What happens when you’re no longer in charge—but you still feel called to lead? In Episode 12 of The Whetstone, Dark Helmet and The Plague unpack the quiet power of influence, the emotional weight of leadership transitions, and why real leadership in F3 has nothing to do with titles or patches.

With humor, honesty, and heart, they explore how proximity builds purpose and how presence matters more than position. This is a conversation about choosing significance over status, embracing responsibility without recognition, and discovering that the greatest impact often comes not through control—but through connection.

✨ Highlights:

How to navigate the grief of giving up a leadership role
The difference between being needed and being important
One phone vs. two phone guys — and what it reveals about your identity
Mentorship and disruption: how we raise men by walking with them
Why leadership is about direction, not attention
Personal growth as a daily, relational decision
Why influence is forged through presence, not promotions

💬 Sound Bites:

“Life is too short to wear crappy socks.”
“Influence is leadership.”
“Having 2 AM friends is intentional.”
“Leading is now part of who I am.”
“You don’t need a title to make an impact.”

⏰ Timestamps:

04:02 The Grief & Gift of Leadership Transition

10:29 Titles vs. Trust: What Really Makes a Leader

19:26 Influence Over Importance: The Core Question

24:27 Disruption, Mentorship, and Quiet Leadership

32:47 From Being in Charge to Being Known

41:08 Personal Growth and the Ongoing Journey

45:00 Brotherhood & The Power of 2AM Friends

47:45 Faith, Responsibility, and Identity

52:58 What It Means to Take Charge of Your Life

56:48 Legacy Beyond Titles: Why You Show Up Matters Most

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Ep 12 - More Than a Title — Leading Where It Counts | The Whetstone