Insight Out : Big Ideas for the Modern Entrepreneur

How can we shift our thinking in order to break a pattern? And how can we take positive action to make transformative changes in our lives? That’s the focus of Scott Miller’s new book, “Master Mentors Vol. 2.” It examines key insights from 30 of the world’s most transformational leadership thinkers – including Seth Godin, Susan Cain, General Stanley McChrystal and more – and provides simple steps to implement the same insights in your own life.  In today’s episode, Scott joins me to talk about the most valuable lessons he’s learned from his own mentor, the concept of transformational insight, the subtle nuances between self-worth, self-esteem and self-confidence, why vulnerability is a key element of leadership, and more. “I think the power of transformation has the power for you to see yourself differently. It has the power for you to challenge your paradigm, your mindset, your belief system, to say, gosh, I always thought about gratitude in this way, but now I'm gonna think about gratitude in this way. Or I thought about what's next for me or my business model. They're personal and professional. I think it's really intended to help kind of shake you to say you've been in this pattern of thinking this line of behavior and just shaking a little bit to say, is that serving you well? Is that serving those around you?” – Scott (06:03) Top 3 Takeaways  A mentor can be anyone. “I don't think you have to know or be in an intimate relationship, professional relationship with your mentor at all,” Scott says. It doesn’t matter that you can’t meet with them for one-on-one guidance; a mentor is anyone who helps you understand how to improve your life, and in the age of podcasts and YouTube, you can get that wisdom in a variety of ways.  Try to assume positive intent. Everybody makes mistakes, and sometimes even the most well-intended words come out wrong. A person’s words say more about them than they do about you.  Self-worth is inherent and unchanging. “Self-esteem and your self-confidence ebbs and flows based on your sense of self and the kind of relationships you're in and the things that you do that you value or don't value,” Scott says. “But your self-worth cannot be changed and no one else can change it.” In This Episode (01:13) Why you don’t need to meet your mentor to benefit from their wisdom (05:21) Scott’s definition of a transformational insight (07:14) The practical applications of insights, and using them to transform your life (11:30) Bobby Herrera’s life-changing bus ride (22:50) Self-worth vs self-esteem vs self-confidence (31:51) “Your future truth should be your present.” (36:03) BJ Fogg and the power of tiny pattern-breaking habits Resources & Links Billy Samoa  https://billysamoa.com/ https://www.facebook.com/BillySamoaSaleebey/ https://twitter.com/BillySamoa https://www.instagram.com/billybelieve/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCjQ9RSxYqDS4_VxBHNyQJw https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/ https://billysamoa.com/podcast-archive/ https://billysamoa.com/video-carousel/ https://billysamoa.com/blog-with-sidebar/ Scott Miller https://www.scottjeffreymiller.com/ https://www.facebook.com/scottmillerj1 https://twitter.com/scottmillerj1 https://www.instagram.com/scottjeffreymiller/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmillerj1/ Mentioned https://tinyhabits.com/book/ https://bobby-herrera.com/ https://www.franklincovey.com/speakers-bureau/sean-covey/ This is an encore episode and was originally published on August 26, 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever had to lead a project without being the official leader? Lots of people have. Today, unofficial project managers are like secret heroes. But how do they do it without the fancy title or training? Let's find out together. In today’s episode of the Insight Out podcast, I am joined by Kory Kogon, Vice President and Content Development and Bestselling Author at FranklinCovey.  During our conversation, we talk about her book Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager and insights on project management and leadership. Kogon emphasizes the importance of leading people, setting clear expectations, and effectively closing projects. She advocates for learning from retrospectives and choosing the right project management tools that align with project principles. Kogon also discusses the integration of waterfall and agile methodologies, stressing the significance of aligning projects with organizational values. She concludes by highlighting the mindset of value, people, and process as the key to success for project managers. In this episode, you will learn the following: Understanding the productivity paradox in the knowledge worker era The significance of leading with clarity and purpose, regardless of position The benefits of conducting retrospectives for continuous learning and improvement Key to success for unofficial project managers Advice on choosing project management tools that align with key principles The value plus people plus process mindset In This Episode: [03:14] - Introducing the productivity paradox [04:14] - Changes in society and productivity [06:25] - Tips for making high-value decisions  [06:36] - The five choices for project management [08:18] - Update on of the book [10:11] - Unofficial project managers and their challenges [11:55] - Pitfalls causing project failures [14:15] - Tips to improve engagement  [19:36] - Discoveries and surprises in research [23:50] - Self-awareness and Leadership [24:54] - Actionable insights from the book [27:33] - Postmortem and debrief [30:59] - Selecting project management tools [35:15] - Blending Waterfall and Agile [38:16] - Defining value in project management [41:46] - Leadership Mindset in Project Management Notable Quotes [04:37] "Now we're in the knowledge worker world where we're paid to think, innovate, create, and execute." -Kogon   [04:51] “It's no longer about time management. It's more about how do I make the best decisions” -Kogon [14:34] “The overarching mindset for a leader needs to be that it's the value of the project plus people plus process equals project success.”-Kogon [29:16] "Recognizing people and letting them know that they did a good job lights up their brain more than if you gave them cash."- Kogon  [[42:19] “If you want to change behavior or little, work on your behaviors, but if you want quantum leaps in behavior, work on your mindset.” -Kogon Resources and Links Kory Kogon https://www.linkedin.com/in/kory-kogon/ https://www.franklincovey.com/ Billy Samoa  https://www.instagram.com/billysamoa/ https://www.youtube.com/@BillySamoa https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/ Mentioned Book Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager This is an encore episode and was originally published on March 2, 2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever watched a viral video on social media and wondered how it captured millions of views? What magic formula did the creator use that made you hit the share button without hesitation? In today’s episode of Insight Out, I'm thrilled to have Joel Lalgee, a social media sage and content wizard, especially when it comes to making waves on platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok. In this episode, we discuss the craft behind viral content, the importance of developing a recognizably unique voice, and the strategies for keeping viewers hooked from the first second. Joel shares the invaluable insights he gained from his triumphs on TikTok and LinkedIn. We explore the world of social media algorithms, discover what makes posts attention-grabbing, and look into the effectiveness of niching down to create impactful, resonant messages. Joel opens up about the balance between entertaining and informative content, the value of engaging directly with your audience, and the relentless pursuit of improvement through content iteration. Tune in now, and gain the knowledge you need to make your content truly stand out. Here's what you can expect in this episode: Loving content creation means consuming and understanding it. - (06:01) Social media platforms focus on revenue through ads. - (13:30) The Power of Niching Down - (19:10) Joel covers LinkedIn credibility and text in videos for attention. (20:18) Simplify speech and writing for more impact.- (25:03) Competition for attention in content creation. - (30:06) Blocking time for priorities in calendar is key for building a brand. - (34:00) Using funny, entertaining content for marketing strategy. - (38:50) Monetizing meme accounts and TikTok challenges, preferring content monetization - (47:20) Building relationships through unique content is essential. - (57:07) Focus on real relationships, not just gaining followers.- (1:04:19) Key insights: Mastering the perfect hook, line, and sinker for your videos Riding the hashtag highway to get your content seen Time juggling like a boss between work, family, and content creation Real talk on the common facepalms content creators make Notable quotes: “At a certain point, you have to just do some of this stuff... you've got to do it as well and test it out.” (10:46) - Joel “After four years of just creating content, I just don't care... I'm just more interested in what works and what doesn't.” (11:10) - Joel “Once I get past that three to five-second mark... whatever I say after that doesn't matter as much... So that's what I think of with a good video.” (20:23) - Joel "You're not just competing against other people on LinkedIn, you're competing against Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, the news, the newspaper, every podcast in the world. Everybody's competing for that same thing." (39:29) - Joel “At the end of the day, if you just do trending stuff all the time, you're never gonna really create like something that people recognize because it's just they're following the trend. They're not following you.” (46:58) - Joel "having a point of view is so important. And whatever the point of view is, a point of view is what's going to get the conversation going." (48:45) - Joel Resources Joel: Joel's Company Website: https://www.therealestrecruiter.com/ Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/joellalgee/ The_realest_recruiter https://www.youtube.com/@Therealestrecruiter https://www.instagram.com/the_realestrecruiter/ https://twitter.com/Humanheadhunter Billy Samoa  https://www.instagram.com/billysamoa/ https://www.youtube.com/@BillySamoa https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/ This is an encore episode and was originally published on February 2, 2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hoffman—or Captain Hoff, as he’s known in Silicon Valley—is the CEO of Founders Spac. One of the world's leading startup incubators and accelerators, Founders Spac prepares entrepreneurs to avoid disastrous mistakes, surmount sizable obstacles, and master the skills necessary to make the right choices along their path to success.   Steve is also the author of the books Make Elephants Fly, Surviving a Startup, and The Five Forces. On this episode of INSIGHT LIVE, Captain Hoff returns to the show to share insights and important principles from his books. This is one you won't want to miss!   Valuable Insights by Steve A startup with nice-to-have products will never succeed. Borrowing money from family and friends for your startup is a dangerous thing to do. There is a myth out there that you're going to have that epiphany in your head, and the world will love it. If you want to maximize your chance of success, don't take specific ideas. Having some knowledge of technology is very critical to starting a company. Build a team of people around you who are as obsessed with the company's success as you are. One of the core things you need to realize as an entrepreneur is that your job is discovery. Your job isn't to know the answers when you start. Your job is to go on a crazy journey. Know your competitors inside out. Smart entrepreneurs enter deep into their enemy's territory. If you take the risk out of your equation, you take the growth of your organization from your equation.   Tips by Steve:   Have 2 or 3 founders for your startup. Platforms are better than products. Build the team, then build the company. Copying is the best business model in the world. If your idea is not working out, then don't stick too long with the same idea. Software is the evergreen industry.   Notable Quotes:   [04:00] - The only reason that you should start a startup is that in your life, you have seen a need for something that isn't there, and you want to bring that need into life."   [08:30] - Don't start a startup if you want an easier quality of life.   [13:30] - Money is a funny thing. It can drive a wedge between family members, best friends, etc.   [17:35] - To make the best decision for yourself, you must know what you're getting into.   [19:42] - It's better to spend 80% of your time not building your product, not thinking of an idea, not talking to the customer but going out and finding the people you want to work with.   [34:00] - Great entrepreneurs are the ones who gather the most information about their market, customers, competitors, etc.   [55:40] - You can be nothing without taking risks.   [1:00:10] - "People have bais, and we have to recognize this."   [1:02:40] - Entrepreneurs die not because they give up on products too early. They fail because they stick with them too long.   USEFUL RESOURCES/ LINKS:   Steve's Website: https://www.foundersspace.com/contact/   Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/foundersspace https://www.instagram.com/foundersspace/ https://twitter.com/FoundersSpace   Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=23010497) This is an encore episode and was originally published on November , 2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through your LinkedIn feed, connecting with professionals left and right, only to realize that your network feels more like a collection of random profiles than a genuine community? In today’s episode of the Insight Out podcast, I am excited to be joined by Liam Darmody, a personal branding consultant with a wealth of knowledge on leveraging LinkedIn for building authentic relationships.  In our conversation, we delve into the value of human connections, the power of conversation, and LinkedIn's community aspect. Liam advises enjoying content creation without being hindered by engagement metrics, treating it like a journal. He shares his transition from corporate to consultancy, emphasizing the importance of building connections and attracting meaningful relationships. Liam and Billy discuss LinkedIn strategies, the role of analytics, and the importance of engaging with comments as part of building a community. They also pay homage to influential LinkedIn figures like Andy Foote and John Espirian, highlighting the importance of learning from experienced users and sharing content authentically. In this episode, you will learn: The art of authentic connections and personal insights The importance of human relationships LinkedIn: The serendipity manifestation platform Why every post is a networking event Paying homage to LinkedIn influencers The role of analytics in content strategy The joy of content creation The efficiency of posts In This Episode: [00:10] Building authentic relationships on LinkedIn [00:28] The role of insights in personal growth [04:26] Transitioning from corporate to personal branding consultancy [08:20] Reflection on the journey of building a business and a flashback to a pivotal moment in 1997 [11;12] The power of human connections [11:40] LinkedIn as a serendipity manifestation platform [14:50] The power of conversation on LinkedIn [18:38] Relationship with LinkedIn OGs [19:27] Understanding LinkedIn community [24:37] The power of engagement metrics [26:21] Analyzing content performance [32:22] Experimenting with posting frequency [31:22] Importance of human connection [37:03] Studying engagement metrics [37:42] Building engagement [38:36] Tracking engagement [39:34] The power of conversation [41:17] Content creation strategy [43:10] Efficiency in content creation [45:36] Creation process [49:39] Experimentation and enjoyment [52:12] Liam’s engagement strategies [56:38] Increasing visibility through early comments  [57:53] Effectiveness of reposting in gaining traction on social media Notable Quotes [11:56] "Once you get to a place where you don't feel inhibited and you feel like I'm just going to be myself and I'm going to invest in the people that find that to be worth paying attention to, it shifts your perspective and your experience on this platform significantly."- Liam  [16:51] "Every post is an opportunity to start a conversation with people who are passionate about that topic and who have a lot of value to add, and you're sort of the host of that conversation." -Liam  [31:53] "For me, I consider a successful post one that starts a lot of conversation."- Liam [37:42] "There's no slight on you; it doesn't mean that you're any less of a human being. You're just sharing content that is valuable to you, and some people might see it and react, some people might not." - Liam [39:38] "When somebody shows up to your post and leaves a thought in the form of a comment, respond to it. They're doing you a favour”-Liam Resources Liam Darmody https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamdarmody1/ Billy Samoa https://www.instagram.com/billysamoa/ https://www.youtube.com/@BillySamoa https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/ This is an encore episode and was originally published on January 26, 2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices