Deliberate Leaders Podcast with Allison Dunn

Allison Dunn
  • 4.9 (35)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Deliberate Leaders Podcast is dedicated to helping leaders build strong, thriving businesses. Join host Allison Dunn, executive business coach and owner of Deliberate Directions, as she spotlights today’s Deliberate Leaders who embrace the values of ownership, accountability, and reliability. Each episode features best information for business and leaders on topics like culture, communications, employee engagement, leadership, time management, growth strategies, personal development, goal setting, mindset, financial management, business best practices, systems, accountability, recruiting and retaining talent.

  1. 6h ago

    The Case You Built After You Decided

    Why Confirmation Bias Can Cost You Thousands — And How to Spot It In this episode, Alison Dunn reveals how even the most experienced leaders fall prey to confirmation bias, often without realizing it. Through her personal story and practical advice, she shows how to identify and overcome this costly thinking trap before it causes irreversible damage. Key Topics: Alison shares her $250,000 mistake with a franchise purchase, illustrating how confirmation bias influences decision-making. The subtle signs of confirmation bias in everyday leadership, such as defending decisions and dismissing conflicting evidence. How to ask effective questions, like "What assumptions am I making?" and "What if those assumptions are wrong?" to challenge your thinking. The importance of treating opposition or questions as gifts rather than threats to uncover hidden biases. Strategies to prevent confirmation bias, including writing down assumptions and seeking genuine input before making decisions. The role of self-awareness and curiosity in catching this trap early, especially in team discussions and strategic planning. A teaser for the book "Think First" that offers five methods to detect and counteract thinking traps before they turn costly. Timestamps: 00:00 - The high cost of decision-making mistakes leaders often mistake for good judgment 00:29 - Alison's personal story of buying a franchise with flawed thinking 00:59 - How confirmation bias creates case-building rather than genuine decision-making 01:29 - Recognizing confirmation bias: defense mechanisms and filtering evidence 01:58 - Everyday signs: sharing decisions after they’re made, seeking buy-in rather than input 02:13 - The importance of asking "What am I assuming?" before closing a decision 02:41 - Using questions to challenge assumptions and invite curiosity 03:07 - The difference between awareness and action: catching bias in real-time 03:37 - Practical questions to expose assumptions and invite challenge 04:07 - How to treat opposition and questions as gifts to avoid confirmation bias 04:37 - Final advice: reflect on whether you're still deciding or just building a case; unlearning bias 05:05 - Promotion for "Think First" and upcoming episode on solving recurring problems Think First

    The Case You Built After You Decided

  2. Jul 28

    What Peers Actually Give You That Nobody Else Can

    What Peers Actually Give You That Nobody Else Can In this episode, Allison Dunn explores how leaders at high levels can overcome loneliness and information gaps by cultivating the right peer relationships. She emphasizes practical steps to build honest, context-rich connections that foster better decision-making and resilience. Key Topics: Differentiating peer groups from networking events, masterminds, or mentorship The importance of lateral relationships at the same leadership level How shared context accelerates honest and meaningful conversations The significance of honesty without consequences in peer relationships Learning to see outside the system through outside perspective How peer reflection rewires leadership operating systems Practical steps: conducting an honest relationship audit The necessity of modeling vulnerability to enable open dialogue Finding intentional communities that foster real thinking out loud Building resilience by sharing burdens and embracing honesty Timestamps: 00:00 - The real purpose of peer relationships at the executive level 00:30 - What peer groups are not and common misconceptions 01:26 - The power of shared context for high-quality conversations 02:23 - Honesty without consequences as a critical element 02:51 - Gaining outside perspective to identify blind spots 03:17 - How peer feedback influences decision quality 03:45 - The shift from loneliness to shared understanding 00:00 - The operating system update that peers can catalyze 00:24 - Conducting an honest audit to identify trustworthy peers 00:51 - Showing vulnerability to model honesty and open dialogue 01:19 - Seeking environments that foster honest thinking 01:48 - Closing tips: building resilient leadership through authentic peer relationships 02:09 - The impact of credible, honest peer support on leadership longevity 02:38 - The power of intentionality and honesty in navigating leadership challenges 03:08 - Promotion of the book "Think First" for strategic thinking habits Resources & Links: Think First by Allison Dunn Deliberate Directions Think First

    What Peers Actually Give You That Nobody Else Can

  3. Jul 21

    Why Old Friends Can't Fill the Gap

    Most leaders hit a point where the roar of success becomes isolating and their go-to solutions often fall short. If reaching out to old friends or mentors isn't enough anymore, there's a vital type of relationship you’re likely missing. Discover the radical honesty, clarity, and growth that only a peer at your level can provide and why it’s the secret weapon for truly sustainable leadership.When you’re navigating complex decisions and high-stakes challenges, the people closest to you, your team, family, or long-time friends, often want to support you but can't see the full picture. Their feedback may be filtered through love, loyalty, or even fear, making honest confrontation rare and risky. That's why the most valuable insight often comes from someone outside your immediate circle, someone who’s building at the same altitude, facing similar dilemmas, and can tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear.In this episode, we break down: Why your trusted relationships may be inadvertently holding you back rather than pushing you forward The critical difference between support and honest challenge and why true growth demands the latter How to identify and cultivate a peer relationship that fuels your leadership at the highest level The subtle but powerful impact of radical honesty in decision-making and strategic thinking Practical steps to build this rare partnership before it’s too late If you’re a leader climbing higher, whether you're in a C-suite, scaling a startup, or leading a high-growth team, this episode is your blueprint for unlocking authentic, unfiltered insight. Without this kind of relationship, you risk stagnation, misjudged decisions, or burnout. But with it? You’ll gain the clarity to act decisively, the confidence to challenge your assumptions, and the resilience to sustain success.Are you ready to stop having the same conversations and start engaging in the kind of dialogue that truly transforms your leadership? This is essential listening if you want to lead with more intention, make smarter choices, and find the support that actually pushes you forward. The right peer can become your North Star. Don’t miss your chance to find that connection. Think First

    Why Old Friends Can't Fill the Gap

  4. Jul 7

    The Leadership Habits That Built Your Success May Be Holding You Back

    The Leadership Operating System Every leader develops an internal operating system. It's built from experience, reinforced by success, and often becomes invisible to the person running it. In this episode, Allison explores: Why the habits that created success may eventually create limitations How early-stage leadership instincts differ from scaling-stage leadership needs The hidden ways leaders become organizational bottlenecks Why recurring problems are often systemic rather than isolated The challenge of recognizing your own leadership patterns How authority limits honest feedback Why perspective is often more valuable than advice The role trusted peers play in helping leaders see blind spots How leaders can upgrade their operating system as they grow Key Question: What recurring pattern in your organization might be connected to how you operate as a leader? Resources: Think First: Stop Being the Bottleneck, Start Building Thinkers Deliberate Directions Executive Coaching & Leadership Development Think First

    The Leadership Habits That Built Your Success May Be Holding You Back

  5. Jun 30

    Why Your Team Stops Telling You the Truth

    Why Your Team Stops Telling You the Truth As companies grow, leaders often face an invisible challenge: they hear less of what's really happening. This isn't because employees are dishonest. It's because people naturally filter information when speaking to someone who holds authority over their career, compensation, and future opportunities. In this episode, Allison explores: How growth changes a leader's information environment Why teams begin filtering information The role power plays in workplace communication How leadership blind spots are created Why people stop raising concerns The hidden cost of operating on incomplete information Why asking for honesty isn't enough How to create psychological safety inside organizations The importance of trusted peers outside your business Key Question: When your team gives you an update, do you believe you're getting the full picture? If not, what have you done to make honesty truly safe? Resources: Think First: Stop Being the Bottleneck, Start Building Thinkers Deliberate Directions Leadership Development & Executive Coaching Think First

    Why Your Team Stops Telling You the Truth

  6. Jun 24

    The Loneliness That Grows With Success

    The Loneliness That Grows With Success Success often brings opportunities, influence, and growth. It can also bring something leaders rarely discuss openly: loneliness. In this episode, Allison explores: Why leadership often becomes more isolating as organizations scale How the gap between leaders and their teams naturally widens over time Why people stop telling leaders the full truth The hidden cost of carrying leadership challenges alone How isolation impacts decision-making and strategic thinking The role of trusted peers in preventing leadership blind spots Why honest feedback becomes harder to access as your authority increases How to create relationships where truth can be shared without fear The importance of building support systems outside your organization Key Question: When was the last time someone told you something genuinely difficult to hear? If you're struggling to answer that question, it may reveal more about your leadership environment than you realize. Resources: Think First: Stop Being the Bottleneck, Start Building Thinkers by Allison Dunn Learn more: Deliberate Directions Think First

    The Loneliness That Grows With Success

  7. May 26

    The Hidden Cost of Being Easy to Work With

    Why “easy to work with” can become a leadership liability How small acts of avoidance create cultural drift The hidden relationship between accountability and trust Why high performers notice inconsistent standards first How unclear expectations frustrate teams over time The concept of “autopilot leadership” from Think First Learned helplessness and what it does to workplace culture The difference between Firefighter leadership and Architect leadership Why avoiding hard conversations creates bigger problems later A practical question leaders should ask themselves regularly:“Am I protecting this relationship, or avoiding discomfort?” How deliberate leaders create clarity without sacrificing compassion Why strong cultures are built through consistency, honesty, and accountability Think First

    The Hidden Cost of Being Easy to Work With

  8. May 19

    The Slow Burn Problems Leaders Ignore

    Why the most damaging leadership problems are rarely the loudest How small tolerated behaviors become cultural standards The hidden cost of waiting too long to address issues Understanding “thinking debt” and how it compounds over time Why reactive leadership narrows long-term vision The difference between Firefighter mode and Architect mode How disengagement and resentment quietly build inside organizations A powerful leadership reframe: “What happens if this pattern continues for another year?” Why systems, not isolated incidents, shape organizational culture How deliberate leaders identify and address problems early before they escalate Reflection questions to help leaders identify their own “slow burn” issues Why resilient cultures are built through consistent, intentional leadership Think First

    The Slow Burn Problems Leaders Ignore
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4.9
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

Deliberate Leaders Podcast is dedicated to helping leaders build strong, thriving businesses. Join host Allison Dunn, executive business coach and owner of Deliberate Directions, as she spotlights today’s Deliberate Leaders who embrace the values of ownership, accountability, and reliability. Each episode features best information for business and leaders on topics like culture, communications, employee engagement, leadership, time management, growth strategies, personal development, goal setting, mindset, financial management, business best practices, systems, accountability, recruiting and retaining talent.

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