Uncommon Leadership

Hello there! I'm Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams, and I'm so glad you found this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast. I started this series because I constantly meet leaders battling burnout and searching for deeper impact. While I may not have all the answers you're looking for, I truly believe that professional and personal success hinges on aligning personal fulfillment with business objectives. And today, my extraordinary guest, Romie Montpeirous from Leadership from the Heart, talks about the role of adaptability and empathy in leadership. Uncommon leaders embrace adaptability—shifting their approach to meet their team's needs. They're present, self-aware, and help their team find resilience in the face of chaos. Our conversation then deepens into the surprising link between a leader's vulnerability and a team's loyalty. We explore how to find your own version of work-life balance and why "ready" is always a decision, not a feeling. Join us, and you just might find the key to a better way of leading, in work and life. -- Key takeaways from this podcast:

• The most effective leaders move between different styles, adjusting their approach based on the team's needs.
• Trust is earned, not demanded. Authentic team loyalty is a result of a leader's care and empathy, not authority.
• A leader who is present and transparent builds a culture of psychological safety, allowing the team to show up as their full selves.
• Help your team overcome fear and uncertainty by walking them through their "worst-case scenario" to show they are resilient.
• Equilibrium is personal. The goal isn't a rigid work-life balance, but helping each team member find their own unique sense of harmony.

-- About the Speakers Romie Montpeirous Leadership Mentor| Founder & Lead Coach @Leadership From the Heart | Change Management Leader | Expert at Transforming Cultures | As the founder of Leadership from the Heart, Romie Montpeirous is dedicated to cultivating authentic and empathetic leaders. Romie's philosophy centers on the idea that true excellence emerges when leaders bring their whole selves to their teams. Specializing in empowering operations leaders, Romie helps clients overcome internal conflicts, boost collaboration, and build resilient, high-performing cultures. Holding an MBA and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Romie is an expert at merging emotional intelligence with data-driven strategies to achieve tangible business results. Michael Hunter Founder @Uncommon Change | Interlocutor / Curious Host @UncommonLeadership Interview Series | Author | Change & Innovation Partner I'm Michael Hunter, the founder of Uncommon Teams. All my work is driven by a single mission: to help leaders, CXOs, and founders build uncommon teams. These are the teams where every person feels valued, psychologically safe, and confident to bring their authentic selves to work. Drawing from my experience with leaders across six continents, I've developed a battle-tested framework that is always precisely customized for you, helping you greet change like an old friend. My deepest satisfaction comes from helping leaders not just envision their legacy, but truly inhabit it. By integrating your whole self into everything you do, you can discover ease, freedom, and a resilient leadership journey that creates a safe organizational culture for everyone. -- Was this conversation worth your time? If yes, please give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series. Get notified on YouTube- 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 Presented By: UncommonChange

What if the things you've been hiding are the very things that make you an extraordinary leader? In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership podcast, Michael Hunter sits down with Nick Goodin, a former chief product officer, to unpack a truth most leaders never discover: your personal story is your greatest asset. Nick shares his own incredible journey—from a traumatic childhood to the sudden, unexpected loss of his job—revealing how he learned to deconstruct life's challenges and rebuild with purpose. Through his unique philosophy of first principles thinking, Nick provides a roadmap for :

• cultivating self-awareness,
• empathy,
• and trust as your core leadership pillars.

This is a profound exploration of how you can align your deepest beliefs with your professional impact, creating cultures where innovation isn't just a goal, but a natural outcome of the process you follow. -- TL; DW? Here's a rapid summary: The Problem: Some leaders often feel they have to hide their personal struggles and conform to an idea of strength, leading to burnout and mediocrity. The Solution: This episode offers an authentic, actionable playbook for leaders to navigate uncertainty and find their power by embracing their full, human story. Even if it's not as heroic as you'd like it to be. A Personal Journey: Nick Goodin shares his history of growing up with a hidden identity, which taught him the vital skill of deconstructing narratives—a practice he later applied to his professional life. The Core Idea: True leadership is not about managing teams but understanding (and acknowledging) the human side. By prioritizing self-awareness and leading with empathy, you build trust that leads to innovation. Key Takeaway: Your personal story, your curiosity, and your values are not just parts of your identity—they are your greatest leadership assets. It's time to stop hiding them and start leveraging them. -- About the Speakers: Nick Goodin Board Member @Five Points Washington | Ex-CPO @ Ice Barrel | Author | Executive Coach | Championing Human-Centered Design & Narrative Intelligence With a career spanning from product innovation to brand strategy, Nick Goodin is known for building spaces where both products and people can thrive. As the former Chief Product Officer at Ice Barrel, Nick has led cross-functional teams to scale new products, promoting empathy and psychological safety as guiding principles. He believes that every great innovation starts with a determination to transform uncertainty into possibility. Now on a mission to share the insights that redefine how we create, lead, and live, Nick challenges leaders to see the world differently. He helps them navigate uncertainty and dig deeper through the power of perspective, storytelling, and intentional choices. More on Nick Goodin: https://www.instagram.com/nickgoodinofficial/?hl=en

https://www.nickgoodin.info/ Michael Hunter Founder @Uncommon Change | Interlocutor / Curious Host @UncommonLeadership Interview Series | Author | Change & Innovation Partner Michael Hunter partners with top tech leadership teams across six continents to create extraordinary cultures. With 35 years of experience at companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Tableau, he helps leaders sustain meaningful change. Michael believes that only by integrating mind, heart, body, spirit, and intuition can leaders truly navigate change safely and build a lasting legacy of impact + human-centered leadership. The best way to connect with Michael Hunter is on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ More from Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/ -- Was this podcast worth your time? If yes, please give us a thumbs up and tune into the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series. Get notified on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw For more, explore Uncommon Teams: https://uncommonteams.com/ Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj

This story is going to resonate with so many leaders out there: Once upon a time, you built your career/business on a foundation of expertise and experience. You followed the rules and made sure every plan was perfectly laid out. But lately, you've started to feel stuck. You're slowly realizing the old playbook no longer works in a world of constant change. In this episode, I, Michael Hunter, the host of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, sit down with innovation expert Keith Hopper to expose a rather uncomfortable truth behind this feeling. The problem isn't a lack of experience or a bad plan. It's a fundamental confusion between risk—something you can prepare for—and uncertainty—the great unknown that you can't possibly predict. Relying on an old-school project plan to handle the unpredictable is a trap. This trap leaves leaders paralyzed on a leadership teeter-totter. On one side, they make a massive, blind leap of faith that often leads to spectacular failure. On the other hand, they are so afraid of making the wrong move that they do nothing, allowing great ideas to die and their teams to stagnate. But what if there was another way? In this breakthrough conversation, Keith reveals the key to escaping this cycle. It's a low-cost and high-reward way to learn exactly what you need to know—allowing you to move forward one small, intentional step at a time. Your next breakthrough might just be a small experiment away. So, it's time to stop waiting and start discovering. -- Grab a chair. Join the Conversation. Here's why:

• So that you finally stop confusing risk with uncertainty. Because the former can be managed with a plan, but the latter requires a renewed mindset.
• Learn how to avoid the Teeter-Totter of Leadership. Don't go all-in blindly, and don't let the fear of uncertainty stop you from moving at all.
• Understand the true impact of a series of tiny experiments and how it can help you learn and adapt through change.
• The concept of true innovation and how it begins the moment you admit you don't know the outcome.

-- About the Speakers: Keith Hopper Founder @Danger Fort Labs | Guest Lecturer @Harvard Business School | Author & Instructor @LinkedIn Learning | LinkedIn Top Voice in Innovation and Discovery As the founder of Danger Fort Labs, Keith Hopper advises executives and teams on how to drive organizational change and growth. He is also a guest lecturer at Harvard Business School and an author and instructor for LinkedIn Learning, where his course "Business Innovation Foundations" has reached over 80,000 students. Keith believes the best way to achieve breakthrough solutions is through experimentation and discovery. He helps leaders create work environments that move more quickly and build smarter, happier teams through continuous learning and discovery. More from Keith Hopper: https://www.dangerfort.com/ Michael Hunter Founder @Uncommon Change | Interlocutor / Curious Host @UncommonLeadership Interview Series | Author | Change & Innovation Partner Michael Hunter partners with top tech leadership teams across six continents to create extraordinary cultures. With 35 years of experience at companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Tableau, he helps leaders sustain meaningful change. Michael believes that only by integrating mind, heart, body, spirit, and intuition can leaders truly navigate change safely and build a lasting legacy of impact + human-centered leadership. The best way to connect with Michael Hunter is on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ More from Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/ -- Was this conversation worth your time? If yes, please give us a thumbs up and tune into the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series. Get notified on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw For more, explore Uncommon Teams: https://uncommonteams.com/

Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj

Do you ever feel like your team is stuck? Like you're hitting a wall and just can't seem to move forward? In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I, Michael Hunter from Uncommon Teams, am talking to Melissa Appel, an executive product management coach, advisor, and author. We get into an uncomfortable but essential truth about leadership: a leader's behavior might be the very thing holding their team back. Melissa shares a story about a leader whose fear-based culture brought an entire company to a halt, and we dive into the psychology of why punishing mistakes is the fastest way to kill innovation. But it's not just about the problem. We give you a powerful two-part solution for navigating change and overwhelm, from a simple framework for regaining control to a game-changing mindset for solving any problem. If you're ready to stop blaming people and start fixing systems, join us as we uncover the uncommon leadership insights you need to get your team unstuck for good. -- Why This Podcast Is a Must-Watch:

• Solve Your Biggest Leadership Challenge: Learn the real reason behind a stagnant team and how a simple culture fix can help.
• Find Clarity in Chaos: Get a simple two-step framework to handle overwhelm and uncertainty by focusing on what's in your control.
• Fix Broken Communication: Discover the key to getting through to everyone on your team by adapting your communication style to theirs.
• Make Better Decisions: End pointless debates by learning the secret to making objective decisions: aligning on an obvious goal first.

-- About the Speakers Melissa Appel Executive Product Management Coach & Advisor @Product Culture | Co-Author @Aligned: Stakeholder Management for Product Leaders | Helping CPOs and teams move from Reactive to Proactive roadmaps Melissa Appel is an expert at untangling complex, "gnarly" problems across various industries. As a product coach, author, and speaker, she helps CPOs and executive teams deliver real value by getting the right people in the room and asking the right questions. Melissa focuses on the underlying people and process issues that are often the root cause of product problems. Her coaching and advisory work greatly help product leaders improve their organizations and build high-quality, effective teams. Michael Hunter Founder @Uncommon Change | Interlocutor / Curious Host @UncommonLeadership Interview Series | Author | Change & Innovation Partner I'm Michael Hunter, the founder of Uncommon Teams. All my work is driven by a single mission: to help leaders, CXOs, and founders build uncommon teams. These are the teams where every person feels valued, psychologically safe, and confident to bring their authentic selves to work. Drawing from my experience with leaders across six continents, I've developed a battle-tested framework that is always precisely customized for you, helping you greet change like an old friend. My deepest satisfaction comes from helping leaders not just envision their legacy, but truly inhabit it. By integrating your whole self into everything you do, you can discover ease, freedom, and a resilient leadership journey that creates a safe organizational culture for everyone. -- Was this conversation worth your time? If yes, please give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series. Get notified on YouTube- 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 Presented By: UncommonChange

What does it truly take to embrace your most authentic self? Join us for another episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast where I, Michael Hunter, sit down with Ken Miller, a resilience coach and national speaker—who has an extraordinary story to share. Ken shares his journey from being an Ivy League graduate to a life of addiction that led to homelessness and multiple prison sentences. He takes us through his pivotal moment of surrender that became the turning point for his entire life. This conversation goes beyond personal triumph. It's a battle-tested lesson for all leaders who are striving for growth—whether that's intellectual, emotional, personal, or professional. This episode gives you the courage you need to become truly resilient in a world that's constantly changing. It underscores the value of treating people with empathy and respect. And sketches a path you could follow to find freedom in surrender. Grab a seat, let's talk. 5 Reasons to love this podcast:

• You'll understand that resilience is so much more than simply bouncing back from adversity. It's a strategic act.
• Find an actionable (and practical) plan for personal and professional transformation.
• You'll learn how to free yourself from what's holding you back.
• Get inspired to lead from a place of radical honesty, empathy, and a genuine investment in people as individuals, not just transactions.
• To find the courage to get a different result in your life or business, by ditching all the inauthentic parts of yourself and embracing an aligned, more evolved version of yourself.

-- Meet the Speakers Ken Miller National Speaker | Author of Becoming Ken | CEO @AIVAlution As a Certified Fundraising Executive and successful multi-entrepreneur, Ken conflates his expertise in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and AI-driven solutions.Through his company, AIVAlution LLC, he is at the forefront of leveraging AI and virtual assistant technology to streamline operations and drive efficiency for nonprofits and businesses. In a nutshell, Ken Miller is a speaker, author and a resilience expert who turns adversity into action. He delivers compelling insights on topics ranging from overcoming adversity and building resilience to the future of AI in philanthropy. His mission is to empower leaders to navigate challenges with authenticity and fulfill their potential. The best way to connect with Ken Miller is on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenmiller84/ More on Ken Miller: https://kenmillerspeaks.com/ Michael Hunter Founder @Uncommon Change | Interlocutor / Curious Host @UncommonLeadership Interview Series | Author | Change & Innovation Partner Michael Hunter partners with top tech leadership teams across six continents to create extraordinary cultures. With 35 years of experience at companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Tableau, he helps leaders sustain meaningful change. Michael believes that only by integrating mind, heart, body, spirit, and intuition can leaders truly navigate change safely and build a lasting legacy of impact + human-centered leadership. The best way to connect with Michael Hunter is on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ More on Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/ -- Was this conversation worth your time? If yes, please give us a thumbs up and tune into the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series. Get notified on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw For more, explore Uncommon Teams: https://uncommonteams.com/ Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj

What if the key to being a great leader isn't about working harder, but about being more you? Hi, I am Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams, and I'm so glad you found this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast. Because today, I sit down with Jason Dea, who is a CPO, a startup advisor, and a leadership coach, and explore a new way to lead. Discover why trying to be a different person in different contexts is exhausting and how being your authentic self can be your greatest strength. Join us as we also talk about the art of turning big, overwhelming problems into manageable baby steps, and why focusing on the process—not just the outcome—is the most reliable path to success. Grab a set and let's together explore a new way to lead with ease, purpose, and confidence. -- 3 Reasons Why This Podcast Is Your Next Must-Listen:

• If you're willing to re-examine your role as a leader/ founder/ CEO—

Discover how an obsession with process and a mastery of team dynamics can be the true drivers of sustainable business growth.

• If you want to tackle your biggest business challenges head-on—

Learn how to turn overwhelming challenges into a series of tiny, manageable experiments that build momentum and confidence.

• If you want to truly build an incredible workplace culture—

Get ready to build a resilient, adaptable organizational culture where authenticity and psychological safety are not just buzzwords, but the foundations for a powerful and lasting legacy. -- While others are bogged down by miscommunication and a constant sense of overwhelm, the most resilient leaders are operating with an uncommon advantage. The question is: Are you ready to stop guessing and start leading with purpose? If yes, let's talk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ -- Meet the Speakers Jason Dea CPO @Koru | VP of Product | Startup Advisor & Coach| Helping Seed to C SaaS startups find PMF and scale to predictable growth Hi, this is Jason Dea. Here's something you should know about me: For over 20 years, I've navigated the startup world—from an idea on a napkin to successful exits. I've lived the grind: balancing vision with execution and scaling without breaking. My passion is helping founders cut through the noise and turn their ambitious product visions into scalable realities. I specialize in AI-driven product strategy, helping teams align their roadmap and drive growth. I've been in your shoes, scaling SaaS products to millions in ARR and through multiple successful exits. Michael Hunter Founder @Uncommon Change | Interlocutor / Curious Host @UncommonLeadership Interview Series | Author | Change & Innovation Partner I'm Michael Hunter, the founder of Uncommon Teams. All my work is driven by a single mission: to help leaders, CXOs, and founders build uncommon teams. These are the teams where every person feels valued, psychologically safe, and confident to bring their authentic selves to work. Drawing from my experience with leaders across six continents, I've developed a battle-tested framework that is always precisely customized for you, helping you greet change like an old friend. My deepest satisfaction comes from helping leaders not just envision their legacy, but truly inhabit it. By integrating your whole self into everything you do, you can discover ease, freedom, and a resilient leadership journey that creates a safe organizational culture for everyone. -- Was this conversation worth your time? If yes, please give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series. Get notified on YouTube- 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 Presented By: UncommonChange

What makes a leader finally decide it's time to change? Hey there! This is Michael Hunter from Uncommon Teams, and welcome to another episode of The Uncommon Leadership Podcast, where I have real, unfiltered conversations with successful leaders about their journeys—the highs, the lows, and the moments that forced a change. Here, we go beyond the business talks and dive into the human side of leadership, exploring the crossroads and points that redefine success. In this episode, I'm in conversation with Chad Brown, a business owner and leadership coach, who opens up about a time in his life when he was forced to confront the opportunity cost of his career. Brown also reveals the one mindset shift that saved his life and his family—making every decision based on the future he wanted to create, not on the instant gratification of the moment. Later, we also uncover why leadership is a lifelong practice, and how you can find joy in the constant challenges and uncertainty of business. I truly feel like this conversation is a wake-up call for every leader on the brink of burnout. Watch the full episode to uncover the lessons you need to hear. A sneak peek of our conversation...

• How Professional success can be a lie if it's driven by a need for external validation rather than a genuine purpose.
• A leader must make decisions based on the future they want to create, not on what is most urgent or loudest in the present.
• Leadership is a practice, a lifelong process of attempting, discovering, and refining—it's not something you can master or achieve.
• Self-leadership trumps everything. You cannot effectively lead a team until you have done the work to lead yourself well.
• The key to navigating a world of constant change is to change your relationship with uncertainty and find joy in the next challenge, rather than trying to escape it.

-- About the Speakers Chad Brown Coach | Cornerman to Business Owners and Founders | Head of Talent Development @LeadSimple | CEO & Owner @ Shade Tree Films | Associate Partner @Take New Ground As a coach and cornerman for business owners and founders, Chad Brown thrives in conversations with the restless and relentless. Drawing on his experience as a founder and entrepreneur, he is intimately connected to the unique challenges of those pursuing something bigger than themselves in business and relationships. Chad's philosophy is rooted in the belief that there is reward in discomfort, and he sees himself as a living invitation into the work that produces change, growth, and vitality. Ways to get in touch with Chad Brown LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-brown-founder-freedom/ Website: https://www.founder-freedom.com/ Email: [email protected] Michael Hunter Founder @Uncommon Change | Interlocutor / Curious Host @UncommonLeadership Interview Series | Author | Change & Innovation Partner Michael Hunter partners with top tech leadership teams across six continents to create extraordinary cultures. With 35 years of experience at companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Tableau, he helps leaders sustain meaningful change. Michael believes that only by integrating mind, heart, body, spirit, and intuition can leaders truly navigate change safely and build a lasting legacy of impact + human-centered leadership. -- Was this conversation worth your time? If yes, please give us a thumbs up and follow the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series for more. Get notified on YouTube- 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 Presented By: UncommonChange

Many leaders find themselves at a crossroads today. Because they understand that the traditional "command and control" style of leadership is no longer working across the nuanced human dynamics of today's workplace. So if you're here looking to explore this concern or need help navigating change, you've come to the right place. Hello, this is Michael Hunter from Uncommon Teams. With me, I have Jillian Reilly, founder, author of The Ten Permissions, and a visionary who's spent decades at the forefront of social and organizational change. Together, we explore how to build a new adult operating system—so you can stand resilient on the volatile ground of the modern workspace. --

Things you'll learn from this conversation:

• How to transform workplace confusion into clarity by understanding the "new rules" of engagement.
• The surprising power of boundaries and why being direct about expectations creates profound psychological safety.
• How to move beyond "fake permission" to truly empower yourself and your team.
• Strategies for leading in constant change
• Practical steps to lead with humanity: Learn how small shifts can create significant impact and a culture of true fit.

Tune in now to gain the insights and practical tools to lead your team with greater connection, psychological safety, and authentic impact. -- Meet the Speakers Jillian Reilly Author | Founder | Keynote Speaker | Leadership Facilitator | Re-invention Mentor for anyone ready to ditch outdated rules and design a life that fits now From the front-lines of the HIV/AIDS crisis to executive coaching in London, Jillian has guided people and organizations through uncertainty and change. She is also the author of book like Shame: Confessions of an Aid Worker in Africa and The Ten Permissions, a bold framework for personal and social reinvention. Her work empowers individuals and institutions to unlearn outdated scripts, give themselves permission to thrive with clarity, courage, and creativity. Michael Hunter Founder @Uncommon Change | Interlocutor / Curious Host @UncommonLeadership Interview Series | Author | Change & Innovation Partner Michael Hunter partners with top tech leadership teams across six continents to create extraordinary cultures. With 35 years of experience at companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Tableau, he helps leaders sustain meaningful change. Michael believes that only by integrating mind, heart, body, spirit, and intuition can leaders truly navigate change safely and build a lasting legacy of impact + human-centered leadership. -- Was this conversation worth your time? If yes, please give us a thumbs up and tune into the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series. Get notified on YouTube- 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 Presented By: UncommonChange

Hey there! I'm Michael Hunter from Uncommon Teams, and I'm genuinely glad you're here. If you've found your way to this podcast, it tells me you're ready to embrace change like an old friend, and I'm here to make that process easy for you—especially if you're currently feeling like you're running on empty or sacrificing your well-being just to keep up. Because in this powerful episode, I sit down with the incredible Evie Brockwell to dive deep into something that I'd like to call the Energy Paradox. Here, we uncover why chasing "more" might actually be holding you back from the outcomes and impact you truly desire. If you're ready to break free from the hustle culture, understand your own energy patterns, and cultivate a life where you genuinely thrive, this conversation offers the path forward. -- Key Takeaways:

• That "always on" feeling? It might be working against you. Don't mistake busyness for real progress.
• Rest isn't a reward. It's a strategic move. Learn why slowing down can actually make you a more impactful leader.
• Understand & learn to use your unique energy rhythms to unlock a whole new level of performance.
• Don't wait until burnout to change your pace. Start experimenting with what feels sustainable now, not later.

--

Show Notes: 00:00 - 14:30 The Energy Trap: Why Constant Motion Leads to Burnout 14:30 - 25:00 Find Your Pace: Debunking the "Always On" Myth 25:00 - 38:00 Guest Stories: Personal Wake-up Calls and Self-awareness 38:00- End Beyond Metrics: The True ROI of Solid Company Cultures Well-being -- Meet the Speakers Evie Brockwell Product Tank Organiser @Mind The Product | Product Expert (Consultant + Coach) @Be Optimized | Podcast Host @Product Confidential: The reality of PM life! Evie is a leading product consultant and coach, trusted by global brands like TUI, Channel 4, Megabus, and Booking.com to drive product maturity, amplify impact, and optimize ways of working. Struck by the alarming statistic that 92% of product managers face burnout, she found her mission: proactively empowering over 300 product professionals through keynotes, workshops, and direct company engagements to reverse this trend. Michael Hunter Founder @Uncommon Change | Interlocutor / Curious Host @UncommonLeadership Interview Series | Author | Change & Innovation Partner Michael Hunter partners with top tech leadership teams across six continents to create extraordinary cultures. With 35 years of experience at companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Tableau, he helps leaders sustain meaningful change. Michael believes that only by integrating mind, heart, body, spirit, and intuition can leaders truly navigate change safely and build a lasting legacy of impact + human-centered leadership. -- Was this conversation worth your time? If yes, there's so much more to explore→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ Website: https://uncommonteams.com/ Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/ Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UncommonLeadershipPodcast Presented By: Uncommon Change

As leaders, we often find ourselves navigating a landscape of constant change. Unexpected challenges. And the constant pressure of having all the answers. So, if you're feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or simply know there's a deeper, more authentic way to lead—you are in the right place. Hello and welcome to another episode of the Uncommon Leadership podcast. Today, I'm honored to sit down with Eric Charran, an author and thought leader, who has spearheaded innovative data strategies and AI/ML solutions at giants like Microsoft and Capital One. Eric is known for bridging the gap between complex technology and tangible business results across diverse industries. In our conversation, Eric and I dive into the profound insights from his book, "Have You Ever Had a Boss That...", and explore what it truly means to lead with resilience, adaptability, and ease. Here are some critical insights unpacked in this episode:

• How vulnerability, seeking diverse perspectives, and acknowledging your blind spots pave the way for innovation and holistic problem-solving within your team
• How to identify the subtle signals of rising emotions in high-pressure situations
• How to process, and not just bury, feelings like frustration or injustice, enabling professional growth for both yourself and your team
• Understand the profound business value of shifting from rewarding "busyness" to truly empowering your team
• Diplomatic yet potent approaches to address recurring, unhelpful patterns.

If you're ready to embrace change like an old friend and build a legacy where your team truly brings their best, you won't want to miss this. -- About the Speakers Eric Charran For more than 25 years now, Eric Charran has helped organizations scale in an increasingly digital economy through innovative data strategies, AI/ML solutions, and scalable enterprise platforms. Charran is recognized for building next-generation data ecosystems and AI/ML solutions that drive measurable business impact, operational excellence, and a culture of innovation. Eric's work focuses on future-proofing enterprises through strategic data and AI adoption. Get in touch with Eric Charran ↓ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericcharran/ Michael Hunter Michael Hunter is the founder of Uncommon Teams and host of the Uncommon Leadership podcast series. With 35+ years guiding leaders worldwide, Michael empowers teams to beat burnout and thrive for the long run—helping them move beyond overwhelm to create meaningful impact. Michael's mission is to help leaders, CEOs, and founding teams create and inhabit their legacy, elevating themselves in a way that is safe and sustainable. Want to build an uncommon, unstoppable team? Get in touch with Michael Hunter ↓ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ Website: https://uncommonteams.com/ Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/ Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UncommonLeadershipPodcast Presented By: Uncommon Change