Uncommon Leadership

Hosted by Michael Hunter, Uncommon Change, LLC

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114

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Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

If you've ever felt out of place or been told that your uniqueness is a liability, this podcast is for you. Welcome to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast. I'm your host, Michael Hunter—an executive coach, author of The Resilient Tech Leader, and founder of Uncommon Teams. With over 35 years in tech, including leadership roles at Microsoft and Salesforce, I've learned that you cannot build an Uncommon Team without doing the uncommon work on yourself. So, every week, I invite industry leaders, founders, and innovators to explore self-alignment and help you embody a sense of certainty in the unpredictable world of tech. Because when your certainty takes root, everything levels up. Your leadership becomes unmistakable, your contribution becomes consistent, and your presence reshapes everyone around you. Your uniqueness is a superpower. Imagine what you could create if you unleashed the Uncommon Hero you already are.

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August 26, 202647 min

The Mindset Shift That Gets You Moving Again ft. Marcia Martin

How much of your life is spent thinking? Thinking about all the things that shouldn't be happening. How they shouldn't be acting this way. Or thinking about how you shouldn't be dealing with this. What if I told you that this line of thinking is the root cause of almost all your problems? Welcome to another exciting episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast. Today, I sit down with Marcia Martin to unpack what happens when we stop fighting what should be true and start confronting what actually is. It sounds simple. It isn't. Because the moment you stop arguing with reality, you have to actually deal with it. Marcia and I explore the blind spots that keep most leaders from seeing themselves clearly. Here's what you'll take away from this conversation: What it really takes to change a pattern. Why we react automatically when we're triggered. Why feedback can be so difficult to receive. Why great coaches ask questions instead of rushing in with answers. If you've ever found yourself stuck in "this shouldn't be happening" , this conversation will give you a very different way to look at what's happening and what you do next. ___ Watch the full episode and tell us: What's something you're still trying to make should be true? _____ 00:00 — Podcast Intro 01:49 — Meet Marcia Martin 06:01 — The Patterns That Keep Us Stuck 07:59 — What Keeps You Going When Life Gets Hard? 10:32 — Having The Courage To Go Within 14:12 — Finding Your North Star 18:40 — Why Stillness Is a Leadership Skill 20:10 — You Can't Think Your Way Into Change 22:55 — Stop Living in "Should" 26:05 — Face Up To Reality 27:41 — Why Every Leader Needs a Coach 31:02 — Why Great Coaching Asks, Not Tells 33:47 — Your Mind Understands. Your Body Has to Learn. 44:02 — ABCs of Communication 46:20 — Center First. Then Act. 47:12 — Go Within to Find the Answer 🔔 Don't miss an episode! Subscribe for weekly leadership conversations that go beyond the surface: Youtube Uncommon Leadership Podcast __ Prefer audio? Apple- Apple Uncommon Leadership Spotify- Spotify Uncommon Leadership This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams __ 🎙️ About Uncommon Leadership: I'm Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams . On the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I sit down with founders, executives, researchers, and leadership thinkers to explore what it really means to lead in today's world. Together, we unpack the intersection of leadership, psychology, resilience, and culture—because I believe the best leaders don't just build successful businesses. They build environments where people can do their best work and become their best selves. __ Speakers in this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast: Marcia Martin | Guest Sometimes called the Godmother of Transformation, Marcia Martin has personally trained more than 300,000 people in leadership, communication, and peak performance, and has consulted for global brands including Hard Rock International, Warner Bros., and Capital One. A founding member and Senior Vice President of Erhard Seminars Training (est) [now Landmark Worldwide], she helped shape the early careers of Tony Robbins and Jack Canfield, and later helped organize the film shoot for The Secret . She's the Amazon bestselling author of Sex, Power, and Transformation . Connect with Marcia Martin: Website: Marciamartin Marcia Martin | Transformational Leadership, Coaching & Human Potential LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/marcia-martin- Facebook: Facebook Marcia Martin Instagram: Instagram instagram.com/marcia_martin_ 🎁 Free Gift for Our Audience Get a free audio recording of The Principles of Success. G o to marciamartin.com and click "FREE GIFT." 💎 Marcia's Membership Club A digital library of video trainings, workshops, podcast interviews, and keynotes to help you elevate your skills and influence — for just $10/month. Learn more: Marciamartin Marcia Martin Membership Club | Leadership, Communication & Influence Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter : LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: Uncommonteams Newsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: Uncommonteams The Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: Uncommonteams Work with me - Uncommon Teams __ 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Emotional Chill Pop Author: AudioSphere Source: Envato License Code: 37BV6U4PLD

August 19, 202648 min

You Think You're Helping. Here's What You're Actually Doing. ft. Adam Roach

When winning still doesn't feel like winning, the problem was never the goal. It was the why you were chasing it. Adam Roach built and exited multiple companies.... a tennis club in Beverly Hills, three real estate franchises, a SaaS business. And none of it was enough. In this episode, I sit down with Adam to unpack that feeling of emptiness. We go back to the moment he calls his beach chair moment : the realization that chasing success on repeat was a dead end. But that decision came with a cost. Adam opens up about the identity hangover that followed and a very practical reason he couldn't afford to stay stuck (an $18,000-a-month reason, to be exact). He also talks about the framework he borrowed from Donald Miller's Hero on a Mission —which now runs everything he does: the difference between being the hero of the story and being the guide. As we continue pulling on that thread, Adam shares the exact language he uses to bring himself out of hero mode when speaking with his coaching clients, peers, and even family! If you've ever wondered why success still feels empty... or why the more you achieve, the more there seems to be left to prove, this conversation is for you. ___ 📌 What's covered in this episode: 00:00 — Podcast Intro 01:12 — Meet Adam Roach 04:16 — Success vs. Significance 05:54 — The Beach Chair Moment That Changed Everything 09:36 — Why You Need an Advisory Board 12:28 — The Identity Hangover After Success 16:50 — The $18,000/Month Wake-Up Call 22:27 — Stop Being the Hero. Become the Guide. 28:25 — Why Empathy Beats Solutions 30:18 — Feel This or Fix This? 33:54 — From Hero to Guide 43:10 — The 59-Question Coaching Experiment 47:02 — Final Leadership Advice 🔔 Don't miss an episode! Subscribe for weekly leadership conversations that go beyond the surface: Youtube Uncommon Leadership Podcast __ 💬 Where do you wish someone would guide you a little more, and be the hero a little less? Drop it below. __ Prefer audio? Apple- Apple Uncommon Leadership Spotify- Spotify Uncommon Leadership This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams __ 🎙️ About Uncommon Leadership: I'm Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams . On the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I sit down with founders, executives, researchers, and leadership thinkers to explore what it really means to lead in today's world. Together, we unpack the intersection of leadership, psychology, resilience, and culture—because I believe the best leaders don't just build successful businesses. They build environments where people can do their best work and become their best selves. __ Speakers in this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast: Adam Roach | Guest Adam Roach is an entrepreneur, business coach, and Founder of I Love Coaching Co. After building and scaling multiple businesses, he now helps coaches and entrepreneurs create purpose-driven businesses through the REAL Coach Method, empowering them to build lasting impact. Connect with Adam Roach: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamrroach/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@adamrroach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamrroach Website: https://ilovecoachingco.com/ Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter : LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: Uncommonteams Newsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: Uncommonteams The Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: Uncommonteams Work with me - Uncommon Teams __ 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Soft Background Author: DmitriySimf Source: Envato License Code: BTGYS9EML4

August 12, 202645 min

The $100 Method to Build Real Accountability ft. Kevin Goodwin

Today on the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, you'll hear from someone who... Built a $20M company from scratch. Lost a million dollars to a business partner's betrayal. And survived a moment of despair so dark he almost didn't come back from it. In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Goodwin, the co-owner of Optigrowth AI and a Strategic Growth Partner at War Room Operations, to unpack what actually rebuilds a person, a leader, after everything falls apart. Kevin shares the philosophy that now drives everything he does: Real change doesn't come from pressure or force . It comes from small, structured opportunities that put accountability back in someone's own hands. Whether he's coaching a struggling entrepreneur or helping someone take their first steps toward stability, the method is the same: Break it down. Make it achievable . Let them own the win. Tune in for a conversation about leadership that goes far beyond the boardroom... A conversation about: What does it actually mean to lead yourself first? Why is accountability an act of empowerment rather than discipline? And how the hardest seasons of life can become the foundation for the most meaningful work. 🔔 Don't miss an episode! Subscribe for weekly leadership conversations that go beyond the surface: Subscribe to Uncommon Leadership Key Moments in This Episode: 00:00 — Podcast Intro 01:30 — Meet Kevin Goodwin 02:18 — Seeing Spirits Since Childhood 09:35 — Why Empathy Makes Better Leaders 12:06 — Losing His Twin Brother 14:52 — The Moment That Saved Kevin's Life 24:24 — Why Great Teams Make Success Feel Easy 27:39 — The Secret to Helping People Change 32:47 — Accountability Changes Everything 41:02 — Why Every Employee Thinks Like an Owner 44:10 — Small Habits. Massive Results. -- Prefer audio? Apple- Apple Uncommon Leadership Spotify- Spotify Uncommon Leadership This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams -- 🎙️ About Uncommon Leadership: I'm Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams . On the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I sit down with founders, executives, researchers, and leadership thinkers to explore what it really means to lead in today's world. Together, we unpack the intersection of leadership, psychology, resilience, and culture—because I believe the best leaders don't just build successful businesses. They build environments where people can do their best work and become their best selves. -- Speakers in this episode of Uncommon Leadership Podcast: Kevin Goodwin | Guest Having co-founded and grown Quality Solar from a startup to a $20M+ enterprise in less than three years, Kevin knows exactly what it takes to reach the next level. Today, as the co-owner of Optigrowth AI and a Strategic Growth Partner at War Room Operations, Kevin brings over 20 years of construction and renewable energy experience to the table. He specializes in helping companies identify the specific people, systems, and structural anchors holding them back so they can finally achieve the growth they deserve. Connect with Kevin Goodwin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-goodwin-ai/ Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter : LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: Uncommonteams Newsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: Uncommonteams The Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: Uncommonteams Work with me - Uncommon Teams 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Dreaming Ballad Author: EpicMann Source: Envato License Code: PHWF3STBGE

August 5, 202651 min

Why Some Leaders Inspire... And Others Never Will ft. Erin Treacy

We don't have a leadership problem. I think we have a promotion problem. Somewhere along the way, we started believing that the longest-serving employee, the highest performer, or the loudest voice in the room would naturally become the best leader. Then we act surprised when teams disengage. When trust disappears. When people do what's required...but nothing more. The more conversations I have on this podcast, the more convinced I become that leadership has very little to do with a title—and almost everything to do with the experience people have when they're around you. That's why I wanted to sit down with leadership & business coach Erin Treacy. Together, we unpack : → Why leadership isn't something a company hands you → Why organizations often reward the wrong behaviors → Why influence begins long before a promotion ever does → And what it actually takes to build a culture where people choose to follow—not because they have to, but because they want to. If you lead a team, aspire to lead one, or simply want to understand why some people inspire trust while others only command compliance, I think this conversation will challenge a few assumptions you didn't even realize you were carrying. Because becoming someone's boss is easy. Becoming someone they're willing to follow... is something else entirely. Key Moments in This Episode: 00:00 — Podcast Intro 01:33 — Meet Leadership Coach Erin Treacy 02:50 — The Leadership Lesson Erin Learned as a Child 05:05 — Why Most Companies Get Leadership Wrong 09:55 — Leadership As a Practice 16:08 — Leadership Isn't a Title. It's How You Show Up. 17:03 — The Hidden Work Every Great Leader Does 20:07 — The 2-Hour Habit That Can Save You 10 Hours Every Week 26:43 — Why Dashboards Don't Tell the Whole Story 32:03 — Having the Water Cooler Chat 34:32 — Can You Lead Without Authority? 39:35 — Managers vs. Operators: The Mindset Shift 43:43 — Want Genuine Connections? Stay Curious. 47:59 — Why People Choose to Follow Some Leaders 49: 27 — Best Way To Connect With Erin Treacy 50:35 — The 2-Minute Challenge Every Leader Should Try -- Prefer audio? Apple- Apple Uncommon Leadership Spotify- Spotify Uncommon Leadership This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams -- 🎙️ About Uncommon Leadership: I'm Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams . On the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I sit down with founders, executives, researchers, and leadership thinkers to explore what it really means to lead in today's world. Together, we unpack the intersection of leadership, psychology, resilience, and culture—because I believe the best leaders don't just build successful businesses. They build environments where people can do their best work and become their best selves. -- Speakers in this episode of Uncommon Leadership Podcast: Erin Treacy | Guest Erin Treacy is a leadership and business coach who helps professionals and teams navigate pressure, improve communication, and build stronger, more sustainable ways of working. With experience across broadcast news, small business ownership, and multiple industries, she brings a practical, people-first approach to leadership. Erin focuses on helping high performers move from over-responsibility and burnout into clarity, confidence, and more effective leadership. Connect with Erin Treacy: Website: coacherintreacy.com . LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/erin-treacy Instagram: Instagram instagram.com/coacherintreacy Facebook: Facebook Erin Treacy Coaching Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter : LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: Uncommonteams Newsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: Uncommonteams The Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: Uncommonteams Work with me - Uncommon Teams 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Dreaming Ballad Author: EpicMann Source: Envato License Code: 4BMRCYN782

July 29, 202646 min

Why You Keep Reacting The Same Way ft. Karen Canham

Life isn't getting less demanding. If anything, the pace keeps accelerating. More decisions. More uncertainty. More pressure. More & more people need something from you. The question isn't whether life will slow down. It's whether you can expand your capacity to meet it. Hi there, this is Michael Hunter from Uncommon Teams, and welcome to another episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast. This week, I'm joined by Karen Canham, nervous system and neuro-somatic coach, creator of The Self-Led CEO™ Framework, and author of Wired for Resilience , for a conversation about what it really means to become emotionally stronger. Together, we explore: Why burnout isn't always caused by your workload How chronic reactivity quietly shrinks your emotional capacity And why regulating your nervous system is one of the most overlooked leadership skills of our time. This conversation isn't about escaping stress. It's about becoming someone who can handle more of life's unexpectedness—with greater presence, resilience, and ease. -- 🎁 A special gift for our listeners: Karen is offering her free Wired for Resilience Toolkit —a practical guide filled with simple somatic practices to help you regulate your nervous system, build resilience, and expand your capacity. Visit Karen Ann Wellness and look for the "Wired for Resilience" pop-up to download your free copy. -- Key Moments in This Episode: 00:00 — Podcast Intro 02:31 — Meet Karen Canham 03:56 — "This Isn't a Life" — Karen's Wake-Up Call 06:47 — The Feedback That Changed Everything 08:44 — Your Body Knows Before Your Brain 12:17 — Why This Work Is Finally Backed by Science 18:26 — Why Your Capacity Keeps Shrinking 19:37 — Burnout Isn't Caused by Your Job 24:16 — Emotional Strength Training 26:10 — The First Step to Regulating Your Nervous System 29:00 — The Hidden Patterns Running Your Life 32:16 — The Ripple Effect of Healing Yourself 37:27 — Why 70% of CEOs Feel Alone 40:28 — Curiosity Beats Judgment 45:17 — Karen's Free Resilience Toolkit 46:12 — A 60-Second Nervous System Reset 47:44 — Final Thoughts -- Prefer audio? Apple- Apple Uncommon Leadership Spotify- Spotify Uncommon Leadership This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams -- 🎙️ About Uncommon Leadership: I'm Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams . On the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I sit down with founders, executives, researchers, and leadership thinkers to explore what it really means to lead in today's world. Together, we unpack the intersection of leadership, psychology, resilience, and culture—because I believe the best leaders don't just build successful businesses. They build environments where people can do their best work and become their best selves. -- Speakers in this episode of Uncommon Leadership Podcast: Karen Canham | Guest Karen Canham is a nervous system and neuro-somatic coach who helps founders, executives, and high-performing professionals move from chronic stress and emotional reactivity into clarity, resilience, and self-led leadership. She is the creator of The Self-Led CEO™ Framework and the author of Wired for Resilienc e, combining neuroscience-informed coaching, somatic practices, and leadership development to help people build sustainable success without burnout. Connect with Karen Canham: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenannwellness/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenann_wellness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenannwellness1/ Website: Karenannwellness karenannwellness.com Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter : LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: Uncommonteams Newsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: Uncommonteams The Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: Uncommonteams Work with me - Uncommon Teams 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Soothing Author: LuckyBlackCat Source: Envato License Code: JN3VUYCGT8

July 22, 202650 min

Leadership Isn't About Confidence. It's About Regulation. ft. Hacia Atherton

Your team doesn't just respond to your decisions. They respond to your state. I've seen it over and over again in my work with leaders. When we're stressed, overwhelmed, or operating from survival mode, it changes how we show up. We hold on tighter. We delegate less. We avoid difficult conversations. We react instead of respond. In this episode, I'm joined by leadership strategist, global speaker, and bestselling author Hacia Atherton for a conversation about something I believe every leader needs to understand: You can't lead others well until you learn to lead yourself. Together, we explore how your nervous system shapes your leadership, why unresolved patterns often show up at work, and practical ways to become more intentional under pressure. This isn't about becoming a perfect leader. It's about becoming a more present one. 00:00 Introduction 01:29 Meet Hacia Atherton 02:34 The Cost of Inauthenticity at Work 08:20 Your Nervous System Is Always Talking 13:10 Why Every Leader Needs an Advocate 18:18 The Shift from Micromanager to Coach 22:03 Why Leaders Struggle to Delegate 28:04 Childhood Patterns That Shape Leadership 35:21 The Circle of Control 40:06 How to Respond Instead of React 44:49 Owning the Collateral Damage of Leadership 48:30 Experiments Over Failure 51:10 The 1% Rule for Better Leadership 52:35 Final Thoughts -- Prefer audio? Apple- Apple Uncommon Leadership Spotify- Spotify Uncommon Leadership This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams -- 🎙️ About Uncommon Leadership: I'm Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams . On the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I sit down with founders, executives, researchers, and leadership thinkers to explore what it really means to lead in today's world. Together, we unpack the intersection of leadership, psychology, resilience, and culture—because I believe the best leaders don't just build successful businesses. They build environments where people can do their best work and become their best selves. -- Speakers in this episode: Hacia Atherton | Guest Hacia Atherton is a global speaker, leadership strategist, and the Amazon bestselling author of The Billion Dollar Blind Spot . As the first female CEO of a major plumbing company in Australia, Hacia has spent her career helping organizations transform workplace culture through psychological safety, inclusive leadership, and evidence-based people strategies. After surviving a near-fatal horse-riding accident, she turned personal adversity into purpose by founding Empowered Women in Trades and becoming a leading voice on resilient leadership, courageous conversations, and building workplaces where people feel safe to contribute, grow, and thrive. Connect with Hacia Atherton : LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/haciaatherton Instagram: Instagram instagram.com/hacia.atherton Website: www.haciaatherton.com Consulting: www.allstarconsultinginc.com Book: The Billion Dollar Blind Spot Email: hacia@allstarconsultinginc.com 🎁 A Special Gift for Our Listeners The cost of a fractured culture is steep: disengagement, turnover, burnout, and billions in lost potential. Inside Hacia's free eBook, Thriving at Work , you'll discover evidence-based strategies drawn from positive psychology and cultural transformation to help you build trust, boost engagement, and lead with clarity and courage. Inside, you will learn how to: Harness your personal leadership strengths. Understand the psychology behind belonging and team connection. Gain simple, powerful tools to elevate performance without pressure. Whether you're leading a team now or preparing to step into a leadership role, this eBook is your first step to becoming the kind of leader today's workplaces actually need. 🎯 Download your free copy and start building the culture that builds your bottom line: Get the eBook Here Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: Uncommonteams Newsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: Uncommonteams The Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: Uncommonteams Work with me - Uncommon Teams 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Corporate Background Author: EightBallAudio Source: Envato License Code: JP5KNVRHYW

July 15, 202652 min

Why The Most Successful Leaders Feel The Most Empty ft. Hanna Bauer

She was hitting every goal. Winning every award. But falling apart on the inside. In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, Michael Hunter sits down with Hannah Bauer — a leader with nearly three decades inside organizations, not outside them. She has served as CEO, Board Chair, and Executive Director through growth, crisis, and recovery. She is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, a Baldrige Excellence Examiner, and one of a small group of faculty trusted by John Maxwell to develop leaders globally. And she almost lost everything chasing the wrong version of herself. This is the conversation most leadership podcasts are too polished to have. No frameworks without feeling. No strategy without humanity. Just the real, uncomfortable truth about what it actually costs to lead well — and what it takes to come back when you've lost yourself in the process. Hannah went all heart. Then all systems. Both failed. What she found in between changed everything about how she leads, coaches, and shows up in the world. Discover how to align people, purpose, and performance without the chaos. Please hit subscribe for more conversations on conscious leadership, building authentic teams, and moving beyond simply surviving to actually thriving: Youtube Uncommon Leadership Podcast --- 📌 In This Episode: 00:00:00 — Introduction 00:02:51 — The Pendulum Trap that Leaders Fall Into 00:06:30 — The Hidden Loneliness of Leadership 00:10:44 — The Danger of Cognitive Dissonance 00:17:12 — Asking Your Team for Forgiveness 00:18:42 — You Can't Lead People You Don't Know 00:27:49 — Leading Through 2 Heart Attacks 00:35:28 — Your Frustration = Your Purpose 00:37:57 — Why Heart-led Leadership Ruins Teams 00:38:46 — Survival Skills vs. True Calling 00:43:53 — When Purpose and Performance Align 00:44:48 — Why Letting Go Can Be an Act of Love 00:48:48 — The "Mini Shifts" to Beat Burnout --- --- Prefer audio? Apple- Apple Uncommon Leadership Spotify- Spotify Uncommon Leadership This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams --- --- 🎙️ About Uncommon Leadership: Hosted by Michael Hunter of Uncommon Teams, we explore how to align personal fulfillment with business success. We help executives and managers create authentic teams and cultivate the resilience, adaptability, and ease necessary to navigate today's workplace challenges. --- --- Speakers in this episode: Hanna Bauer| Guest Helping leaders align people, purpose, and performance so organizations work the way they're meant to work — without chaos, burnout, or constant rework. Connect with Hanna Bauer: Website: www.heartnomics.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bauerhanna/ Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: Uncommonteams Newsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: Uncommonteams The Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: Uncommonteams Work with me - Uncommon Teams 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Soothing Author: Verclub Source: Envato License Code: S5F84G9LCU

July 8, 202653 min

The Inner Work Most Leaders Refuse To Do ft. Christy Pretzinger

Can you do the one thing most leaders refuse to do? Welcome back to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast. Today, I sit down with Christy Pretzinger, the CEO of WG Content and founder of the Better Leader Project, for one of the most honest leadership conversations you'll hear this year. Christy has spent over 30 years building organizations where people thrive. But behind the success was an inner critic that told her she'd never be good enough. Several difficult RIF conversations taught her how to stop avoiding hard decisions. And one lifelong commitment to doing the one thing most leaders refuse to do: the inner work to truly understand yourself. This conversation goes straight to the root of what's costing leaders the most right now. Not systems. Not structure. Themselves. Grab a seat and join the conversation. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction 04:02 — Self-Awareness: Artichoke Method 08:13 — Avoid Behavior That Requires An Apology Later 09:35 — Second Law Of Thermodynamics & Death 13:57 — Leadership As A High Calling And A Privilege 17:00 — The Hardest Decision She Ever Made As A CEO 19:30 — 1 % Better Everyday 24:00 — Power of Pausing Before You Speak 28:28 — Start with the Inner Work 33:40 — Mad. Sad. Glad. — Why 3 Emotions Aren't Enough 38:15 — Why Giving Advice Isn't As Helpful As You Think? 41:32 — Don't Let The Voice In Your Head Hold You Back 46:38— Courage Through Vulnerability 50:35 — How To Connect With Christy Pretzinger --- --- If you enjoyed this conversation and would like to see more, please subscribe to: Youtube Uncommon Leadership Podcast Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- Apple Uncommon Leadership Spotify- Spotify Uncommon Leadership This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams --- --- Speakers in this episode: Christy Pretzinger| Guest Christy Pretzinger is the CEO of WG Content — one of the country's leading healthcare content agencies — and founder of The Better Leader Project. After building WG Content from the ground up, Christy turned her focus to the thing she's most passionate about: helping leaders create environments where people actually thrive. She's the author of Your Cultural Balance Sheet , a sought-after speaker on leadership, culture, and vulnerability, and a firm believer that the best business results come from the most human leaders. Connect with Christy Pretzinger: Website: christypretzinger.com | wgcontent.com LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/christypretzinger Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: Uncommonteams Newsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: Uncommonteams The Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: Uncommonteams Work with me - Uncommon Teams 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Soothing Author: Verclub Source: Envato License Code: S5F84G9LCU

June 24, 202653 min

Leadership Isn't Supposed to Feel Like This

Why does leadership feel so exhausting? Why do so many smart, responsible leaders feel like they have to hold everything together? In this episode of Leadership Rewired, Michael Hunter from Uncommon Teams explores one of the biggest traps leaders eventually fall into: the belief that if they just try harder, plan better, or control more, they can guarantee the outcomes they want. But what if that's exactly what's making leadership harder? Drawing on systems thinking, decades of experience working with engineering leaders and founders, and lessons from navigating uncertainty, Michael unpacks why the need for certainty often creates more stress, overwhelm, and suffering—and why letting go isn't giving up. Inside this episode: 00:00 - Introduction 03:18 - The Princess Leia Rule 04:35 - The Illusion of Control 08:24 - If Not Control... Then What? 15:00 - The Change Model 23:02 - What is Your Real Definition of Control? 27:56 - Why Leaders Like Being In Control? 34:09 - Losing Control Can Be Scary 38:55 - Why You Don't Need to Debug Your Emotions 41:26 - Treat Emotions as Data 46:15 - The 2-Minute Rewire Challenge If you're a founder, engineering leader, executive, or someone navigating change, complexity, and the pressure to have all the answers, this conversation is for you. Subscribe to the Youtube Uncommon Leadership Podcast for more conversations on leadership, emotional intelligence, resilience, systems thinking, psychological safety, and becoming the kind of leader who can thrive in uncertain times. Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- Apple Uncommon Leadership Spotify- Spotify Uncommon Leadership This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams About Michael Hunter Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: Uncommonteams Newsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: Uncommonteams The Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: Uncommonteams Work with me - Uncommon Teams 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Emotional Background Author: Awesome_Music Source: Envato Elements License Code: 849DN2WG7A 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Soothing Author: Verclub Source: Envato Elements License Code: S5F84G9LCU

June 17, 20261 hr 5 min

How To Build Habits That Don't Break Under Pressure ft. CHRISTOPH merrill

Do your daily routines dissolve the moment pressure hits? If so, you aren't failing. And you definitely aren't broken. You just haven't had the chance to test your habits under duress. In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I sit down with CHRISTOPH merrill, The Habit Freak, to dismantle mainstream advice on habit formation. CHRISTOPH shares his take on why habits formed in perfect conditions often act more like hobbies , and why a leader's true responsibility is to apply just enough pressure to build their team's resilience without breaking their spirit. In this episode, we explore: Why your team's true culture is only revealed when the pressure is on. How to use Tiny Experiments to practice failing safely and eliminate the fear of failure. Why r emoving obstacles is actually more effective than forcing a new path. How to reframe high-stakes pressure as a valuable data-collection tool instead of a threat. Episode Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Uncommon Leadership 01:38 Introducing Christoph Merrill: The Habit Freak 02:38 Aligning Personal Goals with External Expectations 14:14 Peter Sheehan's Insight: You're Not Special 18:21 The Problem with Untrained Leaders and Utopian Habits 23:16 Michael's Tiny Experiments Philosophy 28:02 Psychological Safety & Risks 35:25 What Kept Christoph Going Without a North Star 49:15 Habits Under Pressure: The Race Was Already Over Before It Started 53:59 A Leader's Role: Applying Pressure to Test Habits 56:38 Reframing Work as "Practice" 01:00:26 Finding Alignment and Mutual Benefit 01:03:50 How to Connect with Christoph Merrill 01:04:59 Final Advice: You Are One Habit Away Before you go- What is the first habit that slips for you when work gets overwhelming? I'm curious. Let me know! If you enjoyed this conversation and would like to see more, please subscribe to: Youtube Uncommon Leadership Podcast Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- Apple Uncommon Leadership Spotify- Spotify Uncommon Leadership This podcast is brought to you by Uncommon Teams: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams Speakers in this episode: CHRISTOPH merrill | Guest CHRISTOPH is a renowned keynote speaker, author, and the creator of the HabitFreak Formula, a revolutionary system designed to help individuals and organizations harness the power of habits to achieve extraordinary success and fulfillment. His approach combines vulnerability with actionable strategies, empowering others to overcome internal obstacles, break free from limiting habits, and design lives filled with purpose and fulfillment. Connect with CHRISTOPH merrill : Website: https://www.christophmerrill.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CHRISTOPHmerrill Michael Hunter | Host Michael Hunter is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and the founder of Uncommon Teams. Drawing on his experience working with leaders at tech giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, Michael helps founders and Heads of People align personal fulfillment with sustainable business success. Work with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn: Linkedin linkedin.com/in/humbugreality Website: Uncommonteams Home - Uncommon Teams Newsletter: Uncommonteams Newsletter Archive - Uncommon Teams Read the book: Uncommonteams The Resilient Tech Leader Online Workbook Companion - Uncommon Teams Work with Michael Hunter: Uncommonteams Work with me - Uncommon Teams 🎵 Music Credits: Title: Piano Author: StudioKolomna Source: Envato Elements License Code: Z4EDMPKCF