Synergy IQ: 0:01

Welcome to Creating synergy where we explore what it takes to transform. We are powered by Synergy IQ. Our mission is to help leaders create world class businesses where people are safe, valued, inspired and fulfilled. We can only do this with our amazing community. So thank you for listening.

Michelle Holland: 0:20

Hello synergize Welcome to a very special episode of The creating synergy Podcast. I'm going to be your guest host for today because today we get to interview your host, Daniel Franco. Welcome, Daniel.

Daniel Franco: 0:35

Thanks for having me. nervous about being nervous. I don't know what is going on. At the moment on

Michelle Holland: 0:43

you're in the hot seat boots is in the hot seat. So we decided that it would be a great opportunity to get to know Daniel a little bit more because you've been listening to the dulcet tones of his voice for the last 12 or so months. So

Daniel Franco: 0:57

people have said to me, you're in the car with me every day. That's not scary.

Michelle Holland: 1:02

As long as you're not in the toilet with them every day. It's gonna be okay. In the car is good. Yeah, absolutely. So we're going to get to know Daniel a little bit better today. And we were really excited about doing this podcast. So I hope that you enjoy it. So we are just going to start off we're going to start pretty gentle Daniel, he's a bit scared. He's like, Oh my God, what are these people gonna ask me? Easy way? Yeah, ease the way and so tell us who is Daniel Franco? Tell us your story. Give us your story.

Daniel Franco: 1:33

That's actually a hard question to answer.

Michelle Holland: 1:35

You always ask your guests that question.

Daniel Franco: 1:37

What is the story?

Michelle Holland: 1:38

What is the story of Daniel Franco?

Daniel Franco: 1:42

Good South Australian boy. I grew up down west of Adelaide, then at Henley beach Grange world and still live there to this day haven't really ventured out so far. My story really come from a Italian family who have been involved in the building and construction game my whole life. Well, their whole lives. So my father's a builder. My father's father was a builder. My father's father father was a builder all the above. And so I'm sort of the black sheep of the family that didn't go off into the building industry, although I do a little bit of property stuff on the side just to keep everyone else happy. But yeah, so kind of, really early in my career, sort of had a love sport, played a lot of junior sport. And was quite successful in junior sport and representing Australia for cricket and played a quite a good level in football as well. In obviously, again, the junior levels but then yeah, then one day I feel quite sick. So as always sort of reaching 1819 20 I think it was around 2021 I felt quite sick and got chronic fatigue or glandular fever first and that turned into chronic fatigue. So signed a contract to sort of was in the midst of signing a contract to go over and play over in London, some cricket over there. And yeah, just due to the sickness never went and ended up being bedridden for you know, three to six months, because of the chronic fatigue. And as I came out of that put on a heap of weight, because when you're training, you know, 343, almost four days a week and then playing on a Saturday and Sunday, you can kind of at that age eat really whatever you want. Absolutely, yeah. And then came out to after that sickness and I think I put on about 20 kilos, so it was a it was a bit of a tough time and then had to find work. So I had a little bit of a career change, I thought sport was where I was going to be. And I applied to get a role at soccer, which is the South Australian Cricket Association to which they gave to a young chap from the country and I never missed out on that role. So I needed to go out and find find some work and ended up at the anchor construction supplies because in your blood, it will be anchors sponsored me through cricket, they you know, so I had to wear the logos and stuff on on my shoulders in cricket and they would they would like gave us a little bit of cash to sponsor him and the I walked in I never forget I walked into his is the son of a son in law I should say of Nick Bianca walk diary. fontanarossa walked in and basically said look, I just need a job, no resume and this Can you start tomorrow on the forklift? So yes started off in a warehouse lifting bags of cement onto onto pallets and all construction materials and loading trucks and I'll never forget the first day I started they'll teaching me how to drive a forklift without a forklift license. And this was a long time ago. And they wouldn't do that there. And I recommend was blue the whole phos up to be honest, there was a young one of the older fellows there was teaching me his name was Mark and I didn't know Ford from back and I put my foot down thinking I was reversing. But the key because used to fill up the petrol they had an onsite petrol station at the anchors, and I put my foot down thinking it was in reverse and I drove the fork through the petrol pump. It's literally almost blew up this whole place. It was literally we made an impression then yeah, I'm glad I kept my job. And then I think really, just from there, moved up the ranks. So they saw quite quickly, I had the gift of the gab and moved me into sales. Which then to, to my own discredit, I was a little bit of a well, I was very much a cocky young man thinking I could, I could do anything. And I upset a few people with my behaviors and ended up back in the warehouse almost got demoted, and ended up back in the White House and forklifts for six months. Yeah, wow.

Michelle Holland: 6:33

Great Learning.

Daniel Franco: 6:34

It was I did learn a lot in that in that phase and really had to move away from the the idea that you know, I was all powerful and all knowing at such a young age, so I learn a lot. And then I think that was really what sort of sparks more in deep learning how do I control my behavior because even through my cricket career football career, I did have a bit of white long fever walked on the pitch and really it was all in whatever goes goes. So I think it was around that time that I really started to, to deep dive into myself and then from there quite quickly, Rosen right in the ranks, moved up into sales and went in on the road sales rep and got into estimating and became quite chummy with some builders and some one of the builders knocked on my door and said Come work for come work for us and I said Yep, no worries so still at this point had never put in a resume was that a building and construction company called Adelaide prestige homes building million dollar homes there work there for a while unit project management type role. And then got a knock on the door from a consulting company called a Quinta Consulting at the time, they they were going through some some some growth and they needed some people who had some residential experience in the team. So went over there, that person there was his name was rocky MYZONE he is my wife's uncle. He's one of the directors that that still at this point had never put in a resume. So just rocky took me under his wing and and ended up working on some work down at the DSL plant for a good 12 months. Still an asset evaluations and pricing and estimating and all that sort of stuff. And then became quite chummy with some of the people that I say water at that time. And I knew there was some vacancies come up and I did the cardinal sin that you should never do if you work for a consulting company who's actually go work for the company that you work for your client Yes, we we we advise against that if we're all the synergy IQ people listening right now. I do have a chat with him first he said look, you know there is a ceiling you know, there was there was years and years ahead of me before I could ever really achieve what I want and I wanted to move up the ranks fairly quickly. And being in a very like established company Australia wide with three 400 people across the across the Australia there was wasn't much room for growth for me it was going to be quite stagnant. So I had a chat with him and Rocky was kind enough to say you know, go go pursue your career so ended up in SA water moved my way up through the ranks in there and through business development to so I think a crucial pivotal point in my life where I was doing a lot of research I didn't enrolled into the MBA I was doing my MBA then a whole heap of study in background and personal growth and you know, as you guys would have heard before on the podcast I'm a big reader and consuming knowledge left right and center and this in walks this this human being by the name of Michelle on as I was doing a big logic projects directly for the CEO of SA water and I managed to find my way into that team did me it was an element of probably me being able to speak a bit of blue collar and maybe having some construction background and working, doing a large, you know, strategic people strategy and vision values and communication and feedback and all that, running all these workshops with sa water and and then from there, Michelle taps me on the shoulder and says, you ever thought about jumping out and starting your own business or doing something? Or became for you to with your business development and sales? Background? I'd be keen to see if if you're interested in ICT? Absolutely. So

Michelle Holland: 10:47

this is a situation of try before you buy six months of trying before

Daniel Franco: 10:52

12 months, I think, you know, we were working together before we actually made the decision. Yes. To go out. But yeah, since then, split the business 5050 among grown at since so it's been good fun. Yeah, since 2018.

Michelle Holland: 11:08

So what appealed to you about the show about me? What appealed to you about going out on your own or, you know, starting a business or instead of having, you know, obviously, having a secure job and particularly in an organization like sa water where there is a huge career pathway, you know, potentially ahead of you? Their entitlements are very good. They're, they're, you know, their environments. Great. It's a good organization to work for. Jumping out of something like that can be a challenge. So where's your head at at that point? And what made you go yeah, let's just jump into the deep end of the pool.

Daniel Franco: 11:45

There's a fair fair amount to unpack in that. Well, I think I've skipped a lot as you can imagine. It's hard to put your career in into a linear process, but I, I had children in what was my first one isla? She was born in 2011. I think, I

Unknown: 12:10

think I went to birthday. When

Daniel Franco: 12:14

I was married in 2011. No, hang on. No, I was married. 2010 I'm getting these dates from my wife Laura is gonna kill me. Anyway. So I had a young one. And I really think that was a pivotal point in my life where it was it sort of became not about me are really distinctly remember. I'm a big sci fi geek, right. And my mates pay me about this all the time. I love Star guy. And there's like 12 seasons of this plus to spin off series and I'm so used to watch a lot of the Star Gate TV Sharon never forget. sitting there watching. You know, this TV. Yeah, Richard Dean Anderson. absolute superstar. Watching this TV show, Laura, my wife was in bed, and my daughter Isla started crying. So I was, you know, had to do the last feed before before I went to bed. And she started crying. And I remember looking over to her and thinking this is this is not about me anymore. It's about it's about. It's about providing and you know, you have this little, little soul sitting in front of you that you know, that's helpless, helpless. Yeah, yeah. And then I think it was at that point, I really remember putting all my wants and needs and desires aside for my own personal gratification and really set out about how do I create something for the family and become more and that it was at that point that I started looking. So I had a I was involved in a startup before I did layout while I was at sa water. I was involved in this startup, called the 15 minute challenge, which was an online website to really promote people to on their health and got into a few businesses around South Australia. I haven't had much contact since I moved away from them in 2008. Nine, but also done a lot of property developing on the side. So I've had a taste of

Michelle Holland: 14:24

what sort of entrepreneurial world. Yeah,

Daniel Franco: 14:27

I had a taste of working for myself, even though I still had a secure job in the background. So what drew me was just being able to create a world where I was going to learn where I was going to be able to grow where I was going to be able to have an impact on people. I remember when you first walked into SA water and started talking about how we could help the leadership team. And I remember specifically saying that the leadership team needed a lot more work that wasn't going to be that wasn't gonna be able to be solved with a couple of workshops. So, and then you shut me down pretty quickly on that, but I was pretty passionate about look, if anyone is going to improve themselves, that has to be outside of just workshops, it has to be self development, self growth, read books, speak to mentor, speak to coach, whatever you want to do, but you have to put time and effort into it. So that was, yeah, I was pretty passionate about getting out into a world where I could spread that message that that people can really achieve something in this life a as an individual, but be as a business and see as a community. And if I could have any input into that, yeah, I'm all in.

Michelle Holland: 15:46

Yeah, that's great. I mean, synergy IQ, obviously. Maybe not obviously, if you don't know synergy. IQ, specializes in culture and leadership in change, both organizational change, as well as project change. We do a lot of people, things like we're very focused on people. So what why that specialization? Like why not go out and you know, get back into construction, build houses, because the squillions of dollars and that sort of stuff?

Daniel Franco: 16:16

It's a quote, this famous human being Michelle Holland, I will you set up? I never actually thought about myself this way until you sort of mentioned it to me and you said, then you are a people collector?

Michelle Holland: 16:32

Not in a weird Yeah, in the freezer kind of way, just doing that, yeah, in a nice way,

Daniel Franco: 16:36

could be, could be depends on who you are talking to i suppose. know, are just, there's something about creating relationships and connecting with people. Regardless of what I'm doing, I think, the work that we do on a daily day, on a day to day basis, when you can see the light bulb go off in people's heads, like, that's pretty amazing. I'd still love the construction stuff, because I you know, I'm one of those people that, you know, I'll drive by, and I'm definitely one of those construction people that drive by and go to my kids. Look, I've built that, you know, I was I was involved in building that. But now I can do the same thing and you know, drive by some businesses and Garware in there, and we're working. So I'm very proud of the work that we do. I'm very proud of the work that I've done in all aspects. People are what make the world go round relationships are what? You know, I feel a foundational to being able to be successful. I think you can articulate what sick success is without people involved in that. Yeah. definition. So

Michelle Holland: 17:52

yeah, relationships are definitely your superpower. They're absolutely your superpower. And being able to connect with people is your superpower. Absolutely. And I think that's a really nice segue into, you know, you started creating synergy the podcast, what was it 1218 months ago now with Gabriela. And wasn't, was I forget when I got off the ground, but you had the idea around it and wanting to do this. So why did you want to start the creating synergy podcast? Like what was it about the podcast or a podcast that appealed to you?

Daniel Franco: 18:27

If you go back to the people collecting comment, what a better way to get in a room and learn about someone in their life and career. I am a sucker for knowledge, right? So everything is about you know, in my in any downtime I've got. I'm listening to podcasts. I'm listening to audio books I'm reading every night I have a book I've got six or seven books besought on my bedside cabinet, and I'm you know, depending on my mood, or read and pick up and read a chapter each night and so, so for me, starting a podcast is two podcasts that I absolutely love. It's the Joe Rogan podcast and Tim Ferriss. Everyone would know this, you've listened to this show regularly, they're the two that I listen to the most. And the amount of information shared in those podcasts is fabulous. And I was thinking wow, there's some amazing people in South Australia doing some amazing things whether it's in down at lot 14 or whether it's in a large corporate or whether they're in government or whatever it might be who need to be heard and this story needs to be shared. I'm pretty passionate about some individuals and the work that they're doing and you know me I get man crushing it all the above. But I there's there's a lot of people doing some wonderful amazing things in South Australia and I didn't know of any other way to share those stories without getting him in a room and talking to him. So for some reason I'm lucky enough to be able to get in a room with him. I don't know Why I'm still trying to piece those that puzzle together and why they accept coming onto a podcast with me. But yeah, I'm pretty passionate about just getting good stories out there. I'm not after a scoop, I'm just after the learning and, you know, gaps. And I've often talked about what is the purpose of the, of the podcast, and it really is that mentor in your pocket type role, you know, especially for people who are looking to grow their careers and, and really try to improve themselves. And you learn through story, right? So when I ask someone, you know, what's your story, tell us about your journey, what's the ups and downs? I think it's really powerful to listen and really take in what they're saying. And you can almost apply it to your own life and some of the roadblocks that you've faced, or even some of the good times that you've had, and you can, and you compare notes with someone who's probably if you're looking at from a success point of point of view, or you know, or a position, title point of view, in higher up the ladder than what a better way to learn. So,

Michelle Holland: 21:06

yeah, yeah, absolutely. What have been visible as might put you on the spot here, what, what's been the highlights from the podcasts? For you? Personally,

Daniel Franco: 21:20

I'm looking at the back of our podcast studio, we've got the pictures of everyone who's come on the show. It's pretty hard not to be proud of the all those items that are on I know

Michelle Holland: 21:32

that. Matt Markowitz, I remember when you met him the first time and you're like, I've got to get him on. Gotta get him on the podcast. Man, that's gotta have been one of the

Daniel Franco: 21:44

Matt's book was was pivotal in my career, really sort of Burke was quite a simple book, but it broke down at a skill set. So that was my sort of first introduction into that. And also where I'm sitting down the bottom of SA water. And I reached out to him and said, Mike, can we catch up? And he openly? openly said yes, which was great. And we ended up catching up for a couple of coffees and this was all before the podcast, then eventually, yeah, I asked him or any any had he's come on to us now, which is great.

Michelle Holland: 22:16

And gave some great. Yeah, is a

Daniel Franco: 22:19

wealth of knowledge. But so is everyone else that we've had on. The highlight for me is really not being and not targeting one specific area, you know, we've had, you know, Thomas Mitchell, about to drop the drug development that they're doing here in Adelaide to Paul Flint hospital Research Foundation, to sharon brower from Meals on Wheels, Dr. Terry Sweeney, and all the work that he's done in digital in the digital space in health, and, you know, the lads, the boys corner and make it a new Argo and the it while they're taking on. So sorry to sort of pigeonhole some of those and leave out some others. But just every single conversation that we've had, we've learned something new. And we've learned about where everyone's going in their careers. This is a question like, what's the future look like? Is one of the main questions I asked. And everyone just really paints a picture on what their world looks like in the next five to 10 years. This is just one amazing insight. Yeah. So for me, the highlight has just been a, everyone that's come on the show have remained in contact with and build really strong relationships with so if you're talking about from a people collecting point of view, but be looking at businesses is going well, from A to B, right? So you get into a room with some people and you build that connection, and you build that trust and you build those relationships, then it's an opportunity to promote your business in the same time in the same token, so that,

Michelle Holland: 23:55

yeah, yeah, I mean, sharing credibility really, isn't it? It's, you know, there's some amazing people in South Australia that we get to work with, as well as get to talk to on this podcast. And I think as a, you know, proud South Australian company, yeah, we are able to, you know, share that share the gratitude of being here, particularly over the last, you know, few years, being in Adelaide, but the gratitude of being here and the gratitude of being able to get these amazing people in the room as well. I'm curious about what surprised you, over the last 12 months of doing this podcast is anything sort of like Gone, done. Whoo, didn't expect that to happen.

Daniel Franco: 24:36

Well, first and foremost, just want to finish off the last question. What's been what's been a great thing. I think what's been great is working with Gabriela alive. If it wasn't, I said it before, and I've said it so many times. If it wasn't for Gabriela, this podcast wouldn't be where it is today. I literally just rock up and speak So, you know, if we're talking about being able to live your dreams and you know, that is my dream is to chat and meet with some really great people, then, you know, Gabs has been a really big part of me being able to hit the dreams that I want. And I think that's testament to the old saying, you know, surround yourself by great people, and a great team and so having Gab, so thanks for everything gets done.

Michelle Holland: 25:29

But what we'll get Gabs on there as well, that'll be good. She's shaking her head, but we'll get a one

Daniel Franco: 25:37

shot. From a what surprised me, what has surprised me is is the willingness for people to open up and share their story. When, if you're an outsider looking in and you're an outsider, you know, we work with a lot of businesses and who've got people all around Australia and people out in the regions. And there's the old saying, bloody head office. Yeah, yeah. You know, the tower. Yeah, there's definitely the ivory tower. Perception. What surprised me? Actually, it hasn't. It's not so much a surprise. But it's kind of cemented in my thoughts that everyone who is actually a leader in their own right wants to give back. Maybe it's just the people I'm reaching out to, but that's kind of really, something that's been really powerful for me is that every single one of those people wants to share their story and help people learn from it. There's not been one person who I've spoken to who wants to withhold information is just everything's on the table. Yeah. And so I kind of live my life by that. And now, if you want to know something, let me know a few. You know, if you want to know where I'm going and what I'm trying to do, then I'm happy to be open with you.

Michelle Holland: 27:02

Yeah, absolutely. I think from, from my perspective, as a listener, that'd be a guest on here, and also a listener, and host today. Excited about that. Yeah, really. From a listeners point of view, for me listening, the ones that I've loved the most like the podcasts that I've loved the most are the ones where people have been really vulnerable. And they've been very open with their stories, they've been open with their challenges, they've been open with their learnings. And as a listener, you get so much more from that, than the people who seem to be a little bit more guarded, or a little bit more polished or a little bit more, you know, I need to answer in a particular way. And we understand that there are certain positions in the world where you do have to answer in a certain way. And you know, because otherwise you get ripped to shreds. Yeah, maybe we get all of that. But I think for me, it's been a real demonstration of the work that we teach in authentic leadership. You know, we do data lead programming, and we talk a lot about vulnerability and leadership. This program has been a demonstration of how powerful that actually is, and what success and achievement you can get from that, because I think a lot of leaders are afraid of being vulnerable, because they think they're going to be seen as weak, they're going to be seen as not good enough, they're not going to be seen as not credible. So they hold themselves back. But the people that are most successful and most vulnerable, because we know that vulnerability and courage goes hand in hand, right? And I really love as a listener to hear these stories. And I see and I feel and I hear that vulnerability and courage going hand in hand in action is just beautiful. Give me goosebumps, just just amazing.

Daniel Franco: 28:57

It is I think that's a testament to the host of Well, I think, you know, looking at the podcast from episode one, where you and me spoke about the leadership of the future, to to now episode 50 odd or wherever we're at. I think my questioning techniques have improved. And really trying to dive into those vulnerable moments. Yeah, on the same when I listened back, you know, and someone's deep dive into a learning that you know, has had significant impact on their life emotionally. It's been a challenge, whatever it might be, it's definitely been an opportunity to learn so I really, I really crave those conversations as well. I don't, I don't particularly like getting into a room and you know, talking to a whiteboard, I want to I want to be talking to someone who's, who's open and willing to give. So, yeah, it's real

Michelle Holland: 29:58

and authentic. Yeah, I think that's That's the power of authenticity. I'm interested to know what feedback you're getting back from people who are listening to the podcast, what are your listeners?

Daniel Franco: 30:10

I said, I was at a, we're at a function. Someone came up to me and said, I listened to your podcast. And that's great. I've got a fan I could see. Then she said, not I really like it nice to see. She said, Oh, this is the important cast. You're on. You're in the car with me every morning. And I said, Who's your husband? So I think now, what's what's been great is way the common feedback I get. And it first and foremost, from the people who have come on the podcast every time I could count, I couldn't count on my hands and feet with how many times this has been said, we finish up the podcast, and they turn around and they say, Well, that was easy. Yeah. Well, that was one of the better interviews have done. Yeah. And because there is no agenda. Yeah. There is no story that we won't touch on. No, there isn't. Other than like, the sort of pre chat that we have with the people who come on the show was like, Well, if you are going to come on, what are we going to speak about? Right? Let's, if we're going to speak about something, we want it to be valuable for the people who are listening. And then we just go down a rabbit hole. So that that, that from the people who have come on the show the feedback is, it's just an easy conversation, it's a good way to learn about each other and learn about your journey. From the listeners, the feedback that we get is very similar in the sense that it's 10. A feels like we're in the room with you. The conversation is running that smoothly, it feels like we're part of the conversation, some of the things you say are the questions that are coming to my head, right. And I think that really, what I aim to try to do when I ask the questions is come from a point of learning. Right? Instead of prying, it comes from a point of how when, why like what caused that, you know, what was the scenario? How did that make you feel like that's one of the you know, I'm a real in touch with the the emotional side of growth. So that's the feedback that I often receive is, you know, you're asking the questions that I want to know. I'm not going to hit them all. Yeah, you know, you've said to me that, and you should have said this. I'm like, oh, yeah, think about that. But in the moment, you think I'm hitting, hitting a lot of people are wanting to

Michelle Holland: 32:32

you seem to follow your curiosity. And I don't think there's any other way really have a conversations following your curiosity and allowing?

Daniel Franco: 32:41

Absolutely the thing is that what cuz I'm sitting here, and I've literally got 20 questions in my head, you can only ask one. Yeah. And then that might take you down another rabbit hole. And then you never get those 20 back because you go oh, no, there's another 20 Following this, this, this answer. So you got to pick and choose? Yeah, it's actually quite a difficult thing. And listening is absolutely like sitting here and listening to someone for an hour and a half. Like I love it. But it is definitely a skill set. Yeah. Because because you almost have to remember what was spoken about in minute one. So then if there is something that's brought up in minute 56, you can almost relate the two and bring it back. And I think that's what engaging makes engaging conversation. Absolutely.

Michelle Holland: 33:25

So you are a person that really loves learning. I'm curious about given that you've been exploring very vulnerable conversations with many, many different people over the last 12 or 18 months. What do you think has been something that's changed you in this period? How have you been changed from this?

Daniel Franco: 33:50

Have I transformed? I would I would talk further about the listening skills, the ability to engage in conversations, put my ego aside, all those things have really helped me because you look at the people that are in in these senior roles and doing some wonderful things and experts in their field. It's always about giving. It's always about how do we do what's best for the community? How do we do what's best for humanity? How do we do what's best for you know, the next 2030 years if we're looking in that term, or next two or three years or the next fall for the room? It's always about what are we doing to improve life here on Earth, whether it's for an individual or business community, whatever it might be. And it's very easy in life to to really believe that you're the center of the universe, like the world revolves around you and everything you want and everything you want. achieve is, is, yeah, you know, for manage, whether it's money, whether it's buying a new house, buying a boat, you know, going on overseas holidays, all this sort of material stuff. But yeah, I think the one thing that I've really grown is it's not about me. And it really comes back to even having that. Going back to with isla. When she was born my daughter, it's not about me. He never was never has been. So how do I just get how do I create content that people want to listen to? Yeah. And on my able to do that, I'm able to speak to people who have the same mentality, how do I give back? And it's, it's probably a little bit selfish in the sense that giving back makes me feel good. Yeah. But from a change perspective, it's grown me as a human being has to think about the quality of conversation that I've been involved in. Whether I can see that, or others can see it. I definitely know that there's something deep down. It's made me respect and even strive harder to be able to create more so I can give back more. Right. So yeah, I don't know. It's hard to put into context. Yeah.

Michelle Holland: 36:23

What's been the most challenging for you then like, if you kind of look back, and it's a mirror for yourself, what's challenged you the most? Personally?

Daniel Franco: 36:35

The actual running of a podcast is bloody difficult, right? You think about the amount of research that goes in, like I if I'm going to get into a room with someone, I want to make sure I know a lot about them. So from a basic point of view, a challenge is the actual everyday running. Gabs, and I've toyed with the process so much, you know, sometimes I've had two podcasts in a week, I wouldn't do them any I can't do that anymore, because I just my brain cannot hold that much information. Yeah. And the business I believe our business suffers if I'm putting too much time into the session management of time is definitely one that I'm still grappling with in everyone in what in our team know that I'm grappling with that. But the challenge is, is imposter syndrome. For me. I would say the biggest one, I don't know that I'm anyone or anything, right. So you get in the room with some of these amazing people. I'm just looking at a picture of Dr. Terry again, Dr. Terry straining the guy's mates with Hugh Jackman. He hangs around the Atlassian boys you don't I mean, why are you in a room with me? Yeah. So imposter syndrome is probably one, you know, MC from data. MC from new Argo bought in data like that there are people who have just done amazing things. Yeah. And you know, Katrina Webb Paralympian? Yeah. Held the torch walking into the city. Yeah. Why are you in a room with me? So the challenge has been, I think, really been accepting that maybe I am doing okay in this. And then maybe that people do want to hang around? Yeah, just quite funny. Actually. Yeah.

Michelle Holland: 38:18

Acceptance of you have the right to be in that room. Yeah. And there's people, right. So it's like, well, that people, people, people that it is. They're all just people.

Daniel Franco: 38:28

I used to think of this. And you guys would heard me talk about I talk about status a lot, right? And status alignment, and all this sort of stuff. And the challenge has always been if I'm going to get someone who is of high quality that has a high quality story or experience to share, then am I have the same status alignment with them. Right. So it's about positioning myself where it's not about me. Right? And really understanding that, you know, if if they don't agree to come on the show, then that's not about me, either.

Michelle Holland: 39:05

Yeah, there's a lot of stripping back of ego is kind of if you're going to be a giving podcast host you almost have to strip back your ego don't absolutely, to be there for them. Yeah. And create an environment where they can succeed. So be like the leader really isn't kind of like doing that. Hmm. That's a bit of a a good metaphor for leadership. Yeah, yeah.

Daniel Franco: 39:27

Yeah. And you get honorable and it look. The other thing is, I want to, I want to talk as much as I can, and actually not being able to, because if it's any, I guess, if we've got a wall in our hands, I'm talking just as much as your podcast. It's, you know, put your comments and thoughts aside because you've this person is sharing.

Michelle Holland: 39:51

Yeah, absolutely. That is how I got one more question for you before we get into the rapid fire questions. So have you got your dad joke ready to go? I know you've got about 50 of them in your back pocket. Now he's gonna be thinking about

Daniel Franco: 40:05

it on the show.

Michelle Holland: 40:07

Oh, that's right. Wait, we'll ask you that. All right. All right, pop that. So my last question before we get into rapid fire is what makes you unique? what's at the core of Daniel Franco? It's got nothing to do with other people. Let's at the core of Daniel Franco,

Daniel Franco: 40:24

the core. I mean, the desire to, to grow, if you look at from, like, one of my strongest values, is growth. And in integrity would be the growth and integrity view, the two that everything I do is, is based around those two values. Can I learn from this experience? can i improve? Can I take this to the next level? Can I ask a different question? Can I add value here? And then on top of that, is, how am I applying myself? How would that impact others? Is that transparent? Is anyone going to be affected by this? Is this win win? You know, all those questions that come into play? Yeah. So it's this continuous growth whilst being very open and transparent. And I'm pretty passionate about doing things right. And properly, you know, and given my background in sport, and you know, the white line fever, and I've made mistakes, right. But I've, I've, I believe I've really grown to a part of my life where, you know, I'm doing the best I can with what I've got. I'm not going to get it right. All the time. And I'm still getting it wrong. You know, there's words in the sayings. And there's things I do and reactions that I have that people go hang on, Dan. All right. Yep, I think so. I'm very willing to take feedback. Yeah. And improve maybe the most boring.

Michelle Holland: 42:16

So I did say that it was gonna be the last question before go. Rapid fire, but do have one, which is one that Oprah Winfrey asks everyone, I love this question so much. So I'm going to ask you, what's the lesson that's taken you the longest to learn?

Daniel Franco: 42:30

Cool, that is the question. What's the lesson that's taking you the longest to learn? I've been stumped him. I know exactly. I'm just trying to articulate it. I know how to, I'm trying to get the words for my whole life, pace, speed aggression has been has been really a big part of the way I go about things. I make decisions on the whim. I go with my gut feel all the time. And I want to do things very quickly. So what's taking me the longest and it is still, I still haven't learned it yet. Right? If you talk about learning as in practicing every day, I haven't learned it yet. Because the goal is to achieve everything on achieve it tomorrow, like if you know you talk about time machines, get me to the point where I've already done it, and then I can start on the next thing. So really, actually probably slowing down and smelling the roses is probably a lesson that I need to learn better. Yeah. Because I've achieved a lot in my life. Do I reflect on it? am I grateful for it? I'd like to think so. But I could probably do

Michelle Holland: 44:05

better. Yeah. And I think you've said to me a couple of times a few times, shall I say? And it's something I think that many, many many leaders ask themselves. Definitely many entrepreneurs ask themselves and it's The when is enough enough. And having that conversation around? Am I enough? You know, that self actualized conversation and we don't have any answers to that today? But that's definitely the it's the endgame for us as leaders is I need to be able to believe that I am enough regardless of what's going on around me. People are doing the best they can Yeah, yeah, it's funny that you believe that and others but can you believe it in yourself? Alright, let's go to rapid fire questions now. Ready? The rapid, rapid

Daniel Franco: 44:50

never rapid fire never

Michelle Holland: 44:51

rapid fire but we'll see how we go. So the number one book recommendation to leaders or anyone who's interested in progressing their career which one would you prefer?

Daniel Franco: 45:00

So I, I, Jesus, it really is. I'm very specific on this and I sat quite a bit. A library is a library because it has book of knowledge based on the knowledge you need at that particular time. Right? So, if you're wanting a one size fits all book there, I don't believe there is one. The one that's had the biggest influence on me is how to win friends and influence. And that, that, that has influence on me because I am a people. I am a people person, I strive to create relationships. So for me, it was that was a better way of creating more relationships. So if you're that type of person, then that's your book. Yes. Another one, you know, was the Carol Dweck, Dr. Carol Dweck mindset which really showed to me the negative the difference between negative thinking and positive thinking and growth in fixed mindset. So that was another one and and being able to then pass on that knowledge to my children and help them build the right behaviors. So yeah, you know, for anyone that wants to think try to get out of the weeds of negativity, then really the growth mindset is sorry, Mindset by Carol Dweck is is another one seven habits isn't a lie, you know?

Michelle Holland: 46:19

Yeah. What's one of the books that you've got on your bedside table at the moment that you're looking at right now?

Daniel Franco: 46:25

That I'm reading right now? Moneyball actually,

Michelle Holland: 46:28

really like basically the same as a movie? Yeah,

Daniel Franco: 46:31

Moneyball, I've got gives you a McKinsey McKinsey story. McKinsey word in the office. I've got playing to win, which is a book and strategy. I've got the alchemist which is always on my bedside time. I've got the book of stoics at the moment as well, which aren't because you know, I love the stoic way of thinking. So there's there's a book about ruminating the title but there's a few there and every night it's whenever you feeling at them. Yeah, but the Moneyball was one that um, I think what you know, I mean it really is the yr raid. Yeah, I stone mood if I'm not feeling if I'm not in the mood of data analytics, I'm putting down money from if I'm thinking about building a very successful consulting business, and I'm picking up on the McKinsey book and what they're doing.

Michelle Holland: 47:27

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. I'm a mood reader as well. Definitely a mood reader. And there's lots of people that are not they get very, very put out that you don't finish or

Daniel Franco: 47:38

highlight and scribble on. Oh, you

Michelle Holland: 47:40

know, that, that? I

Daniel Franco: 47:41

can't Yeah, I know. I know that. Some people get very angry at me for that. That's funny, because I cannot borrow this book. You can scribble? Jesus.

Michelle Holland: 47:52

Yeah, that's a scribble alumnus. So what would you advise them to your 10 year old self?

Daniel Franco: 48:00

I would the my daughter's almost 10 She's turned turning 10 next month. So what would I advise? I I'd be really strong on the growth in fixed mindset. That's one. You know, there's a saying that my parents had was said literally every day. And it's pretty simple. And it's not groundbreaking, but the word it was there's no such word as card. Right? If you put your mind to it, you can. You can achieve anything. I think that that's something that's just stuck with me. And it's not until you read the book mindset and you realize how much that it is attributed to that. So yeah, everything I've ever done is always been about if I fail, or if I cannot do something, then you know, just do a gap analysis. Yeah. So yeah, if I'm giving advice to a tip my 10 year old self it's have a crack. Have a shot if you get it wrong. Do we're not in a race. It's not a rush. Yeah, nice. Let's go back calculator. Yeah. And try again.

Michelle Holland: 49:13

That's right. That's just Ctrl Alt Delete. Start again. Exactly. Cool. What's one item on your bucket list?

Daniel Franco: 49:20

Haha. Matthew Pichi. Mac Do you pit you? Yeah. Reivers Base Camp Takota track

Michelle Holland: 49:26

are you islands in one thing? No. Yeah, right. You are technically the Holy City. You can do what you want. Right? But

Daniel Franco: 49:34

those three would be the biggest I've set myself a goal to run a marathon next year too. But the mock ups you know, there's something about that place that just I have the

Michelle Holland: 49:45

synergy IQ retreat. Next year. Gabriela What do you reckon? Let's see it you don't speak Spanish though. Do you know what we have to bring so If you had a time machine, where would you go? You only get one trip?

Daniel Franco: 50:03

Oh, I'm sure I've answered this question numerous times. Yeah. Oh, can I ask? I'm gonna answer this twice. There's one answer that I give is like, I'll go forward by the minute come back. Yes. Yes. stupid not to Yeah. I'm really interested in the future. And it kind of bums me that I'm not going to be around to see and see where humanity goes.

Michelle Holland: 50:27

Well, you will for the next few years. Yeah.

Daniel Franco: 50:30

I'm talking longer term, longer term future. I think there is something about the past, which is very appealing. You know, we've had people come on the show and say, I'll go back to the time when my my grandparents were teenagers. And hang around with them. Yeah, I think I remember Mikko saying once that he would go back and go to the dinosaurs, right? Yeah. Wow. Yeah. Did you put yourself in that situation? But yeah, like it would be great. It'd be so cool to see. Yeah. I I'm really on board with Elon Musk ethos of spreading the human race across the universes. I'd go forward and see how it is. And see where we're at, at this field if we hadn't achieved that yet. Yeah. Because I want to see, I want to actually go to if if I had a crystal ball, I'll go to a time where we have achieved it.

Michelle Holland: 51:25

And then go visit that and

Daniel Franco: 51:27

just see what it's like. Yeah, be on another planet. Yeah, I could do you know, being on another planet where you can see another planet nearby, you like visibly without it looking like a star like where you could see the rings around the planet, whatever it might be like, we see the moon, you could see another planet? Like I don't know. And you could breathe in some other air. And

Michelle Holland: 51:48

that's your sci fi geek coming all right there, isn't it your star gating? Oh,

Daniel Franco: 51:53

yeah. Visually just traveled through this saga

Michelle Holland: 51:55

you have Yeah, absolutely. So if you could have one superhero power, already said what your actual superhero power? Yes. But what if you could have one superhero power? What would that be?

Daniel Franco: 52:07

I have already answered this one numerous times. I think he's well, I think knowledge would be the all knowledge. There's something about the matrix where you can plug in download and just get onto it that really appeals to me.

Michelle Holland: 52:23

Yeah. Yeah, totally.

Daniel Franco: 52:26

She don't need to fly a helicopter now being download know how to fly helicopters. They're just having the knowledge and wisdom to be able to do anything would be would be amazing,

Michelle Holland: 52:37

but sound like a superpower. Having the

Daniel Franco: 52:39

knowledge to be able to control your own mindset. Right, because your brain goes off in so many different engines. Having the ability to control your own brain would be and so that would

Michelle Holland: 52:54

definitely be a superpower. Yeah, absolutely. How do you have fun tied down? What do you do for fun? What do you do for fun?

Daniel Franco: 53:02

That's not a quick fire question that I what do I do for fun? You know, with kids, they're playing basketball. And I'm absolutely loving that at the moment with him I run a trying to run a lot. So I actually do running from from a meditation point of view, almost just buying the brain and concentrate on my breathing while I'm running. I do something I do what podcasts you learn while I'm running as well. I never lose it moment. But I really love hiking I love so I think I've answered this similar before I love going out in the ocean. And I love going into the like into the forest. So on a hiking trail or just being out that to me. Yeah, just getting away from concrete.

Michelle Holland: 53:54

Yeah, yeah. Very cool. So if you're going to go to Disneyland, right you go to Disneyland or theme park was the first place you go

Daniel Franco: 54:05

oh, that's a good question. Probably the third get a coffee took me an hour to get there on any coffee.

Michelle Holland: 54:16

When you went to drink world you got to drink well we went to see SeaWorld where'd you go first?

Daniel Franco: 54:23

Where are you? Well see place no. I do enjoy the rides we ride we actually went to the aquarium the aquarium which is an actual fact Yeah. aquarium with the one that you walk through. Yeah, I there's something about nature. Animals

Michelle Holland: 54:43

I always had to the scariest or died first. Yeah, absolutely. Because that means I can go on it. Like yeah, let's do this. Let's do this. big draw.

Daniel Franco: 54:55

I'm a ride person at the end of the day because I value my life. Yeah, I would never skydive though. And those sort of things. I'm not I'm not. I don't like that throw. Yeah, absolutely on ground and so yeah, I'm happy with that. Actually, more knew I didn't I don't mind getting on some like the Superman ride was pretty

Michelle Holland: 55:15

cool. Yeah, that's pretty cool. That was good fun. That was fun. All right, dad joke time. Oh, what is your best dad joke? Oh, I should probably ask you girls about this look. Oh my god grown dad.

Daniel Franco: 55:30

Well, I've said a few on the show. Because people often throw it back to what's yours? Cuz putting you on the spot? Yeah. So there's your like, what's, uh, what's the, what do you call? What do you call the boy bucket? And blue bucket. Right? And so what do you call the red bucket? red bucket. blue bucket, guys. Maybe we'll leave it there. On a roll. Now I'm about to rattle off a few. Yeah.

Michelle Holland: 56:04

For later. Alright, so just before we finalize, and we close off, one last final question. Not so rapid fire, though, potentially. What does the future look like for Daniel Franco?

Daniel Franco: 56:18

For? Do you know, ask that question. I think it's a pretty. I feel like it's a pretty straightforward question. But then when you get asked that yourself, you kind of get I got no idea. I really don't. I really want to see the growth of synergy IQ. I really love the work that we do. I love the people that are in our team. You know, there's no, there's no secret that I want to create a community of of great minded people like minded people, as diverse as possible, like minded. And I don't know I when I talk about community, I want to learn about the people in our team, I want to learn about their families, I want to learn about their backgrounds, I want to learn about their ambitions. So and where they want to go and how we can help them get there. So for me that it's really about creating a community of great leaders in their own room. So that's number one, get get the business to a point where it's sustainable. And you know, we can add as much value to the you know, South Australia, Australia, the world, whatever we decide to conquer, I would love to get this business to a point where we are tricking the international markets, where we do have offerings all around Australia, we have offices set up all around Australia. So that is something that is of a passion project for me. But I think if you're looking further into the future, giving back as much as I could, so I'd love to be part of boards and advising and when working with them. I would love to be a really play a big part in my children's life and helping them succeed in any way shape or form that they would like. Yeah, I don't know, just I think I see myself as using my knowledge to the best of the advantage that I could better provide value to others. So however that looks like yeah, I'm very agile, and I'm very much spur of the moment. So

Michelle Holland: 58:31

I'm really opportunistic. I don't like to use.

Daniel Franco: 58:36

Yeah, don't really dwell on things. If I say I'm going to do something, I just get up and do it. Where's. Yeah, so I think that's kind of Yeah, I'm gonna be I'm gonna be open to experiences and opportunities.

Michelle Holland: 58:49

Nice. Well, I look forward to seeing the journey of your future then Franco. Yeah.

Daniel Franco: 58:53

Wow, this

Michelle Holland: 58:56

pipe? Yes, it gets bored of me and gets rid of me.

Daniel Franco: 59:02

And hopefully the rest of the team saying yeah, all right. Well, thank

Michelle Holland: 59:05

you very much, Daniel Franco for getting vulnerable with us today and creating synergy podcasts. Thank you, all of you guys for listening and staying with us. Thank you. synergizes. Actually,

Daniel Franco: 59:16

I Can I just jump in can't help himself well going, I don't actually really get an opportunity to say this. Thank you, for everyone who listens to a thank you for everyone who's been on the podcast. Thank you for everyone like Gabs and yourself who support in the background. It's good fun. The amount of people that I speak to these days I mean, why why did you start the podcast? Like why wouldn't why wouldn't you start a podcast? Yes, buddy. Good fun. Yeah. But again, like that, that really comes down to the top of personality, the yarn, you know, so for everyone that does Listen, everyone that CIC seen, I don't actually believe that you need to listen to every episode, right? It's quite funny often speak to people and they say, Oh, I haven't listened to that one yet. Or I'm going to get around to that or I, you know, sorry. They say sorry, not listening to the you do what you got to do in your time. And you don't listen to him all because you might not need some of the information in that particular podcasts, no point listening to, you know, a particular podcast if it's about a specific industry that you're not in that listen to that's tailored to the people who are in then Yeah, right. So pick and choose, listen to what you need. You know, we try to get well rounded people on the cover all aspects, but, you know, sometimes there's going to be specific topics that don't hit the mic. But just thank you for the support. We're. Yeah, we love it. I think we get screwed. Yes, really good fun.

Michelle Holland: 1:00:47

And thank you for having me as your guest host today. This is Michelle Holla d. Thank you, Daniel Franco or being a wonderful guest tod y. And that will be it. Tune in next time when Daniel's bac in the hosting seat. Cheers, g ys. All right, thanks. Bye,

Synergy IQ: 1:01:03

Thank you once again for joining us here at creating synergy. It's been great spending this time with you. Please jump on to the synergy IQ Facebook and LinkedIn page where the discussion continues after the show. Join our mailing list so you'll know what's happening next at Synergy iq.com.au. And of course don't forget to subscribe to this podcast. And if you really enjoyed it, please share it with your friends.