Episodes

What is it about creative people that sets them apart? Why can some people consistently create new things while others can’t? Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff discuss the individuals who bring new value into the world and the best ways someone in business can use their creativity. Show Notes: Quality is the foundation of every successful business plan. Never say no to yourself; there are plenty of others who will do that for you. Instead of wasting time pondering your ideas, you often just ne...

We all have the ability to create. So why do some people feel they need permission in order to move forward with their ideas? Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff discuss how to cast off the need for permission and create value like you were meant to do. Show Notes: Permission means that you can’t move forward unless someone else says you can. If you're asking permission, you're giving someone power to exercise over you in certain situations. Some people’s first consideration when they have a new...

When a friend asks for your opinion on a new idea, you want to be helpful, but how should you respond when you don’t think their idea will succeed? Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff discuss ways to be supportive and helpful without lying or making a commitment. Show Notes: You can decide to help someone in a way that won’t involve you beyond a conversation. In the business of coaching small businesses, you discover quickly that there’s a reason why small businesses are small. People who can af...

Do you recognize the unique strengths of your team, or do you overlook them? Jeffrey Madoff and Dan Sullivan explore the art of "casting" in business and life, revealing how self-awareness and understanding can lead to greater success. Discover how knowing oneself can transform team dynamics and drive long-term achievement. Show Notes: There are a lot of talented people out there who are compelled to do what they’re doing. When someone’s auditioning for a role, you get a gut feeling if they’r...

Jeffrey and Dan discuss the intricate relationship between humans and technology as they seek to understand how our thoughts and intentions shape technological advancements. Join them as they explore the historical context of technology, the importance of mindset, and how necessity drives innovation—and discover how our human nature fuels continual improvement. Show Notes: Technology is a human-driven process. As long as there have been humans, there have been humans creating technology. The ...

Will AI be a burden on human creativity, or will it free us up to innovate in ways we never thought possible? Jeffrey Madoff and Dan Sullivan predict how artificial intelligence will reshape work, culture, and the economy. Explore the balance between tech advancements and human connection, and discover the surprising ways AI might redefine fulfillment in our lives. Show Notes: AI is set to transform many job sectors, especially those repetitive tasks that don’t bring joy. This isn’t just a cha...

We live in a world saturated with technology. It can be difficult to tell how much you’re using technology and how much technology is using you. But you can avoid distraction and stick to your purpose by focusing on the basics. Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff discuss who we are, and who we’re right for, in a world of technology. Show Notes: Regardless of technology, what matters is what you actually have to say that’s interesting and valuable to other people. Technology is a tool, so all you ...

About 50 years ago, the microchip had people making predictions about how the technology would influence all areas of human life. Now, advancements in artificial intelligence are generating the same sorts of predictions. Dan and Jeffrey discuss the psychological effect of AI’s potential, the very different mindsets with which people are approaching it, and who is set to benefit the most. Show Notes: New technologies can force people to rethink their relationship to work and to everything else ...

Are you casting your team like a theatrical production or just going through the motions with your hiring? Jeffrey and Dan explore how theater principles can revolutionize entrepreneurship. Discover how casting roles can improve creativity, productivity, teamwork, and engagement. Learn about their new book, Casting Not Hiring, and gain insights into innovative tools for defining roles in your business. Show Notes: The key to building a successful entrepreneurial team is to cast people for role...

Do you understand the true potential of AI for your business? Jeffrey and Dan explore the practical applications of AI for entrepreneurs and discuss how it can streamline operations, improve productivity, and solve complex problems across various industries. Learn to navigate the current AI hype and discover how to leverage this technology as a powerful tool for driving business growth and innovation. Show Notes: AI is primarily a complexity solver, excelling in areas involving multiple interw...

Jeffrey Madoff and Dan Sullivan explore the evolving concept of retirement. They discuss its historical origins, the unique challenges entrepreneurs face, and the impact of longevity on financial planning. The conversation offers valuable insights for any entrepreneur hoping to redefine success and navigate the modern economic landscape. Show Notes: The concept of retirement is relatively new, emerging in the late 19th and 20th centuries. The word "retire" comes from the French word repérer, ...

Jeffrey Madoff and Dan Sullivan explore the limitations of AI, debunking the myth of technological singularity. They discuss Gödel’s incompleteness theorem, Apple's controversial iPad ad, and the evolving global economy. The conversation challenges common assumptions about AI's potential to surpass human intelligence, offering valuable insights for any entrepreneur navigating the tech landscape. Show Notes Gödel's incompleteness theorem suggests that technology, as a subset of humanity, cannot...

If you run a business, are you sure that every detail is being handled? When the little things aren’t being taken care of, it can be an indication that the big things aren’t going well. In this episode, Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff share the enormously important things companies have to do now to make sure customers keep coming back. Show Notes: In businesses, one of the first things to go is customer service. The only reason to shop in person rather than online is because it becomes a soc...

Jeffrey and Dan discuss Dan’s latest book and explore how technological advancements like AI are often perceived as revolutionary, yet are actually extensions of historical innovations. This episode challenges conventional wisdom about creativity and offers a fresh perspective on how we can harness our past experiences to fuel future success. In This Episode: Although we perceive every new technological advancement, like AI, as a game changer, innovations are merely continuations of humanity's...

In this episode, Jeffrey and Dan explore the world of thinking tools and the framework that helps entrepreneurs think strategically. Dan shares the origin story of his first tool and how it evolved into over 240 trademarks. He also touches on the concept of Unique Ability® and its role in his company's success. In This Episode: Self-examination and curiosity play a crucial role in achieving success, but most people don’t make the time for it. So, what are thinking tools? Dan provides a defini...

Most companies hire to fill jobs. The best leaders cast to build greatness. Drawing on Dan Sullivan’s decades of coaching entrepreneurs and Jeffrey Madoff’s experience as a director, producer, and creative leader, Casting Not Hiring offers a new way to build a team that performs together rather than a collection of people who simply function on their own.​ Order Casting Not Hiring now. How can entrepreneurs build a high-performing team that operates like a well-cast theatrical production? Evalu...

Jeffrey and Dan dive deep into creativity, innovation, and the intricate dance between good business and exciting innovation. Inspired by Dan's quarterly book, Everything Is Created Backward, they discuss how integrating existing technologies and ideas to create something entirely new can completely disrupt the market and lead to record-breaking profit. In This Episode: There’s a permanent tension between creative people and organizational people (business executives). Most creative people ar...

Dan and Jeffrey reveal the psychological complexities behind why some people feel like frauds despite their achievements, and how self-doubt can be a significant hurdle for entrepreneurs. If you’ve ever had the nagging suspicion you were fooling everybody into thinking you’re more competent than you are, this episode is for you. In This Episode: Jeffrey and Dan define imposter syndrome and discuss how common it is among entrepreneurs and other successful individuals. Most entrepreneurs will s...

What makes a movie great? And why are some movies timeless, while others are forgotten? Jeffrey and Dan delve into the essence of what makes a great movie story, discussing the magical and timeless qualities that allow characters and narratives to resonate across generations. In This Episode: They discuss the timeless allure of classic stories and the underlying magic that makes them perennial favorites. They explore the intricate process of creating compelling characters and weaving them int...

While a great many things are different than they were, there are certain principles and ideals that people are always striving for. Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff explain what’s changed since they were kids, and share some new tricks and strategies they use to achieve their goals. In This Episode: Decades of live experience create an ease of performance and an ability to create on the spot. Having fewer choices meant you ended up paying attention to something instead of flicking through the...

While customers and clients don’t need to know what goes on behind the scenes of an organization, they will know if there’s a lack of consistency between a company’s “front stage” and “backstage.” Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff delve into the reasons why there can’t be a gap between how a business operates internally and how it operates externally, and how an entrepreneur can foster a high level of dedication from their clients and team members through their behavior. In This Episode: A sign ...

Jeffrey and Dan discuss the importance of following your passion. How do you identify it and then what do you do? They share their experiences and the challenges involved in pursuing passions, particularly in creative entrepreneurial careers. In This Episode: The safe careers of the past—the ones people might choose over their passion—aren’t so safe anymore. The role of The 4 C’s Formula®: Commitment, Courage, Capability, and Confidence. What is “Impostor Syndrome”? Who are the real imposto...

Jeffrey and Dan dive into the power of saying no and the valuable lessons this word holds for entrepreneurs. They discuss how saying no can open doors to bigger and better opportunities. With insightful anecdotes and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to harness the power of saying no in their entrepreneurial journey. In This Episode: “No is a complete sentence” and a powerful tool for entrepreneurs. How do you decide whether to say yes or no? Consider your tim...

Jeffrey and Dan discuss the importance of community in overcoming the isolation of being an entrepreneur, and the pitfalls of being obsessed with productivity. Discover how these two highly successful entrepreneurs focus only on their interests and strengths, and learn how to achieve your greatest successes well after your 70th birthday. In This Episode: Jeffrey and Dan discuss finding new excitement in their work through their seventies and beyond. Turning 70, along with the COVID lockdowns,...