Engage & Inspire

You just parked the car. The engine is off. And you’re sitting there, hands on the wheel, waiting for someone to tap on the window and say, “We made a mistake. You don’t belong.”

If that feeling is familiar, you’re not broken. You’re actually in the majority.

In this episode of The Engage and Inspire Podcast, host Scott Liles tackles the hidden leadership crisis no one talks about: Imposter Syndrome. Drawing on 2025 research from BMC Psychology, the Informing Science Institute, and MIT, Scott reveals why 62% of professionals feel like frauds—and why that doubt might actually make you a more trusted leader.

You’ll learn:

• Why that promotion made your confidence worse (and what your brain is getting wrong)
• The three destructive behaviors imposter syndrome triggers in senior leaders—risk aversion, decision paralysis, and overcompensation
• The counterintuitive MIT finding: more imposter thoughts = more trustworthiness
• The RISE Method (Recognize, Interpret, Shift, Experiment) to turn doubt into curiosity
• Three concrete actions for this week: stop competency hoarding, start a success log, and name the narrative out loud

Disclaimer: All original content in this podcast is the copyright of Engage & Inspire ©2025. All rights reserved.

Music License: The music featured in this episode is "Steam Waves" by Arenas and "Positive Corporate" by Boomer. It was legally licensed for use in this project from PremiumBeat.com. We have the necessary rights to use this track in our content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization.

EUHOMDGE5ZQSIIPL

V8DFJYAFOTGQKM8C

You have seven seconds before your team reads your hesitation. In this episode of Engage and Inspire, host Scott Liles breaks down the neuroscience, data, and practical frameworks every leader needs to make better decisions — faster and with more confidence — in an era of radical uncertainty.

Drawing on a global study of 17,555 participants (UCL + HSBC), new IBM CEO research, and a 10-year KRW International study on character, Scott reveals:

• Why uncertainty triggers painful neurological ambivalence — and how to override it.
• Why 45% of solo decisions fail — and what to do instead.
• The surprising truth about AI in the C-suite (64% of CEOs trust it, but only 25% of employees use it).
• How high-character leaders deliver nearly 5x higher ROA.
• Three ready-to-use frameworks: The Pre-Mortem, Voice ∙ Vote ∙ Veto, and the 3-Path Test (Logic ∙ Emotion ∙ Legacy).

If you’ve ever doubted a decision, rushed a call, or felt alone in the storm — this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now. Then lead differently.

Disclaimer: All original content in this podcast is the copyright of Engage & Inspire ©2025. All rights reserved.

Music License: The music featured in this episode is "Steam Waves" by Arenas and "Positive Corporate" by Boomer. It was legally licensed for use in this project from PremiumBeat.com. We have the necessary rights to use this track in our content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization.

EUHOMDGE5ZQSIIPL

V8DFJYAFOTGQKM8C

You’re running on empty. Not because you’re lazy. Not because you’re a bad leader. But because you’ve been taught the wrong lesson: that time management is the answer.

In this episode of Engage and Inspire, host Scott Liles dismantles the single biggest lie in leadership development. Drawing on neuroscience, real-world data (including the famous Wachovia Bank study), and a four-dimensional framework of energy, Scott reveals why exhausted leaders don’t just hurt themselves—they drain everyone around them.

You’ll learn:

• The four dimensions of energy (physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual) and which one you’re neglecting
• Why emotional energy matters more than IQ during conflict
• How to run a 7-day Leader Energy Audit starting tomorrow
• Practical tactics like the 90-minute sprint, decision budgeting, and the 4:00 PM team reset
• Why HR must shift from wellness webinars to structural change through human sustainability

If you’ve ever sat in your car after work too tired to go inside, this episode is for you. It’s not about working more hours. It’s about leading from a regulated, present, available tank.

Listen if: You’re a leader, manager, or HR professional who’s tired of burning bright and burning out fast.

Disclaimer: All original content in this podcast is the copyright of Engage & Inspire © 2025. All rights reserved.

Music License: The music featured in this episode is "Steam Waves" by Arenas and "Positive Corporate" by Boomer. It was legally licensed for use in this project from PremiumBeat.com. We have the necessary rights to use this track in our content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization.

EUHOMDGE5ZQSIIPL

V8DFJYAFOTGQKM8C

What if everything you thought about "good leadership" was missing one critical ingredient?

We tend to assume that great leaders are the most empathetic, the most honest, or the most ambitious. But new research tells a different story. A 2019 study of 218 U.S. Air Force officers found that self-control—not character alone—was the single most important factor in whether a leader was seen as ethical, effective, and trustworthy.

In this episode, Scott Liles breaks down:

🔹 The Air Force Study (2019) – Why high character + low self-control = failed leadership

🔹 The Stretch Goal Trap (UC San Diego, 2024) – How missing ambitious goals actually reduces your perceived power (even if your output is the same as everyone else's)

🔹 The Mindfulness Solution (2024) – How 5 minutes of awareness can rebuild self-regulation without burnout

🔹 A 3-step Monday Morning Playbook – Pre-commitment, modest goal resets, and a 2-question daily reflection from Fisher College of Business

Plus: A real-world story of a VP who transformed her team’s trust by changing just one impulse.

Whether you're a current leader or a soon-to-be leader, this episode will change how you think about discipline—not as rigidity, but as power.

Verified Data Sources Mentioned

1. Journal of Business Ethics (2019) – Self-control moderates leader character → ethical leadership
2. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (2024) – Modest goals signal power; missed stretch goals diminish perceived competence
3. Management Review Quarterly (2024) – Systematic review: Mindfulness training improves self-regulation and reduces burnout

Disclaimer: All original content in this podcast is the copyright of Engage & Inspire © 2025. All rights reserved.

Music License: The music featured in this episode is "Steam Waves" by Arenas and "Positive Corporate" by Boomer. It was legally licensed for use in this project from PremiumBeat.com. We have the necessary rights to use this track in our content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization.

EUHOMDGE5ZQSIIPL

V8DFJYAFOTGQKM8C

Raise your hand if you’ve ever said “I’m just not a math person.” Keep it up if you’ve thought “I could never lead a team.” Still going? “I’m too old to learn that.”

You can put your hand down now. People are staring.

According to Stanford research, every single one of those sentences is a lie your brain got comfortable telling itself. In this episode of Engage and Inspire, we’re catching that liar red-handed—and replacing it with something better. No toxic positivity. No “just believe in yourself” junk. Just real psychology, weird brain facts, and a few exercises that feel silly but actually work.

You’ll learn: → What Carol Dweck actually found (spoiler: not what LinkedIn influencers think) → Why praising someone for being “smart” backfires hard → Three research-backed, slightly weird exercises that rewire how your brain handles struggle

Plus: the real reason “yet” works, why failure is literally brain fertilizer, and how to stop asking “Can I do this?” and start asking “What’s one tiny thing I haven’t tried?”

No mountaintop clip art. Just tools.

🎧 Listen now. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Disclaimer: All original content in this podcast is the copyright of Engage & Inspire © 2025. All rights reserved.

Music License: The music featured in this episode is "Steam Waves" by Arenas and "Positive Corporate" by Boomer. It was legally licensed for use in this project from PremiumBeat.com. We have the necessary rights to use this track in our content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization.

EUHOMDGE5ZQSIIPL

V8DFJYAFOTGQKM8C

It’s 2:47 PM on a Tuesday. The quarterly numbers are bad. Your boss is staring at you. And someone at the table suggests a “small” lie to buy time.

What do you say?

Here’s what no one tells you: you don’t build integrity in that moment. You only reveal what’s already there.

In this episode of Engage and Inspire, host Scott Liles breaks down the science of unshakeable character—and why most of us are walking around with “integrity atrophy.”

You’ll learn:

• Why only 10–15% of people are truly self-aware (and how to join them)
• The one type of trust that’s 10x more valuable than competence
• A simple weekly “mirror test” that changes how you see yourself
• How to say no to the right things, even when yes is easier
• Why caring deeply about something makes you more trustworthy—even to people who disagree

Plus: the 5-second rule for small truths, the invisible camera trick, and a listener challenge to start training your integrity muscle today.

Your 2:47 PM moment is coming. Start training now.

🎧 Listen now. Then share with one person whose character you quietly admire.

Resources & Links:

• 🛍️ Wear Playground – Luxurious, sustainable activewear for women. Get 20% off with code HELM at ⁠wearplayground.com⁠
• 📘 How Can I Help? & Leadership Hacks That Actually Work – Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Follow the show: Leave a review. Share this episode. Keep engaging. Keep inspiring.

Disclaimer: All original content in this podcast is the copyright of Engage & Inspire © 2025. All rights reserved.

Music License: The music featured in this episode is "Steam Waves" by Arenas and "Positive Corporate" by Boomer. It was legally licensed for use in this project from PremiumBeat.com. We have the necessary rights to use this track in our content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization.

EUHOMDGE5ZQSIIPL

V8DFJYAFOTGQKM8C

You can have the best arguments, the sharpest logic, and all the data in the world. But if you can’t connect with another human being? You’re just talking to a wall.

In this episode of Engage & Inspire, host Scott Liles cuts through the myths to reveal the true engine of influence: Emotional Intelligence. We’re not talking about “soft skills” or just “being nice.” This is the hard science of how you build trust, lead effectively, and become someone people genuinely want to follow.

Scott breaks down the four science-backed pillars of EI—Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Relationship Management—and gives you practical tools you can use today. Discover the neural shortcut to calm your anxiety (it’s called “affect labeling”), learn why a strategic pause can rewire a tense conversation, and master the simple word swap that turns conflict into collaboration.

Plus, we explore the fascinating research on mirror neurons and oxytocin, proving that your emotional state is literally contagious. If you're ready to stop talking to walls and start building real influence, this is your foundation.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the “Brilliant Jerk” almost always fails (backed by 30+ years of research)
• The “Name It to Tame It” protocol to shut down your brain’s alarm system
• How a 3-second pause makes you more influential (and calms everyone around you)

• The difference between listening to lyrics vs. listening to the music
  • The “And Staircase”: one simple shift to build bridges, not walls

Links & Resources:

Get 21% off premium, American-made gear at Pins and Aces — use code HELM at ⁠pinsandaces.com⁠

Disclaimer:

All original content in this podcast is the copyright of Engage & Inspire ©2025. All rights reserved.

Music License:

The music featured in this episode is "Steam Waves" by Arenas and "Positive Corporate" by Boomer. It was legally licensed for use in this project from PremiumBeat.com. We have the necessary rights to use this track in our content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization.

EUHOMDGE5ZQSIIPL

V8DFJYAFOTGQKM8C

Are you the leader you think you are? Research reveals a startling truth: while 95% of people believe they're self-aware, only 10-15% actually are. That means there's an 85% chance you're leading with blind spots you don't even know exist—and they're costing your organization more than you realize.

In this hard-hitting episode of Engage and Inspire, host Scott Liles exposes the gap between leader intention and actual impact, backed by eye-opening data:

• Why 99% of leaders believe they communicate change effectively—while 1 in 4 employees disagrees
• The "manager paradox": leaders are 7.6% more self-aware but 2.69% less capable of resolving team conflict
• How ineffective communication costs U.S. organizations $1.2 trillion annually
• The neuroscience of power: why rising leaders actually become neurologically less empathetic

Scott introduces practical tools to shatter the "CEO bubble," including the Ladder of Inference framework and the "Feedback 180" exercise. Plus, discover how a 20% increase in emotional intelligence can add $15,000–$20,000 to your annual earnings.

Whether you're in the C-suite or on the front lines, this episode will transform how you see yourself—and how your team sees you.

Disclaimer: All original content in this podcast is the copyright of Engage & Inspire © 2025. All rights reserved.

Music License: The music featured in this episode is "Steam Waves" by Arenas and "Positive Corporate" by Boomer. It was legally licensed for use in this project from PremiumBeat.com. We have the necessary rights to use this track in our content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization.

EUHOMDGE5ZQSIIPL

V8DFJYAFOTGQKM8C

You can hit every number, execute every strategy, and still fail as a leader—because leadership isn't just about what you do; it's about who you are.

In this episode of Engage & Inspire, host Scott Liles dives deep into the foundation of authentic leadership: your core values. If you've ever felt a disconnect between your team's performance and their engagement—or wondered why some leaders inspire loyalty while others just inspire turnover—this episode is for you.

Scott breaks down the hard data proving that character isn't "soft." We look at the groundbreaking KRW International study showing that CEOs with high character ratings deliver a 9.35% Return on Assets—a fivefold increase over leaders with low ratings . Plus, we explore Gallup's 2025 Global Leadership Report, revealing that what followers want most isn't charisma—it's Hope, Trust, and Compassion .

But we don't stop at the data. Scott provides a practical roadmap using the "7 C's" of the Social Change Model (Consciousness of Self, Congruence, Commitment, Collaboration, Common Purpose, Controversy with Civility, and Citizenship) to help you audit your leadership at the individual, team, and community level .

Then, we get hands-on with two powerful exercises to help you discover your own values:

• The Peak Experience Autopsy: Looking backward at your best and worst moments to identify what you truly stand for.
• The Eulogy Exercise: Looking forward to your legacy to close the gap between who you are and who you want to be.

visit leadwithhelm.com to purchase your copy of "How Can I Help?"

Disclaimer: All original content in this podcast is the copyright of Engage & Inspire © 2025. All rights reserved.

Music License: The music featured in this episode is "Steam Waves" by Arenas and "Positive Corporate" by Boomer. It was legally licensed for use in this project from PremiumBeat.com. We have the necessary rights to use this track in our content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization.

EUHOMDGE5ZQSIIPL

V8DFJYAFOTGQKM8C

Is a great manager automatically a great leader? The data says no—and confusing the two is costing companies their best people and their future.

In this episode of Engage and Inspire, host Scott Liles moves beyond clichés to unpack the research-proven gap between management and leadership. We dive into three critical pillars:

1. The Retention Riddle: Why top talent leaves good managers (spoiler: it’s a leadership failure, and MIT Sloan research shows it’s 10x more powerful than pay).
2. The Innovation Equation: How management optimizes the present, but leadership discovers the future (with evidence from McKinsey and The Leadership Quarterly).
3. The Neurological Bridge: The science of why managers talk to the head, but true leaders speak to the heart (and how it transforms effort into contribution).

Learn the actionable self-audit you can use this week to shift from just managing tasks to inspiring your team. If you’ve ever been frustrated by a boss who didn’t “get it,” or you want to level up your own impact, this episode is your roadmap.

Featured Sponsor: A huge thank you to Pins and Aces for supporting the show. 🛒 Pins and Aces - Premium golf apparel, bags & accessories

💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: HELM

https://pinsandaces.com/discount/HELM

Subscribe now to Engage and Inspire for practical strategies to build exceptional teams. If this episode resonates, please leave a rating and share it with a colleague!

Disclaimer: All original content in this podcast is the copyright of Engage & Inspire © 2025. All rights reserved.

Music License: The music featured in this episode is "Steam Waves" by Arenas and "Positive Corporate" by Boomer. It was legally licensed for use in this project from PremiumBeat.com. We have the necessary rights to use this track in our content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization.

EUHOMDGE5ZQSIIPL

V8DFJYAFOTGQKM8C