Think & Act Differently with Sales Academy

Hosted by Adam Brooks

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Episodes

114

Latest episode

Mar 2026

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About the show

Short bursts of ideas, motivation, inspiring thoughts and conversation with Adam Brooks (and at times special guests) about business, life and better performance.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

March 26, 20265 min

Can you just...

Ever heard the words…"Can you just…"If you work with customers on site, in meetings, on calls, in projects, you will know exactly what happens next.You’re there to do A, B and C.It’s been quoted.It’s been agreed.It’s been scheduled.Then comes…"Oh while you’re here…""Can you just have a quick look at…""It’ll only take a minute…"And before you know it, you’re doing D, E and F as well.You run late for the next client.You don’t charge for the extra work.You feel frustrated, but you still did it anyway.Not because you’re weak.Because you care.Because you want to give good service.Because you don’t want to look awkward talking about money.When you don’t value your time, your experience and your knowledge, your customer won’t either.There is a better response."Yes, absolutely. Let’s get the diary out and book a time for me to come back and do that properly."Same service.Same professionalism.Better boundaries.Correct value.No stress.No resentment.No rushing to the next job.Good businesses are not built on doing everything.They are built on doing the right things, properly, and being paid for them.If you’ve ever fallen into the "Can you just…" trap, you’re not alone.The question is, what will you say next time?#BusinessBoundaries#KnowYourWorth#SmallBusinessLife#ProfessionalService#TimeIsMoney#BusinessGrowth

February 24, 20265 min

The Highs of the Highs & The Lows of the Lows

In business, it’s never neutral.You either feel unstoppable…Or you feel like everything’s falling apart.In this episode of Think & Act Differently, we explore the emotional volatility of leadership — and why the real skill isn’t chasing the highs or avoiding the lows… it’s staying grounded through both.Inspired by a recent interview on Derby County’s RamsTV, where their top scorer — written off by some, injured, and arguably in the sunset rather than sunrise of his career — returned fitter, stronger and more composed than before… this episode dives into the power of perspective.Because form is temporary.Identity is deeper.And mindset is everything.Every quarter at our Sales Academy strategic planning days, we ask our clients one simple but powerful question:What were your highs?What were your lows?Not for drama.Not for sympathy.But for perspective.When leaders share openly:The wins don’t inflate the ego.The setbacks don’t define the person.The room steadies.The head clears.This episode is about:Staying present when things are going wellNot over-identifying with successNot catastrophising when things dipKeeping your head in the gamePlaying the long season, not the emotional momentBecause if you ride every high like it’s permanent…You’ll feel every low like it’s fatal.And neither are true.If you’re a business owner, leader or sales professional who feels the emotional swings of performance — this one’s for you.

December 16, 202511 min

Over-servicing Your Clients

Overservicing rarely starts as a problem.It starts with good intentions.Caring more.Doing a bit extra.Wanting to deliver a great experience.But over time, without realising it, the balance shifts.In this episode, we explore overservicing through the lens of “the Hollywood kiss” that familiar movie moment where one person leans in… and the other doesn’t need to anymore.In business, that looks like:You taking on more than you agreedExpectations quietly expanding without a conversationExtra calls, tweaks and favours becoming the normAnd you carrying the emotional and operational weight of the relationshipWe unpack why overservicing often comes from the best place, why it slowly breaks healthy client dynamics, and how it can lead to frustration, resentment and burnout if left unchecked.More importantly, we talk about:The early warning signs you’re leaning in too farWhy “being helpful” can unintentionally train entitlementHow to reset expectations without damaging the relationshipAnd how to build client partnerships based on mutual effort, not silent self-sacrificeIf you’re a business owner, leader or service professional who feels like you’re always the one leaning in… this conversation will hit close to home.Sometimes the bravest move isn’t doing more.It’s stepping back and restoring the balance.

October 23, 202510 min

If you're being coached, you're already on the journey!

We’ve all been guilty of thinking coaching is what you turn to when things start to wobble.Sales are down. Confidence is shot. The business feels heavy.Then someone says, “Maybe it’s time you got a coach.”But here’s a thought, that’s like saying you only go to the gym when you’ve pulled a muscle. - read the full article here: https://salesacademy.uk.com/coaching-isnt-a-fix/

October 9, 20255 min

I didn't sign up for this!

The Takeshi's Castle of business! Ever felt it? Like business is level after level of people and things trying to knock you off your feet! Finance, Marketing, Sales, Systems & Process, People & Customers, all the things that come with running a business that we didn't know we were signing up to! Yep...we've got ya back! #peertopeer People come for sales training or business coaching, but they stay for the accountability, the support, the community and the results they get.#coaching #business #businesscoaching #findyourtribe

June 17, 20259 min

The Art of Casual Conversation

Todays Musing: Casual Conversations. Be it coaching, sales training, business coaching, conversations with colleagues, leadership or self talk....practicing the art of casual conversation is a skill worth investing into.

May 8, 20259 min

Who are we, what do we do?

At Sales Academy, we believe communication is key. Todays musing, our Founder Adam Brooks shared with you more about Sales Academy. Sometimes, assumptions become the norm. Like we assume you all know who we are and what we do. As well as what we don't do! So why assume, when we can share with you in our own words. Enjoy and get in touch soon. Thank you for watching and listening.

March 6, 202512 min

Stop Closing, Start Opening!

Todays musing, may have gone somewhat into a rant! Unlike me I know, but hear me out, please. This one is worth it. Todays musing is "Stop Closing, start opening".Enjoy the episode and let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Thank you for listening. hashtag#sales hashtag#salestraining hashtag#bebetter hashtag#truthsells hashtag#open hashtag#questions hashtag#becurious hashtag#caredeeply

February 18, 20256 min

Are You (Unknowingly) Creating Learned Helplessness?

Are You (Unknowingly) Creating Learned Helplessness?Ever felt like no matter what you do, nothing changes? That’s learned helplessness—when repeated setbacks make us stop trying, even when opportunities exist.But here’s the part we don’t talk about enough… As leaders, parents, and mentors, we might be reinforcing this in others.🔹 Micromanaging employees? They’ll stop making decisions.🔹 Rescuing children too soon? They’ll assume they can’t solve problems.🔹 Shutting down new ideas? People will stop sharing them.We don’t mean to do it. Often, we think we’re helping—protecting, guiding, avoiding failure. But in reality, we’re sending the message: “You can’t handle this.”So, how do we shift from accidental helplessness to empowerment?✅ Encourage effort, not just results.✅ Give people real ownership (and space to fail).✅ Reframe setbacks as lessons, not proof of inability.The difference between a disengaged team and an accountable one?Between a hesitant child and a confident problem-solver?It’s not talent. It’s whether they believe their actions make a difference.Let’s talk about it. In this podcast video, we touch on how leaders and parents can either develop resilience or reinforce helplessness—often without realising it.In the blog, we dive deeper into this subject and look it from parents and life, leaders and business. 🎙️ Watch below 👇🔗 Read the full blog here: https://salesacademy.uk.com/are-you-unknowingly-creating-learned-helplessness/Have you seen learned helplessness play out in business or parenting? Let’s discuss. 👇#leadership#growth#conditioning#training#salesacademySales Academy#learnedhelplessness#parenting

January 24, 20259 min

Slow down to speed up

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush to act, decide, and deliver. But what if slowing down is actually the secret to accelerating your success? In this episode of Think & Act Differently with Sales Academy, we explore the paradox of "Slow Down to Speed Up"—a principle rooted in mindfulness, strategy, and the timeless wisdom of the hare and the tortoise story, reimagined for modern business leaders and owners. Reacting too quickly often leads to missteps, missed opportunities, and burnout. Slowing down, on the other hand, creates space for clarity, better decisions, and more sustainable progress. This episode unpacks why taking the time to pause, reflect, and assess a situation isn’t a sign of weakness or procrastination—it’s a powerful tool for navigating complexity and uncertainty. We discuss real-world scenarios where hitting pause helped businesses move forward faster, with stronger foundations. You’ll learn why measured, intentional actions often yield better results than rushed reactions, and how embracing this mindset can transform your leadership approach. I bring this message in a tone that balances practicality with relatability—because slowing down isn’t just a strategy, it’s a mindset shift that can impact both your business and personal growth. Whether you’re leading a team, steering your business through change, or simply trying to balance competing demands, this episode will remind you that sometimes, the quickest route to success starts by taking a step back. Tune in and discover how to slow down—not to fall behind, but to get ahead. #podcast #musing #sales #leadership #business #mavericks #mindfuldecisions #betterbusiness