mentalmodel

Yes, going down rabbit holes can be fun, but it’s usually not efficient. Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey delves into why the simplest solution is better than the complex, fun solution and how this applies to solving bigger problems for your client businesses.

Takeaways:

• While you may enjoy complex solutions or processes if there is a simpler process that produces the same results, just with less fun, you should choose the simpler solution. If you are only being measured on delivering X result, then you should focus on delivering that result, rather than how creative you can make the process to get to that result.

• Uncover which specific outcome is the most important and concentrate on achieving that fundamental goal.

• For Fractional CMOs in particular, the outcomes that your clients want most are likely to be sales outcomes, not marketing outcomes. Don’t get dragged down into the details of tactics used to achieve those outcomes, stay elevated so you can solve bigger problems.

• In the words of Leonardo da Vinci, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." There is elegance in simple, effective solutions. For example, if you struggle to explain your client’s core business, you should boil the concepts down further. 

• Prioritize actions and strategies that directly impact customer acquisition and retention. These are fundamental to any business.

• Focus on mastering a few things well. It’s better to do a few things in marketing exceptionally well rather than attempting to become an expert in everything all at once.

Quote of the Show:

• “Don't do everything all at once, keep it really simple so you can maximize the results wherever you are.” - Casey Stanton

Links:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/

• CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call 

• The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/

Ways to Tune In:

• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show

• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec

• Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC

• YouTube: https://youtu.be/7I5oIKLuOaA

The future of leadership lies in our ability to embrace the non-linear nature of the world.  What the military call VUCA - Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous. 

This non-linear world creates opportunities but enormous challenges too.

In this episode with my guest Jean Gomes, the New York Times bestselling author and trusted advisor to CEOs and leaders, we dive into how to lead in a non-linear world.

If you love to geek out on the latest leadership and psychology insights like me, then you'll *love* this episode. 

It's no understatement to say it's a game-changer - the insights Jean shares you probably will never have heard before.

You can listen to the episode here: https://wisdomforworkingmums.co.uk/113 or via itunes, stitcher or spotify. Or you can find it on most other podcast platforms and apps.

Could you do me a huge favour and share this episode with two or three working mums that pop into your head as you listen? My mission is to support as many working mums on their journey as possible, and so I’d be so grateful if you supported them by offering this free podcast. I hope it’s been helpful to you, and if so, I hope you pass that on.

Please consider rating and reviewing my show. Your review can help other people find my podcast so you’ll be helping another working mum find this resource. Plus I also love to go in and read them. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favourite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to get subscribed as I don’t want you to miss out. I’m adding some exciting bonus episodes and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Click here to subscribe in iTunes!

You don’t get ahead in business by copying what successful people do, you get ahead by copying how they think. Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey discusses how to develop a better way of thinking by using three specific mental models: The Map is Not The Territory, The Circle of Competence, and First Principles Thinking.

Takeaways:

• If you want to achieve the same success that someone else has, don’t copy what they’ve done or what they’re doing, copy how they think. For example, a company could copy a great ad from a competitor, but without innovating, they’re always going to follow, never lead.

• Becoming a more innovative company at the forefront of the market requires a better way of thinking, rather than simply copying what already exists in the market.

• The first mental model is “The Map is not the Territory”.  A map does not perfectly reflect every detail of a landscape, nor does your best strategy account for every nuance with your client. The simple ideas you want to deploy are not simple.

• The second mental model is the “Circle of Competence”. You need to know where your knowledge of a particular topic ends and higher experts in that field to do the work. It’s good to have a base-level understanding of many topics so you know what to look for.

• The third mental model is “First Principles Thinking”. While new ideas are extremely exciting, before engaging with them, you need to check if they align with the basic ways to grow a business. Does this new idea help you gain new customers, grow the transaction value, or increase the frequency of repeat purchases? If not, you need to focus on other ideas that will fulfill one of those outcomes. 

• Add these models to your mindset alongside solving bigger problems and delegating everything but leadership. 

Quote of the Show:

• “Improving your thinking will improve all areas of your life.” - Casey Stanton

Shout Outs:

• Charlie Munger

• Jay Abraham

Links:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/

• CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call 

• The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/

Ways to Tune In:

• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show

• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec

• Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC

• YouTube: https://youtu.be/zaAGsnCjZBc 

What does it mean to be joyful? 

In our life, we find ourselves constantly traversing from elation to despair. On this winding road, we often strive to achieve our goals in order to attain a sense of contentment, only to find that after accomplishing this, the moment becomes fleeting.

But what if there's another way to live your life? 

A way where whatever adversity or stress comes your way, you still have the strength to keep going while appreciating both the ups and downs.

We've been taught that we can attain happiness through acquiring riches, reaching our goals, and reducing any stress that comes our way. This approach may seem sensible initially, but it will leave you drained and always in a rut. 

In this episode, "The Happiness Guru," Dr. Srikumar Rao explains that you don't necessarily have to work harder - you have to think differently.

He enlightens us on having a different approach and perspective to live a happier, more joyful, and stress-free life. Once you discover and apply this way of living, you can appreciate whatever the universe throws at you.

Top 3 Golden Insights of the episode - 

1. Invest in the process, not the outcome, it’s a no lose proposition.

2. There is no destination. The journey is all there is, and it can be very very joyful.

3. The only thing you have is the illusion of control

Episode time stamps:

3:58 Dr. Rao’s on becoming the Happiness Guru

5:48 - Happiness v.s. Joy 

8:33 - How he got into his profession

11:45 -  Family and country background 

13:30  On Ramdas; All of life is a LESSON to be learned

17:16 There’s only 1 REASON why you have stress in your life.

20:12 - All of our problems are because of our endless resistance to what is

25:29 - The most important question you’ll ask yourself is, is the universe friendly?

29: 56 -  You don’t have control, the only thing you have is the illusion of control

34:28 - Set a goal to give you direction, not to obsess on the outcome. Invest in the process, not the outcome, it’s a no lose proposition

37: 44 - The flashlight of awareness and why some people are miserable all the time

41:24 -  Dr. Rao teaches how you get unstuck

Relevant Resources & Links

1. Modern Wisdom, Ancient Roots: The Movers and Shakers' Guide to Unstoppable Success - amzn.to/3Ci1Lku

2. Happiness at Work - https://amzn.to/3yiJqlP

3. Website: https://theraoinstitute.com/

4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srikumarsrao

5. Twitter: https://twitter.com/srikumarsrao 

6. Amazon Books: https://www.amazon.com/Srikumar-S.-Rao/e/B001K8QF5U?ref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

7. Speaking Page: https://speaking.com/speakers/srikumar-rao/

Want more practical business & life advice?  Watch full episodes for FREE by subscribing to Steve Rodgers Business Alchemy Channel

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Guest Bio 

Known as “the Happiness Guru” Dr. Srikumar Rao is an expert in personal development and the creator and teacher of the acclaimed MBA course “Creativity and Personal Mastery,” which was associated with Columbia University until 2005.

The former executive for Warner Communications and McGraw Hill infuses his experience in the corporate world with respected spiritual philosophies to effect personal transformation in business students and senior management internationally.

Dr. Rao has authored two books, Are You Ready to Succeed? and Happiness at Work, as well as the audio course The Personal Mastery Program, all of which are bestsellers and have been translated into a number of languages.

He has received wide media coverage and acclaim, including features in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, The Independent, Time, Financial Times, Fortune, Business Week, The Guardian, and Forbes; he has also been a speaker for TED, Leading@Google, and Thinkers 50 interview. Dr. Rao has been a contributing editor for Forbes and a featured author for many other publications.

By applying the cognitive science theory of mental models into our daily lives, we may understand the delicate relationship between expectation and reality. Together, we learn to use tools like communication and non-attachment to move through life with ease and grace.

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In 1940, with America on the cusp of entering World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided to run for an unprecedented third term. Despite the longstanding and deep-seated tradition—going all the way back to George Washington, who voluntarily left office after just two terms—Roosevelt, a savvy political operator and masterful communicator, found a way to frame the decision so that it not only won the support of a majority of Americans, but also helped spur the nation to meet the emerging Nazi threat. In this episode of Classic Influence, we’ll travel back to the 1940 presidential campaign, hear from President Roosevelt in his own voice, and discover the surprising power of a well-crafted frame. This episode also reveals how Harriet Tubman used reframing as part of her covert missions to rescue slaves, and how it helped her to become “the Moses of her people.” As illustrated by President Ronald Reagan to devastating effect in his own race for the White House, listen in and discover how frames can be tremendously powerful tools of influence. Listen in now and you will also learn the 4 core steps of reframing, along with 5 strategies for generating new, more effective frames, and you will quickly discover why reframing is an indispensable tool in the pursuit of your own clear purpose and goals.

On today’s episode of the Modern Polymath, we discuss mental models and some reasons why they are important to continued learning and critical thinking.