Leadership Unlocked: The Operating System Every Executive Leader Needs to Delegate Effectively & Foster Accountability So You Can Stop Managing Alone and Start Leading a Team Again

She built her dream career, but then walked away. Dusty Holcomb sits down with Maricella Herrera—former COO and CEO of Elevate Network and host of the podcast Oh Shit, I Just Quit My Job—for an honest, deeply human conversation about identity, integrity, and the courage required to walk away from a life that no longer fits. From her early career in finance in Mexico to business school at Columbia and more than a decade helping build the world’s largest professional community for women, Maricella reflects on the mentors who shaped her, the leadership philosophy rooted in transparency and modeling behavior, and the quiet burnout that followed years of purpose-driven work. She unpacks the tension between loyalty and self-leadership, the moment of clarity that led her to step away without a plan, and why alignment—not prestige or performance—became her north star. Together, she and Dusty explore redefining success on your own terms, the power of community and reflection, and why giving yourself space to listen is often the bravest leadership move you can make. Maricella shares how quitting became a catalyst for reinvention—through teaching, storytelling, and building a portfolio career grounded in mission, curiosity, and working with smart people who lead with care—reminding listeners that you are not what you do, but why you do it.Key Timestamps:(00:00) – Marella Herrera's Bold Career Moves(08:15) – The Power of Mentorship(15:46) – Journey to Elevate Network(24:25) – The Decision to Leave Elevate(34:28) – The Breaking Point: Realizing the Need for Change(37:04) – Advice for Those Wrestling with Identity and Alignment(43:53) – Teaching and Defining Non-Negotiables(52:18) – Rapid Fire Questions: Books, Advice, and Daily Practices(58:57) – Defining Success and Supporting CausesKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Self-Leadership, Leadership Coaching, Leadership Clarity, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Website: https://maricellaherrera.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maricellaherreraa/ Mentions: The Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoThe Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-ExupéryMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

Dusty sits down once again with Dr. Lani Jones—clinical psychologist and executive coach—for a practical, no-nonsense conversation about turning good intentions into systems that actually produce lasting change. Building on their prior discussion about vision and planning, Lani introduces a clinically informed framework that begins with acknowledging your design: understanding your humanness, neurological wiring, and behavioral patterns rather than relying on sheer willpower or grit. Together, they explore why most goals fail at the execution layer, how blind spots and perfectionism quietly sabotage momentum, and why leaders must design environments, cues, and accountability structures that make success the path of least resistance. Lani shares concrete examples—from dopamine-driven habit stacking to simplifying systems around one critical block of the day—to show how sustainable progress is built through consistency, not perfection. Throughout the conversation, she challenges listeners to abandon one-size-fits-all productivity models, embrace self-awareness without self-judgment, and continually refine systems as seasons of life change. The episode ultimately reframes success as a repeatable process—one rooted in clarity, grace, and intentional system design—where extraordinary outcomes emerge from disciplined attention to the ordinary.Key Timestamps:(01:12) – ACT Framework: Acknowledge Your Design(05:00) – Real-Life Examples and Practical Applications(10:14) – Identifying Blind Spots and Seeking Feedback(16:02) – Creating Sustainable Systems for Success(34:36) – 3 Questions for Actionable AdviceKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Website: https://drlanijones.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlanijones/ Mentions: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James ClearMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

In a thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Lani Jones, a clinical psychologist and executive coach, discusses how leaders can effectively design their success. She argues that many goals fail due to a lack of meaningful planning and emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s values. Lani introduces a framework that prioritizes clarity, which involves examining distractions and prioritizing self-commitment. She encourages leaders to visualize their future success and shape daily habits that foster extraordinary outcomes. Tune in for practical insights on accountability and self-leadership!

Scott Hogan, founder of Salt Wrap and author of Built From Broken, shares his journey from injury-prone athlete to successful entrepreneur. He emphasizes the importance of resilience in leadership and how physical constraints often hinder success. Scott discusses pivotal moments like being laid off before his son’s birth and the realization that building a team is crucial for sustainable growth. He offers practical fitness tips, highlights the parallels between movement and leadership, and encourages leaders to address pain instead of normalizing it.

Explore why being 'nice' can actually undermine team performance. The host delves into how kindness fosters improvement and a culture of accountability. Discover the neuroscience behind feedback and how poorly delivered messages can trigger defensiveness. Learn a structured approach to giving feedback that emphasizes team benefits over personal discomfort, plus the powerful 'Because of you, we' framework that encourages collaboration. Get practical tips for preparing and navigating tough conversations, reinforcing the importance of clarity and genuine care.

In this enlightening discussion, Amanda Dunklin, an equestrian coach and operational strategist, shares her journey from the horse barn to the corporate world. She emphasizes that effective leadership hinges on empathy and emotional intelligence, lessons learned from training horses. Amanda highlights the importance of trust, communication, and the human element in AI adoption. She argues that strategic clarity is more valuable than simply accumulating tech tools, reminding us to focus on relationships first. Amanda's insights challenge leaders to slow down and prioritize people to foster sustainable growth.

In a deep and insightful conversation, Sean Keller, a filmmaker-turned-leadership coach, shares his journey from success to personal clarity. He discusses how achievement often masks inner emptiness and the crucial role of 'pruning' in personal and professional growth. Sean emphasizes the importance of embracing discomfort for transformation and how vulnerability can enhance leadership. He reflects on his own wilderness experience, advocating for purposeful living grounded in faith and alignment.

Discover how a chaotic calendar can impact an organization's culture. A three-level system for effective time management is introduced, emphasizing annual anchors, themed days to reduce context switching, and protecting transitions. Learn from a case study of a CEO who transformed his schedule from reactive to intentional. Dusty shares personal insights on time management and offers practical strategies to help leaders reclaim their calendars and lead with purpose. This insightful discussion redefines time as a crucial leadership tool.

Dr. Brian Hite, a performance psychologist and stunt performer, reshapes the way we think about pressure. He emphasizes that pressure exists in the mind and explores the lessons learned from failure. Hite introduces his FACT Framework—Focus, Arousal, Confidence, and Tenacity—designed to help individuals remain composed under pressure. Throughout the discussion, he highlights the importance of recognizing stress versus pressure and the strategies to maintain inner stability, ultimately teaching leaders how to thrive in high-stakes environments.

Dustin Riechmann, an entrepreneur and former traffic engineer, shares his inspiring journey from business collapse to building a seven-figure company through podcast guesting. He stresses the importance of simplicity in leadership and success, discussing how narrowing focus can yield remarkable results. Dustin reflects on critical lessons learned from adversity, including overcoming a leadership failure and reframing setbacks as opportunities. His insights on the value of community, integrity, and self-leadership offer a powerful roadmap for any aspiring leader.