The Leadership Toolkit

Mike Phillips

The Leadership Toolkit with Mike Phillips delivers raw, real, and relevant conversations with top leaders, coaches, and entrepreneurs. Each week, gain actionable strategies to lead with purpose, communicate with impact, and grow yourself and your team. Hosted by leadership expert and keynote speaker Mike Phillips, this podcast equips driven professionals with practical tools to succeed in today’s fast-paced world. Great leaders aren’t born... they’re built. Tune in and start building. #LeadershipSuccess #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #TheLeadershipToolkit

  1. Imperfect Action Beats Perfect Planning | Guest: Christopher Rausch on Fear, Leadership, and Taking Action

    1D AGO

    Imperfect Action Beats Perfect Planning | Guest: Christopher Rausch on Fear, Leadership, and Taking Action

    🔥 BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND 🔥 One of the HIGHEST DOWNLOADED episodes of The Leadership Toolkit (#34) is returning this week! What if the biggest thing holding you back is just waiting for the “perfect” moment? In this powerful episode of The Leadership Toolkit, Mike Phillips sits down with Christopher Rausch, the internationally recognized “No Excuses Coach,” for a raw conversation about leadership, fear, confidence, resilience, accountability, and why taking imperfect action is often the key to breakthrough success. Christopher shares his incredible journey from homelessness and hardship to becoming a successful speaker, coach, author, and leadership mentor helping others overcome excuses and step fully into their purpose. 🧰 Tools of the Trade: Top Takeaways You Can Use Take Imperfect Action - Waiting for the “perfect” moment often creates paralysis. Progress begins when you move forward before you feel fully ready. Stop Tolerating What Drains You - Take inventory of what you are tolerating in your mindset, relationships, habits, and environment. Leadership growth often begins by removing what is stealing your energy. Build Confidence Through Daily Discipline - Confidence is not created through motivation alone. It is built by consistently doing the things you know you should do, even when you do not feel like it. Ask Better Questions - Questions like “Is this fear realistic?” or “What am I avoiding?” can completely shift your perspective and help uncover the real obstacle holding you back. Lead Yourself First - Strong leadership starts with personal responsibility, self-awareness, and congruency between who you say you are and how you actually live each day. This episode is packed with practical leadership wisdom, mindset shifts, and real-life perspective for entrepreneurs, managers, leaders, and anyone ready to stop overthinking and start moving forward. Connect with Christopher Rausch: https://noexcusescoach.com/ Watch The Leadership Toolkit on YouTube: https://YouTube.TheLeadershipToolkit.com Watch or Listen on Spotify: https://Spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review! Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues.  Thank you for watching and listening! * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised. *** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

    59 min
  2. Train Your Mind, Transform Your Leadership | Guest: Frank Szymanski

    APR 29

    Train Your Mind, Transform Your Leadership | Guest: Frank Szymanski

    What if the real reason you feel stuck in leadership… isn’t your strategy, your team, or your environment? In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit, Mike Phillips sits down with Frank Szymanski, former juvenile court judge and author of Identity Design, to explore the deeper truth behind leadership, mindset, and personal transformation. After more than 20 years on the bench, Frank witnessed firsthand how trauma, poor decisions, and lack of self-awareness shape lives. His mission now is to help leaders take back control by training their minds, redefining their identity, and leading from the inside out. In this episode, you will discover: Why identity drives every leadership decisionHow “Blame Ball” causes leaders to give away controlThe 7/60 Mad Minute Plan and how one minute a day can reshape your thinkingWhy your attention is your greatest resourceHow to shift from reactive living to intentional leadership 🧰 Tools of the Trade: Top Takeaways You Can Use 1️⃣ Define Your Identity Before You Try to Improve Your Results - If you don’t know who you are, you will constantly react instead of lead.Create a one-sentence identity statement that guides your decisions, focus, and priorities. 2️⃣ Stop Playing “Blame Ball” - Every time you blame someone else, you give away control.Take ownership instead. Responsibility is not a burden, it is a leadership superpower that puts you back in control. 3️⃣ Train Your Mind Daily, Even If It’s Just One Minute - You don’t need hours to grow. You need consistency. Use the 7/60 Mad Minute concept. One focused minute per day can begin to rewire how you think and lead. 4️⃣ Control Your Attention to Control Your Life - Your attention is your greatest resource. Where your focus goes, your energy follows. Be intentional about what you think about, what you consume, and what you dwell on. 5️⃣ Reframe Challenges as Proof You Can Win Again - Every challenge you face has a past version you’ve already overcome. Remind yourself of previous wins and use them as fuel. This shifts your mindset from stress to confidence and action. This is a powerful conversation for leaders who are ready to grow, take ownership, and lead at a higher level. The Leadership Toolkit airs live every Wednesday at 12:05 pm MST and is available on all major podcast platforms. If this episode brought value, share it with someone who needs it and help us continue to grow the community. Contact Information: Judge Frank Szymanski LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/Judge-Frank-Szymanski Web: JudgeFrank.com Mike Phillips Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠ YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips Credits: Hosted by Mike Phillips Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team Guest: Judge Frank Szymanski Watch more episodes of the Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review! Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues. Thank you for watching and listening! * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised. *** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

    48 min
  3. The Hidden Programming Sabotaging Your Leadership (And How to Break It)

    APR 23

    The Hidden Programming Sabotaging Your Leadership (And How to Break It)

    What if the biggest thing holding you back as a leader isn’t your strategy… but something you can’t even see? In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit, Mike Phillips sits down with mindset expert Curtis McCullom to uncover the subconscious programming that drives your decisions, your confidence, and your results. From childhood experiences to the words you use every day, this conversation reveals how hidden patterns can quietly shape your leadership and limit your growth, even when everything looks successful on the outside. Curtis breaks down powerful concepts like hypnotherapy, NLP, and Mental Emotional Release in a practical, real-world way, showing how leaders can identify blind spots, reframe limiting beliefs, and create lasting change from the inside out You will also learn a simple 3-step process to reset your mindset in real time, improve your communication, and lead with clarity, confidence, and alignment. If you are ready to stop battling the surface-level problems and finally address what is happening underneath, this episode will change the way you think about leadership forever. 🎯 In this episode:• Why 95% of your behavior is subconscious• The hidden root of imposter syndrome and self-doubt• How leaders unknowingly program their teams• A simple framework to break through limiting beliefs• Why core values are one of the most underrated leadership tools Listen now and start leading from a place of awareness, alignment, and true confidence. 🎙️ The Leadership Toolkit airs live every Wednesday at 12:05 PM MST 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://YouTube.TheLeadershipToolkit.com Contact Information: Curtis McCullom LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/Curtis-McCullom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Web: CurtisMcCullom.com  Mike Phillips Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠ YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips Credits: Hosted by Mike Phillips Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team Guest: Curtis McCullom, NLP Master Practitioner and Leadership Consultant and Coach. If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review! Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues.  Thank you for watching and listening! * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised. *** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

    56 min
  4. Why People Trust Leaders More Than Brands | Jess Jensen on Authentic Leadership

    APR 15

    Why People Trust Leaders More Than Brands | Jess Jensen on Authentic Leadership

    What makes people trust a leader in today’s world? In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit, Mike Phillips is joined by Jess Jensen, founder of Co-pilot Communications and former leader with experience at Microsoft, Qualcomm, and Adidas. Jess shares how leaders can build a stronger personal brand, why executive presence matters more than ever, and why people trust people more than brands. Mike and Jess discuss: • How Jess helped create one of the first Adidas Facebook pages • The leap from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship • How to know if you have an entrepreneurial mindset • Why authenticity matters more than perfection • The role of AI in leadership communication • How to build your personal brand before you need it 🧰 Tools of the Trade: Top Takeaways You Can Use 1️⃣ Build your personal brand before you need it. Do not wait until you launch a business, seek a promotion, or face a transition. Start building trust and visibility now. 2️⃣ People trust people more than brands. Leaders who share real stories, real experiences, and a clear point of view create stronger influence than polished corporate messaging. 3️⃣ Stop chasing perfection. Authenticity and consistency matter far more than trying to appear flawless. The leaders who win are the ones willing to show up and improve over time. 4️⃣ Use AI as a tool, not a substitute. Let it help you organize ideas, move faster, and sharpen your message, but make sure your content still sounds like you. 5️⃣ Think like a builder. Entrepreneurial leaders constantly ask, “How could this be better?” They look for gaps, create solutions, and take action instead of waiting for permission. If you are a leader, entrepreneur, manager, or business owner who wants to communicate more effectively and build greater influence, this episode is packed with practical insights you can use right away. Contact Information: Jess Jensen Links: CopilotCommunications.comLinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/JessicaKJensen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mike Phillips Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠ YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips Credits: Hosted by Mike Phillips Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team Guest: Jess Jensen, your leadership copilot and branding magician Watch more episodes of the Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review! Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues. Thank you for watching and listening! * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised. *** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

    44 min
  5. MAR 25

    Transformative Leadership: Build People, Not Just Performance | The Leadership Toolkit

    What separates a good leader from one people never forget? In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit, Mike Phillips is joined by two great friends of the show—Mike Ashie (Leadership With Mike) and Jim Burgoon (Lead With Jim)—for a powerful, real-world conversation on transformative leadership. This isn’t about titles, authority, or short-term results. It’s about becoming the kind of leader who changes people at the identity level—not just their performance. Together, they break down: The difference between positional, transactional, and transformative leadershipWhy changing belief matters more than changing behaviorHow culture is created through experience—not just intentionThe importance of courageous conversations and honest feedbackWhy resilience in leadership sets the tone for your entire team Plus, Mike introduces his 4 Pillars of Transformative Leadership: ✔ Identity Before Activity ✔ Culture Over Control ✔ Courageous Conversations ✔ Resilience in Action 🧰 Tools of the Trade Lead Identity First - Develop who your people are becoming, not just what they’re producing.Define Culture Through Experience - Your team believes what they experience, not what you say.Have the Conversation - Avoiding hard conversations delays growth—for everyone.Model the Response - Your reaction to adversity becomes your team’s blueprint.Build Belief, Not Just Behavior - Confidence and ownership create long-term transformation.If you’re leading a team—or want to become a better leader—this episode will challenge you to look inward, take ownership, and grow the people around you. Because at the end of the day…Leadership is not about leaving a mark. It’s about leaving people better. Special Guests: Mike Ashie – Leadership With Mikehttps://www.youtube.com/c/LeadershipwithMike Jim Burgoon – Lead With Jimhttps://www.youtube.com/c/LeadWithJim Mike Phillips Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠ YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips Credits: Hosted by Mike Phillips Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team Guests: Mike Ashie & Jim Burgoon Watch more episodes of The Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a 5-star review! Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues. Thank you for listening! * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised. *** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

    1h 3m
  6. Win the Day: The Mindset, Confidence, and Self-Leadership of Elite Performers | Guest: Gary Chupik

    MAR 11

    Win the Day: The Mindset, Confidence, and Self-Leadership of Elite Performers | Guest: Gary Chupik

    What separates elite performers from everyone else? In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit, host Mike Phillips sits down with internationally recognized mental performance coach Gary Chupik to explore the mindset, discipline, and self-leadership required to perform at the highest levels in business, sports, and life. Gary has coached athletes, executives, and high performers connected with organizations such as the Houston Texans, Washington Huskies, Stanford University, Seattle Mariners, Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, and many others. Drawing from both sports psychology and leadership development, he shares practical strategies that leaders can apply immediately to build confidence, maintain focus, and improve performance. In this episode, we discuss: What mindset really is and how it shapes behaviorWhy confidence is built through preparation and proofThe Win the Day framework for building daily momentumWhy success is directional, not positionalThe difference between positivity and true optimismWhy self-leadership is the foundation of elite leadership If you want to perform at a higher level, build confidence, and develop the discipline of elite performers, this conversation delivers practical insights you can apply immediately. Contact Information: Gary Chupik Website: https://www.EliteMindsetNation.com/ One Day Elevate: https://www.OneDayElevate.com/ LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/GaryChupik Mike Phillips Email: mike@TheLeadershipToolkit.com LinkedIn: https://LinkedIn.com/in/LeadTheTeam Twitter: https://x.com/LeadershipTLT YouTube: https://YouTube.com/@MikePhillips Credits: Hosted by Mike Phillips Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team Guest: Gary Chupik, Elite Mindset Coach and Leadership Mastermind! Watch more episodes of The Leadership Toolkit at:https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review. Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues. Thank you for watching and listening! * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised. *** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

    50 min
  7. Truth vs Lies vs Mistakes vs BS: The CEO Test That Exposes Bad Decisions | Guest: RJon Robins | Leadership Toolkit

    MAR 5

    Truth vs Lies vs Mistakes vs BS: The CEO Test That Exposes Bad Decisions | Guest: RJon Robins | Leadership Toolkit

    In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit, host Mike Phillips sits down with RJon Robins, cofounder and CEO of How To Manage Enterprises, to break down one of the most overlooked leadership skills in business: clear thinking. RJon leads an award-winning eight-figure company that helps entrepreneurs and law firm owners scale their businesses from startup to multimillion-dollar operations. In this conversation, he shares powerful insights from working with hundreds of business leaders and introduces a simple but revealing framework that helps expose the thinking errors that quietly sabotage organizations. At the center of this discussion is a deceptively simple question: Is your business being driven by truth, lies, mistakes, or BS? RJon explains the critical differences between these concepts and how confusion between them leads to poor leadership decisions, broken marketing strategies, hiring mistakes, and financial problems. He also introduces a practical leadership test that helps you quickly identify weak assumptions before they become costly mistakes. You will also hear about the seven core parts of every business, why the owner’s mindset is the most important component of success, and why a truly successful business must serve the owner financially, personally, and professionally. If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, or leader trying to grow your organization while making better decisions, this episode will challenge your thinking and equip you with practical tools to lead more effectively. 🧰 Tools of the Trade: Key Leadership Insights from This Episode The 7 parts of every business and how leaders must keep them alignedWhy a business should serve the owner, not trap them in a jobThe difference between truth, telling the truth, mistakes, and liesWhat BS in business decision making actually looks likeThe powerful “Why or How do you know?” test leaders can use to expose weak assumptions This conversation is packed with practical leadership insights and powerful mindset shifts that every entrepreneur should hear. Contact Information: Rjon Robins Website: HowToManage.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/RjonRobins Check out the book!: https://www.truthliesmistakesorbs.com/theleadershiptoolkit Mike Phillips Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠ YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips Credits: Hosted by Mike Phillips Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team Guest: Rjon Robins, Business Clarity Architect and Professional BS Detector Watch more episodes of The Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review! Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues. Thank you for watching and listening! * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised. *** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

    51 min
  8. The AI Trap Many CEOs Are Falling Into ⚠️ | Why the Most Human Leaders Will Win in the AI Era | Guest: Pete Steege

    FEB 25

    The AI Trap Many CEOs Are Falling Into ⚠️ | Why the Most Human Leaders Will Win in the AI Era | Guest: Pete Steege

    In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit, Mike Phillips sits down with Pete Steege, founder of B2B Clarity and author of Radical Clarity, to unpack the real leadership challenge in the age of AI. As inboxes flood, automation accelerates, and content becomes easier to produce than ever before, one truth is emerging: The most human leaders will win. Pete shares powerful insights for Accidental CEOs and growth-focused executives who want to scale without losing clarity, culture, and trust. Inside this episode: The AI trap that is quietly derailing leadership focusWhy clarity is the foundation of sustainable business growthThe three leadership pillars: authenticity, intentionality, and generosityHow to uncover your company culture instead of manufacturing oneWhy trust, not technology, will determine the next era of business successHow CEOs should think about AI as a tool, not a strategyIf you are a founder, CEO, executive leader, or growth-minded professional navigating rapid change, this conversation will challenge and equip you. 🧰 Tools of the Trade: Top Takeaways You Can Use 1️⃣ Uncover Your Culture. Don’t Manufacture It. - Strong cultures are not created in a conference room with a clever mission statement. They are uncovered by peeling away distractions and rallying around the true purpose of the business. 2️⃣ Shift from Explaining What You Do to Why It Matters - Technical leaders often lead with features, functions, and capabilities. Customers and teams respond to meaning. 3️⃣ Lead with the Three Pillars: Authenticity, Intentionality, Generosity - Pete’s framework is simple but powerful: ➣ Authenticity: Say what you will do and do what you say. ➣ Intentionality: Stop reacting. Choose your priorities. ➣ Generosity: Focus first on the value delivered, not the value extracted. 4️⃣ Be the Boss of AI, Not the Victim of It - AI is a tool. It is not your strategy. It should serve your clarity, not replace it. 5️⃣ Model Culture Under Pressure - Culture is not revealed in good quarters. It is revealed in tough ones. If you preach value but discount under pressure, your team learns the real rule. Because in a world of automation, clarity and humanity are your competitive edge. Contact Information: Pete Steege Website: b2b-clarity.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/PeteSteege Twitter: X.com/petesteege Mike Phillips Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠ YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips Credits: Hosted by Mike Phillips Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team Guest: Pete Steege, CEO Clarity Strategist and Author of Radical Clarity Watch more episodes of The Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review! Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues. Thank you for watching and listening! * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised. *** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

    44 min
5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

The Leadership Toolkit with Mike Phillips delivers raw, real, and relevant conversations with top leaders, coaches, and entrepreneurs. Each week, gain actionable strategies to lead with purpose, communicate with impact, and grow yourself and your team. Hosted by leadership expert and keynote speaker Mike Phillips, this podcast equips driven professionals with practical tools to succeed in today’s fast-paced world. Great leaders aren’t born... they’re built. Tune in and start building. #LeadershipSuccess #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #TheLeadershipToolkit