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

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

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

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 Team Eden 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 Art She 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 Authority It’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

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 ≠ Promotion Promotion 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 Wins The 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 Substitute Whether 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)

Join us for an inspiring episode featuring the dynamic Dr. Danny Brassell, known as the "Jim Carrey with a PhD." 🤩 With over 3,500 talks and 19 books to his name, Dr. Brassell shares his unique insights from his incredible journey—from the bustling world of journalism to the impactful realm of education and beyond.

In this captivating conversation, Dr. Brassell delves into:

• The art of storytelling and its power to connect and move audiences.

• Strategies for creating a memorable, impactful presentation.

• Overcoming life's setbacks with resilience and positivity.

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00:00 From Bankruptcy to Speaking Success

05:54 "Ethical, Humorous Public Speaking"

08:02 Children's Insightful Questions

12:22 "Execution Inspires Famous Slogan"

14:23 Emotion Drives Effective Engagement

16:35 "Connecting Through Stories"

20:30 "Using Facebook Live for Daily Talks"

22:49 Effective Audience Understanding

27:08 Call an Expert

30:59 "Transformative Storytelling Success"

33:11 Story Cataloging for Leadership Lessons

37:50 Connecting Dots in Personal Narratives

41:09 "Impact of a Handwritten Letter"

43:10 Inspiring Overcoming Adversity Story

47:41 Turning Technical Issues into Triumph

50:26 "Ultimate Respect Bow Strategy"

53:29 "Key Advice for Future Leaders"

56:40 Free Storytelling Blueprint Offer

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Here's a quick recap of some key takeaways from the episode:

🔹 Storytelling Power: Dr. Brassell emphasized the importance of storytelling in presentations. Facts might tell, but stories sell. Connecting through stories can profoundly engage your audience and drive action.

🔹 Embrace Vulnerability: Sharing personal failures and vulnerabilities can create a stronger connection with your audience. This approach helps people see themselves in you, fostering trust and relatability.

🔹 Flexibility in Presentations: Whether faced with technical difficulties or adapting to different audiences, Dr. Brassell highlighted the importance of having varied strategies and stories ready to keep your presentation engaging and impactful.

For more insightful conversations on leadership and actionable strategies, make sure to follow the McCoy Leadership Podcast. And don't miss your chance to check out Dr. Danny Brassell's free storytelling blueprint at freestoryguide.com! 🚀

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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

Danny Brassell books on Amazon:

https://amzn.to/4338iMW

Danny's website:

https://wellcraftedstoryworkshop.com/blueprint

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannybrassell/

The Success Principals by Jack Canfield

https://a.co/d/g2kxjgN

In this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, host Amos McCoy welcomes Martin Salama, creator of the Warrior's Life Code, for an honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and authentic leadership. Martin shares his journey from losing everything in the 2008 financial crisis—his business, home, and sense of self—to rebuilding his life through coaching, self-discovery, and a new perspective on personal responsibility. He introduces the concept of “things happen through me,” discusses the importance of self-reflection during difficult times, and explains how the Warrior’s Life Code can help leaders and individuals shift from worrying to living fully every day. The conversation also covers practical strategies for balancing work, self-care, and family, the difference between reacting and responding as a leader, and actionable advice for school administrators and business professionals alike. Tune in for valuable takeaways on personal growth, leadership, and creating a meaningful and fulfilling life.

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00:00 Five-Year Health Club Project

05:17 Discovering Leadership Through Coaching

08:27 Reframing Life's Challenges

10:22 Rationalizing Against Personal Values

15:23 Overcoming Divorce and People-Pleasing

19:13 Leadership Shapes Business Culture

21:46 Balancing "Me Time" Effectively

25:01 Prioritizing Personal Time vs. Relationships

29:04 Self-Improvement's Impact on Leadership

31:15 Manager vs. Leader Dynamics

32:50 Transformative Self-Reflection Journey

36:52 Self-Reflection Scorecard Technique

41:15 Work-Life Balance Debate

44:23 Advice for Future Leaders

46:06 "Transformative Insights: Four Agreements"

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Here are my top 3 takeaways from this episode:

🔹 Transformation Begins with You: Martin emphasizes that real change in any organization starts at the top. As leaders, our own mindset, self-care, and willingness to evolve have a direct impact on company culture and team morale.

🔹 Live Incredibly Full Every Day: Martin’s LIFE acronym (“Live Incredibly Full Every day”) is a game-changer. He recommends dividing your day into “you time,” work, family/friends, and sleep—not necessarily in equal parts, but with intention. Balance isn’t about perfection, it’s about purpose and flexibility.

🔹 From Worry to Warrior: Reframing setbacks is essential. Martin encourages us to move from “Why is this happening to me?” to “Things happen through me.” It’s about taking responsibility, celebrating small wins, and choosing progress over perfection.

Highly recommend you check out the episode for a boost of motivation and practical leadership tips! And if you want to dive deeper into Martin’s work, his “Warrior to Warrior” book and resources are available at connectwithmartin.com

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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

Martin's Website

connectwithmartin.com

Martin's Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-salama-cpc/

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

https://a.co/d/9MRCArV

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, we sat down with Joshua Hart—conflict management expert and PR operations director—who shared his inspiring journey from overcoming a speech impediment to thriving in leadership. We dug into reframing negative narratives, breaking generational myths in the workplace, and the power of intentional communication. Joshua’s practical advice on handling disagreements, empowering teams, and embracing open dialogue is a must-hear for any leader ready to level up. Don’t miss these game-changing insights you can apply to your business today!

Resources

Josh’s Website: joshhartconsulting.com

Josh’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joshuahartconsulting/

McCoy Leadership’s Website: https://mccoyleadership.com/