The High Performance Herd

David Quick

Welcome to The High-Performance Herd, where CEOs and founders learn to multiply impact without multiplying hours. I'm David Quick—I've been in the CEO seat three times and coached over 1,500 leaders through the messy reality of scaling teams and building high-performing cultures. This podcast features peer conversations with business leaders navigating real challenges: being the bottleneck where everything runs through you, managing disconnected leadership teams, working unsustainable hours, or leading teams that need constant direction. We explore how to transition from overextended operator to empowered leader, build teams that perform without micromanagement, and create the leverage that lets you thrive instead of just survive. No guru nonsense—just honest conversations between bulls who've been in the arena. Whether you're scaling from founder-led sales to a real team, struggling with misaligned leaders, or wondering if there's a better way than working 70-hour weeks, you'll find practical frameworks and real stories from leaders who've found their path. This is The High-Performance Herd.

  1. 2d ago

    SE01 E35 Stop Chasing Targets and Start Building Belief | Daniil Kurilov

    Every great brand begins with a leader who believes it can be done, and Daniil Kurilov, CEO at Noblewood USA, proves that belief and a clear plan can build a luxury legacy. On High Performance Heard, David Quick explores how Beluga Vodka grew from a small team into a rising luxury name. 🎯 Belief Before ResultsWhy a clear vision and visible wins turn doubt into momentum.🏔️ The Igloo Bar GambitAn Alpine pop up that put luxury brand building on a global stage.🍸 Cocktail Placement Wins the RoomThe on premise sales strategy behind a caviar martini.🌍 Three Cultures, One LeaderLeadership across cultures, from P&G to the CEO chair. You can get in touch with here on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniilkurilov/ Website: https://noblewoodspirits.com/ I hope you enjoyed this episode of The High-Performance Herd!– David and The High-Performance Herd Podcast team :) Connect with me: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-quick-leadership-coaching/ Listen to The High-Performance Herd on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jjo3iCYhMkK7OSnPc19SEApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-high-performance-herd/id1874589807Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/712017ad-55b4-427e-8c88-4942bfb5f1ad #HighPerformanceHerd #DavidQuick #LeadershipCoaching #CEOCoaching #ExecutiveLeadership #ScalingBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamPerformance #CEOBurnout #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipStrategy #FounderJourney #TeamAlignment #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadershipThe High-Performance Herd is a podcast for CEOs and founders who refuse to sacrifice everything for success. Hosted by David Quick, an executive coach who's been in the CEO seat three times and coached over 1,500 leaders, each episode features candid peer conversations with business leaders navigating the messy reality of scaling teams, building high-performing cultures, and leading without burning out.David brings a bull's perspective to leadership—focused on multiplying impact without multiplying hours, building teams that perform without constant direction, and thriving rather than just surviving. Whether you're a bottleneck CEO where everything runs through you, managing a disconnected leadership team, or working 60-70 hour weeks wondering if there's a better way, this podcast delivers practical insights from leaders who've found their path from overextended operator to empowered leader.

  2. Oct 22

    SE01 E34 Radical Candor Is the Missing Piece in Leadership | Sean Farrell

    Leaders who refuse to get comfortable build teams that keep growing. Sean Farrell, CEO of Quality Data Systems, shows you how to do it. This episode covers leadership lessons from sports, family business succession, talent development, emotional intelligence and radical candor. Learn how to build a high performing team, scale a family business, implement processes for sustainable growth and shape a faith based company culture. Discover how to lead a family business transition, develop talent in business and apply a sports mindset to business growth. 📌 0:00 Leading from the front builds trust📌 28:07 An allergy to complacency drives lasting growth📌 33:58 Family succession succeeds when relationships come first📌 52:35 Documented processes make sustainable scaling possible📌 01:00:28 A faith based culture attracts people and clients You can connect with Sean Farrell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-o-farrell/Website: https://www.qualitydatasystems.com/ As banks and credit unions automate branches, the leaders who pair strong processes with strong character will shape what comes next. I hope you enjoyed this episode of The High-Performance Herd!– David and The High-Performance Herd Podcast team :) Connect with me: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-quick-leadership-coaching/ Listen to The High-Performance Herd on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jjo3iCYhMkK7OSnPc19SEApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-high-performance-herd/id1874589807Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/712017ad-55b4-427e-8c88-4942bfb5f1ad #HighPerformanceHerd #DavidQuick #LeadershipCoaching #CEOCoaching #ExecutiveLeadership #ScalingBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamPerformance #CEOBurnout #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipStrategy #FounderJourney #TeamAlignment #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadershipThe High-Performance Herd is a podcast for CEOs and founders who refuse to sacrifice everything for success. Hosted by David Quick, an executive coach who's been in the CEO seat three times and coached over 1,500 leaders, each episode features candid peer conversations with business leaders navigating the messy reality of scaling teams, building high-performing cultures, and leading without burning out.David brings a bull's perspective to leadership—focused on multiplying impact without multiplying hours, building teams that perform without constant direction, and thriving rather than just surviving. Whether you're a bottleneck CEO where everything runs through you, managing a disconnected leadership team, or working 60-70 hour weeks wondering if there's a better way, this podcast delivers practical insights from leaders who've found their path from overextended operator to empowered leader.

  3. Sep 24

    SE01E30 Culture Beats Money: Why Top Talent Comes Back | Reza Mirza

    High performing teams beat bigger budgets, and Reza Mirza of Icelandic Glacial proves it. He grew a five million dollar water brand from a Culver City storefront into a top three import through leadership, company culture and fearless debate. Learn how to build a high performing team and how to scale a company without burning cash. 🔹 Giants Fall Slowly: How to compete against bigger brands🔹 Sparkle In The Eye: How to hire A players🔹 Disagree And Commit: Building a culture of trust and transparency🔹 The Cheapest CEO: Financial stewardship for scaling a business Founders, CEOs and rising leaders scaling a business: this conversation is your unfair advantage. You can get in touch with here on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reza-mirza-430107/Website: https://icelandicglacial.com I hope you enjoyed this episode of The High-Performance Herd!– David and The High-Performance Herd Podcast team :) Connect with me: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-quick-leadership-coaching/ Listen to The High-Performance Herd on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jjo3iCYhMkK7OSnPc19SEApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-high-performance-herd/id1874589807Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/712017ad-55b4-427e-8c88-4942bfb5f1ad #HighPerformanceHerd #DavidQuick #LeadershipCoaching #CEOCoaching #ExecutiveLeadership #ScalingBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamPerformance #CEOBurnout #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipStrategy #FounderJourney #TeamAlignment #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadershipThe High-Performance Herd is a podcast for CEOs and founders who refuse to sacrifice everything for success. Hosted by David Quick, an executive coach who's been in the CEO seat three times and coached over 1,500 leaders, each episode features candid peer conversations with business leaders navigating the messy reality of scaling teams, building high-performing cultures, and leading without burning out.David brings a bull's perspective to leadership—focused on multiplying impact without multiplying hours, building teams that perform without constant direction, and thriving rather than just surviving. Whether you're a bottleneck CEO where everything runs through you, managing a disconnected leadership team, or working 60-70 hour weeks wondering if there's a better way, this podcast delivers practical insights from leaders who've found their path from overextended operator to empowered leader.

  4. Sep 17

    SE01E29 Disrupted Cardiovascular Innovation & Got Acquired for $585 Million | Ramin Mousavi

    Ramin Mousavi, President and CEO of CathWorks, did not build just a medical technology company. He built a cardiovascular innovation movement so unstoppable that Medtronic acquired it for $585 million, powered by radical trust, relentless teamwork, and a leadership culture that accepted nothing below extraordinary. This is the leadership playbook the medical device world was not ready for. 🔬 The Anatomy of Trust: Why Every High Performance MedTech Team Lives or Dies by One Non Negotiable 📈 Delusional Optimism: The Startup Mindset Behind a $585M Cardiovascular Innovation Exit 🤝 The Partnership Playbook: How Strategic Alliances With Healthcare Giants Rewrote the Scaling Rulebook 🧭 The Emotional Exit: What No Founder Is Ever Told About Scaling, Selling, and Building Again For healthcare entrepreneurs, medical technology leaders, and startup founders building something the world is not ready for, this conversation will challenge every assumption you hold about leadership and growth. You can get in touch with Ramin Mousavi here on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raminmousavi/Website: https://cath.works/ I hope you enjoyed this episode of The High-Performance Herd!– David and The High-Performance Herd Podcast team :) Connect with me: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-quick-leadership-coaching/ Listen to The High-Performance Herd on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jjo3iCYhMkK7OSnPc19SEApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-high-performance-herd/id1874589807Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/712017ad-55b4-427e-8c88-4942bfb5f1ad #HighPerformanceHerd #DavidQuick #LeadershipCoaching #CEOCoaching #ExecutiveLeadership #ScalingBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamPerformance #CEOBurnout #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipStrategy #FounderJourney #TeamAlignment #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadershipThe High-Performance Herd is a podcast for CEOs and founders who refuse to sacrifice everything for success. Hosted by David Quick, an executive coach who's been in the CEO seat three times and coached over 1,500 leaders, each episode features candid peer conversations with business leaders navigating the messy reality of scaling teams, building high-performing cultures, and leading without burning out.David brings a bull's perspective to leadership—focused on multiplying impact without multiplying hours, building teams that perform without constant direction, and thriving rather than just surviving. Whether you're a bottleneck CEO where everything runs through you, managing a disconnected leadership team, or working 60-70 hour weeks wondering if there's a better way, this podcast delivers practical insights from leaders who've found their path from overextended operator to empowered leader.

  5. Sep 10

    SE01E28 A Players Quitting to 16% Growth in a Down Market | Brandon Ansley

    From football fields to boardrooms, Brandon Ansley, CEO of Carter and Clark, turned a culture in crisis into a company doubling revenue and tripling EBITDA in a construction market down 7%. This is not a comeback story. This is a masterclass in what happens when the right leader walks into a room full of A players who were one resignation letter away from walking out. 📐 The Citadel Blueprint: Forging Authentic Leaders Under Extreme Pressure⚡ The Founder Trap: When Centralized Control Silences Your Best People🏛 The Culture Reset: Building Trust, Vision and Shared Fate From Scratch🧭 The Growth Engine: Patience, Perspective and the Two Phase Scale Up From instilling unshakeable confidence in the next generation to leading through AI transformation in field services, this conversation redefines what high performance leadership looks like in the real world. You can get in touch with Brandon Ansley here on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-ansley/Website: I hope you enjoyed this episode of The High-Performance Herd!– David and The High-Performance Herd Podcast team :) Connect with me: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-quick-leadership-coaching/ Listen to The High-Performance Herd on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jjo3iCYhMkK7OSnPc19SEApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-high-performance-herd/id1874589807Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/712017ad-55b4-427e-8c88-4942bfb5f1ad #HighPerformanceHerd #DavidQuick #LeadershipCoaching #CEOCoaching #ExecutiveLeadership #ScalingBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamPerformance #CEOBurnout #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipStrategy #FounderJourney #TeamAlignment #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadershipThe High-Performance Herd is a podcast for CEOs and founders who refuse to sacrifice everything for success. Hosted by David Quick, an executive coach who's been in the CEO seat three times and coached over 1,500 leaders, each episode features candid peer conversations with business leaders navigating the messy reality of scaling teams, building high-performing cultures, and leading without burning out.David brings a bull's perspective to leadership—focused on multiplying impact without multiplying hours, building teams that perform without constant direction, and thriving rather than just surviving. Whether you're a bottleneck CEO where everything runs through you, managing a disconnected leadership team, or working 60-70 hour weeks wondering if there's a better way, this podcast delivers practical insights from leaders who've found their path from overextended operator to empowered leader.

About

Welcome to The High-Performance Herd, where CEOs and founders learn to multiply impact without multiplying hours. I'm David Quick—I've been in the CEO seat three times and coached over 1,500 leaders through the messy reality of scaling teams and building high-performing cultures. This podcast features peer conversations with business leaders navigating real challenges: being the bottleneck where everything runs through you, managing disconnected leadership teams, working unsustainable hours, or leading teams that need constant direction. We explore how to transition from overextended operator to empowered leader, build teams that perform without micromanagement, and create the leverage that lets you thrive instead of just survive. No guru nonsense—just honest conversations between bulls who've been in the arena. Whether you're scaling from founder-led sales to a real team, struggling with misaligned leaders, or wondering if there's a better way than working 70-hour weeks, you'll find practical frameworks and real stories from leaders who've found their path. This is The High-Performance Herd.