In a two-part episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV, Katie Bavoso speaks with Aaron Brown, chief transformation officer of True Increase and founder of Burgeon Software. Bavoso highlights the importance of this episode as a “crash course in identifying why we may feel stuck in our career journeys and how we can all become high-capacity leaders.”
Brown’s insights provide valuable lessons on overcoming common pain points that hinder high-capacity leaders and organizations.
Listen to the Part 1 of the podcast:
Watch the Part 1 video:
Brown’s evolution: The importance of personal and professional alignment
In part 1 of the interview, Brown shares his extensive background, detailing his journey from launching his first business at 18 in 1995 to serving high-net-worth individuals and multimillion-dollar companies.
Through his own story, he highlights the integral role of alignment in leadership. Initially thriving in his consultancy, he was later drawn into executive roles within tech companies. Despite professional success, he experienced a misalignment with his life purpose, which manifested as frustration.
He explains, “I got frustrated with not living my life purpose every day. My greatest passion was helping leaders get what they wanted, whether personal or business objectives.” This frustration led him to relaunch True Increase and start Burgeon Software.
The ACE methodology: The True Increase approach
Bavoso asks about True Increase and its specialization, seeking a clear explanation and a success story to illustrate what the organization does and what Brown is passionate about in his daily work.
Brown explains that True Increase assists organizations in four key areas: helping leaders thrive, creating a cohesive culture, achieving strategic clarity, and optimizing performance. His methodology, ACE—which stands for Alignment, Clarity, and Execution—addresses these areas by focusing on internal alignment first.
He states, “Most leaders, teams, and organizations are struggling with one of those phases at one of those levels.” He illustrates this approach with a case study of a CEO from a $200 million organization who initially struggled with internal conflict.
The CEO sought a strategic retreat but was advised to address his personal alignment issues first. Brown explains, “It’s next to impossible to align your team when you are not aligned.” This demonstrates that foundational problems must be addressed before higher-level strategies can be successfully implemented.
Overcoming common leadership challenges
Brown identifies three common challenges high-capacity leaders face: influence, insufficient execution, and poor life balance. He explains that leadership influence extends in three directions—upline (superiors and customers), laterally (peers and colleagues), and downline (direct reports and family).
Effective leadership requires skillfully navigating these relationships and addressing any underlying conflicts. “Eventually, we hit our ceiling. How we move past our current capacity is much more neurological than skills-based,” Brown says.
Execution is often seen as the most challenging aspect of leadership, but Brown argues that it is typically a symptom of deeper issues related to alignment and clarity. He asserts that “execution is actually the easy part. It’s getting crystal clear on what you’re executing and getting aligned so that you can get crystal clear [that’s hard].”
Insufficient execution and poor life balance are other significant challenges. Brown clarifies that even competent leaders can struggle with execution if they are not aligned and clear on their objectives. He adds that poor life balance can lead to personal and professional burnout, undermining effectiveness.
Recognizing and addressing misalignment
Brown provides practical advice on identifying signs of misalignment, including neurological, relational, and organizational clues. He advises leaders to pay attention to physical symptoms of stress, such as grinding teeth, neck tension, and digestive issues, which indicate underlying anxiety and stress. Relational clues involve persistent conflicts and dishonesty in relationships. Organizational signs include stagnation, unresolved problems, and cultural discrepancies.
Brown’s insights reveal that our subconscious mind often prevents us from recognizing these issues. He encourages leaders to listen to their bodies and relationships for early warning signs of misalignment. By addressing these issues proactively, leaders can prevent them from escalating into more significant problems.
Knowing when to seek coaching
Bavoso asks Brown about the process of seeking coaching. Brown advises, “The more successful you are, the more coaching you need.” He suggests that coaching is particularly valuable for those who feel they have untapped potential or are unsatisfied with their current results. Brown encourages individuals to assess their satisfaction with their progress and consider coaching as a tool for unlocking further potential.
Embracing vulnerability to overcome career challenges
In this part of the interview, Bavoso dives deep with Brown to uncover personal strategies for overcoming career challenges. The session reveals the importance of trust, safety, and self-advocacy in achieving exponential results in one’s professional journey. Brown underscores that the foundation of his company’s core values—trust, truth, and transformation—begins with self-trust and trusting the scientifically proven methodology.
Brown explains, “Your prefrontal cortex is much smarter and more capable of creating results and outcomes, but the limbic system is much stronger and faster. If you feel threatened or uncomfortable, your creativity and connectivity start to shut off.” This highlights the need for a safe environment to unlock creative potential, encouraging professionals to advocate for themselves and take control of their growth journey.
Listen to Part 2 of the podcast:
Watch the Part 2 video:
The power of visualization and sensory memory
Brown guides Bavoso through a memory recall exercise to anchor feelings of safety and peace. He asks her to visualize a time when she felt most at peace, prompting her to describe a tranquil scene with her family.
This exercise is not merely about relaxation; it’s about harnessing the power of memory to create a neurological shift. Brown explains, “Your chemistry changed because your brain took you there through memory, visual, sight, and sound.” This technique is a powerful tool for leaders and professionals to manage stress and anxiety.
By revisiting positive memories, individuals can trigger the release of oxytocin, which counterbalances stress hormones like cortisol. Brown advises, “Next time you notice that you’re shallow breathing or you’ve got a big meeting, you can grab that jar with your hand, unscrew the lid, and let that memory out.” This method provides a practical way to maintain composure and enhance performance under pressure.
Confronting and reframing negative beliefs
Addressing the fear of failure, Brown asks Bavoso to recall her first experience of feeling like a failure. Bavoso shares a memory from her twenties when she was told she might be taken off the anchor desk at her TV news job. This moment was devastating for her, and Brown helps her dissect the emotions and physical sensations associated with it.
He notes, “The most common belief that I deal with with high capacity leaders is I’m not good enough.” This is vital for anyone struggling with self-doubt. Brown then guides Bavoso to reframe her belief system, urging her to identify what she knows to be true about herself.
This process involves replacing powerless beliefs with empowering ones based on real experiences. He encourages her to adopt a new belief, stating, “I believe the thing that’s holding you back is the doubt that you’re worthy of it.” This exercise teaches that transforming one’s belief system from self-doubt to self-worth can significantly impact professional and personal growth.
Anchoring in positive truths
To solidify the transformation, Brown prompts Bavoso to recall a moment when she felt unequivocally worthy—her Emmy nomination. This memory serves as a powerful counterbalance to her previous fears, illustrating the significance of anchoring oneself in moments of genuine achievement. Brown suggests adopting a new belief, such as “I am worthy and capable,” to reinforce positive self-perception continuously.
Practical steps for lasting change
Brown highlights the limitations of generic affirmations and emphasizes the need for evidence-based beliefs. He explains, “Identifying a real-life experience which showed you a different truth and choosing the anchor on that truth does work.” This ensures that the new beliefs are grounded in reality, making them more powerful and effective.
For professionals, this means that successes, no matter how small, should be recognized and used as evidence to build confidence. He encourages individuals to document their achievements and reflect on them regularly. He suggests, “Give yourself 10 or 15 minutes of reflection time and come up with a list of evidence that you are worthy and capable.”
This practice reinforces positive beliefs and helps carve new neural pathways that support personal and professional growth. For businesses, fostering a culture where employees are encouraged to recognize and celebrate their achievements can lead to a more motivated and confident workforce.
Tune in to the video or podcast above for more insights from Katie Bavoso and True Increase’s CTO, Aaron Brown — and be sure to like and subscribe to Channel Insider: Partner POV for future interviews with solution providers and thought leaders, plus special episodes and opportunities!
