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Send us Fan Mail What if the very things driving your success are also preventing you from thriving? In this episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast, Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring and Nathan Freeburg discuss Steve Magness's book, Win the Inside Game: How to Move from Surviving to Thriving and Free Yourself Up to Perform. Together, they explore the tension between pursuing excellence and protecting our well-being.  Why do high performers often chase accomplishments that never quite satisfy? What happens when we tie our identity to external measures of success? And how can leaders create environments where people perform at their best without sacrificing who they are along the way?Drawing on Magness's research, work with leaders and teams, and their own experiences as athletes, Nathan, Brian, and Linda discuss what it means to shift from constant striving to a healthier, more sustainable approach to performance. In this conversation, we explore: Why chasing external success can leave even the highest performers feeling unfulfilled.How identity, achievement, and emotional well-being connect.How leaders can create the conditions for success rather than obsessing over outcomes.Why genuine belonging matters more than simply fitting in.The surprising role of love, connection, and joy in sustained high performance.How letting go of a specific outcome might actually help us perform better.As Brian shares during the conversation, "There's greater power in the love of the journey than there is in the power of the outcome." Whether you're leading an organization, developing a team, or pursuing your own ambitious goals, this conversation offers a different perspective on what it means to succeed. The question isn't whether we should stop striving for excellence. It's how we can pursue it without losing ourselves in the process. Resources Mentioned Win the Inside Game by Steve MagnessDo Hard Things by Steve MagnessLearn more about Leadership VisionContinue the Conversation What does winning the inside game look like for you? How do you balance ambitious goals with the relationships, experiences, and values that make pursuing them worthwhile? If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a leader, colleague, or friend who might benefit. And subscribe to the Leadership Vision Podcast for more conversations about identity, leadership, and building emotionally healthy, mentally engaged teams. Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

Send us Fan Mail What can our dreams teach us about who we are, even when they don’t come true? In this episode, Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring reflect on a recent wellness event where they shared their idea that dreams awaken identity. They explore why paying attention to the dreams that spark something within us can reveal our talents, experiences, and what may already be aligning around us. They also discuss why pursuing a dream is valuable even when the destination changes, how our bodies can signal alignment or misalignment, and why meaningful change may require small adjustments rather than a complete overhaul. In this episode: Why dreams can awaken something within usWhat a changing or unrealized dream can teach usHow to recognize what you already have going for youWhy paying attention mattersHow small adjustments can move us toward something newSometimes the dream isn’t only about where you’re going. It’s about what you discover about yourself along the way. Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

Send us Fan Mail Uncertainty is the backdrop of modern leadership. And as uncertainties rise, performance often falls. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring about why this idea has become central to Leadership Vision's work—and how leaders can respond when uncertainty begins affecting how they think, work, and lead. Instead of trying to eliminate what we can’t control, we explore how to name what’s uncertain, reconnect with what we know to be true, create space to reflect, and shift from control to curiosity. The goal isn’t certainty. It’s learning how to transform uncertainty into opportunity and continue leading well, even when we don’t know exactly what comes next. Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

Send us Fan Mail What if becoming a better leader requires us to slow down long enough to pay attention to what’s happening inside us? In this episode, Nathan Freeburg, Dr. Linda Schubring, and Brian Schubring sit down with Amy Elizabeth Fox, CEO of Mobius Executive Leadership and co-author of Leading in Chaos, for a conversation about the inner work of leadership. Amy has spent more than 20 years working with senior leaders around the world, helping them explore how identity, trauma, relationships, and their own life experiences influence the way they lead. Together, we explore why so many leaders feel lonely and disconnected, what our constant speed costs us, how leaders can create spaces where people feel genuinely seen and known, and why meaningful transformation can’t be reduced to another leadership technique or framework. Amy also shares practical ways organizations can create more belonging, connection, silence, and space for people to flourish. If you’re leading through uncertainty, navigating change, or simply wondering how to become a more present and human leader, this conversation offers plenty to consider. Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

Send us Fan Mail What does “Leadership Vision” actually mean? Nearly 20 years ago, Nathan Freeburg asked Brian Schubring that question when they first met. In this episode, Nathan revisits it with Brian and Dr. Linda Schubring to explore an idea that remains central to our work: leadership is about your influence, and vision is about your identity. Together, they discuss why the simple question, “What do you see?” can help leaders listen with greater curiosity, understand perspectives they might otherwise miss, and adapt how they lead in a rapidly changing environment. They also offer two practical ideas for navigating uncertainty: align and adjust. Where is your influence already aligned with what’s needed right now, and what might you need to adjust to lead more effectively? Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

Send us Fan Mail We pull back the curtain on why we rebuilt our website and what it reveals about how our leadership consulting has changed as clients face nonstop uncertainty. We explain why strengths still matter but no longer lead the conversation, and we share the CARE framework we use to help leaders find clarity, alignment, resilience, and real engagement.  • why our website changed to match how our clients are transforming  • strengths as a helpful tool rather than the central solution  • the client “entry point” inversion from strengths-first to needs-first  • how we audited our work and turned themes into CARE  • clarity as the first handle when uncertainty feels like fog  • aligning teams around vision, purpose, and shared “dream”  • evergreen talent and building resilience under pressure  • engagement that starts with self-awareness, not external tactics  If you found value in this podcast or any of our other material, we would appreciate it if you would join our free email newsletter, follow us on all the socials, and leave us a review on iTunes or Spotify. It really helps other people find the show.  Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

Send us Fan Mail What is work for—and who are we when we're not working? In this short Labor Day reflection, Nathan explores the history behind the holiday, our desire to find meaning in our work, and the importance of building a life that isn't defined entirely by what we do for a living. We also look at research on psychological detachment from work and why stepping away may actually help us return more engaged. One challenge for Labor Day: Make a list of five things that make you you that have nothing to do with your job. Then ask yourself: Am I giving enough time and attention to those parts of my life? Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

Send us Fan Mail In this rebroadcast from 2023, we revisit a conversation that feels just as relevant today: What do you do when you get laid off? Losing a job—or experiencing an unexpected work transition—can be disorienting, painful, and deeply personal. In this episode, Nathan and Linda explore how leaders can navigate these moments with greater intention. We discuss: Four organizational dynamics that can signal change is comingWhy self-compassion matters after losing a jobThe importance of caring for yourself physically and emotionallyWhy reaching out to your people is about more than networkingHow unexpected transitions can become opportunities for growth and transformationIf you're navigating a career transition—or walking alongside someone who is—this conversation offers a practical reminder: give yourself permission to acknowledge what's hard, care for yourself, and stay connected to the people who know you best. Three practices for navigating a layoff: Practice self-compassionPrioritize self-careReach out to your peopleSupport the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

Send us Fan Mail We're going back to where it all began! Originally released in September 2017, this was the very first episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast. Nathan Freeburg and Brian Schubring explore the early ideas behind Leadership Vision—using Strengths to better understand individuals, strengthen teams, and influence organizational culture. Nearly nine years later, much has evolved. As we prepare for the next chapter of Leadership Vision, we're revisiting where we started—and the ideas that continue to shape our work today. Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

Send us Fan Mail We're on a summer break of sorts from new episodes of the podcast, but we wanted to re-share some favorites from the past nine seasons of The Leadership Vision Podcast. This was one of my favorites from 2026, as it is a great reminder to all of us that we need to let certain things go if we want to grow. About how sometimes, choosing to look past a difficult situation without any sort of resolution might be the best way to move forward and get closer to the things we really want or need. That's not to say it's easy to do this! Far from it, in fact. But reminding us all that we have a choice in these matters is sometimes all it takes. This lesson comes to us from a parable taken from a children's book that was shared with Dr. Linda and Brian from one of our clients earlier this year. It's a simple story, and an even simpler lesson, but one worth revisiting over and over again. It begins with unlearning—the intentional process of releasing habits, patterns, and ways of thinking that no longer serve you. At its core, this episode is about a simple but challenging idea: great leaders grow by letting go first. Enjoy! Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

Send us Fan Mail Play isn’t childish, and it isn’t a distraction from leadership. It’s one of the quickest ways to get out of your head, reconnect with the people around you, and create the kind of energy where learning actually sticks. We talk about why play helps us feel more present, more surprised, and more willing to laugh at ourselves, and how those moments can reveal purpose faster than another round of navel-gazing ever will.  We also get honest about the modern tradeoff between real fun and “soothing.” Screens can feel safe and calming, but they rarely create the shared experiences that build belonging. From family vacations to everyday moments with coworkers, we unpack what makes play feel genuine, why forced fun backfires, and how leaders can set a tone that is light without being dismissive. If you care about team culture, psychological safety, and employee engagement, you’ll hear practical ways to bring play into meetings without turning it into a cringe exercise.  A big thread running through the conversation is the idea that play is practice in disguise. Whether you’re coaching kids with running games or leading an organization through uncertainty, play lowers the stakes so people will try, experiment, and grow. We share stories about taking small risks, remembering what we loved as kids, and reclaiming wonder as adults when it feels like we have more to lose.  If this sparks an idea, subscribe to the Leadership Vision podcast, share the episode with a colleague or friend, and leave a review so more leaders can find it. Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to be mentally tough? For many of us, toughness has always meant pushing harder, working longer, and ignoring discomfort. But what if real resilience isn't about grinding through challenges—it's about learning how to respond to them with greater awareness? In this re-released episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast, Nathan Freeburg and Brian Schubring revisit Do Hard Things by performance expert Steve Magness. Together, they explore why emotions aren't obstacles to overcome, why self-awareness may be the foundation of resilience, and how leaders can develop the kind of toughness that leads to healthier teams, stronger relationships, and more sustainable performance. Whether you're leading an organization, parenting your kids, training for your next race, or simply trying to navigate life's inevitable challenges, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on what it truly means to do hard things.  In this episode, you'll learn:  Why traditional definitions of mental toughness often fall short  How emotions provide valuable information instead of getting in the way  The difference between reacting and responding during stressful situations  How "zooming in" and "zooming out" can help you gain perspective  Why embracing your own identity is essential to resilient leadership  Practical ways to build emotional awareness and navigate difficult moments with greater confidenceSupport the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

Send us Fan Mail In this rebroadcast from the Leadership Vision archives, Nathan Freeburg sits down with Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring to explore how teams experience change differently and why understanding those differences can transform the way people work together. Rather than focusing on change management strategies, this conversation looks at the human side of change. Are you at your best before change begins, while it's happening, or after it's over? How do your CliftonStrengths shape your response? And what happens when teammates learn to communicate what they need instead of assuming everyone experiences change the same way? Along the way, Nathan and Linda even give Brian some real-time feedback about his own leadership style during change—a candid and humorous moment that illustrates just how valuable behavioral awareness can be on a healthy team. In this episode: Why change is the one challenge every team will inevitably faceThe difference between thriving before, during, or after changeHow your CliftonStrengths influence your response to uncertaintyWhy self-awareness leads to healthier collaborationThe importance of identifying and communicating your needs during changeHow organizational culture shapes—and is shaped by—the way teams navigate changeA real-life conversation about different leadership styles during seasons of transitionKey Takeaway Healthy teams don't eliminate change—they learn how to navigate it together. When people understand their own tendencies, appreciate the perspectives of others, and create space to communicate their needs, change becomes an opportunity for growth instead of a source of frustration. Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

Send us Fan Mail Can you optimize people without treating them like machines? That question sparked a thoughtful conversation between Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring about what healthy leadership really looks like. While organizations naturally want high-performing teams, the goal isn't to squeeze more productivity out of people—it's to create environments where individuals can thrive while helping the organization succeed. In this episode, we explore why the word "optimize" can feel uncomfortable when applied to people, how healthy organizations balance business results with employee well-being, and why culture should be viewed as a long-term investment rather than a short-term metric. In this episode:  Why the idea of "optimizing people" can miss the point  The difference between maximizing performance and developing human potential  What the "double bottom line" means for leaders  Why culture grows slowly—but matters tremendously  Practical ways leaders can create healthier, more engaged teams Key Quote: "We want people to be professionally engaged and emotionally healthy." — ~ Brian Schubring If you'd like to learn more about Leadership Vision and how we help leaders and teams build healthier workplace cultures, visit LeadershipVisionConsulting.com.  Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

Send us Fan Mail After Nathan watched his son begin the painful journey of braces, he was reminded that meaningful change often gets harder before it gets better. That same principle applies to leadership. In this rebroadcast, we explore what true team alignment looks like—and why the short-term discomfort can be worth the long-term outcome. Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring challenge the idea that alignment means conformity. Instead, they explore how leaders create clarity, shared commitment, and lasting momentum—even when the process is messy. Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: [email protected] FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.