We all love following a plan. But sometimes, life and leadership require us to pause, check in, and deeply honor whatever moment we’re in. Today, I sat down prepared with a topic, an outline, and all the excitement to share. But the truth is, I’m feeling sadness and loss, and that feeling led me to reflect on my personal journey and the deeper side of leadership. I’ve decided to take an indefinite break. Maybe it’s for a week, maybe longer, maybe it’s the last episode for a while. I know this is the right time to step back and only continue when it’s a true “ten” for me, when enthusiasm and authenticity return in full force. And in this reflection, I’m inviting you to reconsider what being a rising leader really means for you, at this precise moment. Over the course of 800 episodes across three podcasts, I’ve had the privilege to interview extraordinary leaders, CEO clients, and thought leaders like Michael Bungay Stanier. My journey is marked by a relentless search for authenticity, not just the list of what leaders “should do,” but who they choose to become. At my core, I’m naturally introverted, a peacemaker at heart, yet I’ve built a reputation for bold truth and unvarnished honesty. Every lesson I’ve shared is drawn from experience, mistakes, and real growth, one rung of the leadership ladder at a time. “You can speak the truth with kindness. You can hold people accountable with kindness… That’s something that you learn as a leader.” ~Mark This week on The Rising Leader: ·     Why leadership is always a personal adventure, not just a checklist·     The impact of showing up authentically, even when it means pausing or pivoting·     How stepping into leadership always means stepping out of your comfort zone·     The responsibility leaders hold—and why energy and momentum matter·     Questions every leader should ask: Who do you want to become? How do you want to show up?·     Embracing the journey: making mistakes, learning, and consciously creating·     The pendulum swing from over-kindness to bold truth, and settling into authentic accountability·     Building a community and a legacy through the way you lead, one relationship at a timeGrab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead, as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

 You already know that listening is the foundation of effective leadership; we’re told we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. But what if I told you we’re still missing the mark? Leaders are instructed to be curious, not ju...

 If you’ve ever found yourself struggling under pressure, facing a personal crisis, or simply wondering why your emotional state seems to run the show in high-stakes moments, you’re going to love this conversation. I sat down wit...

 What does true freedom really mean for leaders, and how can it shape the way we show up in our lives and work? In this episode, I explore True Freedom as a living, breathing leadership principle. I share my journey of discovering freedom through learning to focus my attention, mastering my emotional responses, and making intentional, values-driven choices that cut through old patterns and people-pleasing habits. I’m Mark Silverman, executive coach, leadership mentor, and author of Only Tens. As someone diagnosed with ADD in adulthood, I know what it’s like to wrestle with distraction, the need for approval, and the challenge of honoring my own boundaries. Over years of personal work and professional practice, I’ve learned that true freedom is less about external circumstances and more about your inner game, the discipline, courage, and presence you bring to every situation. “True Freedom is love in every situation” ~Mark This week on The Rising Leader:·     How directing your attention is foundational to genuine freedom·     Ways our triggers and preferences can keep us stuck, and practical steps to release them·     The evolution from setting boundaries for approval to embracing authentic choices·     The freedom that comes from not being controlled by the need for credit or validation·     Why admitting mistakes and cleaning up your messes is core to leadership freedom·     The relationship between discipline and authentic freedom·     How practicing emotional equanimity transforms reactivity into power·     Why real freedom means showing up with love, even amid disagreement or challenge Resources Mentioned:* Book: Only Tens by Mark Silverman Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader HandbookDo you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-rising-leader/id1662751786) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/radio/The-Rising-Leader-p3088211/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ibHVicnJ5LmNvbS9mZWVkcy8xNDcwNDM4LnhtbA) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/show/1051091) |

Ever wondered if personal achievement and career ambition can be a genuine path to spiritual and personal growth? As someone who’s helped high achievers chase big dreams without losing their soul in the game, I know the tension firsthand. This week,...

 What does it really mean to be a great leader? After being asked this question during a recent interview, I found myself reflecting deeply on the guests I’ve brought onto The Rising Leader and the mentors who made a lasting impact on my own journey. In this episode, I share the single thread connecting truly great leaders, not their personal achievements, but in how they uplifted and transformed the people around them. I unpack why legacy, impact, and service matter more than accolades and examine what happens when leaders focus solely on numbers and ego. “The people who… focused on the numbers, were focused on the revenue, were focused on the accolades for themselves… ended up with something kind of empty.” Today on The Rising Leader:·     True leaders focus on team and community impact, not individual accomplishments.·     Service, humility, and lifting others up are consistent traits among the most respected leaders.·     Prioritizing numbers and personal accolades may lead to bitterness and emptiness later in life.·     Long-term fulfillment comes from building relationships, supporting others, and creating lasting legacies.·     Leadership influences not just professional relationships, but personal ones with family and friends.·     How you treat people throughout your career determines who will show up for you when it matters most, at celebrations, retirements, and even funerals.·     Great leaders derive motivation from serving others, seeing their team thrive, and enabling the successes of others.·     Pursuing success is valuable but connecting it to relationship-building and positive impact ensures a richer, more meaningful life and career. Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-rising-leader/id1662751786) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/radio/The-Rising-Leader-p3088211/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ibHVicnJ5LmNvbS9mZWVkcy8xNDcwNDM4LnhtbA) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/show/1051091) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5Zd549HCrctjCs36zLgM8F) |

 This week, I’m stepping into a deeply personal space and sharing where I am right now: feeling both empty and fulfilled after the huge milestone of seeing my youngest son married, followed almost immediately by my older son’s engagement. In this solo episode, I get raw and vulnerable about the aftermath of big life transitions, the feeling of completion that can leave us unexpectedly blank, and what it really means to reinvent yourself when your old roles shift or disappear. “I have a blank canvas all over again. I can reinvent myself. I can double down on what I’m doing. I can do anything. It’s my choice to create who I want to be.” ~Mark This Week on The Rising Leader:·     Life’s biggest milestones can leave us feeling oddly empty after the excitement settles; this is a natural part of closure and change.·     Our sense of self is deeply tied to our roles, parent, worker, leader, and losing those roles means facing a blank slate.·     It’s critical to pause and take stock, to ask yourself why you’re doing what you do and whether you’re actively choosing your path or simply following inertia.·     There is power in choosing every aspect of your life, from your job to your family to your daily actions.·     Who you are isn’t fixed; it’s something you create, continuously, through your choices and commitments.·     A shift in identity—such as children leaving home or losing a job can be terrifying, but it opens up space to deliberately craft your next chapter.·     Bringing intentionality to how you show up at work, in your family, and in your relationships can renew your sense of purpose and energy.·     The blank page of “what’s next” isn’t a crisis; it’s an invitation to imagination, reinvention, and growth. Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-rising-leader/id1662751786) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/radio/The-Rising-Leader-p3088211/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ibHVicnJ5LmNvbS9mZWVkcy8xNDcwNDM4LnhtbA) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/show/1051091) |

Delegation. Agreements. Deep listening. These aren’t just leadership buzzwords, they’re the bedrock of the impact we can create as rising leaders. In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Bennett to discuss the real art of suc...

Most of us look at confident people and assume they have something we don’t: a mysterious inner certainty that lets them walk into any room, take the stage, or tackle a new challenge without missing a beat. In reality, confidence and courage aren’t feelings you wait to have—they’re qualities you build by showing up scared and doing the hard thing anyway. In this episode, I share my personal journey from self-doubt and fear, through years spent faking it until it became real, and how true courage means stepping up even when your insides are shaking."Every single thing I’ve ever done in my life is because of the courage to do something scared." ~Mark SilvermanToday on The Rising Leader:·     Courage is not about the absence of fear but about taking action despite it.·     Confidence grows through repeated experience, not through waiting to feel ready.·     Preparation is the foundation—true confidence is earned through putting in the work and practicing beforehand.·     Failure is inevitable; what matters is surviving it, which builds resilience and a stronger sense of self-confidence.·     Success isn’t about never being scared—it’s about consistently showing up, even when you want to pull the covers over your head.·     Many highly accomplished people still feel fear inside; outward signs of confidence can be built through courage and consistent effort.·     The willingness to “do it anyway” is more important than feeling brave or believing you’re exceptional.·     Reflecting on your track record—surviving challenges and bouncing back—can bolster your faith in your ability to handle future fear. Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-rising-leader/id1662751786) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/radio/The-Rising-Leader-p3088211/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ibHVicnJ5LmNvbS9mZWVkcy8xNDcwNDM4LnhtbA) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/show/1051091) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5Zd549HCrctjCs36zLgM8F) | Amazon Music (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/43561585-8ea8-4fe7-b8ab-6923c9d512bf/the-rising-leader) |

When it comes to leading others, frustration is often an unavoidable part of the journey—but it doesn’t have to be a roadblock. In this episode, I dive deep into the humanity of leadership with Andrew Oxley, exploring how frustration shows up in our lives and organizations, and how understanding different communication styles can turn frustration into collaboration, delight, and results. We discuss the four faces of frustration, recognizing your reactions under stress, and explore practical ways to transition from “hero” or “villain” leadership to the truly impactful role of guide. Andrew Oxley is a nationally recognized author, executive coach, and the founder of the Oxley Group. His consulting work has impacted tens of thousands of leaders at companies like Coca-Cola, Progressive Insurance, Turner Broadcasting, the Weather Channel, and many more. Andrew’s mission is to help leaders and organizations cut through the noise, return to simplicity, and truly accelerate performance. His allegorical book, “The Four Faces of Frustration: How to Turn Frustration into Delight,” has served as a blueprint for understanding and mastering the complexities of leadership and interpersonal communication. “It is easiest to understand someone's communication style when you observe them when they're frustrated, because it's like their real selves come out.” ~Andrew Oxley Today On The Rising Leader:·     The four faces of frustration: Red (passionate/driver), Yellow (optimist/networker), Blue (analytical/pessimist), and Green (steady/quiet), each handle challenge and stress in unique ways.·     Recognition and understanding of these communication styles is the first step to diffusing conflict and building stronger teams.·     No one is just one color; we all have a range, but stress often pushes us into default patterns that may not serve us or others well.·     As leaders, developing self-awareness (often through asking for feedback from others) is critical—how we think we show up is not always how others experience us.·     It’s easy to fall into the roles of “hero” (overhelping) or “villain” (overcorrecting) as a leader, but the true goal is to become a “guide” who fosters autonomy and ownership in others.·     Healthy teams benefit from a mix of these personality types; friction, managed well, creates progress.·     Strengths become weaknesses if not managed—what got you here may not get you where you want to go.·     Shifting limiting beliefs and assumptions is vital for leadership growth—it’s not just about behavior, but the beliefs that drive it. Resources & Guest Contact Information:Book: The Four Faces of Frustration: How to Turn Frustration into Delight by Andrew Oxley (https://www.amazon.com/Faces-Frustration-Turn-into-Delight/dp/1610054350)90-Minute Live Leadership Blueprint Workshop (https://transformingresults80436.ac-page.com/leadershipblueprint):Oxley Group (http://transformingresults.com/) Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader HandbookDo you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you.In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities,

When someone asks, “Would you like a little feedback?”, do you cringe inside, even as you force a smile and nod eagerly? If so, you’re not alone. Today I’m diving deep into the uncomfortable yet transformative expe...

Have you ever felt the tension between maintaining high standards as a leader and relinquishing control to let your team truly thrive? Today, I dive deep into how you can create an environment of bold influence, build real autonomy, and drive powerful cultural change—without micromanaging. This conversation goes to the heart of how we move from burnout to high performance, and what it actually takes to inspire people to think for themselves and step into accountability. My guest this week is Andrea Wanerstrand, a seasoned leadership strategist, executive coach, and founder of A3 Culture Lab. With more than 25 years of experience leading talent and performance initiatives at Microsoft, Meta, T-Mobile, and Hitachi, Andrea has helped organizations shift from traditional command-and-control leadership to human-centric, high-performing cultures. She’s the creator of the Mindset Maven Method and the A3 (Authentic, Autonomous, Accountable) philosophy, and has impacted leaders in more than 100 countries through her neuroscience-backed strategies for culture transformation. “The gap that occurs is between telling someone what they need to do and having them actually do that and seeing the outcome, is whether they even heard exactly what you said or did they hear something different.” ~Andrea Wanerstrand Today on The Rising Leader:·     Moving from being “in the weeds” to true leadership means learning to drive results through others—not by gripping the wheel, but by guiding, supporting, and validating.·     Clarity starts with how you set expectations—and real understanding happens when you validate comprehension, not just assume others “get it.”·     Curiosity-led conversations foster genuine autonomy; asking people to articulate their plan is more effective than asking them to “repeat back” your instructions.·     Command-and-control leadership stifles innovation and slows growth. Teams need to feel accountable both for outcomes and for sharing in the wins.·     Autonomy is only sustainable when leaders create agreements, not just set expectations—turning check-ins into co-designed touchpoints.·     Emotional intelligence is physical as much as mental: top leaders notice tension, triggers, and energy shifts in themselves before they become reactive.·     Practical tools like breath work, intentional pauses, and body awareness are crucial for managing stress and leading from a place of steadiness.·     Building a culture where people think for themselves requires “untraining” over-dependence—letting others experiment, share their thinking, and take ownership. Guest Contact InformationWebsite: a3culturelab.com (https://a3culturelab.com)Resources MentionedBook: The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay StanierBook: Mindset by Carol Dweck (growth mindset referenced)Andrea’s Mindset Maven Method and A3 philosophy (http://a3culturelab.com/) Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader HandbookDo you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you.In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities,

 Some days, the world feels especially heavy. I sat down today with a list of topics to discuss, but none of them felt right—until I decided to throw out the script entirely and talk honestly about something more urgent: what to do when you're feeling stuck, helpless, or weighed down by tough times. Today, I’m sharing a deeply personal reflection on overcoming setbacks, navigating depression, and the practical steps that have brought me—and so many others—back from the brink. If you’re struggling or know someone who is, this is a love letter to remind you: you’re not alone, and there’s a way through. “I said, you know what? I'm going to be the change I want to see in the world and I'm going to go look for people who need help, people who need me. And that pulled me out of my funk, out of my depression.” ~Mark Today on The Rising Leader:·     Many people, no matter how good they look on the outside, are quietly struggling. You’re not alone.·     Helping others, even in small, anonymous ways, can be a powerful tool to lift yourself out of a dark place.·     Exercise, journaling, positive influences, and reaching out to people all help shift your state of mind.·     It’s easy to fall for the narrative that everyone else is doing fine; in truth, most people have something heavy weighing on them.·     Don’t believe everything that goes on in your mind; so much of our negativity is amplified by society, media, and old stories from our past.·     If you’re a helper, take care of yourself first; you’ll have more to give when you’re whole.·     Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.·     Small steps forward, taken consistently, are the way through tough times—there’s always something to learn or gain on the other side. Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-rising-leader/id1662751786) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/radio/The-Rising-Leader-p3088211/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ibHVicnJ5LmNvbS9mZWVkcy8xNDcwNDM4LnhtbA) |

When you think of leadership, how often do you consider the wiring of your own brain? Today, I sit down with Dr. Phillipe Douyon, a board-certified neurologist, two-time kidney transplant recipient, and champion of neuroplasticity, to explore the sc...

 Have you ever found yourself paralyzed by nerves before a big meeting, new venture, or bold conversation, wishing you could just overcome the fear? In today’s episode, I share the story of my spirit animal: a tiny rubber chicken...

Sometimes life, and business, just isn’t fair. For every leader who has felt the sting of setbacks, seen the politics at work, and found themselves navigating an unfair system, this conversation will resonate. In today’s episode, I’m jo...

 Trying to have it all as an ambitious leader, a thriving career, a rich family life, and good mental health can seem impossible. This week, I sit down with world-renowned executive, author, and leadership powerhouse Stephanie Ch...

 Have you ever looked up to a superstar, admired a successful public figure, or taken guidance from an influential leader, only to later learn about the human struggles, messy realities, and hidden challenges behind their public ...

Ever wondered what it looks like to build an impactful business from nothing—starting at age 22—and still keep your soul, care for your team, and navigate personal struggles most never see? In this conversation, I sit down with Alex Str...

 Ever feel like the things you’re sharing as a leader are just “Captain Obvious” moments—messages that have been repeated endlessly, but still need to be heard? I woke up this morning with a clear urge to discuss something that’s...