How to Lead with Clay Scroggins and Adam Tarnow

As AI transforms the workplace by automating tasks and boosting productivity, leaders face a new challenge: keeping humans engaged, connected, and valued. This episode explores how the real threat isn’t artificial intelligence—it’s disconnection—and offers three ways leaders can respond: coach more, lean into human skills, and make purpose visible. The message is clear: in an AI-driven world, your greatest responsibility is to make work feel more human.

George Bernard Shaw once said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” In this episode, Adam and Clay dig into why miscommunication happens so often at work—and how leaders can prevent it. From funny mix-ups (like a cake with the wrong message) to frustrating real-life examples of missed handoffs and unclear priorities, they explore why clarity is a leader’s most important tool. You’ll learn five simple habits to make sure your message actually lands: 1. Repeat back what you hear 2. Use visuals, not just words 3. Preview where you’re going 4. Match tone to intent 5. Share bad news in person The big takeaway? Don’t assume communication happened just because you said something. Clarity is leadership.

Every leader eventually faces this challenge: noticing something others don’t—and deciding whether to say it out loud. In this episode, Adam and Clay unpack why helping people see their blind spots is both one of the hardest and most important things leaders do. Drawing from voices like Daniel Goleman, Patrick Lencioni, Kim Scott, and the Crucial Conversations framework, they explore why awareness is the on-ramp to growth and why so many leaders hesitate to start these conversations. If you care about someone’s growth, you owe it to them to speak up—with kindness, clarity, and curiosity.

Life is hard. You’d better be willing to get dirty. The path to courage is narrow, demanding—and few are willing to walk it. Courage is always a choice. On 9/11, after hours of rendering aid, evacuating the wounded, and fighting fires, today's guest and his teammates looked wrecked—bloodied, exhausted, and wearing suits torn to shreds. Later that day, Darin crossed paths with another group—clean, polished, untouched. Perfect hair. Shiny shoes. Crisp white shirts. There are two paths: one of comfort and safety, and one of sacrifice and courage. One is wide and crowded. The other is costly and rare. Which will you choose? What will you be remembered for? Get your suit dirty. Visit Darin's website: HERE [https://www.darinkinder.com/] Grab a copy of his book: HERE [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FL1G8774?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_sms_apin_dp_M8T300VCFNQGWD7QK3JT&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_sms_apin_dp_M8T300VCFNQGWD7QK3JT&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_sms_apin_dp_M8T300VCFNQGWD7QK3JT&bestFormat=true&csmig=1]

Ever played the party game Green Glass Door? The rules keep changing, and the fun comes from watching people struggle to figure them out. Your career works the same way. The skills that made you successful early on—working hard, delivering results, and being dependable—will only take you so far. At some point, you cross The Edge, an invisible line where the rules shift. On the other side of The Edge, winning isn’t about technical proficiency anymore. It’s about relational savvy—your ability to make decisions, navigate diplomacy, and get things done through others. In this episode, Adam unpacks the two games of a career, why the transition is so confusing, and how to avoid getting stuck playing by the wrong rules. Drawing on timeless wisdom from Dale Carnegie, you’ll learn practical ways to bring calm, energy, and influence into your leadership. If you’ve ever wondered why working harder isn’t working anymore, this conversation will show you how to play (and win) the new game.