Episode 090: Why the Law of Buy-In Matters More Today
In this episode, leadership coach and author Chris McClure discusses why John Maxwell’s “Law of Buy-In” matters more today in the world of AI and never-ending access to information. He shares stories of how this has impacted his own life, as well as, how to implement this concept into your organization. Connect with Chris and learn about his resources and services at www.mcclurecoaching.com, where you can also apply for a free strategy call.
How to Lead Effectively in an Unpredictable World
In a world where change is constant and surprises are inevitable, the strongest leaders aren’t the ones with all the answers; they’re the ones who know how to respond when everything shifts. From economic instability to technological breakthroughs and global disruptions, today’s leaders are navigating more unpredictability than ever before. But unpredictability isn’t just about macro events; it also shows up in decision-makers’ emotional and mental states on any given day. And in those moments, effective leadership matters more than ever. The Cost of Ignoring Reality One of the biggest mistakes leaders make in uncertain times is denial—pretending the chaos isn’t happening or hoping things will “go back to normal.” This mindset doesn’t just delay progress; it damages trust and slows down critical decision-making. Leaders who choose to face reality, however uncomfortable, build credibility and clarity. They become the steady hand in the storm. Mindsets that Build Resilience Accepting that change is inevitable is the first step. But even more powerful is committing to personal growth as a way of preparing for the unpredictable. The best leaders don’t just react; they prepare themselves and their teams through intentional development. The COVID-19 pandemic was a masterclass in rapid adaptation. Virtually overnight, businesses had to shift models, families had to rearrange their lives, and leaders were called to guide others through the fog. Those who had already embraced flexibility and continuous learning were the ones who navigated best. Practical Tools for Leading Through Change To lead effectively in unpredictable times: Uncertainty isn’t going away. But with the right mindset and tools, you can lead with clarity, confidence, and courage no matter what comes your way. Until next time, make today GREAT! P.S. If this message resonates, share it with a fellow leader who might need a fresh perspective today. And if you’re interested in help for your personal or team development, apply for a free strategy session with me at www.mcclurecoaching.com/free-strategy-session to determine what your best next steps should be to accomplish a goal or navigate a challenge.
Why Readjusting Your Strategy Beats Playing Not to Lose
We’ve all been there: pouring time, energy, and hope into a plan, only to have it blow up in our faces. The 2025 “Big Game” between Ohio State and Michigan reminded many of a hard truth: sticking with a conservative, “play not to lose” strategy doesn’t always save the day. After suffering their fourth straight loss to Michigan in 2024 under Coach Ryan Day’s cautious game plan, the Buckeyes faced furious fans and rising doubts. Instead of doubling down on what didn’t work, they changed course. This year, they beat Michigan handily and haven’t lost a game since last year’s lackluster performance. That turnaround isn’t just sports drama; it’s a powerful lesson in leadership agility and strategic pivoting. The Trap of Playing Not to Lose When you believe a conservative, “safe” plan will protect you from mistakes, you often end up playing defense, not offense. In the Buckeyes’ case, Coach Day stuck to a cautious game plan against Michigan in 2024, hoping to avoid turnovers and errors. Instead, Michigan exploited the hesitation and sealed another bitter loss. The result? Angry fans, shaken confidence, and serious questions about leadership and direction. The underlying business lesson is clear: caution may limit risk, but it also limits opportunity. When you focus too much on what you fear might go wrong, you seldom give yourself the chance to win big. The Power of Adjusting the Game Plan What changed for the Buckeyes after the 2024 loss wasn’t their goal. It was their plan. Coach Day chose to go “all out.” He unleashed his best players, adopted a more aggressive offensive strategy, and embraced the team’s strengths. Suddenly, the Buckeyes weren’t merely avoiding mistakes. They were dictating the pace, controlling the field, and playing to win. That shift in strategy paid off spectacularly as they went on to win the National Championship. The point isn’t that aggression always guarantees success, but that recalibrating your approach to match the reality of your strengths and environment dramatically increases your odds. How You Can Pivot When Your Plan Isn’t Working The 2025 Big Game isn’t just a sporting event. It’s a metaphor for leadership. Playing “not to lose” might offer temporary comfort, but it rarely leads to greatness. Real success comes when you dare to rethink your approach, leverage your strengths, and go all in. If your current plan isn’t delivering, don’t abandon your vision. Adjust your strategy. Assess, pivot, and take decisive action. The next time you face a critical challenge, channel the Buckeyes’ turnaround: aim to win, not just avoid defeat. Until next time, make today GREAT! P.S. If you found this article helpful, please share it. And if you’re ready to rethink your strategy and lead with confidence, apply for a free strategy call with me at www.mcclurecoaching.com/free-strategy-session to explore how coaching can help you pivot toward success.
Episode 089: How to Build Trust to Increase Your Influence
In this episode, leadership coach and author Chris McClure discusses five key ingredients to building trust taught by Selena Soo in her book “Rich Relationships.” Each of these ingredients has the power to make or break your trustworthiness, which in turn can enhance or diminish your influence with your team, customers, and clients. Apply for a free strategy session with Chris at www.mcclurecoaching.com/free-strategy-session
Failure Is Feedback: Why It Hurts, and Why It’s Worth It
Failure stings. Whether it’s a missed opportunity, a rejected idea, or a hard conversation that didn’t go as planned, every leader eventually faces failure. The question is: Will you learn from it or be crushed by it? Years ago, I applied for what I believed was my “dream job.” I was confident it was the right next step for me and my family. But I didn’t get it. The rejection hurt deeply and not just professionally. It felt like a personal blow. But over time, that painful moment became a powerful pivot. I took a hard look at my skills, interests, and the value I could bring in my current role. What followed was two years of renewed focus and impact, ultimately leading to a role that aligned even more closely with my calling. Failure Still Hurts, But It Doesn’t Define You Even now, I don’t pretend failure feels good. It still stings. But I’ve learned to treat failure as feedback, not final judgment. I allow myself to feel the disappointment, but I don’t stay down long. I talk with trusted mentors. I examine what went wrong. I try again. Each setback resets my thinking and helps refine my approach. The difference between leaders who bounce back and those who don’t often comes down to mindset. Resilient leaders view failure as temporary and informative. They extract lessons, recalibrate, and reengage. Others get stuck, personalizing failure and labeling themselves as incapable when in reality, they just hit a rough patch. Think Like a Scientist: Experiment, Adjust, Repeat If you’re facing a setback, I offer this: Think like a scientist. Try a new approach. Test an idea. Learn what doesn’t work, then tweak it. Keep experimenting until something clicks. Innovation comes not from copying what everyone else is doing, but from seeking inspiration outside your comfort zone. And don’t do it alone. Surround yourself with peers who understand the pressure but won’t let you wallow. You need people who both empathize and encourage you to get back up and keep going. As Ryan Holiday puts it in ”The Obstacle Is The Way”: “Failure shows us the way – by showing us what isn’t the way.” Sometimes the obstacle really is the way forward to success. Until next time, make today GREAT! For your growth, Chris P.S. If this article encouraged you, share it with someone who needs it. And if you’re looking for a coach to help you grow through failure and lead with clarity, apply for a free strategy call with me at www.mcclurecoaching.com/free-strategy-session.
Create Your Future Self Now
In “Gradually Then Suddenly,” Mark Batterson shares of Richard Halverson, former U.S. Senate Chaplain, telling the story called “The Old Man.” This got me thinking deeply because I recently read “Be Your Future Self Now” by Dr. Benjamin Hardy, which is a phenomenal book. In it, Hardy encourages readers to envision their future, then begin to live it today to experience a better current reality rather than waiting for a future dream to come true that seems so far away. However, every decision we make is actually creating our future selves; therefore, each one alters our future reality. It expands and enhances who we’ll become, whether positively or negatively. Before I go further, let’s take a look at “The Old Man” story: You’re going to meet an old man [or woman] someday down the road—ten, thirty, fifty years from now—waiting there for you. You’ll be catching up with him [or her]. What kind of old man are you going to meet? He may be a seasoned, soft, gracious fellow—a gentleman who has grown old gracefully, surrounded by hosts of friends, friends who call him blessed because of what his life has meant to them. Or he may be a bitter, disillusioned, dried-up old buzzard without a good word for anyone—soured, friendless, and alone. That old man will be you. He’ll be the composite of everything you do, say, and think—today and tomorrow. His mind will he see in a mold you have made by your beliefs. His heart will be turning out what you’ve been putting into it. Every little thought, every deed goes into this old man. Every day in every way you are becoming more and more like yourself. Amazing but true. You’re beginning to look more like yourself, think more like yourself, and talk more like yourself. You’re becoming yourself more and more. Live only in terms of what you’re getting out of life and the old man gets smaller drier harder crabbier more self-centered. Open your life to others, think in terms of what you can give, your contribution to life, and the old man grows larger, softer, kindlier, and greater. (source: https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2014/august/6081814.html) Each decision you make today impacts who you’ll be at the end of your life. What do you need to change? What do you need to do more of? What do you need to do less of? What do you need to start doing? What do you need to stop doing? Who do you need to connect with? Who do you need to disconnect from? Envision who you want to be at the end of your life, then work backwards to think about the steps required to become that person. I know this is a deep exercise, but it could literally alter the trajectory of your life. Crawford Loritts once said, “When you’re born, you look like your parents. When you die, you look like your decisions.” Choose wisely TODAY so you are happy about the outcome SOMEDAY. Our lives are the makeup of decades of daily decisions. If we’ve made poor choices, we can expect poor outcomes. If we’ve made good choices, we can expect good outcomes. The undeniable factor is that we each have the power, opportunity, and responsibility to choose which outcome we experience. It’s not just about “being” your future self now; it’s about CREATING your future self now. Take some time to reflect on who you want to be, what is required to achieve that version of yourself, and then develop a plan to accomplish it. You won’t execute this perfectly, so give yourself grace. When you make mistakes, pick yourself up and keep moving forward. When you make good choices, celebrate! Whatever you do, choose to create your ideal future self so when you arrive at the end of your life, you’re happy with the results rather than sad with regret. Until next time, make today GREAT! P.S. If this topic has you spinning and trying to figure out how to start and what to do next, apply for a free strategy call with me at www.mcclurecoaching.com/free-strategy-session, and we’ll invest some time developing a roadmap for you to navigate.
New Results Require New Thinking
We’ve all heard the saying, “What got you here won’t get you there.” But too often, leaders try to chase new goals with old ways of thinking. The truth is simple: if your current mindset and habits could achieve that next-level vision, you’d already be living it. Whether you’re seeking personal transformation, professional growth, or organizational impact, new results always demand new ways of thinking. Stop Relying on Yesterday’s Wins Many leaders hit a wall when they try to solve new problems with old solutions. I often see professionals who want to grow, scale, or shift direction, but they’re stuck using the same tools and tactics that brought them past success. One client of mine wanted to step back from the daily operations of his business. He had the vision, but not the structure. Once we pinpointed that he needed a training manual to multiply himself through his team, everything shifted. He moved from being the operator to being the owner—and that’s where exponential growth began. Cultivate a Creative and Adaptive Mindset In today’s fast-paced, constantly changing environment, adaptability and creativity aren’t luxuries—they’re survival skills. The leaders who thrive are those who take time to imagine new paths forward, rather than clinging to what’s familiar. When you carve out space to dream and adapt, you’ll be amazed at the clarity and fresh direction that emerge. Build the Habits That Fuel New Thinking Breakthroughs rarely happen in the noise of daily life. That’s why I recommend carving out time to think, dream, and even pray. Keep a journal, surround yourself with people who challenge your assumptions, and take regular “vision retreats” to gain a fresh perspective. Lead today as if your organization were twice its size. That mindset alone can stretch your thinking into growth mode. Growth Demands Stretching—But It’s Worth It When I launched my business in 2015, I had no roadmap and no clear idea what I was doing. I’ve had to grow into every new phase—each book, blog, podcast, and product required me to become someone more than I was before. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s always been worth it. New visions stretch us. That tension is part of the process. If you’re serious about reaching new goals, take an honest inventory of your current thinking. Is it built for the future you’re aiming for? If not, it’s time to upgrade. Until next time, make today GREAT! P.S. Ready to think differently and lead more effectively? Visit https://mcclurecoaching.com/free-strategy-session/ to apply for a complimentary call, where we’ll discuss how you can break free from stagnation and mediocrity to effectively pursue your new vision.
Episode 085: The Power of Gradually Then Suddenly
In this episode, leadership coach and author Chris McClure discusses the core concept and ideas presented by Mark Batterson in his new book “Gradually Then Suddenly: How to Dream Bigger, Decide Better, and Leave a Lasting Legacy.” If you wonder why success is taking so long or your dream feels delayed, this is an episode you MUST listen to so you can gain perspective and determine to keep going when you want to quit. Connect with Chris and learn about his products and coaching services at www.mcclurecoaching.com
What Happens in the First 30 Days of the Magnetic Leadership Academy
The first 30 days in any leadership program can feel like dipping your toes in the water unless you’re part of the Magnetic Leadership Academy (MLA). Here, the transformation begins immediately. Designed for teams across any industry and level, MLA isn’t just another leadership course — it’s a comprehensive training experience that combines rich video content, interactive group coaching calls, and powerful peer “growth partnerships.” But what truly sets this program apart is what starts unfolding within the first month. A New Way of Thinking In the first 30 days, participants begin to see leadership in a new light. They’re no longer reacting to situations. They’re thinking proactively. With each training module, they gain a deeper understanding of what leadership really looks like in action. More importantly, they begin to speak a shared leadership language that creates cohesion across departments and roles. This common ground accelerates connection and teamwork. From Coasting to Intentional Leadership The early emphasis is on intentionality. Leadership doesn’t happen by accident, and MLA makes that clear from day one. Participants are challenged to examine how they show up, how they influence, and how small, consistent actions can transform culture and outcomes. Those who may have previously coasted in their roles begin to lean in with purpose and energy. Real-Time Growth and Real-Life Wins The impact isn’t theoretical. Clients who fully engage from the start often report immediate wins — applying lessons in real-time team challenges, boosting morale, and even becoming early champions of leadership development within their organizations. The difference? They’re not waiting for change — they are the change. Support that Goes Beyond the Classroom What makes MLA’s first month so powerful is the access. Participants receive a clear roadmap from day one, plus direct access to their coach for personalized support. This isn’t just an educational program — it’s a guided transformation. Leaders don’t feel like they’re on their own. They’re supported, equipped, and inspired to lead differently. Ready to see what 30 days can do for your team?Whether you’re leading a small team or an entire division, the Magnetic Leadership Academy is built to jumpstart intentional growth and elevate your entire culture — fast. Schedule a call to learn more at www.mcclurecoaching.com/free-strategy-session Here’s what a few past participants had to say about the program: “Participating in the Magnetic Leadership teams program has helped me to see other perspectives even on leadership skills I thought I had mastered. The course has been interesting to hear from actual people who have used some of these techniques in the real world. It has also made me focus on my leadership skills and helped me realize that my communication with my manager could be better and we implemented a system that works for both of us. I am really enjoying the program and hope to learn more.” – Rachel L. “The timing has been impeccable as I seem to always be navigating through a similar experience pertaining to the topic you cover. I love the variety of interviews as well.” – Bridget L. “Although we meet once a month to share leadership ideas, for me it is the emails I receive during the month that really inspire me. It may be a story you share with struggles you’re having or suggestions on different approaches to take throughout the journey. Whatever it is, it is a constant reminder to stay focused!” – Barbara W. “This program has shown me the importance of continually investing in myself to be the best I can be, which helps me to develop my team. It is also important to be intentional in the development of my team and set aside time weekly to help them to grow to achieve their goals.” – Tammy C.
What Makes Magnetic Leaders Different From Average Managers
We’ve all worked for someone who managed tasks but didn’t truly lead. Then, there are those rare individuals who seem to draw others in effortlessly—not with empty charisma, but with quiet confidence, deep care, and an unwavering sense of purpose. These are magnetic leaders—and they’re in a league of their own. So what exactly sets them apart from average managers? 1. Magnetic Leaders Lead with Character and Care At the core of magnetic leadership is integrity. These leaders operate from a strong moral compass and are diligent in their work, always striving for excellence. But it’s not just about performance. What truly sets them apart is their genuine care for people. They treat others with kindness and respect, and they lead with humility, not ego. Where some managers may rely on authority or forced enthusiasm, magnetic leaders earn influence naturally. Their sincerity is felt, and people want to follow them—not because they have to, but because they’re inspired to. 2. They Invest in People, Not Just Outcomes Magnetic leaders don’t just manage—they mentor. They take the time to understand each individual on their team: their goals, strengths, and what motivates them. They tailor their leadership to meet people where they are, fostering a culture of collaboration and shared purpose rather than competition and favoritism. Years ago, I stepped into a fractured team with little cohesion. One-on-one conversations helped rebuild trust. I initiated team meetings that prioritized unity over silos and addressed frustrations head-on. Within a few months, that team had transformed because people felt seen, supported, and empowered. 3. They Stay Intentional and Energized Average managers can easily drift into routine, letting days blur together. Magnetic leaders? They stay intentional. They find creative ways to energize the work environment and keep their teams engaged. They don’t just clock in—they bring vision and presence every day. Most importantly, they invest in their own growth and the growth of their people. That kind of leadership is contagious. When a leader grows, the whole team rises. Final Thought: Magnetic Leadership Starts With You The path from manager to magnetic leader isn’t about a title—it’s about mindset. Care deeply. Lead intentionally. And never stop growing. When you do, you won’t just get better results, you’ll build a team that thrives. Want to lead with greater impact?Start by investing in your growth and your people’s potential. Apply for your free strategy session to discuss how to intentionally move forward at www.mcclurecoaching.com/free-strategy-session.