Magic in the Room #155: Mindset: Version One is Better Than Version None with Guest Neil Hughes
July 1, 2023
This week on Magic in the Room, we are joined by Neil Hughes, who inspired us to start this podcast. Neil is a podcast host and writer whose journey epitomizes a growth mindset. Neil began his Tech Talks Daily Podcast by believing that “version one is better than version none” and just starting, even if his first attempts were imperfect. Today Tech Talks Daily has over 2,400 episodes and counts William Shatner, Guy Kawasaki, and Wendy Williams among past guests.
Listen now on your favorite platform!
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Credits:
- This episode of Magic in the Room was recorded in Chicago, Illinois at the No Longer Virtual Conference.
- Music by Evan Grim. Find his music on
Apple Music
In this episode of Magic in the Room, Luke, Hannah, and Chris explore the lessons, transitions, and leadership insights they’re carrying forward into 2026, emphasizing the importance of narrowing focus, letting go of resistance, and aligning with natural rhythms to create meaningful momentum. They discuss how personal and professional growth often emerges through periods of chaos and transition, highlighting themes such as intentionality, subtraction as a multiplier, and the courage required to release control, certainty, and outdated habits. Drawing on their work with purpose-driven organizations, they explain how leadership transformation begins internally, noting that organizational change is inseparable from personal development and mindset shifts. They also explore how embracing disturbance, addressing root causes instead of symptoms, and cultivating hope rather than cynicism can unlock resilience, stronger culture, and long-term performance.
In this episode of Magic in the Room, Luke, Hannah, and Chris delve into the timely topic of hope versus cynicism in leadership, particularly in a world rife with uncertainty and negativity. The discussion focuses on whether hope alone is sufficient for transformational leadership or if, in environments steeped in cynicism, leaders must amplify their energy and intentionality, sometimes matching the intensity of cynics to move organizations forward. They examine the "hope recipe," which involves envisioning a better future, creating a pathway, and having agency. They also discuss the difficulty of maintaining agency when systems, culture, or fatigue threaten to sap it. They differentiate between strategically "letting go" and simply "giving up," emphasizing the importance of support, accountability, and self-awareness as antidotes to cynicism.