Leadership Unlocked: The Operating System Every Executive Leader Needs to Delegate Effectively & Foster Accountability So You

Dusty Holcomb, Leadership Systems & Delegation Expert
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Leadership Unlocked is a leadership podcast about the moments that shape how real leaders grow. Hosted by executive coach & strategist Dusty Holcomb, it features real stories and honest conversations with CEOs, founders, and senior leaders navigating real-world challenges and growth. Each episode delivers real-world leadership insights, stories from leaders in the field, and practical tools for high-performing teams—making it a must-listen for anyone serious about leadership development. Whether you're leading a company, a team, or yourself, you'll walk away with something you can use right now. New episodes weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or visit ArcqusGroup.com/podcast to learn more.

  1. Build Better Decisions Using Self-Awareness Others Ignore | Liesl Chang - E48

    1D AGO

    Build Better Decisions Using Self-Awareness Others Ignore | Liesl Chang - E48

    Dusty sits down with Liesl Chang—entrepreneur, systems thinker, and founder of Comeback Goods—for a wide-ranging conversation that explores how self-awareness, curiosity, and disciplined systems thinking shape meaningful leadership. Tracing her path from studying Russian history to building logistics infrastructure at high-growth startups like Zimments and Casper, Liesl reflects on the formative moments that redirected her career, including the loss of her father and a growing refusal to settle for work that lacked purpose. Together, she and Dusty unpack the hidden operational realities of e-commerce—especially the costly, overlooked problem of returns—and how that insight led Liesl to found Comeback Goods, a marketplace built around reclaiming “almost perfect” home goods with minor imperfections. Along the way, Liesl shares why differentiation and financial discipline are non-negotiables, how narrative and systems intersect, and why leadership rooted in presence, follow-through, and genuine human connection ultimately creates the most durable impact. Key Timestamps: (01:31) – The Importance of Self-Awareness in Leadership (05:59) – Early Influences and Entrepreneurial Spirit (09:03) – Academic Journey: From Russian History to Entrepreneurship (22:13) – Venturing into E-commerce and Logistics (25:14) – The Challenges of E-commerce Returns (30:05) – Embracing Imperfections, Sustainability, and Returns (37:28) – Building a Network (42:27) – Rapid Fire Questions Key Topics Discussed: Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Self-Leadership, Leadership Coaching, Leadership Clarity, Organizational Leadership Mentions: Website: https://comebackgoods.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslchang/  Mentions:  Upworthy - GOOD PEOPLE: Stories From the Best of Humanity by Gabriel Reilich and Lucia Knell https://www.habitat.org/  https://www.doe.org/programs/ready-willing-able/  More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    55 min

  2. FEB 11

    The Three Building Blocks of Trust Most Leaders Miss - E47

    Dusty goes solo to reframe one of leadership’s most misunderstood concepts—trust—arguing that leaders get stuck because they treat trust as something to earn or demand rather than something to build deliberately. Drawing from real coaching conversations, including a revealing case study of a newly promoted CEO who was burning out by staying too involved, Dusty shows how leaders often focus on whether others trust them while failing to demonstrate trust themselves. He introduces a practical three-part trust framework—relational trust, competency-based trust, and integrity-based trust—and explains how each requires a different leadership action: investing in people as humans, assessing real capability before stepping back, and modeling reliability through follow-through. By breaking trust into these distinct components, Dusty gives leaders a clear diagnostic for why trust breaks down and what to do next, whether they’re struggling to delegate, being micromanaged, or sensing hesitation from their team. Rather than waiting for trust to magically appear, this episode challenges leaders to ask a better question—not “Do they trust me?” but “Am I being trustworthy?”—and offers concrete, actionable steps to begin building trust systematically, one relationship and one behavior at a time. Key Timestamps: (00:00) – Common Trust Issues Among Leaders (03:06) – Case Study: Bob's Leadership Challenge (06:35) – The Three Components of Trust (14:38) – Applying the Trust Framework (19:56) – Conclusion: Building Trust Systematically Key Topics Discussed: Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    23 min
  3. The Lie Ambitious Leaders Believe About Identity & Success | Maricella Herrera - E46

    FEB 4

    The Lie Ambitious Leaders Believe About Identity & Success | Maricella Herrera - E46

    She built her dream career, but then walked away. Dusty Holcomb sits down with Maricella Herrera—former COO and CEO of Elevate Network and host of the podcast Oh Shit, I Just Quit My Job—for an honest, deeply human conversation about identity, integrity, and the courage required to walk away from a life that no longer fits. From her early career in finance in Mexico to business school at Columbia and more than a decade helping build the world’s largest professional community for women, Maricella reflects on the mentors who shaped her, the leadership philosophy rooted in transparency and modeling behavior, and the quiet burnout that followed years of purpose-driven work. She unpacks the tension between loyalty and self-leadership, the moment of clarity that led her to step away without a plan, and why alignment—not prestige or performance—became her north star. Together, she and Dusty explore redefining success on your own terms, the power of community and reflection, and why giving yourself space to listen is often the bravest leadership move you can make. Maricella shares how quitting became a catalyst for reinvention—through teaching, storytelling, and building a portfolio career grounded in mission, curiosity, and working with smart people who lead with care—reminding listeners that you are not what you do, but why you do it. Key Timestamps: (00:00) – Marella Herrera's Bold Career Moves (08:15) – The Power of Mentorship (15:46) – Journey to Elevate Network (24:25) – The Decision to Leave Elevate (34:28) – The Breaking Point: Realizing the Need for Change (37:04) – Advice for Those Wrestling with Identity and Alignment (43:53) – Teaching and Defining Non-Negotiables (52:18) – Rapid Fire Questions: Books, Advice, and Daily Practices (58:57) – Defining Success and Supporting Causes Key Topics Discussed: Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Self-Leadership, Leadership Coaching, Leadership Clarity, Organizational Leadership Mentions: Website: https://maricellaherrera.substack.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maricellaherreraa/  Mentions:  The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    1h 4m
  4. Why Willpower Fails—Create Sustainable Success With the ACT Framework | Lani Jones - E45

    JAN 28

    Why Willpower Fails—Create Sustainable Success With the ACT Framework | Lani Jones - E45

    Dusty sits down once again with Dr. Lani Jones—clinical psychologist and executive coach—for a practical, no-nonsense conversation about turning good intentions into systems that actually produce lasting change. Building on their prior discussion about vision and planning, Lani introduces a clinically informed framework that begins with acknowledging your design: understanding your humanness, neurological wiring, and behavioral patterns rather than relying on sheer willpower or grit. Together, they explore why most goals fail at the execution layer, how blind spots and perfectionism quietly sabotage momentum, and why leaders must design environments, cues, and accountability structures that make success the path of least resistance. Lani shares concrete examples—from dopamine-driven habit stacking to simplifying systems around one critical block of the day—to show how sustainable progress is built through consistency, not perfection. Throughout the conversation, she challenges listeners to abandon one-size-fits-all productivity models, embrace self-awareness without self-judgment, and continually refine systems as seasons of life change. The episode ultimately reframes success as a repeatable process—one rooted in clarity, grace, and intentional system design—where extraordinary outcomes emerge from disciplined attention to the ordinary. Key Timestamps: (01:12) – ACT Framework: Acknowledge Your Design (05:00) – Real-Life Examples and Practical Applications (10:14) – Identifying Blind Spots and Seeking Feedback (16:02) – Creating Sustainable Systems for Success (34:36) – 3 Questions for Actionable Advice Key Topics Discussed: Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership Mentions: Website: https://drlanijones.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlanijones/  Mentions:  Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    39 min
  5. Most Goals Fail—But Not With This One Shift in Planning | Lani Jones - E44

    JAN 21

    Most Goals Fail—But Not With This One Shift in Planning | Lani Jones - E44

    Dusty welcomes back Dr. Lani Jones—clinical psychologist, executive coach, and expert in behavior change—for a timely and deeply reflective conversation on how leaders can intentionally design success rather than defaulting to familiar but ineffective goal-setting habits. Moving beyond the fleeting appeal of New Year’s resolutions, Lani reframes planning as an exercise in clarity, alignment, and self-leadership, emphasizing that most people fail not from lack of discipline but from skipping the deeper work of understanding what truly matters. Together, they unpack a clinically informed framework centered on the where, why, and what—arguing that sustainable progress requires slowing down, interrogating internal belief systems, and reconnecting with values before ever jumping to tactics. Lani explores how distraction quietly erodes ambition, why leaders often honor commitments to others more than to themselves, and how guilt and shame sabotage long-term change. Through practical examples and candid reflections, she challenges listeners to envision December 31, 2026, as if it has already happened, and to design the ordinary daily behaviors that make extraordinary outcomes possible. The episode ultimately calls leaders to create intentional space for reflection, enlist accountability beyond themselves, and approach goal-setting not as a checklist, but as a process of becoming—because enduring success is built from clarity first, not hustle. Key Timestamps: (00:00) – A Better Approach to Goal Setting (07:06) – The Role of Values and Distractions (12:40) – Reflecting on Personal and Professional Goals (16:10) – Creating a Vision for 2026 (23:16) – The Importance of Accountability (33:03) – The Extraordinary Lies Within the Ordinary Key Topics Discussed: Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership Mentions: Website: https://drlanijones.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlanijones/  More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    36 min
  6. Stop Accepting Pain as the Price of Success as a Leader | Scott Hogan - E43

    JAN 14

    Stop Accepting Pain as the Price of Success as a Leader | Scott Hogan - E43

    Dusty sits down with Scott Hogan—former collegiate baseball player, injury-prone athlete turned founder, author, and recovery-focused entrepreneur—for a conversation that reframes leadership through the lens of physical resilience, self-awareness, and long-term sustainability. After a career derailed by chronic injuries, Scott traces how his obsession with understanding pain, recovery, and human performance led him to build Salt Wrap into a seven-figure company and author Built from Broken: A Science-Based Guide to Healing Painful Joints, Preventing Injuries, and Rebuilding Your Body. Together, Scott and Dusty explore how formative adversity shapes leadership philosophy, why most business and life constraints are physical and neurological before they are strategic, and how founders often stall by clinging too long to independence instead of building teams. Scott reflects on pivotal moments—being laid off days before his son’s birth, scaling a company alone past $1M, moving his family to Costa Rica during the pandemic—that clarified his mission and forced him to confront the limits of grind culture. Throughout the conversation, he draws sharp parallels between fitness and leadership, arguing that posture, movement, and nervous system regulation underpin clarity, decision-making, and sustainable performance. With humility and precision, Scott challenges leaders to stop normalizing pain—physical or organizational—and instead address root causes, counterbalance strengths, and build systems that allow both bodies and businesses to perform well for the long haul. Key Timestamps: (04:34) – Formative Experiences and Entrepreneurial Insights (12:08) – The Costa Rica Transformation (17:35) – Writing Built From Broken: The Journey and Challenges (26:47) – Principles for a Longevity-Based Lifestyle (31:53) – The Compound Effect of Small Changes (35:16) – The Significance of Posture and Ergonomics (38:22) – The Benefits of Walking (41:50) – Balancing Life Domains for Optimal Performance (48:33) – Re-releasing the Book: Built From Broken (52:48) – Rapid Fire Questions and Leadership Insights Key Topics Discussed: Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership Mentions: Website: scotthogan.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotthhogan/  Mentions:  The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    1h 3m

  7. JAN 7

    Being Nice Is Killing Your Team—Here’s What to Do Instead - E42

    Dusty goes solo to challenge one of leadership’s most damaging habits—the belief that being “nice” is the same as being effective—and makes the case that niceness is quietly starving teams of the truth they need to perform. Drawing from a powerful real-world example of a brilliant but overly restrained leader, personal leadership failures, and research spanning neuroscience, McKinsey, Gallup, and HBR, he exposes why most leaders aren’t actually giving feedback at all—they’re managing their own discomfort. Dusty unpacks the critical distinction between nice and kind, showing how nice protects the speaker while kind serves the team, and explains why poorly delivered feedback triggers threat responses in the brain rather than growth. He then introduces the “Because of you, we” framework—a simple, research-backed structure that reframes feedback as a collective benefit instead of a personal attack—along with a practical four-step conversation model leaders can use immediately. Through concrete examples on both ends of the spectrum, Dusty demonstrates how clarity, specificity, and shared ownership unlock contribution, accountability, and trust. This episode is a call for leaders to stop hoping people “get it,” start saying what needs to be said with genuine care, and build cultures where truth—delivered kindly—is the engine of performance. Key Timestamps: (00:00) – The Difference Between Nice and Kind (07:01) – The Neuroscience of Feedback (15:40) – The 'Because of You, We' Framework (16:27) – Practical Application and Examples (25:04) – Preparing for Difficult Conversations Key Topics Discussed: Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    29 min
  8. The Leadership Skill Horses Have Mastered That Most Humans Ignore | Amanda Dunklin - E41

    12/31/2025

    The Leadership Skill Horses Have Mastered That Most Humans Ignore | Amanda Dunklin - E41

    Dusty sits down with Amanda Dunklin—equestrian coach, entrepreneur, and operational strategist—for a conversation that redefines what it means to lead with clarity, empathy, and resilience. After decades spent training horses, coaching competitive riders, building a school from the ground up, and later advising high-growth organizations, Amanda shares the insight that reshaped her entire approach to leadership: systems matter, but people matter more. Together, she and Dusty explore why emotional intelligence is learned, how consistency becomes a superpower, and why leaders must create environments where trust, safety, and communication come before timelines and tactics. Amanda traces her unlikely journey from barns to boardrooms, revealing how the same principles that calm a nervous horse—presence, patience, and genuine attention—also elevate teams and transform organizations. She unpacks the pitfalls of tech-first thinking, the necessity of clean data and thoughtful workflows, and the human side of AI adoption that most companies overlook. Through candid reflections on entrepreneurship, single motherhood, reinvention, and hard-won humility, Amanda challenges leaders to slow down, listen deeply, and build operational foundations that empower people to do their best work—because sustainable growth starts with how you show up. Key Timestamps: (00:32) – Meet Amanda Dunklin: From Horse Barns to High Growth Tech (07:49) – Building Better Humans Through Equestrian Training (17:09) – Pivoting from Equestrian to Financial Services (24:03) – Navigating Corporate Life and Embracing Change (30:49) – Joining Switchboard: Embracing Digital Transformation (36:16) – The Importance of Clarity in Business (40:35) – The Role of AI in Modern Business (44:35) – Lessons from Horses on Leadership (55:49) – Rapid Fire Questions and Leadership Insights (01:01:48) – Supporting Therapeutic Riding Programs Key Topics Discussed: Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership Mentions: Website: https://www.withswitchboard.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-dunklin-7b78a8195/  Mentions:  Dare To Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. By Brené Brown More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    1h 6m
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About

Leadership Unlocked is a leadership podcast about the moments that shape how real leaders grow. Hosted by executive coach & strategist Dusty Holcomb, it features real stories and honest conversations with CEOs, founders, and senior leaders navigating real-world challenges and growth. Each episode delivers real-world leadership insights, stories from leaders in the field, and practical tools for high-performing teams—making it a must-listen for anyone serious about leadership development. Whether you're leading a company, a team, or yourself, you'll walk away with something you can use right now. New episodes weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or visit ArcqusGroup.com/podcast to learn more.

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