When burnout hits, it’s rarely about workload. It’s about perfectionism. In this episode of The Butterfly Effect – Advice that Changed Lives, Javier Romero shares the pivotal advice that pulled him out of burnout and reshaped how he approaches change, leadership and life.

Javier Romero is an organisational change expert with 25+ years’ experience helping teams improve effectiveness, efficiency and engagement—especially under pressure. He’s also the founder of Osan.uk, bringing enterprise-level change support to smaller organisations.

His advice? "Perfectionism is the enemy. Stop starting and start finishing." That shift, prompted by a therapist during recovery from burnout, changed everything. From overwhelmed consultant to focused operator, Javier’s journey is a powerful reminder that chasing 'perfect' can destroy progress.

💬 “What is good enough?” became a rally cry for his clients and teams. It cut through overwhelm, silenced conflicting opinions, and focused efforts on what truly matters.

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👍 Like if this resonated. Comment if it made you rethink your own perfectionism.

Timestamps:
00:51 - What’s the Butterfly Effect?
01:24 - Javier’s story: from tech to transformation
03:36 - The advice that changed everything
05:49 - Scrum, burnout and finishing what matters
08:53 - How to contact Javier

From a blank sheet of paper to a $30 billion service line - Clive Hyman’s story is a masterclass in commercial courage and team building. With nearly 40 years of experience as a CFO, corporate developer, and non-executive director across markets from Turkey to the US, Clive has been involved in 500+ acquisitions and advised the biggest names in private equity.

In this episode of The Butterfly Effect – Advice that Changed Lives, Clive shares the pivotal piece of advice from a senior partner at KPMG: “When people stop you because you’re commercial and you’re going to break a few plates, tell me what I’m supposed to have told you when you get stopped – and ring me before they do.”

That single sentence changed how Clive built teams, grew revenue from zero to £6 million in 18 months, and expanded globally. It’s about having the right backing, understanding the framework you operate in, and using it as a trampoline, not a ceiling.

Clive also reveals surprising personal moments - from singing at the Royal Albert Hall at age 11 to literally running into Stephen Hawking before he was famous.

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Like this episode? Comment with the best advice you’ve ever received.

Timestamps:
00:00 - From CFO to $30B service line
02:19 - The advice that changed everything
03:34 - Using frameworks as springboards
04:58 - Longevity in business relationships
05:18 - Two truths and a lie

#LeadershipLessons
#BusinessGrowth
#MergersAndAcquisitions

In the fast-paced world of private equity, human connection often gets lost amid deal sheets and spreadsheets. But not for Dan Adler.Dan Adler, partner at London-based private equity firm Apiary Capital, has spent 27 years working alongside founders and entrepreneurs in the lower mid-market. In this episode of The Butterfly Effect – Advice that Changed Lives, Dan shares one deceptively simple rule that has kept his relationships—and his deals—on solid ground:“No matter how busy you are or how much you don’t want to, always return someone’s call on the day that they call you.”It’s advice he’s lived by for over 25 years, and he reveals why it matters more than ever in an age dominated by emails, digital noise, and bloated CC lists. Dan explains:The emotional toll deal-making can take—and how a timely phone call can defuse anxiety.Why relying on email alone leads to miscommunication and unnecessary drama.How unresolved issues mushroom overnight, disrupting sleep and mental clarity.The “lazy CC culture” that drags 20 people into a thread instead of resolving issues directly.“Far better for the two principals to talk to each other… get that conversation sorted and done and then you can deal with the issue.”If you’re in private equity, business services, or simply value clear communication, this is a must-watch insight into how one small habit can shape careers—and preserve sanity.Subscribe for more life-changing insights in under 5 minutes.Like what you hear? Drop a comment and share your own game-changing piece of advice!00:20 – Who is Dan Adler?01:20 – The Best Advice Dan Ever Received02:19 – Why Phone Calls Beat Emails Every Time03:37 – The Email CC Epidemic04:21 – How to Contact Dan Adler#PrivateEquity#BusinessAdvice#CommunicationSkills

Craig J Willis, seasoned tech leader and process expert, joins “The Butterfly Effect – Advice that Changed Lives” to share the single piece of advice that’s shaped his entire career: If you can’t explain the problem and the solution in 60 seconds, you’ll lose your audience.With a background spanning tech startups, his own entrepreneurial ventures, and his current role at Netcall, Craig’s passion is dissecting business processes to unlock transformation. But it was a sharp lesson during a consultancy pitch with a retired retail CIO that truly transformed his approach.“As a C-level exec, I’ve got a very, very short attention span. You’ve got 60 seconds to tell me the problem I’ve got and what I can do about it.”This one insight forced Craig to rethink how he communicates value—whether pitching solutions, leading transformation programmes, or engaging stakeholders who are juggling endless priorities.Highlights include:How Craig blends technical innovation with the art of influence.The real story behind the CIO’s blunt advice that changed his career.Why every transformation is ultimately a sales exercise—even for internal change.Practical ways to craft messages that cut through the noise.Whether you’re pitching a new idea, leading a transformation, or simply trying to get your boss’s attention, Craig’s advice is your shortcut to impact.Subscribe for more life-changing insights in under 5 minutes.Like the episode? Drop a comment on how you’d pitch your biggest idea in under a minute!00:27 – Who is Craig Willis? From startups to process mastery02:06 – The best advice Craig ever received: The 60-second rule03:13 – The pitch that nearly failed—and why slides don’t save you03:51 – Applying the rule: Transformation as a sales exercise05:02 – Where to find Craig for more process insights#leadership#businesstransformation#processimprovement

Paul Marchant, founder of Stroli, a UK shopping bag business with ambitions to become the number one brand in the UK and Europe, joins “The Butterfly Effect – Advice that Changed Lives.” From his days in advertising to building a product business in a £500M UK market, Paul’s story is full of surprises—including stripping for a hen party!Paul shares two powerful pieces of advice that have shaped his journey:“One thing I’m a great believer in, if you do nothing, nothing happens.”And:“Don’t grind your way until you arrive at your objective. Enjoy the bits in between.”He believes life is about stepping into action and savouring the messy middle—the late-night meetings, product development mishaps, and even personal goals like running a sub-25-minute 5k.Plus, we reveal the truth behind his hilarious “Two Truths and a Lie,” including the giggle-worthy story of becoming a stripper for a hen party.If you’re chasing big goals—or just want permission to enjoy the process—this is the pep talk you didn’t know you needed.Subscribe for more life-changing insights in under 5 minutes.Like, drop a comment, and tell us your best piece of advice!Timestamps:00:00 – Meet Paul Marchant: Stroli’s Founder & Big Ambitions01:00 – Two Truths and a Lie: Stripping and Hairy Backs02:01 – “If You Do Nothing, Nothing Happens”03:10 – Enjoy the Process: Why the Middle Matters04:31 – Paul’s Next Step: Fundraising, Partnerships, and the Journey Ahead#Entrepreneurship#LifeAdvice#TheButterflyEffectPodcast

Join Peter Blanc, the man behind Aston Lark’s meteoric rise and its reported £1.1bn sale to Howden.Peter shares unconventional wisdom on why M&A is more art than science, how understanding human psychology makes or breaks deals, and his simple rule that transformed how he leads thousands of people.In this high-impact episode of The Butterfly Effect – Advice that Changed Lives, discover:✅ The real reason businesses want to sell (and how to find it)✅ How to avoid M&A deals that turn into nightmares✅ The one leadership habit that builds loyalty and prevents silent resentment✅ Insights into running a global acquisition spree (70+ deals a year)If you’re in private equity, business leadership, or just fascinated by how major deals happen behind the scenes, this one’s for you. Peter's management advice is also both powerful and easy to implement. 👉 Subscribe for weekly high-impact insights#MergersAndAcquisitions #Leadership #PrivateEquity #BusinessStrategy #TheButterflyEffect

Rob Bellenfant, founder and CEO of Technology Advice, reveals the single best piece of advice that’s helped him build 30 global digital media brands: take the first step. In this episode of The Butterfly Effect – Advice That Changed Lives, Rob shares how overcoming analysis paralysis has been the key to his entrepreneurial journey, from launching his first business at age 12 to leading a team across 7 countries and 12 languages.Learn how simple action beats overthinking and how Rob’s mindset can help you transform your career or business.Timestamps:0:00 Intro & Rob’s Background1:12 Two Truths and a Lie3:05 Best Advice Rob Ever Received4:13 Rob’s First Business at Age 12🎧 Subscribe for weekly bursts of transformative wisdom from founders, executives, and high achievers who share the pivotal advice that changed their lives.#Entrepreneurship #BusinessAdvice #RobBellenfant #TechnologyAdvice #AnalysisParalysis #TheButterflyEffectPodcast

Antonio Meza, visual communication consultant, joins The Butterfly Effect to share the one piece of advice that revolutionised how he approaches life and work: “You don’t create your future in the future, you create your future in the present.”Antonio works with organisations and entrepreneurs to help them visualise the future they want to create—a mission that perfectly reflects the wisdom he’s embraced. Once obsessed with meticulously planning the future, Antonio learned to let go of rigid scripts and become deeply grounded in the present. This shift has allowed him not just to plan big ambitions but to enjoy life’s moments more fully—including precious time with his daughter and family.“Touching base with the future from time to time, but enjoying it in the present and making decisions in the present so that you have a more fulfilling life in your present moment.”In this episode:Antonio reveals his two truths and a lie (hint: he’s not quite the globe-hopper he claimed).He shares how staying present has helped him navigate personal challenges and find balance.He talks about seeing his visual work exhibited on five continents—a proud milestone in his creative journey.Subscribe for more life-changing insights in under 5 minutes.Like this episode? Drop a comment and share how you’re creating your future today.00:21 — Meet Antonio Meza: Visualising Futures01:12 — Antonio’s Two Truths and a Lie01:44 — The Best Advice: Create Your Future Now02:49 — Staying Present as a Father and Professional04:16 — Antonio’s Art on Five Continents#VisualCommunication#LifeAdvice#TheButterflyEffectPodcast