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Leadership Currency with Dr. Doug McKinley
Leadership Currency with Dr. Doug McKinley
Author: Doug McKinley, Psy.D.
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© 2025 Leadership Currency with Dr. Doug McKinley
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Leadership is about who you are as well as what you do. If you are interested in learning more about yourself and how to lead, follow, and connect with those you work with, tune into this podcast hosted by Psychologist and Master Certified Coach, Doug McKinley. He addresses topics such as self-awareness, emotional agility, workplace cultures, diversity and inclusion.
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Leadership was never meant to be a solo pursuit. We talk often about courage, clarity, and competence, but rarely about the friendships that make those possible. In this episode, Doug unveils the idea of relational currency: the value exchanged between people who know and trust each other. Drawing from Tom Rath’s work on Vital Friends and identity-based leadership framework, he explores why friendship is more than emotional support; it’s the infrastructure of resilience and influence. This is...
In this final episode of The Resiliency Quest series, the mic remains in the hands of guest host Adam Mock, who turns the focus toward the fifth and final trailhead, Agility, as he interviews Dr. McKinley, the author of the book that inspired the series. Agility is more than a leadership skill, it’s a survival trait for the uncertain, complex world we’re all navigating. In this candid conversation, Dr. McKinley unpacks what it means to stay grounded while everything around you shifts. Togethe...
We’re nearing the summit in The Resiliency Quest podcast series. This week guest host Adam Mock continues his conversation with Dr. Doug McKinley—this time exploring one of the most misunderstood dimensions of resilient leadership: Boundaries. Boundaries are often mistaken for walls, but they’re actually bridges to freedom. In leadership, if you’re always available, you’re never fully present. Dr. McKinley shares how burnout isn’t caused by working too hard—it’s caused by carrying what was ne...
In this episode of The Resiliency Quest podcast series, guest host Adam Mock continues his discussion with Dr. Doug McKinley, diving into the next trailhead on the journey toward resilient leadership: Connection. At first glance, connection might seem like a soft skill—but in reality, it’s the backbone of sustainable leadership. Leaders often find themselves isolated at the top, praised for independence but starving for authentic human connection. Dr. McKinley reminds us that resiliency isn’t...
Welcome back to The Resiliency Quest podcast series—where we hand the mic to Adam Mock, leadership author and podcast host, to interview Dr. Doug McKinley about his own book and the five Trailheads that map the journey toward resilient leadership. Today’s Trailhead: Self-Awareness Self-awareness isn’t a soft skill—it’s the first summit every resilient leader must face. Too many leaders operate with blind spots they don’t even know exist. But what if your most painful feedback or your last big...
Seats are swapping for this special podcast series on Resiliency. Author and podcast host Adam Mock steps in to interview Dr. Doug McKinley—the regular host—about his own book, The Resiliency Quest. This unique series explores five trailheads, each a metaphorical waypoint on the mountain hike of resilient leadership. Today’s episode: The Quest for Purpose Purpose isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s the trail marker that keeps leaders from getting lost in noise, burnout, and busywork. When you lead wit...
In this episode, Dr. McKinley has an engaging discussion with podcast favorite, Amy Kemp, a dynamic leadership coach who specializes in guiding female leaders toward deeper self-awareness. Through powerful stories and practical insights, she shares how clarity of identity transforms confidence, communication, and impact. If you lead—or coach—women, this conversation is rich with wisdom and relevance. To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest,Mad About Us Visit Doug's Website: https://...
Welcome back to the second part of a conversation where Dr. McKinley and Tim Mohns are exploring the paradox of pursuing excellence without becoming entangled in outcomes. To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest,Mad About Us Visit Doug's Website: https://www.dougmckinley.com/ Receive a Free Leadership Resource: Leadership Guide
Dr. McKinley invites Tim Mohns back to the podcast to explore the paradox of pursuing excellence without becoming entangled in outcomes. Detachment isn’t apathy—it’s the disciplined art of letting go while still showing up fully. Join us as we unpack what it means to lead with passion, purpose, and poise—without being owned by results. To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest,Mad About Us Visit Doug's Website: https://www.dougmckinley.com/ Receive a Free Leadership Resource: ...
In this episode of Leadership Currency, Dr. McKinley steps into the world of illusion with professional illusionist, David Laflin, to explore what magic reveals about the human mind. From sleight of hand to self-deception, we examine how leaders—like audiences—can be fooled not just by others, but by themselves. What lies do we choose to believe? Why do we see what we want to see? Join us for a fascinating conversation about perception, belief, and the hidden traps of leadership psychology. ...
Leaders are more vulnerable than ever before to become burned out, messed up, and off track. Using the ancient wisdom from the Toltecs, Dr. McKinley will discuss the Four Agreements that every leader might consider before they start their day. Using this simple but effective tool, leaders can become more focused and less confused about things that don’t matter and free to lead and serve without unnecessary internal distractions. To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest,Mad About Us ...
Today Dr McKinley will be the guest of his own podcast. Using one of his team building exercises, Doug will answer questions about himself from a guest host. This is a way for our listeners to get to know Doug on a deeper level. To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest,Mad About Us Visit Doug's Website: https://www.dougmckinley.com/ Receive a Free Leadership Resource: Leadership Guide
Life is very much like a river. In this reflective podcast Dr. McKinley explains how real life happens “in the river” where the current is constantly flowing. Sometimes we deny, avoid, or opt out of that reality and choose to be stuck on the riverbank. Listen and learn how to stay in the current. To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest,Mad About Us Visit Doug's Website: https://www.dougmckinley.com/ Receive a Free Leadership Resource: Leadership Guide
It is important to realize that your life matters to someone. Inspired by a movie called Simon Birch, this podcast from Doug reminds leaders that purpose can guide life decisions, shape goals, and offer a sense of direction and meaning. Purpose provides the motivation to get up every day and embrace the work. To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest,Mad About Us Visit Doug's Website: https://www.dougmckinley.com/ Receive a Free Leadership Resource: Leadership Guide
Why do people keep talking about the same concepts—like trust, resilience, clarity—as if saying them out loud enough might make them become real? In this episode, Dr. McKinley invites leaders to do some self-searching by tuning into their own “echo chamber”—the repeated themes, values, and questions that may reveal blind spots, hidden fears, or deep aspirations. With tools like the Echo Inventory, Dr. McKinley guides us in decoding the gap between the words we use and the growth we seek. &nbs...
In our final summer series episode of Meetings Matter, Dr. McKinley shares that thought leaders in psychology and organizational health consistently highlight that when team members don’t feel seen, heard, or valued, it leads to disengagement, burnout, and turnover—and ultimately undermines both performance and culture. Lead meetings in a way that members truly feel they are playing a positive part. To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest, Mad About Us Visit Doug's Web...
In this 7th episode of our summer series, Meetings Matter, Dr. McKinley shares that meeting and leadership experts strongly condemn “throwing people under the bus” or backstabbing behaviors in professional settings. These actions are seen as toxic, trust-breaking, and deeply damaging to team cohesion and organizational health. Learning to be vulnerable and accountable goes a long way in meetings with colleagues. To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest, Mad About Us Vis...
In this 6th episode of Meetings Matter on the Leadership Currency podcast, Dr. McKinley shares why meeting and leadership experts generally discourage manipulative tactics like offering donuts or snacks to get people into a meeting under false pretenses—especially if it’s a bait-and-switch strategy. Meeting participants are more apt to be engaged when transparency is evident. To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest,Mad About Us Visit Doug's Website: https://www.dougmckinley....
In our 5th summer series episode of Meetings Matter, Dr. McKinley discusses why business meeting experts widely agree that monotone delivery and low energy can severely undercut a leader’s effectiveness—no matter how good the content is. To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest,Mad About Us Visit Doug's Website: https://www.dougmckinley.com/ Receive a Free Leadership Resource: Leadership Guide
In this 4th episode of Meetings Matter, we will focus on why top leadership experts across leadership, productivity, and organizational psychology emphasize intentional, disciplined use of time during business meetings. Join Dr. McKinley as he discusses the importance of setting clear expectations for meetings. To Order Doug's Books: The Resiliency Quest, Mad About Us Visit Doug's Website: https://www.dougmckinley.com/ Receive a Free Leadership Resource: Leadership Guide&n...



