#76: The 500 Lunches Effect: How Social Courage Can Build Confidence Right Now
Are you waiting to BECOME confident before taking action towards your goals?
Whether you’re a leader looking to intentionally grow your network in 2027, put yourself out there with confidence or develop the human skills that set you apart in an AI world, today’s episode is for you.
I’m joined by I’m joined by Nick Bendel — author of The 500 Lunches Effect and Australia’s leading expert on social courage.
What I love about Nick’s story is that he was once where so many leaders I work with are: feeling like he was coasting in his career and not reaching his full potential. After starting his own business as a self-described introvert, he was worried this would hold him back.
But instead of waiting for clarity on his direction or for confidence to arrive, he took action — and ended up having lunch with 500 strangers. In the process, he expanded his network, reinvented his career and transformed his entire life.
In this thought-provoking episode, we talk about how he’s created this incredible career, the power of social courage and how it can help YOU build better relationships, communicate more effectively and futureproof your career in the age of AI.
You’ll learn:
- How Nick made the shift from questioning his direction to building a successful business on his terms, by taking consistent action before he was ready
- The role relationships play to help leaders navigate a career crossroads, especially in uncertain times
- What a 90% no response rate taught Nick about rejection and how to reach out without sounding weird or salesy
- The surprising trait the best communicators have in common and what 500 conversations revealed about effective communication
- An introvert’s take on the belief extroverts are better at networking and how to build relationships in a way that suits your energy
- Practical, pressure-free ways to nurture relationships when you’re busy or time poor, so you build your network before you need it
- The skills that matter most in the age of AI and how social courage helps futureproof your career
So hit play now — and let’s dive in!
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