On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Ed Doherty—restaurant executive turned leadership consultant and author. We dove into his journey from leading massive teams in the restaurant industry to running nonprofits and writing his new book, Observations at the Speed of Life. Ed shared hard-won lessons on resourcefulness, persistence, the power of accountability, and why feedback is the ultimate leadership accelerator. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, Ed’s wisdom on mentorship and self-awareness will help you elevate your impact. Don’t miss it!
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Download your free episode guide here!
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00:00 "Ed Doherty's Leadership Insights"
04:27 Reallocating Resources for Savings
07:26 Running for Charity: Self-Leadership Insights
10:44 Running Insights Shaping Leadership Business
16:14 Building Credibility for Goal-Setting
20:38 "Importance of Feedback in Career"
22:56 Navigating Feedback: Permission and Acceptance
28:22 Wednesday Blog Collection
29:26 "Aisle Seats and Unexpected Friendship"
35:42 "Key Skill for Student Success"
38:00 "Mastering Time Management Since 1974"
41:20 "Follow and Stay Updated"
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Here are 3 takeaways leaders at every level can put into practice:
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Seek Feedback Relentlessly: Ed emphasizes that “feedback is a gift.” Whether you’re new to leadership or a seasoned exec, embracing input (even when it stings) accelerates personal and professional growth. Don’t shy away from feedback—invite it and get comfortable acting on it.
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Create Accountability with Your Goals: One of Ed’s secrets to persistence? He made his marathon goal public—creating external accountability. Sharing your ambitions with others makes you more likely to follow through and sets the stage for greatness over “good enough.”
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Mentorship Is Non-Negotiable: Ed’s advice is clear—if you don’t have mentors, get them, and don’t pay for the privilege! The wisdom, support, and validation that mentors offer are invaluable, and learning from their experiences can save years of trial and error.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Links
Ed's Book
Book Recommendation
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