Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast.

In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Alain Hunkins, leadership expert and author who has spent nearly three decades inside companies like Microsoft and Marriott. Alain reveals why the very skills that get you promoted often become the ones that hold you back—and how leaders must shift from “doing” to truly leading.

Together, Brett and Alain explore the facilitative mindset—leading as a facilitator-in-chief rather than a commander-in-chief. Alain shares how his theater background shaped his approach to leadership, why connection is the bedrock of influence, and how communication and collaboration separate leaders people follow from leaders people simply tolerate. He offers practical tools like giving the big picture up front, “asking for a receipt” to confirm understanding, and creating environments of safety, energy, ownership, and purpose.

This episode is packed with actionable insights for leaders who want to move beyond command-and-control and build teams that thrive.

Key Takeaways:

• Why leaders must shift from doing to leading

• The difference between facilitator-in-chief vs. commander-in-chief

• How theater teaches leaders to focus on impact, not intention

• Practical communication tools: big picture first and asking for a receipt

• Four human needs that drive collaboration: safety, energy, ownership, and purpose

• Why people aren’t your greatest resource—they are your company