The Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk
Episode 613: Mo Bunnell - Giving To Grow, Falling In Love With Questions, Mastermind Groups, Delaying Gratification, Long-Term Planning, & Investing In Relationships
Release Date: December 16, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 613 of The Learning Leader Show, host Ryan Hawk engages in an insightful conversation with Mo Bunnell, author of Give to Grow and The Snowball System. Mo shares his profound journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a renowned leader focused on generosity and relationship-building as keys to personal and professional success.

Personal Story and Background

[00:00 - 04:15]
Mo opens the discussion by recounting the significance of August 4, 1984—a pivotal day marking the last day his father battled alcoholism before turning his life around. Growing up as an only child in a small, rural Indiana town, Mo experienced isolation and craved community. Despite his family's struggles, he found solace in inventing solitary activities with his dog, which shaped his desire to build community and help others.

Notable Quote:
"The people that drive the biggest change in the world shape the agenda. That's why it's always worth giving. Generosity is the master key to success."
— Mo Bunnell [00:20]

Generosity and the 'Give to Grow' Philosophy

[00:12 - 16:55]
Ryan introduces Mo as the "ultimate giver," highlighting his belief that investing in relationships fosters exponential growth. Mo emphasizes a long-term mindset, stating that while our brains are wired to think linearly, consistent, expectation-free generosity can lead to meaningful, lasting relationships.

Notable Quote:
"Our brains think linearly, you know, hungry, eat, threat, run. But if we give without any expectation of return consistently, we're going to grow that relationship exponentially."
— Mo Bunnell [00:31]

Strategic Giving and Scaling

[13:16 - 16:55]
Mo discusses the concept of "strategic givers," inspired by Adam Grant's research. While some givers may struggle, those who scale their generosity appropriately—giving in proportion to the potential return—tend to achieve significant success. This strategic approach prevents burnout and ensures that giving contributes effectively to personal and business growth.

Notable Quote:
"The people that are most successful in life are strategic givers. They give without any expectation in return but scale their giving to the size of the expected return."
— Mo Bunnell [14:40]

Winning vs. Doing the Work: Shaping the Agenda

[16:55 - 27:22]
Mo introduces the dichotomy between "doing the work" and "winning the work." While delivering exceptional work ensures reliability and fulfillment, winning the work involves shaping opportunities and securing buy-in through proactive relationship-building and value addition. He shares techniques such as the "give to get" strategy, where offering valuable assistance without immediate returns leads to greater business opportunities.

Notable Quote:
"The difference between those who are most and least successful is that the successful givers scale their giving to match the expected value."
— Mo Bunnell [14:40]

Asking the Right Questions: Enhancing Discovery

[27:22 - 34:48]
Mo emphasizes the importance of asking insightful, discovery-focused questions rather than presenting exhaustive solutions upfront. By understanding clients' true priorities and challenges through strategic questioning, leaders can tailor their offerings to meet specific needs, fostering deeper connections and higher success rates in securing business.

Notable Quote:
"When you're winning the work, you need to shape possibility by asking questions like, 'What are your priorities?' and 'How would you describe that in your words?'"
— Mo Bunnell [29:07]

Mastermind Groups: Building High-Performance Communities

[34:48 - 43:53]
Mo shares his involvement in various mastermind groups, highlighting their role in exposing him to diverse perspectives and strategies. These small, focused groups of high-achievers provide a platform for mutual support, inspiration, and the exchange of innovative ideas, which are crucial for continual personal and business growth.

Notable Quote:
"Masterminds are one of the most important unlocks to what I've been able to do over the last 10 years. They help expose you to things you couldn't have learned otherwise."
— Mo Bunnell [35:11]

Long-Term Vision and Goal Setting: Vision 2030

[44:14 - 54:37]
Mo introduces his Vision 2030 plan, a comprehensive long-term strategy inspired by leaders like Grant Baldwin and Joel Neeb. This vision encompasses personal and professional goals, integrating business growth with community impact. By clearly defining where he wants to be and mapping out actionable steps, Mo demonstrates the power of deliberate, visionary planning in achieving extraordinary growth.

Notable Quote:
"The only way to live your life with design is to write down where you want to be at some destination in the future. That's the best way to ensure you're moving towards your desired outcome."
— Mo Bunnell [50:48]

Celebrating Incremental Progress

[54:04 - 62:49]
Mo discusses the importance of recognizing and celebrating small achievements. Drawing from Teresa Amabile’s research, he explains that celebrating incremental progress not only enhances happiness but also drives sustained success. Through weekly journaling and reflection, Mo maintains focus on growth and maintains motivation, illustrating how consistent acknowledgment of progress fosters a fulfilling and productive life.

Notable Quote:
"People that celebrate incremental progress are not only the happiest, but they're the most successful."
— Mo Bunnell [15:00]

Conclusion and Resources

[62:49 - End]
The conversation wraps up with Mo highlighting various resources available for listeners, including his books Give to Grow and The Snowball System, free training classes, and downloadable toolkits on his website. Mo and Ryan reaffirm the value of generosity, strategic relationship-building, and continuous learning as pillars of effective leadership and sustained success.

Notable Quote:
"Drinking your own champagne, you're doing it exactly the way you teach others. Just giving, giving, giving, planting seeds."
— Ryan Hawk [63:00]

Key Takeaways

1. Generosity as a Growth Strategy: Consistently giving without immediate expectations fosters exponential relationship growth and business success.
2. Strategic Giving: Scale your generosity to match the potential return to maximize effectiveness and avoid burnout.
3. Proactive Leadership: Moving beyond order-taking to shaping the agenda creates lasting impact and opens up new opportunities.
4. Insightful Questioning: Asking deep, discovery-focused questions helps tailor solutions and build stronger client relationships.
5. Mastermind Groups: Engaging with high-achieving communities accelerates personal and professional growth through mutual support and idea exchange.
6. Long-Term Vision: Clearly defined, aspirational goals coupled with actionable plans drive significant growth and fulfillment.
7. Celebrate Progress: Recognizing and celebrating small wins enhances happiness and sustains long-term success.

Resources Mentioned

• Books by Mo Bunnell:

  • Give to Grow: Invest in Relationships to Build Your Business and Your Career
  • The Snowball System

• Website: givetogrow.info

• Free Training Classes and Toolkits:

  • 50+ Go-To Questions for Discovery Calls
  • Team Launch Guides
  • Secret Chapter Downloads
  • Doing vs. Winning Charts

Final Thoughts

Mo Bunnell’s approach to leadership underscores the transformative power of generosity, strategic relationship-building, and visionary planning. By embracing a mindset of giving and proactive growth, leaders can foster meaningful connections, drive exponential business growth, and achieve a fulfilling, impactful life.

For more insights and to dive deeper into Mo Bunnell's methodologies, listen to the full episode on YouTube or your preferred podcast platform.