Uncommon Leadership

How much of your life is spent thinking?   Thinking about all the things that shouldn't be happening. How they shouldn't be acting this way. Or thinking about how you shouldn't be dealing with this.   What if I told you that this line of thinking is the root cause of almost all your problems?   Welcome to another exciting episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast. Today, I sit down with Marcia Martin to unpack what happens when we stop fighting what should be true and start confronting what actually is.   It sounds simple. It isn't. Because the moment you stop arguing with reality, you have to actually deal with it.   Marcia and I explore the blind spots that keep most leaders from seeing themselves clearly. Here's what you'll take away from this conversation: What it really takes to change a pattern. Why we react automatically when we're triggered. Why feedback can be so difficult to receive. Why great coaches ask questions instead of rushing in with answers.   If you've ever found yourself stuck in "this shouldn't be happening", this conversation will give you a very different way to look at what's happening and what you do next.   ___   Watch the full episode and tell us: What's something you're still trying to make should be true? _____   00:00 — Podcast Intro 01:49 — Meet Marcia Martin 06:01 — The Patterns That Keep Us Stuck 07:59 — What Keeps You Going When Life Gets Hard? 10:32 — Having The Courage To Go Within 14:12 — Finding Your North Star 18:40 — Why Stillness Is a Leadership Skill 20:10 — You Can't Think Your Way Into Change 22:55 — Stop Living in "Should" 26:05 — Face Up To Reality 27:41 — Why Every Leader Needs a Coach 31:02 — Why Great Coaching Asks, Not Tells 33:47 — Your Mind Understands. Your Body Has to Learn. 44:02 — ABCs of Communication 46:20 — Center First. Then Act. 47:12 — Go Within to Find the Answer   🔔 Don't miss an episode! Subscribe for weekly leadership conversations that go beyond the surface: Youtube Uncommon Leadership Podcast   __   Prefer audio? Apple- Apple Uncommon Leadership   Spotify- Spotify Uncommon Leadership   This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams   __   🎙️ About Uncommon Leadership: I'm Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams. On the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I sit down with founders, executives, researchers, and leadership thinkers to explore what it really means to lead in today's world.   Together, we unpack the intersection of leadership, psychology, resilience, and culture—because I believe the best leaders don't just build successful businesses. They build environments where people can do their best work and become their best selves.   __   Speakers in this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast:   Marcia Martin | Guest Sometimes called the Godmother of Transformation, Marcia Martin has personally trained more than 300,000 people in leadership, communication, and peak performance, and has consulted for global brands including Hard Rock International, Warner Bros., and Capital One.   A founding member and Senior Vice President of Erhard Seminars Training (est) [now Landmark Worldwide], she helped shape the early careers of Tony Robbins and Jack Canfield, and later helped organize the film shoot for The Secret. She's the Amazon bestselling author of Sex, Power, and Transformation.   Connect with Marcia Martin: Website: Marciamartin Marcia Martin | Transformational Leadership, Coaching & Human Potential LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/marcia-martin- Facebook: Facebook Marcia Martin Instagram: Instagram instagram.com/marcia_martin_   🎁 Free Gift for Our Audience Get a free audio recording of The Principles of Success. Go to marciamartin.com and click "FREE GIFT."   💎 Marcia's Membership Club A digital library of video trainings, workshops, podcast interviews, and keynotes to help you elevate your skills and influence — for just $10/month. Learn more: Marciamartin Marcia Martin Membership Club | Leadership, Communication & Influence     Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success.   Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: Uncommonteams Newsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: Uncommonteams The Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: Uncommonteams Work with me - Uncommon Teams   __   🎵 Music Credits: Title: Emotional Chill Pop Author: AudioSphere Source: Envato License Code: 37BV6U4PLD

When winning still doesn't feel like winning, the problem was never the goal. It was the why you were chasing it.   Adam Roach built and exited multiple companies.... a tennis club in Beverly Hills, three real estate franchises, a SaaS business. And none of it was enough.   In this episode, I sit down with Adam to unpack that feeling of emptiness. We go back to the moment he calls his beach chair moment: the realization that chasing success on repeat was a dead end.   But that decision came with a cost.   Adam opens up about the identity hangover that followed and a very practical reason he couldn't afford to stay stuck (an $18,000-a-month reason, to be exact).   He also talks about the framework he borrowed from Donald Miller's Hero on a Mission—which now runs everything he does: the difference between being the hero of the story and being the guide.   As we continue pulling on that thread, Adam shares the exact language he uses to bring himself out of hero mode when speaking with his coaching clients, peers, and even family! If you've ever wondered why success still feels empty... or why the more you achieve, the more there seems to be left to prove, this conversation is for you.   ___   📌 What's covered in this episode: 00:00 — Podcast Intro 01:12 — Meet Adam Roach 04:16 — Success vs. Significance 05:54 — The Beach Chair Moment That Changed Everything 09:36 — Why You Need an Advisory Board 12:28 — The Identity Hangover After Success 16:50 — The $18,000/Month Wake-Up Call 22:27 — Stop Being the Hero. Become the Guide. 28:25 — Why Empathy Beats Solutions 30:18 — Feel This or Fix This? 33:54 — From Hero to Guide 43:10 — The 59-Question Coaching Experiment 47:02 — Final Leadership Advice   🔔 Don't miss an episode! Subscribe for weekly leadership conversations that go beyond the surface: Youtube Uncommon Leadership Podcast   __   💬 Where do you wish someone would guide you a little more, and be the hero a little less? Drop it below. __   Prefer audio? Apple- Apple Uncommon Leadership   Spotify- Spotify Uncommon Leadership   This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams   __   🎙️ About Uncommon Leadership: I'm Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams. On the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I sit down with founders, executives, researchers, and leadership thinkers to explore what it really means to lead in today's world.   Together, we unpack the intersection of leadership, psychology, resilience, and culture—because I believe the best leaders don't just build successful businesses. They build environments where people can do their best work and become their best selves.   __   Speakers in this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast:   Adam Roach | Guest Adam Roach is an entrepreneur, business coach, and Founder of I Love Coaching Co. After building and scaling multiple businesses, he now helps coaches and entrepreneurs create purpose-driven businesses through the REAL Coach Method, empowering them to build lasting impact.   Connect with Adam Roach: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamrroach/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@adamrroach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamrroach Website: https://ilovecoachingco.com/     Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success.   Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: Uncommonteams Newsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: Uncommonteams The Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: Uncommonteams Work with me - Uncommon Teams   __   🎵 Music Credits: Title: Soft Background Author: DmitriySimf Source: Envato License Code: BTGYS9EML4

Today on the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, you'll hear from someone who... Built a $20M company from scratch. Lost a million dollars to a business partner's betrayal. And survived a moment of despair so dark he almost didn't come back from it.   In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Goodwin, the co-owner of Optigrowth AI and a Strategic Growth Partner at War Room Operations, to unpack what actually rebuilds a person, a leader, after everything falls apart.   Kevin shares the philosophy that now drives everything he does: Real change doesn't come from pressure or force. It comes from small, structured opportunities that put accountability back in someone's own hands.   Whether he's coaching a struggling entrepreneur or helping someone take their first steps toward stability, the method is the same: Break it down. Make it achievable. Let them own the win.   Tune in for a conversation about leadership that goes far beyond the boardroom... A conversation about: What does it actually mean to lead yourself first? Why is accountability an act of empowerment rather than discipline? And how the hardest seasons of life can become the foundation for the most meaningful work.   🔔 Don't miss an episode! Subscribe for weekly leadership conversations that go beyond the surface: Subscribe to Uncommon Leadership     Key Moments in This Episode: 00:00 — Podcast Intro 01:30 — Meet Kevin Goodwin 02:18 — Seeing Spirits Since Childhood 09:35 — Why Empathy Makes Better Leaders 12:06 — Losing His Twin Brother 14:52 — The Moment That Saved Kevin's Life 24:24 — Why Great Teams Make Success Feel Easy 27:39 — The Secret to Helping People Change 32:47 — Accountability Changes Everything 41:02 — Why Every Employee Thinks Like an Owner 44:10 — Small Habits. Massive Results.   -- Prefer audio? Apple- Apple Uncommon Leadership   Spotify- Spotify Uncommon Leadership   This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams    --  🎙️ About Uncommon Leadership: I'm Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams. On the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I sit down with founders, executives, researchers, and leadership thinkers to explore what it really means to lead in today's world.   Together, we unpack the intersection of leadership, psychology, resilience, and culture—because I believe the best leaders don't just build successful businesses. They build environments where people can do their best work and become their best selves. --   Speakers in this episode of Uncommon Leadership Podcast:   Kevin Goodwin | Guest Having co-founded and grown Quality Solar from a startup to a $20M+ enterprise in less than three years, Kevin knows exactly what it takes to reach the next level.   Today, as the co-owner of Optigrowth AI and a Strategic Growth Partner at War Room Operations, Kevin brings over 20 years of construction and renewable energy experience to the table. He specializes in helping companies identify the specific people, systems, and structural anchors holding them back so they can finally achieve the growth they deserve.   Connect with Kevin Goodwin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-goodwin-ai/   Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success.   Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: UncommonteamsHome - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: Uncommonteams Newsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: Uncommonteams The Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: Uncommonteams Work with me - Uncommon Teams     🎵 Music Credits: Title: Dreaming Ballad Author: EpicMann Source: Envato License Code: PHWF3STBGE

We don't have a leadership problem. I think we have a promotion problem.   Somewhere along the way, we started believing that the longest-serving employee, the highest performer, or the loudest voice in the room would naturally become the best leader.   Then we act surprised when teams disengage. When trust disappears. When people do what's required...but nothing more.   The more conversations I have on this podcast, the more convinced I become that leadership has very little to do with a title—and almost everything to do with the experience people have when they're around you.   That's why I wanted to sit down with leadership & business coach Erin Treacy.   Together, we unpack : → Why leadership isn't something a company hands you → Why organizations often reward the wrong behaviors → Why influence begins long before a promotion ever does → And what it actually takes to build a culture where people choose to follow—not because they have to, but because they want to.   If you lead a team, aspire to lead one, or simply want to understand why some people inspire trust while others only command compliance, I think this conversation will challenge a few assumptions you didn't even realize you were carrying.   Because becoming someone's boss is easy. Becoming someone they're willing to follow... is something else entirely.   Key Moments in This Episode: 00:00 — Podcast Intro 01:33 — Meet Leadership Coach Erin Treacy 02:50 — The Leadership Lesson Erin Learned as a Child 05:05 — Why Most Companies Get Leadership Wrong 09:55 — Leadership As a Practice 16:08 — Leadership Isn't a Title. It's How You Show Up. 17:03 — The Hidden Work Every Great Leader Does 20:07 — The 2-Hour Habit That Can Save You 10 Hours Every Week 26:43 — Why Dashboards Don't Tell the Whole Story 32:03 — Having the Water Cooler Chat 34:32 — Can You Lead Without Authority? 39:35 — Managers vs. Operators: The Mindset Shift 43:43 — Want Genuine Connections? Stay Curious. 47:59 — Why People Choose to Follow Some Leaders 49: 27 — Best Way To Connect With Erin Treacy 50:35 — The 2-Minute Challenge Every Leader Should Try -- Prefer audio? Apple- Apple Uncommon Leadership   Spotify- Spotify Uncommon Leadership   This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams    --  🎙️ About Uncommon Leadership: I'm Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams. On the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I sit down with founders, executives, researchers, and leadership thinkers to explore what it really means to lead in today's world.   Together, we unpack the intersection of leadership, psychology, resilience, and culture—because I believe the best leaders don't just build successful businesses. They build environments where people can do their best work and become their best selves. --   Speakers in this episode of Uncommon Leadership Podcast:   Erin Treacy | Guest Erin Treacy is a leadership and business coach who helps professionals and teams navigate pressure, improve communication, and build stronger, more sustainable ways of working. With experience across broadcast news, small business ownership, and multiple industries, she brings a practical, people-first approach to leadership.   Erin focuses on helping high performers move from over-responsibility and burnout into clarity, confidence, and more effective leadership.   Connect with Erin Treacy: Website: coacherintreacy.com. LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/erin-treacy Instagram: Instagram instagram.com/coacherintreacy Facebook: Facebook Erin Treacy Coaching     Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success.   Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: Uncommonteams Newsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: Uncommonteams The Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: Uncommonteams Work with me - Uncommon Teams   🎵 Music Credits: Title: Dreaming Ballad Author: EpicMann Source: Envato License Code: 4BMRCYN782

Life isn't getting less demanding. If anything, the pace keeps accelerating.   More decisions. More uncertainty. More pressure. More & more people need something from you.   The question isn't whether life will slow down. It's whether you can expand your capacity to meet it.   Hi there, this is Michael Hunter from Uncommon Teams, and welcome to another episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast.   This week, I'm joined by Karen Canham, nervous system and neuro-somatic coach, creator of The Self-Led CEO™ Framework, and author of Wired for Resilience, for a conversation about what it really means to become emotionally stronger.   Together, we explore: Why burnout isn't always caused by your workload How chronic reactivity quietly shrinks your emotional capacity And why regulating your nervous system is one of the most overlooked leadership skills of our time.   This conversation isn't about escaping stress. It's about becoming someone who can handle more of life's unexpectedness—with greater presence, resilience, and ease.   --   🎁 A special gift for our listeners: Karen is offering her free Wired for Resilience Toolkit—a practical guide filled with simple somatic practices to help you regulate your nervous system, build resilience, and expand your capacity.   Visit Karen Ann Wellness and look for the "Wired for Resilience" pop-up to download your free copy.   --   Key Moments in This Episode: 00:00 — Podcast Intro 02:31 — Meet Karen Canham 03:56 — "This Isn't a Life" — Karen's Wake-Up Call 06:47 — The Feedback That Changed Everything 08:44 — Your Body Knows Before Your Brain 12:17 — Why This Work Is Finally Backed by Science 18:26 — Why Your Capacity Keeps Shrinking 19:37 — Burnout Isn't Caused by Your Job 24:16 — Emotional Strength Training 26:10 — The First Step to Regulating Your Nervous System 29:00 — The Hidden Patterns Running Your Life 32:16 — The Ripple Effect of Healing Yourself 37:27 — Why 70% of CEOs Feel Alone 40:28 — Curiosity Beats Judgment 45:17 — Karen's Free Resilience Toolkit 46:12 — A 60-Second Nervous System Reset 47:44 — Final Thoughts   -- Prefer audio? Apple- Apple Uncommon Leadership   Spotify- Spotify Uncommon Leadership   This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams    --  🎙️ About Uncommon Leadership: I'm Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams.  On the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I sit down with founders, executives, researchers, and leadership thinkers to explore what it really means to lead in today's world.   Together, we unpack the intersection of leadership, psychology, resilience, and culture—because I believe the best leaders don't just build successful businesses. They build environments where people can do their best work and become their best selves. --   Speakers in this episode of Uncommon Leadership Podcast:   Karen Canham | Guest Karen Canham is a nervous system and neuro-somatic coach who helps founders, executives, and high-performing professionals move from chronic stress and emotional reactivity into clarity, resilience, and self-led leadership.   She is the creator of The Self-Led CEO™ Framework and the author of Wired for Resilience, combining neuroscience-informed coaching, somatic practices, and leadership development to help people build sustainable success without burnout.   Connect with Karen Canham: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenannwellness/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenann_wellness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenannwellness1/ Website: Karenannwellnesskarenannwellness.com   Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success.   Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: Uncommonteams Newsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: Uncommonteams The Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: Uncommonteams Work with me - Uncommon Teams     🎵 Music Credits: Title: Soothing Author: LuckyBlackCat Source: Envato License Code: JN3VUYCGT8