Leadership Unlocked: How Leaders Win in the Era of AI

Leadership Unlocked is a leadership podcast about the moments that shape how real leaders grow. Hosted by executive coach & strategist Dusty Holcomb, it features real stories and honest conversations with CEOs, founders, and senior leaders navigating real-world challenges and growth. Each episode delivers real-world leadership insights, stories from leaders in the field, and practical tools for high-performing teams—making it a must-listen for anyone serious about leadership development. Whether you're leading a company, a team, or yourself, you'll walk away with something you can use right now. New episodes weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or visit ArcqusGroup.com/podcast to learn more.

Leadership Unlocked: How Leaders Win in the Era of AI is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 78 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Leadership Unlocked: How Leaders Win in the Era of AI, a business show with 78 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #77

  AI Didn't Create Your Leadership Gap—It Just Made It Urgent - E77

  Sep 9, 202631 minS1

  Dusty goes solo to make the case that the leaders who thrive in the age of AI will not be the ones chasing every new tool, but the ones who apply timeless leadership principles with greater focus and intention. Prompted by a CEO’s candid fear that she may not be “good enough” in this new era, Dusty introduces the central argument behind his upcoming book, Ancient Intelligence : AI is the fulcrum, leadership is the lever, and leaders are the ones capable of moving the world. He exposes how unfocused AI adoption creates diffusion rather than progress, with organizations investing in licenses, pilots, and experimentation without defining the outcomes those investments are meant to produce. Drawing from his own tendency to chase “purple squirrels” inside AI tools, he explains why leaders need boundaries, charters, and predetermined definitions of success to keep extraordinary technological capability pointed at problems that actually matter. Dusty then identifies three hidden costs of unfocused AI leadership—poor return on invested capital, wasted return on invested time, and the opportunities organizations never discover because their leaders are either distracted by AI or too far removed from it to understand what has become possible. Through a practical three-column audit, he challenges leaders to measure what their AI investments have produced, identify where their time could create greater leadership leverage, and name new opportunities that technology now makes possible. The message is ultimately one of confidence rather than fear: AI has not made decades of leadership experience obsolete; it has made clarity, focus, alignment, judgment, and disciplined execution more urgent than ever. Key Timestamps: (4:33) – Consequences of Diffused AI Strategies (7:04) – Stay on Course (7:55) – You Don’t Need to Be on the Bleeding Edge (13:55) – Human Leadership Is Focused (15:32) – Three Costs of Unfocused Leadership (21:53) – Leadership Cost Wearing a Tech Costume (26:25) – Compounding Leadership Impact Key Topics Discussed: Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership Mentions: https://ancientintelligencebook.com Episode 62 Episode 66 More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com (00:00) - Ancient Intelligence Book (04:33) - Consequences of Diffused AI Strategies (07:03) - Stay on Course (07:55) - You Don't Need to Be on the Bleeding Edge (13:55) - Human Leadership Is Focused (15:31) - 3 Costs of Unfocused Leadership (21:52) - Leadership Cost Wearing a Tech Costume (26:25) - Compounding Leadership Impact

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  Episode #74

  He Went From Leading 7 People to 80—Now His Team Solves Problems Without Him | Rodney Binger - E74

  Aug 19, 202640 minS1

  Stepping into a larger leadership role can expose gaps in confidence, clarity, and execution—even for experienced operators. Rodney Binger shares how intentionally sharpening his leadership capabilities transformed the way he leads more than 80 people across MotorWorks, helping him move from leading in fear to leading with confidence, clarity, and purpose. From establishing rules of engagement and having candid conversations to using OKRs, future-back planning, and consistent follow-up, Rodney discovered that effective leadership becomes more powerful when it is turned into a repeatable operating system. The result has been stronger accountability, greater psychological safety, a team that solves problems without him, new leaders emerging throughout the organization, and significant financial gains. This conversation explores how leaders can codify how they lead, align their teams around a shared direction, and create the compound effect that comes from making better leadership decisions consistently. Key Timestamps: (00:00) – Vision to Victory (05:39) – Transparency and Clarity (08:42) – Stretching as a Leader (10:38) – OKRs: Objectives and Key Results (14:50) – Highlights from Accelerator Program (16:52) – Rules of Engagement (25:25) – Return on Investment in Leadership Training (30:48) – Connecting Leadership Dots (35:50) – Book Recommendation: Extreme Ownership Key Topics Discussed: Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership Mentions: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodney-binger-946aa5a4/ Mentions: Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead And Win by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com (00:00) - Vision to Victory (05:40) - Transparency & Clarity (08:42) - Stretching as a Leader (10:39) - OKR: Objectives & Key Results (14:50) - Highlights from Acceleraor Program (16:52) - Rules of Engagement (25:25) - Return on Investing in Leadership Training (30:44) - Connecting Leadership Dots (35:46) - Book Recommendation: Extreme Ownership

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  Episode #73

  How Great Leaders Balance Empathy with High Standards | Marcel Schwantes - E73

  Aug 11, 202642 minS1

  Marcel Schwantes’ journey into human-centered leadership began with a toxic workplace that pushed his body to its breaking point and ultimately led him to discover the power of servant leadership. In this conversation, Marcel and Dusty explore why caring about people is not a soft alternative to accountability, but the foundation for creating high-performing teams, strong cultures, and sustainable business results. They unpack the difference between management and leadership, the importance of values, authenticity, and self-leadership, and why great leaders must be willing to have hard conversations while still treating people with dignity and care. As AI accelerates the pace of change, Marcel argues that leaders have an even greater responsibility to provide clarity, reduce uncertainty, and explain the meaning behind how work is changing. The technology may evolve rapidly, but the fundamentals of leadership remain deeply human: serve others, create clarity, protect your people, and help them do their best work. Key Timestamps: (00:56) - Toxic Work Environments (07:13) - Humane Leadership (13:39) - The Effects of a Leadership Vacuum (19:18) - How to Be Frank While Caring for Your People (25:01) - Human Leadership in the Age of AI (32:13) - Rapid Fire Questions Key Topics Discussed: Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership Mentions: Website: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/ Podcast: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/podcast-page/ Substack: https://substack.com/@marcelschwantes Mentions: Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss by Marcel Schwantes Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (And How to Fix It) by Thomas Chamorro-Premuzic More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com (00:00) - Marcel Schwantes (00:55) - Toxic Work Environments (07:13) - Human Leadership (13:36) - The Effects of a Leadership Vacuum (19:11) - How to Be Frank While Caring for Your People (24:58) - Human Leadership in the Age of AI (32:08) - Rapid Fire Questions

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  Episode #72

  What Data-Driven Leaders Get Wrong About Making Decisions | Shane Foye - E72

  Aug 5, 202658 minS1

  Shane Foye joins Dusty for a thoughtful conversation about the kind of leadership that can't be rushed. As the second-generation president of DW1, Shane shares how leading a growing family business has taught him that the best decisions rarely come from urgency—they come from creating space to think deeply, wrestle with difficult questions, and balance data with intuition. Drawing on lessons from rebranding the company, building an art collection alongside his father, and cultivating a culture rooted in vulnerability and trust, Shane explains why leaders must embrace discomfort, encourage thoughtful failure, and communicate with greater clarity. Throughout the conversation, he reveals how art, architecture, and relationships have shaped his approach to leadership, why security and comfort are not the same thing, and how intentional thinking creates stronger teams, better decisions, and organizations built to last. It's a masterclass on slowing down in order to lead faster, building cultures where people can grow through failure, and remembering that behind every great business decision is a deeply human one. Key Timestamps: (01:43) – Art and Attention to Detail (04:50) – Why Rebranding Matters (17:18) – Patience Over Speed (26:03) – Building a Failure Culture (28:32) – Security vs. Comfort (31:15) – Learning Vulnerability (34:12) – Building Safe Teams (36:01) – Kind, Not Nice Culture (37:54) – Art Collection Stories (46:40) – Communicate for Your Audience (50:47) – Rapid-Fire Leadership Key Topics Discussed: Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership Mentions: Website: https://dw1.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-foye-663464bb/ Chess Not Checkers: Elevate Your Leadership Game by Mark Miller More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

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  Episode #71

  The Fastest Way to Kill Buy-In Is Your Own Good Idea | Dave Garrison - E71

  Jul 29, 202641 min

  Dusty sits down with Dave Garrison, former multinational CEO, board director, and author of The Buy-In Advantage , to explore why most organizations are leaving enormous human potential untapped. Dave explains the critical distinction between employee engagement and true buy-in, arguing that buy-in is the discretionary energy, creativity, and ownership people willingly bring to a shared mission—the same kind of commitment seen on a Friday night football field, but too often missing on Monday morning at work. Drawing from decades of leading businesses across four continents, he reveals that people are not primarily motivated by compensation, perks, or even job satisfaction; they want to be seen as human beings, have their voices genuinely heard, and understand how their work connects to a meaningful purpose. The conversation dives deep into the leadership behaviors that either create or destroy buy-in, including the transformative power of asking better questions, shifting from giving answers to facilitating thinking, and redefining control as setting clear criteria rather than dictating solutions. Dusty and Dave also explore the intersection of leadership and artificial intelligence, arguing that the same skills required to unlock human potential—clarity of purpose, thoughtful criteria, curiosity, and collaborative problem-solving—are the exact skills leaders must develop to harness AI effectively. Through practical examples, personal stories, and powerful reframes, Dave challenges leaders to stop managing compliance and start cultivating environments where people feel ownership, contribute their best thinking, and become emotionally invested in the success of the organization. Key Timestamps: (01:14) – Buy-In vs. Engagement (06:10) – Three Needs at Work (13:10) – Mentor Lesson on Listening (18:42) – Control Through Criteria (24:35) – Speed vs. Results Debate (28:14) – Buy-In Meets AI (33:19) – Hammer Without a Blueprint (36:13) – Rapid-Fire Book Pick (38:27) – Where to Find Dave Key Topics Discussed: Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership Mentions: Website: https://garrisongrowth.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-garrison-growth/ Mentions: The Buy-In Advantage: Why Employees Stop Caring ― and How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Give Their All by Dave Garrison Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni https://www.gallup.com/workplace/713024/employee-engagement-and-productivity.aspx More of Leadership Unlocked: Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/ Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

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