Most business owners spend their days griping about their "bad hires."

Meanwhile...

The smart ones are busy turning their existing team into profit machines.

In this episode, Joe Blackburn drops some harsh truths about leadership that'll make you rethink everything.

You'll discover:

• Why pouring 80% of your energy into your A-player is the fastest path to explosive growth (even if it pisses off everyone else)

• The "movable middle" strategy that transforms average employees into solid contributors... without micromanaging them to death

• How to identify what ACTUALLY motivates each team member (hint: it's often not money)

• Why spending time "fixing" your worst performer is corporate suicide

• The psychology behind why your best people need the most criticism (and how to deliver it without crushing their soul)

Plus Jason shares the "whiplash effect" - that delicate balance between pushing people hard and giving them the support they need to not break.

This isn't your typical "hire A-players only" bullshit advice.

This is real-world leadership for people who have to work with humans... not unicorns.

Because here's the thing:

You can keep waiting for the "perfect team" to magically appear...

Or you can start winning TODAY with the people sitting at your conference table right now.

Your choice.

But if you choose option two... this episode is your playbook.

Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.thelionsedge.show/9

Most successful people are playing way smaller than they could be.

And it's not because they lack skills...

Or connections...

Or even opportunities.

It's because they've trapped themselves in a mental prison built out of two simple words: "What if."

What if it doesn't work out?

What if I lose what I've already built?

What if people think I'm crazy?

In this episode of The Lion's Edge, Joe Blackburn (founder of The Lion) and Jason Croft dive deep into the psychology that keeps even high-achievers stuck.

Joe breaks down the "What If Block" - that paralyzing mental loop that turns potential lions into house cats.

You'll discover:

• Why the worst-case scenario almost NEVER happens (and why your brain doesn't care)

• The simple word switch that transforms fear into fuel

• How status anxiety keeps you focused on the wrong crowd

• Why "playing it safe" is actually the riskiest move you can make

• Real stories of members who said "even if" and took massive leaps

Jason brings his signature perspective helping break down why some people naturally push through while others get paralyzed.

This isn't feel-good motivational fluff.

This is a straight-up intervention for anyone who knows they're capable of more but keeps finding reasons to stay put.

If you've ever caught yourself thinking "Yeah, but what if..." when opportunity knocks...

This episode might piss you off.

Good.

Sometimes you need to get angry at yourself before you get moving.

Perfect for: Business owners making 250K+ who feel stuck, executives ready to make a leap, and anyone tired of watching hungrier competitors pass them by.

Time to choose: What if... or even if?

Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.thelionsedge.show/8

Ever notice how the most successful entrepreneurs think COMPLETELY differently about money, time, and what's possible?

That's not an accident.

In this raw episode, Joe Blackburn reveals the secret experiment he's been running on himself... and how just 8 weeks of skipping his morning mindset routine nearly DESTROYED his mental state.

Even though his circumstances hadn't changed. Even though he was still killing it.

Here's the uncomfortable truth: Most entrepreneurs are running multi-million dollar businesses with a minimum wage MINDSET.

You're logically explaining away your limitations. You're masking your fears with facts.

And it's keeping you TRAPPED.

Joe and Jason dig into:

• Why your grandparents' Depression-era thinking is still influencing your decisions today

• How successful people accidentally put a CEILING on their potential (and how to break through it)

• The danger of outsourcing "soul work" to AI

• Why "massive action" without mindset work leads to anxiety, irritation and fear

If you're ready to expand what's possible in your business... without the woo-woo extreme or toxic hustle culture... this episode will change the way you approach each morning.

Your mind is the battlefield. Are you showing up prepared?

Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.thelionsedge.show/7

This episode of The Lion's Edge is gonna save you from being just another commodity in the marketplace.

Jason and Joe dig into a critical mindset shift that separates the top 1% from the order-taking masses...

And it all comes down to one thing: positioning yourself as the EXPERT, not the vendor.

Jason kicks things off by referencing "The Four Conversations" - a book that fundamentally changed how he views sales positioning. He sets up the framework for discussing how you establish authority BEFORE the sales conversation and then MAINTAIN it throughout.

Then Joe (in classic no-nonsense Joe fashion) drops absolute TRUTH BOMBS on why most salespeople mess this up:

• They focus on products and processes instead of the PERSON

• They talk WAY too much about features instead of outcomes

• They let prospects fast-forward them and control the conversation

• They stack endless "value" without establishing true expertise

The real gold comes when Joe shares a recent story of a CEO trying to rush him, and how he literally ENDED THE CALL rather than be treated like a vendor.

Guess what happened? The CEO came back - on JOE'S terms.

This episode gives you the psychological weapons to flip the script when prospects try to commoditize you. And both hosts bring complementary perspectives:

- Jason shares insights on building expert positioning BEFORE the sale (content creation, social proof, etc.)

- Joe delivers the tactical blueprint for maintaining control DURING the conversation without being an arrogant jerk.

The episode wraps with Joe's unstoppable mindset mantra that'll have you walking into sales conversations with 10x more confidence tomorrow.

If you're tired of competing on price, fighting for attention, or getting treated like every other salesperson... this episode is your wake-up call to elevating your status and commanding respect.

From Joe: "If I have to close you, something's going south." That's the difference between vendor-thinking and expert-thinking in one sentence.

Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.thelionsedge.show/6

Is your business held hostage by mediocre talent? In this hard-hitting episode, Joe Blackburn and Jason Croft reveal why most business owners are losing the battle for A-players without even realizing it.

Joe shares the mindset shift that transformed his recruiting strategy from "who's available?" to "who's the best?" - regardless if they're looking for a job or not. You'll discover why most elite talent WON'T be found on job boards and how to attract them anyway.

Plus, learn the courage it takes to handle underperformers when you're scared about replacements, the dangerous difference between "family" and "team" cultures, and why peer pressure beats the stick every time.

If you're tired of settling for whoever walks through the door... or stuck with B-players because you're afraid to make a change... this episode will arm you with the mindset and methods to win the talent war that's affecting EVERY business owner right now.

Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.thelionsedge.show/5

Most people are trapped in the daily grind...

Reacting to whatever life throws at them.

But the true lions?

They're playing a completely different game.

In this episode, Joe Blackburn and Jason Croft break down why having a 10-year vision separates the merely "good" from those pursuing GREATNESS.

Learn why elite performers don't just plan next quarter - they visualize where they'll be a decade from now, then work backward.

Discover how The Lion members are held accountable to their biggest dreams (even when they're thinking TOO SMALL)...

And why sharing your vision with other high-performers creates a "turbo booster" effect that makes today's challenges look insignificant.

Whether you're comfortably making 6-figures or pushing for 9, this episode reveals the mindset difference between those who settle for "enough" and those who unlock their full potential.

What you'll learn:

• The flight plan method for breaking a 10-year vision into actionable steps

• Why complacency is the "silent killer" of high achievers

• How to use your long-term vision to stay calm during daily chaos

• The 90% consistency rule that prevents perfectionism

Ready to think bigger? This is your edge.

Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.thelionsedge.show/4

Think you're too busy to level up?

In this raw and unfiltered episode, Joe Blackburn and Jason Croft expose the biggest lie business owners tell themselves: "I don't have enough time."

You'll discover:

• Why adding MORE to your plate isn't the answer (and what actually is)

• The "Cut The Bulls**t" exercise that instantly creates space in your life

• How to stop letting guilt control your calendar

• Why working "on" vs "in" your business might be the wrong focus

• The truth about involving your spouse in your 10-year dream (and why it matters)

Plus, Joe drops some uncomfortable truth bombs about what it REALLY takes to build something great.

If you're drowning in your schedule and looking for a way out... this episode is your wake-up call.

Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.thelionsedge.show/3

"If you don't do the work, it isn't gonna work. I promise that." - Joe Blackburn

In this tactical episode of The Lion's Edge, Joe and Jason dive deep into one of the most overlooked skills in business:

Knowing exactly who NOT to work with.

Through a candid discussion about The Lion's selection process, they break down:

• Why basic "ROI" is just hygiene - and what really matters

• The unexpected truth about personality assessments in client selection

• How to make hard "fit" decisions without using absolute rules

• When to trust your gut vs when to use data

• Why saying "no" to good prospects can lead to better results

Plus, Joe reveals a significant shift in The Lion's evaluation process that could completely change how they build future pride dynamics.

This isn't your typical "ideal client avatar" conversation.

It's a raw look at how elite-level groups maintain their edge by being selective - and why that's not just okay, but necessary.

Whether you're running a high-ticket coaching program or building any premium service business, this episode gives you permission to be choosy.

Because sometimes the best business decision is knowing when to say "Next."

Hit play to master the art of client selection.

Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.thelionsedge.show/2