What story are you really telling; and is anyone listening?

In this episode, Bill Gallagher is joined by Dan Grech, storyteller, strategist, and founder of BizHack Academy, to unpack the real reason most small businesses struggle: they skip the story and jump straight to the sell.

Dan shares how storytelling builds emotional connection, why most entrepreneurs fail to clarify their message, and how safe spaces for vulnerability unlock real transformation. From strategy to execution, this conversation will help you rethink how you communicate, connect, and lead.

Topics explored in this episode:

(03:30) The Power of Storytelling in Business

*Emphasis on emotional storytelling and the “why” behind a brand

*Dan talks about how stories humanize a brand and build authentic connection.

*He highlights the idea of ‘heart’ in storytelling

(11:45) Teaching Strategy + Tactics

*Dan explains the importance of combining big-picture strategy with technical execution

*Discusses how people often jump into tactics without clarifying their message or audience

*You can’t out-hustle a bad strategy

(17:15) Why Most Small Businesses Struggle

*Many don’t know how to tell their story

*They try to mimic big brands, but it backfires

*Small businesses must: sell the mission, not the product.

(55:10) Creating Safe Space for Vulnerability

*The best coaching relationships allow founders to admit fears, doubts, and confusion

*Dan believes real transformation happens when people are seen and heard first

*The most powerful thing we can do is sit with someone in their story and not try to fix it.

Thanks to Dan Grech for being on the show!

Dan’s website: https://dangrech.com/ & https://bizhack.com/

Connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dangrech

Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.

Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop

Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGall

Bill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach

Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.

Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.

Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJ

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00u

Bill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/

Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

What happens when being “busy” stops working?

In this solo episode, Bill Gallagher reflects on the moment he realized working harder wasn’t working anymore. He explores how busyness can quietly erode presence, health, personal relationships, and leadership effectiveness; and why real growth often begins when leaders change how they see themselves, not just how they work.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:04) When Hard Work Stops Working

*Working 80-hour weeks simply isn’t sustainable.

*Busyness can feel productive while quietly blocking progress.

*There’s a moment when effort stops compounding; and it starts costing you.

(03:20) When the Leader Becomes the Bottleneck

*Being embedded in everything prevents others from stepping up.

*Lack of delegation is usually a trust issue, not a talent issue.

*If nothing moves without you, the system can’t scale.

(10:20) Four Questions to Diagnose Where Busy Is Broken

*List what you want to stop, even before you know how.

*Pair it with what you want to start or create space for.

*Small weekly reviews drive long-term identity change

Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.

Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop

Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGall

Bill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach

Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.

Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.

Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJ

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00u

Bill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/

Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

What if your greatest leadership tool isn’t your brain, but your spirit?

Bill Gallagher sits down with Dr. Yosi Amram, a licensed psychologist, engineer, and former CEO turned spiritual researcher, to explore how spiritual intelligence can profoundly shape leadership, decision-making, and performance. They dive into the key qualities of spiritual intelligence, how they relate to personal and organizational transformation, and why some of the most effective leaders operate from a deeper, more connected sense of purpose.

Topics explored in this episode:

(03:45) Defining Spiritual Intelligence

*What spiritual intelligence really means (beyond religion or belief)

*The difference between spirituality, emotional intelligence, and IQ

*Why spiritual intelligence is critical for modern leadership

(14:00) The Qualities of Spiritual Intelligence

*In spiritually intelligent leadership, we have to follow our inner compass and also stay open to input

*It’s in our biology to be part of a tribe, to have a purpose

*We have a loneliness epidemic because we are isolated from the community

(31:15) Performance and Spirituality: A False Tradeoff?

*Productivity doesn’t have to come at the cost of soul

Spiritually intelligent leaders outperform purely tactical ones

*Our brains fill in the gaps and make assumptions all the time

*The ROI of integrating purpose and personal growth into leadership

(45:20) How to Cultivate Spiritual Intelligence

*We have many different layers of love.

*What leaders can do today to start building this capacity

*Spiritual intelligence enriches you and your purpose.

Thanks to Yosi Amram for being on the show!

Yosi’s Book: Spiritually Intelligent Leadership

Connect with Yosi: https://yosi.health/

Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.

Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop

Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGall

Bill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach

Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.

Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.

Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJ

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00u

Bill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/

Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Will AI make us wiser or much dumber?

In this solo episode, Bill Gallagher explores the growing role of artificial intelligence and how it intersects (and sometimes conflicts) with wisdom. As AI tools become more advanced, are we gaining real insight or simply outsourcing our thinking? Bill unpacks the nuances of what the future of AI really means.

Topics explored in this episode:

(02:30) AI Simply Can’t Do It All

AI offers speed, volume, and convenience, but that doesn’t mean it offers wisdom.

Relying too heavily on tools can bypass necessary experience and reflection.

Wisdom is earned through trial, error, and sometimes failure.

(06:45) The Limits of AI in Leadership

AI can generate content, insights, and even strategies, but it cannot make judgment calls.

The role of a leader is to see the bigger picture, understand nuance, source different opinions, and offer mentorship.

Wisdom includes timing, empathy, and courage; none of which are codeable.

(9:00) Should You Use AI?

Make space to reflect before reacting.

Use AI as a thinking partner, not a thinking replacement.

Stay committed to learning through experience. There’s still value there.

Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.

Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop

Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGall

Bill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach

Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.

Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.

Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJ

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00u

Bill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/

Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

Are we too busy to think or just out of practice?

Scott Burgmeyer and Tammy Rogers dive into one of the most overlooked skills in today’s workplace: thinking. From the rise of “non-thinking” archetypes to the danger of lizard brain decision-making, they explore why so many leaders and employees are stuck in reactive loops; and how to break out of them.

Scott shares his signature Swiss cheese analogy to explain how systems thinking can prevent blame culture and improve decision-making. Tammy reframes the idea that "there's no time to think," showing how intentional reflection is a competitive advantage. If you want to lead with clarity, think more critically, and get better at making decisions that matter, this episode will give you the tools and mental models to start.

Topics explored in this episode:

(05:15) Critical Thinking Skills -- A Dying Art?

*Tammy asks the important question of ‘why aren’t people thinking’?

*What is ‘Thinking’ really? Scott explains

*Tammy shares some common ‘non-thinking’ archetypes.

*Having a thought vs. thinking are two very different things.

(14:00) Moving Out of Lizard Brain Thinking

*It’s important to ask growth questions: What worked/what didn’t work.

*Recognizing your logical fallacies is how you grow.

*Apply the ‘learning/thinking’ lesson in other areas and categories of life.

*What’s more likely to go wrong? --Some people take this the wrong way.

(22:10) The Swiss Cheese Analogy

*Scott shares his swiss cheese analogy and how it connects to thinking.

*We sometimes find scapegoats to shift blame on instead of the actual system that lead up to the mistakes.

*Our brains fill in the gaps and make assumptions all the time.

*Although we frequently notice subconscious and intuitive cues, we tend to ignore them

(34:30) I Don’t Have Time to Think

*Things are just too busy to slow down just to think? Tammy reframes this perspective.

*Thinking is all about expanding value to you and those around you.

*You’re rewarded by how quickly and how WELL you make decisions.

Thanks to Scott Burgmeyer & Tammy Rogers for being on the show!

Connect with Scott & Tammy: https://www.becomemoregp.com

Scott’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/burgy/

Tammy’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammerarogers/

Book: Think: The Road Less Traveled by Scott Burgmeyer & Tammy Rogers

Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.

Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop

Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGall

Bill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach

Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.

Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.

Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJ

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00u

Bill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/

Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Bill emphasizes the importance of approaching others with expectation of hearing "yes" rather than bracing for rejection. He points out that expecting a "no" can negatively affect one's demeanor and the way proposals are presented, potentially leading to self-sabotage before even fully articulating the pitch. To counteract this, Bill advises focusing on the potential "yes" by considering and speaking to what the other party might want or find beneficial, thereby crafting a more compelling and engaging proposal.

Moreover, Bill delves into the psychological barriers that fear of rejection can create, suggesting that this fear can significantly impede one's ability to secure affirmative responses. He recommends acknowledging and setting aside this fear to focus on why the proposition could be appealing to the other party. If the fear of rejection is deeply ingrained, seeking external help or therapy might be necessary to overcome these hurdles. Ultimately, the aim is to move beyond the fear, speculate on potential wins for both parties and present a pitch that is both compelling and attuned to the interests and desires of the other person, thus improving the chances of hearing "yes" more frequently in business endeavors.

As entrepreneurs and CEOs, how can we continuously develop our leadership skills?

This episode features Ryan Hawk, an author, advisor, keynote speaker who is on a mission to make people like you become smarter leaders. He’s also the host of the Learning Leader Show, a podcast about helping leaders become more effective.

Key topics that Bill and Ryan explore in this episode:

- Ryan’s personal story of growing up in Ohio and learning leadership skills through sports.

- Surrounding yourself with people from diverse backgrounds to gain perspective and become a better person.

- Listening to others and gaining a more profound understanding of their perspectives.

- Struggling with celebrating accomplishments.

- The impermanence of past accomplishments.

- Intentionally practicing gratitude to shift your mindset.

- Starting and ending meetings with positive news to create a more optimistic atmosphere.

- Ryan’s experience in corporate America and pursuing an MBA.

- The audacious goal of impacting millions of business leaders before retiring.

- The importance of self-care and fueling yourself to be effective in leading others.

- Continuous learning.

- Seeking permission before leading or teaching others.

- The importance of permission in building fruitful relationships.

Thanks to Ryan Hawk for being on the show!

Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhawk12/

Listen to Ryan’s podcast, The Learning Leader Show: https://learningleader.com/

Buy one or all three of Ryan’s books: "Welcome to Management," "The Pursuit of Excellence," and "The Score That Matters": https://amzn.to/4eBceth

Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.

Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop

Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGall

Bill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach

Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.

Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover the Scaling Up Business Podcast so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.

Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJ

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00u

Bill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/

Bill on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/billgall

What would your future self thank you for starting today?

In this solo episode, Bill walks you through his personal strategy for designing a fulfilling and productive year before the new year hits. He shares how carving out time between Thanksgiving and mid-December creates the perfect window to slow down, reflect, and set intentional direction for the coming year.

Topics explored in this episode:

(01:00) Create Space Before the New Year

*The week after Thanksgiving is an ideal time to reflect on your year.

*Flip through your calendar. Does anything stand out? 

*What went well, and what do you wish had gone differently?

(06:25) Set Your Future Vision

*Reset your mind and body to prepare for what’s ahead.

*Imagine your life 10 years out. What does it look like? 

*Get clear on your purpose, values, health, hobbies, and what truly matters.

(16:00) Build a Plan with Realistic Cadence

*Start with the end in mind. 

*What daily habits could move you toward your long-term vision?

*You don’t need a perfect plan, just a system that helps you recommit.

Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.

Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop 

Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGall

Bill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach 

Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. 

Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.

Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJ

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00u

Bill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/ 

Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall 

How do you run a year-end strategy offsite that’s focused, fun, and actually gets results

In this episode, Bill is joined by strategic advisor Dan Clifford to walk you through how to plan and execute a high-impact annual strategy session offsite. From pre-planning to post-event execution, Dan shares his years of business knowledge with the audience today. Whether you’re a founder, CEO, or senior leader, this conversation will help you rethink your next big planning meeting and make sure it drives real outcomes for the new year to come. You’ll learn how to choose the right environment for deep thinking, gather and synthesize the right data before you meet, build an agenda that creates clarity and momentum, and ensure your team actually follows through long after the offsite ends.

Topics explored in this episode:

(03:25) The Pre-Planning Stage

*If it’s not on the calendar, it doesn’t exist.

*Find a good off-site location that has both indoor and outdoor options.. 

*Don’t just go through ‘the motions’ of an agenda; schedule downtime, walks, and thinking time.

*Think about what success would look like at the end of the event.

(19:05) The Pre-Meeting Stage

*If you have more than 8 people in the room for year-end planning, you need to hire a facilitator.

*Get your data and numbers together, as well as a company-wide survey on what’s working and what’s not.

*Bill likes to use AI to summarize the data collected and offers some tips on how to leverage this fully.

*With a critical meeting like this, set the expectation with senior leadership that there will be no laptops and no cellphones.

(41:40) The Agenda

*Start with big-picture thinking, then narrow into what the action plan looks like.

*What resources do you currently have vs. what you need to achieve your BHAG?

*Walk out with 3–5 big priorities.

*Bill likes to start with good news, human connection, and a bit of play before the big-picture strategy conversations begin.

(31:35) The After

*Don’t just set it and forget it. Schedule weekly follow-up meetings to keep momentum.

*Focus on Q1 for now; don’t try to forecast Q2-Q4 yet. A lot can change in 90 days.

*Don’t be afraid to use AI to help you along this process! 

Thanks to Dan Clifford for being on the show!

Connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danclifford/

Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. 

Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop 

Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGall

Bill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach 

Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. 

Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.

Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJ

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00u

Bill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/ 

Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall 

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/ 

What if chasing “having it all” is exactly what’s making you miserable?

In this episode, Bill challenges what “having it all” means and explores what actually creates sustainable happiness for high-performing leaders. He shares moments from when he had money, success, and recognition, but still felt empty, and explains why joy often comes from subtraction of things. 

Topics explored in this episode:

(03:40) Success Without Joy Is Emptiness

*Bill reflects on hitting financial and professional milestones; yet still feeling a strange emptiness. 

*Challenge the belief that: achievement = happiness. 

*External wins don’t always translate to internal satisfaction.

(07:15) Why the Gratitude Advice Doesn’t Always Work

*Break “Thanksgiving” into two core practices: Thanks (appreciation) and Giving (generosity).

*Start with gratitude for team members, family, and yourself.

*Let go of expectations, and express that through generous action.

(10:50) The Secret Might Be: Wanting Less

*True happiness often comes from removing things, not adding more. 

*Reconsider the idea of “having it all.” 

*Creating fewer goals for yourself actually might be the real key to fulfillment.

Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.

Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop 

Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGall

Bill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach 

Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. 

Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.

Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJ

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00u

Bill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/ 

Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall