Start With A Win

Revolutionize your decision-making processes! Streamline efficiency and eliminate delays by implementing clear procedures within your organization. Try the 3-2-1 rule: bring 3 thoughts, 2 options, and 1 suggestion to the table for each decision. Empower your team members to make informed choices within their scope, fostering growth and reducing bottlenecks. Encourage learning about situations thro...

Get ready to challenge everything you think you know about leadership and coaching. In this episode of Start With a Win, Adam Contos sits down with Adrian Koehler, a fearless executive coach who has worked with everyone from Navy SEALs to global innovators. Together, they dig into the raw, unfiltered realities of leadership - where broken commitments, uncomfortable truths, and radical authenticity...

Empathy isn't just a soft skill; it's the backbone of effective leadership, especially in the dynamic landscape of business. A leader's ability to understand and share the feelings of their team members fosters a work environment built on trust, collaboration, and innovation. In the ever-evolving world of business, where challenges are diverse and solutions require creativity, empathy becomes a ca...

Leadership presence hinges on three critical elements: gravitas, communication, and appearance. The way you show up visually matters because people make subconscious judgments instantly. Are you presenting yourself professionally or appearing worn-down and neglected? Your attire, grooming, and overall demeanor reflect how much respect you command. Additionally, how you care for your body speaks vo...

In this episode of Start With a Win, Adam Contos sits down with Jonathan Bennett, a seasoned executive, advisor, and coach who has walked the path from building a thriving consulting firm to reinventing his career with deeper purpose. Together, they peel back the curtain on what most leaders avoid discussing - transitions, fulfillment, and the hidden weight of leadership. With candor and insight,...

Boost your productivity by prioritizing critical tasks and projects! Instead of merely checking boxes, focus on meaningful activities that make a real impact. Identify and prioritize tasks that contribute most to personal and organizational success. By concentrating on what truly matters, you'll achieve more and make a lasting difference. That's the key to a more productive day! #ProductivityHacks...

Make today count by setting clear, achievable goals with specific actions and outcomes. Planning your day ensures you don't miss opportunities that come your way. Don't wander aimlessly—have a plan, execute it, and achieve your goals.  #DailyGoals #ActionPlan #Productivity ⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱?  ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership =========================== Subsc...

This episode of Start With a Win brings together two of the most dynamic voices in leadership, Anne Morriss and Frances Frei, for a conversation that challenges outdated business mantras and replaces them with a powerful alternative. With wit, clarity, and decades of experience guiding organizations and leaders at the highest levels, they reveal how true impact is created - not by choosing between...

Boost your productivity by prioritizing critical tasks and projects! Instead of merely checking boxes, focus on meaningful activities that make a real impact. Identify and prioritize tasks that contribute most to personal and organizational success. By concentrating on what truly matters, you'll achieve more and make a lasting difference. That's the key to a more productive day! #ProductivityHacks...

One of the top skills every leader needs: constant learning. Trust me, it's a game-changer. Remember what my mentor once told me? Be a sponge. But here's the kicker: being a leader isn't just about soaking up knowledge, it's about giving back too. Soak up new insights, then share them with others. That's how you level up as a leader. Leaders learn, and learners lead. Don't miss out on today's quic...

This episode of Start With a Win dives deep into the heart of leadership and culture with Jim Stevenson, founder and CEO of The Bletchley Group. From global brands to scrappy startups, Jim has been in the trenches helping businesses transform, scale, and thrive. Adam and Jim uncover why culture is the true engine of growth, how leaders unknowingly sabotage their teams, and what it really takes to...

Ever wondered about the real secret to success? Spoiler alert: it's not overnight. It's all about consistent effort, day in and day out. Trust me, there's no such thing as an overnight success story. Success is built on small, actionable steps taken every single day. So, roll up your sleeves, put in the work, and watch those small efforts compound into something incredible. That's your quick win f...

In this powerful episode of Start With a Win, Adam Contos is joined by Dr. Alexa Chilcutt - executive presence expert and faculty lead at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School - for an eye-opening conversation about what it really takes to lead with confidence, credibility, and authenticity. From navigating imposter syndrome to mastering the unspoken signals that define how others perceive you, this...

Positive influence vs. negative influence: Imagine two people—one with a smile, seeking opportunities to excel in business, eager to help and succeed. The other avoids interaction, spreading misery and negativity. The difference is clear: positivity drives growth and success, while negativity hinders progress. Human nature often leans towards negativity, so consciously choose positive influences....

This episode of Start With a Win dives into the remarkable story of how a motorcycle brand transformed from the brink of collapse to becoming an iconic global powerhouse. Host Adam Contos sits down with Ken Schmidt, the former head of communications at Harley-Davidson, who reveals how shifting focus from simply selling products to creating authentic human connections reshaped the brand’s destiny....

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱?  ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership Trust starts with consistency. Be predictable in your words and actions to build the foundation of any great team. 🛠️ #Leadership #Trust #TeamBuilding =========================== Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱  =========================== YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamCon...

The best leaders don’t just think about their own growth — they think about the growth of the leaders around them. Leadership development is retention strategy. It’s culture strategy. It’s future-proofing. What are you doing right now to grow the leadership capacity of your team? ⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱?  ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership Want weekly leadership con...

In this episode of Start With a Win, host Adam Contos is joined by leadership strategist and author Dr. Vijay Pendakur to explore what it really takes to lead through disruption. Drawing from his experience at top tech companies and Cornell University, Vijay unpacks the secret to building high-performing teams when the ground is constantly shifting beneath you. From the invisible forces of trust a...

The biggest business shift starts with a mindset shift. Growth stops the moment we stop growing ourselves and our people. You don’t need a radical change — you need a daily one. Grow your mindset. Grow your team. And your business will follow. What’s one way you’re helping your team grow this week? ⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱?  ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership Want we...

Every day as a leader is a chance to realign. Ask yourself: Did I serve someone today? Did I stretch myself? Did I truly see someone for who they are? Leadership isn’t about having a title — it’s about being a daily touchpoint for impact. Try journaling your answers to those three S’s at the end of each day: Serve. Stretch. See. How do you check in with yourself to stay aligned as a leader? ⚡️FRE...

Stress is a signal, not a stop sign. Great leaders don’t ignore tension — they notice it, name it, and guide through it. Try this: when pressure rises, pause and use the “one-two-three” rule. One deep breath. Two clarifying questions. Three focused steps forward. You can’t eliminate stress, but you can lead through it. How do you help your team navigate stress when it hits? ⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'...

In this mastermind episode of Start With a Win, bestselling author and trailblazing entrepreneur Candy Valentino joins Adam Contos in sharing a raw and riveting journey - from humble beginnings in a trailer to building and selling multiple thriving businesses. With hard-earned wisdom and unapologetic honesty, Candy breaks down the myths of modern entrepreneurship, challenges the glamorized “four-h...

Your team isn’t overworked — they’re overwhelmed. 44% of employees say they feel stressed. But here’s the fix: stress drops fast when expectations are clear and communication is strong. Ask your team one simple question this week: “What’s your number one priority?” Then support them in it. Clarity creates capacity. How are you making sure every person on your team knows what matters most this week...

In this powerful episode of Start With a Win, Adam Contos sits down with organizational psychologist Dr. Laura Gallaher to uncover the surprising root of leadership stress and how radical self-acceptance plays a transformative role in professional growth. With decades of experience helping elite organizations—from NASA to Fortune 500 companies—Dr. Laura challenges conventional thinking around chao...

A single 15-minute conversation can be the reason someone stays — or the reason they leave. Weekly, meaningful check-ins aren’t a “nice to have.” They’re the leadership game changer. Gallup found that frequent, intentional conversations drive the highest levels of engagement. Block time this week. Ask. Appreciate. Align. How do you create space for meaningful connection with your team each week?...