The bigQUEST Podcast with Andy Murray

Mike Bates on Lessons Learned Rowing an Ocean

In this episode, I caught back up with Mike Bates who recently returned from a 3,000 mile row across the Atlantic Ocean. Mike took on this incredible challenge to raise money for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Leeds General Infirmary. In our conversation, we discuss his dangerous journey across the sea, how to overcome constraints, the power of human connection, global issues facing middle aged men today, and much more.  If you are thinking about taking on a big quest in your life, this episode is sure to be full of advice to get you started. From the courage it takes to start your quest, to the strength to complete it,  and everything in between - Mike shares his inspiring story that has raised over $225,000 for a cause that saved his son's life a decade ago. Topics & Questions  00:00 Podcast Introduction 00:58 What did you wish you knew before embarking on this quest? 03:21 How to view constraints when taking on difficult challenges 06:31 The start of the row 10:43 The risk involved with the row 15:22 Lessons learned on the ocean 16:55 The power of human connection 24:42 The challenge facing middle aged men today 33:46 Sleep deprivation  38:35 Questions from university students  42:26 Advice for young professionals Show Links Follow bigQUEST on social media:  Twitter https://twitter.com/mybigquest [https://twitter.com/mybigquest] LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/company/bigquest/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bigquest/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mybigquest/ [https://www.instagram.com/mybigquest/] Follow Mike on social media: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikebates_official/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/mikebates_official/?hl=en] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-bates-4b2a32201/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-bates-4b2a32201/] Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mikebatesofficial [https://www.facebook.com/mikebatesofficial] Website https://mikebates.uk/ [https://mikebates.uk/] Related Links: Leeds Hospital Charity - https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/ [https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/]

S1E18 John Gaiters on Bringing People Together

What does it take to create real change?  In this episode I chatted with John Gaiters to hear more about his quest to reshape the way business impacts unity and belonging. John is a  young entrepreneur with big dreams to make an impact in the DE&I space by bringing people together for conversation, learning and action. It’s an incredible story worth hearing and a testament to the power of purpose and a willingness to venture into the unknown to take on a big problem worth solving.  Topics and Questions 00:00 Episode Preview 00:58 Guest Introduction 03:07 The inspiration behind John’s quest for unity 04:33 The power of belonging 05:45 Discovering your purpose 07:20 The story of Trendsetters 09:20 The purpose of Unity Brands  11:30 Persevering through early difficulties 13:52 The birth of the Unity Conference 16:02 The secret to building successful support systems  18:36 Long term goals of Unity Brands 20:07 How can companies actively strive for unity? 22:08 The importance of HBCUs 23:16 What is your personal inspiration to drive change? 24:57 2023 Unity Conference Details  Show Links: Connect with Andy Murray: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewlmurray/ Connect with John Gaiters: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gaiters-59328378/ The Unity Conference: https://unityconference.info/home/

S1E17: Makoto Fujimura: How to think like an Artist in creating new ideas.

There's a question I've been thinking about for some time. How do we create truly new ideas that move us forward?   Fresh ideas that truly move our companies forward? How will we need to think differently to find fresh, new ideas?  So much of what we call new is really just an extension of the present. The post industrialized work world has been great for incremental improvements and efficiency, but struggles to generate cultures that can voyage beyond the land we already know.  Few would argue today we need leaders with the ability to bring both left and right brain thinking to the moment or maybe better said a more balanced approach using both intuition and reason.  It is hard to find a recent business book that doesn't advocate for more intuitive thinking at work or challenge us to "think like an artist."  But how do artists think?  To answer that question, I set out to reconnect with a brilliant artist who I knew would have a perspective worth hearing, Makoto Fujimura. Mako is not only an amazing artist, he's also an accomplished writer who is just as passionate about the process of art as he is the outcome.  In this episode, Mako and I talk about intuition, how it works, and how it needs to be harmonized with reason.  We take a look back into history to 500 years ago, to a time when Europe was coming out of the Black Plague and how that applies to what we are going through today.  We also talk about how artists look at constraints, mastery, and asking questions beyond the question. In the last half of the podcast, I turned the tables and asked Mako how he might use the approach of an artist if he were to take on a C-Suite job in a big company.  And I can tell you now, his answer was brilliant. Mako shares some practical stories from his work on the Board at Bucknell University. Lastly, I asked him to look forward into the future and tell me what gives him hope. Again, his answer will surprise you.

S1E16: Julie Walker on Growing An Intrapreneur Mindset

What does it actually mean to act like owners, take more risks, and be more entrepreneurial in the conference room or executive suite of a big company? Tune in to today’s episode where Andy Murray talks to Julie Walker, partner and CEO adviser at Inc. CEO Project, about what has changed in business where the ordinary employee is now being compelled to become something they’ve only read about and were certainly never taught in business school. For more information on the bigQUEST Framework, find us at bigQUEST.com.

S1E15: Habib Salo on Mastering The Value Add

How would you define your value proposition? Tune in to today’s episode where Andy Murray talks with entrepreneur and CEO, Habib Salo. They cover the gains of customer-centric marketing, innovative digital strategies, and the light bulb moment that inspired Habib to run the family business in a totally new way. For more information on the bigQUEST Framework, find us at bigQUEST.com. Episode Links Young Nails Inc - https://www.youngnails.com [https://www.youngnails.com]  Youtube - https://www.youtube.com [https://www.youtube.com]  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com [https://www.linkedin.com]  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ [https://www.facebook.com/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com [https://www.instagram.com]  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com [https://www.tiktok.com]  Twitch.tv - https://www.twitch.tv [https://www.twitch.tv]