From Podcast to Practice: 5 Insights from Rhiannon Hoeller on Leading Outside the Box

 You hired talented people, but somehow you’re still making all the decisions. Your mission statement sounds inspiring, but daily work feels disconnected from it. And you know you should model balance and self-care, but there’s never enough time.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

When you think of “unconventional leadership,” it’s easy to picture innovation or risk-taking. But as this episode of The Unconventional Leadership Podcast revealed, real transformation often comes from something more grounded: trust, purpose, and self-leadership.

Our guest, Rhiannon Hoeller, Vice President of Experience, Impact, and HR at MadTree Brewing, shared her journey from leading operations at the Cincinnati Zoo to driving community impact in a fast-growing B Corp. Her story offers a masterclass in leading outside the box, balancing business growth with purpose, and personal drive with grounded self-care.

Here are five key takeaways from Rhiannon’s conversation and how you can put them into practice as a leader.

1. Hire Great People and Let Them Run

Rhiannon’s philosophy is simple but powerful: “Hire good people and then let them run.”
Great leaders hire capable, values-aligned people and then give them the freedom to lead. Micromanagement stifles innovation, but trust fuels ownership, creativity, and performance.

2. Align Work with Purpose

Purpose alignment isn’t theoretical; it’s the daily filter for decision-making. When an organization’s actions reflect its stated mission, employees move from compliance to commitment. Purpose gives meaning to everyday work and helps teams see how their contributions make a difference.

3. Practice Self-Leadership Before Team Leadership

You can’t inspire others if you’re running on empty. Leaders who practice reflection, rest, and self-care create clarity, resilience, and energy that ripple through their teams.

We love this quote from Rhiannon: “Movement and exercise are the world’s best medicine. When I’m surrounded by nature, I get new ideas.”

4. Build Growth Slowly and Intentionally

 “Growth takes patience. So do relationships and trust at work.”

Meaningful progress takes persistence. Leaders who build relationships, trust, and consistency over time create sustainable growth. Rushing often sacrifices the foundational work that supports long-term success.

In a world obsessed with instant results, remember: meaningful change takes time.

5. Lead with Gratitude and Connection

Appreciation and recognition foster psychological safety, engagement, and belonging. Leaders who model gratitude create a culture where people feel valued and motivated to contribute their best work.

Leadership Takeaways

Unconventional leadership starts with trust: trusting your people, your purpose, and yourself. When you hire capable, values-aligned people and give them the freedom to lead, innovation follows. When your company’s actions reflect its purpose, employees move from compliance to commitment. And when you practice self-leadership through reflection, rest, and gratitude, you build the clarity and resilience that ripple across your team. Sustainable growth isn’t about speed; it’s about consistency, connection, and the courage to lead with intention. Empowerment, purpose, and gratitude together create the kind of culture where both people and performance thrive.

Leadership in Action

Start small and stay consistent:

• Ask your leaders, “What would you do if you had total autonomy?” Then step back and let them try it.
• In team meetings, highlight where your purpose showed up in real work.
• Block 20 minutes a day for movement or journaling. Consider this your meeting with your future self!
• Each quarter, celebrate progress, not perfection. Acknowledge how trust and relationships have grown.
• Close meetings with gratitude. Share one thing you appreciate about your team and invite them to do the same.
  
  

These small, steady actions build the foundation for bigger transformation and they start with how you lead today.

Bringing It All Together

Rhiannon’s story reminds us that unconventional leadership isn’t about breaking the mold. It’s about expanding it. It’s about trust, purpose, and the courage to lead yourself first so others can follow with confidence.

Listen to the full conversation with Rhiannon Hoeller and Mike Sipple, Jr. to hear how these insights play out in real life. Then choose one to put into practice this week, whether it’s trusting your team more deeply, reconnecting with your purpose, or simply taking a walk to clear your mind.

The difference between leaders who grow and leaders who stay stuck isn’t talent. It’s action.

Ready to stop hesitating and start leading outside the box? 

 At Talent Magnet Institute, we help leaders make these shifts real. Through coaching, workshops, and our digital leadership platform, we provide the tools, community, and accountability to turn insights into lasting change.

Let’s talk about which shift could make the biggest difference for you and your team. Schedule a conversation and let’s explore what’s possible.