Gunther Williams, CEO of Idaho Sewing for Sports, LLC, explores a critical leadership challenge in his LinkedIn post, "The Secret Most Leaders Miss: Getting Out of 'The Box'." Williams argues that persistent workplace issues often stem not from teams or systems, but from a leader's self-deception, or being "in the box," a concept he attributes to The Arbinger Institute. This "in the box" mindset involves viewing others as obstacles, leading to blame, justification of one's own behaviors, and a focus on others' flaws, ultimately eroding trust and innovation. Williams illustrates this with an example of a tech executive who transformed her department by moving from micromanagement to self-reflection, empathetic engagement, and openness to feedback. He concludes by emphasizing that small shifts in self-awareness and asking, "Am I part of the problem?" can lead to significant cultural transformation within organizations.

featuring the founder of Positive Impact University. The interview explores the university's origins, emphasizing the belief that traditional leadership training often fails because it neglects the internal mindset of leaders. The founder explains how their program, influenced by the book "Leadership and Self-Deception," focuses on helping individuals recognize their "box" – or limiting perspectives – through a seven-module process of self-reflection and group discussion. This approach prioritizes mindset over skills, arguing that a leader "out of the box" naturally exhibits effective leadership. The discussion highlights the "Fact, Fact, Assumption" process as a tool to cultivate curiosity and vulnerability, leading to more productive conversations and a positive company culture, with a future vision to widely share these transformative principles.

Williams shares his experience as a new leader, highlighting how he initially misunderstood effective communication and later learned the importance of deliberate over-communication. He explains that over-communication eliminates assumptions, builds psychological safety, prevents the "curse of knowledge," and demonstrates priorities. The author also provides a seven-step implementation strategy for strategic over-communication, emphasizing its transformative results in project completion and team collaboration.

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Positive Impact University Podcast! In this week’s episode, “Visible Impact: Fueling Team Motivation and Engagement,” we explore one of the most powerful yet often overlooked drivers of team success: leadership visibility.

Based on Gunther Williams’ insightful article, “The Power of Visibility: Why Great Leaders Show Up,” this episode unpacks why the best leaders don’t just manage from a distance—they show up, connect, and make their presence felt in meaningful ways. Leadership visibility isn’t just about being seen; it’s about being present, accessible, and authentically engaged with your team. When leaders are visible, they create a ripple effect that boosts morale, strengthens trust, and ignites motivation across the organization.

Join us as we discuss:

• The science and psychology behind visible leadership and its impact on team engagement
• Real-world stories of leaders who transformed their teams by showing up and being present
• Practical strategies for increasing your leadership visibility, whether you’re leading in-person, remotely, or in a hybrid environment
• How to overcome common barriers to visibility, such as time constraints, organizational silos, and self-doubt
• The connection between visible leadership, psychological safety, and high-performing teams
• Actionable tips for building authentic relationships, fostering open communication, and creating a culture where everyone feels seen and valued

You’ll also hear expert advice on how to:

• Use visibility to inspire and motivate your team, even during challenging times
• Build trust and credibility through consistent, authentic interactions
• Encourage feedback, collaboration, and innovation by being an accessible leader
• Recognize and celebrate your team’s contributions to drive engagement and retention

Whether you’re a CEO, manager, team lead, or aspiring leader, this episode is packed with insights and tools to help you elevate your leadership impact. Discover how showing up—physically, emotionally, and mentally—can transform your team’s energy, performance, and results.

At Positive Impact University, we believe that great leadership starts with presence. By making yourself visible, you not only set the tone for your team but also create an environment where everyone can thrive. Don’t miss this essential conversation for anyone looking to make a positive difference in their organization and beyond.

Subscribe to The Positive Impact University Podcast for weekly episodes on leadership, motivation, and workplace culture. Join our community of forward-thinking leaders who are committed to making a visible impact every day.

For more insights, check out the original article by Gunther Williams: The Power of Visibility: Why Great Leaders Show Up.

Connect with us on social media and share your thoughts using #PositiveImpactUniversity. Let’s lead with visibility and create workplaces where everyone feels inspired, engaged, and empowered!