Excellence Unlocked

We’ve all done it – tiptoed around a problem, convinced that raising it will spark drama, backlash, or bruised egos. So instead, we smile, nod… and quietly let the problem fester.

In business, those unspoken issues take the form of sacred cows – outdated products we protect, clunky processes we defend, or decisions no one dares question because “that’s just how it’s always been.” The...

AI isn’t coming for the future — it’s already embedded in the present. While automation once threatened blue-collar jobs, artificial intelligence now has its sights firmly set on the white-collar world. But amid the noise, fear and hype, here’s the real question: how do we lead through this wave of change without losing our footing? 

Ishan cuts through the chaos to explore how leaders and businesses can...

Why does everything feel urgent, but nothing truly important gets done? Senior leaders aren’t short on knowledge, they’re short on time, clarity, and control. Despite tech, automation, and AI at our fingertips, the to-do list keeps growing – and the real priorities get buried. 

Ishan unpacks why urgency has become the default and how to shift from reactive chaos to intentional action. He offers practical conc...

What if the secret to sharper business strategy was hiding in a simple family road trip game? Ishan uncovers a surprising link between brain science, focus, and business performance. Backed by studies from Yale, MIT, and UNSW, he reveals why narrowing your goals could be the fastest path to better decisions and bigger results. You’ll be challenged to test your thinking on the spot – and reflect on how well your own plan...

What do bananas, aircraft cockpits, and warehouse packing stations have in common? More than you think – especially when it comes to building visual standards and muscle memory in your business. When Ishan pressed the wrong banana button at the supermarket self-checkout, it got him thinking: when systems change without warning, even a tiny tweak can derail efficiency.

Reducing options and guiding behaviour visually can unlock...

Many leaders believe their businesses are primed for excellence – until reality hits. In this episode, Ishan unpacks the three hidden mindsets quietly sabotaging performance. First, the “half pregnant” mentality: thinking you can dabble in operational excellence without fully committing to a single, embedded way of working. Next, the short-sighted focus on this quarter’s numbers instead of digging the well &...

Just like a kid needs to master balancing before pedalling, leaders must first stabilise their day-to-day operations—putting solid systems, processes, and accountability in place—before layering on technology, chasing rapid growth, or tackling complex improvements. Otherwise, moving faster just makes everything wobble more. 

Ishan unpacks why many organisations rush into complex solutions — like flashy tech o...

Happy New Financial Year! July signals more than fresh budgets – it’s an opportunity to reset business habits and refocus for the months ahead. As the second half of the calendar year begins, some challenges remain as relevant as ever. 

Three persistent roadblocks often hold organisations back from true operational excellence. 

1. Goals often outpace capabilities, leading to overwhelmed teams and stalled pro...

Too many projects, not enough clarity. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. One of the biggest challenges for business leaders today isn’t knowing what to prioritise – it’s actually doing it. Everyone’s got a list, a whiteboard full of ideas, maybe even a fancy quadrant matrix drawn up. But what happens when everything lands in the “must-do” category? That’s where things get tricky. ...

Standard work might sound dry – but in moments that matter, it can be the difference between calm and chaos. In this episode, Ishan unpacks why checklists aren’t just for pilots or surgeons – they’re essential tools for frontline leaders, team managers and business operators. 

Standard work isn’t about rigid rules – it’s about creating a reliable rhythm that empowers teams, ensures qua...

Ever found yourself in a café queue, watching the dance behind the counter — cups lining up, names being scribbled, steam hissing, and somehow, it all just flows? But not every café nails it. Some feel chaotic, some too slow, others oddly fast — like there’s no time to connect. But what if that balance between speed and stillness is intentional? What if it holds the secret to unlocking excellence, no...

Ever felt bogged down by a process that seems to exist just for the sake of it? You’re not alone. In many businesses, outdated checks and redundant steps quietly pile up – slowing teams down, frustrating customers, and draining productivity. 

They once had a purpose, but now? They’re just noise. 

In today’s episode, Ishan is challenging the systems that no longer serve us and exploring how removing...

What does a late-night supermarket run have to do with operational excellence? More than you’d think. Picture this: it’s almost 10pm, you’ve got a list of groceries, two teenage boys in tow, and a closing deadline fast approaching. Your regular store? Out of reach. So you detour to an unfamiliar one – and everything falls apart. You can’t find the milk. You loop the aisles. You walk out frustrated, wit...

Milestones matter – and this one’s worth pausing for. Welcome to the 50th edition of Excellence Unlocked, a podcast born from a simple but powerful idea: what if the key to performance isn’t in flashy innovation, but in unlocking what’s already there?

For the past 49 episodes, Ishan has unpacked practical ways to activate the hidden potential in businesses. In this special edition, Ishan shares three game-ch...

Ever noticed how the world outside work is full of lessons for how we run things inside it? A quick trip to the shops, a carpark detour, even a crooked sign – everyday moments hold surprising insights about systems, habits, and change. 

In today’s episode, Ishan takes a fresh look at why forcing people against the natural flow – whether in a carpark or your business – rarely works. From traffic bollards...

Boiling an egg sounds simple—until Gordon Ramsay does it. That’s the difference between knowing and mastering. Ishan explores the deeper layers behind operational excellence, drawing parallels between Michelin-star chefs, martial arts masters, and frontline leadership. 

Many organisations assume high maturity early on, yet true progress only begins when surface-level understanding is replaced with deliberate practi...

Aviation and business leadership share more in common than most realise. Imagine stepping into the cockpit of a brand-new Boeing 787 — surrounded by cutting-edge digital screens and a world where precision, preparation, and accountability rule the skies. 

Behind every smooth flight lies a hidden system of rigorous planning, disciplined communication, crystal-clear accountability, constant course-checking, and meaningful ...

What do daily drumbeats, precision Swiss watches, and high-performing manufacturing teams have in common? Rhythm. Structure. Balance. 

When it comes to operational excellence, daily huddles keep the beat – fast, frequent, and focused. Improvement initiatives run at a slower pace, like the deep thud of a bass drum, driving long-term change. 

But there’s a third element often overlooked: the weekly huddle. This ...

Some businesses push hard – long hours, endless initiatives, meticulous planning – and barely move the needle. Others? They glide. Results flow effortlessly, teams seem in sync, and progress feels natural. What’s the difference? That’s the question at the heart of today’s episode.

Picture a salsa dance floor in a city alive with rhythm. Same music. Same basic steps. But while some couples move stiffly,...