The CEO Project Podcast

If mastering negotiation could instantly increase your business worth, how differently would you handle your next deal?

You negotiate every day—whether you call it that or not. From acquisition offers and partnership terms to real estate, compensation, and vendor contracts, you're constantly shaping outcomes that affect your company's growth and long-term business worth. The problem? Most leaders treat negotiation like a tug-of-war...

What if improving front line performance—not more marketing or new leads—was the fastest way to grow your business worth?

If you're feeling pressure to grow revenue while controlling costs, this episode speaks straight to that tension. You'll hear how leaders in hospitality use front line performance, personalization, and smart systems to capture revenue that's already there—while creating better customer experiences and stronger l...

Is your business worth more than your physical inventory… because of the digital assets you don't even realize you own?

If you're like most CEOs, you've delegated websites, domains, ad accounts, logins, and even AI tools to other people—and assumed everything was automatically "yours." But this episode is a wake-up call: your digital assets are some of the m...

Are your current growth strategies actually increasing your business worth—or are hidden constraints quietly keeping you stuck as your company scales?

If you're feeling stretched thin, hitting growth ceilings, or wondering why scaling feels harder than it should—this episode is for you. Carl Gould breaks down the real stages of business growth and the predictable pinch points that trip up fou...

Is your business worth more when AI writes faster—or when you show up as an authentic leader your team actually trusts?

You're under constant pressure to communicate clearly, move quickly, and keep up with AI without losing your voice in the process. In this episode, Jim Schleckser talks with Allison Shapira about the real tension leaders face today: using AI to gain efficiency while still sounding human, credible, and genuinely co...

Have you thought about what your founder futures look like if you're suddenly not here—and whether your business worth is actually protected?

You spend your time thinking about growth, valuation, exits, and risk—but many founders avoid the uncomfortable questions about legacy, control, and continuity. This episode connects estate planning to founder futures, show...

Is your company's "AI disruption" happening with you—or quietly without you… and putting your business worth at risk?

If you're leading a mid-to-large company right now, you're probably feeling two pressures at the same time: move faster with AI and

Ever catch yourself wondering, "What is my business worth—like, the real number, not the cocktail-party guess?"

If your business represents the majority of your net worth (and for most CEOs, it does), not knowing your true valuation is risky. You could be planning an exit, thinking about successi...

Have you ever bailed on a "seat at the table" moment because imposter syndrome convinced you you didn't belong?

This episode is basically a reality check for that spiral. If you've ever walked into a room of bigger titles, bigger experience, bigger confidence—and immediately started listing all the reasons you're "not enough,...

What if the expertise that makes your company valuable today could be replicated—or even surpassed—by AI within a year?

If you're running or leading a business, you're already feeling the pressure: AI disruption is moving faster than your operating model can adapt. This episode helps you understand why the ground is shifting so...

Ever feel like you want to embrace AI, but it is moving so fast? What you just learned is already outdated—and you're worried your competitors might be pulling ahead while you're still figuring it out?

This episode is basically a reality check for you as a leader: AI isn't a "someday" thing anymore. It's here, it's democratized, and it's about to split industries into the "haves" who use it to acce...

Ever feel like your "new product" ideas stall out — not because they're bad, but because the team can't stay aligned long enough to bring them to life?

If you're trying to grow in a world of constant AI disruption, you can't afford ideation that dies in committee or teams that melt down under pressure. This episode hits the real blocker most CEOs run into: brilliant ...

What if the real competitive edge in your company isn't another strategy shift—but your human sustainability as a leader?

You're expected to perform like a high-level athlete: stay sharp, set direction, handle pressure, and keep your team moving—often while AI disruption speeds everything up. But here's the catch: if your interna...

Do you ever wonder why, no matter how much your business grows, your personal finances still feel out of control?

If you've ever felt like your success at work doesn't translate to financial peace at home, this episode is your wake-up call. Jim Schleckser sits down with money expert and bestselling author Mike Michalowicz—creator of Read more