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EP 251 - Freedom by Design Series (Part 4) | The Four Driving Influences of Human Behavior – Michael Walsh on What Really Moves Us

Paper Napkin Wisdom

Release Date: 06/01/2025

EP 252 - The Customer Isn’t Always Right – Your Team Comes First: Wisdom from Christine McDannell show art EP 252 - The Customer Isn’t Always Right – Your Team Comes First: Wisdom from Christine McDannell

Paper Napkin Wisdom

Christine McDannell is a serial entrepreneur, author of The Resilient Founder, and a passionate advocate for building businesses that align with long-term legacy and personal purpose. She’s launched and sold multiple companies, including a 7-figure exit, and now focuses her energy on guiding purpose-driven founders through her work at Kindred Quarters and .  In Episode 252 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Christine shared a bold but essential truth that many leaders need to hear: “The customer is not always #1… your team is #1!” It's a deceptively simple statement...

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EP 251 - Freedom by Design Series (Part 4) | The Four Driving Influences of Human Behavior – Michael Walsh on What Really Moves Us show art EP 251 - Freedom by Design Series (Part 4) | The Four Driving Influences of Human Behavior – Michael Walsh on What Really Moves Us

Paper Napkin Wisdom

In Part 4 of the Freedom by Design series, Michael Walsh — growth strategist and founder of Walsh Business Growth — returns to the Paper Napkin Wisdom podcast with another deceptively simple, powerfully transformational idea. This time, Michael outlines what he believes to be the four core driving influences of all human behavior: Survive, Thrive, Connect, and Adapt.  Michael's frameworks aren't about academic theory — they’re forged in the heat of real entrepreneurial fires. Having coached hundreds of founders and growth-minded leaders, Michael brings his deep understanding of...

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Paper Napkin Wisdom

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Paper Napkin Wisdom

Heads up: this is a live recording, and the audio has some echo due to a tech glitch. Still, John’s wisdom shines through—and we think it’s worth it. Hope you agree. This episode marks the second chapter in a three-part journey through the life and legacy of John Sleeman, the iconic Canadian entrepreneur behind Sleeman Breweries. And in this moment, we move from the grind of building a business to something deeper—something almost mythic: a legacy rediscovered.  John’s story picks up with a surprise visit from his Aunt Florian. After a decade of no contact, she shows up with a...

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This episode is personal.  Just after college, I started a small business with my friend Matt Fox. We launched a student-focused magazine called Fingertips — hunting down wing nights and drink deals before smartphones made that easy. Money was tight. Hustle was everything. And our first cold call was to Sleeman Brewing in Guelph.  John Sleeman said yes.  That early “yes” stuck with me — and now, decades later, I’m sitting with him in this beautiful building, recording a full-circle episode for Paper Napkin Wisdom. But this story isn’t about the...

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Paper Napkin Wisdom

Michael Walsh returns for part three of our special Freedom by Design series on Paper Napkin Wisdom, and this one might be the most visually striking yet. If you’re a fan of simple visuals that unlock big thinking, you’re going to love this napkin. It’s a 10x10 grid—just 100 dots—but what it represents could be the unlock for transformational leadership and next-level scale.  Michael is the founder of Walsh Business Growth and the author of Freedom by Design: The Established Business Owner’s Guide to Grow, Make an Impact and Find Joy Again. In this...

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EP 244 - Freedom by Design Series (Part 2) | The 4 Danger Zones Every Business Must Navigate - Michael Walsh show art EP 244 - Freedom by Design Series (Part 2) | The 4 Danger Zones Every Business Must Navigate - Michael Walsh

Paper Napkin Wisdom

Michael Walsh is no stranger to growth. As the founder of , he’s spent years helping established business owners scale with intention, clarity, and impact. In this second installment of our Freedom Framework special on Paper Napkin Wisdom, Michael returns to reveal one of his most powerful visual tools for growth: The 4 Danger Zones.  Drawn on a simple napkin (as all great ideas are), Michael lays out the major inflection points — and hidden pitfalls — that business owners face as they scale from $1M to $20M and beyond. Each stage brings a new level of complexity, risk,...

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In Part 4 of the Freedom by Design series, Michael Walsh — growth strategist and founder of Walsh Business Growth — returns to the Paper Napkin Wisdom podcast with another deceptively simple, powerfully transformational idea. This time, Michael outlines what he believes to be the four core driving influences of all human behavior: Survive, Thrive, Connect, and Adapt. 

Michael's frameworks aren't about academic theory — they’re forged in the heat of real entrepreneurial fires. Having coached hundreds of founders and growth-minded leaders, Michael brings his deep understanding of what actually drives behavior — especially when stakes are high and the fog of uncertainty is thick. 

“If you want to lead people, you have to understand what drives them. Every single decision we make is being influenced by one or more of these four things.” 

Let’s unpack each of the four influences. 

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1. Survive 

At our most fundamental level, we’re hardwired to protect ourselves — physically, emotionally, and financially. Michael says survival thinking isn’t just about fear or reactivity. It’s the foundation of risk assessment and security seeking. 

“In business, when someone’s resisting a bold move, check if they’re in survival mode — it doesn’t mean they’re wrong, it means they’re trying to be safe.” 

Entrepreneurial Action: Ask your team, “What part of this plan feels risky or threatening to you?” You’ll uncover hidden fears before they derail progress. 

Shape 

2. Thrive 

While survival is about protection, thriving is about aspiration. This drive shows up in how we pursue growth, status, legacy, or mastery. Thriving propels leaders to innovate, compete, and elevate standards. 

“Thriving isn’t just about being better — it’s about feeling fulfilled while doing it.” 

Entrepreneurial Action: Reflect on where your business might be surviving instead of thriving. Are you playing not to lose — or playing to win? 

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3. Connect 

Humans are social creatures — and connection is a powerful motivator. Whether it's belonging, validation, or support, this influence is deeply tied to trust and collaboration. Michael points out that leaders often overlook this in data-driven cultures. 

“When people don’t feel seen, they disengage. And that disconnection can cost companies more than almost anything else.” 

Entrepreneurial Action: Leaders, reconnect with your team one-on-one this week. Ask them: “What’s one thing you wish I understood better about your experience here?” 

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4. Adapt 

The final influence is about resilience and responsiveness. Adaptation is how we process change, deal with uncertainty, and find our footing in new environments. Michael notes that high performers often struggle here — not from lack of ability, but from attachment to control. 

“When leaders are stuck, it's usually not because they don't have options. It's because they’re resisting change.” 

Entrepreneurial Action: Normalize experimentation. Celebrate what you learn from what didn’t work — not just what succeeded. 

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Why These Four? 

Michael’s napkin is more than a framework — it’s a diagnostic tool. When a team member is stuck, when a customer is hesitant, or when a strategy stalls, Michael challenges us to ask: Which of these four influences is in play? 

The simplicity of Survive, Thrive, Connect, Adapt makes the model sticky — but the depth of application makes it transformative. 

“Every decision, every behavior, every moment of hesitation or courage — it’s all coming back to one or more of these.” 

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5 Key Takeaways from Michael Walsh on the 4 Driving Influences of Human Behavior 

1. Every behavior stems from one of four core motivations. 
Whether we're leading a team or making a personal decision, we’re constantly navigating needs to survive, thrive, connect, or adapt. 
👉 Action: Use these lenses to decode stalled projects or interpersonal conflicts. 

2. Survival mode isn’t weakness — it’s caution. 
Recognizing someone is in survival mode helps us lead with empathy, not frustration. 
👉 Action: Shift conversations from “What’s wrong?” to “What feels unsafe or unclear?” 

3. Growth isn't just ambition — it's a core human need. 
Thriving drives innovation and fulfillment. Leaders should intentionally nurture this drive. 
👉 Action: Create stretch opportunities that challenge and celebrate growth. 

4. Connection fuels culture and performance. 
People disengage when they feel invisible. Connection isn't optional — it's the glue. 
👉 Action: Hold weekly 10-minute check-ins that prioritize empathy, not just updates. 

5. Adaptation is how we future-proof. 
Organizations that adapt quickly win in uncertain times. But that starts with adaptable leaders. 
👉 Action: Host a monthly "fail and learn" session to reward adaptive behavior. 

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Final Thought 

Michael Walsh once again challenges us to think deeper and lead better — not with complex models, but with the kind of wisdom you can jot on a napkin. His four driving influences don’t just apply to business. They speak to how we live, love, and lead every day. 

💡 What’s driving your decisions right now — survival, growth, connection, or change? 

Write your insight on a napkin. Snap a photo. Post it with the hashtag #PaperNapkinWisdom. 

Connect with Michael: 

https://walshbusinessgrowth.com/