PODCAST · education
The Matt Ware Show
by Matt Ware
The Matt Ware Show is for leaders who want more — and won’t settle for less. Straight talk to help you lead well and not lose yourself in the process. If you're serious about growing as a leader, you're in the right place.
Episodes
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Leadership vs Management: Find Your True North | Ep 57
If you think your organization needs all leadership and no management, or all management and no leadership, you are wrong. Matt paints a picture of the tension between these two mindsets and why great leaders embrace both. Left to its own devices, your organization will be unbalanced, because you...
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Leadership vs. Management: Why You Really Do Need Both | Ep 56
Leadership and management are not the same thing, and they are not enemies. Matt Ware unpacks why no organization will be healthy without both, and why both must be rooted in servanthood. When leaders stop serving, they run the train off the tracks, and when managers stop serving, the train never...
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The Essential Functions of Leadership (Part 2) | Ep 55
You may be busy doing a lot of things, but are you doing the right things? In part two of this series, Matt finishes the list of essential functions of organizational leadership, the ones that rarely make it onto the job description. Because the people in your organization aren't following a...
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The Essential Functions of Leadership (Part 1) | Ep 54
You've got the title. Maybe even a job description. But nobody ever told you what leadership actually requires. In part one of a two-part series, Matt breaks down the first five of ten essential functions of organizational leadership. Part two, covering the next five functions, drops next week.…
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Flexibility Is The Flex: Why Rigid Leaders Get Left Behind | Ep 53
Most leaders think leadership is a science with a formula. Matt breaks down why leadership is actually more art than science, and why staying locked into your preferred way of doing things can leave you blind to the shifts happening around you. Learn what it really means to be fixed on your…
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Leadership in Real Life: What a Captain Taught Me | Ep 52
A flight delay in a small town airport turned into a masterclass in leadership when Captain Dale Holland stepped up to lead a frustrated crowd. Matt breaks down what the captain did and why it matters more than the technical skill that gets you in the seat. If you want to work on becoming the…
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Why Every Good Leader Is Frustrated (And Why That's Good) | Ep 51
Every good leader Matt Ware has ever known is frustrated all the time. He used to think that was a problem. Now he sees it as part of the job. This week: why your frustration isn't a fault, it's a feature, and how to use it as fuel instead of trying to fix it. If you're a business owner or...
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What I Learned Meeting John Maxwell | Ep 50
For our 50th episode, Matt shares an unplanned trailhead encounter with leadership legend John Maxwell. He breaks down what authenticity, presence, and influence actually look like off stage, and why the meeting changed how he leads. If that question hits home and you're ready to close that gap…
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The Bottomless Language of Manipulation in Leadership | Ep 49
Every leader eventually runs into someone who tries to manipulate them, and it usually shows up in the words they use. In this episode, Matt breaks down the two most common words manipulators use, why those words are impossible to satisfy, and the one move that shuts manipulation down every time....
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How Bad Do You Want It? What Your Actions Really Say | Ep 48
Matt asks the question he can't stop thinking about: how bad do you actually want it? He breaks down the gap between what we say we want and what our actions prove, then challenges you to get aggressive, stay consistent, stop delaying, and stop excusing. If you're ready to stop wishing and start...
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The 7 Core Motivations Behind Every Person You Lead | Ep 47
Every person on your team is motivated by something, they just aren't all motivated by the same thing. Matt breaks down John Maxwell's seven core motivations, purpose, autonomy, relationships, progress, mastery, recognition, and money, and shows you how to spot what's really driving your people.…
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Why Motivating Your Team Might Be Hurting Them | Ep 46
Most leaders think they need to motivate their team with rewards or threats. Matt breaks down why external motivation backfires, hurting performance, crushing creativity, and creating unhealthy dependency. This episode sets up next week's conversation on what actually drives lasting motivation.…
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Why Leaders Need to Leave: The Case for Travel | Ep 45
One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is working too long in the same environment without a change of pace. Matt makes the case for why leaders should leave, and why travel specifically builds problem-solving, adaptability, teachability, appreciation, and inspiration. If you can't leave your...
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Why Every Successful Leader Still Needs a Coach | Ep 44
You've already built something real. So why do you still need help? In this episode, Matt breaks down why the most successful leaders, athletes, and executives never outgrow their need for a coach, and the five specific situations that mean it's time to find one. If you're ready to talk about…
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The Hardest Person You'll Ever Have to Lead Is You | Ep 43
Leading people is hard, but the hardest person you'll ever lead is yourself. Matt Ware breaks down five areas you have to lead in your own life before you can lead anyone else: your mind, your mouth, your heart, your body, and your growth. If this episode challenged you, subscribe so you don't…
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Good Leaders Solve Problems. Great Ones Do This Instead. | Ep 42
Most people tense up the moment a problem lands on their desk. Matt breaks down four stages of how leaders respond to problems, from the ones who shirk them to the ones who actively seek them out. The sooner you find the problem, the sooner you find the answer. If you're a faith-driven leader…
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Your Past Is Running Your Leadership (And You Don't Know It) | Ep 41
Your past — failures, successes, hurts, habits, decisions — isn't just behind you. For too many leaders, it's still running the show. In this episode, Matt breaks down the five ways leaders stay trapped in yesterday and why escaping them is the only path to building something better. Subscribe…
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Most Leaders Are Addicted To Speed (Here's The Fix) | Ep 40
Most leaders are addicted to speed, and it's quietly wrecking their results. In this episode, Matt unpacks why slowing down is the real key to going faster, and walks you through a five-question tool called the after action review. Learn how to build the discipline that helps you execute at a...
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Nobody Tells You the Real Price of Leadership | Ep 39
Leadership will cost you more than time and money — it will cost you your reputation with the very people you're trying to help. Strong leaders get mocked, misunderstood, misrepresented, and maligned, not because they're doing something wrong, but because they're doing something right. This…
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Listen Less, Lead More | Ep 38
Leaders are told to listen more. But what if all that listening is keeping you from actually leading? In this episode, Matt breaks down who deserves your ear, who doesn't, and how to filter input so you can lead with clarity instead of getting buried in everyone else's opinions. Subscribe for...
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Stop Complaining, Start Changing | The Leadership Shift | Ep 37
Complaining is easy. Changing is hard. But if you're serious about your leadership, complaining is the one thing you absolutely cannot afford to keep doing. In this episode, Matt breaks down exactly why leaders default to complaining — and the four things real change requires. If you're ready to...
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I Read Every Comment About Loyalty. Here's What You Got Wrong | Ep 36
Loyalty isn't just something leaders demand — it's something they must model, extend, and earn. In this episode, Matt responds to the most challenging feedback from the loyalty series and goes deeper into what loyalty really means for leaders. If your organization is moving slowly, fractured, or...
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The Development of Disloyalty (Part 2): The Final 5 Warning Signs | Ep 35
Disloyalty follows a predictable pattern — and most leaders don't see it until it's already too late. In Part 2 of this series, Matt walks through the final five stages of how disloyalty develops, from self-deception to full-blown rebellion. If you lead people in any capacity, this episode could…
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The Development of Disloyalty (Part 1): The First 5 Warning Signs | Ep 34
Disloyalty is one of the most destructive forces in any organization — and most people don't even know they're becoming disloyal. In this episode, Matt Ware breaks down the first five steps in the development of disloyalty, from an independent spirit to a critical spirit. If you lead people, this...
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Loyalty and Leadership: Why Every Leader Must Expect It | Ep 33
Loyalty isn't a skill — it's a character issue, and it may be the most important quality a leader looks for when building a team. In this episode, Matt makes a direct and unapologetic case for why every leader has the right to expect loyalty, why disloyalty is one of the most toxic and…
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Faith and Facts: The Tension Every Leader Must Master | Ep 32
Every leader faces the tension between holding onto hope and confronting brutal reality. In this episode, Matt Ware unpacks the Stockdale Paradox — the leadership principle that says you must never lose faith that you will prevail, while also refusing to ignore the hard facts in front of you.…
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Timing Is Everything: How Leaders Win With When | Ep 31
When you lead matters just as much as what you lead and where you lead. In this episode, we break down how timing determines your success and your strategy as a leader. If you've ever done the right thing at the wrong time, this one's for you. Connect with Matt and learn more about working…
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Your Most Valuable Resource as a Leader | Ep 30
Your most valuable resource as a leader isn’t your time, money, or skill—it’s your energy. Where you focus it determines what actually moves forward in your life and leadership. Where are you currently wasting your leadership energy? For coaching, clarity, or free leadership tools, visit...
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Busy Is Killing Your Business | Ep 29
Leaders wear busy like a badge of honor, but it often produces little real progress. This episode challenges the idea that more activity equals more results. Learn the shifts that move your business forward without adding more to your plate. Subscribe for more leadership insights that challenge…
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The Tensions of Leadership You Can’t Escape | Ep 28
Not everything in leadership can be solved—some things must be managed. This episode breaks down the tensions every leader faces and how staying balanced determines your effectiveness. Subscribe for more leadership insights every week. For coaching, clarity, or free leadership tools, visit...
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The Motive of a Leader: Reward or Responsibility | Ep 27
Why do you really want to be a leader? Your motive matters more than almost anything else in your leadership. In this episode, Matt challenges leaders to examine whether they are pursuing leadership for reward or accepting it as responsibility. Do you want to be a leader, or do you actually want…
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Everything Costs Something | Ep 26
Everything costs something in life and leadership. Doing nothing may feel easier in the moment, but inaction carries its own price—often a higher one later. In this episode, Matt Ware breaks down why leaders must confront problems early, take responsibility, and accurately assess the cost of…
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Be Where You Are: The Discipline of Presence | Ep 25
If you don’t learn how to be in the meeting you’re in, you’re sacrificing effectiveness and impact. In this episode, I unpack the discipline of presence and the mental agility required to shift from one meeting to the next. For coaching, clarity, or free leadership tools, visit themattware.com…
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Decisions: The Make or Break of Leadership | Ep 24
Your life and your leadership today are the sum total of the decisions you’ve made. From daily calls to high-risk moments, decision making is central to leadership. If you’re a leader, you are a decision maker—period. Subscribe for more leadership conversations, and connect with me at...
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Leadership Lessons from Controversy | Ep 23
When a controversial video with racist overtones was posted from President Trump’s social media profiles, leaders and influencers rushed into the conversation. Instead of reacting to the outrage, this episode zooms out to examine what timeless leadership principles apply. From ownership to…
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You Can Lead or Be Liked—Rarely Both | Ep 22
Strong leaders inevitably disappoint people. Vision polarizes, decisions divide, and authority invites resistance. This episode breaks the myth that good leadership equals universal approval—and why being disliked may mean you’re doing it right. Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership,...
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The Road to Resilience: Why Leaders Must Learn to Bounce Back | Ep 21
When plans fall apart and leaders get knocked down, resilience determines who keeps going. This episode explores why setbacks are inevitable in leadership and why being resilient matters more than being right. You’ll hear what resilience really is and how leaders learn to grow through adversity,...
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Feedback Is Your Best Friend as a Leader | Ep 20
Feedback is everywhere, but most leaders resist it instead of using it to grow. In this episode, Matt breaks down why feedback is essential for self-awareness and leadership maturity. Learn how great leaders receive it, ask for it, and eventually crave it as fuel for growth. Subscribe for more...
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Ignore Your Critics, Embrace Your Challengers | Ep 19
Every leader hears voices they’d rather ignore. The problem is knowing which ones matter. In this episode, Matt breaks down the critical difference between critics who harm you and challengers who help you grow, and why embracing the right voices is essential for leadership growth. Subscribe for...
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Self-Awareness: The Biggest Leadership Blind Spot | Ep 18
Most leaders don’t fail because of talent or effort—they fail because they can’t see themselves clearly. In this episode, Matt breaks down why self-awareness is the number one leadership problem and how blind spots quietly destroy credibility and impact. You’ll learn practical ways to see what...
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Consistency: The Most Underrated Leadership Superpower | Ep 17
It’s not what you do occasionally that matters—it’s what you do consistently. In this episode, Matt Ware explains why consistency outperforms intensity and why it’s the real difference between good leadership and great leadership. If you want 2026 to look different, this is where it starts....
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Intentionality: Why Next Year Won’t Change by Accident | Ep 16
Tomorrow will look exactly like today unless you get intentional. In this episode, I unpack why drifting is the default for most leaders—and how intentionality changes that. We walk through three practical ways to move from what’s now to what’s next as you head into a new year. Subscribe for…
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Own It: Why Leaders Must Take Responsibility | Ep 15
Growth only happens when leaders stop making excuses and start taking ownership. This episode breaks down why owning failure, success, decisions, and the mission is non-negotiable for leadership growth. If you want progress in the next year, it starts here. Subscribe for more leadership...
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Stop Waiting: Take Action Now | Ep 14
This episode explores why leaders wait too long, over-prepare, and miss opportunities. Matt explains why action—not more information—is what creates traction, attraction, and achievement in leadership. If you’ve been stuck in planning mode, this conversation will challenge you to move. For...
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Chaos—Control Is a Leader’s Real Tension | Ep 13
This episode breaks down the chaos control continuum and why leaders must know what their organization needs in each season. Using real examples, Matt shows why neither chaos nor control is inherently good or bad and why leaders must stay flexible. If you want to lead yourself, your team, and…
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Quality Starts With You | Ep 12
Many leaders complain about the lack of quality in their teams, but the real issue is unclear expectations. This episode breaks down why quality is always defined locally and why leaders must state what they want, when they want it, and how they want it done. Quality is meeting stated expectations.
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One Fire Away From Your Next Level | Ep 11
This episode confronts the real reason leaders stay stuck: avoiding the hard decision to fire someone who cannot be part of the future. Matt breaks down why tolerating mediocrity destroys culture, drains momentum, and sabotages purpose. If you lead people, this conversation meets you where you live.
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The Myth of Multitasking | Ep 10
If you're like most leaders, you've tried to master multitasking, not realizing that the very concept is a complete and total myth. Modern neuroscience has proven your brain can only handle one focus-intensive task at a time. Shut the door, shut off your phone, and shut out the world—because your...
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Slow Down to Speed Up | Ep 9
Too many leaders go too fast for too long—and burn out in the process. In this episode, Matt shares why leadership requires different speeds for different seasons, and how learning to slow down strategically can help you lead stronger, longer, and farther. Subscribe for more straight talk on...
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Don’t Just Get Things Done—Make Things Happen | Ep 8
The best leaders aren’t obsessed with productivity—they’re driven by results. Matt unpacks the crucial difference between getting things done and making things happen, and how this simple shift can reignite momentum in your leadership and organization.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Matt Ware Show is for leaders who want more — and won’t settle for less.
Straight talk to help you lead well and not lose yourself in the process.
If you're serious about growing as a leader, you're in the right place.
HOSTED BY
Matt Ware
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Matt Ware Show have?
The Matt Ware Show currently has 87 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Matt Ware Show about?
The Matt Ware Show is for leaders who want more — and won’t settle for less. Straight talk to help you lead well and not lose yourself in the process. If you're serious about growing as a leader, you're in the right place.
How often does The Matt Ware Show release new episodes?
The Matt Ware Show has 87 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Matt Ware Show?
You can listen to The Matt Ware Show on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Matt Ware Show?
The Matt Ware Show is created and hosted by Matt Ware.
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