Executive Wins & Real Leadership with Gordon Sheppard

Show: How to Live a Fantastic Life with Dr. Allen Lycka

Guest: Gordon Sheppard, Executive Coach & Founder of ExecutiveWins.com

Introduction

In this engaging episode, Dr. Allen Lycka welcomes Gordon Sheppard, a bold and unapologetically honest leadership coach known for his "assertively kind" style. With over 25 years of business experience and a proven five-pillar executive planning system, Gordon helps leaders drive measurable growth, build trust, and develop bulletproof strategies.

From City TV to Executive Coach

Gordon shares his journey from a senior role at City TV to launching his own consulting firm. A pivotal moment during his MBA studies inspired him to reframe how organizations think about leadership. Today, he empowers companies—from nonprofits to energy firms—to improve culture, strategy, and communication.

The Five Pillars of Executive Wins

Gordon outlines his signature framework—The Anatomy of a Win—built on five pillars:

1. Strategy: Define purpose and direction.
2. Work Plan: Develop actionable steps and timelines.
3. People: Build strong teams with aligned attitudes.
4. Operations: Optimize backend systems for success.
5. Results: Measure qualitative and quantitative outcomes.
6. Dr. Lycka shares the story of founding the International Order of Fantastic Professionals as a real-life case study to explore each pillar.

Being “Not in the Family”

Gordon explains the power of being an objective outsider: he says what needs to be said—respectfully—without fear of workplace politics. His ability to challenge senior leaders has transformed company cultures and even reignited joy in workplaces.

Time Management = Priority Management

A common problem Gordon encounters is leaders feeling time-starved. He reframes this as a prioritization issue. Using his planning system, he helps executives focus on what truly matters.

Leadership Health & Personal Growth

From encouraging CEOs to reenter the gym to recommending tools like the Libby app for reading, Gordon emphasizes whole-leader health. Dr. Lycka adds his personal habit of walking 5,000 steps daily and listening to audiobooks as part of a fantastic life.

Book Wisdom & Legacy

Gordon reflects on formative books like Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and the transformative power of libraries, championed by Benjamin Franklin. He advises his younger self to be more patient and concise—a lesson earned through fatherhood.

Closing & Contact

Gordon invites listeners to explore his podcast at www.executivewins.com, where he interviews top leaders like Dr. Jodi Abbott and Alvin Pike about their biggest wins.

To connect, visit: www.executivewins.com

Final Words

“Empower leaders to empower themselves.”

Don’t forget to sign up for Dr. Lycka’s weekly golden pearls at www.drallenlycka.com for your chance to win a luxury getaway!

BIO:

Gordon Sheppard is a bold, no-nonsense Leadership Coach and Consultant who helps executives cut through the noise and get real results. Known for his “assertively kind” style, Gord isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said — because he’s not “in the family.” With 25+ years of experience and a proven 5-step Executive Planning System, he empowers leaders to accelerate growth, improve meetings, and achieve their biggest goals.

Social Media:

The Executive Wins Website address is - https://executivewins.com

My LinkedIn address is - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordonsheppard/