Are you the bottleneck to your team’s growth?
In this episode, Ron Minatrea unpacks the second tenet of the Exponential Mindset® — Put We Before Me — through the real-world story of a leader who unknowingly became the limiter of her own team’s effectiveness.
Ron shows how redefining what “we” means—by putting shared identity at the center rather than the individual—can transform leadership, unlock capacity, and strengthen both team performance and retention.
He closes with a powerful challenge for leaders to articulate and align their team’s shared identity around purpose and values.
Timestamps
00:00 – When “We” Still Means “Me”
Opening challenge and setup for the episode.
00:25 – Tenet: Put We Before Me
Introducing this week’s leadership tenet and how it shapes exponential teams.
00:30 – The Overwhelmed Manager
A story that reveals how even capable leaders get stuck trying to do it all.
01:51 – The “Do, Direct, Delegate” Trap
Why common leadership models can cap growth and create hidden bottlenecks.
04:08 – Why Control Doesn’t Scale
How control-based leadership stifles capacity and limits team development.
04:13 – Redefining “We”
A critical mindset shift that changes how leaders see themselves and their teams.
05:30 – Identity Over Labels
Lessons from family and sports that reveal what truly builds belonging.
08:42 – Building Microcultures
Aligning small teams around shared mission, vision, and values.
09:28 – Discovering Your Team’s Compelling Cause
Defining who you serve, why it matters, how you do it, and the benefit it creates.
11:22 – The Leader’s Real Role: Cultivate Identity
Moving beyond management to shaping who your team becomes.
12:26 – From Do/Direct/Delegate to Envision/Equip/Empower
A new leadership model that multiplies influence without multiplying hours.
13:38 – Putting It All Together
Outcomes, takeaways, and a three-step summary for applying this mindset.
15:06 – Reflection Challenge
Asking: What’s at the center of your “we”?
15:55 – Closing Thoughts & Sign-off
Final encouragement and episode wrap-up.
Memorable Quotes
“If your definition of we has you at the center, you’ve already limited your team’s potential.”
“Great leaders don’t manage activity — they cultivate identity.”
“You can’t multiply capacity when everything runs through you.”
“Healthy teams revolve around shared purpose, not personal control.”
Key Takeaways
- Put “we” before “me.” The best leaders center their teams around shared mission and values, not themselves.
- Redefine what “we” means. Move from a “me-centered we” to an “identity-centered we.”
- Empower, don’t direct. Shift from “Do, Direct, Delegate” to “Envision, Equip, Empower.”
- Let go to grow. Trust builds engagement and multiplies capacity — both yours and your team’s.
- Identity drives impact. A clear sense of who you are together fuels alignment and performance.
→ Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@ronminatrea
→ Learn more at ronminatrea.com
The Exponential Mindset® helps leaders change how they think — so they can lead with greater impact and live with greater freedom.
