The Leaders Lab presents The Playbook with Ken Eslick

Tired of the "guessing game" that comes with traditional hiring?. We’ve all been there - you meet a candidate who looks perfect on paper, nails the interview with a sharp suit and a great smile (hello, Halo Effect!), but then struggles to perform two months in. In this episode, Ken Eslick and Onika Kwatsha dive deep into how to move past surface-level impressions by using advanced behavioral assessments - like DISC, Motivators, and Cognitive insights - to map a candidate's natural "wiring" directly to your job description. Learn how to use AI to digest massive 80-page reports into actionable blueprints that reveal exactly where a candidate will thrive and where they’ll need to stretch. In this episode, we discuss: Why "gut feel" isn't enough and how to combat hiring biases. The difference between a developed skillset and a natural behavioral trait (and why it matters for long-term happiness). How to turn assessment "gaps" into surgical, targeted interview questions. Why a 91% match is often the highest score you'll ever see. Ken’s personal "radical self-awareness" moment regarding his own DISC profile. Timestamps [00:00:29] – Building on Team Compass: Moving from team mapping to individual job fit. [00:03:00] – The "Halo Effect": How biases regarding appearance and resumes lead to bad hires. [00:04:57] – Using AI as a Tool: How to digest 80-page reports without losing the "human connection". [00:06:40] – The Hunter Profile: Why your best salesperson might be terrible at paperwork (and how to interview for it). [00:09:50] – Scoring Job Fit: What a score in the 70s vs. the 50s actually tells you. [00:17:35] – The Risk of Mismatch: Why a "skillful" candidate might still go "crazy" in the wrong role. [00:20:30] – The Win-Win-Win: Why recruitment should be about more than just sending a CV. Connect with Ken and The Leaders Lab: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keneslick/ The Leaders Lab by Ken Eslick: https://www.theleaderslab.co/ Ready to Level Up Your Hiring Process? We’re passionate about helping leaders take the guesswork out of building their teams. Whether you want to learn how to build these AI tools yourself or you'd rather have us handle the heavy lifting to ensure your next hire is a perfect behavioral fit, let's talk. Connect with us here to get started: 👉 https://calendly.com/theleaderslab/meeting #Hiring #BehavioralAssessments #DISC #Leadership #Recruitment #AIinHiring #TheLeadersLab #SelfAwareness  

Is your leadership style built to scale, or is it a bottleneck? In this powerhouse episode of The Playbook Podcast, Ken Eslick sits down with Don Weber, a global communication strategist and former international intelligence operative who spent years working in high-stakes environments across Europe, Africa, and South America. Don doesn't just coach leaders; he teaches them how to build trust, command a room, and read people using elite skills forged in the "shadow world" of intelligence collection. If you’ve ever felt the pressure of rapid growth straining your culture - or your own mental clarity - this conversation is your roadmap. Don breaks down the psychological traps that catch even the most confident CEOs, the "strategic empathy" needed to handle difficult counterparts, and how he leverages AI to personalize leadership development. Inside the Lab with Don Weber: Don has supported organizations connected to the US Treasury, Homeland Security, and the State Department. He has worked alongside world-renowned figures like Tony Robbins and contributes to Entrepreneur Magazine. Today, he helps founders and high performers master executive presence and create influence that actually moves people. In this episode, we dive into: [00:03:00] – The CEO Ego Trap: Why overly confident leaders misread "good manners" for actual buy-in. [00:04:18] – The Power of Listening Last: Why the most controlled person in the room is often the one collecting the most data. [00:06:59] – Reading Non-Verbal Cues: How to spot "contempt" and lack of engagement through micro-expressions. [00:13:06] – Strategic Empathy: Why empathy isn't about being a "doormat"—it's a tool for effective communication. [00:27:03] – AI & Leadership: How Ken and Don use AI models to analyze personality assessments and formulate better team communication. [00:42:33] – The Intelligence Operative Identity: Don’s journey from living under assumed names to finding spiritual balance through meditation. Connect with Don: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-weber/ Website: https://drwebercoaching.com/ Connect with Ken: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keneslick/ The Leaders Lab by Ken Eslick: https://www.theleaderslab.co/ Ready to Transform Your Leadership? Discover how we help founders and executives unlock clarity and lasting impact: 👉 https://calendly.com/theleaderslab/meeting #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #DrDonWeber #TheLeadersLab #KenEslick #IntelligenceOperative #ExecutivePresence #HighPerformance #CommunicationSkills #StrategicEmpathy #BusinessGrowth  

In this episode, we go "under the hood" of the most complex machine in the known universe—the human brain. Ken Eslick is joined by guest Dominika Staniewicz (known globally as Coach D). Dominika is a world-renowned elite neuro-encoding specialist who has advised the President of Poland and trained under the legendary Dr. Daniel Amen. If you’ve ever felt like you're fighting yourself—knowing exactly what to do but unable to make yourself do it—Dominika explains why your biology is working against you and, more importantly, how to fix it. From overcoming a 40-year battle with epilepsy to debunking the "myth" of willpower and exploring the science of neuro-feminine leadership, this conversation is a masterclass in turning evolution into personal and professional excellence. Episode Timestamps & Highlights: [00:00:52] – The Elite "Brain Ninja": Meet Dominika Staniewicz, the specialist helping global leaders across six continents rewire their minds for peak performance. [00:01:37] – Tragedy as a Catalyst: How personal loss shifted Dominika’s focus from getting her own needs met to realizing the fragility of life. [00:04:12] – The Price of Integrity: Choosing exile over political compliance in Poland and the journey from government advisor to separating hangers in a U.S. warehouse. [00:09:55] – Healing the "Unhealable": How Dominika utilized brain health practices to become 10 years seizure-free after decades of full-blown epilepsy. [00:12:54] – The Identity Trap: Why we often wrap our identity into a disability or negative state as a learned way to get love and attention. [00:14:18] – The Mirror Neuron Glitch: Why "people-pleasing" is often a drive to relieve your own brain's pain centers rather than a purely selfless act. [00:17:26] – The Willpower Myth: Why willpower is fleeting and how to change neural pathways so desired behaviors become an automatic part of your personality. [00:21:35] – The Biological Foundation: Why you cannot achieve permanent neuroplasticity without the proper building blocks like sleep, iron, and magnesium. [00:24:45] – Neuro-Feminine Leadership: Exploring the structural advantages of the female brain—including enhanced white matter connectivity and pattern recognition. [00:37:00] – Connect with Coach D: Insights on the "Business Her Way" event and using neuroscience to adapt sales and leadership styles. Connect with The Leaders Lab Connect with Ken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keneslick/ The Leaders Lab by Ken Eslick: theleaderslab.co Connect with Dominika Staniewicz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominikastaniewicz/ Website: https://yourbraincoachd.com/ Ready to Transform Your Leadership? Discover how we help founders and executives unlock clarity and lasting impact: Book a Meeting - https://calendly.com/theleaderslab/meeting #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadersLab #CareerGrowth #WomenInLeadership #EntrepreneurMindset #Resilience #CorporateStrategy #SuccessMindset  

Invisible to Influential: Mastering the Corporate Climb with Dr. Ginny Baro In this episode of The Playbook Podcast, host Ken Eslick sits down with Dr. Ginny Baro, a Fortune 500 executive coach, bestselling author, and CEO of ExecutiveBound. Ginny shares her powerful immigrant journey, arriving in the U.S. from the Dominican Republic at age 14 without knowing English, fueled by a dream to break the cycle of poverty. She discusses her 26-year corporate career in technology and financial services, her transition into entrepreneurship, and her "CARES" framework for leadership. Ginny also dives into the "acclimation" process required for leaders to step into new identities and the critical role of AI in modern business transformation. Key Takeaways: The Power of Identity: How viewing yourself as an "underdog" can fuel resilience and the drive for education. Acclimating to Success: Why leaders must "acclimate" to the oxygen at new heights and bring their identity along for the climb. The "Lions and Cats" Mirror: Understanding your unique value proposition and recognizing the "superpowers" you often take for granted. AI as a Leadership Tool: Why AI adoption is no longer optional and how it is being driven by end-users rather than just IT departments. The Mastermind Effect: The importance of surrounding yourself with people who have already achieved what you are striving for.   Timestamps: 00:00:29 – Introduction: Ken Eslick introduces Dr. Ginny Baro as a Fortune 500 executive coach, bestselling author, and CEO of ExecutiveBound. 00:01:00 – The Immigrant Journey: Ginny shares her background moving from the Dominican Republic to the US at age 14 with a dream to break the cycle of poverty. 00:02:40 – Early Hardships: She reflects on the "hardest 14 years" of her life, including being separated from her mother for two years before arriving in America. 00:03:52 – Identity and Education: Ginny describes her "underdog" identity and how she used high school as a foundation to learn English and the "rules" of her new culture. 00:05:00 – Corporate Ascent: While working full-time at Prudential, Ginny pursued multiple degrees, eventually earning a PhD in Information Systems to reach the "top" of her field. 00:11:04 – Selective Leadership: Ginny advises that leaders shouldn't say "yes" to every opportunity unless it aligns with their unique value proposition and makes them excited to work. 00:12:34 – The Fork in the Road: In 2017, following a divorce and an unsustainable four-hour daily commute, Ginny decided to leave corporate life to reinvent herself as an entrepreneur. 00:14:19 – Acclimation and Calibration: She explains the concept of "acclimating" to new levels of success, bringing one’s identity along as if climbing a mountain. 00:17:00 – Building Credibility: Ginny discusses publishing her first book, Fearless Women at Work, and establishing her CARES coaching framework. 00:30:49 – Innovating the Mastermind: She explains how she adapted the "Mastermind" concept for corporate leaders, creating six-month cohorts to provide a safe space for growth. 00:38:15 – Embracing AI: Ginny emphasizes that AI is no longer optional; leaders must learn to "swim" with it to do their jobs smarter and faster. 00:41:00 – Connecting Through Story: In her closing remarks, she encourages leaders to use their personal stories to build human connections that technology cannot replicate.   Connect:  Connect with Ken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keneslick/ The Leaders Lab by Ken Eslick: https://www.theleaderslab.co/ Connect with Dr. Ginny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginnybaro/ ExecutiveBound by Dr. Ginny: https://executivebound.com/ Ready to Transform Your Leadership? Discover how we help founders and executives unlock clarity and lasting impact: https://calendly.com/theleaderslab/meeting #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #DrGinnyBaro #LeadersLab #CareerGrowth #WomenInLeadership #EntrepreneurMindset #Resilience #CorporateStrategy #AIRevolution #SuccessMindset

The Investor-Grade Founder: Unlocking 10X Exits with Nick Bradley In this episode, Ken Eslick sits down with "the scale-up guy," Nick Bradley, to pull back the curtain on the world of private equity (PE) and business exits. With a career spanning from starting a personal training business at 18 to serving as a CEO four times under investor backing, Nick shares the "investor-grade" playbooks that help founders stop leaving tens of millions of dollars on the table. They discuss the vital shift from running a lifestyle business to building a wealth-creation asset, the importance of "exiting the operation" before you exit the company, and why the current market is hungrier than ever for profitable, professionalized B2B and home services businesses. Key Takeaways The "Investor-Grade" Mindset: Many founders view their business through a lifestyle or income lens; shifting to a wealth-creation mindset allows you to build a transferable asset rather than just a job. The Power of the Multiple: Increasing profit is only half the battle. Moving from sub-million EBITDA to the $5M range opens a massive marketplace of thousands of PE firms, which significantly drives up the valuation multiple. Exiting the Operation: To achieve a high-value exit, the business must run without the founder. Nick highlights that "owner dependency" is a major risk that devalues a company during an acquisition. Execution Over Strategy: In the PE world, execution is "almost military". Operating in 90-day sprints with clear priorities is what truly drives a step-change in company growth. The "Buy and Build" Strategy: Private equity often buys a "platform" business with strong leadership first, then "bolts on" other companies to create a larger, high-value group. Episode Highlights [00:02:36] Nick’s journey from selling a fitness business for $3,000 to working for Rupert Murdoch and eventually leading 600 redundancies to prep a company for sale. [00:07:38] The "Unapologetic" Truth: Why PE is focused on "value creation"—turning assets into 300% to 500% returns within a 3-to-5-year window. [00:12:44] Transferable Value: How small risks—like key person or customer dependency—can knock 2 to 5 points off your valuation multiple. [00:19:14] The Three Big Mistakes: A lack of wealth-asset awareness, owner dependency/ego, and poor execution discipline. [00:25:36] Scaling Milestones: Why the $1M EBITDA mark is the first major "interest" threshold, but $5M is where the marketplace truly opens up. [00:28:47] The "Boring" Business Boom: Why PE has fallen in love with recurring revenue in "unsexy" industries like HVAC, landscaping, and commercial cleaning. Connect with the Guests Connect with Ken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keneslick/ The Leaders Lab by Ken Eslick: https://www.theleaderslab.co/ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/realnickbradley/ High Value Exit by Nick Bradley: https://highvalueexit.com/ Ready to Transform Your Leadership? Discover how we help founders and executives unlock clarity and lasting impact: https://ken-2xppm4iy.scoreapp.com/ "Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge." — Simon Sinek

Navigating Identity Shifts and "Soft Power" with Katie Shannon What happens when your external success - the titles, the money, and the accolades—leaves you feeling "dead inside"? In this episode of The Playbook, host Ken Eslick sits down with life and leadership coach Katie Shannon to explore the profound identity shifts required to move from high-achieving exhaustion to core-aligned impact. Katie shares her journey from a "hyper-vigilant" childhood - attending eight schools and living in seven different places - to managing high-stakes dynamics in luxury hospitality and for billionaire family offices. They dive deep into the courage it takes to "raw dog" life without numbing agents like alcohol, the difference between performative leadership and authentic power, and why "enoughness" is the ultimate hurdle for the modern leader. Key Takeaways The "Menu of Options": Why many high achievers live their lives based on a pre-set "menu" of societal expectations rather than exploring off-menu desires. Safety vs. Control: Understanding how childhood environments create a hyper-vigilance that leaders often mistake for a necessary need for control. The Trap of High Achievement: How being a high-achieving unfulfilled person is a lethal combination that keeps leaders stuck in golden handcuffs. Masculine vs. Feminine Energy in Business: Rebranding soft power and why women leaders often overwork to compensate for a system not built for them. The Power of the Pause: Moving from reactive leadership to a witnessing state where emotional triggers no longer dictate your actions. Self-Sufficient Leadership: Why great leaders focus on creating a culture of self-management where their team is empowered to bring solutions, not just problems. Episode Timestamps [00:00:53] – Katie’s philosophy on radical honesty and deep emotional truth. [00:02:35] – The "from everywhere and nowhere" childhood: How moving 7 times shaped Katie’s ability to read rooms. [00:06:58] – From hospitality to the Under Armour family office: Learning conflict resolution in the "wild." [00:09:48] – The realization: "I have everything I should want, and I'm so dead inside." [00:15:07] – Identity shifts: Giving up alcohol and learning to sit with raw emotions. [00:24:52] – Coaching women: Resolving the "overworking" trap and the quest for enoughness. [00:30:47] – Tips for rising leaders: Setting boundaries and moving away from people-pleasing. [00:34:27] – Handling volatility: A masterclass in staying in your body during a "shame attack." [00:39:51] – Coaching men: Curiosity, volatility, and the "burp and a cry" moments. Connect with the Guests Connect with Ken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keneslick/ Connect with Katie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieshannon84/ The Leaders Lab: https://www.theleaderslab.co/  Ready to Transform Your Leadership? Discover how we help founders and executives unlock clarity and lasting impact: https://ken-2xppm4iy.scoreapp.com/ "When leaders stop playing small and start owning who they really are, they don't just transform their own lives—they change the world around them."  

"Culture is not what’s written on the wall; it’s what happens in meetings, in hard conversations, and when no one is watching." In this masterclass of intentional leadership, Ken Eslick breaks down his signature framework - a practical tool for building a healthy, high-performance culture intentionally rather than accidentally. Ken and Onika explore why culture starts with the founder’s values, why turnover is ultimately a leader's responsibility, and how to implement "Positive Discontent" to drive continuous movement forward. Whether you are a founder scaling a company or an enterprise leader, this episode provides a roadmap for moving out of the "cycle of diminishing returns" and into a culture of sustainable growth. Tune in to learn how to stop putting out fires and start building a legacy that thrives without you. Episode Timestamps [00:01:45] – The Origin Story: Ken shares how a meeting with a Fortune 500 CEO in Las Vegas inspired him to create a written leadership style document to hold himself accountable. [00:03:37] – Positive Discontent: Defining a culture that balances celebrating achievements with a "what’s next" mentality to ensure continuous growth. [00:06:00] – Loving Your Work: Discussing the responsibility of leaders to create an environment where people genuinely enjoy their roles. [00:07:40] – Fairness and Transparency: How to handle difficult conversations, such as promotions, and why squashing politics and gossip is vital. [00:09:40] – Expectations and KPIs: The danger of ambiguity and the importance of using precise measurements so performance reviews are never a surprise. [00:11:15] – Stewardship of Culture: Why every team member must be empowered to "expose problems" and act as a guardian of the company culture. [00:14:00] – Radical Accountability for Turnover: Ken explains his philosophy that employee turnover is almost always the leader's responsibility. [00:16:20] – The Hiring Process: The value of having multiple interviewers and seeking "buy-in" from the team before making a final hire. [00:18:50] – Pillars of Character: Why it is necessary to explicitly state standards for honesty, loyalty, and professionalism. [00:20:50] – Meticulous Housekeeping: Applying the concept of organization to both physical and digital workspaces. [00:23:30] – Credit and Blame: The importance of confident leaders taking the blame for failures while giving credit to the team for successes. [00:25:50] – No Hierarchy of Human Value: Ken shares a personal story about a VP who treated people differently based on their pay band and why respect must be universal. [00:32:30] – Why People Really Leave: Analyzing data that shows lack of appreciation and poor leadership are higher drivers of turnover than compensation. [00:33:35] – Lead for Growth, Manage for Profit: Balancing the outward drive for sales with the inward management of expenses. [00:35:55] – Measuring Success Through People: Why long-term career fulfillment and relationships are more memorable than quarterly EBITDA numbers. [00:38:10] – Closing Advice: Encouragement to document your own leadership style and take immediate action on cultural improvements. Connect With Us Official Website: theleaderslab.co Email Ken Directly: [email protected] (Request a copy of Ken's Leadership Style template!) Book a Strategy Call: https://ken-2xppm4iy.scoreapp.com/  

The Incongruence Trap: Why Success Isn't Enough (with Jerry Colonna) In this profoundly vulnerable and essential conversation, host Ken Eslick sits down with legendary venture capitalist, author, and CEO coach Jerry Colonna (co-founder of Flatiron Partners, author of Reboot and Reunion) to unpack the personal crucible moment that led him to redefine what success truly means. Jerry shares his journey from outward triumph to deep depression, offering a mirror for every leader struggling with overdependence and the fear that their legacy is at risk. This episode is a must-listen! You'll learn: The Incongruence Trap: How chasing external affirmation ("being a good boy" ) can lead to a fundamental disconnect where "the better that life became, the worse I felt". This is the emotional core of the deep fear that the business you built might collapse without you and be worthless. Survival Instincts as Success Secrets: Discover the double-edged sword: how the "hypervigilance" and the X-ray vision ability to read a room , developed as a childhood survival mechanism, became Jerry's secret weapon as a reporter, a successful VC, and later, a coach. The Second-Time Reboot and Radical Commitment: The catalysts—including the dot-com collapse and the trauma of 9/11 —that forced a second, life-saving pivot and the radical commitment to "sit alone in a room with my thoughts". This offers a powerful lesson on hitting reset when you know you can't go on. From Self-Exploration to Social Reckoning: Jerry explains the vital evolution from the inner work of Reboot ("How have I been complicit in creating the conditions I say I don't want?") to the uncomfortable, systemic questions posed in Reunion ("How have I been complicit in and benefited from a world I say I don't wanna see?"). This is the path to building a true and enduring legacy.   Time stamps: [00:02:00] – Childhood and the "Good Boy" Persona: Growing up with parental mental illness and alcoholism led Jerry to adopt a "good boy" survival persona. [00:05:00] – Early Crisis and Recovery: This system failed at age 18, resulting in a suicide attempt and psychiatric hospitalization. [00:06:00] – Success vs. Depression: Despite high-level career success, internal depression worsened as his external life felt like a "suit of clothes" that didn't fit. [00:13:00] – Hypervigilance in Business: Childhood trauma created a "hypervigilance" that Jerry used as a professional tool for reading rooms and people. [00:16:00] – The 2002 Breaking Point: The 9/11 attacks and the dot-com crash triggered a severe crisis and suicidal ideation at a Wall Street subway station. [00:24:00] – Transition to Coaching: Jerry left finance to pursue meditation and journaling, eventually turning his healing process into a coaching career. [00:33:00] – Responsibility and "Reunion": Inspired by his daughter’s activism, Jerry’s second book explores leadership complicity in systemic issues. [00:45:00] – Confronting Cruelty: A call for leaders to break their silence on systemic cruelty and act according to conscience. This conversation offers a powerful pathway to move beyond the cycle of diminishing returns, granting you the Flexibility and Freedom you desire.   Connect with Ken Eslick and The Leaders Lab:  Ken's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keneslick/  The Leaders Lab: https://www.theleaderslab.co/  Book a call with us: https://ken-2xppm4iy.scoreapp.com/ #FounderTrap #Overdependence #TrappedFounder #FreedomToStepAway #LegacyAtRisk #TheLeadersLab #KenEslick #JerryColonna #Vulnerability #SuccessionPlanning  

On this episode of The Playbook Podcast, Ken Eslick and Onika Kwatsha cut through the noise and get to the core engine of human drive: the Six Human Needs. Your ability to lead others is a direct reflection of your ability to lead yourself. This discussion is about understanding your subconscious strategy for fulfillment and uncovering the 'why' behind your hardest decisions. We dive deep into the six needs, which include four needs of the personality and two needs of the spirit. Our goal is to give you the blueprint to align your personal needs with your professional vision so you can stop managing and start leading to your full potential. We discuss: The paradox of Certainty and Uncertainty (or Variety) and how they drive our behavior. The tension created when prioritizing needs like Significance and Certainty over Growth or Love and Connection. How to differentiate between chasing significance versus genuine contribution. Strategies for leaders to approach team dynamics and difficult conversations from a place of Love and Connection. The wisdom of Tony Robbins: “The quality of your life is in direct proportion to the amount of uncertainty you can comfortably live with”. Timestamps (Grouped) 00:00-01:49 | Introduction & The Core Problem: Why understanding your core needs is the missing layer in leadership. 01:50-04:29 | Defining the Six Needs: Detailed definitions of Certainty, Uncertainty/Variety, Love & Connection, Significance (the four needs of the personality), and Contribution and Growth (the two needs of the spirit). 04:30-08:09 | Personal Wiring & Self-Awareness: Ken's experience with top needs of Significance and Certainty and why awareness can lead to quick behavioral change. 08:10-14:49 | Significance & Connection in Leadership: The difference between a high need for Significance met through contribution versus destruction. Building a reciprocal work relationship from a place of Love and Connection. 14:50-18:09 | Handling Difficult Conversations: Grounding yourself in care and connection when conducting difficult performance discussions. 18:10-24:24 | Applying the Needs to Team Coaching: Coaching team members by appealing to their specific needs, such as appealing to Certainty through activity in sales. Blending the needs with behavioral assessments. 24:25-28:40 | Focusing on Growth & Top Two Needs: The necessity of Growth and why focusing on the relationship between your two highest needs is the key to aligning your life. 28:41-End | Conclusion & Key Quote: Final thoughts on embracing uncertainty. Connect with Us via the Website: theleaderslab.co Email: [email protected] Book a call with us: https://ken-2xppm4iy.scoreapp.com/ Tony Robbins Quote for the Audience: “The quality of your life is in direct proportion to the amount of uncertainty you can comfortably live with”. FREE TEST: https://6-human-needs.sfwalker.com/en #LeadershipDevelopment #HumanNeeds #CoreDrivers #SelfAwareness #TonyRobbins #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship #GrowthMindset #TheLeadersLab #ThePlaybookPodcast #Significance #Contribution  

On this episode of The Playbook Podcast, host Ken Eslick is joined by former NFL Linebacker, speaker, and coach, Anthony Trucks. Anthony Trucks shares the raw, emotional journey from a child in foster care to a professional athlete, detailing the exact internal pivot that changed his trajectory. This conversation is a blueprint for radical ownership, directly addressing the Founders and Enterprise Leaders who feel caught in the "cycle of diminishing returns" and whose companies are overly dependent on them. Anthony explains why his only belief was in the opposite—the certainty that if he did nothing, he would not be great —and how he channeled that fear into Dark Work. Learn why true self-mastery is about building a "Dominator's Identity" that dominates the weaker version of yourself and how taking ownership ("I am the common denominator in all of my problems" ) is the best gift a leader can receive for achieving maximum valuation and a smooth transition. Time Stamps: [00:01:00] The early life: From being given away at three years old to enduring abuse and instability in the foster care system. [00:08:00] Finding stability and a new identity: The adoption that created the emotional room to pursue something new (football). [00:13:00] The Catalyst: The moment a peer rationalized her circumstance and Anthony committed to controlling his own destiny . [00:17:00] Defining Motivation: Why the belief in the opposite of what you want is the most powerful anchor against quitting. [00:21:00] The Power of "Dark Work": How Anthony's commitment to preparation led to an internal shift—"I have done too much work in the dark to lose in the light". [00:23:00] The Dominator’s Identity: Exerting control over the weaker version of yourself to be a better spouse, leader, and person. [00:30:00] College, the NFL, and the Fog: Navigating life after football and falling into a dark place. [00:33:00] The Ultimate Gift: The realization that "I am the common denominator in all of my problems". [00:38:00] What stopped him? The harrowing moment Anthony almost committed suicide, and the strange anchor that brought him home. [00:42:00] How to work with Anthony: The Dark Work Experience and the necessity of taking action. We help you hire the right leaders and build the structure to scale, so the business runs without being dependent on you. Check out our work: Website: theleaderslab.co Ready to stop being dependent on your business and build capacity to scale? Book a call with The Leaders Lab: https://ken-2xppm4iy.scoreapp.com/ #AnthonyTrucks #DarkWork #IdentityShift #LeadershipDevelopment #FounderLife #ScalingUp #CEO #BusinessGrowth #Ownership #ThePlaybookPodcast  

Most founders can track their customer acquisition cost down to the penny, yet when it comes to their most expensive asset—their people—they rely on "bad luck" or "personality conflicts" to explain performance issues. In this episode, Ken Eslick and Onika Kwatsha pull back the curtain on TeamCompass, a proprietary diagnostic tool designed to replace hiring guesswork with actionable data. Ken discusses why relying solely on behavioral assessments or KPIs creates a blind spot in your leadership and how blending them creates "radical self-awareness" for your organization. If you are trapped in the weeds of your business and looking to build the structure necessary to eventually scale and sell, this episode provides the data-driven roadmap you need to put the right people in the right seats. Timestamps [00:00:00] The Leadership Blind Spot: The disconnect between behavioral assessments and real-world performance. [00:00:45] The Financial Paradox: Why leaders track financial data to the penny but accept "bad luck" when it comes to people . [00:02:55] The "Gut Instinct" Trap: Why you can't rely on intuition alone, and the danger of the "ambitious introvert" in sales. [00:04:30] The "Mini-Me" Bias: Why we naturally hire people who remind us of ourselves and how it hurts the business . [00:07:35] Why DISC Wins: Why Ken prefers the 4-quadrant DISC model over Myers-Briggs (16 types) for team analysis. [00:09:20] Warning Signs: How to tell if your team dynamics are broken (turnover, morale, and getting blindsided). [00:11:30] The Workflow: How a simple 15-minute administrative input generates a comprehensive leadership action plan. [00:13:50] Beyond the Algorithm: Why Human + AI analysis is critical for context. [00:15:40] Future Hiring: How to use data to ensure you never make a bad hire again. [00:16:40] The Investment: Pricing details and how new clients can credit the cost back to their first placement. [00:17:50] The 30-Day Result: Moving from friction to flow—what happens after you implement TeamCompass. Notable Quotes "You don't accept bad luck in your financials. So why do we accept it with our most expensive asset, our people?" — Ken Eslick "We connect the easiest... with people that are wired the same way we are... doesn't even necessarily mean they're the best person for the job." — Ken Eslick "Radical self-awareness is... the definition of development or evolution as a leader." — Ken Eslick Featured Tool: TeamCompass This episode introduces TeamCompass, a product born from Ken's 30+ years of leadership experience. The Goal: Move your team forward faster by replacing guesswork with real-life data. The Methodology: Combines leader input, KPI performance ratings, and DISC assessments to identify synergies and friction points . The Output: A 10-page comprehensive report on communication styles, potential mismatches, and specific profiles to target for future hires. Investment: Complimentary for existing clients. For non-clients, the $2,000 investment is fully credited against your first placement with the firm. Learn more about the tool here: 👉 https://www.theleaderslab.co/teamcompass Connect with The Leaders Lab Are you ready to stop being the bottleneck in your business? At The Leaders Lab, we help you hire the right leaders, scale your operations, and eventually sell for maximum valuation. Book a Discovery Call to Get Started: 👉 https://ken-2xppm4iy.scoreapp.com/  

In this essential episode, Ken sits down with author and talent development expert Andy Storch to tackle the cycle of diminishing returns that traps business owners in the day-to-day operations. Andy, who recently relocated his family and business to Barcelona, Spain, discusses how intentional leadership is the only way to build a company that can truly scale without being dependent on you.   You'll discover: The Micromanagement Trap: Why the number one complaint about bad leaders is also the primary reason founders can't find a great second-in-command. The Ownership Mindset: How to encourage employees to stop drifting by asking them the one scary question that great leaders must ask: "Where do you want to be in five or ten years?". Guidance vs. Smothering: Learn the clear line between providing supportive direction and trust-killing micromanagement, and why giving freedom is critical for innovation. The Accountability Reset: How to handle a dysfunctional team by having the leader go first—taking self-accountability, admitting mistakes, and committing to better communication and follow-through.   Segments: 04:20 - Why Founders Can't Find a Good Number Two 05:40 - The Micromanagement Trap: The #1 Complaint 07:00 - The Power of Timely Feedback 11:45 - From Drifting to Ownership: Leading with Curiosity 13:30 - The Scary Question Great Leaders Must Ask 17:10 - Guidance vs. Smothering 17:50 - Freedom Enables Innovation 23:55 - Coaching Different Personalities 32:55 - Teaching the Ownership Mindset 37:45 - Self-Reflection to Build Self-Awareness 40:05 - Why the Leader Must Go First   🔗 Connect & Next Steps If you're ready to stop putting out fires and start working on your business, connect with us!   Ready to find your Number Two? Visit theleaderslab.co to learn how we help you hire the right leaders who fit your culture and drive growth from day one.   Join Ken live! Register for the upcoming webinar, "Understanding the Power of DISC," to learn how to lead and coach every personality type on your team: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7388918729037807616/?originTrackingId=D9NFDWkqTFS2zdiN8UGUxw%3D%3D   #Leadership #FounderLife #ScaleUp #TalentDevelopment #SuccessionPlanning #ThePlaybookPodcast  

In the fiercely competitive "war for top talent," many founders are losing before the battle even begins because their interview process exposes a fatal flaw in their business. The truth is, the hiring system acts as a mirror. What it reflects back to a top candidate is a precise preview of what working for your company—and working for you—will truly be like. If your process is plagued by time delays, poor communication, or a lack of clear vision, you're not just annoying candidates; you're showing them a business destined for internal chaos and slow growth.   This isn't about finding the perfect script; it's about operational discipline and leadership involvement. We dive into why the repeated lack of respect for a candidate's time is a non-negotiable red flag. We discuss the critical importance of a company's vision being clearly articulated to candidates and authentically lived out internally. Crucially, you'll learn why consistent communication , even if it's just a 30-second update , is the single most important factor for fostering hope and optimism—and preventing a potentially great candidate from becoming angry and resentful before their first interview.   We challenge leaders to audit their process by tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) like the time it takes to contact an applicant —a process that should happen within three days. Furthermore, we stress that ownership of the candidate experience must start at the highest levels; the hiring manager or VP should be creating, monitoring, and actively involved in the system. Listen now to learn how to transform your hiring system from a liability into your most powerful tool for attracting and closing elite talent.   Segments/Timestamps: [00:00] Intro: The War for Top Talent & The Interview Mirror  [00:52] The Mirror Effect: What Your Hiring Process Truly Reveals  [02:18] Hiring Manager Ownership & The Reflection of Leadership  [02:58] Beyond the Mission: Articulating the Employee Vision  [03:55] The 'Elevator Pitch' for Candidates (aka Social Pitch)  [04:58] Internal Alignment: Why You Must Live the Vision You Sell  [07:00] Red Flags: The Non-Negotiables for Candidates (Repeated Disrespect for Time)  [09:20] Communication is King: Why an Update is Better Than Silence  [10:50] The Candidate Emotional Cycle: From Hope to Anger  [13:00] The Danger of Bad Experiences & Glassdoor Reviews  [14:30] Auditing Your Process: Using KPIs in Hiring (The 3-Day Rule)  [18:25] Creating Your Own Competition: Losing Passive Candidates    👉 Register for the FREE DISC Webinar here : 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/events/understandingthepowerofdisc7388918729037807616/   🎧 Want a sneak peek before the session? Listen to this episode of The Playbook Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-about-disc-how-to-hire-lead-and/id1843108230?i=1000733699392   #TalentAcquisition #HiringProcess #LeadershipDevelopment #RecruitingStrategy #OperationalDiscipline  

Most leaders use DISC as a personality test. But what if you’re missing its real power? In this episode, Ken Eslick and Onika Kwatsha reveal how the DISC assessment can become your secret weapon for building stronger teams, improving communication, and leading with precision. Forget surface-level labels—this conversation dives deep into what each style (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness) actually looks like in the real world. You’ll learn how to spot DISC traits in interviews, how to structure teams for harmony and results, and how to coach people in ways that unlock their true potential. Ken shares how decades of using DISC across leadership, recruiting, and personal growth have shaped his approach to hiring and team performance—and Onika brings her own insights as both a leader and practitioner who’s lived the DISC experience firsthand. Whether you’re leading a startup, managing a growing team, or simply trying to understand what makes people tick, this episode will help you see beyond personality and start leading with clarity, empathy, and intentionality. ⏱️ Episode Breakdown 00:00 – 02:00 | Why DISC still matters in modern leadership 02:00 – 10:00 | The four core styles (D, I, S, C) and what drives each 10:00 – 25:00 | How to read DISC profiles during hiring and interviews 25:00 – 40:00 | Leadership blind spots and adapting your communication style 40:00 – 54:00 | Using DISC to coach, retain, and develop top talent   ✅ Take your free DISC assessment here: https://psycho-tests.com/test/disc-assessment 📅 Join our free live webinar on November 12 at 2 PM EST   #LeadershipDevelopment #DISCProfile #HiringStrategy #TeamDynamics #TheLeadersLab #ExecutiveCoaching #PeoplePerformance #SelfAwareness #CommunicationSkills #WorkplaceCulture

In this episode, strategist and author Jonathan Bennett—advisor to CEOs, boards, and founders—breaks down exactly how and when to stand up an advisory board, why founders should hire a chair first, and how structure and accountability pull leaders out of isolation. The conversation covers paid vs. unpaid advisors, what to do when disagreements arise, and how quarterly decks become an early-warning system for both risk and opportunity. You will hear a live case study on a $5M trades business planning a future exit, learn the baseline systems and KPIs required before a board can help, and understand how a skilled chair’s network can fill functional gaps, recruit leaders, and prep a company for sale. Jonathan also opens the curtain on his “portfolio life,” the realities of CEO coaching, and a behind-the-scenes advisory series where listeners can eavesdrop on real-world boardroom conversations. Don’t miss this conversation between Ken Eslick and Jonathan Bennett! Looking for your next leader? Contact us: [email protected] or take the Free ScaleUp Leadership Survey at theleaderslab.co ⏱️ Segments  00:00 – Welcome & Why Boards Belong in Your Playbook (guest intro + pillars: Hire, Scale, Sell) 01:02 – Jonathan’s First Board Seat: governance by immersion and what stuck 03:12 – Feeling Alone as a Founder? Build “Scaffolding”: mentors vs. coaches vs. advisory boards 05:04 – Making It Real: 4 handpicked advisors, quarterly packs, brutal questions, accountability 07:28 – How to Get on (and Build) Boards: why young leaders should join one 10:01 – When to Form an Advisory Board—and What to Pay: from bootstrap to $20M+ examples 12:10 – The Better Model: Hire the Chair First and let the chair recruit for blind spots 14:15 – Recruiting Your Board Like a Pro: use a formal search (yes, a recruiter) and interviews 16:22 – Cadence & Consequences: quarterly rhythm, ad-hoc in crises, and what if you ignore advice? 18:45 – Virtual vs. In-Person: Zoom practicality vs. the magic of dinner + a full-day board 21:02 – Case Study: $5M HVAC/Plumbing Owner Eyeing an Exit—the chair’s profile and board mix 24:55 – Before the Board Helps, Fix the Foundation: KPIs, finance hygiene, and leveraging the board’s network 28:42 – Inside Jonathan’s Portfolio Week: four boards, executive advising, and selective consulting 30:58 – Coaching vs. Advising: decision-making, tough HR calls, and “sometimes just give the answer” 33:10 – Deep Listening & ‘Clearly Then’: why presence matters and where to hear real sessions   #ThePlaybookPodcast #AdvisoryBoard #FounderToCEO #ScaleToSell #LeadershipPlaybook

Stop trying to be indispensable—the business grows the moment you aren’t. You don’t scale by doing more—you scale by replacing yourself in the right seats. In this episode, Onika and I unpack the uncomfortable shift from “I do everything” to “I build the team that does everything,” including the identity and ego traps that keep smart leaders stuck. We walk through the practical side: how to decide who should take the wheel (sales, ops, GM), how to define the bullseye profile beyond a generic job description, and how to run a fast—but not sloppy—process that candidates actually enjoy. We also get tactical on onboarding cadence, 30/60/90s, and the difference between owning the process vs. trying to be in every interview. If you want to move up a level, your job is to multiply leadership—starting now.  Segments: 00:00 — Why you can’t grow until you replace yourself 02:05 — My early lesson: doing it all vs. building a team 03:45 — Identity & ego: the hidden throttle on scale 05:10 — Trusting others and becoming a “master delegator” 05:55 — Delegating budgets: why section leads beat heroics 06:55 — Succession planning as important as the financial plan 08:15 — Beyond generic JDs: aim for the bullseye avatar 10:55 — Pitch your company to candidates like a product 13:30 — Hiring ≠ delegation; hiring = leadership multiplier 15:20 — Proactive vs. reactive hiring (and the “beer goggles” trap) 19:05 — Speed with respect: candidate communication that wins 25:10 — Onboarding cadence and 30/60/90s that set people up to win 29:10 — The personnel-file wake-up call: feedback must match decisions 34:05 — Hard truth: no one is indispensable—build leaders or plateau 36:05 — The promotion unlock: develop leaders at every level Looking for your next leader? Contact us: [email protected] or take the Free ScaleUp Leadership Survey at theleaderslab.co #Leadership #SuccessionPlanning #Hiring #ScalingUp #TalentAcquisition

In this episode of The Playbook, presented by The Leaders Lab, Ken Eslick and co-host Onika Kwatsha go deep into the question every great leader must ask: Who am I, and why do I lead? They break down how your inner drivers define your company’s culture, growth, and eventual legacy — and why leadership isn’t about control or charisma, but contribution, clarity, and connection. Topics covered: Leadership as a mirror: what your team sees in you reflects what’s inside you. Management vs. leadership: the hidden cost of leaning too far into admin. Burning your calendar: when structure stops serving you, start over. The six human needs framework (certainty, variety, significance, love/connection, growth, contribution). Blind spots, DISC, and radical self-awareness. Hiring for difference, not comfort — why “cloning yourself” kills innovation. Ken’s 3-step leadership lens (inspired by Tony Robbins) Timestamps 00:02 – Why leadership starts with you 02:04 – The six human needs explained 07:29 – Manager vs. leader 13:35 – Time-blocking and burning your calendar 26:29 – Turnover, ownership, and tough calls 31:04 – Blind spots and self-awareness 36:34 – Hiring beyond your mirror 43:42 – Vision, why, and cultural ripple effects 45:30 – Ken’s leadership philosophy in three lines “Leadership isn’t a title—it’s a mirror.” “If you don’t plan your week, your week will plan you.” “Great leaders see things as they are—then better than they are—and ultimately guide people to the better.” If you are looking for your next great hire or want to connect with us, we would love to hear from you. Please go to the leaderslab.co or email: [email protected]

In this very first episode of The Playbook, presented by The Leaders Lab, host Ken Eslick shares the story behind the show and why it exists. After a five-month break since The Leaders Lab Podcast, Ken opens up about his own journey—from military leadership to entrepreneurship, from corporate executive to diving deep into mergers and acquisitions, and eventually back to entrepreneurship and the world of self-development. That path ultimately led to the creation of The Leaders Lab, where Ken and his team now help business owners hire better talent, scale with confidence, and maximize value when it’s time to sell. The Playbook is designed to bring those lessons together into one place: a podcast built for leaders who want a clear, actionable path to grow their companies and increase their impact. #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #MergersAndAcquisitions #SellYourBusiness #TheLeadersLab #ThePlaybookPodcast