In this episode of the Expert Speaker Podcast, host Majeed Mogharreban sits down with Jim Saliba, executive coach and author of The Six Step Leadership Challenge. They discuss what it takes to be an adaptable leader in today’s fast-changing world, how to implement agile strategies in leadership, and why small, strategic experiments can lead to long-term success.

Jim shares his journey from a software engineer in New York to becoming a Silicon Valley executive coach, helping leaders navigate organizational change, overcome fear, and step into their authentic leadership style.

If you’re looking for practical strategies to become a stronger leader, embrace change with confidence, and make better decisions, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

  Key Takeaways

✅ Bridging the Leadership Gap – Many leaders think they know what’s happening inside their companies, but there’s often a major disconnect. Jim shares how he helps executives see the reality and adjust accordingly.

✅ Agile vs. Waterfall Planning – Learn the difference between these two project management approaches and why agile is a better fit for today’s fast-paced, ever-changing business world.

✅ The 30-Day Experiment Rule – Instead of making big, overwhelming changes, Jim recommends leaders test small, focused experiments for no more than 30 days to drive measurable improvement.

✅ Overcoming Resistance to Change – Many people fear new technologies (like AI) or cling to outdated systems. Jim explains how to reframe change as a natural, necessary evolution rather than a threat.

✅ The Four Fears of Leadership – Jim breaks down the top fears holding leaders back:

• Fear of incompetence (imposter syndrome)
• Fear of appearing foolish
• Fear of failure
• Fear of being vulnerable

✅ Authenticity in Leadership – Leaders who try to “put on a work mask” burn out faster. Jim explains why showing up as your authentic self is key to long-term success.

✅ Jim’s Upcoming Leadership Retreat in Napa – A high-level mastermind for executives to gain clarity, create a 90-day action plan, and form lasting business relationships—all over great wine.

  Memorable Quotes

🗣️ “Fear is just a waste of imagination.” – Jim Saliba 🗣️ “Change has an arc—about two to three years—and then companies say, ‘We’ve changed!’ whether they have or not.” – Jim Saliba 🗣️ “We’re not throwing everything out—we’re adapting, tuning, and making it better.” – Jim Saliba 🗣️ “AI is just the latest tool to help us do more with less. Love it or hate it, it’s here.” – Jim Saliba

 

Action Steps

🎯 Grab Jim’s book The Six Step Leadership Challenge for a structured approach to leadership growth. 🎯 Start a 30-day leadership experiment – Pick one area to improve, set a clear goal, test it for a month, and analyze the results. 🎯 Connect with Jim Saliba. 

 

Leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers—it’s about being adaptable, experimenting with new strategies, and staying authentic in the process. Whether you’re feeling stuck or stepping into a new leadership role, this episode will help you navigate change with confidence and clarity.

 

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