Before you can lead others well, you’ve got to lead yourself first. In this episode, we’re diving into five powerful mindset shifts that every leader needs to create a stronger, healthier business and team.

If you're stuck in control mode, overwhelmed by doing it all yourself, or frustrated that your team just “doesn’t get it,” this episode is for you. These practical insights will help you uncover beliefs that are holding you back and give you tools to reframe, grow, and lead with more clarity and confidence.

Here’s what we cover:

Your Business Mirrors Your Beliefs (00:01:57)
Your beliefs about control, trust, and delegation are shaping your team more than you realize.

Language Reveals Mindset (00:05:41)
What you say reflects what you believe—learn how to reframe negative language into growth-driven leadership.

Reaction vs. Response (00:09:41)
Emotional reactivity keeps leaders stuck. Discover how to respond with wisdom and maturity.

Small Shifts Make Big Impacts (00:16:13)
It doesn’t take an overhaul—just one mindset shift can create a ripple effect of growth.

If You Want Change, Go First (00:22:38)
Teams mirror their leaders. If you want change, model it first.

Action Items (00:24:39)
Practical next steps to help you recognize and replace limiting beliefs.

Additional Resources (00:25:15)
Don’t miss our recommended episode on leading yourself and info on our Virtual Team Training.

Conclusion (00:26:29)
You don’t need a title to lead—just a willingness to start with you.

If your team is underperforming, miscommunication—not laziness—might be the real issue. In this episode, Chris LoCurto and top leadership coach Aaron West unpack how using DISC personality styles can help you set better expectations, improve clarity, and get your team back on track.

Timestamps

Intro: Exodus (00:01:02)
We kick things off with a powerful example from Moses and Aaron on why communication support matters.

It’s Not Always What You Think (00:03:18)
Most underperformance stems from poor communication—not lack of effort.

How DISC Helps Clarify the Real Problem (00:08:33)
DISC helps leaders tailor their communication to how team members actually process information.

Spotting the Signs of Miscommunication (00:20:24)
Missed deadlines or disengagement often point to unclear expectations, not incompetence.

Rebuilding Clarity and Trust with DISC (00:29:23)
Leaders can fix communication gaps by knowing their style and preparing intentional conversations.

Building a Culture of Communication Awareness (00:33:37)
Teams using DISC see better relationships, fewer conflicts, and clearer accountability.

Action Items (00:44:53)
Five steps to improve communication and boost team performance starting today.

Conclusion (00:48:05)
Clear communication creates a culture where people thrive—and DISC helps make that possible.

Free Resource:
Grab the DISC Quick Guide HERE to start leading with clarity.

How to Lead in Every Direction Using DISC

If you’ve ever struggled to get your point across to upper leadership, motivate your team, or work alongside your peers, this episode is for you.

Chris is joined by Executive Coach and DISC expert Lyneé South to talk about how leaders can influence and communicate more effectively in every direction—up, down, and sideways—using DISC.

Whether you're in a mid-level leadership role or leading a team, you'll walk away with tools to increase trust, adapt communication, and lead with confidence.

Genesis 41 (00:01:01)
A biblical example introduces the concept of leading in every direction.

Why Leading in All Directions Is So Hard (00:02:41)
Mid-level leaders often feel stuck between their team and upper leadership.

Using DISC to Lead Up (00:09:39)
DISC helps leaders tailor communication to gain trust and support from their leaders.

Leading Your Team With DISC (00:16:11)
Understanding DISC helps leaders guide and connect with team members more effectively.

Influencing Peers and Cross-Functional Teams (00:20:10)
Leaders can use DISC to build better collaboration across departments.

What Happens if We Are Implementing DISC? (00:23:46)
Using DISC in meetings and brainstorming leads to better alignment and reduced friction.

Helping Your Leadership Team Use DISC Effectively (00:28:36)
Leadership teams that use DISC intentionally see improved trust and fewer misunderstandings.

Action Steps (00:37:22)
Five practical ways to start using DISC to lead more effectively.

Conclusion (00:39:14)
Leading based on how people are wired leads to better communication, stronger relationships, and a healthier culture.

Go check out our page to get our free DISC bundle!

Ever hired someone who looked great on paper but just didn’t work out? In this episode, we dive into how DISC personality styles can help you hire the right fit—not just the right resume.

Joel Fortner, our team’s president and hiring expert, is joining me to walk through how personality profiles help you go deeper than resumes and interviews, and avoid costly mis-hires.

Learn how to match the right person to the right role, avoid cultural misfits, and improve your hiring process with practical, proven strategies.

👇 Here’s what’s covered in this episode:

Samuel 16 (00:01:00)
A biblical example reveals why looking beyond appearances is essential in hiring.

You’re Not Just Hiring a Resume (00:04:24)
Why resumes and interviews don’t give the full picture—and what to use instead.

DISC Reveals the “How” Behind the Work (00:08:21)
How DISC uncovers how someone works, thinks, and communicates on the job.

DISC and Roles (00:10:40)
Which DISC styles thrive in specific roles like sales, admin, and accounting?

Hiring for Culture Fit, Not Just Skills (00:19:49)
Why cultural fit matters more than experience when it comes to team health.

How Do I Use DISC in the Hiring Process? (00:24:05)
Steps to apply DISC throughout your hiring process for smarter decisions.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong (00:29:08)
What a wrong hire really costs your business—financially and emotionally.

Action Steps (00:38:44)
5 practical ways to strengthen your hiring process with DISC today.

Conclusion (00:41:44)
A final reminder: hiring well is one of the most important things you’ll ever do as a leader.

🎧 Ready to hire smarter? Press play and take notes. And grab our free DISC Quick Guide to get started.

If your team’s communication feels off or productivity is dragging, the problem might not be what you think—it might be how you lead.

In this episode, Chris sits down with DISC expert Bryan Arzani to unpack how understanding personality styles leads to better leadership, communication, and performance.

Fill the form HERE and get your free PDF now!

Whether you’re brand new to DISC or already using it, this episode gives you practical tools and language to create lasting change in your team.

Episode Timestamps
00:04:01 – What’s Really Going On When Leaders Feel Misunderstood
Why saying the right thing doesn’t always lead to being understood.

00:07:42 – Blind Spots That Hurt Communication
How unaddressed blind spots lead to leadership breakdown.

00:10:40 – Self-Awareness Is a Trust Builder
The first step to better communication is understanding yourself.

00:21:02 – Who Owns DISC and Why It Works
A quick history and why DISC is the most widely used tool in business.

00:30:46 – When Personality Styles Clash Under Pressure
The patterns and causes behind personality-based conflict.

00:43:23 – The Most Common Mistakes Leaders Make with DISC
What to avoid when using DISC with your team or hiring process.

00:55:43 – How to Use DISC to Improve Team Performance
Practical ways to apply DISC for stronger leadership and better results.

Ever reacted emotionally as a leader—and regretted it? You’re not alone.

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we break down how to stay grounded, respond with wisdom, and lead rationally when the pressure is high. 

Learn how to recognize emotional hijacking, understand your triggers, and set a calm tone for your team using simple, powerful tools.

Timestamps:

Emotional Hijacking Happens—But You Can Stop It (00:01:28)
How to recognize when emotions override logic—and what to do in the moment.

Know Your Triggers Before They Explode (00:04:03)
Understand your emotional landmines before they create leadership damage.

Slow Down to Speed Up: The 3-Second Rule (00:06:14)
A simple pause strategy to help you lead rationally in emotionally charged situations.

Use Emotion as Data, Not a Driver (00:07:26)
Turn emotional cues into insight without letting them control your decisions.

Your Emotional State Affects Everyone Else’s (00:10:28)
How your mood shapes your team’s culture, performance, and risk-taking.

Action Items (00:14:04)
Five steps to practice emotional intelligence in your leadership today.

Additional Resources (00:14:56)
Check out Episode 607 for more on emotional intelligence in leadership.

Conclusion (00:15:12)
Great leadership isn’t about feeling better—it’s about choosing to lead rationally, no matter how you feel.

Why do some leaders earn deep trust and loyalty, while others struggle to connect? It comes down to one key skill: self-awareness.

In this episode, we unpack how knowing yourself is the foundation of great leadership—and how to lead with clarity, emotional intelligence, and influence.

Timestamps:
00:02:05 – Self-Awareness Is the Foundation of All Great Leadership
00:08:07 – Self-Awareness Reveals What’s Beneath the Surface
00:10:40 – Self-Awareness Is a Trust Builder
00:14:13 – Self-Awareness Leads to Better Decision-Making and Presence
00:16:09 – Self-Awareness Fuels Personal Growth That Inspires Others
00:18:49 – Action Steps for Building Self-Awareness
00:26:15 – Additional Resource: Episode 621
00:26:40 – Final Thoughts and Takeaways

If you want to lead others well, it starts with leading yourself well.

Ever feel stuck overthinking a decision, spinning in circles, and not moving forward? You’re not alone—and today we’re breaking down how to overcome decision paralysis and lead with confidence.

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, I walk through the root causes of decision paralysis, how it quietly kills momentum, and 5 practical steps to help you move from procrastination to progress.

Plus, I’ll show you how to coach your team out of indecision and take action faster.

Here’s what we cover:

Intro - Story (00:01:10)
Churchill’s Dunkirk decision shows how bold action beats perfect planning.

What Is Decision Paralysis and Why Does It Matter? (00:03:12)
Understand what’s really happening when you (or your team) get stuck—and how much it costs.

What Keeps Leaders Stuck in Procrastination? (00:06:08)
Fear, perfectionism, overwhelm, and more—we walk through examples of each.

5 Practical Steps to Move from Procrastination to Progress (00:10:50)
From clarifying goals to setting deadlines, these steps help you act fast and smart.

Coaching Your Team Through Decision Paralysis (00:20:26)
Learn how to guide your team with questions instead of giving all the answers.

Action Items for Listeners (00:24:28)
Five next steps to take this week to break the swirl and build momentum.

Additional Resources (00:26:21)
Check out Episode 315 to go deeper on strategic decision making.

Conclusion (00:26:40)
Progress is built on decisions—start making yours today.

🎧 Hit play and let’s lead better, one bold decision at a time.

Fear will always knock—but will you let it lead?

In this episode, Chris exposes how fear quietly drives leadership decisions, stalls progress, and keeps leaders from stepping into bold, wise action.

You'll discover how to recognize fear’s subtle forms, replace it with courage, and build confidence one decision at a time.

🔑 In this episode:

00:00:53 – The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30)
00:02:52 – How Fear Manifests in Leadership and Organizational Cultures
00:07:43 – Identifying Fear-Based Decisions vs. Wise Decisions
00:13:12 – Strategies to Confront Fear Head-On and Lead with Courage
00:18:21 – Why Boldness is About Action, Not the Absence of Fear
00:22:23 – 2025 Audience Survey
00:23:10 – Leaders Who Overcame Fear to Create Massive Change
00:24:21 – Action Steps: Building the Courage to Lead Change
00:26:31 – Additional Resources
00:26:56 – Conclusion

🎧 Listen now and take one bold step toward the leader you’re called to be.

Take the survey here: chrislocurto.com/survey
Full resources + free leadership tools at: chrislocurto.com

In this episode, I’m walking you through five powerful ways boldness transforms your leadership, builds trust, and sets your team in motion.

If you want a team that takes ownership, leans into change, and drives results, it starts with how you lead.

👉 Plus, I’m giving you practical action steps and sharing how bold leaders shape culture, innovation, and momentum.

⏱ Episode Highlights:
00:00:00 – Introduction
Why bold leadership is the anchor in crisis—and how your team takes its cues from you.

00:05:18 – Boldness Creates Momentum and Energy
Your confidence sets the tone and drives the team’s energy forward.

00:12:49 – Confidence in Uncertainty Builds Trust
You don’t need all the answers, but you do need to lead with assurance.

00:16:27 – Bold Leadership Fosters a Culture of Innovation
When boldness replaces fear, teams step into creativity and problem-solving.

00:18:55 – Boldness Overcomes Fear and Resistance to Change
Lead your people through resistance by reframing change as opportunity.

00:22:31 – Bold Leaders Inspire Others to Step Up
Your example gives your team permission to take ownership and grow.

00:24:40 – Action Steps
Five practical ways to lead boldly—starting now.

00:28:35 – Additional Resources
Go deeper with our Boldness Series: Episodes 621 & 622.

00:29:04 – Conclusion
Your boldness shapes your team’s future—what bold move will you make this week?

📝 Take our quick 5-minute leadership survey and get a free 5-day leadership challenge: chrislocurto.com/survey