Have you ever looked up to a superstar, admired a successful public figure, or taken guidance from an influential leader, only to later learn about the human struggles, messy realities, and hidden challenges behind their public persona? In this episode, “I Was Selling a Lie,” I dive into why we put successful people on pedestals, the inevitable letdown when their humanity comes to light, and why real leadership means embracing imperfection. I draw on stories from famous artists, coaches, influencers, and even my chocolate chip cravings to reveal the essential truth: no one is above being hopelessly human.

"My aim isn’t to sell perfection but to invite you into honest conversations about growth, failure, and what it really takes to lead while being human." ~Mark

This week on The Rising Leader:

· The hidden struggles behind fame, success, and leadership.

· Why perfection in role models is an unhelpful illusion.

· Real stories from influential figures like Boy George, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Jay Shetty, Andrew Huberman, and others.

· The myth that personal development riders to perfection.

· Real leadership advice: learning by embracing your full humanity.

· My own vulnerabilities—chocolate chip confessions and being “Mark Mark” vs. “Coach Mark”.

· The distinction between performative vulnerability and genuine openness.

· The true cost of greatness, with reflections on Michael Jordan and Stevie Nicks.

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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Ever feel like the things you’re sharing as a leader are just “Captain Obvious” moments—messages that have been repeated endlessly, but still need to be heard? I woke up this morning with a clear urge to discuss something that’s not just essential, but foundational for every leader: perspective. No matter how often it’s discussed, perspective is the tool that brings clarity, emotional intelligence, and coaching power to every conversation, every conflict, and every team you lead. In today’s episode, I delve into why perspective is your responsibility as a leader, how it helps others navigate and resolve challenges, and why giving—and requesting—perspective is crucial to keeping your organization on track.

“Your job as a leader is to be the adult, to have the perspective, to have the emotional perspective that this is a disagreement, this isn't personal, and it's for you to get perspective as soon as possible.” ~Mark

Today on The Rising Leader:

· Perspective is the fundamental gift and duty of every leader—it’s your lived experience, information, and oversight that others don’t have.

· As adults and leaders, we often find ourselves in situations where we see more than those we lead, and it is our responsibility to remind others of the bigger picture.

· Emotional intelligence is essential for stepping back from reactive, defensive modes and regaining perspective in heated moments.

· Coaching isn’t just about hour-long sessions; sometimes the most valuable support is a quick call that offers a grounded perspective.

· People get emotionally triggered and lose sight of reality or consequences; your job is to help them regain balance and hope.

· Just like children “borrow” your emotional regulation, team members often need to “borrow” your perspective to stabilize during chaos.

· Regularly check in and ask for clarity yourself—“Am I being a jerk in this?” or “Am I seeing this clearly?”—no leader goes it alone.

· Offering your regulated, big-picture view can help team members see the vision, reconnect to purpose, and solve problems more effectively.

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.

Are you chasing external markers of success, or are you genuinely growing into the leader you want to become? Today, I challenge you to stop and really feel where your drive is coming from. In this episode, I deeply reflect on the difference between being driven by the endless pursuit of success and embracing the sometimes messy, enriching journey of growth. We’ll take a closer look at what it costs to achieve your goals if you’re coming from a place of lack and discuss how marrying ambition with inner development is the key to lasting fulfillment.

“I’ve spent time with people who have reached all their goals, and they’re still not satisfied, they’re still not happy.” ~Mark

This week on The Rising Leader:

· How to distinguish between chasing success and pursuing growth

· Why proving yourself to others can lead to burnout and emptiness

· The warning signs that you’re “climbing the ladder on the wrong wall”

· The hidden costs of goal-oriented living—on family, health, and fulfillment

· Why growth-oriented leaders are more fulfilled, not just more successful

· A coaching approach that marries achievement with personal evolution

· How to set values-based goals and measure your fulfillment

· The emptiness of endless achievement without inner satisfaction

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.

Ever feel like you’re living your life—or growing your career—on autopilot? In this episode, I dive into the distinction between a “created rise” and a “default rise.” Are you intentionally building the path you want, or just following the steps that seem to be laid out for you? I share stories from my transition from tech to coaching, how that pivotal distinction changed my life, and how it might just change the trajectory of your leadership journey.

“Drop by drop, you can change the trajectory of your career, of your life, of your relationship, of everything.” ~Mark Silverman

This Week on The Rising Leader:

· A default rise happens when you follow the expected path without conscious intention; a created rise requires active, ongoing decisions.

· Small, deliberate choices—putting your resume together, scheduling networking lunches—are the foundation of big career moves.

· You can sculpt your next role based not only on what you want, but equally on what you don’t want.

· If you’re valuable to your organization, you have leverage to shape your responsibilities and environment.

· The “zone of genius” (per Gay Hendricks) is where work feels effortless and impactful—aim to spend most of your time there.

· Leadership often comes with “golden handcuffs”—more money, more responsibility, but less freedom—unless you create your own path.

· Identify what drains you and build a team or structure so that others can excel where you don’t.

· Transformational change is about consistent micro-steps and self-awareness, not giant leaps.

Resources Mentioned:

● Gay Hendricks’s “Zone of Genius” framework (from The Big Leap)

● Rich Litvin—Coaching inspiration and the original source for the created vs default life distinction

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.