[Podcast Episode #25] The Genius Circle: Who’s in Your Strategic Room?

In this episode of Get Your House in Order, Cris and Philip unpack the power of surrounding yourself with genius. Not to compete. To orchestrate. Because no matter how successful you are, if you’re always the smartest person in the room, you’re limiting your growth.

Cris opens the conversation with two vivid images: a fresco from the Palazzo Pitti of Lorenzo de’ Medici surrounded by the most brilliant minds of his time, and the modern equivalent, a business owner as the conductor of an orchestra. You don’t need to play every instrument. You need to bring out brilliance in others.

They dive into how to curate your own genius circle:

• Get over yourself: Arrogance and insecurity both kill collaboration.

• Cross-pollinate: Bring in people from different industries and disciplines.

• Pay for it: Genius isn’t free. Advisory boards and masterminds are investments.

Philip shares how his early struggles with dyslexia taught him that intention matters more than polish. His confidence didn’t come from being the most articulate guy in the room but from wanting to serve well. That posture, he says, is what allows you to invite brilliance without intimidation.

Together they explore what makes a board or mastermind powerful:

• Vulnerability sets the stage for growth.

• Hope is often more valuable than solutions.

• Great meetings feel electric, not exhausting.

They warn against treating advisory boards like formalities. Instead, structure them to bring strategic insight, cross-disciplinary wisdom, and challenge. Whether you’re at $3M or $100M in revenue, the ceiling of your company is often the ceiling of your perspective.

And for those who think they can’t afford a board? Cris says you can’t afford not to. Strategic guidance might feel expensive, but it’s often the key to unlocking millions in growth.

Because getting your house in order means stepping out of the echo chamber and surrounding yourself with voices that sharpen your own.