Overview

In this episode, Dan Dowdy shares the real story of how a simple spilled coffee moment became a turning point in his leadership journey. Discover why pausing before you react, leading with presence instead of pressure, and understanding the emotional residue you leave behind can transform your team culture. Tune in for practical leadership lessons, authentic stories, and a reminder that leadership isn’t revealed in the spotlight — it’s revealed in the spill.

Discussions

1. Realization: How rushing out the door, spilling coffee, and snapping in frustration helped me see that I was bringing the same reactive, rushed energy into how I led my team and made decisions.
2.  Shifting to pause before you react: Why leadership isn’t about having the perfect answer in every moment, but about showing up with presence and calm — so your team knows they can rely on you even under pressure.
3. Emotional residue & crisis culture: How every reaction, even in small crises, leaves an emotional imprint on your team — and why creating a culture where it’s safe to fail leads to deeper trust, accountability, and growth.

Leadership isn’t revealed in the spotlight — it’s revealed in those everyday, messy moments when things spill or plans fall apart. My challenge for you: notice your next “spilled coffee” moment, pause before you react, and remember that’s where real leadership shows up.

Keep leading with impact—and I’ll see you next time.

Free Coaching Call:
Looking to dive deeper into your leadership journey? Schedule a free 30-minute coaching session with me at https://link.builtforthetrades.com/widget/booking/qetDwdbwknifZZLUGwwp

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