What does Toyota do instead of the usual leadership tactics?

In this insightful podcast episode, we explore how Toyota’s legendary approach to systems, leadership, and culture offers game-changing lessons for leaders at any scale, whether you're running a massive enterprise or a fast-growing startup.

1. Relentless Focus

At the core of Toyota’s philosophy is a relentless focus on effectiveness and efficiency, not through shortcuts, but by maximizing value-creating work and systematically reducing waste. Leaders will appreciate how Toyota improves quality and speed simultaneously, showing that excellence and efficiency are not opposites but partners.

2. Problem-solving

A key highlight of the discussion is Toyota’s deep-rooted problem-solving culture. Every employee is expected to be a problem-solver, and leadership’s main role is to empower and develop people to do just that. For leaders feeling stuck in firefighting mode, this episode reveals how investing in frontline problem-solving creates a smarter, faster, more resilient organization.

3. Strategic Execution

The episode also dives into strategic execution systems like Hoshin Kanri and PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) — powerful frameworks that ensure organizations focus on a few critical priorities while staying agile through continuous improvement. If you’re struggling with scattered efforts or unclear goals, these methods provide a clear blueprint to tighten focus and accelerate progress.

4. Respect

Another profound takeaway is Toyota’s unique interpretation of “Respect for People.” It’s not just about being kind — it’s about genuinely believing every team member has the ability to improve their work and actively creating a culture where they are expected and empowered to do so.

5. Engaging employees

Finally, leadership development gets a bold reframe: at Toyota, "a manager without a problem is a problem." Leaders aren’t judged by how well they maintain the status quo, but by how deeply they engage with work, remove burdens from their teams, and develop people’s capabilities over time.

If you're a leader aiming to build a high-performing, adaptive, and resilient organization, this episode isn’t optional listening — it’s essential.

Learn more about Mark Reich over at

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Great leaders don’t always have the answers, but they know how to ask the right questions. In this episode, executive coach Dave unpacks his 5 C’s coaching framework and explains how it helps leaders stay focused, flexible, and impactful in every conversation. He also reveals why “curious humility” is the underrated superpower that separates great coaches from average managers.

Highlights from the interview:

1. Five C’s of coaching

Dave explains his 5-part coaching framework that he developed to structure his coaching calls:

1. Capacity
2. Clarity
3. Celebration
4. Conversation
5. Commitments

This framework provides a consistent structure while allowing flexibility to adjust based on the client's needs.

Listen to the 5-Min Systems Segment on my YouTube channel.

2. Avoiding tangents and staying focused

He shares how the framework helps him keep coaching sessions focused on the most important issues, rather than getting sidetracked by clients wanting to just talk about all the positive things happening. The framework allows him to consistently steer the conversation back to the key priorities.

3. Flexibility within the framework

He explains that he calls it a "framework" rather than a "system" to emphasize the flexibility it provides. The structure can be adjusted based on factors like the client's capacity on a given day, allowing more time for certain parts of the framework as needed.

4. Dave's background and path to coaching

He shares how he was always a talkative kid who was told he "talks too much" on his report cards. This led him to study organizational communications in college and eventually get trained as an executive coach, before transitioning to full-time coaching work.

5. Coaching vs. managing

He distinguishes between coaching, which is about asking powerful questions and holding space for the client to discover solutions, versus managing, which is more prescriptive and directive. He explains how leaders need to know when to coach versus when to manage, based on factors like time constraints and the employee's skills.

6. The power of curiosity and humility in leadership

He emphasizes the importance of leaders cultivating "curious humility" - being genuinely curious to understand their team's perspectives, while also being humble enough to admit when they don't have all the answers. This creates an environment where team members feel empowered to provide feedback and dissenting views.

Learn more about Dave Bates over at Paravelle. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join us for a discussion about building a creative team to grow your company. I interviewed Vincent Wanga, a creative executive and author, about building a resilient and healthy team. One of my favorite parts of this interview was how he used chairs to help him get his point across in a workshop.

Highlights from the interview:

1. Creative facilitation for bridging gaps

Vincent discusses how he uses creative facilitation techniques, such as having participants choose chairs that represent their company, to help bridge communication gaps between business stakeholders and creatives. This allows him to get valuable insights and buy-in for branding and marketing projects.

Watch the 5-minute System on YouTube:

2. Balancing vision and execution as a creative leader

He explains the importance of doing extensive research to understand the client's business, then translating that into clear creative objectives for the team. He discusses the balance of providing creative vision while also overseeing the execution to ensure it meets business goals.

3. Onboarding and managing new hires

He outlines his structured 30-60-90 day onboarding process for new hires, which includes checkpoints to ensure they are set up for success. He emphasizes the importance of getting feedback from new employees to identify and address any obstacles.

4. Scaling a business while maintaining sustainability

He shares his personal struggles with scaling a business too quickly, leading to unsustainable growth. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining business fundamentals, being conservative with resources, and leveraging tools like AI to multiply oneself rather than trying to do everything.

5. Influential leaders and their lessons

He discusses several influential leaders who have shaped his approach, including his sister, parents, and business leaders like Jeff Bezos and James Dyson. He highlights lessons around authenticity, developing other leaders, and balancing design with business objectives.

Learn more about Vincent Wanga on his website. You can connect with him on LinkedIn. You can also check out his book, The Art of Direction.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join Chris and me for a discussion about using AI to improve your team’s systems. Chris Lopez is an AI expert that helps companies improve their companies with AI enhancements. One of my favorite parts of this interview is when he talked about using AI to inform strategic decisions.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

Highlights from the interview:

1. Introduction and AI-powered workflow automation

We discuss Chris's expertise in using AI tools like Make.com to automate business workflows. Chris shares a story about how a YouTuber named Helena Lou used Make.com to automate her social media posting and video creation, leading to significant growth in her online business.

2. Leveraging AI to enhance business operations

He explains how he helps companies identify their core business processes and then use AI-powered tools to streamline and automate those workflows. He emphasizes the importance of providing AI systems with clear parameters and prompts to ensure they deliver the desired outcomes.

3. Applying AI for competitive intelligence and strategy

We discuss how AI can be used to monitor competitor activity, track pricing changes, and provide insights to inform strategic business decisions. They highlight the value of automating these types of competitive intelligence gathering and analysis tasks.

4. Developing custom AI assistants and coaches

I share how I've been experimenting with using custom AI assistants to help coach himself, and Chris provides suggestions on how to effectively leverage AI in this capacity, such as by curating the training data and prompts to align with specific coaching goals.

5. The future impact of AI, robotics, and emerging technologies

He discusses the book "The Coming Wave" by Mustafa Seliman, which has influenced his perspective on the disruptive impact of AI, robotics, and other emerging technologies on society and the workforce. They explore how these technologies may transform industries and daily life in the coming years.

Learn more about Chris Lopez over on LinkedIn.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join Keith Ferrazzi and me for a masterclass in building relationships and teams. Keith Ferrazzi is a New York Times best-selling author. One of my favorite parts in this interview is how Keith shows the value of building systems based on your personality as well as your team’s personality.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

Highlights from the interview:

What if your team didn’t just work together—but owned each other’s success?

In this powerful episode, legendary leadership thinker Keith Ferrazzi joins us to unpack the systems behind his books Never Eat Alone and Never Lead Alone. We dive into the data-backed practices he’s uncovered from working with over 3,000 teams—and how they can radically transform how your business operates.

Watch the 5-minute systems segment about building a resilient team that supports each other on YouTube.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why moving from “leadership” to teamship is the future of high-performing organizations

✅ How to run stress testing sessions that spark accountability, innovation, and support

✅ The RAP system (Relationship Action Plan) for building strategic relationships

✅ Why giving feedback abundantly and without expectation leads to stronger teams

✅ How to run “candor breaks” to increase psychological safety by 85%

✅ The 10 critical shifts from Never Lead Alone that create co-elevating cultures

If you're leading a team—or trying to scale one—this episode is your blueprint. You’ll walk away with concrete tools you can implement immediately.

Next Steps:

→ Check out ConnectedSuccess.com for Keith’s 8-week implementation program

→ Follow Keith on LinkedIn for real-time leadership insights

→ Read Never Lead Alone for 32 proven high-return practices

Listen now and start building a team that leads with you—not just for you.

Learn more about Keith Ferrazzi over at his website of the same name. You can also connect with him on Linkedin.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join Matthew Dicks and me for a conversation about storytelling. Matthew is a renowned author and storyteller competitor from the Moth storytelling events. The “First, Last, Best, Worst” storytelling exercise stood out as a powerful, practical tool for leaders to mine their own experiences for stories that engage and influence. By prompting reflection across different emotional anchors, it helps leaders build a bank of authentic, memorable narratives that resonate far more deeply than data or directives alone.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

Highlights from the interview

1. Storytelling as a Leadership Skill

Karl explains that the focus of the podcast is on leadership, systems, and storytelling. He notes that leaders need to do a better job of telling stories to engage their audience. Matthew agrees, emphasizing the importance of leaders developing stories that can draw people in and convey their message effectively.

2. The "First, Last, Best, Worst" Storytelling Exercise

He shares a technique called "first, last, best, worst" that helps people excavate stories from their past. By creating a grid to capture the first, last, best, and worst experiences related to different topics, it prompts people to uncover meaningful stories they may have forgotten. Matthew explains how this exercise can help leaders build a repertoire of stories to use in their work.

3. The Power of Stories to Connect and Influence

We discuss the psychological and neurological reasons why stories are so powerful for communication and influence. Stories can change brain chemistry, foster connection, and help people remember information better than facts or data alone. Matthew emphasizes that as leaders, telling stories should be a core part of how they engage and motivate their teams.

4. Telling Stories with Empathy and Avoiding Content Matching

He shares strategies for telling stories that resonate, such as listening closely to understand the underlying meaning and feelings behind someone else's story, and then responding with an empathetic story of your own that connects on an emotional level rather than just matching the content. He explains how this approach can help build trust and rapport as a leader.

5. A Personal Story Demonstrating Growth and Perspective Shift

He shares a story from his own life about writing a letter to Steven Spielberg as a child, critiquing a scene in the movie E.T. He reflects on how this early experience sparked his interest in storytelling and his tendency to analyze stories for what works and what doesn't. The story illustrates Matthew's lifelong fascination with stories and how they can shape our perspectives.

6. Final Thoughts

We wrap up the discussion, with Karl noting how the storytelling techniques Matthew shared could be applied in both professional and personal contexts, such as with his own teenage son. Matthew reiterates the importance of leaders strategically choosing when and how to share stories to build trust and connection with their teams.

Learn more about Matthew Dicks over at his website of the same name. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join us for a discussion about breaking down challenges into small, manageable steps — a lesson that shaped his systems-driven approach to business. After COVID-19 devastated his marketing agency, Tony pivoted to software development, creating Guestify and an AI marketplace. He introduces his "Results Loop" framework for business growth, focusing on internal factors like market definition and external factors like customer loyalty. Tony also highlights how he uses AI tools collaboratively to streamline software development and reflects on how his mother's resilience inspired his entrepreneurial mindset.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

Highlights from the interview:

1. Overcoming challenges through systems

Tony shares how he learned the importance of breaking down complex tasks into small, manageable steps from his musical training and his mother's experience overcoming polio. This foundational lesson of "small steps, big results" has shaped his approach to building successful systems and businesses.

Watch the 5-minute System Segment on YouTube.

2. Pivoting from agency to software

When Tony's marketing agency was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, he made the strategic decision to pivot his focus to developing scalable software. This transition led him to create Guestify, a podcast guest booking system that leverages AI, as well as an AI marketplace - aligning with his passion for systems and automation.

3. The "Results Loop" system for business growth

Tony explains his "Results Loop" system, which outlines the key internal and external factors for exponentially growing a business. The internal factors include defining the target market, offerings, and value proposition, while the external factors focus on increasing the number of buyers, size of transactions, and customer loyalty.

4. Leveraging AI for software development

Tony discusses his process for utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Anthropic Gemini to streamline his software development. He describes how he combines the strengths of different AI models to conceptualize designs, generate code, and debug issues - an iterative, modular approach that allows him to efficiently build and refine his products.

5. Gratitude for his mother's resilience

Tony expresses deep gratitude for his mother, who overcame polio and served as a role model for resilience and determination. Her example of breaking down challenges into small, achievable steps has been a profound influence on Tony's own entrepreneurial journey and systems-focused mindset.

Check out his marketing manifesto: https://smallstepsbigprofits.com/manifesto-confirmation/

Learn more about Tony Guarnaccia over at his website. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn. You can also check out his marketing manifesto to learn more about his system of growing a business.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

In this episode of The Systematic Leader, I sat down with Jason Bryll of Parable Associates to dive deep into how businesses can leverage structured learning, automation, and data-driven decision-making to improve efficiency and drive growth.

1. Why Systems-Driven Learning Matters

Most businesses focus on execution, but structured learning opportunities create long-term success. Jason shared how his company builds intentional learning structures to empower employees and improve client outcomes:

• Monthly Learning Days – Employees dedicate time to learning skills like SQL or Python.
• Onboarding Checklists & Training Videos – New hires ramp up faster with customized learning paths.
• Internal Knowledge Sharing – "Show and Tell" sessions encourage employees to share insights from client projects.

Key Takeaway: A culture of learning creates a smarter, more adaptable workforce.

2. Automating the Repetitive: The Power of RPA

We also discussed Robotic Process Automation (RPA)—a game-changer for businesses drowning in repetitive tasks.

Example: Jason’s team automated insurance claim follow-ups for healthcare practices, reducing manual work and freeing up staff for higher-value tasks.

3. Data-Driven Decision-Making

Smart leaders don’t just collect data—they use it. Jason shared how Parable Associates builds feedback loops to refine their systems:

Monthly Executive Leadership Committee (ELC) Meetings – Full-day strategic planning powered by data.

Asana for Tracking Agenda Items – Ensures important issues are discussed.

Employee Pulse Surveys – Five quick questions every month to gauge team sentiment.

Key Takeaway: Reviewing data consistently leads to smarter business decisions.

4. Content as a System: Turning Knowledge into Assets

Another key topic? Using structured content marketing to improve client engagement and training.

Custom training videos – Used for internal learning and as a value-add for clients.

Monthly blog performance reviews – Analyzing read counts and engagement to refine content strategy.

Exploring a YouTube channel – Jason is considering a healthcare operations and data management content hub.

Key Takeaway: Content isn’t just marketing—it’s a business asset.

Learn more about Jason Bryll over at Parable Associates. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.

You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!