The Level Up Leader with Michael King

The Freedom vs. Control Trap: Stop Micromanaging and Scale Your Business

Every leader says they want freedom, but most are quietly strangling their own growth. If you are overwhelmed, working too many hours, and convinced that no one else can do the job as well as you can—you are trapped in the "Freedom vs. Control" paradox. In this episode of the Level Up Leader podcast, hosts Tracy Phillips and Michael King unpack the exact reasons why high-achieving leaders struggle to let go, and how that micromanagement becomes the ultimate bottleneck for scalability. You will learn why your business strategies are failing (hint: it is a structural issue, not a bad idea) and the exact framework you need to reclaim your time. If you are exhausted from being the chief problem-solver instead of the Chief Visionary Officer, this episode will give you the practical tools to buy your life back. What You Will Learn: •The 80% Rule for Delegation: Why you must hand off any task a team member can do 80% as well as you. •Structure Precedes Strategy: How to audit your org chart to ensure you have the right people in the right seats. •The Chief Visionary Officer Role: The 5 core identity questions every CEO must answer to keep the brand moving forward. •Love, Hate, Delegate: A simple, immediate task-audit exercise to identify what is distracting you from your primary role. •Leadership vs. Talent: Understanding why your specific talents can be outsourced, but your core leadership cannot. Resources Mentioned: •Learn more about Michael King's executive coaching and "Category of One" keynotes at michaelkingjr.com [https://michaelkingjr.com/], access free team assessments and learn how Michael coaches some of the worlds highest performing teams at teams.coach [https://www.teams.coach]. •Discover more leadership insights at our official website: www.levelupleaderpodcast.com [https://www.levelupleaderpodcast.com/] Notable Quotes: "Creativity never happens without the margins." (Michael King) "The companies who win in 2026 are not the ones with the highest levels of innovation or creativity. They're the ones that get to clarity fastest." (Michael King)" Talent can be scaled, talent can be given away, talent can be assigned, but leadership is on you." (Michael King) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

The Enneagram Unlocked: Stop Putting People in Boxes & Start Building Championship Teams

Is the Enneagram just "woo" — or is it the most powerful leadership tool you're not using? In this episode, host Michael King (CEO of Teams.Coach, Tier 1 Executive Coach) sits down with Tracy Phillips (Founder of Testimagical) for a candid, laugh-out-loud conversation that doubles as a live masterclass in personality-driven leadership. Tracy arrives skeptical. Michael arrives with data. Using his now-famous Moneyball analogy, Michael breaks down how the world's highest-performing teams aren't built on resumes — they're built on a deep understanding of human psychodynamics. And the Enneagram is the tool that makes it all possible. In this episode you'll learn: • Why the Enneagram is not about labeling people — it's about liberating them • The three leadership triads (Gut, Head & Heart) and how each type leads under pressure • Traci's 7 wing 8 profile: why "status quo is a swear word" for her, and what happens when she hits her stress trigger • Michael's 8 wing 7 profile: the introvert playing an extrovert, and why failure doesn't faze him • The "Jonah Hill of Business" — why your most overlooked team member might be your greatest asset • How understanding Enneagram types can transform the way you communicate, lead, and build SPECIAL OFFER: Michael is offering a FREE Enneagram assessment + test pilot of his Teams.Coach platform exclusively to Level Up Leader listeners. Email michael@teams.coach to claim yours. Visit us at www.levelupleaderpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Tracy Phillips and The Magic of Customer Stories

Dive into an electrifying conversation where video testimonial wizard Tracy Phillips and Michael explore the transformative power of customer stories in leadership and business success. From karaoke laughs to game-changing leadership insights, this episode is a heartfelt blend of humor and wisdom that will challenge and inspire. About Michael King: Award-winning executive coach Michael King, recently featured in NY Weekly as one of the Top 10 Inspirational Coaches to Follow in 2025, helps leaders and teams achieve breakthrough performance through clarity, creativity, and strategic execution. With a track record spanning solo entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 executives, Michael blends high-performance coaching with real-world business expertise to transform leadership, culture, and results. Connect with Michael King: www.michaelkingjr.com [www.michaelkingjr.com] https://www.facebook.com/michaelrkingjr75 [https://www.facebook.com/michaelrkingjr75] https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkingjr75/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkingjr75/] https://www.youtube.com/@michaelkingjrofficial [%20https://www.youtube.com/@michaelkingjrofficial] About Tracy Phillips: Tracy Phillips is an Emmy-nominated video and visibility expert who has harnessed her 23 years of video production experience and award-winning documentary skills to help businesses create testimonial videos that do the selling, recruiting, or fundraising for them. Tracy is celebrated for her unmatched expertise, her quick wit, and her boundless enthusiasm for guiding her clients and students in the effective use of video to impact both internal and global audiences. Her signature 'laugh & learn' style of presenting has made her one of the most sought-after speakers, trainers, and workshop facilitators in her field. Tracy's client roster boasts New York Times best-selling authors, top players in the real estate industry, and Fortune 500 companies. Connect with Tracy: https://testimagical.com/ [https://testimagical.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/testimagical [https://www.linkedin.com/in/testimagical%20]https://www.facebook.com/tracy.phillips.754 [%E2%81%A0https://www.facebook.com/tracy.phillips.754] https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIQdj4UYRKKJ1KUTMVQoVZQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIQdj4UYRKKJ1KUTMVQoVZQ] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ava Thomas: Resilience, Results & Real Leadership

In this episode of The Level Up Leader, Michael King sits down with powerhouse media executive Ava Thomas. With over 30 years of experience navigating transformation in the rapidly evolving world of journalism, Ava has climbed the ladder from classified ads to the C-suite, all while raising a family and pioneering leadership initiatives that uplift women across the Midwest. This conversation explores how Ava leads with resilience in one of the most disrupted industries today, the importance of empathy and accountability, and how results-driven leadership doesn't mean sacrificing humanity. If you're leading through change, balancing legacy with innovation, or just trying to figure out how to lead and live authentically,this one’s for you. What You’ll Learn: * Ava’s journey from single mom to regional media executive * What Covid isolation taught her about stillness, clarity, and introverted leadership * The secret to sustaining influence across decades of disruption * Why “Results Matter, They Always Matter” is her leadership mantra * The balance between empathy and execution in decision-making * What to ask your team to uncover effort, energy, and engagement gaps The origin story and impact of the Inspire Women’s Leadership Initiative Leadership Gems: “Hard work doesn’t always guarantee success in sales. But results still matter.” “In the age of disruption, it’s never been more important to be human.” “Empathy without decisive action is not leadership.” Featured Segment: Michael and Ava unpack a hiring lesson that became a defining moment in her leadership,how she made the hard call to part ways with a great person who just couldn’t meet performance expectations. It’s a masterclass in balancing compassion with accountability. About the Inspire Initiative: Ava founded the Inspire Women’s Leadership Initiative after realizing how many influential women were shaping Lincoln and Omaha. What started as an idea on a cold boardroom has grown into a regional movement that recognizes and empowers women leaders. 💬 "When the vision has a life of its own, you know you’re building a legacy." Resources & Links: * Connect with Ava Thomas on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ava-thomas-3637497/] * Learn more about Lee Enterprises [https://www.lee.net/] * Nominate a leader or attend the Inspire Women’s Leadership Events in Lincoln & Omaha [https://inspire-omaha.com/nominations/] * Connect with Michael on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkingjr75/] * Connect with Michael on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/michaelrkingjr75] * Connect with Michael on the Internet [http://www.michaelkingjr.com/] Final Takeaway: “Show up every day with Level 10 effort. Effort matters. Results matter. But most importantly, be human.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Clarity in the Chaos: Leading Through Communication with Paul Baltes

Hosted by: Michael King www.michaelkingjr.com [https://www.michaelkingjr.com/] Follow Michael on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkingjr], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/michaelrkingjr75], and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. In this episode of The Level Up Leader Podcast, host Michael King sits down with Paul Baltes, Director of Communications at Nebraska Medicine, to explore what it really takes to lead with clarity in times of crisis. Paul shares his unique journey from a career in journalism to becoming a communications leader in one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the country. He opens up about what it means to build trust within a team, how internal communication can impact everything from retention to morale, and why storytelling is a leadership tool—not just a PR tactic. You’ll hear real stories from high-stakes moments like the Ebola outbreak and the early days of COVID, as well as practical takeaways for any leader who wants to get better at communicating when it counts. Whether you're leading a startup or a Fortune 500 team, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you show up, how you communicate, and how you build trust that lasts. * Paul’s background in journalism laid the foundation for strategic leadership in communications. * Trust is non-negotiable in leadership—it’s what everything else rests on. * Crisis communication is not a theory. It’s a muscle built through experience and preparation. * Internal communication isn’t just HR—it’s a leadership strategy. * Storytelling connects people to purpose and to each other. * Hiring is more than finding skills. It’s about finding people who fit your culture. * Communication must be intentional, strategic, and consistent. * Time management is one of the biggest challenges for leaders—and one of the most important to master. * Effective communication creates engagement. Engagement builds culture. Culture drives success. * "You can't do everything." * "Crisis communication is vital." * "Hiring for cultural fit is crucial." * "It's all about fit." * "Building trust is essential." * "Time is our currency." leadership, communication, trust, crisis management, internal communication, storytelling, hiring, organizational culture, time management, Nebraska Medicine * Website: Nebraska Medicine [https://www.nebraskamed.com/] * LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paulbaltes [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbaltes/] * Website: michaelkingjr.com [https://www.michaelkingjr.com/] * LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelkingjr [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkingjr] * Facebook: facebook.com/michaelkingjr75 [https://www.facebook.com/michaelkingjrleadership] * Subscribe, like, and follow The Level Up Leader Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your leadership content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]