Are you busy, or are you truly focused? In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit, host Mike Phillips sits down with internationally recognized speaker, trainer, and author Jones Loflin, who has spent more than 32 years helping leaders and organizations cut through overload and distractions.

Jones shares why you can’t actually manage time but you can manage choices — and how aligning daily actions with meaningful outcomes transforms both work and life. He introduces six powerful “permissions” from his latest book Focused As A Bee, co-authored with his daughter Sydney, that empower leaders to prioritize, plan, recharge, and stay consistent.

You’ll also discover:

• Why planning your day is a leadership superpower

• How to prune back tasks to grow forward

• The difference between being “busy” and being effective

• Practical steps to make meetings worth the time

• Why consistency builds trust and focus in every team

From organizations like Toyota and FedEx to his bestselling books Juggling Elephants and Always Growing, Jones’ storytelling and practical tools will give you actionable ways to lead with clarity and purpose.

🎧 Tune in now and learn how to stop juggling elephants and start focusing on what matters most.

Contact Information:

Jones Loflin

Email: Jones@JonesLoflin.com

LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/JonesLoflin

Web: JonesLoflin.com

Mike Phillips

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠

YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips

Credits:

Hosted by Mike Phillips

Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team

Guest: Jones Loflin, leadership expert, speaker, and beekeeper extraordinaire.

Watch more episodes of the Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com

If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review!

Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues.

Thank you for watching and listening!

* Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised.

*** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit, host Mike Phillips sits down with Kute Blackson — transformational teacher, global speaker, and best-selling author of You.Are.The.One. and The Magic of Surrender.

Kute shares his extraordinary journey from being ordained as a minister at 14 to walking away from expectation and following the deeper calling of his soul. Known as “The Mindfulness Guru Billionaires Go To For Advice” by Inc. magazine, Kute unpacks how true leadership requires surrender, authenticity, and service.

You’ll discover:

• Why listening to your inner guidance matters more than outside approval

• How to recognize “soul tests” as preparation, not punishment

• The difference between forcing outcomes and flowing with divine timing

• Why service and inner freedom are the foundations of real leadership

If you’re ready to lead with authenticity, courage, and a deeper sense of purpose, this episode will shift the way you think about leadership and life.

You can check out these two websites for some free gifts from Kute:

• 8LevelsOfGratitude.com
• ManifestationMasterClassOnline.com

🎧 Tune in now to hear Kute’s powerful insights and practical wisdom.

Contact Information:

Kute Blackson

Instagram: Instagram.com/KuteBlackson

Web: KuteBlackson.com

Mike Phillips

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠

YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips

Credits:

Hosted by Mike Phillips

Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team

Guest: Kute Blackson, "Mindfulness Guru to Billionaires" and transformational leader and speaker.

Watch more episodes of the Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com

If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review!

Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues.

Thank you for watching and listening!

* Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised.

*** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit, host Mike Phillips sits down with Karl Pister, founder and president of The Coaching Group Inc., to unpack more than three decades of leadership wisdom.

Karl brings a powerful blend of experience—two master’s degrees in behavioral sciences, 10 years in a Fortune 100 company, and 30+ years as an entrepreneur and leadership coach. His work has impacted leaders across industries by focusing on emotional intelligence, authentic connection, and conflict leadership.

In this conversation, you’ll discover:

• Why being early sets the tone for great leadership

• How caring, listening, and integrity are the foundation of trust

• Practical steps to resolve conflict without “playing the principal”

• Why even the best leaders need coaches and mentors

• How to model the leadership values you want your team to embody

If you’re looking to grow as a leader who inspires trust, resolves challenges, and leads with purpose, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Contact Information:

Karl Pister

Website: https://www.coachinggroupinc.com/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/KarlPister

Mike Phillips

Email: mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com

LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam

Twitter: @LeadershipTLT

YouTube: YouTube.com/@MikePhillips

Credits:

Hosted by Mike Phillips

Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team

Guest: Karl Pister

Watch more episodes of The Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com

If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review!
Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues.

Thank you for watching and listening!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

In this powerful episode of The Leadership Toolkit, host Mike Phillips sits down with Amy Pechacek. She is a keynote speaker, leadership expert, and founder of Alpstra & Co. They have a raw and transformative conversation on authentic leadership, emotional intelligence, and leading a life aligned with purpose.

Amy shares her journey from the classroom to corporate boardrooms and reveals how a life-altering tragedy became the catalyst for building a leadership philosophy rooted in vulnerability, resilience, and faith. She unpacks the difference between toxic and empowering leadership, the importance of knowing yourself, and why being real — not perfect — is the key to influence.

🎯 Tools of the Trade: Top Takeaways You Can Use:

• Align your personal and professional life — you only get one.

• Authenticity means being vulnerable, not using “truth” to excuse bad behavior.

• Great leaders empower others through belief and coaching.

• Self-awareness is critical as you rise in leadership.

• Feedback is a gift — try it on, keep what fits, discard the rest.

Whether you're leading a team, a company, or just yourself — this episode will challenge and inspire you to lead with greater clarity and intention.

Contact Information:
Amy Pechacek

Email: amy@alpstra.com

Links: LinkedIn.com/in/AmyPechacek

Mike Phillips

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadershipToolkit.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠

YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips

Credits:

Hosted by Mike Phillips

Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team

Guest: Amy Pechacek

🎧 Watch more episodes of The Leadership Toolkit at:
https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com

⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a 5-star review!

📤 Share this with friends and colleagues who are ready to level up their leadership.

Thank you for watching and listening!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

In this insightful episode of The Leadership Toolkit, host Mike Phillips welcomes leadership expert and executive coach Jeff Oak. With over 35 years of experience leading business turnarounds, mergers, and growth strategies, Jeff shares the real-life struggles leaders face... and... how to overcome them.

From feelings of isolation and imposter syndrome to managing personal “slippage,” Jeff outlines four core challenges that leaders at every level encounter. He breaks down Vistage’s unique coaching model, the power of peer advisory groups, and why coaching the person—not just the business—is critical for lasting growth.

Jeff also explains how vulnerability builds trust and unlocks leadership potential, and why the best leaders are humble, hungry, and smart. Whether you're leading a startup or a Fortune 500 team, this episode is filled with tactical insight, emotional intelligence, and authentic stories from the front lines of leadership.

5 Key Takeaways from This Episode:

• Leadership doesn't have to be lonely—peer groups create support and connection.

• Isolation, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt are common leadership challenges.

• Coaching the individual is more impactful than coaching the business alone.

• Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s the foundation of trust and growth.

• Humility is the #1 trait of great leaders, followed closely by hunger and people smarts.

Get ready for a conversation that’s honest, powerful, and packed with tools to help you lead with greater clarity, confidence, and connection.

Contact Information:

GUEST – Jeff Oak

Email: Jeff.Oak@vistagechair.com

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/JeffOak

Vistage: https://Vistage.com

Jeff's Site: ⁠⁠https://JeffOak.com⁠⁠

Mike Phillips
Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadershipToolkit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠

YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips

Credits:

Hosted by Mike Phillips

Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team

Guest: Jeff Oak, 35 year leadership expert

🎧 Watch more episodes of The Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a 5-star review!

Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues.

Thank you for watching and listening!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

In this powerful episode of The Leadership Toolkit, host Mike Phillips sits down with John Donnelly, Executive Director at Service First Mortgage Company (SFMC) and a high-performance sales leader known for building elite mortgage teams with clarity, trust, and consistent execution.

John shares his incredible leadership journey — from weathering economic headwinds in the mortgage industry to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro as a personal mission of reinvention. Learn how returning to the basics, staying teachable, and leading with intention can fuel both personal growth and professional success.

🧰 Tools of the Trade: Top Takeaways You Can Use

✅ Going back to the basics: why human connection still wins

✅ Engagement over activity: using social media with purpose

✅ Why staying teachable keeps leaders relevant

✅ How to protect your time and build high-value relationships

✅ “You lose inspiration if you wait” — the power of taking action and setting audacious goals

Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or climbing your own personal mountain, this episode is packed with practical insights and leadership fire you don’t want to miss!

Contact Information:
John Donnelly

Email: JDonnelly@sfmc.com

Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/TheJohnDonnelly

Web: https://sfmc.com/playbig

Mike Phillips

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadershipToolkit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠

YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips

Credits:

Hosted by Mike Phillips

Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team

Guest: John Donnelly, High-Performance Sales Leader, Mortgage Lender, and Kilimanjaro Conqueror

Watch more episodes of The Leadership Toolkit at: https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a 5-star review!

Make sure to share this as a resource with friends and colleagues.

Thank you for watching and listening!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.