In this bold and deeply personal episode, Dr. Sharalyn Payne shares the seven unspoken rules she had to break to lead with truth, clarity, and lasting impact. These aren't just theories—these are battle-tested decisions that shifted cultures, built trust, and elevated performance.

If you’ve ever been praised for playing it safe while knowing you were born to lead differently, this episode will give you the permission—and the playbook—to lead from conviction, not convention.

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t need to conform to be effective—credibility starts with alignment, not approval.
• Creating a subculture of honesty and excellence often begins by breaking the dominant culture’s rules.
• Letting others speak first creates psychological safety—and unlocks innovation.
• Feedback is only helpful if it’s true, timely, and aligned with your mission.
• Authentic leadership often looks like breaking the rulebook with wisdom and vision.

Links & Mentions:

• Connect on LinkedIn: Dr. Sharalyn
• Download the The Game Changer's Leadership Collection
• The CREDIBLE™ Framework by Dr. Sharalyn Payne

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome + What This Episode Is Really About
• 01:15 – Rule #1: Let Others Speak First
• 04:50 – Rule #3: Stop Hiding Your Faith
• 08:20 – Rule #4: Reject Feedback That Undermines Purpose
• 11:40 – Rule #5: Invite Friction to Spark Innovation
• 15:15 – Bonus Rule: Stop Pretending It’s Easy
• 17:00 – Signature Framework: The Unconventional Leader’s Code™
• 19:00 – Power Question of the Day + Final Reflection

Call to Action:

If this episode resonated, share it with a leader who’s tired of pretending and ready to lead whole.
- Subscribe to The Game Changer with Dr. Sharalyn on your favorite podcast platform.
- Leave a review to help more leaders find this message.