Are you feeling trapped by the invisible chains of routine and expectation? I explore how the most effective prisons have no bars. In this episode, I challenge you to question your "normal" and push boundaries for personal growth.

Discover how comfort can be a constraint and why strategic retreats, like vacations, are crucial for renewal.

Remember, your reality is negotiable, and your chains won't break themselves. It's time to take one small step to prove you're not on autopilot. Embrace the discomfort and start creating a better version of yourself today.

Potential Leader takeaways

1. Invisible Prisons: I explain that the most effective prisons are built not with bars but with routine, expectations, and unconscious compliance. These elements often lull us into mistaking structure for reality, leading to self-imposed constraints that are hard to recognize.
2. Perception of Normal: The idea that our perception of normal is just a collection of learned behaviors, reinforced over time, suggests that we've built our own prisons. I challenge you to consider when you last did something unexpected or outside your life script.
3. Discomfort Spectrum: The conversation touches on the spectrum of comfort and discomfort, encouraging us to move fluidly between the two. Discomfort can be a strategic tool for growth, and I illustrate this with my personal evolution regarding vacations as strategic retreats.
4. Breaking Chains Through Experimentation: I emphasize the importance of experimentation in discovering and breaking these invisible chains. Whether it's challenging a core belief, taking a day off, or deleting social media, these disruptions help highlight self-imposed constraints.
5. Action Over Inaction: Reflecting on the insights of philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, I advocate taking responsibility for your choices and the necessity of action to bring about change, rather than waiting for a crisis to force our evolution.

What is something you've accepted as just the way things are? This might reveal an invisible chain you've been unwilling to see.

Potential Leader moments

00:00 Are You Truly Free?

03:09 Embracing Life's Spectrum Balance

08:37 Self-Imposed Behavioral Barriers

10:08 "Radical Freedom and Excuses"

14:09 "Crisis: Catalyst for Change"

16:38 Questioning Beliefs for Growth

21:11 Action: Antidote to Despair

25:56 Embracing Discomfort in Personal Growth

27:04 "Message for the Relentless"

Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They...

In episode 68 of the Potential Leader Lab Podcast, I'm excited to welcome Mark Panciera, CEO Emeritus of The Pacific Institute.

Mark brings over 35 years of experience inspiring leaders, teams, and organizations to achieve extraordinary results. A TED Talk presenter with over 1.5 million views and a Vistage Top Performer Speaker, Mark has worked with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, healthcare systems, athletic teams, and nonprofits to drive human performance through the power of belief. Featured in Forbes, The New York Times, USA Today, Inc Magazine, and on ABC’s Wall Street Journal Report, he brings a unique blend of business acumen and mindset science to every stage.

🤔 Our Discussion 🤔

Mark and I explore the science behind beliefs, drawing on emerging researchthat supports the power of mindset. From synaptic firings to neuroplasticityand epigenetics, there's substantial evidence that we can reshape our beliefsat a cellular level. This discussion intersects with insights from influentialfigures in psychology and leadership, such as Angela Duckworth and CarolDweck, reinforcing the profound connection between belief and achievement.

★ Key Topics ★

03:30 Discovering Blind Spots, Transforming Life

07:21 Facing Fear and Embracing Change

10:20 Science Validates Power of Belief

14:38 Belief's Power: A Scientific View

17:35 Beliefs and Behaviors Metaphor

20:56 Embrace Lifelong Personal Growth

26:12 "Rising Through Anxious Transitions"

29:24 Judgment vs. Curiosity: Humility's Role

33:15 Cultivating a Positive Growth Mindset

35:37 Efficacious Leadership Impact

38:21 Self-Actualization for Others' Benefit

44:01 "Discover Inner Strength Within"

44:50 "Belief Transformation: Start with Small Steps"

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👋 Find Perry Maughmer 👋

LinkedIn

Subscribe to the Weekly Leadership Email Newsletter

Contact Perry

👋 Find Mark Panciera 👋

LinkedIn

Mark's Website

The Pacific Institute

Watch Mark's Ted Talk

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#leadershipdevelopment #leadershippodcast #personalgrowth #existentialism #perrymaughmer #podcast #leadershipdynamics #leadership #leadershipcoaching #leadershipskills #leadershiptips #leadershipinspiration #LeadershipDevelopment #EmbraceUncertainty #SelfAuthorship #GrowthMindset

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Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were...

In episode 67 of the Potential Leader Lab Podcast, I'm excited to tackle the idea of embracing the absurd, inspired by Albert Camus. Camus’ concept of the absurd explores the conflict between our inherent desire for meaning and the human struggle to find it.

This is a theme that resonates deeply with leadership, where the best leaders thrive amidst uncertainty and chaos. We're going to dig deep into the concept of absurdity as a foundation for self-authorship and leadership.

By exploring Albert Camus' philosophy that life has no inherent meaning, I'll discuss how we, as leaders, can create our own path, embrace uncertainty, and foster impactful leadership. We'll touch on the construct of faith and religion, and why great leaders are those who embrace uncertainty and are willing to take action without predefined plans.

We'll review the concept of being "antifragile" and why understanding that discomfort signifies growth is absolutely critical to the development of any relentless leader.

Don't wait for the perfect moment. Instead, take a step towards something that scares you and start building your own meaning. Embrace the absurd as the beginning of your journey.

Leadership Coaching Takeaways

1. Understanding Absurdity: Discover Albert Camus' perspective on the absurd as the disparity between our quest for meaning and the universe's indifference.
2. Creating Your Own Meaning: Learn why it's powerful to craft your own meaning rather than searching outside yourself.
3. Leadership and Uncertainty: Find out how great leaders embrace uncertainty and create impact without a script.
4. The Role of Action: Understand the importance of taking action to create motivation and meaning.
5. Practicing Antifragility: Get tips on benefitting from chaos and becoming resilient in unpredictable situations.

Potential Leader Moments

00:00:40 Explanation of Camus’ perspective on the absurd

00:01:16 Discussion on balancing faith with the concept of the absurd.

00:02:15 Analogy of understanding a deity’s plan

00:02:56 How we create our own meaning in life

00:03:32 Advice on abandoning the search for inherent life meaning.

00:04:06 Our desire for order and the universe's indifference.

00:04:40 Importance of personal agency and self-authorship

00:05:27 Connection of the absurd to leadership and embracing uncertainty.

00:06:43 Dismissal of the idea of universal truths in leadership practices.

00:07:04 The necessity to take action for motivation and growth.

00:08:27 Characteristics of relentless leaders

00:08:57 Emphasis on playing the infinite game for continuous growth.

00:09:23 Concept of being "antifragile" and benefiting from chaos.

00:09:41 Why we should challenge external validation.

00:11:00 Advocacy for exploration and curiosity as a path to transformation.

00:11:28 Encouragement to act without a guarantee

00:11:51 Understanding the non-linear path of personal growth.

00:12:12 Reassurance that discomfort signals proper engagement in growth.

00:12:43 Leaders create answers through actions, not prescriptive teachings.

00:13:09 Camus’ philosophy on life’s meaning and our role in creating it.

00:14:03 Personal anecdote about unpreparedness in parenthood.

00:16:10 Relentless individuals embrace the absurd and create meaning.

00:16:32 Final encouragement to take bold actions

00:16:53 Reflection on Camus' quote about absurdity as a beginning.

👋 Find Perry Maughmer 👋

Connect...

In episode 66 of the Potential Leader Lab Podcast, we explore the often-overlooked yet crucial role of leaders who, much like bass players in a band, create the foundation that allows everything else to shine.

🤔 Our Discussion 🤔

Leadership is often confused with performance, where the emphasis is on seeking the spotlight. True leadership involves craving impact rather than attention, serving a purpose beyond oneself, and embodying humility. Whether you’re leading a team or just seeking to live more harmoniously, tune in to discover how to lead like a bass player, building something impactful and lasting without always needing to be the face in the front.

★ Key Topics ★

00:46 Humility Over Self-Centeredness

05:56 Momentum Over Moments

09:18 "Building Momentum Through Exploration"

11:11 Plan vs. People Approach Debate

13:59 "Go with the Flow"

18:23 "Lead Like a Bass Player"

👋 Find Perry Maughmer 👋

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perrymaughmer

Subscribe: https://perrymaughmer.com/podcast

Contact: https://perrymaughmer.com/contact

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#leadershipdevelopment #leadershippodcast #personalgrowth #existentialism #perrymaughmer #podcast #leadershipdynamics #leadership #leadershipcoaching #leadershipskills #leadershiptips #leadershipinspiration #markmurphey #hardgoals #interoception #music #analogy #bassplayer

Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from.

Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer

In episode 65 of the Potential Leader Lab Podcast, we unpack the Oubaitori Mindset. This Japanese concept, emphasizes personal growth and rejects the notion of measuring oneself against others. Drawing inspiration from Teddy Roosevelt's quote, "Comparison is the thief of joy," I argue that leadership should never be about competition with others but about authentic individual development.

🤔 Our Discussion 🤔

In this episode, I challenge the conventional approach of developing leaders through a one-size-fits-all framework. We'll work through the Oubaitori analogy of different fruit trees—cherry, plum, peach, and apricot—and discuss how that applies to leaders and organizations. And, as always, I'll leave you with practical steps you can apply immediately to foster a leadership culture informed by the obituary mindset.

★ Key Topics ★

03:54 "Embrace Diverse Leadership Evolution"

09:22 "Inward Focus for Personal Growth"

11:01 Rethinking Leadership and Authenticity

14:41 Authentic Leadership through Exploration

18:20 Encourage Experimentation Over Perfection

20:20 "Embrace Your Unique Path"

_______________________________

👋 Find Perry Maughmer 👋

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/perrymaughmer

Subscribe: perrymaughmer.com/podcast

Contact: perrymaughmer.com/contact

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#leadershipdevelopment #leadershippodcast #personalgrowth #existentialism #perrymaughmer #podcast #leadershipdynamics #leadership #leadershipcoaching #leadershipskills #leadershiptips #leadershipinspiration #markmurphey #hardgoals #interoception #Oubaitori

Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from.

Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer

In episode 64 of the Potential Leader Lab Podcast, we unlock the power of self-awareness to become a greater leader. Discover how understanding your inner biological signals can transform your ability to lead effectively.

🤔 Our Discussion 🤔

We're going to get into the concept of "interoception"—the ability to sense and interpret your internal signals. Learn why acknowledging and acting on these internal cues is crucial for effective leadership and how it ties into psychological flexibility.

★ Key Topics ★

00:13 - Intro – The Importance of Self-Knowledge in Leadership

00:48 - Understanding Interoception and Its Impact

01:45 - The Role of Emotions in Our Actions

04:35 - The Significance of Slowing Down and Being Present

06:53 - Energy and Emotional Contagion

09:23 - Why Leaders Must Embrace Emotions

11:10 - The Three Components of Psychological Flexibility

12:32 - Moving from Accidental to Intentional Actions

18:29 - The Responsibility of Leaders to Impact Emotional States

19:36 - Action Steps for Enhancing Interoceptive Awareness

24:58 - Conclusion – The Path to Impactful Leadership

_______________________________

👋 Find Perry Maughmer 👋

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/perrymaughmer

Subscribe:perrymaughmer.com/podcast

Contact:perrymaughmer.com/contact

--------------------------------------------------

#leadershipdevelopment #leadershippodcast #personalgrowth #existentialism #perrymaughmer #podcast #leadershipdynamics #leadership #leadershipcoaching #leadershipskills #leadershiptips #leadershipinspiration #markmurphey #hardgoals #interoception

Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from.

Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer

In episode 63 of the Potential Leader Lab Podcast, we explore what role feedback from others plays in your evolution, and why is it essential to discern whose feedback to value.

🤔 Our Discussion 🤔

Throughout the episode, I emphasize the importance of feedback — discerning who to seek it from and how to filter it effectively. It's not about chasing everyone else's version of who we should be; rather, it's about carefully identifying and valuing the feedback that aligns with our goals.

We unpack the concept of being "antifragile," a term coined by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, which refers to systems or people that thrive and grow stronger through challenges and stressors.

This episode also touches on the existential aspects of our evolution, particularly in relation to others. We consider Jean-Paul Sartre's concept of "hell is other people" from his play "No Exit" to illustrate how others play a significant role in shaping our journey.

★ Key Topics ★

00:00 "Myth of Self-Determined Evolution"

04:30 Iterate Feedback to Improve Self

08:21 "Feedback Prioritization Strategy"

11:28 Self-Improvement for Effective Leadership

13:50 Experiencing Ourselves Through Others

18:32 Cultivating Effective Feedback Loops

_______________________________

👋 Find Perry Maughmer 👋

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/perrymaughmer

Subscribe: perrymaughmer.com/podcast

Contact: perrymaughmer.com/contact

--------------------------------------------------

#leadershipdevelopment #leadershippodcast #personalgrowth #existentialism #perrymaughmer #podcast #leadershipdynamics #leadership #leadershipcoaching #leadershipskills #leadershiptips #leadershipinspiration #markmurphey #hardgoals

Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from.

Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer

In episode 62 of the Potential Leader Lab Podcast, I challenge you to shift your perspective and talk about failure as a verb, rather than a noun.

🤔 Our Discussion 🤔

Our discussion will begin by deconstructing difference between "illusions" and "delusions". Why? Because in today’s cultural climate, there is a such strong emphasis on success that it's crucial for leaders to step back and better understand why we desire success in the first place, and how we might measure it differently. As always, i will leave you with some practical tips and additional learning resources that you can put into immediate action.

★ Key Topics ★

05:40 Concern Over Perception of Failure

08:40 Growth Through Failure

12:27 Embrace Failure to Overcome Fear

15:31 "Embracing Failure with Humility"

18:34 Innovation Requires Embracing Failure

_______________________________

👋 Find Perry Maughmer 👋

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/perrymaughmer

Subscribe: perrymaughmer.com/podcast

Contact: perrymaughmer.com/contact

--------------------------------------------------

#leadershipdevelopment #leadershippodcast #personalgrowth #existentialism #perrymaughmer #podcast #leadershipdynamics #leadership #leadershipcoaching #leadershipskills #leadershiptips #leadershipinspiration #markmurphey #hardgoals

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Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from.

Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer