At some point in life, we all find ourselves at a crossroads—questioning our achievements, choices, and purpose. This phase, often referred to as a mid-life crisis, typically occurs between the ages of 40 and 60, and is commonly associated with restlessness, regret, or a longing for something more.

It is triggered by a realization of life’s impermanence, unmet aspirations, or changing priorities. But rather than viewing it as a crisis, my guest today sees it as a natural moment of reassessment and an opportunity for growth.

Aneace Haddad is a transformation expert who helps C-suite teams break through barriers and align as one, enabling them to achieve what few executive teams ever do—leading collectively with impact. Using techniques designed specifically for mature leaders, he facilitates rapid, sustainable transformation without rigid frameworks or forced processes.

Aneace’s insights are shaped by his own journey as a former tech CEO. He once led a team of brilliant executives, yet something wasn’t clicking—they weren’t truly a team. Frustrated but unable to name the underlying issue at the time, he later dedicated himself to understanding the missing piece. That journey led him to develop a powerful approach that helps executive teams shift from individual expertise to collective impact, unlocking their full potential as a unified force.

With a deep understanding of executive dynamics, Aneace highlights a critical leadership gap: while most CxOs are exceptional in their individual domains, leading as a unified team requires a fundamentally different skill set.

Research shows that C-suites that act collectively experience 3X higher growth in revenue, profit, and returns, yet over 80% of executive teams struggle with shared accountability and ownership (Bain, Leadership IQ).

💡 Key Takeaways:

✅ The 3 Winds of Change that shape midlife experiences

✅ The Happiness Curve—why age 47 is a turning point

✅ How neurological changes in midlife enhance leadership skills

✅ The power of storytelling and resilience in business and personal growth

✅ Why finding purpose beyond career success leads to lasting fulfillment

🎙️ About the Guest:

Aneace Haddad is an Executive Coach and a Senior Advisor at McKinsey & Company who exclusively serves C-suite teams and executives over 40. Prior to this, Aneace built a payment software company in 30+ countries and sold it before shifting gears to coaching and leadership development. Today, he helps executives navigate mid-life transitions and unlock their true leadership potential.

🌟 Connect with Aneace Haddad:

🔗 Website: https://www.aneace.com/

◉ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aneace/

◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aneacehaddadpersonal

📖 Books: https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-That-Drank-Hummingbird-Nectar/dp/9811848688

🎥 Watch More Episodes:

◉ Discover Soulful Entrepreneurship : https://youtu.be/u6dvo81wQNI

◉ Leadership Secrets for Driving Change & Transformation : https://youtu.be/9RbxwtyVB3U

◉ Discover the Four Unique Leadership Styles : https://youtu.be/hpdqkGmzxgM

◉ Building a People-Centric Organization : https://youtu.be/VIOq3yHKZ-c

🔗 Stay Connected:

◉ Website: https://www.selfempowermentinstitute.com/

◉ LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/maximeyao

◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maxime.yao.52/

In this episode of the Max Yao Leadership Podcast, ‪@RichardBlank‬ , CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center, reveals the secrets behind creating a thriving workplace culture and mastering communication in the call center industry. Why You Should Watch: Whether you're a business leader, aspiring entrepreneur, or someone looking to elevate your communication skills, Richard shares a wealth of insights on leadership, personal growth, and building authentic connections. Key Highlights: ✅ From Dreams to Success: Richard's journey from Philadelphia to Costa Rica and his rise as a call center CEO. ✅ The Power of Communication: Master techniques for difficult conversations, cold calls, and building trust. ✅ Leadership Strategies: Learn how to lead with empathy, inspire teams, and develop future leaders. ✅ Community Building: Discover how Richard creates a workplace culture that prioritizes employee happiness and retention. ✅ Insights on Resilience: Tips on handling rejection, staying motivated, and achieving long-term success in challenging industries. 👉 Tune in for practical advice and inspirational stories that will leave you motivated to lead and grow! 🔗 Learn more about Richard Blank: 🌐 https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/r... 👔 / costaricascallcenter 🎥 Watch More Episodes: ◉ Discover Soulful Entrepreneurship : • Discover Soulful Entrepreneurship: Le... ◉ Leadership Secrets for Driving Change & Transformation : • Philippe Delpech, CEO of Sonepar: Lea... ◉ Discover the Four Unique Leadership Styles : • Discover the Four Unique Leadership S... ◉ Building a People-Centric Organization : • Building a People-Centric Organizatio... 🌐 Follow Us for More Leadership Insights: ◉ Website: https://www.selfempowermentinstitute.... ◉ LinkedIn: / maximeyao ◉ Facebook: / maxime.yao.52

🎙️ In this episode of the Max Yao Leadership Podcast, we’re joined by Lucie Lachaux, a former CFO turned CEO of Changing Minds. With a rich career spanning five countries and various business ventures, Lucie shares her incredible journey of aligning professional ambition with personal fulfillment. Key Takeaways: ✔ Emotional intelligence and its impact on leadership success. ✔ Insights into leading across diverse cultures. ✔ Lucie’s strategies for balancing a thriving career with a fulfilling personal life. 🔗 Connect with Lucie Lachaux: LinkedIn: Lucie Lachaux 🌐 Explore Changing Minds: changingmindscoaching.com 💬 Let us know in the comments: How do you integrate personal fulfillment with career success? Chapters: 00:00 Intro 03:15 Lucie’s Transformative Journey: CFO to CEO 10:30 Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Success 18:45 Leading Across Cultures: Lessons from Five Countries 25:00 Balancing Professional Ambition with Personal Fulfillment 33:00 Lucie’s Proven Strategies for Inspired Living 40:45 Insights on Leadership and Personal Growth 45:00 Closing Thoughts 🎥 Related Videos: https://youtu.be/u6dvo81wQNI https://youtu.be/9RbxwtyVB3U https://youtu.be/VIOq3yHKZ-c https://youtu.be/hpdqkGmzxgM https://youtu.be/G9vsxRKxr6I https://youtu.be/SZj9yeSyIH0 Related Hashtags for this video, Unlocking Success: Lucie Lachaux on Personal Fulfillment, Leadership, and Ambition: #MaxYaoLeadershipPodcast #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #LucieLachaux #PersonalFulfillment #CareerSuccess #LeadershipAcrossCultures #CFOtoCEO #InspiredLeadership #WorkLifeBalance #PersonalGrowthJourney #ThrivingCareers #AmbitiousGoals #CareerTransformation #ProfessionalGrowth #ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #SuccessMindset #GlobalLeadership #EmotionalIntelligenceMatters #WomenInLeadership #LifeAndLeadership #CareerBalance #LeadershipLessons 🔔 Never Miss an Update! - Subscribe Here : https://www.youtube.com/@maximeyao5225?sub_confirmation=1 - For more insight join one of our programmes at https://www.selfempowermentinstitute.com/home-page1607291632032 📜 Important Information: - Disclaimer: We are not responsible for any loss or damage from using our content. Use information at your own risk and perform your own due diligence. © Maxime Yao 💖 Spread the Love: Share this video with friends and family. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for the latest updates. Your support means the world to us!

In this episode of the Max Yao Leadership Podcast, 🎙️ I sit down with DJ The Money Coach (@djthemoneycoach), a financial literacy expert, entrepreneur, and visionary investor, to explore why Zanzibar and Africa’s East Coast 🌴 are the next big opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors.

From overcoming financial struggles 💸 to becoming a seven-figure entrepreneur, DJ shares his journey of personal growth, his passion for financial education, and his innovative real estate development projects in Zanzibar.

🌟 💼 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✨ Why Zanzibar is Africa’s best-kept investment secret.

✨ How to achieve financial independence and build generational wealth.

✨ DJ’s entrepreneurial journey—building and selling multiple businesses.

✨ The role of leadership, faith, and purpose in business success.

📌 Connect with DJ:  

🌴 Explore Zanzibar: EscapeToZanzibar.com

🌐 Website: djthemoneycoach.com

📸 Instagram: @djthemoneycoach

📺 YouTube: @djthemoneycoach

📞 Call Toll-Free: +1 866-395-3042

💬 Have you ever thought about investing in Zanzibar or Africa?

🌍 Drop your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation! 👇

Chapters:

⏱️ 00:00 - Intro

⏱️ 02:30 - DJ’s Inspirational Backstory 🌟

⏱️ 10:45 - Overcoming Financial Challenges & Building Wealth 💰

⏱️ 20:30 - The Birth of DJ The Money Coach 🚀

⏱️ 30:00 - Lessons from Building & Selling Businesses 🏢

⏱️ 40:15 - Why Zanzibar? Future of African Investments 🌍

⏱️ 50:10 - Financial Literacy for Working Professionals 📊

⏱️ 01:00:00 - Leadership, Faith & Purpose ✝️

⏱️ 01:20:00 - DJ’s Top Book Recommendations 📚

⏱️ 01:25:00 - Where to Find DJ & Closing Thoughts

Are you ready to become the CEO of YOU, Inc. and transform your career?

In this episode, I’m joined by Tammy Alvarez, the dynamic CEO and Founder of Career Winners Circle and author of Escaping the Career Trap: Transform Your Apathy Into Ambition and Never Hate Mondays Again.

Tammy brings invaluable insights from her time leading global teams across 35 countries on Wall Street and her current work helping professionals reinvent their careers.

💼 Key Insights from This Episode:

✨ Strategies to escape career traps and align your goals with purpose

✨ Tammy’s proven "Align, Disrupt, Thrive" framework for career transformation

✨ Why great leaders empower their teams for long-term success

✨ Leadership habits to excel in high-pressure environments

✨ How to create a fulfilling, purpose-driven career

💡 Episode Highlights:

➦ Tammy’s leadership journey on Wall Street and lessons from managing global teams

➦ The pivotal moment that led Tammy to leave corporate life and start her coaching business

➦ How to avoid career stagnation and build a leadership style aligned with your strengths

➦ The importance of team empowerment in creating high-performing teams

➦ Tammy’s practical tips for achieving career clarity and long-term fulfilment

📚 Tammy’s Book Recommendations:

1️⃣ Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller

2️⃣ Good to Great by Jim Collins

3️⃣ Escaping the Career Trap by Tammy Alvarez

🎥 Watch This Episode Now and discover how to turn apathy into ambition, avoid common leadership mistakes, and build a career you love! https://youtu.be/SZj9yeSyIH0

🔗 Learn More About Tammy:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammyalvarez/

Career Winners Circle: https://careerwinnerscircle.com

📚 Get Tammy’s Book: Escaping the Career Trap

🌐 Follow Us for More Leadership Insights:

◉ Website: https://www.selfempowermentinstitute.com/

◉ LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/maximeyao

💬 What’s your biggest career challenge right now? Share in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode, Max sits down with Lexi Godlewski, a soul-centered entrepreneur and coach who has mastered the art of aligning business with purpose. Lexi shares her personal journey from a traditional career path to becoming a "soul-trepreneur," where she leads with heart and authenticity. Her story is filled with moments of transformation, self-discovery, and courage to follow her true calling.

Lexi opens up about her struggles working in a corporate environment that didn’t fulfill her, which led to feelings of deep unhappiness and anxiety. A tragic event involving a coworker’s passing became a pivotal moment for Lexi, pushing her to re-evaluate her life and follow her dreams. She walked away from a secure job to start her own business—initially a marketing consultancy—that eventually evolved to support others in discovering their true purpose.

Key highlights from this conversation include:

1. Redefining Success: Lexi discusses how she went from seeking external validation to finding true fulfillment by following her soul’s calling. She emphasizes that true success isn't just about material gains but about creating impact and living authentically.

2. The Concept of Soul-Trepreneurship: Lexi introduces the term "soul-trepreneur," an approach to entrepreneurship that places purpose and impact above profit. She believes that building a business from the soul not only enriches the entrepreneur’s life but also creates a positive impact on the world.

3. Trusting Your Inner Voice: Lexi shares her struggles with overcoming external pressures and opinions from friends and family, who doubted her decision to leave a promising corporate career. She emphasizes the importance of listening to your inner voice and trusting your intuition, even when it goes against societal norms.

4. Living with Purpose: Lexi guides listeners on how to connect with their inner desires, urging them to ask the essential question, "What do I really want?" She encourages people to remove the influence of others' expectations and tune into their own dreams and aspirations.

5. Practical Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: From understanding your market to creating a vision, Lexi breaks down her approach to creating a business that aligns with your soul’s purpose. She talks about the importance of authenticity in marketing and how to communicate your message without feeling like a “slimy salesperson.”

Key Takeaways: • True success and happiness come from living in alignment with your purpose. • Being a "soul-trepreneur" is about creating a business that not only makes money but also makes a difference. • Don’t be afraid to listen to your inner voice and pursue what truly lights you up. • Embrace authenticity and lead with heart in your business for a greater impact.

If you're feeling unfulfilled in your current role or searching for a way to align your work with your values, Lexi's insights are sure to inspire and guide you on a path of soulful entrepreneurship.

Book Recommendations:

• "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle - For gaining presence and connecting with your true self.

• "Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear" by Elizabeth Gilbert - For embracing creativity and overcoming fear in pursuing your dreams.

• "You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life" by Jen Sincero - For building confidence and empowering yourself to live fully.

Watch Lexi's inspiring TED Talk, "How to Live Life Fully," here: https://youtu.be/Ar7UQSktavw?si=u5xKHKzIdpLKdxe5

Connect with Lexi:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lexigodlewski

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexigodlewski/

Website: lexigodlewski.com

YouTube: @lexigodlewski

In this episode of the Max Yao Leadership Podcast, we dive deep into productivity and change management with our special guest, Shawn Shewchuk, a renowned expert in the field. Shawn shares his journey from a rural upbringing to becoming a leader in productivity coaching, working with over 12,000 clients globally. We explore the importance of taking responsibility, understanding modern motivations, and enhancing productivity in today's dynamic work environment. #### Key Takeaways: 1. **Embrace Responsibility**: - Taking responsibility is the first step towards making real change. It's not about blame but about the ability to respond to situations effectively. 2. **Understand Modern Motivations**: - Today's workforce, especially younger generations, are motivated by different factors such as meaningful work and environmental concerns. Leaders need to adapt to these motivations to engage their teams effectively. 3. **Enhance Productivity**: - Productivity is defined as any action that moves towards a goal. Increasing productivity by even one hour per day can significantly impact the bottom line. Clear goals and breaking tasks into manageable pieces are crucial. 4. **Build Strong Relationships**: - Leadership is about building trust and respect with your team. Understand and value the people you work with, and adapt your leadership style to meet their needs. 5. **Take Action**: - Avoid procrastination and overanalysis. Taking action, even imperfectly, is better than inaction. Speed of implementation is key to seizing opportunities and making progress. #### Highlights: - Shawn shares his early interest in business and how it led him to become a productivity coach. - Discussion on the shifting motivations of younger generations and how leaders can adapt. - Importance of taking responsibility and its impact on leadership effectiveness. - Strategies to enhance productivity and the role of clear goal-setting. - Building strong, trusting relationships with your team to drive results. #### Quotes: - "There is no such thing as perfection. It's better done than not done." - "Leadership is about walking hand in hand and side by side with your team." #### Book Recommendations by Shawn Shewchuk: 1. **Change Your Mind, Change Your Results** by Shawn Shewchuk - Explore the principles of personal and professional transformation with practical advice and strategies for achieving better results. - Get your copy: https://amzn.to/45npg9N 2. **Think and Grow Rich** by Napoleon Hill - A classic book on personal development and success, emphasizing the power of thoughts and goal-setting in achieving financial and personal goals. - Get your copy: https://amzn.to/3Vt5WUa 3. **How to Win Friends and Influence People** by Dale Carnegie - A timeless guide to building strong relationships and influencing others, crucial skills for effective leadership. - Get your copy: https://amzn.to/4bfGc3v 4. **You Were Born Rich** by Bob Proctor - A powerful book that delves into the mindset and principles needed to unlock your full potential and achieve wealth and success. - Get your copy: https://amzn.to/3VHsjGM #### About the Guest: Shawn Shewchuk Shawn Shewchuk is a highly sought-after mentor, consultant, and speaker known as North America's #1 results coach. With over 28 years of experience, Shawn has helped over 12,000 clients across various industries to achieve significant improvements in productivity and leadership. He is the founder of Change Your Results dedicated to helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential. Shawn is also an accomplished author and has been recognized for his innovative approaches to coaching and consulting. #### Links: - Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XsBBmrn2lxQ - Visit Change Your Results: https://changeyourresults.com - Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnshewchuk #### Call to Action: - **Subscribe**: Don't miss out on future episodes! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform. - **Engage**: Share your thoughts and key takeaways in the comments. We’d love to hear from you! - **Learn More**: Visit http://changeyourresults.com for more insights and resources. Stay tuned for more insightful conversations and keep being the leader everybody trusts and respects!

My guest today is a luminary in the field of organizational and leadership development who has impacted nearly 20,000 leaders across more than 500 organizations globally.

Dr. Karuna Ramanathan is Founder and CEO of KR Konsulting based in Singapore. He brings to the conversation over three decades of rich experience supporting Senior Leaders and Organisations through difficult transformations, especially in middle manager execution challenges, and in values and culture changes.

Dr. Ramanathan is a former naval warship captain, who served as organizational development consultant to the Singapore and Brunei governments. He is a Marshall Goldsmith Global Coach and author of the book "Navigating The Seas of Change” published in 2020.

Today, Dr. Ramanathan will help us explore the essence of leadership in the modern age, especially the critical role of what he calls the middle core in organizations.

Without further ado, let’s welcome Dr. Karuna Ramanathan.

Welcome to Episode #15 of the Max Yao Leadership Podcast.

My guest today is a visionary leader who is on a mission to build and promote the “African City of Tomorrow”.

Issa Diabaté is a Partner at Koffi & Diabaté Architects and co-founder of Koffi & Diabaté Group. Over the years, Issa Diabaté has not only shed light on important African urban issues, but he has also taken the lead on several local initiatives that deal with and address context-oriented problems.

His goal is to design and promote the creative solutions required to build the "African city of tomorrow" as applied in the Koffi & Diabaté approach.

Issa DIABATE holds a Master's degree in architecture from YALE UNIVERSITY and has spoken at several conferences and universities, including the Design Indaba conference in South Africa, the University of Porto and Columbia University's Other Desires conference.

Issa Diabate is a Knight of the Order of Cultural Merit in Ivory Coast. Without further ado, let’s welcome Issa Diabate.

Follow Issa Diabate:

Website: https://koffi-diabate.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/issa-diabate-904513

Get ready to be inspired by Vaughn Sigmon, co-founder of Results-Driven Leadership.

He is not your average leadership development expert. As a co-founder of Results-Driven Leadership and former Carmax executive, he knows what it takes to be a high-impact leader and manager.

Rather than offering theory, his coaching and training programs provide common-sense advice and direction based on real-world experience. It’s no wonder that Carmax, the country’s largest and most respected company in the auto industry, is a Fortune 100 Best Places to Work.

In this conversation, Vaughn shares his vision of leadership and practical guidance to drive results, especially from your sales team. His methods are sure to impress. His mission is to improve the impact of executives and managers by enhancing their knowledge, skills, and abilities. His motto says it all: “No matter what business you’re in, you’re in the people business.”

Guest Details:

   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vaughnsigmon

   Website: rdltraining.com