

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
Dusty Holcomb, Leadership Systems & Delegation Expert
Leadership Unlocked is a leadership podcast about the moments that shape how real leaders grow. Hosted by executive coach & strategist Dusty Holcomb, it features real stories and honest conversations with CEOs, founders, and senior leaders navigating real-world challenges and growth.
Each episode delivers real-world leadership insights, stories from leaders in the field, and practical tools for high-performing teams—making it a must-listen for anyone serious about leadership development.
Whether you're leading a company, a team, or yourself, you'll walk away with something you can use right now.
New episodes weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or visit ArcqusGroup.com/podcast to learn more.
Each episode delivers real-world leadership insights, stories from leaders in the field, and practical tools for high-performing teams—making it a must-listen for anyone serious about leadership development.
Whether you're leading a company, a team, or yourself, you'll walk away with something you can use right now.
New episodes weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or visit ArcqusGroup.com/podcast to learn more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

10 snips
Jan 7, 2026 • 29min
Being Nice Is Killing Your Team—Here’s What to Do Instead - E42
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.

4 snips
Dec 31, 2025 • 1h 6min
The Leadership Skill Horses Have Mastered That Most Humans Ignore | Amanda Dunklin - E41
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.

Dec 24, 2025 • 1h 1min
Why More Success Won’t Fix the Emptiness High Performing Leaders Don’t Talk About | Sean Keller - E40
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.

Dec 23, 2025 • 27min
This Is How Top-Performing CEOs Manage Their Time & Calendar - E39
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.

8 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 17min
How Great Leaders Reimagine Pressure to Excel in High-Stakes Environments | Dr. Brian Hite - E38
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.

12 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 52min
What Most Leaders Get Wrong About Scaling Their Business | Dustin Riechmann - E37
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.

Dec 9, 2025 • 24min
Why Doesn’t Your Team Just Do Their Damn Job? - E36
Explore the common misconception that execution failures arise from lazy teams. Instead, discover how clarity and alignment—or the lack thereof—lead to stalled initiatives. Dusty introduces a transformative leadership model where clear communication and aligned goals pave the way for effective execution. Gain insights from a real case study involving AAA, and learn how to identify misaligned priorities and inconsistencies. Plus, actionable steps to enhance leadership effectiveness in just seven days make this discussion a must-listen for aspiring leaders.

Dec 3, 2025 • 57min
The Rule of 3 And 10 That Breaks Every Growing Business and Leader | Nolan Bradbury - E35
Dusty sits down with Nolan Bradbury, a former CPA turned financial strategist who helps leaders realize that their biggest challenge isn’t money, it’s clarity. Nolan opens up about his journey from Big Four accounting to finding purpose in helping entrepreneurs define what freedom truly means. Together, they explore how clarity transforms decision-making, why “more” doesn’t always equal success, and how simplicity, not complexity, creates lasting growth. With honesty, humor, and heart, Nolan shares powerful lessons on leadership, accountability, and the courage to listen to what really matters.Key Timestamps: (00:00) - From CPA To Clarity (04:30) - Discovering The Real Problem (07:15) - Lessons From The Audit (10:40) - Leadership And Integrity (13:20) - Empowering Accountability Framework (18:00) - Redefining Freedom And Success (26:40) - The Rule Of Three And TenKey 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 Leadership, Financial Clarity, Entrepreneur Freedom, Leadership Mindset, Accountability And Trust, Business Growth StrategiesMentions:Website: https://go.bradfieldco.com/freedom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-bradbury More of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

Nov 26, 2025 • 1h
Build A Brand That Multiplies Your Vision Even When You’re Not In The Room | Alan McLaren - E34
Dusty Holcomb sits down with Alan McLaren, CEO, entrepreneur, marketer, and self-proclaimed “Chief Squirrel Tamer.” Alan shares his 35-year leadership journey, from selling photocopiers door-to-door to leading global organizations and shaping modern leadership branding. Together, they unpack the real meaning of heart-centered leadership, how authenticity fuels influence, and why kindness and accountability are not opposites but essential partners in high performance. This conversation is a masterclass in leading with integrity, clarity, and impact, both in business and in life.Key Timestamps:(00:00) - Lessons From Sales Leadership(07:00) - Leading Yourself First(11:00) - Balancing Heart And Authority(15:00) - Integrity And Workplace Culture(20:00) - Lessons From Great Leaders(27:00) - Redefining Accountability(33:00) - Leadership Branding Explained(39:00) - Building Trust Through Authenticity(45:00) - Unlocking Your Leadership Voice(51:00) - The Loneliness Of Leadership(57:00) - Kindness Is Not WeaknessKey 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 Leadership, Leadership Branding, Authentic Leadership, Heart-Centered Leadership, CEO Coaching, Building Trust At ScaleMentions:Website: https://strataoriginals.com/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/alanmclaren More of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

Nov 25, 2025 • 19min
3 Brutal Questions Every Leader Must Face to Break Through Their Ceiling - E33
Leadership can hit a ceiling when vision fails to translate into action. Discover three warning signs that indicate stagnation: being the bottleneck, lacking execution, and reaching your capabilities' limits. Dusty shares personal anecdotes, including a pivotal promotion, and how education alone wasn’t enough for growth. His Leadership Growth Readiness framework offers vital questions for leaders seeking transformation. Don't just work harder—innovate your leadership approach for real impact and future success.


