In this episode of the Disruption and Innovation Podcast, host Kumar Dattatreyan sits down with Josh Wood, a Tasmanian-based fitness expert and TEDx speaker who transformed his entire business model during the pandemic. Josh shares how COVID-19 lockdowns forced him to completely reimagine fitness coaching, leading to the development of his innovative "thin edge of the wedge" philosophy.

Key Discussion Points:

Special Highlight: Josh recently launched "Macro Masala," an Indian-cuisine cookbook focused on macro-friendly nutrition that took 18 months to complete.

Perfect for listeners interested in:

Josh's story demonstrates how forced disruption can lead to innovation, scalability, and ultimately better client outcomes - proving that sometimes the best business pivots come from necessity, not choice.

Episode Duration: 45 minutes
Hosts: Kumar Dattatreyan & Glenn Marshall

The average company spends 21% of its time (one full day every week) in meetings just trying to get different departments to talk to each other.

Organizations inevitably mirror their communication structures in their products. Siloed companies create siloed experiences for customers, while connected organizations deliver seamless value.

Glenn shares how Elon Musk's famous memo empowers employees to bypass hierarchy entirely: "If you encounter an issue, go directly to where it originates. Don't go through your manager—go to the source."

In one major North American bank, 85-90% of the IT budget goes to moving software between environments rather than creating customer value. This isn't just inefficiency—it's organizational madness.

The controversial take: Silos aren't inherently bad. They're an inevitable result of organizational growth and specialization. The key is making them permeable rather than trying to eliminate them entirely.

Test your organization's silo health with these questions:

"Can any employee easily get the information they need to serve a customer?"

"Do decisions get made by the people closest to the impact?"

"When something goes wrong, do teams blame each other or work together to solve it?"

4,000 autonomous teams with P&L accountability, supported by leadership in a servant model. Each team operates like a mini-company within the larger ecosystem.

Complete reorganization around customer journeys rather than traditional banking functions, creating cross-functional "tribes."

Small, autonomous teams that own entire customer experiences, eliminating the unclear ownership of large cross-functional groups.

Myth: "Regulatory industries need lots of hierarchy"
Truth: Regulations require certain outputs and audit trails, not specific organizational structures. An auditor at an Agile conference revealed: "We hate the garbage you send us as much as you hate creating it. Let's work together instead."

Instead of eliminating silos, create bridges and tunnels between them:

Silos will form naturally as organizations grow. The question isn't whether you'll have them, but whether they'll help or hinder your ability to serve customers. Make them permeable, not permanent barriers.

Resources Mentioned:

Blog post detailing the 3-Question Silo Diagnostic: https://www.agilemeridian.com/blog/The%20Ultimate%20Silo%20Buster

What silos exist in your organization? How much of your week is spent in "coordination meetings"? Share your experiences in the comments below.

The shocking truth about modern marketing: 89% of all marketing campaigns go completely unnoticed or forgotten. That's $534 million dollars literally flushed down the toilet in the US alone.

In this eye-opening episode, Gee Ranasinha, CEO of award-winning agency KEXINO and behavioral economics professor, reveals why the marketing industry's obsession with data and technology is actually making campaigns LESS effective - and what businesses need to do instead.

Gee breaks down complex behavioral science concepts into actionable insights, explaining why successful marketing addresses emotional drivers first, then provides rational justifications. Whether you're a business owner frustrated with poor marketing ROI or a marketer looking to create campaigns that actually work, this episode provides a roadmap for marketing that connects with human psychology rather than just spreadsheet metrics.

Key Quote: "We buy emotionally and post-rationalize logically. Marketing needs to address both halves of that process."

Gee has been in marketing since the dial-up internet era and is CEO of KEXINO, which has helped over 400 startups and small businesses across 20 countries. As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and Visiting Professor teaching behavioral economics at two business schools, he brings rare depth to understanding what makes marketing actually work.

Connect with Gee:

Subscribe to The Meridian Point for more insights on disruption, innovation, and transformation that challenge conventional business thinking.

"The marketing successes of the future won't be technologically based - they'll be psychologically based." - Gee Ranasinha

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this compelling episode of The Meridian Point, host Kumar Dattatreyan interviews Dr. Ron Stotts, a transformational executive coach who combines ancient wisdom with modern neuroscience to help leaders achieve higher levels of consciousness and effectiveness. Dr. Stotts shares his journey from Marine Corps service to becoming a three-time bestselling author with a PhD in psychology and Doctor of Chiropractic who has guided countless executives and entrepreneurs to create more conscious, caring, and profitable organizations.

Dr. Stotts reveals how a pivotal moment on a Marine Corps rifle range led to a profound personal awakening, launching his lifelong mission to help leaders reconnect with their authentic selves. This transformational journey forms the foundation of his approach to leadership development.

Discover why transformational change must begin with the leader, not the team. Dr. Stotts explains:

"It's the biggest problem I see in leadership today—they look outside of themselves for all the problems and solutions. And really, that's not where the answer is. The answers they're looking for are within themselves."

Learn how leaders literally rewire their brains for higher-level thinking and agile mindsets by:

Dr. Stotts shares that transformed leaders typically see at least a 20% increase in productivity and profits—often much more—as they create environments where teams can collaborate effectively and innovate freely.

Discover Dr. Stotts' powerful yet simple approach to mindfulness:

"My most trusted advisor, best friend, spiritual teacher... is my breathing. My breathing really tells me everything. Use the breath to look deeper. You can use the breath to move into any level of consciousness you want to be in."

Dr. Ron Stotts is a three-time bestselling author with a PhD in psychology and a Doctor of Chiropractic. He has explored the depths of ancient wisdom and the latest neurological studies to develop his unique approach to conscious leadership. After his own transformational journey following service in the Marine Corps, Dr. Stotts has dedicated decades to helping executives and entrepreneurs reach their highest potential.

The Meridian Point podcast explores transformational leadership and innovative business strategies with thought leaders from around the world. Hosted by Kumar Datatran.

In this episode of the Meridian Point, Kumar Dattatreyan interviews Chris Dyer, recognized as the #1 leadership speaker on culture by Inc. Magazine and author of three bestselling books including "The Power of Company Culture" and "Remote Work." Chris shares how a company's meeting culture can reveal its true organizational DNA and offers practical strategies for improving both meetings and workplace culture.

Chris's research reveals seven key pillars that all great company cultures share:

Implement focused, efficient meetings: Create different types of meetings for different purposes with clear expectations.

In remote settings: Use opening and closing check-ins to gauge team members' mental states and detect issues early.

Increase transparency: Share more information with employees about decisions, finances, and company direction.

Replace annual surveys: Use weekly single-question surveys with quick follow-up actions.

Focus on strengths: What you focus on grows; recognize positive behaviors to see more of them.

"We have to have many different types of meetings that are different lengths, different focuses, have different rules and permissions around them so people can navigate meetings differently."

"What you focus on grows."

"My job as a CEO was really to get out my virtual machete every single day and find ways to cut crap, cut meetings, cut things that was wasting people's time, energy, and focus."

For more insights on company culture and leadership, follow Chris Dyer's work through his books and speaking engagements.

Join us for more conversations on disruption and innovation in the workplace!

Episode Summary: In this illuminating conversation, Kumar Dattatreyan sits down with Desiree Goldey, a disruptive force in talent and culture transformation. As Director of Talent Operations at ZRG Partners and Founder of Do Better Consulting, Desiree shares her unique approach to creating lasting organizational impacts through individual mindset change and data-driven insights.

Key Topics Explored:

Notable Quotes:

Practical Insights:

About Desiree Goldey: Desiree brings a wealth of experience from across multiple industries including hospitality, CPG, sales, and talent acquisition. Her journey from the hospitality industry to talent operations provides her with unique insights into leadership development and organizational culture. As the founder of Do Better Consulting, she challenges traditional approaches to DEI and workplace culture through a focus on individual mindset change.

Connect with Desiree: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desireegoldey/

Next Episode: Stay tuned for a follow-up conversation with Desiree about leadership in the age of AI - exploring how technology is transforming how we identify, develop, and evaluate leadership potential.

What's the secret behind groundbreaking innovation at companies like Apple and Tesla? In this episode of The Meridian Point, Kumar Dattatreyan and Glenn Marshall unpack the psychological safety paradox: how seemingly demanding leaders like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk create environments where innovation flourishes.

The hosts explore how mission-driven organizations balance psychological safety with high standards, enabling teams to take risks, challenge ideas, and occasionally fail without fear. Discover why psychological safety isn't about comfort but about creating space for experimentation that leads to revolutionary products.

This conversation offers essential insights for anyone interested in building innovative teams, revealing how psychological safety operates at multiple levels and why it looks different across organizations. Don't miss this deep dive into the leadership dynamics that drive today's most disruptive companies.

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Andreas Wittler, Scrum Master at Atruvia AG and owner of 6e Consulting, as we explore how anthropological insights can transform organizational resilience. Andreas shares how understanding universal "rudiments" of human collaboration helps teams navigate disruption, drawing parallels between historical patterns and modern challenges.

We'll discuss how he turned pandemic career setbacks into global networking opportunities and discover why thinking like an anthropologist might be the key to successful organizational transformation in today's rapidly changing landscape.

What You'll Discover:

Join Us As We Explore:

Connect with Andreas Wittler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaswittler/

Resources We'll Mention:

Don't miss this enlightening conversation about finding ancient wisdom to solve modern organizational challenges!

In this enlightening episode of The Meridian Point, Kumar Dattatreyan interviews Diane Taylor, founder and principal consultant of Glow Leadership.

With over thirty years of experience helping high achievers optimize their performance and wellbeing, Diane shares insights from her new book, "Elevate Potential," which explores how increasing our consciousness can unlock greater success.

Episode Highlights:

Diane defines conscious leadership as the ability to view life as "happening for you" rather than "happening to you," embracing even difficult experiences as opportunities for growth. This self-awareness allows leaders to better understand themselves and, by extension, understand those they lead.

The conversation explores how unhealed emotions and past experiences often manifest as unconscious triggers that cause leaders to show up poorly - whether through micromanaging, inability to delegate, or creating constant crisis environments.

Diane emphasizes that while most leaders intellectually understand the benefits of behaviors like delegation, unresolved emotional patterns often prevent them from implementing them. A particularly insightful moment comes when Diane discusses change management, revealing that transformation is fundamentally an emotional process similar to grief. By understanding the emotional journey people experience during change, leaders can guide their teams through transitions more effectively and with greater empathy.

The discussion touches on organizational alignment, with Diane advocating for consistent leadership language, philosophy and culture throughout an organization. She emphasizes the importance of making company values more than just wall decorations by integrating them into everyday decisions and processes.

Diane also addresses the increased pace of disruption in today's world, highlighting the importance of holistic wellness practices. She notes that North America's focus on physical and mental wellbeing often neglects emotional and spiritual dimensions, contributing to ongoing mental health challenges post-pandemic.

The interview concludes with Diane sharing personal insights, including her daily meditation practice as essential self-care and her admiration for leaders like Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Queen Elizabeth II.

About Diane's Book: "Elevate Potential" is structured in three parts: Diane's personal story of overcoming childhood tragedy, an exploration of conscious versus unconscious leadership characteristics, and practical exercises to help readers increase their consciousness.

Rather than being a passive read, the book encourages active participation and journaling. Listeners interested in learning more about conscious leadership can visit Glow Leadership or find Diane's book "Elevate Potential" on Amazon.

Glow Leadership Inc.
Fully Engaged Teams – Intentional Leadership
www.glowleadership.com
PH: 604.329.5128

Bonus Episode!

Join us as we explore the hidden patterns connecting martial arts, business strategy, and artificial intelligence with systems thinker Marwane El Kharbili. Discover why most innovation efforts fail, how authentic organizational change differs from mere "actionism," and what ancient wisdom can teach us about strategic planning and decision-making.

From his childhood fascination with military tactics to advising startups across Europe on business transformation, Marwane reveals practical insights about building resilient organizations using first principles thinking.

His unique approach to digital transformation and complex adaptive systems provides valuable lessons for leadership development in our rapidly evolving landscape. Whether you're leading organizational change or navigating personal disruption management, this conversation unveils the timeless principles that govern all living systems and improve investment strategy.