Every leader eventually hits a season where things fall apart. Plans break. Revenue dips. Teams struggle. Goals get missed. In this episode, I walk through how great leaders think differently in those moments and how they turn setbacks, mistakes, and failures into forward momentum instead of getting stuck.

The difference between leaders who grow and leaders who stall is not talent or experience. It is mindset. How you interpret failure determines how you respond to it.

I share four specific leadership mindsets that help you prepare for setbacks before they happen. First, you cannot grow what you refuse to own. Ownership is where leadership begins, and without it, progress stops. Second, failure is not a courtroom where you are judged. It is a classroom where you learn. Every mistake carries a lesson if you stay long enough to hear it. Third, curiosity always outgrows criticism. Healthy leaders ask better questions instead of assigning blame. And fourth, growth requires the right environment. You will only grow to the level of the conversations you are having most often.

I also talk about leading with balance. Setbacks require empathy and space to process, but they also require direction and vision. Great leaders acknowledge the pain while still pointing their teams toward a better future.

If you are navigating a hard season right now or want to prepare yourself for the next one, this episode will help you build the mindset that turns adversity into momentum.

I close the episode by inviting you to take one of these mindsets, embed it into your thinking, and take action on it this week. Leadership growth happens long before the crisis arrives.

Go to EricDingler.com/call to set up at call with me today!

Leadership growth does not happen by accident. In this episode, I walk through the exact process I use to intentionally develop new leadership skills and habits. I start by explaining why leadership development is different from things like fitness or productivity and why copying what works for someone else is rarely effective. Instead, I share how I begin with a clear picture of the kind of leader I want to become, identify the gaps between where I am and where I want to be, and then build a bridge to get there one step at a time.

I talk about why I only work on three leadership habits at a time and how a short daily review is the real engine behind lasting change. You will hear how I evaluate where I had opportunities to practice, where I missed it, and where I can anticipate future situations to apply what I am working on. I also share how keeping an archive and a "someday" list prevents growth from becoming overwhelming while still maintaining momentum.

We talk about feedback loops and why leadership growth should never happen in isolation. I explain how I ask my team for specific feedback, why having a coach matters, and how intentional practice actually rewires your brain over time. This episode is a practical framework for leaders who want real change, not just more information.

If you feel stuck or unsure where to start, I offer complimentary 25-minute coaching calls for podcast listeners. We will identify your biggest leadership hurdle and create a clear next step forward. You can schedule that call at ericdingler.com/call

Most solopreneurs never hire because they carry mindsets that hold them back. In this episode, I walk you through how to identify and dismantle those limiting and false beliefs, and then I give you the exact steps to hire your first one to four team members in a way that increases revenue, increases profits, and removes you from day to day pressure.

You will learn why hiring is not reserved for large companies, how to think correctly about part time help, why micromanagement is a myth created by bad systems, and how to step into real leadership so you can finally become a business owner instead of the only worker inside your business.

We also cover the R.O.D2 framework for hiring help without regret, including how to decide what to remove from your plate, how many hours to delegate, how to create a winning job description, how to recruit, onboard, delegate, and develop your team, and how this leads to a business that can run without you.

If you want to build a team that fuels growth and gives you your life back, you will want to take notes on this one.

Resource mentioned in the episode: Download the First Hire Guide at ericdingler.com/firsthire.

Most entrepreneurs think bigger is always better—but the truth is, a small, well-led team can outperform a larger one every time. In this episode, I share the key mindset shifts, structures, and systems that make that possible. You'll learn how to identify your "mission-critical" roles, create clarity without micromanaging, and develop rhythms that keep your small team focused, aligned, and productive. Whether you're leading a handful of freelancers or a compact in-house team, this episode will help you build an environment where everyone knows what success looks like and feels equipped to reach it.

I'll also unpack how to communicate your vision in a way that drives results, not just enthusiasm, and how to recognize when you're the bottleneck holding things back. You don't need a big staff to make a big impact—you just need the right people doing the right work the right way.

Get your first hire checklist today.

Hiring the wrong person doesn't just cost money, it drains momentum, damages team culture, and steals your time as a leader. In this episode, I unpack how to recognize when you've made a hiring mistake, what it's actually costing your business, and the steps you can take to correct course without losing your confidence as a leader.

I share the true financial impact of a bad hire, how to prevent repeating the mistake, and the mindset shift that separates reactive business owners from proactive leaders. If you want to make better hires and grow your leadership capacity, get your first hire readiness check list.

Check out Team Engine and schedule a fit check today!

Hiring your first team member can feel both exciting and terrifying. In this episode, I walk through how to know when the timing is right, what kind of help to hire first, and how to make the transition from doing it all yourself to building real capacity in your business. I share the mindset shift that has to happen before you'll ever successfully delegate, plus the practical filters I use when deciding what to hand off.

If you've been wondering whether you're ready to hire, this episode will help you get clear on the signals that it's time and how to avoid hiring out of panic.

Get your first hire readiness check list now.

Do you ever feel drained at networking events or wonder if leadership is only for extroverts? In this episode of The Eric Dingler Leadership Podcast, I'm sharing how introverts can thrive as leaders and networkers without pretending to be someone they're not.

You'll discover:

• Why being introverted isn't the same as being shy.

• Practical ways introverts can lead one-on-one and in small groups.

• How to approach networking without overwhelm.

• Examples of well-known introverted leaders who changed the world.

If networking feels exhausting or leadership feels "too loud" for your personality, this episode will give you a new perspective and practical tools to help you step into both with confidence.

Listen now to discover how to overcome the overwhelm and leverage your introversion as a strength.

Download 11 Questions to ask in Team Meeting today to get the most out of your teams time.

What do you do when a team member makes a mistake that costs you money? Every business owner will face this at some point. The question is not if mistakes will happen, but how you respond when they do.

In this episode, I walk you through:

• The right mindset shift to make before addressing the mistake.

• How to approach your team member in a way that builds trust instead of fear.

• What processes you should put in place to prevent the same mistake from happening again.

This isn't just about recovering lost money. It's about turning a setback into an opportunity to grow your leadership and strengthen your systems.

Listen in and discover how to handle mistakes with clarity and confidence, and come out the other side with a stronger business.

Make sure you download the 5 Leadership Habits to Keep you on Track

What if you could anchor your leadership in truths that never fail, no matter the season, challenge, or team size? In this 50th episode special, I share the 10 leadership truths that I've learned through decades of leading businesses, teams, and my own family while traveling the world as a digital nomad entrepreneur.

These are not theories or catchy phrases. They are time-tested axioms that have carried me through seasons of growth, crisis, and rebuilding. When you internalize them, you'll gain the clarity and confidence to lead yourself and others into a better future.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why consistency in small, intentional acts outperforms big gestures.

• How your ability to grow as a leader is the single greatest limiter or multiplier of your business success.

• What habits and mindsets keep leadership sustainable for the long haul.

Listen in to celebrate 50 episodes with me and walk away with leadership truths that will never fail you.

Make sure you get 5 Leadership Habits to Keep You on Track.

Too many leaders waste this time on project updates or status checks, and their team walks away feeling unseen and undervalued. In this episode, I'll show you how to flip that around. Whether you lead a full team or are just leading yourself, these conversations can become the most valuable part of your week. By listening, you'll learn:

• The three main benefits of a well-run weekly one-on-one.

• Four of my eleven go-to questions that spark real insight and growth.

• How to keep meetings from turning into "death by meeting" and instead make them energizing for both you and your team.

Listen now to discover the exact questions and approach that will help you lead better and live better. Head over to the 5 Leadership Habits that Keep You on Track.