EP112: How Great Leaders Create More Footprints, Not Bigger Shoes

What if I told you the most successful CEOs I've interviewed this quarter share one counterintuitive trait? They don't try to be the smartest person in the room. From architecture to military leadership to digital transformation, the pattern is unmistakable. 

Looking back at this quarter's most listened-to episodes—featuring Jonathan Moody (Moody Nolan), Rear Admiral Brian Luther (Navy Mutual), Ryan Frederick (Transform Labs), Harold Green (Global Emissionary), Eddie Solomon (Net at Work), Joe Yaccarino (MTF Biologics), Jeff Ostenso (Ironmark), and James Hyman (serial turnaround CEO)—I discovered something remarkable.

The golden thread connecting every transformative leader: They refuse to be the smartest person in the room.

From Jonathan's "create more footprints, not bigger shoes" philosophy to Brian's "reflected light leadership," from Ryan's embrace of "continuous not knowing" to Eddie's insight that "entrepreneurship belongs in psychology," these leaders share seven powerful traits:

→ Anti-ego leadership - Building teams instead of thrones → Vulnerability as strength - Admitting what they don't know → Empowerment over control - Creating conditions for others to succeed → Psychological wisdom - Understanding leadership is about mindset → Radical transparency - Building trust through openness → Purpose-driven growth - Companies that matter, not just profit → The learning advantage - Staying curious regardless of expertise

Whether it's Harold at 69 still having daily learning conversations, Joe asking "is that even legal?" and building from curiosity, Jeff realizing his company "feeds 500 people," or James discovering that Hollywood leadership doesn't work—the pattern is clear.

The most successful leaders amplify their impact by avoiding being the bottleneck.

Join me as we unpack the strategies that turn good companies into thriving communities where everyone succeeds together.

Some of the episodes in this list:

EP105: Reflected Light: Leading Through Your People

EP103: The Power of Humble Listening in Leadership

EP96: Making Carbon Reduction Measurable and Meaningful

EP87: Why This Successful Family Business Said No to Nepotism

EP83: Heroes at Every Level of Healthcare Innovation

EP81: How Teaching the Game of Business Built an Empire

EP63: A CEO’s Competitve Edge - Mastering the Art of Corporate Turnarounds