If you’ve ever been told to “keep your head down and let your work speak for itself,” this episode is for you. In today’s fast-paced, AI-driven world, staying quiet can cost you influence, opportunity, and fulfillment.

In this inspiring conversation, Sean Patton talks with Neelu Kaur — executive coach, keynote speaker, and author of Be Your Own Cheerleader — about the power of self-advocacy, mindful leadership, and the importance of finding your authentic voice.

Neelu shares her journey from “staying under the radar” to helping leaders across Fortune 500 companies create inclusive, high-performing cultures. You’ll learn how to advocate for yourself with confidence, help your team share their best ideas, and lead with the one thing AI can’t replace — your human uniqueness.

💡 Episode Highlights

• Why “keeping your head down” is a recipe for being overlooked
• Cultural conditioning and how it shapes our ability to self-advocate
• Practical strategies for leaders to create psychologically safe spaces
• The “I vs. We” dial — how to balance individual and collective leadership
• The Lighthouse Effect and why self-advocacy is a generous act
• How to build mindful awareness and reclaim your creative energy in the AI era

Time Stamps:

00:00 – 00:57 Intro — Why “keeping your head down” can hold you back in today’s world
00:58 – 01:42 Meet Neelu Kaur — Executive coach, speaker, and author of Be Your Own Cheerleader
01:43 – 03:22 Defining self-advocacy for everyone, not just executives
03:23 – 05:25 Why self-advocacy feels uncomfortable — cultural and personal conditioning
05:26 – 07:33 How upbringing shapes our voice — the “silent generation” story
07:34 – 09:34 Creating psychological safety and “buckets of time” for team input
09:35 – 12:15 Knowing your team — tailoring leadership to each individual’s strengths
12:16 – 14:12 Energy management and the 70/30 rule for fulfilling work
14:13 – 16:25 The leader’s role in slowing down to speed up
16:26 – 18:28 Balancing intention with the fast pace of modern organizations
18:29 – 20:05 Using office hours and device-free time to recharge and refocus
20:06 – 22:16 How individuals can start practicing self-advocacy in low-stakes settings
22:17 – 24:38 Awareness as transformation — mindfulness and emotional ownership
24:39 – 26:02 The “I vs. We Dial” — shifting language based on context
26:03 – 27:27 Balancing servant leadership with self-leadership
27:28 – 28:45 Advocating for your own growth and development
28:46 – 31:06 How AI is changing leadership — what machines can’t replace
31:07 – 33:37 Staying human and creative in an AI-powered world
33:38 – 35:36 The Lighthouse Effect — how self-advocacy inspires others

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

In this solo episode, Sean Patton, host of The No Limit Leadership Podcast, breaks down one of the toughest transitions any leader faces — taking over a new team. Whether you’re stepping into a new role, leading a different department, or inheriting an established group, the first 90 days can define your long-term success.

Sean draws from decades of leadership experience — from the battlefield to the boardroom — and coaching top executives to share:

• The five biggest mistakes leaders make when taking over a team.
• The five proven steps to lead effectively in your first 90 days.
• How to balance trust, culture, and clarity so your team thrives.

This episode is packed with practical wisdom, mindset shifts, and field-tested tools for any leader ready to step up and build trust fast.


🧠 Key Takeaways

• Don’t try to prove yourself too fast — confidence builds through calm, deliberate action.
• Prepare personally and physically before leading others.
• Listen before leading — communication starts with curiosity.
• Avoid making promises too early; observe first, commit later.
• Never ignore team culture — it’s your most valuable asset.
• Apply Sean’s five-step system for your first 90 days: prepare yourself, gather intel, use the one-third rule, hold 1:1s, and communicate your vision.

If this episode helped you, share it with a leader who’s stepping into a new role. Subscribe to The No Limit Leadership Podcast and join Sean each week to challenge limits, develop leaders, and fuel greatness.

🕒 Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome and why taking over a new team matters
04:10 – The 5 biggest mistakes leaders make
22:30 – Step 1: Prepare yourself first
31:00 – Step 2: Information is power
38:00 – Step 3: The one-third rule
46:00 – Step 4: Initial one-on-ones and personalized coaching
53:00 – Step 5: Communicate your vision and leadership philosophy
01:01:00 – Final thoughts: From managing to leading


🔗 Listen Now

🎧 Listen to this episode on Buzzsprout


🧩 About Sean Patton

Sean Patton is a leadership coach, speaker, and former U.S. Army Special Forces officer. As the founder of No Limit Leadership, he equips individuals and organizations to lead with clarity, character, and courage. His mission: help leaders master self-leadership so they can elevate others.

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

If you can’t communicate your vision clearly, your leadership—and your impact—will stall. In this episode of No Limit Leadership, Sean sits down with Eva Daniel, executive communication coach and founder of The Speak Shop
, to explore why public speaking is a non-negotiable leadership skill.

Eva has coached executives from billion-dollar companies, top authors, and nationally recognized speakers. She shares the frameworks, mindset shifts, and practical tactics that help leaders communicate with clarity and confidence—whether it’s a Monday morning meeting or a keynote stage.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• (01:00) Why speaking is a core leadership skill
• (06:30) The link between content prep and delivery
• (09:28) Eva’s SPARK Framework for presentations
• (17:12) How to use storytelling to make your message stick
• (26:10) Why you should never end on Q&A
• (37:46) Common mistakes leaders make in presentations—and how to avoid them
• (44:53) Why the most powerful speeches come from the heart

🔗 Listen to the full episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1234567/episodes/9876543

🌐 Connect with Eva Daniel: The Speak Shop

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.