Dusty breaks down one of the most overlooked traps in leadership: the urge to rescue. Drawing from real-world coaching conversations and timeless wisdom from Viktor Frankl, Dusty unpacks what happens when leaders carry the emotional weight of their team's problems—and why it backfires. You’ll learn how to use powerful questions to redirect responsibility, reinforce agency, and build a culture of accountability. This isn’t just theory—it’s a practical leadership judo move you can start using today to empower your team and protect your energy.
Key Takeaways:
• Why solving every problem makes you a rescuer, not a leader
• How to redirect challenges back to your team to foster growth and accountability
• The leadership questions that unlock personal agency and avoid burnout
Key Timestamps:
(
00:00) – Confusing Leadership With Rescue
(
01:00) – The Performance Review Dilemma
(
03:00) – Reclaiming Agency Through Simple Questions
(
04:30) – The Doom Cycle of Fixer Leaders and Problem Identifiers
(
05:30) – Viktor Frankl and the Gap Between Stimulus and Response
(
06:30) – Don’t Accept the Monkey: How to Restore Team Accountability
(
07:30) – Packaging Problems With Solutions
(
09:00) – “What Can You Do? What Will You Do?”
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:
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, Harvard Business Review – Who’s Got the Monkey?
More of Leadership Unlocked:
What is Leadership Unlocked: The Stories That Shape Great Leaders?
Leadership Unlocked is a leadership podcast about the moments that shape how real leaders grow. Hosted by executive coach & strategist Dusty Holcomb, it features real stories and honest conversations with CEOs, founders, and senior leaders navigating real-world challenges and growth.
Each episode delivers real-world leadership insights, stories from leaders in the field, and practical tools for high-performing teams—making it a must-listen for anyone serious about leadership development.
Whether you're leading a company, a team, or yourself, you'll walk away with something you can use right now.
New episodes weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or visit ArcqusGroup.com/podcast to learn more.