Do Something Different: A Leadership Podcast

Stop Overthinking and Trust Your Gut: How Executives Make Good Decisions

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2424896/open_sms] Executive presence isn’t just about communication. It’s also about making good decisions. In this episode, we discuss how to use leadership intuition in decision making when the stakes are high. Featuring Samyr Qureshi, CEO and co-founder of Knack [https://www.joinknack.com], this conversation dives into the internal compass behind career growth, how to trust your gut when data falls short, and what it really takes to lead with clarity, confidence, and conviction in today’s fast-moving world. Key Points: 🔑 Why Jeff Bezos trusts intuition over analysis in his biggest decisions 🔑 How to distinguish between fear and intuition 🔑 What happens when you ignore your gut, and how to recover 🔑 Pushing back on powerful voices with respect and clarity 🔑 Small, calculated risks vs. the all-in leap 🔑 Why storytelling and mindset are central to building trust in yourself 🔑 A simple but powerful lens for prioritizing what matters most in your career 🎯 Whether you're operating in a high-growth startup or navigating the politics of a large corporation, your ability to tap into intuition may be your greatest edge in leadership and personal development. Follow Samyr on LinkedIn  https://linkedin.com/in/samyrq Rusty Gaillard is an executive coach, helping mid-level corporate leaders create more career success while working less and enjoying it more. That's real freedom. Get more leadership tips to grow your skillset and mindset at rustygaillard.com [https://rustygaillard.com], and follow Rusty on LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/rustygaillard].

Career Success Secrets You Wish You Knew Sooner

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2424896/open_sms] Most professionals are never taught how to choose a career that leads to lasting professional growth and meaningful personal development. This episode reveals powerful insights from career coaching that will help you rethink everything you’ve been told about success. Forget the tired advice about following your passion or creating a rigid five-year plan. If you're feeling stuck or unfulfilled, it's not because you're doing it wrong—it's because the rules you're following are outdated. 🔑 In This Episode: * The toxic myths of modern career advice—and why they persist * The truth about linear career paths (hint: they don’t exist) * What to do before you leave a job that isn’t working * How to experiment and grow inside your current role * A simple 3-step paradigm to clarify what you really want * The “Rearview Mirror Test” to make bold decisions with confidence This isn’t about taking a leap without a plan. It’s about taking smart risks, learning what energizes you, and designing a career you don’t want to escape from. 🎧 Listen now and start building the kind of success you’ll be proud of at 90. 📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes on executive presence, career growth, and leadership mindsets. Rusty Gaillard is an executive coach, helping mid-level corporate leaders create more career success while working less and enjoying it more. That's real freedom. Get more leadership tips to grow your skillset and mindset at rustygaillard.com [https://rustygaillard.com], and follow Rusty on LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/rustygaillard].

When Grit Backfires: The Hidden Obstacle to Career Growth

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2424896/open_sms] Grit may get you started in your career, but it’s not what gets you promoted. In this conversation on leadership, personal development, and professional development, Guy Yalif [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gyalif/]—Chief Evangelist at Webflow—challenges the belief that success requires relentless hustle. Key Takeaways: * Why our culture rewards hustle, and how that mindset can quietly stall your career growth * How time tracking elevates focus and effectiveness * The four things only a CEO can own, and how to stop doing everything else * Releasing guilt around working less * Learning to use time for thinking, not just doing * Discomfort as a gateway to leadership growth This episode is essential listening for leaders who want to achieve more without doing more. 👉 Listen now and discover how to lead with impact—by doing less, not more. 👉 Follow Guy Yalif on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gyalif/ Rusty Gaillard is an executive coach, helping mid-level corporate leaders create more career success while working less and enjoying it more. That's real freedom. Get more leadership tips to grow your skillset and mindset at rustygaillard.com [https://rustygaillard.com], and follow Rusty on LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/rustygaillard].

What Successful Leaders Get WRONG About Career Growth

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2424896/open_sms] Success in your career doesn't just come from mastering skills—it comes from mastering your mindset. In this powerful conversation with Krishnan Venkata [https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishnanvenkata/], Chief Client Officer at LatentView Analytics, we uncover two game-changing principles that can rapidly accelerate growth for any professional ready to step outside their comfort zone. Krishnan shares real-world stories from his journey scaling a 10-person startup into a 2,000-person global enterprise. The insights are bold, practical, and surprisingly human. Key takeaways from this episode: * The hidden cost of playing it safe, and how risk-taking can create exponential opportunities * Why mindset consistently trumps skill set in career success and leadership * A practical way to reframe fear and anxiety * The unexpected career advantage of working through crisis situations * How engaging with people outside your company can unlock clarity, strategy, and innovation * One overlooked reason leaders stall—and how to break free If you're hungry for growth, this episode reveals what separates those who rise from those who remain stuck. Connect with Krishnan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishnanvenkata/ Rusty Gaillard is an executive coach, helping mid-level corporate leaders create more career success while working less and enjoying it more. That's real freedom. Get more leadership tips to grow your skillset and mindset at rustygaillard.com [https://rustygaillard.com], and follow Rusty on LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/rustygaillard].

The Hidden Leadership Mistake Costing You Promotions (And How to Fix It)

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2424896/open_sms] Many high performers unknowingly sabotage their chances at promotion by making a single critical mistake.  Discover the hidden obstacle that holds back smart, capable leaders—and learn the three essential steps to break through it. With real-life stories and a clear roadmap, this conversation will shift how you think about advancement and help you align your actions with the role you want, not just the one you have. Key Points Covered: * The career-limiting trap that blocks promotion opportunity * Case studies of two professionals who were overlooked for years, and what finally changed * The backwards approach most people take to promotions—and the mindset shift you need instead * Three foundational pillars of executive leadership * Why “acting the part” is more than mindset—it’s about changing how you spend your time * How to reframe your work and conversations so others see your growth Listen now to find out what you might be missing—and how one change in focus could unlock your next big opportunity. Rusty Gaillard is an executive coach, helping mid-level corporate leaders create more career success while working less and enjoying it more. That's real freedom. Get more leadership tips to grow your skillset and mindset at rustygaillard.com [https://rustygaillard.com], and follow Rusty on LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/rustygaillard].