The Hidden Programming Sabotaging Your Leadership (And How to Break It)

Leaders Stay Stuck Because They Are Afraid To Evolve | The Leadership Toolkit | Guest: Micah Birkholz

In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit [https://TheLeadershipToolkit.com], Mike Phillips sits down with Micah Birkholz, National Director of Sales at Loon Advertising, for a raw and powerful conversation about leadership, reinvention, growth, and the fear that keeps many people stuck. Micah shares his journey from automotive sales and finance into national leadership roles in marketing and advertising, while opening up about the mindset shifts, failures, hard decisions, and personal growth that shaped his leadership style along the way. This episode dives deep into: • Why leaders must embrace change to grow • The danger of indecision • How ego limits leadership potential • Parenting lessons that apply directly to leadership • Building generational leadership and legacy • Learning through failure and adversity • What servant leadership actually looks like • Why “what you do for a living” is bigger than your job title Micah also shares insights into modern advertising, OTT streaming, marketing analytics, and how businesses can better connect with customers through authentic messaging and smarter strategy. If you are a leader, entrepreneur, manager, salesperson, or someone pursuing personal growth, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and honest perspective. 🧰 Tools of the Trade: Top Takeaways You Can Use 1️⃣ Be open to opportunity, even when it feels uncomfortable 2️⃣ Indecision is often more damaging than making the wrong choice 3️⃣ Great leaders stop saying “no” and start asking “why” 4️⃣ Your team learns more from watching you than listening to you 5️⃣ Leadership begins with serving people well 🎧 The Leadership Toolkit airs live every Wednesday at 12:05 PM MST. Watch live and subscribe: YouTube.TheLeadershipToolkit.com Listen on Spotify: Spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review! Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues.  Thank you for watching and listening! * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised. *** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

Imperfect Action Beats Perfect Planning | Guest: Christopher Rausch on Fear, Leadership, and Taking Action

🔥 BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND 🔥 One of the HIGHEST DOWNLOADED episodes of The Leadership Toolkit (#34) is returning this week! What if the biggest thing holding you back is just waiting for the “perfect” moment? In this powerful episode of The Leadership Toolkit [https://TheLeadershipToolkit.com], Mike Phillips sits down with Christopher Rausch, the internationally recognized “No Excuses Coach,” for a raw conversation about leadership, fear, confidence, resilience, accountability, and why taking imperfect action is often the key to breakthrough success. Christopher shares his incredible journey from homelessness and hardship to becoming a successful speaker, coach, author, and leadership mentor helping others overcome excuses and step fully into their purpose. 🧰 Tools of the Trade: Top Takeaways You Can Use 1. Take Imperfect Action - Waiting for the “perfect” moment often creates paralysis. Progress begins when you move forward before you feel fully ready. 2. Stop Tolerating What Drains You - Take inventory of what you are tolerating in your mindset, relationships, habits, and environment. Leadership growth often begins by removing what is stealing your energy. 3. Build Confidence Through Daily Discipline - Confidence is not created through motivation alone. It is built by consistently doing the things you know you should do, even when you do not feel like it. 4. Ask Better Questions - Questions like “Is this fear realistic?” or “What am I avoiding?” can completely shift your perspective and help uncover the real obstacle holding you back. 5. Lead Yourself First - Strong leadership starts with personal responsibility, self-awareness, and congruency between who you say you are and how you actually live each day. This episode is packed with practical leadership wisdom, mindset shifts, and real-life perspective for entrepreneurs, managers, leaders, and anyone ready to stop overthinking and start moving forward. Connect with Christopher Rausch: https://noexcusescoach.com/ [https://noexcusescoach.com/] Watch The Leadership Toolkit on YouTube: https://YouTube.TheLeadershipToolkit.com [https://YouTube.TheLeadershipToolkit.com] Watch or Listen on Spotify: https://Spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com [https://Spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com] If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review! Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues.  Thank you for watching and listening! * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised. *** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

Train Your Mind, Transform Your Leadership | Guest: Frank Szymanski

What if the real reason you feel stuck in leadership… isn’t your strategy, your team, or your environment? In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit [https://theleadershiptoolkit.com], Mike Phillips sits down with Frank Szymanski, former juvenile court judge and author of Identity Design, to explore the deeper truth behind leadership, mindset, and personal transformation. After more than 20 years on the bench, Frank witnessed firsthand how trauma, poor decisions, and lack of self-awareness shape lives. His mission now is to help leaders take back control by training their minds, redefining their identity, and leading from the inside out. In this episode, you will discover: * Why identity drives every leadership decision * How “Blame Ball” causes leaders to give away control * The 7/60 Mad Minute Plan and how one minute a day can reshape your thinking * Why your attention is your greatest resource * How to shift from reactive living to intentional leadership 🧰 Tools of the Trade: Top Takeaways You Can Use 1️⃣ Define Your Identity Before You Try to Improve Your Results - If you don’t know who you are, you will constantly react instead of lead.Create a one-sentence identity statement that guides your decisions, focus, and priorities. 2️⃣ Stop Playing “Blame Ball” - Every time you blame someone else, you give away control.Take ownership instead. Responsibility is not a burden, it is a leadership superpower that puts you back in control. 3️⃣ Train Your Mind Daily, Even If It’s Just One Minute - You don’t need hours to grow. You need consistency. Use the 7/60 Mad Minute concept. One focused minute per day can begin to rewire how you think and lead. 4️⃣ Control Your Attention to Control Your Life - Your attention is your greatest resource. Where your focus goes, your energy follows. Be intentional about what you think about, what you consume, and what you dwell on. 5️⃣ Reframe Challenges as Proof You Can Win Again - Every challenge you face has a past version you’ve already overcome. Remind yourself of previous wins and use them as fuel. This shifts your mindset from stress to confidence and action. This is a powerful conversation for leaders who are ready to grow, take ownership, and lead at a higher level. The Leadership Toolkit airs live every Wednesday at 12:05 pm MST and is available on all major podcast platforms. If this episode brought value, share it with someone who needs it and help us continue to grow the community. Contact Information: Judge Frank Szymanski LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/Judge-Frank-Szymanski [https://www.linkedin.com/in/judge-frank-szymanski-b7b118a0/] Web: JudgeFrank.com [https://JudgeFrank.com] Mike Phillips Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com [mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com]⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠] Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠ [https://x.com/@LeadershipTLT⁠] YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips [https://YouTube.com/@MikePhillips] Credits: Hosted by Mike Phillips Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team Guest: Judge Frank Szymanski Watch more episodes of the Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review! Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues. Thank you for watching and listening! * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised. *** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

The Hidden Programming Sabotaging Your Leadership (And How to Break It)

What if the biggest thing holding you back as a leader isn’t your strategy… but something you can’t even see? In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit [https://theleadershiptoolkit.com], Mike Phillips sits down with mindset expert Curtis McCullom to uncover the subconscious programming that drives your decisions, your confidence, and your results. From childhood experiences to the words you use every day, this conversation reveals how hidden patterns can quietly shape your leadership and limit your growth, even when everything looks successful on the outside. Curtis breaks down powerful concepts like hypnotherapy, NLP, and Mental Emotional Release in a practical, real-world way, showing how leaders can identify blind spots, reframe limiting beliefs, and create lasting change from the inside out You will also learn a simple 3-step process to reset your mindset in real time, improve your communication, and lead with clarity, confidence, and alignment. If you are ready to stop battling the surface-level problems and finally address what is happening underneath, this episode will change the way you think about leadership forever. 🎯 In this episode: • Why 95% of your behavior is subconscious• The hidden root of imposter syndrome and self-doubt• How leaders unknowingly program their teams• A simple framework to break through limiting beliefs• Why core values are one of the most underrated leadership tools Listen now and start leading from a place of awareness, alignment, and true confidence. 🎙️ The Leadership Toolkit airs live every Wednesday at 12:05 PM MST 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://YouTube.TheLeadershipToolkit.com Contact Information: Curtis McCullom LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/Curtis-McCullom [http://Linkedin.com/in/Curtis-McCullom]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Web: CurtisMcCullom.com [https://CurtisMcCullom.com]  Mike Phillips Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com [mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com]⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠ YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips [http://youtube.com/@MikePhillips] Credits: Hosted by Mike Phillips Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team Guest: Curtis McCullom, NLP Master Practitioner and Leadership Consultant and Coach. If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review! Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues.  Thank you for watching and listening! * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised. *** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

Why People Trust Leaders More Than Brands | Jess Jensen on Authentic Leadership

What makes people trust a leader in today’s world? In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit [https://theleadershiptoolkit.com], Mike Phillips is joined by Jess Jensen, founder of Co-pilot Communications and former leader with experience at Microsoft, Qualcomm, and Adidas. Jess shares how leaders can build a stronger personal brand, why executive presence matters more than ever, and why people trust people more than brands. Mike and Jess discuss: • How Jess helped create one of the first Adidas Facebook pages • The leap from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship • How to know if you have an entrepreneurial mindset • Why authenticity matters more than perfection • The role of AI in leadership communication • How to build your personal brand before you need it 🧰 Tools of the Trade: Top Takeaways You Can Use 1️⃣ Build your personal brand before you need it. Do not wait until you launch a business, seek a promotion, or face a transition. Start building trust and visibility now. 2️⃣ People trust people more than brands. Leaders who share real stories, real experiences, and a clear point of view create stronger influence than polished corporate messaging. 3️⃣ Stop chasing perfection. Authenticity and consistency matter far more than trying to appear flawless. The leaders who win are the ones willing to show up and improve over time. 4️⃣ Use AI as a tool, not a substitute. Let it help you organize ideas, move faster, and sharpen your message, but make sure your content still sounds like you. 5️⃣ Think like a builder. Entrepreneurial leaders constantly ask, “How could this be better?” They look for gaps, create solutions, and take action instead of waiting for permission. If you are a leader, entrepreneur, manager, or business owner who wants to communicate more effectively and build greater influence, this episode is packed with practical insights you can use right away. Contact Information: Jess Jensen Links: CopilotCommunications.com [https://CopilotCommunications.com]LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/JessicaKJensen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://Linkedin.com/in/JessicaKJensen] Mike Phillips Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com [mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com]⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠ YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips [http://youtube.com/@MikePhillips] Credits: Hosted by Mike Phillips Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team Guest: Jess Jensen, your leadership copilot and branding magician Watch more episodes of the Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com [https://spotify.theleadershiptoolkit.com/] If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review! Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues. Thank you for watching and listening! * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised. *** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.