On the latest Incredible Machines podcast, Grant Oliff, a seasoned entrepreneur and digital transformation expert, discussed leadership, growth, and navigating complex industries. His journey is one of continuous learning, resilience, and a unique ability to lead teams through challenging transformations. From owning MMA gyms in South Africa to spearheading digital transformation projects in the UK, Grant’s career offers valuable lessons in leadership and personal growth.
In this blog, we’ll dive into Grant’s key insights from the podcast and how his philosophy on leadership, resilience, and teamwork can inspire entrepreneurs and leaders alike.
One of the most striking themes from the podcast is Grant’s emphasis on resilience. Having transitioned from industries as varied as telecommunications, mixed martial arts (MMA), and digital transformation, Grant’s career path has been anything but linear. However, at the core of his success is a mindset rooted in growth and perseverance.
As Grant explained, the ability to keep pushing forward, even when things are chaotic or uncomfortable, is what sets great leaders apart from the rest. This resilience isn’t about never failing—Grant openly shared that he’s had his fair share of setbacks—but about being willing to fail, learn from those failures, and keep moving forward.
He shared, “Every time you fail in life, you don’t start again. You just start from another level and keep going”. This approach to failure and resilience is essential for anyone looking to thrive in a fast-changing world, especially in industries like digital transformation, where adaptability is key.
For Grant, resilience also means being comfortable with chaos. In leadership, there are often moments when everything feels like it's falling apart. Instead of panicking, Grant leans into discipline and a strong sense of purpose to guide him through difficult times. His secret? Always knowing his “north star” and keeping his eye on the end goal, no matter the turbulence along the way.
In his current role as Director of Digital Transformation in the UK, Grant is focused on solving complex problems, especially in industries facing critical challenges, like poultry disease management. His role isn’t just about implementing new technologies; it’s about rethinking processes, understanding the customer, and ensuring that the developed digital solutions truly make a difference.
In an era where technology seems to dominate the business landscape, Grant’s reminder that digital transformation starts with people, not tools, is critical. Whether you’re in education, healthcare, or marketing, the human element should always drive innovation.
Throughout the interview, Grant shared insights into his leadership philosophy, particularly his focus on building and empowering high-performing teams. According to Grant, great leaders don’t just lead; they coach, mentor, and most importantly, empower their teams to succeed.
One of his leadership strategies is to identify hidden potential in his team members and nurture that talent. “I look for qualities in people that are not always out in the open, but I can see within them the qualities of becoming the best at what they want to be,” Grant shared.
Grant’s career is a testament to adaptability. From running telecommunications businesses to owning MMA gyms and now leading digital transformation projects, his ability to transition across industries is impressive. But how does he manage such a diverse portfolio.
According to Grant, the key lies in focusing on the functions of leadership that remain constant, regardless of the industry. He explains, “For me, the work is just there. The work is the same: telecommunications, MMA, or digital transformation. The functions that you perform as a leader are the same”.
Entrepreneurs and leaders should adopt this flexibility and willingness to step outside of one’s comfort zone. Grant encourages embracing discomfort as a path to growth, explaining that he thrives when things are uncomfortable and chaotic, as it pushes him to think creatively and find solutions.
From resilience and adaptability to human-centered digital transformation, Grant Oliff’s journey offers rich insights for today’s leaders. Whether you’re an entrepreneur launching a new startup, or a corporate leader navigating digital transformation, Grant’s leadership principles are universally applicable.
As Grant said in the podcast, “We all have the ability to be amazing as many times as we want—it's just up to us to figure out how”. In a constantly evolving world, this mindset will undoubtedly serve leaders well in the years to come.