Engage & Inspire

Episode 18: Decision-Making Frameworks for Leaders

You have seven seconds before your team reads your hesitation. In this episode of Engage and Inspire, host Scott Liles breaks down the neuroscience, data, and practical frameworks every leader needs to make better decisions — faster and with more confidence — in an era of radical uncertainty. Drawing on a global study of 17,555 participants (UCL + HSBC), new IBM CEO research, and a 10-year KRW International study on character, Scott reveals: * Why uncertainty triggers painful neurological ambivalence — and how to override it. * Why 45% of solo decisions fail — and what to do instead. * The surprising truth about AI in the C-suite (64% of CEOs trust it, but only 25% of employees use it). * How high-character leaders deliver nearly 5x higher ROA. * Three ready-to-use frameworks: The Pre-Mortem, Voice ∙ Vote ∙ Veto, and the 3-Path Test (Logic ∙ Emotion ∙ Legacy). If you’ve ever doubted a decision, rushed a call, or felt alone in the storm — this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now. Then lead differently. Disclaimer: All original content in this podcast is the copyright of Engage & Inspire ©2025. All rights reserved. Music License: The music featured in this episode is "Steam Waves" by Arenas and "Positive Corporate" by Boomer. It was legally licensed for use in this project from PremiumBeat.com [http://PremiumBeat.com]. We have the necessary rights to use this track in our content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization. EUHOMDGE5ZQSIIPL V8DFJYAFOTGQKM8C

Episode 17: Managing Your Energy, Not Just Your Time

You’re running on empty. Not because you’re lazy. Not because you’re a bad leader. But because you’ve been taught the wrong lesson: that time management is the answer. In this episode of Engage and Inspire, host Scott Liles dismantles the single biggest lie in leadership development. Drawing on neuroscience, real-world data (including the famous Wachovia Bank study), and a four-dimensional framework of energy, Scott reveals why exhausted leaders don’t just hurt themselves—they drain everyone around them. You’ll learn: * The four dimensions of energy (physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual) and which one you’re neglecting * Why emotional energy matters more than IQ during conflict * How to run a 7-day Leader Energy Audit starting tomorrow * Practical tactics like the 90-minute sprint, decision budgeting, and the 4:00 PM team reset * Why HR must shift from wellness webinars to structural change through human sustainability If you’ve ever sat in your car after work too tired to go inside, this episode is for you. It’s not about working more hours. It’s about leading from a regulated, present, available tank. Listen if: You’re a leader, manager, or HR professional who’s tired of burning bright and burning out fast. Disclaimer: All original content in this podcast is the copyright of Engage & Inspire © 2025. All rights reserved. Music License: The music featured in this episode is "Steam Waves" by Arenas and "Positive Corporate" by Boomer. It was legally licensed for use in this project from PremiumBeat.com [http://PremiumBeat.com]. We have the necessary rights to use this track in our content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization. EUHOMDGE5ZQSIIPL V8DFJYAFOTGQKM8C

Episode 16: The Power of Personal Discipline

What if everything you thought about "good leadership" was missing one critical ingredient? We tend to assume that great leaders are the most empathetic, the most honest, or the most ambitious. But new research tells a different story. A 2019 study of 218 U.S. Air Force officers found that self-control—not character alone—was the single most important factor in whether a leader was seen as ethical, effective, and trustworthy. In this episode, Scott Liles breaks down: 🔹 The Air Force Study (2019) – Why high character + low self-control = failed leadership 🔹 The Stretch Goal Trap (UC San Diego, 2024) – How missing ambitious goals actually reduces your perceived power (even if your output is the same as everyone else's) 🔹 The Mindfulness Solution (2024) – How 5 minutes of awareness can rebuild self-regulation without burnout 🔹 A 3-step Monday Morning Playbook – Pre-commitment, modest goal resets, and a 2-question daily reflection from Fisher College of Business Plus: A real-world story of a VP who transformed her team’s trust by changing just one impulse. Whether you're a current leader or a soon-to-be leader, this episode will change how you think about discipline—not as rigidity, but as power. Verified Data Sources Mentioned 1. Journal of Business Ethics (2019) – Self-control moderates leader character → ethical leadership 2. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (2024) – Modest goals signal power; missed stretch goals diminish perceived competence 3. Management Review Quarterly (2024) – Systematic review: Mindfulness training improves self-regulation and reduces burnout Disclaimer: All original content in this podcast is the copyright of Engage & Inspire © 2025. All rights reserved. Music License: The music featured in this episode is "Steam Waves" by Arenas and "Positive Corporate" by Boomer. It was legally licensed for use in this project from PremiumBeat.com [http://PremiumBeat.com]. We have the necessary rights to use this track in our content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization. EUHOMDGE5ZQSIIPL V8DFJYAFOTGQKM8C

Episode 15: Cultivating a Growth Mindset (No Fluff, No Fake Positivity)

Raise your hand if you’ve ever said “I’m just not a math person.” Keep it up if you’ve thought “I could never lead a team.” Still going? “I’m too old to learn that.” You can put your hand down now. People are staring. According to Stanford research, every single one of those sentences is a lie your brain got comfortable telling itself. In this episode of Engage and Inspire, we’re catching that liar red-handed—and replacing it with something better. No toxic positivity. No “just believe in yourself” junk. Just real psychology, weird brain facts, and a few exercises that feel silly but actually work. You’ll learn: → What Carol Dweck actually found (spoiler: not what LinkedIn influencers think) → Why praising someone for being “smart” backfires hard → Three research-backed, slightly weird exercises that rewire how your brain handles struggle Plus: the real reason “yet” works, why failure is literally brain fertilizer, and how to stop asking “Can I do this?” and start asking “What’s one tiny thing I haven’t tried?” No mountaintop clip art. Just tools. 🎧 Listen now. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Disclaimer: All original content in this podcast is the copyright of Engage & Inspire © 2025. All rights reserved. Music License: The music featured in this episode is "Steam Waves" by Arenas and "Positive Corporate" by Boomer. It was legally licensed for use in this project from PremiumBeat.com [http://PremiumBeat.com]. We have the necessary rights to use this track in our content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization. EUHOMDGE5ZQSIIPL V8DFJYAFOTGQKM8C

Episode 14: The 2:47 PM Moment – Build Integrity Before You Need It

It’s 2:47 PM on a Tuesday. The quarterly numbers are bad. Your boss is staring at you. And someone at the table suggests a “small” lie to buy time. What do you say? Here’s what no one tells you: you don’t build integrity in that moment. You only reveal what’s already there. In this episode of Engage and Inspire, host Scott Liles breaks down the science of unshakeable character—and why most of us are walking around with “integrity atrophy.” You’ll learn: * Why only 10–15% of people are truly self-aware (and how to join them) * The one type of trust that’s 10x more valuable than competence * A simple weekly “mirror test” that changes how you see yourself * How to say no to the right things, even when yes is easier * Why caring deeply about something makes you more trustworthy—even to people who disagree Plus: the 5-second rule for small truths, the invisible camera trick, and a listener challenge to start training your integrity muscle today. Your 2:47 PM moment is coming. Start training now. 🎧 Listen now. Then share with one person whose character you quietly admire. Resources & Links: * 🛍️ Wear Playground – Luxurious, sustainable activewear for women. Get 20% off with code HELM at ⁠ [https://wearplayground.com/]wearplayground.com [http://wearplayground.com]⁠ [https://wearplayground.com/] * 📘 How Can I Help? & Leadership Hacks That Actually Work – Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble Follow the show: Leave a review. Share this episode. Keep engaging. Keep inspiring. Disclaimer: All original content in this podcast is the copyright of Engage & Inspire © 2025. All rights reserved. Music License: The music featured in this episode is "Steam Waves" by Arenas and "Positive Corporate" by Boomer. It was legally licensed for use in this project from PremiumBeat.com [http://PremiumBeat.com]. We have the necessary rights to use this track in our content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization. EUHOMDGE5ZQSIIPL V8DFJYAFOTGQKM8C