501: Be the Unicorn: How to Stand Out and Succeed with William Vanderbloemen

What does it take to stand out in a crowded marketplace? In this insightful episode, we are joined by William Vanderbloemen, founder of the Vanderbloemen Search Group, esteemed executive search professional, and author of Be the Unicorn: 12 Data Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest. Listen as William takes us through his fascinating journey from being a pastor to influential business leader, his groundbreaking research on star leadership, and the importance of fast responsiveness in sales and communication. Throughout the conversation, William emphasizes how small changes in habits can create significant life changes and shares key insights from his extensive research project spanning 30,000 executive search applicants. Learn about the crucial habits that distinguish exceptional leaders and how applying these principles can elevate any professional or business team. Dive deep into the importance of standing out in a crowded workforce, human interaction amidst rising automation, and practical steps you can take to become a unicorn in your field. What We Discuss in this Episode What pivotal moments led William from pastoring to founding Vanderbloemen Search Group? How does fast responsiveness impact sales and communication effectiveness? What led to the discovery of the 12 data-driven habits outlined in "Be the Unicorn"? How did the pandemic challenge and reshape Vanderbloemen's business model? Why are human skills irreplaceable in an increasingly AI automated world? Can anyone cultivate habits to become a unicorn, and how? How does William's tool, VanderIndex.com, support personal and team growth? What role does mindset play in standing out as a leader? How can setbacks be transformed into opportunities for growth? What tangible steps can listeners take to integrate these practices? Podcast Highlights 0:00 - William's journey: From pastor to influential business leader. 5:04 - Helping various organizations find leadership talent and values. 8:14 - The 12 Data-Driven Habits of Unicorn Leaders. 10:52 - Standing out with entrepreneurial habits and style. 15:37 - Prioritizing prompt communication and discipline. 16:38 - Overcoming fear in the face of AI automation. 21:26 - Adaptable skills are valuable in any role. 23:37 – Developing entrepreneurial skills in kids. 26:39 – Measuring yourself against Unicorn Leaders with the VanderIndex. 29:04 – Practical applications for becoming a Unicorn Leader. Favorite Quotes Fast Responsiveness: “Responding to a lead within 60 seconds significantly boosts your chances of success. It’s the small changes like these that create substantial life changes.” Human Skills vs. Automation: “While AI will automate workflows, the value of human-to-human skills and connections remains irreplaceable.” Mindset of a Unicorn: “Standing out as a unicorn is more about your mindset and how you intentionally treat others with these 12 habits.” Episode Show Notes:  https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/leadership/501-be-the-unicorn-how-to-stand-out-and-succeed-with-william-vanderbloemen  Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com ________ 📣 SUBSCRIBE to the Leaders of Transformation Podcast  👇 CONNECT with Nicole Jansen on Social Media  ▶︎ YOUTUBE ▶︎ INSTAGRAM ▶︎ FACEBOOK  ▶︎ LINKEDIN ▶︎ X/TWITTER