John Amaechi OBE: The psychologist and 'Everyday Jedi' inspiring change

I don’t think there are many organisational psychologists in this
world that can claim to be endorsed as a Jedi by Mark Hamill.
Professor John Amaechi OBE can. On top of this, John is also an
award-winning, international best-selling author, a sought-after
public speaker, an executive coach, and the Founder of APS
Intelligence.


John’s CV and list of achievements is a fitting testament to this
big thinker (and that’s not a reference to his 6 ft. 10 in.
stature). Often outspoken, and frequently driven crazy by people
who think facts and evidence should bow to opinion, John
Amaechi’s talks have garnered millions of views online. His
passion for topics including building high-performing teams and
effective organisational design that maximises productivity have
seen him become a frequently cited LinkedIn influencer and
bestowed with the accolade of being a LinkedIn Top Voice since
2020.


We talk to John about being an introvert, securing talent for his
business, his passion for winning, and much more.


Here's what we discussed:





Some people believe that you need to be an extrovert to be
successful in business. You’ve described yourself as an
introvert, so what would you say to this belief? (00:51)

Could you tell us what led you to create your business, APS
Intelligence? (05:23)

Was there a figure in your life growing up that embodied
leadership to you? (08:01)

Along with being an introvert, you’ve also described yourself
as a lazy person. Why do you feel it’s important to talk about
this? (10:18)

How have you found the experience of securing talent for your
business? (14:14)

Some business leaders get frustrated that their staff don't
think the same way that they do. Is this something you've
experienced or seen with your clients? (18:26)

Could you tell us about your funding journey with APS
Intelligence? (21:55)

Could you tell us about your career in the NBA? (23:49)

Businesspeople are obsessed with the mindset of elite
athletes. How do reflect back on the leaders you encountered in
your sporting career? (28:01)

Is there still a negative view of failure or do you notice
that people are beginning to see the positives that come with
failure? (32:20)

You deal with a number of business clients at APS
Intelligence. Is there a trend that you've noticed among your
clients that gets you really excited about the future? (34:57)

The Good News Postcard: Within your workplace, how do you
maintain respect and collaboration with your colleagues? (39:14)

What makes a great business leader? (41:37)






Thanks to Oliver from the Jill Dando News for bringing us The
Good News Postcard this week. Get your dose of positive news by
visiting The Good News Post, a website collated by hundreds of
young people aged 8 to 18 in the UK. They've written real-life
“news that’s good for you”, covering people, animals, stories to
cheer people up, and tips to make lives better.


Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and the Business Leader
YouTube channel for more interviews with some of the world’s
leading business figures.


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