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In this powerful episode of Expert In You, host Ann Carden sits down with renowned economist, leadership expert, and author of The Perfect Plan, Dr. Don Barden, to uncover the mindset and decision-making strategies behind elite business performance.
Drawing from decades of research into high achievers, leadership psychology, and institutional finance, Dr. Don Barden reveals the science behind what separates top-performing leaders from everyone else – and how entrepreneurs can apply those same principles to accelerate growth and influence.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
The leadership principles elite performers use to scale faster
How understanding the “why” behind behavior drives stronger decisions and better results
The neuroscience of influence, communication, and high-performance leadership
Dr. Don Barden’s 3-step “Perfect Plan” framework for business growth
Why gratitude, emotional intelligence, and clarity create lasting success
Whether you’re a founder, consultant, executive, or coach, this episode delivers practical insights on leadership, sales, and strategic thinking that can help you elevate your business and impact.
🎧 Tune in now to learn how elite leaders think, communicate, and execute – and how you can apply the Perfect Plan to your own success.
Key Moments:
05:14 Working on international deals
07:27 Backing insights with science
09:55 Staying present to extend success
12:52 Corporate structure and communication
16:47 Return on Time Investment
20:10 Effective presentation techniques
22:23 Co-creating with buyers
25:58 Building Genuine Connections Through Gratitude
28:57 Making work easy for others
32:04 Evolving meaning of “perfect”
About The Guest :
Dr. Don Barden is a classically trained economist and globally recognized expert in leadership and decision-making. He spent 25 years as a corporate executive in institutional finance and global economics, building teams that averaged over $1 billion in annual revenue. During his doctoral studies at Columbia International University, he identified a common thread among elite leaders that became the foundation for his book The Perfect Plan, now published in 39 countries worldwide.
Don was named one of the Top 30 Most Transformational Leaders in North America by John Maxwell, the 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, and received full honors from the Department of Defense and the 75th US Army Ranger Regiment. He lectures at Oxford University, The Wharton School of Business, and Wake Forest University, and is a frequent instructor at the US Army Ranger Leadership and Professional Development Program.
His newest work, Here Come the Girls, is a #1 Amazon release in economics exploring the global leadership shift that will occur between 2028 and 2032 as women take over global leadership roles. Don is the founder of Perfect Plan Consulting and The Perfect Plan community, where he brings his frameworks directly to entrepreneurs and leaders ready to grow.
How to connect Dr. Don Barden :
Website : https://www.linkedin.com/in/donwbarden/
LinkedIn: https://donbarden.com/