E45 What the West Can Learn from the East with Klaus Schmitt

E45 What the West Can Learn from the East with Klaus Schmitt

In Episode 45 of The Solo Coach Podcast, I'm joined by coach, facilitator, trainer and cross-cultural leadership expert Klaus Schmitt, speaking to us live from Shanghai, China. Originally from Germany, Klaus has spent over two decades living and working in China, helping leaders, entrepreneurs and organisations navigate communication, leadership and cultural differences across the globe. In this fascinating conversation, we explore: • What prompted Klaus to move from Germany to China over 20 years ago • The biggest cultural differences between East and West • Why curiosity may be one of the most important leadership skills of all • What Western cultures can learn from Chinese approaches to change, hardship and adaptability • The role of harmony, trust and indirect communication in building relationships • Why being less judgemental and more understanding could transform the way we work and live This episode is ultimately a conversation about human connection, perspective and the importance of seeking first to understand. Whether you're a coach, leader, entrepreneur, traveller, or simply curious about the world around you, I think you'll find plenty to reflect on in this one. Contact Klaus: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klausschmitt/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/klausschmitt/] Contact David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidthesolocoach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidthesolocoach/]

E44 Do Your Thing with Fliss Lee: Building a Brand That Feels Right

What if your brand wasn’t just your logo, your colours, or your website… but the way you design your entire business? In this episode, I’m joined by brand coach and strategist Fliss Lee, founder of Honest Folk, for a powerful conversation about what branding really means and why so many of us get it wrong. We explore how your brand is deeply connected to your identity, your values, and the way you choose to work, and why so many business owners end up building something that looks good on the outside, but doesn’t actually fit their life. Fliss shares her journey from graphic designer to brand coach, and how burnout led her to rethink everything, from boundaries and expectations to how she defines success. We also dive into: * Why most people struggle to articulate what they do * The identity shift that happens when you truly understand your value * Moving from “what you do” to the transformation you create * The danger of building a business that ends up running you * How to set boundaries without losing clients * Letting go of “should” and designing your work on purpose * Why everyone has a brand, even if they’re employed This is a conversation about self-awareness, courage, and doing things your way, not the way you think you’re supposed to. If you’ve ever felt unsure how to talk about what you do, this one will give you plenty of food for action. Connect with Fliss via her website [https://honest-folk.com/], Instagram [https://instagram.com/itsflisslee/] or LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/flisslee/]. Connect with David via his website [https://thesolocoach.co.uk/], Instagram [https://instagram.com/thesolocoach/] or LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/davidthesolocoach/].

E43 - 5 Public Speaking Lessons from World-Class Speakers

Public speaking is one of the most powerful skills you can develop, and mastery of the stage elevates the reach and impact of every leader. This week I had the privilege of attending two incredible events: a Public Speaking Masterclass with Paul McGee and the Toastmasters International District Final in Liverpool, featuring three outstanding TEDx speakers. Inspired by both events, I've recorded this solo episode to share the biggest lessons that will help you to become a more confident, engaging and memorable speaker. In this episode, I explore five practical principles that can transform the way you present, whether you are speaking at work, delivering a talk, running a meeting, or hosting a workshop. You'll learn how to: * Speak to people, not at them * Anticipate and meet your audience’s needs * Create engaging content that captures attention * Answer the question every audience is asking * Start and finish your presentations with real impact If you want people to truly listen when you speak, these lessons will enable you to leave a lasting impression. Further Resources: Learn more about Paul McGee: https://www.thesumoguy.com/ Learn more about Toastmasters: https://www.toastmasters.org/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidthesolocoach/

E42: The Book You Haven’t Written Yet (with Helen ONeill)

In this episode of The Solo Coach Podcast, I’m joined by Helen ONeill, Portfolio Career Specialist, Future of Work Coach, published author and founder of Coach Write, where she helps coaches turn their expertise into published books. Helen shares her fascinating journey from a 25 year corporate career to building a portfolio career centred around coaching, writing and helping others bring their ideas to life through books. We explore: * Why many people feel the call to write a book * How writing can become a powerful journey of personal development * The identity shift that happens when you become an author * Why the future of work is increasingly about human skills * How to recognise when it may be time for a change in your career * Practical advice for overcoming the dreaded blank page and getting started writing Helen also shares a simple but powerful exercise to help aspiring writers begin their book without feeling overwhelmed. This is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation between two coaches who share a passion for helping people build fulfilling careers, follow their curiosity, and take small steps towards the life they really want. If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book, this episode might be the nudge you need. You can learn more about Helen and her work at: https://www.helenoneillcoaching.com [https://www.helenoneillcoaching.com] https://coachwrite.co.uk [https://coachwrite.co.uk] You can also listen to The Coach Write Podcast here: https://www.coachwrite.co.uk/podcast [https://www.coachwrite.co.uk/podcast] Connect with Helen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneillhelen/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneillhelen/] Find out more about The Solo Coach at: https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/ [https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/] Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidthesolocoach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidthesolocoach/]

E41 - How to Stand Out from the Crowd with Ryan Austin, Founder of Big One Marketing

In this week’s episode of The Solo Coach Podcast, I sit down with Ryan Austin, founder of Big One Marketing, for a practical and refreshingly honest conversation about what marketing really means in 2026. We explore why marketing is not about shouting the loudest, but about standing out for the right reasons. Ryan shares his insights on consistency, social media strategy, choosing the right platforms, and why “post and hope” is never a sustainable plan. We also dive into: * The difference between marketing and sales, and why both matter * Why consistency beats intensity on social media * How to measure marketing success beyond revenue alone * The most common mistakes small businesses make * Why saying no to the wrong client is just as important as saying yes to the right one * What business owners should clarify before outsourcing their marketing Ryan speaks openly about the challenges of running a marketing agency, the difficulty of selling something people cannot physically see, and how coaching helped him gain clarity, confidence and direction as a founder. If you are a small business owner, solo entrepreneur or founder wondering how to market your business without burning out or wasting money, this episode will give you grounded, practical insight you can apply straight away. Connect with Ryan: https://bigonemarketing.co.uk/ [https://bigonemarketing.co.uk/] Connect with David: https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/ [https://www.thesolocoach.co.uk/]