S3: EP3 Un-Consulting the Status Quo: Execution, Innovation, and the Human Element with Stealth X's Drew Burdick

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Welcome back to the bold conversations where we ditch the corporate jargon and get straight to what works! This time, Kristi Straw and Tanqueray Edwards are joined by Drew Burdick, the managing partner at Stealth X, a firm that's flipping the traditional consulting model on its head with their focus on "un-consulting."

Drew takes us on his journey from conventional consulting to building an anti-consultancy powerhouse that prioritizes doing over just advising. We dive deep into the mission-critical role of emotional intelligence in today's leaders, the absolute necessity of creating a psychologically safe space for teams to thrive and innovate, and the undeniable link between a happy internal team and booming external success.

Get ready to hear how Drew and his team champion collaboration, celebrate learning from mistakes (yes, you heard that right!), and leverage the power of AI and tech to solve real-world problems. We also explore why understanding the internal customer experience is just as vital as external satisfaction.

This isn't just about a new business model; it's about a fundamental shift in how we approach challenges, foster innovation through subcultures and clear guiding principles, and why getting users involved from the get-go is crucial for driving real change. We'll also touch on the often-underestimated power of leadership introspection and the hurdles of navigating resistance to change in our ever-evolving business landscape.

Key Takeaways Include:

• Meet Drew Burdick, the managing partner shaking things up at Stealth X with "un-consulting."
• "Un-consulting" prioritizes hands-on execution and problem-solving over traditional advisory roles.
• Emotional intelligence isn't a soft skill, it's a leadership essential.
• Psychological safety fuels innovation and empowers teams.
• Happy internal teams directly translate to happy customers and investors.
• Collaboration and open feedback are the lifeblood of successful teams.
• AI and technology are powerful tools for enhanced problem-solving.
• A positive internal customer experience is the bedrock of external success.
• Mistakes are valuable learning curves, not failures.
• Simplifying complexity leads to broader understanding and adoption.
• Cultivating subcultures within organizations can be a catalyst for innovation.
• Clearly defined guiding principles are crucial for effective collaboration.
• A strong organizational culture is the foundation for successful strategy implementation.
• Engaging users early in the development process drives adoption.
• People embrace change when they feel involved, not dictated to.
• Understanding the "why" behind changes is key to gaining buy-in.
• Prioritizing user experience is a smart business decision.
• Leaders must be agile and adapt to evolving customer needs.
• Introspection and reflection are vital tools for effective leadership.
• Resistance to change is a common hurdle that leaders must address.