10x Your Team with Cam & Otis

Hosted by Camden and Otis McGregor

Business Management SportsInterviews guests

Website RSS feed Instagram

Episodes

496

Latest episode

Sep 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

How can you unlock your team’s untapped potential? Learn how to maximize your team’s performance from leaders who have really done it. From veterans, researchers, and high-powered entrepreneurs to pro athletes and CEOs of multi-million-dollar companies. Cam and Otis go through each guest’s story to pull the leadership lessons that they learned along the way. This father-son business podcast takes the philosophy of lifelong learning and applies it to leadership to help you learn how to lead a high-performing team. Otis is a former Green Beret and currently coaches high-performing business owners and their leadership teams, helping them implement Green Beret leadership principles in their business to 10x their staff. Camden is an entrepreneur and coaches rugby at the developmental and collegiate levels, and he coaches college athletes through the transition to life after sports. With two different generational and professional perspectives, the father-son co-hosts mix old-school wisdom with new ideas, which creates a unique dialogue with the guests. This show is made for lifelong learners who want to solve problems and make an impact!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 16, 2026Episode 49836 min

Delayed Gratification in Leadership: Why Being the "Bad Guy" Builds Culture - 10x Your Team Ep #498

Cam and Otis reveal why "just do it" is often lazy leadership advice—and how delayed gratification, emotional balance, and real accountability help build stronger leaders and teams. When someone struggles to get things done, the usual advice is to "work harder" or "just do it." But if it were that simple, the task would already be finished. In this family episode, Cam and Otis share leadership lessons from military transitions, University of Arizona rugby coaching, and everyday challenges. They explore how to identify the real obstacles behind inaction, navigate difficult transitions, create accountability, and maintain high standards without falling into extreme reactions. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why "just do it" advice fails to address the real barriers to execution • How to avoid extreme decisions when facing difficult situations • Why great coaches balance clear standards with flexible approaches • Lessons from military leadership on autonomy, accountability, and follow-up • How to use productive discomfort without falling into shame or paralysis • Why commitment devices and positive peer pressure improve follow-through • How delayed gratification builds resilience and long-term success • Why leaders must sometimes accept short-term discomfort to maintain standards • How purpose and personal motivation help overcome daily challenges Whether you're leading a business, coaching athletes, managing employees, or working on your own personal growth, this episode offers practical strategies for improving accountability, emotional resilience, and leadership effectiveness. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Leadership Stories • Cam and Otis introduce their family episode format and share lessons from recent leadership experiences. 01:49 Coaching Through the Gray Area • How to adapt leadership strategies without compromising core standards. • Moving from rigid rules to flexible decision-making. 04:21 Avoiding Extreme Decisions • Why leaders often choose between quitting and doing nothing. • How objective milestones help evaluate difficult situations. 11:18 Military Leadership vs. Civilian Workplaces • Lessons from Otis's transition from Special Forces to business. • Why different teams require different levels of follow-up and accountability. 14:55 Emotional Balance and Accountability • Why failure should motivate improvement without creating paralysis. • Finding the balance between productive discomfort and unnecessary self-criticism. 18:20 Why "Just Do It" Doesn't Work • Identifying the underlying reasons people avoid important tasks. • How coaching and accountability help turn obstacles into action. 21:05 Commitment Devices That Work • Using friendly competition, social accountability, and personal stakes to build consistency. • Understanding what motivates different individuals. 26:52 Delayed Gratification and the Seneca Rule • Why accepting short-term discomfort creates long-term rewards. • Maintaining high standards in leadership, business, coaching, and parenting. 33:25 Purpose and Closing Thoughts • How purpose helps people push through difficult work. • Final lessons on discipline, accountability, and personal growth. Connect With Us Tribe & Purpose: https://www.tribe-purpose.com/ 10X Your Team Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/10xyourteam/ Tribe & Purpose Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tribeandpurpose/ Steel Men Tribe: https://www.instagram.com/steel.men.tribe/ Great leadership isn't about telling people to work harder. It's about understanding what's holding them back and helping them move forward. Watch the full episode to learn how to build stronger accountability, navigate difficult decisions, and develop the discipline to lead yourself and others effectively.

September 28, 2026Episode 49654 min

Strategic Subtraction: Why Simple Messaging Wins - Matt Wolfe | 10x Your Team Ep #496

Matt Wolfe reveals why most B2B marketing fails by making the company the hero instead of the guide—and how "strategic subtraction" creates messaging that actually builds trust. When relationship-driven B2B companies try to grow, they're often handed transactional marketing playbooks or over-optimized messaging that feels robotic and cold. In this episode, Matt Wolfe, Partner at Brand3 and seasoned StoryBrand Certified Guide, joins Cam and Otis to explain how lessons from 25 years in professional theater translate directly into high-trust B2B marketing. Matt breaks down why asking questions beats pushing credentials, how to position your company as the guide rather than the hero, and why great messaging often comes from what you remove rather than what you add. In this episode, you'll learn: • The Yoda vs. Luke Principle: Why your customer should be the hero and your business the guide • The "Shootout at the Chamber Corral": How asking the first question creates genuine connection • Strategic Subtraction: Why removing excess copy and buzzwords makes your message stronger • The Missing Bookends of StoryBrand: What needs to happen before and after the framework • The Broadway "I Want" Song: How theater reveals what customers truly want • Why discovery beats treating messaging like a fill-in-the-blank exercise • How empathy and curiosity create more trust than credentials and technical jargon • Why "ask questions first, nerd out later" is a powerful approach to B2B sales and marketing About Matt Wolfe Matt Wolfe spent 25 years on professional stages, including Broadway, before transitioning into brand strategy. Today, he is a Partner at Brand3 and an experienced StoryBrand Certified Guide who has advised more than 250 organizations across 30+ industries. Through Brand3's Scale Beyond Referrals program, Matt helps high-trust B2B companies turn word-of-mouth success into scalable, human-centered marketing. Chapters 00:00 Toddlers, Playgrounds, and Regaining Wonder • How curiosity helps leaders better understand what customers actually need. 07:41 Brand Strategy vs. Marketing Funnels • Why generic SEO and digital funnels often fall short for relationship-driven B2B companies. 13:40 StoryBrand and Lessons From Theater • How Matt's theater background led him to StoryBrand and more focused messaging. 16:28 The Guide Mindset • Why your company should play Yoda or Obi-Wan instead of Luke Skywalker. 22:01 The Chamber Shootout • Why asking prospects about themselves beats delivering a rehearsed elevator pitch. 28:32 Broadway Structure in Business • Using story, desire, obstacles, and narrative tension to create memorable messaging. 35:44 Strategic Subtraction • Why great copywriting is often about what you remove, not what you add. 41:52 Empathy Over Ego • Listening before solving and using strategically simple language instead of buzzwords. 48:03 Curiosity and Closing • Why messaging shouldn't become a fill-in-the-blank exercise and where to connect with Matt. Connect with Matt Wolfe: Brand3: https://brand3.net/ Scale Beyond Referrals: https://scalebeyondreferrals.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwolfemarketing/ Brand3 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand3/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brand3marketing/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therightwaytomarket YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@therightwaytomarket Podcast: The CEO's Heart for Service

September 21, 2026Episode 49533 min

From Fear to Honor: Reframing High-Stakes Leadership - Cam & Otis | 10x Your Team Ep #495

Cam and Otis dive into the psychology of pressure, explaining why leaders suffer far more in imagination than in reality, and how to turn crushing responsibility into a privilege. When your business starts growing and everyone turns to look at you for answers, the instinct is to let anxiety and fear of the unknown build up. In this family episode, Cam and Otis unpack lessons from the Celebrity Softball Classic, collegiate rugby sidelines, Formula 1 racing, and Springboks captain Siya Kolisi to show how high performers reframe pressure. Learn why action is the ultimate release valve, how cognitive biases trick you into thinking everyone is watching your every mistake, and how to disarm anxiety before it paralyzes your team. In this episode, you'll discover: • Pressure is an Honor – How Springboks captain Siya Kolisi views 69,000 cheering fans as a privilege and how leaders can apply that exact mindset to family and business responsibilities (10:34, 12:49) • The Spotlight Effect & The Justin Bieber Experiment – Why psychology proves people notice your blunders 90% less than you assume they do (08:50) • Action as the Release Valve – Why sitting still magnifies anxiety and how taking the first step immediately shifts focus from fear to execution (15:49, 16:48) • Don't Suffer Pain Before It Arrives – Stoic wisdom on why dreading future problems forces you to suffer ten times over instead of dealing with reality when it comes (22:45, 25:16) • Rituals, Resets, and Magic Underwear – Using physical resets (like fixing socks or pulling grass) as temporary tools to breathe, while relying on preparation for long-term confidence (18:37, 22:01) • The Leader as the Bottleneck – How micromanagement traps pressure inside the founder and what to do when your team starts scaling (28:47) Ready to stop dreading high-pressure moments and start leading through them? Hit play and join the conversation. Chapters with Timestamps and Descriptions 00:00 — The Cascading To-Do List and Perceived Stress • Otis and Cam open on the spiral of household chores and life responsibilities. • Why tasks are only as stressful or important as you make them in your head. • The difference between true urgency and fabricated worry. 05:55 — The Celebrity Softball Game: Fear of the Unknown • Otis recalls running out to center field praying the ball wouldn’t be hit to him. • How skipping pregame warmups created self-doubt and heightened fear of failure. • Turning around and running: What happens when you just react in the moment. 08:50 — The Spotlight Effect: Nobody is Watching That Closely • Cam highlights the college test study on the "Justin Bieber shirt" and perceived attention. • Why leaders wrongly assume everyone is scrutinizing their every move and outfit. • Realizing that fans in the stands are just eating their nachos, not judging you. 10:34 — Siya Kolisi and Reframing Pressure as an Honor • Springboks captain Siya Kolisi’s perspective on playing in front of 69,000 fans. • Flipping the script from "woe is me, look at my burdens" to "it's an honor to provide and lead." • Cam’s story of getting heckled at Cal and turning criticism into a badge of honor. 15:49 — Action Destroys Anxiety: The Aerodynamics of Execution • Why the greatest anxiety occurs right before taking action. • Otis’s airplane wing analogy: Movement creates lift and releases pent-up mental pressure. • Getting out of your own head and focusing purely on the physical job at hand. 18:37 — Tactical Resets and F1 Visualization • How F1 drivers mentally trace tracks to eliminate fear and react to edge cases. • On-field physical resets: Adjusting socks, grabbing dirt, and buying time to breathe. • Why rituals are great mitigations, but genuine preparation is what builds resilience. 22:45 — Suffer Less in Imagination: Stoic Lessons on Fear • Seneca's reminder: "We suffer more in imagination than in reality." • Why leaders burn out by anticipating pain that never actually materializes. • Walking through worst-case scenarios to disarm irrational dread. 27:33 — CEO Bottlenecks and Outro • Camden and Otis share their primary takeaways on managing mental pressure. • Why leaders become operational bottlenecks as businesses grow. • Final resources, CEO Jumpstart details, and where to follow 10x Your Team. Connect with us; https://www.10xyourteam.net/ https://www.10xyourteam.net/steel

September 14, 2026Episode 49456 min

Cigars, Rain, and Real Talk: Why Crisis Mode Kills Leadership - Cam & Otis | 10x Your Team Ep #494

Cam and Otis sit down on the porch in Colorado for an unfiltered family conversation on why leaders get trapped in "firefighter mode"—and how focusing on core fundamentals breaks the reactive cycle. When a team falls behind or faces pressure, the natural urge is to swing for the fences or jump into direct action to fix every emergency yourself. In this episode, Cam and Otis break down lessons from elite rugby, Special Forces training, and behavioral psychology to illustrate why being a purely reactive "doer" holds your business back. Learn how taking just 6 to 15 minutes a day for intentional coaching transforms your team into independent problem solvers. In this episode, you'll discover: • The Firefighter Trap- Why constantly putting out fires isn't heroic leadership- it's an addiction to crisis that stops your team from growing [Part 2, 00:46] • Playing in the Gray vs. Forcing the Sexy Play- What the All Blacks vs. Springboks match teaches business leaders about discipline, calculated risk, and sticking to fundamentals under pressure [Part 1, 05:44] • The Dryer Metaphor for Root-Cause Fixing- How six attempts to fix a squealing dryer illustrate the danger of superficial duct-tape solutions [Part 1, 13:38] • Military Training vs. Corporate Onboarding- Why top performers are either in the fight or training for the fight, and how businesses fail by stopping at 4 hours of initial onboarding [Part 1, 21:44] • The 6-to-15 Minute Leadership Differentiator- How dedicating just a few minutes every day to mentor one team member builds long-term scalability [Part 1, 30:06] • Engaging the "Thinker" Over the "Doer" Practical behavioral nudges to step out of the daily whirlwind and connect daily tasks to your core "Why" [Part 1, 33:00] • Direct Action vs. Unconventional Warfare- Why true leadership is about teaching others how to farm rather than kicking down every door yourself [Part 2, 02:50] Ready to stop reacting and start building a self-reliant team? Hit play and join the conversation. Chapters with Timestamps and Descriptions [Part 1] 00:00 — Porch Rain, Cigars, and Setting the Stage • Cam and Otis catch up outdoors in Colorado Springs over whiskey and cigars. • Introduction to the weekend’s events, team dynamics, and family reflections. [Part 1] 05:44 — Rugby Lessons: Identity, Fundamentals, and Calculated Risk • Analyzing the All Blacks vs. Springboks matchup: What happens when elite teams abandon their identity. • The danger of forcing low-percentage "sexy" plays under defensive pressure. • Weighing calculated risks in business and living intelligently in the "gray area." [Part 1] 13:38 — The Dryer Metaphor: Root-Cause vs. Quick-Fix Thinking • Otis details six repair attempts on a squealing dryer and the trap of lithium grease on heated axles. • How leaders get lulled into false comfort by superficial, temporary patches. • Why diagnosing root causes saves massive operational headaches in the long run. [Part 1] 21:44 — Train Like an Athlete: Military vs. Corporate Development • The military reality: If you aren't actively in the fight, you are training for the fight. • Why corporate onboarding fails when it ends after day one with a 4-hour checklist. • Building an ongoing culture of professional development and skill mastery. [Part 1] 28:03 — 5-Meter Targets and the 15-Minute Leadership Rule • The trap of staying fixated on immediate 5-meter targets while ignoring the 300-meter vision. • Otis’s daily rule: Finding 6 to 15 minutes to personally mentor one team member. • How tiny daily coaching investments multiply organizational capacity and profit. [Part 1] 32:46 — Behavioral Nudges: Engaging the Thinker Over the Doer • Overcoming operational momentum using behavioral cues and Richard Thaler’s Nudge concepts. • Cam’s alarm clock strategy for staying grounded in purpose during stressful seasons. • Structuring intentional calendar boundaries to prevent burnout and increase focus. [Part 2] 00:46 — Stop Starting Fires: Breaking the Crisis Mode Addiction • Calling out leaders who create chaos just to feel productive by putting it out. • Direct action vs. building capability: Why Green Berets teach host partners to farm. • Transitioning from the frontline "doer" mindset to an empowering leader. [Part 2] 08:34 — Creating Space for Genuine Conversation • How smoking a cigar forces leaders to slow down, listen, and avoid defensive reactions. • Shoutout to Steel Men tribe brother Jim, Basil & Barley Pizza, and the 1876 Cigar Lounge. • The value of high-caliber peer networks that inspire action and accountability. [Part 2] 17:44 — Sticking to the Basics to Build Long-Term Momentum • Training doers so they default to solid fundamentals during high-pressure moments. • Final reflections on father-son leadership, community power, and closing out the episode. Connect with us; https://www.10xyourteam.net/ https://www.10xyourteam.net/steel https://www.tribe-purpose.com/

August 31, 2026Episode 49253 min

RE: Turn Cold Emails Into Business Growth - Ron Story Jr. - Cam & Otis | 10x Your Team Ep #492

🎙️ REBROADCAST: Ron Story Jr. — Building Businesses with Cold Email We’re bringing back this conversation with Ron Story Jr., an entrepreneur who built two companies, a software business and a service business, using cold email as a core growth strategy. Ron is the founder of **Five Contacts** and **PitchDB**. Five Contacts helps traditional businesses tap into the cold outreach and growth-hacking strategies used by today’s fastest-growing software companies, finding the right people, reaching them at the right time, and delivering the right message. PitchDB is a massive search engine for public-speaking opportunities, giving users access to more than 2 million podcasts, associations, businesses, and conferences worldwide. In this rebroadcast episode, Ron shares his experience using cold outreach to build businesses, create opportunities, and drive growth. **Connect with Ron Story Jr.:** LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronstoryjr/ PitchDB: https://pitchdb.com/ Five Contacts: https://FiveContacts.com

August 24, 2026Episode 49145 min

The Feedback Gap: Why Your Team is Starving for the Truth - Cam & Otis | 10x Your Team Ep #491

Most leaders wait for a "spark of genius" or a burst of motivation before they tackle the big stuff. But if you’re waiting to feel motivated, you’re already losing. The truth is that motivation doesn't predate action—action creates motivation. In this week’s insight from The Steel Men Tribe, Camden McGregor explains why relying on motivation leads to a "feast or famine" cycle that destroys consistency. He breaks down the tactical shift from chasing feelings to building momentum through the process. In this video, you’ll discover: • The Motivation Myth: Why waiting for the "Muse" to strike is the fastest way to become a one-hit wonder. • Feast or Famine: How to stop the cycle of crushing it for a week and then "dragging ass" for a month. • The Headwind-Tailwind Fallacy: Why we obsess over what’s stopping us while ignoring the momentum we already have. • Invoking the Muse: The Stephen Pressfield strategy for showing up so success actually has a place to land. • Cross-Category Momentum: How cleaning your house or making your bed can actually save your business performance. • Process vs. Outcome: Why obsessing over the bullseye actually makes you miss the target. The bottom line? You can’t control the wind, and you can’t always control the outcome. But you can control the process. When you stop looking for motivation and start taking small, aggressive actions, the momentum follows. What is one small "quick win" you can knock out in the next 10 minutes to jumpstart your momentum? Drop it in the comments. If you’re tired of being a bottleneck in your own life, join Steel Men and learn from other men who are fighting to make an impact. Schedule your interview at: www.10xYourTeam.net/steel Chapters with Timestamps and Descriptions 00:00 — Intro: Levels, Cameras, and Crooked Walls • Cam and Otis open with banter about house construction and the struggle for "level" camera angles. • The metaphor of the "level": Why what looks straight to the eye isn't always straight with the earth. • Setting the stage for a deep dive into honest metrics and feedback. 05:20 — The Feedback Gap and Scorecard Inflation • Why society has inflated performance scores, making "average" feel like a failure. • The "easy button": Why leaders default to high numbers to avoid short-term discomfort. • Moving beyond the number to the "Why"—how qualitative data provides the real roadmap for growth. 12:22 — The Leader's Onus: Doing the Hard Work of Evaluation • Why it’s the leader’s job to "rip the band-aid off" and start the feedback loop. • The difficulty of writing evaluations for the "middle of the curve" performers. • Why you get paid the "big bucks" to deal with the stress of these hard human conversations. 20:00 — Redefining the "Five": Modeling vs. Performing • The selection bias in self-rating: Why people either under-inflate or over-inflate their own scores. • Using the "5" as a ceiling for those who model behavior, not just those who do the job. • The importance of limiting the number of top scores to maintain a true meritocracy. 27:32 — Sports vs. Business: The Financial Reality of Feedback • Why the sports meritocracy is easier to manage than the corporate one. • The compounding stress of feedback when raises, bonuses, and family stability are involved. • How to maintain a "clear truth" even when the stakes are high and the conversation is awkward. 35:34 — The "Up or Out" Trap: The Welder Dilemma • Why promoting your best technician into management can be a disaster for the team. • The dilemma of the "best welder" who just wants to weld—and why that’s a win for the business. • Being honest about promotion slots: "You are not better than that guy, and that's why I picked him." 40:51 — Closing: Groundwork and Action Steps • The "Groundwork" debate: A final father-son disagreement on what matters most in a rugby match. • Call to action: Visit 10xyourteam.net to book a call or join the Green Beret Leadership Program. • Final encouragement to pass the episode along to other lifelong learners. Connect with us; https://www.10xyourteam.net/ https://www.10xyourteam.net/steel

August 14, 2026Episode 49048 min

From Water Boy to Owner: 50 Years of Construction Lessons - Victor Bretting | 10x Your Team Ep #490

Victor Bretting shares hard-earned leadership lessons from nearly 50 years in construction, explaining why risk may be the most expensive thing you'll ever own—and how to build a legacy that lasts. In this episode, Victor joins Cam and Otis to discuss his journey from swinging a hammer to owning a multi-million-dollar business. He breaks down his "map" philosophy for planning, the reality of managing risk versus reward, and why he values work ethic over a perfect GPA when hiring. From construction sites to dangerous game hunts in Mozambique, Victor shares lessons on perseverance, leadership, mentoring, and building a life with purpose. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why a bad contract or business decision can cost more than any insurance policy • The "map" philosophy for navigating obstacles and reaching your goals efficiently • Victor's "one week ahead" rule for managing complex projects • Why he hires for grit and work ethic instead of perfect grades • Why leaders shouldn't be afraid to teach employees everything they know • How understanding cash flow and contract liabilities protects your business • Why legacy is measured by the people you develop, not just what you build • How hunting taught Victor patience, preparation, and risk management About Victor Bretting Victor Bretting entered the construction industry at the bottom and spent nearly five decades working his way up, eventually building companies and leading teams. Growing up without a father and watching his mother work 60-hour weeks shaped his approach to perseverance, responsibility, and leadership. Outside of business, Victor has hunted more than 140 species across six continents and earned honors from Safari Club International and Dallas Safari Club. He later built Bretting Texan Ranch in North Texas, where more than 60 hunts have been donated to combat veterans, terminally ill children, and faith-based youth programs. His memoir, "The Man That I Would Become," began as a letter to his grandchildren and became a reflection on leadership, legacy, and what it truly costs to build a life worth passing down. Chapters 00:00 Introduction • Victor's Texas roots, upbringing, and early lessons in figuring things out. 07:28 Perseverance and Taking Action • Why faith matters—but you still have to get off the couch and do the work. 09:54 The "Map" Philosophy • Planning ahead, navigating roadblocks, and Victor's one-week-ahead rule. 16:55 From Water Boy to Business Owner • Victor's journey through construction and the importance of cash flow, contracts, and asking questions. 20:47 Hiring for Work Ethic • Why Victor values veterans, "farm boys," grit, and structure over a 4.0 GPA. 26:28 Mentoring and Leadership • How growing up without a father influenced Victor's approach to leadership and developing others. 33:43 Building a Legacy • Moving from controlling everything to mentoring the next generation of leaders. 39:09 Lessons From Hunting • How patience, preparation, positioning, and risk management translate directly into business. 43:40 Final Takeaways • The true cost of risk, improving weaknesses, and building something worth passing down. Connect with Victor Bretting: Website: https://brettingtexanranch.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/victor-bretting Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/btexranch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/btexranch/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrettingTexanRanch

August 10, 2026Episode 48955 min

Influence is in Clarity, Not Word Count - Stacey Hanke | 10x Your Team Ep #489

Stacey Hanke returns to the show to reveal why eye connection is the only delivery skill that conveys trust—and how leaders can maintain their authentic human edge in an era of AI-generated noise. In this episode, communication expert and author Stacey Hanke joins Cam and Otis to break down the mechanics of influence. From the "ripple effect" of connecting with large audiences to the critical distinction between being well-liked and having executive presence, Stacey explains why the most common-sense communication habits are often the least practiced. Whether you're pitching a new client or leading a boardroom, this conversation provides the tactical steps to ensure your message actually lands. In this episode, you'll discover: • The "No Eyes, No Talk" Rule – Why eye connection is the foundation of trust and how to adapt your delivery to your listener’s needs (03:30) • Social vs. Executive Presence – Why being the "funny one" in the room isn't enough and how to elevate your communication for the C-suite (16:19) • The Feedback Gap – Why leaders are often the last to know the truth and how to move past "good job" to find real growth (14:24) • AI as a Partner, Not an Identity – How to leverage technology for efficiency without losing the authentic voice that your clients trust (26:48) • Mindful Listening vs. The "One-Upper" – A powerful technique to stop thinking about what to say next and start truly hearing your team (38:28) • Sitting in the Messiness – Why new leadership habits feel awkward at first and why you must push through the discomfort to reach a new level (47:05) About Stacey Hanke: Stacey Hanke is the Founder and CEO of Stacey Hanke Inc. and the author of Influence Elevated. She has trained thousands of leaders at organizations like Microsoft, Nationwide, and General Mills to communicate with confidence and authenticity. Are you talking to eyes or just making noise? Hit play to learn the tactical steps to elevate your influence and lead with authentic presence. Chapters with Timestamps and Descriptions 00:00 — Intro & The Eye Connection Dilemma • Cam and Otis discuss the struggle of looking at the camera vs. the screen. • Stacey introduces the core rule: "Only speak when you see eyes." • Why eye connection is the only delivery skill that conveys trust. 05:39 — The Ripple Effect: Connecting with Any Audience • How to have one-on-one conversations with a room of 100+ people. • Using pauses to decide where your eyes land next to maintain attention. • Why your nonverbal behavior must adapt to what works for the listener. 13:51 — The Feedback Gap and Executive Presence • Why leaders stop receiving honest feedback as they move up the ladder. • The difference between being well-liked (social presence) and being influential (executive presence). • How to handle the transition from a "doer" to an executive leader. 22:38 — AI and the Disruption of Human Connection • How technology like texting and AI is eroding traditional social cues. • Using AI as a partner for efficiency while remaining the "final edit." • Why your reputation depends on your authentic voice, not a script. 31:15 — The Art of the Pitch: Tapping into the "Why" • Why traditional elevator pitches are becoming "noise" in a crowded market. • Focusing on the problem you solve rather than your title or company. • Using "storytelling by subtraction" to increase the clarity and impact of your message. 36:33 — Mindful Listening and Networking Techniques • Moving beyond the "What do you do?" question to build genuine empathy. • The "One-Upper" trap and how to practice mindful listening for keywords. • Using open-ended questions to let others feed you what you need to say. 45:19 — Sitting in the Messiness of Growth • Why new communication habits feel awkward and "wrong" at first. • The importance of muscle memory and sitting in the discomfort of change. • Taking baby steps in day-to-day interactions to build long-term influence. 48:43 — Vulnerability and Recording Yourself • Why recording and watching yourself is the fastest step toward improvement. • The courage required to be vulnerable in your own leadership development. • Final thoughts on consistency and where to find Stacey’s resources. Connect with Stacey Hanke: https://www.staceyhankeinc.com/keynote-speaking LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyhanke/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StaceyHankeInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staceyhankeinc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/staceyhanke Website: https://staceyhankeinc.com/ #10xYourTeam #CommunicationSkills #Influence #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutivePresence #LeadershipCommunication #EffectiveCommunication #SelfAwareness #ProfessionalDevelopment #BusinessCommunication

July 27, 2026Episode 48751 min

"Meets Expectations" Should Be a Celebration, Not an Insult - Maren Perry | 10x Your Team Ep #487

Maren Perry reveals why most leaders are "optimistically naive" about their team's friction-and how to move from avoiding difficult conversations to building a culture of continuous "work-ons." If you've ever felt like your team offsite was a "one-and-done" event that changed nothing, this conversation is for you. Maren Perry, Founder and CEO of Arden Coaching, joins Cam and Otis to break down the "discovery process" that reveals what's actually happening in your organization. From the staggering gap in self-awareness to the "inflation" of performance reviews, Maren shares how to measure the soft skills that actually drive results. In this episode, you'll discover: • The "Optimistically Naive" Leader - Why leaders often ignore body language and team friction, hoping it will just "work itself out" (17:32) • The Self-Awareness Gap - Why 85% of people believe they are self-aware while only 10-15% actually are- and what that means for your leadership (38:48) • Measuring Soft Skills - How to turn vague values like "transparency" into concrete, measurable behaviors and KPIs (22:09) • The Feedback Disconnect - Why employees are starving for honest feedback while leaders are too uncomfortable to give it (30:50) • Offsites That Actually Work - Why the "Moses coming down from the mountain" approach fails and how to ensure retreat lessons stick (11:24) • The "Work-On" Culture - Borrowing from the rugby world to make continuous improvement a disarming, weekly habit rather than a scary annual event (45:22) About Maren Perry: Maren Perry is the Founder and CEO of Arden Coaching, a leadership development firm specializing in turning technically brilliant people into high-performing leaders. With a background in cognitive science and thousands of coaching hours, Maren helps mid-market companies deliver serious leadership development across their entire employee pipeline. Are you leading the team you think you are, or the one that actually exists? Hit play to learn how to close the gap through better discovery and honest feedback. Chapters with Timestamps and Descriptions 00:00 — Introduction: Problems, Dryers, and Action Bias • Otis and Cam discuss the "knucklehead" urge to fix things immediately • Maren joins the conversation to discuss the balance between action and planning • The "Pace" planning model: Why having options is the key to empowered leadership 09:32 — The Truth About Executive Offsites • Why offsites are underutilized and often poorly executed • The "Moses" problem: Why plans shouldn't just sit on a shelf after the retreat • The necessity of an outside facilitator to allow the leader to actually listen 13:16 — The Discovery Process: Finding the "Real Deal" • Why the leader is often the last to know the real issues on the team • Using interviews to identify "oil and water" dynamics before the meeting starts • Challenging leaders: "Who are you being that people don't tell you the truth?" 20:36 — Measuring the "Unmeasurable" Soft Skills • How to turn "meaningless" wall values into a functional scoreboard • Breaking down "transparency" and "respect" into trackable behaviors • Why the conversation around the number matters more than the number itself 30:50 — The Feedback Disconnect and Organizational Courage • Why leaders avoid difficult conversations to protect their own comfort • The data shows employees want constructive feedback more than no feedback at all • How "optimistic naivety" prevents leaders from seeing performance gaps 37:44 — The Self-Awareness Gap and Performance Inflation • The "Lake Wobegon" effect: Why everyone thinks they are above average • Why "Meets Expectations" has become an insult instead of a success • How to handle the reactivity that comes with honest performance ratings 45:22 — Creating a Culture of "Work-Ons" • Moving from annual evaluations to weekly developmental conversations • How the rugby concept of "work-ons" disarms the fear of feedback • Final takeaways: Using data as an access to options, not a way to shirk responsibility 49:20 — Closing and Resources • Where to find Maren Perry and Arden Coaching • Final thoughts on rugby, dryers, and executive teams • How to follow 10x Your Team for more leadership insights Connect with Maren Perry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marenperry/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/arden-coaching/ https://www.facebook.com/ardencoaching/ https://www.instagram.com/arden.coaching/ https://www.youtube.com/@Ardencoaching https://ardencoaching.com/

July 17, 2026Episode 48637 min

The Right Group of People - Cam & Otis | 10x Your Team Ep #486

Cam and Otis debrief The Brotherhood of Steel Retreat and share powerful lessons about team dynamics, forced ranking exercises, and why sometimes your product's not right but your people are. In this family episode, Cam and Otis skip the guest and dive deep into their experience at The Brotherhood of Steel Retreat. From building challenges that reveal natural team dynamics to forced ranking exercises that make you think twice about what you really value, this conversation is packed with real-world insights about leadership, self-awareness, and what actually matters when building teams. In this episode, you'll discover: • The powerful startup lesson - "Sometimes your product's not right, but your people are" and why that matters more than you think (13:35, 14:04) • Chris's pitch that sold nothing - "I don't know what the hell Chris was selling, but I would have bought it" - when the delivery is perfect but the product isn't (13:35) • Team building reveals natural roles - how open-ended challenges show who steps up, who holds back, and where people naturally fit (16:01) • The forced ranking exercise - "You can only use two fives per column" and why constraints make you think harder about what you value (22:16) • The measure twice, cut once mentality - brainstorming with people who know you can't put it back together once you start cutting (07:45) • The one piece left problem - putting all the pieces together, having one piece left, doing it again, and having a different piece left (08:31) • Company retreats vs. personal development retreats - the difference between team bonding and individual growth experiences (16:01) This episode is a raw debrief of real experiences, honest reflections, and the kind of lessons that only come from doing the work and paying attention to what happens. Want to hear real talk about team dynamics, self-awareness, and what retreat experiences actually teach you? This family episode is packed with honest reflections from the trenches. Hit play now! Chapters with Timestamps and Descriptions 00:00 - Introduction: Speed Squares for Computer Cameras • Welcome to 10x Your Team with Cam and Otis • Otis notices the camera is slightly off and it's driving him crazy • "Somebody needs to come up with a tool... a speed square for computer cameras" • Setting the stage for a Tribe Purpose retreat debrief 07:45 - Brainstorming and the Measure Twice, Cut Once Mentality • Division of labor and different skill sets in partnerships • "We did a lot of brainstorming... what if we use this? What if we use that?" • Otis's nature: "My nature is to grab the saw and let's start cutting" • Knowing "you can't put it back together" once you start 08:31 - The One Piece Left Problem • The reality of building: putting all pieces together and having one piece left • "We'd put all the pieces together again, and we'd have a different piece left" • The iterative process of figuring things out through trial and error 13:35 - Chris's Pitch: Great Delivery, Wrong Product • "I don't know what the hell Chris was selling, but I would have bought it" • The pitch was damn good, but the product wasn't right • Sometimes delivery can't overcome a fundamental product problem 14:04 - Sometimes Your Product's Not Right, But Your People Are • Otis's key business lesson from watching startups • "Sometimes your product's not right, but your people are" • Why this matters: knowing when to pivot vs. when to quit • The importance of investing in the right people even when the product needs work 16:01 - Team Building Reveals Natural Roles and Dynamics • The difference between company retreats and personal development retreats • How open-ended challenges show who steps up and who holds back • People feeling isolated when they're not good with their hands • Seeing team dynamics play out in real time during building challenges • The awkwardness of everyone trying to be leaders in different ways 22:16 - The Forced Ranking Exercise: Only Two Fives Per Column • The constraint: "You can only use two fives per column" • How limitations make you think harder about what you really value • Otis's initial reaction: "I could have easily done five, five, five" • Why forced ranking reveals true priorities 35:45 - Closing: Lifelong Learners and Where to Find More • Cam runs them out (with a few stumbles along the way) • "Thanks to our guest Otis and our guest Cam, I guess you could say" • Watch full episodes on YouTube at 10xyourteam • Pass this along to other lifelong learners in your tribe • Full archive at 10xyourteam.net Visit our website: https://10xyourteam.net/