Strategic Edge: Applying Transformative Leadership

Ted Davis

The Strategic Edge podcast aims to inform, instruct, and inspire leaders by delving into leadership models and theories. We provide actionable insights to address workplace challenges faced by business owners and CEOs, offering valuable solutions to our discerning audience.

  1. Unlocking LinkedIn’s Potential: Leadership Beyond the Basics with Daniel Alfon

    01/15/2025

    Unlocking LinkedIn’s Potential: Leadership Beyond the Basics with Daniel Alfon

    “Start with leadership, not the tool. LinkedIn is just a way to amplify your strengths.” – Daniel Alfond   Episode Summary: 🌟 What does it take to lead authentically in today’s digital world? In this episode, LinkedIn expert Daniel Alfond joins us to discuss how leaders can align their leadership style with their online presence for maximum impact. From embracing resilience and tenacity to leveraging LinkedIn as a powerful tool for growth, Daniel shares valuable insights that will leave you inspired to take your leadership to the next level. 🎧 Tune in now and discover how to authentically connect and grow in both the digital and real worlds.   About Daniel Alfon: Daniel Alfon is the author of Build a LinkedIn Profile for Business Success. Daniel joined LinkedIn in early 2004 and publishes Articles, interviews, and exclusive content about advanced LinkedIn strategies to clients and subscribers to his website, www.danielalfon.com .   In this episode: [2:16] A Competitive Intelligence Analyst summarizes the market situation to predict trends and recommend actions to change the company’s market position.[2:56] SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats[5:12] Scenario planning: a form of strategic foresight in which organizations consider a variety of possible or probable futures. Scenarios are not forecasts or predictions. Instead, they describe potential events and their likely impact on an organization.[8:37] Parent’s Leadership Principle: Be able to face anything with mental strength (resilience) and tenacity.[12:40] LinkedIn is a tool. Leaders must master leadership before using the tool to train them.[17:02] Action Items  Today’s Action Items: Networking and staying in touch with key influencers.Understand your client’s path to working with you. Is it convenient? Is their next step user-friendly? Is it easy to find you?Focus on employees and recognize their performance.Get a free PDF of today’s action items! Podcast Action Items - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)   Resources: SWOT analysis  Connect with Daniel Alfon: DanielAlfon.comdanielalfon@gmail.com  Connect with Ted Davis: Website - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)LinkedIn - Ted DavisFacebook - Ted DavisInstagram - @tedavisgrace     Podcast management and production by Jazzy at Premier Podcast Promotions

    20 min
  2. From Content Creation to Generative AI: Mastering Digital Storytelling with Harrison Roberts

    10/30/2024

    From Content Creation to Generative AI: Mastering Digital Storytelling with Harrison Roberts

    "Generative AI is transforming the content industry and making high-quality production accessible for everyone." - Harrison Roberts   Episode Summary: How is Generative AI changing the creative industry? In this episode, Harrison Roberts shares his journey through the evolving landscape of digital content creation and AI. He explains the importance of trust in leadership, the practical use of generative AI, and how the right mindset and principles can drive both personal and professional growth.   About Harrison Roberts: Harrison Roberts is the Founder and CEO of EDIFITS and Knockdown Post, bringing a unique blend of Hollywood production expertise and HR tech innovation. With a background spanning high-end content production and employee benefits education, Harrison is passionate about transforming corporate communication and empowering consumers through customized video solutions. His companies, including Riotmaker.tv, specialize in video production, editing, and VFX, guided by a commitment to exceptional service, transparency, and efficiency. Whether simplifying HR tech with AI or enhancing brand storytelling, Harrison’s work centers around making complex information accessible and impactful.   In this episode: [3:30] Transitioning from traditional media production to AI-powered content creation.[6:20] The role of trust and integrity in a remote team setting.[12:00] Digital storytelling and why experience matters more than ever in media.[14:30] Practical applications of generative AI in content creation.[28:00] How the evolving tech landscape will impact the future of jobs and creativity.[33:00] Action Items.  Today’s Action Items: Take control of your health: both your mental and physical health are important aspect to maintaining a balanced lifestyle.Confront your fears: Conquering your fears proves to yourself you have the capacity to conquer more than you thought and conquering your first fear will lead to conquering more and eliminating that baggage so you can be more engaged and present.Be nice to yourself: if you do right by yourself you will do better for your company.Get a free PDF of today’s action items! Podcast Action Items - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)    Recommended Reading: Seven Habits of Highly Successful PeopleSpeed of Trust Stephen CoveyThe Art of War by Sun Tzu48 Laws of Power by Robert GreeneThe Experience Economy by Joe Pine and Jim GilmorePositivity by Barbara Fredrickson  Resources: Clifton Strengths AssessmentVIA Character Strengths SurveyExecutive Health Blogs — Executive Health  Connect with Harrison Roberts: https://www.executivehealth.io/https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianhayesii/  Connect with Ted Davis: Website - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)LinkedIn - Ted DavisFacebook - Ted DavisInstagram - @tedavisgrace     Podcast management and production by Jazzy at Premier Podcast Promotions

    34 min
  3. Accelerating Leadership: Merging Culture, Accountability, and Decision-Making with Jurriaan Kamer

    10/09/2024

    Accelerating Leadership: Merging Culture, Accountability, and Decision-Making with Jurriaan Kamer

    “A process is what's visible above the surface, a set of agreements about how things should work in the organization. Ultimately, it's a behavior shift of both the teams and the leaders that are involved so that teams take ownership when they want to and are able to, and leaders let go a little bit more.” - Jurriaan Kamer   Episode Summary: Transform your leadership with insights from Jurriaan Kamer, a Dutch organizational change expert! 🚀 In this episode, Ted and Jurriaan delve into the power of aligned autonomy, servant leadership, and the secret formulas to developing a thriving, cohesive organization. Discover strategies that can accelerate your organization and empower your teams to achieve more, faster. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, this conversation is packed with invaluable tips to help you cultivate a thriving organization. Don’t miss it!   About Jurriaan Kamer: Jurriaan is a Dutch organizational change expert focused on applying modern methods to unblock organizations and improve their outcomes. 💡 Expertise Jurriaan helps leaders make more impact by eliminating ineffective strategy, pointless meetings, bureaucratic structures, and slow decision-making. He has been in and around the most radical and adaptive organizations globally, including ones without managers and high levels of autonomy. 🏢 His work Over the last decade, Jurriaan has worked as a speaker, author, and consultant. He co-founded Unblock, a modern management consultancy that works with leaders worldwide. 🏎️💨 Formula 1 book Jurriaan's first book, the business fable Formula X, 'How to Reach Extreme Acceleration in Your Organization,' is inspired by the fast-moving, fast-innovating world of Formula 1 motor racing. Forbes named it one of the "five must-read books for today's uncertain market." 📚 New book: Unblock He has just released his second book, "Unblock: Clear the Way for Results and Develop a Thriving Organization," a practical guide for leaders who want an organization with more ownership, faster decisions, fewer meetings, and less bureaucracy, leading to significantly better outcomes.   In this episode: [3:00] Shifting from IT to organizational leadership and the desire to solve problems.[5:50] Balancing team support with organizational goals.[7:40] Aligned autonomy: an environment where teams have the autonomy of decision-making and self-organization, aligned with an awareness and understanding provided by leadership.[9:00] "Formula X" and understanding organizational acceleration.[12:30] Why accountability and reflection are essential for continuous improvement.[15:00] Changing the hierarchical management structure for organizational success.[19:00] Building an overarching culture and implementing processes for effective organizational change.[21:00] The difference between leaders and managers.[27:00] Action items   Today’s Action Items: Develop strong habits for reflection with your team.Let team members choose what they want to contribute and open doors for more engagement.Distinguish your decisions and accelerate your decision-making.Get a free PDF of today’s action items! Podcast Action Items - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)    Recommended Reading: Formula X: How do We Reach Extreme Acceleration in Your Organizations by Jurriaan KamerUnblock: Clear the Way for Results and Develop a Thriving Organization by Jurriaan KamerDeath by Meeting: A Leadership Fable about Solving the Most Painful Problem in Business by Patrick Lencioni  Connect with Jurriaan Kamer: Jurriaan Kamer  Connect with Ted Davis: Website - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)LinkedIn - Ted DavisFacebook - Ted DavisInstagram - @tedavisgrace     Podcast management and production by Jazzy at Premier Podcast Promotions

    31 min
  4. Transforming Constraints into Opportunities with Chad Brown

    09/18/2024

    Transforming Constraints into Opportunities with Chad Brown

    “[George Washington] saw some of these constraints as opportunities, as what's going to actually get us to success. And then he influenced a whole group of people who think the whole thing's done. And he led them to a different mindset, led them to a different belief about what they're up against.” - Chad Brown   Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, Chad Brown—founder and coach—shares his journey of building a successful business while maintaining a family-focused life. Chad reflects on his own struggles with sacrificing health and family during his business’s rapid growth and how a coach helped him transform his mindset. He now helps other founders identify and reframe constraints as opportunities for growth. Throughout the episode, Chad highlights how a leader's mindset directly impacts their team’s success and can help foster creativity and new solutions. Whether you're leading a small business or a growing team, this episode will inspire you to shift your perspective on challenges and empower those around you.   In this episode: [2:40] Deciding between staying stagnant or scaling: how to grow your business without sacrificing balance in life.[6:15] Gaining a clear understanding of your constraints: the first step to transforming them into opportunities.[7:20] How shifting your mindset changes your approach to challenges.[8:25] The difference between restraints and constraints and why it matters.[10:00] Questioning your beliefs about your limitations.[11:05] Adding play and creativity back into work.[11:50] How a leader’s beliefs shape the mindset of their team.[13:20] Historical examples of leaders who turned adversity into success.[15:30] Turning feelings of despair into creativity.[16:25] How your team views constraints—and why it’s crucial to understand their perspective.[17:40] Practical action items to start transforming your constraints today.   Today’s Action Items: Name the constraint: be very specific and get clarity on what the constraint is.Exaggerate the constraint: By making the constraint bigger than you expect it to be you can face it with an open mind. Make the constraint 10x bigger to take your creativity and ideas for problem solving to new heights!Get creative. Brainstorm ideas. Nothing is off the table, throw out all your ideas good and bad until you have enough to form a solid plan.BONUS: Listen to the way your people talk about constraints: understanding their tone of thinking early on will help you address it.Get a free PDF of today’s action items! Podcast Action Items - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)   Connect with Ted Davis: Website - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)LinkedIn - Ted DavisFacebook - Ted DavisInstagram - @tedavisgrace     Podcast management and production by Jazzy at Premier Podcast Promotions

    21 min
  5. Finding Happiness and Beyond: Simplified Emotional Intelligence with Rebeccah Silence

    08/15/2024

    Finding Happiness and Beyond: Simplified Emotional Intelligence with Rebeccah Silence

    “If we are measuring success exclusively based on external factors, it’s never going to be enough to validate how well you’re doing or how secure you are in business.” - Rebeccah Silence “Healing to me is freedom. When we are emotionally sound and healed, we are free.” - Rebeccah Silence   Episode Summary: In this episode, we sit down with Rebeccah Silence, a renowned emotional success coach, who shares her inspiring journey of overcoming adversity and finding profound emotional healing. Rebeccah highlights the critical role of coping skills and emotional regulation in achieving sustained success, particularly for business leaders. She offers invaluable insights on how to become emotionally healthy, self-aware, and self-motivated, emphasizing that emotions are not obstacles but vital sources of information and guidance.   Rebeccah also shares a powerful success story of a client who transformed both her life and career by prioritizing emotional well-being. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their emotional intelligence and leadership capabilities.   About Rebeccah Silence: Rebeccah Silence is not just changing lives; she's redefining family happiness for audiences around the world. As an award winning author, coach and media personality, her mission is clear and deeply achievable: to ensure every child grows up with healed, joyful parents, and every couple discovers a love that's not just sustainable but blissfully transformative. Through her unparalleled expertise in healing generational trauma, Rebeccah turns the dream of a harmonious, love-filled home into an accessible everyday reality. Her own story of resilience and triumph and 16 years of success stories assures you that profound, lasting happiness isn't just possible - it's within reach. Learn more about her transformative work at rebeccahsilence.com.   In this episode: 5:00 Going beyond your past to create the future you desire.6:30 Empowered leadership: leaving a ripple not measuring impact.9:30 Becoming self-aware and mastering your emotions.10:40 The practice of emotional healing.12:00 The problem with positivity.14:30 The difference between emotions and feelings.20:15 Relationship regulation.22:00 A real-life example of how to find happiness by connecting with your emotions.24:50 Action items.   Today’s Action Items: Clarify your needs, wants, and feelings:  Are you aware of what you need? What you want? How do you feel?Communicate: Vulnerability in business is your superpower. Share your needs, wants, and feelings with your team.Help others gain clarity: What does your team need? What does your team want? How do they feel? Give them the opportunity to be seen and heard and their respect for you will grow.Get a free PDF of today’s action items! Podcast Action Items - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)    Recommended Reading: Positivity by Barbara Fredrickson    Connect with Rebeccah Silence: About (rebeccahsilence.com)    Connect with Ted Davis: Website - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)LinkedIn - Ted DavisFacebook - Ted DavisInstagram - @tedavisgrace     Podcast management and production by Jazzy at Premier Podcast Promotions

    28 min
  6. Bridging the Gap: The Intersection of Wellness, Business, and Leadership with Julian Hayes

    08/07/2024

    Bridging the Gap: The Intersection of Wellness, Business, and Leadership with Julian Hayes

    “Just like the human body is full of systems and they're all interconnected. It's the same thing with our day-to-day life.” - Julian Hayes “It’s not just about the salary anymore. It’s about the quality of life.” - Julian Hayes   Episode Summary:  What does optimal health look like to you? This week, join Julian Hayes, the founder of Executive Health, as he and Ted explore the critical role of health and wellness for CEOs and business leaders. He advocates for a holistic approach to well-being that encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Julian underscores the adverse effects of neglecting one's health on leadership effectiveness and overall well-being. He provides actionable advice for improving health, such as establishing personal values and principles, understanding the importance and stakes of self-care, and performing a thorough health assessment.   About Julian Hayes: Julian Hayes II is the founder of Executive Health, a boutique executive wellness consultancy. His consultancy helps forward-thinking and mission-driven CEOs, entrepreneurs, and other business leaders achieve world-class health and assists organizations in creating a culture of sustained optimal performance. As a Forbes CEO Network contributor, Julian writes weekly about the intersection of wellness, business, and leadership. He has authored over 300 articles in top publications such as Inc., Entrepreneur, SUCCESS, and many more. Additionally, he's the host of the Executive Health & Life podcast.   In this episode: 5:10 A love of learning6:00 The negative consequences of neglecting your health in the pursuit of business.7:00 The effect of poor health on your brain activity.11:10 Leading with a mind of connectedness and systematic thinking.12:15 endless reinvention14:15 How can artificial intelligence benefit CEOs, leaders, and decision-makers in the workplace.16:30 Applying a mixture of soft skills and science to determine why an individual is struggling18:20 Whole person leadership: connecting dreams and ambition.16:15 Action items   Today’s Action Items: Create a set of values, a mission, and principles: what's your personal well-being philosophy? What's your mission for good health and fitness? What does optimal health look like to you? What does it feel like?Create stakes and reasons why: Why must you take care of your health? Why must I eat well? Why must I mitigate my stress? Why must I sleep and do all these other different health behaviors?Create a health audit and an assessment of yourself: develop your baseline, identify markers and determine where you are today.Get a free PDF of today’s action items! Podcast Action Items - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)   Resources: Clifton Strengths AssessmentVIA Character Strengths SurveyExecutive Health Blogs — Executive Health    Connect with Julian Hayes: https://www.executivehealth.io/https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianhayesii/    Connect with Ted Davis: Website - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)LinkedIn - Ted DavisFacebook - Ted DavisInstagram - @tedavisgrace     Podcast management and production by Jazzy at Premier Podcast Promotions

    27 min
  7. Harmonizing Grace and Truth in Leadership

    07/30/2024

    Harmonizing Grace and Truth in Leadership

    “Effective communication is always about shared understanding, not necessarily shared agreement.” - Ted Davis   Episode Summary: How do grace and truth apply to leadership? This week, your host delves into the concept of leadership and how it relates to grace and truth. Ted shares the background of his company  Grace Strategic Services, and how he came up with the name for his company and explains the importance of grace and truth in leadership. Ted explores the behaviors that makeup grace, such as empathy, kindness, patience, poise, and humility, and the attributes of truth, including honesty, transparency, integrity, and accountability. Using case studies and real-life examples, Ted emphasizes the need to harmonize grace and truth in leadership.   In this episode: 2:20 The history and foundation of Grace Strategic Services.3:50 Leadership as a relationship.4:20 The definition of grace and truth: the relationship vs the facts.5:30 The 5 dyads of grace.11:00 The 3 dyads of truth.14:30 Blending grace and truth: a visual representation of the spectrum of grace and truth.18:30 Case study #1 on applying a blend of grace and truth.20:00 Case study #2 on applying a blend of grace and truth.21:50 Action items.  Today’s Action Items: Develop an attitude of gratitude to blend grace and truth.Read “The Five Graces of Life and Leadership” by Gary Burnison.Read the article “This May be the Most Powerful Trait of Great Leaders” on the crowdspring website.Get a free PDF of today’s action items! Podcast Action Items - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)    Recommended Reading: The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes/PosnerGood to Great by James CollinsThe Five Graces of Life and Leadership by Gary Burnison  Resources:  This May Be The Most Powerful Trait Of Great Leaders - crowdspring Blog  Connect with Ted Davis: Website - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)LinkedIn - Ted DavisFacebook - Ted DavisInstagram - @tedavisgrace   Podcast management and production by Jazzy at Premier Podcast Promotions

    25 min
  8. Getting a Return on Talent Investment: The Power of One with Ginine Capozzi

    06/25/2024

    Getting a Return on Talent Investment: The Power of One with Ginine Capozzi

    “I'm a firm believer in the power of companies investing in their people and really working with them because I truly believe that it is the people in any organization that differentiates it from the rest.” - Ginine Capozzi   Episode Summary: Harness the power of one and unleash your knowledge force to drive change and develop talent management! Ginine Capozzi shares her expert insights on understanding and measuring your return on talent investment.    About Ginine Capozzi: As president and founder of KnowledgeForce Consulting LLC, Ginine Capozzi is a hands-on leader who pushes the boundaries of training excellence. Ginine is well-versed in the science of adult learning and change management and applies her business insights in all aspects of her work. With over 15 years of industry experience, her expertise is focused on making a difference by co-creating learning at the intersection of business and people’s needs. In 2012 she started KnowledgeForce Consulting to develop learning solutions that power businesses and help her clients expand their people’s knowledge, skills, and real-world experiences to create sustained change. Throughout her career, Ginine has held a variety of roles in education and training including, high school teacher, college professor, training facilitator, instructional designer, learning solutions architect, professional coach, and business owner. She has worked with over 75 organizations, many of which are part of the US Fortune 500. She holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) from Rochester Institute of Technology in Printing Management and Packaging Science, and a Master of Education Degree (M.Ed.) in Career and Technical Education with a concentration in Adult Education from Buffalo State College.  Ginine is certified in Articulate Storyline, Hogan Assessments, HBDI® Assessments, Whole Brain® Thinking, Sententia Gamification Level 1, The B❒X Experience, and Professional CoActive Coach.   In this episode: 4:00 The formula for effective talent development.5:45 Strategically developing in talent management.6:25 Implementing intentional training to reengage and support employees.7:00 Aligning the business goals with development opportunities.10:30 The “Power of One” conversations - one idea and one action.12:50 Never underestimate the power one person can make (Action Item 1).15:50 How to measure the  ROTI™ (Return On Talent Investment) (Action Item 2).17:45 Questions for a quick evaluation of your strategies and systems.19:50 Action item 3 - Engaging with your employees.   Today’s Action Items: Leveraging the Power of One to Change Everything: 1 conversation, 1 idea, and 1 action at a time. Learn how to measure the ROTI™ (Return On Talent Investment).Engage with your employees, new and old, to develop your educational content.Get a free PDF of today’s action items! Podcast Action Items - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)    Recommended Reading: Atomic Habits by James ClearSuper Communicators by Charles Duhigg  Connect with Ginine Capozzi: https://www.gininecapozzi.com/KnowledgeForceConsulting.com  Connect with Ted Davis: Website - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)LinkedIn - Ted DavisFacebook - Ted DavisInstagram - @tedavisgrace     Podcast management and production by Jazzy at Premier Podcast Promotions

    27 min

About

The Strategic Edge podcast aims to inform, instruct, and inspire leaders by delving into leadership models and theories. We provide actionable insights to address workplace challenges faced by business owners and CEOs, offering valuable solutions to our discerning audience.