In this energizing episode of The Influence Gap, Bernadette McClelland sits down with bestselling author Bob Burg, co-author of "The Go-Giver," to shatter common misconceptions around leadership, sales, and the real definition of value.

Discover why leaders often struggle the most with receptivity, and how mastering the delicate dance between giving and receiving can completely transform your influence, compensation, and authentic impact. Key insights include the difference between price and value, why discovery is the most critical phase of the sales process, and how to never sacrifice your authenticity under pressure. Tune in for rapid-fire wisdom, stories that stick, and practical steps to close your own influence gap.

Timestamped Overview

[00:00] Welcome and Introductions

[01:32] The Go-Giver's Origin Story

[04:54] The Five Laws: Value, Compensation, Influence, Authenticity, Receptivity

[06:14] Why Leaders Struggle with Receiving

[09:18] Value vs. Price: Real-World Examples

[14:30] Uncovering What Buyers Truly Value

[16:53] Linking Value and Compensation

[19:37] Authenticity vs. Congruence in Leadership

[23:17] Overserving vs. Inappropriate Giving

[26:32] Self-Value and Avoiding the Doormat Trap

[27:04] The Power of Value in Sales

[28:18] What Moves Good to Great in the Go-Giver Movement

[30:08] Rapid-Fire Leadership Questions

[32:33] Closing and Takeaways

What if everything you know—and have never said out loud—is actually your most valuable asset in the age of AI?

In this powerful solo episode of The Influence Gap, discover why differentiating your value has never been more critical, even as technology automates and commoditizes expertise. The discussion explores how your lived experiences, earned wisdom, and unique observations create a form of influence that AI can never replicate. Key themes include three actionable strategies to make your wisdom visible: building structured frameworks, harnessing the power of storytelling, and leveraging your voice through speaking. Tune in for an uplifting perspective on how to stand out and lead in a world of disruption.

Timestamped Overview

[00:00:00] Welcome and episode introduction

[00:01:38] What influence is—and what it is not

[00:03:36] The disruption of AI and its impact on leaders

[00:05:39] The irreplaceable human element: earned wisdom

[00:08:19] Why your value must be made visible

[00:10:54] The big question: what do you know that you haven't voiced?

[00:13:22] Three ways to make your influence visible

[00:17:33] Turning wisdom from valuable to visible

[00:18:58] Closing thoughts and call to action

What if one of the greatest NCAA gymnastics coaches of all time never actually did a cartwheel?

In this compelling episode, Bernadette McClelland sits down with Valorie Kondos Field, legendary UCLA gymnastics coach, to explore how she achieved extraordinary success—without ever being a gymnast herself.

You’ll discover how Valorie Kondos Field built a championship program on relationships, vulnerability, and the simple power of asking. She unpacks what it means to lead people (not just performances), why imposter syndrome can be a secret weapon, and how moments of failure can actually unlock lasting influence.

With powerful stories about the "art of the ask," learning from Coach Wooden, and coaching the human being—not just the KPI—this episode will change the way you think about leadership and what’s truly possible when you dare to step out of your comfort zone.

Timestamped Overview:

00:00 Welcome and Valorie Kondos Field’s accolades

04:45 How she became head UCLA coach without gymnastics experience

07:58 Lessons in saying yes without all the answers

11:44 Discovering her authentic leadership style

15:06 Coaching the human, not just the performance

20:30 The power of vulnerability and the need to "be enough"

22:38 The art of the ask: Dinners, mentors, and advocacy

28:01 Why you shouldn't "wait to dance"

29:34 Kids Alive International and championing healing through validation

30:00 Rapid fire leadership reflections

31:12 Closing remarks and takeaways

What if the way you think about winning in business—and even about money itself—is completely backwards?

In this electrifying episode, Joel Block blows the lid off conventional business wisdom, revealing how most organizations are programmed to "play not to lose"—and why that’s a surefire formula for mediocrity.

From his early days as a professional blackjack player beating the house, to making billion-dollar deals on Wall Street, Joel Block shares the real secrets of the "advantage player mindset" and how you can apply them to achieve winning results and outsmart the game—whether you’re running a startup, leading a team, or vying for a seat at the table.

Key highlights include:

• Why most leaders and companies play defense instead of offense—and how it kills growth
• What it really takes to become an elite performer (the answer will surprise you)
• The mathematics of risk, timing, and how wealthy people leverage the system differently
• The surprising advantage women have in business settings—and how to use it
• Rapid-fire truths on courage, leadership, and what separates winners from everyone else

Tune in to close the gap between intention and impact, and get ready to flip your thinking about business, risk, and winning.

Episode Overview:

00:00 What "beating the house" really means and intro to the advantage player mindset

05:20 How business is often stacked against you—and why most companies play not to lose

09:40 Money myths, courage, and why wealthy people see the system differently

13:32 Timing, risk, and making bold decisions as a leader

17:14 Why leaders fear risking their reputation more than capital

21:28 Speaking truth to power and the hidden cost of protecting your seat at the table

26:20 High performers vs. elite performers; actionable steps to go from good to world-class

30:22 Creating momentum and the power of a "killer strategy"

33:41 Concrete outcomes: what happens when high performers become elite

36:13 Rapid-fire: the market rewards the courageous, and parting advice

What if you discovered that the real reason your sales team is missing targets isn't lack of effort or weak tactics—but your stories are sabotaging your results?

In this episode, Bernadette McClelland welcomes the Emmy Award-winning branding expert and storytelling authority, Park Howell, to blow the lid off how most leaders unintentionally widen their "influence gap" by relying on logic and features instead of emotion and narrative.

Park Howell unpacks his core story framework—the ABT (And, But, Therefore)—and shows how it can transform sales conversations, emails, pitches, and brand strategy into powerful emotional connections that move audiences to action. Hear how a simple rewrite triggered a 400% increase in campaign engagement, why technical people can be the best storytellers, and how to stop "anding" your audience to death.

Whether you're a CEO, sales leader, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical tips for intentional storytelling, the neuroscience behind what truly influences, and a new way to approach AI as "artful intelligence." Plus, you'll learn what really differentiates branding powerhouses and how to tell memorable, business-changing stories—in 90 seconds or less.

Episode Overview

00:00 - Welcome, introductions, and why story is central to influence

02:22 - Park Howell's advertising background & personal story “aha” moments

05:14 - From intuitive to intentional storytelling (and why structure matters)

07:07 - The ABT framework explained and how it speaks to the buying brain

09:55 - What businesses lose by neglecting strategic storytelling

11:56 - Why people default to logic (and why it fails to create influence)

13:27 - The Amsterdam analogy: Where logic fits in your brand story

14:28 - Brand as the story people tell about you—and how to shape it

16:26 - From “winging it” to intentional narrative

18:09 - The digital marketing shift, AI, and “artful intelligence”

22:00 - Why most leaders stay stuck at “good” and not “great”

23:31 - Moments vs. epic stories—the small stories that move business

25:10 - Bernadette McClelland shares the moment behind launching The Influence Gap

27:24 - Closing the branding gap for smaller companies

30:20 - How to connect with Park Howell and access his tools

33:36 - Rapid fire questions and closing remarks

What if the true secret to success in sales and leadership isn’t about being the best—it's about being there for someone else?

In this episode of The Influence Gap, Bernadette McClelland sits down with the #1 global sales guru of 2024, Colleen Stanley, to uncover the real power behind mentorship. Drawing from her farm-town roots and her groundbreaking book Be the Mentor Who Mattered, Colleen Stanley shares how small acts of guidance, risk-taking, and paying attention can turn ordinary leaders and professionals into transformational figures.

Key highlights include:

• A raw exploration of how personal tragedy shaped Colleen Stanley's mentorship mindset
• Why informal, "in-the-moment" mentor moments are more powerful than formal programs
• How technology and self-absorption threaten human connection and what to do about it
• Practical advice for leaders and aspiring mentors to foster genuine trust, resilience, and culture
• Why everyone—regardless of titles or fame—has the ability to create lasting influence

If you’re ready to learn how ordinary actions can have extraordinary impact, this is the influence conversation you can’t afford to miss.

Connect with Colleen StanleyWebsite

LinkedInColleen’s latest book: Be the Mentor Who Mattered: Make a Difference. Be the Difference

Timestamped Overview:

00:01 – Welcome & Setting the Stage

01:23 – Colleen Stanley's Global Recognition

02:46 – Small-Town Upbringing & Early Mentor Moments

05:51 – The Farming Metaphor & Mentorship

06:30 – The Origin Story of “Be the Mentor Who Mattered”

09:11 – Personal Loss and Community Support

12:04 – Flipping the Script: Finding a Mentee

13:34 – Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness for Leaders

15:26 – Everyone Has Value: Everyday Mentor Moments

17:48 – The Power of Asking Good Questions

21:17 – Real-world Mentor Moments Changing Lives

23:19 – Community Loss in Remote Work Era

25:01 – The Invisible Cost of Lack of Mentorship

27:17 – Trust, Stress, and the Human Side of Leadership

29:06 – Technology as the Elephant in the Room

31:26 – Presence, Multitasking, and True Teamwork

33:28 – What the Best Mentor-Leaders Do Differently

35:55 – Tough Love, Standards, and Multiplying Leadership

37:18 – Creating Cultures of Mentorship & Influence

39:55 – Rapid Fire: Mentorship, Connection, and Trust

40:08 – Where to Find Colleen Stanley & Her Work

What if your doctor told you, “Your life as you know it is over”? Would you give up—or fight back?

In this episode of The Influence Gap, Bernadette McClelland sits down with three-time Paralympic gold medalist Carol Cooke, whose journey from devastating MS diagnosis to the top of the Paralympic podium is nothing short of incredible.

Carol Cooke reveals the mindset shifts, resilience lessons, and “pivot points” that shaped her path from law enforcement in Canada to becoming one of Australia’s most decorated athletes—at an age where most would have given up. Packed with practical wisdom for business leaders and high-performers, this episode highlights the power of communication, contribution, and embracing the unknown.

Whether you're an elite competitor, a sales leader, or simply facing your own crossroads, Carol Cooke will inspire you to rethink what’s possible and see the “gap” not as a setback, but as a gift.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Welcome and introduction

01:18 Carol Cooke’s sporting achievements

02:19 The Tokyo silver medal—perspective at age 60

03:25 Carol Cooke’s background and law enforcement career

04:48 MS diagnosis and the life-changing doctor’s visit

09:09 Processing the diagnosis: support and survival mode

11:09 On identity shifts, resilience, and reinvention

13:52 Transitioning from swimming to rowing to cycling

17:29 How leaders miss out on opportunities

18:50 The power (and failure) of communication in leadership

19:17 What separates elite performers from elite influencers

21:48 Contribution and generosity in high performance

24:14 Living organizational values

26:21 The “influence gap” and living through change

28:32 Choosing between “need” and “want”

32:46 Rapid fire—commitment, gratitude, and leadership

34:44 Carol Cooke’s books and how to connect

36:15 Reflections and wrap-up

What if the biggest mistake sales leaders make is focusing on all the wrong problems—and it's costing you results, energy, and team engagement?

This episode of The Influence Gap with Bernadette McClelland features a no-nonsense, insight-rich conversation with Darren Mitchell, one of Australia’s top 20 sales influencers and host of the Exceptional Sales Leader Podcast.

Discover how “blind blaming,” chasing outcomes, and product-centric mindsets are limiting your sales results—and how asking deeper questions, shifting your coaching from deals to people, and leaning into empathy can transform leadership impact. You’ll hear why the best leaders step out of the spotlight to lift others, why sales coaching is the first thing to be dropped (but is actually the number one driver of high performance), and how to make the leap from competent to exceptional sales leadership—even if you don’t fit the typical “sales profile.”

Tune in for candid revelations, actionable ideas, and a rapid-fire round that’ll keep you thinking well after the episode ends.

00:00 Welcome & Introduction

01:15 Darren Mitchell joins and reflects on starting his podcast in Covid

02:07 Launching the Exceptional Sales Leader Podcast03:16 Over 900 episodes and counting04:05 The myth of solving the wrong sales problem: "blind blaming"05:29 The origins of "blind blaming" and what leaders miss07:18 The real issues upstream of pipeline & the biggest blind spots08:01 Sales leaders and the manic focus on results11:22 Is your market really finite, or is your thinking?12:57 How to ask questions that set you apart14:33 Context vs. content and the art of great questions15:19 Coaching styles and avoiding surface-level sales questions17:20 AI in sales coaching—what it can and can’t replace19:33 Are you coaching people, or just the deal?21:30 A Telstra story: year of the coach & what real coaching looks like24:29 Telling vs. asking—teaching your team how to think25:51 Mindset vs. skill set: what’s really holding leaders back?27:02 The power of empathy & coaching the whole person28:21 Leadership is not what you do, it’s who you are29:00 From competent to exceptional: what prevents the leap32:05 Engineering mindsets in sales leadership34:15 Rapid fire questions and wrap-up36:29 How to connect with Darren Mitchell and closing remarks

What if the biggest obstacle to your success isn’t the competition—but the gap between what you intend and the impact you actually make?

On this transformational debut episode, Bernadette McClelland unveils "The Influence Gap"—the critical space where leaders must bridge their intentions, their messages, and their business results.

Discover why savvy leaders, sales professionals, and high-performing teams are doubling down on influence during uncertain times. Bernadette McClelland shares how evolving as a leader isn’t just necessary—it’s vital for growth. You’ll hear about the diverse guests and powerful lessons this series will bring—from business and sports to the military and sales—and how these takeaways can help you connect, communicate, and truly inspire change for yourself and your organization.

Episode Overview:

00:00 Welcome and show intro from Intro Announcer

00:24 Bernadette McClelland introduces the evolution into The Influence Gap

01:06 Defining the "gap" between intention and impact

01:18 Exciting preview of upcoming guests and field diversity

01:45 Key lessons and takeaways for greater influence and connection

02:05 The importance of inspiring growth and change in yourself and others

02:29 Weekly show commitment and closing message

02:37 Intro Announcer wraps up and shares how listeners can subscribe and connect

2025 wasn’t a pivot year for me — it was an iteration and identity year (and for others).

A year of stepping back, listening deeper, and upgrading the version of me that leads my business and my work with CEOs and Sales Leaders.

In this last episode of The Sales Leader of Influence SHOW for 2025, I’m sharing the 5 lessons that began to change everything for me — personally, commercially, and creatively.

Real lessons. Human lessons. Leadership lessons we don’t always say out loud.

Here’s what I’m diving into:

🔥 Step Back to Level Up

🔥 Metrics and Money Doesn't Fix Conditioning

🔥 Listen To Your “Yeah — Nah.”

🔥 New Identity, New Market

🔥 Upgrade You → Upgrade Everything

If you’re a CEO, VP, or Sales Leader navigating your own next level, this conversation will hit home and is a baseline for growth.

Join me live — and bring the version of you who’s ready for 2026.

WHEN: 5PM ET