Dusty Holcomb is the Founder and CEO of The Arcqus Group, an executive coaching and leadership consulting firm that helps leaders connect purpose to performance through clarity, consistency, and accountability. With a background that spans senior leadership, operations, and culture building, Dusty works with executives and their teams to unlock potential and lead with intention.

Before founding The Arcqus Group, Dusty served as CEO of National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car, where he led thousands of employees across North America. He holds an MBA from Auburn University and completed the Advanced Management Program at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. A member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, the Private Directors Association, and YPO, Dusty also serves on multiple private and nonprofit boards and is a five-time Ironman finisher.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT EFFECTIVE LAW FIRM LEADERSHIP

When people don't understand why their work matters or how it connects to where the firm is going, they show up differently. They do what's required but not much more. And that gap between doing the minimum and bringing your best? That's discretionary effort.

Law firm leaders deal with this all the time. You've got talented people who care about their work, but they're buried under billable hours and competing priorities. It's difficult to step back and create the clarity that actually helps people engage.

In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise talks with executive coach Dusty Holcomb about practical ways to lead more intentionally. Dusty shares five questions that help leaders connect their teams to purpose and vision and explains why you have to repeat key messages far more often than feels comfortable. They also dig into how to shift from constant reaction mode to intentional leadership and what it really takes to lead yourself before you can effectively lead others.

4:52 — Why leadership is influence, not authority, and why it starts with leading yourself first

8:07 — The five questions that help leaders bring purpose and clarity to their teams

11:36 — How simplifying expectations keeps people focused and accountable

15:10 — The role of consistency and repetition in creating alignment and culture

19:24 — Shifting from reactivity to intentional leadership and controlling your calendar before it controls you

23:18 — How reflection and planning build self-awareness and better decision-making

27:42 — When to delegate, what to let go of, and how trust frees leaders to lead

31:56 — Why discretionary effort is the measure of a healthy, engaged team

35:27 — What lawyers can learn from leadership practices outside the legal profession

MENTIONED IN CONNECTING THE DOTS: HOW TO EFFECTIVELY LEAD YOURSELF AND OTHERS

The Arcqus Group

Dusty Holcomb on LinkedIn

10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Ben Hardy

Chick-fil-A's "My Pleasure" Example

Get connected with the coaching team: hello@thelawyersedge.com

The Lawyer's Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE

Today's episode is brought to you by the Ignite Women's Business Development Accelerator, a 9-month business development program created BY women lawyers for women lawyers. Ignite is a carefully designed business development program containing content, coaching, and a community of like-minded women who are committed to becoming rainmakers AND supporting the retention and advancement of other women in the profession.

If you are interested in either participating in the program or sponsoring a woman in your firm to enroll, learn more about Ignite and sign up for our registration alerts by visiting www.thelawyersedge.com/ignite.