Episodios

  • Your Biggest Mistake Is Your Best Data Point ft. Phil Hornby
    Jul 30 2025
    With 56% of leaders hitting burnout in 2024 and a staggering 43% of companies losing half their leadership teams, it's clear modern leadership is heading into a burnout phase. But the question remains: Why? On this episode of the Uncommon Leadership podcast, I dive into the core issues with highly experienced product leader and coach — Phil Hornby. Phil's unique blend of technical acumen, business insight, and human-centric skills makes his perspective invaluable. Together, we unpack some crucial reasons behind this alarming trend: ↪ The immense pressure to hide our true selves fosters stressful and inauthentic work environments. ↪ A default to rigid command-and-control methods strips away team safety and empowerment. ↪The crippling fear of failure that paralyzes action and prevents vital growth. ↪ An overemphasis on tasks that overshadow human connection leads to disengaged teams and stifled collaboration. We explore the profound problem of how conventional leadership often inhibits team potential, which leads to worse outcomes precisely when superior performance is most needed. Phil and I reveal how well-intentioned instincts to "take control" can actually sabotage creativity, innovation, and overall business success—leaving an organization vulnerable. If you're tired of seeing your team's immense talent go untapped and your efforts leading to more exhaustion than impact—then this conversation is for you. --- Your Key Learnings From This Episode of Uncommon Leadership: The power and the true meaning of bringing your whole self to a leadership role.Learn why small, intentional steps remove the fear of failure by turning every outcome into valuable data for growth.A deep understanding of the control paradox: loosening control often leads to better results!Find out how a deliberate approach to building relationships creates effortless trust and deep collaboration.Understand why micromanagement and rigid leadership can stifle a team's potential.How to design intentional structures that encourage collaboration and mutual support. --- About the Speakers: Phil Hornby Phil Hornby is a highly experienced product leader, coach, technologist, and facilitator with a career spanning over 20 years across diverse sectors including SaaS, IoT, InsuranceTech, MarineTech, Advertising, Manufacturing, BioTech, and Automotive. Phil has directly helped thousands of individuals across hundreds of companies to think clearly, make strong decisions, and take powerful action that drives high-impact outcomes. His approach centers on collaboration, context-driven leadership, and continuous learning. As a coach, Phil serves as a trusted sparring partner for senior leaders, helping them gain clarity and perspective on challenges related to change, uncertainty, and team effectiveness. Get in touch with Phil Hornby↓ Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philhornby Resources for further exploration: https://www.forproductpeople.com/ | https://www.talkingroadmaps.com/episodes Michael Hunter Michael Hunter is the founder of Uncommon Teams and the compelling voice behind the Uncommon Leadership podcast. For over 35 years, he's guided leaders across six continents, helping them navigate the demanding realities of burnout, overwhelm, and the multifaceted challenges of today's global business landscape. He champions the creation of truly authentic and resilient teams, guiding leaders to align their personal fulfillment with profound business success. His unique approach enables individuals and teams to move beyond merely surviving daily pressures, into a state where they can truly thrive and innovate with ease. Michael's mission is to help leaders, CEOs, and founding teams create and inhabit their legacy, elevating themselves in a way that is safe and sustainable. Want to build an uncommon, unstoppable team? Get in touch with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ Website: https://uncommonteams.com/ Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/ Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UncommonLeadershipPodcast Presented By: Uncommon Change
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    55 m
  • Stop Hiding: Your Company Can't Afford It! ft. David Mantica
    Jul 23 2025
    Is your leadership style secretly costing your company millions? Many leaders today fall prey to the dangerous pressure of hiding their true selves. And this is draining more than just energy. It's slowly piling up invisible walls within your team—stifling innovation, and quietly sabotaging your bottom line. The old playbook for leaders is failing in today's unpredictable world. It's creating environments of fear, distrust, and burnout, leaving organizations vulnerable to the chaos of rapid change. So today, on the newest episode of the Uncommon Leadership podcast, I sit down with the Managing Director at SoftEd, David Mantica, to pull back the curtain. David has seen how businesses operate from every angle, and with that insight, we explore how true leadership isn't about control, but about authentic connection. It's about bringing your whole self to work, understanding your brain's biases, and cultivating curiosity to truly empower your people. If you want to create a workplace where people are truly engaged and excited about "why" they do what they do, then grab a seat and join in the conversation. -- Is this podcast right for you?: Yes, if you want to build trust and create a long-lasting impact at your organization by showing up as your whole self.Yes, if you are ready to let go of micromanaging or controlling behaviors and lead your team by empowering them.Yes, if you're open to understanding your own biases, recognize when you're not at your best, & actively seek feedback from your team members or colleagues.Yes, if you're determined to create a culture where people feel safe to be themselves, express ideas, and even make mistakes.Yes, if you're just a leader, CEO, or CXO—trying to lead your organization through burnout or stifled growth. -- About the Speakers David Mantica As Managing Director at SoftEd, David Mantica is dedicated to empowering knowledge workers by providing comprehensive training, coaching, and advisory services. Leveraging his deep expertise, he equips professionals with critical skills in areas like AI, Agile, and leadership, enabling them to thrive and innovate effectively in today's complex, VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) business world, all while advocating for sustainable, trust-driven profitability. With over 30 years of experience and more than 700 speaking engagements, David actively equips professionals with the knowledge, credentials, and confidence needed to lead, deliver, and innovate effectively. Get in touch with David Mantica↓ Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mantica/ Or Email: dmantica@gmail.com Michael Hunter↓ Michael Hunter is the founder of Uncommon Teams and the compelling voice behind the Uncommon Leadership podcast. For over 35 years, he's guided leaders across six continents, helping them navigate the demanding realities of burnout, overwhelm, and the multifaceted challenges of today's global business landscape. He champions the creation of truly authentic and resilient teams, guiding leaders to align their personal fulfillment with profound business success. His unique approach enables individuals and teams to move beyond merely surviving daily pressures, into a state where they can truly thrive and innovate with ease. Michael's mission is to help leaders, CEOs, and founding teams create and inhabit their legacy, elevating themselves in a way that is safe and sustainable. Want to build an uncommon, unstoppable team? Get in touch with Michael Hunter: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ Website: https://uncommonteams.com/ Newsletter: https://uncommonteams.com/newsletter-archive/ Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UncommonLeadershipPodcast Presented By: Uncommon Change
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    47 m
  • What You're Afraid to Face Will Cost You Everything ft. Dan Tocchini
    Jul 16 2025
    Imagine being constantly caught off guard by problems you never saw coming, while carrying the weight of leadership decisions that could make or break your organization. It's a tough spot, and frankly, a sad reality for many leaders who've unintentionally built walls, missing crucial insights that could save them millions. Welcome to another powerful episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast! I'm Michael Hunter, and today, I'm honored to speak with someone who's witnessed this costly pattern firsthand: Dan Tocchini. Tocchini is a true leadership transformation expert, with over 35 years of experience helping executive teams break through seemingly impossible barriers. In this conversation, he reveals exactly how siloed processes create dangerous blind spots—blind spots that can cost millions or, even worse, derail your entire venture. He also tackles the hard questions head-on: How do you balance openness with authority? How do you create cultures where people feel genuinely confident to take risks? And most importantly, how do you turn obstacles into opportunities through what he calls "fascination"—a deeper level of curiosity that transforms breakdowns into breakthroughs. You'll also get a sneak peek into his three pillars of effective leadership and his proven change management framework that explains why a surprising 40% of your team sits on the fence during transitions—and, crucially, how to win them over. This isn't just a feel-good leadership theory. It's a practical roadmap to prevent small problems from becoming million-dollar crises. So tune in now! -- Key Learnings from this Conversation: Isolating aspects of your leadership or team guarantees costly surprises and missed opportunities.Openness about challenges empowers your team to deliver solutions you'd never find alone.Don't avoid discomfort or difficult conversations.Foster a culture where genuine inquiry, not rigid authority, drives rapid learning and pivots.Your actions, not just your words, build the trust and define the culture your team will embody.Unite your team around collective success to navigate conflict effectively and achieve breakthrough results.A leader's discipline to care, even when others don't, is vital for long-term team health and preventing future issues. -- Want to get in touch with the speakers? About Dan Tocchini: Dan Tocchini brings over 35 years of experience transforming executive teams for companies like Microsoft and ESPN. He champions a no-fluff approach, focusing on courageous leadership and creative conflict resolution. Dan Tocchini believes a leader with a clear vision is never held hostage by circumstance or history. Get in touch with him: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantocchini/ About Michael Hunter: Michael Hunter is the founder of Uncommon Teams and the host of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast. He is dedicated to exploring leadership principles that empower individuals to lead with authenticity and impact. You can connect with Michael Hunter by clicking on this link: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/ -- For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for the Uncommon Leadership newsletter at https://uncommonteams.com Watch the Uncommon Leadership Podcast: Get notified on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj Presented By: Uncommon Change
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    54 m
  • Build Teams That Will Follow You Anywhere ft. Wes Clines
    Jul 9 2025
    Ever wonder why some teams thrive through chaos while others crumble? It's not about micromanagement or perfect plans—it's about trust. It's about fierce loyalty. In this powerful episode, I, Michael Hunter, and DocuSign's Director of Engineering, Wes Clines, decode the true essence of an uncommon leader. Wes shares his battle-tested "hacks" to transform teams through transparency, consistency, and non-negotiable, genuine communications. More than just theory, this conversation offers a peek into a leader's essential toolkit, showing you how to move beyond management and truly begin to lead. Discover how investing in genuine connection, embracing imperfection, and fostering open dialogue creates a culture where people don't just perform—they're empowered, resilient, and ready to follow you anywhere. Ready to transform your leadership and unleash your team's full, untapped potential? Tune into the full Uncommon Leadership Podcast episode now! -- Your learnings from the podcast: Transparency cultivates trust. Openly communicate "why" and how decisions are made to build psychological safety.A leader's reactions to mistakes (learning over blame) can empower teams to take strategic risks.Prioritizing deep, 1-on-1 connections can help uncover individual talents, strengths, and weaknesses.Embrace continuous progress and learning from inevitable mistakes for sustainable team performance.Lead beyond management through genuine connection, driving higher output and retention. -- Want to get in touch with the speakers? About Wes Clines: Wes Clines is the Director of Engineering at DocuSign, leading developer infrastructure and tools teams. With a rich background from his 15 years at Microsoft, Wes is passionate about fostering authentic team cultures built on trust and open communication. Connect with Wes Clines on LinkedIn by clicking here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-clines/ About Michael Hunter: Michael Hunter is the founder of Uncommon Teams and the host of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast. He is dedicated to exploring leadership principles that empower individuals to lead with authenticity and impact. You can connect with Michael Hunter by clicking on this link: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/ -- For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for the Uncommon Leadership newsletter at https://uncommonteams.com Watch the Uncommon Leadership Podcast: Get notified on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj Presented By: Uncommon Change
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    1 h y 10 m
  • The Uncommon Path to Time, Trust, and Thriving Teams
    Jun 25 2025
    Whether you're battling burnout, striving for breakthrough innovation, or simply sense that something isn't quite right with your leadership journey, you are far from alone. And, you've arrived at an exciting episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, which just might help you navigate these feelings. In this episode, I, Michael Hunter, sit down with the incredible Viveka von Rosen—a celebrated LinkedIn expert, bestselling author, and transformational speaker who literally lives by her philosophy of "playing all day." Together, we uncover the hidden truths behind genuine success, radical self-trust, and building truly empowered teams. Viveka shares her own raw, vulnerable journey from corporate burnout—a path that led her to question everything. She reveals how ignoring the subtle whispers of intuition can escalate into loud, undeniable shouts, forcing us to finally listen. Her story is a powerful reminder: don't wait for a crisis to make your pivot. But how do you find the time for these shifts? Will you need to wake up at 4:30 AM or work late nights? The answer is shockingly simple and extremely practical. So, take a seat and join in the conversation that goes beyond just finding time. It’s about fundamentally changing how we approach work and lead. -- Here's what you can expect to learn from this podcast↓ Learn why approaching work with joy and enthusiasm is a proven path to unprecedented productivity, less procrastination, and real, sustainable success.Discover simple, low-stakes ways to practice trusting that inner knowing, saving yourself from future regret.Discover the ultimate hack for truly valuing your team members.Learn why allowing team members to "outgrow" their roles isn't a cost, but a powerful opportunity for your business to transform and thrive.Learn to build a work culture of open communication and flexibility that empowers everyone to bring their unique brilliance to the table. -- Want to get in touch with the speakers? About Viveka von Rosen Viveka von Rosen is a celebrated LinkedIn expert, bestselling author, and transformational speaker. Having successfully pivoted from corporate burnout herself, she now empowers executives and entrepreneurs to align their authentic selves with their business goals, helping them build their legacy and unlock their full potential through her work at Beyond the Dream Board. Get in touch with her: Viveka@beyondthedreamboard.com About Michael Hunter: Michael Hunter is the host of the Uncommon Leadership podcast and founder of Uncommon Teams, guiding leaders to align personal fulfillment with business success and cultivate authentic teams. You can connect with Michael Hunter by clicking on this link: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/ -- For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for the Uncommon Leadership newsletter at https://uncommonteams.com Watch the Uncommon Leadership Podcast: Get notified on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj Presented By: Uncommon Change
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    53 m
  • The Unconventional Secret to Authentic Leadership
    Jun 18 2025
    Just can't shake the feeling that your career isn't quite aligning with who you truly are? If so, you're not alone. Many leaders wrestle with these exact challenges every single day. In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I, Michael Hunter, am diving deep into these very real struggles with the brilliant Dr. Rebecca Parsons, former CTO of ThoughtWorks. We intend to uncover unconventional insights that can transform your leadership, your team, and your entire sense of fulfillment. Dr. Parsons pulls back the curtain on her remarkable journey, starting with a surprising truth: even at a young age, she knew the secret to preventing that "off" feeling. It was all about defining success on her terms and embracing her authentic self—someone who truly loved math, science, and everything geeky! This is her story about how she relentlessly refused to compromise who she really was. What allowed her to develop such profound self-awareness so early? What empowered her to challenge norms and even prove a university professor wrong when he doubted women's capabilities in tech? Let's find out together. We'll discover why the authentic ability to say "I don't know" is a superpower and how focusing on outcomes instead of micromanaging unlocks creativity. Dr. Rebecca Parsons wraps her compelling journey with a bombshell: if 100% of your "innovations" succeed, you're taking too little risk. She goes on to explain the crucial difference between a bad idea and a constructive failure—a distinction that could be the key to your organization's very survival. Take a seat and join us as we tackle some of the most troublesome quandaries in organizational leadership. -- Want to get in touch with the speakers? About Dr. Rebecca Parsons: A former CTO of ThoughtWorks for 17 years, Dr. Parsons is a renowned technologist and advocate for diversity in STEM, known for her expertise in tech strategy and evolutionary architecture. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rebecca-parsons/ About Michael Hunter: Michael Hunter is the host of the Uncommon Leadership podcast and founder of Uncommon Teams, guiding leaders to align personal fulfillment with business success and cultivate authentic teams. https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/ -- For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for the Uncommon Leadership newsletter at https://uncommonteams.com Watch the Uncommon Leadership Podcast: Get notified on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj Presented By: Uncommon Change
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    51 m
  • An Uncommon Approach to Self-Fulfilment ft. Dr. Maria H. Andersen
    Jun 11 2025
    Ever feel like you're doing great at work, hitting all your targets... but secretly, something just feels off? Then this episode on the Uncommon Leadership Podcast is for you. Join me as I interview Dr. Maria H. Andersen, a learning engineer, EdTech CEO, and highly experienced educator, on the importance of finding the balance between personal fulfilment and professional success. We talk at length about making intentional choices with your energy and how focusing on where you can make a difference is key to navigating an overwhelming world. We also explore fascinating strategies like Replenishing Personal Resources and Idea Collisions to prevent burnout and spark exciting innovations. Dr. Andersen's expertise in fostering creativity, establishing healthy boundaries, and creating positive company cultures makes this conversation essential for leaders navigating the complex intersection of personal well-being and professional excellence. If you're ready to make that change, reclaim your energy, and build a path that's truly yours, then tune in now!

    Want to get in touch with the speakers? Dr. Maria H. Andersen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahandersen/ Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/ -- For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for the Uncommon Leadership newsletter at https://uncommonteams.com Watch the Uncommon Leadership Podcast: Get notified on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj Presented By: Uncommon Change
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    1 h y 3 m