The Leader Formula

From Operator to Owner: The Shift That Breaks the Growth Ceiling Most business owners don’t stall because they lack effort — they stall because they’re still operating the business instead of owning it. In this episode, Chris sits down with Josh Dukes and Erin Jones , founders of One Residential , to unpack the lessons that helped them break through that ceiling and build a business that grows thr...

In this episode of The Leader Formula , Chris shares a deeply honest conversation about money, leadership, and the hidden financial trap many business owners fall into. Even when a business looks successful on the outside, the reality behind the scenes can be stress, scarcity, and financial confusion. Chris walks through his own story of running a high-producing real estate business, the financial...

What happens when you travel halfway across the world expecting to give … and instead you’re the one who gets transformed? In this episode, Steve returns from Kathmandu, Nepal, where he spent time serving at a mountain orphanage — and the leadership lessons he brought home are raw, surprising, and deeply human. These children, living with almost nothing, modeled presence, generosity, connection, a...

In this powerful panel conversation, Chris sits down with three leaders who have lived success, burnout, achievement, and identity pressure firsthand. Together they explore “the problem” that’s quietly breaking today’s leaders — the cultural push for more, the relentless pace, the pressure to perform, and the internal battles leaders carry in silence. Haro, Tiffany, and Marlo open up about anxiety...

Most leaders know they need systems… but keep putting them off. And that avoidance comes with a cost: overwhelm, burnout, confused teams, and constant decision fatigue. In this episode, Chris and Steve sit down with two true masters of operational clarity: ⭐ Linzee Ciprani — Founder & CEO of Ciprani Consulting ⭐ Jerrica Kontos — Director of Consulting at Ciprani Consulting These two bring ye...

If you want to understand leadership, step into a classroom. In this episode, we sit down with Wiaan and Sarah—two veteran educators who’ve spent decades shaping young minds and developing the very skills that leaders often struggle to teach in the workplace: communication, courage, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and collaboration. This conversation bridges two worlds—schools and business...

Most leaders think they know themselves. But research says otherwise. In this episode, Chris and Steve unpack a Cornell and Green Peak Partners study that reveals the single strongest predictor of leadership success — and it’s not strategy, charisma, or intelligence. It’s self-awareness. Together, they explore why this trait matters more than ever, how blind spots quietly destroy culture and perfo...

Most leaders spend their days managing stress, juggling priorities, and pushing their limits — but at what cost? In this episode, Chris and Steve take an honest look at the connection between physical health and leadership. They unpack why so many high achievers ignore their bodies, how stress can be used for strength instead of destruction, and why peace might just be the most powerful leadership...

In this episode of The Leader Formula , Chris and Steve sit down with Mike and Lindsay McCarthy , founders of FAMBundance — a first-of-its-kind family mastermind for entrepreneurial families who want to grow closer, align their values, and carry their legacy forward. Together, they unpack what it means to lead your family with the same clarity and purpose you bring to your business. You’ll hear ho...

Most leaders think they can’t afford to step away. But what if the space you don’t take is costing your team its clarity, connection, and energy? In this episode, Chris and Steve unpack what makes a great team or leadership retreat actually work—beyond pretty views and personality tests. They dig into how intentional design, honest reflection, and shared experience can realign your team around vis...

As artificial intelligence races ahead, the real question isn’t what it can do —it’s what kind of leaders we’ll become because of it. In this episode, Chris and Steve explore how AI can amplify—not replace—the human side of leadership. They tackle the tension between efficiency and empathy, data and discernment, and share stories of using AI as a mirror, not a master. Whether you’re experimenting...

Every leader knows the feeling — a small frustration builds, an expectation goes unmet, and before long the tension has spread across the team. In this episode, Chris and Steve unpack the Pinch–Crunch Model — a framework for understanding how those small irritations can quietly erode trust, culture, and performance if left unspoken. They break down how to recognize the signs of an early “pinch,” w...

Technology promises connection, but often it leaves us lonelier, distracted, and less present. In a world where AI is everywhere and our phones rarely leave our hands, leaders face a deeper question: how do we protect what makes us truly human? In this episode, Chris and Steve explore: Why technology often steals our presence instead of strengthening it The difference between tech as an element (r...

In this final episode of first series of The Leader Formula podcast , Chris and Steve walk through the five key stages of an effective hiring process—and why skipping even one can cost you more than just a bad hire. From sourcing and screening to interviews, assessments, and reference checks, they’ll guide you through each step with practical tips, honest stories, and a few insights you may not ha...

Before you post that job or schedule an interview, there's a critical step that most leaders skip—and it’s costing them time, money, and peace of mind. In this episode, Chris and Steve unpack the concept of the candidate avatar —a clear, written profile of your ideal hire—and explain why defining who you’re looking for is the foundation of every great hire. From missing persons reports to dating a...

Whether you’re hiring your first team member or your next key leader, one thing remains true: clarity is kindness—and essential for growth. In this episode, Chris and Steve unpack the mindset and tools every leader needs to hire well and build a team that lasts. They explore the concept of the “Missing Persons Report” —a strategic way to define the gaps in your organization—and how to use org char...

In this kickoff episode of a mini-series we are calling The Hiring Equation , Chris and Steve dive into one of the most painful—and costly—leadership challenges: hiring the wrong people. Why does it keep happening? And what if the problem isn’t your candidates... it’s you? They explore the three most common ways hiring breaks down and how to fix it—starting with self-awareness, understanding the h...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Haro and Mariam Setian, we pick up at a dramatic turning point—just after Haro is told he’s had a stroke. What unfolds next is an honest and moving exploration of what happens when leaders are forced to let go. This episode dives into the unraveling of their businesses, the unexpected role Mariam steps into, and the sacred shift that happens when rest becomes non...

In this powerful first installment, Chris and Steve sit down with friends Haro and Mariam Setian to explore the hidden cost of high performance. Haro, a successful entrepreneur and founder of a thriving real estate businesses, shares how his relentless drive led to burnout, identity confusion, and ultimately—a stroke. Mariam offers a vulnerable and critical perspective as a spouse and leader who w...

Too often, high-achieving leaders over-index competence and under-index connection. In this deeply insightful episode, Chris and Steve unpack why emotional intelligence is essential—not optional—for building trust, retaining talent, and sustaining leadership over the long haul. You’ll hear vulnerable reflections, practical frameworks, and real-world stories that challenge the production-at-all-cos...

In this powerful follow-up conversation, Chris and Steve sit down with Jamie Winship to explore how identity—not performance—should guide the way we hire, develop, and even part ways with people on our teams. Jamie shares his unique and transformational perspective on leadership that shifts the focus from fear-based control to identity-based freedom. If you're a leader who wants to build a thrivin...

Originally recorded in January 2024 for The Overflowing Life , this conversation with Jamie Winship dives deep into the power of living from your true identity. Jamie shares how understanding who you truly are can transform your leadership, relationships, and response to conflict. His journey—from law enforcement to global peacebuilding—is filled with compelling stories and practical wisdom. This...

We all want success—but what happens when you hit your goals and still feel unfulfilled? In this episode, Chris and Steve explore the hidden cost of chasing the wrong definition of success. From personal stories of burnout and identity crisis to hard-won lessons about core values and fulfillment, this is a conversation every leader needs to hear. Together, we unpack: Why achievement alone doesn’t...

What does it take to be the kind of leader people want to follow—not just today, but over the long haul? In this episode of The Leader Formula , we sit down with Ken Eslick—Tony Robbins trainer, executive recruiter, and host of The Leaders Lab Podcast . With decades of experience building and leading teams, Ken shares powerful, hard-won insights on identity, emotional intelligence, and the deeper...

Your business may reflect who you are—but it should never define your worth. In this episode, Chris and Steve explore the connection between identity and leadership, and how doing the deep work of knowing yourself leads to healthier business decisions, stronger team culture, and a more sustainable approach to growth. From personality assessments and time audits to core values and the infamous “bag...