In this episode, host Mark Griffin sits down with Jonathan Smith, author, negotiation instructor with the Black Swan Group, and Expert EOS Implementer®, for a powerful founder-first conversation on strategy, negotiation, and leadership at the intersection of purpose and performance.

Jonathan has spent his career helping high-achieving founders and CEOs navigate the growth curve without losing themselves in the process. As one of the top EOS Implementers in the world, he’s worked with over 150 companies in more than 1,500 sessions, helping leadership teams sharpen strategy, strengthen execution, and align around a shared vision. He’s also a negotiation instructor with the Black Swan Group, working alongside former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss, and co-author of the upcoming book Fight Less, Win More—available January 2026.

From early lessons in resilience to defining moments of self-discovery and service, Jonathan reflects on three pivotal “magic moments”—high school football, his time at JPMorgan, and an experience in Abu Dhabi—that shaped his approach to leadership and life.

— The Catalyst: Recognizing the power of belief—helping others see what’s possible when they think it’s not.

— The Pivot: Learning that failure and feedback are often the same teacher.

— The Mission: Realizing that influence begins with empathy—whether in business, negotiation, or life.

These moments reflect a purpose rooted in growth, service, and empowering others to lead and communicate more effectively.

What You’ll Learn:

— How to identify and navigate the “Performance Precipice” before burnout sets in

— The five levels of listening and how empathy unlocks better outcomes

— Practical takeaways from Fight Less, Win More to strengthen leadership and negotiation skills

— How purpose and self-awareness drive sustainable high performance

— Why great leaders focus on clarity, connection, and consistent improvement

Whether you’re a founder, CEO, or team leader, this conversation will challenge how you think about negotiation, purpose, and the kind of leader you want to become.

👉 Learn more about Jonathan Smith and his work: https://staycuriousjbs.com/

👉 Pre-order his upcoming book, Fight Less, Win More (January 2026): https://staycuriousjbs.com/fight-less-win-more/

👉 Subscribe to Connecting with Purpose for more conversations with leaders and entrepreneurs who are shaping the future through clarity, resilience, and purpose: /@connectingwithpurpose-est2021

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