Leaders love to see progress. But growth brings a whole new set of problems. You may find yourself stuck in reaction mode, feeling more like a fireman than a leader. Dealing with problems all day can drain your mental energy. After awhile, you may have no bandwidth left for vision and strategy. After more than 40 years in business, we’ve learned how to lead a fast-growing business and maintain time for critical thinking. We call it staying mentally FFIT. With this simple system, you’ll have greater mental clarity than ever before. You will stay out of reaction mode and keep your focus on innovation. Rather than feeling exhausted when you think about work, you’ll be energized by new possibilities. Try it, and get back in front of the change curve again! Here’s a preview of this episode. Why you must have a regular practice of intentional thought. Why scheduled “think time” doesn’t always work. Why your business demands a shift from doing to thinking. One solid way to bake think time into your life. How thought time gives your business an edge. The kinds of questions you should be asking of yourself and business. Why you need to be uninterrupted during your focused thought time. Can focused thought be done with others, or only alone? How outside input fuels your thought life. The value of physical activity in activating your thought life. Why serendipitous breakthroughs are not enough to fuel your business. The simple practice that will help you think more intentionally. Practical advice for people who have trouble writing down their thoughts. The difference between reflective thinking and reactive thinking. How the Hustle Fallacy inhibits your ability to think critically. What critical thinking is and why it matters in your business. The cause-and-effect chain from a leader’s thoughts to business results. How asking different questions can transform your business results. Once you’ve listened to this episode, here’s your next step. Ask yourself this simple question: What is my biggest obstacle to frequent, focused, intentional thinking, and what can I do about it? You’ll be well on your way to solving that—and many other—problems. Tell Us What You Think We love reading your reactions to Lead to Win on iTunes. If you haven’t left a review yet, would you do that now? That also helps keep the show visible to other leaders. Need help? Click here. We also love getting feedback through Instagram. You can follow us at @michaelhyatt and @meganhyattmiller. We think you’ll enjoy our posts there as well. Resources from This Episode Deep Work by Cal Newport See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every leader needs a full and balanced life to be fully effective. But when you leave work, it can feel like you’re going to your second job—home. Managing a household and family take tons of time and energy. It’s exhausting, and it leaves you with no gas in the tank for family or personal interests.    We’ve found a solution. Be applying the same goal achievement techniques to your home that you use at work, you really can free yourself to focus on the things that matter most in your personal and family life.    When you do, you’ll escape that feeling of overwhelm that strikes every time you think about home. And you’ll free up tons of time for rest, relationships, and rejuvenation. We’ll show you how, inside this episode.    Here’s a preview—  Why you absolutely need to eliminate, automate, and delegate at home, just like at work.  How to get out of “reaction mode” in managing your home.  Why not every household task should be done by you.  What matters most to us in home life.  How the Desire Zone™ applies to your household responsibilities.  Where to start in targeting items for elimination or delegation at home.  Examples of household tasks that can be eliminated.  How to automate housework without hiring staff.  Why it’s worth the time to set up automation of food prep and other tasks.  Michael’s latest favorite tool for home automation.  How automated purchasing can save you a ton of time.  How to determine whether it’s worth it for you to hire housekeepers or landscapers.  How a babysitter can do double duty to help with automation.  A next-level strategy for home management.  How investing in home delegation has improved our family life and business success.    Ready to make this system work for you? Here’s your next step. Choose just one task connected with your home to eliminate, automate, or delegate. Try it as an experiment. We think you’ll be so happy with your ability to refocus on what matters that you’ll never go back.    Your Friends Need This!   This episode is too valuable to keep to yourself. Drop a link in your favorite social channel and tag all your friends. Lots of overwhelmed moms and dads will thank you! Don’t forget the hashtag #leadtowin.    Also, if you’re not already a subscriber to this podcast, do that today. You’ll never miss a new episode packed with practical advice you can use right away. Not sure how to subscribe? Click here.    Resources Mentioned in This Episode     Cook Once, Eat All Week    Mint  You Need a Budget  InstaCart  Amazon Prime  Kroger Ship  Yoshi  PillPack  FilterEasy  Amazon Subscribe & Save  Roomba  Amazon Home Devices  Google Home  Lutron  LaundryCare  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael continues his conversation with Ian Cron, author of The Road Back to You and an expert on the Enneagram. Ian shares valuable insights on the essential characteristics of each type. He also shares how they influence productivity both positively and negatively. Best of all, we’ll hear important tips for maximizing productivity by majoring on the strengths of your type and minimizing the weaknesses. When we’re done, you’ll have a basic idea of how to improve your productivity based on your unique personality! (Make sure to listen to Part 1 if you haven't heard it!) Share with a Friend This episode is so valuable you won’t want to keep it to yourself! We’re certain your friends will love learning more about their personalities and how they affect productivity. Please drop a link to this episode in your favorite social channel and tag the universe! Remember the hashtag #leadtowin. Resources from This Episode The Road Back to You by Ian Cron Ian Cron's website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leaders all want to achieve. But sometimes it feels like you’re your own worst enemy. Either you’re too perfectionistic, or too much of a people pleaser, or so much of a conflict avoider that you have trouble getting things done. It’s frustrating and discouraging to fall into the same old traps over and over. There’s a better way. We’ve got expert advice on a proven, helpful system for understanding your unique stressors and motivations, and those of the people around you. When you understand yourself, you’ll finally start working with yourself instead of against yourself. You’ll escape that nagging regret of falling prey to your own foibles, and your productivity will skyrocket. In this double episode (listen to Part 2 here) we’re joined by Ian Morgan Cron, author of The Road Back to You and an expert on the Enneagram. Ian shares valuable insights on the essential characteristics of each type. He also shares how they influence productivity both positively and negatively. Best of all, we’ll hear important tips for maximizing productivity by majoring on the strengths of your type and minimizing the weaknesses. When we’re done, you’ll have a basic idea of how to improve your productivity based on your unique personality! Share with a Friend This episode is so valuable you won’t want to keep it to yourself! We’re certain your friends will love learning more about their personalities and how they affect productivity. Please drop a link to this episode in your favorite social channel and tag the universe! Remember the hashtag #leadtowin. Resources from This Episode The Road Back to You by Ian Cron Ian Cron's website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

To scale yourself, you need to delegate your work to others. But delegating tasks isn’t as easy as it sounds. No matter how hard you try, the results often don’t meet your expectation. It’s frustrating, and it feels like a waste of time. Good news: Delegation is a skill, and you can learn to do it well. Having risen through the ranks in a number of businesses, we’ve learned the secret to delegating like a pro. By communicating four key pieces of information, you’ll get a stellar result every time. You’ll avoid having to re-do tasks. And you’ll gain tons of time to spend on your high-leverage projects. Are you ready to delegate like a pro? Grab a copy of our 5 Levels of Delegation Cheat Sheet and you’ll have all the information you need, right at your fingertips. You can do this! Be the Friend You’d Like to Have We’re betting you have a friend or two who could really benefit from all this great advice on delegation. Drop a link to this episode in your favorite social channel and tag your delegation-challenged friends. I guarantee they’ll thank you for it. Don’t forget the hashtag #leadtowin. Resources from This Episode Your World-Class Assistant by Michael Hyatt 5 Levels of Delegation Cheat Sheet See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Sure, I’d love to have an executive assistant. But I can’t afford one!” You’ve probably said that before. Or maybe you don’t know where to find one. Or you’ve had a bad experience with an assistant and are reluctant to try again. In the meantime, you’re stuck in multitask-mode, essentially doing the job of two people. There’s got to be an easier way to find and hire an executive assistant, doesn’t there? Yes, there is! We’ve got some simple steps for hiring and onboarding the world-class helper you need. Our own HR manager, Daneille Rogers, joins us on the podcast to empower you to make the most important hire of your career. When we’re through you’ll have the confidence to take your first step toward ending the overwhelm and getting the help you need. Here’s a preview of this episode: Why you’re not done with a hire when you sign the contract. Three strategy choices to make before you hire. Pros and cons of hiring a full-time employee. Why a contract assistant often makes the most sense. When a remote assistant may serve you best. Why you should hire no one before creating a job description. Must-have elements in a great job description. How a Careers page on your site works like a screening tool when hiring. Why attitude trumps skill in hiring. The very best (and easiest) way to search for candidates. How to motivate your team to search for your new assistant. Six ways to find candidates that you may not have tried before. Two reasons you might consider using a corporate recruiter. A simple tip for getting interviewees to be totally candid about their history. The very first step in onboarding an executive assistant. TTTT things you must communicate at the outset of your EA relationship. Why you must over-communicate with your EA during the first 90 days. Elements of a good communication rhythm with your EA. Are you tired of the overwhelm? The help you need could be here soon. Don’t overthink this! You know you need the help. Take the next right step and begin drafting your EA’s job description. That will give you the momentum you need to make this vital hire. Resources from This Episode Your World-Class Assistant by Michael Hyatt Careers at Michael Hyatt & Co. The Kolbe A Index See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every leader needs an assistant to manage low-leverage tasks so they can focus on driving results. A world-class assistant can easily remove 15 or 20 hours’ work from your plate. But it’s not always as easy as it sounds. Many executives aren’t used to the daily rhythm of working with a right-hand person. Others have tried hiring an EA before and had bad experiences. You may wonder if really need an assistant—or feel unsure about how to leverage one fully. Here’s help! If you’re dithering about hiring an EA—or if you have an assistant but don’t feel like you’re getting full value—this episode is for you. My ace executive assistant, Jim Kelly, joins the podcast to talk about how he takes a ton of work off my plate so I can concentrate on growing my business. Honestly, I don’t know how I ever did this without him. By the time we’re through, you’ll be dying to get the help you know you need. And? You’ll have the confidence to begin delegating effectively, right from the start. Here’s what’s inside this episode— The real job of a rockstar EA. The foundational communication rhythms that make a strong partnership. The automation tool that can help you leverage asynchronous communication with an EA. Simple hacks for using your EA to tame your inboxes. Should your EA respond to messages in your name, or their own? Automated tools to help your EA communicate for you. What is “calendar proofing” and why your EA should be doing it for you. How to know when you should make a template for a given task. Should your EA answer your phone? How to use two phone numbers with Google Voice to reduce your phone time. What personal data you can share with your EA, what what you shouldn’t. The common-sense limits for which “personal” tasks an EA can legitimately handle for an executive. Some personal assistance tasks that an EA can accomplish on your behalf. If you think you might need an executive assistant, you probably needed on six months ago. It’s time to stop thinking about the cost of having an EA and start thinking about the cost of not having one. Do the math, and you’ll be amazed at how much money you’re wasting on low-leverage tasks!After listening to this episode, you’ll be more than ready to pull the trigger on the most important hire you’ll ever make. And you’ll have the confidence to do it! Are You the Only One? I’m guessing you’re not the only one who has been unsure about how to work with an EA. If any of your friends are managers, executives, or entrepreneurs, you probably know quite a few people who need this content! Do them a favor and share this episode in your favorite social channel. Be sure to tag your most-overwhelmed friends. (Trust me, they’ll thank you for it!) And remember the hashtag #leadtowin. Resources from This Episode Your World-Class Assistant by Michael Hyatt Slack Geekbot Sanebox Unroll.me Gmail TextExpander Google Voice See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leaders are problem solvers, and that means coming up with the right answers. The problem is that you may have no one to go to with our own inquiries. It’s tough to be the one everybody’s looking to for solutions when you’ve got more questions than answers! The longer we’re in leadership, the more we’re convinced that asking the right questions is far more important than always having an answer in your hip pocket.That’s why we take time out once in awhile to let you ask the questions that are on your mind. That’s what this episode is about. Think of it as a whiteboard session. We’ll tackle some of your most persistent questions and offer the benefit of our experience.Here’s what’s inside this episode:Andy Comer asks how to create meaningful relationship goals in the SMARTER™ format.Jordan Brittley wants to know how to keep track of revenue goals—without becoming a slave to them.Sprout Marketing asks how to maintain a personal connection with employees as your business scales.Tom Tonkin poses a question about the definition of leadership.Katie Eckleman wants to know how to share her ideas about goal setting with upper management.Heather Button asks what to do when another department in the company isn’t leading effectively.Chad Ingels wants to know what are the first things to delegate as you scale up from a one-person organization.Kim Metzler asks for the best systems and hacks for someone who struggles with organization.Belinda wants to know when to “let go” of a project.Dee asks about how to land a job.Greg Brown has a question about how to balance your focus between the things you can control versus the things you can’t.Kevin Gomez wonders what to do when you personal growth plan causes you to outgrow your leaders. With questions on leadership, productivity, goal setting, and personal growth, we know there’ll be some positive takeaways for you in this episode. After listening, here’s your next step: choose one practical action you can take today to begin making a positive change in your business or personal life. Remember, big changes always begin with one small step in the right direction. Resources from this episode:48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan MillerYour Best Year Ever by Michael HyattFocus on ThisFull Focus Planner“How to Get Your Boss to Say Yes: Part 1” by Michael Hyatt“How to Get Your Boss to Say Yes: Part 2” by Michael Hyatt“How to Get Your Boss to Say Yes: Part 3” by Michael Hyatt  For more podcasts, visit https://leadto.winSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leaders thrive on getting things done. The problem is that there’s more to be done than any one person can accomplish. That can leave you feeling overwhelmed, even paralyzed. Ever found yourself procrastinating because you couldn’t decide what to do next? There’s a better way. We’ve got a simple plan for any time you feel overwhelmed at work. These four action steps will help you regain your margin and be more productive than ever. If you find yourself feeling dread rather than excitement when you think about work, it’s time for a change. Try it and see! This episode of Lead to Win is brought to you by the new Classic, Executive, and Bold Full Focus Planners. Find out more at leadto.win/planner. *** Here’s what we talk about inside this episode— What’s really making you feel overwhelmed. The real secret to ending overwhelm. How to regain a sense of control in your life. A simple technique for culling your to-do list. How your favorite productivity tool might be contributing to your overwhelm. How to recognize your productivity sinkholes. How the doom loop of dread, procrastination, and overwhelm contributes to your problem. How an associate or mentor can help you identify the key tasks that drive your overwhelm. Why not delegating costs you both time and money. How your need for control is driving your crazy! The emotional flip-flop that occurs when you learn how to delegate. Entry-level ways to begin delegating, even if you don’t have an assistant. Why it is vital that you calendar your work, not just your appointments. Why you need to add personal tasks and projects into your daily planning. Once you’ve listened to this episode, here’s your next step. Do a “brain dump” and put all your tasks, projects, appointments, and commitments on the table. That will give you the objectivity you need to evaluate where you are and make decisions about your highest leverage tasks. You’ll start feeling better immediately! Who Do You Know Who Needs This? If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re certainly not alone. Chances are good that you have a friend or coworker who could benefit from this episode. Why not share it? Drop a link to this episode into your favorite social channel, and take three or four people you know. Let’s help everybody regain their balance! Use the hashtag #leadtowin. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leaders like to plan their work and work their plan. The problem is that real-life gets in the way. Interruptions, distractions, and unforeseen problems can make a trainwreck of your week even before it leaves the station. By Friday, you can feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and wonder, “What did I really accomplish?” There’s got to be a better way to plan your week. Well, there is! And we can teach it to you. We’ve seen our share of Monday to Friday chaos, and we’ve developed a simple system that lets you take control of your week and ensure that you stay focused. Try these next-level strategies, and you’ll finally escape the sickening feeling of never getting anything done. You’re going to start loving Mondays again! Don’t miss out on the free download that goes along with this episode, the Perfect Progress Checklist. It’s a simple tool to tuck inside your Full Focus Planner to kick your weekly planning into high gear. Get yours now. Your Friends Need This We’ll bet you have at least one friend who really needs these tips on weekly planning. Why not help them out by texting a link to this episode right now? You can also share it on your favorite social media platform. Just click one of the links in the sidebar and use the hashtag #leadtowin. Resources from This Episode The Quick Win Full Focus Planner “Self-Care as a Leadership Discipline” by Michael Hyatt The Perfect Progress Checklist See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're happy to announce our new Michael Hyatt & Co. podcast: Focus on This! It's the most productive podcast on the internet. If you want to achieve your big goals and return toyour most important priorities, focus is the key. Building off of the successful framework of the Full Focus Planner, hosts Courtney Baker and Blake Stratton will providepractical solutions to guide you back to focus. Subscribe now and listen to two brand new episodes of Focus on This. Apple Podcasts: https://focusonthispodcast.com/subscribe-apple Google Podcasts: https://focusonthispodcast.com/subscribe-google Spotify: https://focusonthispodcast.com/subscribe-spotify Stitcher: https://focusonthispodcast.com/subscribe-stitcher Also, don't worry! A brand new episode of Lead to Win will be available tomorrow (9/9).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a high-performing leader, we know you love using productivity products like the Full Focus Planner. But any new system can seem overwhelming at first. Honestly, our planner can seem that way at first. With so many features built in, it’s hard to know where to start. You may wonder if you’re actually getting the full value from this amazing product. Not to worry. We’ll give you the inside track on setting up your new planner so you can start using it right away. Here’s the main thing: don’t try to use every feature at once. You don’t have to master the entire Full Focus™ system to get a huge productivity boost from the planner. Follow the nine simple steps in this episode, and you’ll be more productive starting today. It’s really that easy to use. Once you’ve listened to this episode, go ahead and implement step one immediately. Take the other nine steps at your own pace. You’ll be amazed at the results. Also, if you want to introduce the planner to friends or team members, this episode is the perfect introduction. Why not text them the link right now? Resources from This Episode Full Focus Planner Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt “The Benefit of Pairing Digital and Analog to Manage Your Day” by Michael Hyatt See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leaders are driven to achieve. The problem is that our intense drive can backfire. We sometimes set unrealistic goals or timetables, which are impossible to meet. Not that we don’t kill ourselves trying!  When that happens, it’s easy to feel exhausted and discouraged. Why everybody else seem to make rapid progress? Is there a way to get unstuck?  There is, and it’s simpler than you might think. Our decades of business experience have taught us this simple principle for making steady progress: Consistency beats intensity, nearly every time. Rather than a big breakthrough, maybe all you need is a simple plan that will bring consistent results.  When you begin to think this way, you’ll see dramatic changes in your life and business. You’ll finally escape that feeling that you’re “getting nowhere.” And you’ll begin to see steady, consistent, gains in your business and personal life.  Your Next Step Once you’ve heard this episode, here’s your next step. Download the free Perfect Progress Checklist. Identify one daily action that will drive progress on a goal. Begin using the checklist and start making progress now!  won’t believe how effective this is.  Share the Love We know there’s a lot of love out there for Lead to Win, and we’re grateful for your comments! Why not leave a review on iTunes right now, if you haven’t already. That helps so much to keep this podcast visible to others. And we really do read every single comment. We’d love to hear from you.  Have a friend who needs this content? Share the love by dropping this episode into your favorite social feed, along with the hashtag #leadtowin. And don’t forget to tag your friend! They’ll be glad you did.  Resources from This Episode Atomic Habits by James Clear Lisa Hisscock Trainerize How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big by Scott Adams The Perfect Progress Checklist Focus Mate   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leaders create change. The problem is that not everybody wants change. You’ve probably faced the frustration of having your team be less than enthusiastic about a new initiative. That’s when you hear all the familiar lines: “We tried that before.” “It’ll cost too much.” “Why do we need this, anyway?” It’s exhausting. But there is hope! Here’s an easy way to get people onboard with a new initiative. It’s so simple, you’ll wonder you you haven’t thought of it before now. Here it is: When introducing any change, from procedures or policies up to and including new product releases, ask people to think of it as an experiment. Hold on! We know that sounds either simplistic or downright dangerous, but there’s a real logic behind it. And? It really works. We’ve used it dozens of times, both when we find ourselves procrastinating on personal change, and even when we launched one of our most successful products. Try this yourself, and you’ll instantly overcome resistance and gain buy-in for your change initiatives. You’ll finally escape the purgatory of endless discussion about a new idea and quickly move to action. This episode of Lead to Win is brought to you by The LeaderScore Assessment, a simple tool to evaluate the health of your leadership. Find out more at leadto.win/leaderscore. TEXT A FRIEND If this episode strikes home with you, why not text the link to a friend? Failure is a universal experience, and someone you know could probably benefit from this content. While you’re at it, we’d love to hear from you too. Would you leave a review on iTunes? Good, bad, or indifferent. We’d love to hear what you think. We read all of your comments, and they really do help us make the show better! Thanks so much. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leaders are achievers. But nobody bats 1.000. We all experience failure eventually. That can be discouraging—even humiliating! That’s why most of us react in one of two ways. Either we globalize our failure by thinking we won’t ever succeed. Or we sweep the loss away quickly and forget it. But what if there was a better way to fail? Failure doesn’t have to be fatal, and it should never be ignored. We know because we’ve been there! Your failures can make you a better leader if you take the time to examine them non-defensively, learn some lessons, and then move on with confidence. Based on years of business experience, including our share of ups and downs, we’ve identified six specific actions you can take to get every bit of value you can from an experience—even failure. Here’s a preview of this episode: The most recent failure we experienced, and what we learned from it. The obvious—and difficult—first step in learning from failure. How ignoring your own failure undermines your confidence. How avoiding full responsibility for your failure compounds the effect. The most empowering action you can take after a failure. Healthy ways to mourn a failure. The downside of “staying strong” all the time. Six questions that help you learn from failure. The “KISS” method for processing an experience (it’s not what you think). The most important trait you need in order to avoid repeating a failure. The surprising and beneficial result of taking time to process failure. That day Michael literally got back up on the horse! How to keep failure from making your fearful in the future. The reason you can actually be grateful for a failure. Now that you know how to profit from failure, try this: apply these six steps to your most recent experience of failure. We’re betting that’ll help you avoid being stuck in the past, and gain the wisdom you need to achieve even greater things in the future. Give it a try! TEXT A FRIEND If this episode strikes home with you, why not text the link to a friend? Failure is a universal experience, and someone you know could probably benefit from this content. While you’re at it, we’d love to hear from you too. Would you leave a review on iTunes? Good, bad, or indifferent. We’d love to hear what you think. We read all of your comments, and they really do help us make the show better! Thanks so much. Resources from This Episode “How to Recover When You Blow It Big Time” by Michael Hyatt (https://michaelhyatt.com/brene-brown-rising-strong/) “Why No Failure Is Truly Permanent” by Michael Hyatt (https://michaelhyatt.com/no-failure-permanent/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Good leaders want to do the right thing. But sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. Have you ever made a really dumb choice that cost you a relationship or an opportunity? It’s so discouraging to realize you’ve made an avoidable mistake. It can even make you question your decision making ability. But you can recover. When we see people who seem to always make the best decision, it’s tempting to believe that they’re just smarter than we are, or maybe have a unique gift. Not true! Nobody is born wise. The good news is that wisdom is a trait you can acquire. Over a lifetime of practice (and the mistakes to go with it) we’ve distilled our learning into 3 habits that wise leaders consistently practice. Put these habits to work for you, and you’ll begin to see a huge difference. You’ll avoid the regret and disappointment that come with repeated failure. Your decision making will improve, you’ll make better choices, and you’ll become the respected leader you aspire to be. Once you’ve listened to this episode, ask yourself this key question: “In what area of my leadership am I most reluctant to receive honest feedback from others, especially those closest to me?” Your answer will indicate the primary place to apply what you’ve learned here. When you do, you’ll be well on your way to wisdom. SHARE THE LOVE If Lead to Win is making a difference in your life, share the good news! The simplest way to do that is to click one of the social media buttons in the sidebar. Tag three people you want to encourage, and share the love. And remember to follow us on Instagram: @michaelhyatt and @meghmiller. You’ll get the benefit of our latest ideas and advance notice of new products. It’s also a great place to engage. Yes, we do read your comments and frequently respond! Resources from This Episode “The Primary Difference Between the Wise and the Foolish” by Michael Hyatt Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What do you do when you have a customer you just can’t seem to satisfy? Or a team member who seems resistant to coaching? What about someone in a personal relationship who seems to suck the life out of you? Sometimes it seems like you’re investing all your energy in the wrong people. What can you do about it? Good leaders develop people. The problem is that not all employees or customers are created equal. Some can fail to develop despite hours of time and energy. It’s maddening to pour your resources into a person who provides no return on the investment. But there’s a better way. We’ve identified five steps to ensure that you’re not wasting resources on the wrong people. We can help you multiply your effectiveness by identifying and investing in the people who really want to grow and improve. Finally, you can escape from life-draining clients, customers, and relationships and discover the freedom to work with people who energize you. Does it sound callous to talk about ending unproductive relationships? It’s not, and we prove it inside this episode. Let us help you get your energy back so you can spend it where it really counts! This episode of Lead to Win is brought to you by The LeaderScore Assessment, a simple tool to evaluate the health of your leadership. Find out more at leadto.win/leaderscore. RESOURCES “Why You Sometimes Need to Fire Your Customers” by Michael Hyatt “How to Fire a Monster Client” by Michael Hyatt Necessary Endings: The Employees, Businesses, and Relationships that All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Move Forward by Henry Cloud. Boundaries for Leaders by Henry Cloud Focusmate See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a leader, you probably have a huge goal in mind. It’s the heartbeat of your ambition, the reason you get out of bed in the morning. Chances are good that you’ve thought about it long and hard, and you may even have a timetable and specific objectives for reaching it. The problem is that distractions, interruptions, and “business as usual” cause us to loose sight of our goals. Before long, another month, another quarter, maybe even another year has gone by with no progress. It’s disheartening. We know. We’ve been there. But there’s hope! Over the years, we’ve developed a killer strategy to ensure you keep making progress on your goals. And it works! In this episode, we’ll give you the simple system we call the 3x3 Goal Achievement Strategy. If you’re tired of watching your biggest goals slip through your fingers while you’re busy putting out brush fires, this episode is for you! Here’s the system that will give you laser focus on the things that matter most every day. Here’s what’s coming inside the episode: True-life story of what happens when you have goals but don’t implement them. What makes goal achievement so much harder than goal setting. The right number of goals to set annually—and quarterly. How limiting your focus multiplies your achievement. How we select our own Big 3 Goals for each quarter. The difference between a goal and a project. How to translate quarterly goals in to weekly achievements. How to use the Eisenhower Matrix to pare down your to-do list. Why looking back periodically can help you make progress in the future. A simple hack to make time for imporant-but-not-urgent items. The secret reward you get for focusing on only three daily tasks. How your choice of daily actions drives progress on your annual. Examples of our daily to-do list. The difference between a task and a project (and why it matters). The well-known business principle that supports choosing just three daily actions. How to harness the power of alignment for goal achievement. Why we make no distinction between personal and professional goals and tasks. Two different strategies for selecting daily tasks on weekends. Once you’ve heard this episode, don’t be intimidated by the process of narrowing your focus. Just try it! If this strategy doesn’t work for you, that’s totally fine. But we think it’ll be a game changer. You’ll start seeing daily progress on your most important goals. Share the Love Are you following us on Instagram? That’s the best way to keep in touch with our latest thinking, get previews of upcoming products, and even go behind the scenes a bit our work and family lives. Instagram is our personal favorite social channel, and yes, we really do read your comments and often respond. Follow @michaelhyatt and @meghmiller to get the latest. While you’re at it, why not share this episode there or in on own favorite social media. Remember the hashtag #leadtowin. Resources from this episode Full Focus Planner The Eisenhower Matrix @michaelhyatt on Instagram @meghmiller on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leaders must motivate people. The problem is that everybody’s different, so what inspires one team member may demotivate another. It can be confusing to lead a diverse team.  But personality is not an unsolvable puzzle. And we’ve got three powerful tools to help you put it all together.  We’ve identified three personality assessments that give you a clear understanding of how your team members think, feel, and work. Use these in your business, and you’ll never wonder how to motivate your team again. You’ll gain an engaged, focused workforce that will bring their best energy to work.   Here’s a peek this episode: We reveal our own journey with using personality assessments. Why we use personality assessments in our business.  Why it’s more productive to focus on strengths than weaknesses.  How it affects a team member to be free to focus on strengths. We reveal our top five strengths.  How knowing a teammate’s strengths helps your working relationship.  A clear, concise description of the Enneagram. How knowing your direct report’s profile helps you be a better leader. The best metaphor for leading a diverse team to produce results. Author Ian Cron weighs in on the mistakes leaders can make with personality assessments. Why we don’t use the Enneagram in our hiring process.  Amy Bruske of Kolbe Corp. answers the question “Why do smart people often have trouble getting things done?” A quick description of the four modes of the Kolbe A Index, which measures how we initiate work. How knowing a person’s workstyle helps them excel. How the Kolbe A Index helps you determine whether a person will succeed in the role you’re hiring.  What happens when a person is not “hardwired” for the role they’re in. Now that you have a handle on these personality instruments, here’s what we hope you’ll do. Pick one of these and take it yourself. After you become familiar with it, you’ll be able to determine when and how to roll it out to your team.  You’re going to love this discovery process! Resources from this episode Michael Hyatt & Co. Team StrengthsFinder 2.0 The Narrative Enneagram Kolbe A Index The Road Back to You by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton Striving Zones How People Act when Free to be Themselves by Kathy Kolbe See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every leader is motivated by a compelling vision for the future. There’s something you want to achieve. You know where you’re headed. The problem is that it’s hard to keep that vision real for your team. They’re busy and easily distracted. Before long, another quarter has slipped by and you haven’t made real progress on the big outcome you’re after. How discouraging!  But there’s hope! We’ve got a compelling formula for communicating your vision to every single member of your team.  Based on decades of corporate experience, we’ve distilled vision casting into a series of four steps. Follow them, and you’ll see your team transformed. They’ll go from being mired in the busy work of Monday to Friday and become motivated partners in helping make your vision a reality. This really works! Shout-out! Here’s a shout-out to listeners BenJoeM2, who left this review of the podcast on iTunes: “Been listening since day one and have loved it! Really is great advice for any leader in work, home, or church." Thanks friend. We really appreciate the feedback.  And we’d love to hear from the rest of you too. If you’re enjoying the program, lease rate and review us on iTunes. If you’re not sure how to do that, check out this simple tutorial.  And don’t forget to subscribe. We don’t want you to miss a single episode, bonus episode, or free content that we make available only in this channel. Subscribe today on your favorite device.  Resources from this episode Lead with a Story, Paul Smith The Book of Mistakes, Skip Prichard The CEO Next Door by Elena L. Botelho, Kim R. Powell, Tahl Raz  “What Sets Successful CEOs Apart” by Elena Botelho, Kim Powell, Stephen Kincaid, and Dina Wang     See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do you ever have enough hours in the day to do all you need to do? If we’re honest, most of us would say no. Work, family, friends, rest, exercise, reading, relationships—something’s got to give. For most of us, that something is self-care. The result? We give more and more to work and others, and less and less to ourselves. It’s a recipe for burnout. But you deserve more than life on a treadmill. And there’s no need for you to throttle back your dreams. You can have the double win: win at work and succeed at life! In this episode, you’ll hear the three key benefits of prioritizing self-care. And? We’ll give you tips for how to do that. This episode of Lead to Win is brought to you by The Focused Leader 1-Day Intensive. To focus your leadership, claim your ticket to our November 12 intensive before July 15, when our early-bird pricing expires. Find out more at leadto.win/intensive.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here’s the situation: one of your most lucrative clients has admitted to unethical behavior and is entirely unwilling to change. Do you keep the account and tie your name to their misdealings? Or do you terminate the relationship and lose over a million dollars in sunk cost? What about this: your top salesman is accused of inappropriate behavior toward team members of the opposite sex. You believe the complaints, but the top-performer denies them. Do you fire the salesman and lose your “rainmaker”? Or do you tolerate the behavior regardless of the effect on morale? In this episode, we’ll give you five steps for dealing with a high-performing but bad-behaving employee. Those weren’t just case studies. They were real workplace dilemmas we’ve faced. You may have a tough personnel decision sitting on your desk right now. That produces a lot of stress and anxiety. You may feel like you’re forced to choose between your integrity and the future of your business. But you don’t have to. We believe you can run a highly successful business and sleep well at night. And we’ll give you the insight and confidence you need to confront bad behavior in the workplace, even when it’s costly or inconvenient. Following the steps we’ll give you today, you’ll keep both your financial performance and your integrity intact. You’ll gain the respect of your top performers and your entire team. Here’s a Look Inside Today’s Show Michael shares his worst experience dealing with a bad-behaving top-performer. (sexual harassment) Learn the real driver of performance. (Hint: it’s not superstar employees.) (culture) The one thing that provides the clarity you need to confront poor behavior. (culture) Megan shares an experience of confronting lack of integrity in the workplace. Michael shares a time when he “bet his job” on confronting a high performer. (michael firing publishing client) What to do when your boss doesn’t support you in confronting aberrant behavior (Megan) Tips for conducting a workplace confrontation (step 4) What to do when the behavior is bad—but doesn’t warrant termination. ( What behaviors you can coach which you can’t (character vs. performance. Megan) The often-overlooked last step in terminating an employee (tell team) Is there a confrontation looming in your business? Be thoughtful, be wise, and be confident. You can handle this! Resources from This Episode “The Right Way to Fire the Wrong Person” by Michael Hyatt “When Conflict Is Brewing” by Jeremy Lott Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Has this ever happened to you? You get in the car and pull out of the driveway, just like you do every day. Then it dawns on you: “This is Saturday!” You’re halfway to the office when you realize you were headed to the store. Oops. It’s easy to drift along in the wrong direction. That happens in life. And it happens in business. That phenomenon is called the drift. Just like the current in a river, life has unseen forces that pull you along in a given direction. Lifestage, busyness, culture, obligations —all of that forms a draft that pulls you forward, whether you realize it or not. If you’re not careful, you can wake up to find that your business and personal life have drifted to a destination you never intended. We’ll show you how to avoid that by living your life with intention. We share three simple, powerful questions that will help you avoid the drift and navigate against the subtle forces of busyness and distraction. You can live your life on purpose if you pause long enough to answer these three profound questions. We are super excited about this episode! Why? Because we know how much these concepts have improved our lives. Here’s what we hope you’ll do after listening. Schedule some time on your calendar right now, and commit to using that time to reflect on the three questions we’ve shared with you. You’ll be amazed at the clarity you gain, and the determination to stay on course toward your biggest goals. Shout Out! Thanks this week to “mikekellyonline,” who left a review of Lead to Win on iTunes. Mike writes, “Even as a mid-level manager, I have been able to continually use the content offered through this podcast to become a better leader in the Navy.”Thanks great to hear, Mike. Thanks for sharing. If you’re not subscribed to the podcast, we recommend you do that now. And please leave a review  on iTunes. Good, bad, or indifferent, we want to hear from you. Your comments help us make this program a greater value for everyone. RESOURCES “Are You a Pilot or a Passenger in Your Own Life?” by Michael Hyatt “Shift the Drift” by Michael Hyatt   Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want  by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber Your Best Year Ever: A 5-Step Plan to Achieve Your Most Important Goals by Michael Hyatt   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feeling overwhelmed? Wow, do we know what that’s like! When you’re caught in that whirlwind of tasks, it feels like you’re downrange at Top Golf! You’re pelted with a new to-do item every few seconds. It’s even worse when you don’t have a staff. With no one to delegate to, you just fall further and further behind. But there’s another way! Though we have a good-sized staff now, it wasn’t always that way. We know what it’s like to work alone or with limited help. And we can tell you that it is possible to delegate even if you don’t have a staff! The first thing you have to do is change your mindset. Once you begin to see the possibilities, you’ll find nearly endless opportunities to offload work. Believe it or not, even as a line-level staffer or solopreneur, you have options! Here’s a Peek Inside the Episode How to overcome the hurdle of “I need to do it myself.” How the Eisenhower Matrix can triage your to-do list. Solid definitions of “fake work” and “downhill work.” How to use AI to delegate routine tasks to your computer. How custom signatures can save you a ton of time on responding to email. Tips on negotiating out of previous commitments. How to get “volunteer” help from coworkers. Solid solutions for on-demand hiring. How to get your boss to say yes to more resources. Three easy steps to say no gracefully. Tips for saying no to your boss on new projects. Once you’ve listened to the episode, here’s what we hope you’ll do. Just try it. Pick one of these ideas and put it to work in your business. We think you’ll be blown away by the results! Let’s Get Social! We absolutely love connecting with listeners on social media. Right now, we’re hooked on Instagram. And yes, we do personally post and respond on these accounts! This is a great way to hear our latest thinking, get the inside track on new products, and even see a few pictures baby pictures of Naomi, the latest addition to the family! Connect with us @michaelhyatt and @meghmiller. Resources Mentioned in This Episode SaneBox email manager Spark email and calendar manager Magic Belay Solutions Fancy Hands InstaCart Recommendation Briefing Form “Need Help? Here’s How to Ask for It” Lead to Win episode “How to Get Your Boss to Say Yes, Part 1” by Michael Hyatt “How to Get Your Boss to Say Yes, Part 2” by Michael Hyatt “How to Get Your Boss to Say Yes, Part 3” by Michael Hyatt See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ugh, another meeting! Do you know the feeling? We sure do. We’ve sat through our share of bad meetings. But would you believe we actually love meetings now? It’s true. We got so sick of lousy meetings that we decided to do something about it. When we founded this company, we determined that meetings were going to be something more than a necessary evil. We wanted to make meetings productive and engaging, like they were meant to be. So we created a meeting rhythm and cadence that ensures we have just the right number of meetings, that they all have a clear purpose, and that they don’t get bogged down or pulled off track. And it works! Our meetings are enjoyable because we all know why we’re there, that the outcome is important, and it’ll be worth our time. We love meetings—and you can too! In this episode, we show you how to structure your meetings for maximum engagement and results. We’ve also got two free tools that will make it much easier to structure your meetings. (See the links below.) This episode of Lead to Win is brought to you by The Focused Leader 1-Day Intensive. To focus your leadership, claim your ticket to our September 5 intensive before June 15, when our earlybird pricing expires. Find out more at leadto.win/intensive. Here’s a Peek Inside This Episode Learn what we consider the worst of all possible meetings. [2:22] How to structure one-on-one’s with your direct reports. [3:58] Why it’s not okay to cancel one-on-one meeting. [5:36] How to structure a one-on-one so it doesn’t ramble. [6:40] How to get direct reports to provide information you need in advance of meeting. [7:32] Why it’s important to ask for the “bottom line” up front in a meeting briefing [10:00] How to structure workgroup meetings and why they are essential. [11:51] Examples of workgroup meetings we hold at Michael Hyatt & Co. [12:50] Who drives agenda for workgroup meetings, and what’s the guiding principle? [15:28] The biggest mistakes you can make in a work group meeting. [16:45] Learn the 3 reasons to have all-hands meetings [19:36] See why all-team meetings are vital for maintaining engagement. [18:39] The kinds of training Michael Hyatt & Co. offers to team members. [19:35] How quarterly meetings drive goal achievement. [20:43] Which company meetings should include spouses, and why. [23:07] How to structure annual celebrations for celebration and morale building. [23:50] Why we particularly loves the annual team gathering. [24:41] Best practices for all-team meetings. [26:32] We hope this episode will be a game-changer for the meeting culture of your company. We’re totally serious. Make the changes we suggest here, and you’ll start to look forward to meetings because they produce the outcomes that drive your business forward. How About a Shout Out! Team, if you’re enjoying these podcasts, give us a shout out on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews are the primary way new listeners find this show. Please leave a rating right now, and we’d be super grateful if you’d also write a brief review. Good, bad, or indifferent, we’d love to hear your feedback on this program. Not sure how to leave a rating? Follow this easy tutorial. Thanks! Resources from This Episode No Fail Meetings by Michael Hyatt “5 Ways to Hold Shorter Meetings” by Michael Hyatt “How to Ensure You Never Have a Terrible Meeting” by Michael Hyatt Recommendation Briefing Form Effective Meeting Blueprint Free Resource! The Focused Leader One-Day Intensive See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

To build a winning company, you need a winning team. A-players can skyrocket your success, and nothing will tank momentum faster than adding a B- or C-level player to the mix. We all seem to know that at some level. But when it’s time to hire, we always seem to be in a hurry. We feel some unstated urgency to keep the seats filled and the machine running. That almost always leads to a bad hire, as we’ve learned the hard way! But there is a way to make recruiting easier, and we’ll tell you about it on today’s episode. We really like this episode because it’s a chance to showcase some of the initiatives we’ve created around recruiting and retention. More than that, it’s a subject we’re really passionate about. We love our team, and we believe they are the secret to our success. After listening to this episode, we hope you’ll agree that your people truly are your number-one asset. And? You’ll have the insight you need to begin gathering a top team of your own.   If you’re ready to get off the turnover treadmill and start attracting and keeping high performers, this episode is for you. After you’ve listened, please leave us a review on iTunes. We’d love to hear what you think! Are You a Subscriber? If you’re not a subscriber to Lead to Win, you’re missing a huge opportunity to have these actionable insights and resources delivered straight to your device every single week. Subscribing is really easy. Just tap “Subscribe” on your device, of follow this link for easy instructions. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Michael Hyatt & Company Careers Page Vision Link “What Top Talent Really Wants” by Mark Miller Talent Magnet: How to Attract and Keep the Best People by Mark Miller The Focused Leader One-Day Intensive     See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Has this ever happened to you? You land what you think will be your dream job. But after a few months, you realize . . . you really don’t like it. Aargh! That’s happened to us, more than once. Sometimes the job wasn’t what you thought. Sometimes the role changes as the company grows (or downsizes). And sometimes you just realize you’re in the wrong career. Either way, it kind of makes you feel stuck. It’s demotivating to wake up every day and realize the job you have is not the one you want. But there’s hope! Together, we’ve held dozens of jobs in the business world. We know better than anyone that it’s easy to wind up in a role that just doesn’t fit. Over the years, we’ve reshaped our responsibilities, switched jobs, and even changed careers. It can be done! You don’t have to feel stuck in a job, or even a career, that no longer fits your passion and proficiency. In this episode, we’ll give you three possible actions you can take. One of them is sure to lead to a role that fits you. We’re also joined by Ken Coleman, host of The Ken Coleman Show and author of The Proximity Principle: The Proven Strategy That Will Lead To The Career You Love. If you think your best option is simply to find a new career, you won’t want to miss his advice. A job is like a pair of running shoes. With the right fit, you can go a lot faster and feel a lot better. Today, we’re going to help you get the right fit. Don’t spend another year lamenting the fact that you’ve wound up in the wrong spot. Today is the day you can begin to make a change! This episode of Lead to Win is brought to you by The Focused Leader Masterclass, an online course to help focus your leadership and deliver greater results. Find out more at leadto.win/masterclass. Time Stamps: Big Announcement about Megan’s family! [0:28] Michael talks about making the decision to re-career after his role changed dramatically. [2:50] Learn why it’s not a good idea to “just quit” a job you don’t love. [4:20; 27:54] Find out how the Freedom Compass™ can help reshape your current role. [5:55] Get tips on how to learn and grow in a job that’s limiting you. [8:10] See how to approach your boss when you want to eliminate, automate, or delegate parts of your current role. [9:03] Understand how to leverage your current experience, even if feel “too old” or “too young” for the job you want. [10:27] Learn why it’s critical to separate your role from your identity. [13:00] See the critical signs that you are in the wrong job. [18:23] Learn to overcome the fear of re-careering or making a major change. [19:37] Find out how to leverage the power of relationships when your résumé doesn’t match the job you want. [23:30] See how the right attitude always leads to opportunity. [27:30] How about This? If you’re loving Lead to Win, would you tap on of the social links on the left and share this episode with your friends? I’ll bet a lot of people you know could benefit from this advice on getting into a role you’ll love. Please help spread the word!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever worked for a really bad boss? The kind that kind that makes you want to tear your hear out, or quit, or maybe both? Nearly everybody has at some point, including us! In fact, we’ve got a few of our best bad boss stories to share today—plus some from our listeners. So what do you do when your boss is really insufferable? In our experience a bad boss can do incredible damage to morale, productivity, and even the emotional health of the team. The good news is that there are ways to do more than just cope with the situation. We’ve got tips to share that can help you thrive even in a less-than-ideal work team environment. Oh, and if you are a boss, as many of our listeners are, there’s something here for you too. You can use these insights to reverse-engineer your leadership and be sure you’re not exhibiting any “bad boss” behaviors. This episode of Lead to Win is brought to you by The LeaderScore Assessment, a simple tool to evaluate the health of your leadership. Find out more at leadto.win/leaderscore. Here’s a peek inside the show— We each share our worst boss experiences, including one that led me (Megan) to quit after two weeks and another brought me (Michael) to offer up a resignation. Using bad boss stories from several listeners, we’ll share tips and insights for dealing with the Undercommuncator, Mr. Fudge-the-Numbers, Ms. Insecure, and other types of bad bosses. We’ll define the difference between a boss who lacks skill or awareness and one who is unethical or immoral—with tips for how to respond to each. You’ll learn specifically how the Enneagarm and other personality assessments can benefit anyone in leadership—including you, if you’re a boss. We’ll give you some insight on when and how to confront a boss, depending on the severity of the situation. We’ll also define some parameters for when to confront a bad boss and when to report his or her behavior straight to human resources. We’ll show you which circumstances may call for your resignation on ethical grounds—and which don’t. You’ll get a handle on when it’s best to support your boss in public as you confront in private—and when to escalate the situation. Best of all, we’ll show you the one way you can profit from any boss experience, no matter how bad it may be. We really think this episode is going to be a game changer for frustrated employees. And for some leaders who may lack self-awareness. Whichever role you’re in, team member or leader, these insights will make your work environment less stressful and more productive. Share the Love If you’re loving this podcast (and we hope you are!), take a minute right now to write a brief review on iTunes. That really helps keep the show visible to other leaders so they can benefit from it too. And it just takes a few seconds. If you’re not sure how to find the review page, click here for a simple tutorial. Thanks so much.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s your biggest roadblock to productivity? Many people would say, “Interruptions and distractions! I can’t get anything done because I keep getting interrupted!” If that’s you, we’re going to solve that problem for you right now. First, a little celebration. We are so excited that Free to Focus made 4 major, national best-seller lists! That includes number one spots at the Wall Street Journal business list and the Amazon.com list for personal time management. We’re so excited! To celebrate, we’re releasing a second free audio chapter in this bonus episode of Lead to Win. (The first chapter is here.) Today’s episode is “Activate: Beat Interruptions and Distractions.” And we promise it’ll help you slam the door on time stealers like email, social media, drop-in visitors, electronic notifications, and more. Put the techniques we reveal here into practice, and you’ll be amazed at how your productivity skyrockets! Here’s a peek at what’s inside the episode— Learn how to limit instant communications so you can respond on your schedule. Get tips for taking control of your inbox—so others cannot use it to delegate to you. Understand the concept of “downhill work” and stop using it to avoid complex tasks. See the true cost of task switching on your productivity, and find out how to focus longer on a single task. Learn the science behind how certain types of music can boost your concentration. Gain tactics for using technology to fight technological interruptions. Use Implementation Intentions to pre-program responses to interruptions, so you never get pulled off track. We’ve coached thousands of people on the techniques we’re giving you in this episode. And we know how powerful they are in beating distractions and boosting your focus. So here’s our challenge for you. Listen to the episode, and pick one or two of these techniques to implement today. You’ll be more productive than you ever thought possible! Are You Feeling the Love? If you love Lead to Win, we’d love it if you left a rating and brief review on iTunes. This is super helpful in spreading the word about this great content. If you’re unsure how to leave a review, check this simple tutorial. Thanks so much! And don’t forget to subscribe on iTunes or wherever you listen! Don’t miss a single episode of practical advice and insight. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less by Michael Hyatt LeaderScore Assessment See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do you have a really big dream or far-out goal that you’ve never told anybody about? We’ll bet you do because we’ve had them too. What’s sad is that most of those dreams  get buried under a huge mound of fear and insecurity. It doesn’t have to be that way! We’ve felt that same fear of acting on our deepest desires. And we’ve learned from experience that when you do take the risk of sharing your dream, people usually tell you “get real” or “be practical.” It’s discouraging. After a while, it’s just easier to play it safe. Here’s the thing: nothing good in our lives has come from thinking small. All the breakthroughs—every single one—have come as a result of dreaming big and nurturing those dreams to reality. Thinking big is a skill, just like anything else. You can train yourself to it, and we’ll show you how. I (Megan) had to learn that lesson to overcome my lifelong fear of public speaking. To do that, I had to envision a bigger future for myself. In this episode, I share that journey and how it transformed my life and leadership. We’re excited about this message because we know it will be a turning point for a lot of people, maybe you. This episode is brought to you by the Full-Focus Planner. Pre-order in the Executive, Classic, and Bold lines. Here’s the insight you get in this episode— Learn why the biggest change you need is in your mindset, not your behavior. Identify the primary emotion that keeps us from dreaming big. Recognize the predictable process that causes you to give up on big ideas. Find out why writing down your dreams nearly guarantees they’ll be realized. Understand the difference between a dream and a goal, and why both matter. Discover the most vulnerable stage in thinking big, and learn how to ensure your dream doesn’t die here. Hear the magic question that moves you from dreaming to doing. See why most big dreams are not achieved. (Hint: It’s not lack of ability.) Seriously, this is one of the most exciting episodes we’ve produced. We hope it’ll inspire you to dig deep, think back, and recover the big ambition you’ve been too afraid to voice. We know you can do it! Here’s Something that Would Really Help Are you a Lead to Win subscriber? If not, you’re missing a major opportunity to get practical, actionable advice delivered straight to your device every week. Don’t miss a single episode! Subscribe on iTunes or wherever you listen. If you need help, click here for simple instructions. And if you’re really loving the show, we’d be super-grateful if you’d also leave a review on iTunes. That’ll help others find this program so they can benefit too. We read every single review. Good, bad, or indifferent, we’d love to hear what you think. Click here to rate the podcast and leave your own review. Resources Mentioned in This Episode The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale https://www.amazon.com/Power-Positive-Thinking-Norman-Vincent/dp/0743234804 The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Thinking-Big-David-Schwartz/dp/0671646788 Write It Down, Make It Happen by Henriette Anne Klauser https://www.amazon.com/Write-Down-Make-Happen-Knowing/dp/0684850028/     See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do you know why Steve Jobs insisted that the original iPhone have only one button? Because nothing succeeds like simplicity. Take out your iPhone, if you have one, and compare it to a Comcast remote. See the difference? Sleek simplicity versus mind-boggling complexity. We all know that simplicity increases speed and fuels business growth. But we seem to be stuck with clunky, cumbersome business systems. And they multiply like rabbits! Hiring, project approval, communication tools, and even expense reporting can be numbingly complex and tedious. We feel that too, which is why we recently simplified one of the main aspects of our business, our software solutions. We now use a combination of only four products to run our business: G-suite, Slack, Spark, and Asana. Are they the best tools out there? We don’t know, but they’re the simplest ones that meet our needs. We’re collaborating faster and better than ever before. And our team loves it. Simplicity always wins. In this episode, we show you how to simplify your business systems. Not just tech, but everything you do. Our chief content officer, Joel Miller, joins us to explain why complexity is such a huge problem for many businesses, and how you can eradicate it with four deliberate actions. Here’s an overview of this episode— Joel explains why complexity multiply so quickly in a business. We talk about the subtle clues that complex systems, not true business needs, are creating the need for more staff. We offer tips to help you recognize complexity creep. Michael opens up about the a-ha moment when he realized the need to simplify our product line. We give real-world advice for eradicating complex systems from your business. One more thing. After you listen to this episode, don’t be afraid to take the plunge and start eliminating tools, processes, or even products that are slowing you down. Sometimes it’s hard to let go, but you will never regret making your business simpler and more responsive. You can do this! Resources Mentioned in This Episode The Founder's Mentality: How to Overcome the Predictable Crises of Growth by Chris Zook and James Allen Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success by Ken Segall “On Style” by Arthur Quiller-Couch (see paragraph 6) Business Health Assessment Here’s One Thing That Will Really Help If you’re really loving the show, would you leave a review on iTunes. That’ll help others find this program so they can benefit too. And it really helps us make the podcast better. Good, bad, or indifferent, we’d love to hear what you think. We read every single review, and we’re grateful for your feedback. Click here to rate the podcast and leave your own review.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you could make a single hire that would revolutionize your productivity, would you do it? Of course we all would say yes. But we’ve found that most leaders procrastinate when it comes to hiring an executive assistant. That’s right, an EA is the most important hire you’ll ever make. Having a good assistant makes you incredibly productive by taking on your low-leverage tasks and helping you channel your time and energy where you can be most effective. That creates an instant boost in productivity! But lots of us put off hiring an EA out of fear. We’re afraid we can’t afford it, or we’ll lose control of important tasks, or there won’t be enough for them to do. We’re here to tell you that simply isn’t true! In fact, we’re so convinced that hiring an EA will skyrocket your productivity that we’re devoting the entire episode to showing you how and why to do it.   Plus? We have a visit from Jim Kelly and Jamie Hess, our executive assistants, who give a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work with us. Here’s happening in this episode— We give you our top three reasons why you should hire an EA right now. We promise, you won’t regret it. We each reveal the top tasks we depend on our assistants to accomplish—because we’re really not good at them! You’ll discover the ways having an EA boosts margin and improves family time. Jim and Jamie will tell you the number one task you need to hand off (and probably don’t know it). We outline the first steps to hiring an EA, which are much easier than you’d think. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Belay Solutions “The 10 Characteristics of a Rockstar Executive Assistant” by Michael Hyatt “The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make With Executive Assistants” by Michael Hyatt Business Health Assessment Michael’s New Book Is Red Hot! We just learned that Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less his spiked to #2 on the USA Today best-sellers list for business books. Claim your copy today at freetofocusbook.com. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you a Lead to Win subscriber? If not, you’re missing a major opportunity to get practical, actionable advice delivered straight to your device every week. Don’t miss a single episode! Subscribe on iTunes or wherever you listen. If you need help, click here for simple instructions. And if you’re really loving the show, we’d be super-grateful if you’d also leave a review on iTunes. That’ll help others find this program so they can benefit too. We read every single review too. Good, bad, or indifferent, we’d love to hear what you think. Click here to rate the podcast and leave your own review.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As business owners, we’ve learned that we can’t do our best work sandwiched between meetings and phone calls. We need focused time for strategizing, writing, and working out difficult problems. You probably do too. But how many times do you get distracted in a typical day? Ten? Fifty? A hundred? Research indicates that the average worker is distracted once every three minutes. We’re swimming upstream against a flood of emails, notifications, texts, and drop-in visitors. You just can’t be productive in that environment. The good news is that regaining your focus is easier than you think. Just a few simple practices can slam the door on distractions and interruptions and give you the focused time you need for high-leverage work. I’m talking about things you can start doing right now, today. Here’s happening in this episode— You’ll get practical tips for getting in the “alone zone” so you’re not interrupted. You’ll learn about “meeting free Thursdays” and how that’s boosted our business. You’ll learn how to fight fire with fire, using technology to block distractions. You’ll learn what types of food are scientifically proven to increase mental acuity. You’ll see the connection between listening to music and problem solving, backed by solid research. You’ll hear the best method for ensuring that you take frequent breaks to keep your mind fresh. You’ll learn how the one tool you use every single day can become your firewall against unwanted meetings and visitors. Plus, our producers surprised us a pop quiz about our own favorite productivity hacks. It was a ton of fun! After you listen, we hope you’ll choose at least one or two of these simple hacks and start using them today. You’ll be amazed at how it will boost your productivity. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Books Rework by Jason Fried and David Hannson When by Daniel Pink Deep Work by Cal Newport Platform by Michael Hyatt Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport Digital Resources Gail Hyatt’s Spotify Playlists to Improve Focus Classical Music for Studying, Writing and ConcentrationWriting and Concentration Film Scores for Studying, Writing and Concentration Soundtracks, Film Scores, for Studying, Writing and Concentration Freedom app Focus at Will site Focus Booster Pomodoro app Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you a Lead to Win subscriber? If not, you’re missing a major opportunity to get practical, actionable advice delivered straight to your device every week. Don’t miss a single episode! Subscribe on iTunes or wherever you listen. If you need help, click here now for simple instructions. And if you’re really loving the show, we’d be super-grateful if you’d also leave a review on iTunes. That’ll help others find this program so they can benefit too. We read every single review too. Good, bad, or indifferent, we’d love to hear what you think. Click here to rate the podcast and leave your own review. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are so excited to announce the release of my (Michael’s) latest book, Free to Focus: A Total PRoductivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less! In fact, we’re having a party! You can read the first chapter of Free to Focus here. Here’s what’s happening inside the episode— We outline the 3-part system of productivity: Stop, Cut, Act. We tell what makes this system different from the many other task- and time-management approaches. You’ll hear from actual users of the Free to Focus method, who talk about the transformation it made in their lives and businesses. We show you the surprising power of getting more done by focusing on just three tasks per day. You’ll hear how to claim up to $798-worth of free bonuses by ordering the book this week. We announce the winners of our free giveaway of all Michael’s books from among  those who shared this podcast on social media last week. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Free to Focus: A Total PRoductivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less Free bonuses for buying Free to Focus by April 13. Read a chapter of Free to Focus Michael’s Instagram Megan’s Instagram Subscribe & Review in iTunes If haven’t yet subscribed to our podcast in iTunes, do it today. You’ll get practical, actionable advice delivered straight to your device every week. Don’t miss a single episode! Click here now to subscribe in iTunes. We’d be super-grateful if you’d also leave a review on iTunes. That’ll help others find this program so they can benefit too. We read every single review too. Good, bad, or indifferent, we’d love to hear what you think. Click here to rate the podcast and leave your own review. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're so excited that Michael's new book is coming out on Tuesday! It's called Free To Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less and today you're getting to listen to the first chapter here on this bonus episode of Lead to Win. Also, as a special extra bonus for our listeners, we’re giving away five bundles of Michael's best-selling books, Your Best Year Ever,  Living Forward, Platform, No Fail Meetings, and Free to Focus. For your chance to win, share this podcast episode on social media with the hashtag #FREETOFOCUSBOOK. We’ll announce our five winners on the podcast on April 9th. So tune in next week to see if you’re one of our five winners. This episode is brought to you by the new book Free to Focus. To pre-order and receive $498 dollars in free bonus content, visit www.freetofocusbook.com.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s your biggest distraction? Be honest! For us, there’s no question about it—our biggest distraction is ourselves. Too often, we find ourselves responding to text messages or jumping from low-priority task to another instead of tackling more demanding work. Well today, we’re going to show you how to beat distractions and make yourself more productive than ever! Research shows that the typical worker is interrupted about every three minutes! Worse, we often distract ourselves by checking social media or surfing the web. All those “little” breaks undermine your productivity. Today, we’ll tell you how to— Silence the noise (literally) that interrupts your focus. Gently but firmly discourage drop-in visitors from breaking your concentration. Use technology to fight technology, which so often interrupts your work. Increase your frustration tolerance so resist the temptation to bail on a task. Heighten your focus with music scientifically proven to help you concentrate. Use social cues to signal your unavailability for a “quick question.” Wean yourself off of dopamine, brain chemical that produces a momentary high when checking messages. This episode is sponsored by my (Michael’s) new book, Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less. This proven system has helped thousands of people end the overwhelm and regain their margin at work and at home. You can pre-order the book now and claim a ton of exclusive bonuses. The bonuses are for a limited time, so order now. Subscribe & Review in iTunes If haven’t yet subscribed to our podcast in iTunes, do it today. You’ll get practical, actionable advice delivered straight to your device every week. Don’t miss a single episode! Click here now to subscribe in iTunes. We’d be super-grateful if you’d also leave a review on iTunes. That’ll help others find this program so they can benefit too. We read every single review too. Good, bad, or indifferent, we’d love to hear what you think. Click here to rate the podcast and leave your own review. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Freedom app Google Voice Focusatwill.com “4 Ways to Turn Off Annoying Notifications on Your Android Phone or iPhone” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s the true state of your business? We’re convinced most leaders don’t have a good grasp on that question. But you can! In this episode, we conduct a live coaching call with Andy Bond, a business owner from Chattanooga, Tenn. Andy recently took our Business Health Assessment, and we walked through his results and gave some pointers on Vision, Focus, Team, and Self-Leadership. This was a blast! We had a great conversation and dug into some of the key areas where nearly every business needs to grow. By the way, you can take the Business Health Assessment for yourself right now. It’s free and only takes a few minutes. We guarantee you’ll gain greater clarity on the state of your business. In this episode, we offered some practical next steps in these areas: How to align your business with your vision for your personal and family life. How to align your team around your vision for the company. How to regain focus after a busy season in your business. Why it’s vital to prune your business, even when it’s growing. How to attract and keep A-level players. How to scale your own effectiveness. How to delegate effectively. Andy reported that he gained a lot of clarity from this call, and we know you will too. This episode is sponsored by my (Michael’s) new book, Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less. This proven system has helped thousands of people end the overwhelm and regain their margin at work and at home. You can pre-order the book now and claim a ton of exclusive bonuses. The bonuses are for a limited time, so order now. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Andy Bond on LinkedIn Andy’s business, the Lea Team. Business Accelerator Business Health Assessment Free to Focus, Michael’s latest book “Vision Leaks” article by Andy Stanley “How Steve Jobs Saved Apple,” on the need for pruning a business Tell Michael & Megan What You Think There’s still time to take our brand-new listener survey. We want your feedback to keep making this show practical and enjoyable for you. You can take the survey right now. It’ll just take a few minutes and it’s totally anonymous. Don’t wait, because we’re going to close the survey in a few days. Give Your Feedback Now   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s the best way to recover from a whirlwind of a day? How do you get the leaders you manage to take more responsibility? What’s the right number of goals to set in one year? Michael and Megan answer these and more questions from our listeners.   You will: Learn how to set expectations for your team members. Understand why setting too few goals is as bad as having too many. Get helpful tips for keeping work discussions from invading family time. Find out how to gain joy in a position that doesn’t totally suit you. See how the Full Focus Planner compares to the Getting Things Done methodology. Make sure to visit http://leadto.win for complete show notes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leaders have to be super productive. The problem is that the digital environment is filled with distractions, interruptions, and repetitive tasks. It can be frustrating to get the simplest tasks done. It doesn’t have to be that way! In this episode, Michael Hyatt rates and reviews his top 10 tech tools to increase productivity. Install these tools, and you’ll finally escape the distractions and interruptions that hamper your productivity. You’ll gain mastery and focus will help you get more of the right things done. Pre-order Michael's new book, Free to Focus, at www.freetofocus.com. For complete show notes, visit http://leadto.win.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What would be possible if you were able to conquer your fear? Megan Hyatt Miller gives five simple actions that will help you conquer the fear that holds you back and tackle your most most audacious goals this year. This episode is brought to you by www.focusedleader.com. For complete show notes, visit http://leadto.win.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leaders never have all the help they need. But most of us have an aversion to asking for it. It invasive an awkward to ask for a favor. But it doesn’t have to! We’ve got 5 simple tips that will enable you to get more help—for free. Use them in your business, and you’ll never feel awkward about asking for extra effort again. You’ll gain the help you need to achieve your company’s goals, and you’ll create a happier workforce in the process. This episode is brought to you by www.focusedleader.com. For complete show notes, visit http://leadto.win. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Healthy terminations make for a healthy company. Leaders inevitably must fire people occasionally. The problem is that most of us hate conflict and shy away from confrontational situations. That makes terminations incredibly stressful. But it doesn’t have to be. We’ve identified three simple guidelines that will help you turn a termination into a win for your company—and even for the person you fire. Use these in your business, and you’ll never shy away from managing performance again. You’ll gain the confidence you need to prune your workforce so it achieve at an even higher level. This episode is brought to you by LeaderBooks. For complete show notes, visit http://leadto.win.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leaders must motivate people. The problem is that everybody’s different, so what inspires one team member may demotivate another. It can be confusing to lead a diverse team. But personality is not an unsolvable puzzle. We’ve identified three personality assessments that will give you a clear understanding of how your team members think, feel, and work. Use these in your business, and you’ll never wonder how to motivate your team again. You’ll gain an engaged, focused workforce that will bring their best energy to work. This episode is brought to you by LeaderBooks. For complete show notes, visit http://leadto.win. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leaders want to provide the answers that drive results. And in the information age, easy answers are everywhere. That’s why leaders must get better at asking powerful questions. In this episode, we reveal how to drive results with four surprisingly simple questions that have the power to transform your leadership and your business. For more about this episode, a complete transcript of the show, plus other helpful links, make sure to visit http://leadto.win. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As leaders, we all want to be competent and successful. The problem is that our quest for success can be demanding. It can feel lonely at the top. But as a leader, you can’t afford  to be isolated. You deserve a rich, full life—including a social life. Every leader can thrive by cultivating friendships, protecting time for friendship, and enjoying leisure time together. In this episode, we’ll show you how. For more, visit leadto.win.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. King’s efforts initiated changes that would transform American society. That’s why the nation celebrates Martin Luther King Day on the third Monday of every January. It’s a chance to reflect on what he meant for the nation—and what made his leadership so successful. In this episode, we’re going to explore the leadership legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. For more information, visit leadto.win.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leaders make decisions, but clarity can be hard to come by. In this episode, listeners fire their most pressing questions at Michael and Megan. They bring practical solutions to the problems many leaders face, based on more than 30 years of business experience. You will: Learn how to push back on coworker demands. Understand the three most important tools for bouncing back from a setback. Find out how to influence workplace culture—even when your boss is not onboard. Gain the confidence to surrender control of tasks to an administrative assistant. Get practical advice for balancing business demands with a growing family. Learn how to lead a meeting with people who don’t want to be there. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leaders dream big. But too often, our greatest goals get lost in the whirlwind of daily tasks and interruptions. Today, we’ll give you three simple practices that will ensure your goals stay on track all year long. You’ll avoid the pain of seeing your biggest goals slip through your fingers - and you’ll feel satisfaction at seeing steady progress until they're finally achieved. For complete notes and related articles, visit leadto.win.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.