Start With A Win

Latest Episodes:

Quick Win – The First Thing You Should Say in Every Remote Meeting Nov 06, 2026

Show notes

Remote work didn’t break your culture — silence did.
Only 28% of fully remote employees feel connected to their company’s mission. That’s not just a gap. That’s a fracture.
Start every virtual meeting by connecting the agenda to a greater purpose.
Remind your team who they’re serving — not just what they’re doing.
People don’t need more tasks. They need more meaning.
⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership
Want weekly leadership content? Go here ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT
===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/
#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Bruce Mayhew: How to Avoid Becoming the Boss Nobody Wants Nov 04, 2026

Show notes

In this insightful episode of Start With a Win, host Adam Contos sits down with keynote speaker, corporate trainer, and author of The Path of an Inspired Leader, Bruce Mayhew, for a candid conversation about what separates leaders who lift their teams up from the bosses who hold them back. After nine incredible years at one of Canada’s top five banks, Bruce encountered the boss nobody wants, and the experience changed the entire course of his career. Together, they explore what great leaders do differently (often without even realizing it), why accountability looks different for today’s emerging workforce, and the surprising trap new leaders fall into once they step into the role. Bruce brings more than 20 years of experience, thoughtful perspective, and real-world stories to challenge leaders to ask a deceptively simple question: why do you want to lead in the first place? This is a conversation that makes you rethink how your leadership is landing, and inspires you to lead in a way people will remember.
Bruce Mayhew is a keynote speaker, corporate trainer, and leadership expert who helps leaders communicate with clarity, integrity, and confidence. He is the author of The Path of an Inspired Leader, where he shares practical strategies for building trust, leading with authenticity, and creating workplace cultures where people feel inspired to do their best work.
With more than 20 years of experience helping individuals and organizations succeed—including over a decade of leadership experience at one of Canada’s top five banks—Bruce brings real-world insight to leadership development. His work has been featured by CBC, CTV, The Morning Show, HuffPost, and The Globe and Mail.
00:00 Intro
01:30 Always in corporate until got boss nobody wanted.
06:04 Going through this teaches you as much as going through this.
06:46 Difference between a boss and a leader!
08:15 Key points in leadership.
12:35 The Big Cs.
16:19 Two components to help the leaders question: how do I assist you?
18:24 Why the book?
22:44 My dog and I do this to help answer these questions!
https://brucemayhew.com
https://www.amazon.ca/Path-Inspired-Leader-Greatness-Integrity/dp/1774586401/
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT
===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/
#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Quick Win - Give Recognition Oct 30, 2026

Show notes

Recognition isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential!
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT
===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/
#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Quick Win – The $8.8 Trillion Problem You’re Overlooking Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

Disengagement isn’t just a culture problem — it’s an $8.8 trillion leak.
That’s the global cost of people mentally checking out while still on the clock.
Engagement isn’t just about morale. It’s your competitive edge.
Start small: ask your team what’s working for them this week — and what’s not.
That clarity creates energy. That energy drives results.
When’s the last time you checked in with intention?
⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership
Want weekly leadership content? Go here ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT
===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/
#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Tara May: Your Business is Missing this ONE THING Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

Can kindness actually be a competitive advantage? Tara May, CEO of Aspiritech - a tech company where over 90% of the team is autistic - has built a thriving business by proving that empathy and performance go hand in hand. Join host, Adam Contos as he sits down with Tara to explore her path from driving major revenue growth at Winsight and working with brands like Disney, Hershey's, and Wells Fargo, to founding a company centered on neurodiversity. You'll discover the "ROI of kindness," why clarity is one of the most underrated tools in leadership, and how accountability and compassion can coexist even in the toughest workplace decisions. As a champion for neurodiversity and a mom of an autistic child, Tara brings a powerful perspective on what it really means to lead with both heart and results in this episode of Start With a Win.
00:00 Intro
02:50 Cultural Transformation?
05:08 ROI of this, what does it mean!
08:40 This is what is needed for engagement in the workplace.
12:10 Built environment to thrive and if you don’t have it, it could cost you!
14:33 Can you have both accountability and this in a business?
19:55 Key tips when you hold up a mirror.
23:45 Be great if it was a triple shot of espresso however it is this!
https://www.roiofkindness.live/
https://aspiritech.org/
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT
===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/
#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Chip Higgins: Why Friction is Your Business's Best Friend Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever thought about your business the way a physicist thinks about motion? Our guest, Chip Higgins, banking veteran and founder of Bizzics, has spent over 35 years helping entrepreneurs find the momentum that turns small businesses into massive ones. In this Start With a Win episode, you'll discover why bigness and greatness aren't the same thing, how to pinpoint the mass at the core of your company, and why friction - done right - is your business's best friend. Learn how narrowing your focus can widen your growth, and why the smartest leadership shift you can make is putting the power in your team's hands. If you're ready to rethink what drives your business forward, this episode will change how you see momentum for good.
Chip’s Bio:
I’ve spent over 35 years helping small business owners build momentum, strengthen leadership, and create lasting impact. As the founder of Bizzics and author of The Bizzics Way: Powering Your Small Business to Maximum Momentum, I equip entrepreneurs with practical strategies to thrive in competitive markets.
During my decades in banking and executive leadership, I realized that small businesses often lack access to the same strategic insights and resources available to larger companies. That inspired me to develop The Bizzics Way, a framework that blends the laws of physics with proven business practices to help leaders generate energy, velocity, and sustainable momentum.
I’m passionate about teaching entrepreneurs how to build high-performing, purpose-driven organizations — businesses that don’t need to be large to be massive. As a founding member of the John C. Maxwell Team, I enjoy speaking, coaching, and sharing actionable strategies that deliver real-world results with clarity and inspiration.
00:00 Intro
05:13 How to make sense of it all when there is so much out there!
06:38 This is the holy grail of business…
09:27 If you haven’t figured out this then you will have a rough go at it!
12:40 Which should be considered?
16:03 It’s mutual understanding…
18:17 What is the biggest source that slows businesses?
21:25 Leadership mindset shift that will change your company’s trajectory.
24:21 It’s a John Maxwell finish…
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT
===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/
#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Quick Win – Turning Stress Into Strength Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

Stress is a signal, not a stop sign.
Great leaders don’t ignore tension — they notice it, name it, and guide through it.
Try this: when pressure rises, pause and use the “one-two-three” rule.
One deep breath. Two clarifying questions. Three focused steps forward.
You can’t eliminate stress, but you can lead through it.
How do you help your team navigate stress when it hits?
⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership
Want weekly leadership content? Go here ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT
===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/
#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Quick Win - Leadership Starts With Your Attitude Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Unlock the essence of leadership with a single guiding force: Attitude! 🌟 The journey of leadership commences with the energy you bring to the table. Whether it's a conversation, a statement, or an action, your attitude sets the tone.
Start with the right attitude, and watch the magic unfold! ✨ A positive, can-do approach filled with optimism and good spirit not only influences your perspective but also inspires those you lead. It's a ripple effect that shapes the dynamics of the entire team.
Leadership is, at its core, an attitude game. Begin with the intention of fostering a great attitude within yourself, and that positivity will resonate with your team. 🚀 Your quick win for today: embrace the power of attitude in leadership. Reflect on your approach, infuse it with positivity, and witness the transformation in your leadership journey.
Share your thoughts on how attitude plays a role in your leadership style! 💬 #LeadershipAttitude #PositiveLeadership #AttitudeMatters
⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT
===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/
#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Quick Win - Mastering the Art of First Impressions Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

Mastering first impressions isn't just about the handshake and smile—it's about genuine interest and leaving a lasting positive impact. Start with warmth and curiosity, ask great questions, and end with gratitude and a smile. These steps build relationships that last.
#FirstImpressions #RelationshipBuilding #PositiveImpact
⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT
===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/
#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Jill Reilly: Your AI Strategy Isn’t Enough Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

In this Start With a Win episode, you'll meet Jill Riley, a global change strategist who's spent decades helping people break free from outdated systems. Discover the power of the '10 Permissions' and learn how to navigate profound change in your life and business. Join host, Adam Contos for a conversation that challenges you to unlearn the old rules and give yourself permission to write new ones. Get ready to step into transformation and reinvention with Jill's insights from post-apartheid South Africa to AI-era classrooms.
Jillian Reilly - author, global change strategist, and creator of The Ten Permissions. She works at the intersection of personal development, social disruption, and future readiness - helping people rethink what it means to live, work, and thrive in a world that’s rewriting its rules in real time.
For 30 years she worked on the frontlines of change - from post-apartheid South Africa to AI-era classrooms. Jillian helped people across generations break out of outdated systems and write new scripts for their lives. Now bringing that expertise to leaders, students, educators, and parents navigating an unpredictable future.
00:00 Intro
02:27 Thinking it was a six-month trip!
04:10 Unlearn to give yourself permission to learn the new
06:30 If you don’t embrace this way, you will miss out!
09:47 No, leaders are not ready…they need to own this!
14:28 Thought on AI and how to build into culture
18:35 Four great questions to frame the conversations…
23:58 It is as simple as this…
Website: https://tenpermissions.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianreilly/
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT
===========================
Connect with Adam:
===========================
Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/
#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

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