Welcome back to Small Business, Big Engine. In this episode, I’m joined by Randy Lyman — a physicist, exited founder, and the author of The Third Element. Randy has built multiple eight figure businesses in highly technical fields, but what he discovered along the way is surprising. The real driver behind his success was not just strategy, systems, or hard work. It was emotional intelligence.

Randy’s story takes us from his early days running a business out of his garage in the 1980s, through rapid financial growth, to a turning point where he realized something was missing. Despite the money and success, he wasn’t fulfilled. It was only when he began to explore his own emotional and spiritual growth that his businesses started multiplying. By integrating emotional intelligence into his leadership, Randy saw his companies grow to 30 times their size. More importantly, he found deeper connection with his teams and a stronger sense of purpose.

In this conversation, we unpack what emotional intelligence really means for small business leaders, why it is the missing skill for so many entrepreneurs, and how you can apply it directly to your own business. Randy shares personal stories, practical tools, and powerful frameworks that will help you become a more effective leader while also building teams that thrive.

What We Cover in This Episode

• The story of how Randy grew multiple eight figure businesses, then realized he needed more than strategy and systems to keep going.
• The moment in 1989 when he began doing inner work and how that completely changed his leadership.
• Why so many entrepreneurs and leaders overlook emotional intelligence and the cultural conditioning that holds them back.
• How to recognize early warning signs that a lack of emotional intelligence is hurting your team.
• What it looks like to create a culture of belonging where people feel seen, valued, and motivated.
• Randy’s concept of The Third Element and why emotions are the missing piece in most leadership frameworks.
• Practical tools like journaling, breathing, and collaborative decision making that any leader can implement this week.
• The role of vulnerability in leadership and why showing up authentically earns you more respect, not less.
• Success stories of how integrating emotional intelligence improved collaboration, reduced mistakes, and helped companies launch new products faster.
• Randy’s advice for business owners who are in survival mode and feel like they don’t have time for emotional intelligence.

About Randy’s Book

Randy’s new book, The Third Element: The Missing Key to Activating the Law of Attraction, explores the vital role emotions play in our personal and professional success. He combines his background as a physicist and engineer with decades of business leadership and personal growth to show how balancing thoughts, actions, and emotions creates powerful results.

The book is filled with personal stories, clear explanations, and practical exercises. If you want to understand how to integrate emotional intelligence into your life and leadership, this is a great place to start.

👉 Get your copy of The Third Element on Amazon here: Buy on Amazon

Who This Episode Is For

• Small business owners who want to lead better, build stronger teams, and get better results.
• Entrepreneurs who feel stuck, burned out, or disconnected despite outward success.
• Leaders who are curious about emotional intelligence but are unsure how to apply it practically.
• Anyone who wants to build a business culture where people feel like they belong and want to contribute.

Resources and Links

• Randy Lyman’s Website: randylyman.com
• Randy on LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile
• The Third Element on Amazon: Buy Here