In episode 68 of the Potential Leader Lab Podcast, I'm excited to welcome Mark Panciera, CEO Emeritus of The Pacific Institute.

Mark brings over 35 years of experience inspiring leaders, teams, and organizations to achieve extraordinary results. A TED Talk presenter with over 1.5 million views and a Vistage Top Performer Speaker, Mark has worked with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, healthcare systems, athletic teams, and nonprofits to drive human performance through the power of belief. Featured in Forbes, The New York Times, USA Today, Inc Magazine, and on ABC’s Wall Street Journal Report, he brings a unique blend of business acumen and mindset science to every stage.

🤔 Our Discussion 🤔

Mark and I explore the science behind beliefs, drawing on emerging researchthat supports the power of mindset. From synaptic firings to neuroplasticityand epigenetics, there's substantial evidence that we can reshape our beliefsat a cellular level. This discussion intersects with insights from influentialfigures in psychology and leadership, such as Angela Duckworth and CarolDweck, reinforcing the profound connection between belief and achievement.

★ Key Topics ★

03:30 Discovering Blind Spots, Transforming Life

07:21 Facing Fear and Embracing Change

10:20 Science Validates Power of Belief

14:38 Belief's Power: A Scientific View

17:35 Beliefs and Behaviors Metaphor

20:56 Embrace Lifelong Personal Growth

26:12 "Rising Through Anxious Transitions"

29:24 Judgment vs. Curiosity: Humility's Role

33:15 Cultivating a Positive Growth Mindset

35:37 Efficacious Leadership Impact

38:21 Self-Actualization for Others' Benefit

44:01 "Discover Inner Strength Within"

44:50 "Belief Transformation: Start with Small Steps"

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👋 Find Perry Maughmer 👋

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👋 Find Mark Panciera 👋

LinkedIn

Mark's Website

The Pacific Institute

Watch Mark's Ted Talk

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Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were...

In episode 67 of the Potential Leader Lab Podcast, I'm excited to tackle the idea of embracing the absurd, inspired by Albert Camus. Camus’ concept of the absurd explores the conflict between our inherent desire for meaning and the human struggle to find it.

This is a theme that resonates deeply with leadership, where the best leaders thrive amidst uncertainty and chaos. We're going to dig deep into the concept of absurdity as a foundation for self-authorship and leadership.

By exploring Albert Camus' philosophy that life has no inherent meaning, I'll discuss how we, as leaders, can create our own path, embrace uncertainty, and foster impactful leadership. We'll touch on the construct of faith and religion, and why great leaders are those who embrace uncertainty and are willing to take action without predefined plans.

We'll review the concept of being "antifragile" and why understanding that discomfort signifies growth is absolutely critical to the development of any relentless leader.

Don't wait for the perfect moment. Instead, take a step towards something that scares you and start building your own meaning. Embrace the absurd as the beginning of your journey.

Leadership Coaching Takeaways

1. Understanding Absurdity: Discover Albert Camus' perspective on the absurd as the disparity between our quest for meaning and the universe's indifference.
2. Creating Your Own Meaning: Learn why it's powerful to craft your own meaning rather than searching outside yourself.
3. Leadership and Uncertainty: Find out how great leaders embrace uncertainty and create impact without a script.
4. The Role of Action: Understand the importance of taking action to create motivation and meaning.
5. Practicing Antifragility: Get tips on benefitting from chaos and becoming resilient in unpredictable situations.

Potential Leader Moments

00:00:40 Explanation of Camus’ perspective on the absurd

00:01:16 Discussion on balancing faith with the concept of the absurd.

00:02:15 Analogy of understanding a deity’s plan

00:02:56 How we create our own meaning in life

00:03:32 Advice on abandoning the search for inherent life meaning.

00:04:06 Our desire for order and the universe's indifference.

00:04:40 Importance of personal agency and self-authorship

00:05:27 Connection of the absurd to leadership and embracing uncertainty.

00:06:43 Dismissal of the idea of universal truths in leadership practices.

00:07:04 The necessity to take action for motivation and growth.

00:08:27 Characteristics of relentless leaders

00:08:57 Emphasis on playing the infinite game for continuous growth.

00:09:23 Concept of being "antifragile" and benefiting from chaos.

00:09:41 Why we should challenge external validation.

00:11:00 Advocacy for exploration and curiosity as a path to transformation.

00:11:28 Encouragement to act without a guarantee

00:11:51 Understanding the non-linear path of personal growth.

00:12:12 Reassurance that discomfort signals proper engagement in growth.

00:12:43 Leaders create answers through actions, not prescriptive teachings.

00:13:09 Camus’ philosophy on life’s meaning and our role in creating it.

00:14:03 Personal anecdote about unpreparedness in parenthood.

00:16:10 Relentless individuals embrace the absurd and create meaning.

00:16:32 Final encouragement to take bold actions

00:16:53 Reflection on Camus' quote about absurdity as a beginning.

👋 Find Perry Maughmer 👋

Connect...

In episode 66 of the Potential Leader Lab Podcast, we explore the often-overlooked yet crucial role of leaders who, much like bass players in a band, create the foundation that allows everything else to shine.

🤔 Our Discussion 🤔

Leadership is often confused with performance, where the emphasis is on seeking the spotlight. True leadership involves craving impact rather than attention, serving a purpose beyond oneself, and embodying humility. Whether you’re leading a team or just seeking to live more harmoniously, tune in to discover how to lead like a bass player, building something impactful and lasting without always needing to be the face in the front.

★ Key Topics ★

00:46 Humility Over Self-Centeredness

05:56 Momentum Over Moments

09:18 "Building Momentum Through Exploration"

11:11 Plan vs. People Approach Debate

13:59 "Go with the Flow"

18:23 "Lead Like a Bass Player"

👋 Find Perry Maughmer 👋

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

Subscribe: https://perrymaughmer.com/podcast

Contact: https://perrymaughmer.com/contact

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#leadershipdevelopment #leadershippodcast #personalgrowth #existentialism #perrymaughmer #podcast #leadershipdynamics #leadership #leadershipcoaching #leadershipskills #leadershiptips #leadershipinspiration #markmurphey #hardgoals #interoception #music #analogy #bassplayer

Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from.

Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer