Leading with Curiosity. A Podcast for Modern Leaders.

Nate Leslie

Are you ready to have bigger impact? Command and Control Leadership is Dead. Join our modern leadership movement. We interview leaders, entrepreneurs, and Certified Executive Coaches challenging old paradigms. The brain behaves very differently when 'invited to think' rather than 'told to listen'. Hosted by Nate Leslie - Certified Executive Coach (PCC, CEC, M.Ed.) and former professional athlete.

  1. JAN 15

    Ep.64 An Introvert's Guide to World Domination. Nick Shelton, Denver CO

    Summary In this engaging conversation, Nate Leslie and Nick Shelton explore the complexities of introversion and social anxiety. Nick shares his journey from struggling with social interactions to becoming a TEDx speaker (A Creative Solution to Social Anxiety) and author of "An Introvert’s Guide to World Domination". They discuss practical strategies for introverts to navigate social situations, the importance of shifting focus from oneself to the audience, and the power of observation. The conversation emphasizes the value of relationships and how understanding different personality types can enhance communication and connection. Find Nick at connectedintrovert.com or LinkedIn Keywords introversion, social anxiety, public speaking, personal development, networking, TEDx talk, introvert strategies, confidence, relationships, self-improvement Takeaways Nick Shelton's journey from social anxiety to public speaking is inspiring.The concept of a 'uniform' can help manage social anxiety.Introverts recharge by spending time alone after social interactions.Setting low expectations for social events can reduce pressure.Preparation and knowing the next step are crucial for introverts.Courage is doing something despite feeling scared.Shifting focus from self to audience enhances public speaking.Observation is a superpower of introverts in social settings.Creating space for introverts in conversations is essential.The quality of our life is determined by the quality of our relationships. Sound bites "Just show up. Just be in the room." "It's not about me, it's about them." Nick's Bio Nick Shelton is a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, international speaker, and former petroleum chemist who has reinvented himself more than once. After serving in the U.S. Air Force and building a decades-long career in the oil and gas industry, Nick retired early at 49, only to discover that freedom without purpose can feel like a slow collapse. That crisis led him to rebuild his identity from the ground up, creating a six-phase framework that gave him back clarity, confidence, and direction. Today, he’s the creator of The Reset Button, a reinvention protocol for those navigating, major career shifts, or life transitions who find themselves asking: What’s next? Nick is also the author of the best selling book An Introvert’s Guide to World Domination, where he helped thousands of quiet professionals thrive in a noisy world. His work has been featured on stages, in university classrooms, and in global podcasts. Here are the links: www.connectedintrovert.com www.resettheman.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasleonshelton/ Book: https://geni.us/anintrovertsguide Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Introversion and Social Anxiety 03:07 Creative Solutions for Social Anxiety 05:50 Understanding Introversion and Energy Dynamics 08:56 Practical Tips for Introverts in Social Settings 11:46 The Journey of Writing and Speaking 14:56 Courage and Confidence in Public Speaking 17:49 Shifting Focus from Self to Audience 20:50 The Fluidity of Introversion and Extroversion 23:45 The Introvert's Superpower: Observation 26:38 Creating Space for Introverts in Conversations

    31 min
  2. 2025-12-15

    Ep.63 Red Cloud Road: How Strategic Process Management Drives Competitive Advantage. Guest Joe Bockerstette. Phoenix, AZ

    Summary In this conversation, Joe Bockerstette discusses his book 'Red Cloud Road' and the concept of 'Red Clouds'—the obstacles that prevent organizations from achieving their goals. He explains the Paragon methodology used in his consulting firm, Business Enterprise Mapping, to identify and address these issues. The discussion covers the importance of standardizing processes, engaging employees in improvement efforts, and making it easier for teams to do the right thing. Joe emphasizes the role of leadership in facilitating change and the value of experienced consultants in optimizing workflows. Buy the Book: Red Cloud Road: How Strategic Process Management Drives Competitive Advantage Connect with Joe Bockerstette LinkedInwww.businessmapping.com Keywords Red Clouds, Strategic Process Management, Paragon Methodology, Quick Wins, Workflow Optimization, Leadership, Change Management, Employee Engagement, Standardization, Business Processes Takeaways Red clouds are obstacles preventing organizations from achieving their goals.The Paragon methodology helps organizations identify and address workflow issues.50% of red clouds can be resolved as quick wins by frontline employees.Standardizing processes can lead to greater efficiency and scalability.Engaging employees in process improvement fosters a culture of ownership.Leadership plays a crucial role in facilitating change management.Making it easy to do the right thing is essential for organizational success.Inadequate data collection often leads to workflow challenges.Experienced consultants can help organizations redesign processes for better results.The ideal consultant balances detail orientation with strategic awareness. Sound Bites "50% of all Red Clouds are quick wins.""It's about making it easy to do the right thing." Chapters 00:00 Understanding Red Clouds and Strategic Process Management 02:59 The Paragon Methodology and Quick Wins 05:44 Identifying and Addressing Systemic Issues 08:57 Standardizing Processes for Efficiency 11:52 Engaging Employees in Process Improvement 15:04 Leadership and Change Management 17:54 Making It Easy to Do the Right Thing 20:48 The Role of Consultants in Workflow Optimization

    27 min
  3. 2025-10-15

    Ep.61 Branding: The IDEA Method. Jamie Schwartzman. Los Angeles CA

    Summary In this conversation, Jamie Schwartzman, a branding expert, discusses the intricate relationship between leadership and brand consistency. He emphasizes that branding goes beyond visual elements and is deeply rooted in organizational culture and leadership. Schwartzman outlines his four-step IDEA method for branding: Ignite, Distill, Energize, and Activate, and shares insights on the importance of experiential learning in branding. He also highlights the significance of understanding customer personas and the duality of digital and analog experiences in today's branding landscape. Connect with Jamie: linkedin.com/in/jamieschwartzman/ Keywords branding, leadership, brand consistency, customer personas, IDEA method, experiential learning, brand identity, marketing, corporate branding, organizational culture Sound Bites "Brand is about communicating meaning.""Brand is about internal unity purposes.""The power of great hair is a superpower." Takeaways Brand consistency is about culture consistency driven by leadership.Branding is a way to communicate meaning and value.Internal unity is essential for effective branding post-acquisition.Experiential learning enhances brand understanding and retention.The digital age increases the need for offline experiences.Brands play a crucial role in self-image and identity.Customer personas should focus on psychographics, not just demographics.Research and data are vital in the branding process.The IDEA method consists of Ignite, Distill, Energize, and Activate phases.Branding requires collaboration and consensus among stakeholders.

    38 min
  4. 2025-09-15

    Ep.60 Cultivating an Elite Mindset. Gary Chupik - Mental Performance Coach, Seattle WA

    Summary In this conversation, mental performance coach Gary Chupik, from Elite Mindset, discusses the importance of self-leadership over motivation, emphasizing that individuals can learn to navigate challenges effectively. He introduces the concept of 'winning the day' through daily practices that enhance personal success. Chupik also outlines a mental performance bridge that guides individuals from crisis to thriving, highlighting the significance of a proactive mindset. The discussion culminates in practical strategies for building resilience and fostering an elite mindset, focusing on the power of choice in responses to experiences. Keywords self-leadership, mental performance, resilience, daily success, proactive mindset, crisis management, elite mindset, personal development, coaching, sports psychology Sound Bites "Motivation's overrated.""Win the day.""Put Ws on the calendar." Takeaways Motivation is a fleeting feeling; self-leadership is essential.Winning the day involves choosing controllable actions.Creating a system of daily successes leads to momentum.Crisis management is the first step towards thriving.Focus on internal locus of control for better outcomes.Proactive mindsets help in avoiding reactive behaviors.Scheduling feelings can lead to better emotional management.Values and principles anchor personal identity and decisions.Healthy self-talk creates new neuro pathways for success.Beliefs are formed through experiences, thoughts, feelings, and responses. Chapters 00:00 The Challenge of Motivation 03:19 Self-Leadership and Winning the Day 06:02 The Mental Performance Bridge Assessment 11:50 Navigating Emotions and Scheduling Feelings 17:24 Cultivating an Elite Mindset 23:03 Building a New Mindset and Behavior

    30 min
  5. 2025-08-15

    Ep.59 How Will You Leverage Failure? Marc Nudelberg - Sales & Leadership Coach, Former NCAA Football Coach

    Summary In this conversation, Marc Nudelberg discusses the importance of embracing failure as a vital part of personal and professional growth. He shares insights from his coaching experience, emphasizing the 24-hour rule for processing emotions after wins or losses. Marc introduces a four-step process to overcome failure: feel it, review it, plan it, and try again. He connects these principles to sales training, highlighting the significance of consistency and emotional resilience in achieving success. Get Marc Nudelberg's book Family, Football, and Failure on Amazon. Connect with Marc Nudelberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcnudelberg/Connect with Nate Leslie:https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelesliecec/ Keywords failure, growth, coaching, sales training, 24-hour rule, resilience, confidence, process, emotional intelligence, leadership Sound Bites "Don't skip the 24 hours.""Control the controlables.""It's a consistency game." Takeaways Failure is critical for growth.Success can hide the areas needing improvement.The 24-hour rule helps process emotions effectively.Courage, confidence, and resilience are developed through adversity.Honest reflection is crucial after setbacks.Creating a plan helps avoid repeating mistakes.Sales training involves dealing with rejection and failure.Consistency in outreach is more important than volume.Emotional intelligence is key in leadership and sales.Building relationships is essential for success. Chapters 00:00 Embracing Failure as a Growth Opportunity 03:12 The 24-Hour Rule: Moving Forward After Setbacks 06:14 Building Confidence Through Courage and Resilience 09:04 The Four-Step Process to Overcoming Failure 11:53 Lessons from Sports Applied to Sales Training 17:46 The Importance of Consistency in Sales 23:50 Letting Go of Outcomes for Success 27:59 LWC Riverside outro Generic.mp4

    28 min
  6. 2025-07-15

    Ep.58 What distracts you from running your core business? Corey Hart - Professor of Business, Fractional CXO, Startup & Scaleup Advisor. Grand Rapids, MI

    Summary In this conversation, Nate Leslie interviews THE Corey Hart. Yes he's been conveniently confused with the Boy in the Box many times. Corey is an experienced entrepreneur and educator, discussing the challenges and distractions faced by startups, particularly in fundraising. Corey emphasizes the importance of focusing on customer money over investor money, the role of curiosity in entrepreneurship, and the significance of understanding product market fit. They also explore the concept of unreasonable excellence in business, the value of mentorship, the impact of AI, and alternative funding models for startups. The discussion highlights the need for entrepreneurs to maintain their vision while navigating growth and scaling their businesses. Take Nate's free High-Performance Index Leader Self Assessment: ⁠www.nateleslie.ca/giftConnect with Corey: coreythehart.com Keywords startups, fundraising, entrepreneurship, curiosity, product market fit, mentorship, AI, hyperscale, business growth, alternative funding Takeaways Fundraising can distract founders from their core business.Customer money is preferable to investor money.Curiosity is essential for learning and adapting in business.Understanding product market fit is crucial for success.Unreasonable excellence can enhance customer experiences.Mentorship programs like Spring GR are valuable for entrepreneurs.AI can provide insights but requires careful implementation.Hyperscale growth demands a focus on culture and team dynamics.Alternative funding models can reduce pressure on founders.Experience and wisdom are invaluable assets in entrepreneurship. Sound Bites "Why are you fundraising?""It's dangerous to delegate culture too soon.""You should charge for this, man." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Corey Hart and Startups 02:58 The Distraction of Fundraising 05:58 The Importance of Curiosity in Entrepreneurship 08:54 Navigating Product Market Fit 11:46 Unreasonable Excellence in Business 15:04 Corey Hart's Mentorship and Community Involvement 17:45 The Role of AI in Business 20:41 Understanding Hyperscale and Growth 23:29 Alternative Funding Models for Startups 26:37 The Value of Experience in Entrepreneurship

    32 min
  7. 2025-06-15

    Ep.57 It's Not About the Fire? Cliff Chapman. Director of Operations, BC Wildfire Service. Premier's Award for Leadership Recipient

    Summary BC's 2024 Premier's Award for Leadership Recipient, Cliff Chapman, shares his journey from a young crew leader in the BC Wildfire Service to his current role as Director of Operations. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on people rather than just performance, highlighting the need for emotional support and mental health awareness in leadership. The discussion also covers the cultural changes within the organization, the role of vulnerability in leadership, and the impact of Executive Coaching with Nate on personal and professional development. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the significance of relationships and shared experiences in fostering a positive work environment. Take Nate's free High-Performance Index Leader Self Assessment: www.nateleslie.ca/gift Keywords leadership, personal growth, emotional support, coaching, team dynamics, cultural change, vulnerability, mental health, wildfire service, human experience Takeaways Leadership is about people, not just hazards.Emotional support is crucial for team members.Cultural change requires addressing underlying issues.Vulnerability in leadership fosters trust and connection.Coaching can significantly impact leadership development.Building relationships is essential for team dynamics.Navigating challenges requires open communication.Two perspectives can coexist in any situation.Mental health awareness is vital in high-stress environments.Creating a supportive workplace benefits everyone. Sound Bites "It's not about the hazard, it's about people.""Change can happen at all levels.""Two things can be true at once." Chapters 00:00 The Journey of Leadership in Wildfire Management 02:09 Evolving Perspectives on Crew Leadership 04:58 The Shift from Adrenaline to Human Connection 07:49 Catalyst Moments: Personal Experiences Shaping Leadership 10:22 Cultural Transformation in BC Wildfire Service 12:59 Removing Barriers: The Role of Leadership 15:16 The Importance of Psychological Safety in Teams 18:14 Recognition and Growth: Awards and Coaching Influence 24:15 The Importance of Coaching Relationships 27:03 Navigating Professional Development 31:28 Facilitating Team Dynamics 34:54 The Role of Vulnerability in Leadership 37:57 Embracing Complexity in Human Experience 41:46 LWC Riverside outro Generic.mp4

    42 min
5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Are you ready to have bigger impact? Command and Control Leadership is Dead. Join our modern leadership movement. We interview leaders, entrepreneurs, and Certified Executive Coaches challenging old paradigms. The brain behaves very differently when 'invited to think' rather than 'told to listen'. Hosted by Nate Leslie - Certified Executive Coach (PCC, CEC, M.Ed.) and former professional athlete.