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In this powerful episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, Mark Jewell sits down with Tyler Dickerhoof — dairy farmer, leadership coach, and founder of the Impact Driven Leader movement.

Tyler brings raw honesty and hard-won insight to the conversation, unpacking how insecurities quietly shape the way we lead, connect, and communicate — often without us even realizing it. Drawing on decades of experience from dairy barns to boardrooms, Tyler reveals how to recognize your emotional blind spots, dismantle walls that limit growth, and lead from a place of wholeness and trust.

This conversation goes beyond leadership theory — it’s an unfiltered look at what happens when intensity becomes intimidation, when connection gives way to isolation, and how to reframe it all with empathy, clarity, and courage.

Key Takeaways:

1. Intentionality Starts with Purposeful Impact

Being intentional isn’t about perfection — it’s about aligning your actions with the impact you want to create. Tyler defines it simply: “Be purposeful in action.” Every decision, word, and relationship either builds trust or breaks it.

2. The Four Walls of Insecurity

Tyler introduces a groundbreaking framework that helps leaders identify how fear and insecurity show up in behavior. The four walls are:

• Intensity: When drive turns into domination.
• Inactivity: When fear paralyzes decision-making.
• Insensitivity: When protection becomes detachment.
• Isolation: When fear of judgment leads to hiding.

Recognizing which “wall” you lean on most is the first step toward breaking through it.

3. Every Problem Is a Relationship Problem

As Mark puts it: “Every business issue traces back to a relationship issue.” Tyler expands on this, explaining that our ability to lead others directly mirrors our relationship with ourselves. Leaders who don’t value or forgive themselves struggle to extend grace and connection to others.

4. Empathy Without Boundaries Isn’t Leadership — It’s Exhaustion

Tyler warns that empathy, without limits, leads to burnout. True empathy requires clarity and boundaries — modeling what healthy leadership looks like instead of just preaching it.

5. Intentional Leadership in the Age of Overload

From late-night texts to “always-on” expectations, Tyler and Mark challenge today’s leaders to rethink boundaries. Intentionality means having systems and communication rhythms that protect both productivity and peace. If your team is burning out, it’s not a workload issue — it’s a leadership clarity issue.

6. Choose to Be an Incubator, Not an Incinerator

One of Tyler’s most memorable phrases: “I’d rather be an incubator than an incinerator.” Great leaders don’t burn people out; they develop them. Building people means caring enough to challenge them, coach them, and let them grow — even if that means letting them go.

Notable Quotes:

• “Be purposeful in action. Our actions create our results, and our results reinforce our beliefs.” – Tyler Dickerhoof
• “Every problem is a relationship problem — and that relationship starts with yourself.” – Mark Jewell
• “Your intensity can light the way or burn the room down.” – Tyler Dickerhoof
• “You can’t love others well until you learn to love yourself.” – Tyler Dickerhoof
• “If you can’t extend trust, you’ll never experience connection.” – Tyler Dickerhoof
• “Be an incubator, not an incinerator. Build people instead of burning them out.” – Tyler Dickerhoof

Action Steps:

• Identify which of the Four Walls of Insecurity shows up most for you.
• Audit your communication — does your intensity inspire or intimidate?
• Define and communicate your personal and professional boundaries clearly.
• Practice extending trust before demanding proof.
• Reflect on how you can “incubate” growth in your people this week — not just demand performance.

Listen If You Are:

• A leader or business owner struggling with team burnout or communication barriers.
• An ag professional who wants to lead with both strength and empathy.
• A parent, spouse, or manager looking to understand emotional intelligence in action.
• Ready to move from fear-based leadership to impact-driven influence.