059--Why the Best Leaders Don’t Try to Be Heroes with Andrew Oxley

In this episode of The Next Better Podcast, Coach Woody sits down with Andrew Oxley—leadership expert, consultant, and founder of the Oxley Group to challenge one of the most pervasive myths in leadership: that the best leaders need to be heroes.

Drawing from 40+ years of experience and the transformative “Guide vs. Hero” framework, Andrew offers a powerful mindset shift for high-performing, servant-hearted leaders who want to stop carrying everything alone—and start building organizations where people thrive on purpose.

Together, Andrew and Coach Woody explore:

✅ Why leadership isn’t about being the hero—but the guide

✅ How to build influence by asking better questions, not having all the answers

✅ Why modern leadership is more personal—and what to do about it

✅ The "Villain, Hero, Guide" framework for long-term leadership success

✅ How to lead older, more experienced teams with humility and confidence

✅ What most leaders get wrong about accountability and expectations

✅ Why curiosity is your most underrated leadership skill

✅ The litmus test that reveals your true leadership influence (no title required)

This episode is a must-listen if you're a purpose-driven leader who wants to grow your influence, guide your team more effectively, and build a culture people want to be part of—not just a job they clock into.

🔔 Don’t forget to follow the show for more conversations that challenge the hustle, elevate purpose, and redefine high performance.

✨ Stay connected:

LinkedIn: Coach Lucas Woody

YouTube: @TheNextBetter

Website: https://nextbetter.com

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Why leadership belongs on this podcast

01:42 – The 3 leadership roles: Villain, Hero, and Guide

04:10 – Why “Guide” leaders are the most effective (and hardest to be)

05:37 – Leadership = journey + vision alignment

08:11 – The Southwest Airlines story: purpose in action

09:57 – Leadership’s ripple effect: beyond just your team

13:14 – The personal shift from corporate speak to meaningful mission

14:45 – Major leadership trends post-COVID

17:50 – Hiring is not an HR job—it’s the leader’s responsibility

19:31 – Why people won’t put up with “bad” leadership anymore

22:03 – Letting go of needing to have all the answers

25:22 – Vision vs. tactics: how to lead without being a know-it-all

28:41 – Respect, curiosity, and leading older/more experienced teams

32:46 – Accountability ≠ punishment: resetting the narrative

36:41 – How to reestablish expectations without overwhelming your team

40:25 – The power of appreciation and proportionate praise

42:45 – Mindful leadership: stop monologuing in your head

44:10 – Clarity, scorecards, and how to give real feedback

46:58 – Emotional intelligence: be mad for them, not at them

49:15 – How to manage friction for progress—not perfection

50:15 – You can lead from anywhere: influence without a title

53:50 – The ultimate leadership litmus test: who seeks your advice?