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

Dusty Holcomb, Leadership Systems & Delegation Expert
  • 5.0 (31)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • 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. Most Goals Fail—But Not With This One Shift in Planning | Lani Jones - E44

    4H AGO

    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
  2. 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

  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Why More Success Won’t Fix the Emptiness High Performing Leaders Don’t Talk About | Sean Keller - E40

    12/24/2025

    Why More Success Won’t Fix the Emptiness High Performing Leaders Don’t Talk About | Sean Keller - E40

    Dusty sits down with Sean Keller—a filmmaker-turned-leadership coach who helps high-capacity entrepreneurs realize that their real wilderness isn’t around them, it’s within them. Sean shares his unlikely journey from early creative acclaim and big-name clients to the moment everything collapsed in 2020, forcing him to confront the gap between the successful life he was building and the surrendered life he actually wanted. Together, they unpack why achievement can mask emptiness, how pruning becomes a gift, and why leaders can’t outrun the inner stories that shape their decisions. With depth, candor, and a surprising amount of hope, Sean reveals how his own wilderness season reshaped his faith, his identity, and his calling—and how he now walks alongside leaders to help them slow down, listen for God’s voice, and build lives defined not by striving, but by alignment, clarity, and purpose. Key Takeaways: • Pruning is essential for growth—letting go of good things is often required to make room for the right things. • Surrender is not weakness—it’s how leaders move from striving to purposeful, grounded living. • Growth requires discomfort; leaders who avoid tension miss their greatest opportunities for transformation. Key Timestamps: (00:53) – Meet Sean Keller: From Dream Career to Turning Point (02:16) – The Journey to Success: Competitions and Big Breaks (13:28) – Leadership Principles: Pruning and Wilderness (27:27) – Navigating Leadership: Vulnerability and Calling (33:32) – The Impact of COVID-19 on Business (36:41) – A Period of Surrender and Reflection (39:11) – Transition to Guiding Leaders Through the Wilderness (42:29) – The Power of Vulnerability and Self-Reflection (50:54) – 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:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-keller-coach-creativedirector-founder/  Mentions: https://wilderstory.com/  Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael Easter Living Fearless: Exchanging the Lies of the World for the Liberating Truth of God by Jamie Winship It Is Not Your Business to Succeed: Your Role in Leadership When You Can't Control Your Outcomes by Brandon Michael West A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix by Edwin Friedman https://www.thenetfw.com/  https://www.hopestreetministry.org/  More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    1h 1m

  6. 12/23/2025

    This Is How Top-Performing CEOs Manage Their Time & Calendar - E39

    Dusty goes solo to dismantle one of leadership’s most pervasive myths—the idea that an overloaded, reactive calendar is simply the price of effectiveness. Drawing on personal lessons, client stories, and striking CEO time-use data, he reveals the deeper truth: when a leader’s schedule is chaotic, the culture follows. In this episode, Dusty introduces his three-level intentional leadership system—anchoring your year with non-negotiables, theming your days to eliminate context switching, and protecting transitions so commitments actually get done—and shows how each layer silently teaches your team what truly matters. Through a vivid case study of a CEO spending nearly 80% of his time reacting to others, he demonstrates how a few disciplined shifts rebuilt execution and restored clarity. Rather than squeezing more into already packed days, Dusty invites leaders to rethink their role entirely: to plan before they react, design their rhythms deliberately, and lead with intention instead of urgency. For anyone drowning in meetings or frustrated that strategic work never happens, this episode reframes time as a leadership tool—and offers a clear, practical blueprint for using it well. Key Timestamps: (00:00) – The CEO's Time Management Crisis (03:41) – Personal Struggles with Time Management (05:11) – Building a System for Effective Time Management (07:28) – The Three-Level Time Management System (12:51) – Implementing Themed Days (20:08) – Question 1: Handling Emergencies (21:26) – Question 2: Setting  Boundaries (22:51) – Question 3: When to Start YOUR Day (24:02) – Question 4: Using Technology to Guard Your Time 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: Ideal Week Template: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VWFxkOGm05mb9DhAxCw84ERKN4pHVKYWlN6v6cvRapo/edit?gid=800587178#gid=800587178 More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    27 min
  7. How Great Leaders Reimagine Pressure to Excel in High-Stakes Environments | Dr. Brian Hite - E38

    12/17/2025

    How Great Leaders Reimagine Pressure to Excel in High-Stakes Environments | Dr. Brian Hite - E38

    Dusty is joined by Dr. Brian Hite—stunt performer, performance psychologist, and creator of the FACT Framework—for a conversation that reframes what it really means to thrive under pressure. With three decades spent being lit on fire, thrown from vehicles, training elite military units, and coaching high-stakes performers, Brian shares the pivotal realization that changed everything: pressure doesn’t live in the moment—it lives in the mind. Together, he and Dusty explore why failure is often the most valuable teacher, how our assumptions quietly shape our performance, and why the best leaders learn to separate the situation from the story they’re telling themselves about it. Brian introduces his FACT Framework—Focus, Arousal, Confidence, and Tenacity—revealing how these four elements help anyone stay calm, sharp, and fully present whether they’re stepping into a boardroom or a burning stunt rig. Through candid stories of circuitous career paths, hard resets, divorce, grit, and growth, Brian challenges leaders to rethink stress, redefine pressure, and cultivate the inner stability that makes them unshakeable when the stakes truly matter. Key Timestamps: (00:00) – Brian's Leadership Philosophy (04:01) – The Value of Failure (10:32) – Brian's Career Journey (12:11) – Understanding High-Stakes Environments (20:17) – The FACT Framework (24:57) – Stress, Pressure, and Burnout (39:34) – The Difference Between Stress and Pressure (42:44) – Recognizing Indicators and Managing Arousal (50:04) – The Role of Confidence and Tenacity (01:03:09) – Exploring Burnout and Its Components 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://brianhiteglobal.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianchite/  Mentions:  The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life by Shawn Achor Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    1h 17m
  8. What Most Leaders Get Wrong About Scaling Their Business | Dustin Riechmann - E37

    12/10/2025

    What Most Leaders Get Wrong About Scaling Their Business | Dustin Riechmann - E37

    Dusty Holcomb sits down with entrepreneur and former engineer Dustin Riechmann, whose story is a masterclass in courage, clarity, and reinvention. From watching his business collapse in 2020 to building a seven-figure enterprise through the power of podcast guesting, Dustin reveals how simplicity, not complexity, drives sustainable success. He shares the pivotal moments that reshaped his identity, the leadership lessons born from adversity, and the mindset shifts that turned setbacks into systems. This is a powerful conversation for anyone seeking to lead with authenticity, scale with purpose, and transform failure into momentum. Key Timestamps: (00:00) - Simplifying to Succeed (04:00) - From Engineer to Entrepreneur (10:00) - Lessons in Leadership Failure (20:00) - Finding Identity Beyond Career (32:00) - The Leadership Triangle (35:00) - Why Simplicity Scales (39:00) - Solving the Right Problems (43:00) - Power of Community and Purpose (49:00) - Faith, Service, and Legacy 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, Entrepreneurship Transformation, Leadership Simplicity, Podcast Guesting Strategy, Mindset And Resilience, Authentic Leadership Growth Mentions: Website: https://7figureleap.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinriechmann  Mentions: 7-Figure Leap Podcast More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

    52 min
See All (45)

Trailer

5
out of 5
31 Ratings

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.

Information