In Part 1 of this 3 Part series, you’ll discover leadership isn't about commanding others or achieving external wins—it's about mastering the one opponent who never leaves your side: yourself.

In this powerful episode, Mack Story reveals why self-mastery remains the cornerstone of authentic influence, resilience, and lasting success in any arena of life. 

Mack examines practical strategies to build inner discipline, emotional regulation, and mental clarity.

Drawing on timeless philosophy alongside modern insights and Mack’s real-life examples, listeners will discover how winning this internal battle transforms not just personal growth but also the way you lead teams, build relationships, make decisions, and inspire those around you—because the leader who has conquered themselves commands respect effortlessly, leads with integrity, and creates positive change that endures.

#leadershippodast #bluecollarleadership #podcast #skilledtrades #growthmindset #emotionalintelligence 

In a world where AI (Artificial Intelligence) is reshaping trades and blue-collar jobs faster than most realize, the real game-changer isn't just tech—it's the "other AI": Authentic Influence.

"Change is hard only for the unready" (Cy Wakeman), and those ready to thrive aren't waiting for promotions or titles; they're building trust-based influence from the front lines through character, competency, and action.

As John C. Maxwell says, "People who want to be effective are willing to do what others won’t"—and that willingness earns resources, promotions, and the ability to make a real impact.

Discover how developing Authentic Influence (trust earned, not demanded) makes you indispensable, boosts your value, accelerates career options, and helps you lead 360°—with or without a formal position—in manufacturing, trades, warehouses, and beyond.

Don't get left behind by the tech wave; rise above it by becoming the high-impact player leaders can't afford to lose.

Visit BlueCollarLeadership.com and start building your Authentic Influence today! 

#BlueCollarLeadership #AuthenticInfluence #Leadership #AIinTrades #PersonalDevelopment #SkilledTrades

In this interview, Jeffrey Geurink discusses:

• His book Beyond Broken: How I Overcame Addiction and Pieced My Life Back Together
• Checking himself into rehab
• Overcoming severe alcohol addiction
• Drinking 50 cans of beer in a single day
• The challenges of rebuilding his life after rehab
• Starting his own construction business
• Sharing his story to help others rise up

Jeffrey Geurink is a man who has literally written the book on turning a life that felt shattered beyond repair into something purposeful and powerful.

He is the author of the gripping new memoir Beyond Broken: How I Overcame Addiction and Pieced My Life Back Together, where he pulls no punches about the dark days: waking up to 26 empty beer cans scattered across his floor, crippling anxiety after yet another bender, reaching out in desperation to the ex-wife he once blamed for everything, and finally making the courageous choice to check himself into rehab—handing over the keys to his life and finding hope through faith and recovery.

But Jeffrey's story doesn't end with healing. He's taken that hard-won transformation and channeled it into action. As the owner and founder of Rise Up Construction LLC, he's building more than just structures—he's building a legacy of purpose, helping others rise up from their own broken places.

Learn more about Jeffrey’s book and ministry at: BeyondBrokenMinistries.com

Learn more about Jeffrey’s construction business at: RiseUpConstructors.com 

Prefer to watch this interview instead of listening?

Don't miss the related 38th episode of the "Real People Getting Real Results!" video interview series featuring Jeffrey Geurink interviewed by Mack Story on the Blue-Collar Leadership YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@BlueCollarLeadership and check out the previous interviews in this series which can be found under the playlist titled "Real People Getting Real Results!"

Be sure to subscribe while you're there, and tap the 🔔 to be notified of future releases in this series.

#addiction #rehab #resilience #motivational #inspirational #bluecollarleadership #construction #helpingothers #overcoming #adversity #overcomingadversity  

Building on relentless personal leadership development, Part 2 covers the four remaining traits for high-impact leaders in tough, low-authority kaizen events with skeptical teams.

Trait #2: Connect rapidly through genuine respect—valuing identities, doubts, histories, and resistance—putting others first to build key relationships.

Trait #3: Declare intent early (e.g., memorizing names, meaningful intros, showing care) to establish trust and reveal authentic motives.

Trait #4: Build trust with consistent character (integrity, humility, courage) and competency—modeling teachings, keeping commitments, proving care precedes knowledge.

Trait #5: Teach leadership principles upfront (~20% time) to answer “Do you care? Can I trust you? Can you help me?”—boosting productivity up to 40% via eager followership and shared leadership

In Part 1 of this 2 part series, Mack Story begins to explore the 5 Traits of High Impact Team Leaders, starting with the foundational trait of relentless personal leadership development—continuously investing in character over mere competency (as influence stems 87% from who you are, per key studies)—to inspire voluntary followership, boost productivity by up to 40%, and unleash team potential in high-pressure, low-authority environments where change is resisted but results are demande

Crews can handle tough jobs, bad weather, tight deadlines, but they won’t tolerate a boss who acts like he’s above the rules he pushes on everyone else.

Good leaders keep it real: they own their mistakes, put the team first, and stay consistent no matter who’s watching.

Do that, and people will run through walls for you.

Blow it with hypocrisy, blame-shifting, or manipulation, and you’ll watch your best guys walk out the door—or worse, stay and just punch the clock until something better comes along.

Ria and Mack Story share how dealing with a boss you can't stand boils down to three core options: 

1. Quit and Find a New Job and a New Boss: How you quit reveals A LOT about your character. Will you shine or whine?
2. Stay and Be Proactive: addressing issues head-on through open communication and personal development as you rise above the friction.
3. Stay and Be Reactive: moaning, groaning, and whining without building any trust or increasing your influence.

Proactive choices often earn respect, maintain relationships, and open doors, while reactive choices create friction, rupture relationships, and decrease your influence.

#careeradvice #careertips #careeradvancement #successtips

Kick off the new year with intention and clarity.

As we wave goodbye to 2025 and step boldly into 2026, Mack & Ria Story guide you through a reflective exercise designed to help you audit your habits, celebrate your wins, and set the stage for transformative change.

With a common sense approach, this episode breaks down five essential questions to help you declutter your life, amplify what works, and embrace new possibilities. This 30-minute session will provide you with a mental roadmap to help you get more out of the year ahead.

#motivation #inspiration #reflection #success #successtips

In this episode of the podcast, Mack Story delves into the transformative power of self-control and personal growth as outlined in his book Defining Influence: Increasing Your Influence Increases Your Options.

Drawing from his own life-changing encounter with Stephen R. Covey's principle—that between stimulus and response lies a space for choice—Mack shares how embracing this idea shifted his mindset, mended fractured relationships with his son and father, and laid the foundation for his leadership journey. He emphasizes that true influence begins with self-leadership, urging listeners to reflect on their own responses, motivate themselves through passion and purpose, and learn intentionally from experiences to avoid repeating mistakes.

Mack also explores the challenges of growth, including resistance from those around you who may prefer the status quo, and the necessity of moving forward even if it means leaving some people behind.

Through personal stories that enhance the book's insights, he illustrates how increasing one's influence expands options in life, encouraging reflection on Socrates' wisdom about the quality of questions we ask ourselves.

This episode inspires listeners to take responsibility for their development, apply leadership principles for better results, and extend their positive impact to others.

#leadership #leadershiptips #leadershippodcast #podcast #reflection #intentionalliving #bluecollarleadership #skilledtrades #construction #manufacturing #selfhelp #growthmindset #successtips 

In this raw and real episode, Mack Story pulls no punches as he takes us back to his early 20s—long hours at work, chasing more stuff, and wasting every free minute hunting, fishing, partying, and coasting through life with a crew that was headed absolutely nowhere.

He thought he had it all together because he was paying the bills (sometimes) and having “fun.”

The truth?

He was clueless, surrounded by clueless people, and leading a pack straight into the land of wasted potential. With brutal honesty and his signature blue-collar style, Mack walks us through the wake-up call that finally hit: experience by itself teaches nothing—only evaluated experience does.

Drawing straight from his book Defining Influence: Increasing Your Influence Increases Your Options, Mack breaks down the game-changing difference between raw experience and reflection that actually moves you forward.

He shares how he shifted from a selfish “me” mindset to a “we” mindset, why your intent behind every action is what people really judge, and how character (not just competency) determines who you attract and who you become.

If you’ve ever felt stuck hanging with the same crowd, getting the same results, and wondering why nothing ever changes, this episode is your fork-in-the-road moment.

Stop coasting. Start evaluating. Because until you look backward on purpose, you’ll never move forward with purpose.

#leadership #leadershiptips #leadershippodcast #podcast #reflection #intentionalliving #bluecollarleadership #skilledtrades #construction #manufacturing #selfhelp #growthmindset #successtips