SightShift with Chris McAlister

In this special 10-year anniversary series celebrating Figure That Shift Out, we’re sharing ten stories of transformation, moments when leaders figured it out not by pushing harder, but by seeing more clearly. In this episode, Mike shares what happens when a coach realizes he needs a coach. By the time we met in 2016, Mike was already years into executive coaching. He’d found the work he was made...

In this special 10-year anniversary series celebrating Figure That Shift Out, we’re sharing ten stories of transformation—moments when leaders figured it out not by pushing harder, but by seeing more clearly. In this episode, Ryan shares what it looks like to lead with clarity after seasons of confusion and burnout. When he stepped into this work, he was carrying old wounds and questions that haun...

In this special 10-year anniversary series celebrating Figure That Shift Out, we’re sharing ten stories of transformation, moments when leaders figured it out not by pushing harder, but by seeing more clearly. In this episode, David shares what happens when growth outpaces identity. His company was scaling fast—revenue up, visibility high—but the pressure behind the scenes was mounting. Bigger tea...

In this special 10-year anniversary series celebrating Figure That Shift Out, we’re sharing ten stories of transformation, moments when leaders figured it out not by pushing harder, but by seeing more clearly. Tim shares the night that cracked everything open, naming fear, insecurity, and the patterns that quietly shape every relationship. He calls it “the best session and the worst session” becau...

From a 250-square-foot office with one desk and a shared bathroom to becoming one of the top watermelon shippers in the U.S., this is the story of FreshPro and its founders, Mike and Jose. In this C-Suite Series episode, Chris sits down with two lifelong friends who built a thriving produce business from scratch, without investors, blueprints, or corporate playbooks. What started as a hustle turne...

In this special 10-year anniversary series celebrating Figure That Shift Out, we’re sharing ten stories of transformation, moments when leaders figured it out not by pushing harder, but by seeing more clearly. In this episode, Reagan shares how the ideas of proving and hiding became a daily barometer for his leadership — those moments when he felt the urge to get big and prove his worth or shrink...

On his last day in the office, John Carter, President & COO of Nationwide Financial, shares the lessons of a 40-year career in financial services. Under his leadership, Nationwide grew by 50%, delivered record results, and set the tone for admired leadership across the industry.   This conversation explores: Building a performance culture that lasts How empathy, clarity, and focus shaped his l...

At Miles-McClellan Construction, rapid growth and market uncertainty put leadership under pressure. Instead of just tightening budgets or systems, they chose to double down on culture. In this episode, Chris talks with Devin Stein (VP of HR) and Owen Wyss (CFO) about what it takes to align strategy with people, accelerate trust on an executive team, and prepare the next generation of leaders.   Th...

When communication breaks down, confusion creeps in, and culture suffers. But it doesn’t have to. In Episode 4 of the Make Culture Your Edge series, Chris and Mark take a deeper look at confusion as the first “tension point” leaders must learn to navigate when building culture. This conversation explores: Why confusion isn’t a threat but a signal for better communication The three risk factors con...

Every leader faces moments of tension: pushback in a meeting, resistance to change, conflict on the team. In Episode 3 of our Make Culture Your Edge series, Chris McAlister and Mark show why those moments aren’t threats to avoid, but rather signals that culture is being tested. This conversation explores: The three tension points that mirror faith, hope, and love How leaders often react in ways th...

What makes a culture truly great? Not perks, slogans, or policies. In this episode, Chris and Mark explore the three enduring pillars that every healthy culture depends on. You’ll hear: Why leaders lose great talent when they ignore culture How to spot when faith, hope, or love are missing The ancient wisdom that still shapes modern leadership A simple formula for diagnosing and improving any cult...

We’re kicking off a new series tied to the launch of Make Culture Your Edge. In this first conversation, Chris McAlister and Mark Stanifer get real about the unseen forces shaping every team’s results.   You’ll hear: Why “wilderness” is where true leadership is forged The danger of confusing surface polish for real culture How the right metaphor changes everything The three questions every leader...

Leadership isn’t about being the most productive or innovative. It’s about changing lives, starting with your own. In the final episode of the Lead for Impact series, Chris and Mark challenge the belief that validation is enough for leaders. They dig into stories from the corporate world, lessons from insecure leadership, and the timeless truth that impact flows from secure identity and the right...

What if “growing up” isn’t something we outgrow, but a process leaders and organizations must intentionally shape? In this episode, Chris and Mark challenge modern assumptions about adolescence, psychological safety, and leadership development. They unpack why ancient identity rituals mattered, what happens when “being” and “doing” get conflated, and how real impact is more than just making people...

What if empathy isn’t the finish line of leadership, but the most dangerous halfway point? In this episode, Chris and Mark explore how empathy, when misused, can become a powerful tool for manipulation. They unpack the difference between validation and impact, and why leaders must go beyond being “emotionally available” to actually ending the suffering of others. Mercy, not just empathy, is what s...

Matt McClellan knows the pressure of leadership. As a second-gen CEO of a $100M+ construction firm, he’s felt the weight of legacy, the pain of panic attacks, and the breakthrough of letting go. In this episode, he joins Chris McAlister to share how building leaders (not just buildings) has changed everything. You’ll hear: • Building a leadership team that runs without you • Facing the emotional c...

Joe Simonds built a multimillion-dollar company while secretly battling years of anxiety and pressure. In this episode, Joe shares how letting go of fear, and finding clarity in his identity, became the turning point in his leadership.   You’ll hear: • What helped Joe break free from anxiety loops • How he shifted from survival to real fulfillment • The metaphor that reshaped Salt Strong’s culture...

Michael Nardella built a successful law firm. But after years of achievement, he found himself asking a deeper question: is this it?   In this episode, Michael shares the moment external success stopped being enough, and what it took to reconnect with purpose. He opens up about the burnout, the quiet disillusionment, and the transformation that followed as he began building a culture that values p...

Mindfulness is a great starting point, but if you stop there, you’re leaving your leadership half-baked. In this episode of the SightShift Podcast, Chris and Mark discuss the secret to impactful leadership: moving beyond mindfulness to a mindset upgrade. You’ll hear real-life examples, personal stories, and actionable strategies to help you: Avoid leadership driven by validation Build a culture of...

Is mindfulness really the solution to better leadership? In this episode, we challenge the popular formula of “Mindfulness = Empathy + Psychological Safety” and explain why it often leads to fragile, ineffective leadership. Instead of stopping at self-awareness or emotional connection, we introduce a more complete framework: impact equals right action plus right motive. You’ll learn how overvaluin...

In this episode, we explore how rituals - both intentional and unintentional - shape personal identity, leadership, and organizational culture. Here’s what you’ll discover when you listen: The Importance of Rituals in Identity and Leadership and the impact of institutions and organizations abandoning meaningful rituals. How Generational Shifts Affect Work Motivation, with younger employees seeking...

In this episode, we're diving into one of the most common struggles every leader faces: insecurity. Let's unpack how insecurity shows up in leadership, whether through overcompensating or avoiding key moments, and why self-awareness is the key to growth.   Tune in to learn: Insecurity is universal: Every leader, no matter their experience, faces moments of insecurity. Signs of insecurity: How prov...

This is part 2 of our special series, Lead for Impact: The Big Idea. In this episode, we're looking into every leader's struggle and a crucial question: Are you leading for validation or for impact?   Tune in to learn: The Key Question for Leaders – Are you leading for validation or for impact? Discover how this question can transform your approach to leadership. Real-Life Leadership Struggles – H...

We’re excited to kick off a brand-new podcast series that dives deep into the principles from our book Lead for Impact.    In our first episode, Mark Stanifer and I set the stage for a journey that will challenge and inspire you to rethink your approach to leadership.   The heart of the episode revolves around a crucial question: “Are you leading for impact or validation?”    This is the question...

In today's episode, we’re diving deep into something that’s been absolutely revolutionary for me in over two decades of leadership development, and I think it could be for you too.   If you’ve ever hired someone and later thought, “What was I thinking?”—you’re not alone. The truth is, most leaders pick people based on temperament—how charismatic or extroverted they are—and hope that’ll translate i...