Most business owners have no idea what their company is actually worth, and the cost of guessing can run into the millions. In this episode, I sit down with valuation expert Dave Bookbinder, a man who’s spent decades cutting through the myths, misunderstandings, and ego-driven fantasies that derail leaders during exits, acquisitions, and scale-up decisions.

Dave reveals why 90% of modern business value now sits in intangibles, how misinformation spreads through “golf course valuations,” and why your people may be your most valuable asset even though they never appear on the balance sheet.

We unpack the wild delusions leaders fall for, the red flags in buying and selling a business, and the hidden traps that destroy valuation long before the due diligence begins. From “hockey stick forecasts” to ego-fuelled exits that collapse at the finish line, Dave breaks down the art and science behind knowing your true worth.

If you're serious about scaling, selling, or simply running a tighter, more profitable business, this episode will challenge the way you think about value and show you the hard numbers behind better decisions.

Actionable Takeaway

1. Know your true value before someone else decides it for you.
2. Stop relying on hearsay. Build your decisions on real data.
3. If you don’t value your people, your business won’t be valuable either.
4. Run your business today as if buyers are watching.
5. Face the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
6. Don’t let your ego cost you the deal of a lifetime.
7. If the future suddenly looks too good to be true, question everything.
8. Bring in experts so you don’t leave money or opportunities on the table.

Connect with Dave Bookbinder:

Learn more about Dave Bookbinder

Dave on LinkedIn

David's Linktree

Connect with Christian "Boo" Boucousis:

Learn more about Christian Boucousis

Boo on LinkedIn

Boo on Instagram

Boo on YouTube

AI won’t replace leaders, but leaders who use AI will replace those who don’t.

In this episode of The Few Leaders: Speaker Series, I sit down with Jonathan Brill, Forbes’ number one futurist and a leading authority on innovation, technology, and future strategy. Tune in as we explore how leaders can future-proof their organisations by harnessing the power of AI and building more intelligent, adaptable systems to thrive in uncertain times. We break down the myths around artificial intelligence, uncover why rigid five-year plans no longer work, and reveal the small strategic decisions that create resilience and long-term advantage. From navigating demographic shifts and geopolitical change to rethinking leadership roles in an AI-driven world, this conversation is a blueprint for staying ahead of disruption. Whether you’re a business leader anxious about rapid change or an executive eager to turn uncertainty into opportunity, this episode offers practical insights that will help you lead with confidence in the face of tomorrow’s challenges.

Actionable Takeaway

1. Build rolling options, not rigid five year plans
2. Let AI take on what people can’t, shouldn’t, or won’t do
3. Make small moves today that create big options tomorrow
4. Ask for more help than your peers
5. Grow opportunities by building unexpected connections
6. Stay calm in chaos by using first principles
7. Choose career steps that open more doors, even if they fail
8. Lean into change to uncover opportunities

Connect with Jonathan Brill:

Learn more about Jonathan Brill

Jonathan on LinkedIn

Jonathan's Media Kit

Connect with Christian "Boo" Boucousis:

Learn more about Christian Boucousis

Boo on LinkedIn

Boo on Instagram

Boo on YouTube

Support the Podcast:

If this episode meant something to you, please consider subscribing and reviewing the show. It helps more leaders and future leaders discover these stories.

And if someone comes to mind while you’re listening, send it their way. A small share can go a long way.

AI won’t replace leaders, but leaders who use AI will replace those who don’t.

In this episode of The Few Leaders: Speaker Series, I sit down with Jonathan Brill, Forbes’ number one futurist and a leading authority on innovation, technology, and future strategy. Tune in as we explore how leaders can future-proof their organisations by harnessing the power of AI and building more intelligent, adaptable systems to thrive in uncertain times. We break down the myths around artificial intelligence, uncover why rigid five-year plans no longer work, and reveal the small strategic decisions that create resilience and long-term advantage. From navigating demographic shifts and geopolitical change to rethinking leadership roles in an AI-driven world, this conversation is a blueprint for staying ahead of disruption. Whether you’re a business leader anxious about rapid change or an executive eager to turn uncertainty into opportunity, this episode offers practical insights that will help you lead with confidence in the face of tomorrow’s challenges.

Actionable Takeaway

1. Redesign work so it energises instead of drains you
2. Identify your energisers and build them into your day
3. Turn positive thinking into concrete action
4. Practise getting into flow for maximum impact
5. Anchor your team with a clear sense of purpose
6. Explore AI tools and learn how to use them now
7. Step up as the guide who directs and clarifies
8. Make space for reflection to lead with wisdom

Connect with Josh Allan Dykstra:

Learn more about Josh Allan Dykstra

Josh on LinkedIn

Josh on Instagram

Josh on Facebook

Connect with Christian "Boo" Boucousis:

Learn more about Christian Boucousis

Boo on LinkedIn

Boo on Instagram

Boo on YouTube

Support the Podcast:

If this episode meant something to you, please consider subscribing and reviewing the show. It helps more leaders and future leaders discover these stories.

And if someone comes to mind while you’re listening, send it their way. A small share can go a long way.

What separates leaders who only talk about vision from those who actually make it happen? In today’s complex world, where strategy often falls short in execution and leaders face constant disruption, the answer lies in intentional leadership and the discipline to follow through.

In this episode of The Few Leadership Speaker Series, I sit down with Brian Morris, Managing Partner of Leadercast, to explore the critical connection between clarity of purpose, effective strategy execution, and continuous self-development. Brian reveals why investing in yourself first allows you to lead others from a place of strength, how to reinvent in the face of setbacks, and what it truly means to build a legacy of impact. Along the way, we uncover powerful lessons drawn from sport, myth-busting insights on leadership, and practical tools for aligning vision with action. Whether you’re leading a global team or growing a small business, this episode offers a roadmap to leading with purpose and resilience in a rapidly changing world.

Actionable Takeaway

1. Adapt your leadership to connect with every generation at work.
2. Focus on leaving a legacy that improves people’s lives.
3. Build trust and teamwork by leading like an athlete.
4. Reinvent your strategy when circumstances shift.
5. Challenge leadership myths by seeking real feedback.
6. Use life’s sliding door moments to find purpose.
7. Give yourself grace and learn from failures.
8. Prioritise self-leadership so you can lead others well.

Connect with Brian Morris:

Learn more about Brian Morris

Brian on LinkedIn

Brian on X

Connect with Christian "Boo" Boucousis:

Learn more about Christian Boucousis

Boo on LinkedIn

Boo on Instagram

Boo on YouTube

Support the Podcast:

If this episode meant something to you, please consider subscribing and reviewing the show. It helps more leaders and future leaders discover these stories.

And if someone comes to mind while you’re listening, send it their way. A small share can go a long way.

Winning isn’t the hardest part of leadership, staying human while you do it is.

In this episode of The Few Leaders: Speaker Series, I sit down with veteran basketball coach and leadership speaker Mark Gottfried to explore the balance between high performance and human values. Drawing from decades at the top of college basketball and beyond, Mark reveals why resilience, integrity and connection matter just as much as results.

From transforming good teams into championship ones to motivating top performers, navigating the loneliness of leadership and turning failure into growth, Mark shares candid lessons every leader can apply. This is a powerful conversation on achieving success without losing yourself along the way.

Actionable Takeaway

1. Adopt a get it done mindset and stop letting excuses hold you back
2. Learn how to turn a winning team into a true championship team
3. Get your top performers to buy into the bigger picture
4. Build resilience by being brutally honest with yourself
5. Handle the loneliness of leadership without losing focus
6. Use failure as fuel to create your next breakthrough
7. Protect your integrity so your decisions stay clear and easy
8. Apply the three timeless lessons Mark shares to fast-track your leadership growth

Connect with Mark Gottfried:

Learn more about Mark Gottfried

Mark on LinkedIn

Mark on Instagram

Mark on YouTube

Connect with Christian "Boo" Boucousis:

Learn more about Christian Boucousis

Boo on LinkedIn

Boo on Instagram

Boo on YouTube

Support the Podcast:

If this episode meant something to you, please consider subscribing and reviewing the show. It helps more leaders and future leaders discover these stories.

And if someone comes to mind while you’re listening, send it their way. A small share can go a long way.

What does it take to lead with unwavering consistency when everything around you is uncertain?

In this episode of The Few Leaders: Speaker Series, I sit down with Kevin Stealey, an experienced leader and CEO, to uncover the subtle habits and personal principles that give teams stability and guidance. We explore how fatherhood shapes decision-making, the lessons behind his book Winning Bets, and why betting on yourself is the key to growth and success. From embracing failure and turning challenges into opportunities to using storytelling and active listening to inspire teams, this conversation offers actionable insights to help leaders cultivate resilience, strengthen human connection, and make confident choices in uncertain times. Whether you’re leading a team, shaping your career, or striving to grow as a leader, this episode provides practical strategies to guide your journey with purpose and integrity.

Actionable Takeaway

1. Start each day by taking control of what you can and set the tone for success.
2. Bet on yourself in every opportunity, even when it feels uncertain or risky.
3. Turn disruption into a chance to solve problems and grow your skills.
4. Share your wisdom consistently, even if people aren’t listening at first.
5. Embrace failure as a stepping stone to improve and expand your potential.
6. Ask the right questions to guide your team instead of telling them what to do.
7. Put yourself in uncomfortable situations to build resilience and adaptability.
8. Use storytelling to inspire your team and help them see the bigger picture.

Connect with Kevin Stealey:

Kevin on LinkedIn

Connect with Christian "Boo" Boucousis:

Learn more about Christian Boucousis

Boo on LinkedIn

Boo on Instagram

Boo on YouTube

Support the Podcast:

If this episode meant something to you, please consider subscribing and reviewing the show. It helps more leaders and future leaders discover these stories.

And if someone comes to mind while you’re listening, send it their way. A small share can go a long way.

Actionable Takeaway

• Lead with character even when it’s the harder choice.
• Learn how to steady your emotions so your team can steady theirs.
• Swap control for trust and watch your people step up.
• Use setbacks as your best training ground for resilience.
• Build a team culture where it’s safe to speak up and challenge.
• Take lessons from sport and service and bring them into your leadership.
• Create clarity so no one is left guessing what good looks like.
• Debrief with honesty and turn every experience into growth.

Connect with Joe McNamara:
Learn more about Joe McNamara
Joe on LinkedIn
Joe on Instagram
 

Connect with Christian "Boo" Boucousis:
Learn more about Christian Boucousis
Boo on LinkedIn
Boo on Instagram
Boo on YouTube

Support the Podcast:

If this episode meant something to you, please consider subscribing and reviewing the show. It helps more leaders and future leaders discover these stories.

And if someone comes to mind while you’re listening, send it their way. A small share can go a long way.

Actionable Takeaway

• Start small and make one intentional act that creates a ripple of impact.
• Practise the five human qualities that build trust and connection.
• Choose kindness over being “nice” by having the conversations that matter.
• Identify and remove micro-frictions that quietly slow your team down.
• Apply the “next shot” mindset to recover quickly after setbacks.
• Slow down intentionally to create space for trust and connection.
• Use everyday moments to show vulnerability while strengthening authority.
• Ask “If you really knew me…” to open deeper trust with your team.

Connect with Chris Rollins:
Learn more about Chris Rollins
Chris on LinkedIn
Chris on Instagram
 

Connect with Christian "Boo" Boucousis:
Learn more about Christian Boucousis
Boo on LinkedIn
Boo on Instagram
Boo on YouTube

Support the Podcast:

If this episode meant something to you, please consider subscribing and reviewing the show. It helps more leaders and future leaders discover these stories.

And if someone comes to mind while you’re listening, send it their way. A small share can go a long way.

Actionable Takeaway

• Stop hiding parts of yourself at work and bring more of who you are into the room.
• Swap “fearlessness” for courage: feel the fear and move forward anyway.
• Use vulnerability as a strength because it builds trust faster than pretending you’ve got it all together.
• Take a pause to breathe before big conversations because it shifts the whole energy.
• Get clear on your personal “why” instead of borrowing the company’s version.
• Connect with your team on something beyond KPIs because that’s where loyalty lives.
• Notice where technology helps but don’t outsource the human touch.
• Find your own shape of brilliance and stop squeezing into boxes you don’t fit.

Connect with Anne Robie:
Learn more about Anne Robie
Anne on LinkedIn

Connect with Christian "Boo" Boucousis:
Learn more about Christian Boucousis
Boo on LinkedIn
Boo on Instagram
Boo on YouTube

Support the Podcast:

If this episode meant something to you, please consider subscribing and reviewing the show. It helps more leaders and future leaders discover these stories.

And if someone comes to mind while you’re listening, send it their way. A small share can go a long way.

Actionable Takeaway

• Learn how to build real confidence instead of just looking the part
• Discover the simple shift that makes your presence felt the moment you walk into a room
• Stop “winging it” and master the preparation habits that set leaders apart
• Unlock the secret to crafting stories that grab attention in the first 10 seconds
• Find out how to break free from limiting beliefs and silence imposter syndrome
• Practise authenticity without oversharing by knowing who has earned the right to your story
• Connect the dots of your own career journey and turn it into a powerful leadership narrative
• Align your body, mind, and relationships so you can show up with clarity, influence and impact

Connect with Liz Brunner:
Learn more about Liz Brunner
Liz on LinkedIn
Liz on Instagram
Liz on Facebook

Connect with Christian "Boo" Boucousis:
Learn more about Christian Boucousis
Boo on LinkedIn
Boo on Instagram
Boo on YouTube

Support the Podcast:

If this episode meant something to you, please consider subscribing and reviewing the show. It helps more leaders and future leaders discover these stories.

And if someone comes to mind while you’re listening, send it their way. A small share can go a long way.

Actionable Takeaway

• Learn how to fight apathy in your team and reignite real engagement.
• Discover why choosing optimism changes the way you lead and perform.
• Tap into the three things every person craves at work: autonomy, mastery, and purpose.
• Find out how a single voice can disrupt negativity and shift an entire culture.
• Use transparency and vulnerability to build unshakeable trust.
• Stop fearing mistakes and learn the simple three-step apology that turns failure into respect.
• Redefine authority by loving your people more than your position.

Connect with Kristen Ziman:
Learn more about Kristen Ziman
Kristen on LinkedIn
Kristen on Instagram
Kristen on Facebook

Connect with Christian "Boo" Boucousis:
Learn more about Christian Boucousis
Boo on LinkedIn
Boo on Instagram
Boo on YouTube

Support the Podcast:

If this episode meant something to you, please consider subscribing and reviewing the show. It helps more leaders and future leaders discover these stories.

And if someone comes to mind while you’re listening, send it their way. A small share can go a long way.