The UnlearnT Podcast

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We examine leadership through the lens of the 1989 film "Lean On Me," exploring how different organizational phases require different leadership styles and what makes a leader effective in each one.

• Different organizational phases (startup, turnaround, realignment, acceleration, sustaining success) require different leadership approaches
• Joe Clark's authoritarian style was necessary during crisis but needed evolution as the school improved
• Bold decisions are required in turnaround situations without time for consensus-building
• Leaders must discern when external forces are working to pull them off mission
• Sustaining success requires building culture and systems that outlast any single leader
• The importance of professional relationships that challenge and sharpen leadership
• Community should push you into your moment, not keep you comfortable
• Shared leadership becomes essential as organizations move from crisis to stability
• Leadership must evolve as the organization evolves

Subscribe, comment, download, and share this podcast to become part of our community of growth-oriented leaders who are committed to unlearning limiting beliefs to experience more freedom.

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We must learn to recognize how environments change us and evaluate whether our transformations align with our true selves. The journey of Andy in The Devil Wears Prada illustrates the tension between ambition and purpose.

• Ambition has a shadow side that can reveal unexpected aspects of ourselves
• The tradeoffs required when trying to "have it all" necessitate hard choices
• Transformational relationships often come from seeing leaders behind the scenes
• Watch the people you spend the most time with—you'll become more like them
• Middle managers need to stop trying to impress and start developing others
• Adding value comes from knowledge and communication, not just doing more
• Maintain activities that keep you grounded through periods of transformation
• Your values must remain consistent even as you grow and evolve

Join the Unlearned family by liking, subscribing, and sharing. We have more movies in our summer series coming up and would love to hear which films shaped your worldview.

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Drumline offers powerful leadership lessons through the journey of three key characters navigating conflict and change within a college marching band.

• Dr. Lee represents tradition and structure, struggling to adapt to changing times while maintaining excellence
• Sean demonstrates how middle-management leadership requires overcoming insecurity to develop talent rather than controlling it
• Devin embodies raw talent that must learn discipline and structure to reach its potential
• Talent alone gets you noticed, but consistent development and learning are essential for sustainable success
• True leadership means creating opportunities for others to shine rather than seeking validation from those you lead
• Leadership transitions require both honoring established foundations and making space for innovation
• The principle of "one band, one sound" shows how individual excellence must be balanced with team cohesion
• Conflict can be transformative when it forces leaders to grow and adapt their methods

Share this episode with a friend or colleague who could use some encouragement and leadership inspiration in their life!

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We explore leadership lessons from Pixar's Toy Story in this episode of our Summer Movies series, examining how disruption and change affect team dynamics and leadership development.

• Teams typically go through four developmental stages: forming, storming, norming, and performing
• Disruption (like Buzz arriving) moves teams from norming back to storming - a necessary part of growth
• Leaders must avoid seeing talented newcomers as threats rather than assets
• The developmental leader framework shows four stages: enthusiastic beginner, disillusioned learner, capable but cautious performer, and self-reliant achiever
• Leadership development is cyclical - we go through these stages repeatedly with different skills and challenges
• Middle adults should consider if they've neglected personal growth while focusing on career development
• Being willing to become a beginner again in some area of life can foster growth and joy
• True leadership influence comes when focused on building others up, not just delivering "truth"
• The journey from potential to greatness often leads back to potential in new areas

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We examine the six Infinity Stones from Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War and extract powerful leadership lessons from each one that can help us become more effective, balanced leaders.

• The Power Stone demonstrates the difference between personality-driven leadership and team-centered leadership
• The Space Stone warns against taking up too much room in your organization out of insecurity rather than necessity
• The Reality Stone reveals how we must distinguish between changing realities and unchangeable truths in our leadership
• The Soul Stone challenges us to define our purpose beyond our position, considering all the relationships we impact
• The Time Stone teaches intentionality with our most valuable resource, showing how leaders must forecast and prioritize
• The Mind Stone illustrates the critical balance between knowledge and wisdom, especially in an AI-driven world

Share these episodes with your people and let us know what you think. We want you to be part of this community as we continue to grow a community of unlearners who want to gain the courage to change their minds so they can experience more freedom.

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We explore leadership lessons from Disney's The Lion King, examining how this iconic film portrays the journey from youth to mature leadership through Simba's story.

• The Circle of Life establishes leadership as a circle, not a ladder – emphasizing contribution over position
• Young Simba focuses on benefits of kingship without understanding responsibilities, similar to how young leaders approach new positions
• Confidence without competence leads to poor decisions, as shown in Simba's dangerous adventures
• Scar's "Be Prepared" leadership appeals to dissatisfaction rather than inspiring improvement
• Running from responsibility (Hakuna Matata) might feel like paradise but keeps us from our true purpose
• True leadership requires accepting both the glory and the weight of responsibility
• Our identity and leadership formation are shaped by who we allow to speak into our lives
• Sometimes we operate in our gifts (being a lion) while avoiding our assignment (being king)

Share with a friend and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We're looking forward to the next time when we are able to unlearn together to move forward towards freedom.

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The Remember the Titans episode explores leadership themes, racial tensions, and community transformation through the lens of this iconic sports movie featuring Denzel Washington.

• Sports movies powerfully utilize the underdog narrative to touch on deeper social issues
• Coach Boone and Coach Yost represent different leadership styles—visionary versus pastoral
• Leaders can't divorce their identity from their leadership style and effectiveness
• Breaking down barriers between players required confronting historical roots of conflict
• True friendships develop when people allow themselves to be influenced before influencing others
• Winning created momentum that helped transform community attitudes about integration
• The true test of change came when the community united during moments of tragedy
• Changing systems requires first changing people—but not everyone, just the right people
• Your personal story can impact community transformation beyond your individual narrative

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When emerging from crisis, we must reorient ourselves to new environments with new mindsets, as the habits and perspectives that sustained us during difficult times may not serve us in seasons of abundance.

• The storm truly ends when you change, not when your circumstances do
• True forgiveness is an ongoing practice, not a one-time event
• Crisis reveals what was truly rooted in your life versus what was surface-level
• Not everyone who was with you during your storm is meant to cross over with you
• After using resources from your "crisis preparedness kit," you must intentionally replenish them
• The purpose of your growth is to become a resource for others, not just for personal prosperity
• Physical health becomes increasingly important as millennials navigate major life transitions in their thirties
• Approaching your community from a place of service rather than need after they've supported you through difficulty

If this episode has been helpful to you in any way, please share it with someone who might be navigating their own post-crisis season. Let's keep unlearning together so we can experience more freedom.

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The second part of our storm series focuses on what to do during moments of crisis, offering practical guidance for navigating through life's most challenging seasons. We share wisdom on how to maintain your sense of self and purpose when everything around you seems to be falling apart.

• Stop pretending about your situation and be honest about where you are
• Give yourself time and realize transformation is not a microwave process
• Embrace the Stockdale Principle - believe you'll win while facing current reality
• Avoid victim mentality as it kills creativity and blocks your progress
• Submit to the process of change and the transformation it brings
• Focus on serving others even in your struggle to gain perspective
• Understand that purpose is always tied to impact, not just personal growth

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We explore the essential components of a crisis toolkit for millennials and middle adults who are feeling squeezed by life's challenges and uncertainties.

• Community is foundational—know who's around you and be aware of what gifts they bring to your life
• Being rooted in the same values is different from simply being bonded to others
• Financial preparation requires doing things you don't want to do—budget, save, and possibly reduce your lifestyle
• The YOLO mindset emphasizes living for the moment rather than building for the future
• Spiritual grounding means staying current with God, not relying on childhood faith
• Establishing intentional faith routines anchors you before crisis hits
• Creating a safe place doesn't always mean being comfortable—safety and comfort are different
• Being out of your God-assigned position puts you out of safety
• Self-awareness means understanding your strengths and potential pitfalls
• Crisis and extreme success both reveal who you really are
• Process your thoughts through talking, journaling, or even using voice notes and AI tools

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