Core Principles of Effective Leadership: Insights from Rick Rando

In this episode of The Learning to Lead Show, host Mark Cundiff reflects on his conversation with Rick Rando, an eighth-degree black belt, discussing his key leadership lessons.

The episode is anchored by the idea 'What You Condone, You Endorse' and dives into five crucial takeaways: the importance of maintaining high standards, the essence of servant leadership with a backbone, establishing effective systems, and transitioning focus from individual to team success.

Mark underscores the need for leaders to provide candid feedback, create consistent systems, and foster a culture of trust and fairness, all while shifting from 'me' to 'we'. The episode is rich in practical advice and wisdom for aspiring leaders.

00:00 Introduction to the Learning to Lead Show

00:34 Key Takeaway 1: What You Condone, You Endorse

01:45 Key Takeaway 2: The Standard is the Standard

03:47 Key Takeaway 3: Servant Leadership Requires a Backbone

05:26 Key Takeaway 4: Systems Liberate, Not Limit

07:02 Key Takeaway 5: From Me to We

09:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Free Learning To Lead Resources

• Free Book: The Trust Gap
• The Learning To Lead Newsletter
• LeaderNotes

🔎 About LeaderNotes

LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.

Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

In this episode of the Learning to Lead Show, host Mark Cundiff interviews Grandmaster Rick Rando, 8th Degree Black Belt, owner and president of Kick Masters Karate and host of the Victory Couch Podcast.

Rick shares insights from his extensive career in martial arts and business leadership. He discusses the importance of maintaining high standards, recognizing and addressing toxic influences, and the significance of servant leadership.

Rick also recounts his journey from starting martial arts to owning a thriving business, highlighting key lessons learned along the way, especially during challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The episode emphasizes the value of humility, continuous improvement, and building trust within teams. Rick's personal experiences and practical advice offer valuable takeaways for leaders in any industry.

00:00 Overcoming Toxic Relationships in Leadership

00:53 Introduction to the Learning to Lead Show

02:13 Rick Rando's Martial Arts Journey Begins

04:46 Early Leadership Lessons and Family Influence

06:04 Building a Successful Martial Arts Business

12:06 Servant Leadership and Team Culture

19:36 Balancing Humility and Confidence

23:11 Challenges and Growth in Business

27:12 Adapting to COVID-19: Safety Measures and Challenges

28:10 The Importance of Systems in Business

29:15 Continuous Improvement and Efficiency

31:45 Self-Leadership and Personal Growth

35:41 Building and Trusting Your Team

44:00 Lessons from Disney: Leadership and Service

47:02 Personal Development and Influences

49:46 The Role of Family in Leadership

52:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Grandmaster Rick Rando:

Email: rando@randospeaks.com

LinkedIn

randospeaks.com

Rick's Recommended Reading List:

• The Go-Giver — Bob Burg
• Customer Rules — Lee Cockerell
• Rich Dad, Poor Dad -
• Tipping Point - Malcom Gladwell
• Uncommon - Tony Dungy

Rick's Recommended Podcast:

• EntreLeadership - Dave Ramsey
• That Sounds Fun - Annie F. Downs

randoSpeaks.com

The Victory Couch Podcast (with Julie Rando)

Free Learning To Lead Resources

• Free Book: The Trust Gap
• The Learning To Lead Newsletter
• LeaderNotes

🔎 About LeaderNotes

LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go.

It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.

Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

In this first episode of the New Year 2026, host Mark Cundiff revisits a powerful conversation from a previous episode with Marianne Renner, author of 'Self-Talk: 10 Stories You Tell Yourself That Hold You Back'.

Mark outlines five key takeaways for growth-minded leaders. These include the significance of self-talk, the impact of self-doubt on workplace culture, strategies to challenge negative stories, the importance of differentiating facts from personal narratives, and Marianne’s SEAR framework for rewriting mental scripts.

Listeners are encouraged to read Renner's book for deeper insights and to access LeaderNotes available in the show notes to enhance their leadership journey.

00:00 Introduction to the Learning to Lead Show

00:10 Recap of Marianne Renner's Insights

00:37 Key Takeaways for Growth-Minded Leaders

01:21 Understanding Self-Doubt and Its Impact

02:26 Challenging the Invisible Bubble

03:18 Confusing Facts with Stories

04:12 The SEAR Framework for Rewriting Mental Scripts

05:08 Conclusion and Next Steps

Connect with Marianne Renner:

Email: marianne@mariannerenner.com

LinkedIn

mariannerenner.com

Marianne’s Books

• Self-Talk
• From Chaos to Clarity Success Journal
• Stop Thinking Like an Employee

Free Learning To Lead Resources

• Free Book: The Trust Gap
• The Learning To Lead Newsletter
• LeaderNotes

🔎 About LeaderNotes

LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go.

It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.

Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com