The Learning To Lead Show with Mark J. Cundiff

Mark J. Cundiff
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The Learning to Lead Show with Mark J. Cundiff Helping Good Leaders Become Great—One Practical Insight at a Time You’re busy. The demands are real. But your desire to grow as a leader hasn’t gone anywhere. That’s why The Learning to Lead Show is designed for leaders like you—driven, growth-minded, and always on the go. Hosted by Executive Leadership Coach Mark J. Cundiff, this podcast delivers practical leadership insights you can use today, not someday. Each week, you’ll get: Short, focused teaching episodes packed with real-world lessons from decades of leadership experience, bestselling books, and proven frameworks. Authentic interviews with front-line leaders who share how they’re navigating challenges, building teams, and leading with purpose, right where they are. Whether you’re commuting, working out, or grabbing a few quiet minutes between meetings, this show helps you invest in your leadership without adding to your already busy schedule. Because great leadership isn’t about having more time—it’s about using the time you have to lead on purpose. This show is for growth-minded professionals who want more than titles and tactics. It’s for those who want to lead with purpose, develop a legacy, and make their future bigger than their past. So whether you're leading a team, a business, or yourself—tune in, take notes, and let’s grow together.

  1. 1 day ago

    #90: Stop Avoiding Your Numbers: Leading with Clarity with Andy Weins

    How's business? If you can't answer that question with real numbers, this episode is for you. Mark Cundiff sits down with Andy Weins, a 22-year Army veteran, fourth-generation entrepreneur, fractional CFO, and co-author of Stop Avoiding Your Numbers. Andy came home from Iraq in 2009, was laid off, and started picking up scrap metal around Milwaukee to cover his mortgage. Today he runs a junk removal company with 25 to 30 employees and a 30,000-square-foot facility, and he helps small business owners face the numbers they've been avoiding. Andy and Mark talk about what military leadership taught him and where it fell short, why so many business owners run out of money without seeing it coming, and how understanding your data turns reactive leaders into proactive ones. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why military leadership didn't translate to the civilian world, and how a "wall-to-wall conversation" with a fellow sergeant changed Andy's approach to leading peopleWhat growing up in a family business taught him, from talking milk prices with his grandmother to typing invoices for his dad at age 10Andy's definition of entrepreneurship: the place where what you're willing to do for free meets what someone's willing to pay you forHow Andy's own hesitation cost him seven years before he fully committed to his businessHis number one rule for business owners: Don't run out of moneyThe Triple S Score, a simple way to evaluate customers by how Simple they are to work with, how stimulating the work is, and how satisfying the relationship isHow one graphic designer fired 8 of her 17 customers in a single hour, and took her first vacation within six monthsThe danger of chasing "whales", including the day Andy lost 51% of his revenue with almost no warningWhy "profitable on paper" doesn't mean cash in the bankHow to use "hillbilly math" to plan staffing, hiring, and growth before you're overwhelmedWhy avoiding your numbers is a leadership issue, not an accounting oneMemorable Quotes "Businesses die 'cause they run out of money." "How do you know when you've arrived if you didn't know where you were going?" "Entrepreneurship is the intersection between what you're willing to do for free and what someone is willing to pay you for." "Do you want to lead your organization, or follow?" "They'd rather sit in the comfort of ambiguity than the discomfort of vulnerability." "It's a waste of time to read a book and not change your life." Key Takeaways for Leaders Know your goal and your number. Being "up 10%" means nothing if you never defined what success looks like.Cash is king. Accounts receivable don't pay the bills. Watch what's actually in your bank account.Not every customer is a good customer. Measure profitability and fit, then go find more customers like your best ones.Align customers, vendors, and employees with your values. Your values are data points too.Lead proactively. Plan your hiring, capacity, and growth before the pressure hits.Lean into productive conflict. Growth happens when you're willing to bring hard truths to the surface.Resources Mentioned Stop Avoiding Your Numbers by Andy Wines and Lynn (co-author)The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin HardyThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick LencioniThe Ideal Team Player by Patrick LencioniGood to Great by Jim CollinsAtomic Habits by James ClearLeadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger InstituteConnect with Andy Weins WebsiteLinkedInFree Learning To Lead Resources Free Book: The Trust GapThe Learning To Lead NewsletterLeaderNotes🔎 About LeaderNotes LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one. Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

  2. 22 Oct

    #89 Leadership Insights from my Conversation with Brooke Dukes

    Do you feel like you never have enough hours in the day?  Do decisions keep landing back on your desk no matter how much you delegate? What if the real issue isn't your calendar at all? In this episode, I share my top leadership insights from my conversation with Brooke Dukes in Episode 88. Brooke is a structural strategist, keynote speaker, former Fortune 500 executive, and #1 international bestselling author of Burn On, Not Out. She also created Success by Design, a leadership operating system that helps founders and leaders stop being the bottleneck so their teams can execute without waiting on them. Brooke's path to this work came through two wake-up calls. The first came when she was eight months pregnant, leading a team of 25, and boarded a private jet for an overseas client visit instead of giving up her bonus. She ended up in preterm labor. Lying in that hospital bed, she realized her drive wasn't really about money. It was about safety.  Years later, as a partner in a consulting firm, she became the firefighter instead of the leader, holding the company together until she came down with COVID and shingles at the same time. That's when she saw that her own bandwidth had become the company's growth ceiling. 5 Key Takeaways 1. Know what's really driving you. From the outside, Brooke looked like someone chasing money and success. Inside, she was chasing safety.  "Most people aren't trying to be monsters. They're really not. They're trying to survive."  Leadership lesson: Until you understand what's fueling your drive, you'll keep running on the same treadmill, no matter how much you achieve. 2. Stop reopening decisions.  Brooke estimates every reopened decision costs a team $2,000 to $5,000 in lost effort, and most aren't reopened because of new information but because of middle-of-the-night fear.  "You should never make a decision in high emotions or low emotions."  Leadership lesson: When nothing is final, your people learn to wait. Decide when you're calm, then let the decision stand. 3. Delegate the authority, not just the task.  Delegated work keeps coming back because people take the safe route when they aren't sure how much freedom they have.  "Many leaders have delegated the task, but you didn't delegate the authority."  Leadership lesson: Be explicit. Tell people what to do, what they have full authority to decide, and when to come back to you. 4. Fix the structure, not the schedule.  If you're answering questions that aren't yours and sitting in meetings you don't need to attend, more hours won't help, and awareness alone won't either, because old habits take over in a millisecond.  "Leaders don't have a time problem. They have a structure problem."  Leadership lesson: Build systems for decisions and priorities, and learn to pause before the old pattern takes over. 5. Small steps build lasting change.  Using the New Year's gym resolution as an example, Brooke explained why doubts show up right when change starts to take hold, and why that's exactly when accountability matters most.  "You create the habit, and you let the habit get the result."  Leadership lesson: Your people aren't lazy. Their brains are wired to resist change. Lead change in small, steady steps. Resources Mentioned Burn On, Not Out: Finding Fulfillment Beyond Success by Brooke M. Dukes Success by Design, Brooke's leadership operating system and communityThe Eisenhower MatrixInfluence by Robert CialdiniThe Human Design Podcast with Emma DunwoodieAnthropic's free courses on using Claude Connect with Brooke WebsiteInstagramLinkedInYouTubeFree 30-minute bottleneck masterclass and the five-question "What Type of Bottleneck Are You?" quiz, available through her websiteFree Learning To Lead Resources Free Book: The Trust GapThe Learning To Lead NewsletterLeaderNotes🔎 About LeaderNotes LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one. Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

  3. 20 Oct

    #88 You Don't Have a Time Problem, You Have a Structure Problem with Brooke Dukes

    Episode Summary Do you ever feel like you're working harder than ever, yet your team still waits on you for every decision?  You're not alone, and according to Brooke Dukes, the problem isn't your time or your people. It's your structure. In this episode, Mark sits down with Brooke Dukes, structural strategist, keynote speaker, and #1 international bestselling author of Burn On, Not Out. Brooke opens up about the moments that forced her to rethink leadership, from flying on a corporate jet while in pre-term labor to burning out as a consulting partner so badly that she developed COVID and shingles at the same time. Those experiences led her to a powerful realization: what looked like a drive for money and success was really a search for safety. Brooke unpacks why so many leaders become the bottleneck in their own organizations, why reopening decisions quietly drains your team's momentum, and how to delegate in a way that actually sticks. She also shares how small, consistent steps build lasting change, and how AI can serve as an operating system that keeps leaders focused on what they've committed to. Whether you lead a team of five or a company of five hundred, this conversation will help you move from firefighter to Smokey the Bear. Key Takeaways Most leaders aren't monsters; they're in survival mode. Reactive leadership often comes from fear and unmet human needs, not bad intentions.Your bandwidth can become your company's growth ceiling. The founder-centered system that got you to a million dollars and six employees will hold you back beyond that.Reopening a finalized decision costs $2,000 to $5,000 in team time. It also teaches your people to wait, because nothing ever feels final.Never make a decision in high or low emotion. Decisions made at 3:00 a.m. out of fear rarely reflect new information.Delegate the authority, not just the task. Be explicit: "You have full authority to do Y. If anything goes beyond Y, come back to me."It's not a time problem; it's a structure problem. Systems help you pause and override the habits your subconscious mind runs on autopilot.Change happens in small steps. Leaders often try to implement too much at once. Create the habit, and let the habit create the result.AI should be part of your operating system, not just an assistant. Set it up well, and it can track commitments, hold you to locked decisions, and act as a strategic thinking partner.Try This Week: The Five-Day Decision Audit For five business days, track every decision that lands on your desk, big or small. Then run each one through Brooke's three questions: Is this actually mine?What breaks if I don't get involved?Am I reopening something that was already finalized?You'll quickly see which decisions belong with you and which belong with your team. Memorable Quotes "It wasn't about the money. It was about safety." "Most people aren't trying to be monsters. They're trying to survive." "You delegated the task. You didn't delegate the authority." "You can't sell a person." "You create the habit, and you let the habit get the result." Resources Mentioned Burn On, Not Out: Finding Fulfillment Beyond Success by Brooke M. Dukes Success by Design, Brooke's leadership operating system and communityThe Eisenhower MatrixInfluence by Robert CialdiniThe Human Design Podcast with Emma DunwoodieAnthropic's free courses on using ClaudeAbout Brooke M. Dukes Brooke M. Dukes is a speaker and structural strategist who helps leaders eliminate bottlenecks in their companies so teams can execute without waiting on them.  With more than 25 years of experience in executive leadership, sales, behavioral science, and consulting, including serving as a Fortune 500 executive, she has spoken for Fortune 100 companies and global audiences of more than 5,000 executives.  She created Success by Design, hosts the Burn On, Not Out Podcast, is the #1 international bestselling author of Burn On, Not Out: Finding Fulfillment Beyond Success, and is the Founder and CEO of BMD. She is based in Austin, Texas. Connect with Brooke WebsiteInstagramLinkedInYouTubeFree 30-minute bottleneck masterclass and the five-question "What Type of Bottleneck Are You?" quiz, available through her websiteYour Next Step Which decision landed back on your desk this week that shouldn't have?  Start there. And if this episode helped you, share it with a leader who's been carrying too much.  Free Learning To Lead Resources Free Book: The Trust GapThe Learning To Lead NewsletterLeaderNotes🔎 About LeaderNotes LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one. Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

  4. 10 Oct

    #87 Leadership Insights from my Conversation with Chris Harris

    Free Learning To Lead Resources Free Book: The Trust GapThe Learning To Lead NewsletterLeaderNotes🔎 About LeaderNotes LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one. Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

  5. 9 Oct

    #86 From Foster Care to Special Forces to the C-Suite: The Warrior Maker's Leadership Journey with Chris Harris

    What separates people defined by their circumstances from those who rise above them? Chris Harris grew up in foster care. His mother went to prison for drug distribution when he was 10, and at times he was homeless. His two sisters went through the same adversity, but Chris chose a different lens. "We were all victimized," he says, "but they chose to be victims." In this episode of The Learning to Lead Show, Chris, known worldwide as The Warrior Maker, shares how that one decision shaped his life. He went on to train elite special forces for 25 years, became the world's number-one tech salesperson, and rose to company president. Along the way, he learned what really drives lasting change. Spoiler: it isn't willpower. About Chris Harris Chris Harris is a recognized authority on mindset and elite performance. He has helped leaders and sales teams in over 60 countries strengthen execution, discipline, and results. For 25 years, he trained special forces as a private contractor. He founded an elite combatives methodology, was inducted into the U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame, and is the bestselling author of 14 books, including The Book of Mindset. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The two requirements of true accountability. You must clearly declare your desired outcome and own the result, regardless of circumstances.What mindset really is. It's the space between stimulus and response, and it reveals your character hundreds of times a day.Why your goals don't stick. You have to get them past "Critical Carl," the seven-foot bodyguard standing guard over your subconscious mind.Why leaders should fix the chicken, not the egg. Mindset produces behavior, so studying the behavior alone won't solve the problem.The superpower of elite special forces. Shared purpose creates "relative superiority," and corporate leaders can build it too.How trust is lost in a single moment, and how overpromising quietly erodes it over time.How metacognition, or thinking about what you're thinking, can uncover and fix autopilot reactions. Memorable Quotes "If on your journey you realize that your why's a little off, don't stop the journey, just change your why.""If I've got a chicken that's laying bad eggs, I'm not going to get my answer by studying the egg.""Integrity is everything.""Be the one that says no and does it anyway." Resources Mentioned The Book of Mindset by Chris HarrisMindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. DweckThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. CoveyLeadership Challenge This week, ask yourself one honest question: Would my team take the hill for me, regardless of the cost? If the answer is yes, start building shared purpose. If it's no, set the vision statement aside for now and find out why. Connect with Chris Harris WebsiteLinkedInEmail: Chris@TheWarriorMaker.comFree Learning To Lead Resources Free Book: The Trust GapThe Learning To Lead NewsletterLeaderNotes🔎 About LeaderNotes LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one. Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

  6. 6 Oct

    #85 Leadership Insights from my Conversation with Terry Weaver

    What would you change if life suddenly hit pause? In this episode, I unpack key leadership insights from my conversation with Terry Weaver in Episode #84, "Is This It?" A Leader's Reflection on Legacy, Time, and Purpose. This isn't really a story about a health scare. It's about choosing your story, living the life you were designed for, and refusing to wait for a crisis to clarify what matters most. Terry is a strategist, speaker, and coach who helps visionary leaders build a real business, and he's the founder of The Thing, a gathering of entrepreneurs, creators, and change-makers. His path there was anything but traditional. He grew up in a broken home, was told he'd never amount to anything, and found his calling as a teenager, speaking to auditoriums full of kids. He went on to travel the country as a speaker, bringing along musicians who later became household names like MercyMe and Chris Tomlin. Then last November, while hosting The Thing in Orlando, Terry went into septic shock. By the time he reached the ER, his odds of survival had dropped to roughly 25 percent. He spent almost two weeks in the hospital, and the conference he'd planned for months went on without him, carried by a community that had taken ownership of it. At the heart of our conversation is one simple, powerful truth: You can't be a victim and victorious at the same time. What We Discussed Why leaders aren't people who have it all figured out, but people convinced it's possible to figure it outChoosing to become a success story instead of a statisticLiving the life you were designed for rather than the one others designed for youThe three forces attacking your leadership: fear, scarcity, and victimhoodBuilding systems, values, and community that don't depend on you aloneWho This Episode Is For Leaders who want to stop letting past circumstances become present excusesLeaders who want to get clear on their purpose before a crisis forces the questionLeaders who want to stop being the linchpin their business can't run withoutLeaders who want to protect their energy for the work and people that matter mostLeaders who want to lead with generosity, kindness, and encouragement 5 Key Takeaways for Growth-Minded Leaders 1. Choose victorious over victim.  At 18, lying at the bottom of a staircase, Terry decided he could use his past as an excuse or as fuel.  "You can't be a victim and victorious at the same time. It's simply not possible."  Leadership lesson: What happened to you may not be your fault, but what you do next is your choice. 2. Be the first version of yourself.  Too many leaders follow the path their parents, peers, or heroes laid out for them.  "None of us were born to be next. We're meant to be a first."  Leadership lesson: Stop copying someone else's life. Your greatest impact comes from leading as you were designed to be. 3. Don't wait for the wake-up call.  Looking back, Terry realized the changes that mattered most needed to happen months, even years, earlier.  "What's happening in our life and our business is the result of what we were doing six, 18, and 24 months ago."  Leadership lesson: Build the systems, the team, and the clarity now so your mission doesn't depend on you being in the room. 4. Find your North Star.  Terry sees himself as a navigator, helping people find the fixed point that keeps them on course when the waves hit.  "Your core values are what make you say no to money."  Leadership lesson: Core values are as much about what you refuse to do as what you do. Without them, every wave will toss you around. 5. Make generosity your boundary.  After interviewing leaders like Seth Godin and John Maxwell, Terry noticed the most remarkable ones were also the most accessible.  "To the most remarkable among us, their boundaries are generosity and kindness and investing in other people."  Leadership lesson: Kindness, community, encouragement, and service aren't rocket science. Because so few people practice them, they will make you stand out. Reflection Questions Where are you still letting your past serve as an excuse instead of fuel?What decisions are you making today that will shape your life and business 6, 18, and 24 months from now?What would your core values lead you to say no to, even if it meant leaving money on the table?Listen to the Full Conversation If you haven't heard it yet, go back and listen to Episode #84: Is This It? A Leader's Reflection on Legacy, Time, and Purpose with Terry Weaver. Terry is a deep, reflective thinker, and the full conversation brings these takeaways to life. Take the Next Step 📥 Download the LeaderNotes for this episode. This conversation packs a lot, and the LeaderNotes will help you put it into practice. ⭐ Rate and review The Learning to Lead Show on your favorite podcast app. It helps other leaders find the show. 🔔 Subscribe so each new episode arrives as soon as it's published. Go out this week and learn, grow, and lead, and take your organization to the next level. Free Learning To Lead Resources Free Book: The Trust GapThe Learning To Lead NewsletterLeaderNotes🔎 About LeaderNotes LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one. Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

  7. 5 Oct

    #84 Is This It? A Leader's Reflection on Legacy, Time, and Purpose with Terry Weaver

    Episode Summary What would you change if you knew your time might be up? Terry Weaver had to answer that question from a hospital bed. Last November, while hosting his conference, The Thing, in Orlando, Terry went into septic shock. By the time he reached the ER, his odds of survival had dropped to roughly 25%. He spent almost two weeks in the hospital, and his recovery is still ongoing. Meanwhile, the conference went on without him, carried by a community that had taken ownership of it. In this episode, Terry shares his unconventional leadership journey: speaking to rooms full of kids as a teenager, touring with musicians before they became Grammy winners, and discovering he'd been coaching people long before he had a name for it. We dig into why victimhood, fear, and scarcity hold leaders back, why none of us are born to be "the next" anybody, and what Terry would tell every leader to do before a crisis forces the question. About Our Guest Terry Weaver is a strategist, speaker, and coach who helps visionary leaders build real businesses, not just a hustle. For more than three decades, he's worked with organizations like Disney, Warner Brothers, the United States Postal Service, and Leadercast. He's the founder of The Thing, leads the Pachyderm Flight Society, and is the author of Making Elephants Fly, with his upcoming book The Pachyderm Principles on the way. Terry lives outside Nashville with his wife, Leslie, and their miniature schnauzers, Walt and Oswald. In This Episode, You'll Learn How early mentors and a youth bus ministry gave Terry the "at-bats" that built his confidence and callingWhy leaders aren't people who have it all figured out, but people convinced it's possible to figure it outThe moment at 18 when Terry decided to become a success story instead of a statisticWhy you can't be a victim and victorious at the same timeThe danger of living a life others designed for you, and why we're meant to be the first version of ourselvesThe three forces attacking your leadership: fear, scarcity, and victimhoodWhat surviving sepsis taught Terry about time, people, and what really mattersWhy your results today come from what you did 6 to 24 months agoHow to stop being the "linchpin" your business can't run withoutWhy core values are as much about what you refuse to do as what you doThe "Spice Girls Rule" for getting clear on what you really wantWhy the most remarkable leaders set boundaries rooted in generosity and kindnessKey Takeaways Choose your story. Hard things may happen to you that aren't your fault, but you decide whether they become your excuse or your fuel.Give people the next two weeks, not the 100-year plan. Big vision matters, but sometimes the most helpful thing a leader can do is point to the next step.Build systems before you need them. Terry's biggest regret wasn't anything he did in October. It was not building things in the months before that could run without him.Audit your fountains and drains. Some people and tasks give you life; others drain it. Know which is which, and protect your energy for zone-of-genius work.Find your North Star. Ships without a destination or an anchor get tossed by the waves. Clear core values keep you steady.Fix your mindset first. Often the roadblock in a leader's business isn't circumstances. It's the leader. When the mind changes, everything else starts to follow.Memorable Quotes "Leaders are really just people who are convinced that it's possible to figure it out.""You can't be a victim and victorious at the same time."None of us are born to be next. We're meant to be first.""Your core values are what makes you say no to money."What you can do in your sleep is keeping someone else up at night.""To the most remarkable among us, their boundaries are generosity and kindness." Books & Resources Mentioned Making Elephants Fly by Terry WeaverThe Pachyderm Principles by Terry Weaver (upcoming)Linchpin by Seth GodinThe Big Leap by Gay Hendricks (Zone of Genius)Start With Why  by Simon SinekFind Your Why by Simon SinekBuilding a StoryBrand by Donald MillerLeaders & Voices Terry Mentioned John Maxwell, Andy Stanley, Seth Godin, Erwin McManus, Jon Gordon, Ed Mylett, Jesse Cole (Savannah Bananas), Zig Ziglar, Gary Vaynerchuk, Dan Miller, Walt and Roy Disney, and Steve Jobs. Your Leadership Challenge Terry closed with a challenge borrowed from Seth Godin: Thank someone who has made you a better leader! Send a text, an email, or go old school with a handwritten note. Leadership is hard and often lonely, and your words might be exactly what someone needs to remember the impact they've made.  Then ask yourself how you can pass that same gift along to someone else today. Connect with Terry Weaver WebsiteThe ThingMaking Elephants FlyMaking Elephants Fly PodcastFacebookLinkedInFree Learning To Lead Resources Free Book: The Trust GapThe Learning To Lead NewsletterLeaderNotes🔎 About LeaderNotes LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one. Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

  8. 3 Oct

    #83 Leadership Insights from my Conversation with Jimmy Burroughes

    In this episode, host Mark Cundiff shares his key leadership insights from Episode 82, his conversation with Jimmy Burroughes, a leadership performance consultant and creator of the Simplify to Amplify methodology. Jimmy began his career as a British Army officer in the Gulf War, then moved into the corporate world, where he rose to general manager of an eight-figure business. After burning out in 2017, he built a consulting practice that helps mid- to senior-level leaders escape overwhelm and lead with clarity. At the heart of the conversation is one simple, powerful truth: the secret to high performance over the long term is consistency at 80%. Great leaders don't do more. They see clearly what matters most and help everyone pull in the same direction. Five Key Leadership Takeaways 1. You don't have to be the expert. As a new officer in Iraq, Jimmy led soldiers with 25 to 40 years of combined experience. His staff sergeant brought the experience, Jimmy made the decisions, and together they brought everyone home. "You don't need to be an expert when you're the leader. You do need to be the one who taps into the expertise and the answers from those around you." Leadership lesson: Your job isn't to have every answer. It's to draw out the best answers from the people around you. 2. Working harder and longer has a ceiling. The strategy that got you promoted is often the one that will hold you back. "You reach a point in your career where the complexity is too much for you to work harder and longer." Leadership lesson: At a certain level, effort isn't the answer. Clarity and focus are. 3. Misalignment is silent friction. When Jimmy asks workshop participants to close their eyes and point north, they point in every direction. Teams do the same with their priorities. "When you're pulling in different directions and working hard, you're counteracting the work that some of your peers are doing and not moving the organization forward like it needs to." Leadership lesson: Never assume your team agrees on a priority. Check it, align it, and keep it clear. 4. Sustainable performance happens at 80%. Drawing on Brendon Burchard's research, Jimmy teaches leaders to treat high performance like a marathon by building an "80% list" of warning signs and a non-negotiable recovery plan for when they go over. "The best way to be a high performer over a long period of time is not to work at your maximum all the time." Leadership lesson: When you run past 80%, you don't just lose energy. You lose clarity. 5. Trust is built one level at a time. Jimmy compares trust to scuba diving. The deeper you go, from cognitive to aligned to relational to emotional trust, the more skill, care, and preparation it requires. His SERVICE framework helps leaders move deeper with intention. Leadership lesson: Know where you stand with each person, then take intentional steps to go deeper. Topics Covered in Episode #82 Why you don't need to be the expert to be the leaderWhy "work harder and longer" eventually stops workingExposing hidden misalignment with the Point North exercisePurpose and clarity as the marks of great leaders across culturesSustaining high performance with the 80% ruleBuilding trust one level at a time with the scuba diving frameworkRedefining success when you feel stuck mid-careerReplacing multitasking with focused, one-priority-at-a-time executionThe Show Keeps Growing The Learning to Lead Show is now heard in 465 cities, 65 countries, and 43 of the 50 U.S. states, with new listeners recently joining from London, Berlin, and Owenton, Kentucky. Thank you for sharing the show! Take the Next Step Listen to the full conversation: Episode 82, "Close Your Eyes and Point North: Leading with Clarity with Jimmy Burroughs"Download LeaderNotes: Get a digest of key topics, takeaways, and application exercises to use with your teamSubscribe so every new episode arrives in your podcast appRate and review the show to help more leaders find these conversationsNow go out and learn, grow, and lead, and take your organization, your team, and your family to the next level. Free Learning To Lead Resources Free Book: The Trust GapThe Learning To Lead NewsletterLeaderNotes🔎 About LeaderNotes LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one. Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

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The Learning to Lead Show with Mark J. Cundiff Helping Good Leaders Become Great—One Practical Insight at a Time You’re busy. The demands are real. But your desire to grow as a leader hasn’t gone anywhere. That’s why The Learning to Lead Show is designed for leaders like you—driven, growth-minded, and always on the go. Hosted by Executive Leadership Coach Mark J. Cundiff, this podcast delivers practical leadership insights you can use today, not someday. Each week, you’ll get: Short, focused teaching episodes packed with real-world lessons from decades of leadership experience, bestselling books, and proven frameworks. Authentic interviews with front-line leaders who share how they’re navigating challenges, building teams, and leading with purpose, right where they are. Whether you’re commuting, working out, or grabbing a few quiet minutes between meetings, this show helps you invest in your leadership without adding to your already busy schedule. Because great leadership isn’t about having more time—it’s about using the time you have to lead on purpose. This show is for growth-minded professionals who want more than titles and tactics. It’s for those who want to lead with purpose, develop a legacy, and make their future bigger than their past. So whether you're leading a team, a business, or yourself—tune in, take notes, and let’s grow together.

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