Are you unknowingly letting mediocrity sabotage your team’s performance and culture? In this powerful conversation, Sean Patton sits down with Bill Rice—former Air Force counterintelligence officer, serial entrepreneur, and founder of a leading fintech marketing agency—to unpack the hidden forces driving average performance in today’s workplace. From the decline of real-time leadership observation to the misuse of technology, Bill shares actionable strategies to help you build a culture where excellence thrives.

If you’ve struggled with remote team engagement, avoiding hard conversations, or wondering how AI fits into human leadership, this episode will give you the clarity and tools you need.

Main Topics and Timestamps:

• [00:03] Bill Rice’s background
  From Air Force pilot training to counterintelligence and information warfare, and eventually entrepreneurship in fintech marketing.
• [07:56] Leading through uncertainty and constant change
  Lessons from post-Gulf War military transitions and adapting in rapidly evolving environments.
• [14:02] Why incentives fail to drive action
  How understanding intent and innate motivation is more effective than dangling rewards.
• [17:35] Winning with the team you are given
  Why leaders must invest in coaching and development instead of defaulting to “turn and burn” turnover.
• [21:06] When to coach up versus when to make a change
  How to know if you should keep developing someone or if their impact on the team requires action.
• [28:26] The hidden impact of remote work on leadership development
  Why the loss of observation and modeling has left emerging leaders without reference points.
• [34:29] Why tech companies struggle to prioritize leadership training
  Exploring whether it’s a messaging issue, budget issue, or mindset issue.
• [42:26] Using AI to reclaim time for human connection
  Practical examples of automating low-value tasks to reinvest in coaching and team building.
• [46:35] Time blocking, task batching, and the power of focus
  How to design your schedule to lead more effectively and reduce distraction.
• [51:13] The leadership practice that changed everything
  Bill’s insights about removing “divorce” as an option with your team and committing to developing people.

Connect with Bill Rice:

• BillRiceStrategy.com
• MyExecutiveBrief.com Newsletter
• Bill Rice on LinkedIn

Subscribe for Weekly Leadership Insights:
Never miss an episode or actionable leadership content.
Subscribe to the No Limit Leadership newsletter here

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

Becoming a champion isn’t about obsessing over the scoreboard. The real transformation happens in the small, intentional behaviors you choose every single day.

In this episode of The No Limit Leadership Podcast, legendary coach and bestselling author Sherri Coale reveals how she turned an unranked program into a perennial powerhouse and how those same habits can help you lead with clarity, purpose, and impact.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build a culture where people thrive, this conversation will give you a blueprint you can start applying right now.

In this episode, we explore:

✅ Why busyness is lonelier than solitude and how to reclaim your presence
✅ The rituals and practices that help leaders transition between roles with intention
✅ How to define behaviors, not just values, to create a championship culture
✅ Why self-care is the opposite of selfishness for high-impact leaders
✅ How to mentor up, across, and down to fuel your growth and fulfillment
✅ A fresh perspective on measuring success beyond external outcomes

Whether you lead a team, a business, or your family, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to lead yourself and others with purpose.

Listen now to learn how to build champions from the inside out.

Chapters

00:00 From Coaching to Writing: A Seamless Transition
03:48 The Importance of Intentionality in Leadership
06:43 Self-Care: The Key to Effective Leadership
09:55 The Myth of Selfishness in Leadership
12:58 Navigating Transitions: Finding Balance in Roles
15:40 The Dangers of Immediate Gratification
18:47 Building Resilience: The Long Game in Leadership
21:44 The Circle of Influence: Mentorship and Community
25:15 Finding Fulfillment in Leadership
26:00 The Process vs. Outcome Dilemma
29:29 Measuring Success Beyond Wins
34:31 Building a Winning Culture
36:57 The Importance of Clarity in Leadership
42:09 Modeling Character in Leadership
44:13 Rethinking Leadership Development
46:40 The Universal Themes of Striving

Links & Resources:

• Sherri Coale’s book The Compost File: Stories for the Strivers in Us All
• Connect with Sherri Coale

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

Traditional banks often lack personalized service, and local businesses struggle to find true partnership in financial institutions. Meanwhile, higher education faces scrutiny over relevance and ROI in a world where information is nearly free.

Harry Allen helped launch Studio Bank to blend technology with high-touch service, fueled by community investment. At Belmont, he's applying the same entrepreneurial mindset to modernize university operations and embed practical learning experiences, like a one-of-a-kind partnership with Dolly Parton, into academia.

In this episode, Harry L. Allen, co-founder of Studio Bank and now CFO at Belmont University, unpacks the bold vision behind launching a community-first bank in a city dominated by financial giants. He shares the leadership lessons that shaped his journey, how to lead through crisis, and why mentorship is the key to filling today's leadership vacuum.

Key Takeaways

• Leveraging both financial and social capital creates a unique, community-first banking model.
• High-tech doesn't mean low-touch, Studio Bank fused innovation with personal relationships.
• Leadership means showing up, especially during crisis.
• Universities must shift from being information hubs to delivering real-world experience.
• Succession and mentorship are vital to cultivating the next generation of leaders.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Harry L. Allen
01:49 The Birth of Studio Bank
04:29 Leveraging Technology in Community Banking
07:25 The Courage to Start a New Venture
10:37 Leadership Challenges in High Growth
13:02 Leading Through Crisis: The COVID Experience
17:55 Transitioning from Banking to Education
21:16 The Role of Leadership in Higher Education
25:16 Adapting to Challenges in Higher Education
30:04 The Leadership Vacuum in Society
33:17 Advice for Emerging Leaders
35:21 The American Dream and Community Impact

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

Many aspiring leaders misunderstand leadership as task delegation and performance oversight, missing its human core.

Leadership isn’t just what you do—it’s who you become.
In this episode, Jim Carlough, Chief Sales Officer at mPulse and author of The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership, shares hard-earned wisdom from decades in healthcare tech and mentorship. From his formative years under Ross Perot to leading with empathy and humor, Jim breaks down how real leadership begins long before you reach the corner office.

Key Takeaways

• Integrity is foundational—it’s not just a pillar, it’s the pedestal.
• Empathy vs. compassion: Understand the distinction to lead whole people, not just employees.
• Leadership is 24/7—your influence starts in the parking lot.
• Humor isn’t comedy—it’s humanity; it disarms, unites, and re-centers teams.
• Mentorship matters—transformative leadership starts by helping others succeed.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Insights

01:33 Lessons from Ross Perot

05:27 The Evolution of Leadership

06:43 The Importance of Integrity

09:22 Leadership as a Continuous Journey

11:37 Navigating Integrity Pitfalls

14:07 Building a Culture of Integrity

16:10 Communicating Under Pressure

20:15 Empathy vs. Compassion in Leadership

23:07 Supporting Team Growth

26:42 Balancing Accountability and Empathy

28:13 The Role of Humor in Leadership

34:02 Transitioning to Mentorship and Speaking

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

Are you an entrepreneur or leader struggling to scale your business and empower your team?

In this episode of No Limit Leadership, host Sean Patton sits down with Sam Davidson, CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, seasoned founder, and leadership expert. Together, they explore how to transition from founder to leader, build trust with teams you didn’t hire, and develop the mindset and systems required to grow a purpose-driven business.

Whether you're leading a startup, stepping into a legacy organization, or simply trying to improve your leadership impact, this conversation is packed with tactical advice and powerful insights.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why sales, public speaking, and leadership are the three essential skills for long-term influence
• How to lead with vision and trust, especially when inheriting legacy systems and teams
• The difference between managing systems and leading people
• Why purpose, not ego, creates lasting culture and sustainable growth
• How self-awareness shapes leadership capacity at every stage of growth

Sam also shares behind-the-scenes lessons from building multiple companies and now mentoring over 400 entrepreneurs each year.

Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samdavidson/
Nashville Entrepreneur Center: https://ec.co/

Host, Sean Patton: https://seanpattonspeaks.com/
Host, Sean Patton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanpattonpresents/
Host, Sean Patton on IG: https://www.instagram.com/seanpattonspeaks

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

Why long-term success starts with self-leadership and how to align who you are with the business you’re building.

Why You Need to Listen:

Most entrepreneurs focus on tactics and hustle, but overlook the one thing that actually determines long-term success: self-leadership. In this episode, business coach and columnist Chris Wilkinson joins Sean Patton to break down why your inner game is the key to outer performance. If you're building a business but feel stuck, scattered, or unfulfilled, this conversation is your mirror and your momentum.

About the Guest:

Chris Wilkinson is a holistic business coach, five-time entrepreneur, and longtime leadership columnist. With 20+ years of business experience, Chris specializes in helping entrepreneurs develop self-leadership, clarity, and sustainable performance. He's also the co-owner of a senior care franchise, a former hockey captain, and a prolific contributor to business and leadership thought.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why self-leadership is the foundation of all business growth
• The “wheel of leadership” framework Chris uses with every client
• How to reframe failure using the “100 no’s” mindset
• Why most vision statements fall short and how to align your life and business
• The difference between confidence and worthiness
• How to get out of your own way by identifying your “brake pedal”
• What you're really willing to suffer for and why that matters

Episode Chapters:

0:00 – Why you need to hear this
2:30 – From hockey to holistic coaching: Chris’s story
6:00 – What is self-leadership and why it matters
9:15 – Clarity, energy, mindset, and the 8-factor leadership wheel
14:30 – Why entrepreneurs overestimate 1 year and underestimate 5
18:45 – The “100 no’s” method and the problem with chasing outcomes
24:20 – Locus of control: what’s in your hands vs. what’s not
30:45 – The gas and brake metaphor: what’s holding you back
35:50 – How to build resilience (and what you’re willing to suffer for)
41:00 – The power of purpose, giving, and intentional leadership
45:00 – Final mindset shift: from “I have to” → “I get to”

Connect with Chris:

Website: https://www.coachingwithchris.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachingwithchris/

More from Sean & No Limit Leaders

Subscribe to the newsletter: www.nolimitleaders.com/growth

www.seanpattonspeaks.com

www.nolimitleaders.com

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

In this episode of No Limit Leadership, I sit down with Jim Stevenson—founder and CEO of the Bletchley Group, a global growth consultancy helping organizations align strategy, culture, and technology.

We dive into what most leaders get wrong about data, why OKRs (not KPIs) are the key to alignment, and how AI is transforming leadership in real time. Jim shares how to create psychological safety, drive clarity, and build teams that win.

If you’re a growth-minded leader who wants to future-proof your organization, this conversation is your blueprint.

What You’ll Learn:
• The difference between data and useful data
• Why OKRs are more than just goals—they shape culture
• How to build teams that adapt and execute at speed
• What limits real growth—and how to remove them
• How AI is reshaping leadership, communication, and trust
• Why psychological safety is a performance multiplier

Chapters:
00:00 – Intro & why this episode matters
01:05 – The origin of Bletchley Group & purposeful tech
04:00 – Breaking limits and AI’s next frontier
10:00 – Superintelligence, free will & leadership
17:03 – What makes data actually useful
23:00 – OKRs vs KPIs: what leaders get wrong
29:30 – The 70% rule: unlocking high performance
32:20 – Incentives: unleash or destroy greatness
36:00 – What elite teams do differently
37:33 – Culture: the real transformation
41:54 – Creating psychological safety
44:00 – Red team thinking & decision ownership
48:39 – Eliminate blockers. Uncover your strategy.

Guest: Jim Stevenson
Founder & CEO, Bletchley Group
🌐 Website: www.bletchleygroup.com
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimstevenson/

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

What if the secret to great leadership isn’t more strategy—but more soul?

In this episode of No Limits Leadership, I’m joined by Valerie Sandjivy, a global leadership mentor and founder of EllipsUS. With over 20 years of experience across France, the U.S., and Asia, Valerie helps C-suite leaders and entrepreneurs master the inner and outer game of leadership by balancing structure and soul, logic and intuition, discipline and play.

We explore how to communicate across cultures, lead across five generations, and unlock your team’s full potential by combining emotional intelligence with visionary structure. Valerie’s insights on presence, neuroscience, and energetic balance offer a radically refreshing approach to what leadership looks like today.

If you're building high-performing teams in a fast-changing world—this conversation is your blueprint.

Topics & Timestamps:

• (00:15) Intro to Valerie Sandjivy: Global leadership experience + intuitive coaching
• (03:24) Why cross-cultural leadership is a communication superpower
• (07:50) How traveling sharpens leadership presence and awareness
• (10:40) Asking better questions and leading shoulder-to-shoulder
• (13:06) The challenge and opportunity of leading across five generations
• (18:42) What Gen Z wants from work—and how leadership must evolve
• (22:01) Beyond money: Why purpose, authenticity, and creation matter
• (26:17) The mindset shift from survival to innovation and play
• (30:33) Using neuroscience to rewire leadership habits and behavior
• (37:25) Masculine vs. feminine energy in leadership—and how to balance them
• (46:49) The most powerful leadership question you’re not asking

Guest Links:

Valerie Sandjivy's Website: www.ellips.us.com
Includes her free leadership assessment and additional resources.

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.