Stop Competing. Define the Category. With Guest Kevin Maney, Author, Journalist, Consultant
In this episode of Unmasked the CEO Files, Alan McLaren sits down with Kevin Maney (journalist, author, and advisor) to unpack the art of category creation for CEOs. Kevin shares insights from his latest book, The Category Creation Formula, and explains how leaders can escape comparison, help markets see problems in new ways, and create lasting impact.
Fun fact: Two years ago, one Maney hit the podcast… now the other brother is stepping in. World, are you ready for this?
Whether you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or innovator, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies to position your company uniquely and lead with clarity.
In this episode, we explore:
➡️ Why Category Creation Matters: Learn how CEOs can redefine markets by identifying problems no one else sees.
➡️ Breaking Free from Comparison: Stop measuring yourself against competitors and focus on the unique opportunities only you can pursue.
➡️ Educating the Market: Discover how the smartest leaders shape awareness and demand by teaching the market why their solution matters.
➡️ Courageous Leadership: Leading a new category takes guts, risk, and the confidence to stick to your vision when others hesitate.
➡️ Family, Competition & Business: Kevin shares playful stories about his brother Dave and how sibling rivalry shaped his approach to business.
Tune in for insights, laughs, and practical advice on carving out your niche in any industry.
🔗 To learn more about Kevin Maney's book visit: https://www.thecategorycreationformula.com/
🔗 Connect with Kevin Maney on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmaney/
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UNMASKED: The CEO Files. The mic is on. The masks are off.
UNMASKED: The CEO Files explores the leadership journeys you don’t see on LinkedIn. The
turning points, the real pivots, the moments that shaped who these leaders became beneath the
title.
We sit with executives as they talk candidly about building trust at scale, shaping culture, and
staying visible without selling out who they are.
Why it matters:
In a world of curated content and algorithm-chasing brands, UNMASKED offers something rare:
a human signal that resonates. These are the stories behind the success. The decisions made in
uncertainty. The moments that rewired how a leader shows up.
Check out The Leadership Signal Scorecard is a 5-minute diagnostic designed for CEOs and Founders who want to understand how visible and trusted their leadership signal really is: https://quiz.strataoriginals.com
🔗 Connect with Strata Originals
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