478: Ralph Simone Interview – Slow Down to go Faster
Release Date: 12/04/2025
500: Our 500th Episode
Achieve Results NOW! Podcast
Episode 500: The Three Pillars of Achievement In this special milestone episode, Mark and Theron reflect on 500 episodes of "Achieve Results NOW!" and nearly 40 years of professional experience to distill the three most impactful qualities for success. Whether you are leading a business, a family, or your own personal development, these three pillars, underpinned by gratitude, are the keys to life-shifting results. The Three Pillars 1. Enthusiasm: The Contagious Spark: Enthusiasm is more than just a "rah-rah" attitude; it is a physiological and psychological process. The "Fake It"...
info_outline
499: Pillar 5: Resilience: The ARN Leadership Blueprint: Why Resilience is the Fuel
Achieve Results NOW! Podcast
This episode of the Achieve Results Now podcast features hosts Mark Cardone and Theron Feidt discussing the fifth pillar of their Leadership Blueprint: Resilience. They argue that resilience is a muscle that must be intentionally trained, especially in a modern culture that often tries to shield people from the very hardships that build character. The episode breaks down resilience into three actionable steps. Action Step 1: Develop a Stress-Testing Mindset The hosts emphasize that how you process failure determines your ability to lead. The 24-Hour Pity Party: You are allowed to...
info_outline
498: Pillar 4: Decisiveness: The ARN Leadership Blueprint: Why Decisiveness is the Catalyst
Achieve Results NOW! Podcast
This episode of the Achieve Results Now podcast continues the "Leadership Blueprint" series, moving from integrity and empathy to a critical catalyst for success: Decisiveness. Hosts Mark Cardone and Theron Feidt break down why decision-making is a muscle that needs training and how to avoid the trap of "analysis paralysis." Key Takeaways 1. The 70% Rule & Bias for Action Most people wait for 100% certainty before moving, which often leads to lost opportunities. The Threshold: Aim for 70% of the information. It’s enough to make an informed choice without stalling. ...
info_outline
497: Pillar 3: Empathy: The ARN Leadership Blueprint: Why Empathy is the Bridge
Achieve Results NOW! Podcast
In this episode of the Achieve Results NOW! podcast, Mark Cardone and Theron Feidt dive into the third installment of our leadership series. While many view empathy as a "soft" skill, we break down why it is actually the ultimate competitive advantage in business, family, and personal growth. Empathy isn’t about looking down on others with sympathy; it’s about looking up together and seeking a true understanding of the people you lead. Action Step 1: Mastering the Active Listening Framework Being a leader requires being fully present. If you aren't listening, you aren't leading. ...
info_outline
496: Pillar 2: Vision: The ARN Leadership Blueprint: Why Vision is the Compass
Achieve Results NOW! Podcast
In this second installment of our leadership masterclass, Mark Cardone and Theron Feidt dive into Pillar 2: Vision. Without a clear destination, you aren't leading—you’re just reacting. While a manager handles the "now," a leader defines the "next." This episode provides the tools to ensure you end up where you intend to go, rather than just where you happen to land. Action Step 1: Defining Your North Star A leader without vision is simply a manager of tasks. To lead, you must first define the long-term destination. The Vivid Vision Exercise: Write a one-page description of where...
info_outline
495: Pillar 1: Integrity: The ARN Leadership Blueprint: Why Integrity is the Bedrock
Achieve Results NOW! Podcast
Welcome to the kickoff of our new series: The 7 Pillars of the ARN Leadership Blueprint. In this episode, Mark Cardone and Theron Feidt tackle the most misunderstood aspect of leadership, the idea that it's all about a title. True leadership isn't bestowed by a position; it’s earned through influence and inspiration. Whether you’re leading a team, a dojo, or your family, it all starts with Pillar 1: Integrity. Without it, you aren’t leading, you’re just managing chaos. Action Step 1: The Inventory of Promises Integrity starts with knowing exactly what you’ve committed to. ...
info_outline
494: The Power of Compounding
Achieve Results NOW! Podcast
Episode Summary: Small Steps, Massive Momentum In this episode, Mark Cardone and Theron Feidt dive into the power of micro-habits and the Kaizen principle of continuous improvement. They discuss why most people fail to build momentum (hint: it’s because we make our goals too big) and provide a three-step framework for using tiny actions to create life-shifting results. Key Takeaways: 1. Master the Two-Minute Entry Point The biggest hurdle to any new habit is the "dread" of starting. To beat this, you must shrink the goal until it is impossible to fail. The Rule: Chunk your goal...
info_outline
493: The High Performance Outline
Achieve Results NOW! Podcast
This episode of the Achieve Results Now podcast features hosts Mark Cardone and Theron Feidt discussing the mechanics of energy management. Moving beyond basic nutrition and exercise, they dive into a three-step blueprint designed to help high achievers reclaim their focus, optimize their daily schedule, and end the day with intention. The High-Performance Energy Blueprint Step 1: Execute the "Power 30" Deep Work Block The "Power 30" is about quality over quantity. Instead of staring at a screen for hours, dedicate a focused window to the task that truly moves the needle. Identify...
info_outline
492: The Power of NO
Achieve Results NOW! Podcast
This episode of the Achieve Results Now podcast features hosts Mark Cardone and Theron Feidt diving deep into the art of prioritization. They explore how the word "No" is actually a tool to protect your "Yes," ensuring your limited time is spent on things that actually move the needle in your business and personal life. The 3-Step Framework for Radical Prioritization: Step 1: Conduct a "Resistance Audit" Before you can move forward, you have to see where you're leaking time. The 7-Day Review: Look back at your last week. Highlight what moved you toward your goals and circle the...
info_outline
491: The Impostor Advantage
Achieve Results NOW! Podcast
This episode of the Achieve Results Now podcast features hosts Mark Cardone and Theron Feidt as they dismantle the myth that self-doubt is a reason to stop. Instead, they reframe it as a "signal for growth" and provide a tactical blueprint for using impostor syndrome as high-octane fuel for your next level of success. Episode Highlights The Growth Signal: Why feeling like a "fraud" is often proof that you are pushing into new, higher levels of capability. Facts Over Feelings: How to silence the internal critic using a "receipts file" of your past wins. The Speed Cure: Why the gap...
info_outlineIn this Episode:
Slow Down to Go Faster with Ralph Simone
Episode Summary: In this episode, Mark and Theron sit down with Ralph Simone, a founding partner of Emergent and a veteran in leadership and organizational development with over 40 years of experience. Ralph breaks down his definition of leadership, “influencing and inspiring purposeful action" and discusses why the most effective way to speed up your results is actually to slow down your process.
From the martial arts wisdom of Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee to practical habits for "Success Planning," Ralph shares actionable strategies to help you live and lead with intention.
Key Takeaways:
- The Definition of Leadership: Why leadership isn't just about authority, but about the ability to influence purposeful action and remain open to learning.
- Vulnerability is Strength: Why the best leaders (and coaching clients) are those willing to say "I don't know" and be vulnerable enough to learn.
- Success Planning: Ralph’s 35-year habit of weekly planning to move from being "reactive" to "proactive."
- Read for Application, Not Completion: A unique approach to reading books where you stop once you find an actionable idea, rather than grinding to the end of the book.
- The "Slow Down to Go Faster" Philosophy: The story of how advice from Chuck Norris to Bruce Lee inspired Ralph’s book title, and how strategic pauses can skyrocket your productivity.
3 Immediate Actions:
- Create "White Space": Stop scheduling back-to-back meetings. Build in 5–10-minute buffers to breathe, reset, and set an intention for the next task.
- Audit Your Learning Style: Determine if you are a reader, a listener, or a doer, and curate your education (books vs. podcasts vs. travel) to match that style.
- The Weekly Success Plan: Dedicate time on the weekend to map out your "Big Rocks" for the next 2-3 weeks, rather than just filling your schedule with immediate tasks.
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: Slow Down to Go Faster: Living and Leading Intentionally by Ralph Simone and Renny M Simone (Release date of 12/22/25)
Website: Slowdowntogofaster.com www.getemergent.com
- Book Recommendation: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
- Book Recommendation: Living in Flow by Sky Nelson-Isaacs
Ralph Simone Bio:
Ralph Simone has spent over a quarter of a century helping individuals and organizations transform themselves, raise their consciousness, and perform at their fullest potential.
As a Black Belt in karate and an avid reader, Ralph understands the benefits of consistent practice and continuous learning as integral parts of leadership development.
He received his B.B.A. from Siena College in 1979 with a major in accounting. He is a Certified Professional Coach, specializing in leadership and organizational effectiveness, and has amassed over 15,000 paid client coaching hours.
An accomplished writer and sought-after speaker, Ralph is currently writing a book entitled Slow Down to Go Faster. He also published Making It Stick and The Daily Re-Tweet.
See Ralph’s TEDx talk here.
Credentials and Certifications
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Facilitator
- Emotional and Social Competency Inventory
- Leadership Agility
- Leadership Development Framework
- E Performance Dynamics Specialist
- Leadership Circle Profile
Special Skills
- Leadership Coaching
- Leadership Development
- Business Development and Marketing
- Relationship Management
ARN Suggested Reading:
Blessings In the Bullshit: A Guided Journal for Finding the BEST In Every Day – by Mark Cardone & Theron Feidt
Full List of Recommended Books: https://www.achieveresultsnow.com/readers-are-leaders
Questions:
1. Do you have a question you want answered in a future podcast?
2. Go to www.AchieveResultsNow.com to submit.
Connect with Us:
Get access to some of the great resources that we use at: www.AchieveResultsNow.com/success-store
www.facebook.com/achieveresultsnow
Thank you for listening to the Achieve Results NOW! Podcast. The podcast that gives you immediate actions you can take to start seeing life shifting results NOW!