coaching work.
5. Coaching vs. managing
He distinguishes between coaching, which is about asking powerful questions and holding space for the client to discover solutions, versus managing, which is more prescriptive and directive. He explains how leaders need to know when to coach versus when to manage, based on factors like time constraints and the employee's skills.
6. The power of curiosity and humility in leadership
He emphasizes the importance of leaders cultivating "curious humility" - being genuinely curious to understand their team's perspectives, while also being humble enough to admit when they don't have all the answers. This creates an environment where team members feel empowered to provide feedback and dissenting views.
Learn more about Dave Bates over at Paravelle. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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Join us for a discussion about building a creative team to grow your company. I interviewed Vincent Wanga, a creative executive and author, about building a resilient and healthy team. One of my favorite parts of this interview was how he used chairs to help him get his point across in a workshop.
Highlights from the interview:
1. Creative facilitation for bridging gaps
Vincent discusses how he uses creative facilitation techniques, such as having participants choose chairs that represent their company, to help bridge communication gaps between business stakeholders and creatives. This allows him to get valuable insights and buy-in for branding and marketing projects.
Watch the 5-minute System on YouTube:
2. Balancing vision and execution as a creative leader
He explains the importance of doing extensive research to understand the client's business, then translating that into clear creative objectives for the team. He discusses the balance of providing creative vision while also overseeing the execution to ensure it meets business goals.
3. Onboarding and managing new hires
He outlines his structured 30-60-90 day onboarding process for new hires, which includes checkpoints to ensure they are set up for success. He emphasizes the importance of getting feedback from new employees to identify and address any obstacles.
4. Scaling a business while maintaining sustainability
He shares his personal struggles with scaling a business too quickly, leading to unsustainable growth. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining business fundamentals, being conservative with resources, and leveraging tools like AI to multiply oneself rather than trying to do everything.
5. Influential leaders and their lessons
He discusses several influential leaders who have shaped his approach, including his sister, parents, and business leaders like Jeff Bezos and James Dyson. He highlights lessons around authenticity, developing other leaders, and balancing design with business objectives.
Learn more about Vincent Wanga on his website. You can connect with him on LinkedIn. You can also check out his book, The Art of Direction.
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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Join Chris and me for a discussion about using AI to improve your team’s systems. Chris Lopez is an AI expert that helps companies improve their companies with AI enhancements. One of my favorite parts of this interview is when he talked about using AI to inform strategic decisions.
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
Highlights from the interview:
1. Introduction and AI-powered workflow automation
We discuss Chris's expertise in using AI tools like Make.com to automate business workflows. Chris shares a story about how a YouTuber named Helena Lou used Make.com to automate her social media posting and video creation, leading to significant growth in her online business.
2. Leveraging AI to enhance business operations
He explains how he helps companies identify their core business processes and then use AI-powered tools to streamline and automate those workflows. He emphasizes the importance of providing AI systems with clear parameters and prompts to ensure they deliver the desired outcomes.
3. Applying AI for competitive intelligence and strategy
We discuss how AI can be used to monitor competitor activity, track pricing changes, and provide insights to inform strategic business decisions. They highlight the value of automating these types of competitive intelligence gathering and analysis tasks.
4. Developing custom AI assistants and coaches
I share how I've been experimenting with using custom AI assistants to help coach himself, and Chris provides suggestions on how to effectively leverage AI in this capacity, such as by curating the training data and prompts to align with specific coaching goals.
5. The future impact of AI, robotics, and emerging technologies
He discusses the book "The Coming Wave" by Mustafa Seliman, which has influenced his perspective on the disruptive impact of AI, robotics, and other emerging technologies on society and the workforce. They explore how these technologies may transform industries and daily life in the coming years.
Learn more about Chris Lopez over on LinkedIn.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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Join Keith Ferrazzi and me for a masterclass in building relationships and teams. Keith Ferrazzi is a New York Times best-selling author. One of my favorite parts in this interview is how Keith shows the value of building systems based on your personality as well as your team’s personality.
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
Highlights from the interview:
What if your team didn’t just work together—but owned each other’s success?
In this powerful episode, legendary leadership thinker Keith Ferrazzi joins us to unpack the systems behind his books Never Eat Alone and Never Lead Alone. We dive into the data-backed practices he’s uncovered from working with over 3,000 teams—and how they can radically transform how your business operates.
Watch the 5-minute systems segment about building a resilient team that supports each other on YouTube.
You’ll learn:
✅ Why moving from “leadership” to teamship is the future of high-performing organizations
✅ How to run stress testing sessions that spark accountability, innovation, and support
✅ The RAP system (Relationship Action Plan) for building strategic relationships
✅ Why giving feedback abundantly and without expectation leads to stronger teams
✅ How to run “candor breaks” to increase psychological safety by 85%
✅ The 10 critical shifts from Never Lead Alone that create co-elevating cultures
If you're leading a team—or trying to scale one—this episode is your blueprint. You’ll walk away with concrete tools you can implement immediately.
Next Steps:
→ Check out ConnectedSuccess.com for Keith’s 8-week implementation program
→ Follow Keith on LinkedIn for real-time leadership insights
→ Read Never Lead Alone for 32 proven high-return practices
Listen now and start building a team that leads with you—not just for you.
Learn more about Keith Ferrazzi over at his website of the same name. You can also connect with him on Linkedin.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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Join Matthew Dicks and me for a conversation about storytelling. Matthew is a renowned author and storyteller competitor from the Moth storytelling events. The “First, Last, Best, Worst” storytelling exercise stood out as a powerful, practical tool for leaders to mine their own experiences for stories that engage and influence. By prompting reflection across different emotional anchors, it helps leaders build a bank of authentic, memorable narratives that resonate far more deeply than data or directives alone.
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
Highlights from the interview
1. Storytelling as a Leadership Skill
Karl explains that the focus of the podcast is on leadership, systems, and storytelling. He notes that leaders need to do a better job of telling stories to engage their audience. Matthew agrees, emphasizing the importance of leaders developing stories that can draw people in and convey their message effectively.
2. The "First, Last, Best, Worst" Storytelling Exercise
He shares a technique called "first, last, best, worst" that helps people excavate stories from their past. By creating a grid to capture the first, last, best, and worst experiences related to different topics, it prompts people to uncover meaningful stories they may have forgotten. Matthew explains how this exercise can help leaders build a repertoire of stories to use in their work.
3. The Power of Stories to Connect and Influence
We discuss the psychological and neurological reasons why stories are so powerful for communication and influence. Stories can change brain chemistry, foster connection, and help people remember information better than facts or data alone. Matthew emphasizes that as leaders, telling stories should be a core part of how they engage and motivate their teams.
4. Telling Stories with Empathy and Avoiding Content Matching
He shares strategies for telling stories that resonate, such as listening closely to understand the underlying meaning and feelings behind someone else's story, and then responding with an empathetic story of your own that connects on an emotional level rather than just matching the content. He explains how this approach can help build trust and rapport as a leader.
5. A Personal Story Demonstrating Growth and Perspective Shift
He shares a story from his own life about writing a letter to Steven Spielberg as a child, critiquing a scene in the movie E.T. He reflects on how this early experience sparked his interest in storytelling and his tendency to analyze stories for what works and what doesn't. The story illustrates Matthew's lifelong fascination with stories and how they can shape our perspectives.
6. Final Thoughts
We wrap up the discussion, with Karl noting how the storytelling techniques Matthew shared could be applied in both professional and personal contexts, such as with his own teenage son. Matthew reiterates the importance of leaders strategically choosing when and how to share stories to build trust and connection with their teams.
Learn more about Matthew Dicks over at his website of the same name. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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Join us for a discussion about breaking down challenges into small, manageable steps — a lesson that shaped his systems-driven approach to business. After COVID-19 devastated his marketing agency, Tony pivoted to software development, creating Guestify and an AI marketplace. He introduces his "Results Loop" framework for business growth, focusing on internal factors like market definition and external factors like customer loyalty. Tony also highlights how he uses AI tools collaboratively to streamline software development and reflects on how his mother's resilience inspired his entrepreneurial mindset.
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
Highlights from the interview:
1. Overcoming challenges through systems
Tony shares how he learned the importance of breaking down complex tasks into small, manageable steps from his musical training and his mother's experience overcoming polio. This foundational lesson of "small steps, big results" has shaped his approach to building successful systems and businesses.
Watch the 5-minute System Segment on YouTube.
2. Pivoting from agency to software
When Tony's marketing agency was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, he made the strategic decision to pivot his focus to developing scalable software. This transition led him to create Guestify, a podcast guest booking system that leverages AI, as well as an AI marketplace - aligning with his passion for systems and automation.
3. The "Results Loop" system for business growth
Tony explains his "Results Loop" system, which outlines the key internal and external factors for exponentially growing a business. The internal factors include defining the target market, offerings, and value proposition, while the external factors focus on increasing the number of buyers, size of transactions, and customer loyalty.
4. Leveraging AI for software development
Tony discusses his process for utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Anthropic Gemini to streamline his software development. He describes how he combines the strengths of different AI models to conceptualize designs, generate code, and debug issues - an iterative, modular approach that allows him to efficiently build and refine his products.
5. Gratitude for his mother's resilience
Tony expresses deep gratitude for his mother, who overcame polio and served as a role model for resilience and determination. Her example of breaking down challenges into small, achievable steps has been a profound influence on Tony's own entrepreneurial journey and systems-focused mindset.
Check out his marketing manifesto: https://smallstepsbigprofits.com/manifesto-confirmation/
Learn more about Tony Guarnaccia over at his website. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn. You can also check out his marketing manifesto to learn more about his system of growing a business.
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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In this episode of The Systematic Leader, I sat down with Jason Bryll of Parable Associates to dive deep into how businesses can leverage structured learning, automation, and data-driven decision-making to improve efficiency and drive growth.
1. Why Systems-Driven Learning Matters
Most businesses focus on execution, but structured learning opportunities create long-term success. Jason shared how his company builds intentional learning structures to empower employees and improve client outcomes:
Monthly Learning Days – Employees dedicate time to learning skills like SQL or Python.Onboarding Checklists & Training Videos – New hires ramp up faster with customized learning paths.Internal Knowledge Sharing – "Show and Tell" sessions encourage employees to share insights from client projects.Key Takeaway: A culture of learning creates a smarter, more adaptable workforce.
2. Automating the Repetitive: The Power of RPA
We also discussed Robotic Process Automation (RPA)—a game-changer for businesses drowning in repetitive tasks.
Example: Jason’s team automated insurance claim follow-ups for healthcare practices, reducing manual work and freeing up staff for higher-value tasks.
3. Data-Driven Decision-Making
Smart leaders don’t just collect data—they use it. Jason shared how Parable Associates builds feedback loops to refine their systems:
Monthly Executive Leadership Committee (ELC) Meetings – Full-day strategic planning powered by data.
Asana for Tracking Agenda Items – Ensures important issues are discussed.
Employee Pulse Surveys – Five quick questions every month to gauge team sentiment.
Key Takeaway: Reviewing data consistently leads to smarter business decisions.
4. Content as a System: Turning Knowledge into Assets
Another key topic? Using structured content marketing to improve client engagement and training.
Custom training videos – Used for internal learning and as a value-add for clients.
Monthly blog performance reviews – Analyzing read counts and engagement to refine content strategy.
Exploring a YouTube channel – Jason is considering a healthcare operations and data management content hub.
Key Takeaway: Content isn’t just marketing—it’s a business asset.
Learn more about Jason Bryll over at Parable Associates. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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What Happens When Organizations Run on Clarity Instead of Chaos?
Most companies don’t fail because of bad ideas—they fail because of bad systems. Employees drown in confusion, feedback loops break down, and leadership struggles to balance priorities. But what if there was a way to fix it?
In this episode, we sit down with Garrett Delph, founder of ClarityOps, to explore the power of systems thinking in organizational design—and why clear processes and structured feedback are the unsung heroes of high-performing businesses.
Highlights from the interview:
1. The Systems-Driven Organization
The best organizations don’t just “wing it.” They define their values, build for the long term, and create structures that align with their mission.Culture isn’t what you say—it’s how you operate. If leadership doesn’t actively design a feedback-driven culture, one will form by default (often in ways you don’t want).
2. How ClarityOps is Redefining Job Roles
The Net Set 360 System transforms how companies handle job descriptions and career paths—turning outdated, misaligned roles into a searchable, structured database that provides clarity for employees and leaders alike. Why this matters: When roles aren’t clear, confusion skyrockets, performance dips, and misalignment spreads like wildfire.
3. Feedback: The Lifeline of a Healthy Company
Anonymous surveys only work if leadership truly listens and acts on the feedback. One-on-one interviews uncover deeper insights than quick, surface-level feedback. Companies that thrive require a culture of psychological safety—where employees feel comfortable speaking up without fear of retaliation.
4. Balancing Workloads: The Hidden Leadership Challenge
One of the biggest silent killers of productivity? Leaders keep adding responsibilities without removing others. Activity maps help visualize and balance workloads, while temporary flex goals ensure shifting priorities don’t become permanent overload. Regular check-ins are critical to adjust responsibilities as business needs evolve.
5. Leadership That Works: Lessons from Bill Campbell
The legendary advisor to tech giants believed great leadership starts with great management.
Key traits of strong managers:
1. Clear planning – No guessing games, just intentional strategy.
2. Integrity – Leading with transparency and fairness.
3. Crystal-clear communication – Setting expectations so there’s no room for misalignment.
Next Steps for Listeners
Host regular “systems jam sessions” to find and fix friction points in your organization.Evaluate your feedback mechanisms—are you truly creating a safe space for employees to share?Audit your job descriptions and workloads to ensure they’re clear, balanced, and aligned with company goals.Assess your company values—are they being operationalized in daily business, or are they just words on a wall?This conversation is a must-listen for any leader looking to build an organization that thrives on clarity, not confusion. Tune in now!
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
Learn more about Garrett Delph over Clarity Ops. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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Join us for a discussion about the importance of building in systems when you have ADHD and run a business. Justin Vajko is the founder of Dialog With Us. One of my favorite parts of the interview is when Justin shared his systems to help him support his ADHD.
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
Highlights from the interview:
1. Content creation system
Justin Vajko shares his content creation system that helps him consistently produce and publish content for his business. The system involves recording himself during client calls and podcasts, automatically uploading the recordings to Dropbox, and then having his team clip, write, and publish the content. This system helps Justin overcome his ADHD-related challenges with consistent content creation.
Watch the 5 minute Systems Segment on YouTube
2. ADHD and building systems
He discusses how his ADHD has impacted his work and life, and the importance of building systems to compensate for his weaknesses. He shares how he discovered his ADHD in high school and has since developed many systems and routines, like dedicated weekly time with his wife and friends, to help him stay organized and productive.
.4 Delegating and reviewing work
We discuss the importance of delegating tasks that play to one's strengths, and the challenges of building effective review processes. Justin acknowledges that reviewing work is a weakness for him, and they explore strategies for finding the right people to handle that responsibility.
5. Celebrating wins and expressing gratitude
The conversation turns to the importance of celebrating wins and expressing gratitude, which Justin has struggled with in the past. They discuss how Justin's entrepreneurial mindset and ADHD can make it difficult to pause and appreciate progress, and the value of building systems to ensure consistent recognition of achievements.
6. Mentors and lessons learned
He reflects on a former boss, John Eilie, who provided him with significant grace and support early in his career as he learned to build systems and overcome the challenges of his ADHD. He expresses gratitude for John's patience and guidance, which laid the foundation for Justin's current success.
Key Takeaways:
Justin leverages his ADHD as a strength in entrepreneurship, developing systems to compensate for challenges.Delegation and building a supportive team are crucial for managing ADHD-related struggles in business.Self-awareness and open communication about work styles help improve leadership and team dynamics.Systematic review processes and celebration of wins are areas for potential improvement in Justin's businessLearn more about Justin Vajko over at Dialog Video Marketing. You can also connect with Justin over on Linkedin.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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Join us for a discussion about building business relationships that last. Greg Wasserman is an expert connector and relationship builder. One of my favorite parts of the interview was his system for building relationships with people he wants to connect with.
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
Highlights from the interview:
1. Relationship-Building System
Greg explains his system for building relationships, which centers around using his calendar and contact information to consistently reach out and connect with people, such as sending birthday wishes. He emphasizes the value of this simple yet powerful system in establishing trust and staying top-of-mind.
2. The Importance of Empathy and Supporting Employees
Greg and Karl discuss how leaders often struggle to build genuine connections with their employees, focusing too much on results rather than understanding their team's needs and challenges. They highlight the importance of empathy, creating supportive systems, and prioritizing the well-being of employees to foster a positive company culture.
3. Embracing Authenticity and Openness
Greg shares a valuable lesson he has learned from past leaders - the importance of being authentic and embracing one's unique personality, rather than trying to fit a certain mold. He emphasizes that by being true to oneself, leaders can attract the right people and build meaningful connections.
Learn more about Greg Wasserman over on LinkedIn.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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Join us for a discussion about building business relationships that last. Greg Wasserman is an expert connector and relationship builder. One of my favorite parts of the interview was his system for building relationships with people he wants to connect with.
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
Highlights from the interview:
1. Relationship-Building System
He explains his system for building relationships, which centers around using his calendar and contact information to consistently reach out and connect with people, such as sending birthday wishes. He emphasizes the value of this simple yet powerful system in establishing trust and staying top-of-mind.
2. The Importance of Empathy and Supporting Employees
He and Karl discuss how leaders often struggle to build genuine connections with their employees, focusing too much on results rather than understanding their team's needs and challenges. They highlight the importance of empathy, creating supportive systems, and prioritizing the well-being of employees to foster a positive company culture.
3. Embracing Authenticity and Openness
He shares a valuable lesson he has learned from past leaders - the importance of being authentic and embracing one's unique personality, rather than trying to fit a certain mold. He emphasizes that by being true to oneself, leaders can attract the right people and build meaningful connections.
Learn more about Greg Wasserman over on LinkedIn.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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Join Jason and me for a discussion about building systems that work well for you and your team’s culture. Jason Barnard is the founder of Kalicube, an AI branding company. One of my favorite parts of this interview is the system he uses for cross-team collaboration.
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
Highlights from the interview:
1. Mastermind system for cross-team collaboration
He describes a system of cross-team masterminds where employees from different departments come together to share problems and brainstorm solutions. This helps improve communication, understanding, and problem-solving across the organization.
Watch the 5-minute Systems Segment on YouTube
2. Automation and efficiency gains from mastermind insights
An example is provided where the marketing team was able to automate processes after getting input from the more tech-savvy production team during a mastermind session. This led to significant time savings for the marketing department.
3. Jason's background and polymorphic career path
He shares how his diverse experiences, from economics to music to cartoons, have shaped his ability to think creatively and tackle complex problems, especially in understanding how search engines and AI work.
4. Maintaining regular communication with team leads
He has weekly 30-minute calls with each department head to stay connected, understand challenges, and provide guidance, as well as a monthly all-hands meeting where everyone shares wins, struggles, and other updates.
5. Intentional reflection time and setting reasonable daily goals
He describes a daily routine of spending 10 minutes in the morning reflecting on the day ahead, assessing what is reasonable and possible to accomplish, rather than creating overly ambitious to-do lists.
Learn more about Jason Barnard over at Kalicube. You can also connect with Jason on LinkedIn.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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Learn how you can protect your most valuable business assets by building magnetic systems. It's these lighthouses that all business owners can build to find the friction in their company and eliminate it so you can grow your company.
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Join Russel me as we discuss the value of building authentic relationships with your employees. They discuss Russel’s specific system he uses to build relationships and support his team. Russel is the host and producer of the "Relationships at Work" podcast.
You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.
1. The "PERFORM" system for employee retention
Russel shares his "PERFORM" system, which stands for: Personal one-on-ones, Empowerment, Relationship building, Feeling valued, Ownership, Relatability, and Meaningful experience. He explains how each of these elements has helped him retain the same team for over 12 years.
2. Importance of personal one-on-ones
He highlights the personal one-on-one meetings as a key part of his PERFORM system. He shares how his team strongly resisted when he tried to cancel these meetings, as they found immense value in the dedicated time and space to connect with Russel.
3. Connecting employee values and motivations to their work
He explains how he worked to understand each team member's individual values, passions, and motivations, and then found ways to connect their work to those personal drivers. This helped create a more meaningful experience for the employees.
4. Challenges of leadership and self-awareness
He discusses his tendency to be very passionate in conversations, which can sometimes come across negatively. He shares strategies he uses, like leaving himself reminders, to be more intentional about his communication style and how it is received.
5. Importance of iterative improvement and reflection
He highlights the value of practices like meditation and journaling to help him reflect on his leadership and continually improve. He emphasizes the importance of being open to learning, even from poor leadership examples in the past.
Learn more about Russel Lolacher over at his website Russel Lolacker website. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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Join Rob Roy and me as we discuss building a culture that encourages ownership and creative problem solving. Rob Roy is the founder of Trident CC. One of my favorite parts of this interview was when he talked about using feedback loops to encourage continuous improvement at his company.
1. Empowering employees through recognition
Rob Roy shares his system for recognizing and valuing his employees. He makes a point to acknowledge 2-3 people at every event, providing personalized praise that is meaningful to each individual. This helps foster a sense of belonging and appreciation, rather than just a transactional relationship.
You can watch Rob’s 5 Minute System Segment on YouTube.
2. Cultivating a culture of trust and empowerment
Rob describes how he empowers his team to make decisions and strategize on the company's vision and plans. He holds annual planning sessions where the team collaborates to map out the year, with Rob providing the high-level direction and the team working out the details and logistics. This allows his employees to take ownership and feel invested in the company's success.
3. Feedback loops and continuous improvement
Rob has implemented feedback systems to gather ongoing input from clients on his coaches' performance. This allows him to identify areas for improvement and provide additional training and support to his team. He also seeks feedback from the clients to understand the real impact of the coaching, not just surface-level metrics.
4. Cultivating meaningful relationships
Rob discusses the importance of building genuine relationships with his employees, clients, and mentors. He highlights the advice and support he has received from successful business leaders like Yakov and Lance, who have emphasized the value of putting people first. Rob strives to embody this mindset in his leadership approach.
Learn more about Rob Roy over at Trident Coaching and Consulting. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a fantastic guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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Join Seth Spears and me as we discuss using customer feedback and his own intuition to make decisions. Seth Spears is the founder of Wellnesse. One of my favorite parts of this interview was when he talked about taking risks and driving growth rather than optimizing an existing process.
Highlights from the interview:
1. Remote Work Systems
Seth discusses how his e-commerce company uses Loom videos and AI-generated transcripts to create standard operating procedures (SOPs) for remote employees. This helps document processes and train new hires when existing team members leave or change roles.
2. Customer Service Processes
Seth explains how the company uses macros and pre-written responses in their email and chat tools to efficiently handle common customer inquiries. They also track frequently asked questions to identify opportunities for better product education or new product development.
3. Balancing Data and Intuition
Seth discusses the importance of using both customer data/feedback and his own intuition when making product and business decisions. He notes that sometimes customers don't know what they want, so innovating beyond their stated preferences can be key.
4. Fostering a Culture of Innovation
Seth emphasizes the need to take risks and try new things to drive growth, rather than just optimizing existing processes. He cautions against becoming complacent and boring, which can happen as a company matures.
5. Servant Leadership
Seth reflects on a former boss who exemplified servant leadership, always being willing to do the work herself and supporting her team. He strives to emulate this approach in his own leadership.
Learn more about Seth Spears over at Wellnesse. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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Join Douglas and me for a discussion about using AI in your business. Douglas Campbell is the founder of Raizor. One of my favorite parts of this interview was when we discussed the future of business and how we need to learn to better use AI to compete.
Highlights from the interview:
1. Douglas' AI-powered content automation system
Douglas describes an automated system he has built to streamline his content creation and distribution processes. This includes an AI-generated daily newsletter, automated social media posts, and an AI-narrated podcast - all from a single news article or blog post input. The system saves him significant time while maintaining quality and consistency.
Watch the five minute systems segment on YouTube where Douglas explains his automation system.
2. Importance of human oversight and values-alignment with AI
Douglas emphasizes the need to have clear standards and checkpoints when using AI, to ensure it aligns with one's values and avoids undesirable outputs. He describes his process of mapping out workflows, identifying appropriate automation opportunities, and strategically placing human review steps.
3. Future trends in AI and intelligent agents
Douglas discusses the rise of intelligent agents that can remember context, take actions on one's behalf, and become more interactive than current chatbots. He believes these will have significant business applications beyond just consumer tasks like booking travel.
4. Automating video content creation
Douglas shares a new automation system he has built to streamline the process of creating and publishing video content. This allows him to focus on the creative aspects while automating the technical tasks like editing, formatting, and distribution.
Learn more about Douglas Cambell over at Raizor. You can also connect with him on Linkedin.
As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!
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Most businesses don’t fail because of bad ideas. They fail because they lack systems to turn those ideas into sustainable success.
In this episode, Dustin Riechmann sits down with me, to break down how strategic systems can transform the way you work.
Karl’s journey is anything but ordinary—from running a thriving mushroom business in college to balancing a Fortune 100 career while scaling his own ventures. His secret? Building systems that eliminate friction and create momentum.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
🔹 Why friction is the #1 killer of business growth—and how to remove it.
🔹 How to turn customer feedback into a roadmap for success.
🔹 The secret to designing systems that scale, so your business doesn’t rely on you 24/7.
Karl’s Actionable Strategies for Entrepreneurs:
✅ Stop guessing—ask your customers. Regularly collect and act on feedback to refine your processes.
✅ Eliminate the busywork. Design systems that remove repetitive tasks and free up your time.
✅ Build a scalable flywheel. Solve one problem at a time to create momentum that fuels long-term success.
If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and want to turn big ideas into real, scalable success, this episode is for you.
Listen now and start building the systems that will take your business to the next level!
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