Systematic Leader

The Problem Every Leader Faces

You've been there. You hire consultants, run engaging goal-setting workshops, get your team excited... then watch everything fall apart the moment the consultants leave. Sound familiar?

What if there was a systematic approach that actually sticks?

What You'll Discover in This Episode

The Wave 9 System That's Changing How Organizations Hit Their Goals

Philipp Schett reveals his breakthrough approach to OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) that goes far beyond traditional goal-setting. Instead of another "set it and forget it" workshop, Wave 9 creates magnetic systems that naturally keep teams aligned and moving forward.

Key Insights You'll Walk Away With:

✅ Why your current goal-setting process is sabotaging your results (and the 4-step system that fixes it)

✅ The "German Engineering + Creative Balance" approach that drives both precision and innovation in your team

✅ How to integrate AI into your goal management without losing human judgment and team buy-in

✅ The simple feedback loop that turns 2-hour meetings into productive 3-hour strategy sessions (counterintuitive but game-changing)

✅ Why "soft resets" 2-3 times per year outperform annual planning by keeping creativity and energy high

The Leadership Communication Challenge Solved

Discover why your team interprets "increase revenue" completely differently than you intended - and the exact process to create crystal-clear objectives that eliminate silos and misalignment.

Real Results: Organizations using this system report dramatically improved team alignment, reduced strategy confusion, and goals that actually get achieved instead of forgotten.

Perfect For Leaders Who:

• Are tired of goal-setting workshops that don't create lasting change
• Want their teams to be proactive problem-solvers, not just task-completers
• Need a systematic approach to track progress without micromanaging
• Are curious about integrating AI into their operations intelligently
• Want to remove friction from their strategic planning process

What's Next?

Free Resources Mentioned:

• Philipp is creating a free OKR course at wave9.com
• Follow his regular LinkedIn posts on using OKRs to create clarity, energy, and capability

Ready to Build Your Own Magnetic Systems? Get Karl's Magnetic Systems Method and other systems guides designed to help you find issues before they become expensive problems.

Take Action Now

Listen to this episode if you're ready to:

• Stop wasting time on goal-setting that doesn't work
• Transform your team into aligned problem-solvers
• Create systems that work even when you're not in the room

Questions or want to suggest an amazing guest? Reach out on the Systematic Leader website.

Enjoyed this episode? Take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast - it helps other busy leaders discover these game-changing insights.

This episode is part of the Systematic Leader's mission to help family-owned and service based businesses create better systems that remove friction, save time, and build resilient cultures.

In this episode, we dive deep into the power of business systems with Abagail Pumphrey—founder, strategist, and operations whiz. Abagail shares how streamlined operations and intentional content strategy can scale a business without adding chaos or headcount.

Top Insights You Don’t Want to Miss:

Systems That Scale

From form-based guest screening to automated task creation in Asana, Abagail walks us through the backend of her podcast operations—saving hours and upping the caliber of every guest.

AI Meets Human Ingenuity

ChatGPT Pro is in her daily toolkit—helping plan episodes, generate questions, and repurpose content. But the real magic? Pairing AI with strong brand voice and creative judgment.

Platform-Specific Content is Non-Negotiable

Abagail breaks down her content approach by platform:

• LinkedIn = Thought Leadership
• 
  
• Instagram/TikTok = Entertainment & Teasers

The goal isn’t full reveals—it’s sparking curiosity that pulls people deeper.

Feedback Isn’t Fluff—It’s Fuel

She’s built feedback loops across emails, forums, and client interviews to continually improve products and UX. Every touchpoint is an opportunity to listen and level up.

Learning is a Long Game

Success isn’t found in post #5—it’s in post #2,000. Abagail shares how she studies trends, dissects what works, and spends up to 4 hours crafting a single piece of content when testing new platforms.

Tools & Team

Her lean team runs on Slack, Asana, Fellow, and Hey Taco—prioritizing clarity, appreciation, and staying out of the weeds.

Learn more about Abagail Pumphrey over at Boss Project. You can also check out her podcast, Strategy Hour. You can also connect with her on LinkedIn.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

What if the key to growing your business isn't working harder, but building smarter systems that do the heavy lifting for you? In this episode, Karl Staib reveals how proactive communication systems can save you hours each week while preventing costly problems before they spiral out of control. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or leading a team, these practical strategies will help you stop chasing information and start creating magnetic systems that your team actually wants to use.

Key Highlights from the Show

1. The Power of Proactive Communication Systems

Karl emphasizes that the #1 strategy for business growth is creating proactive communication rather than reactive follow-ups. Instead of constantly chasing down information from employees or contractors, establish systems where updates come to you automatically. This simple shift saves time, reduces stress, and creates consistency across your operations.

2. The Friday Morning Update System

Implement a simple but powerful system: have team members send you updates every Friday morning by 10 AM covering what's working well, what's not working, and what they're doing to improve situations. The key is responding back consistently to close the feedback loop and show you value their input.

3. Connected Systems Drive Business Success

All business systems should connect and communicate with each other. When sales, operations, and customer service work in silos, problems compound. Bill shares examples from nursing homes where connecting clinical, admissions, and financial systems dramatically improved overall performance by helping each department understand their impact on the whole.

4. Building "Magnetic" Systems People Want to Use

The most effective systems are ones that employees are naturally drawn to use because they see clear value. Focus on creating systems that make people's jobs easier and help them succeed, rather than systems that feel like additional burdens. When people understand how their work connects to company success, they become more engaged.

5. The Appreciation Gap Solution

Address the massive appreciation gap in business: Only 15% of employees feel appreciated, while 85% of leaders think they give enough appreciation. That’s a huge gap! You can learn about my system to solve this issue and how you can apply it to your leadership style.

You can get the Quick-start Ai Operations Guided and customized Chat GPT to help you integrate AI into your operations (as well as other systems guides).

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Dig to Fly website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Dig to Fly podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Listen to similar episodes that will help your career:

• The System That Will Keep Your Business—and ADHD Brain—on Track
• Leaders Need to Ditch Conventional Messaging with Mark Levy

This week on the podcast, we sat down with Dave Garrison, author of The Buy-In Advantage, to unpack what it really takes to build trust, unlock collective genius, and lead in a way that makes people want to follow — not just comply.

Big Ideas from the Episode

1. Lead with Questions, Not Answers

Too many leaders default to "solving" when they should be curious. Dave challenges us to create space for others' ideas by asking better questions — and letting silence do some of the heavy lifting.

2. Trust Is Built Through Vulnerability

Want more openness from your team? Go first. Admit mistakes, be transparent about uncertainty, and model the behavior you want to see. Trust follows behavior — not titles.

3. Rethink Your Meetings

No more "death by update." Share status reports in writing and use meeting time to solve real problems, explore new ideas, and tap into group intelligence. Pro tip: Leaders should speak last to avoid biasing the room.

4. Use the ‘Collective Genius’ Framework

To unlock true collective intelligence, start by defining the problem and the criteria for success before any brainstorming begins. This ensures everyone is solving the same problem and aiming at the same outcome. Next, give people time to reflect individually before the meeting — even a short pause or overnight buffer allows for deeper thinking and better ideas. When it's time to gather input, capture every idea without judgment or immediate evaluation. This creates psychological safety and encourages contributions from all voices, not just the loudest. Once ideas are on the table, use cumulative voting — where participants can allocate multiple votes — to prioritize the most promising directions. Finally, focus the group’s energy and discussion only on the top-voted ideas. This keeps the conversation productive, targeted, and respectful of everyone’s time and input.

5. Make Feedback a System, Not a Surprise

Regular process checks after meetings, employee-led reviews, and clear growth conversations build a culture of continuous improvement. Ask often: “How can I better support you?”

Leadership in Action

• Use “Connection Questions” in meetings to build trust
• Try “honorable closure” — end meetings with a quick reflection or feedback moment
• Set reminders (even on Post-its) to ask before telling
• Have your team lead their own reviews — it builds ownership

Try This This Week:

✅ Ask one more question before offering an opinion

✅ Run a meeting where you speak last

✅ Do a 60-second feedback loop at the end of your next team session

Learn more about Dave Garrison over at Garrison Growth. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join us for a conversation about how your can use ClickUp not just as a productivity tool, but as a central hub for collecting feedback, refining offers, and staying aligned with his audience’s needs. He also explored how leaders can optimize their energy and attention to work smarter, not harder—breaking down big tasks and designing their day around natural rhythms. Systematizing feedback and aligning it with your energy cycles can create a powerful engine for innovation and consistency. You’ll want to grab a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy this episode.

1. Leveraging ClickUp for feedback and productivity

Mike discussed how he has been using ClickUp to streamline his business operations, particularly in gathering feedback from his community and audience. He explained how ClickUp's forms and project management features allow him to centralize feedback, iterate quickly on offerings like his virtual retreats, and maintain focus by having everything in one place.

Watch the 5-min Systems Segment on YouTube:

2. Harnessing energy and attention

Mike talked about the importance of understanding and leveraging your energy levels to be more productive. He explained how breaking down big tasks into smaller, low-energy actions can help you make progress even when you don't have a lot of motivation. Mike also discussed the concept of "attention paths" - looking at your to-do list through the lens of factors like time, resources, energy, activity type, and theme.

3. Developing principles and values

Mike emphasized the need to have principles in place that help you live up to your core values. He provided the example of being a night owl but also needing to show up early for workshops to serve his community. Mike suggested that principles act as scaffolding between your values and actions, allowing you to navigate tradeoffs and stay true to what's most important.

4. Recap and next steps

Mike shared information about where listeners can find his book "The Productivity Diet" and mentioned that he is working on a follow-up book called "Productiveness" that will focus more on the principles of being productive. He also discussed his plans to continue marketing "The Productivity Diet" this year and potentially release "Productiveness" in early 2024.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

What does Toyota do instead of the usual leadership tactics?

In this insightful podcast episode, we explore how Toyota’s legendary approach to systems, leadership, and culture offers game-changing lessons for leaders at any scale, whether you're running a massive enterprise or a fast-growing startup.

1. Relentless Focus

At the core of Toyota’s philosophy is a relentless focus on effectiveness and efficiency, not through shortcuts, but by maximizing value-creating work and systematically reducing waste. Leaders will appreciate how Toyota improves quality and speed simultaneously, showing that excellence and efficiency are not opposites but partners.

2. Problem-solving

A key highlight of the discussion is Toyota’s deep-rooted problem-solving culture. Every employee is expected to be a problem-solver, and leadership’s main role is to empower and develop people to do just that. For leaders feeling stuck in firefighting mode, this episode reveals how investing in frontline problem-solving creates a smarter, faster, more resilient organization.

3. Strategic Execution

The episode also dives into strategic execution systems like Hoshin Kanri and PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) — powerful frameworks that ensure organizations focus on a few critical priorities while staying agile through continuous improvement. If you’re struggling with scattered efforts or unclear goals, these methods provide a clear blueprint to tighten focus and accelerate progress.

4. Respect

Another profound takeaway is Toyota’s unique interpretation of “Respect for People.” It’s not just about being kind — it’s about genuinely believing every team member has the ability to improve their work and actively creating a culture where they are expected and empowered to do so.

5. Engaging employees

Finally, leadership development gets a bold reframe: at Toyota, "a manager without a problem is a problem." Leaders aren’t judged by how well they maintain the status quo, but by how deeply they engage with work, remove burdens from their teams, and develop people’s capabilities over time.

If you're a leader aiming to build a high-performing, adaptive, and resilient organization, this episode isn’t optional listening — it’s essential.

Learn more about Mark Reich over at 

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Great leaders don’t always have the answers, but they know how to ask the right questions. In this episode, executive coach Dave unpacks his 5 C’s coaching framework and explains how it helps leaders stay focused, flexible, and impactful in every conversation. He also reveals why “curious humility” is the underrated superpower that separates great coaches from average managers.

Highlights from the interview:

1. Five C’s of coaching

Dave explains his 5-part coaching framework that he developed to structure his coaching calls: 

1. Capacity
2. Clarity
3. Celebration
4. Conversation
5. Commitments

This framework provides a consistent structure while allowing flexibility to adjust based on the client's needs.

Listen to the 5-Min Systems Segment on my YouTube channel.

2. Avoiding tangents and staying focused

He shares how the framework helps him keep coaching sessions focused on the most important issues, rather than getting sidetracked by clients wanting to just talk about all the positive things happening. The framework allows him to consistently steer the conversation back to the key priorities.

3. Flexibility within the framework

He explains that he calls it a "framework" rather than a "system" to emphasize the flexibility it provides. The structure can be adjusted based on factors like the client's capacity on a given day, allowing more time for certain parts of the framework as needed.

4. Dave's background and path to coaching

He shares how he was always a talkative kid who was told he "talks too much" on his report cards. This led him to study organizational communications in college and eventually get trained as an executive coach, before transitioning to full-time coaching work.

5. Coaching vs. managing

He distinguishes between coaching, which is about asking powerful questions and holding space for the client to discover solutions, versus managing, which is more prescriptive and directive. He explains how leaders need to know when to coach versus when to manage, based on factors like time constraints and the employee's skills.

6. The power of curiosity and humility in leadership

He emphasizes the importance of leaders cultivating "curious humility" - being genuinely curious to understand their team's perspectives, while also being humble enough to admit when they don't have all the answers. This creates an environment where team members feel empowered to provide feedback and dissenting views.

Learn more about Dave Bates over at Paravelle. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join us for a discussion about building a creative team to grow your company. I interviewed Vincent Wanga, a creative executive and author, about building a resilient and healthy team. One of my favorite parts of this interview was how he used chairs to help him get his point across in a workshop.

Highlights from the interview:

1. Creative facilitation for bridging gaps

Vincent discusses how he uses creative facilitation techniques, such as having participants choose chairs that represent their company, to help bridge communication gaps between business stakeholders and creatives. This allows him to get valuable insights and buy-in for branding and marketing projects.

Watch the 5-minute System on YouTube:

2. Balancing vision and execution as a creative leader

He explains the importance of doing extensive research to understand the client's business, then translating that into clear creative objectives for the team. He discusses the balance of providing creative vision while also overseeing the execution to ensure it meets business goals.

3. Onboarding and managing new hires

He outlines his structured 30-60-90 day onboarding process for new hires, which includes checkpoints to ensure they are set up for success. He emphasizes the importance of getting feedback from new employees to identify and address any obstacles.

4. Scaling a business while maintaining sustainability

He shares his personal struggles with scaling a business too quickly, leading to unsustainable growth. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining business fundamentals, being conservative with resources, and leveraging tools like AI to multiply oneself rather than trying to do everything.

5. Influential leaders and their lessons

He discusses several influential leaders who have shaped his approach, including his sister, parents, and business leaders like Jeff Bezos and James Dyson. He highlights lessons around authenticity, developing other leaders, and balancing design with business objectives.

Learn more about Vincent Wanga on his website. You can connect with him on LinkedIn. You can also check out his book, The Art of Direction.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join Chris and me for a discussion about using AI to improve your team’s systems. Chris Lopez is an AI expert that helps companies improve their companies with AI enhancements. One of my favorite parts of this interview is when he talked about using AI to inform strategic decisions.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

Highlights from the interview:

1. Introduction and AI-powered workflow automation

We discuss Chris's expertise in using AI tools like Make.com to automate business workflows. Chris shares a story about how a YouTuber named Helena Lou used Make.com to automate her social media posting and video creation, leading to significant growth in her online business.

2. Leveraging AI to enhance business operations

He explains how he helps companies identify their core business processes and then use AI-powered tools to streamline and automate those workflows. He emphasizes the importance of providing AI systems with clear parameters and prompts to ensure they deliver the desired outcomes.

3. Applying AI for competitive intelligence and strategy

We discuss how AI can be used to monitor competitor activity, track pricing changes, and provide insights to inform strategic business decisions. They highlight the value of automating these types of competitive intelligence gathering and analysis tasks.

4. Developing custom AI assistants and coaches

I share how I've been experimenting with using custom AI assistants to help coach himself, and Chris provides suggestions on how to effectively leverage AI in this capacity, such as by curating the training data and prompts to align with specific coaching goals.

5. The future impact of AI, robotics, and emerging technologies

He discusses the book "The Coming Wave" by Mustafa Seliman, which has influenced his perspective on the disruptive impact of AI, robotics, and other emerging technologies on society and the workforce. They explore how these technologies may transform industries and daily life in the coming years.

Learn more about Chris Lopez over on LinkedIn. 

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join Keith Ferrazzi and me for a masterclass in building relationships and teams. Keith Ferrazzi is a New York Times best-selling author. One of my favorite parts in this interview is how Keith shows the value of building systems based on your personality as well as your team’s personality.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

Highlights from the interview:

What if your team didn’t just work together—but owned each other’s success?

In this powerful episode, legendary leadership thinker Keith Ferrazzi joins us to unpack the systems behind his books Never Eat Alone and Never Lead Alone. We dive into the data-backed practices he’s uncovered from working with over 3,000 teams—and how they can radically transform how your business operates.

Watch the 5-minute systems segment about building a resilient team that supports each other on YouTube.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why moving from “leadership” to teamship is the future of high-performing organizations

✅ How to run stress testing sessions that spark accountability, innovation, and support

✅ The RAP system (Relationship Action Plan) for building strategic relationships

✅ Why giving feedback abundantly and without expectation leads to stronger teams

✅ How to run “candor breaks” to increase psychological safety by 85%

✅ The 10 critical shifts from Never Lead Alone that create co-elevating cultures

If you're leading a team—or trying to scale one—this episode is your blueprint. You’ll walk away with concrete tools you can implement immediately.

Next Steps:

→ Check out ConnectedSuccess.com for Keith’s 8-week implementation program

→ Follow Keith on LinkedIn for real-time leadership insights

→ Read Never Lead Alone for 32 proven high-return practices

Listen now and start building a team that leads with you—not just for you.

Learn more about Keith Ferrazzi over at his website of the same name. You can also connect with him on Linkedin. 

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!