Discover how 60 seconds of intentional listening builds immediate executive trust. In this episode of (un)conversations, Dr. Alison sits down with former Siemens Healthineers executive and Seton Hall Professor Ruchin Kansal to unpack why modern leaders must master unwinning, unlearning, and understanding to escape high-pressure corporate metrics and build authentic influence.

If you are a founder, executive, or high-performing leader looking to break free from perfectionism and detach your identity from workplace performance, this deep dive will redefine how you approach leadership and career growth.

💡 IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

• How 60 Seconds of Intentional Listening creates immediate executive trust

• Why "Unwinning" Isn't Giving Up—and how it redefines true success

• The "80% Confident" Rule to accelerate decision-making and overcome perfectionism

• How to Detach Your Personal Identity from corporate metrics and avoid burnout

• 3 Daily Leadership Habits: Ask why, sit in silence, and show radical kindness

⏱️ CHAPTERS:00:00 - Cold Open & Teaser01:04 - Podcast Introduction & Welcome03:20 - The Core "Unwords": Unwinning, Unlearning, Understanding05:01 - Redefining "Unwinning" in Business and Life08:26 - Shifting Metrics: From Corporate Bonuses to Real Impact12:03 - Navigating Discomfort and Evolving Personal Values16:52 - Unlearning the Critics: Who Are You Really Trying to Impress?21:47 - Adaptability, Life Shifts, and Managing Volatility25:58 - Advice for Entrepreneurs: Detaching Identity from Outcomes29:27 - The "80% Confident" Rule vs. Seeking Perfection38:53 - Unlearning Internal and External Expectations45:20 - Shifting Your Mindset from Fear to Curiosity49:30 - Dismantling Ego for a Purpose-Driven Career56:10 - Mentoring the Next Generation of Leaders58:45 - 3 Daily Routines for Maintaining Clarity1:01:00 - Advice for Mid-Career and Senior Executives1:08:30 - Synthesis: Unwinning, Unlearning, & Understanding1:13:40 - Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

💬 NOTABLE QUOTE:

"60 seconds in every conversation will create so much more winning than anything else in life." — Prof. Ruchin Kansal

👤 ABOUT THE HOST:Dr. Alison Schmidt, Ph.D., BCC, is an executive coach, podcast host, and founder of UNCONVENTION LLC. She guides top executives, elite athletes, and high-performing leaders through identity shifts, vulnerability, and intentional growth.🌐 Website: https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageus🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/

🎙️ MEET OUR GUEST:Ruchin Kansal serves as a Strategic Judgment Partner (SJP) to senior leaders facing high-stakes decisions. Drawing on over two decades of global healthcare leadership—including roles as SVP of Digital Strategy at Siemens Healthineers—Ruchin helps executive teams navigate critical inflection points.🌐 Website: https://ruchinkansal.com/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchinkansal/

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🎵 Theme Song: Produced by DJ Doug Jackson (https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson)

#Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #ActiveListening #PersonalGrowth #RedefineSuccess #WorkplaceCulture #Unlearning #ProfessionalDevelopment #CorporateMindset #PodcastEpisode

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