What if the real competitive advantage in business isn’t technology, talent, or capital — but belief?

In this kickoff episode of the 2026 Leading With Pride Book Club, Jim Fielding sits down with retail and leadership veteran Matt Marcotte to explore the ideas behind his book Built on Belief: Why Cultures of Commitment Are the Competitive Advantage. From Gap and Apple to Tory Burch and Salesforce, Matt shares how decades of leading through reinvention taught him one truth: companies win when their people truly believe in what they’re building.

Together, Jim and Matt unpack what it really takes to build cultures where curiosity, trust, and human connection fuel growth — even in the most demanding, tech-driven industries.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. Why curiosity beats certainty in great leadership
2. How to build a North Star that aligns teams instead of siloing them
3. What it takes to create cultures of commitment, not compliance

If you’re ready to lead with more purpose, clarity, and courage, this conversation will change how you think about culture — and your role in shaping it.

Matt Marcotte

🌐 m2collaborative.com

📘 Built on Belief — available wherever books are sold

Jim Fielding

🌐 jimfielding.com

Podcast: Ask for an Answer

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