Paper Napkin Wisdom - Podcast And Blog For Entrepreneurs, Leaders And Difference-makers

In Part 4 of the Freedom by Design series, Michael Walsh — growth strategist and founder of Walsh Business Growth — returns to the Paper Napkin Wisdom podcast with another deceptively simple, powerfully transformational idea. This time, Michael outlines what he believes to be the four core driving influences of all human behavior: Survive, Thrive, Connect, and Adapt.  Michael's frameworks aren't about academic theory — they’re forged in the heat of real entrepreneurial fires. Having coached hundreds of founders and growth-minded leaders, Michael brings his deep understanding of what actually drives behavior — especially when stakes are high and the fog of uncertainty is thick.  “If you want to lead people, you have to understand what drives them. Every single decision we make is being influenced by one or more of these four things.”  Let’s unpack each of the four influences.    1. Survive  At our most fundamental level, we’re hardwired to protect ourselves — physically, emotionally, and financial