Insights

Marketing, StoryBrand, and leadership insights from Wes Gay.

How to Run a StoryBrand Marketing Session

October 26, 2023

A step-by-step roadmap for leading your team through a StoryBrand session and walking out with one clear, compelling message.

7 Common StoryBrand Mistakes

October 1, 2023

Are you doing StoryBrand right? If you've never tried it, you're likely making one of these (expensive) mistakes.

6 StoryBrand BrandScript Mistakes

January 30, 2023

After reviewing thousands of BrandScripts, I've found six common mistakes that quietly break your messaging, and how to avoid each one.

5 Unexpected Marketing Books Every Business Leader Should Read

November 1, 2018

The best marketing books aren't marketing books at all; here are five unexpected reads that reshaped how I think about reaching customers.

Go Back To School With This Simple Marketing Checklist

August 21, 2018

A new school year is a second chance at your goals, so use this simple marketing checklist to finish the year strong.

Who Should Attend the StoryBrand Workshop? These 4 Teams

June 12, 2018

Clarity is your company's scarcest resource; here are the four teams that get the most out of attending a StoryBrand Workshop.

Country Music Holds A Powerful Marketing Secret

March 29, 2018

Great marketing works like a sad country song: it names the customer's specific problem instead of chasing trucks, love, and clichés.

4 Clever Examples Of Storytelling in TV Commercials

February 16, 2018

Story captures the human brain, and these four clever TV commercials show how the StoryBrand Framework makes marketing stick.

Why You Need to Plan Failure in Your New Year's Resolutions

January 16, 2018

Most resolutions fail because we never plan for failure; building intentional failure into your goals is how you actually keep them.

The Marketing Secret From 'Beauty And The Beast'

August 4, 2017

Beauty and the Beast grossed over $1.2 billion by using nostalgia, a powerful marketing tactic you can use to engage more customers.

How Apple Teaches The Importance of Silence

October 19, 2016

During a nasty election, Apple taught us that silence and a focused message beat the competition better than attacking it.

#FeedbackFriday: How To Identify 4 Patterns In Your Team

October 14, 2016

Like a great coach studying film, leaders who spend time with their team can spot four patterns that guide better feedback.

2 Simple Reasons Why Millennials Really Are Different

October 11, 2016

Millennials get blamed for everything, but two simple reasons explain why we really are different from other generations.

#FeedbackFriday: How To Define The Rules Of Engagement

October 7, 2016

Feedback without clear rules of engagement creates chaos, so leaders must define how their team gives and receives it.

3 Ways 'The Voice' Makes You A Better Coach And Leader

October 4, 2016

Watching The Voice reveals three lessons about coaching that make you a better, more engaged leader for your team.

#FeedbackFriday: An Introduction To The Biggest Trend In Business

September 30, 2016

The annual review is dead, and this series introduces a better way to give employees the ongoing feedback they actually need.

3 Questions That Will Increase Clarity & Reduce Stress

September 27, 2016

Americans are dangerously stressed, but three simple questions from a Chick-fil-A executive can bring clarity and calm to your work.

What President Bush Taught Us About Being Versus Doing

September 13, 2016

President Bush's response on September 11 reveals why who you are matters more than what you do, especially as a leader.

How Workplace Feedback Reveals Your Humanity

September 6, 2016

Everyone wants feedback, yet most companies save it for once a year; giving it well is how we treat people like humans.

Have a Character That Is Bigger Than Your Birth Year

August 23, 2016

Ryan Lochte's Rio scandal shows how weak character can outshine real achievement, and why leaders must build character over reputation.

How You Can Be Like an Olympic Gold Medalist Today

August 16, 2016

Olympic fever has been strong recently. The world watched (and rightly wondered what was happening) the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio almost 2 weeks ago. Since then, the world has been captivated by the stories of triumph and defeat, success and failure. My social media feeds are consumed with stellar commentary and sarcasm from celebrities and regular folks alike.

Why CNN Impacts The Millennial Desire For Purpose

August 9, 2016

The year was 1980. A group of college hockey players stunned the world by beating the Russian team at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics. The Post-It Note debuted in the U.S., forever changing how people decorate their desks. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen was a #1 hit. And two famous groups were born: CNN and the Millennials

How Millennials Can Communicate Clearly to Team Members

August 2, 2016

Poor communication costs companies billions, but one simple habit helps millennial team members and leaders communicate more clearly.

How to Hire a Millennial Consultant for $10 Per Hour

July 26, 2016

I, like many of you, saw a recent article that highlighted those with the title “millennial consultant” that charge outrageous amounts, some upwards of $20,000 per hour. When I first saw that number, two thoughts entered my head: 1) That is ridiculous. 2) If I can get that, I can have a four hour work week like Time Ferriss and make $4 million per year (Yes that number is right. Do the math).

Will Millennials Ever Lead Real Change? I'm Not Sure

July 12, 2016

Millennials have caused change in much of our society, but how can we proactively lead change in some of the most difficult issues we face?

How This Question Will Make You More Intentional Today

July 5, 2016

How can we be more intentional in our leadership? People want to follow someone who is moving in a clear direction. This one question helps you clarify how you can be more intentional today.

Prepare Privately before Performing Publicly

July 1, 2016

Like musicians who prepare before rehearsal, leaders who do the private work show up ready to perform well in public.

Millennials are Not Future Leaders

June 28, 2016

"Our future leaders are the next generation." These kinds of statements are common, but they are untrue. Future leaders are not just those born between 1980-2000. If a leader is one who has influence, then what does it mean to be a future leader?

Formal Education is Valuable for Leaders

June 22, 2016

Education. We would all say that it is important, but we would disagree as to the best path for education. School? Life experience? Self-discovery? As we grew up, many people told us that education was important. “Get your degree!” “College will open the doors to your DREAM JOB!” And so on.

Developing a Collaborative Instinct

June 17, 2016

One of the greatest thing about being a musician is playing with other musicians. Some of my greatest memories in life include times I performed on a stage with other musicians, from a cover band in college to playing in Moscow with a collegiate instrumental group.

Why Your Team Needs Space to Succeed

June 10, 2016

It is easy in leadership to make things complicated, because complicated often means we have not done the hard work of removing the unnecessary. As leaders, we are responsible for creating space for others to succeed. But this cannot happen if things are complicated and busy.

Let's End Generational Warfare

May 2, 2016

The constant fighting over millennials has to stop; generational warfare only distracts us from the work that actually matters.

Beware of the Idea Grenade

April 5, 2016

When a leader carelessly tosses out an idea, the surprise damages team morale and focus far more than the idea could ever help.