In this episode of Built to Finish, host, Steven Pivnik, interviews Tim Ash, a leading online marketer, keynote speaker, and author of Unleash Your Primal Brain. The discussion delves into Tim's background in cognitive science and AI, his insights into evolutionary psychology, and how these concepts apply to marketing, decision-making, and human behavior.

Tim highlights the importance of habits, explains the brain's focus on survival over happiness, and discusses the ethical use of fear in persuasion. He also shares details about his new keynote, The Initiated Tribe Framework, which aims to tackle modern workforce challenges using principles of evolutionary psychology.

The episode offers practical advice for entrepreneurs and underscores the importance of having a clear personal purpose. Additionally, Tim explores topics like tribalism, memory reliability, and bridging divides in our polarized world.

Takeaways:

• Importance of Personal Purpose: Leaders need to be clear about their personal purpose. This foundational element not only improves personal well-being but also enhances motivation and productivity within a team. Viktor Frankl's concept of finding meaning in life is central to this approach.
• Leveraging Habits: Understanding that habits are evolutionary shortcuts can help leaders design environments and workflows that align with natural human behavior. By creating repetitive routines, teams can conserve cognitive energy and perform more efficiently.
• Combining Positive and Negative Motivations: Effective persuasion involves a balance of highlighting potential negative consequences (potholes) and positive outcomes (heaven). Leaders should not shy away from presenting the reality of challenges along with the benefits of solutions.
• Initiated Tribe Framework: To address worker shortages and boost loyalty, leaders should focus on creating a strong core culture and personally initiating team members into this culture, mimicking tribal bonding experiences from our evolutionary past.
• Optimizing Decision-Making Times: Leaders should take advantage of optimal decision-making times, ideally early in the day or after breaks when both energy and cognitive resources are at their peak to ensure better, more deliberate decisions.
• Addressing Stress in Leadership: Understanding that the brain is wired for survival over happiness can help leaders create realistic expectations and strategies for managing stress and improving mental well-being within their teams.
• Combating Tribalism in Organizations: Given that tribalism is hardwired into human behavior, leaders should work on fostering cooperation and understanding across different groups within the organization, acknowledging the evolutionary roots of these behaviors.

Quote of the Show:

• “Care more about less and less.”

Links:

• Twitter: https://x.com/tim_ash
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timash/
• Website: https://timash.com/
• Book Link: https://primalbrain.com/

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ghmiiaRwVtQ9kqqqvmVQY
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/built-to-finish/id1781753842
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/665cacbf-79ed-4745-8856-1d8465943c65
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/built-to-finish-5907037
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/DFxXBNhSAuo

In this episode, host, Steven Pivnik, sits down with Mike Reilly, the legendary voice of Ironman, who has spent over 30 years inspiring athletes worldwide. From announcing over 215 Ironman races to coining the iconic phrase "You are an Ironman," Mike shares the stories behind these moments and the lasting impact they've had on the endurance sports community.

He also opens up about his bestselling book Finding My Voice, which highlights powerful Ironman stories, and his role as Chief Motivation Officer at TriDot, an innovative triathlon training platform. Mike discusses his motivational speaking, the evolution of IronMan races, and offers heartfelt anecdotes about perseverance, community, and triumph.

Takeaways:

• Draw Lessons from Life: Life is a series of lessons that can significantly enrich both personal and professional growth. By reflecting on experiences, learning from them, and using them as guiding principles, individuals can gain valuable insights that shape their future.
• Always Do the Hard Things: Success is often born from the willingness to face challenges head-on. Whether in personal pursuits or professional endeavors, taking on difficult tasks builds resilience and sets the stage for greater accomplishments.
• Follow Your Curiosity: When something genuinely sparks your interest, it can lead to a lasting commitment. Whether it’s a career choice, a new hobby, or personal goals, following your curiosity can lead to deeper engagement and long-term success.
• Get a Coach: Navigating complex challenges, like training for an Ironman or achieving any big goal, is much easier with the guidance of an expert. Coaches and mentors offer valuable insights, structured plans, and motivation to help guide you through the process.
• Keep Moving Forward: Progress doesn’t always happen in a straight line, and setbacks are inevitable. Each failure is an opportunity to learn and refine your approach. Focus on finding the next step, and keep pushing toward the finish line.
• Make a Positive Impact: A small act of kindness or support can make a world of difference in someone else’s life. Strive to leave a positive mark on others, creating a more connected and compassionate community in the process.
• Anything Is Possible: With determination and hard work, remarkable things are within reach. This mindset—one that is deeply ingrained in the Ironman culture—reminds us that no dream is too big if we are willing to put in the effort.

Quote of the Show:

• “Failures can only take you to your next success.”

Links:

• Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/IronmanTriVoice
• Personal Website: https://mikereilly.net/
• Company Website: https://www.tridot.com/
• Book Link: https://mikereilly.net/findingmyvoice/

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ghmiiaRwVtQ9kqqqvmVQY
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/built-to-finish/id1781753842
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/665cacbf-79ed-4745-8856-1d8465943c65
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/built-to-finish-5907037
• Transistor: https://podcast.stevenpivnik.com/
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/pBEwqccQKcE

In this week’s episode of Built to Finish, Steven Pivnik talks with Leo Fox, CEO and Founder of Vector Consulting Incorporated. Leo shares his journey from the intelligence community to founding Tenacity Solutions, a cybersecurity company that grew to nearly 200 employees before being sold.

The conversation covers key business lessons, including the importance of hiring the right people, having a supportive peer group, and maintaining family involvement. They also explore the emotional and strategic aspects of selling a business, such as managing due diligence and aligning decisions with a successful sale. The episode concludes with reflections on the challenges and rewards of leadership.

Takeaways:

• Prepare for Growth from Day One: Start acting like a high-growth organization from the beginning. Pivoting to high growth later is challenging. Have a clear vision and communicate it to your team from the start.
• Hire Good People: Surround yourself with trustworthy and competent people. Avoid hiring individuals who may bring in business but lack integrity.
• Be Ready for Transitions: Not everyone is meant to stay with your company through its entire journey. Some team members excel in different stages of the business, and recognizing this early can prevent toxicity.
• Seek Mentorship and Peer Support: Have a CEO peer group or mentor who you can confide in. It's crucial to have someone to discuss your challenges and share advice, as being at the top can be isolating.
• Strategically Plan Exits: When planning to sell your business, every decision should align with this goal. Tighten up operations, streamline cash flow, and avoid long-term projects that won't add immediate value.
• Keep Running the Business: Even during a sale, maintain business operations as if nothing is happening. Buyers expect stability and continuous performance during due diligence.
• Value Family and Trusted Advisors: Rely on family and close advisors for emotional support during stressful times. They can provide a solid foundation and keep you grounded.

Quote of the Show:

• “Make sure you bring good people on your team, it’s key.”

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-f-fox-7797554/
• Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vector-consulting/

Shoutouts:

• Jim Schleckser: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimschleckser/
  • His Book: Great CEO’s are Lazy https://www.amazon.com/Great-CEOs-Are-Lazy-Schleckser/dp/0988309912
• The CEO Project: https://theceoproject.com/

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ghmiiaRwVtQ9kqqqvmVQY
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/built-to-finish/id1781753842
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/665cacbf-79ed-4745-8856-1d8465943c65
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/built-to-finish-5907037
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/-ijcEabOwLk