Leading with Humility: The Discipline of Self-Leadership

In this episode of Becoming Unshakeable, I sit down with Jim Matuga, Founder of InnerAction Media, to explore a side of leadership that often goes unspoken: followership. 

Jim brings a refreshing perspective that challenges the assumption that leadership is the only role worth aspiring to. Instead, he makes a compelling case for the power of humility, steadfastness, and the influence that comes from being an excellent follower. For him, excellence and mediocrity cannot coexist, and creating a culture that values both leaders and followers is essential for building organizations that thrive.

Jim shares stories from his own career, including the moment he realized that having a title doesn't mean you are equipped to lead. Being thrust into leadership without preparation forced him to confront his own shortcomings and inspired him to dedicate decades to studying, practicing, and teaching leadership grounded in service. He discusses the weekly culture conversations he holds with his team, drawing on lessons from John Maxwell and his own experiences, to ensure that values don't just hang on the wall but are lived out in everyday practice. 

One of the most potent parts of our conversation is Jim's story of intentionally removing the lid on his business. He set a goal to build a company that would not rely on him by 2030, which meant facing uncomfortable truths, opening the books, and developing successors. That level of transparency and trust not only changed the company's culture but also allowed his team to thrive in new ways. Jim also shares his "10 percent rule," the idea that under challenging conversations, the most essential truth often goes unspoken. Learning to voice that final 10 percent, he believes, is where leaders find real breakthroughs.

As we close, Jim reflects on how he stays grounded in times of chaos. For him, faith, discipline, and a holistic focus on health, relationships, and purpose keep him steady when circumstances are uncertain. His message to anyone who feels like they are barely holding it together is to act with intentionality. 

Reconnect with your purpose, take one step forward, and trust that progress will come from movement. This conversation is a powerful reminder that becoming unshakeable is not about perfection or position; it's about embracing resilience. It is about humility, resilience, and the daily practice of choosing excellence and equipping others to rise alongside you.