In Episode 65 of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers dive into the reality of what it means to lead when you’re running on empty. They discuss how leadership isn’t about being perfect — it’s about consistency, showing up when the energy is gone, and staying responsible to your team even on hard days. The episode explores burnout, personal endurance, learning when to recharge, empowering others to step up, and balancing vulnerability with accountability. This conversation highlights the importance of adjusting daily workloads to match energy levels, asking for help, and remembering that leadership is less about spotlight moments and more about steady commitment to the people who rely on you.

TAKEAWAYS

Leadership requires showing up even when you don’t feel your best
 Consistency matters more than perfection
 Burnout happens when leaders don’t take time to refuel
 Recharging yourself allows your team to grow stronger
 Empowering others builds leadership capacity across your team
 Adjusting workloads helps maintain productivity during low-energy days
 Vulnerability can strengthen team trust
 You don’t need all the answers — you need the right people
 Asking for help leads to better outcomes
 Long-term success comes from steady discipline, not occasional highs

CHAPTERS

00:00 Leading When You’re Running on Empty
 02:15 Consistency Over Perfection
 03:17 Bronco Competition and Value Segment
 05:16 The Reality of Burnout
 07:05 Why Leaders Must Recharge
 09:29 The Pitcher-and-Cup Leadership Analogy
 10:31 Showing Up Through the Grind
 11:09 Endurance Running and Mental Toughness
 12:38 Leadership Responsibility Stories
 14:15 Family and Work Parallel Leadership
 15:57 Why Rest Makes Better Leaders
 17:19 Admitting You Don’t Have the Answers
 19:12 Leadership Lessons from Ford’s Turnaround
 21:30 Building the Right Leadership Team
 24:18 Adjusting Your Day to Match Energy Levels
 27:31 Leading Without the Spotlight
 29:03 Recharging While Staying Responsible
 31:07 Empowering Others to Step Up
 33:06 Learning to Ask for Help
 34:06 Consistency Always Wins

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!