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Nicholas Kuhne catches up with serial entrepreneur Robert Indries, co-author of the compelling new book Unshackled: The Seven Levels of Business Excellence. Co-authored with the distinguished Aaron Scott Young, the book draws from their vast experience—having generated over $1 billion for clients—to guide managers and business leaders towards creating robust, self-sustaining teams that deliver consistent value.
Robert, known for his engineering prowess and global business acumen, shares candid anecdotes, real-world challenges, and actionable insights drawn from his entrepreneurial journey.
Key Takeaways
Robert Indries brings his characteristic blend of humour, honesty, and sharp observation to the table as he dives deep into the realities of building and running multinational businesses. One striking revelation is his own experience with autism, which has given him unique strengths in business, notably a heightened ability to observe and adapt. His genuine reflections underscore the importance of emotional intelligence, strategic partnerships, and flexibility when navigating cross-cultural dynamics in international markets.
Chapter Summaries
From Mentorship to Multimillions
Robert credits much of his early success to actively seeking mentors. Starting his first engineering company 13 years ago, he scaled quickly to delivering over 200 projects across multiple countries, accumulating significant wealth through relentless curiosity and collaboration.
The Art of Managing Across Cultures
Managing across cultures isn't straightforward. Robert humorously recounts his culture shocks, from perpetually late meetings in Mexico to the blunt communication styles in Russia and Italy. He stresses the importance of adapting to each culture's unique working style, learning to navigate the complexity without imposing one's own standards.
Emotional Intelligence and Neurodiversity
In a vulnerable and powerful segment, Robert reveals his autism diagnosis, detailing how it shaped his observational skills and forced him to develop a heightened sense of emotional intelligence, crucial in navigating international teams and diverse business environments.
The Purpose of "Unshackled"
Robert and co-author Aaron Scott Young decided to distil their combined knowledge into the book "Unshackled: The Seven Levels of Business Excellence." Designed specifically for managers, the book offers practical guidance on creating self-sustaining systems that enhance team performance, maximise profits, and improve overall quality of life for both managers and employees.
Realities of a Global Business
Robert shares humorous and eye-opening stories of cultural clashes and lessons learned from managing multinational teams. He highlights the necessity of adaptability, empathy, and effective communication, recounting personal experiences from Mexico's laid-back punctuality to Russia's brutally direct communication style.
Conclusion on creating business excellence
Robert Indries emphasises that real business excellence stems not just from financial success but from cultivating a balanced, fulfilling, and sustainable professional environment. "Unshackled" isn't just another business book—it's a practical guide that merges strategic thinking with emotional intelligence, aiming to help readers create environments where both performance and personal happiness thrive.
What Next?
To delve deeper into Robert's philosophy and methodologies, grab your copy of Unshackled: The Seven Levels of Business Excellence. Visit theunshackledlife.com for more details and connect with Robert via his personal website.
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