Build a Better Agency Podcast
Episode 573 Mastering Leadership Credibility with Steve Farber
Welcome to another can't-miss episode of Build a Better Agency! Host Drew McLellan welcomes back Steve Farber, bestselling author of The Radical Leap and co-author (with legendary leadership researchers Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner) of the brand new book The Radical Promise: Mastering the Art of Doing What You Say You Will Do, for a conversation about leadership credibility and what it actually takes to become a leader your team can count on. In this episode, Farber unpacks why so many leaders accidentally erode trust without ever meaning to. You'll learn how unintentional promises quietly damage leadership credibility, why bad time management and a nice-guy tendency to say yes create hidden say-do gaps, and why Farber believes people who consistently follow through on their word are exceedingly rare, and therefore a massive competitive advantage. Farber and Drew dig into the practical side of closing that gap, including a simple weekly journaling exercise for tracking intentional and unintentional commitments, the baseball inspired strikes analogy for understanding when an apology stops working, and the idea of developing a contractual attitude so that every promise, however casual it sounds, gets treated like a commitment. They also talk about why inviting your team to give you feedback on your own follow-through is one of the fastest ways to build trust. Whether you're a new agency owner trying to set the tone for your team, a veteran leader who suspects you've got a say-do gap or two of your own, or simply someone who wants clients and staff to see you as someone whose word is truly their bond, this episode gives you a real framework for closing the gap. Tune in to find out how doing what you say you will do can become your agency's biggest differentiator. A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ . They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here . What You Will Learn in This Episode: The pivotal role of credibility and trust in effective leadership Why consistently doing what you say you will do sets agencies apart How unintentional promises can still undermine your leadership Practical ways to identify and close your own "say-do" gaps The power of a "contractual attitude" in both words and actions Why holding yourself accountable comes before holding others accountable How a culture of reliability inside the agency translates to stronger client relationships
