#48 Stop Leading Like a Bulldog: The Shift That Builds Real Influence with Trent McJunkin (John Maxwell Certified Coach)

Trent McJunkin shares his journey from shop floor technician to leadership coach, revealing the mindset shifts, mistakes, and leadership principles that helped him grow—and now help others lead with consistency, discipline, and influence.📌 Key Topics CoveredTransitioning from technician to leaderLeading without authorityThe mindset shift from doing the work → developing peopleWhy “hero culture” hurts organizationsCommunication breakdowns and how to fix themInfluencing across teams and up the organizationBuilding trust and credibility as a leaderThe importance of personal growth in leadership🧠 Key TakeawaysLeadership starts before the title — you’re already influencing othersYour role shifts as a leader — from getting results to developing peoplePoor communication creates chaos — clarity is everythingWhat gets rewarded gets repeated — celebrate proactive behaviorsInfluence requires empathy — understand what matters to othersGrowth is non-negotiable — your leadership sets the ceiling for your team⚠️ Common Leadership PitfallsLeading with frustration instead of clarityAssuming people understand expectationsOvervaluing “firefighting” vs. preventionFailing to adapt communication stylesRelying on authority instead of influence🛠️ Practical Leadership ApplicationsDefine “what good looks like” and “what done looks like.”Ask better questions before reactingRecognize and reward preventive actionsTailor communication to the individualFocus on solving problems that matter to othersInvest in daily, consistent personal growth📖 Influential Resource MentionedThe 360 Degree Leader – John C. MaxwellThe John Maxwell Team🔗 Connect with Trent McJunkinLinkedIn: Trent McJunkinWebsiteEmail: [email protected] Learning To Lead ResourcesFree Book: The Trust GapThe Learning To Lead NewsletterLeaderNotes🔎 About LeaderNotesLeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.Contact Mark at: [email protected]