Discomfort Isn’t the Enemy: How to Lead Through Challenge with Sterling Hawkins

What if the key to becoming a breakthrough leader isn’t more confidence or clarity—but more discomfort?

In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm talks with Sterling Hawkins—author, keynote speaker, and founder of the “No Matter What” movement—about why the most effective leaders don’t avoid discomfort. They leverage it.

Sterling shares his 5-step method for using discomfort to drive growth, from reframing challenges to building real accountability. Learn how to stop resisting discomfort and start using it as a compass toward transformation—for yourself and your team.

You’ll learn:

• Why discomfort is a critical ingredient in breakthrough leadership
• How to spot subtle ways you’re avoiding growth
• The neuroscience behind emotional resistance—and how to rewire it
• A powerful mindset shift from Richard Branson that changed the game
• How to build a culture where discomfort leads to innovation, not burnout

If you're ready to evolve as a leader, this episode is your invitation to step into the stretch zone.

The Power of Boundaries: Unlocking Innovation Through Constraints with Rachel Druckenmiller

Episode Description:
What do photographing polar bears in the Arctic and leading high-performing teams have in common? More than you might think.

In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm sits down with Rachel Druckenmiller—leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and founder of Avenue M Group—to explore how boundaries and constraints can fuel creativity, drive innovation, and empower your team.

Tune in to learn:

• Why clear constraints spark smarter problem-solving
• How to unlock insights from the front lines of your organization
• Why failure shouldn’t just be tolerated—but celebrated
• How to foster a culture of experimentation without losing control

Rachel’s lessons from the wild translate into bold leadership moves you can implement today—especially when the pressure is on.

🎧 Listen now to transform the way you think about limits, leadership, and unleashing your team's potential.

What if the greatest leadership transformation doesn’t start with a new strategy—but with a shift in you?

In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Daniel McCollum joins Susan Drumm to explore how self-awareness, vulnerability, and intentional growth become the foundation for high-performing teams and thriving organizational culture. Together, they unpack why inner development is no longer optional for executives—and how simple, daily practices can help leaders move from reactivity to conscious, values-based influence.

Whether you’re leading a team, scaling a company, or driving culture change, this episode will help you:

• Move beyond auto-pilot and lead with intention
• Create psychological safety through authentic leadership
• Use reflection and feedback to evolve your leadership style
• Build trust, innovation, and adaptability across your organization

Tune in to learn how your personal growth can unlock your team’s full potential—and transform your business from the inside out.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more leadership insights every week.

What if the secret to getting more done—and feeling better doing it—wasn’t about pushing harder, but pausing smarter? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, I sit down with internationally recognized Qigong master and author Lee Holden to explore how strategic slowing down can unlock your highest leadership energy. Lee shares insights from his new book, Ready, Set, Slow, and breaks down why ancient wisdom and modern science agree: high performance starts with presence, not pressure. If you’re ready to lead with more energy, focus, and resilience—without burning out—this episode is your reset button. Tune in now, and start leading from calm, not chaos.

Does this resonate? For years, I believed leadership was about pushing harder, working longer, and showing up no matter how depleted I felt. It seemed like success demanded constant resilience—never slowing down. But that old narrative, as my guest Jayne Warrilow shared, doesn’t create great leaders. It creates burnout. Isolation. Disconnection. Jayne is an entrepreneur and thought leader, and founder of Sacred Changemakers. a global community that hosts a school of human consciousness. In our conversation on The Enlightened Executive, she opened up about her journey from overachieving workhorse to authentic, human-centered leader—and the leadership transformations that followed. Jayne’s insights struck a deep chord. Here’s what we uncovered—and how you can apply it to your own leadership. Ready to learn the power of authentic leadership? Then you won’t want to miss this enlightening episode!

What if the secret to becoming a more effective leader lies not in developing a subject matter expertise and amassing years of experience, but in embracing a simple question: “Why?” In a world where innovation and forward momentum often define success, stopping to question why can be the difference maker for effective and enlightened leaders. I recently sat down with Brandon Fong, host of the globally ranked Beyond Curious podcast, to explore how curiosity shapes leadership and professional growth. Brandon champions curiosity not just as an essential leadership skill but as a lifeline to deeper, more meaningful connections within ourselves and with others. He believes that when we embed curiosity in our approach to life and work, it unlocks new pathways to personal and professional revelation. Ready to learn how question and reflection transforms into a dynamic catalyst for change? Then you won’t want to miss this enlightening episode!

High-performing teams don’t happen by accident. You can hire the best people, offer competitive salaries, and set ambitious goals—but if you don’t intentionally build a strong, aligned culture, your team will never reach its full potential. So, what separates good teams from world-class teams? That’s exactly what I explored in my conversation with Jay Rosenzweig, an executive leadership strategist, social impact entrepreneur, and founder of Rosenzweig & Company. Jay has spent his career helping leaders attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent. His insights reveal one core truth: great teams aren’t found—they’re built. Want to learn how to build a world-class team? At Meritage Leadership, we help executives build high-performing teams through strategic leadership, culture alignment, and talent development. Don’t miss this enlightening episode!

Why does changing old habits always feel like an uphill battle, even when we genuinely want to change? Understanding the science behind our behaviors isn't just a nice-to-have; it's essential for growth. Natalie McVeigh, an executive coach specializing in neuroscience and conversational intelligence, and I dove deep into this enlightening topic. Natalie has dedicated her career to understanding the intricacies of human behavior and helping others break unproductive cycles. She believes that change often comes with the tendency to focus on what we shouldn’t do, a pattern that inadvertently reinforces the very behaviors we aim to avoid. Instead of battling ingrained patterns that don’t serve us, Natalie emphasizes the power of positive action and mindful communication. Natalie's expertise helps individuals transform their habits through intentional and measured actions, leading to personal and professional growth. Ready to transform your habits for personal and professional growth? Then don't miss this enlightening interview!