In this episode of Innovation Meets Leadership, Natalie Born sits down with Louisa Loran, former Google executive and author of Leadership Anatomy in Motion. With an impressive career spanning Diageo, Maersk, and Google, Louisa has redefined what it means to lead across industries—from building billion-dollar supply chains to transforming legacy business models.Louisa reveals how curiosity, courage, and emotional intelligence fuel lasting transformation.

She shares stories of stepping into roles before she felt “ready,” challenging corporate norms, and helping leaders unlearn habits that limit potential. Whether you’re navigating rapid change or seeking to inspire courage in your team, this episode will help you unlock your own leadership evolution.

[00:00 – 04:00] Louisa’s Journey Across IndustriesFrom Diageo to Maersk to Google—how curiosity guided her bold career transitions.Lessons from moving between consumer goods, logistics, and tech.Understanding brand legacy and the courage to step into unfamiliar worlds.

[04:01 – 08:00] The Power of Curiosity and Self-BeliefWhy curiosity is a leader’s greatest asset.Louisa’s seventh-grade dream of joining LVMH—and how it came true.Taking chances on roles you’re “not qualified” for and learning through action.

[08:01 – 11:00] Courage in Leadership TransformationWriting Maersk’s transformational strategy amid major restructuring.Why success isn’t just about having the right answers but addressing hidden fears.How courage and curiosity unlock organizational change.

[11:01 – 13:00] The Art of Asking Better QuestionsHow to ask questions that invite reflection instead of resistance.Building emotional intelligence and influence through curiosity.Positioning ideas for buy-in and collaboration at the executive level.

[13:01 – 16:00] Lessons from Google: A New Way of ThinkingShifting from hierarchical strategy to platform-based innovation.Learning to hold back as a leader and empower teams through exploration.Merging traditional business discipline with digital-era agility.

[16:01 – 21:00] The Four Pillars of Future LeadershipVisioning – Envisioning ambitious futures beyond current limits.Expanding – Leveraging collective intelligence to grow faster.Steering – Prioritizing and staffing for the future.Embodying – Becoming the leader your future organization needs.

[21:01 – 23:00] Transforming from the Inside OutWhy every transformation must start with the leader themselves.How fear and comfort can silently limit organizational growth.Encouraging leaders to unlearn and relearn continuously.

[23:01 – 24:00] Closing ReflectionsLouisa’s call to unlock “lost potential” within organizations.How to continue the conversation and bring courage into your own leadership journey.

Quotes:

“Curiosity is the driver that unlocks both courage and innovation.” – Louisa Loran

“It’s not about having the right answers—it’s about understanding what’s holding people back from acting on them.” – Louisa Loran

“Any business led by someone unwilling to start the transformation within themselves is wasting its greatest resource.” – Louisa Loran

Connect with Louisa LoranWebsite: louisaloran.comLinkedIn:

Louisa LoranBook: Leadership Anatomy in Motion

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🎙️ Check out Natalie’s book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co.

These are proven tools to transform your leadership and innovation approach.Visit our website at innovationmeetsleadership.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review.Let’s go transform something!

In this episode of Innovation Meets Leadership, Natalie Born sits down with Doug C. Brown, CEO of CEO Sales Strategies and a sales growth expert who has generated over $900M in revenue for clients worldwide. Doug reveals how math, metrics, and automation can transform any sales organization into a predictable growth engine. From reducing refund rates by spotting hidden blind spots, to building AI-driven automation that scales follow-up and accelerates closes, Doug brings decades of experience that will challenge how you see sales. If you want your team to stop “throwing spaghetti at the wall” and start building sustainable revenue systems, this episode is for you.

[00:01 - 04:00] The Power of Math in Sales

• How Doug discovered “holes” in sales systems through metrics.

• The Tony Robbins & Chet Holmes case study: reducing refund rates from 16% to under 1%.

• Why blind spots exist in every business—and how to find them.

[04:01 - 10:00] Lessons from Early Business and Leadership

• Running his father’s business at 16 and learning optimization early.

• The “flat tire” analogy: why outside perspectives reveal what leaders miss.

• How math tells a story that leads to better decisions.

[10:01 - 14:00] Shifts in Sales Post-Pandemic

• Why the sales process has permanently changed.

• The rise of conversational selling.

• Consumers are more educated than ever—how to adapt.

[14:01 - 19:00] Three Steps to Improve Your Sales Team Today

• Get truthful goals from every salesperson.

• Define your ideal right-fit buyer (97% of companies don’t).

• Start measuring simple sales metrics: outreach, connections, responses, closes.

[19:01 - 24:00] Automation and the Fortune in Follow-Up

• Why consistent follow-up unlocks 5–15% more revenue.

• Automating repetitive sales tasks with CRMs and AI.

• Real examples: insurance sales, concierge AI, SiriusXM upsell systems.

[24:01 - 29:00] AI as a Sales Multiplier, Not a Job Killer

• Rita, the AI concierge, and how it redefined customer experience.

• AI’s role in profiling, research, and buyer engagement.

• Start small: automate one repetitive task, then scale.

[29:01 - 31:00] Final Insights & How to Connect with Doug

• Practical steps to embrace automation and AI in sales.

• Why ignoring sales automation means falling behind competitors.

Quotes“Every company has blind spots. Use math and metrics to find untapped revenue.” – Doug C. Brown“Ninety-seven percent of companies don’t know their ideal buyer. That’s wasted money and effort.” – Doug C. Brown“The fortune is in the follow-up. Automate it, and you’ll unlock growth you didn’t know you had.” – Doug C. Brown

Guest Links

• Website: ceosalesstrategies.com

• LinkedIn: Doug Brown

• Newsletter: ceosalesstrategies.com/newsletter

• Email: doug@ceosalesstrategies.com

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone scale their revenue with clarity and precision by sharing this episode or click here to catch up on past episodes.

🎙️ Check out Natalie’s new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co.

These are proven tools to transform your leadership and innovation approach. Visit our website at innovationmeetsleadership.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let’s go transform something!

In this episode of Innovation Meets Leadership, Natalie Born sits down with Scott Smith, CEO of True Network Advisors. Scott has transformed the employee benefits industry by building a thriving community of 93+ member agencies and curating industry-leading events that go beyond networking—they create unforgettable experiences.From humble beginnings in rural Alabama to leading one of the most collaborative networks in the industry, Scott shares how trust, authenticity, and obsession with customer experience fueled his journey. If you’ve ever wondered how to build communities that not only grow but last—or how leaders can balance kindness with clarity—this conversation is for you.

[00:00 – 04:00] Scott’s Origin Story

• How encouragement from peers led to founding True Network Advisors.

• Starting with 19 agencies in 2016 and scaling to 93+ today.

• Why being good and kind to people built the foundation for success.

[04:01 – 09:00] Designing Experiences That Matter

• The early missteps—like discovering hotel coffee costs $130 a gallon.

• Building events around learning first, fun second.

• Moving away from stuffy, transactional events toward collaboration, casual settings, and genuine connection.

[09:01 – 13:00] Mission, Identity, and Creativity

• True’s simple mission: “Help agencies and people grow, develop, and prosper.”

• Defining community identity: smart, curious, kind people who crave collaboration.

• Why it’s okay to be “repulsive” to the wrong people—and magnetic to the right ones.

[13:01 – 18:00] Authenticity and Vulnerability in Leadership

• The role of self-awareness and embracing who you are.

• Scott’s personal story of growing up in rural Alabama and the impact of his father’s struggles.

• How vulnerability builds trust and helps people feel less alone.

[18:01 – 24:00] Kindness Meets Clarity

• Why true kindness often requires tough conversations.

• Leadership as balancing honesty, accountability, and care.

• How clarity prevents blind spots that can derail careers.

[24:01 – 29:00] Leadership Lessons Learned

• Starting True at 45—and why he wishes he had risked earlier.

• The superpower of listening with empathy.

• Why kindness always wins, and how to ground leadership in love and care for others.

• “Listening is a superpower. If you become the best listener in the universe, you’ll stand out in any room.” – Scott Smith

• “Kindness isn’t just being nice. Sometimes the kindest thing you can do is tell the hard truth.” – Scott Smith

• “Our mission is simple: help agencies and people grow, develop, and prosper. Everything flows from that.” – Scott Smith

• LinkedIn: Scott Smith – True Network Advisors (search True Network Advisors Scott Smith)

• Website: truenetworkadvisors.com

• Concert Series: lakecityconcerts.com

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone lead with clarity and courage by sharing this episode, or click here to catch up on past episodes.

🎙️ Check out Natalie’s new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co.

These are proven tools to transform your leadership and innovation approach. Visit our website at innovationmeetsleadership.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let’s go transform something!