Join me as I welcome Dr. Kevin Mays, a seasoned psychologist and leadership coach, who shares his expertise on the critical role of presence and self-awareness in effective leadership. Dr. Mays discusses his journey from running treatment centers to working with executives, revealing how skills from addiction recovery are transferable to leadership development. The conversation delves deep into understanding how attachment to beliefs and self-concepts creates suffering, the importance of shifting one's perspective, and cultivating discipline for personal and professional growth. Tune in to learn how to lead yourself before leading others and discover the transformative power of intentional living. Dr. Mays brings decades of hands-on experience as an executive coach, author, speaker, and facilitator to help do precisely that: thrive. He has guided hundreds of leaders to build organizations where growth isn’t just a number, but a natural outcome of a workplace where people are genuinely engaged and driven. He has developed a deep understanding of team dynamics, leadership development, and strategic business growth, which means you get more than just theory. https://maysleadership.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:54 Guest Introduction: Dr. Hayes' Journey 03:51 From Recovery to Leadership 04:49 Understanding Addiction and Leadership 06:23 The Role of Self-Awareness 08:20 Embracing Imperfection and Authenticity 09:03 The Power of Presence and Awareness 11:10 Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs 12:10 The Influence of Early Programming 14:00 The Path to Self-Discovery 17:06 The Importance of Choice and Accountability 23:51 The Foundation of Awareness 27:58 The Role of a Leader: Embracing Discomfort 28:10 Vision and Authenticity: Defining Your Path 28:49 Facing Uncomfortable Emotions 30:20 The Power of Presence and Breath 31:57 Overcoming Anxiety Through Breath 33:22 Seeking Validation and Authenticity 34:10 The Existential Crisis of Wearing Masks 34:39 Redefining Masculinity and Vulnerability 43:15 The Importance of Self-Leadership 45:05 The Power of Discipline and Routine 51:54 Changing Thought Patterns and Neuroplasticity 52:41 Conclusion and Resources for Vision Mastery Sponsors of the Podcast: BetterHelp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/ez10⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 10% off your first month of therapy Aura: https://aura.com/ez10 for a free two-week trial Dookio: https://trydokkio.com/ezconversations Mental: ⁠https://getmental.com/ez NuCalm: https://nucalm.com/free-trial?/ref=ez for a one-week free trial Descript: https://get.descript.com/EZ for creating podcast episodes LeanWorlds: https://get.learnworlds.com/EZCONVERSATIONS Dr. Lewis Nutrition: https://drlewisnutrition.com/ez WeInspect: https://www.thedusttest.net/M81HLR/3QQG7/ Optery: https://get.optery.com/EZCONVERSATIONS Or find Furkhan's Book, Pursuit of Self Love: 30 Uplifting Messages and Reflections. The Kindle version is available on Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Pursuit-Self-Love-Uplifting-Messages-Reflections-ebook/dp/B0C4D1XYL1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the EZ Reflections Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ez-reflections-newsletter.beehiiv.com⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices