In this episode of the Sustainable Success Show, Phil Johnson shares why so many executives are failing in today’s rapidly evolving business environment. Trained for a world that no longer exists, leaders are relying on intellect and experience while the competitive landscape has shifted dramatically. Artificial intelligence now performs cognitive tasks faster and more accurately than humans, making raw intellect less of a differentiator.Phil explores how emotional intelligence (EQ) is now the key to effective leadership. He explains how managing emotions, building trust, inspiring teams, and responding consciously rather than reacting out of fear can create sustainable success. Executives, founders, and organizational leaders will learn how to shift from traditional leadership approaches to EQ-driven strategies that improve decision-making, strengthen relationships, and drive performance in today’s Trust Economy.Through real-world examples and actionable insights, Phil reveals how emotionally intelligent leaders navigate disruption, inspire loyalty, and maintain presence under pressure—outcomes that artificial intelligence and technical skill alone cannot replicate.BIO:Phil Johnson is a leadership and emotional intelligence coach with over 25 years of experience helping executives, founders, and organizations lead with clarity, trust, and presence. As Founder & CEO of the Master of Business Leadership Academy, he specializes in developing emotionally steady leaders who perform under pressure and succeed in today’s Trust Economy.Master of Business Leadership Academy: https://philjohnson1.podia.com/MBL Founder & CEO: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipjpjohnson/MBL Alumni: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfc3tV87p03JMDOXqDu8tQMBL Podcast: https://masterofbusinessleadership.libsyn.com/MBL Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/eq-400-more-powerful-than-iq-6902676768759902210/MBL Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Phil-Johnson/author/B007P4UYJ6?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=1d09966f-8a8c-4059-a581-3d16aba2ee89About Christopher SalemChristopher Salem, the dynamic host of the Sustainable Success Show, has been empowering business leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations for nearly 8 years. Through thought-provoking weekly content, Christopher delivers actionable insights that inspire growth and sustainable success in today’s ever-evolving marketplace.His show spotlights influential thought leaders, offering transformative strategies to overcome challenges, enhance performance, and achieve long-term goals. Christopher’s expertise, coupled with his dedication to fostering professional and personal development, has made him a trusted voice in the world of leadership and entrepreneurship.Discover more about Christopher and the Sustainable Success Show at www.christophersalem.com and www.sustainablesuccess.net. Connect with Christopher on Social Media:· Facebook: @ChrisSalem | @SustainableSuccess | @ChristopherSalemProfessional· Instagram: @chrisrsalem· Twitter: @chrisrsalem· LinkedIn: @Christopher Salem· YouTube: @ChristopherrSalem Access the Show Watch the video & listen on demand YouTube Playlist:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd7Ahhi5m83_G1Jf_6FMoRNFLB_W7ECES Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sustainable-success-show/id1868676176 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/353WlixQoLa3JNifg5NXyv Amazon Music:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4dc7cecb-4a7f-4f1c-9a9c-668fcefdfc39/sustainable-success-show iHeartRadio:https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sustainable-success-show-317152324/Join Christopher to unlock the keys to your sustainable success!#SustainableSuccess #SustainableSuccessShow #ChristopherSalem #EP6 #PhilJohnson #ExecutivesAreFailing #EmotionalIntelligence #EQLeadership #TrustEconomy #LeadershipFailure #ExecutiveLeadership #ModernLeadership #AIAndLeadership #HumanCenteredLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment

Trusting the Whispers: Leaving Traditional Healthcare & Writing the Book That Wouldn’t Let GoIn this episode of Sustainable Success, Dr. Lauren Hartman shares the deep personal journey that led her to leave large healthcare systems, build her own practice, and ultimately write her book. What began as a leap of self-trust evolved into learning how to listen to the quiet “whispers” guiding her toward more aligned work. Dr. Hartman opens about navigating fear, honoring intuition, and why sustainable success starts from within and not from external validation.BIO:Dr. Lauren Hartman is a physician, entrepreneur, and author who left traditional healthcare to create a more aligned, patient-centered practice. Her work centers on self-trust, intuition, and redefining success in medicine and life. Through her book and practice, Dr. Hartman helps others reconnect with their inner guidance and build lives and careers rooted in sustainability, purpose, and integrity.Social Media Channels* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenhartmanmd/* Website: https://www.aspengroveayam.comAbout Christopher SalemChristopher Salem, the dynamic host of the Sustainable Success Show, has been empowering business leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations for nearly 8 years. Through thought-provoking weekly content, Christopher delivers actionable insights that inspire growth and sustainable success in today’s ever-evolving marketplace.His show spotlights influential thought leaders, offering transformative strategies to overcome challenges, enhance performance, and achieve long-term goals. Christopher’s expertise, coupled with his dedication to fostering professional and personal development, has made him a trusted voice in the world of leadership and entrepreneurship.Discover more about Christopher and the Sustainable Success Show at www.christophersalem.com and www.sustainablesuccess.net. Connect with Christopher on Social Media:· Facebook: @ChrisSalem | @SustainableSuccess | @ChristopherSalemProfessional· Instagram: @chrisrsalem· Twitter: @chrisrsalem· LinkedIn: @Christopher Salem· YouTube: @ChristopherrSalem Access the Show Watch the video & listen on demand YouTube Playlist:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd7Ahhi5m83_G1Jf_6FMoRNFLB_W7ECES Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sustainable-success-show/id1868676176 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/353WlixQoLa3JNifg5NXyv Amazon Music:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4dc7cecb-4a7f-4f1c-9a9c-668fcefdfc39/sustainable-success-show iHeartRadio:https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sustainable-success-show-317152324/Join Christopher to unlock the keys to your sustainable success!#SustainableSuccess #SustainableSuccessShow #ChristopherSalem #EP5 #LaurenHartman #DrLaurenHartman #TrustingTheWhispers #AlignedSuccess #SelfTrust #IntuitiveLeadership #PhysicianEntrepreneur #HealthcareTransformation #LeavingTraditionalHealthcare #PurposeDrivenWork #InnerGuidance #AuthenticLeadership #EntrepreneurJourney #WomenInMedicine #RedefiningSuccess #LeadershipPodcast

Top 10 Sales Drivers for SMBs Today | John Noonan | Christopher Salem | Sustainable Success EP4Small and mid-sized business owners are working harder than ever yet many still face inconsistent revenue, long sales cycles, and low conversion rates. If your sales feel reactive instead of predictable, this episode is for you.On this episode of the Sustainable Success Show, host Christopher Salem sits down with sales leader John Noonan to break down the Top 10 Sales Drivers SMBs must focus on today to grow revenue without burning out teams or budgets.John shares practical, real-world insights to help SMB owners overcome fragmented sales processes, limited resources, and trust gaps with modern buyers, revealing why many businesses are missing revenue that’s already within reach.You’ll learn how to:~ Identify overlooked sales drivers limiting growth~ Shorten sales cycles without discounting or pressure~ Meet today’s buyer expectations with clarity and confidence~ Build trust, retention, and referral-driven growth~ Create more consistent, predictable revenueIf you’re ready to sell smarter and build a sustainable sales engine, this episode delivers clear, actionable takeaways you can apply immediately.BIO:As a former EVP of sales & marketing with 3 decades of experience who has been in the shoes of business owners who are not meeting sales goals & achieving sustainable success, I now partner with business owners to transform sales challenges into sustainable success, boosting accountability, driving growth, and unlocking unstoppable performance.I am the President of Growth Plan Partners, a company that helps small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) create record-breaking sales growth. As a Certified Sales Leader (CSL) and a Vistage Trusted Advisor, I leverage my 35+ years of experience in sales and marketing, as well as my MBA in Marketing and Finance, to provide strategic guidance and leadership to my clients.My mission is to build a path to more sales for SMBs that struggle to grow their sales, or need guidance to get to the next level and beyond. I do this by creating and implementing sales strategy and plans, finding and targeting the best customers, and growing and optimizing the sales pipeline. I also coach and mentor business owners, sales leaders and sales teams to develop their skills and confidence. Contact Info:LinkedIn: (36) John Noonan - MBA, CSL, Vistage TA, ProVisor | LinkedInYouTube - @JohnNoonan-c5lInstagram – growthplanpartnersTwitter - @noonan_jnoonanMobile: 914-450-9190Email: jnoonan@salesxceleration.com Website Link:Growth Plan Partners Set an Appointment: https://calendly.com/jnoonan-gpp/30min About Christopher SalemChristopher Salem, the dynamic host of the Sustainable Success Show, has been empowering business leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations for nearly 8 years. Through thought-provoking weekly content, Christopher delivers actionable insights that inspire growth and sustainable success in today’s ever-evolving marketplace.His show spotlights influential thought leaders, offering transformative strategies to overcome challenges, enhance performance, and achieve long-term goals. Christopher’s expertise, coupled with his dedication to fostering professional and personal development, has made him a trusted voice in the world of leadership and entrepreneurship.Discover more about Christopher and the Sustainable Success Show at www.christophersalem.com and www.sustainablesuccess.net. Connect with Christopher on Social Media:· Facebook: Personal | Sustainable Success | Professional· Instagram: @chrisrsalem· Twitter: @chrisrsalem· LinkedIn: @Christopher Salem· YouTube: @ChristopherrSalemJoin Christopher to unlock the keys to your sustainable success!#SustainableSuccessShow #SalesDrivers #SMBSales #SalesGrowth #PredictableRevenue #SalesLeadership #B2BSales #SalesStrategy #RevenueGrowth #SalesOptimization #TrustBasedSelling #JohnNoonan #ChristopherSalem

Navigating Market Disruption: Lessons from a Lifetime in Financial Services | Rob Haynie | ChristopherSalem | Sustainable Success EP3Rob Haynie has spent nearly three decades at the forefront of the life settlement industry, helping to shape its growth through thousands of negotiated contracts, regulatory leadership, and industry-wide education. Recognized as one of the top 10 most influential figures in the field, Rob’s career reflects firsthand experience navigating complexity, disruption, and constant change in financial services.In this episode of Sustainable Success, host Chris Salem sits down with Rob to explore how market disruption impacts the financial services industry and what it takes to adapt, lead, and thrive during uncertainty. Rob shares lessons learned from almost 30 years in the business, insights into regulatory and legislative challenges, and practical strategies for managing risk, building resilience, and identifying opportunities in evolving markets.BIO:Rob, often referred to as Mr. Life Settlements, has been a major influence on the evolution of the life settlement industry during his thirty-two-year career of proactive involvement. Not only has he been directly involved in negotiating and settling several thousand contracts, he also presently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA) and is a charter member of the Association’s PPC committee, which is charged with the regulatory and legislative activities of the industry.On October the 24th, 2024, he recently was the recipient of the prestigious Alan H. Buerger Leadership Award. The AHB Leadership award honors industry leaders who have made significant contributions to support the development and growth of LISA and the life settlement marketplace.On November the 19th, 2024, he was also named one of the Finseca/NAILBA’s ID Twenty Award recipients that honor independent distribution's most courageous innovators and visionaries, who have made important contributions to the insurance profession.He was named one of the top 10 most influential people in the life settlement industry worldwide.Mr. Haynie, an Alumnus of Florida State University, currently holds a Life Agent License with Viatical Settlement Broker Appointment for LIS and has spoken at almost every life settlement industry meeting or conference, published articles on the subject on multiple continents and has given many educational webinars as well as been recently featured on multiple podcasts as well as co-hosting his own with Mark Mrky entitled UNLOCKING THE HIDDEN VALUE OF YOUR LIFE INSURANCE, which is the first and only podcast dealing exclusively with the issues surrounding the life settlement marketplace: Contact Info:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-haynie-08656b9/https://www.instagram.com/johnrobhaynie/https://www.lisettlements.com/954.599.4433 - Cell rob@lisettlements.comAbout Christopher SalemChristopher Salem, the dynamic host of the Sustainable Success Show, has been empowering business leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations for nearly 8 years. Through thought-provoking weekly content, Christopher delivers actionable insights that inspire growth and sustainable success in today’s ever-evolving marketplace.His show spotlights influential thought leaders, offering transformative strategies to overcome challenges, enhance performance, and achieve long-term goals. Christopher’s expertise, coupled with his dedication to fostering professional and personal development, has made him a trusted voice in the world of leadership and entrepreneurship. Connect with Christopher on Social Media:· Facebook: Personal | Sustainable Success | Professional· Instagram: @chrisrsalem· Twitter: @chrisrsalem· LinkedIn: @Christopher Salem· YouTube: @ChristopherrSalemJoin Christopher to unlock the keys to your sustainable success!

The Empathic Leader: How EQ via Empathy Transforms Leadership for Better Profit, Productivity, and Innovation | Dr Melissa Robinson-Winemiller | ChristopherSalem | Sustainable Success EP2Is the gap between your leadership vision and your day-to-day reality widening? Many leaders today feel stuck navigating AI disruption, generational friction, quiet quitting, and declining engagement despite investing in leadership books, assessments, and training. The knowledge is there, but the results aren’t.Drawing from her groundbreaking book, Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller breaks down how empathy when applied strategically, not emotionally, becomes a powerful leadership process. You’ll learn how to move empathy from concept to execution, strengthening trust, reducing burnout, improving communication, and creating cultures where people perform at their best.BIO:Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller is an author, TEDx speaker, leadership coach, and host of The Empathic Leader podcast. Motivated by personal experience and a deep love of learning, Melissa has conducted extensive research on the role of empathy in effective leadership through the lens of emotional intelligence. Her groundbreaking findings and compelling stage presence have inspired audiences around the world, including TEDx and institutions such as Yale University, Columbia University, and Northwestern University. She also has spoken at Oxford University and Cambridge University and written for LA Weekly, Deadline News UK, The San Francisco Post, and Authority Magazine, among others. Dr. Robinson-Winemiller is on a mission to transform the way we connect and understand one another within organizations by applying strategic, actionable empathy to help build more connected, human-centered workplaces and communities. With more titles currently in development, she continues her work to redefine leadership through the power of empathy and emotional intelligence.Contact Info:melissa.a.robinson@gmail.comhttps://eqviaempathy.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-a-robinson-winemiller-author-speaker-trainer/ (her main social media)https://www.instagram.com/empathyqueen.eq/https://www.tiktok.com/@empathyqueen.eqhttps://www.facebook.com/eqviaempathy/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaoXSEWeILo&t=63s (TEDx talk)https://geni.us/TheEmpathicLeader (Amazon book link)https://www.youtube.com/@TheEmpathicLeader (her podcast/YouTube channel)About Christopher SalemChristopher Salem, the dynamic host of the Sustainable Success Show, has been empowering business leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations for nearly 8 years. Through thought-provoking weekly content, Christopher delivers actionable insights that inspire growth and sustainable success in today’s ever-evolving marketplace.His show spotlights influential thought leaders, offering transformative strategies to overcome challenges, enhance performance, and achieve long-term goals. Christopher’s expertise, coupled with his dedication to fostering professional and personal development, has made him a trusted voice in the world of leadership and entrepreneurship.Discover more about Christopher and the Sustainable Success Show at www.christophersalem.com and www.sustainablesuccess.net. Connect with Christopher on Social Media:· Facebook: Personal | Sustainable Success | Professional· Instagram: @chrisrsalem· Twitter: @chrisrsalem· LinkedIn: #Christopher Salem· YouTube: @ChristopherrSalemJoin Christopher to unlock the keys to your sustainable success!#SustainableSuccessShow #EmpathicLeadership #EQviaEmpathy #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment #EmpathyInLeadership #HumanCenteredLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #LeadershipAndProfit #ProductivityAndInnovation #FutureOfLeadership #DrMelissaRobinsonWinemiller #ChristopherSalem #LeadershipPodcast #BusinessLeadership #OrganizationalCulture #EmployeeEngagement #LeadershipTransformation #EmpathyDrivenLeadership #ModernLeadership

EP1 | Why Leaders Repeat the Same Mistakes | Joseph Infante | Christopher Salem | Sustainable Success Show

Why Leaders Repeat the Same Mistakes — And How Hidden Patterns Drive Their Decisions

Many leaders work harder, add new strategies, or invest in better tools yet still find themselves facing the same challenges year after year. Why?

In this episode, we uncover how unseen patterns, habits, and decision-making loops quietly shape outcomes in leadership, growth, and performance — often without leaders realizing it.

Guest: Joseph Infante

Joseph “Joe” Infante is a seasoned Business & Technology Executive, former U.S. Army Drill Instructor with the 82nd Airborne Division, and a fractional CIOwho helps leaders identify the root causes behind stalled growth, repeated mistakes, and misaligned decisions.

Joe brings a calm, relatable, and story-driven style blending operational clarity, leadership psychology, and real-world examples to show how unconscious behaviors influence results in both business and life.

Learn more about Joe: https://compassleft.com/

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

~ Why awareness alone isn’t enough to change behavior

~ How hidden patterns keep leaders and organizations stuck

~ The difference between fixing symptoms and addressing root causes

~ Practical ways to interrupt old decision cycles and create sustainable change

Hosted by Christopher Salem

Christopher Salem has been empowering business leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations for nearly 8 years as host of the Sustainable Success Show. Each episode delivers actionable insights that help leaders grow with intention, clarity, and long-term impact.

Learn more at:

www.christophersalem.com

www.sustainablesuccess.net

Access the Show

Watch the video & listen on demand

image.png YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@christopherrsalem

Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sustainable-success/id1240368122?mt=2

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/585fkz4pV0A8BwR7yeLWSm

Connect with Christopher

Facebook: @christophersalemprofessional

Instagram: @chrisrsalem

Twitter/X: @chrisrsalem

LinkedIn: Christopher Salem

YouTube: @ChristopherrSalem

Join us for this powerful conversation and uncover the patterns shaping your decisions, so you can lead with greater clarity, confidence, and sustainable success.

#SustainableSuccessShow #LeadershipMistakes #JosephInfante #ChristopherSalem #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveLeadership #DecisionMaking #LeadershipPatterns #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipPsychology #FractionalCIO #RootCauseAnalysis #OrganizationalLeadership #LeadershipMindset #BusinessStrategy #HiddenPatterns #LeadershipAwareness #ChangeManagement #SustainableLeadership #PerformanceGrowth #LeadershipPodcast #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #ProfessionalDevelopment