In this Episode:

The hosts focus on Imposter Syndrome, the feeling that you don't deserve your position and are waiting for someone to call you out.

• Defining the Doubt: Erny shares his first managerial experience (being a young boss to older, more experienced employees) and the blunt question that triggered his earliest professional imposter syndrome.
• Early Career Terrors: Ryan recounts being a 19-year-old Lance Corporal marksmanship coach, tasked with instructing NCOs and officers who had far more time in the service than he did.
• Winning Over the Team: The hosts discuss the challenges of being the "FNG" manager, including Ryan's struggle to earn the trust of seasoned drivers at a waste collection company, and how his dedication eventually won them over.
• Ego and Trust: They explore the pitfall of meeting an employee's ego with your own, and how over-controlling or overly defensive leadership kills trust.
• Breaking the Cycle: Learn the practice of humble leadership: admitting you don't have all the answers and collaborating with your team.
• The Pyramid of Leadership: Erny shares a powerful analogy that helps leaders recognize why they are the right person for the job, despite feeling like they're "nothing special."

This episode is about embracing the struggle, staying humble, and leading anyway.

Leading Ain’t Easy is hosted by Ryan Calkins and Erny Epley.

• Ryan is the founder of Reframe & Rise, a career and leadership coaching practice helping veterans and other professionals realign their work and lead with purpose.
• Erny runs Bus Pro Network, supporting school transportation leaders across California with training and development.

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