172: Zia Mohi: "Are You Leading… or Just Taking Credit?"

In this conversation, Erik sits down with Zia Mohi, COO of CTI Staffing, to unpack a journey that started in reluctant sales and evolved into high-level operational leadership. What unfolds is a raw, practical exploration of effort, accountability, ego, and what it really takes to build high-performing teams.Zia brings a no-nonsense perspective shaped by trial, failure, and a willingness to “finally try.” From the bullpen at Xerox to leading large teams, he breaks down the mindset shifts that separate average performers from elite leaders—and why leadership success often hinges less on intelligence and more on ownership, consistency, and emotional discipline.👤 About the GuestZia Mohi is the COO of CTI Staffing, where he helps companies scale through smarter hiring, operational strategy, and talent solutions. With a foundation in sales during the Great Recession, Zia built his career by mastering effort-driven performance and translating those lessons into leadership, team development, and operational excellence. 🧭 Conversation HighlightsThe Moment Everything Changed. Zia realized he wasn’t losing because of skill—he was losing because he wasn’t trying. That single decision flipped his trajectory. Effort Beats Everything. Education, charisma, talent—they all matter less than consistent, high-volume effort over time. From Sales to Leadership (The Hard Way). Transitioning into leadership meant letting go of personal wins and learning how to win through others. Failing Forward as a Leader. A major operational bet failed—but built trust, clarified strategy, and improved team morale. Everyone Is in Sales (Whether They Admit It or Not). From recruiters to bookkeepers, every role involves influencing outcomes—aka selling. 💡 Key TakeawaysEffort is the ultimate differentiator. You can’t out-strategize a lack of action. Volume and consistency win. There are no mistakes—only repeated ones. Failure is part of the process. Repeating the same failure is the real problem. Leadership requires ego reduction. The shift from “look at me” to “build them” is what unlocks real influence. Trust is built when leaders own failure. Taking responsibility—especially publicly—creates psychological safety. Alignment beats compliance. People don’t care about quotas. They care about what those quotas unlock in their lives. ❓ Questions That Mattered What changes when you actually decide to try?  How do you lead through failure without losing your team’s trust?  What does accountability look like when you’re the one who got it wrong?  How do you motivate people who don’t care about company goals?  What happens when you treat every role as a sales role? 🗣️ Notable Quotes “The only difference between me and him… is that he tries.”  “There are no mistakes—only learning. Unless you do it twice.”  “Luck is just hard work and timing meeting up.”  “Pass the praise, absorb the blame.”  “If you’re not helping with sales, your value is diminished.” 🔗 Links & ResourcesFollow Zia Mohi on LinkedInCheck out CTI's Website: ctistaff.com