EPISODE · Sep 29, 2025 · 55 MIN
109: The Authenticity Equation
from Unstuck with Jay Abbasi · host Jay Abbasi
Meet Cindy. She has a fresh agenda in front of her as she works to keep the leadership meeting on track. But already, the conversation has drifted into side comments and jabs between department heads. Marketing blames sales. Sales blames operations. The tension is quiet but sharp, and Cindy can feel the energy spiraling into another round of finger-pointing. As COO of a fast-growing company, she’s proud of the past five years, but trust is wearing thin. Departments guard priorities, collaboration fades, and people hesitate to share. Projects get done, but the spark of we’re in this together is gone. Driving home, Cindy wonders: How do I rebuild trust? In this episode, Jay is joined by Mike Robbins, keynote speaker, author of five books, and expert on leadership, culture, and emotional intelligence. Mike has spent over two decades helping top organizations like Google, Microsoft, and the San Francisco Giants build trust, foster collaboration, and create high-performing teams. A former professional baseball player, Mike brings lessons from the field and boardroom to help leaders strengthen connection and drive results. Together, Jay and Mike explore why authenticity is the foundation of trust and how leaders can create cultures of openness and collaboration. Mike shares his Authenticity Equation, honesty minus self-righteousness plus vulnerability, and explains how to take ownership without self-blame, rebuild relationships, and lead through change with empathy and courage. If you’ve ever struggled with silos, conflict, or the challenge of leading through change, this episode will give you tools to help your team thrive and remind you everything comes down to people and relationships. Notable Quotes “Honesty minus self-righteousness plus vulnerability equals authenticity.” — Mike Robbins “When you argue with reality, you lose, but only 100 percent of the time.” — Mike Robbins “Nothing changes until you do. Leadership begins with looking in the mirror.” — Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Mike Robbins is an internationally renowned keynote speaker, coach, and author of five books, including We’re All In This Together. A former professional baseball player drafted by the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals, Mike draws on his journey from the pitcher’s mound to the boardroom to help leaders and teams build trust, embrace change, and create high-performance cultures. His work has been translated into 15 languages and has helped organizations worldwide elevate performance and connection. Resources and Links Mike Robbins We’re All In This Together book – https://mike-robbins.com/together/ Website – https://mike-robbins.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrobbins/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEdTDA1zhOS4g2f_raFk70w Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/mikerobbinspage/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mikedrobbins/ X – https://x.com/mikedrobbins TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@mikedrobbins Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay will share a step-by-step communication framework he’s used in workshops and keynotes to help leaders address breakdowns in team dynamics. You’ll learn how to give feedback and navigate conflict with clarity and care, even when emotions are running high. These are the same strategies Jay has seen transform organizations and rebuild trust from the inside out. Until then, stay authentic, stay connected, and remember that everything starts with the courage to own your part.
What this episode covers
Meet Cindy. She has a fresh agenda in front of her as she works to keep the leadership meeting on track. But already, the conversation has drifted into side comments and jabs between department heads. Marketing blames sales. Sales blames operations. The tension is quiet but sharp, and Cindy can feel the energy spiraling into another round of finger-pointing. As COO of a fast-growing company, she’s proud of the past five years, but trust is wearing thin. Departments guard priorities, collaboration fades, and people hesitate to share. Projects get done, but the spark of we’re in this together is gone. Driving home, Cindy wonders: How do I rebuild trust? In this episode, Jay is joined by Mike Robbins, keynote speaker, author of five books, and expert on leadership, culture, and emotional intelligence. Mike has spent over two decades helping top organizations like Google, Microsoft, and the San Francisco Giants build trust, foster collaboration, and create high-performing teams. A former professional baseball player, Mike brings lessons from the field and boardroom to help leaders strengthen connection and drive results. Together, Jay and Mike explore why authenticity is the foundation of trust and how leaders can create cultures of openness and collaboration. Mike shares his Authenticity Equation, honesty minus self-righteousness plus vulnerability, and explains how to take ownership without self-blame, rebuild relationships, and lead through change with empathy and courage. If you’ve ever struggled with silos, conflict, or the challenge of leading through change, this episode will give you tools to help your team thrive and remind you everything comes down to people and relationships. Notable Quotes “Honesty minus self-righteousness plus vulnerability equals authenticity.” — Mike Robbins “When you argue with reality, you lose, but only 100 percent of the time.” — Mike Robbins “Nothing changes until you do. Leadership begins with looking in the mirror.” — Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Mike Robbins is an internationally renowned keynote speaker, coach, and author of five books, including We’re All In This Together. A former professional baseball player drafted by the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals, Mike draws on his journey from the pitcher’s mound to the boardroom to help leaders and teams build trust, embrace change, and create high-performance cultures. His work has been translated into 15 languages and has helped organizations worldwide elevate performance and connection. Resources and Links Mike Robbins We’re All In This Together book – https://mike-robbins.com/together/ Website – https://mike-robbins.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrobbins/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEdTDA1zhOS4g2f_raFk70w Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/mikerobbinspage/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mikedrobbins/ X – https://x.com/mikedrobbins TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@mikedrobbins Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay will share a step-by-step communication framework he’s used in workshops and keynotes to help leaders address breakdowns in team dynamics. You’ll learn how to give feedback and navigate conflict with clarity and care, even when emotions are running high. These are the same strategies Jay has seen transform organizations and rebuild trust from the inside out. Until then, stay authentic, stay connected, and remember that everything starts with the...
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109: The Authenticity Equation
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