In this episode, Ali discusses the pivotal role of trust in leadership, emphasizing that without trust, nothing else matters. He shares his personal journey from growing up in a bookstore in Karachi, Pakistan, to becoming a leader and now an author of 'The All In Manager.'

Ali explains the concept of an accidental manager and the importance of transitioning to an all-in manager, characterized by insatiable learning, delivering meaningful results, and caring personally for team members. He highlights the significance of psychological safety in fostering innovation and effective communication within organizations.

Ali offers practical advice on becoming a better leader, including the importance of learning and listening, asking the right questions, and conducting difficult conversations. He also discusses burnout and managing up as common issues leaders face today.

The episode wraps up with Ali sharing his methodologies for training and coaching leaders and recommending essential books that have shaped his leadership philosophy.

00:00 Building Trust: The Foundation of Leadership

00:58 Ali's Leadership Journey: From Bookstore to Boardroom

02:45 Navigating the Workforce: Applying Self-Development

05:35 The Accidental Leader: Rising to the Challenge

11:04 Psychological Safety: Creating a Safe Culture

20:58 The Power of Candor: Speaking Truth with Kindness

24:02 Establishing Rules for Candor

24:43 Rewarding Candor in Leadership

25:40 Learning from Mistakes

26:24 Challenges Leaders Face with Candor

27:31 The Importance of Feedback

31:25 Practical Steps for Leaders

33:05 Coaching and Training Leaders

36:04 Common Issues Leaders Face

41:38 Advice for New Leaders

43:53 Recommended Books for Leaders

45:30 Where to Find More Resources

Connect with Ali Merchant:

• ali@allinmanager.com
• LinkedIn
• allinmanager.com
• 📚 Ali's Book Recommendations
  • The All-In Manager: Become a Better Leader Today, Not Someday – Ali Merchant: Ali’s full framework on moving from accidental to all-in, with tools, templates, and practical scripts.
  • Multipliers – Liz Wiseman
  • No Rules Rules – Reed Hastings & Erin Meyer
  • Zen and the Art of Firefighting - Chris Prentiss

Free Learning To Lead Resources

• Free Book: The Trust Gap
• The Learning To Lead Newsletter
• LeaderNotes

🔎 About LeaderNotes

LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go.

It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.

Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

In this episode of the Learning to Lead Show, host Mark Cundiff reflects on his conversation with David Pennington. The discussion centers on key leadership lessons and insights from David, focusing on the importance of aligning work with passion, aiming for an 80% sweet spot in job roles, maintaining clarity and structure within organizations, adapting leadership styles to meet individual team members' needs, and ensuring a business's value isn't solely dependent on its owner. Mark summarizes these five takeaways and encourages leaders to apply them to enhance their effectiveness.

00:00 Introduction to the Learning to Lead Show

00:21 Guest Introduction: David Pennington's Diverse Leadership Experience

01:16 Key Takeaway 1: Understanding the Source of Discouragement

03:20 Key Takeaway 2: Aim for the 80% Sweet Spot

04:24 Key Takeaway 3: Clarity Beats Chaos

05:57 Key Takeaway 4: Adapting Leadership Styles

07:07 Key Takeaway 5: Building a Business Independent of the Owner

08:11 Conclusion and Call to Action

Connect with Dave Pennington:

• dave@penncoaching.com
• LinkedIn
• penncoaching.com
• Dave's Free Resources

Free Learning To Lead Resources

• Free Book: The Trust Gap
• The Learning To Lead Newsletter
• LeaderNotes

🔎 About LeaderNotes

LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go.

It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.

Download This Episode's Leadernotes Here: LeaderNotes

Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

In this insightful conversation, host Mark sits down with Dave to discuss his extensive leadership journey spanning pastoral ministry, private education, and business coaching.

Dave elaborates on the challenges and strategies involved in leading volunteers in nonprofit settings, emphasizing the importance of vision, communication, and relationship building.

He also shares his experiences transforming small businesses by aligning roles with individual strengths and discusses the value of clear expectations, timely feedback, and structured accountability in effective leadership.

The discussion extends to the intricacies of succession planning and the role of coaching in providing much-needed external perspectives for business and nonprofit leaders.

Dave provides real-life examples of how restructuring roles and developing complementary dream teams can significantly enhance organizational success. The conversation wraps up with a focus on continuous learning and the significance of personal and professional growth for leaders.

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Dave

00:13 Dave's Leadership Journey

01:47 Challenges of Leading Volunteers

03:47 Effective Communication Strategies

07:08 Transition to School Leadership

08:40 Leadership Styles and Influence

11:49 Developing Future Leaders

13:44 Addressing Leadership Discouragement

15:04 Aligning Roles with Strengths

18:38 The Value of Coaching

22:01 Delegation and Leadership Growth

23:12 Valuation and Selling Your Business

24:05 Coaching Leaders for Business Value

26:16 Succession Planning and Leadership Development

29:29 Characteristics of Great Leaders

31:30 Developing and Retaining Talent

34:16 Personal Development and Learning

40:41 Connecting with Dave and His Services

Connect with Dave Pennington's:

• dave@penncoaching.com
• LinkedIn
• penncoaching.com
• Dave's Free Resources

Free Learning To Lead Resources

• Free Book: The Trust Gap
• The Learning To Lead Newsletter
• LeaderNotes

🔎 About LeaderNotes

LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go.

It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.

Download This Episode's Leadernotes Here: LeaderNotes

Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

In this episode of the Learning to Lead Show, host Mark Cundiff reflects on his conversation with Jim Little, a Navy veteran and reliability engineer, about important leadership lessons.

Key takeaways include the importance of building trust through listening and providing feedback, the role of clear communication in driving organizational change, the balance between friendliness and leadership to avoid favoritism, and the significance of servant leadership.

Jim emphasizes creating a fun, engaging work environment to boost team satisfaction. Listeners are encouraged to download leader notes for more insights and revisit the full conversation with Jim Little from previous episodes.

00:00 Introduction to the Learning the Lead Show
00:04 Insights from a Navy Veteran: Jim Little
00:33 The Importance of Trust and Feedback in Leadership
01:48 Communication: The Engine of Change
03:03 Balancing Friendship and Leadership
03:53 Embracing Servant Leadership
04:34 Injecting Fun into the Workplace
05:20 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Free Learning To Lead Resources

• Free Book: The Trust Gap
• The Learning To Lead Newsletter
• LeaderNotes

🔎 About LeaderNotes

LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go.

It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.

Download This Episode's Leadernotes Here: LeaderNotes

Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

"Communication and Leadership: Insights from a Navy Veteran" My Conversation with Jim Little

In this episode of the Learning to Lead Show, host Mark Cundiff sits down with Jim Little, a Navy veteran and senior reliability engineer with PIP company.

Jim shares invaluable leadership insights drawn from his extensive career across various roles in maintenance, reliability, and safety management in industrial manufacturing.

From his early days in the Navy to leading teams and driving change in resistant environments, Jim emphasizes the importance of communication, leading by example, and building trust.

He discusses transitioning from military to civilian roles, the challenges of driving change in the current work climate, and provides practical advice for aspiring leaders, stressing the significance of listening, patience, and making work enjoyable.

Listeners are encouraged to download the LeaderNotes for a summary of key takeaways and to subscribe to more episodes.

00:00 Introduction and Employee Feedback

00:28 Welcome to the Learning to Lead Show

00:40 Meet Jim Little: Navy Veteran and Leadership Expert

02:33 Jim's Leadership Journey from Navy to Industry

03:38 Transitioning to Civilian Life and Maintenance Role

07:26 Leadership Lessons from the Paper Mill Turnaround

10:26 Challenges and Strategies in Leadership

14:56 Building Trust and Effective Communication

16:50 Driving Change in Industrial Manufacturing

18:39 Key Traits of a Great Leader

20:07 Leading Up and Managing Peers

25:43 Personal Growth and Overcoming Challenges

31:29 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

34:06 Conclusion and Call to Action

Free Learning To Lead Resources

• Free Book: The Trust Gap
• The Learning To Lead Newsletter
• LeaderNotes

🔎 About LeaderNotes

LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go.

It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.

Download This Episode's Leadernotes Here: LeaderNotes

Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

In this episode of the Learning to Lead Show, host Mark Cundiff recaps his conversation with Jeff Davis, the founder and executive director of Truth in Nature, an organization dedicated to mentoring fatherless boys across the U.S.

Mark shares insights from Jeff's journey, highlighting key leadership lessons such as:

• The power of influence
• The importance of storytelling
• The courage to follow a calling
• The necessity of gratitude towards volunteers
• The need to stay focused on the mission.

This episode underscores the significant impact and growth Truth in Nature has achieved under Jeff's dedication and visionary leadership.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Recap
00:21 Jeff Davis and Truth in Nature
02:00 Leadership Lessons from Jeff Davis
02:37 The Power of Storytelling
06:01 Gratitude and Volunteer Appreciation
07:20 Staying Focused on the Mission
09:22 Conclusion and Call to Action

To learn more about Jeff Davis and Truth In Nature, visit their website here: Truth In Nature.

You can also reach out to Jeff via email here: jeff.davis@truthinnature.org

Free Learning To Lead Resources

• Free Book: The Trust Gap
• The Learning To Lead Newsletter
• LeaderNotes

🔎 About LeaderNotes

LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go.

It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.

Download This Episode's Leadernotes Here: LeaderNotes

In this episode of the Learning to Lead Show, host Mark Cundiff interviews Jeff Davis, founder and executive director of Truth in Nature, a ministry focused on mentoring fatherless boys through outdoor activities.

Jeff shares his journey from IT manager to leading a multi-state nonprofit, discussing the importance of influence, faith, and perseverance in leadership.

The conversation highlights the impact of the ministry on both the boys and the volunteers, emphasizing the importance of staying true to one's calling and the value of storytelling in rallying support.

The episode concludes with valuable insights on leadership challenges and the significance of rest and listening to the right voices.

00:00 Introduction to Leadership

00:19 Welcome to the Learning to Lead Show

00:28 Meet Jeff Davis: Founder of Truth in Nature

00:42 The Mission of Truth in Nature

01:13 Growth and Challenges of Truth in Nature

01:53 Jeff's Leadership Journey

02:43 Interview with Jeff Davis

03:07 Transition from IT to Nonprofit Leadership

04:27 Founding Truth in Nature

05:15 Leadership in the Nonprofit World

06:30 Pivotal Moments in Leadership

06:55 The Importance of Faith in Leadership

09:50 Growing Truth in Nature

10:52 Managing a Multi-State Organization

11:43 Influence and Relationships in Leadership

14:09 Investing in Volunteer Development

16:34 Personal Growth as a Leader

22:17 Taking Risks and Reaping Rewards

26:29 The Power of Storytelling

28:45 Advice for Emerging Leaders

32:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

To learn more about Jeff Davis and Truth In Nature, visit their website here: Truth In Nature.

You can also reach out to Jeff via email here: jeff.davis@truthinnature.org

Free Learning To Lead Resources

• Free Book: The Trust Gap
• The Learning To Lead Newsletter
• LeaderNotes

🔎 About LeaderNotes

LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go.

It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.

Download This Episode's Leadernotes Here: LeaderNotes

Trust, Integrity, and Frontline Leadership Insights: Reflections on my Conversation with Quenton Hodge

In this episode of the Learning to Lead Show, host Mark Cundiff discusses key takeaways from Quentin Hodges' interview on effective leadership. Quentin emphasizes the importance of integrity, which he views as the core of leadership, and how it must align with one's actions both in public and private.

He discusses gaining confidence through experience and taking action, rather than letting fear cripple decision-making.

Building trust and relationships within a team is stressed, even when positional power is limited. Quentin highlights how empathy enhances influence and loyalty among team members, and advises on clear communication to avoid the 'curse of knowledge.'

Emotional intelligence is paired with integrity to maintain effective relationships and navigate heated discussions. Lastly, the episode highlights the importance of small habits in fostering lifelong growth. For further insights, listeners are encouraged to check out Quentin's episodes and related resources.

00:00 Introduction to the Learning the Lead Show

00:06 Key Takeaways from Quentin Hodges Interview

00:28 The Importance of Integrity in Leadership

01:44 Building Confidence Through Experience

03:16 Trust and Relationships in Leadership

04:40 Empathy and Influence

05:41 The Curse of Knowledge and Emotional Intelligence

07:02 Small Habits for Lifelong Growth

07:17 Conclusion and Resources

Free Learning To Lead Resources

• Free Book: The Trust Gap
• The Learning To Lead Newsletter
• LeaderNotes

🔎 About LeaderNotes

LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go.

It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.

Download This Episode's Leadernotes Here: LeaderNotes