The Driven Leadership Podcast

AI can make you faster, smarter, and more informed - but it still can't replace the hardest part of leadership: human judgment. In this episode, Eric, Mary, and Connor break down the real leadership questions hiding inside a few honest Reddit posts, from managing a new high performer who makes the rest of the team look slow, to giving feedback up the chain without blowing up your relationship,...

Low accountability is usually not an accountability problem....it’s a trust, commitment, and standards problem hiding underneath. Connor, Eric, and Mary break down the Five Behaviors model and show why many managers try to fix the top of the pyramid without building the foundation first. If your team has strong personalities but weak follow-through, this conversation may feel uncomfortably familia...

Most companies hang core values on a wall and call it culture. Facial Lounge turned theirs into a hiring filter, a coaching system, and a competitive advantage and Amber Frost shows exactly how they did it. If you’ve ever wondered why your values feel “nice” but don’t actually change behavior, this conversation breaks open the difference between words that look good and values that shape decisions...

Most leaders are exhausting themselves by trying to perform a version of confidence that does not fit who they actually are. Connor and Eric break down why that disconnect burns leaders out, and what it looks like to lead with real authority instead of fake hype. Using Reddit leadership posts, they unpack the tension between authenticity and performance, the difference between being quiet and bein...

Psychologist David Mykel says your feelings are garbage.... but your emotions are worth listening to. In this episode, David joins Mary and Connor to unpack why our brains fight us on the things we say we want, how to tell genuine exhaustion from resistance, and what to do when pushing harder stops working. Frameworks and terms mentioned From David: Five minutes to freak Name it and tame it Own th...

Today we're joined by championship-winning TCU coaches David Roditi (TCU Men's Tennis) and Majo Orellana (TCU Women's Beach Volleyball) to discuss how they've built championship cultures in their programs despite a constantly rotating roster.

In this episode, we explore how sports serve as a microcosm for understanding team dynamics, emotional connection, and rapid feedback in business environments. The team share insights on how high-pressure situations reveal true character and team cohesion.

In this episode, the Driven team discuss the importance of vision building for the new year, reflecting on past successes, and setting clear, actionable goals. They emphasize the need for gratitude, consistency, and accountability in achieving personal and professional aspirations. The conversation also touches on overcoming stigmas around vision setting and the significance of mindset in the proc...

You can register for our Free Webinar on Wednesday, Oct 15th at drivenleadership.com/unlock In this episode of the Driven Leadership Podcast, hosts Connor, Eric, and Mary delve into the complexities of difficult conversations in leadership. They explore the reasons why people avoid these conversations, the importance of vulnerability-based trust, and the role of emotional triggers. The discussion...

In this episode of the Driven Leadership Podcast, Connor and Eric discuss the challenges faced by new managers, particularly the tendency to micromanage. They explore the transition from being a high-performing employee to managing a team, emphasizing the importance of accountability and delegation. The conversation delves into the emotional aspects of management, the need for awareness of microma...

In this episode of the Driven Leadership podcast, Connor and Eric delve into the multifaceted concept of trust within teams and organizations. They explore how trust is defined, the importance of character and competence, and the role of emotional intelligence in fostering healthy conversations. The discussion highlights the symptoms of low trust, the actions that can kill trust, and the significa...

In this episode of the Driven Leadership Podcast, Connor and Eric discuss the Forge class, a unique leadership training program designed to enhance team dynamics and personal leadership skills. They explore the structure of Forge, its emphasis on experiential learning, and the importance of trust and self-talk in leadership. The conversation also delves into the evolution of the Forge class, its c...

In this conversation, Brad Davidson shares his journey from being a high-performing athlete to understanding the importance of protecting one's health and energy. He discusses the challenges faced by high achievers, the necessity of rest and recovery, and how to instill these values in the next generation. You can find more and learn about Brad at braddavidson.com

In this episode of the Driven Leadership Podcast, Connor and Eric discuss the intricate relationship between team chemistry and performance. They explore how accountability plays a crucial role in fostering high-performing teams, emphasizing the importance of clear expectations, resources, and communication. The conversation delves into the ESRC model, which outlines the components of effective ac...

In this week's conversation, Mary & DJ Neumann explore the journey of personal growth, the importance of leadership styles, and the impact of creating a positive culture within organizations. DJ shares his experiences in personal development, the significance of self-leadership, and how the 'Me vs. We vs. Us' framework can transform leadership dynamics.

In this episode of the Driven Leadership Podcast, hosts Connor Chaffin and Eric discuss the principles behind effective leadership training, emphasizing the importance of experiential learning and emotional intelligence. They explore why traditional training often fails to engage participants and how their approach, which focuses on creating 'sticky' training experiences, leads to lasting...

In this episode of the Driven Leadership Podcast, Connor, Mary, and Eric delve into the topic of self-sabotage, exploring its roots, signs, and the journey of overcoming it. Mary shares her personal struggles and the inspiration behind developing a class on breaking through self-sabotage, while Eric provides his perspective on the topic. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-awareness...

In this episode of the Driven Leadership Podcast, Connor, Eric, and Mary discuss various topics related to leadership, including how to navigate passive-aggressive behavior in the workplace, the challenges of knowledge transfer within teams, and the importance of authentic leadership in the era of personal branding. They offer valuable insights and practical advice for leaders navigating these com...

In this episode of the Driven Leadership podcast, Connor, Eric and Mary discuss the role of empathy in leadership and debate if you can actually grow your empathy. They explore the differences between empathy and sympathy, the importance of empathy in fostering team dynamics, and practical tools for developing empathy in leaders. The conversation also touches on the balance between empathy and acc...

In this episode of the Driven Leadership Podcast, Connor and Eric discuss the nuances of feedback in leadership. They explore the importance of defining feedback versus criticism, the challenges leaders face in giving and receiving feedback, and effective models for delivering feedback. The conversation emphasizes the need for a culture of feedback, the significance of timely and respectful commun...

Summary In this episode, Connor, Eric and Mary discuss the importance of storytelling in leadership, emphasizing how stories can connect emotionally with teams, inspire action, and enhance communication. We share personal anecdotes and practical tips for incorporating storytelling into leadership styles, highlighting the balance between personal experiences and the need to connect with the audienc...

In this episode, Connor and Eric discuss the critical aspects of identifying when someone is not ready to take on a leadership role. They explore the importance of emotional intelligence, discernment, and the ability to motivate teams effectively. The conversation emphasizes the need for thorough evaluation and assessment of potential leaders to avoid common pitfalls in management promotion. Eric...

In this episode of the Driven Leadership Podcast, Connor, Eric and Mary delve into the multifaceted concept of confidence, exploring its definition, the journey to building it, and the critical role of self-talk and support structures. They share personal stories and insights on how confidence can be developed through action, positive self-perception, and the influence of those around us. The conv...

In this episode of the Driven Leadership podcast, Connor and Eric explore various leadership challenges sourced from Reddit. They discuss how to handle argumentative team members in meetings, the balance between servant leadership and corporate goals, and the differences in leading other leaders versus employees. The conversation emphasizes the importance of communication, feedback, and adapting l...

In this episode, Connor, Mary, and Eric discuss the critical role of emotional intelligence in change management. They explore how understanding emotions can facilitate smoother transitions during organizational changes, the importance of empathy in leadership, and practical strategies for managing resistance. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to connect with their teams, recognize...