The Leader Formula

As artificial intelligence races ahead, the real question isn’t what it can do—it’s what kind of leaders we’ll become because of it. In this episode, Chris and Steve explore how AI can amplify—not replace—the human side of leadership. They tackle the tension between efficiency and empathy, data and discernment, and share stories of using AI as a mirror, not a master.

Whether you’re experimenting with automation or just trying to stay relevant, this conversation reframes AI as a tool that can sharpen wisdom, free up creativity, and help you lead more intentionally in a distracted world.

Key Themes:

• How leaders can use AI to strengthen—not substitute—their decision-making.
• Why self-awareness and emotional intelligence matter even more in a digital age.
• The danger of outsourcing empathy and intuition to algorithms.
• Practical ways to integrate AI into your leadership rhythm with integrity and clarity.
• What it means to stay human in a machine-driven culture.

Why Listen:

You’ll walk away with a renewed sense of agency and a deeper understanding of how to lead with both power and presence—using AI as leverage, not a crutch.

Every leader knows the feeling — a small frustration builds, an expectation goes unmet, and before long the tension has spread across the team. In this episode, Chris and Steve unpack the Pinch–Crunch Model — a framework for understanding how those small irritations can quietly erode trust, culture, and performance if left unspoken.

They break down how to recognize the signs of an early “pinch,” what emotions are actually signaling underneath the surface, and how to have healthy, direct conversations before things reach a breaking point. You’ll learn how emotionally aware leaders turn tension into growth, not conflict.

Key Takeaways:

• What the Pinch–Crunch Model is — and why every leader experiences it.
• How unmet expectations quietly sabotage culture and relationships.
• Why anger, frustration, or fear are useful messengers (if you listen early).
• Practical language to address pinches before they become crunches.
• How emotionally intelligent leaders use self-awareness to disarm conflict.

Challenge for Leaders:

Reflect on the last three “crunch moments” you’ve experienced — at work or at home.

• What were the pinches that led up to them?
• Were expectations ever clearly expressed?
• What conversation could have changed the outcome?

Quote to Remember:

“Great leaders don’t avoid emotions — they steward them.”

Listen if You’re:

• A leader navigating team conflict or hidden tension.
• A business owner feeling the weight of unspoken frustration.
• Someone who wants to build healthier, more honest conversations in their culture.

Technology promises connection, but often it leaves us lonelier, distracted, and less present. In a world where AI is everywhere and our phones rarely leave our hands, leaders face a deeper question: how do we protect what makes us truly human?

In this episode, Chris and Steve explore:

• Why technology often steals our presence instead of strengthening it
• The difference between tech as an element (replacement) vs. an alloy (augmentation)
• What makes real human connection impossible to fake
• How hurry, distraction, and multitasking slowly make us “subhuman”
• Practical ways leaders can reset and reclaim their humanity

This isn’t about rejecting technology. It’s about putting it in its right place so we can show up fully — with presence, love, and courage — in our leadership, our teams, and our relationships.

In this final episode of first series of The Leader Formula podcast, Chris and Steve walk through the five key stages of an effective hiring process—and why skipping even one can cost you more than just a bad hire. From sourcing and screening to interviews, assessments, and reference checks, they’ll guide you through each step with practical tips, honest stories, and a few insights you may not have considered before. Whether you're hiring your first admin or scaling a leadership team, this framework will help you make smarter, more confident decisions.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why "just posting the job" is the worst way to start sourcing
• How to use screening steps to save time and energy
• The key interview question that reveals true candidate alignment
• Why assessments should inform—not dictate—your decisions
• How to use references to confirm or challenge your gut
• The one mindset shift that turns hiring into a long-term investment

Episode Breakdown (with loose time codes):

• [00:00] – The five-stage framework: sourcing, screening, interviewing, assessments, reference checks
• [05:00] – Why sourcing is more than job boards—and how to use your network
• [10:00] – What effective screening looks like and why it’s more than just reviewing resumes
• [14:30] – The role of assessments and how to interpret them wisely
• [25:00] – Common interview pitfalls and how to avoid being blinded by charm
• [34:00] – The power (and purpose) of reference checks
• [40:45] – Why every hire is a million-dollar decision—and how to act like it

Resources Mentioned:

• Assessment tools (DISC, Enneagram, etc.)
• Hiring avatar and role clarity frameworks
• Example reference check questions (available by request)

Let’s Connect:

Have questions or want help creating a hiring process tailored to your team? Reach out to us at [insert email or website].

And if this episode helped you rethink your hiring strategy, share it with another leader who could use it.

Before you post that job or schedule an interview, there's a critical step that most leaders skip—and it’s costing them time, money, and peace of mind. In this episode, Chris and Steve unpack the concept of the candidate avatar—a clear, written profile of your ideal hire—and explain why defining who you’re looking for is the foundation of every great hire.

From missing persons reports to dating analogies, this episode brings humor, wisdom, and practical tools to help you sharpen your hiring clarity and avoid common traps.

If you're tired of vague hiring processes and mismatched team members, this conversation will help you lead with purpose and precision.

🔑 What You’ll Learn:

• Why starting “on paper” is the most important step in hiring
• How to create a clear, detailed candidate avatar
• What complement really means when building a team
• The difference between what can be taught—and what must already be there
• Why hiring is more like dating than you think

🕒 Rough Timecodes:

• 00:00 – Intro and context: what is a candidate avatar?
• 01:20 – The “missing person” analogy: why vague doesn’t work
• 03:00 – Clarity is power: the foggy image vs. a crisp profile
• 05:15 – How to define complementary skills, chemistry, and values
• 08:50 – What you can coach vs. what must be innate
• 11:10 – Growth mindset, red flags, and spotting the real candidate
• 13:15 – Hiring as a relationship: mindset for leaders
• 20:00 – The dating analogy: evaluating fit through the whole process

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• DISC Personality Profile
• Motivational Interviewing
• ChatGPT for hiring prompts

📌 Next Episode Teaser:

Coming up next—The Hiring Equation continues with a deep dive into crafting an intentional, step-by-step hiring process that actually reveals who someone is… not just what they want you to hear.

Let me know if you’d like a shorter version for social sharing, or if you’d like a matching email or blog teaser for your audience!

Ask ChatGPT

Whether you’re hiring your first team member or your next key leader, one thing remains true: clarity is kindness—and essential for growth. In this episode, Chris and Steve unpack the mindset and tools every leader needs to hire well and build a team that lasts.

They explore the concept of the “Missing Persons Report”—a strategic way to define the gaps in your organization—and how to use org charts and expectations to align roles with your vision. You’ll also learn about the different levels of talent (potential, emerging, proven) and when each one fits your business best.

If you've ever had a hire go sideways—or you're feeling unclear about what to hire next—this conversation is a must.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What a “Missing Persons Report” is—and how to create one
• Why starting with you is still the most important part of hiring
• The difference between job descriptions and real KPIs
• How to match the right kind of talent to your stage of business
• Why hiring without clear expectations sets both sides up for failure
• The two kinds of expectations every leader needs to clarify: role-based and relational

Resources Mentioned:

• The E-Myth by Michael Gerber (implied reference to working on vs. in your business)
• DISC Personality Assessment
• “Why Emotions Matter” by Tristan and Jonathan Collins
• Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence framework

Join the Conversation: What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made—or avoided—when hiring? We’d love to hear your insights and experiences. Email us at [your email] or connect on [Instagram/Facebook/LinkedIn].

In this kickoff episode of a mini-series we are calling The Hiring Equation, Chris and Steve dive into one of the most painful—and costly—leadership challenges: hiring the wrong people. Why does it keep happening? And what if the problem isn’t your candidates... it’s you?

They explore the three most common ways hiring breaks down and how to fix it—starting with self-awareness, understanding the hiring market, and getting radically clear on who you’re actually looking for. Whether you're scaling a team or recovering from your last bad hire, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical wisdom to help you hire better and lead stronger.

🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why hiring often goes wrong before the interview even starts
• How ignoring the hiring market puts your business at risk
• Why self-awareness is the foundation of every great hire
• The cost of chasing “good enough” instead of defining your “who”
• What Mr. Market can teach us about long-term ROI in hiring
• The difference between hiring for skills vs. values and culture
• Why treating hiring like dating (with a process!) matters

💡 Key Quote:

“You want to trust your gut—but not your gut alone.” – Steve Ciprani

📣 Call to Action:

Think about your last hire—did you have a process? Or did you just go with your gut? If you don’t have a clear, repeatable hiring system, now’s the time to build one. Start by identifying your own values and what kind of teammate actually fits them.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Haro and Mariam Setian, we pick up at a dramatic turning point—just after Haro is told he’s had a stroke. What unfolds next is an honest and moving exploration of what happens when leaders are forced to let go.

This episode dives into the unraveling of their businesses, the unexpected role Mariam steps into, and the sacred shift that happens when rest becomes non-negotiable.

Whether you’ve taken a sabbatical, are longing for one, or just feel the weight of “holding it all together”—this episode is for you.

🕒 Topics & Time Stamps (approximate):

• [01:00] Picking up after the stroke diagnosis — chaos meets clarity
• [04:00] Mariam steps into unexpected leadership and crisis control
• [10:00] Why everything fell apart before sabbatical even began
• [15:30] How peace and trust emerged in the midst of collapse
• [20:00] Leaving for sabbatical—flights booked, business unresolved
• [26:00] Practical rhythms and mindset shifts during sabbatical
• [35:00] What changed in Mariam: from regret to redemption
• [43:00] Haro’s shift: letting go of control, status, and significance
• [50:00] Redefining leadership post-sabbatical: slowing down on purpose
• [58:00] The hard return—why reentry might be harder than leaving
• [1:05:00] What it really means to live from rest—and lead from rest

💡 In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• What it looks like to lead through health scares, team breakdowns, and transition
• How to surrender outcomes without sacrificing purpose
• The internal and external shifts that sabbatical creates in both leadership and family
• Why saying "yes" to rest often requires a series of "no’s"—and how to discern the difference
• How rest, healing, and leadership are deeply intertwined

👉 New here? Be sure to check out Part 1 of this conversation to hear the full journey from burnout to breakthrough.

In this powerful first installment, Chris and Steve sit down with friends Haro and Mariam Setian to explore the hidden cost of high performance. Haro, a successful entrepreneur and founder of a thriving real estate businesses, shares how his relentless drive led to burnout, identity confusion, and ultimately—a stroke. Mariam offers a vulnerable and critical perspective as a spouse and leader who watched the pressure mount and felt the toll in their home and marriage.

Together, they unpack the warning signs, the spiritual convictions, and the emotional unraveling that led to the decision to step away from it all. Part 1 sets the stage for the radical leap they took into a 9-month sabbatical—with zero business interaction.

🕑 Episode Highlights

• 0:00 – 4:45 – Introductions: Who are Haro and Mariam?
• 4:45 – 11:20 – Haro’s early signs of overwork and ignoring the rumble strips
• 11:20 – 17:40 – Identity and performance: the internal drive Haro couldn’t shut off
• 17:40 – 25:05 – Mariam’s plea for connection and the cracks in their marriage
• 25:05 – 33:30 – Confirmation after confirmation: the call to surrender and stop
• 33:30 – 42:20 – Haro’s stroke and the wake-up moment he couldn’t ignore
• 42:20 – End – Preparing for the move to Tennessee and the leap into sabbatical

🔁 Don’t Miss Part 2:

Next week, we’ll pick up with Haro and Mariam’s sabbatical story—what stepping away really looked like, what happened to the business, and how the experience reshaped their faith, family, and future.

Too often, high-achieving leaders over-index competence and under-index connection. In this deeply insightful episode, Chris and Steve unpack why emotional intelligence is essential—not optional—for building trust, retaining talent, and sustaining leadership over the long haul.

You’ll hear vulnerable reflections, practical frameworks, and real-world stories that challenge the production-at-all-costs mindset. If you’ve ever wondered why good people leave, this conversation may hold your answer.

🎧 In this episode, we cover:

• [03:30] Red vs. Blue Culture: Why positivity without production (or vice versa) won’t build a lasting team.
• [06:45] What is emotional intelligence? Exploring definitions from Goleman and Bradberry.
• [13:45] Cadence in leadership: The oxen/yoke analogy and the cost of moving too fast.
• [17:00] Empathy in leadership: Why it’s hard, why it matters, and how to build it.
• [24:00] Fear disguised as anger, anxiety, or control—and how leaders can check themselves before damaging relationships.
• [34:00] Outlets, rest, and the myth of “always being useful”—what leaders must let go of to grow.
• [45:00] Practical tips to start building emotional intelligence today.

🔥 Quote of the Episode:

“People leave leaders, not jobs. Emotional intelligence may be the single most important skill a leader can cultivate.”