Ep 26 – Power tip: "Using headlines to bring core values to life," Adam Law

Ep 27 - Hidden traps, career strategy and maximising your value with Darren Tompkins

Ryan Castle sits down with Darren Tompkins, founder of the Vedra Ray Group, to unpack what really holds technical professionals back from making the leap into people leadership, and it has nothing to do with their qualifications. Drawing on years of experience placing candidates across engineering, construction, and manufacturing, Darren exposes the hidden traps in the hiring process, why cultural fit matters more than the job description, and why showing leadership intent throughout the year beats announcing it at an annual review. Darren shares three powerful insights: how to look beyond the job posting, why leveraging virtual support is a game-changer for reclaiming your time, and how to think strategically about maximising long-term value, not just your next pay rise. This episode is for engineers, project managers, and technical professionals ready to step into leadership. If you're job hunting, already in the seat, or simply wondering if management is the right move, Darren's honest, no-nonsense perspective delivers a practical roadmap. Oh, and stay till the end for the story behind a carrot-based hot sauce company with a pro-wrestling twist. Useful links: Connect with Darren Tompkins on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-tompkins-21b86814/] vaderrey.com [https://vaderrey.com/] Darren's carrot-based, wrestling-approved hot sauce. Fair warning: it creeps up on you. 🌶️ headlockhotsauce.com [https://headlockhotsauce.com/] 👉 FREE Resource: level10.us/execution [https://lvl10.us/execution]- Execution Strength Diagnostic Discover if your managers are driving results or letting commitments drift. 👉 Got a Level 10 Leaders podcast tip? - Submit your tip at lvl10.us/submit-tip [https://lvl10.us/submit-tip] Where else you can find us Website: https://www.level10leaders.com/ [https://thebreakthrough.co/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/level10leaders/ [http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-breakthrough-company]

Ep 26 – Power tip: "Using headlines to bring core values to life," Adam Law

This Level 10 Leaders Power Tip is from Adam Law of SOS Care, sharing a simple yet powerful way to bring core values to life using the headlines segment of Level 10 Meetings. Instead of just recognizing tasks, Adam emphasizes calling out the specific core values demonstrated by team members. By consistently linking recognition to values, teams gain clarity on what those values actually look like in action. Over time, this approach reinforces culture, builds alignment, and transforms core values from words on a wall into everyday behaviors. Connect with Adam Law: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-law-241460336/] SOS Care [https://soscaresc.org/] 👉 FREE Resource: level10.us/execution [https://lvl10.us/execution]- Execution Strength Diagnostic Discover if your managers are driving results or letting commitments drift. 👉 Got a Level 10 Leaders podcast tip? - Submit your tip at lvl10.us/submit-tip [https://lvl10.us/submit-tip] Where else you can find us Website: https://www.level10leaders.com/ [https://thebreakthrough.co/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/level10leaders/ [http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-breakthrough-company]

Ep 25 – Mind the gap: Why strategy fails in execution (and how leaders can fix it) with Dr Mike Ashby

Ryan Castle sits down with Mike to unpack a challenge most leadership teams quietly accept: the gap between strategy and execution. Drawing from real conversations with CEOs and operators, they explore why even well-crafted strategies consistently fall short, often by 10–20%, and how inertia, lack of visibility, and weak accountability allow that gap to persist. From poor communication of strategy to teams being consumed by day-to-day “busyness,” this episode highlights why intentions rarely translate into results without deliberate structure and focus.  They break down what it really takes to “mind the gap”, aligning daily activity with business outcomes, creating time for meaningful work, and building manager capability through consistent, habit-driven execution. The conversation also explores the evolving role of AI in leadership, the risk of mistaking outputs for real progress, and why great managers must develop both capability and judgment. If you’re leading a team and feel the frustration of missed targets despite clear plans, this episode offers practical insights to close the gap and drive real performance. Connect with Dr Mike Ashby on LinkedIn [https://nz.linkedin.com/in/drmikeashby] 👉 FREE Resource: level10.us/execution [https://lvl10.us/execution]- Execution Strength Diagnostic Discover if your managers are driving results or letting commitments drift. 👉 Got a Level 10 Leaders podcast tip? - Submit your tip at lvl10.us/submit-tip [https://lvl10.us/submit-tip] Where else you can find us Website: https://www.level10leaders.com/ [https://thebreakthrough.co/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/level10leaders/ [http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-breakthrough-company]

Ep 24 – Power tip: “GWC works best when you trust your gut,” Ruth Uribes

This Level 10 Leaders Power Tip is from Ruth Uribes, Heroic Voice Academy, sharing a key insight on applying the EOS® concept of GWC (Get It, Want It, Capacity to Do It) with an often-overlooked element: intuition. While GWC helps ensure the right people are in the right seats, Ruth explains that true alignment goes beyond skills and experience. Through real-world examples, she highlights how ignoring red flags, especially when someone has to “convince” others they fit, can lead to broken trust and a damaged culture. Her message is clear: great leaders don’t rely on frameworks alone. By trusting your gut alongside GWC, you can make better decisions, protect your team culture, and lead with greater confidence and alignment. Connect with Ruth Uribes: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthuribes/] heroicvoice.com [https://www.heroicvoice.com/] 👉 FREE Resource: level10.us/execution [https://lvl10.us/execution]- Execution Strength Diagnostic Discover if your managers are driving results or letting commitments drift. 👉 Got a Level 10 Leaders podcast tip? - Submit your tip at lvl10.us/submit-tip [https://lvl10.us/submit-tip] Where else you can find us Website: https://www.level10leaders.com/ [https://thebreakthrough.co/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/level10leaders/ [http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-breakthrough-company]

Ep 23 – 3 business growth lessons: profit, market focus & speed with Mark Stanley

Ryan Castle sits down with Mark Stanley, EOS Implementer and co-author of "Data: Harness Your Numbers to Go from Uncertain to Unstoppable", to explore the practical realities of building and scaling a business through a data-driven lens. Mark shares three powerful insights from his journey: the importance of truly understanding the market you operate in, why gross profit matters more than revenue, and how speed creates a meaningful competitive advantage. Drawing from decades of experience, including multiple failed ventures, he unpacks the lessons that shaped his approach to leadership, decision-making, and growth. This episode is for entrepreneurs, founders, and leadership teams looking to simplify complexity, sharpen their numbers, and execute with greater clarity. If you’re navigating growth, struggling with focus, or want to build a more disciplined, data-driven business, Mark’s insights offer both practical tools and hard-earned perspective. Useful links: Connect with Mark Stanley on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markstanleyprofile/] Data: Harness Your Numbers to Go from Uncertain to Unstoppable [https://www.eosworldwide.com/data-book] unstoppable-biz.com [https://unstoppable-biz.com] 👉 FREE Resource: level10.us/execution [https://lvl10.us/execution]- Execution Strength Diagnostic Discover if your managers are driving results or letting commitments drift. 👉 Got a Level 10 Leaders podcast tip? - Submit your tip at lvl10.us/submit-tip [https://lvl10.us/submit-tip] Where else you can find us Website: https://www.level10leaders.com/ [https://thebreakthrough.co/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/level10leaders/ [http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-breakthrough-company]