How to Dream, Drive, and Deliver

Plan D: How Disruptors Turn Problems into Possibilities

Disruptors aren't pyromaniacs—they're builders. Mike Maddock has launched seven companies, advised Fortune 100 innovators, and co-chaired the Gathering of Titans at MIT. In this episode, we unpack his Plan D: the mindsets, rooms, and questions that turn pressure into breakthroughs—and why your "ghost" might be your greatest edge.

Key Points + Reflection Questions:

1. See possibilities where others see problems. Disruptors reframe first, act second. Reflect: Where am I labeling something a "problem" that might be a doorway?
2. Engineer the room. Great peer groups have diverse lenses: Operator, Strategist, Rainmaker, Visionary, Futurist, Orchestrator. If your room is lopsided, your answers will be too. Reflect: Which lens is missing on my leadership team?
3. Outlaw advice; share experience. "Here's what I did, what happened, and what I'd do differently" preserves agency and truth. Reflect: What experience can I share instead of advice?
4. Accountability by consent. Ask, "Do you want to be held accountable?" before forcing metrics. Reflect: Where am I imposing accountability before readiness?
5. Your ghost is fuel—know it. The chip on your shoulder can be an edge if you name it and measure it. Reflect: What ghost is chasing me—and how do I chase it instead?
6. Decision frameworks that travel. Use a simple 2×2 (Value vs. Cost) and the value-rank approach for hard, competing-values calls. Reflect: Which 2×2 priorities am I acting on this quarter?
7. Ask better questions (1-3-1). One issue, three options, one recommendation—or one core question, three leading questions, one most important question. Reflect: What's the single most leveraged question I can ask today?

Money Learning:

Wealth isn't a number; it's the ability to do what you want, when you want, with whom you want—without being distracted by money. Many entrepreneurs can make money but still obsess over it. Systems create freedom; obsession steals it.

Key Takeaway:

Engineer your environment and questions; the right room + the right prompts turn pressure into possibility.

Guest Bio:

Mike Maddock is an entrepreneur, author, and coach known as the "Idea Monkey" for his boundless creativity and disruptive thinking. He has founded seven companies—including Maddock Douglas, an innovation consultancy that served more than a quarter of the Fortune 100, and Flourish Advisory Boards, a peer community for growth-minded CEOs. A contributor to Forbes and Inc., and author of four books including Plan D, Mike helps leaders reframe problems into possibilities and rediscover the joy of doing what they want, when they want, with whom they want—without being distracted by money.

Links:

www.mike-maddock.com

www.FlourishAdvisoryBoards.com

www.maddockdouglas.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmichaelmaddock/

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Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@richersoul

Richer Soul Life Beyond Money. You got rich, now what? Let's talk about your journey to more a purposeful, intentional, amazing life. Where are you going to go and how are you going to get there? Let's figure that out together. At the core is the financial well-being to be able to do what you want, when you want, how you want. It's about personal freedom!