In this episode, Michael is joined by Joel Hilchey, an engineer turned training and development expert, to explore the realities of leadership for accidental managers. Hilchey discusses his book The Six and a Half Habits of Highly Defective Bosses, a guide that uncovers the challenges leaders face when transitioning from high performing individual contributors to effective team managers.

Joel highlights the importance of managing both tasks and people. He explains that great leaders must balance short term project priorities with long term strategy, while also attending to immediate team dynamics and the larger arc of each team member’s career development. Through personal stories, including one involving a former assistant, Joel illustrates how managers can better understand the aspirations of their teams and create meaningful support structures.

Michael shares a powerful real world example from his leadership journey in healthcare. He describes stepping into a clinic plagued with an 86 percent annual turnover rate and transforming it into a stable environment with only six percent turnover within a year. His approach included listening closely to the team, removing unnecessary obstacles, and making small but consistent improvements.

Joel points out that this reflects research showing employees most often leave because of their relationship with management, not their peers. He emphasizes the concept of “de hassling” employees as a critical leadership practice that empowers people to do their best work.

Michael also reflects on Lean methodologies through a humorous and insightful hospital anecdote. A seasoned nurse, repeatedly told to move her equipment cart, finally threatened to use her access to needles if the relocation happened again. The directive immediately stopped.

This moment illustrates that while Lean principles aim to streamline systems, leaders must recognize times when established worker routines already support peak efficiency. Forcing change without understanding context can undermine performance rather than improve it.

In their discussion of leadership essentials, Hilchey and Michael emphasize the importance of nurturing high performers instead of burning them out or discouraging them. They highlight the role of managers in understanding what their teams need to excel and the power of frequent, authentic recognition.

Joel shares insights from The Six and a Half Habits of Highly Defective Bosses, urging leaders to take responsibility when mistakes occur, focus on solutions rather than blame, and cultivate environments where people can thrive. These principles, he explains, are foundational for building motivated and resilient teams.

https://JoelHilchey.com

In this episode, Anders Hansen shares his incredible evolution from performing magic to becoming a respected leader in personal development. He describes how reading The Power of Your Subconscious Mind shifted his understanding of human potential and set him on a path that eventually led to collaborating with Bob Proctor. Anders explains how these insights inspired him to create The Secret to Real Magic, a program that has helped thousands of clients and generated more than twelve million dollars in eight years. He reinforces the importance of aligning goals with deeper fulfillment, and how many people discover that the outcomes they chase are not always the ones they truly want.

Anders breaks down the idea of illusions in business and how hidden limiting beliefs shape the way leaders think and act. Using the example of a multi dimensional domino brick, he illustrates how the mind fills in patterns based on assumptions rather than truth. He shares the five most common illusions that hold business owners back which include hustle and hype, luck, fear, lack and limitation, and the illusion of knowledge. Anders highlights that real change requires integrating knowledge into behavior and raising personal consciousness. Michael reflects on this idea and highlights how growth often emerges from challenging seasons. The conversation reinforces that goals should be rooted in desire and identity, not just performance metrics.

Michael and Anders explore how leaders can overcome self imposed limits. Michael shares his own journey of challenging income ceilings he once believed were fixed. They discuss the power of intentional affirmations, identity shaping goals, and learning from multiple motivational sources. The conversation provides practical tools for addressing negative thought cycles and cultivating a mindset that supports expansive possibility.

Anders offers a grounded perspective on the future of AI and leadership. He believes AI should amplify human strengths instead of becoming a substitute for them. Emotional intelligence and inner leadership will remain at the center of all high performance work. Anders also explains why his company shifted from online coaching to live experiential events. He believes that integration and genuine connection are fundamental human needs and essential for sustaining growth. He encourages listeners to begin with a free assessment designed to reveal hidden illusions and offers tools that help shift energy to support aligned goal creation. His message is clear. Information alone does not transform. Implementation does.

To explore Anders Hansen’s work further, visit Instagram or Facebook and search for Real Anders Hansen. Comment with the words Breakfast Leadership to receive additional leadership and personal development resources mentioned in the show.

Anders Hansen: The Illusionist Who Turns Transformation Into Reality

Anders Hansen is more than an internationally recognized illusionist—he’s a 7-figure CEO and the creative force behind Real Magic LLC. With over 20 years of stage magic fused seamlessly with world-class personal development, Anders has redefined transformation by making it tangible, entertaining, and life-changing.

As a protégé of Bob Proctor, Anders co-created The Secret to Real Magic program, guiding over 10,000 people—including countless entrepreneurs—to break through limitations and unlock extraordinary results. His signature Real Magic LIVE© experience blurs the line between a show and a seminar, turning abstract concepts into unforgettable moments of clarity. To date, this work has generated more than $12M in revenue, proving that transformation can be both magical and measurable.

Today, Anders’ mission is simple but powerful: to help high achievers create quantum leap breakthroughs so they can live happier, healthier, and wealthier lives.

In this episode, we dive into a game-changing Ivy Exec article exposing the gap between flashy workplace perks and what employees truly value for retention and satisfaction—think flexibility, mental health support, and financial security over office ping-pong tables.

Core Shift in Benefits: Leaders waste budgets on trendy amenities while employees crave practical supports that ease daily stress, like usable PTO and hybrid work options.

Top Used Benefits: Comprehensive health coverage, retirement matching, and simple-access mental health resources top the list, with high adoption when they're straightforward and stigma-free.

Flexibility Wins: Predictable time off and work autonomy beat "unlimited PTO" policies that no one dares to use, directly impacting job choices.

Key Takeaways

Audit usage data to cut underutilized perks and fund high-impact areas like therapy stipends, debt assistance, and career coaching.

Normalize mental health days and financial wellness programs to build loyalty amid burnout trends.

Co-design benefits with employee input for relevance, plus clear communication to boost satisfaction.

Subscribe to The Breakfast Leadership Show for more on burnout-proof cultures. Share your top benefit in the comments—how does your workplace stack up?

https://BreakfastLeadership.com/blog

https://FreeFromBurnout.com

https://Community.BreakfastLeadership.com

Source:

What Workplace Benefits Do Employees Actually Care ... https://ivyexec.com/career-advice/2025/what-workplace-benefits-do-employees-actually-care-about-and-use

Dr. Julie Wilson, a family physician in British Columbia, joined Michael to discuss her work in transforming healthcare workplaces. Her organization now manages 20 clinics and supports more than 100 healthcare providers across the province. Julie shared her motivation to expand access and improve the quality of care, especially as BC faces the dual challenge of an aging population and rapidly growing immigrant communities. She emphasized the essential role of primary care in offering trusted guidance and stability for patients. Michael noted that stronger healthcare systems support healthier communities, which ultimately strengthens economic productivity and quality of life.

Michael and Julie explored the global shortage of healthcare workers, particularly physicians, which is placing immense strain on clinics and care systems. They discussed how rising patient volumes without matching compensation or support lead to burnout, turnover, and reduced quality of care. Julie highlighted the importance of creating supportive environments where healthcare professionals can practice in ways that align with their strengths and patient needs, rather than being restricted by rigid schedules or outdated expectations.

Michael spoke about the importance of meaningful clinician–patient relationships, especially for individuals living with chronic conditions or complex medical histories. He reflected on the growing administrative burden clinicians face due to charting demands and documentation requirements, which often distract from patient care and contribute to burnout. Michael expressed optimism that AI integration into electronic health records could reduce these tasks and give clinicians more time with patients.

Julie and Michael discussed how AI can transform healthcare documentation. They noted that AI tools can improve the completeness and accuracy of patient records, reduce the hours clinicians spend on charting, and support better follow up and communication. Michael highlighted the potential for AI to uncover meaningful patterns in patient data that can ultimately improve outcomes. Both agreed that reducing administrative friction will allow healthcare professionals to focus more fully on the practice of medicine.

Julie shared her philosophy for running medical clinics, grounded in autonomy, trust, and respect. She emphasized the value of listening to staff, providing emotional and operational support, and fostering a positive work culture. Michael added a personal example of creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere in one of his clinics, which aligned with Julie’s approach. Together, they underscored that when employees feel heard and supported, they deliver better care and maintain higher levels of engagement.

Website: https://terranovamedical.ca

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-wilson-4a25b4214/

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Alexandra Gajer, a board certified physician who made a courageous shift from emergency medicine to the world of performance health optimization. Dr. Gajer shared how she reached a point of burnout even though she loved her work in the ER. Her story highlights a powerful truth that many high performers overlook. Loving your career does not make you immune to burnout. She explained why self care cannot be something we practice only during off hours, and how traditional medicine often focuses more on disease than on sustaining long term vitality. I emphasized how essential her work is, especially for leaders and professionals who want to feel energized and capable for decades rather than reacting to health problems after they arise.

Dr. Gajer broke down a shift she sees in her clients. Success is no longer just about titles or income. True success requires a strong foundation of health. She explained how metabolic health plays a central role in energy, performance, and longevity. Small changes in how the body uses food for fuel can create massive improvements. She also covered the importance of hormone health and how people at any age can regain optimal energy levels. Dr. Gajer described clients in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s who continue thriving because they invested early in their health and maintained consistent habits.

We explored why leaders over 45 must be proactive about both cognitive and physical health. Many people hit their 40s with more wisdom, capability, and clarity than ever, yet their bodies begin sending subtle warning signs. Dr. Gajer explained how burnout symptoms often show up quietly for people in demanding professions like healthcare, leadership, and entrepreneurship. We talked about why mindfulness, nutrition, movement, and regular health assessments are essential investments for long term functionality and longevity.

I shared my own experience with food intolerance testing and how it changed the way I look at nutrition. Discovering that I have a potato allergy, despite my Irish roots, and an intolerance to eggs, despite the egg in my brand logo, created some irony and a lot of self reflection. I talked about how foods interact with one another much like medications do, and why paying attention to how your body responds can be a game changer for overall well being.

Dr. Gajer discussed the sharp decline in testosterone levels among men and why diet is a major contributor. She emphasized the importance of whole foods over processed products that are engineered to be addictive. Whole foods help regulate appetite, stabilize weight, and support hormone balance. She also highlighted the link between processed foods, inflammation, and cognitive decline. The message was clear. Your diet is creating either long term strength or long term struggle.

We explored the consequences of poor dietary habits, including the rising rates of type 3 diabetes, Alzheimer's, and dementia. I shared why I believe medications like Ozempic are often used as a Band Aid for lifestyle choices rather than addressing root causes. We discussed how healthy food choices combined with regular movement help people maintain clarity, emotional stability, and resilience. When you take care of your body, you are better equipped to handle every other area of life.

Dr. Gajer emphasized that small health habits create major shifts. He noted that it is never too late to start making positive changes. We discussed the importance of consuming adequate protein, supporting gut microbiome health, and using daily rituals to reduce stress. I reinforced that when you strengthen your health, your performance improves in your relationships, your leadership, and your decision making.

Dr. Gajer shared an overview of her health optimization practice, which supports clients nationwide. Listeners can book a free intro call through her website theguyerPractice.com. With my background in primary care administration, I deeply appreciate how vital her work is for healthcare professionals and high performers striving to stay healthy while maintaining demanding careers. Her contact information is included for anyone ready to take the next step toward long term health and vitality.