Most professionals assume experience automatically leads to growth. It doesn’t.

In this episode, Adam and Clay unpack the difference between doing something repeatedly and getting better at it. The truth? Repetition creates experience, but evaluated repetition creates growth.

You’ll learn why so many capable leaders get stuck in cycles of being busy—but not better—and how avoiding feedback, reflection, and evaluation quietly stalls progress. Drawing on ideas from growth mindset research, emotional intelligence, and real-world leadership stories, this conversation introduces a simple, practical framework for turning everyday reps into meaningful improvement.

Whether you’re leading meetings, coaching your team, selling, presenting, or managing people, this episode will help you stop reinforcing bad habits—and start learning from your work as you go.

Bottom line:

Don’t just repeat it. Review it.

Reflection question for listeners:

Where in your work do you need to stop and evaluate your repetitions instead of just powering through them?

Leadership doesn’t grow by accident. It grows by what you choose to feed it.

In this episode, Adam and Clay tackle the overwhelm of leadership content and make the case for a more intentional approach to learning. Instead of chasing every new book, podcast, or framework, they show how the right resources—at the right time—can reshape how you think, decide, and lead.

They unpack why resources matter, how they train your brain to think better, and why one book, podcast, or mentor can become a turning point in your leadership journey. You’ll learn four practical filters for choosing resources that actually solve real problems, stretch your thinking, and can be applied immediately.

The conversation wraps with a simple system for building a sustainable learning rhythm—without burning out—and a challenge to move beyond consumption by sharing what you’re learning with others.

If you want to grow as a leader without bruising yourself through trial and error, this episode will help you find the resources that move you forward faster—and with less stress.

Leadership growth doesn’t happen by accident. In this mini-series kickoff episode, Adam and Clay introduce the Growing Leader Framework and the five keys that drive real, sustained momentum. They explore why some leaders keep growing while others stall, break down the 5 R’s that shape leadership development, and challenge listeners to intentionally design their growth instead of drifting into it.