The Introvert Leader

For the final episode of 2025, Im reflecting on the moments that defined the year, the wins, the setbacks, and the mindset Im carrying into 2026. The podcast saw incredible growth this year, and it's all thanks to you. 

I'll be back January 14th with a new episode. Have a great Christmas and New Year!

Timestamps:

00:52 – 3 Wins from 2025
Leaning into video, staying consistent, and experimenting with new formats.

02:38 – What Didn’t Go Well
Why living in the future and poor time management almost derailed progress.

3:55 – The Biggest Realization of the Year
It's time to stop playing safe and bring full-strength Austin into the content.

4:52 – My Theme for 2026
Why identifying and staying in your strength zone matters more than ever.

5:42 – Challenge For Listeners
One question to ask yourself as you head into the new year.

Career & Leadership Coaching

• Want a better career? Clients who work with us earn 57% more and get promoted 3x faster on average: Book your free career clarity call here.

Free Resources

• The Brag Sheet (free Career Achievement Tracker): Here
• Take the free Career Fulfillment quiz: Here

Engage

• New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Be sure to subscribe.
• Send in your career, leadership, or self-development questions and I’ll answer them on air.
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/austinchopkins
• YouTube: ​Austin Hopkins
• Career Coaching: www.sts-coaching.com

Too many people chase success at the cost of who they are. But what if you didn’t have to choose between doing well and doing what’s right? In this episode, I share a story from my early leadership career, and the moment I realized that how you win matters more than just winning. We’ll talk about the hidden costs of unchecked ambition, why integrity matters more than ever, and how to build a career you’re actually proud of.

Career & Leadership Coaching

• Want a better career? Clients who work with us earn 57% more and get promoted 3x faster on average: Book your free career clarity call here.

Free Resources

• The Brag Sheet (free Career Achievement Tracker): Here

Engage

• New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Be sure to subscribe.
• Send in your career, leadership, or self-development questions and I’ll answer them on air.
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/austinchopkins
• YouTube: ​Austin Hopkins
• Career Coaching: www.sts-coaching.com

What if your coworkers were straight out of a sitcom? In this episode of The Introvert Leader Podcast, I’m breaking down five workplace archetypes using characters from The Office. From the passionate-but-clueless Michael Scott to the perfectionist Angela and people-pleaser Andy, you’ll learn how to spot these styles, appreciate their strengths, and work around their blind spots. Whether you’re leading a team or just trying to survive your 9-to-5, this one’s packed with insights and laughs.

Timestamps

01:44 – Michael Scott (Mr. Nothing But Heart): Why leading with passion matters and how it can backfire when you don’t read the room.

06:04 – Angela Martin (Mrs. Perfection): High standards and hidden mistakes, and the double-edged sword of perfectionism at work.

10:42 – Andy Bernard (Mr. People Pleaser): People pleasing feels productive, but it often masks insecurity and undermines leadership.

15:13 – Jim Halpert (Mr. Wasted Potential): Coasting in your comfort zone? Learn how to stop playing it safe and start showing up.

21:10 – Kelly Kapoor (Mrs. Blind Confidence): The boldness is impressive, but how far can confidence take you without self-awareness?

25:02 – Challenge for Listeners: Which character are you, and what are two blind spots you might need to confront?

Career & Leadership Coaching

• Want a better career? Clients who work with us earn 57% more and get promoted 3x faster on average: Book your free career clarity call here.

Free Resources

• The Brag Sheet (free Career Achievement Tracker): Here

Engage

• New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Be sure to subscribe.
• Send in your career, leadership, or self-development questions and I’ll answer them on air.
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/austinchopkins
• YouTube: ​Austin Hopkins
• Career Coaching: www.sts-coaching.com

Taking a short break to reset and plan what’s next. I’ll be back on November 19th with a special episode. It's something a little more fun, but still focused on leadership, growth, and real-world lessons from the workplace.

In the meantime, catch up on past episodes and keep growing. 

The Office - New episode on Nov.19th

You inherit a team. One person is dragging everyone down. Now what?

In this episode, I break down how to turn around a low-performing employee without killing your team’s culture or your own credibility. I’ll share a personal story of a turnaround attempt that didn’t work, the five biggest mistakes leaders make, how to uncover the real reason behind low performance, and what to do when it's already too late.

Timestamps

00:34 – Story: Why coaching, feedback, and accountability didn’t work and what I learned from failing to turn someone around.

03:04 – 5 Mistakes Leaders Make With Low Performers: From waiting too long to pushing too hard. Here are the common traps leaders fall into when trying to fix performance.

05:52 – How to Find the Real Problem: Is it a skill issue? Or a will issue? Learn how to diagnose the root cause before creating your plan. 

9:33 – The Turnaround Strategy: How to build a plan that balances high standards with human empathy and actually works.

15:41 – When It’s Too Late: Three warning signs that it's time to move on, even if you've tried everything.

17:49 – Challenge For Listeners: An action step to help you stop avoiding a tough conversation and start leading with clarity.

Career & Leadership Coaching

• Want a better career? Clients who work with us earn 57% more and get promoted 3x faster on average: Book your free career clarity call here.

Free Resources

• The Brag Sheet (free Career Achievement Tracker): Here

Engage

• New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Be sure to subscribe.
• Send in your career, leadership, or self-development questions and I’ll answer them on air.
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/austinchopkins
• YouTube: ​Austin Hopkins
• Career Coaching: www.sts-coaching.com

Ever feel stuck in your career but can’t quite figure out why? Or feel like networking makes you fake? Or wonder what to do when you lose your motivation? 

In this episode of Career Support, I tackle the real, raw questions people are afraid to ask. These aren’t hypothetical questions;  they’re pulled directly from the internet and answered through the lens of 15+ years of career experience and leadership growth. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re on the right path, this episode will help you find clarity and momentum.

Timestamps

00:16 – Welcome to Career Support: Why I started this series and how tough questions drive growth

00:35 – Changing Careers in Your 30s: When money’s not enough; Meaning, fear, timing, and how I made the leap

03:00 – How to Network Without Feeling Fake: 7 steps that changed how I build relationships (as an introvert who hates networking)

7:22 – What to Do When You Lose Motivation: How to rediscover your drive when the spark is gone, plus a personal story that changed everything

11:37 – Challenge For Listeners: Your next bold move starts with one honest question

Career & Leadership Coaching

• Want a better career? Clients who work with us earn 57% more and get promoted 3x faster on average: Book your free career clarity call here.

Resources

• Simon Sinek Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4
• The Brag Sheet (free Career Achievement Tracker): https://sts-coaching.com/resources/

Engage

• New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Be sure to subscribe.
• Send in your career, leadership, or self-development questions and I’ll answer them on air.
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/austinchopkins
• YouTube: ​Austin Hopkins
• Career Coaching: www.sts-coaching.com

Managers focus on what they can get. Leaders focus on what they can give.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the clear and sometimes subtle differences between managers and true leaders. You’ll hear real stories, examples from my own career, and a challenge to help you grow into the kind of leader people want to follow.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your boss is helping you grow or just using you to get ahead, this episode will help you see the difference. And if you’re a leader yourself, this is your blueprint to lead with purpose, trust, and impact.

Timestamps

• 00:47 - How They Use Power: Managers rely on fear to get compliance. Leaders use influence to earn trust and move people forward.
• 07:51 - How They Make Decisions: Managers operate in silos and think black-and-white. Leaders seek input and navigate the grey.
• 13:54 - How They Treat People: Managers drain your energy and protect their ego. Leaders build confidence and make people feel seen.
• 18:20 - How They Communicate: Managers avoid hard conversations and only reach out when they need something. Leaders communicate often, clearly, and with care.
• 24:13 - Where Their Loyalty Lies: Managers choose the company over their team. Leaders stand by their people even when it’s inconvenient.
• 28:06 - Challenge for Listeners: If you are working for a manager its time to make a change. If you are boss its times to be the leader you wish you had. 

Free Career Fulfillment Quiz

• 60 seconds to learn if your career is fueling or draining you? Take it here

Career & Leadership Coaching

• Want a better career? Clients who work with us earn 57% more and get promoted 3x faster on average: Book your free career clarity call here.

Engage

• New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Be sure to subscribe.
• Send in your career, leadership, or self-development questions and I’ll answer them on air.
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/austinchopkins
• YouTube: ​Austin Hopkins
• Career Coaching: www.sts-coaching.com

I’ve used AI for over 1,000 hours to grow my career, build a brand, and scale this podcast. In this episode, I’m sharing five rules to help you use AI the right way. Whether you're writing a resume, preparing for a big meeting, or trying to get promoted faster, AI can help, but only if you know how to use it well. This is your no-hype playbook for making AI a real advantage in your career.

Not sure if your job is still the right fit? Take my free 3-minute Career Fulfillment Quiz to find out if your current role is fueling you or draining you. You’ll get a custom score, insights, and a plan to move forward.
Try It Here

Timestamps

• 00:56 - Storytime: I built something cool with Artificial Intelligence. 
• 04:18 - Rule 1: Mastery Creates Separation: Why using AI everyday is the fastest way to get ahead.
• 05:43 - Rule 2: AI Isn’t Your Crutch: How to avoid letting AI weaken your instincts or critical thinking.
• 07:05 - Rule 3: Blind Trust is Bad: AI makes mistakes. Learn to question the results and double-check everything.
• 08:21 - Rule 4: Bad Inputs = Bad Outputs: I walk through the four things every great prompt should include.
• 10:11 - Rule 5: Stay in Your Strength Zone: Use AI to eliminate the boring stuff and stay focused on what makes you great.
• 12:27 - Career and Leadership Use Cases: Real-world examples of using AI to write resumes, negotiate salary, prep for meetings, and coach better.
• 18:32 - Challenge for Listeners: Pick one task this week and run it through AI. Compare before and after. Was it more efficient? Did it help?

Career & Leadership Coaching

• Want a better career? Clients who work with us earn 57% more and get promoted 3x faster on average: Book your free career clarity call here.

Engage

• New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Be sure to subscribe.
• Send in your career, leadership, or self-development questions and I’ll answer them on air.
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/austinchopkins
• YouTube: ​Austin Hopkins
• Career Coaching: www.sts-coaching.com

Managing remote employees is not the same as managing in-person. Treat them the same and you will fail them and yourself.

In this episode I share my first experience managing a fully remote teammate, what it really feels like to work remotely, the biggest mistakes leaders make, and the exact strategies I used to build a high-performing and connected team across states.

Whether you lead a hybrid team or fully remote, this will give you the confidence and tools to do it right.

Timestamps

• 0:55 - Story: Hiring and leading my first remote teammate
• 4:10 - What it feels like to be a remote employee
• 6:52 - Biggest mistakes managers make with remote teams
• 11:15 - Strategies for managing remote teams effectively
• 24:56 - Challenge for listeners

Free Career Tool

• Want to stand out in interviews, raise conversations, or performance reviews. Download my free Brag Sheet — the simplest way to track your wins and showcase your value when it matters most. Grab it here.

Career & Leadership Coaching

• Want a better career? Clients who work with us earn 57% more and get promoted 3x faster on average: Book your free career clarity call here.

Engage

• New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Be sure to subscribe.
• Send in your career, leadership, or self-development questions and I’ll answer them on air.
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/austinchopkins
• YouTube: ​Austin Hopkins
• Career Coaching: www.sts-coaching.com

In this episode, Im talking about competition. What if you could build a wildly successful career without competing like everyone else? Listen in to learn how to approach competition to avoid burnout and separate yourself from the pack. 

Timestamp

1:00 — Story Time: How I competed against my friend for a promotion. 

4:46 — Mindset Shifts: Why competition can be a trap, and four shifts you can make to redefine what it means to succeed at work.

12:00 — Strategies: From preparation to playing the right games, these career tactics help you win without burnout.

20:22 — Challenge for Listeners: Identify one area you are competing needlessly. 

Career & Leadership Coaching

• Want a better career? Clients who work with us earn 57% more and get promoted 3x faster on average: Book your free career clarity call here.

Engage

• New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Be sure to subscribe.
• Send in your career, leadership, or self-development questions and I’ll answer them on air.
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/austinchopkins
• YouTube: ​Austin Hopkins
• Career Coaching: www.sts-coaching.com