The Uncommon Leader Podcast

Episode 207: Success Is a Numbers Game: Kyle Austin Young on How to Change the Odds of Your Goals

Most advice says work harder and keep trying. We put that to the test and reveal why so many smart teams still miss: they average their confidence across steps instead of multiplying their true odds. With award-winning strategy consultant and author Kyle Austin Young, we break down a simple, rigorous way to change results by changing probability—without needing a PhD or a spreadsheet marathon.We start by exposing the averaging trap and building a clean success diagram: a left-to-right map of every step that must go right to hit your goal. Then we estimate the likelihood of each step, multiply to reveal real odds, and hunt for the failure modes stealing your probability. Kyle calls it “think negative” thinking: not doom and gloom, but a disciplined scan for what could go wrong—glitches, delays, weak offers, misreads—so you can de-risk them in advance. You’ll hear how he used this method to land a leadership job at 21 by neutralizing age bias, shifting interviews to future-focused plans, and mirroring team language drawn from their favorite books.Inside this episode, we cover:➡️ The 34% Trap: Why most leaders mathematically overestimate their chance of success and how to fix it.➡️ The "Beard & Book" Strategy: How Kyle probability-hacked his way into a Director role at age 21.➡️ Think Negative: Why identifying "failure modes" is the ultimate creative tool for CEOs.➡️ Tuition Costs: How to view high-stakes mistakes as the price of your leadership education.➡️ The Revenge Tour: Lessons in humility and strategic adjustment from trout fishing.We dig into a nonprofit case where donations fell off a cliff. Agencies tried fresh stories, but a success diagram pointed somewhere less glamorous: a deliverability glitch that blocked a major inbox provider. Fixing the pipe beat rewriting the message. From there, we explore Hail Mary diagrams for stalled goals, when to pause versus quit, and how to stack smaller wins—bylines, relationships, proof—so big moves become high-odds plays. Along the way, Kyle’s stories about resilience, iteration, and the math behind confidence will give you tools to raise your odds in hiring, product launches, fundraising, and personal goals like marathon training.If you’re ready to stop guessing, map your steps, and steal probability back from failure, this conversation gives you the playbook. Subscribe, share with a friend who bets on big goals, and leave a quick review to help more uncommon leaders find the show.Thanks for listening in to the Uncommon Leader Podcast. Please take just a minute to share this podcast with that someone you know that you thought of when you heard this episode. One of the most valuable things you can do is to rate the podcast and leave a review. You can do that on Apple podcasts, or rate the podcast on Spotify or any other platform you listen. Did you know that many of the things that I discuss on the Uncommon Leader Podcast are subjects that I coach other leaders and organizations ? If you would be interested in having me discuss 1:1 or group coaching with you, or know someone who is looking to move from Underperforming to Uncommon in their business or life, I would love to chat with you. Click this link to set up a FREE CALL to discuss how coaching might benefit you and your team) Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!!Connect with me

Episode 206: Milam Miller - How to Use the "Ted Lasso" Method to Negotiate High-Stakes Deals

Rizz might be the word of the year, but what if the real power behind it is as old as leadership itself? We sit down with Mylan Miller, author of The Charisma Craft, to unpack why charisma isn’t a mysterious spark you’re born with—it’s a learnable practice that blends confidence with kindness to create two-way human connection. From the psychology of competence and warmth to the tiny physical cues that change how you’re perceived, we map charisma from slang to strategy.Mylan takes us inside the high-octane world of sports and entertainment to show how deals are actually won: not by pressure in the boardroom, but by curiosity over dinners, market walks, and shared stories. You’ll hear how reading the room across cultures, asking better questions, and remembering what matters to people can transform a pitch into a partnership. We dig into barriers like self-doubt and fragile self-trust, then counter them with simple, repeatable tools: the ENT method for eye contact and listening, and the WTF reset for grounded posture. These habits don’t just look good on camera—they build trust you can renew.We also wrestle with authenticity in the age of AI. What’s real connection versus performative oversharing? How do you stay human when templates and prompts are everywhere? Mylan’s take is clear: technology can suggest words, but only you can sense the unsaid, calibrate tone, and turn a moment into momentum. Along the way, we explore leadership archetypes, celebrate models like Serena Williams for warrior-level authenticity, and reframe charisma as service, not spotlight.If you’re ready to upgrade your presence, close smarter deals, and lead in a way people actually feel, hit play. Then subscribe, share this with a friend who leads, and leave a quick review to tell us which tool you’ll practice first.𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 Milam Miller👇➡️ 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧 (primary): https://www.linkedin.com/in/milam-miller-bck/➡️ 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: https://beconfidentandkind.com/Thanks for listening in to the Uncommon Leader Podcast. Please take just a minute to share this podcast with that someone you know that you thought of when you heard this episode. One of the most valuable things you can do is to rate the podcast and leave a review. You can do that on Apple podcasts, or rate the podcast on Spotify or any other platform you listen. Did you know that many of the things that I discuss on the Uncommon Leader Podcast are subjects that I coach other leaders and organizations ? If you would be interested in having me discuss 1:1 or group coaching with you, or know someone who is looking to move from Underperforming to Uncommon in their business or life, I would love to chat with you. Click this link to set up a FREE CALL to discuss how coaching might benefit you and your team) Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!!Connect with me

Episode 205: The Neuroscience of Calm: Leading Under Pressure with Tracey Gazel

Stress doesn’t have to hijack your leadership. Executive coach Tracy Gazelle joins us to unpack the neuroscience of staying grounded when the stakes are high and the room heats up. We explore how clarity isn’t something you chase; it’s what emerges when the mental noise settles and you choose not to engage the inner critic that sounds so convincing in tough moments.Tracy breaks down her Calm Clarity Operating System into three practical pillars: sleep physiology, mind literacy, and lived experience. We get tactical about 90‑minute sleep cycles, why waking at 3:30 a.m. often means you’re between cycles, and how to fall back asleep by refusing the “thought hooks” that try to wake your brain. You’ll hear actionable routines for better evenings—no blue light, consistent wind‑downs, and smarter choices around food and alcohol—and a simple morning cadence that protects creative thinking before the day scatters your focus.• clarity as a natural state when the mind quiets• inner critic as optional noise, not identity• labeling emotions to shift out of fight or flight• body cues as early alerts to pause and breathe• Calm Clarity OS: sleep, mind, lived experience• 90‑minute sleep cycles and consistent wake times• falling back asleep without engaging thoughts• evening routines: light, screens, food, alcohol• morning creativity time for instinctive decisions• practical stories of leaders gaining calm authorityFrom boardroom triggers to body cues, we map exactly how to catch fight or flight before it takes over. Labeling emotions in real time moves processing from survival centers to the prefrontal cortex, restoring reason without draining your passion. Tracy shares a standout client story of a hospital leader who transformed a “bulldog” reputation into calm authority, improved relationships at home, and earned consideration for a CEO role. We also touch on reading habits, Taoist wisdom, and how to build a personal routine that actually fits your life rather than someone else’s template.If you want sharper decisions, steadier meetings, and more energy for the people who matter most, this conversation gives you a blueprint. Subscribe, share this episode with a leader who needs calm more than caffeine, and leave a review to help others find the show. What’s the first habit you’ll test tonight?𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 Tracey Gazel:👇➡️ 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧 (primary):https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracey-gazel/➡️ 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: https://traceygazel.com/Connect with The Uncommon Leader:🚀𝐁𝐮𝐳𝐳𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐭 (RSS Feed): 🎙 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1807941/episodes/18654391🚀𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: https://youtu.be/HJSfmKqSPeYThanks for listening in to the Uncommon Leader Podcast. Please take just a minute to share this podcast with that someone you know that you thought of when you heard this episode. One of the most valuable things you can do is to rate the podcast and leave a review. You can do that on Apple podcasts, or rate the podcast on Spotify or any other platform you listen. Did you know that many of the things that I discuss on the Uncommon Leader Podcast are subjects that I coach other leaders and organizations ? If you would be interested in having me discuss 1:1 or group coaching with you, or know someone who is looking to move from Underperforming to Uncommon in their business or life, I would love to chat with you. Click this link to set up a FREE CALL to discuss how coaching might benefit you and your team) Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!!Connect with me

Episode 204: Travis Hann - Why Your Executive Search is Failing (and How to Fix It)

Pedigree looks shiny on paper, but does it move the needle? We sit down with executive search leader Travis Hahn to unpack why big-name resumes often disappoint, and how defining outcomes, culture, and decision rights before you recruit leads to hires who actually deliver. From building trustworthy role profiles to reaching passive candidates who aren’t scrolling job boards, we dig into the practical steps leaders can take to raise the bar on both recruiting and retention.Travis explains how a third-party perspective challenges title-driven thinking and surfaces the real work a role must do at your company’s specific stage. We explore the builder’s mindset—consistency, transparency, and a willingness to go beyond the job description—and how to spot it in interviews. Culture emerges as the true currency: when leaders grant ownership and share credit, teams move faster and stick around. You’ll hear success stories that took time and trust to compound, plus candid reflections on when “hire slow, fire fast” applies and when patience saves a future star.• defining roles with outcomes, KPIs, and decision rights• avoiding pedigree bias and testing for real impact• recruiting passive leaders through trust and patience• hire slow, fire fast but with context and care• culture as currency for retention and speed• builder’s mindset, ownership, and clear communication• lessons from unreasonable hospitality on simple, human moments• AI as an efficiency tool, not a replacement for judgment• success stories that show compounding trust over time• next steps for integrated human capital servicesWe also tackle the AI question head-on. Automation can sharpen operations and sourcing, but human judgment remains essential for confidential, high-stakes leadership searches. With AI amplifying noise in the applicant pool, curated pipelines and authentic conversations matter more than ever. Along the way, Travis pulls leadership lessons from golf and hospitality, showing how simple, human gestures—clarity, inclusion, and respect—create experiences people remember and cultures they choose to stay in.If you’re a founder or mid-market leader tired of expensive mis-hires and constant churn, this conversation offers a clear path forward: define the work, avoid pedigree traps, recruit builders, and keep your promises. Subscribe, share with someone wrestling with their next leadership hire, and leave a review telling us your biggest hiring challenge—we’ll tackle it in a future episode.𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 Travis Hann:👇➡️ 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧 (primary): https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-hann/➡️ 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: https://penderhowe.com/en/Thanks for listening in to the Uncommon Leader Podcast. Please take just a minute to share this podcast with that someone you know that you thought of when you heard this episode. One of the most valuable things you can do is to rate the podcast and leave a review. You can do that on Apple podcasts, or rate the podcast on Spotify or any other platform you listen. Did you know that many of the things that I discuss on the Uncommon Leader Podcast are subjects that I coach other leaders and organizations ? If you would be interested in having me discuss 1:1 or group coaching with you, or know someone who is looking to move from Underperforming to Uncommon in their business or life, I would love to chat with you. Click this link to set up a FREE CALL to discuss how coaching might benefit you and your team) Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!!Connect with me

Episode 203: Why Your Leadership Pipeline is Actually a Placement Problem by Mac Lake

What if your calling stayed the same, but your assignment changed? That’s the pivot Mac Lake made—moving from pastoring and church planting to building leadership pipelines for churches and, later, for businesses hungry to grow healthy leaders. We sat down to unpack the turning points, the practical frameworks, and the simple habits that turn lofty leadership talk into measurable impact.Mac shares the “intervention” that ignited his growth, why investing in yourself isn’t optional, and how a clear leadership pipeline can stop bottlenecks before they burn out your best people. We walk through the five-tier pathway—from leading yourself to leading the organization—so you can spot gaps, set ratios, and prepare your next layer of leaders on purpose. You’ll hear how development beats placement every time, and why the triad of knowledge, experience, and coaching is the simplest engine for transformation you can run across any team.• origins of purpose and early leadership wake-up call• moving from church staff to founding Multiply Group• treating business as a platform for discipleship and influence• investing in yourself with intentional growth plans• designing a leadership pipeline with healthy ratios• shifting from leader placement to leader development• triad of knowledge, experience, and coaching• pairing character with competency for trusted impact• daily health practices that fuel longevity and focus• how we develop our own team through monthly huddlesWe also dig into the balance of character and competency, anchored in David’s model of a pure heart and skillful hands. Mac explains how pairing virtues with skills—patience with conflict, humility with decision-making, courage with change—“supercharges” leadership people trust. And because energy is a competitive edge, we zoom in on health span: eat, sleep, move, think, hydrate. From ditching processed foods and seed oils to resistance training and hydration, Mac shows how daily habits protect focus, raise resilience, and help you finish strong.If you lead a business, a nonprofit, or a church, you’ll leave with a blueprint to restructure your team, a repeatable way to develop leaders, and a personal plan to sustain the energy leadership demands. Subscribe for more conversations with uncommon leaders, share this with someone who needs the nudge, and leave a review to help others find the show.𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 Barb Betts:👇➡️ 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧 (primary): https://www.linkedin.com/in/maclake/➡️ 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: https://www.youtube.com/maclake➡️ 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞:  https://www.multiplygroup.org/➡️ 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤:  https://multiply-group.myshopify.com/Connect with The Uncommon Leader: 🚀𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭s: 🍎 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/theThanks for listening in to the Uncommon Leader Podcast. Please take just a minute to share this podcast with that someone you know that you thought of when you heard this episode. One of the most valuable things you can do is to rate the podcast and leave a review. You can do that on Apple podcasts, or rate the podcast on Spotify or any other platform you listen. Did you know that many of the things that I discuss on the Uncommon Leader Podcast are subjects that I coach other leaders and organizations ? If you would be interested in having me discuss 1:1 or group coaching with you, or know someone who is looking to move from Underperforming to Uncommon in their business or life, I would love to chat with you. Click this link to set up a FREE CALL to discuss how coaching might benefit you and your team) Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!!Connect with me