We explore the power of self-managing teams, innovation ecosystems, and the art of consensus-building with John Taylor McIntyre, the Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of Mutual Prosperity.

We discuss his unique upbringing in a multicultural home, his journey through theatre, and his experiences in Japan that shaped his leadership philosophy.

The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the challenge of breaking the ‘Curse of Babel’ in organisations, the importance of Nemawashi for effective decision-making, and how businesses can scale leadership while fostering autonomy.

SHOWNOTES are here:

http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-wisdom

Planet Human:

China creates world's first two-way brain-computer interface. https://interestingengineering.com/science/worlds-first-2-way-bci-china

Join the Power Games advance notice here:

https://www.zoerouth.com/power-games

Key Quotes:

"When we align our language, we unlock collaboration." – John Taylor McIntyre

"Leadership is not about control; it’s about empowering others to make great decisions." – Zoë Routh

"True innovation happens when we create space for new ideas to take root." – John Taylor McIntyre

Questions Asked:

1. What does it take to build truly self-managing teams?

2. How can organisations break through communication barriers and align their language?

3. What is the Nemawashi principle, and how does it help organisations scale leadership?

4. How do we foster a culture of innovation while maintaining strong leadership?

5. What role does personal connection play in shaping high-performing teams?

Take Action:

1. Review your decision-making processes—are they inclusive and effective?

2. Reflect on the concept of Nemawashi: How can you better prepare your team for change?

3. Start a leadership journal to document key decisions and assess their long-term impact.

4. Encourage more open conversations about power, influence, and collaboration within your team.

Tip of the Week:

Align your team’s language to enhance collaboration. Conduct a ‘Language Audit’ in your organisation to identify jargon, miscommunications, and gaps in understanding.

Join the community here:

https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast-news

You’ll receive 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, plus a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments

00:00 – Introduction and Weekly Question

00:20 – Breakthrough in Brain-Computer Interfaces

01:34 – Training for the Australian Alpine Walking Track

02:09 – Upcoming Book: Power Games

03:21 – Exploring the Concept of Power

06:44 – Interview with John Taylor McIntyre

23:40 – Servant Leadership and Innovation Ecosystems

24:16 – Understanding Technology Transfer

28:06 – Breaking the Curse of Babel

30:11 – The Nemawashi Principle

36:11 – Scaling Leadership and Autonomous Teams

41:23 – The Fast Three: Future Tech, Leadership Tips, and Current Reads

47:36 – The Importance of Personal Relationships in Business

49:52 – Conclusion and Additional Resources

#leadershipskills #leadershipdevelopment #leadershiplessons #leadershiptraining #innovation #selfmanagingteams #futureofleadership

Zoë Routh welcomes Candice DeVille, co-founder and CEO of AI CoPilot, to discuss the impact and practical applications of AI tools in personal and professional settings. They explore how AI can enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and create opportunities for business leaders. Candice shares insights into AI’s geopolitical landscape, the importance of diverse perspectives in AI development, and how leaders can implement AI to streamline business operations.

The conversation also covers the ethical considerations of AI, its evolving capabilities, and how businesses can develop a strategic AI roadmap. Additionally, Zoë recommends Tough Broad by Caroline Paul, an inspiring read on outdoor adventure for women.

SHOWNOTES are here.

https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/ai-power-practical-strategies-for-leaders

Key Quotes

“The challenge for leaders isn’t just keeping up with AI—it’s making smart, strategic choices about where to use it." – Zoë Routh

"The best use of AI is not to replace people, but to augment what they’re already doing." – Candice DeVille

"We have the opportunity to shape AI by how we use it, what we teach it, and how we engage with it." – Candice DeVille

"When using AI, start small. Automate the tasks that are repetitive, prone to human error, and the ones that people complain about the most." – Candice DeVille

Questions Asked

1. How can AI be used to expand our perspectives?

2. What is the role of AI in creating meaningful connections rather than just generating content?

3. How can leaders implement AI in a structured way without overwhelming their teams?

4. What are the key geopolitical considerations shaping AI development?

5. How do open-source AI models like DeepSeek compare to proprietary models?

6. What are the most effective ways for SMEs to start leveraging AI?

7. How can business leaders ensure AI adoption is ethical and effective?

Take Action

1. Identify repetitive tasks in your business – Make a list of time-consuming, error-prone processes that could be automated.

2. Ask AI how it can help – Use tools like ChatGPT to explore automation options tailored to your needs.

3. Develop an AI roadmap – Start with a small, low-risk AI project to test the benefits before scaling up.

4. Encourage AI education in your team – Provide training so employees can leverage AI effectively.

5. Set clear AI guardrails – Ensure AI tools align with ethical considerations and business values.

6. Explore free AI learning resources – Check out Candice DeVille’s AI CoPilot courses for business leaders.

Tip of the Week

Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only.

Join the community here: https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast-news

You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:18 Exploring AI Tools: Bordi on LinkedIn

01:59 Power Games and Upcoming Book Launch

02:54 Using AI to Expand Perspectives

04:53 Interview with Candice DeVille: AI CoPilot

06:00 Candice DeVille's Journey in Tech

08:04 AI's Impact and Future Directions

19:44 Practical AI Applications for Businesses

28:48 Candice DeVille's Free AI Program for Leaders

33:39 Book Recommendation: Tough Broad

35:15 Conclusion and Call to Action

Power Games Kickstarter Campaign, sign up here:

https://www.zoerouth.com/power-games

MagicMind Nootropic:

They have a limited offer you can use now, that gets you up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code TFLPOD20 at checkout.

You can claim it at: https://www.magicmind.com/TFLPOD