Crisis to Clarity: leading through emotional turbulence with AI expert Antony Mayfield

Andy Brown's Exploring Emotional Overdraft

In this candid conversation, Andy Brown talks with Antony Mayfield, CEO of Brilliant Noise, about navigating business transformation during crisis, maintaining emotional wellbeing as a leader, and finding clarity in decision-making. Antony shares his journey of pivoting his digital transformation agency through COVID-19 and emerging stronger in the AI consulting space.

Key Points:

• The importance of making conscious decisions, even when choosing not to change
• How crisis can bring clarity to leadership purpose and decision-making
• The challenge of balancing business success with emotional wellbeing
• The value of setting clear deadlines for tough decisions
• The role of self-awareness and metacognition in leadership
• Managing the emotional cost of protecting team members during crisis
• The dangers of making assumptions about what others are thinking

"You really know what you're for in a crisis. You know who you need to be. Sometimes when things are OK or meddling along, you're spinning lots of plates. But if you're dealing with really tough decisions, then you have a deep sense of purpose." - Antony Mayfield

"The only way to be absolutely sure that nobody thinks negatively about you and nobody disagrees with you is not to do anything ever and meet anyone ever." - Antony Mayfield

Thoughts for Leaders:

1. Set clear deadlines for difficult decisions and make the hardest option the default
2. Don't assume you know what others are thinking - have direct conversations
3. Success can mask emotional overdraft as much as crisis can create it
4. Regular habits and routines are crucial for maintaining emotional wellbeing
5. Being aware of when you're dipping into emotional overdraft is the first step to managing it

Practical Takeaway: Antony shares how he uses AI as a "cognitive mirror" for daily reflection, creating a morning routine of answering questions that help set priorities and prepare mentally for the day ahead.

Business Insight: The episode highlights how financial discipline (like maintaining cash reserves) learned during tough times can create resilience for future growth, and how the same principle applies to emotional resources.

Connect with Antony:

• Website: https://www.brilliantnoise.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonymayfield/

Take the free Emotional Overdraft Self Assessment: https://emotionaloverdraft.com/self-assessment/