138-Why Your Leadership Style Might Be Stuck in the Past and How to Redesign Tomorrow
Episode 138: Rethinking Leadership — How Ted Whetstone Helps Leaders Transform the Way They Think
Leadership today isn’t just about making decisions. It’s about how you think about the decisions you’re making.
And that’s exactly where my guest for Episode 138 of The Six Figure Speaker Spotlight lives and breathes his work.
Ted Whetstone, founder of BreakthruThink, is an executive coach and transformation strategist who helps leaders rethink the way they approach complexity, innovation, and influence. With decades of operational leadership experience across industries and continents—from running companies to working with Fortune 100 organizations—Ted brings a global perspective on what it truly takes to lead in a rapidly changing world.
But what makes Ted’s work especially powerful is that he doesn’t just help leaders perform better.
He helps them think differently.
And as we explored in this conversation, that shift in thinking can change everything.
From Solving Problems to Redesigning Systems
One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation was Ted’s perspective on how leaders often approach challenges.
Many leaders spend their time reacting—solving one problem after another. But Ted encourages leaders to step back and look at the larger system at play.
Instead of asking, How do we fix this problem?
He invites leaders to ask a bigger question:
What system created this problem in the first place?
By shifting from reactive problem-solving to systemic thinking, leaders can uncover patterns, challenge assumptions, and create solutions that actually move organizations forward.
Ted describes this as moving from incremental change to transformational leadership.
And in today’s world, that shift is more important than ever.
The Power of Mental Models
Ted also shared powerful insights about the invisible frameworks that shape how we see the world.
Our decisions, reactions, and leadership styles are influenced by internal mental models—beliefs, assumptions, conditioned scripts, identity, and values that operate beneath the surface.
Most of us never stop to examine them.
But when leaders start breaking those models down and questioning them, something remarkable happens.
New perspectives emerge.
Innovation becomes possible.
And leaders begin to see opportunities where they once saw obstacles.
It’s a process Ted describes as expanding awareness so leaders can engage stakeholders more effectively and navigate complexity with greater clarity.
Shifting from “Me” to “We”
One of Ted’s core messages is something the world of leadership could benefit from hearing more often.
The shift from “me” to “we.”
For many organizations, leadership has historically focused on individual achievement and authority. But Ted believes the future of leadership depends on something bigger—collective thinking, collaboration, and shared impact.
When leaders shift their focus from personal success to collective progress, organizations begin to operate differently.
Teams become more aligned.
Innovation accelerates.
And leaders begin to create environments where people can contribute their best thinking.
It’s a perspective that resonates deeply in today’s interconnected and fast-moving business landscape.
How Public Speaking Amplifies Leadership
As always on The Six Figure Speaker Spotlight, we also talked about the role public speaking plays in expanding influence and impact.
For Ted, speaking is a powerful way to challenge audiences to rethink their assumptions.
His talks invite people to question the context that shapes how they interpret information—and to explore the deeper mental models behind their decisions.
When leaders hear these ideas on stage, something shifts.
They begin to see their organizations—and themselves—through a new lens.
And that’s where real transformation begins.
Turning Insight Into Action
Throughout his career, Ted has helped leaders across industries translate complex systems into clear insight and practical action.
From high-growth startups to Fortune 100 companies, he works with executives who want to move beyond surface-level fixes and design more effective ways of working.
His goal isn’t just to improve performance.
It’s to help leaders unlock entirely new ways of thinking about leadership, collaboration, and the future.
And as our conversation made clear, when leaders expand how they think, they expand what’s possible for their organizations—and the people they lead.
Connect with Ted Whetstone
If you’d like to learn more about Ted Whetstone and his work in transformational leadership and systems thinking, you can visit:
Website:
www.tedwhetstone.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedwhetstone/
Ted is also offering listeners a free strategy consultation where leaders can explore new perspectives on the challenges they’re facing:
https://www.tedwhetstone.com/strategy-call
The Power of Your Voice
At The Six Figure Speaker Spotlight, we believe something very simple:
Your voice is one of the most powerful tools you have to grow your business, influence your industry, and inspire others.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, founder, or team leader, the ability to communicate your ideas clearly and confidently can open doors you never imagined.
And conversations like this one with Ted Whetstone remind us that when leaders challenge assumptions, share ideas, and speak with purpose, they don’t just influence people.
They shape the future.
You can listen to this episode and many more conversations with top voices in business and leadership at:
