The Brilliant Business Podcast

Dan Jacobs
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We get under the hood with business owners, operators, and strategists to understand what really makes organisations work in the real world, not just in theory. These are practical, experience-led conversations about leadership, systems, people, and decision-making. How good businesses are built, how they scale without breaking, and how founders move from carrying everything in their head to running something robust, profitable, and sustainable. If you’re responsible and interested in people, productivity, outcomes, and results, then this podcast is for you.

Episodes

  1. Why Being Great at Your Job Isn’t Enough Anymore (And What to Build Instead)

    3D AGO

    Why Being Great at Your Job Isn’t Enough Anymore (And What to Build Instead)

    In this episode of The Brilliant Business Podcast, I sit down with Petra Zink – brand and business growth strategist, founder of impaCCCt, and the360Talent.co, and creator of the Trusted Authority™ Framework – to unpack what it really takes to stand out as a consultant and leader in the age of AI. We dive into how to systemise and monetise your intellectual property, turn your experience into authority assets, and position yourself as the go‑to expert rather than just another smart operator competing on billable hours. You’ll hear why trust is now the ultimate currency – built through human connection, stories, and consistency, not logos and slogans – and why AI can accelerate your work but can’t replace your judgment, context, or emotional intelligence. Petra explains the shift from “cultural fit” to cultural contribution, how diverse thinking improves decision‑making, and why psychological safety is non‑negotiable for high‑performing teams. We also tackle the confidence and positioning challenges many women in leadership and consulting face, and how to reframe your value so organisations recognise and pay for the outcomes you create. If you’re a consultant, founder, or leader who wants to future‑proof your career, build a trusted personal brand, and stay relevant as technology and business models evolve, this conversation is a practical, honest playbook. What we cover: How to turn expertise into authority assets and scalable offers Positioning yourself as the go‑to in your niche, not a replaceable expert Where AI helps (and where only humans should decide) Cultural fit vs cultural contribution in modern organisations Diversity of thought and better decision‑making Psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and real‑world leadership Why many women underestimate their value – and how to change that Listen now if you’re ready to stop trading time for money, build real authority, and lead with both strategy and humanity. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Authority Assets 02:52 The Importance of Positioning in Consulting 05:24 Building Trust and Authority 08:08 The Role of AI in Consulting 10:34 The Value of Human Judgment 13:20 The Trusted Authority Framework 15:52 Identifying Talent and Skills 18:38 Cultural Fit vs. Cultural Contribution 21:08 Navigating Change and Adaptability 23:15 The Role of Women in Leadership 25:59 Maintaining Trust in Organisations 28:07 The Importance of Diversity in Thought 30:15 Psychological Safety in Teams 32:23 Decision-Making as a Meta Skill 34:48 Emotional Intelligence in Leadership 37:41 Reinventing Yourself 39:50 Framework Fridays and Skill Stacking 42:15 Building a Personal Brand 45:11 The Role of Branding vs. Marketing 46:58 Sustaining Culture During Transitions 49:02 Conclusion and Key Takeaways About Petra Petra Zink is a leadership and business strategy advisor to founders and business owners navigating growth, transition, and succession. She operates across two companies: impaCCCt, where she helps founders and executives turn what they know into brands, offers, and influence that drive business growth — and The360Talent.Co, where she helps put the right leaders in place so businesses can scale beyond the founder. Through her Trusted Authority™ framework, Petra helps founders move from expert to go-to — turning experience into influence others can carry across teams, clients, and future leaders. About Dan Dan Jacobs is a business builder, founder, and host of The Brilliant Business Podcast. Dan believes that we can make the world a better place by helping small businesses succeed. He is the founder of ⁠Buybill⁠, a platform designed to give small businesses access to big-business operational capability. Follow Dan on ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Music track: Rock Me Now by Pufino Source: https://freetouse.com/music

    1h 13m
  2. Suicide Is a Workplace Issue: Why Culture, Language, and Leadership Matter - with Caroline Roodhouse

    FEB 10

    Suicide Is a Workplace Issue: Why Culture, Language, and Leadership Matter - with Caroline Roodhouse

    Caroline is a best-selling author, speaker and advocate transforming how we talk about suicide, grief and healing. After losing her husband to suicide in 2018, she turned personal tragedy into a mission rooted in hope, honesty and humanity. Through her book Daddy Blackbird, she shares life-saving messages that create space for honest, healing conversations. A Strategic Communications and Wellbeing Specialist, and author of the British Standard’s First Steps Guide to Suicide and the Workplace, Caroline helps organisations build emotionally intelligent, human-centred cultures. A mother of two, she leads with empathy, courage and connection. Her message is clear: how we speak saves lives. You can get in touch with Caroline here: Caroline's LinkedIn www.daddyblackbird.com Caroline's book is on Amazon (a must read for anyone interested in wellbeing and mental health) Daddy Blackbird's LinkedIn Link to: The British Standard's 30480 Suicide and the Workplace: A Practical First Steps Guide to Support Summary In this conversation, Caroline Roodhouse shares her journey from personal tragedy to becoming an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention in the workplace. She discusses the importance of creating empathetic work environments, the role of communication in supporting employees, and the need for organisations to proactively address mental health issues. Caroline emphasises the significance of acknowledgment, the impact of workplace culture on mental health, and the necessity of implementing strategies for prevention and postvention. She also highlights the importance of changing the language around suicide and providing practical support for those grieving a loss. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Caroline Roodhouse and Her Mission 02:47 The Impact of Workplace Culture on Mental Health 05:18 Creating a Supportive Work Environment 07:50 Empathy vs. Productivity in the Workplace 10:11 The Role of Acknowledgment in Employee Wellbeing 12:46 Bringing Your Whole Self to Work 14:18 Proactive Approaches to Suicide Prevention 17:12 The Importance of Leadership in Mental Health 19:49 Legislation and Duty of Care in Mental Health 22:15 Understanding Postvention and Its Importance 25:42 The Importance of Employee Well-being 28:58 Changing the Language Around Suicide 32:49 Supporting Grief and Loss 36:07 Reaching In: Practical Support for Those in Grief 38:05 The Value of Lived Experience in Business 40:21 Advice for Entrepreneurs with Lived Experience 42:47 Implementing Mental Health Standards in Organisations If you need to speak to someone about the way you’re feeling, contact one of the services below or your local equivalent: 🤲 Find help local to you using the Hub of Hope from Chasing the Stigma 🤲 Call Samaritans on 116 123 🤲 Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 from Shout UK 🤲 United for Global Mental Health is a global services and support finder 🤲 Attend a local #ANDYSMANCLUB group (there are nearly 300 free groups nationally) 🤲 The Jordan Legacy CIC offers excellent support and signposting 🤲 Explore the resources available from Campaign Against Living Miserably 🤲 Speak Their Name CIO is a space that helps people in the UK bereaved by suicide 🤲 Find peer-to-peer support through Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide 🤲 Visit Suicide&Co for resources to help navigate suicide-related grief About Dan Dan Jacobs is a business builder, founder, and host of The Brilliant Business Podcast. Dan believes that we can make the world a better place by helping small businesses succeed. He is the founder of ⁠Buybill⁠, a platform designed to give small businesses access to big-business operational capability. You can follow Dan on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ for practical insights on building brilliant, sustainable businesses. Music track: Rock Me Now by Pufino Source: https://freetouse.com/music

    48 min
  3. Davide Pagnotta - Why Company Culture, Not Skills, Determines Your Team’s Success

    FEB 4

    Davide Pagnotta - Why Company Culture, Not Skills, Determines Your Team’s Success

    Summary In this episode, Dan Jacobs interviews Davide Pagnotta, CEO and founder of Wise Humanity about the critical role of interpersonal relationships in the workplace. Davide shares his personal experiences with corporate culture, emphasising how a lack of emotional intelligence and poor communication can lead to catastrophic outcomes, such as the bankruptcy of a company that he worked at. He discusses the importance of creating a supportive environment where team members feel safe to express dissenting opinions and how this can lead to higher productivity and better decision-making. Davide also introduces the concept of 'radical empathy,' which encourages leaders to understand the motivations behind their team members' actions, and thereby foster a culture of accountability and growth rather than blame. Keywords workplace culture, emotional intelligence, team dynamics, radical empathy, leadership, interpersonal relationships, high-performing teams, corporate training, Wise Humanity Get in touch with Davide here: email: davide@wisehumanity.com web: https://www.wisehumanity.com You can follow Davide on: LinkedIn. Takeaways Bad interpersonal relationships can ruin a company.The environment influences individual behaviour significantly.Radical empathy means understanding that everyone does their best with the tools they have. Sound bites "We show up depending on the system around us." "How do you bring out the best in individuals?" "The more engaged teams are also more productive." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to David Pagnotta and Wise Humanity 01:04 The Impact of Corporate Culture on Team Dynamics 04:22 The Role of HR in Team Interactions 08:16 Creating a Happy Workplace 10:42 Measuring Team Dynamics and Decision-Making 15:01 The Importance of Dissent in Teams 17:02 Aligning Company Vision with Team Behavior 20:23 Finding the Right Mix of Team Personalities 24:08 Addressing Ego in Leadership 28:47 Understanding Imposter Syndrome and Its Effects 31:55 The Role of Comparison in Personal Growth 35:21 Equipping Leaders to Accept Challenges 35:57 Rethinking Meeting Objectives 37:32 The Role of Leadership in Team Dynamics 39:45 Understanding Team Purpose and Vision 41:25 The Importance of Team Responsibility 44:38 Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety 49:35 Learning from Mistakes: Systemic Analysis 52:01 Work-Life Harmony vs. Work-Life Balance 56:23 Improving Team Performance: Self-Awareness and External Help 01:00:56 Radical Empathy in Leadership About Dan Dan Jacobs is a business builder, founder, and host of The Brilliant Business Podcast. Dan believes that we can make the world a better place by helping small businesses succeed. He is the founder of ⁠Buybill⁠, a platform designed to give small businesses access to big-business operational capability. You can follow Dan on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ for practical insights on building brilliant, sustainable businesses. Music track: Rock Me Now by Pufino Source: https://freetouse.com/music

    1h 8m

  4. FEB 4

    The Power of Purpose: Why It Changes Everything in Business

    In this episode of the Brilliant Business Podcast, Dan Jacobs discusses the critical importance of having a clear mission and purpose in business. He emphasises that while many companies understand their basic functions, a deeper, aspirational mission sets them apart from competitors. Dan highlights the challenges small businesses face and the need for accessible resources to help them thrive. He also shares insights from successful founders, the significance of articulating purpose for employee engagement, and the practical steps organizations can take to implement a meaningful mission. Takeaways Having a clear mission is crucial for differentiation. Small businesses face significant challenges in today's economy, but help is at hand.Purpose-driven organisations tend to have more engaged employees.Articulating a mission can enhance customer loyalty.Purpose motivates teams to overcome challenges.Employees seek meaning in their work beyond financial compensation.Defining purpose is a free and accessible process for organisations.A strong mission can serve as a marketing advantage.Leadership plays a key role in implementing a company's purpose. Chapters 00:00 Insights from Successful Founders 00:57 Articulating Purpose and Vision 06:55 The Role of Purpose in Employee Engagement 09:29 Implementing Purpose in Organisations About Dan Dan Jacobs is a business builder, founder, and host of The Brilliant Business Podcast. Dan believes that we can make the world a better place by helping small businesses succeed. He is the founder of Buybill, a platform designed to give small businesses access to big-business operational capability.You can follow Dan on LinkedIn for practical insights on building brilliant, sustainable businesses. Music track: Rock Me Now by Pufino Source: https://freetouse.com/music

    10 min

  5. SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

    Intro - the show for business builders

    In a world where small businesses face mounting obstacles, from regulatory hurdles to economic uncertainty, the stories of those who’ve made it offer invaluable lessons. Dan Jacobs dives deep with diverse entrepreneurs, revealing the raw, reality behind their journeys. You'll get an under the hood look at what it takes to build a brilliant business in today's economy. You’ll discover: The common pitfalls founders wish they knew before starting upInsights from specialists in their field giving you consultancy level insights to help your business growReal behind-the-scenes stories that tell the human story of how people have built their businessesPractical resources to help you avoid costly mistakes and accelerate your progressIf you’re a small business owner feeling the pressure, or a founder eager to learn from real experiences, this episode is your blueprint for resilience. Perfect for entrepreneurs, small business leaders, and anyone determined to succeed against the odds. Hit play and get inspired to push through your own barriers with stories that prove resilience is the most valuable asset.

    4 min

Trailer

About

We get under the hood with business owners, operators, and strategists to understand what really makes organisations work in the real world, not just in theory. These are practical, experience-led conversations about leadership, systems, people, and decision-making. How good businesses are built, how they scale without breaking, and how founders move from carrying everything in their head to running something robust, profitable, and sustainable. If you’re responsible and interested in people, productivity, outcomes, and results, then this podcast is for you.

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