Becoming Your Best | The Principles of Highly Successful Leaders

Can cultural shifts transform an entire industry?Meet Dr. Sulman Ahmed, who, by following his deeply rooted belief in customer service excellence reshaped his industry and transformed his business into a massive success.In this episode, we learn from Dr. Sulman Ahmed about the difference adjusting a company's culture to customer satisfaction can make, how to face life challenges with resilience and perspective, and why having a clear vision is crucial to succeed. Dr. Ahmed is the Chairman and CEO of DECA Dental and the Author of "Make Them Smile: Why Customer Satisfaction Is the Key to Rapid and Sustainable Growth."He is passionate about putting customers' needs first and developed a patient-centered model that turned DECA Dental into a reference for excellence, the recipient of several awards, honors, and recognitions. Dr. Ahmed also achieved many honors and awards, like the Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 and Glassdoor’s Top CEOs list in 2021, among many others.Throughout our conversation, Dr. Ahmed shared the story of how he went from being homesick and almost returning to Zimbabwe to owning and leading one of the largest privately held dental companies in the US. You'll also hear Dr. Ahmed's thoughts on effective leadership, building a legacy, the benefits of shaping a culture focused on customer satisfaction, and much more.Tune in to Episode 435 and discover why making your customers smile is the shortcut to experiencing rapid and sustainable growth in your business.Some Questions I Ask:Please tell us about yourself, your background, and any turning points that had a significant impact on your life (2:40)When did you realize it was time to start working on your business instead of in your business? (12:00)In This Episode, You Will Learn:Dr. Ahmed talks about why he decided to write his book (7:00)It takes ten years of being good every day to become great at something (10:00)Dr. Ahmed shares one of the most important lessons he learned as an entrepreneur (14:40)Why you should "make things personal" (16:40)Connect with Dr. Sulman Ahmed:WebsiteLinkedInBook: Dr. Sulman Ahmed - Make Them Smile: Why Customer Satisfaction Is the Key to Rapid and Sustainable GrowthBecoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best University WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: support@becomingyourbest.comBook: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

Communicating ideas clearly sits at the top of any successful endeavor in every company. Whether we are communicating with an external audience or our team, sharing a straightforward message and setting clear expectations is crucial.In today's episode, we learn from a true wordsmith, Julianna Newland, why getting good at putting nouns and verbs is a shortcut to becoming successful leaders. Julianna has over 30 years of experience in the corporate world working for Fortune 500 companies; she is a Freelance Author and Editor, a Micro-influencer, and the Author of "All Up in Your Bizness: Managing Your Business Crap."Throughout our conversation, Julianna shared insights on the importance of finding the right mentor, getting and securing a job in a Fortune 500 company, and nurturing a solid network. You'll also hear Julianna's thoughts on mentorship, how to get the right mentor and get the best out of them, successfully manage hybrid work environments, and maintain high trust levels in them.Additionally, Julianna talks about her book, what motivated her to write it, how it can help develop thriving work environments, and much more.Tune in to Episode 434 and discover Julianna Newland's insights on mastering corporate leadership with a dash of humor and a wealth of experience.Some Questions I Ask:What tips can you share on how to be successful in companies? How do you create value? (5:20)What are some of the suggestions you might have to successfully manage hybrid work situations? (16:40)In This Episode, You Will Learn:Julianna's tips for securing a job in a Fortune 500 company (6:00)How to find the right mentor (9:10)Why being loyal is so important in corporate America (15:10)Julianna talks about her book, "All Up in Your Bizness" (19:30)Three tips for creating an optimum work environment (23:20)Connect with Julianna Newland:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramBook: Julianna Newland - All In Your Bizness: Managing Your Business CrapBecoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best University WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: support@becomingyourbest.com Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety 

What is the impact of fostering an empathy-focused culture in an organization?Understanding how your team is feeling is way more effective than the metrics any survey can provide. Our guest, Erika Sinner, feels that corporate culture has more to do with how employees feel on Sunday night than the metrics any survey can provide.Erika Sinner is the CEO and Founder of Directorie, an Empathy Driven Culture Advocate, and the Author of "Pets are Family: It's as simple as that."Throughout this episode, you'll hear about the importance of empathy in the workplace, the benefits of fostering an empathy-driven culture, and practical tips for leaders on supportive team members through personal challenges. Erika also talks about including pet bereavement policies, and how it can lead to better communication, increase trust, and create a more positive work environment, her Moments that Matter document, and much more.Tune in to Episode 433 of Becoming Your Best and discover how fostering trust and compassion through empathy-driven leadership can transform your workplace.Some Questions I Ask:What kind of sensitivity should there be for people who have lost their pets? What are some recommendations to give people comfort? (8:30)How do you bring up questions for Moments that Matter? (16:40)In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Erika's background and upbringing (2:40)The story behind Erika's "Pets Are Family" (5:00)Sensitivity and support for grieving employees (7:40)Implementing "Moments that Matter" (14:50)Benefits of an empathy-driven corporate culture (20:00)Connect with Erika Sinner:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInBook: Erika Sinner - Pets Are Family: It's As Simple As ThatBecoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best University WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: support@becomingyourbest.comBook: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

What makes intrapreneurship so successful in corporate settings? In this episode, the brilliant Louis Gump invites us to look at intrapreneurship's unique way of generating growth and transforming companies from the inside out. Louis is a business builder and transformational leader by excellence; he combines his experience as an intrapreneur, CEO, and entrepreneur to develop talented teams and achieve remarkable success in growing businesses. He is the President of Cambian Solutions, the Best-selling Author of "The Inside Innovator," and managed award-winning mobile businesses at The Weather Channel and CNN.  Throughout this episode, Louis talks about the importance of fostering innovation within large organizations, why intrapreneurship is ideal for doing this, and every successful intrapreneur's main traits. Louis also shares valuable insights he gained throughout his career, we discuss adaptability is crucial for every business, and how intrapreneurship can create new value and opportunities for companies and those working in them.   Tune in to Episode 432 of Becoming Your Best and learn more about intrapreneurship's innovative strategies and how they can transform your organization and promote growth from the inside out.  Some Questions I Ask:Can anyone be an intrapreneur? (13:20) How can someone be a great intrapreneur? (19:00)In This Episode, You Will Learn: A bit about Louis' background and the origin of his passion for intrapreneurship (2:20)What is intrapreneurship and why companies should care about it (7:30)What makes a good intrapreneur (10:40)How great intrapreneurs build valuable skills (20:30)Louis shares tips from his interviews with successful intrapreneurs (25:50)Connect with Louis Gump: WebsiteLinkedInBook: Louis Gump - The Inside Innovator: A Practical Guide to IntrapreneurshipBecoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best University WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: support@becomingyourbest.comBook: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

Do you know what your attachment style is? Are you aware of how it impacts your relationships?In this episode, Florence Ann Romano shares her unique perspective on community, childcare, attachment styles, and relationships. Florence Ann is an Author, Active Childcare Advocate, Personal Growth Strategist, a member of the Board of Directors at the Children’s Research Fund, and a founding member of Sesame Street’s Leadership Council.Throughout this episode, Florence Ann shares her thoughts on attachment styles and how they mold our personal and romantic relationships, the link between building a village and philanthropy, and parenting tips to raise happy and successful children. Florence Ann also talks about how to build supportive communities for special needs children, the buildup of her latest book, "Build Your Village," and much more.Tune in to Episode 431 of Becoming Your Best and learn from Florence Ann Romano how to build the perfect village around you and your loved ones.Some Questions I Ask:What are attachment styles? And how do we develop those? (6:20)What would your recommendation be to build strong relationships as you observe these different styles of attachment? (15:00)In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Florence Ann's background (3:10)The advantages of identifying your attachment style (13:00)It is all about how you show up for other people (18:10)Florence Ann shares her advice as a former nanny to create happy, successful children (21:10)How to build supportive communities for special needs children (25:00)Connect with Florence Ann Romano:WebsiteInstagramTikTokFacebookBook: Florence Ann Romano - Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of LifeBecoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best University WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: support@becomingyourbest.comBook: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

Have you ever wondered why certain TV commercials, political campaign slogans, or advertisements stuck in your head and a million others simply went through you from ear to ear?In this episode, Ben Guttmann teaches us the secrets behind clear messaging and how to become better communicators. Ben is a Marketing Entrepreneur, Educator, and Author. He is the Principal at Unisphere Ideas, teaches marketing at the nation's largest business school, and authored one of the best books ever written on messaging, "Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win―and How to Design Them." Right after college, Ben built, ran for over 10 years, and sold an award-winning marketing agency, Digital Natives Group. Still, his desire to share his communication skills and altruistic nature spoke louder and led him to start consulting, speaking internationally, and writing a book.Throughout this episode, the author of "Simply Put," shares the five principles of becoming a clear communicator, his experiences building, running, and then selling his award-winning marketing agency, and practical tips you can start doing today to improve your communication skills. Ben also teaches how to close the gap between simple and complex messaging, marketing, and sales strategies, explains the importance of embracing constraints to improve creativity and innovation, and more.Tune in to Episode 430 of Becoming Your Best and learn how to create a sharp, authentic, and empathetic communication style, allowing you to turn your ideas into an invitation that people can't refuse.Some Questions I Ask:Why do so many of us struggle with communicating effectively? (6:10)How can we use this concept to better connect with our audience? (14:00)In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Ben's background and turning points that significantly impacted him (2:30)Ben's five principles to turn your messages clearer (9:20)How asking "So, what?" can help us communicate more effectively (12:20)Ben shares practical tools for becoming better communicators (19:40)Connect with Ben Guttmann:WebsiteLinkedInBook: Ben Guttmann - Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win―and How to Design ThemBecoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best University WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: support@becomingyourbest.comBook: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

The opposite of "mentally strong" isn't "mentally weak." We all have a solid baseline from which we can build; it all depends on strengthening our mental muscles using the right habit-building tools.In today's episode, the amazing Scott Mautz teaches us to strengthen our minds and achieve more, even (and especially) during difficult times. Scott is a riveting Keynote Speaker, Entrepreneur, Best-selling Author, and Trainer. He is a former Procter & Gamble Senior Executive and the Founder and CEO of Profound Performance, his keynote and workshop company. His book, "Leading from the Middle," became an Amazon #1 bestselling, "Find the Fire," and "Make It Matter" earned several awards. His latest book, "The Mentally Strong Leader," promises to break down the secrets to the leadership superpower of our times, mental strength.Throughout our conversation, you'll hear about how Scott revamped the meaning of "reaching the next level" in his career and the moment he decided to step away from his successful corporate job to pursue his purpose and start his own thing. Scott also shares his thoughts on mental strength, training the mental muscles, controlling negative emotions to prevent them from taking over, and much more.Tune in to Episode 429 and ignite profound performance by strengthening your mental muscles using Scott's powerful habit-building tools.Some Questions I Ask:Please talk about when you decided to take the leap and do what was in your heart (6:10)How can one become more resilient? (19:30)In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Scott's background (3:20)What can we find in Scott's latest book, "The Mentally Strong Leader" (7:10)Mental strength is the leadership superpower of our times (10:30)Is it possible to manage our emotions? (15:00)Scott shares advice on how to prepare for and conduct difficult conversations (25:00)Connect with Scott Mautz:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterGet Scott's latest book, "The Mentally Strong Leader"Get Scott's FREE 60-page Companion WorkbookBecoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best University WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: support@becomingyourbest.comBook: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

Can wellness be integrated into leadership roles? Does dealing with chronic stress impact a company's organizational success? According to our guest, Dr. Romie Mushtaq, incorporating wellness into leadership roles is not only beneficial but necessary, as it massively improves mental and physical health, provoking a cascade effect on virtually every level of an organization.In this episode, you'll hear about Dr. Romie Mushtaq's transformational journey from a burned-out neurologist to a leading advocate for wellness in the workplace. She is a Board-certified Physician, Brain Doctor, Chief Wellness Officer, an award-winning Keynote Speaker, Author, and Mindful Leadership Expert. She is the Founder and CEO of the BrainSHIFT Institute, the Chief Wellness Officer at Great Wolf Lodge, and the Author of the USA Today National best-selling book, "The Busy Brain Cure."Throughout this episode, Dr. Romie Mushtaq talks about the detrimental effects of chronic stress on physical and mental health and shares practical solutions to heal the busy brain. She explains the root causes of chronic stress, how data-driven programs can help you restore your brain, how leaders can implement a culture of well-being in their organizations, and much more.Tune in and discover practical strategies to heal your busy brain, enhance your leadership skills, and revolutionize your approach to work and life- your well-being awaits!Some Questions I Ask: How can you set up a program that helps a whole company? How do you do that? (7:20)Can you share some quick tips for immediate relief from a busy brain? (14:00)In This Episode, You Will Learn:Understanding chronic stress and burnout (2:00)About Dr. Romie's personal journey (4:10)Dr. Romie shares effective wellness strategies (10:20)Differentiating busy brain from stress (20:30)How to integrate wellness into leadership (24:30)Dr. Romie shares practical tips for well-being (28:10)Connect with Dr. Romie Mushtaq:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInFacebookYouTubeGet a copy of her book The Busy Brain Cure: The Eight-Week Plan to Find Focus, Tame Anxiety & Sleep AgainBecoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: support@becomingyourbest.comBook: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group–Conquer Anxiety