Episode 101: The Power of Knowing Your Strengths
In this episode, leadership coach and author Chris McClure interviews Lindsay Pitstick, an organizational development strategist and Gallup-certified CliftonStrengths coach who helps organizations unlock performance by aligning people strategy with business strategy. In the interview, Lindsay shares the value of knowing your strengths, as well as those of your employees and peers. She also shares the challenges that can occur when you don’t know this information or apply it properly. You can connect with Lindsay at www.moxiebynature.com You can connect with Chris at www.mcclurecoaching.com
Episode 100: Leading When You “Just Know” Without Evidence
In this episode, leadership coach and author Chris McClure tackles the tough topic of differentiating between insight and intuition and how to lead when you know deep in your heart and mind how to address an issue. Connect with Chris and learn about his programs and services at www.mcclurecoaching.com
Why High-Level Leadership Requires Insight, Not Just Intuition
As a leader, have you ever “just known” a decision was wrong? You couldn’t point to a spreadsheet or a failed background check, but every logical fiber in your brain signaled a red flag. In my book, The Magnetic Leader, I dive into a concept that many executives struggle to define: the difference between intuition and insight. While we often use these words interchangeably, there is a subtle, high-stakes distinction that can make or break your career. Knowing vs. Feeling We often think of intuition as a “gut feeling”—a vague sense that something is off. But insight is different. Insight is a mental, logical “knowing.” It isn’t an emotional reaction; it’s a cognitive realization that a specific path is the right one, even when the external evidence hasn’t caught up yet. I remember a time earlier in my career when my organization was about to make a key hire. My senior leader wanted a specific person to fill the role, but I knew—beyond a shadow of a doubt—that it was the wrong move. I received significant pushback and eventually moved on to start my own business. Months later, the facts finally came to light, and my “knowing” was proven correct. By the time the evidence appeared, however, the damage was already done. My previous boss ended up losing his job over the situation. The High Cost of 100% Certainty Many business owners fall into the “Certainty Trap.” They refuse to move until they have 100% of the data. General Colin Powell famously spoke about the “60/40 Rule.” If you have 60% of the information, you need to make a decision. If you wait until you have 100%, the window of opportunity has likely slammed shut. In leadership, the “cost” of waiting is almost always missed opportunities. How to Lead When the Data is Missing When you have a strong insight, but the evidence isn’t there yet, how do you get others to follow you? You must focus on your character. You might not be able to get people to trust your insight immediately, but you can get them to trust you. By being a person of strong value and integrity, you cast a vision that people want to get behind. They follow the leader first and the logic second. Building the Muscle of Insight Trusting your insight is a muscle that requires “reps.” If you are afraid to take a massive leap based on an insight, start small. You don’t need to wait for five years of evidence to know you are right today. Trust your mental database. Trust your insight. It’s the difference between a leader who reacts to the market and a leader who shapes it. Until next time, make today GREAT! P.S. Are you struggling to find clarity in a high-stakes decision? Don’t process these “swirling thoughts” alone. Visit www.mcclurecoaching.com/free-strategy-session to apply for a free call where we’ll strategize how to move forward most effectively. P.P.S. Not ready to apply for a free call? Make sure to follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube where I share more leadership tips.
Episode 099: Why the Best Leaders Never “Arrive”
In this episode, leadership coach and author Chris McClure shares his personal growth journey and why leaders must be continual learners to remain effective and relevant in today’s world. Learn more about Chris and his programs and services at www.mcclurecoaching.com
Why Teachable Leaders Win
Growing up, I avoided reading at all costs. To me, books were just hurdles to pass a test. But as I headed to college, a mentor shared a piece of advice that changed my trajectory: “Leaders are readers.” Shortly after, I read John Maxwell’s Becoming a Person of Influence. That was my lightbulb moment. I realized leadership isn’t about a corner office or a fancy title. Leadership is influence. It doesn’t end with you, but it must start with you. The Warning Sign on Your Dashboard The most dangerous place a leader can be is a plateau. When you feel like you have “arrived” and no longer need to grow, it should be a blinking red warning light on your life’s dashboard. In today’s world, technology and markets change at breakneck speed. If you are so busy working in the business that you forget to work on yourself, you will eventually fall behind. You might have the title, but you will lose the moral authority that makes people want to follow you. The “Mold” Problem: What Are You Replicating? Leadership is a responsibility to learn because you are the “mold” for your organization. If the mold is flawed, every product that comes out of it is flawed. For example, if a leader is a poor communicator, they don’t just struggle individually; they replicate a culture of poor communication. Before pointing fingers at your team’s performance, look in the mirror. Are you modeling the growth and skills you expect from them? As the saying goes, more is caught than taught. How to Scale Your Growth You don’t have to master everything at once. In fact, trying to do so leads to burnout. To stay ahead of the curve, focus on one growth area at a time. Whether it is reading books, listening to podcasts, or hiring a coach, the goal is to shift your “pathways thinking” of how to get from where you are to where you want to go. When you invest in yourself, you fill your cup first, then have something of value to pour into others. Until next time, make today GREAT! P.S. Are you ready to level up your leadership? True leadership growth is a journey, not a destination. If you are ready to stop plateauing and start multiplying your impact, let’s talk. Visit ww.mcclurecoaching.com/free-strategy-session to apply for a free call where we’ll strategize a personal or team growth plan.
Episode 098: Leading Beyond Perfectionism
In this episode, leadership coach and author Chris McClure discusses the difference between perfectionism and excellence, as well as the problems chasing perfection causes. Connect with Chris and learn more about his programs and services at www.mcclurecoaching.com
Why Perfectionism Kills Teams (and How Excellence Saves Them)
We have all been in that meeting. The air is thick, everyone is guarded, and it feels like you are walking on eggshells. In my experience, this usually happens when a “perfectionism mindset” takes root. Walls go up, trust erodes, and the “elephant in the room” grows until it stalls the entire organization. Perfectionism is an impossible target. It is a moving goalpost that creates a toxic culture of fear. But there is a better way. By shifting your focus from perfectionism to excellence, you can transform your leadership and build a magnetic culture that attracts and retains top talent. Redefining Excellence Excellence is not about being flawless. I define excellence as doing the best you can with what you have, where you are, and what you know. This means the “bar” for excellence will look different for a new hire than it does for a seasoned veteran. As a leader, you must communicate this clearly. It is not about inequality; it’s about customizing your leadership to the person and the situation. When you set clear, person-specific expectations upfront, you remove the guesswork and the fear. The Power of the Rough Draft One of the biggest traps for business owners is waiting until a project is “perfect” to launch. I have been there. I have delayed key decisions, like transitioning to full-time coaching, because I wanted everything to be lined up just right. But delay only feels safe until it causes a bigger problem. Leadership requires steps of faith. Use the “Rough Draft” analogy: Building a Magnetic Culture Magnetic leaders create a safe landing space. When you move beyond perfectionism, you give your people the freedom to fail forward. This inspires them. It builds a culture where people are willing to take risks because they know the first iteration does not have to be the final one. If you are tired of the “eggshell” culture and want to lead with excellence, let’s talk. Until next time, make today GREAT! P.S. Are you leading with a perfectionist mindset or an excellence mindset? Let’s find out together. Visit ww.mcclurecoaching.com/free-strategy-session to apply for a free strategy session. Whether you need personal help or team training, I can help you bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to go. Let’s work together to develop an action plan.
Episode 097: Character is the Hidden Foundation of Leadership
In this episode, leadership coach and author Chris McClure discusses a topic that is often overlooked by many leaders – character development and protection. He shares why this matters so much for credibility, trust, and culture building. Connect with Chris and learn more about his programs and services at www.mcclurecoaching.com
Manager Your Character, Not Just Your Image
In a world obsessed with “personal branding” and curated social media feeds, it is easy for leaders to fall into the trap of image management. We see the highlight reels of CEOs and influencers and subconsciously believe that leadership is about maintaining a veneer of perfection. But as the saying goes, your image is what people see; your character is who you are when no one is looking. In leadership, character isn’t just a moral luxury. It is the hidden foundation that determines whether your success is a temporary spike or a long-term legacy. The Danger of the Image Mindset Many professionals receive promotions because of their results. Results are the “what” of leadership, and they are undeniably important. However, magnetic leaders understand that winning at all costs is a losing strategy. When you prioritize image over growth, you become a “perfectionist pretender.” This creates a culture of masking reality. If you are afraid to look human, your team will be afraid to admit mistakes. Authenticity is the antidote. True authority comes when a leader can say, “I’m new at this” or “I don’t have all the answers.” When you stop taking yourself so seriously and use a little self-deprecating humor while being honest about your faults, you give your team permission to be real, too. The “Last 10%” and the Speed of Trust Character is often tested in the “gray areas”—those moments when honesty feels inconvenient. One of the most common character gaps in leadership is the failure to say the last 10%. We often say 90% of what needs to be said, but hold back the final, hardest truth because we fear it might change the relationship. But withholding that truth is a form of dishonesty. It erodes trust. As Stephen M.R. Covey points out in The Speed of Trust, the greater the trust, the faster a team can move. High-character leaders have the courage to provide the full truth, ensuring their professional and personal lives are perfectly aligned. Character as a Retention Strategy In today’s “free agent” economy, your character is a sticky retention strategy. People don’t just leave companies for better opportunities; they often leave leaders who lack integrity. Building character isn’t just about avoiding “bad” things. It is about talent stacking. For example, I am currently learning to utilize AI to handle repetitive tasks. Why? Not just for efficiency, but to create margin. By automating the “work,” I create more time to invest in the “people.” That is a character-based choice: choosing people over tasks. Your character will always be revealed eventually. Under pressure, the veneer of image cracks, and the foundation shows. If you spend as much time strengthening your integrity as you do your resume, you won’t have to worry about your reputation—it will take care of itself. Until next time, make today GREAT! P.S. Are you ready to build a leadership foundation that lasts? Developing a magnetic culture starts with the person in the mirror. I’d love to help you and your team close the gap between image and character. Visit www.mcclurecoaching.com/free-strategy-session to apply for a free strategy session today. Let’s work together to develop an action plan.
Episode 096: Why the Most Influential Leaders Give Without Keeping Score
In this episode, leadership coach and author Chris McClure discusses a topic that doesn’t come up often in leadership development – generosity. He discusses why generosity increases influence and strategies on how to implement this in your everyday leadership opportunities. Connect with Chris and learn more about his programs and services at www.mcclurecoaching.com, where you can also apply for a free strategy session to discuss your goals and challenges.