Podcast: The High Performance
Published Date:
Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:52:03 GMT
Duration:
1:16:57
Explicit:
False
Guests:
Please note that the summary is generated based on the transcript and may not capture all the nuances or details discussed in the podcast episode.
This week on The High Performance Podcast, we speak to Sunil Patel, the Co-founder and CEO of Whisper, an award winning production company to Sunil created with High Performance host Jake Humphrey.
In this episode Sunil openly shares with us the highs and lows of being obsessed with your work and how this can impact your private life. He also goes into depth on how teamwork is at the heart of every decision he makes, and the importance of treating people with respect no matter what level you are operating at.
With almost 300 staff, Whisper has grown organically to a turnover of tens of millions having produced Formula One, International Cricket, The Paralympics and Women’s Euros 2022.
They have been named as one of the fastest growing production companies in Europe and Sunil has been named as a top 20 Indie Influencer 2019 by Broadcast Magazine and is a BAFTA-winning producer.
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# **Navigating the Highs and Lows of Entrepreneurial Success: A Candid Conversation with Sunil Patel**
### **Episode Overview**
This episode of The High Performance Podcast features Sunil Patel, the Co-founder and CEO of Whisper, an award-winning production company he created with the podcast's host, Jake Humphrey. In this open and honest conversation, Sunil shares valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of being an entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, resilience, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
### **Key Insights and Discussion Points**
* **The Genesis of Whisper:** Sunil traces the origins of Whisper to his personal experiences of rejection and frustration in previous workplaces. He felt a strong desire for ownership and control over his destiny, leading him to pursue entrepreneurship.
* **Overcoming Outsider Status:** Sunil reflects on his experiences as an outsider from a young age, facing challenges due to his family's immigrant status and his struggles to fit in at school. These experiences instilled in him a strong work ethic and a determination to prove himself.
* **The Importance of Teamwork:** Sunil emphasizes the significance of teamwork in the success of Whisper. He highlights the need for a strong and supportive team, where individuals are empowered and encouraged to reach their full potential.
* **Balancing Personal and Professional Life:** Sunil candidly discusses the challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance as an entrepreneur. He acknowledges the sacrifices he had to make in the early stages of building Whisper, including missing personal milestones and family events.
* **The Rewards of Entrepreneurship:** Despite the challenges, Sunil expresses his immense satisfaction and fulfillment in creating Whisper. He believes that entrepreneurship has allowed him to make a positive impact on the world and create opportunities for others.
* **The Whisper Ethos:** Sunil highlights the unique culture and ethos of Whisper, emphasizing the company's focus on diversity, inclusion, and promoting young talent. He explains how these values have contributed to the company's success.
* **The Power of Resilience:** Sunil stresses the importance of resilience in the face of setbacks and challenges. He shares his experiences of overcoming obstacles and adapting to changing circumstances, demonstrating the tenacity required for entrepreneurial success.
* **Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:** Sunil offers valuable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, encouraging them to embrace calculated risks, surround themselves with a supportive team, and maintain a strong work ethic. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and the ability to learn from mistakes.
### **Conclusion**
This episode of The High Performance Podcast provides a refreshing and honest perspective on the entrepreneurial journey. Sunil Patel's insights into the highs and lows of building a successful business offer valuable lessons for anyone considering or pursuing an entrepreneurial path. The conversation underscores the significance of teamwork, resilience, and a balanced approach to personal and professional life in achieving entrepreneurial success.
# High Performance Podcast: Sunil Patel, Co-Founder and CEO of Whisper
In this episode of The High Performance Podcast, Jake Humphrey speaks with Sunil Patel, Co-Founder and CEO of Whisper, an award-winning production company. Patel shares his insights on the importance of teamwork, treating people with respect, and maintaining a positive and inclusive company culture.
## Key Takeaways:
* **Embrace Obsession:** Patel acknowledges that his obsessive nature has been both a strength and a weakness in his career. While it has driven his success, it has also taken a toll on his personal life and relationships. He emphasizes the importance of finding a balance and developing inner peace to mitigate the negative effects of obsession.
* **Prioritize Teamwork and Respect:** Patel believes that teamwork is at the heart of every decision he makes. He strives to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their position or experience. He emphasizes the importance of treating people with kindness and understanding, even in challenging situations.
* **Cultivate a Positive Company Culture:** Patel is passionate about creating a positive and inclusive company culture at Whisper. He believes that employees should feel like they belong and are empowered to make a difference. He encourages open communication, transparency, and a sense of community among team members.
* **Take Calculated Risks:** Patel highlights the importance of taking calculated risks in business. He shares how Whisper strategically hired top talent and pursued ambitious projects, even when it meant facing skepticism and resistance from the industry. He emphasizes the need to have a clear vision and the courage to pursue it, even in the face of uncertainty.
* **Adapt and Pivot During Challenges:** Patel discusses how Whisper faced a significant challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic when live sports production, their primary source of revenue, came to a halt. He describes how the company pivoted quickly, exploring new opportunities and supporting their employees during this difficult time. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resilience in overcoming business challenges.
* **Invest in Employee Well-being:** Patel believes that investing in employee well-being is crucial for a company's success. He shares how Whisper provides access to mental health programs, financial assistance, and a supportive work environment to ensure that employees feel valued and cared for. He emphasizes the positive impact this has on employee morale, productivity, and overall company performance.
## Conclusion:
Sunil Patel's journey with Whisper showcases the importance of teamwork, a positive company culture, and calculated risk-taking in achieving business success. His emphasis on treating people with respect, creating an inclusive environment, and investing in employee well-being highlights his commitment to building a sustainable and high-performing organization.
## Podcast Episode Summary: Sunil Patel, Co-founder and CEO of Whisper
**Guest:** Sunil Patel, Co-founder and CEO of Whisper, an award-winning production company.
**Key Points:**
* **High-Performance Culture:**
* Sunil emphasizes the importance of teamwork and treating people with respect at every level of the organization.
* Whisper has grown organically to a turnover of tens of millions, producing Formula One, International Cricket, The Paralympics, and Women's Euros 2022.
* The company has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing production companies in Europe, and Sunil has been named a top 20 Indie Influencer 2019 by Broadcast Magazine.
* **Decision-Making Process:**
* Whisper's decision-making process is transparent, with a clear understanding of the challenges, successes, and shared success among the team.
* Sunil values taking chances and trying new things, recognizing that mistakes are part of the learning process.
* The company's values—be ambitious, bold, creative, diverse, honest, and relentless—are explicitly stated and lived by the team.
* **Empathy and Love:**
* Sunil's personal journey through challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the deaths of George Floyd and Caroline Flack, has deepened his empathy and understanding of others.
* He emphasizes the importance of seeing life through other people's eyes and valuing things that were once overlooked.
* This shift in perspective has led to a more efficient and productive work environment, with a focus on positive change and impact.
* **Legacy and High Performance:**
* Sunil's legacy aspirations are centered around redefining the industry by promoting diversity, inclusivity, and creative roles filled by underrepresented groups.
* He sees his greatest strength and weakness as his relentless drive, acknowledging the challenges of being constantly driven.
* High performance, to Sunil, is characterized by strong motivation, ambition, and resilience, attributes that have contributed to Whisper's success.
**Overall Message:**
Sunil Patel's leadership journey at Whisper highlights the power of empathy, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. His focus on creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture, combined with his commitment to making a positive impact, has been instrumental in the company's growth and success.
**The High Performance Podcast: Sunil Patel**
* Sunil Patel, Co-founder and CEO of Whisper, a production company, shares his insights on the connection between personal and professional success.
**Key Points:**
- **The Importance of Teamwork:**
- Patel emphasizes the significance of teamwork as the foundation of every decision he makes.
- He believes in treating people with respect, regardless of their position or level.
- **Balancing Personal and Professional Life:**
- Patel openly discusses the challenges of being obsessed with work and its impact on personal life.
- He stresses the importance of finding a balance between the two.
- **Leading by Example:**
- Patel highlights the impact of leaders who practice what they preach, inspiring those around them.
- He shares an anecdote about a leader who demonstrated this principle through personal sacrifice.
- **High Performance Listener Luke's Story:**
- Luke, a listener of the podcast, shares his experience of using high performance principles to navigate a difficult time.
- He recounts how the podcast helped him cope with his partner's medical emergency and subsequent recovery.
- **Applying High Performance Lessons:**
- Luke explains how he applied the lessons learned from the podcast to his workplace and personal life.
- He credits the podcast with helping him secure a new job and navigate challenges in his personal life.
- **High Performance as Insulation for Future Challenges:**
- Luke expresses his belief that high performance principles have prepared him for future challenges.
- He emphasizes the importance of embracing nerves and pressure as positive signs of engagement.
- **The Power of Sharing High Performance:**
- The hosts encourage listeners to share the podcast with others who might benefit from its teachings.
- They emphasize the significance of spreading the learnings and making the podcast accessible to those who need it.
- **The High Performance Team:**
- The hosts express gratitude to the team behind the podcast, including Finn, Hannah, Will, Eve, and Gemma.
- **Conclusion:**
- The hosts remind listeners that the principles of high performance are readily available and accessible.
- They encourage listeners to pursue world-class basics, remain humble, curious, and empathetic.