Making Better Strategic Choices with Roger Martin

I'm thrilled to announce a new show with my dear friend, Roger Martin, author of the amazing book, Playing to Win. In this 12-part series, we'll explore the true meaning of strategy and how it's often misunderstood or misapplied in business today.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…leaders and strategists who are tired of strategy being confused with planning and want a clearer, more practical way to think about how real strategic choices drive results.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…strategy isn't a list of priorities or a collection of initiatives—it's an integrated set of choices that work together to drive customer behavior. In this conversation, Roger Martin explains why so many organizations misunderstand strategy, how that misunderstanding shows up in day-to-day decision-making, and what it really takes to close the gap between what leaders hope will happen and what actually does. Drawing on decades of experience, Roger challenges conventional strategy thinking and lays the groundwork for a more disciplined, choice-driven approach to winning.

KEY TAKEAWAYS…

• Strategy only works when choices reinforce one another, not when they exist as disconnected initiatives.

• The hardest—and most important—part of strategy is influencing customer behavior, not internal activity.

• Many companies mistake planning exercises for strategy, which leads to disappointing results.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…I love how clearly Roger reframes strategy as a set of deliberate, reinforcing choices. It's a powerful reminder that winning isn't about doing more things, it's about making better, more integrated choices.

Running Time: 21:22

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Show Summary on Substack

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I have the pleasure of welcoming from Australia, John Dwyer, also known as JD. He is a direct response customer attraction expert who thinks way outside the box. His marketing consultancy business is called the Institute of Wow and JD's mantra is that one's marketing needs to wow prospects. I'm sure you all understand exactly why I invited him to our show but dive into what you should be doing to grow and build a successful business in 2026.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…leaders, founders, and marketers who want to stand out in crowded markets and create real customer loyalty without relying on gimmicks or short-term tactics.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…most companies say they care about customers—but very few design their business around them. In this episode, we explore what actually separates brands people remember from those they forget. John challenges leaders to rethink how they show up for customers, arguing that sustainable success comes from intentional experiences, not louder marketing.

KEY TAKEAWAYS…

• How small, thoughtful actions can create disproportionate brand impact.

• The difference between being visible and being memorable.

• How leaders can embed customer-first thinking into everyday decisions.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…I loved John's reminder that meaningful differentiation doesn't come from copying what others are doing—it comes from truly understanding your customer and being willing to act on that insight. His perspective reinforces that growth isn't about chasing trends, but about committing to experiences that people actually care about.

Running Time: 30:47

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Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I'm thrilled to welcome Patrick Ledin, PhD, bestselling author and renowned leadership expert at Franklin Covey's Leadership and Culture Practice. He's teamed up with the amazing and legendary author, James Patterson, for their bold new book, Disrupt Everything—and Win, which we dive into in this show.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone feeling overwhelmed by constant change. If you're a leader, manager, or professional navigating disruption (from technology shifts to career uncertainty), this conversation will help you rethink what disruption actually means and how to work with it rather than fight it.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…disruption isn't just something that happens to us — it's something we can choose how to respond to. Drawing on years of research and hundreds of interviews, Patrick explains why winning in disruption isn't about chasing constant change or having all the answers. It's about clarity, purpose, and knowing when to lean into change and when to intentionally choose stability.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Disruption doesn't always mean blowing things up, sometimes saying no to change is the most disruptive move you can make

• The difference between micro disruptions and major life-altering ones and why both can shape your path.

• How reframing fear around technology and AI can turn uncertainty into opportunity rather than threat.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Patrick's reminder that leaders don't have to carry disruption alone. You don't need every skill, every answer, or every instinct perfectly calibrated. You just need the self-awareness to know what you bring to the table and the confidence to invite others in.

Running Time: 28:27

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Patrick's Book:

Disrupt Everything—and Win