Most leaders aren’t short on talent — they’re short on consistent performance.

In this episode of Authentic Achievements, I’m joined by Jane Allen — serial entrepreneur, talent selection strategist, and the leader behind Smart Work Assessments. With 30+ years helping founders, CEOs and senior leaders solve one of the most expensive workplace problems (“capable people who don’t consistently perform”), Jane breaks down what’s really going on — and what to do about it.

We explore the premise behind her upcoming book, Turning Natural Potential into Performance: Restoring Responsibility and Accountability in the Workplace (co-authored with Dr. John Marshall) and why so many leaders feel the “people don’t want to work” gap — even when individuals genuinely do want to do good work.

You’ll hear why most feel-good assessments miss the mark, what makes predictive assessments different, and the three mindset shifts that help leaders build teams who take ownership — without fear, blame, or constant chasing.

If you’re hiring, leading, or carrying the weight of underperformance — this one’s for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why “people don’t want to work” is often a misdiagnosis

• What responsibility and accountability actually look like in day-to-day behaviour

• Why hiring for “experience” can be a trap (and how to hire for potential)

• The difference between descriptive personality tools vs predictive assessments

• The role of culture — and why in small businesses, culture is often the CEO

• The three mindset shifts from Jane’s book:

  • You can measure hardwired traits (and use the data to coach)
  • Stop carrying responsibility that belongs to others.
  • Coach for effort and learning, not just outcomes

• Connect with Jane Allen

  
  

  • Free resource (mentioned in the episodeWebsite: www.smartworkassessments.com

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

  • Email: jane@smartworkassessments.com (Subject line: “Authentic Achievements”)

  If you’re experiencing what Jane calls “responsibility and accountability challenges” in your company, her book includes access to a free management predictive assessment for readers — a fast way to understand your leadership potential, strengths, and development edges (“know thyself”).

  
  

In this episode of Authentic Achievements, I’m joined by the brilliant Glenn Poulos — entrepreneur, sales strategist, award-winning author of Never Sit in the Lobby, and the mind behind three successful companies across three different industries and two countries.

Glenn’s story is one of courage, curiosity, and the willingness to “change lanes when everyone else stays put.” After two major exits in tech and wireless distribution, he moved from Toronto to Orlando to lead ProgUSA — a company supplying tools and equipment that strengthen the modern power grid. His work now supports utilities, contractors, and the rising power demands driven by data centres and AI.

But the heart of Glenn’s story isn’t just about business growth. It’s about people.
It’s about staying front-of-mind, being a pleasure to do business with, and remembering that behind every deal, every email, every RFP, is a human being who wants to feel seen.

We explore:

💡 1. Reinvention & The Courage to Switch Industries

What drives someone to start again — new market, new technology, new customers, even a new country? Glenn shares the mindset that helped him build three thriving companies and why stepping into the unknown may just be your biggest competitive advantage.

💡 2. The Core Lesson Behind Never Sit in the Lobby

Glenn brings his bestselling book to life with practical, memorable stories — from why you should never sit in the lobby before a meeting, to how mini-tours, presence, and preparation can transform your sales relationships.

💡 3. Being “A Pleasure To Do Business With”

In a world full of noise, complexity, and automation, Glenn explains why humanity still wins. And why your reputation — how you show up, how people feel around you — is your most powerful asset.

💡 4. Using AI as a Sales & Productivity Advantage

Glenn lifts the curtain on how he uses AI to analyse documentation, spot new opportunities, accelerate proposals, and make better decisions faster — without losing the human connection that builds trust.

💡 5. The Simple Tools Leaders Can Use Today

From smarter RFP responses to building genuine rapport, Glenn shares practical tips that leaders and sales teams can apply instantly.

🎧 Why This Episode Matters

If you’re a founder, leader, or sales professional navigating change, this conversation is a refreshing reminder that success isn’t just about strategy or product.
It’s about curiosity, connection, and the courage to keep evolving.

Glenn’s wisdom is timeless, practical, and delivered with warmth and humour — the kind that comes from decades of real experience with real customers.

📍 Connect with Glenn Poulos

Website: https://glennpoulos.com/
Buy Never Sit in the Lobby: https://amzn.to/3whwPh3
Connect with him on LinkedIn — he’s there daily and always happy to share ideas.

🎙 Tune in & Enjoy

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I loved recording it.
It’s a story of reinvention, resilience, and what it truly means to be a leader people want to work with — again and again.

In this episode of Authentic Achievements, I’m joined by the extraordinary Aimée Buchler — a woman whose story will stay with you long after you finish listening.

By the age of twenty, Aimée had achieved what many only dream of: bodybuilding champion, six-figure entrepreneur, and a life that looked unstoppable from the outside. But behind the achievements sat a reality she could no longer outrun — the grief of losing her mother, deep emotional burnout, and a body that eventually collapsed under the pressure.

Doctors told her recovery was impossible.
Aimée refused to accept that story.

What happened next became the foundation of The Rise Room and the powerful Endless Energy Method she now teaches to ambitious entrepreneurs and leaders worldwide.

Together we explore:

💬 In This Episode

1. How the death of her mother quietly shaped Aimée’s health, ambition, and eventual collapse
She opens up about the trauma she carried, the emotions she didn’t know how to process, and the moment her body forced her to stop.

2. Why health MUST be part of an entrepreneur’s strategy (and why ignoring it is so costly)
Aimée shares the science behind burnout, the common myths entrepreneurs fall for, and why energy — not effort — is the real growth strategy.

3. The most common health issues entrepreneurs face today
From sleep disruption and gut issues to subconscious beliefs formed in childhood, Aimée breaks down why so many high achievers hit a wall.

4. How she rebuilt her health, business, and life from the ground up
Including the breathwork experience that changed everything and why healing the nervous system is at the heart of high performance.

5. Practical steps you can take right now to avoid burnout and build sustainable success
Expect wisdom, compassion and genuinely actionable insights.

✨ Why This Episode Matters

Let’s get real: entrepreneurs often push themselves to breaking point. Many of us learn to perform, achieve and “keep going” long before we ever learn to feel or rest. Aimée’s story is a reminder that your body keeps the score — and it will whisper until it has to shout.

This conversation is an invitation to pause, breathe, and remember that success was never meant to cost you your wellbeing.

✨ Connect With Aimée

Website: www.theriseroom.com
Endless Energy Masterclass: endlessenergymasterclass.com
Instagram: @aimeebuchler
YouTube: @aimeebuchler
LinkedIn: Aimee Buchler

✨ If You Enjoyed This Episode…

Please take a moment to rate, review, or share it with someone who might need a gentle reminder that they are allowed to rest, heal, and thrive — without burning out.