“99% of successful businesses don’t have a strategy”
Alex Smith, a renowned business strategist who argues that real strategic skill isn't about getting caught up in overwhelming complexity, but about identifying key differences that set you apart from competitors. To bring these ideas into reality, Alex and Dan break down brilliant yet straightforward strategies used by companies like Southwest Airlines, Nintendo, Grenade bars, and 5-hour Energy drinks.

The simple path to great strategy: Alex Smith

This is the entrepreneurial education I wish I’d had. A few years ago, I thought I'd made it as a Founder. My app was topping the charts, I was winning awards, having drinks with the Queen at Buckingham Palace (she laughed at one of my gags, sure), but as my business started to fail, I realised I had so much more to learn. The trouble was I found most business chat too stuffy, surface level or braggy so I started Secret Leaders to get behind the mask of entrepreneurship. I speak with the best Founders and business experts to learn how great companies are built - especially the things that normally get left out, like their mistakes. We cover the most important stuff, from fundraising to hiring, habits to mindset, so you can learn how to build a successful business. And no, you don’t need to get into an ice bath at 5am either...
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What happens when a successful home exchange company tries to launch a rental business?
Emmanuel Arnault, CEO of Home Exchange, shares his experience of investing a million dollars in a new rental venture that ultimately failed. Emmanuel dives into the strategic mistakes they made, the challenges of balancing a flagship business with a new side project, and the important lessons he learned about leadership and resource allocation along the way.
From the initial planning stages to the final decision to pull the plug, He discusses the importance of adapting one's leadership style as a company grows and the pitfalls of relying too heavily on intuition when launching a new venture.

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My Favourite Failure: The dangers of diversification - Emmanuel Arnaud

Can you achieve high performance without losing yourself?
Jake Humphrey, top sports broadcaster, believes the key to high performance is inner contentment.
He shares his radical approach to happiness and achievement. From overcoming bullying to battling imposter syndrome, he's learned that true success isn't about accolades, but about being true to yourself.
Through personal stories and practical tips, Jake offers a roadmap for redefining success on your own terms. Discover the mindset shifts and daily practices that have transformed his relationships, career, and sense of purpose.
Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking balance or just someone craving a more fulfilling path, Jake's insights will challenge your assumptions and inspire you to prioritise joy. Tune in to unlock a new level of performance and satisfaction in all areas of life
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Jake Humphrey- Is High Performance Really About Achievement?

Jerry Rosengarten is a seasoned, serial entrepreneur and designer who, somewhat unexpectedly, created a revolution in menswear when he designed the leisure suit. However, the leisure suit's success was short-lived. Jerry reveals how knockoffs and cheaper fabrics flooded the market, ultimately leading to the downfall of his business.
Through his experiences, Jerry imparts valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, emphasising the importance of pivoting in the face of challenges and having a reliable "drizzler" – a steady source of income to fall back on during tough times. His story serves as a reminder that even the most promising ventures can unravel, and adaptability is key to long-term success.

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My Favourite Failure: How Knockoffs Killed the Leisure Suit Revolution - Jerry Rosengarten

As a founder, uncertainty is the air you breathe.
Sam Conniff, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and co-creator of the Uncertainty Experts, shares his invaluable insights and strategies for navigating the unknown and transforming your relationship with risk.
Drawing from his experience and the Uncertainty Experts program, Conniff breaks down the mental models and techniques that can help you find stillness and comfort in the face of uncertainty—and reveals how anyone can build their uncertainty tolerance and thrive in the chaos.

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Become an expert in uncertainty (w/ Sam Conniff )

Alison Caffrey opens up about the perfect storm she faced as a new mom and entrepreneur. With her business reliant on her time and her husband losing his income, Alison found herself answering client emails mere hours after giving birth. She shares her emotional journey, from using alcohol to cope with stress to the realisation that her business needed a complete overhaul. 

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Sponsors
Vanta - get 20% off security certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2: https://vanta.com/secretleaders
Personio - all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders
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Newsletter
Sign up here: https://secretleaders.email/.
You can find our historic newsletters here: https://www.secretleaders.com/episodes.

The simple path to great strategy: Alex Smith

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