Most leaders believe they are being rational. But when you only see two options, that is not a choice — it is a paradox. And it is one of the clearest signs your survival brain has taken over. In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Mitch Weisburgh, author of MindShifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success, to unpack why even experienced leaders keep getting stuck in reactive patterns — and what it actually takes to shift out of them. We get into the neuroscience behind the five limbic mode reactions, how to recognise when your survival brain is running the show, and why your emotions are not obstacles to good leadership — they are data. We also talk through the rule of three as a practical decision-making framework for leaders operating under pressure. And there is something I found genuinely useful in this conversation: using AI to rehearse difficult conversations before they happen, including how to instruct it to actually push back on you so the practice feels real. If you have ever caught yourself reacting in a way you immediately regretted, this one is worth your time. Before you go- What is one thing you are doing today to make your life a little better? I'm curious. Let me know! Episode Timestamps 0:00 — Introduction 4:00 — The Truth About Work-Life Balance 7:04 — The Invisible Patterns Controlling Your Reactions 16:18 — The Rule of Three: A Better Way to Make Decisions Under Stress 19:37 — How to Exit Survival Mode 26:30 — How to Use AI to Rehearse Difficult Conversations 30:21 — Are You Leading From a Threat State? 35:42 — How to Get Comfortable With Discomfort 40:10 — Why Your Brain Can't Tell the Difference Between Fear and Excitement 44:15 — The 3 Gifts of Taking That First Step 48:26 — Why Your Emotions Are Data, Not Obstacles 55:11 — Ways to Connect With Mitchell Weisburgh 57:41 — The Business Value of Bringing Your Whole Self to Work 1:04:57 — Closing Thoughts Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- AppleUncommon Leadership Spotify- SpotifyUncommon Leadership This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: UncommonteamsHome - Uncommon Teams Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: Linkedinlinkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: UncommonteamsHome - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: UncommonteamsNewsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: UncommonteamsThe Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: UncommonteamsWork with me - Uncommon Teams

Mitch Weisburgh| Guest Speaker Mitch Weisburgh is the founder of Academic Business Advisors, creator of the MindShifting Community, and author of the MindShifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success (2024). With over four decades of experience in education technology, nonprofit leadership, and personal development, Mitch has dedicated his career to helping people build the resilience and resourcefulness they need to thrive today. Connect with Mitch Weisburgh :

• Website: Mindshiftingwithmitchmindshiftingwithmitch.com
• Newsletter: MindshiftingwithmitchMindShifting with Mitch Blog
• LinkedIn: Linkedinlinkedin.com/in/mweisburgh
• Instagram: Instagraminstagram.com/weisburghm
• X: X weisburghm
• Continue exploring more on this topic: How the brain makes fast decisions
• Book: MindShifting, Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success: AAmazon.com
• MindShifting Courses: HumanitixMitchell Weisburgh | Humanitix

🎵 Music Credits: Title: Podcast Intro Author: cleanmindsound Source: Envato License Code: CGZHSVENJF

Leadership doesn't have to be confusing, but it does need to be precise. If you've heard of EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) but aren't sure how to make it work in the real world, this episode is exactly what you need. On today's episode, I'm joined by Chris Hallberg, better known as the Business Sergeant. From the high-pressure environments of the military and law enforcement to the boardroom, Chris's journey is anything but traditional. In his signature style, Chris explores how the very principles that keep people safe in the field serve as the ultimate keys to scaling a successful business. As an Expert EOS Implementer and the founder of GoExpand, Chris helps entrepreneurs replace chaos with deep discipline, accountability, and healthy conflict. Together, we discuss:

• Why 100% authenticity is your best business strategy.
• The "Bad Apple Effect" and how to handle toxic team members.
• How to translate military-grade discipline into actionable business execution.
• The danger of the "gray area" in leadership and team alignment.

If you're ready to stop surviving and start thriving with a no-nonsense approach to leadership, this episode is for you. A question for you: What is the longest you have seen a bad employee stay at a company just because they had seniority? Let us know your experience in the comments! Episode Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 1:22 - Meet Chris Hallberg 2:37 - Why authenticity is your best business strategy 7:07 - How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market [ using Personal Branding] 17:10- Military & Corrections Background 24:15- Creating Healthy Conflict 32:12- Feeling Fear vs. Having Courage 41:15- The Six Key Components of EOS 48:05- What Happens When Your Team is on the Same Page 58:22- Put the Right People in the Right Seats 01:07:25- How to Connect with Chris Hallberg Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: https://uncommonteams.com/ Speakers on this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Chris Hallberg | Guest Speaker As an Expert EOS Implementer and founder of GoExpand, Chris Hallberg uses nine years of military and law enforcement experience to bring radical clarity to business. He helps entrepreneurs align their vision, drive massive accountability, and build healthy leadership teams. By implementing a proven operating system, Chris ensures that your top talent is excited to "re-enlist" in the company's mission quarter after quarter. Connect with Chris Hallberg:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hallberg-01516315/
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://bizsgt.com/ [ Please find free leadership course and community admission for Veterans here]

Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ Website: https://uncommonteams.com/ Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/ Read the book: https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/ Work with Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/ 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Ambient Uplifting Inspiring Piano Background Author: Starry_Music Source: Envato License Code: 6T8WB9Y7PD

Why would a senior Hollywood executive walk away from massive franchises like Die Hard, Wolverine, and Transformers to help leaders and executives unlock their flow states? In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, join me, Michael Hunter, as we unpack the fascinating career pivot of Steven Puri. As a former 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks executive turned tech founder, Steven takes us inside the exact moment everything shifted—and why he decided to walk away from creating global blockbusters to study the neuroscience of the flow state. His story brings light to something I see working with leaders time and again: you can hit every metric of success, be at the absolute top of your game, and still feel completely misaligned. If you are working harder but achieving less, or if you're incredibly busy but can't seem to find a clear path forward— Steven's framework for healthy productivity & career alignment is exactly what you need to hear today. Are you ready to stop paddling against the current and start doing your best work? If yes, grab a seat and tune in now! Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:20 - From IBM to Hollywood: Can Early Success Trap You? 08:53 - When to Walk Away From a Massive Paycheck 15:49 - How to Pivot From a Career You Outgrew 19:41 - Why Entering A Flow State Is So Important? 25:09 - What is a Flow State 30:26 - How Your Workspace Affects Your Flow State 35:08 - The Science of Flow States 38:58 - How Trillion-Dollar Companies Steal Your Life 52:02 - One Simple Habit to Stop Wasting Your Potential Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: https://uncommonteams.com/ A question for you: What is the number one distraction keeping you from reaching your flow state today? Let us know in the comments! -- Speakers on this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Steven Puri | Guest Speaker Steven Puri is the Founder and CEO of The Sukha Company. He has served as a senior executive at both 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks Pictures, and produced the Oscar-winning visual effects for Independence Day. A veteran of three tech startups, Steven now dedicates his work to helping leaders find their focus, achieve more, and build healthy work lives. Connect with Steven Puri:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-puri/
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.TheSukha.co

Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ Website: https://uncommonteams.com/ Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/ Read the book: https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/ Work with Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/ 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Podcast Intro Author: cleanmindsounds Source: Envato License Code: CGZHSVENJF #flowstate #producvitytips #leadershipalignment #attentioneconomy

What happens when AI starts doing the things we once believed made us valuable? In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I, Michael Hunter of Uncommon Teams, sit down with Ross Smith from Microsoft to explore a question most conversations about AI miss entirely: What does it mean to stay human in this unpredictable age of AI? Tune in to find out:

• How to use AI as a strategic sparring partner to debug your own ideas/arguments?
• Why authenticity, emotional intelligence, and human judgment matter more than ever when building an innovative team...
• Why your job title should never be your entire identity, and the danger of hiding your full self at work
• How to position yourself at work for great job satisfaction and speedier career growth

Because the future may belong to people who know how to work with AI—but it will especially belong to people who know how to remain deeply human while doing it. Episode Chapters 0:00 — Introduction 5:53 — How Do You Build a Team That Actually Thrives? 9:36 — Why Should Leaders Give Teams Freedom to Fail? 11:17 — How Do Great Leaders Build Trust With Their Teams? 14:35 — Why Is Having a Life Beyond Work So Important? 20:16 — How Do You Build an Authentic Personal Brand at Work? 28:00 — Is AI Productivity Advice Missing the Bigger Picture? 30:17 — What Does AI Mean for Human Creativity and Leadership? 35:28 — Why Can AI Never Fully Replace Human Leadership? 38:08 — Using AI to Challenge Your Own Thinking 40:19 — How Leaders Can Use AI Before Difficult Meetings 41:08 — Connect with Ross Smith Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: https://uncommonteams.com/ A question for you: What's one hobby or interest you have outside of work that most of your coworkers probably don't know about? Share in the comments! -- Speakers on this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Ross Smith | Guest Speaker Ross Smith spent over three decades leading innovative teams at Microsoft, giving him a front-row seat to the rapid evolution of workplace technology. Today, his focus has shifted to the intersection of human intuition and artificial intelligence. As a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and co-founder of The Future World Alliance, Ross has become a leading voice on how we can use AI to become more human, not less. He's the author of "AI Revolution in Customer Service and Support" and "AI in the Classroom," and hosts the AI & Creativity Podcast, exploring how humans and AI can partner to unlock new levels of innovation. Connect with Ross Smith:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosss42/
• Email: [email protected]
• AI Prompt of the Day:https://linktr.ee/rosss42
• Bonus: Ross is offering an exclusive discount on his book, AI in the Classroom. To claim it, send a message to

[email protected] with the subject line: "UnCommon Leadership: AI in the Classroom" Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ Website: https://uncommonteams.com/ Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/ Read the book: https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/ Work with Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/ 🎵 Music Credits: Track: A Hope for New Beginning Artist: PremiumBeat Source: Envato Elements License Code: 2JPQCYM3X4

You've spent your career mastering the technical. You know how to debug a system, optimize a workflow, and drive efficiency with data.

But as you move higher into leadership, you realize your most reliable tools, logic and evidence, often fail when applied to the most complex system of all: the human one.

In this milestone 100th episode of Uncommon Leadership, Michael Hunter and Jon Bach step away from standard people management advice to investigate the person behind the leader.

Together they explore:

• What happens when you start paying attention—not just to systems, but to your own patterns, reactions, and internal signals.
• Why change feels disorienting.
• Why teams struggle even when the work looks right.
• Why what we call performance issues are often something else entirely.
• What it means to lead in a way that includes your mind, your body, your instincts—not just your logic/data.

Episode Breakdown 0:00 — Introduction 03:36 — How do you become an uncommon leader? 07:27 — How to decode your body's signals 11:10 — A go-to question for all tech leaders 15:33 — Why work-life balance is just a myth 19:13 — How to handle layoffs? 26:30 — How to stop carrying regret as a leader 28:34 — How to navigate career transitions? [ Satir Change Model] 40:15 — A mindset shift for dealing with uncertainty 45:37 — The cumulative power of tiny steps 51:26 — Signs you're leading out of alignment 57:46 — How to live in alignment with your base beliefs 01:06:52 — Common vs. Uncommon Leaders 01:17:26 — The question you need to ask to get to know someone 01:21:16 — Closing Thoughts

If you're navigating change, leading a team, or trying to make sense of what feels unclear right now—this episode offers a grounded, human way to approach it. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: https://uncommonteams.com/ -- Speakers on this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Jon Bach | Guest Speaker With 30+ years at tech giants like Microsoft and eBay, Jon Bach treats software testing as a treasure hunt for the truth. Combining his background in journalism with deep technical expertise, he approaches code with an investigative lens—viewing every bug as a hidden story waiting to be told. Jon's mission is deeply human as he helps tech professionals uncover the hidden assumptions and expectations buried in their daily workflows, guiding them to find the absolute truth about their work (and themselves). Outside of the software world, Jon embraces his roots as a freelance writer for Whidbey Weekly and Whidbey Life Magazine. Connect with Jon Bach: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bachjon Email: [email protected] Blog: jonbox.wordpress.com Free Resources: satisfice.com Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Using empathetic, human-centric frameworks, Michael guides leaders to build authentic teams, cultivate resilience, and embody certainty. Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ Website: https://uncommonteams.com/ Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/ Read the book: https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/ Work with Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/

Are you constantly putting out fires but feeling like your team still isn't moving forward? This might be happening because you might be solving the wrong problem.

In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I, Michael Hunter sits down with Todd Hanson, founder & inventor of Compass Carts.

In this episode, Todd shares his incredible journey from corporate banking to building a hardware company and the counterintuitive leadership lessons he learned along the way.

Whether you are managing a massive corporate department or a small team of external contractors, Todd explains why standard management advice often fails (and what actually works) when you need to get people on the same page.

In this episode, we cover:

00:00 - Introduction to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast 03:20 - The Distraction Rule: Why forcing your team to pay attention actually backfires, and how scheduling breaks cures their anxiety. 23:24 - The Prompt Error: Why your team's failure to deliver is usually a communication gap on your end (and how to fix it). 31:48 - The Pivot Method: What great leaders do before they decide to fire a struggling team member. 35:15 - The Promotion Cheat Code: Why the real secret to moving up the corporate ladder happens after 5 PM. 45:41 - The NASCAR Secret: How General Mills saved millions by studying pit crews, and how you can steal ideas from outside your industry.

If you want to stop micromanaging and start building a team that actually thrives, this episode is for you.

If this episode helped you see a way out, hit the subscribe button so we can keep bringing you the frameworks you need to understand what's true, what matters now, and what's next:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw

Prefer audio? Stream here:

Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: https://uncommonteams.com/

Speakers on this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Todd Hanson | Guest Speaker Todd Hanson is the founder and inventor of Compass Carts, the innovative hitch hauler company taking social media by storm. Todd spent over two decades in corporate leadership at Wells Fargo, including an eight-year tenure as an AVP. He specializes in bridging the gap between big-business strategy and small-business agility. Whether he is facilitating large corporate trainings or managing a team of startup contractors, Todd's leadership philosophy is built on streamlining complex processes, asking the right questions, and empowering people to bring their unique expertise to the table. Connect with Todd Hanson: Website: compasscarts.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddhanson1/ Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Using empathetic, human-centric frameworks, Michael guides leaders to build authentic teams, cultivate resilience, and embody certainty. Work with Michael if you want to stop simply surviving their daily challenges and start leading with ease: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ Website: https://uncommonteams.com/ Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/ Read the book: https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/ Work with Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/

Why are so many tech startups struggling even after hitting their quarterly goals? In this episode, I, Michael Hunter, invite Radhika Dutt, an MIT alum and the author of Radical Product Thinking, to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast. Together, we debunk the classic Silicon Valley mantra: Build→Test → Learn →Scale The problem with the traditional goal-setting approach is that it often pulls teams away from the vision and legacy for which the business was originally built. To help lean startups make the difficult trade-offs between the things that keep the lights on versus the things that drive long-term growth, we offer:

• An actionable framework to map Long-Term Vision vs. Short-Term Survival decisions.
• 3 questions that first-time founders must ask to make win-win decisions with certainty [ especially when data is overwhelming or incomplete]
• The mindset that will help tech leaders sidestep the Silicon Valley trap.
• The "3 O's" to help you navigate the uncomfortable problem space.

Key Moments 00:00 - Introduction to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast 01:32 - Getting to know Radhika Dutt [MIT Engineer, Author, Keynote Speaker ] 05:20 - The Myth of the "Poker-Faced" Leader 08:40 - Processed vs. Raw Emotion at Work 14:04 - How to Build Psychologically Safe Teams 17:32 - Why OKRs Can Be Misleading? 22:09- How to Write Vision Statements for Yourself and Your team 29:03 - The Vision vs. Survival Map: Making Hard Trade-Offs 36:36 - The 3-Question Framework for Win-Win Decisions 42:16 - How to Sidestep the Silicon Valley Trap? 50:57 - The Three O's for Leaders to Navigate the "Problem Space" 53:33 - Advice for Goal-Centric Leaders 57:50 - How to access Radhika Dutt's Puzzle Setting & Puzzle Solving Toolkit If this episode helped you see a way out, hit the subscribe button so we can keep bringing you the frameworks you need to understand what's true, what matters now, and what's next: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw And before you click away—send this episode to one founder or product leader you know who is burning out trying to hit the wrong targets. Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: https://uncommonteams.com/ Speakers on this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast: Radhika Dutt | Guest Speaker Radhika Dutt, an MIT graduate, is an entrepreneur, consultant, and speaker who helps organizations move away from traditional metric-obsessed cultures to innovate smarter. Radhika brings profound technical and strategic expertise to the leadership space, having participated in five successful acquisitions—two of which were companies she founded. She is the author of the book Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter, which has been translated into Chinese and Japanese. She is currently working on her second book, which explores why traditional corporate goals and targets consistently backfire, and the actionable frameworks leaders should use instead. Resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radhika-dutt/ Free toolkit to apply the puzzle setting & solving methodology for leaders: https://www.radicalproduct.com/toolkit/#OHLToolkit Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Using empathetic, human-centric frameworks, Michael guides leaders to build authentic teams, cultivate resilience, and embody certainty. Work with Michael if you want to stop simply surviving their daily challenges and start leading with ease:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/
• Website: https://uncommonteams.com/
• Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/
• Read the book: https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/
• Work with Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/

Are you expecting predictable outcomes in a non-deterministic world? When you are a tech leader, your instinct is to rely on systems and logic to drive results. But when an organizational change stalls, your team resists a new direction, or you find yourself exhausted by constant pivots—logic alone won't bridge the gap. In fact, ignoring the fundamental physics of human systems is one of the most expensive operational mistakes a company can make. In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I, Michael Hunter, sit down with Dr. Garrick Villaume. With a Ph.D. in High-Energy Physics and three decades of experience scaling tech operations from clean-tech startups to Fortune 100 enterprises, Garrick knows exactly what it takes to orchestrate complex systemic transformations. In this conversation, we explore concepts like:

• The P3 Framework
• How to stop fighting the essential process of change
• Why letting change happen to you is a recipe for failure
• How to identify what you can actually control to reduce burnout and navigate uncertainty

Episode Chapters 0:00 Welcome to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast 2:22 The Power of Bringing Your Authentic Self to Work 6:13 The Cost of Hiding Your True Identity at Work 14:06 Why Every Business Problem is a People Problem 16:41 The P3 Framework 21:34 The True Essence of Tech Innovation 26:05 Limiting Case Analysis & Navigating Command-and-Control 35:30 Why Teams Resist Change 36:44 How to bring about the Change you want to see 38:13 Computable vs. Uncomputable Variables in Leadership 41:42 Business Value of the P3 Framework 52:00 Process of managing complex systems 57:11 Final Advice for Tech Leaders If you are a leader who excels at systems but struggles with the messy reality of managing uncertainty, this episode is exactly what you need to lead with certainty and ease. Subscribe to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast for weekly conversations on navigating the complexity of human systems at work. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj Brought to you by Uncommon Teams About the Speakers Dr. Garrick Villaume | Guest Speaker With a Ph.D. in High-Energy Physics and three decades of experience scaling technical operations from clean-tech startups to Fortune 100 enterprises, Dr. Villaume bridges the gap between complex science and human enterprise. He applies complexity science to technology management, innovating processes and building systemic intelligence for teams navigating the unknown. Connect with

• Work with Dr. Garrick:https://www.linkedin.com/company/psi-593946412/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrickvillaume/

Michael Hunter | Podcast Host Michael Hunter is an Executive Coach, Consultant, and Author of The Resilient Tech Leader. With over three decades of experience at companies like Microsoft and Salesforce, his career has followed a simple progression: he started by debugging code, spent years debugging teams, and now helps leaders learn how to debug themselves. He helps analytical tech leaders navigate the quiet complexity of their organizations, proving that the most important systems in tech aren't written in code—they're written in people. Connect with Michael Hunter:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/
• Website: https://uncommonteams.com/
• Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/
• Read the book: https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/
• Work with Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/

#TechLeadership #SystemicIntelligence #ComplexSystems #UncommonLeadershipPodcast #MichaelHunter

Are you trying to solve human problems with spreadsheets and logic? When you are an analytical leader in the tech space, your instinct is to rely on data. But when a project stalls, a client becomes contentious, or your top performers start disengaging—no amount of logic or data will fix the friction. In fact, ignoring the squishy emotional reality of your team is one of the most expensive operational mistakes a company can make. In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I, Michael Hunter, sit down with Melissa Franks—Founder of On Call COO. As someone who has successfully managed $100M+ portfolios and led major global transformations for Fortune 100 companies, Melissa knows exactly what it takes to scale an organization. Her secret? Operationalizing empathy. In this conversation, Melissa and I give our two cents on concepts like:

• How to stop fighting your team's human nature and start leveraging it
• A framework for diffusing high-conflict meetings
• How to build an internal Executive Council to make better intuitive decisions
• And why retaining your team by aligning them with their innate strengths is the ultimate growth strategy

Episode Chapters 0:00 Welcome to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast 4:10 How to Be Vulnerable (Without Oversharing) 6:15 The Strengths Audit: Are You in the Right Role? 7:30 The Same Side of the Table Strategy for Conflict Resolution 11:15 How to Stop Micromanaging 14:45 How to Trust Your Gut When Making Decisions 21:20 Why Soft Skills Are the Best Cost-Saving Measure 26:15 How to Tell if You Need a Career Pivot 31:30 The Management Myth: Why It's Like Becoming a Parent 36:10 The Corporate Ladder vs. The Career Jungle Gym 41:45 Closing Advice for Tech Executives If you are a leader who excels at systems but struggles with the messy reality of managing people, this episode is exactly what you need to lead with ease. Subscribe to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast for weekly conversations on navigating the complexity of human systems at work. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj Brought to you by Uncommon Teams -- About the speakers Melissa Franks | Guest Speaker Melissa Franks is the Founder of On Call COO and an experienced Technology and Operations Executive. Formerly the COO of Allianz Technology of America, she has successfully managed $100M+ portfolios, led global mergers, and guided major organizational changes. Today, she helps CEOs clear obstacles, align their teams, and grow sustainably without burning out their top talent. Connect with Melissa Franks

• Website: https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
• Work with Melissa: https://www.melissafranks.com/contact
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissafranks/

Michael Hunter | Podcast Host Michael Hunter is an Executive Coach, Consultant, and Author of The Resilient Tech Leader. With over three decades of experience at companies like Microsoft and Salesforce, his career has followed a simple progression: he started by debugging code, spent years debugging teams, and now helps leaders learn how to debug themselves. He helps analytical tech leaders navigate the quiet complexity of their organizations, proving that the most important systems in tech aren't written in code—they're written in people. Connect with Michael Hunter:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/
• Website: https://uncommonteams.com/
• Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/
• Read the book: https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/
• Work with Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/

It is easy to spend an entire career in tech scaling products, hitting deadlines, and climbing the ladder-- only to wake up one day feeling completely misaligned. Your body starts keeping score. You experience burnout. Self-sabotage. And the quiet realization that you are leading in a system that wasn't built for who you truly are. In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, Michael Hunter sits down with Dr. Patrick Farran, Founder of Ad Lucem Group, TEDx speaker, and expert in organizational transformation, to discuss the profound difference between simply managing a team and leaving a lasting legacy. Drawing from deeply personal stories, including the inspiring resilience of his father, an iconic teacher who transformed a devastating injury into a lifelong calling, Patrick unpacks how leaders can navigate the chaos of modern business by rooting themselves in purpose. This conversation moves beyond standard management advice to explore:

• the emotional, human core of our careers
• decoding the signals your intuition is sending you
• how to map out what truly brings you fulfillment
• and how to create a work environment where both you and your team can lead authentically.

Episode Chapters 0:00 - Introduction: Welcome to Uncommon Leadership 1:45 - The Power of Legacy 8:30 - Victor Frankl, CrossFit, and the Power of Knowing Your Why 12:15 - How to Recognize Career Misalignment 15:40 - The Map of Meaningful Work (or How to Find Fulfillment at Work) 22:10 - Creating a User Manual for Your Leadership Style 27:50 - Appreciative Inquiry: Solving Problems with an Abundance Mindset 34:20 - The Magic Question That Unlocks Team Possibility 37:45 - The Ultimate Alignment Exercise

If you are a highly analytical leader feeling the friction of a purposeless grind, this episode will give you the tools to step out of the chaos, reconnect with your why, and unleash the Uncommon Hero you already are. Subscribe to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast for weekly conversations on navigating the quiet complexity of human systems at work. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj Brought to you by Uncommon Teams About the speakers Patrick Farran | Guest Speaker Patrick Farran, Ph.D., is the Founder and CEO of Ad Lucem Group, a TEDx Speaker, and co-author of The Intentional Executive. With 25+ years of experience across Fortune 100s and startups—and an academic background teaching at Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business—Patrick bridges the gap between organizational strategy and human engagement. He helps tech leaders and executives navigate complex change, overcome resistance, and achieve breakthrough results through values-driven, strengths-based leadership. Connect with Patrick & Ad Lucem Group:

• Website: adlucemgroup.com
• Read the Book: The Intentional Executive
• Free Resource: Download the "Succeed From Day One" Executive Guide
• Assess Your Team: Take the Peak Performance Assessment

Work with Patrick: Schedule a Free Executive Strategy Session Michael Hunter | Podcast Host

Michael Hunter is an Executive Coach, Consultant, and Author of The Resilient Tech Leader. With over three decades of experience at companies like Microsoft and Salesforce, his career has followed a simple progression: he started by debugging code, spent years debugging teams, and now helps leaders learn how to debug themselves. He helps analytical tech leaders navigate the quiet complexity of their organizations, proving that the most important systems in tech aren't written in code—they're written in people. Connect with Michael Hunter:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/
• Website: https://uncommonteams.com/
• Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/
• Read the book: https://uncommonteams.com/resilient-leader-workbook/
• Work with Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/

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