André Brisson was working as a structural engineer when he decided to start his own engineering company. Like a great many entrepreneurs, André knew he needed to be able to do things his way. In this episode, André shares with business coaches Dan Sullivan and Shannon Waller how he’s found freedom and business success on his entrepreneurial journey.

Here’s some of what you’ll learn in this episode:

• How the company André worked for became a toxic environment for him.
• What helped André realize that he doesn’t need anyone’s permission.
• Why André’s opinions aren’t popular in bureaucracies or in politics.
• André’s biggest challenges in the construction site field.
• An incredible resource available for entrepreneurs with ADHD.

Show Notes:

If you want to do things differently, you have to find ways of negotiating with people who oppose you.

Entrepreneurial thinking can put other people off because it’s unconventional.

Non-entrepreneurs can only rationalize entrepreneurism.

Entrepreneurism is about freedom, and money is one of the tools you have to have to gain more freedom.

The two types of entrepreneurial freedom are freedom from and freedom to.

Personality and behavioral profiles provide a common language.

It’s useful for people who are different to recognize that the world wasn’t made with them in mind.

Just because something’s been done for a hundred years doesn’t mean it’s applicable right now.

Instead of competing with what someone else is doing, innovate something new.

People will show up if your message is about them.

It’s the check writer who determines whether you’re correct.

If you want to find people who are like you, you have to really know who you are.

Resources:

Unique Ability®

Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff

The Unique EDGE® Workshops for young adults

The Impulsive Thinker™

The Impulsive Thinker Podcast

ADHD: A Hunter in a Farmer’s World by Thom Hartmann

The Positive Focus®

The Impact Filter™

What if the key to unlocking your entrepreneurial potential lies in embracing discomfort? In this episode, Associate Coach David Braithwaite shares his inspiring journey from a "rubbish" student to a thriving entrepreneur and coach. Discover how embracing risk, fostering genuine connections, and prioritizing personal growth can transform your business and life.

Here’s some of what you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why David never saw the point of school.
• How David got into financial planning.
• What prevents people from becoming incredible entrepreneurs.
• Why David considers products secondary in his work.
• What entrepreneurs have the freedom to do that others don’t.
• What people will remember you for.
• Why David wishes he’d joined Strategic Coach® sooner.

Show Notes:

• David’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early, with multiple jobs during school despite struggling academically.
• Traditional education often overlooks the relevance of real-world skills, leaving many feeling disconnected.
• Risk-taking is essential for entrepreneurial success, yet many entrepreneurs don’t take enough risks.
• Being an entrepreneur is a career path for people who don’t fit the typical mold.
• Your interest determines how much effort you’re willing to put into something.
• Embracing experimentation can lead to valuable insights and breakthroughs in business.
• Genuine client relationships are built on trust and honesty rather than just selling products.
• David's Unique Ability® is communicating complex ideas with empathy and clarity.
• The definition of community is a group of people who agree to grow together, and community plays a vital role in entrepreneurial success.
• At Strategic Coach, you’re in a room filled with people who are just like you.
• Imposter syndrome can indicate you’re in the right environment for growth and learning.
• Growth and discomfort go hand in hand.
• People want to learn from other people's mistakes rather than make their own.
• Every coach at Strategic Coach is also a client.
• With business growth comes complexity.
• When you have the right mindsets, the right behaviors follow.

Resources:

Learn more about David Braithwaite

Unique Ability®

Podcast: Shannon Waller’s Team Success

Podcast: Inside Strategic Coach

Poem: "The Dash" by Linda Ellis

Book: The Gap And The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Blog: What Is a Self-Managing Company®?

Book: The 4 C’s Formula by Dan Sullivan

Blog: The 4 Freedoms That Motivate Successful Entrepreneurs

What’s the difference between being in charge and being in control? In this episode, Dan Sullivan shares his surprising insights on managing teams and creating a productive work environment, offering practical strategies for empowering team members, fostering independence, and creating a thriving organizational culture. Tune in to discover Dan's proven approach to entrepreneurial leadership!

Here’s some of what you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why self-managing has to be built in from the very beginning.
• What gives Dan confidence in his concepts and tools.
• What people rely on entrepreneurs for as leaders.
• Why Dan doesn’t intervene when a team member might fail on a project.
• The difference between leadership and management—and being in charge versus being in control.
• How Strategic Coach® makes sure their team members don’t get burned out.
• Why Dan doesn’t even think about anyone who might be competing with Strategic Coach.

Show Notes:

• The number one skill for having a Self-Managing Company® is profound ignorance. The number one structure is Unique Ability Teamwork®.
• If you don’t get everyone’s roles right, you won’t get anything else right.
• It’s hard to correct a mistake you’ve made from the beginning.
• Confidence in your concepts and team is more crucial than trust.
• Confidence can come from knowing that you’ll always transform when you fail.
• A truly Self-Managing Company operates successfully independent of your constant oversight.
• Giving your team members the freedom to innovate, contribute, and pursue their Unique Ability® is essential to long-term business growth and success.
• Many entrepreneurs pride themselves on being hands-on with everything that happens at their company, but it’s important to resist the urge to rescue struggling teams.
• Being hands-off means allowing your team to learn from failures and trusting that they’ll develop problem-solving skills.
• Trust means that you’re taking a risk, and entrepreneurship is founded on risk.
• Everything that Strategic Coach needs to be is organized on teamwork.
• Strategic Coach has great institutional habits and institutional wisdom.
• In science, the experiment cannot depend upon the experimenter. The same applies to business.
• Being in control is management; being in charge is leadership.
• Make sure the little things that have to be there every day are right—the freedoms and supports that allow team members to thrive—and everything else will fall into place.

Resources:

Unique Ability®

Blog: What Is A Self-Managing Company®?

Blog: Your Business Is A Theater Production: Your Back Stage Shouldn’t Show On The Front Stage

Blog: Time Management Strategies For Entrepreneurs (Effective Strategies Only)

Blog: Transforming Experiences Into Multipliers