Your Biggest Mistake Is Your Best Data Point ft. Phil Hornby

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