The Leader's Gift of Listening

How to Elevate Your Leadership

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1975222/fan_mail/new] How do you actually elevate yourself as a leader?  Not surface-level inspiration.  But real, repeatable principles that move you into bigger rooms and higher levels of impact. In this episode of the Different Thinking Podcast, Zach breaks down three foundational pillars of elevation: 1. Show Up: You can pretend to care, but you cannot pretend to show up. Opportunity starts with presence. 2. Prepare: Respect the room. Do the research. Elevation rewards preparation. 3. Be Open: Growth requires feedback. Leadership requires hard truths. You must be willing to do hard better. Through personal stories, from a private breakfast with a high level CEO to navigating real business challenges, Zach shares what it truly takes to move into bigger conversations, deeper mentorship, and higher leadership capacity. If you are ready to stop talking about growth and actually elevate, this episode is your blueprint. Remember, you are already somebody.  The question is, will you elevate?

How Leaders Bounce off Rock Bottom

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1975222/fan_mail/new]

The Leader's Gift of Listening

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1975222/fan_mail/new] What happens when a coaching conversation completely falls flat? In this episode, Zach Hensrude reflects on the worst coaching appointment he’s ever had—and the powerful leadership lesson it left behind. Leaders often think they must say more, give more advice, or solve the problem. But real transformation happens when we learn to listen deeply. Zach breaks down the 4 pillars of powerful leadership listening: 1. Be Present – Your focus is the gift. 2. Ask Clarifying Questions – Not to guide, but to understand. 3. Facilitate Self-Discovery – Help them find their own answers. 4. If They Can’t Self-Discover… Help them unpack what’s getting in the way. If you’ve ever left a conversation wondering, “What just happened?”—this one’s for you.

I Suck! What Happens When Reality Strikes?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1975222/fan_mail/new] What do you do when leadership punches you in the gut—and you feel like you’ve totally failed? In this raw and honest episode, Zach Hensrude shares what it’s like to hit that wall of self-doubt and disappointment, when the only words in your head are, “I suck.” Instead of sugarcoating it, Zach walks through a powerful 4-step reflection process his coach taught him that reframes failure and turns tough moments into leadership growth: 1. Write down the facts. 2. Ask yourself: How do I feel? 3. Challenge: Is that feeling even true? 4. Clarify: What outcome did I actually want? This is the episode every leader needs—not when everything’s going right, but when it all feels like it’s falling apart.

Success Has No Switch… Finding the Dial

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1975222/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The Different Thinking Podcast, Zach Hensrude challenges the myth that success is just a matter of flipping a switch. Inspired by insights from Jon Acuff’s Soundtracks and a powerful analogy from Dave Thomas of Daystar, Zach explores how real growth and momentum come not from instant changes, but from intentional tuning. You’ll discover: * Why the “flip the switch” mindset is a myth * The truth about the success dial—and how to turn it * How to recognize and reverse dial drift * What it means to lead with long-term consistency Whether you're leading a team or leading your life, this episode offers practical wisdom for turning up the volume on your goals, one notch at a time.