The Leaders of Influence Podcast with Anton Guinea

Your Business Doesn't Need More Staff—It Needs This with Les Moir

Les Moir explores how business-level AI is transforming service-based small and medium businesses that have strong capability but hit a capacity and infrastructure plateau. They distinguish task-level AI (e.g., ChatGPT for emails, ads, and content, like upgrading from a hammer to a nail gun, but still requiring the owner’s time and skill) from business-level AI, systems that run core functions on your behalf, such as 24/7 call handling, instant follow-up, and reputation management. Les argues that missed calls and slow responses quietly erode revenue and lifetime client value, with data showing that speed of response can mean six figures a year in extra revenue. Together, they frame AI as an infrastructure and leverage tool for influence: the goal isn’t to “learn AI” but to have AI learn your business, freeing owners from being the bottleneck and shifting from product-focused to client-experience-focused operations. They also connect AI with better communication and leadership, suggesting that leaders who lean into AI and learn to ask clearer questions will become more influential by scaling their insight and improving the client journey at every touchpoint.
 
Takeaways:
Business-level AI vs. task-level AI – Stop just using AI as a faster tool; use it as infrastructure that runs entire functions (like 24/7 reception and follow-up) for you.
Speed-to-lead = revenue – Slow or missed responses quietly kill sales; business-level AI protects six-figure opportunities by replying instantly and consistently.
Leverage your influence, don’t learn to “be AI” – The goal isn’t to become an AI expert; it’s to have AI learn your business so you can scale your impact and client experience without becoming the bottleneck.
 
Quotes:
"You don’t need to learn AI, you need AI that learns your business."
"If you believe that your product’s going to help fix their business and make it better for them, then you’ll continue follow up."
"It’s not the microphone that influences; it gets you the ability to voice."
 
Timestamps: 
00:49 – Anton introduces the Find Your Influence podcast, the focus on influence, and guest Les Moir’s background working with businesses up to $1.5B.
02:20 – Les’ core insight: most established service businesses plateau not from lack of skill but from missing infrastructure.
05:59 – Clear distinction between task-level AI (you still operate the tool) and business-level AI (systems that operate core functions for you).
08:30 – Les explains 24/7 call handling, systematic follow-up, and reputation management as examples of business-level AI.
10:03 – Discussion on speed-to-lead and why fast response times can be worth six figures a year in extra revenue.
13:54 – Les frames influence as internal belief, the questions you ask yourself, and who you choose to be influenced by.
17:42 – Anton predicts AI will make leaders better communicators because good outputs require clear questions and instructions.
21:56 – Shift from product focus to client experience focus, using McDonald’s as an example of systemized customer journey.
27:00 – The cost of doing nothing: missed calls, lost reviews, and unasked referrals adding up to major revenue loss.
33:54 – Les on objections to AI and why owners must move from “why not” thinking to “how can I” thinking.
39:35 – Framework for choosing AI: decide whether you want a business that depends on you or one that can operate without you.
43:01 – Les outlines next steps: starting with a demo where AI answers calls as your receptionist and is refined from there.
 
Conclusion:
The conversation closes by underscoring that many strong service businesses are capped not by their skills, but by their capacity and missing infrastructure—and that business-level AI is now a realistic way to fix that. Les and Anton highlight that the real win isn’t dabbling with shiny AI tools, but delegating whole client-facing functions (calls, follow-up, reviews, client journey) to systems that learn your business so you, as the owner, stop being the bottleneck. For leaders, that shift is both a leverage play and an influence play: when you pair clear thinking and communication with scalable AI-powered systems, you can serve more clients, faster, with a consistently better experience—without burning yourself out.

The Shaka Project: A Simple Idea Saving Lives Sean Phillip

Sean Phillip is an Australian-based mental health and suicide prevention advocate and director of The Shaka Project, based in Torquay, Victoria. Drawing on his own lived experience with mental health challenges from a young age, and the openness of his parents in discussing their diagnoses, Sean has delivered hundreds of workshops and keynotes across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Europe.
In this conversation, Sean shares how his family’s honesty about mental health shaped his ability to seek help, the frightening periods of his own journey, and how becoming a father deepened his commitment to creating a more empathetic world for the next generation. He explains the origins of The Shaka Project, including how a simple hand gesture between him and his stepson became a powerful, wordless check-in, and describes the organization’s mission to reduce stigma around suicide (particularly among men) and normalize everyday conversations about mental health. Sean also offers his view of influence as the ability to have a positive impact on others without expecting anything in return, highlighting the crucial role of “everyday influencers” in small communities, not just celebrities or social media figures.
 
Takeaways:
Lived experience fuels real impactSean’s own long-term journey with mental health, shaped by parents who openly discussed their diagnoses, underpins his work and shows how honest family conversations can literally save lives.
The Shaka as a silent check-inA simple hand gesture between Sean and his stepson evolved into The Shaka Project—using the shaka as a non-verbal way to say “I’m okay” or “I’m here for you,” helping normalize mental health check-ins, especially among men.
Influence belongs to everyoneSean defines influence as making a positive impact without expecting anything in return, emphasizing that people in small communities—parents, teammates, coworkers—can be more powerful influencers than high-profile “influencers.”
 
Quotes:
"I think influence is simply the ability to have a positive impact on someone without getting anything in return."
"Suicide prevention is everybody's responsibility... it starts every day, it ends every night, it starts again every morning."
"We really want to focus on the people that are closest to us all... the footy coach, or the bloke who runs the pub, or the mum of two that's struggling with her own demons."
Timestamps:
00:00 - Sean talks about the different historical origins of the Shaka and its connection to surfing and checking in with friends.01:00 - Anton introduces the Find Your Influence podcast and Sean Phillip’s role as a mental health and suicide prevention advocate and director of The Shaka Project.03:30 - Sean shares his early mental health diagnosis, his parents’ openness about their own struggles, and how that shaped his ability to seek support.07:31 - Sean tells the story of how a silent Shaka exchange with his young stepson at a playground inspired the name and concept for The Shaka Project.11:30 - Sean defines influence as having a positive impact on someone without expecting anything in return and explains why “everyday people” can be the most powerful influencers.21:06 - Sean and Anton discuss current suicide statistics in Australia and the ongoing challenge of reducing those numbers.28:53 - Sean outlines the vision for The Shaka Project: building a community that gives people permission to talk about their mental health, with a strong focus on regional and everyday communities.
 
Conclusion:
Sean Phillip shows how powerful lived experience can be when it’s shared openly and without shame. From growing up in a home where mental health was talked about honestly, to surviving his own crises, to founding The Shaka Project, Sean demonstrates that prevention starts with everyday conversations and simple signals of care.
By redefining the shaka as a check-in gesture and championing “everyday influencers” in small communities, he reminds us that suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility—something we practice in how we show up for colleagues, friends, family, and even strangers, every single day.

How to Grow Your Business Footprint & Lead the Next Generation with Graham & Alison Sheppard

What does a family dinner table have in common with a high-performance leadership one-on-one? More than you might think.
In this conversation with Graham and Alison Sheppard, the founders of the Aligra Group, we dive deep into the foundations of long-term influence—both at home and in the corporate world.
We tackle the tough conversations around the irreplaceable value of making real-world memories and why the simple tradition of family dinners can shape the leaders of tomorrow.
Alison and Graham also share their insights on professional branding, discussing why the way you present yourself externally is a direct reflection of what is happening on the inside.
As business growth advisors, they reveal what it truly means to broaden your business footprint through clarity of vision, strategic alignment, and personal integrity.
If you want to intentionally design how you show up in business and life, this wrap-up is packed with actionable insights you cannot afford to miss.
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Is Your Fitness Tracker Ruining Your Recovery? with Gregory Huppatz

Ultra-endurance strategist Greg Huppatz shares how he leads a 12-person crew to guide cyclist Al Jefferson across America in one of the world’s toughest races. Greg unpacks the math behind performance, from speed, distance, time, calories, and wattage to sleep cycles, hydration, and recovery, and shows how numbers, teamwork, and trust turn a 5,000 km ride into a repeatable winning system. Along the way, he reveals powerful lessons on leadership, influence, and building high-performing teams under extreme pressure.
 
Takeaways:
Numbers drive performance, not just effortGreg runs the race like a math problem—constantly balancing speed, distance, time, calories, wattage, hydration, and sleep so Al can sustain 20+ hours of riding a day.
A “solo” race is actually a team sportBehind Al is a 12-person crew (doctor, paramedic, therapists, mechanics, drivers, coordinators) all clear on their roles, empowered to act, and aligned to one goal: keep Al safely and efficiently moving.
Great leadership = clarity, trust, and preparationGreg sets clear boundaries, communicates expectations early (newsletters, briefings), gives people ownership of their tasks, and builds in redundancy so the team can adapt quickly when plans fail.
 
Quotes:
“People say this is a bike race, and obviously it is, but for me, it’s a maths competition.”
“He doesn’t understand why other people get so excited about what it is that he does, because in his mind he says, ‘I’m just riding my bike.’”
“Surround yourself with good people and good things will follow.”
 
Timestamps:
 
0:00:00 – Welcome to the Find Your Influence podcast and introduction of guest Greg Huppatz and rider Alan “Bad Al” Jefferson.0:02:55 – What Race Across America is: 3,069-mile single-stage time trial from Oceanside, CA to Atlantic City, NJ.0:04:31 – Who Al is, why he rides, and the causes he supports: suicide prevention and men’s health.0:06:44 – Al’s results, his 2022 overall win, and how he became the oldest winner of the race.0:08:09 – Why Greg sees the race as a “maths competition”: speed, distance, time, calories, wattage, and sleep.0:11:40 – How Al influences Greg, and what makes Al a “special human” in Greg’s eyes.0:16:14 – Total trust: why Al hands over all key decisions (sleep, food, pacing) to Greg and the crew.0:21:02 – Inside the 12-person support team: follow vehicle, RV, doctor, paramedic, mechanic, and therapists.0:25:26 – The numbers strategy that changed their approach: energy “bucket,” sleep cycles, and structured rest.0:32:35 – Managing saddle issues and chafing: kit changes, special saddles, and risk mitigation.0:36:06 – Nutrition at 12,000 calories a day: liquid diet, Ensure Plus, and gradual reintroduction of solid food.0:41:14 – Greg’s leadership playbook: clear expectations, ownership, communication, and giving people the tools to perform.0:45:40 – Closing reflections on ultra-cycling, influence, and surrounding yourself with good people.
 
Conclusion:
 
Pushing a rider 5,000 km across America might look like a test of one person’s toughness, but Greg Huppatz shows it’s really the product of numbers, planning, and a tightly led team. By obsessing over data—speed, calories, sleep, hydration—and pairing it with deep trust and clear leadership, Greg helps Alan “just ride his bike” while the crew handles everything else. Their story is a powerful example of how influence, preparation, and the right people can turn an impossible goal into a repeatable system for winning under extreme pressure.
 
 
 

Why Most Athletes Struggle After Retirement | Ray Boggiano

Ray Boggiano, a senior sports education executive and regional director APAC for the Global Institute of Sport (GIS). Ray discusses what influence means to him—shaping understanding, then longer-term attitudes, values, and behaviors—and how this plays out both on the pitch in team culture and off the pitch in organizational and educational settings. He explains how GIS supports athletes and non-athletes at different career stages, particularly around the difficult transition out of professional sport, by helping them study the business of sport while competing and by tailoring industry engagement and career pathways. Ray reflects on influential figures in his own journey, including David Moyes and Roy Keane, whose diligence, preparation, and work ethic shaped his views on professionalism. He emphasizes that his leadership and marketing work ultimately aim to create careers in sport for students. He describes his leadership philosophy as hard-working and people-centric, focused on caring deeply about both the mission and the people involved, prioritizing values, and recognizing the importance of relationships, especially during high-pressure periods such as major student intakes.
 
Takeaways:
Influence is Long-Term Behavior ChangeRay defines influence as shaping understanding first, then attitudes, values, and behaviors—showing up in team culture on and off the pitch.
Creating Careers in Sport Is the Core MissionThe Global Institute of Sport exists to create careers in sport, boasting around 80% of graduates working in the industry within nine months—about double the global norm.
Supporting Athletes Through Tough TransitionsGIS helps both rising and retiring athletes study the business of sport and plan for life after competition, tailoring pathways around each person’s “why.”
 
Quotes:
On what influence really is
“Ultimately, it's affecting people's understanding… but then also affecting longer term attitudes, values, and behaviors as well.”– Ray Boggiano
On GIS’s core purpose
“We would not exist as a university for very long if we didn't have an end goal of creating careers… our number one goal is to ensure that once a student graduates from us, they have got the best opportunity to go and get a career in sport.”– Ray Boggiano
On crisis leadership and values under pressure
“That's where your values and your leadership is tested, and you need to come through.”– Ray Boggiano
 
Timestamps:
 
00:00 – Intro story about David Moyes and his diligence and preparation as a guest speaker
01:00 – Podcast intro by Anton Guinea and overview of Ray’s role and GIS background
02:53 – Ray thanks Anton for the intro and defines what influence means to him in sport and education
05:00 – Discussion of how influence shows up in team culture on and off the pitch and in organizations
06:28 – Question about athletes as role models and how GIS helps guide behavior and growth
07:27 – Ray explains how GIS works with athletes and non athletes at different career stages and tailors support
10:11 – Conversation about the difficulty of transitioning out of professional sport and the strengths athletes bring
11:25 – Ray notes that athletes often do not see their own transferable skills and values
12:54 – Anton reflects Ray’s influence back to him and shifts to leadership and parenting context
19:31 – Light chat about Ray’s two young children and parenting parallels with leadership
20:02 – Question about who Ray himself has influenced and whose careers he has impacted
20:34 – Ray describes influencing future sports careers through course design, advisory boards, speakers, and partnerships
23:56 – Discussion of marketing as influence and GIS growth from a small cohort to a global sports education brand
26:05 – Ray states GIS’s core goal of creating careers in sport and shares strong employment outcomes for graduates
27:28 – Connection to Belinda as the mutual contact and praise for Ray’s reputation in the industry
28:00 – Mention of a business summit at Allianz Stadium and the privilege of collaborating with industry leaders
29:13 – Anton asks about Ray’s leadership mantra and philosophy
29:30 – Ray outlines his leadership approach as hard work and being strongly people focused and relationship driven
31:15 – Example of prioritizing work based on values during busy intake periods and conflicting demands
33:20 – Anton notes that leadership quality shows under pressure and in crisis moments
33:45 – Ray shares an early career crisis story with a ticketing startup overselling a major opening night
36:07 – Lesson from that crisis about staying calm, transparent, and solution focused while protecting the client
38:10 – Anton closes with reflections on Ray’s stories, the theme of hard work and “why,” and reframing crises as opportunities
 
Conclusion:
 
Ray unpacks what real influence means in sport and beyond—shaping long-term attitudes, values, and behaviors—and shares how the Global Institute of Sport is built around one clear mission: creating careers in sport. He reflects on lessons from elite figures like David Moyes and Roy Keane, and explains why hard work, people-centric leadership, and calm transparency in crisis are essential for guiding athletes and students through high-performance careers and tough transitions.
 

How I Went From $1,500 to $75 Million | Gary Brown's Wealth Blueprint

In this episode of the Find Your Influence podcast, host Anton Guinea interviews chartered accountant and wealth strategist Gary Brown about money, influence, and financial freedom. Gary shares his journey from arriving in Melbourne at 18 with $1,500 to building a net worth of about $75 million, emphasizing hard work, integrity, and learning from both his own and clients’ financial decisions. They explore how financial stress drives relationship breakdowns, the importance of shared financial transparency in couples, and Gary’s concept of “play money” so both partners can spend guilt‑free within an agreed structure. Gary defines influence as helping people make the right choices for the right reasons, contrasts it with manipulation, and explains how poor, consumption‑driven habits versus investing behaviors shape long‑term outcomes. He also discusses looming tax and structural changes for small businesses, concerns about government policy impacts on housing and investment, and his philosophy of becoming financially free so you can do what you want, when you want, with whom you want.
 
Takeaways:
Financial transparency + play money = healthier relationshipsGary strongly advocates for couples pooling income into a joint account for shared bills, then giving each partner personal “play money” to spend guilt‑free. This reduces conflict, guilt, and secrecy around money and supports trust.
Influence is helping people choose what’s right for themHe defines influence as helping someone make the right choice for the right reasons, contrasted with manipulation (getting them to choose for the wrong reasons). His work is largely about presenting clear choices and guiding clients toward decisions that support their long‑term goals.
Wealth comes from knowing the rules and investing early, not just working hardGary’s journey from $1,500 to ~$75M highlights that the difference between “rich” and “poor” behavior is often how money is used:
Poor mindset: primarily consuming (cars, houses, lifestyle).
Wealth mindset: consistently investing (shares, property, assets that grow).He stresses starting early, being consistent, and understanding how tax and policy rules shape your strategy.
 
Quotes
 
On what influence really is
“Influence, the way I would think about influence is, it's helping someone to make the right choice for the right reasons, because you know you have influence, and then you have manipulation, and manipulation is for the wrong reasons.”— Gary Brown
On financial freedom and choice
“If you become financially free, you have the choices to do whatever you want, whenever you want, with who you want, and that's something that's pretty special.”— Gary Brown
On the difference between rich and poor mindsets
“Most people consume, and that's the poor mindset. The rich mindset is to also invest… First, become financially free, invest your time and energy into building that passive income, getting yourself in the right position. Then do whatever you want to do.”— Gary Brown
 
Timestamps:
 
00:00 – Gary on knowing “where all the money is” and the idea of joint accounts plus personal “play money”
00:58 – Anton introduces the Find Your Influence podcast and today’s guest, Gary Brown
01:48 – Anton’s intro of Gary’s background, qualifications, and business achievements
03:00 – Story of HNB Accounting rebranding to Hatcher Advisory to enable scaling
03:55 – Gary’s journey: from $1,500 and a $14k start-up to ~$75M net worth, long hours, and keeping promises
06:21 – Integrity in business: “We say what we do, and we do what we say” and frustration with flaky service providers
07:28 – Critique of some tradies’ billing practices and how short‑term thinking hurts business
08:37 – Transition to the topic of influence
08:47 – Gary defines influence vs manipulation; example of warning a client not to buy a Porsche with ATO debts
10:15 – His “why”: helping people make better financial decisions, shaped by his parents’ mistakes
11:15 – Financial stress, money arguments, and high divorce rates linked to finances
12:40 – What accountants see: hidden spending, vices, and marriages breaking down
14:23 – Communication, trust, and why spouses should have full access to finances
15:15 – Discussion of women’s and partners’ agency in money; everyone should know their financial position
16:12 – Gary’s system: both partners must understand strategy; joint account plus personal “play money”
18:35 – “Play money” rules, guilt‑free spending, and avoiding blow‑ups over small purchases
20:34 – Splitting roles: one partner focusing on income, the other on growing wealth (e.g., SMSF)
21:25 – Positive influence from his mum: early maths, Monopoly, Rich Dad Poor Dad, seminars
23:02 – Good intentions vs poor execution; how repeated micro‑decisions shape outcomes
24:23 – White‑out vs paper‑and‑tape story as an analogy for scarcity thinking
25:20 – Breaking cycles of welfare and low income; environment and choices over time
26:52 – Scarcity vs generosity; how financial hardship can change giving behavior
27:13 – Federal budget discussion begins; concerns for small business owners
28:07 – Anticipated need for costly restructures and hard client conversations
30:21 – Macro view: fear, reduced investing, fewer dwellings, continued migration
32:12 – Impact on rents, housing affordability, and why some policies help investors but hurt the country
34:26 – How people “learn the rules” of new government schemes (e.g., NDIS) and profit from them
36:30 – Why current tax changes may discourage investing and slow economic growth
38:21 – How high future capital gains tax can change saving and investing behavior for young people
40:05 – Risk of creating “modern day slavery” through policy that keeps people stuck in 9–5 with no upside
40:57 – Housing supply, social housing pressure, and taxes feeding a cycle towards more state control
41:30 – What Gary is most proud of: clients and team members buying their first investments
42:31 – Helping people “get out of the rat race” (Cashflow game analogy)
43:06 – Anton’s family examples: first house, kids’ property choices, and starting points
43:46 – Knowing what you know now vs then; hindsight on interest rates and asset choices
45:38 – Family member example: lifestyle debt vs being almost debt‑free and ready to invest
46:18 – Keeping up with the Joneses, friendship groups, and lifestyle arms races
47:05 – Wealthy behavior vs poor behavior: more money in investments than lifestyle assets
47:42 – People reaching 50–60 with no saleable business and insufficient retirement assets
48:10 – Gary’s current work habits: early starts, obsession, and scheduling choices because he can
49:00 – Obsession as a choice; effort, focus, strategy toward success
49:56 – Anton’s hesitation implementing Gary’s advice due to income dip and fear
50:52 – How Gary built a multi‑million‑dollar share portfolio: investing a fixed percentage of revenue
51:10 – Sticking to an investment rule even when the business struggled (e.g., COVID lockdowns)
52:23 – Personal targets: wanting to pay $1M in tax (legally minimized) as a success metric
52:50 – His rule for buying a Ferrari: be able to afford it twice in cash and not care
53:26 – Additional rule: own more in shares of the car company than the car is worth
55:26 – Consumer mindset vs investor mindset; the iPhone/Apple stock example
56:09 – Most people consume, the rich also invest; starting with 10% of income for financial freedom
00:20 – Teaching his daughter maths and money concepts early, inspired by his mum
02:28 – Final message: financial freedom requires action, not talk
02:50 – “If you become financially free, you have the choices to do whatever you want, whenever you want, with who you want…”
03:30+ – Closing reflections, gratitude, and recap of key ideas around influence, choices, and money
 
Conclusion:
Gary Brown brings together money, influence, and personal responsibility into one clear message: your financial future is built on the choices you make today. From his journey starting with $1,500 to building substantial wealth, Gary shows that financial freedom doesn’t come from luck or income alone, but from understanding the rules, communicating openly about money, and consistently investing rather than just consuming. His ideas on joint accounts, guilt‑free “play money,” and starting early with simple, disciplined investing give listeners a practical roadmap to reduce stress, strengthen relationships, and create the freedom to do what you want, when you want, with the people you choose.

From Failed Startup to Businesses in 6 Countries | Jeff Burke

Jeff (Jeffrey) Burke, a Pilbara-based civil construction operator and international entrepreneur. Jeff describes how a failed motorcycle-brand idea in Vietnam led to the creation and rapid growth of Onya Bike Adventures, now operating in six countries, as well as a paint manufacturing company, Revolution Paint. He reflects on Vietnam’s appeal, its rawness, family-centered culture, and homestay experiences, and how the business began as a “hobby” that unexpectedly exploded. Shifting to the core theme of influence, Jeff explains that for him, influence is about the “center of influence”, the people you surround yourself with. Throughout his career, from early days as an apprentice working for a successful Canberra builder who helped him buy his first block of land, to his time at Rio Tinto, to learning from billionaires and experts (including time on Necker Island with Richard Branson), Jeff has deliberately sought out capable, values-aligned people, asked them lots of questions, and modeled their thinking. He emphasizes constant learning through mentors, self-development (e.g., Tony Robbins programs), and voracious reading as the engine behind his business growth and personal development.
 
Takeaways:
Influence = proximity to the right peopleJeff sees influence as the “center of influence” around you—deliberately choosing to be near experts, high performers, and people who think bigger, then learning by asking lots of questions.
Apprentice mindset never stopsFrom his early days with a wealthy Canberra builder who helped him into land development to modern-day billionaires and business leaders, Jeff consistently approaches others as a learner, not as “the expert.”
Turn setbacks into new venturesHis original motorcycle brand in Vietnam failed, but that exposure opened the door to adventure motorcycle touring and Revolution Paint, which then grew far beyond the original “hobby” idea.
 
Quotes:
On influence and proximity
“For me, influence is really about the center of influence – the people around you at the time. I’m always looking for who’s the expert, who’s done well, then I get around them and ask a lot of questions.” – Jeff Burke
On learning and self-development
“I’m constantly reading and listening. I don’t waste time with radio or TV – I’ve always got a book or audio on. You might read something and think there’s not much in it, then six months later one piece pops up and changes how you handle an opportunity.” – Jeff Burke
On work, luck, and opportunity
“Yeah, there’s luck in success, but you’ve still got to get up every day and earn the luck. Constant education and being open to opportunity – that’s what lets you move when something like COVID or a crash hits.” – Jeff Burke
 
Timestamps:
01:00 – Anton introduces the Find Your Influence podcast and Jeff Burke’s background across WA civil construction and Vietnam ventures
04:00 – Jeff explains going to Vietnam, the failed motorcycle brand, and how adventure bike tours and Revolution Paint began
06:43 – Jeff describes Vietnam homestays, village life, and how the “hobby” bike tour business grew into six countries
08:07 – Jeff defines influence as his “center of influence” and the importance of surrounding himself with experts
11:35 – Jeff discusses diversification, building nine companies, and learning from high-level entrepreneurs on Necker Island
17:39 – Jeff talks about early influencers, a Canberra builder who helped him buy land, and his heavy focus on self-development and audiobooks
19:10 – Jeff and Anton dive into learning M&A with JT Fox, Dennis, and Adam Coffey, and buying companies instead of only building from scratch
21:50 – Jeff shares how Adam Coffey shifted his focus to culture, A-players, and working on the business, not in it
25:35 – Discussion of discipline, daily training, and how endurance events and the gym support performance in business
30:00 – Jeff reflects on who he’s most proud of: his younger self, his kids, and the people he’s developed in his businesses
32:50 – Jeff talks about his Vietnamese wife, elevating women in the family, and creating a stable home life that supports his work
39:01 – Jeff and Anton connect dots between coaching, JT’s events, Adam Coffey, and the power of saying yes to big opportunities
43:21 – Jeff explains how a Tony Robbins event during the GFC led to a Defense Housing deal that saved his business
46:32 – Conversation on “luck,” preparation, recovering from setbacks, and the idea that the harder you work, the luckier you get
51:00 – Jeff’s closing focus on legacy, contribution, and building businesses that support future generations, not just money
 
Conclusion:
Jeff Burke’s journey leaves us with a powerful blueprint: put yourself in the right rooms, stay endlessly curious, and be prepared to reinvent when things don’t go to plan. From an apprentice chippy learning property from a local builder to international ventures in Vietnam to scaling multiple companies and playing in the M&A space, Jeff shows that success isn’t a single breakthrough—it’s the compound effect of who you surround yourself with, what you’re willing to learn, and how hard you’re prepared to work. And now, with his focus firmly on health, leadership, and legacy, Jeff reminds us that the real game is building something that outlives us while enjoying the process along the way. If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs a nudge to level up their own center of influence—and start choosing your “hard” a little more intentionally from today.
 

Why Most Leaders Fail to Create Real Change with Patrick Fordyce

What do you actually see when you walk onto a worksite? Do you see a hazard, or do you see the human consequence? In this powerful episode of the Find Your Influence podcast, Anton Guinea sits down with Patrick (Pat) Fordyce, COO of Berg Engineering and Author of 'The Stability Cycle', to look at what it truly takes to drive operational discipline and human-centred leadership. Anton shares a life-changing story from a safety walk he did with Pat years ago. While Anton saw a physical hazard, Pat saw the real-world consequence: an injury, an ambulance turning up, a devastating phone call to parents, and a family disrupted. This conversation dives deep into the foresight leaders need to build true psychological safety and protect their teams. We also explore: • The 4 pillars of operational discipline: Systems, Symbols, Behaviour, and Structure. • Patrick Lencioni’s 'Five Dysfunctions of a Team'—how to move an executive team from healthy conflict to convergence and total commitment. • Strategic leadership alignment: Why Pat placed Anton into a tough, technical commissioning role to leverage his high-influence energy and lift an entire workforce. • Shifting from unconscious habits to conscious change, and why great leaders "expect people to fail" during a transition so they can support them through it. Leadership work is hard, complex, and sometimes lonely—but the results are entirely worth it. Tune in for an hour of pure executive coaching. If you enjoyed this conversation, please be one of the 10% of legendary viewers who hit that subscribe button, like the video, and drop a comment below! 👉 Want to sponsor the podcast or suggest our next guest? Reach out to us directly! #FindYourInfluence #LeadershipDevelopment #CultureChange #SystemsLeadership #PsychologicalSafety #PatrickFordyce #TheStabilityCycle #SafetyCulture #OperationalDiscipline #HumanCentredLeadership

From Failed Deals To Billion‑Dollar M&A: Craig Keegan On Influence, Accountability & Execution

Craig Keegan—a Melbourne-based M&A and roll-up operator focused on dental practice consolidation—shares key lessons from his entrepreneurial journey. He emphasizes the importance of owning your own product, system, and IP after being burned by failed partnerships and unethical operators, which led him to always build his own platforms and processes. Craig outlines his four rules for relationships and partnerships (know what you can and can’t do, never lie, never ignore) and stresses that business is fundamentally about relationships and trust. He explains his view of influence as what people say about you when you’re not in the room (or even in the same country), describing how consistent content creation—80 podcasts and 200 LinkedIn articles in 12 months—has attracted global interest in his Dental Exit Cooperative model. Craig also reflects on his personal evolution from a troubled, rebellious student with a violent upbringing to “version five” of himself, deeply influenced by mentor JT Fox, whose knowledge, care, and similar background earned Craig’s respect and reshaped his approach to learning, mentoring, and adding tangible value in every interaction.
 
Takeaways:
 
Own the IP and stay in controlCraig’s biggest business lesson is to control your own product, systems, and strategy. When he relied on others’ platforms or integrity (the failed internet business and property education scheme), everything could disappear overnight and he had no control. Building your own system keeps both the upside and the responsibility with you.
Relationships and integrity are the core of influenceHis four rules for working with people (be clear on what you can/can’t do, never lie, never ignore) show that long-term success in M&A, teams, and partnerships is built on trust and reliability. Influence, to him, is what people say about you when you’re not in the room—even on another continent—which comes from consistently adding real value in every interaction.
Content and execution create opportunitiesBy producing 80 podcasts and 200 LinkedIn articles in 12 months, Craig made his Dental Exit Cooperative model visible, attracting partners from places like Auckland, London, Houston, and Dallas. He pairs this with a bias for execution—being the person who steps in when “the steam train has no brakes” and making billion‑dollar deals actually work in practice, not just on paper.
 
Quotes:
 
On relationships and integrity in business
“Every time I deal with someone, I always go through my four rules. Rule number one, tell me what you can do. Rule number two, tell me what you can't do… Rule number three: never lie to me or my customer. Rule number four: never ignore me or my customer.” - Craig Keegan
On what real influence means
“Your reputation is what people say when you're not in the room… I'm not even in the country. What are they saying about me?” - Craig Keegan
On the importance of accountability
“Accountability is the key… If you're not accountable, you are not getting stuff done, and you can't be accountable to yourself. You can't coach yourself. If you coach yourself, you're a fool.”
- Craig Keegan
 
Timestamps:
00:00 – Anton opens the Find Your Influence podcast and introduces guest Craig Keegan and the topic of influence.01:01 – Craig’s background in M&A, roll-ups, dental consolidation, and prior exits including AI and recycling businesses.03:06 – Biggest lesson: always control your own product, service, and IP.04:24 – Stories of failed internet and property ventures that taught Craig to build his own systems and tech.06:07 – Craig’s four rules for working with people and partners.08:52 – “Make it easy to buy” and why this mindset applies to every relationship.09:26 – How a coach pushed Craig to start a podcast and build influence through content.10:30 – 80 podcasts and 200 LinkedIn articles leading to global inbound interest in his Dental Exit Cooperative model.11:45 – Influence as what people say about you when you’re not in the room or even in the same country.12:50 – Adding tangible value in every meeting and spotting credibility gaps like broken LinkedIn links.14:40 – Positive word-of-mouth about Anton and a light moment about their matching vest and tie.16:26 – Craig’s son as a key source of accountability and moral compass.17:06 – Tough upbringing, running away at 15, living in a refuge, and becoming “version five” of Craig.20:13 – Why mentor JT Fox was the first person Craig truly respected and related to.22:10 – Government help desk story and building a team that could solve issues on the first call.25:27 – Outsiders calling the help desk because of Craig’s reputation for fixing problems.27:30 – Leadership now: drop the ego, work together, and do whatever is needed to get the job done.29:49 – Most important leadership trait: be upfront about what you can and can’t do.31:39 – 87 percent of M&A deals fail due to poor execution; Craig as the fixer when all hell breaks loose.32:58 – Billion-dollar Australian deal likened to a runaway train that he stabilised at the last minute.34:00 – Accountability as the key to results and why you can’t effectively coach yourself.35:43 – Creating a mastermind group to drive implementation and real deal-making.37:43 – Examples of introductions that lead to seven- and potential nine-figure deals.39:10 – Using specialists for exits and matching the right skills to the right roles.39:34 – Building great teams using AI, profiling, recorded interviews, and transcript analysis for culture fit.41:20 – Anton’s wrap-up on influence, accountability, leadership, and an invitation to subscribe and follow.
 
Conclusion:
Craig shows that real influence is built at the intersection of control, integrity, and accountability. Craig’s journey—from failed ventures and a tough upbringing to leading complex M&A roll-ups and the Dental Exit Cooperative—highlights why you must own your IP and systems, choose partners by clear principles, and relentlessly add value so your reputation works for you when you’re not in the room. His stories of rescuing billion-dollar deals, transforming teams, and engineering high-value introductions all reinforce a simple truth: ideas and content only matter when they’re backed by execution and external accountability, supported today by smarter tools like AI and robust team profiling.
 
 

From Single Mum to Global Speaker: Lee Campbell's Manifestation Journey

Lee Campbell, a Gold Coast-based manifestation trainer and women’s empowerment mentor. Lee explains her core archetypes (Warrior/Wonder Woman, Lover, Magician, Queen) and how women can consciously “call in” different identities to support self-leadership, resilience, and growth. Using the Wizard of Oz and Wonder Woman as metaphors, she describes the idea of taking continual “two-millimeter shifts” on the path to one’s “Emerald City” life, supported by tools like vision boards, embodiment (posture, anchors, props like a wand), and powerful mentors. She shares how mentors such as Lauren Lahav and the Tony Robbins ecosystem helped her move from corporate IT and single motherhood into a life of global travel, speaking (including on stage in a Wonder Woman outfit), and running masterminds, and how she aims to pass this level of self-leadership, adventure, and possibility on to her children and clients.
 
Takeaways:
Archetypes as self-leadership tools Lee uses intentional archetypes—Warrior/Wonder Woman, Lover (Aphrodite), Queen (Arata), and Magician (Dorothy)—to step into different versions of herself. Naming and “calling in” these identities helps her access specific qualities like courage, softness, wisdom, or creativity on demand.
“Two millimeter shifts” toward your Emerald City Personal transformation doesn’t have to be a giant leap. Lee frames growth as tiny, consistent 2 mm shifts—new beliefs, small actions, or daily habits—that cumulatively redirect your life path toward your own “Emerald City” (your ideal life and goals).
Vision boards as focus and manifestation tools Lee treats vision boards as focus boards: what you see often is what you focus on, and what you focus on is what you attract. She uses images, symbols, and even AI-generated pictures of herself (e.g., Wonder Woman in a canyon) to align her inner world with her outer reality, supporting big manifestations like international travel, speaking on stage, and life experiences with her kids.
Quotes:
 
You are only like, if you just shift two millimeters, you will go on a totally different course in your life, whether that's a new belief, a new action, something new that you do at the gym, something that you do in your career or in finance, everything's a two millimeter shift." — Lee Campbell
"To me, that's what self-leadership is. It's being able to lead yourself first, but sometimes we can't do that unless we've got a little bit of help. So, these have been my little bit of guidance in helping me along the path every day to go, come on, like, who is this next 2.0 version of you that needs to get to that goal?" — Lee Campbell
"Sometimes people aren't always going to be aligned on your dream, but just keep staying true to you and your beliefs, and you know what you really truly stand for, and you can show people the path, but not everybody's gonna follow the same path as you." — Lee Campbell
 
Timeline:
0:00 – Multiple archetypes and calling in “Wonder Woman” energy0:54 – Anton opens the Find Your Influence podcast and introduces Lee2:55 – Lee reacts to the intro, and Anton credits his researcher, Debbie3:14 – The Wizard of Oz, the yellow brick road, and “two millimeter shifts.”5:46 – “Who do you need to become?” and looking beyond your immediate circle7:42 – Wonder Woman’s creator and why the warrior archetype gets tired9:55 – Lee’s four archetypes: Warrior, Lover, Magician, and Queen12:13 – Can you be all these archetypes in one day?13:48 – Anchors, a magician’s wand, and the power of visual triggers15:13 – Vision boards as focus boards: what you focus on, you attract18:03 – Manifesting a dream house and real-life proof of vision boards19:09 – Lee’s mentor Lauren Lahav and the Tony Robbins connection22:10 – From corporate IT and single mum to global travel and speaking24:45 – Writing down “impossible” goals and the Wonder Woman stage story27:52 – Why Lee’s proudest influence is on her two teenage sons30:33 – Monument Valley, Wonder Woman photos, and staying true to your dreams32:11 – Raising boys, wild experiences, and focusing on four dreams at a time33:56 – Anton’s journey to becoming a five-figure speaker36:15 – Wrap-up: archetypes, self-leadership, and finding your influence
 
Conclusion:
Lee weaves together archetypes, micro-shifts, and vision boards into a practical framework for self-leadership and influence. Lee shows how intentionally stepping into identities such as Wonder Woman, Lover, Magician, and Queen can help us access the courage, softness, wisdom, and creativity required at different moments in life. Through the metaphor of the yellow brick road and “two millimeter shifts,” she reframes transformation as a series of small, conscious choices that ultimately lead to our personal “Emerald City.” Supported by mentors like Lauren Lahav and the Tony Robbins community, Lee’s own journey—from corporate IT and single motherhood to global speaking and masterminds—illustrates how clear vision, aligned action, and powerful influences can reshape a life. Her story ultimately reinforces that influence starts with how we lead ourselves, the dreams we dare to put on our boards, and the person we are willing to become to make those dreams real.