061 -- Mikel Berger on Saying No, Leading Well, and Protecting What Matters

In this episode of The Next Better Podcast, Coach Woody sits down with Mikel Berger—entrepreneur, systems thinker, and co-founder of Little Engine Ventures—to dismantle one of the most celebrated myths in high performance: that being busy means being important.

With a career that spans software startups, investing in Main Street businesses, and leading through 17+ acquisitions, Mikel offers a refreshing—and deeply practical—take on what it really means to build a life of impact without wearing busyness as a badge.

Through personal stories, intentional frameworks, and servant-hearted leadership, Mikel shows us how to stay involved without burning out, and how the best leaders design their days around energy, not just time.

Together, Mikel and Coach Woody unpack:

✅ Why “busy” isn’t a flex—and what to aim for instead

✅ How to design your calendar to match your energy (not your ego)

✅ Why leadership transitions fail—and how to do them right

✅ What it really takes to lead multiple businesses without chaos

✅ The overlooked power of weekly 1:1s (and how to do them well)

✅ How to say “no” without guilt—and why it’s an act of service

✅ The difference between doing good work and being effective

✅ Why values-driven leadership is the only kind that scales

This episode is for the high-achiever who's done being overwhelmed, and ready to lead with more clarity, capacity, and calm—whether you're managing a business, a team, or your own time.

🔔 Follow the show for more conversations that challenge the hustle, elevate purpose, and redefine high performance.

✨ Stay connected:
LinkedIn: Coach Lucas Woody
YouTube: @TheNextBetter
Website: https://nextbetter.com

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Mikel Berger joins from Matchbox Studio

01:09 – How to stay involved without becoming busy

03:09 – Mindset first, systems second: the shift from “hacks” to values

04:49 – Saying no to protect your purpose (and your people)

06:44 – Predictability = love: why your family needs structure too

10:35 – Deep Work in the morning, creative work when tired? Yes.

11:10 – Books that shaped him: Deep Work & When

15:03 – Time ≠ value; energy determines impact

19:01 – Juggling 12+ businesses without losing your mind

22:00 – Inside Little Engine Ventures: buying small businesses with heart

29:00 – Culture fit or failure: why values matter in acquisition

33:39 – Transitioning leadership without losing people

37:16 – When to keep, coach, or let go: the hard calls

41:09 – Servant leadership ≠ saying yes to everything

45:31 – Busy ≠ better: what real productivity looks like

50:21 – Manager and leader: why you need both hats

55:07 – The power of weekly 1:1s (and how to lead them well)

58:38 – For the thinkers: The Activator Advantage

01:01:23 – For the doers: the habit that changed everything