Dusty sits down with Amanda Dunklin—equestrian coach, entrepreneur, and operational strategist—for a conversation that redefines what it means to lead with clarity, empathy, and resilience. After decades spent training horses, coaching competitive riders, building a school from the ground up, and later advising high-growth organizations, Amanda shares the insight that reshaped her entire approach to leadership: systems matter, but people matter more. Together, she and Dusty explore why emotional intelligence is learned, how consistency becomes a superpower, and why leaders must create environments where trust, safety, and communication come before timelines and tactics. Amanda traces her unlikely journey from barns to boardrooms, revealing how the same principles that calm a nervous horse—presence, patience, and genuine attention—also elevate teams and transform organizations. She unpacks the pitfalls of tech-first thinking, the necessity of clean data and thoughtful workflows, and the human side of AI adoption that most companies overlook. Through candid reflections on entrepreneurship, single motherhood, reinvention, and hard-won humility, Amanda challenges leaders to slow down, listen deeply, and build operational foundations that empower people to do their best work—because sustainable growth starts with how you show up.
Key Timestamps:
(
00:32) – Meet Amanda Dunklin: From Horse Barns to High Growth Tech
(
07:49) – Building Better Humans Through Equestrian Training
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17:09) – Pivoting from Equestrian to Financial Services
(
24:03) – Navigating Corporate Life and Embracing Change
(
30:49) – Joining Switchboard: Embracing Digital Transformation
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36:16) – The Importance of Clarity in Business
(
40:35) – The Role of AI in Modern Business
(
44:35) – Lessons from Horses on Leadership
(
55:49) – Rapid Fire Questions and Leadership Insights
(
01:01:48) – Supporting Therapeutic Riding Programs
Key Topics Discussed:
Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership
Mentions:
Mentions:
Dare To Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. By Brené Brown
More of Leadership Unlocked:
What is Leadership Unlocked: How Wise Leaders Win in an Era of AI?
AI isn't making leadership less important. It's making great leadership more valuable and exposing the flaws of leaders who aren't ready.
Leadership Unlocked explores what it takes to lead well in the age of AI. Hosted by Leadership Consultant, Author, Keynote Speaker and Leadership Strategist Dusty Holcomb, the podcast explores the intersection of AI and leadership, helping CEOs, founders, and senior leaders understand how artificial intelligence is changing the way they lead, make decisions, build teams, and get work done.
AI can amplify a great leader or magnify the weaknesses of a bad one. Each episode explores AI adoption and the leadership skills that AI can't replace: judgment, wisdom, discernment, accountability, and the ability to lead people through change.
Dusty explores AI leadership, AI adoption, AI for leaders, executive leadership, leadership development, AI strategy, AI decision-making, leading AI teams, and the future of leadership.
Whether you're trying to stay relevant in the age of AI, figuring out how to use AI to become a better leader, or navigating what AI means for your team and organization, Leadership Unlocked will help you lead with greater clarity and confidence.
“Although the work is increasingly done by machines, the wisdom is still human.”