Stop Leading, Start Being: The Provocative Path to Authentic Authority with Will Steel

2026-03-05

The world is full of exhausted leaders who have been conditioned to believe that leadership is a performance—a set of KPIs to hit and a professional mask to wear. But what if the very act of trying to lead is what is stopping you from being effective? In this episode of the Growth Hacking Culture podcast, we sit down with Will Steel, a former RAF pilot and executive coach who argues that your leadership genius is already within you, buried under a lifetime of social conditioning. We explore the ontological approach to leadership: focusing on the nature of being rather t...

In this episode of the Growth Hacking Culture podcast, we sit down with Will Steel, a former RAF pilot and executive coach who argues that your leadership genius is already within you, buried under a lifetime of social conditioning. We explore the ontological approach to leadership: focusing on the nature of being rather than just doing.

Will shares powerful stories from his time in the Royal Air Force and his work across the globe, illustrating how stripping away internal "noise" and limiting beliefs allows your natural authority to emerge. If you are tired of the corporate mask and ready to lead with radical presence, this conversation is for you.

🕒 Timestamps:

0:00 – Why the world is full of exhausted leaders
4:15 – The Leadership Paradox: Why "doing" isn't enough
9:30 – Lessons from the RAF: Failing the officer course to find your voice
14:50 – Breaking the Persona: Stripping away the "Professional Mask"
20:10 – Leadership as Subtraction: Removing internal blocks
26:45 – Radical Presence: Learning to truly listen and be "gotten"
32:20 – The Goth Phase & The Rock Climber: How we create our identities
38:05 – Managing High-Stakes Pressure: Boards, teams, and internal noise
44:15 – Ontological Coaching vs. Traditional Training
49:30 – Real-World Transformation: Will’s story of radical reconciliation
56:00 – Final Thoughts and Resources

✅ Micro-Actions for Authentic Leadership:

To move from "doing" leadership to "being" a leader, try these small shifts this week:

Catch the "Monkey Mind": When in a meeting, notice when you start thinking about what to say next instead of listening. Intentionally return your focus to the person speaking.
Practice Subtraction: Identify one "professional mask" or behavior you use to look smart or capable. Try to interact once today without using it.
The "Who Am I" Inquiry: Reflect on your job title. Remind yourself that the title is what you do, not who you are.
Admit a Blind Spot: If you lose presence or get defensive, simply say: "I’m sorry, I wasn't listening/I got defensive. Can you say that again?" Notice how it increases trust.