The Partnership Playbook: Lead with Clarity, Create Leverage & Reclaim Time

What if your playbook is the problem? In this episode, we explore how ego stifles scale—and why curiosity and empathy are your best growth strategies . You'll learn how to: Unlock decision-makers by understanding their personal and organizational incentives Replace ego with humility, research, and real listening Build scalable partnerships by asking smarter, deeper questions This is a masterclass...

Do you know how to do the math to assess the risk of entering a new market? In this episode you’ll learn: The 10 ways incumbents defend their market—and how to break through The formula every founder and sales leader should run before entering a market 5 proven partnership plays to unlock access, trust, and scale—without going head-to-head 🎧 Listen to learn the math behind momentum Today’s episod...

What if the greatest opportunity for your career and your impact lies in the invisible spaces between words on your job description? In this deeply thoughtful conversation, Niven Postma reveals the often overlooked realities of leadership, power, and politics in organisations.  Understand why organizational politics aren't a bug, they're a feature, and how you can ethically and effectively na...

What if the most underused leadership advantage wasn’t a skill—but generosity? Too often, partnerships stall because leaders prioritize process over people. Joe Davis, longtime BCG leader and author of The Generous Leader , reveals how heart-first leadership drives performance, trust, and transformation inside the world’s top firms. In this conversation, you'll learn: Why generosity is a strategic...

What if your greatest competitor could become your most valuable partner? Fiona de Jong, lawyer-turned-sport-leader-turned-nation-branding-strategist, reveals how collaboration—across countries, sectors, and departments—creates unprecedented growth. From waxing skis with Norwegians to uniting CEOs to define Australia’s global identity, this episode is a masterclass in modern partnerships. Discover...

Could you easily describe what a great partnership looks like? If you can’t describe what “great” looks like, you can’t measure it. And if you can’t measure it, you can’t scale it. In this solo episode, you’ll learn: What high-performing partnerships should look and feel like at 6 months and 2 years The 9 observable, testable, and time-bound qualities of great partnerships Why resilience, not reli...

What if your leadership brand was your greatest growth asset? In this episode, Laura Barnard shares a game-changing framework: the Spectrum of Leadership Empowerment (SLE). It bridges psychology, branding, and purpose into one tool. Discover how to identify your intrinsic leadership motivation Learn how trust and prior relationships drive partnership success Gain tactics to activate your leadershi...

What if every growth deal you closed started with giving instead of asking ? Scott Kelly, founder of Black Dog Venture Partners, joins Phil to share his hard-won lessons from three decades in deal-making—from Wall Street to startup boardrooms. If you’ve ever wondered why some partnerships thrive while others implode, this episode is a masterclass in the art of going first, building trust, and play...

Are your partnerships built on belief—or proof? Too many growth partnerships start with optimism and end in regret. Why? Because belief systems don’t hold up under board-level scrutiny or leadership changes. Here’s how to make yours bulletproof: Anchor every deal in two measurable benefits , not just one. Use the four calculations - Revenue, Access, Cost Savings, Risk Reduction - to audit every pa...

What if the next trillion-dollar company isn’t in AI... but in waste? Most leaders overlook the eight sectors that keep the world moving: freight, water, power, waste, packaging, laundry, cement, and buses. But when they fail, everything fails. In this episode, discover how infrastructure partnerships are: Turning waste, emissions, and power strain into revenue streams Pre-locking supply and compl...

What if your biggest growth lever wasn’t a new product, ad campaign, or market — but a partnership? Too many leaders treat partnerships like PR stunts or one-off transactions. Christiana Brenton has built a career proving the opposite: that genuine, long-term partnerships are a growth engine that compounds over years. In this episode, you’ll learn: The “one plus one equals three” mindset that make...

What if your next $100M partnership just needed the right insight? Larry Namer co-founded E! with $2.5M after more than 100 rejections. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How movie trailers became a proof-of-concept for E!’s business model Why rejection can be the best market validator How to turn underfunding into a competitive advantage If you're building anything with partnerships or amb...

What if your revenue playbook was slowing your growth? Most sales teams push harder. Christiana Brenton thinks differently, starting with curiosity, empathy, and humility. From scaling Flight Studio to rejecting a $100M offer, this conversation flips traditional thinking on partnerships and performance. You’ll learn: How curiosity and care outperform brute-force tactics in sales The “first princip...

Why do good people avoid politics—and what’s the cost? If you’ve ever felt like politics in the workplace are beneath you, or just a distraction from “real work,” this conversation will challenge—and elevate—your thinking. Because politics isn’t the game. It’s the field it’s played on. In this episode: Learn the 3 stages of political maturity—and how to level up. Discover why ignoring politics is...

What if writing a check is the worst way to start a partnership? Too many brands think dollars are the only door to open but true growth partnerships go deeper. In this episode, Luke Reissman from the PGA of America shares how tech, inclusion, and mission alignment are redefining what successful partnerships look like in sport and beyond. You’ll learn: How to assess partners beyond revenue potenti...

What if “winning” a deal meant giving more than you take? Rob Matzkin built and exited companies across 20+ industries and his greatest advantage was knowing how to build trust before entering a deal. In this episode  learn: How to use the “Give 11” rule to build referable partnerships Why cooking for 50 people became Rob’s best growth strategy How to spot (and fix) partnerships before they f...

What happens when a grassroots movement grows faster than the platform it supports? Anna McAfee helped co-create LinkedIn Local, an initiative that organically scaled to over 1,000 cities and 96 countries—without formal LinkedIn endorsement. But when it came time to align with the platform... things didn’t go as expected. Learn how to spark platform-native movements that spread globally. Understan...

What if the way you run meetings could make or break your Partnerships? Dr. Steven Rogelberg, the world’s leading expert on meetings, shares how intentionality, the stewardship mindset , and smarter meeting strategies can drive better business outcomes, stronger relationships, and greater collaboration. In this episode learn: ✅ How to make every meeting count and strengthen your Partnerships. ✅...

Ever had a deal stall at the finish line and wondered—what just happened? You're not alone. High-stakes partnerships often unravel at the 11th hour,” where clarity fades, champions go quiet, and momentum vanishes. This episode dives into why promising deals stall and how to revive them using strategic, actionable frameworks. Discover how to gain a game-changing perspective with the “Negotiator’s L...

What if the most feared industry held the key to the cleanest, cheapest energy? In this episode, Caroline Cochran reveals how Oklo is reinventing nuclear—from powering with waste to designing reactors as community assets. She breaks down how partnering with regulators, not fighting them, is a 10x growth mindset move. Learn how fast reactors can use 97% of the energy conventional plants throw away....

What if business growth happens in the same way fighter pilots train? In this episode you'll learn: The Fighter Pilot Mindset: Learn how intentionality and debriefing create clarity and maximise outcomes in any environment. Partnership Dynamics: Discover why true partnerships thrive on mutual giving, shared goals, and radical transparency. Debrief to Win: Implement structured reviews to bridge the...

Why do some partnerships fuel growth—and others fall flat? In a world full of noise and digital distraction, building meaningful relationships is harder than ever. But what if the secret to sustained happiness and success isn’t more strategy—but deeper connection? Learn why “social fitness” is the most underrated growth muscle in business and life. Hear how war veterans and Gen Z face different ch...

What if the real close doesn’t happen in the room… but in a meeting you’re not even invited to? In this episode you’ll learn: How to make your internal champion your secret weapon Why clarity, not charisma, is the key to internal buy-in The exact 4 tools to help your champion close the deal without you If you want to win the deal even when you’re not in the room, this one’s for you. Listen now and...

What is the psychology behind high-performance partnerships? In this episode Dr. Julie Gurner covers: The Power of Reinvention: Discover why the ability to reinvent yourself and your business is critical for long-term success. Building High-Trust Partnerships: Understand how creating  partnerships  based on trust and shared goals can exponentially grow your business. Managing Stress for...

What’s the one leadership skill that makes or breaks your partnerships? It’s not strategy. It’s not charisma. It’s whether people feel safe enough to tell you the truth and whether you know how to truly listen. In this episode, Jeff Wetzler breaks down his powerful 5-step ASK approach to help leaders unlock insights they’re currently missing. Learn how to “Choose Curiosity” and stop seeing it as a...