Episode 512 Small Moments That Shape Leadership with Jeff Eisenberg

Jul 28, 2025

In a captivating discussion, Jeff Eisenberg, author of " shares insights from his journey from sports marketing to agency leadership. He delves into the importance of 'tiny moments' in shaping effective leadership and agency culture. Jeff emphasizes the power of small, everyday interactions over grand gestures, advocating for vulnerability and empowering teams. He reveals valuable lessons learned on his path, including the need to shift focus from doing to leading, all while nurturing trust and core values. Ideal for any leader aiming for lasting success!

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ANECDOTE

Jeff's Agency Ownership Journey

Jeff Eisenberg transitioned from sports marketing to buying and running his own ad agency.
He retained love for his community and built the agency for 15 successful years.

ADVICE

Embrace Risk By Asking

Ask yourself "What's the worst thing that can happen?" before making bold moves.
This mindset helps overcome fear and encourages taking ownership risks.

INSIGHT

Power of Tiny Leadership Moments

Leadership consists of tiny, everyday moments that define true leaders.
These moments shape relationships and agency culture more than grand speeches do.

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Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan sits down with longtime friend and agency leader Jeff Eisenberg for a candid conversation about the art and practice of agency leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned agency owner or new to the business, this discussion is packed with real-world lessons and thoughtful perspectives that will help you elevate your leadership game and set your agency up for lasting success.

Jeff shares the compelling journey that led him from sports marketing with major league teams to purchasing and running his own ad agency. Now, as he transitions into author, teacher, and mentor, Jeff unveils the leadership strategies and philosophies that have served him throughout his decades-long career. The focal point of the conversation is Jeff’s new book, Beyond the Big: The Tiny Moments of Leadership, which takes a fresh, practical look at how small, everyday actions define truly great leaders.

Together, Drew and Jeff unpack the power of “tiny moments”—those micro-interactions and subtle choices that shape agency culture, empower teams, and foster real trust. They discuss actionable ways to be more present, why giving away power is essential, and how agency owners can break the habit of doing in order to focus on being and leading. Jeff also opens up about his own growth as a leader, offering relatable anecdotes, hard-won advice, and encouragement for leaders at every stage.

Whether you’re planning for succession, looking to strengthen your core values, or simply hoping to increase your presence and impact, this episode is a treasure trove of actionable wisdom. Tune in for strategies you can start applying today, and get inspired to become the kind of leader your team will remember for years to come.

A big thank you to our podcast’s presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They’re an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

- Embracing leadership as a series of tiny, everyday moments
- The power of vulnerability and humility in strong leadership
- Developing other leaders as a core responsibility for agency owners
- Transitioning from “doing” to “being” present as a leader
- Building and living authentic core values within your agency
- Creating a culture of honesty, care, and “carefrontation”
- The incremental, lifelong journey of improving as a leader