EP07 – Overcoming Sabotage & Discover Your True Self with Shirzad Chamine

On today’s show we’re speaking with Shirzad Chamine. Shirzad is the New York Times bestselling author of Positive Intelligence, an amazing book now translated into 20 languages. He has been CEO of the largest coach training organization in the world and has trained faculty at Stanford and Yale business schools. Shirzad lectures on Positive Intelligence at Stanford University and works with Stanford’s NCAA athletes. A preeminent C-suite advisor, Shirzad has coached hundreds of CEOs and their executive teams. His background includes graduate level studies in neuroscience in addition to a BA in psychology, an MS in electrical engineering, and an MBA from Stanford. And what I appreciate most about all his work, while it’s deeply grounded in advanced, proven brain science, ultimately it’s about uncovering and reconnecting with your amazing potential, your magnificent self and living your true calling in life. Topics covered in this conversation: What is Positive Intelligence and how does it relate to Emotional Intelligence How Shirzad’s “entrepreneurial meltdown” led him to a new trajectory of his life How your “Sage” can face any challenge or crisis The value of negative emotions and why you need to pay attention to them What our “Saboteurs” do to us and what you need to know about fear How parents impact their children’s self-image Why mental fitness should be in every high school education program The power of “PQ Reps” The two lies we tell ourselves about making big changes in our lives One the foundational drivers in my life since my teenage years, was to gain a deep understanding of what it truly takes to be successful in life. I had to potential to do well, or so I thought and I became obsessed about learning about the “secrets of success”. At first, this took me down a path of “achievement” - how to excel, how to lead, how to win, how to compete and perform at the highest level. The second phase of my curiosity led me to more specifically explore our inner game – mindset, attitude, beliefs and the realizations that we can influence so much of underpins the drive to achieve. But perhaps the most important phase of my journey has been to understand the deeper science of what shapes our most fundamental beliefs about who we are…our identity, our self-image and our self-worth. The power of our subconscious mind and the lessons we learn very early in life that leads us to create very strong beliefs about how to survive, to be loved and to be valued. The advanced science can be far too specialized for us to translate into practical application so we need leaders to simplify and provide a language to help us grasp what is really going on inside us and give us simple tools that are proven to work. This episode’s guest is one such leader. Author, Stanford Lecturer and CEO-whisperer Shirzad Chamine has created a scientifically-grounded, measurable and super super practical body of work called Positive Intelligence to help liberate us from old programming so that we may live fully, freely and openly as our best self. There is so much to learn in this episode so be sure to capture your key ideas and spend time reflecting on what holds you back…and how can tap more into your infinite potential. It was a joy to have this conversation with Shirzad and I hope you enjoy listening too.