Servant leadership is more than a philosophy—it is a competitive advantage in today’s marketplace. In an era where engagement, retention, and culture determine long-term success, leaders who prioritize service, empowerment, and intentional development consistently outperform those who rely solely on authority or position. Servant leadership shifts the focus from managing tasks to developing people—because sustainable performance is built on trust, influence, and growth.

Founder of Whitestone Coaching & Consulting, Certified John Maxwell Coach and Christian Business Men's Connection (CBMC) Facilitator, Albert E. Whitestone III, unpacks why leadership is not about title, but influence.

Highlights include: Defining and tracing the roots of servant leadership. Replace control with curiosity, and allow teams the freedom to fail. “People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.” Daily habits shape long-term success.

Connect with Albert at AlbertWhitestone.com and claim your free leadership resource at AlbertWhitestone.com/free-book.

Timestamps: Allow Failure 12:24 Buy into the Leader 18:02 Begin Servant Leadership 25:08

What if the fastest way to become a more confident speaker isn’t eliminating fear — but saying “yes” to it? We invite you to explore how adopting a “Yes” mentality can transform your leadership communication. This episode is a practical blueprint for leaders who want to move from hesitation to influence. When you treat fear as an opportunity, reframe adrenaline as readiness, and shift your focus from performance to service, speaking becomes less about perfection and more about impact. If you’re ready to grow your confidence one courageous “yes” at a time, this episode will challenge and equip you to step forward.

Highlights include: Bold mindset shift popularized by Shonda Rhimes in her “Year of Yes.”

Fear can signal your next growth opportunity.

Saying “yes” as a part of your mastery process.

Using the “Yes, and…” technique to handle tough questions and unexpected moments

Reframing and tips to calm nerves and build composure.

How speaking opportunities increase visibility, credibility, and leadership influence

"Doors don't open for silent leaders; they open for powerful communicators." Ready to accelerate your speaking growth? Say “Yes” and pick up a copy of Talk It Up: A Guide to Successful Public Speaking, and continue building the confidence to lead with your voice.

Timestamps: Start Small 2:48 Yes to Making Mistakes 4:46 Benefits to Saying 'Yes' 10:10 Overcome Fear 13:35

Every year, we present our must read books. These books have either supported our growth or will serve to fuel our development. We are excited to dive into both older as well as newer books to build our year around. Drawing from conversations with founders, executives, and top performers, they reinforce a core belief: your inputs shape your outputs. This episode explores how intentional reading provides frameworks, mental models, and clarity—especially when your book choices align with the season you’re in personally and professionally. From scaling teams and values-driven leadership to communication and self-awareness, we share why upgrading your reading list is one of the most practical investments a leader can make.

Highlights & Book Recommendations: Reading discipline matters for leaders who expect excellence from their teams. How we choose books: “library completions” + season-of-growth alignment.

Must-reads for 2026: Scaling People — Claire Hughes Johnson The Greater Good — Madeleine Shaw Atomic Habits — James Clear Leaders Eat Last & Start With Why — Simon Sinek Extreme Ownership — Jocko Willink & Leif Babin Good to Great — Jim Collins Sales Acceleration Formula — Mark Roberge The One Minute Manager — Ken Blanchard & Spencer Johnson Identically Opposite: Find Your Voice and SPEAK — David Suk Brown & Danny Suk Brown

What are the books you are reading in 2026? The books you choose today quietly shape the decisions you’ll compound tomorrow

Explore our full book and journal list at AppMeetup.com/books and ask yourself: What inputs do I need to upgrade for 2026?

Timestamps: Two Paths for Books 3:29 Which Books to consider 6:59 Identically Opposite Book 11:11