How to Lead When Your Brain Wants to Go Into Survival Mode? ft. Mitch Weisburgh

How to Lead When Your Brain Wants to Go Into Survival Mode? ft. Mitch Weisburgh

Most leaders believe they are being rational. But when you only see two options, that is not a choice — it is a paradox. And it is one of the clearest signs your survival brain has taken over. In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Mitch Weisburgh, author of MindShifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success, to unpack why even experienced leaders keep getting stuck in reactive patterns — and what it actually takes to shift out of them. We get into the neuroscience behind the five limbic mode reactions, how to recognise when your survival brain is running the show, and why your emotions are not obstacles to good leadership — they are data. We also talk through the rule of three as a practical decision-making framework for leaders operating under pressure. And there is something I found genuinely useful in this conversation: using AI to rehearse difficult conversations before they happen, including how to instruct it to actually push back on you so the practice feels real. If you have ever caught yourself reacting in a way you immediately regretted, this one is worth your time. Before you go- What is one thing you are doing today to make your life a little better? I'm curious. Let me know! Episode Timestamps 0:00 — Introduction 4:00 — The Truth About Work-Life Balance 7:04 — The Invisible Patterns Controlling Your Reactions 16:18 — The Rule of Three: A Better Way to Make Decisions Under Stress 19:37 — How to Exit Survival Mode 26:30 — How to Use AI to Rehearse Difficult Conversations 30:21 — Are You Leading From a Threat State? 35:42 — How to Get Comfortable With Discomfort 40:10 — Why Your Brain Can't Tell the Difference Between Fear and Excitement 44:15 — The 3 Gifts of Taking That First Step 48:26 — Why Your Emotions Are Data, Not Obstacles 55:11 — Ways to Connect With Mitchell Weisburgh 57:41 — The Business Value of Bringing Your Whole Self to Work 1:04:57 — Closing Thoughts Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- AppleUncommon Leadership [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165] Spotify- SpotifyUncommon Leadership [https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj] This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: UncommonteamsHome - Uncommon Teams [https://uncommonteams.com/] Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: Linkedinlinkedin.com/in/humbugreality [https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/] Website: UncommonteamsHome - Uncommon Teams [https://uncommonteams.com/] Newsletter: UncommonteamsNewsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams [https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/] Read the book: UncommonteamsThe Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams [https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/] Work with Michael Hunter: UncommonteamsWork with me - Uncommon Teams [https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/] Mitch Weisburgh| Guest Speaker Mitch Weisburgh is the founder of Academic Business Advisors, creator of the MindShifting Community, and author of the MindShifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success (2024). With over four decades of experience in education technology, nonprofit leadership, and personal development, Mitch has dedicated his career to helping people build the resilience and resourcefulness they need to thrive today. Connect with Mitch Weisburgh : * Website: Mindshiftingwithmitchmindshiftingwithmitch.com [https://www.mindshiftingwithmitch.com/] * Newsletter: MindshiftingwithmitchMindShifting with Mitch Blog [https://mindshiftingwithmitch.blog/] * LinkedIn: Linkedinlinkedin.com/in/mweisburgh [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mweisburgh/] * Instagram: Instagraminstagram.com/weisburghm [https://www.instagram.com/weisburghm/] * X: X weisburghm [https://x.com/weisburghm] * Continue exploring more on this topic: How the brain makes fast decisions [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qnuwmo4db0w79g7jav0i5/Mindshifting-2-How-the-Brain-Makes-Fast-Decisions.mov?rlkey=dxeqsj3kk8s63qolq515sntth&dl=0] * Book: MindShifting, Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success: AAmazon.com [https://a.co/d/242NDWd] * MindShifting Courses: HumanitixMitchell Weisburgh | Humanitix [https://events.humanitix.com/host/mitchell-weisburgh] 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Podcast Intro Author: cleanmindsound Source: Envato License Code: CGZHSVENJF

Military Leadership Skills Every CEO Needs Today ft. Chris Hallberg

Leadership doesn't have to be confusing, but it does need to be precise. If you've heard of EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) but aren't sure how to make it work in the real world, this episode is exactly what you need. On today's episode, I'm joined by Chris Hallberg, better known as the Business Sergeant. From the high-pressure environments of the military and law enforcement to the boardroom, Chris's journey is anything but traditional. In his signature style, Chris explores how the very principles that keep people safe in the field serve as the ultimate keys to scaling a successful business. As an Expert EOS Implementer and the founder of GoExpand, Chris helps entrepreneurs replace chaos with deep discipline, accountability, and healthy conflict. Together, we discuss: * Why 100% authenticity is your best business strategy. * The "Bad Apple Effect" and how to handle toxic team members. * How to translate military-grade discipline into actionable business execution. * The danger of the "gray area" in leadership and team alignment. If you're ready to stop surviving and start thriving with a no-nonsense approach to leadership, this episode is for you. A question for you: What is the longest you have seen a bad employee stay at a company just because they had seniority? Let us know your experience in the comments! Episode Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 1:22 - Meet Chris Hallberg 2:37 - Why authenticity is your best business strategy 7:07 - How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market [ using Personal Branding] 17:10- Military & Corrections Background 24:15- Creating Healthy Conflict 32:12- Feeling Fear vs. Having Courage 41:15- The Six Key Components of EOS 48:05- What Happens When Your Team is on the Same Page 58:22- Put the Right People in the Right Seats 01:07:25- How to Connect with Chris Hallberg Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165] Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj [https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj] This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: https://uncommonteams.com/ [https://uncommonteams.com/] Speakers on this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Chris Hallberg | Guest Speaker As an Expert EOS Implementer and founder of GoExpand, Chris Hallberg uses nine years of military and law enforcement experience to bring radical clarity to business. He helps entrepreneurs align their vision, drive massive accountability, and build healthy leadership teams. By implementing a proven operating system, Chris ensures that your top talent is excited to "re-enlist" in the company's mission quarter after quarter. Connect with Chris Hallberg: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hallberg-01516315/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hallberg-01516315/] * Email: chris@bizsgt.com [chris@bizsgt.com] * Website: https://bizsgt.com/ [https://bizsgt.com/] [ Please find free leadership course and community admission for Veterans here] Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/] Website: https://uncommonteams.com/ [https://uncommonteams.com/] Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/ [https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/] Read the book: https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/ [https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/] Work with Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/ [https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/] 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Ambient Uplifting Inspiring Piano Background Author: Starry_Music Source: Envato License Code: 6T8WB9Y7PD

Why Did He Leave Hollywood After Die Hard 5? ft. Steven Puri

Why would a senior Hollywood executive walk away from massive franchises like Die Hard, Wolverine, and Transformers to help leaders and executives unlock their flow states? In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, join me, Michael Hunter, as we unpack the fascinating career pivot of Steven Puri. As a former 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks executive turned tech founder, Steven takes us inside the exact moment everything shifted—and why he decided to walk away from creating global blockbusters to study the neuroscience of the flow state. His story brings light to something I see working with leaders time and again: you can hit every metric of success, be at the absolute top of your game, and still feel completely misaligned. If you are working harder but achieving less, or if you're incredibly busy but can't seem to find a clear path forward— Steven's framework for healthy productivity & career alignment is exactly what you need to hear today. Are you ready to stop paddling against the current and start doing your best work? If yes, grab a seat and tune in now! Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:20 - From IBM to Hollywood: Can Early Success Trap You? 08:53 - When to Walk Away From a Massive Paycheck 15:49 - How to Pivot From a Career You Outgrew 19:41 - Why Entering A Flow State Is So Important? 25:09 - What is a Flow State 30:26 - How Your Workspace Affects Your Flow State 35:08 - The Science of Flow States 38:58 - How Trillion-Dollar Companies Steal Your Life 52:02 - One Simple Habit to Stop Wasting Your Potential Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165] Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj [https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj] This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: https://uncommonteams.com/ [https://uncommonteams.com/] A question for you: What is the number one distraction keeping you from reaching your flow state today? Let us know in the comments! -- Speakers on this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Steven Puri | Guest Speaker Steven Puri is the Founder and CEO of The Sukha Company. He has served as a senior executive at both 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks Pictures, and produced the Oscar-winning visual effects for Independence Day. A veteran of three tech startups, Steven now dedicates his work to helping leaders find their focus, achieve more, and build healthy work lives. Connect with Steven Puri: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-puri/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-puri/] * Email: Steven@TheSukha.co [Steven@TheSukha.co] * Website: www.TheSukha.co [http://www.TheSukha.co] Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/] Website: https://uncommonteams.com/ [https://uncommonteams.com/] Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/ [https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/] Read the book: https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/ [https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/] Work with Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/ [https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/] 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Podcast Intro Author: cleanmindsounds Source: Envato License Code: CGZHSVENJF #flowstate #producvitytips #leadershipalignment #attentioneconomy

AI Won't Replace You...But It Will Change You. ft. Ross Smith

What happens when AI starts doing the things we once believed made us valuable? In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I, Michael Hunter of Uncommon Teams, sit down with Ross Smith from Microsoft to explore a question most conversations about AI miss entirely: What does it mean to stay human in this unpredictable age of AI? Tune in to find out: * How to use AI as a strategic sparring partner to debug your own ideas/arguments? * Why authenticity, emotional intelligence, and human judgment matter more than ever when building an innovative team... * Why your job title should never be your entire identity, and the danger of hiding your full self at work * How to position yourself at work for great job satisfaction and speedier career growth Because the future may belong to people who know how to work with AI—but it will especially belong to people who know how to remain deeply human while doing it. Episode Chapters 0:00 — Introduction 5:53 — How Do You Build a Team That Actually Thrives? 9:36 — Why Should Leaders Give Teams Freedom to Fail? 11:17 — How Do Great Leaders Build Trust With Their Teams? 14:35 — Why Is Having a Life Beyond Work So Important? 20:16 — How Do You Build an Authentic Personal Brand at Work? 28:00 — Is AI Productivity Advice Missing the Bigger Picture? 30:17 — What Does AI Mean for Human Creativity and Leadership? 35:28 — Why Can AI Never Fully Replace Human Leadership? 38:08 — Using AI to Challenge Your Own Thinking 40:19 — How Leaders Can Use AI Before Difficult Meetings 41:08 — Connect with Ross Smith Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165] Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj [https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj] This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: https://uncommonteams.com/ [https://uncommonteams.com/] A question for you: What's one hobby or interest you have outside of work that most of your coworkers probably don't know about? Share in the comments! -- Speakers on this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Ross Smith | Guest Speaker Ross Smith spent over three decades leading innovative teams at Microsoft, giving him a front-row seat to the rapid evolution of workplace technology. Today, his focus has shifted to the intersection of human intuition and artificial intelligence. As a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and co-founder of The Future World Alliance, Ross has become a leading voice on how we can use AI to become more human, not less. He's the author of "AI Revolution in Customer Service and Support" and "AI in the Classroom," and hosts the AI & Creativity Podcast, exploring how humans and AI can partner to unlock new levels of innovation. Connect with Ross Smith: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosss42/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosss42/] * Email: rosss.rosss@gmail.com [rosss.rosss@gmail.com] * AI Prompt of the Day:https://linktr.ee/rosss42 [https://linktr.ee/rosss42] * Bonus: Ross is offering an exclusive discount on his book, AI in the Classroom. To claim it, send a message to rosss.rosss@gmail.com [rosss.rosss@gmail.com] with the subject line: "UnCommon Leadership: AI in the Classroom" Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/] Website: https://uncommonteams.com/ [https://uncommonteams.com/] Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/ [https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/] Read the book: https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/ [https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/] Work with Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/ [https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/] 🎵 Music Credits: Track: A Hope for New Beginning Artist: PremiumBeat Source: Envato Elements License Code: 2JPQCYM3X4

Debugging the Leader: A Framework for Internal Alignment ft. Jon Bach

You've spent your career mastering the technical. You know how to debug a system, optimize a workflow, and drive efficiency with data. But as you move higher into leadership, you realize your most reliable tools, logic and evidence, often fail when applied to the most complex system of all: the human one. In this milestone 100th episode of Uncommon Leadership, Michael Hunter and Jon Bach step away from standard people management advice to investigate the person behind the leader. Together they explore: * What happens when you start paying attention—not just to systems, but to your own patterns, reactions, and internal signals. * Why change feels disorienting. * Why teams struggle even when the work looks right. * Why what we call performance issues are often something else entirely. * What it means to lead in a way that includes your mind, your body, your instincts—not just your logic/data. Episode Breakdown 0:00 — Introduction 03:36 — How do you become an uncommon leader? 07:27 — How to decode your body's signals 11:10 — A go-to question for all tech leaders 15:33 — Why work-life balance is just a myth 19:13 — How to handle layoffs? 26:30 — How to stop carrying regret as a leader 28:34 — How to navigate career transitions? [ Satir Change Model] 40:15 — A mindset shift for dealing with uncertainty 45:37 — The cumulative power of tiny steps 51:26 — Signs you're leading out of alignment 57:46 — How to live in alignment with your base beliefs 01:06:52 — Common vs. Uncommon Leaders 01:17:26 — The question you need to ask to get to know someone 01:21:16 — Closing Thoughts If you're navigating change, leading a team, or trying to make sense of what feels unclear right now—this episode offers a grounded, human way to approach it. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw] Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165] Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj [https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj] This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: https://uncommonteams.com/ [https://uncommonteams.com/] -- Speakers on this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Jon Bach | Guest Speaker With 30+ years at tech giants like Microsoft and eBay, Jon Bach treats software testing as a treasure hunt for the truth. Combining his background in journalism with deep technical expertise, he approaches code with an investigative lens—viewing every bug as a hidden story waiting to be told. Jon's mission is deeply human as he helps tech professionals uncover the hidden assumptions and expectations buried in their daily workflows, guiding them to find the absolute truth about their work (and themselves). Outside of the software world, Jon embraces his roots as a freelance writer for Whidbey Weekly [https://www.linkedin.com/company/whidbeyweekly/] and Whidbey Life Magazine [https://www.linkedin.com/company/whidbey-life-magazine/]. Connect with Jon Bach: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bachjon [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bachjon] Email: jbestpilot@gmail.com [jbestpilot@gmail.com] Blog: jonbox.wordpress.com [https://jonbox.wordpress.com] Free Resources: satisfice.com [https://satisfice.com] Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Using empathetic, human-centric frameworks, Michael guides leaders to build authentic teams, cultivate resilience, and embody certainty. Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/] Website: https://uncommonteams.com/ [https://uncommonteams.com/] Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/ [https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/] Read the book: https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/ [https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/] Work with Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/ [https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/]