The Aligned Leadher

Hosted by Michele Kostos

Business Entrepreneurship Education

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193

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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June 16, 202620 min

Lead With Relationships, Not Just Sales

What if the key to growing your business wasn’t better sales tactics—but deeper relationships? In this episode, Michele Kostos shares why the most successful women in business don’t lead with pressure, scripts, or “perfect” strategy. They lead with service, trust, and impact. Michele explains the difference between entrepreneur brain and leader brain, and why focusing on who you help and how you help them creates more peace, more profit, and more sustainable growth. You’ll learn: Why relationships are the real foundation of long-term business success The difference between “turn and burn” selling and aligned leadership Why cold leads can become warm quickly when you add value How to shift from chasing sales to creating transformation Why your business grows more organically when you lead with service If you’re a direct seller, coach, or entrepreneurial woman who wants to grow without burnout, this episode will help you re-center on what truly matters. Listen now to learn how to build a peaceful and profitable business by putting people first. Click here to join the waitlist: https://linktr.ee/michelekostos

June 9, 202610 min

Feeling Safe to Win: Why Self-Trust Creates Peace and Profit

In this episode, Michele Kostos explores the idea of feeling safe to win—and why so many ambitious people unconsciously hold themselves back from bigger goals. She explains how success isn’t just about strategy or action, but about creating emotional safety, processing fear, and building self-trust. You’ll learn: Why your subconscious may resist success How fear of failure can create hidden sabotage The two key parts of self-trust: track record and self-talk Why beating yourself up drains motivation and blocks growth How peace with yourself leads to more grounded action, alignment, and profitability Michele also shares why becoming peaceful and profitable starts with how you relate to yourself, not just what you achieve. Click to book a call with Michele: https://linktr.ee/michelekostos

June 2, 202621 min

Why Support Changes Everything in Business Growth

In this episode, Michele shares the story behind her new Peaceful and Profitable Collective and why support has been the missing piece in so many entrepreneurial journeys. From real estate to direct sales, she breaks down how mentorship, coaching, and mindset work helped her move past self-sabotage, build consistency, and grow a six-figure business. Michele also explains who the membership is for, what members will learn, and how it’s different from her Driven Mastermind. If you’re in direct sales and want more confidence in selling, recruiting, and creating a business that feels peaceful and profitable, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why support is essential for business growth Michele’s journey through entrepreneurship The difference between the Peaceful and Profitable Collective and the Driven Mastermind How mindset and skill-building work together What members get inside the new community Learn more and join: michelekostos.com

May 26, 202614 min

Create 10K Today: The Daily Mindset Shift That Transforms Your Direct Sales Business

Michele reveals the game-changing mindset shift that separates top earners from struggling sellers in direct sales. Instead of setting monthly goals and hoping results appear, learn how to create predictable revenue by focusing on what you can control today. Discover why treating every day like month-end transforms your business and income. Key Takeaways: Results are created in the day, not the month How to shift from scarcity hustling to intentional abundance Why monthly goal-setting fails (and what works instead) The "10K today" framework for predictable income How top direct sellers think about daily actions vs. monthly targets Topics Covered: Direct sales mindset coaching Revenue creation strategies Sales goal-setting techniques Team building and recruitment Avoiding burnout in network marketing Creating duplicatable business systems Resources Mentioned: The Peaceful and Profitable Collective membership (launching June 1st) $57/month for first 20 members, then $97/month Monthly live training calls on sales, recruiting, and lead generation Private Facebook community for members Perfect For: Direct sales professionals, network marketers, entrepreneurs, women in MLM, sales coaches, business builders Connect with Michele here: https://linktr.ee/michelekostos

May 19, 202612 min

Letting Go of Hustle: Focus on Your Essentials to Hit Your Goals Faster

Michele discusses why entrepreneurs—especially female entrepreneurs in direct sales—fall into the trap of over-actioning when pursuing big goals. She reveals that the problem isn't doing enough, but doing the right actions. Learn how to identify your essentials, create simple systems, and maximize results without burnout. Key Takeaways Over-actioning trap: Your brain wants you to do everything at once, but this leads to burnout and inconsistent results The real solution: Get intentional with actions you're already taking, not adding more Define your essentials: Identify the 3 things that created your last 3 sales/recruits Simple systems work: Duplicatable processes beat complicated shortcuts Quality over quantity: You may need to work less, not more, to hit your goals Topics Covered Why entrepreneurs over-action when setting big goals How to identify your business essentials Creating simple, duplicatable processes Maximizing sales and recruiting averages Building confidence and control in your business Work-life balance while hitting income goals Resources Mentioned Peaceful and Profitable Collective (membership launching end of month) Website: michelekostos.com Join the waitlist for upcoming offers Follow on Instagram for announcements Perfect For Direct sales professionals, entrepreneurs, coaches, business owners, women in sales, network marketers The Over-Actioning Trap @ 6:35 Get Intentional With Current Actions @ 7:48 Identify Your Business Essentials @ 14:21

May 12, 202615 min

From Convincing to Connecting: The Secret to Recruiting Naturally

Episode 189 | The Align Leader Podcast with Michele Kostos Learn how to recruit naturally and grow your direct sales team without feeling pushy. Michele shares the mindset shifts that transform recruiting from stalled to unstoppable. Topics Covered: Why direct sales leaders get stuck in sales-only mode How to shift from convincing to connecting with prospects The role of belief in authentic selling and recruiting Leading emotionally vs. transactionally Why "why now" matters in closing recruits Selling from service: the secret to organic growth Vision-casting and storytelling over facts and figures Key Insight: People can feel your belief. When you focus on serving others and getting them what they want, you inevitably get what you want. Keywords: direct sales recruiting, team building, sales mindset, network marketing, coaching business growth, authentic selling, sales strategy Ready to grow? Book a consult call with Michele: https://linktr.ee/michelekostos

May 5, 202616 min

Your Emotions Are Contagious: Why Personal Growth Precedes Professional Success

Your emotions directly impact your business results. Michele explores why "faking it till you make it" doesn't work, how emotional contagion affects your team, and why processing feelings is the foundation for sustainable growth. Key Takeaways: Emotions are contagious—your energy influences your team, clients, and family Only 6% of communication is words Unprocessed emotions create invisible barriers to action and sales Personal development always precedes professional growth Clean brain work beats external fixes (systems, automation, appearance) Topics Covered: Emotional mirroring in leadership Why your nervous system sabotages your business goals The "spot it, you got it" principle in team dynamics Building a grounded, peaceful leadership approach The value of coaching, therapy, and masterminds for sustainable success Click here to connect with Michele: https://linktr.ee/michelekostos

April 28, 202617 min

Leading vs. Managing – The Key to Building Sustainable Teams

The critical difference between leadership and management, and why leadership is essential for building scalable, profitable businesses. Key Takeaways: Management (Outdated Approach): Focused on tasks, control, and short-term results Constantly giving ideas and strategies Belief that you're the only one who can do it Telling people what to do; "next-stepping" new recruits Creates dependent teams that need constant direction Caps growth—limited by your time and energy Leadership (Modern Approach): Focused on people and long-term growth Casting vision and developing others Patient, grounded, not attached to immediate results Empowering people to be resourceful Driven by belief in others' potential Creates multiplication through duplicating leaders The Simple Shift: Ask yourself: Am I trying to control? If yes, you're managing. Leadership requires slowing down, seeing the big picture, and asking better questions instead of providing all the answers. Why This Matters: Managing spreads you thin; leadership creates sustainable, peaceful, profitable businesses Leadership compounds over time through multiplication You can only lead people where you believe they can go—mindset work is essential Upcoming Events: Masterclass: April 30th, 11 a.m. PST – "Confident Leadership" (register in show notes) Driven Mastermind: May 4-6 (3-month program, limited to 10 people) Connect with Michele: Instagram | Coaching Consults | Masterclass Replays: https://linktr.ee/michelekostos

April 21, 202617 min

Why Your Team Isn't Growing (And the Shifts That Will Change Everything)

If you feel like you're doing all the things but your team still isn't growing consistently, this episode is for you. In Episode 186 of the Aligned Leadher Podcast, Michele celebrates a huge milestone — 10,000 downloads! — and dives into the real reasons your team may be stalling and exactly what to do about it. Michelle breaks down the three core shifts she works on with clients inside her Driven Mastermind: 1. Lead at a New Level (Stop Managing, Start Coaching) Learn the difference between next-stepping new team members and actually coaching them — because coaching IS leading, and leading IS selling. 2. Simplify Your Process Most leaders are throwing spaghetti at the wall. Michele teaches you how to identify what's actually making you money, strip away what isn't, and build a simple, duplicatable system your team can replicate. 3. Prioritize Connection Over Convincing If you want retention, raving fans, and long-term clients, you can't convince your way there — you have to connect your way there. Michele explains exactly how to build relationships that create lasting results. Whether you're in direct sales, coaching, or small business ownership, this episode will help you get clear on your vision, increase recruiting through deeper connection, and finally build a team that grows — with or without you doing all the heavy lifting. Doors are opening to the Driven Mastermind May 4th–6th! Sign up by May 4th to receive a bonus call on May 7th. Click the link in the show notes to join the waitlist now. https://linktr.ee/michelekostos

April 14, 202615 min

What actually causes entrepreneurs to get stuck

Are you solving the smoke instead of the fire? In this episode, Michelle breaks down the real reason why entrepreneurs and their teams stay stuck — and it's almost never what they think it is. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why the reasons people give for being stuck (no leads, no time, no system) are almost always the smoke, not the fire How to identify the true underlying beliefs and thoughts that are actually blocking progress Why 90% of change is awareness — and how to develop that skill as a leader The difference between coaching for symptoms vs. coaching for root causes Real coaching examples: the team member who "had no leads," the leader whose team had low commitment, and the seasoned entrepreneur who stopped booking appointments after a system change How to listen for the fire through the smoke — a skill that separates good leaders from great ones Why one-on-one coaching vs. group programs serve different needs (and how to know which is right for you) Key Takeaway: Thoughts are the fire. Strategy and skills are only 10–20% of the picture. When you get clear on the real thoughts driving your results, breakthroughs can happen fast. Book a free call with Michelle to identify your fire: https://linktr.ee/michelekostos