Leadership Unlocked: Delegate Better, Build Accountability, Lead Your Team

Dusty Holcomb, Leadership Systems & Delegation Expert
  • 5.0 (45)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. Are You Tired of Being Tired as a Leader? | Eric Collett - E55

    3D AGO

    Are You Tired of Being Tired as a Leader? | Eric Collett - E55

    Dusty sits down with Eric Collette, CEO of A Mind for All Seasons, for a wide-ranging and deeply practical conversation on how leaders can optimize brain health to sustain performance, extend longevity, and lead more effectively. Grounded in both research and real-world case studies, Eric challenges the fatalistic belief that cognitive decline is inevitable, instead outlining a “system of systems” approach that addresses root causes—metabolic health, sleep, stress, nutrition, movement, and even dental hygiene—to improve brain function today while reducing long-term risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s. Through compelling stories, including measurable cognitive recovery in dementia patients, he demonstrates how targeted interventions can drive meaningful change, while also emphasizing that leaders often misdiagnose problems by treating symptoms rather than underlying systems. Together, he and Dusty connect these principles back to leadership, exploring how clarity, alignment, and self-leadership mirror the same diagnostic rigor required in health. Eric reinforces that sustainable performance is built through daily disciplines—intentional movement, nutritional awareness, stress reframing, and reflective practices like prayer and prioritization—and ultimately defines success not by scale, but by impact, challenging leaders to measure their days by whether they meaningfully helped “the one.” Key Timestamps: (00:57) – Can Your Brain Improve? (11:07) – Dementia Turnaround (16:30) – Hardware Upgrade Analogy (22:00) - The Difference Between Common and Normal (26:40) – Brain Training (34:15) - Diet and Insulin Resistance (45:30) – Dental Health Surprise (50:02) – Sleep and Brain Cleanup (54:56) – Stress and Hormesis (1:00:08) – Reframing in Fight-or-Flight (01:02:29) – Rapid-Fire Leadership 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://amindforallseasons.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdcollett/  Mentions:  The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael Easter Leadership and Self Deception by Arbinger Institute More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    1h 10m

  2. APR 1

    Tired of Your Team Always Guessing What You Want? Build This | AMA #2 - E54

    Dusty goes solo in an AMA-style episode to break down how leaders can actually implement the Rules of Engagement framework introduced in episode 27, turning a powerful concept into a practical operating system for clarity and alignment. Drawing on years of leadership experience and real client stories, he frames the guide as a “leadership decoder ring”—a living document that makes implicit expectations explicit, eliminating guesswork around communication, decision-making, feedback, and standards. Through answering common fears—overwhelm, sounding too prescriptive, changing the rules midstream, or expecting too much—Dusty emphasizes progress over perfection, encouraging leaders to build and share a 70% complete version and refine it through dialogue. He introduces a rapid “forcing function” workshop method to create the guide in under 30 minutes and highlights the deeper psychology at play: clarity creates psychological safety, alignment closes execution gaps, and explicit commitments outperform assumed responsibility. Anchored by the Apple Watch story—where a COO confidently called him out for violating his own standards—Dusty demonstrates how codified expectations unlock two-way accountability and trust. The result is a scalable leadership system that reduces friction, accelerates performance, and gives teams the clarity they’ve been waiting for—challenging leaders to stop expecting mind-reading and start providing the playbook. Key Timestamps: (00:00) – The Rules of Engagement (03:03) – Q1: Where to Start When It Feels Overwhelming? (04:42) – Q2: How Does This Guide Differ from a Job Description and Company Values? (06:16) – Q3: Won't This Feel Like I'm Changing the Rules on My Team? (08:06) – Q4: Should I Be Aspirational or Brutally Honest? (09:49) – Q5: How Do I Make Sure I'm Not Being Overly Prescriptive? (11:56) – Q6: How Do I Set Expectations Without Expecting Everyone to Be a Mini Me? (16:20) – Q7: Can You Give Me Some Examples of What Others Have Said? (19:30) – Q8: How Do I Make Decisions? (21:30) – Q9: What's the Forcing Function Workshop Method? (23:40) – Q10: What Changes Are Seen When a Leader Implements This? (26:37) – Q11: What's One Story of This Process in Action? (28:17) – Free Gift 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: https://arcqusgroup.com/podcast/the-7-rules-of-engagement-that-eliminate-80-of-leadership-frustrations-e27/  More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com (00:00) - 54 - The Rules of Engagement (03:03) - Q1: Where to start when it feels overwhelming? (04:42) - Q2: How does this guide differ from a job description and company values? (06:16) - Q3: Won't this feel like I'm changing the rules on my team? (08:06) - Q4: Should I be aspirational or brutally honest? (09:49) - Q5: How do I make sure I'm not being overly prescriptive? (11:53) - Q6: How do I set expectations without expecting everyone to be a mini me? (16:16) - Q7: Can you give me some examples of what others have said? (19:26) - Q8: How do I make decisions? (21:26) - Q9: What's the forcing function workshop method? (23:37) - Q10: What changes are seen when a leader implements this? (26:34) - Q11: What's one story of this process in action? (28:13) - Free Gift

    30 min
  3. The Seven Issues Behind 95% of Leadership Pain | Dorothy & Garland Vance - E53

    MAR 25

    The Seven Issues Behind 95% of Leadership Pain | Dorothy & Garland Vance - E53

    Dusty sits down with Garland and Dorothy Vance—co-founders of Unleashed Leadership—for a candid and insightful conversation about the difference between being remembered as a hero or a villain in the lives of those you lead. Drawing from decades spent researching, testing, and refining leadership development—from running a 15-year “leadership laboratory” inside a nonprofit to building their own firm—the Vances unpack the core philosophies that shape their work: humility, character, courage, and the responsibility leaders carry at the dinner tables of the people they influence. Garland introduces the provocative lens that every leader will be talked about in heroic or villainous terms, while Dorothy emphasizes honoring every person with dignity and respect, regardless of role. Together, they explore the tension between being liked and being needed, the courage required to have hard conversations, the shift from leading teams to leading leaders, and the seven root issues—character, competence, capacity, clarity, community, culture, and consistency—that drive 95% of organizational pain. Through personal stories of toxic environments, transformative mentors, entrepreneurial risk, and the discipline of daily reflection, they challenge leaders to stop hiding behind busyness, stop pretending to have all the answers, and instead build communities where clarity, accountability, and authentic care create lasting impact. Key Timestamps: (02:32) – Leadership Laboratory: Hero or Villain (11:07) – Hard Truths and Courage (17:42) – Mentors Who Shaped Them (25:34) – Starting Their Own Firm (29:06) – Turning Pain Into Purpose (35:48) – Delegation and Trust Hurdles (39:49) – Seven Root Leadership Issues (46:54) – Books and Biographies (49:01) – Rapid Fire Reflections (53:05) – Superpowers and Where to Start (56:00) – Free Book  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://unleashedleadership.com/  Garland’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garland-vance/  Free Audiobook for Listeners: https://www.advanceleadership.live/freebook More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    59 min

  4. MAR 18

    Why Leaders Feel Busy but Not Effective: Attention Residue, Unspoken Expectations, and the Fix - E52

    Dusty goes solo to unpack the invisible forces silently sabotaging even the most capable leaders—overwhelm, reactive schedules, and misaligned priorities. Anchoring his discussion in the stark warning from Levi Lusko—“if nothing changes, future you will be an exaggerated version of present”—he reveals how constant busyness without clarity only amplifies stress, burnout, and lost impact. Through the story of Robert, a senior leader trapped in reaction mode, Dusty illustrates the transformative power of a three-layered sequence: first, establishing foundational clarity on purpose and long-term vision; second, building alignment by making expectations explicit and securing genuine commitment; and third, creating consistent execution rhythms that reduce cognitive load and attention residue. Rather than piling on effort or discipline, Robert regained focus, performance, and personal time by following this structured sequence, showing that momentum flows from clarity, alignment, and rhythm—not harder work. Dusty leaves listeners with actionable steps to start this week, reframing leadership as a system of deliberate choices instead of endless reaction, and challenging every leader to ask: if nothing changes, what does your future leadership look like? Key Timestamps: (01:22) – 52% of Executives Say Their Time Allocation Doesn’t Match Their Priorities (03:34) – Case Study: Robert’s Story (05:40) – Building Clarity with Robert (08:48) – Clarity, Then Alignment, Then Execution (14:52) – 3 Things You Can Start This Week (16:55) – Clarity Precedes Momentum 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: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/making-time-management-the-organizations-priority#/  https://www.ddi.com/blog/leadership-trends-2024  https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/leadership/employee-wellness-in-the-corporate-workplace.html  https://www.uwb.edu/business/faculty/sophie-leroy/attention-residue  More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com (00:00) - 52 - Why Future You is Already Decided and What You Can Do About It (01:22) - 52% of executives say their time allocation doesn't match their priorities (03:34) - Case study: Robert's story (05:40) - Building clarity with Robert (08:48) - Clarity, then alignment, then execution (14:52) - 3 things you can start this week (16:55) - Clarity precedes momentum

    20 min
  5. If You Want Loyalty From Your Team, Start Here | Dawn Grooters - E51

    MAR 11

    If You Want Loyalty From Your Team, Start Here | Dawn Grooters - E51

    Dusty sits down with Dawn Grooters—founder of Broken Vessel Sales Solutions—for a deeply personal and practical conversation about servant leadership, resilience, and the power of authentic connection in sales. After building a successful career as a field sales rep in the gift and home industry, Dawn’s life was forever altered when her 11-month-old son, Kale, passed away while she was on the road, forcing her to reimagine both her priorities and her profession. Choosing family, faith, and presence, she pioneered an inside sales model from home—one rooted not in transactions, but in meaningful human connection—discovering along the way that phone calls could drive both revenue and real impact. Through stories of grief, grit, and God-ordained moments, Dawn explains how tragedy refined her leadership philosophy of servant leadership, consistency, and connection, and how that evolution ultimately became Broken Vessel Sales Solutions—a firm that helps sales teams implement inside and hybrid sales systems, leverage CRM tools, and build sustainable growth without burnout. Her journey reframes success as influence, faithfulness, and helping others win—proving that even broken vessels can become powerful instruments for impact. Key Timestamps: (01:42) – Servant Leadership Basics (07:17) – Loss That Changed Everything (16:17) – Human Connection Over Metrics (20:37) – COVID Pivot to Hybrid Sales and CRM Discipline (26:11) – Building the Business (31:19) – Three Client Services (39:25) – Rapid Fire Leadership Qs (43:24) – Cause and Adoption Story (45:12) – Where to Connect 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.brokenvesselsales.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-grooters-a8b480105/  Mentions:  Profit First: Transform Your Business From A Cash-eating Monster To A Money-making Machine by Mike Michalowicz https://www.jonathanshouse.org/  More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    49 min

  6. MAR 4

    10 Questions That Change How You Lead | AMA #1 - E50

    In this milestone 50th episode, Dusty flips the mic toward the community and tackles the most persistent questions leaders have been sending his way—ranging from work-life balance and delegation to AI strategy, ownership culture, and CEO fundamentals. Rather than offering abstract theory, he delivers practical frameworks drawn from personal experience and real client work: why “balancing” beats the myth of balance, how refusing to ask for help actually robs your team of growth, and the three decision-making gates he uses to cut through daily noise. He unpacks how to build teams that think like owners by codifying purpose and standards, explains how to treat AI like a team member instead of a search engine, and clarifies why vision is the CEO’s most leveraged priority when everything feels urgent. From breaking firefighting patterns to installing a simple weekly reflection system that creates disproportionate clarity, this episode serves as a compact leadership operating manual—reminding listeners that sustainable growth isn’t built on intensity alone, but on intentional systems, disciplined focus, and the courage to choose leverage over comfort. Key Timestamps: (03:21) – The Balance Myth (07:22) – Permission to Ask for Help (10:24) – Real-Time Decision Making (15:36) – Building Ownership from Scratch (19:20) – Connecting a Personal Why to the Mission (21:56) – AI as a Team Member (25:08) – The AI Filter and Focus (26:42) – The CEO’s Rule of Three (28:06) – Breaking Firefighting Patterns (31:03) – Systems That Create Leverage 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 (00:00) - 50 - AMA #1 (03:21) - Q1: The Balance Myth (07:21) - Q2: Permission to Ask for Help (10:24) - Q3: Real Time Decision Making (15:35) - Q4: Building Ownership from Scratch (19:19) - Q5: Connecting a Personal Why to the Mission (21:55) - Q6: AI as a Team Member (25:07) - Q7: The AI Filter and Focus (26:40) - Q8: The CEO's Rule of Three (28:04) - Q9: Breaking Firefighting Patterns (31:02) - Q10: Systems that Create Leverage (33:57) - Conclusion

    36 min
  7. How Should Leaders Communicate the Kind Truth With Their Team | Mo Fathelbab - E49

    FEB 25

    How Should Leaders Communicate the Kind Truth With Their Team | Mo Fathelbab - E49

    Dusty sits down with Mo Fathelbab—former CEO, executive coach, and author of Forum—for a candid conversation about the transformative power of vulnerability in leadership. Drawing on his experience leading YPO forums and coaching high-level executives, Mo challenges the traditional command-and-control model, arguing that real influence is built not on authority, but on authenticity. Together, he and Dusty unpack why high-performing leaders often feel isolated at the top, how structured peer forums create rare spaces for honesty and growth, and why emotional transparency—when paired with accountability—drives both personal and organizational performance. Mo reflects on the pivotal moments that reshaped his leadership philosophy, the discipline required to create psychologically safe environments, and the difference between performative openness and true vulnerability. Through practical insights and hard-earned wisdom, he makes a compelling case that sustainable leadership isn’t about projecting strength—it’s about cultivating trust, connection, and the courage to be seen. Key Timestamps: (03:40) – Mo’s Origin Story (08:45) – “It’s Lonely at the Top” — Myth, Reality, and Modern Leadership (17:06) – Repairing Relationships & Finding Courage (26:07) – Opt-In, Co-Create, and Set Safety Rules (29:42) – The ‘Judo Move’: Vulnerability, Kind Truth, and Leading by Example (38:01) – Breaking the ‘Too Busy to Work Out’ Doom Loop (43:37) – Rapid-Fire Wisdom: Books, Courage, Myths, and What Makes a Good Day 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.mofathelbab.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mofathelbab/  Mentions:  The Friendship Advantage: 7 Keys to Building Relationships that Transform Corporate Culture and Drive Productivity by Mo Fathelbab Forum: The Secret Advantage of Successful Leaders by Mo Fathelbab The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick M. Lencioni More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    50 min
  8. Build Better Decisions Using Self-Awareness Others Ignore | Liesl Chang - E48

    FEB 18

    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
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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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