From Struggles to Success: Embracing Purpose-Driven Leadership

In this episode of The Business Growth Podcast, I sit down with Chris O’Connell from Base Mindset to dive deep into his story of resilience, reinvention, and purpose-led leadership. Chris shares his inspiring journey, from overcoming a challenging childhood to rising as a top biller in a multi-billion-pound recruitment company and building his own firm, valued at £25 million. However, he’s open about the costs of success: burnout, strained relationships, and ultimately, a court battle that left him bankrupt and struggling with his mental health.

Chris speaks candidly about the realisation that he had put everything into his business while neglecting his personal well-being. Losing his company forced him to take a step back and become what he calls the “CEO of his life.” This shift led him to focus on personal growth and balance, believing that issues in one’s personal life often impact business success. Now, he advises the leaders he coaches to prioritise self-care, relationships, and health alongside their professional ambitions.

Key takeaways from this episode include the value of having a strong support network, staying focused on your niche, and maintaining a proactive sales and marketing strategy. Chris emphasises that traditional techniques like cold calling are still powerful tools, even in an age of social media. Relying solely on online posts doesn’t drive growth without active, personal engagement with clients and prospects.

We also discuss purpose-led leadership, which Chris defines as putting purpose before profit. He believes a true leader’s role is to bring out the best in their team and create other leaders. This purpose-first approach has allowed him to connect more authentically with his audience, making his business relationships more meaningful and impactful.

Tune in to learn from Chris’s journey and gain insights on balancing personal and professional growth, building authentic connections, and leading with purpose.

 

Chris Hallett’s free eBook on goal setting at wavecommsgroup.co.uk.