The Smoke Trail: Season 1, Episode 19 – Unleashing Collective Genius: The Buy-In Advantage with Dave Garrison

Guest Bio:

Dave Garrison, Chief Engagement Officer of GarrisonGrowth, is a visionary leader and trusted advisor who enhances client profitability and satisfaction by fostering team alignment and motivation. As a former CEO at the forefront of the mobile internet revolution, Dave brings a unique perspective, informed by his roles as an independent board member across numerous organizations, including Ameritrade, where he mentored the CEO to drive billions in shareholder value. Quoted in The New York Times, USA Today, and Financial Times, and featured on CNBC, CNN, and Bloomberg TV, Dave has presented at high-profile events like FiRE, CES, and YPO’s Annual General Meeting. A YPO member, he serves on its Leadership Development Network as incoming Chair and has held roles on various committees. His book, The Buy-In Advantage, distills proven techniques for collective genius, aligning energy, strategy, and individuals for transformative outcomes.

Setting:

Recorded in the vibrant synergy of Sedona, Arizona, where Smoke’s red rock sanctuary meets Dave Garrison’s dynamic presence via virtual connection, this episode pulses with the energy of long-time friends reuniting. Set against Sedona’s spiritual vortex, their dialogue weaves leadership and consciousness, inviting listeners to a fireside chat of wisdom and heart in a desert glow.

Summary:

Smoke Wallin welcomes his dear friend Dave Garrison to explore leadership and consciousness through the lens of Dave’s new book, The Buy-In Advantage. Reflecting on their decades-long friendship, Smoke praises Dave’s innate ability to foster engagement, now crystallized in his framework for collective genius. Dave shares how curiosity over judgment unlocks team potential, emphasizing that “all of us are smarter than any of us,” a principle rooted in dropping ego-driven answers, as Smoke connects to his non-judgmental stance in Episode 16. They discuss aligning teams through open questions, validating emotions without reactive responses, and fostering horizontal synergy, drawing from Dave’s experience with venture-backed firms where people-first strategies were undervalued, unlike CHG Healthcare’s success in Episode 7’s resilience. Dave’s “get-on-board” questions, inspired by YPO forums, build vulnerability in small groups, mirroring Episode 17’s retreat healing. Smoke ties Dave’s heart-led approach to David Hawkins’ Power vs. Force, advocating heart-mind coherence for intuitive leadership, as in Episode 15’s affirmations. Dave’s writing process, channeling wisdom at dawn, echoes Episode 11’s quiet mind, revealing universal truths like collective genius through curiosity. This episode, infused with Sedona’s clarity, inspires leaders to harness team wisdom for transformative impact.

Learnings:  

• Curiosity Unlocks Genius: Dropping judgment for curiosity, as Dave teaches, taps collective wisdom, per Episode 16’s mindfulness.  
• Validation Defuses Conflict: Mirroring and validating emotions, without reactive judgment, fosters collaboration, like Episode 17’s breathing pause.  
• Small Groups Build Trust: Vulnerability in groups of three, as in YPO forums, translates to larger teams, echoing Episode 13’s love-driven connection.  
• Heart-Mind Coherence Empowers: Listening to heart and gut, as Smoke advocates, aligns with Episode 15’s intuitive guidance.  
• Alignment Drives Profit: People-first cultures, like CHG Healthcare, cut turnover and boost value, per Episode 7’s resilience.

Universal Truths:  

• All Are Smarter Than One: Collective genius, as in Episode 18’s love conquering all, emerges from shared wisdom.  
• Curiosity Trumps Judgment: A quiet mind, per Episode 11’s consciousness, reveals truth beyond ego, as in Episode 16’s presence.  
• Validation Heals: Acknowledging others’ emotions, as in Episode 8’s human medicine, builds trust.  
• Intuition is Power: Heart-led decisions, per Episode 15’s divine timing, access universal wisdom.  
• Consciousness Elevates: Raising awareness, as in Episode 17’s collective healing, transforms teams and humanity.

Examples:  

• CHG Healthcare’s Success: Dave’s people-first approach halved turnover, boosting profits, like Episode 12’s Dignity Moves impact.  
• Get-On-Board Questions: Dave’s YPO-inspired question about childhood happiness built trust, mirroring Episode 17’s retreat vulnerability.  
• Cadillac Dealership Turnaround: Reducing turnover saved $1M, as Dave advised, reflecting Episode 7’s resilience.  
• Smoke’s Non-Judgment: Dropping judgment revealed team resistance, aligning with Episode 16’s mindful presence.  
• Dave’s Writing Flow: Channeling The Buy-In Advantage at dawn, like Episode 11’s quiet mind, tapped intuitive wisdom.

Smoke Trail Threads:  

• Consciousness (Episodes 1, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18): Dave’s collective genius ties to Smoke’s awakening, Steve Hershberger’s map, Ivan Rados’ health, Chris Clements’ action, Rob Follows’ intentionality, Rob Hersov’s love, and Q&As in 16-17.  
• Vulnerability (Episodes 6, 13, 17, 18): Dave’s trust-building aligns with Justin Breen’s openness, Chris Clements’ love, Rob Hersov’s truth, and Episode 17’s sharing.  
• Presence (Episodes 2, 3, 8, 15, 16, 17): Dave’s curiosity echoes Sarah Fruehling’s breathwork, Jack Maxwell’s living now, Liv Fisch’s holding space, Rob Follows’ meditation, and Episodes 16-17’s calm.  
• Leadership (Episodes 4, 6, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18): Dave’s alignment connects to Michael Brabant’s safe workplaces, Justin Breen’s vulnerability, Elizabeth Funk’s empowerment, Rob Follows’ significance, Rob Hersov’s advocacy, and Episodes 16-17’s conscious leadership.  

 • • Healing (Episodes 2, 8, 10, 16, 17): Dave’s validation links to Sarah Fruehling’s EMDR, Liv Fisch’s human medicine, Dani Brooks’ coherence, and Episodes 16-17’s hairballs.