Neen James is a leadership strategist, dynamic keynote speaker, and the author of Folding Time, Attention Pays, and Exceptional Experiences.

With boundless energy, quick wit, and actionable insights, she serves as a confidante to C-suite leaders, helping them elevate experiences, sharpen focus, and strengthen communication and influence. Recently appointed to the board of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, Neen has been named one of the Top 30 Leadership Speakers by Global Gurus multiple years in a row for her work with prestigious brands including Viacom, Comcast, Virtuoso Travel, Four Seasons, and the FBI.

In this episode, Chris and Neen dive into what it truly means to design and deliver exceptional experiences, for your clients, your team, and yourself.

From productivity to attention, and now to luxury experiences, Neen’s work has evolved around one central theme: human connection. She reveals why luxury is a mindset, how leaders can think like concierges instead of bellhops, and why creating emotional connection in an AI-driven world is more important than ever.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why luxury is about experience, not expense
• How to think like a concierge, not a bellhop and why that mindset changes everything
• The Experience Elevation Model: a framework for enticing, exciting, and delighting your clients
• Why retention beats acquisition when it comes to sustainable growth
• How energy, not time, is your most valuable asset as a long-haul leader

• 02:27 - The Power of Thought Leadership and Connection
• 07:04 - The Evolution of Productivity to Exceptional Experiences
• 08:14 - Luxury as a Mindset: Human Connection in a Digital World
• 13:03 - AI vs. Human Connection: The Concierge Approach
• 15:14 - Experience Elevation Model: From Attention to Advocacy
• 17:04 - Enticing Clients with Compelling Stories
• 19:24 - Delighting Clients by Anticipating Needs
• 20:15 - Igniting Client Advocacy
• 22:28 - The Importance of Retaining Existing Clients
• 28:05 - The Role of Energy in Leadership

• Get Your Copy of The Long-Haul Leader
• Connect with Chris on Instagram
• Get Your Copy of Exceptional Experiences
• Connect with Neen on Instagram
• Neen's Website

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Thanks for listening to The Long-Haul Leader podcast. See you next week with more insights to help you lead with purpose, resilience, and impact.