Leadership Unlocked: The Stories That Shape Great Leaders

What if your greatest leadership superpower wasn’t your voice—but your questions? In this episode of Leadership Unlocked, Dusty unpacks the single best advice he ever received: be interested, not interesting. From a homeschool upbringing that sparked lifelong curiosity to a game-changing moment inspired by Jim Collins and Peter Drucker, Dusty shares how learning to ask the right questions transformed his leadership. He explains why curiosity builds trust, why humility fuels influence, and how flipping your "questions-to-statements" ratio can unlock untapped growth in your team. If you’ve ever felt pressure to perform or prove yourself in leadership, this episode is a powerful reminder that insight starts when we stop trying to impress—and start seeking to understand. Great leaders don’t have all the answers; they ask better questions. This one shift could be your leadership unlock.Key Timestamps:(00:00) - Be Interested, Not Interesting(01:17) - The Power of Curiosity in Leadership(01:49) - When Dusty’s Story Began(03:45) - Implementing Curiosity in Leadership(05:22) - What Jim Collins and Peter Drucker Taught Me(08:49) - The Impact of Asking QuestionsKey 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 LeadershipMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ or https://leadershipunlockedpodcast.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

Dusty welcomes Bridgett McMahan, President of BESCO, for a powerful conversation about leadership, confidence, and community. Bridgett shares the transformative impact of the book Gravitas and how it empowered her as a new leader in a male-dominated industry. She discusses the importance of assembling a trusted "Gold Team" to lead collaboratively, her leadership superpower of listening, and the loneliness that can come with executive roles. Bridgett also advocates for CASA, an organization giving vulnerable children a voice in the judicial system, and reminds us that sometimes the best thing a leader can do is simply say “yes” and try.Key Takeaways:• Confidence doesn't come from always knowing the answers—it comes from believing you belong in the room. That belief can shift how you're perceived and how you lead.• The lonely moments of leadership aren’t a sign of failure—they’re a sign you’re carrying real weight. Building a team that shares the load can change everything.• Confidence isn’t gendered, but women often face unique challenges in claiming space. Books like Gravitas provide language and support to overcome those barriers.Key Timestamps:(00:00) – Meet Bridget McMahon: From Law to Leadership(05:17) – Finding Purpose and Building Relationships(20:39) – Defining Leadership Moments(28:51) – The Turning Point: Advocating for Myself(31:52) – Unexpected Boardroom Moment(38:19) – Trusting Your Gut Instinct(43:30) – Rapid Fire Questions: Insights and Advice(54:47) – Supporting CASA: Advocating for Children(57:14) – Final Thoughts on Leadership and GrowthKey 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: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgett-mcmahan-1a0a23236/ Mentions: Gravitas: How to Communicate with Confidence, Influence and Authority by Caroline GoyderMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

Dusty Holcomb breaks down three of the most common leadership blind spots he sees every week in coaching sessions with high-performing teams, seasoned executives, and fast-scaling founders. With clarity and conviction, he unpacks how these often-unseen patterns quietly derail execution, dilute energy, and create frustration. Drawing from real-world experience, Dusty explores the cost of vague expectations, the gap between agreement and true commitment, and the consequences of a weak accountability culture. Through practical examples and sharp insight, he shares a framework for leading with intention—clarifying the "what by when," confirming alignment, and following through with consistency. This episode is a candid reminder that leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being clear, committed, and courageous enough to say the important things until they echo.Key Takeaways:• Alignment isn’t just about agreement; it’s about commitment to deliver and take ownership of the result.• Accountability cultures thrive when people hold themselves responsible—but leaders must reinforce it through consistent follow-up.• All three blind spots—lack of clarity, misaligned commitment, and weak accountability—are fixable, but only if leaders are willing to see and address them directly.Key Timestamps:(00:00) – Leadership Blind Spots(01:03) – Blind Spot #1: Lack of Clarity(05:59) – Blind Spot #2: Misalignment(07:53) – Blind Spot #3: Weak Accountability Culture(12:53) – Bonus Insight: The Power of Repetition(14:36) – Practical TipsKey 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 LeadershipMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

Today on Leadership Unlocked, Gene Boehm, President and CEO of AAA, joins Dusty and shares the experiences, values, and lessons that shape his leadership philosophy, emphasizing clarity, empowerment, and authenticity. From childhood stories and career setbacks to learning resilience during the Enron scandal and embracing feedback, Boehm highlights the transformative power of self-awareness, mentorship, and organizational culture. He champions vision over micromanagement, exemplified by initiatives like the “I Love My Job” campaign, which fostered pride and engagement across AAA. Passionate about safety and reducing roadside fatalities, he calls for greater advocacy and coalition-building. Boehm underscores the importance of emotional connection, storytelling, and gratitude in leadership, drawing on personal rituals like daily running and annual marathons to stay grounded. With insights ranging from literary inspiration to practical frameworks for growth, he encourages aspiring leaders to lead with heart, intention, and humility—always beginning and ending with thank you.Key Takeaways:• Worry is wasted energy. Gene learned early on—from a Mellencamp lyric and a childhood story—that letting go of guilt and fear is crucial to leading effectively.• Metrics aren't everything. While important, Gene believes vision and emotional connection ultimately drive success more than numbers.• Symbols can spark culture. The “I Love My Job” t-shirt started as a morale booster and evolved into a movement of pride and positivity.Key Timestamps:(00:00) – Gene's Leadership Principles(05:44) – Gene's Journey to Becoming CEO of AAA(08:13) – Defining Moments and Lessons in Leadership(21:12) – The 'I Love My Job' T-Shirt Story(26:26) – A Memorable First Day at Walgreens(32:41) – Rapid Fire Leadership Insights(39:17) – Building Relationships and Career Advancement(44:27) – Saving Lives and Reducing Traffic FatalitiesKey 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:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gene-boehm-1581532/More of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

In this episode of Leadership Unlocked, we explore the powerful concept of the “BS flag” — a simple, symbolic tool used to build a culture of candor, clarity, and accountability on leadership teams. Drawing inspiration from football, where a penalty flag stops play and signals a rule violation, the BS flag empowers team members to safely and respectfully call out issues in real time, including those caused by the leader. Dusty shares how this tool transformed his own leadership meetings, eliminated the "HiPPO problem" (highest paid person's opinion), and created a space where truth could be spoken without fear. He breaks down the four essential qualities of a BS-free culture — safety, expectation, equality, and consistency — and offers actionable ways to introduce this concept into your team. If you're ready to make the invisible visible and foster a culture where anyone can stop the play to do the right thing, this episode is for you.Key Timestamps:(00:00) - The BS Flag(05:09) - Powerful Teams Surface Problems, Not Hide Them(06:42) - The Four Pillars of BS Free Workplaces(09:53) - Practical Steps to Introduce the BS FlagKey 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 LeadershipMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

Dusty Holcomb speaks with Claudia Caballero, CEO of Centro Hispano, about her powerful journey from Honduras to leading a thriving nonprofit in Knoxville. Claudia shares how she grew from second-guessing her instincts as a young Latina immigrant to confidently integrating intuition, data, and self-awareness in her leadership. Drawing from her upbringing, education, and entrepreneurial experiences, she emphasizes authenticity, resilience, and the importance of investing in people, even without guarantees. With candor, she reflects on personal challenges like ADHD and codependency, the transformative power of mentorship and community, and the leadership lessons shaped by therapy, books, and lived experience. Claudia’s story is one of trusting growth over perfection, leading with intention, and creating inclusive spaces where others can rise, thrive, and shine. Key Takeaways:• Even when doubted or dismissed, especially as a young Latina immigrant, inner wisdom is a powerful leadership tool. Claudia blends gut feeling with analytics to make informed, human-centered decisions.• Personal and professional growth is rooted in strong relationships and mutual support. From receiving support to offering it, Claudia demonstrates the ripple effect of mentorship.• Late-in-life ADHD diagnosis brought self-awareness and tools that strengthened Claudia’s leadership. Key Timestamps:(00:00) – Meet Claudia Caballero: A Powerhouse of Inclusive Leadership(01:18) – The Journey of Self-Trust and Intuition(04:53) – Authentic Leadership: Embracing Your Unique Path(06:37) – Claudia's Background: From Honduras to Leadership(22:00) – Centro Hispano: From Humble Beginnings to Impactful Growth(30:43) – Commitment to Team Growth(31:57) – Internal Pride and Challenges(36:39) – Personal Reflections and Mentorship(41:21) – Leadership Lessons and Insights(55:44) – Building Authentic Relationships Key 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 Mentions:Website: https://www.centrohispanotn.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiacaballerotn/   More of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

Dusty and Jeremy sit down with retired Vice Admiral Mike LeFever to explore the defining moments and lessons from his distinguished career in the US Navy. Vice Admiral LeFever shares his journey, from his time at the Naval Academy to leading complex operations and joint task forces in high-stakes environments. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, adaptability, expecting the unexpected, and the necessity of evolving and reflecting as a leader. Practical insights on commander's intent, handling crises, and the role of humility in leadership are highlighted, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their leadership skills. Key Timestamps:(00:00) - Meet Vice Admiral Mike LeFever  (02:00) - Navigating Complex Military Operations  (06:35) - Expect the Unexpected: Key Leadership Principles  (18:57) - Not Everything is Black and White  (27:47) - Commander’s Intent  (29:50) - Never Having the Perfect Picture  (31:29) - Celebrating the Losses  (33:35) - Adapting to New Information  (36:17) - Self-Awareness and Stress Management  (37:48) - Lessons from Negative Leadership Examples  (48:24) - Driving Execution through Empowerment  (52:51) - Rapid Fire Leadership Insights  (57:10) - Supporting Meaningful Causes  Key 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 Mentions:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lefever-1a488316/ More of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com 

Dusty reflects on his leadership journey which began in 1998 as a third shift supervisor in a call center. At the young age of 22, he initially focused on personal career growth but had a pivotal moment when his mentor, Colonel Greg Camp, introduced him to the principles of servant leadership. Through book clubs and personal mentorship, Greg taught Dusty that true leadership is about serving and empowering others. This episode dives deep into the transformative power of servant leadership, the importance of continual learning, and how one mentor's belief and guidance can fundamentally shape and change a leader's approach and philosophy. What was your leadership wake-up moment?Key Timestamps:(00:00) - The Overnight Supervisor  (04:13) - The Book Club  (08:21) - Leadership Lessons  (10:13) - R&D - Rip Off and Duplicate  (12:04) - My Resignation  (15:53) - A Moment of Clarity  (18:39) - Servant LeadershipKey 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 LeadershipMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

What does it truly mean to unlock leadership?At Leadership Unlocked, we believe leadership isn't defined by titles—it's forged through stories, influence, and the unwavering commitment to serve others. Each week, we delve into candid conversations with real people who've navigated the crucibles of leadership, emerging with scars, wisdom, and a desire to uplift those around them.This isn't about generic leadership clichés. It's about purpose-driven, value-centric individuals who lead with authenticity, vulnerability, and resilience. We explore the defining moments that have shaped their paths, offering you, our audience, tangible takeaways to apply in your own journey.Whether you're a seasoned leader or just stepping into a leadership role, our mission is to provide you with tools, insights, and inspiration. We aim to transform the hard-earned lessons of others into tuition-free learning for you.Join us as we uncover the real stories behind real leaders. Because leadership isn't about perfection—it's about growth, service, and the courage to be real. Let's get into it.Key Timestamps:(00:00) - Defining Real Leadership(00:48) - Purpose-Driven Leadership(01:07) - The Journey of a Leader(01:23) - Our Mission at Leadership Unlocked(02:07) - Learning from Leaders(02:41) - An InvitationKey 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 LeadershipMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com