The Matt Ware Show

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 be the one thing that saves you and your organization.Connect with Matt and learn more at themattware.com. Subscribe for more content that will help you lead better and live bolder.

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 is a need to know, not a nice to know.Subscribe so you don't miss Part 2 — the final five steps — coming next week. And connect with Matt at themattware.com to go deeper in your leadership.

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 destructive forces in any organization, and what real loyalty actually looks like in practice. If you've ever been burned by a disloyal team member — or wondered if you've been the disloyal one — this episode is for you.Subscribe for straight talk on leadership every week. Connect with Matt and learn more at themattware.com.

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. This is a tension you don't solve — you learn to manage it.Subscribe for weekly conversations on life and leadership. Connect with Matt at themattware.com.

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 together at themattware.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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 themattware.com and follow @themattware.

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 the way you think and lead.For coaching, clarity, or free leadership tools, visit themattware.com and follow @themattware

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 themattware.com and follow @themattware

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 to do what leaders do?Subscribe for weekly leadership insights that help you lead better and live bolder.For coaching, clarity, or free leadership tools, visit themattware.com and follow @themattware.

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 their decisions.Subscribe for more leadership insights and practical lessons.Connect with Matt at themattware.com for coaching, clarity, and leadership resources.

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 and follow @themattware. Subscribe for more conversations on life and leadership.

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 themattware.com.

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 apology to de-escalation, these are lessons every leader must wrestle with in emotionally charged moments.For coaching, clarity, or free leadership tools, visit themattware.com and follow @themattware.

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, conviction, and growth. To connect, work with Matt, or explore leadership resources, visit themattware.com.

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, not just survive it.Subscribe for straight talk on leadership, growth, and living boldly. To connect, explore coaching, or learn more, visit themattware.com.

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 leadership conversations, and connect with Matt at themattware.com to grow personally and professionally.

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 more leadership conversations that challenge you to grow personally and professionally. To connect or explore coaching, visit themattware.com.

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 you’re missing and grow as a leader.Subscribe for more leadership conversations, and connect with Matt at themattware.com to grow personally and professionally.

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.Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, growth, and living bolder without losing yourself in the process.To connect, learn more, or work with me, visit themattware.com.

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 weekly conversations on leadership, growth, and living with intention. To connect, work with me, or take the next step, visit themattware.com.

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 conversations like this. To connect, work with me, or explore leadership tools, visit themattware.com.

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 coaching, clarity, or free leadership tools, visit themattware.com and follow @themattware. Subscribe for more leadership insights every week.

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 your organization with greater intuition, this episode will help you see the continuum more clearly.Subscribe for more leadership episodes.For coaching, clarity, or free leadership tools, visit themattware.com.

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.

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.

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 greatest contribution won’t come in thirty-second increments.For coaching, clarity, or free leadership tools, visitthemattware.com.Follow @themattware on all platforms.

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 leadership. Learn more at themattware.com.

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.

Leaders talk about vision, strategy, and execution—but most fail at the one thing that matters most: follow through. Matt shares why credibility, trust, and leadership longevity all hinge on this one simple but rare skill.

Most leaders chase professional success at the expense of personal health, family, and peace. Matt reveals why true success starts with the personal, not the professional—and how prioritizing your life off the clock unlocks your greatest leadership potential.Subscribe for more straight talk on leadership.Learn more at themattware.com.

Every leader deals with stress—but not every leader handles it well. Matt unpacks the two kinds of stress, the “unstrung bow” vs. “string follow,” and how to find your healthy middle ground so you can live and lead stronger.

A good leader can lead anything. Why? Because leadership is a meta skill—a higher-order ability that magnifies every other skill. In this episode, Matt unpacks the five essential skills that prove why great leaders can lead anywhere.

Leadership isn’t about collecting followers—it’s about creating more leaders. Matt shares a pivotal lesson from Dr. Sam Chand that reshaped his leadership forever: the call to discover, develop, and deploy leaders.

Do you feel stuck, restrained, or held back in leadership? Matt Ware shows why leaders hold themselves back more than anything else — and how to conquer the fears that keep you from running free.

Every leader wants to grow fast — but big impact always starts small. In this episode, Matt reveals why small beginnings aren’t weakness but the foundation for lasting growth, influence, and leadership.What if the very thing you’ve been resenting — your small stage, your slow progress — is actually the gift that will set you up for big impact? Next steps: Subscribe and share this episode with a leader who needs encouragement. Drop a comment: Where in your life or leadership are you in the “small beginnings” stage right now? Explore resources at themattware.com for coaching, free guides, and more.Subscribe now so you don’t miss future episodes of The Matt Ware Show!

You may know UVA Wine Bar for its incredible atmosphere—but behind it is a story of vision, courage, and deep intentionality. In this bonus episode of The Shift Podcast, Matt and Evan sit down with Liz Blakeley, co-owner of UVA Wine Bar in Colorado Springs, CO. Liz shares how a spontaneous trip to Napa turned into a bold career shift after 26 years in physical therapy. She unpacks her approach to leading people with empathy, creating a culture of trust, and building a business where team and community come first. If you’re serious about leadership, longevity, and building something that lasts—this conversation is a masterclass.Contact: theshiftpodcast.co Matt Ware: https://themattware.com Evan Weiland: https://evanweiland.com UVA Wine Bar: https://www.uvawinebarcos.com/

Starting a business doesn’t have to take months—or even weeks. In this episode of The Shift Podcast, Matt and Evan walk through a step-by-step plan to launch your business and land your first 10 customers in just 30 days. No website. No branding. No social media following required. They unpack what really matters: defining your offer, pre-selling to your warm market, building a minimum viable business, and doubling down on what works. If you’ve been stuck in “planning mode,” this episode is your permission—and your playbook—to stop stalling and start building.Contact: theshiftpodcast.co Matt Ware: https://themattware.com Evan Weiland: https://evanweiland.com

Thinking about going into business with a partner? You might want to listen first. In this episode of The Shift Podcast, Matt and Evan break down the good, the bad, and the downright dangerous sides of business partnerships. From Dave Ramsey’s “5 Ds” to why true 50/50 splits are a legal and emotional minefield, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and help you make smarter decisions. Whether you’re in a partnership now or considering one, you’ll learn what makes them thrive—and what makes them implode. This one’s a must-listen for founders and leaders at every level.Contact: theshiftpodcast.co Matt Ware: https://themattware.comEvan Weiland: https://evanweiland.com Recommended Books: Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell Profit From Pain by Dr. Alok Singh

Skills don’t sell. Trust does. In this episode of The Shift Podcast, Matt and Evan break down five powerful ways to build trust in business—so you can attract more clients, close more sales, and grow with integrity. You’ll learn why empathy always comes first, how to leverage proof and social credibility, and how quick wins build confidence faster than big promises. They also unpack two proven sales frameworks (Know–Like–Trust and 7-11-4), plus why your longevity in business is a trust-builder all on its own. If you want your market to believe in you, this is the episode to study.Contact: theshiftpodcast.co Matt Ware: https://themattware.com Evan Weiland: https://evanweiland.com Recommended Books: Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestley Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell

How do you know if a new idea is an opportunity… or just a distraction? In this episode of The Shift Podcast, Matt and Evan tackle the entrepreneurial minefield of shiny object syndrome. They break down why more success leads to more temptation, how to evaluate new opportunities with clarity, and the 7 questions every leader should ask before jumping into something new. From niche hopping to resource allocation to vision alignment—this episode is a crash course in strategic decision-making. If you’re tired of starting and stopping, this conversation will help you focus, commit, and win.Contact: theshiftpodcast.coMatt Ware: https://themattware.comEvan Weiland: https://evanweiland.com Recommended Books: Profit From Pain by Dr. Alok Singh The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell

You’re not lazy—you’re just working outside your genius. In this episode of The Shift Podcast, Matt and Evan dive deep into the 6 Types of Working Genius, a framework developed by Patrick Lencioni that’s transforming how leaders approach productivity, team dynamics, and self-awareness. You’ll discover your unique working genius, where you’re wasting energy, and why feeling guilty about your weaknesses is actually a sign you’re ready to level up. Whether you lead a team of two or 200, this episode will show you how to stop white-knuckling your way through work—and start building around your strengths.Contact: theshiftpodcast.co Matt Ware: https://themattware.com Evan Weiland: https://evanweiland.com Recommended Books: The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni The Self-Aware Leader by John C. Maxwell The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

Most entrepreneurs don't have a strategy problem—they have a habit problem. In this episode of The Shift Podcast, Matt and Evan expose the three biggest bad habits sabotaging business leaders: procrastination, perfectionism, and avoidance. You’ll learn how to apply the habit swap strategy, how to use your environment as a cheat code, and why consistency always beats intensity. From personal discipline to professional execution, this episode offers practical tools you can apply right now to get back in control of your time, your leadership, and your life.Contact: theshiftpodcast.co Matt Ware: https://themattware.com Evan Weiland: https://evanweiland.com Recommended Books: Atomic Habits by James Clear The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg Willpower Doesn’t Work by Benjamin Hardy

Whether you love or hate politics, one thing is certain—it's leadership in its rawest form. In this episode of The Shift Podcast, Matt and Evan unpack five powerful leadership lessons from the 2024 U.S. election cycle. From knowing your base and casting clear vision to rocking the boat and embracing confidence, this conversation will challenge you to lead louder, bolder, and more intentionally. No political rants—just real takeaways that translate directly to your business and leadership. If you're serious about growing, it’s time to study the moves of the most influential leaders in the world.Contact: https://theshiftpodcast.co Matt Ware: https://themattware.com Evan Weiland: https://evanweiland.com Recommended Books: Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell

What really holds entrepreneurs back? In this bonus episode of The Shift Podcast, Matt and Evan sit down with Dr. Alok Singh—a board-certified psychiatrist, entrepreneur, and author of the just-released book Profit From Pain. With a rare blend of medical expertise, business acumen, and deep personal insight, Dr. Singh dives into the hidden emotional roadblocks that limit leaders: unresolved trauma, identity confusion, anxiety, burnout, and more. If you're grinding hard but still feeling stuck, this conversation will help you connect the dots between inner healing and outer success. It’s raw, real, and packed with wisdom.Contact: theshiftpodcast.co Dr. Alok Singh: https://www.draloksingh.com Matt Ware: https://themattware.com Evan Weiland: https://evanweiland.com Recommended Books: Profit From Pain by Dr. Alok Singh Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Profit-Pain-Turning-Trauma-Triumph/dp/B0DZFL37CP/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8eWDFTjuzbLku3MjokU-9g.7sIlA-Tr-DRJWT0-0zkMFJaVqFJ4VP8YzyKjIS03kAQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=profit+from+pain+alok+singh&qid=1748399421&sr=8-1

How much pain can you take? In this episode of The Shift Podcast, Matt and Evan unpack the brutal truth behind personal and professional growth: it always comes with pain. You’ll learn why leadership pain is unavoidable, how avoidance becomes your cap, and why disruption and discomfort are actually the fuel for your next level. From skydiving and 75 Hard to Maxwell, Goggins, and Hormozi—this episode is loaded with real-world wisdom. If you're trying to grow your business, your leadership, or yourself… this conversation will stretch you. Contact: theshiftpodcast.co Matt Ware: https://themattware.com Evan Weiland: https://evanweiland.com Recommended Books: Leadership Pain by Dr. Sam Chand The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek

Momentum isn’t magic—it’s a leadership skill. In this episode of The Shift Podcast, Matt and Evan break down why momentum is a leader’s greatest friend—or worst enemy—and how you can create it on purpose. They unpack the myth that momentum is outside your control and show you how to build it step by step, starting with small wins and stacking them into unstoppable progress. You’ll also learn why momentum always follows disruption, and how morale and money are the two engines every business must keep moving forward. If you feel stuck, this episode will give you the blueprint—and the push—you need. Contact: theshiftpodcast.co Matt Ware: https://themattware.com Evan Weiland: https://evanweiland.com Recommended Books: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell Relaunch by Dr. Mark Rutland

“If it weren’t for the people…” Sound familiar? In this episode of The Shift Podcast, Matt and Evan break down the one thing that drives every business, regardless of industry: people. From internal leadership to external customer interactions, your ability to lead, communicate, and connect will make or break your business. You’ll hear how companies like Zappos and TOMS scaled by putting people first, why “soft skills” should be considered survival skills, and how to shift your mindset from transactional to transformational. Plus, four actionable ways to grow your people skills this week. Contact: theshiftpodcast.co Matt Ware: https://themattware.com Evan Weiland: https://evanweiland.com Recommended Books: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Winning with People by John C. Maxwell Business Secrets from the Bible by Rabbi Daniel Lapin

Summary: Your business was supposed to give you freedom—but now it feels like it owns you. In this episode of The Shift Podcast, Matt and Evan break down why most business owners are stuck in operator mode, the dangerous “owner-operator” identity, and how to start building a company that runs without you. They cover two tactical steps you can take this week—a time audit and SOP creation—to shift from chaos to clarity. If you’re ready to stop doing it all yourself and start thinking like a true owner, this is the episode to get you moving. Contact: theshiftpodcast.co Matt Ware: https://themattware.com Evan Weiland: https://evanweiland.com Recommended Books: The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin

Summary: Most leaders think they’re one hire away from a breakthrough—but what if you’re actually one fire away? In this powerful episode of The Shift Podcast, Evan and Matt dive into the most avoided (but necessary) leadership move: letting someone go. You’ll learn the difference between a training issue and a character problem, five red flags it’s time to fire, and a practical 4-step framework to make the process clearer and less emotional. This isn’t about being ruthless—it’s about leading with clarity, courage, and responsibility. If you’re holding onto someone who’s holding your team back, this episode will give you the insight—and permission—you need to act.Contact: theshiftpodcast.co Matt Ware: https://themattware.com Evan Weiland: https://evanweiland.com Recommended Books: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250183863/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0 Leadership Pain by Sam Chand Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0718031598/?bestFormat=true&k=leadership%20pain%20samuel%20chand&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_de_k0_1_17&crid=UA9NNP3VPIRK&sprefix=leadership%20pain%20s

Most entrepreneurs are grinding hard—but on the wrong things. In this episode, Evan and Matt expose the trap of "feel-good" tasks that don’t actually drive growth and show how to identify what truly moves the needle. They explore how experience is earned through growth—not time—and how using the 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) can lead to game-changing results. You'll learn how to shift your focus, apply strategy through ruthless prioritization, and get actionable steps to unlock the next level in your business. If you're feeling stuck or plateaued, this conversation will help you break through.Contact: theshiftpodcast.coMatt Ware: https://themattware.com/ Evan Weiland: https://evanweiland.com/