What if the only thing keeping you from your dream job is the courage to walk up to a stranger on an airplane?

Today, we are breaking down why "Visual Leadership" is the ultimate competitive advantage in an era where attention spans are plummeting. I am joined by Todd Cherches, an executive coach, NYU and Columbia University professor, and the author of Visual Leadership. Todd shares his incredible origin story, from a 24-year-old taking a terrifying leap of faith to approach the President of NBC on a flight, to surviving a string of terrible bosses in the TV industry.

If you want to know how to solve a multi-million dollar corporate problem using nothing but a 30-second sketch on a napkin, this episode is for you.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why you should Expect the Unexpected and be "prepared to be unprepared".
  
• The ACR Framework (Attention, Comprehension, Retention) and why visual thinking works.
  
• How to use the "Pizza Slice Approach" to navigate office politics and influence stakeholders.
  
• The "4 Gs of Leadership" (Genuineness, Generosity, Graciousness, Gratitude).
  
• Why you should stop trying to be the hero of your own stories.
  

Todd Cherches is the CEO of BigBlueGumball, a management and leadership consulting firm. He is an executive coach, a TEDx speaker, and an award-winning adjunct professor at NYU and Columbia University. His book, Visual Leadership, teaches leaders how to use visual thinking to communicate more effectively. Connect with Todd on LinkedIn to learn more about his coaching.

In this episode:

• 00:00 - Welcome

• 02:51 - Todd: Expect the Unexpected
  
• 03:22 - The Airplane Pitch: Meeting the President of NBC
  
• 08:14 - What is Visual Leadership & The ACR Framework
  
• 13:40 - A Love Letter to Horrible Bosses
  
• 17:40 - Are You in the Right Seat on the Right Bus?
  
• 22:00 - The Multi-Million Dollar Napkin Sketch
  
• 24:52 - Overcoming the "I Can't Draw" Syndrome
  
• 28:51 - The 10 Types of Visual Thinking
  
• 34:20 - The Pizza Slice Approach for Influencing People
  
• 38:22 - Stop Being the Hero of Your Own Stories
  
• 42:04 - Why Critical Thinking is Dying in the Gen Z Era
  
• 46:33 - Advice to His 18-Year-Old Self: Fail Faster
  
• 50:11 - The 2 Books That Changed Todd’s Life
  
• 52:23 - Final Advice: The 4 Gs of Servant Leadership
  

If you loved Todd's advice to "Be prepared to be unprepared," take a screenshot of this episode right now and share it to your Instagram Story! Tag me and Todd, and tell us one bad boss experience that actually made you a better leader. Don't forget to hit subscribe so you never miss a conversation that helps you grow 1% smarter every day.

If you aren't waking up feeling absolutely scared to death about your goals, you are not evolving!

Today, we are breaking down why putting technology before human connection will destroy your team. I am joined by Rob Swannie, a manufacturing and cybersecurity veteran who proves that empathy and trust will always outlast AI.

What you will learn:

• Why the "3 T's" must always be Trust, Teams, and Tech—in that exact order.
  
• How to survive the AI revolution by upskilling and keeping a "human in the loop".
  
• Why true company culture is simply what people do when nobody is looking.
  
• The 15-minute morning hydration and gratitude routine that guarantees unstoppable energy.
  

Who is Rob? Rob Swannie is a technology leader, former musician, and author of Leading Like a Human: Building High-Functioning Teams by Putting People First. Grab his book to learn how to lead without a title and build cohesive units.

In this episode:

• 00:00 - Welcome
  
• 02:31 - Trust, Simplicity & Consistency
  
• 03:26 - The 3 T's: Why Tech Comes Last
  
• 11:13 - AI's Impact & Upskilling Humans
  
• 17:07 - Empathy: Everyone is Carrying a Brick
  
• 20:56 - You Don't Need a Title to Lead
  
• 29:34 - What Company Culture Actually Means
  
• 39:33 - Why Being "Scared Sh*tless" is the Goal
  
• 43:01 - 2 Books Every Leader Must Read
  
• 52:04 - 3 Daily Habits for Peak Energy
  

Take a screenshot, tag me, and tell us how you're leading like a human today! Subscribe now to grow 1% smarter every day.

Going viral tomorrow won’t save your business, and chasing vanity metrics is secretly destroying your credibility!

Founder and CEO Latoya Rogers reveals why chasing overnight fame fails and how building authentic community, trust, and courage creates sustainable success.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The 3 C's of magnetic authority: Connection, Courage, and Collaboration
• Why copycat marketing kills brands, and how to spot trends before your competitors.
• How to craft a high-impact 10-second pitch that instantly wins the room.
• Why you need to replace your "To-Do" list with a "Ta-Da" list.

Who is LaToya Rogers? LaToya Rogers is the founder of CHAVIL, a boutique travel marketing and PR agency helping brands, creators, and executives build authentic, trendsetting communication strategies. Connect with Latoya on LinkedIn and Instagram.

In this episode

• 00:00 - Hello you.
• 02:31 - The 3 C's FORMULA
• 03:31 - Why Going Viral Won't Save Your Business
• 06:27 - Stop Copying Competitors: How to Set Trends Early
• 10:11 - When Should You Build Your Personal Brand?
• 12:11 - The 10-Second Pitch & Headshot Audit
• 16:31 - Authentic Storytelling: Sharing Losses Over Wins
• 20:01 - Stop Waiting to Be Perfect: Let People See You Build
• 26:21 - The Reality of Entrepreneurship & Intentional Growth
• 35:18 - Stop Being Shy: How to Promote Your Achievements
• 38:19 - Rapid Fire: The Biggest Myth in Advertising
• 47:21 - 2 Must-Read Books & The "Ta-Da" List
• 55:13 - Final Advice: Do It Afraid

Screenshot this episode right now, post it to your IG Story, and tag me (@SoniaMartaAuthor) Tell me what action you're taking today, even if you're doing it afraid. Subscribe now to grow 1% SMARTA with me, every day!