McCoy Leadership

From Fear to Excellence: Leadership Lessons with Tech Pioneer Giorgio Natili

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, we sat down with Giorgio Natili—tech leader, author, and fearless management advocate. Giorgio shared his journey from overcoming terrible bosses to leading innovation at companies like Amazon, Capital One, and Mozilla. We dove into why honesty, vulnerability, and putting people first matter so much more than chasing titles or perfection. Giorgio reminded us that excellence trumps perfection, and that real impact is measured by the lives you touch, not your number of followers. Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, this episode is packed with insights on tackling challenges head-on, building authentic teams, and finding meaning in your work.
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Download your free episode guide here!
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00:00 Tech and AI Journey: Excellence Pursuit
04:17 Unique Career Journey Challenges
08:06 "Leadership: Support from Behind"
12:52 "Challenging Questions Unsettle Colleagues"
14:30 "Balancing Truth and Diplomacy"
17:51 Evolving Culture to Prevent Obsolescence
21:03 Redefining Success Beyond Titles
26:44 From Fear to Fascination: Sharks
28:36 Procrastination and Fear Connection
32:15 Embrace Vulnerability for Success
36:32 Podcast Success Through Impactful Leadership
40:35 "Passion for Music in Events"
43:40 Advice for Educators from Leaders
45:50 "Maximizing Gen AI for Tasks"
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Here are my top three takeaways for anyone navigating management or leadership roles:
🔹 Perfection Doesn’t Exist, Excellence Does: Giorgio shared that striving for perfection can be paralyzing, but aiming for excellence pushes teams and leaders to continuously grow and deliver real value.
🔹 Honesty & Courage Matter: Too often, managers sugarcoat reality or hide issues from leadership, fearing repercussions. Giorgio’s experience proves that clear, direct, and respectful communication—no matter how uncomfortable—is key to solving problems and building lasting trust.
🔹 Embrace Vulnerability & Challenges: Whether it’s swimming with literal sharks (yes, he did!) or facing career fears, Giorgio encourages leaders to acknowledge fears and tackle them head-on. Procrastination often signals underlying fear—so be open about it and ask for help when needed.
If you’re curious to hear practical wisdom on management, leadership, and even tackling your own “sharks,” I highly recommend listening to this episode! And remember: focus on meaningful impact, not just chasing titles or superficial perfection.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Links
LinkedIn
Book Recommendations
Radical Candor
Crucial Conversations
 
 

Faith-Driven Leadership: Financial Wisdom and Business Success with Nick Garofalo

Ever wondered how faith and business can thrive together? In this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Nick Garofalo—a Christian entrepreneur and wealth expert—to dive deep into leadership, building profitable businesses with integrity, and finding balance between faith, family, and work. We unpacked why profit isn’t a dirty word, the power of bringing in the right advisors, and how stewardship is key to long-term success. Whether you’re just launching or scaling up, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for purpose-driven leaders. 
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00:00 Value of Financial Advisors
03:47 "Finding the Right Advisor"
07:24 Men's Reluctance to Ask for Help
13:13 Navigating Work-Life Imbalance
14:52 "Exploring Ecclesiastes: Timeless Wisdom"
18:27 Stewardship in Business Lifecycles
24:05 Career Lifecycle and Planning Analogy
25:24 Setting Wealth Limits for Generosity
28:54 Profit Management for Business Owners
32:37 Empowerment and Financial Education
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Here are 3 key takeaways worth sharing:
Seek Aligned Advisors: When you’re navigating new territory in business or finances, don’t just Google the nearest expert. Nick advocates finding advisors who align with your values—especially those who share your core beliefs and have walked the journey before you.
Profit Is Not a Dirty Word: Many Christian business owners feel uneasy about making a profit, but Nick reframes profit as a form of stewardship. Our resources, including wealth, are entrusted to us for a season—use them to provide, to invest in others, and yes, to enjoy life while keeping God at the center.
Separate Business and Personal Finances: One of the top challenges Nick sees among business owners is mixing business and personal finances. Clear boundaries increase financial clarity and reduce stress, freeing you up to make smarter decisions for long-term success.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Links
Nick's website
freebies
LinkedIn
book reccomendation 

Unlocking Talent: Building Better Teams with Dr. Michael Neal’s Assessment-Based Hiring

If you want to revolutionize how you hire and retain talent, you don’t want to miss this episode! I sat down with Dr. Michael Neal, an optometrist turned entrepreneur, who shared how he cracked the code on finding and keeping top performers in healthcare—and beyond. By focusing on people’s natural strengths and using smart assessments instead of just resumes, Dr. Neal’s Build My Team is helping businesses hire smarter, not harder. Whether you’re in healthcare or any industry, these strategies can help you build a stronger team and transform your business. Tune in and get ready to elevate your hiring game!
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00:00 Uncle Bill's Al Capone Tales
05:19 Maxwell Method DISC Insights
08:32 Rethinking Career Pathways Education
11:10 Algorithmic Job Candidate Matching
13:24 Experience: Short-term vs. Long-term Impact
18:10 Tailoring Hiring for Business Success
21:28 Candidate Matching and Retention System
22:52 Demographic Shift Impact on Workforce
29:02 Perseverance in Running and Business
30:07 Perseverance: Overcoming Challenges
34:50 "Right People, Then Direction"
37:59 "Think and Grow Rich Summary"
40:34 Podcast Follow & Tune-in Reminder
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Top 3 takeaways:
🔍 Hire for Strengths, Not Just ExperienceDr. Neal realized the traditional resume/interview process wasn’t surfacing high performers. By using assessments that identify candidates’ natural talents, his practice saw a dramatic improvement in retention and performance.
🎯 You Might Be Looking in the Wrong PlaceWith a shrinking labor pool, Dr. Neal’s system taps into overlooked candidates—people who may have never considered a certain role but are actually an ideal fit based on their strengths, not simply their work history.
💡 Feedback & Flexibility Drive SuccessTheir process incorporates feedback loops to tailor hiring for each client’s definition of success. If a candidate doesn’t fit one opening, they may be a perfect match for another, creating a more dynamic (and humane) pipeline.
Want to rethink how you build your team? Check out Build My Team or give this podcast episode a listen. It might just change your perspective on hiring and team building.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Links
Michael Neal's Website
https://www.buildmyteam.com/
LinkedIn
 

Practical Tools for Self-Awareness: The Leader’s Guide with Yosi Kossowsky

Today on the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Yosi Kossowsky, an executive coach with 18 years of experience and a fascinating journey from engineering to mastering human behavior. We dove into the powerful role self-awareness and emotional intelligence play in leadership, the neuroscience behind communication, and why understanding your own perspectives is essential for team success. If you’re ready to elevate your leadership, embrace curiosity, and drive impact through better relationships, this episode is packed with insights you can start applying today. Don’t miss it!
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00:00 Journey to Emotional Wellness
03:37 Understanding Emotions in Engineering
07:40 From Communication to Purposeful Coaching
12:17 Embracing Curiosity Over Assumptions
17:26 "Communication Before Business Systems?"
21:35 Challenging Leadership and Self-Awareness
24:37 "Understanding Autobiographical Lenses"
27:11 Ensuring Effective Communication Understanding
32:19 Spray Paint Miscommunication Mishap
36:17 Bridging Differences for Success
40:40 Self-Reflection and Personal Growth
42:18 Empathy and Understanding Historical Bias
48:28 Advice for Future Leadership Education
51:14 "10% of Adults Use AI"
52:41 Podcast Episode Follow Reminder
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Here are 3 key takeaways from our conversation:
🔹 Self-awareness is foundational: True leadership growth starts by recognizing your own emotional patterns and personal biases, and understanding how they affect your interactions and decisions.
🔹 Curiosity over assumptions: Instead of assuming you fully understand others (or that they fully understand you), lead with curiosity. Ask questions like “Help me understand…” to open real dialogue and minimize miscommunication.
🔹 Communication is a skill, not a given: Even the most well-intentioned leaders can fall into the trap of poor communication. Actively practicing clear communication and follow-up—especially in cross-cultural, diverse, or virtual teams—can drastically improve team outcomes and integration.
If you’re looking to elevate your leadership impact, start with yourself and how you connect with others. Want more actionable insights? Catch the full episode or connect with Yosi Kossowsky on LinkedIn for more on conscious leadership and emotional wellness.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Links
Yosi's Website
https://www.k-torconsulting.com/
LinkedIn
Yosi's book recommendation:
https://a.co/d/eMjb8fp
 
 

Heart Centered Leadership and Self Care: Deborah Crowe on Building Legacy Beyond Success

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with the incredible Deborah Crowe, who shared her journey from neurotrauma case manager to heart-centered leadership coach. We talked about what truly matters at the top, the dangers of burnout, and why leading with empathy and self-care isn’t just good for your health—it’s good for your business. If you want to build impact without sacrificing your well-being, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Tap in for insights on authentic leadership, life lessons, and lasting legacy.
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00:00 From Medicine to Leadership Coaching
03:37 Regrets of the Dying
09:03 Legacy Reflections and Regrets
10:42 Busyness Trap: Unlearned Lessons
13:27 "Detach Emotions From Activities"
18:59 "Digital Influence on Future Leaders"
23:26 Digital Detox for Self-Care
24:34 Life Without TV: Creative Living
30:00 Fear of Authenticity in Leadership
32:51 Encouraging Honest Conversations
34:19 Heart-Centered Leadership's Business Impact
40:31 Embracing Imperfection in Leadership
42:00 Learning to Fail
45:51 Rapid Fire Leadership Questions
48:30 "My iPad: A Digital Escape"
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Here are my top 3 takeaways that every leader should consider:
Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s vital: Deborah’s experience with executives facing end-of-life regrets showed that sacrificing health and relationships for “success” leads to loneliness, not fulfillment.
White space in your calendar is critical: Back-to-back meetings aren’t a badge of honor. Building in downtime helps you be present and make better decisions for yourself and your team.
People over profit, always: Heart-centered leadership is about investing in genuine connections. When you put people first, the business results will follow.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Links
Deborah's Website
LinkedIn
Deborah's Book
 
 

Transforming Managers into Leaders: Employee Retention and Attraction Strategies Unpacked

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Andy Neillie—business owner, best-selling author, and passionate leadership consultant. We explored how true leadership goes beyond management, diving into Andy’s four leadership essentials: conviction, competence, character, and covenant. Andy shared real-life stories on why people don’t leave jobs, they leave bad bosses, and how great leaders create cultures that attract and retain top talent. Whether you run a Fortune 500 or a three-person team, these principles make all the difference. Don’t miss these actionable insights to elevate your leadership and boost retention!
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00:00 Character Defines Leadership
06:06 Executive Coaching for Leaders
08:29 "Cultural Onboarding Unveiled"
13:26 Leadership Challenges During Change
15:33 Employee Retention Through Competence
20:10 "Transitioning Sales Managers' Challenge"
20:45 Upskilling Others is True Success
25:49 Harnessing AI for Business Success
29:08 "Creative Employee Reward Strategies"
33:00 "Siri Enthusiast's Tech Journey"
34:47 "Stay Connected & Listen In"
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Three key takeaways:
🔹 Character is the Foundation of Leadership: As Andy put it, "You’ll never be a better leader than you are a person." Integrity, humility, and authenticity aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re essential for earning trust and keeping teams engaged.
🔹 The Four Leadership Necessities: Andy shared his framework—Conviction, Competence, Character, and Covenant. Leaders who build on these pillars foster strong cultures, retain top talent, and attract new team members eager to contribute.
🔹 Retention Is Everyone’s Job: Leadership isn’t just about managing tasks. It’s about championing your team, removing roadblocks, and demonstrating that people matter. This pays back in loyalty and performance, especially in today’s competitive job market.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Links
Andy's Website
LinkedIn
Andy's Books
freebies
book recommendations:
Good to Great
The Discipline of Market Leaders
 

Breaking the Cycle of Micromanagement: Tactical Insights for Owners and Manager with Eden Lovejoy

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Eden Lovejoy, creator of the innovative Virtual GM Matrix. Eden shared her journey from small-town Alaska to transforming how businesses operate, emphasizing that today’s leadership is all about engaging with your team—not micromanaging. We explored why old-school management styles no longer work, how to create true accountability, and why articulating your mission and values is critical for small business success. Interested in building a more empowered team and scaling your business sustainably? This episode is packed with actionable insights you won’t want to miss!
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00:00 Finding Focus in Small Business
05:47 Micromanagement's Persistence Across Generations
09:47 Evolving Business Ownership Mindsets
11:14 Pandemic's Impact on Workplace Accountability
15:34 Startups: Early Growth Challenges
18:11 "Building Accountability with Values"
24:53 "Authority for Accountability"
26:53 Evaluating Business Metric Effectiveness
30:51 "Small Business Challenges and Team Engagement"
32:57 Workplace Policy Avoidance and Solutions
36:12 Advice for School Administrators
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Top 3 takeaways:
🔹 Modern Leadership Is About Working With, Not On, Your TeamEden emphasized that people want to be worked with—not managed or micromanaged. Engaging today’s workforce (especially Millennials and Gen Z) means co-creating solutions and empowering them to contribute their strengths.
🔹 Your Mission, Vision, and Values Aren’t Just Wall ArtShe drove home the need for business owners (even solo founders) to articulate their why. Clearly communicating your mission and values, then actually living by them, is crucial for aligning your team and building accountability.
🔹 Accountability = Clear Results + Delegated AuthorityIt’s not about creating new rules every week. Eden suggests writing clear role definitions that focus on outcomes, then ensuring staff have the true authority needed to deliver. This shift from task-based management to results-based leadership increases ownership and reduces turnover.
If you’re a small business owner wrestling with team engagement, micromanagement, or scaling your leadership impact, give this episode a listen. Eden also shares more resources at https://yourbusinesslifestyle.com/ and on her LinkedIn.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Links
 
Eden's Website
https://yourbusinesslifestyle.com/
LinkedIn
Eden's Book
https://a.co/d/2WenmwR
Eden's Book Recommendation
https://a.co/d/9UG9371
 
 
 

Building Trust, Not Just Brands: Gee Ranasinha on Leadership, Marketing, and the Power of Connection

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Gee Ranasinha to unpack the real difference between marketing and promotion—and why so many businesses get it wrong. Gee dove deep into why emotional connection and understanding your customer beats chasing vanity metrics and empty ad spends every time. We talked about the role of behavioral science, the traps of AI in marketing, and how simply doing what you say you’ll do sets you apart as a leader. If you want to elevate your impact, connect with people, and truly grow your business, you won’t want to miss these insights!
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00:00 Boosting Sales Through Strategic Marketing
04:34 Leadership Meets Marketing & Psychology
07:56 "Marketing Misunderstood: Fundamentals Unchanged"
11:21 "Balancing Emotion and Logic in Marketing"
17:10 Misguided Marketing Assumptions
19:38 Shallow, Forgettable Marketing Woes
22:05 Children's Perception of Social Media
26:06 "Resurgence of Real Conversations Needed"
30:24 AI's Role in Auction Marketing
31:32 AI's Strengths and Misapplications
36:28 Automating Marketing with AI
39:54 "AI: A Tool, Not a Voice"
44:45 Marketing Fundamentals Unveiled
46:12 "Brand Awareness as Mental SEO"
51:04 "Commit to Your Promises"
53:06 "Balancing Business Freedom and Commitments"
56:30 "Love is the Killer App"
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Here are the top 3 takeaways you’ll want to consider for your own leadership or marketing journey:
🔑 Marketing ≠ PromotionPromotion is just a small slice of marketing. The real value (and business impact) comes from the strategic work: understanding your customers, creating memorable brands, and building long-term relationships—not just cranking out ads or social posts.
🔑 Emotional Connection Still WinsThe most effective marketing taps into both logic and emotion. Facts, bullet points, and features won’t stick unless you’re also building memories, telling stories, and truly resonating with people on a human level.
🔑 Technology Is a Tool, Not a SubstituteWhether it’s AI, social media, or the latest MarTech, these should amplify your human creativity, not replace it. Gee reminds us: “No one has satisfactorily answered the fundamental question of why I should bother to read something that you couldn’t be bothered to write.” Use tech as a second brain, but let your message be authentically yours.
Are you leading your business (or your marketing) with genuine connection and purpose? What’s working for you—strategy, emotion, technology, or some combination?
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Links
Gee's Website
LinkedIn
Gee's Book Recommendations:
How Brands Grow (Byron Sharp)
Influence & Pre-Suasion (Robert Cialdini)
Thinking, Fast and Slow (Daniel Kahneman)
Nudge (Richard Thaler)
Love is the Killer App (Tim Sanders)