What if the secret to hypergrowth isn't about the latest marketing tools, but about completely abandoning your internal assumptions? In this episode, Michelle Rider, former Amazon marketing leader and creator of the Zero to 90 methodology, challenges leaders to stop believing their own story and start building from the customer's perspective backwards.

From her humble beginnings, secretly writing down business terms at Kellogg to scaling marketing campaigns at global giants like Coca-Cola, Amazon, and Teladoc, Michelle reveals how she consistently doubled revenue by focusing on one core principle: putting yourself in the daily life of the consumer.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:45) Combining instinct, data, and trends for business growth

(05:20) The critical focus areas for rapid scaling

(07:03) The Xero to 90 methodology

(14:49) How AI tools like ChatGPT do not replace strategic thinking

(18:49) The Teladoc case study about customer-focused messaging

(25:52) Scaling strategies – repeat what works, stick to the top ideas

(29:54) Getting authentic customer language by solving their pain points

Connect with Michelle Rider here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejrider/

Website: http://www.michelle-rider.com/

Article – How Telemedicine Helped Me Save My Son: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-use-telehealth-services-michelle-rider/

Interested in developing more effective leadership skills? Connect with Cinga today here.

Leadership coach Mark Watson to dive deep into needs-based communication, a powerful framework rooted in the work of Marshall Rosenberg and popularised through Nonviolent Communication.

Tune into this episode as we unpack how this four-step approach – starting with the facts, naming feelings, identifying needs, and making clear requests – can transform the way leaders connect, build trust, and navigate challenging conversations. Mark also shares how mastering authentic communication isn't just for conflict resolution but is foundational for thriving teams and organisations.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Introduction

(05:38) Leading with strategy and clear communication

(08:28) Using NVC (Nonviolent Communication) as a leadership tool

(11:07) The difference between feelings and judgments

(15:05) When a CEO shuts down input in a meeting

(18:22) Connecting feelings to underlying needs

(21:27) Doing the inner work to resolve conflict

(23:49) The legacy of nonviolent communication

(26:28) The power of observing and asking

(31:16) Building empathy through compassionate communication

(34:03) Authentic leadership through better communication

Connect with Mark Watson here:

Mark Watson’s LinkedIn

McLean Watson Website

The Center for Nonviolent Communication

Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg

Interested in developing more effective leadership skills? Connect with Cinga today here.

Decision-making isn’t just about data, it’s about judgment, emotion, and leadership under pressure. Phil Neil, CEO of Founders Compass, brings a powerful perspective shaped by building a $70M company and losing it in a devastating fire.

Phil reveals how leaders can cut through information overload, develop sharper intuition, and navigate emotional patterns that influence critical decisions. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, clarity, and leading yourself before you lead others.

Tune in to this episode as we explore:

(02:00) Introduction and Phil Neil’s background

(05:33) Pressure, founders and inner resilience

(12:13) Finding your anchor

(14:36) Leading yourself through hard moments

(16:26) Leadership archetypes and personal transformation

(20:30) Personality patterns and better decisions

(23:44) Courage without a clear plan

(29:46) Building self-awareness and balance

(32:33) Mindful decisions and strategic clarity

(35:28) Better leaders build better businesses

Connect with Phil Neil here:

Phil Neil on LinkedIn

Interested in developing more effective leadership skills? Connect with Cinga today here.