Most of us look at confident people and assume they have something we don’t: a mysterious inner certainty that lets them walk into any room, take the stage, or tackle a new challenge without missing a beat. In reality, confidence and courage aren’t feelings you wait to have—they’re qualities you build by showing up scared and doing the hard thing anyway. In this episode, I share my personal journey from self-doubt and fear, through years spent faking it until it became real, and how true courage means stepping up even when your insides are shaking.

"Every single thing I’ve ever done in my life is because of the courage to do something scared."

~Mark Silverman

Today on The Rising Leader:

· Courage is not about the absence of fear but about taking action despite it.

· Confidence grows through repeated experience, not through waiting to feel ready.

· Preparation is the foundation—true confidence is earned through putting in the work and practicing beforehand.

· Failure is inevitable; what matters is surviving it, which builds resilience and a stronger sense of self-confidence.

· Success isn’t about never being scared—it’s about consistently showing up, even when you want to pull the covers over your head.

· Many highly accomplished people still feel fear inside; outward signs of confidence can be built through courage and consistent effort.

· The willingness to “do it anyway” is more important than feeling brave or believing you’re exceptional.

· Reflecting on your track record—surviving challenges and bouncing back—can bolster your faith in your ability to handle future fear.

Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook

Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you.

In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.

Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader.

Leader, It’s Time to Rise!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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When someone asks, “Would you like a little feedback?”, do you cringe inside, even as you force a smile and nod eagerly? If so, you’re not alone. Today I’m diving deep into the uncomfortable yet transformative experience of receiving feedback, and why, despite its sting, it’s the single most valuable tool for growth. I get personal about my own struggles with taking feedback (even as a coach!), map out the emotional journey most of us go through, and share how to process criticism in a way that actually moves us forward.

“Getting feedback is not easy. And again, I admit it, I don’t like it. But it’s invaluable and will change your life.” ~Mark

Today on The Rising Leader:

· You’re not alone in dreading feedback—even those dedicated to growth can find it deeply uncomfortable.

· It’s normal for feedback to trigger discomfort physically and emotionally; breathe through it rather than avoid it.

· Saying “thank you” is a powerful way to receive feedback, creating space for clarity and reflection.

· Active listening and asking for examples or clarification makes feedback actionable, not just emotional.

· Not all feedback is equally relevant; seek trusted allies to help discern what to take on and what to set aside.

· If someone takes the time to give you feedback (and they’re not just critical by nature), it’s a powerful sign they value your growth and contribution.

· Focus your efforts—pick one new behavior or habit to address at a time for real, lasting growth.

· Sharing feedback with someone who knows your worth can help you separate projection from genuine opportunities for improvement.

Resources Mentioned:

Book: Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott

Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook

Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you.

In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.

Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader.

Leader, It’s Time to Rise!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you.

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Some days, the world feels especially heavy. I sat down today with a list of topics to discuss, but none of them felt right—until I decided to throw out the script entirely and talk honestly about something more urgent: what to do when you're feeling stuck, helpless, or weighed down by tough times. Today, I’m sharing a deeply personal reflection on overcoming setbacks, navigating depression, and the practical steps that have brought me—and so many others—back from the brink. If you’re struggling or know someone who is, this is a love letter to remind you: you’re not alone, and there’s a way through.

“I said, you know what? I'm going to be the change I want to see in the world and I'm going to go look for people who need help, people who need me. And that pulled me out of my funk, out of my depression.” ~Mark

Today on The Rising Leader:

· Many people, no matter how good they look on the outside, are quietly struggling. You’re not alone.

· Helping others, even in small, anonymous ways, can be a powerful tool to lift yourself out of a dark place.

· Exercise, journaling, positive influences, and reaching out to people all help shift your state of mind.

· It’s easy to fall for the narrative that everyone else is doing fine; in truth, most people have something heavy weighing on them.

· Don’t believe everything that goes on in your mind; so much of our negativity is amplified by society, media, and old stories from our past.

· If you’re a helper, take care of yourself first; you’ll have more to give when you’re whole.

· Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

· Small steps forward, taken consistently, are the way through tough times—there’s always something to learn or gain on the other side.

Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook

Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you.

In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.

Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader.

Leader, It’s Time to Rise!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you.

Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.

Have you ever found yourself paralyzed by nerves before a big meeting, new venture, or bold conversation, wishing you could just overcome the fear? In today’s episode, I share the story of my spirit animal: a tiny rubber chicken named Chicken Shit. Inspired by a lesson from the first shaman I ever met, this episode is all about embracing fear, owning our “chicken shit,” and charging ahead anyway. I break down why being afraid isn’t a flaw; it’s a part of leadership and human experience, and why anything worth doing is worth doing scared.

This episode is inspired by Rafael Bejarano, the first shaman I ever met. An unforgettable figure with his South American accent, dazzling beads, and long flowing hair, Raphael led circles of coaches and leaders and proudly proclaimed that his spirit animal was not the mighty eagle or buffalo, but a squeaky rubber chicken. His courage and authenticity deeply impacted me, and his legacy lives on in the lessons—and the chicken—he passed to me.

“Chicken Shit is my spirit animal because whatever I do in the world, I do scared.” ~Mark

Today on The Rising Leader:

· Your fear is not a flaw—it’s proof that you care about doing big, important things.

· Every leader, even the most accomplished and confident, experiences fear before stepping into a new challenge.

· “Chicken Shit” can be a powerful symbol for embracing, not fighting, your nerves.

· From promotions and new jobs to hard conversations and creative risks, bold moves almost always come with butterflies.

· The nervous system gets used to the familiar feeling of fear; you can learn to move forward even when afraid.

· Icons like Bono and Bruce Springsteen still get nervous before performances, proving that fear never truly disappears.

· The exhilaration of facing your fear—and jumping off that metaphorical cliff—can be transformative.

· Remember, it’s not about eliminating fear; it’s about doing it anyway, step by step.

Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook

Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you.

In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.

Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader.

Leader, It’s Time to Rise!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you.

Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.