Power In Excellence

Leadership isn’t what you do. It’s what people believe you’re doing.

In Episode 2 of The Unseen Advantage, leadership psychologist Dr. John McMahon exposes the perception game behind influence. Discover how people judge leaders in seconds, why intent doesn’t equal impact, how reputation quietly forms, and why presence speaks louder than strategy. If you’ve ever wondered why some leaders command instant respect while others struggle to be heard, this episode reveals the psychological forces shaping every leadership interaction.

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Dr John McMahon is a Leadership Psychologist and Executive Coach. He holds a PhD in Management Psychology, and MBA. He has worked with senior leaders, boards, founders, and executive teams across industries and continents.

WhatsApp +44 7860 625551 for more information or to enquire about working with Dr John

Before you lead others, you are always leading yourself.

In Episode 1 of The Unseen Advantage, Dr. John McMahon explores the inner psychology driving leadership behaviour. Discover how personal identity, emotional inheritance, nervous system patterns, and hidden self-stories shape how you lead under pressure. Learn why self-awareness alone isn’t enough, how unconscious protection drives control or avoidance, and how mature leaders build inner stability that earns outer trust.

If leadership feels harder than it should — the answer may be inside, not outside.

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Dr John McMahon is a Leadership Psychologist and Executive Coach. He holds a PhD in Management Psychology, and MBA. He has worked with senior leaders, boards, founders, and executive teams across industries and continents.

WhatsApp +44 7860 625551 for more information or to enquire about working with Dr John

Stuck in a cycle of self-doubt? In this episode of Power In Excellence, we explore the concept of learned helplessness—why repeated setbacks make us feel powerless and how this mindset impacts our lives. Join us as Dr John breaks down the science behind learned helplessness and offers practical, proven strategies to reclaim control and build resilience. If you're ready to stop feeling defeated and start taking charge, this episode is for you. Tune in now and take the first step toward overcoming helplessness!

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Dr John McMahon is a Leadership Psychologist and Executive Coach. He holds a PhD in Management Psychology, and MBA. He has worked with senior leaders, boards, founders, and executive teams across industries and continents.

WhatsApp +44 7860 625551 for more information or to enquire about working with Dr John

Tired of watching the clock tick away while your to-do list grows longer? In "Procrastination Unmasked," Dr John takes a dive deep into the fascinating psychology behind why we put things off and how to break free from the cycle of delay. Featuring expert insights, real-life stories, and actionable strategies that will empower you to conquer procrastination once and for all. Whether you're a chronic procrastinator or just looking to boost your productivity, this episode is your ultimate guide to turning "later" into "now." Discover the secrets to unleashing your brilliance and achieving your goals! Free yourself from procrastination now—subscribe today! 🚀

Subscribe now and make sure you never miss an episode.

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Dr John McMahon is a Leadership Psychologist and Executive Coach. He holds a PhD in Management Psychology, and MBA. He has worked with senior leaders, boards, founders, and executive teams across industries and continents.

WhatsApp +44 7860 625551 for more information or to enquire about working with Dr John

Colour doesn’t just decorate reality.
It manipulates it.

In this episode, Dr John examines the science behind how colours alter mood, trigger emotion, and influence behaviour. He explores the evolutionary roots of our responses to red, blue, green, and beyond — and how these associations are leveraged in leadership, marketing, politics, and performance environments.

You’ll discover why certain colours increase perceived authority, why others foster trust, and how subtle shifts in palette can change group dynamics and decision-making.

Because influence isn’t always verbal.
Sometimes it’s visual.

Subscribe now and make sure you never miss an episode.

Support the show

Dr John McMahon is a Leadership Psychologist and Executive Coach. He holds a PhD in Management Psychology, and MBA. He has worked with senior leaders, boards, founders, and executive teams across industries and continents.

WhatsApp +44 7860 625551 for more information or to enquire about working with Dr John

Why do we smile — even when we don’t feel like it?
And why does someone else’s smile instantly change how we feel?

In this episode, Dr John dives into the science of smiling. He explores its evolutionary purpose, its neurological effects, and the subtle social messages embedded in that simple upward curve of the mouth.

You’ll learn how smiling influences trust, attraction, leadership presence, and even your own mood chemistry. More than a reflex, a smile is a signal — and a strategic one at that.

Because influence doesn’t always begin with words.
Sometimes it begins with a face.

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Support the show

Dr John McMahon is a Leadership Psychologist and Executive Coach. He holds a PhD in Management Psychology, and MBA. He has worked with senior leaders, boards, founders, and executive teams across industries and continents.

WhatsApp +44 7860 625551 for more information or to enquire about working with Dr John

Being right feels good.
Really good.

In fact, your brain rewards it. Your ego defends it. Your tribe reinforces it. And your identity may depend on it.

In this episode, Dr John dissects our addiction to being right — the evolutionary wiring, social reinforcement, and psychological ego-protection that make certainty intoxicating. He explores why debates escalate, why leaders double down, and why admitting error can feel like a personal attack.

But here’s the twist: being wrong is one of the fastest routes to growth.

You’ll learn how to detach from ego-driven certainty, cultivate intellectual flexibility, and adopt a simple guide to turn disagreement into development.

Because the real power isn’t in winning arguments.
It’s in expanding your mind.

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Support the show

Dr John McMahon is a Leadership Psychologist and Executive Coach. He holds a PhD in Management Psychology, and MBA. He has worked with senior leaders, boards, founders, and executive teams across industries and continents.

WhatsApp +44 7860 625551 for more information or to enquire about working with Dr John

s it ever acceptable to “polish the truth” on a job application?
Or is that just lying with better lighting?

In this episode, Dr John responds to a listener who asks what many people quietly wonder: when does self-promotion become deception? From embellished CVs to inflated achievements, he explores why smart, ambitious people convince themselves that bending the truth is harmless — and why it rarely is.

You’ll also learn why most people are terrible lie detectors, what actually happens in the brain when someone lies, and the subtle cues that reveal when something doesn’t quite add up.

In a world obsessed with personal branding, the real advantage may be knowing the psychology behind the performance.

Subscribe now and make sure you never miss an episode.

Support the show

Dr John McMahon is a Leadership Psychologist and Executive Coach. He holds a PhD in Management Psychology, and MBA. He has worked with senior leaders, boards, founders, and executive teams across industries and continents.

WhatsApp +44 7860 625551 for more information or to enquire about working with Dr John

Everyone lies.
The question is: why… and how good are we at spotting it?

In this episode, Dr John dives into the uncomfortable psychology of deception. What happens in your brain the first time you lie? Why does it get easier the second time? And why are intelligent, successful leaders often the most convincing liars in the room?

You’ll discover what neuroscience reveals about dishonesty, why most people dramatically overestimate their ability to detect lies, and how subtle behavioural cues can help you protect your credibility — and your career.

Because in leadership, sales, and politics, truth isn’t just moral. It’s strategic.

Subscribe now and make sure you never miss an episode.

Support the show

Dr John McMahon is a Leadership Psychologist and Executive Coach. He holds a PhD in Management Psychology, and MBA. He has worked with senior leaders, boards, founders, and executive teams across industries and continents.

WhatsApp +44 7860 625551 for more information or to enquire about working with Dr John

In this episode, Dr John responds to listener email asking about customer values, and what makes the perfect presentation.

Subscribe now and make sure you never miss an episode.

Support the show

Dr John McMahon is a Leadership Psychologist and Executive Coach. He holds a PhD in Management Psychology, and MBA. He has worked with senior leaders, boards, founders, and executive teams across industries and continents.

WhatsApp +44 7860 625551 for more information or to enquire about working with Dr John