Mission First People Always's podcast Podcast By Dr. Mike Patterson: Leadership Expert cover art

Mission First People Always's podcast

Mission First People Always's podcast

By: Dr. Mike Patterson: Leadership Expert
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 Better business results, stronger teams, more successful careers and happier lives often boil down to better relationships, so author and educator Dr. Mike Patterson uses curiosity and kindness to bust biases and break down the barriers that keep people apart. Through respectful and fun conversations with thought leaders, scholars, and real people in the trenches, Dr. Mike explores what it takes to build dynamic and respectful workplace cultures, while also achieving the loftiest of organizational goals. Each episode creates a clear path to achieving results with, through, and for people.2022 Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • 74. From Missed Opportunities to Measurable Growth: Why A Follow-Up System Is the Key to Great Leadership (Not Just Sales) with Doug Brown

    74. From Missed Opportunities to Measurable Growth: Why A Follow-Up System Is the Key to Great Leadership (Not Just Sales) with Doug Brown
    May 13 2025
    Why Follow-Up Is a Leadership Practice with Doug C. Brown Let’s face it—“follow-up” doesn’t always have the best reputation. It can feel pushy, annoying, or just like one more thing on your to-do list. But what if follow-up wasn’t about pestering people… and instead became one of the most powerful tools you have to show care, build trust, and lead with integrity? In this episode, Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with renowned sales expert Doug C. Brown to reframe everything you think you know about follow-up. Doug shares why this essential practice is about more than just closing a deal—it’s about strengthening relationships, delivering value, and showing others that they matter. About the Episode: Doug C. Brown, CEO of CEO Sales Strategies, brings over 40 years of sales leadership to the table. He’s worked with brands like Tony Robbins, CBS, and Procter & Gamble, built 35 businesses, and helped generate over $900 million in sales. But at the heart of his success is a simple principle: effective, personalized follow-up builds relationships—and relationships drive results. In this conversation, Doug explains why follow-up should be part of every leader’s toolkit. Whether you’re managing a team, building a business, or simply aiming to serve others better, consistent and thoughtful follow-up creates connection, increases retention, and unlocks new opportunities. You’ll hear real-world stories about how follow-up has led to massive referrals, strengthened loyalty, and even closed six-figure deals. Doug also shares how poor follow-up costs companies thousands (if not millions) and reveals how you can avoid those losses with just a few intentional habits. Key Takeaways: Follow-Up = Leadership: It’s not about pestering—it’s about showing respect, accountability, and care.ABR: Always Be Building Relationships: Forget the old ABCs of sales—lasting relationships are what lead to lasting results.Why People Don’t Buy Immediately: Emotional, logistical, and trust-related factors often delay purchases—follow-up bridges the gap. Multimodal Matters: Effective follow-up isn’t just about phone calls—it’s texts, emails, handwritten notes, and more.Three-a-Day Rule: Want to change your business? Follow up with just three people a day. That’s 1,000+ meaningful connections a year. Whether you’re a business leader, a coach, or a team builder—this episode will challenge you to rethink how you engage the people around you. If you want to build stronger relationships, increase trust, and lead with more integrity, it starts with simple, consistent follow-up. Hit play now to learn how to put Doug’s “3-a-day” method into practice and start seeing results in your business and your life. Links for This Episode: Social Links Website (CEO Sales Strategies): https://ceosalesstrategies.comVibitno: https://vibitno.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dougcbrown123LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougbrown123Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dougcbrown_Upcoming Masterclass: http://ceosalesstrategies.com/stoptheleak Connect with Dr. Mike: Website: https://www.drmikepatterson.comBook: https://www.missionfirstpeoplealwaysbook.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichaellpattersonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrmikepatterson/Twitter: https://twitter.com/drmikepattersonBuy The Book!: Mission First People Always Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – Introduction and redefining sales for leaders03:00 – Doug’s origin story: learning sales at age 507:00 – Why sales is leverage—and a noble profession09:00 – Reframing follow-up as a leadership and relationship tool12:00 – How follow-up is like calling after a great date14:00 – Personal story: surgeon follow-up vs. hospital silence16:00 – The impact of consistent contact on referrals19:00 – Forget “Always Be Closing”—try “Always Be Building Relationships”21:00 – Emotional and psychological barriers to buying24:00 – Unethical vs. ethical selling: trust and transparency29:00 – The hidden cost of poor follow-up and missed sales32:00 – Real-life example: the realtor who earned the business36:00 – Why multi-modal follow-up (text, email, snail mail) works40:00 – Doug’s challenge: follow up with 3 people a day44:00 – Final thoughts and how to put relational follow-up into practice
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    46 mins
  • 73. Fighting for Greatness: Leadership Lessons from the Cage with Clifford Starks

    73. Fighting for Greatness: Leadership Lessons from the Cage with Clifford Starks
    Apr 22 2025
    What if leadership was less about the boardroom and more about the octagon? In this episode, Dr. Mike Patterson welcomes Clifford Starks—former UFC fighter turned performance coach—for a knockout conversation on mastering mindset, resilience, and leadership under pressure. From climbing into the cage to helping business leaders find their flow, Clifford shares hard-won wisdom that will challenge and inspire you. Clifford Starks knows what it means to face fear head-on—literally. With a 14-5 professional fighting record and a relentless drive for excellence, Clifford has transitioned from mixed martial arts to leadership coaching with one mission: to help others unlock their fullest potential. In this conversation, Clifford walks us through his incredible journey from collegiate wrestler to UFC fighter and now to trusted business consultant. He introduces the Fighter’s Formula—a 6-step framework for leadership and performance—and explains how aligning the mind, heart, and skill is the true key to flow and fulfillment. Cliff dives deep into mental toughness, sharing how he reframed fear, transformed losses (including a high-profile knockout on live TV), and now teaches others to do the same in boardrooms and businesses. Leaders will walk away from this episode with practical tools for building confidence, asking better questions, recovering from setbacks, and creating lasting impact—not just success. Key Takeaways: Reframe Fear: Anxiety and excitement feel the same in the body—how you interpret them makes all the difference.The Fighter’s Formula: Align your mind, heart, and skills for sustainable success and flow.Ask Better Questions: “What do you really want?” and “What happens if I don’t take action?” spark transformation.ABCs of Leadership: Agreements, Boundaries, and Communication build trust and improve performance.Resilience Redefined: Even after devastating setbacks, leaders can return stronger, wiser, and more impactful. Ready to lead like a fighter—with clarity, confidence, and resilience? Don’t miss this powerful conversation with Clifford Starks. Whether you're facing business setbacks or simply want to unlock your full potential, this episode is packed with mindset shifts and practical tools to help you perform at your best. Hit play now to hear how a former UFC fighter turned leadership coach is helping high-performers win in business and life—and how you can too. 🥊🔥 Links for This Episode: Newsletter -https://fearlessfighterx.com/warriorsreportLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clifford-starksFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/clifford.starks.3Fearless Fighter Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/VgfzsSdxnUEHwLdq/?mibextid=A7sQZp Connect with Dr. Mike: Website: https://www.drmikepatterson.comBook: https://www.missionfirstpeoplealwaysbook.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichaellpattersonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrmikepatterson/Twitter: https://twitter.com/drmikepattersonBuy The Book!: Mission First People Always Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – Welcome and Dr. Mike’s first professional athlete guest03:00 – Clifford’s journey into the UFC: From grief to greatness06:00 – Practice, fundamentals, and perfect reps in sport and life08:00 – The excitement vs. anxiety mindset shift10:00 – Fighting as a stage to teach love and intentionality11:30 – Clifford’s ABCs: Agreements, Boundaries, and Communication14:00 – The power of asking: “What do you really want?”19:00 – The Fighter’s Formula: Mind, Heart, and Skill23:00 – Bouncing back after a knockout loss on live TV27:00 – Rewriting the narrative and dealing with internal stories30:00 – “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face”33:00 – Who Clifford serves: High-performers building a legacy35:00 – Why love and listening go hand in hand in leadership38:00 – Final challenge: What happens if you don’t take action?
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    41 mins
  • 72. Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: How to Build a Thriving Workplace with Andrea Wanerstrand (Culture Lab)

    72. Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: How to Build a Thriving Workplace with Andrea Wanerstrand (Culture Lab)
    Feb 25 2025
    We’ve all heard Peter Drucker’s famous quote, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." But what does it really take to build a workplace culture that drives both people and performance? In this episode of Mission First People Always, Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with culture expert Andrea Wanerstrand to uncover the key elements of creating a thriving, human-centric workplace. Dr. Mike welcomes Andrea Wanerstrand, Founder & CEO of A3 CultureLab, a leadership speaker, coach, and consultant who helps organizations—from startups to Fortune 500 companies—design extraordinary workplace cultures. With a background in global performance management at companies like Microsoft and T-Mobile, Andrea shares insights on fostering a workplace where people feel valued, autonomous, and accountable. Andrea breaks down what it means to have a human-centric workplace, emphasizing the importance of how work gets done, how leaders make others feel, and how trust is built. She explains that culture isn't just about perks or policies—it’s about how people interact, communicate, and show up every day. Throughout the conversation, Andrea offers practical advice for leaders, including how to balance empathy with authority, create autonomous teams, and encourage a culture of accountability without fear. She also shares details about her upcoming coaching program, Mindset Maven, designed to help high-achievers develop mental and physical resilience. Key Takeaways: Culture is about the "how," not just the "what"—how work is done, how people feel, and how trust is built.Human-centric leadership requires balancing empathy with authority to foster both people and performance.Autonomous teams thrive on accountability—leaders must set expectations, provide trust, and encourage transparency.Accountability isn’t a bad word—it’s about taking ownership, getting credit for success, and learning from setbacks.Your energy affects your leadership—Andrea recommends an energy audit to identify when you’re at your best and schedule key conversations accordingly. Andrea Wanerstrand’s insights remind us that leadership is about creating environments where people can thrive. Whether you’re a new manager or a seasoned executive, understanding and shaping culture is key to long-term success. Hit play to hear the full episode and learn how to build a workplace culture that supports both people and performance! Links for This Episode: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawanerstrandCompany Website: http://a3culturelab.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreawanerstrand Connect with Dr. Mike: Website: https://www.drmikepatterson.comBook: https://www.missionfirstpeoplealwaysbook.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichaellpattersonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrmikepattersonTwitter: https://twitter.com/drmikepattersonBuy The Book!: Mission First People Always Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 - Welcome and Introduction to the Episode02:00 - Why Culture is the Driving Force Behind Organizational Success04:02 - Defining Workplace Culture: The “How” Behind Every Organization06:00 - Why Leaders Struggle to Build Healthy Cultures08:06 - The Role of Emotional Awareness in Leadership10:34 - The Shift from Individual Contributor to Leadership: What Changes?12:48 - How to Build an Autonomous Team and Why It Matters15:17 - Balancing Empathy and Authority as a Leader18:00 - Overcoming Barriers to Authenticity at Work21:09 - Why Accountability is Not a Negative Word (And How to Use It Effectively)24:36 - The Importance of Psychological Safety in Workplace Culture26:00 - What It Means to Have a Human-Centric Workplace28:25 - Introducing Mindset Maven: Andrea’s New Leadership Coaching Program30:14 - Andrea’s One Key Piece of Advice for Leaders32:00 - Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Andrea
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    33 mins
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