The Chris LoCurto Show

Chris LoCurto
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Jul 22, 2025 • 29min

635 | Lead Like a Coach, Not a Firefighter

If your team can’t move without you and your calendar feels like a crisis hotline, it’s time to shift from fixing everything to coaching intentionally. In this episode, we break down how to move from chaos to clarity by building a team that takes ownership.Timestamps:00:02:56 – Firefighting Feels Productive—But It’s Short-TermWhy solving every problem yourself creates dependency, not growth.00:08:40 – Coaching Unlocks OwnershipHow asking questions empowers your team to solve problems on their own.00:15:48 – Great Coaches Lead with Questions, Not ControlCoaching isn't about control—it's about helping people think for themselves.00:19:03 – Coaching Requires Patience—but Multiplies ProgressWhy short-term coaching leads to long-term time and freedom.00:23:23 – You Can’t Coach What You Don’t ModelYou can’t expect behaviors you don’t demonstrate yourself.00:26:04 – Action StepsSimple things you can do this week to start coaching instead of fixing.00:27:19 – Additional ResourcesExplore Episode 577 on proactive leadership.00:27:40 – Virtual Team TrainingsLearn how to lead better without leaving your office at chrislocurto.com/training.
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Jul 15, 2025 • 29min

634 | The Cost of Doing It Alone

Too many leaders are still trying to carry the weight alone—and it’s costing them more than they realize. In this episode, we’re uncovering the hidden dangers of lone-wolf leadership and showing how building the right support system can transform your business and your life.Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (00:01:38)Scripture reminds us: two are better than one. Leading alone was never the plan.Lone-Wolf Leadership Feels Noble… But It’s Rooted in Fear or Pride (00:02:25)Isolation often looks strong on the outside but stems from fear and pride—and it limits your growth.Isolation Dulls Your Perspective (00:05:26)When you’re the only voice you hear, your clarity, confidence, and decision-making take a hit.Going Alone Slows Your Growth (00:08:32)Doing it all yourself keeps your team small, underdeveloped, and dependent on you.The Right Support System Challenges and Sharpens You (00:13:18)You don’t need cheerleaders. You need people who speak truth in love and help you grow.Vulnerability Builds Strength (00:17:40)Real leadership includes vulnerability—and when you model it, your team gets stronger too.Action Items (00:24:39)Pinpoint one area you’re carrying alone, identify the root, and invite someone healthy into that space.Additional Resources (00:26:25)Check out episode 564 on how isolation is quietly hurting CEOs and what to do about it.Virtual Team Training (00:26:50)Get your team growing without leaving your office—check out our Virtual Team Trainings.Conclusion (00:27:24)You were never meant to lead alone. Build support, share the load, and lead with strength and clarity.
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Jul 8, 2025 • 28min

633 | Lead Better. Live Better: What Happens When You Take Ownership

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about taking responsibility. In this episode, discover how ownership shifts your mindset, your culture, and your results. You’ll learn how to stop blaming, start responding with purpose, and create momentum that lasts.Ownership Is the Opposite of Blame (00:01:38)Blame keeps you stuck—ownership leads to problem-solving and growth.Ownership Means You Respond, Not React (00:06:40)Responding with intention brings clarity and better outcomes than emotional reactions.Ownership Doesn’t Equal Perfection (00:09:35)You don’t need perfect answers—just the next right step.Ownership Sets the Cultural Standard (00:16:27)How leaders model ownership shapes the team’s entire approach to mistakes and growth.Ownership Creates Margin and Momentum (00:20:56)Owning your time and habits unlocks the margin and energy you need to lead well.Action Items (00:25:29)Start today with three simple ways to practice ownership and lead your team better.Additional Resources (00:26:43)More tools to grow your leadership—starting with Episode 310.Virtual Team Training (00:26:56)Get powerful leadership tools delivered virtually to your team.Conclusion (00:27:26)Ownership leads to growth—lead with intention and change everything around you.
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Jul 1, 2025 • 27min

632 | It Starts With You: The Mindset Shift Every Leader Needs

Learn how leading yourself first can empower your team and enhance your business. Discover the impact of your beliefs about control and delegation on team dynamics. Find out how to shift your language from negativity to growth-driven leadership. Explore the difference between reacting emotionally and responding wisely. Small mindset shifts can create significant change. If you want transformation, become the change you seek! Plus, practical steps to identify and replace limiting beliefs are provided for effective leadership.
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Jun 24, 2025 • 50min

631 | Your Team Isn’t Underperforming—You Might Just Be Miscommunicating, with Aaron West

If your team is underperforming, miscommunication—not laziness—might be the real issue. In this episode, Chris LoCurto and top leadership coach Aaron West unpack how using DISC personality styles can help you set better expectations, improve clarity, and get your team back on track.TimestampsIntro: Exodus (00:01:02)We kick things off with a powerful example from Moses and Aaron on why communication support matters.It’s Not Always What You Think (00:03:18)Most underperformance stems from poor communication—not lack of effort.How DISC Helps Clarify the Real Problem (00:08:33)DISC helps leaders tailor their communication to how team members actually process information.Spotting the Signs of Miscommunication (00:20:24)Missed deadlines or disengagement often point to unclear expectations, not incompetence.Rebuilding Clarity and Trust with DISC (00:29:23)Leaders can fix communication gaps by knowing their style and preparing intentional conversations.Building a Culture of Communication Awareness (00:33:37)Teams using DISC see better relationships, fewer conflicts, and clearer accountability.Action Items (00:44:53)Five steps to improve communication and boost team performance starting today.Conclusion (00:48:05)Clear communication creates a culture where people thrive—and DISC helps make that possible.Free Resource:Grab the DISC Quick Guide HERE to start leading with clarity.
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Jun 17, 2025 • 41min

630 | How Key Leaders Can Lead Up, Down, and Sideways with DISC, with Lyneé South

How to Lead in Every Direction Using DISCIf you’ve ever struggled to get your point across to upper leadership, motivate your team, or work alongside your peers, this episode is for you.Chris is joined by Executive Coach and DISC expert Lyneé South to talk about how leaders can influence and communicate more effectively in every direction—up, down, and sideways—using DISC.Whether you're in a mid-level leadership role or leading a team, you'll walk away with tools to increase trust, adapt communication, and lead with confidence.Genesis 41 (00:01:01)A biblical example introduces the concept of leading in every direction.Why Leading in All Directions Is So Hard (00:02:41)Mid-level leaders often feel stuck between their team and upper leadership.Using DISC to Lead Up (00:09:39)DISC helps leaders tailor communication to gain trust and support from their leaders.Leading Your Team With DISC (00:16:11)Understanding DISC helps leaders guide and connect with team members more effectively.Influencing Peers and Cross-Functional Teams (00:20:10)Leaders can use DISC to build better collaboration across departments.What Happens if We Are Implementing DISC? (00:23:46)Using DISC in meetings and brainstorming leads to better alignment and reduced friction.Helping Your Leadership Team Use DISC Effectively (00:28:36)Leadership teams that use DISC intentionally see improved trust and fewer misunderstandings.Action Steps (00:37:22)Five practical ways to start using DISC to lead more effectively.Conclusion (00:39:14)Leading based on how people are wired leads to better communication, stronger relationships, and a healthier culture.Go check out our page to get our free DISC bundle!
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Jun 10, 2025 • 44min

629 | Why Personality Styles Should Shape Your Hiring Process, with Joel Fortner

Ever hired someone who looked great on paper but just didn’t work out? In this episode, we dive into how DISC personality styles can help you hire the right fit—not just the right resume.Joel Fortner, our team’s president and hiring expert, is joining me to walk through how personality profiles help you go deeper than resumes and interviews, and avoid costly mis-hires.Learn how to match the right person to the right role, avoid cultural misfits, and improve your hiring process with practical, proven strategies.👇 Here’s what’s covered in this episode:Samuel 16 (00:01:00)A biblical example reveals why looking beyond appearances is essential in hiring.You’re Not Just Hiring a Resume (00:04:24)Why resumes and interviews don’t give the full picture—and what to use instead.DISC Reveals the “How” Behind the Work (00:08:21)How DISC uncovers how someone works, thinks, and communicates on the job.DISC and Roles (00:10:40)Which DISC styles thrive in specific roles like sales, admin, and accounting?Hiring for Culture Fit, Not Just Skills (00:19:49)Why cultural fit matters more than experience when it comes to team health.How Do I Use DISC in the Hiring Process? (00:24:05)Steps to apply DISC throughout your hiring process for smarter decisions.The Cost of Getting It Wrong (00:29:08)What a wrong hire really costs your business—financially and emotionally.Action Steps (00:38:44)5 practical ways to strengthen your hiring process with DISC today.Conclusion (00:41:44)A final reminder: hiring well is one of the most important things you’ll ever do as a leader.🎧 Ready to hire smarter? Press play and take notes. And grab our free DISC Quick Guide to get started.
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Jun 3, 2025 • 1h 5min

628 | How DISC Can Transform Leadership & Business Success with Bryan Arzani

If your team’s communication feels off or productivity is dragging, the problem might not be what you think—it might be how you lead.In this episode, Chris sits down with DISC expert Bryan Arzani to unpack how understanding personality styles leads to better leadership, communication, and performance.Fill the form HERE and get your free PDF now!Whether you’re brand new to DISC or already using it, this episode gives you practical tools and language to create lasting change in your team.Episode Timestamps00:04:01 – What’s Really Going On When Leaders Feel MisunderstoodWhy saying the right thing doesn’t always lead to being understood.00:07:42 – Blind Spots That Hurt CommunicationHow unaddressed blind spots lead to leadership breakdown.00:10:40 – Self-Awareness Is a Trust BuilderThe first step to better communication is understanding yourself.00:21:02 – Who Owns DISC and Why It WorksA quick history and why DISC is the most widely used tool in business.00:30:46 – When Personality Styles Clash Under PressureThe patterns and causes behind personality-based conflict.00:43:23 – The Most Common Mistakes Leaders Make with DISCWhat to avoid when using DISC with your team or hiring process.00:55:43 – How to Use DISC to Improve Team PerformancePractical ways to apply DISC for stronger leadership and better results.
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May 27, 2025 • 16min

627 | When Emotions Drive Decisions: How to Lead Rationally in High-Stress Situations

Ever reacted emotionally as a leader—and regretted it? You’re not alone.In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we break down how to stay grounded, respond with wisdom, and lead rationally when the pressure is high. Learn how to recognize emotional hijacking, understand your triggers, and set a calm tone for your team using simple, powerful tools.Timestamps:Emotional Hijacking Happens—But You Can Stop It (00:01:28)How to recognize when emotions override logic—and what to do in the moment.Know Your Triggers Before They Explode (00:04:03)Understand your emotional landmines before they create leadership damage.Slow Down to Speed Up: The 3-Second Rule (00:06:14)A simple pause strategy to help you lead rationally in emotionally charged situations.Use Emotion as Data, Not a Driver (00:07:26)Turn emotional cues into insight without letting them control your decisions.Your Emotional State Affects Everyone Else’s (00:10:28)How your mood shapes your team’s culture, performance, and risk-taking.Action Items (00:14:04)Five steps to practice emotional intelligence in your leadership today.Additional Resources (00:14:56)Check out Episode 607 for more on emotional intelligence in leadership.Conclusion (00:15:12)Great leadership isn’t about feeling better—it’s about choosing to lead rationally, no matter how you feel.
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May 20, 2025 • 29min

626 | The Role of Self-Awareness in Becoming a Transformational Leader

Why do some leaders earn deep trust and loyalty, while others struggle to connect? It comes down to one key skill: self-awareness.In this episode, we unpack how knowing yourself is the foundation of great leadership—and how to lead with clarity, emotional intelligence, and influence.Timestamps:00:02:05 – Self-Awareness Is the Foundation of All Great Leadership00:08:07 – Self-Awareness Reveals What’s Beneath the Surface00:10:40 – Self-Awareness Is a Trust Builder00:14:13 – Self-Awareness Leads to Better Decision-Making and Presence00:16:09 – Self-Awareness Fuels Personal Growth That Inspires Others00:18:49 – Action Steps for Building Self-Awareness00:26:15 – Additional Resource: Episode 62100:26:40 – Final Thoughts and TakeawaysIf you want to lead others well, it starts with leading yourself well.

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