On the latest episode of The Small Business Show, we’re joined by authors Josh Davis and Greg Prosmushkin to discuss their new book, The Difference That Makes the Difference. The pair discusses how the book introduces readers to powerful change-making techniques grounded in psychotherapy and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), repurposed for business leadership and day-to-day communication.
Davis, a longtime educator and NLP practitioner, said the idea started when Prosmushkin, a lawyer and former student in one of his classes, insisted that more people needed access to these tools. “He said, ‘We need to make it accessible for everyone… simple to understand and simple to apply,’” Davis said.
"We're taking [these tools] out of that therapy context and saying... here are an incredible set of time-tested tools, and we've connected it all to the science behind it."– Josh Davis
The pair explained that NLP, or Neurolinguistic Programming, is a science-backed collection of techniques developed in the 1970s. Initially used in therapy, NLP helps identify what Davis calls “the difference that makes the difference,” the specific shift in mindset, belief, or communication that enables lasting personal or professional change.
Prosmushkin, who was trained in NLP a decade ago, described it as “almost like a magic bullet.” Drawing from his own legal experience, he shared how he transformed his mindset from constant drama to controlled growth.
"Change is not this grand process — it happens in an instant if you know how to do it."– Greg Prosmushkin
A central tenet of the book is modeling — the idea that success leaves clues. “If someone in your company is a rock star and you’re not, the belief has to be: if they can do it, I can do it,” Prosmushkin said. That belief, paired with practical steps to replicate behaviors, becomes a formula for scalable improvement.
Davis emphasized that the book is split into two parts: beliefs you need to adopt, and actions that reinforce those beliefs. He also noted that readers don’t need a therapy background. “You’re reading a chapter, we have some prompts you reflect on as you go — and there, you’ve already applied it,” he said.
When asked about common communication mistakes, Prosmushkin pointed to a key error leaders make: speaking from their own worldview instead of meeting employees where they are. “The map is not the territory,” he said, referring to an NLP concept that underscores how personal experiences shape how people interpret reality.
Davis added that body language can either build or break trust. “A great thing you can do with body language is not look for one thing,” he said. “You’re looking to match their energy… breathe along with them a little bit.” This, he explained, helps leaders “earn the right to influence.”
The book, The Difference That Makes the Difference, is available on Amazon, and the authors hope it will serve as a hands-on resource for business owners, managers, and anyone eager to enhance their leadership and connection with others.
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