Are you running your day, or is your day running you? For many leaders, the road to burnout is paved with "reaction mode."

Dusty Holcomb, a former CEO and 5-time Ironman, knows this trap intimately. He shares his story of being a new company president who tried to "do it all," only to realize that his inability to let go was holding the company back. He describes the suffocating feeling of constant reaction and the pivotal mentorship that taught him true leadership isn't about being the hero—it's about serving others.

This episode explores the FailCraft theme of trading chaos for alignment. Dusty breaks down the "Ironman Mindset"—how the discipline to do the work is vital, but ignoring your body's warning signs can be destructive. Discover the frameworks he uses to help executives stop reacting, start prioritizing, and finally learn the power of saying "No."

In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover:

* Dusty's burnout story: The mistake of trying to be everywhere at once.

* What "Reaction Mode" feels like and why it destroys performance.

* The Ironman Mindset: When discipline helps and when it hurts.

* The single best daily discipline for mental clarity (it takes 5 minutes).

* Why "Self-Leadership" is not selfish—it's a requirement.

* The struggle of saying "No" to good ideas to protect the best ideas.

* A practical first step to identify your "Leadership Gap".

* Why execution problems are usually just clarity problems in disguise.

* Dusty's definition of true success: Impact that cascades.

This episode is essential for executives, entrepreneurs, and high-performers who feel trapped in the daily grind and are ready to regain control of their time and energy.

Connect With Dusty Holcomb:

* Free Leadership Gap Assessment: https://leadershipgapassessment.scoreapp.com/

* Website & Resources: https://arcqusgroup.com/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustyholcomb/

* Podcast: Leadership Unlocked

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Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft?

* Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch

* PodMatch Host Profile: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft

Chapters:

00:00 Hook: The Danger of "Reaction Mode"

01:51 Introduction: Dusty Holcomb’s Journey

02:36 The Setback: The CEO Who Tried to Do It All

04:39 What Leadership Chaos Actually Feels Like

06:14 The Ironman Mindset: Discipline vs. Destruction

08:47 The #1 Daily Habit for Clarity: Gratitude Journaling

09:56 Servant Leadership: Why It’s Not About You

11:56 The Hardest Leadership Skill: Saying "No"

13:16 Practical Step: How to Stop Reacting and Start Leading

15:08 Dusty's Definition of True Success

16:05 How to Connect with Dusty