Help Me Think With Starla West

Throughout my years as an executive coach, I've noticed patterns in how successful executives think, problem-solve, and make decisions. I want to share that insight with you, so I created Help Me Think, where I will break down these mental models & best practices to give you simple, actionable, step-by-step processes you can use to think critically, make solid decisions, and get the results you want. And we dig really deep into all of this so you can make the most of where you are right now and strategize for the future. If you are an ambitious professional who is ready to liberate your sense of freedom and control, you are in the right place, my friend. I'm glad you're here.

Last refreshed: July 17th, 2025 at 4:39 AM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Breaking Silos: Uncovering Hidden Barriers to Team Collaboration

In my time with C-Suite executives, I often encounter a common yet complex challenge in executive leadership: teams working in silos with little to no collaboration. My recent interaction with a CEO facing this exact dilemma inspired this episode. In it, I offer a structured and practical approach to understanding this challenge's root cause before jumping right to solutions. KEY TAKEAWAYS (1) Observation Is Key: Paying close attention to the team's interaction and communication, including what ...

Oct 26, 2023•16 min

Team Decision-Making Demystified: Choosing the Right Method

In this episode of "Help Me Think," I dive deep into the world of team decision-making methods, offering valuable insights and practical strategies for success. With years of experience as an executive coach, I share my expertise in this critical skill for leaders and teams alike. Tune in to this episode now to enrich your decision-making toolkit and lead your team to smarter, more effective decisions in today's dynamic and complex business environment. KEY TAKEAWAYS (1) Discover five distinct m...

Oct 10, 2023•26 min

Reclaim Your Time: A Journey Into Strategic Calendar Management

In today's insightful discussion, we delve into the transformative, but not so new, concept of entrusting the management of your calendar to a skilled assistant. A calendar isn't just a tool for scheduling. It is much more. It's a roadmap to optimizing your work and life. And much like the challenging video game Tetris, where one must masterfully orchestrate falling blocks into a puzzle, busy executives often need the help of an expert who can expertly navigate the puzzle of their daily commitme...

Sep 26, 2023•51 min

Unlock the Full Potential of Your Executive Assistant and Reclaim Valuable Time on Your Calendar

In this episode of "Help Me Think," I interview Tiffany Nguyen, the Executive Assistant to the CEO of RepeatMD, known for her expertise in strategic calendar management and productivity within the administrative professionals community. My encounter with Tiffany and her insights at the Enlighten 2023 conference led to this enlightening conversation. Tiffany's strategic calendar management skills revealed their magic by liberating her CEO's time, providing 10½ extra hours for strategic thinking a...

Sep 13, 2023•55 min

Tiny Instructors, Big Lessons: How Three Flies Offered Insights into Effective Leadership

EPISODE DESCRIPTION I recently had an unexpected encounter with three persistent flies during a leisurely day by the infinity pool, and surprising leadership lessons emerged from observing these tiny creatures. They left me with lessons from knowing when to assist others, fostering resilience, and providing structure. Join us as we delve into these three transformative principles that might change how you approach challenges and growth. KEY TAKEAWAYS In this introspective journey, we delve into ...

Aug 28, 2023•14 min

What is Ayahuasca And Is It Right For You?

In this installment, we delve into a journey that took my husband and me to Costa Rica for a life-altering Ayahuasca Retreat. If the term "Ayahuasca" raises eyebrows, fear not – we break it down in this episode for you. This episode features the insights of Ayahuasqueros Matt Mormello and Jeanae White, who provide invaluable insight into the world of Ayahuasca. Ayahuasca, a potent plant spirit medicine, can induce profound healing and transformation. This psychoactive brew, derived from Amazon ...

Aug 15, 2023•1 hr 26 min

Building a Hybrid Work Oasis and Deciding When to Bring Employees into the Office

In this episode of "Help Me Think," Mary Beth Oakes, CEO and co-owner of Business Furniture + CO, discusses the significance of a hybrid work environment for employees. She shares insights into Business Furniture's successful transition to hybrid work and how they redesigned their office spaces to support it. Mary Beth also reflects on her career journey, the importance of staying open to opportunities, and her co-founding of Choreo in 2008, a spinoff of Business Furniture. This episode emphasiz...

Aug 01, 2023•1 hr 29 min

Cracking the Code: The Five Characteristics of Exceptional Decision Makers

What are the five characteristics of exceptional decision-makers? This thought-provoking episode delves into the five crucial traits that pave the way for effective decision-making. In my years of coaching high-achieving executives, I have found that they all employ five key characteristics that make decision-making and leadership easier: humility, empathy, risk tolerance, patience, and self-assurance. How can you develop these traits? Tune in to discover how to train your brain to develop these...

Jul 18, 2023•31 min

The Seven Most Common Mistakes Leaders Make When Making Decisions

Decisions are one of any leader's most important responsibilities. Yet, not enough time is dedicated to helping leaders develop a systematic process for doing so so that when they make decisions, they can make them quickly and efficiently while getting the desired outcomes. What has led me to this conclusion is the observation of leaders consistently making the same mistakes that either make the decision-making process more difficult than it needs to be or lead to results that are less than desi...

Jul 06, 2023•31 min

The Secret Sauce of Top Executives: Exploring the Power of Optimal Thinking Times

In this episode of "Help Me Think," I emphasize why top-performing executives must protect their optimal thinking times in their schedules, including when and how they do it. This episode aims to help you identify your ideal mental state for productive thinking and provide insights into when and how to cultivate this state more frequently. I guide you to identify your best mental states for deep thinking, then share strategies to incorporate those into your routines for maximum productivity and ...

Jun 20, 2023•38 min

The ONE Activity That Will Help You Thrive In Your Role

In this episode, I dive deep into the intricacies of executive-level and critical thinking and how it influences daily decision-making, organizational alignment, and individual growth. I begin with a powerful question, "Do you feel guilty allocating time for reflective thinking with a demanding schedule?" and illustrate this through a real-life example and explore how aspiring leaders – like executives – can leverage this principle to think, behave, and inspire confidence. Next, I introduce the ...

Jun 06, 2023•31 min

Welcome to Help Me Think with Starla West

In this inaugural episode of the "Help Me Think" podcast, Starla West, an accomplished executive coach, introduces her brand new series aimed at empowering ambitious professionals with the mental models and best practices leveraged by successful executives. By breaking down complex thought processes into actionable steps, Starla aims to transform how listeners approach life and work. Takeaways: Starla provides an overview of the podcast's objective, highlighting the podcast's focus on critical t...

Jun 01, 2023•4 min

Hosted on Megaphone by Spotify

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android