In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey continue their thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Craig Manning, author of ‘The Fearless Mind’. In this second part, Dr. Manning expands on how understanding your core identity and staying true to your strengths is the key to unlocking consistent high performance in any area of life. This episode digs deep into the concept of "task orientation" vs. "ego orientation" and how to shift your mindset for success.

Dr. Manning, a performance psychologist, provides a masterclass on building mental resilience, explains the profound impact of fear on human performance, and gives practical advice for overcoming insecurity in both professional and personal contexts. Whether you’re an athlete, a business leader, or someone looking to improve everyday performance, the principles discussed here are universally applicable.

What We Discuss:

• [00:00] Introduction
• [00:17] How task-oriented focus leads to better performance
• [01:41] Trust is earned through competence, not titles
• [05:08] How staying present and focused on tasks reduces anxiety and improves performance
• [15:11] How to overcome insecurity and trust yourself more deeply
• [17:39] Why focusing on the process, not the outcome, is essential for sustained success
• [18:26] Dr. Manning’s final advice on embracing your strengths and continuing the journey to self-improvement

Notable Quotes:

• [00:06:45] “When you know who you are and you trust yourself, you don’t care what others think, you just perform.” — Dr. Craig Manning
• [00:10:29] “Fear is a concept we create. The opposite is learning. A learning mentality opens up new possibilities.” — Dr. Craig Manning
• [00:13:42] “Focus on the process, not the outcome. The outcome will take care of itself when you execute the process well.” — Dr. Craig Manning
• [00:19:08] “Flow state is a superpower. Knowing who you are is the gateway to unlocking it.” — Dr. Craig Manning

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book

• The Fearless Mind: 5 Steps to Achieving Peak Performance

Dr. Craig Manning

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn
• X

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey begin a powerful two-part conversation with Dr. Craig Manning, author of The Fearless Mind. Part 1 unpacks why knowing who you truly are and unapologetically embracing your strengths is the foundation of consistent high performance.

Dr. Manning shares his journey from athlete to performance psychologist, explains why he reframed “high performance” as human performance, and reveals how to build skills around your unique strengths instead of chasing someone else’s path. From the science of confidence to stories of elite athletes like Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 50 points in the NBA Finals, this conversation makes mental performance training both practical and inspiring.

The episode also highlights how the same principles apply outside of sports, in business, leadership, and everyday life. Because at its core, high performance isn’t about outcomes, it’s about identity.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of comparison, pressure from authority figures, or uncertainty about your strengths, this episode offers a new framework to unlock your potential.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction
• [01:27] Why Dr. Manning wrote The Fearless Mind and how it began as a personal project
• [08:18] Giannis Antetokounmpo’s “unapologetically ourselves” mindset before scoring 50 in the NBA Finals
• [11:19] Why comparison leads to insecurity and how to break free from it
• [22:32] Generational shifts: why Gen Z thinks differently and how collaboration beats hierarchy
• [30:39] Why trying to be someone you’re not sabotages performance
• [32:05] The power of owning your lane in a collaborative, commitment-based culture

Notable Quotes

• [00:08:54] “When you know who you are and you trust yourself, you don’t care what others think—you just perform.” — Dr. Craig Manning
• [00:11:37] “Comparison leads to insecurities. Insecurities lead to needing approval. And needing approval destroys confidence.” — Dr. Craig Manning
• [00:14:42] “The key to success is not being a stereotype. It’s being the best version of yourself.” — Dr. Craig Manning
• [00:22:07] “Your identity is here in the present. Too many people live out in the future, and that future never arrives.” — Dr. Craig Manning

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book

• The Fearless Mind: 5 Steps to Achieving Peak Performance

Dr. Craig Manning

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn
• X

Despite rapid changes in the workplace and technological advancements, many leaders continue to rely on outdated “command and control” methods.

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey continue their powerful conversation with their father, Stephen M. R. Covey, about his groundbreaking book Trust and Inspire. Part 2 of the discussion dives even deeper into how leaders can shift their mindset, their language, and their relationships to become the kind of leader people actually want to follow.

Stephen explores the difference between managing things and leading people, the practical application of stewardship agreements, and how even in moments of pressure, when our “style gets in the way of our intent”, we can choose to lead with trust and inspiration. From stories about Steve Jobs and Lin-Manuel Miranda to personal family experiences, this conversation makes Trust and Inspire practical, relatable, and transformational.

The episode also highlights how trust and inspire leadership apply far beyond the workplace, in parenting, teaching, coaching, and everyday relationships. Because at its core, leadership isn’t a position, it’s a choice.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance accountability with empowerment, or how to unleash the potential already inside your team, this episode offers the roadmap.

What We Discuss

• [00:17] Introduction
• [01:29] Steve Jobs and the tension between inspiration and micromanagement
• [07:00] Command and control as the “native tongue” of leadership
• [08:07] Becoming a Trust and Inspire person before becoming a leader
• [10:16] The difference between management and leadership
• [16:00] Lin-Manuel Miranda’s teacher and the power of seeing potential
• [19:04] Why Trust and Inspire is not just idealistic, but practical
• [25:13] Practical steps: clarifying expectations and accountability
• [32:30] A practical invitation: identify one relationship to transform with Trust and Inspire

Notable Quotes

• [13:00] “Always remember this: with people, fast is slow and slow is fast.” — Stephen M. R. Covey
• [17:22] “Leadership is seeing and communicating people’s worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves.” — Stephen M. R. Covey
• [33:50] “Trust and Inspire is not soft leadership. It’s the strongest form of leadership there is because it’s grounded in expectations, accountability, and belief in people.” — Stephen M. R. Covey

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Books

• Trust and Inspire by Stephen M. R. Covey
• The SPEED of Trust by Stephen M. R. Covey
• The 8th Habit by Stephen R. Covey

Stephen M. R. Covey

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Britain Covey

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• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn
• X