Chris Szado learned leadership the hard way—dodging lightning strikes and supertankers on commercial fishing boats off Canada’s Pacific coast. Now, he brings that high-stakes clarity to corporate sales. In this episode, Chris shares how his upbringing in a dangerous, consequence-heavy environment shaped his approach to leadership, trust, and accountability.

Craig and Chris dig into the difference between anxiety and fear, persuasion versus convincing, and why emotional readiness trumps facts when delivering hard truths. Chris challenges leaders to stop obsessing over their “why” and instead obsess over their “where”—the clear, repeatable objective that gives teams direction.

They also explore how standards and psychological safety create the conditions for creativity and performance. If you’re leading a sales team, building a business, or wondering why your strategy isn’t sticking, this episode will force you to rethink your approach to leadership and alignment.

Want to learn more about Chris Szado's work? Check out their website at https://www.liftsalesconsultants.com.

Connect with Chris Szado on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-szado-14690a43/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.