From Vision to Execution: Leadership Lessons with Tomas Mason

In this episode of Success Leaves Clues Podcast, our guest is Tomas Mason, entrepreneur, leadership consultant, business strategist, and coach who helps organizations and leaders create greater impact through intentional decision-making, strategic focus, and people-centered leadership. Drawing on his experience in business development, organizational growth, team performance, and leadership coaching, Tomas shares valuable insights on the importance of intentionality in every aspect of business—from defining a clear vision and building a strong culture to identifying ideal clients, empowering teams, and making smarter decisions. We explore why focus is often more powerful than complexity, how leaders can leverage individual strengths within their organizations, and practical strategies for creating sustainable growth without losing sight of what matters most. Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, executive, coach, or aspiring leader, this conversation offers actionable lessons on achieving clarity, alignment, and long-term success.

You can find him on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomas-mason-b9531252/
https://www.potentia-leadership.com/

Transcript

Tomas Mason 0:00

Two things spring to mind to me. The first was when I first got paid, which was like, wow, someone's actually paying me to do this. And and that was that was exciting, exhilarating, but at the same time daunting that right, I've got to deliver now. I've got to because I I for my exec coaching, I always charge up front. Um and and I think it keeps me honest. And and I remember the first time I was brave and and I asked, uh, you know, I sent my invoice in. It was it was exciting, but also very daunting.

Davis Nguyen 0:29

Welcome to Success Leaves Clues, a podcast where we interview business owners on how they built their businesses and the hard lessons they learned along the way. My name is David Swain, and I'm a business coach and a founder of Purple Circle, where we help business owners achieve their first six-figure, seven-figure, and eight-figure year, all without sacrificing their quality of life. Before becoming a business coach and before founding Purple Circle, I started and scaled several seven and eight-figure coaching businesses and have been a consultant at several businesses doing over $100 million each, including some that are publicly listed and doing over a billion dollars each. In every episode of the podcast, you're gonna learn lessons that took our guests years to learn, and you'll be able to learn that in minutes. No matter if you're a new business owner or an established business owner, every episode is gonna give you the clues in order to elevate your business.

Pedro Stein 1:14

Welcome to Success Leaves Clues Podcast. I'm Pedro, and today I'm joined by Thomas Mason, founder of Potential Leadership and an executive coach who brings a pragmatic, commercially grounded perspective to leadership development after an extensive career in financial services, including senior leadership roles at Barclays. Tom specializes in working with senior leaders and organizations at pivotal moments when new challenges emerge. Priorities shift, or the path forward requires careful judgment and strategic thinking. Tom's practice delivers executive coaching, leadership advisory, and talent development designed to help leaders think clearly, navigate change, and grow sustainably in complex business environments. As co-host of the Beyond Potential podcast, he explores insights and stories from leaders across sectors, combining his EMCC senior practitioner credentials with real-world experience to support leaders on their own leadership journey. Welcome to the show, Tom. Well, it's a pleasure to be here. Thank you so much. Great to have you, man. You know, and um I'm just going to write off the bat and say it. I'm feeling judged. You know, this is a fellow podcast host, okay? So I'm excited. I'm always it's always fun to have those, okay? And uh also I'm a comic book nerd myself, you know, Tom. So I love the first edition, the origin story. So I'd love for us to rewind a bit, you know, because every coach has that moment where they look at their life and say, yeah, I guess this is what I'm doing now, right? So when was that for you, man?

Tomas Mason 3:00

Oh my goodness, we're rolling the clock back. So um, as you mentioned in my bio, uh I haven't always been a coach. I worked in financial services for many years. I worked for the British Bank Barclays, I had a fantastic career. Um, and I love being a leader, but there was a bit of a crossroads in my career. We'd just come out of the pandemic here in the UK, and I was trying to figure out where I wanted the the next step to be. Um, I was also uh with my wife expecting our first child, Elizabeth, and the the job that I'd done was long hours, lots of travel, um, very intense work. And when you don't have a family, you can commit everything to that. But then obviously you you grow as a family and things change. So I decided to take a career break. And during that career break, Elizabeth was born. So the most important thing, but the second most important thing was I I met an exec coach called Julian Mack, and he took me on uh the first ever coaching journey I'd experienced. He supported me with the transition out of Barclays and helping me figure out what I wanted to do next. So that's really my first interaction with coaching. I absolutely loved it, it was really helpful. And as part of that journey, we were thinking about um, I was gonna use all my banking experience, I was gonna become a debt advisor or something to do with supporting businesses and business leaders. And I did that for a bit, found it very fulfilling, started to make some good money. Um, but I just thought there's there's something more here. And what I was finding was I was having conversations with those leaders, those business owners, that was going beyond what I'd ever seen as a banker previously. So I'd finish my piece of work with them and I'd uh I'd start uh asking them questions about what else is going on. Um, how are you feeling at the moment? You know, what are you thinking about the market? What are you thinking about your team? And they started to really open up to me, not in the normal way that I'd expected previously as a banker. So I took this insight back to my coach, Julian, and I said, you know, what's going on here? What this this feels really interesting, but I feel a bit of a an imposter. It's I don't know how to have this conversation. And and I don't know if Julian remembers this, but he sort of flagged to me and said, Well, sounds like you're being a bit of a coach. And I was like, Well, bloody hell, I'd never expected that. So we finished our engagement and I started to explore a couple of other things, but I kept coming back to this coaching context. Um and I I'm embarrassed to say, I I just went on LinkedIn one day and I looked at Julian C V and he he trained at Henley Business School. Um and I sort of contacted him and sort of sort of asked him a few questions, said, Would you mind if I if I reached out to them because I was really interested and he was really supportive and said, Absolutely. So I reached out to Henley Business School and they run a program, a sort of a professional certificate in exec coaching. So it's a year-long program and it helps you get qualified. And I just started exploring with them and I just thought, you know what, let's go for it. So alongside doing some other entrepreneurial things, I started the exec coaching journey, and that's where it uh that's where it uh it started and where it kicked off from.

Pedro Stein 6:24

I love I love that origin story, okay? First of all, a career break, right? Family related. Respect that I have two boys myself, okay. And uh how Julian, Julian, right? I got the name right.

Tomas Mason 6:36

Yeah, okay.

Pedro Stein 6:38

That that mentor eventually exposed you to coaching, uh almost called you out. Hey, dude, you're you're coaching already. You know, you're like, what? I love that. Now I'm curious about one thing because there is an identity shift that happens eventually, okay? From I'm helping people, uh, this sounds like a calling, I'm giving advice, you know, that type of feeling, to I'm building a real business around this, you know. This is real. This is there is revenue coming in. And my question to you is when was that for you? You know, that identity shift. Is it was it the first the first paint client? Was it the first invoice? You know how that how that how did that look like for you?

Tomas Mason 7:20

It's bizarre. Like it's it's kind of uh when you when you ask that question, it's it uh two things spring to mind to me. The first was when I first got paid, which was like, wow, someone's actually paying me to do this. And and that was that was exciting, exhilarating, but at the same time daunting that right, I've got to deliver now. I've got to, because I I for my exec coaching, I always charge up front. Um and and I think it keeps me honest. And and I remember the first time I was brave and and I asked, uh, you know, I sent that invoice in, it was it was exciting, but also very daunting. But taking a step back from that, the you know, just to get to that point was a real milestone because as part of my training, after the first module, the uh the business school set us the challenge of going and coaching someone pro bono, so completely free. And I remember everyone in the cohort this year, the the abject horror on everyone's face thinking, oh my goodness, I've got to go and find someone to coach. And those early, those early kind of moments, those early sort of days when I was trying to find someone to coach for free and offer my services, um, I was absolutely terrified. I was just like, oh my goodness, if I can't get someone to coach with me for free, how am I gonna get someone to pay for this? So I, you know, the getting over that hurdle, you know, gave me a lot of confidence. And as I started to build pro bono clients and start to see those shifts, those those moments for people of realization and reflection and and and and potentially positive change. That was the first kind of jumping off point for me. And then the the sort of the paid work, I I sort of I gave myself time and I was a lot easier on myself. I think I was much harder on myself finding those first few pro bono clients, actually, than the ones making the, you know, who made me some money in the beginning.

Pedro Stein 9:21

Okay. I I need to talk a little bit about pro bono right now because I've seen a lot of coaches out there burning themselves out with pro bono. Uh sometimes what happens, and there's a meme that always brings me back to it, uh, it's the perception of value, right? There is a meme that it's like a sidewalk, there's a fridge, and it's like free, take it. Okay. A week goes by, nobody picks it up, and then someone puts a price tag of $50 and it vanishes. So perception of value. And the reason I say this on uh coaches burning them stems out is because exactly what you said, right? It's like if nobody takes this for free, can I charge someone? You know, and sometimes it's not the coach's fault, it's just the perception of value. Like, for example, in pro bono, I I talk with coaches, you know, in the podcast and all that, but uh in the space, actually, and a lot of people just no show because they have no skin in the game, there's no commitment, you know. Uh, do you see that sometimes backfiring or how did that play out for you now? You know, the pro bono stuff. I'm curious about that.

Tomas Mason 10:31

Yeah, yeah. Everything you said there really, it really resonates with me, and I absolutely experienced that. Um, you know, people who might put me in touch with family members, so colleagues on the program putting in touch with family members, you know, you'd send them a very crafted, polite email, here I'm here to help, I can do it at the time to suit you, and you'd get no response. And you'd be like, Wow, um, you know, really they're they're just not interested. But then you really remember that people have their lives and they have things going on and they'll come back to you at the right point. But yeah, absolutely. The being sort of stood up, you know, like on a date, you know, waiting for that for that client to to dial in. You've got one call in that day and it's it's for free, and you're really excited, and they, you know, they they have a meeting overrun, or they, you know, they they just they just go go go go dark on you. They're just no one you you email them, no response. And again, you start to question yourself, uh, how's this going to work? And it's exactly to your point of perceived value. When someone is paying their own their own money or their company's money, and they recognize this, this is it's you know, it's it's not cheap, it's an investment. People really commit. And as you said, when they've got skin in the game and they're motivated, they're always the clients that are spot on time, they're always there. It's the ones where you've done it a bit cheap, you you've done them a massive discount, or you've done them a favor, or you can tell they're not really serious, and you've sort of said, Oh, do you know what? I want to help. I think that's where you know, definitely I I tripped up at times where because I, you know, I think as a coach, I think all coaches out there and many coaches I speak to, we've all got this innate desire to be helpful and want to help others, and and sometimes that can trip you up because there's people out there who don't they don't value it. And I'm a big believer that coaching is all about partnership and you're at an equal level. And as soon as that balance shifts, one party is more dominant than the other, then the coaching relationship is over. And in the early days, that's what I would find that uh an individual who you'd offer coaching to would suddenly decide that that you know your time wasn't very important and they would just cancel on you or not turn up, or they'd ghost you for two weeks, then come back and say, Oh, I'm really sorry, can we arrange in a month's time? And you'd be sat there going, Well, I need the coaching hours for my qualification. So yeah, I'll take it. But then when you're in business, that's unacceptable. You know, that time could have been sold to someone else, it could have been there to support someone else, you could have been doing some marketing in your business, it's too valuable. So I think absolutely when they've got skin in the game, it's really important. But also for you as a business owner, you recognize that that time is valuable. That's really key. And something that I learned early on is that if you've got a client who's not turning up, you have to deal with it and tackle it straight away. Have the difficult conversation as we talk about in leadership. Because if you don't, they'll they'll do it again and they'll do it again. And that's affecting your business, then that's affecting your ability to make you know more business or win more clients, make more revenue.

Pedro Stein 13:45

I love how you brought up the fact that you, as a business owner of a coaching practice, you're if you're charging, you'll also have more skin in the game, right? It's like it always brings back me to my college days, right? We were playing Texas Hold'em at no stakes, and someone puts it, and everyone's all in so courageous, right? Zero dollars or whatever, and then you put a dollar in the pot, and uh the game changes entirely, even if a dollar, right? People are like, oh, wait a minute, you know. So great point. Okay. Now I'm curious about one thing. After you got rolling, okay, Tom, who are the people that kept showing up? Because as you already established in the early days for coaching, kind of trying to help everyone in any way, just trying to see if this is gonna happen, you know. But I want to understand uh the ones you realize, you know, you know, okay, this is my tribe, or if you even got to that point.

Tomas Mason 14:41

Yeah, uh the variety of things when when you asked me, you know, when you asked me that, I'm I'm again reflecting back. Um, I had a core group of clients who you know I was incredibly lucky with very early on. Um, I had one big corporate organization who took a chance on me and and um gave me some really exciting opportunities. And then I had some small business owners who were you know looking for some coaching during their journey to support their journey. And again, I really respected that and I really appreciated it because I knew that they didn't have an infinite amount of budget, um, but they were choosing to spend some of that budget with me. So I really respected that and I really appreciated it. And it it definitely um encouraged me to support others on that journey. I've always been a big advocate of mentoring. I was when I was in my my previous career, and I was taught very early on to pay it forward. Someone invests in you, you you pay it forward and you invest in someone else. And and I carried that on. So I started to get in touch, or people would reach out to me who were starting on the Hendi program, or they were thinking about becoming a coach and they'd seen me talking about it on LinkedIn. So I was I was really keen to support that. The I suppose when you say tribe, the one group of individuals who um really stood out to me early on, and I I still count them as very close colleagues and friends to this day, um, was uh when I completed the Henley program, the one bit of feedback we all gave was um this is great in terms of teaching us how to become coaches, but the elephant in the room is the business of coaching. How do we win clients? How do we, you know, how do we grow our businesses? And to their credit, Henley listens and they laid on a uh a summer boot camp, a virtual boot camp in the summer of 2022. And it was over the course of a week, and it was with um an organization who essentially do pro bono business coaching. And I think there was about 50 or 60 of us on the program, and they took us through, you know, how to really, you know, harness the your your brand and your who you want to be your your target clients and how to market to them and how to get the best out of LinkedIn. But also um they put us in touch with uh they put us in small groups on the program, uh, like accountability uh sort of buddies, and those coaches were based all over Europe. So um that that group, there was about, I think it was five or six of us, um, we just kept talking off the back of that that that little boot camp. And we met every month, probably for the last uh three years. This year we've we've we've decided to meet um a little bit less frequently every quarter. Um, but it we've used it as a group where we can just come and talk about what we're struggling with, you know. So it's not um supervision, but it's it's more kind of uh the business of coaching, talking to each other about extra qualifications or um any psychometric tools that we've become trained in that might be helpful, and just create a a supportive community for like-minded individuals in the coaching space and and just talk talk things. And I think that's been hugely powerful to me, just having individuals I can I can talk to. And and then finally, the you know, alongside that, the the most important person who's been along my alongside me on my coaching journey is my podcasting partner, Tom Emery. He has been, you know, such a such a shining, you know, what's the phrase, an eye-to-chining armor. We we met by complete chance, we got put in touch with each other uh by uh a lady called Dr. Amanda Potter, uh, who owns a business call or runs a business called Zircon. And we both trained in a psychometric tool. And off the back of it, it was like a 360 analysis tool and um various other various other tools that they offer. And off the back of one of the courses, I emailed Amanda and said, Look, I'm looking to grow my business uh and network with people. Is there anyone I should should talk to? And she goes, Yeah, there's actually another Tom you should speak to. And uh Tom and I met for a coffee. I actually think we met, we we we met and then we we we had a quick bite to eat. And I just immediately knew this was someone who's going to be really important to me, and I needed to invest. First of all, he's a lovely guy, but also he was very knowledgeable, and I could just sense he was going to be important and that I should really invest time with him. And and he's become a you know, he's been so many things, but most of all a friend, but a uh a colleague, a mentor, uh a coach, everything. And uh, and we've we started the podcast together, and you know, he's got a hugely successful business in in hex, talents, and development. But he's you know, he's been a critical part of my career, and and someone I speak to pretty much every day. If we're not speaking physically, we're whatsapping each other. And and I would I would say that's the one thing uh to any coach starting out who's gonna really have a go at this and and and give it their all is make sure you've got people around you you can talk to because it's gonna get lonely. You're gonna have days where you're gonna feel pretty low, you're gonna have days where you question your sanity and why you're doing it, and that's where you need those those individuals around you. Look, I've met loads of probably you know not bad actors, but some not so nice people along the way as well. So you really do make the most of those times where you meet someone who's genuinely looking to help and and cherish those moments. It's really it'll be really important to you. So that's the best bit of advice I can give.

Pedro Stein 20:37

Nice. So basically, well, I love the community bit, okay, the importance of it and having a mentor. So yeah, uh, coaches need coaches. Uh simple as that. But just to establish your ideal client profile, uh, basically, who do you serve? We're talking about small business owners and uh some corporate engagements. I got that right? Yeah.

unknown 20:59

Okay.

Tomas Mason 20:59

That's how it started. That's how it started, but it's evolved since then. And I'd say there's there's two groups. There's first of all, the very, very senior members of an organization. So the C-suite, you know, I do I have a very successful coaching practice with anyone with a C in front of their title. So whether that's the CEO, whether that's the CFO, but I do a lot of work with with those individuals. And that's my, you know, I feel, you know, that that was my goal setting up the business is to work with those senior leaders. Because I I get, you know, I know coaches, it's not in the coaching session is never about the coach, but I learn so much from these individuals and I find it fascinating. And I think it it's my kind of lifeblood as a coach that you know I I get to to work with some incredible individuals and and help their performance and support their journey. And I learn a lot from them. But what I started to find was having working with those individuals, is that there's a I built up a knowledge bank to help the Next generation. So help those talented individuals who the organization has spotted to go right, this individual has got the potential to rise up through the ranks and be one of our, you know, next round of senior leaders. So I spend I'd spend uh quite a bit of my time now with talent, talented individuals, whether that's through leadership programs and working with a cohort of talented leaders, you know, facilitating sessions, group coaching, accountability pods, but then also working with them on an individual basis. So over the last 18 months, I've done a lot of work with you know partners of law firms, partners of accounting practices, you know, talented individuals who have been earmarked for the C-suite, and and I've supported their development journeys. And I think I I couldn't have done that without my own background and own experience, having been a you know what I perceived myself as a high performing individual when I was at Barclays, um, but also having worked with you know lots of business owners over the years as a banker, but also as a uh as a coach, and being able to combine that skill and and support those lead, you know, those talented individuals. So they're the they're the kind of the the main two groups, and the business itself is we sort of have three core offerings, and you mentioned them at the uh uh during the intro. The first is the the exec coaching practice, which is that one-on-one work supporting you know very senior individuals or talented individuals on their development journeys. But there's a there's a a clear development need. I then started the second part of my business, which is called leadership advisory, which is a a thinking partnership practice. So where perhaps a CEO um doesn't need a coach, doesn't need development, but they want someone to talk to. They're feeling lonely, they want to talk through decisions, they want to bounce ideas off someone, they want to spar you know with someone and challenge and receive some challenge, but also where an individual might have reached the end of a coaching journey and they just want to keep in touch, they just want to fine-tune, they want to talk about things. I found that the the uh the leadership advisory practice is is is a real growing part of my business. And you know, that's where I probably I I stop being a coach and I start helping them, you know, with their team, building their exco, building their C-suite, developing their talent, and and it goes beyond coaching. So it really is a you know a sort of a an advisory space, but also a thinking partnership space with the the real focus around leadership, whether it's their own leadership or whether it's their the leadership of the those who they um, you know, they the the the the team that they operate in or the the business that they operate in and the teams that work beneath them. And then finally we have the um you know the talent part of my business, which is where we do the uh the the psychometric testing. So I'm a Hogan qualified coach, um Hogan accredited, the business is Hogan accredited. So we do a um a lot of work there. We do leadership programs for uh for first line leaders, you know, individuals who've just entered the world of leadership and the organization wants to invest, but on a cohort base. Um so we do a lot of work there. And and I I get a huge amount of enjoyment with all three parts of the business. But working with you know new leaders for the first time, that really that really gets my energy up. And you know, it really lights me up as well when you're seeing a leader who's just taken on their first managerial, the leadership role, and they're excited, but they're also terrified because of you know the conversations that they've got to have. So yeah, that's that that's the background. But at the core of everything we do, it's it's you know, coaching's right there, and coaching and leadership, that's what I'm all about.

Pedro Stein 25:44

Okay, I appreciate the insight. I was about to ask that. Okay, so it sounds like you can future tell. I'll put it like that, right? No, I'm curious about one thing because you mentioned the one-on-ones, and you mentioned also a cohort, right? And I see a lot of coaches struggling with that transition or even adding a one-to-many offer, right? That was basically the cohort. Uh, how did that play out for you? Like uh, was it at scary? When when did you realize okay, this can actually work? You know, because to a certain point, you got you reached that point you were at at the one-on-ones, basically, but then you try to find uh how ways to impact more people, right? And then you move to the cohort. So, can you walk me through how did that look like?

Tomas Mason 26:27

Yeah, absolutely. Um, I mentioned earlier on the conversation I was very lucky with, and I do believe myself I was very lucky in the beginning. I think that there has to be that aspect. You have to you can make your own look, but you you also just need to be out there. And if you're out there, things will happen. And um, I I had a uh a corporate client who we sat down for a catch-up. I met a few of their L and D team, and they, you know, I went in very early days. I just wanted really, I was just focused on one-to-one coaching. So I taught them through everything, my career and and and what I was hoping to establish with potential. And they said, Well, we don't really have the budget. We've got a group of individuals, we don't have the budget for you to work with them one one-on-one. But could you work with them in groups? And inside, I my you know, my stomach was churning, the butterflies were going, and I was sort of like, Oh my goodness, this is a real opportunity here. But I I've not worked with groups. Well, I had, uh, but in that moment, I I seemed to just be focused on the one-to-one work. And my head was telling me, no, Tom, you've led teams, you've worked with groups of all, you know, groups of individuals throughout your career. Absolutely, you can do it. You just got to, you know, you just got to adapt. And um, I won the piece of work. Um, I thought through logically what I was going to do, and I just went for it, and it was really successful. But again, there's and something I should have mentioned earlier. I think because of the world I used to work in, accreditations and qualifications were always really important. And that's something I always come back to. The coaching world is is very open. Anyone can start as a coach, and you don't really need any qualifications, but I'm a big believer to be at your best, you know, working and training with other great individuals is is the right way to develop your skill set. And so I I did some additional uh training and some additional work. Uh, I also spoke to uh Tom Emery about this, and you know, I made sure that I was ready to work with groups of individuals, but the the realization that actually um that actually stood out to me was I was I was offered some facilitation work, so basically do some some leadership training. Uh another great individual on my journey, a chap called Andy Poole at Cess Learning, who again, another another individual took a chance on me. You know, I was talking to him about I wanted to grow my business and I wanted to do learn how to do facilitation. And he said, Well, I've got a piece of work, you know, why don't you why don't you come along, shadow, and and see if you'd be interested. So again, someone else taking a chance on me. So very, very lucky, very, very blessed. And I went along and I was absolutely terrified. Um, but then I realized in the moment, I was like, right, I've this is like leadership again. I'm at the front, people are listening to what I've got to say, and and I can help here. So again, I just I just adopted that coaching mindset of of be of service, ask good questions, listen to what people are telling you, or or or when they ask a question, help them on that journey. So actually, the I reflect back and the the transition between the two was was actually really easy. But I think going having the right mindset and doing a bit of you know additional work, homework or or some additional training will absolutely breed, you know, will help you grow your confidence and breed that confidence. Um, but also try and aliken it to things that you've done in your previous career uh or past roles and see where the similarities are. And I just find it very helpful just to think of it, right? I'm a I'm a leader again. I'm at the front of the room, people are listening to me, you know, but also but apply a coaching mindset to that leadership.

Pedro Stein 30:08

Oh, nice. Enjoy the insights, the journey from one-on-one to cohort. That's pretty insightful. So I appreciate that. Now, I want to shift gears for a second, okay, Tom. Um, let's talk about future, right? I'm curious about where you're taking all this. Uh looking ahead, where do you see the business going? You know?

Tomas Mason 30:26

Well, it's it's a really good um, you know, opportune moment to discuss this because the business has been going, we just celebrated our three-year anniversary. Um, you know, it's five years since I left Barclays this month, and we've just rebranded and we're at the the start of a a new journey, which is looking to grow and scale the business. So for many, the first couple of years it was just me. And then I started to partner with other businesses and and other coaches, and and then last year my wife um uh was really interested in going back to work after you know after raising our daughter for the first few years, and she was gonna go back just to a part-time role, and I just said, you know what? I think you know, with your skills, um if we can work out the right rhythm and and the right uh remuneration package, as she put it, she would she would join the business and help me and help me with the things that don't come naturally to me. So, you know, I am an introvert at heart, so putting myself out there on LinkedIn is is hard. I find that really tough. You know, put me on a stage, um, presenting to people, pitching to senior leaders, I'm absolutely fine. But putting myself out there on social media and and marketing myself, I I find I find uncomfortable. So, but it's the only way to grow a business right. You know, in the early days it was it was referrals, it was warm introductions and and really working your network to to get through the door at organizations and meet other interesting people who might be interested in your services. But fundamentally, if I'm going to grow this business and take it to the next level, um I've I've got the people around me to do it in the sense of the coaching. I've got some coaches on my bench who I work with who I could bring in. So I've got the uh the physical capacity. It's purely a case of growing the growing the product set, growing the client base, and and and and going into some uncharted territory and and growing, you know, uh, you know, more around the world, not just in the UK, so growing in Europe, growing in the States, growing South America or the Middle East. There's lots of opportunity out there. And I feel now we've we've got the track record, we've got the we've got the credentials, um, we've got a really you know nice self-sustaining business, but there's an opportunity for us to do more and grow. And that's my goal now. And I think when I started it, I I you know, I had aspirations of getting it to a to the size it is now. Um, but like any entrepreneur, you you want more and you want to achieve more. And and also I think you need that from you know, from a, you know, the sort of that desire to to keep going, to have that next target. And so that's so that's where we are. So we are, you know, we are as I say, we're just rebranded. We are really focused in terms of our sales funnel. Um, that phrase that everyone seems, that magical phrase that everyone talks about on LinkedIn. Um, but no one seems to really be credible in terms of being able to provide you that that advice and that guidance. There's lots of people trying to sell it, but it's um it's something I think that you've got to figure out for yourself in the beginning. That is, I think then there's lots of people who can help you. So um we're actively building that funnel at the moment. So there'll be a lot more to come from potential. So uh do follow us. We'll be put we'll be uh creating all sorts of resources, white papers, hopefully potentially a book in the future. But we just want to we just want to work with more amazing leaders around the globe and grow our brand and take things to the next level.

Pedro Stein 34:07

Okay, I love that, man. That's exciting. And uh, Tom, if someone listening wants to connect with your follow your work or potential, right? And by the way, we're gonna have all the links in the description, but where's the best way again people can find you and connect with you?

Tomas Mason 34:21

Uh, two places. The first is LinkedIn. Find me at Thomas Mason, Thomas but T-O-M-A-S. There's no HMI Thomas, that's always a bit of a trick. So Thomas Mason on LinkedIn, and then our website, which is potentia hyphenleadership.com.

Pedro Stein 34:36

You know, Tom, there were uh a few moments from this chat today that really stayed with me. You know, first of all, we're talking about origin story, the career break, you know, take care of Elizabeth and you naming her more than one time. I really like that. That's the main drive. As a father myself. Well, I have two boys, so I'm I'm more of a referee right now, not as much as a parent. Okay. So they you you know the drill kind of. So um, I really love when you you you're saying that. And um well, it shows right the energy and and why you did that. That's basically the real intention behind everything you're facing right now. Put it simply like that. Now, also cool when you were like, Oh, I gotta find someone to coach now, you know. That's oh, this is real, right? You're doing that pro bono uh training and you're getting your certifications and all that, and like, okay, guys, you know, time to fly out of the nest, and everyone's super scared and all that, so pretty cool where you're sharing that. The importance of community, right? Uh, that you mentioned, and that's also tied up with the fact that you kind of named every individual that guided you, you know, uh, as a mentor or someone that actually helped you, and uh, that is so so cool to watch. Because it's like, by the way, you're mentioning your you oh, they took a chance on me. It's such a humbling way of seeing things, man. Just such the lens is so interesting. It's not like, oh, I did that because I'm great. You know, it's like I had luck, I met amazing people, and that's why I'm able to, you know, be at where I am today. So this is just my long-winded way of saying that I appreciate what you do, Tom. And I appreciate you being here and sharing so openly today, you know. It was great having you on.

Tomas Mason 36:23

No, it's been a pleasure. And look, I I mentioned people's names to I said I mentioned about paying back, and that's exactly it. You're telling about the people who have been important to me. So all those names, do check them out. If you're looking for a great coach, you know, there's some great names in there, so reach out to them.

Davis Nguyen 36:39

That's it for this episode. This episode, as well as this podcast, was brought to you by Purple Circle, where we help business owners elevate their business to six, seven, and eight figure years, all without burning out. If you're looking to grow your business as well as get the time freedom that you are looking for, visit us at join purplecircle.com and see what we can do to help you and your business.