Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen with an episode titled, "The Art of Breakthrough Leadership." In this episode, recorded via phone, we are joined by Brian Biro, widely known as America's Breakthrough Speaker. With nearly 2,000 presentations delivered globally, Brian has inspired audiences from Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, Starbucks, and Lockheed Martin to leadership teams in the U.S. Army. A graduate of Stanford and UCLA, Brian's remarkable career spans roles as an award-winning swimming coach, former VP of a major transportation company, and transformational speaker. He is the author of 16 books, including the bestseller "Beyond Success," and was honored as one of UCLA's 100 Most Inspirational Graduates.

In this engaging conversation, Brian shares his journey from coaching swimming at the highest levels to becoming America's Breakthrough Speaker. His career transformation began when he pursued an MBA to "get a life" – a decision that led him to meet his wife and eventually transition into corporate leadership. As a vice president of a transportation company, Brian discovered his talent for breaking down silos and building teams through inspirational speaking. This experience launched his speaking career, where he has touched over a million lives in 35 years through his unique approach to breakthrough experiences, including his signature board-breaking exercises that serve as powerful metaphors for personal transformation. Brian's philosophy centers on three key areas: vision (focusing on what we want to create), energy (understanding that our energy is a choice), and relationship building (fostering trust through full presence and authentic connection). His commitment to helping others break through barriers and achieve their highest potential perfectly aligns with the Arete Coach Podcast's mission of exploring excellence in leadership and coaching.

Brian's comments on The Power of Presence in Coaching were an important component of this conversation. Brian emphasizes that the foundation of effective coaching lies in being fully present. He argues that presence is not just about physical attendance but about bringing 100% of your mind, body, and spirit to each interaction. This level of presence communicates value and significance to clients, building the trust necessary for transformational coaching relationships.

The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was recorded on November 12, 2024.

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