On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with John Knowlton to dive deep on leadership, faith, and the power of intentional thinking. We explored how your mindset shapes your outcomes, the importance of personal mission, and how values guide every decision — both in business and in life. John shared inspiring stories from his journey, including lessons from the prison chaplaincy and the business world, and practical tips to help you lead with purpose, serve others, and create abundance. If you’re ready to elevate your leadership impact and align your daily actions with your greater calling, this episode is a must-listen!

------

Download your free episode guide here!

------

00:00 Multi-Hat Life: Pastor to Financial Planner

04:36 "Aligning Goals with Mission"

09:25 Facing Fearful Decisions

12:42 Selfish Choices in Troubled Lives

17:01 "Redirect Negative Thoughts"

18:35 Objectifying People: A Coffee Shop Reflection

22:20 Genesis Origins: Purposeful Stewardship

25:31 Finding Life Purpose: Simple or Grand?

28:13 Finding Purpose Through Faith

33:40 From Incarceration to Entrepreneurial Mentor

37:33 "Christian Business Leadership Challenges"

39:35 Stewardship Through Business Principles

43:33 Experiment with Generosity

47:45 "Start Mornings Mindfully"

50:08 "Comical Morning Routine Insight"

55:44 Email's Impact: A 30-Year Reflection

56:34 Digital Search Revolutionizes Interaction

------

Here are my three biggest takeaways:

🔹 Clarity of Mission Is Everything Whether you’re guiding a business, a team, or your own career path, John emphasized the power of a clear personal mission, vision, and values to navigate tough choices and stay aligned—even when business and personal goals collide.

🔹 Abundance Comes from Giving John’s prison chaplain experience highlighted that mindsets focused on serving and contributing to others—not “taking”—create the conditions for real abundance in life and business. Generosity isn’t just good, it’s practical leadership strategy.

🔹 Growth Is a Journey, Not a Destination Finding your true purpose isn’t handed to you at graduation—it’s a process, discovered along the way. Pay attention to what energizes you, and don’t be afraid to test, reflect, and refine your path over time.

------

Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

-------

Links

John's Website

LinkedIn

John's new book

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Walter Dusseldorp, the Dutch Mentor, to dive deep into what really drives leadership success. We explored why focusing on emerging leaders is game-changing, how real mentorship—beyond checkbox training—can transform teams, and why measuring actionable progress matters more than ever. Walter shares powerful insights on developing self-aware leaders, building high-performing teams, and creating workplaces where people actually want to stay and grow. If you’re serious about leadership development, this is a must-listen!

------

Download your free episode guide here!

------

00:00 Paramedicine to Leadership Transformation

05:16 "Mentorship: Essential Path to Leadership"

07:16 "Integrative Support in Hiring Process"

11:50 Root Causes of Employee Underperformance

14:53 Neglecting Frontline in Leadership Development

18:25 "Retention Through Stay Interviews"

20:29 Accountability and High-Performance Teams

------

Here are my top 3 takeaways:

🔹 Mentorship Matters Most for Emerging Leaders: Walter emphasizes that those newly promoted into leadership roles, especially from technical backgrounds, often lack the support they need. Intentional mentorship can bridge the gap between “doing” and truly “leading.”

🔹 Leadership Development Starts on Day One: According to Walter, leadership development shouldn’t wait for an annual review or promotion—it should kick off as soon as someone is hired, with structured support and actionable learning, not just online modules or one-off workshops.

🔹 Focus on Actionable, Measurable Steps: Walter’s approach to building high-performing teams involves regular check-ins, clear metrics (not too many!), and ongoing accountability. This ensures that leadership growth is practical, sustainable, and aligned to real outcomes.

Walter’s emphasis on servant leadership, team alignment, and flexible mentorship really hit home for me. If you’re looking to elevate your leadership pipeline, this episode is a must-listen!

------

Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

------

Links

Walter's Website

LinkedIn

Book Recommendations

Good to Great

Eckhart Tolle Books

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Bill Heinrich to uncover how true leadership starts from within. Bill shared his journey from extreme misery to authentic fulfillment, emphasizing that real success is about energetic alignment—not just chasing material wins. We explored why finding and living your true purpose transforms both business and personal life, and why ownership and responsibility matter so much more than accountability. If you want to level up your leadership and create real impact, tune in and discover how living your truth can change everything.

------

Download your free episode guide here!

------

00:00 Rethinking Legacy and Material Success

03:53 Life's Lessons: Beyond Material Success

06:57 Challenge: Executives & Non-Systemic Approaches

10:22 Empowered Living Through Integrity

14:17 Finding Fulfillment Through Authenticity

18:57 Virtual Connectivity Challenges

21:35 "Heart Over Mind: Embrace Now"

25:38 Effective Communication: Choosing Delivery Methods

29:18 Embracing Control Beyond Belief

31:16 Blueprints for Unfolding Personal Purpose

36:01 "Modern Communication: Cyborg Connectivity"

38:49 Podcast Wrap-Up: Final Three Questions

41:33 Podcast Insights & Future Highlights

------

Here are my top 3 takeaways from our discussion:

• Authenticity Wins: True leadership and lasting happiness come from understanding and embracing your unique energy—not just chasing material success or following prescribed systems.

• Responsibility Over Accountability: Bill challenges us to choose responsibility instead of just accountability. Taking ownership of your actions (rather than playing the victim) leads to clarity, better communication, and more positive relationships at work and at home.

• Purpose Is About WHO You Are, Not What You Do: Your life purpose isn’t about your job title or your daily tasks; it’s about the energy and intention you bring to every moment, conversation, and relationship.

If you’re feeling “successful but miserable,” or just want to lead with more impact, this episode is a must-listen. Bill also shares practical tools and the importance of energetic alignment for leaders at every level.

------

Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

------

Links

Bill's Website

LinkedIn

Bill's Book

Book Recommendation

The Seat of the Soul

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success