What If You Just Went for It?

You already know what you need to do. The question is: what’s stopping you from doing it?

Most leaders don’t struggle because they lack ideas or ambition. The real challenge is acting with clarity in the middle of uncertainty. It’s easy to delay decisions, to keep gathering input, or to say yes when you know you shouldn’t. But the leaders who grow - and help their teams grow - are the ones who move forward anyway.

They create space for honest conversations, they give themselves permission to try and fail, and they stay consistent even when the work feels uncomfortable.

That’s exactly what you’ll hear in this episode of the Unconventional Leadership Podcast. Emma Adkisson shares the powerful story behind becoming CEO of a 45-year-old architecture firm, and the growth that came with it. From honoring the legacy of a dying founder to reshaping workplace culture, Emma breaks down what it means to lead with courage, clarity and creativity. If you’ve ever doubted your ability to lead differently, this episode is your permission slip.

Seven Shifts That Separate Leaders Who Grow from Those Who Stay Stuck

While Emma’s story is one of bold transition, the lessons extend to every leader. These are the everyday shifts that separate leaders who stay stuck from those who keep moving forward. They’re not abstract theories. You can use them right now:

1. Build an ecosystem, not just a culture.
   Leadership starts with meeting basic needs: fair pay, flexibility, and meaningful work. When those are in place, people focus on making their mark.
2. Don’t shock the system.
   Big ideas are exciting, but lasting change happens step by step. Push too much, too fast, and you risk breaking what you’re trying to build.
3. Be magnetic, not vanilla.
   Unconventional leaders stand out because they clarify what they believe, invest in people, and unlock potential. People are drawn to leaders who make others better.
4. Lead with courage, even when failure is public.
   Courage is a skill. Leaders who risk embarrassment or failure show their teams what’s possible—and create space for others to do the same.
5. Flip the script: under promise, overdeliver.
   Even if it feels uncomfortable, being clear creates trust that lasts.
6. Limit the inputs.
   At some point, more books, models and advice just get in the way. Leaders grow when they act on what they already know and start making decisions.
7. Build your failure muscle.
   The more often you try, fail and recover, the stronger you get. Resilience comes from action, not theory.

What Happens When You Stop Hesitating

Here’s what changes when you start moving forward despite uncertainty:

• Your team sees a leader who’s willing to take calculated risks
• You build confidence through action, not endless planning
• You create a culture where others feel permission to innovate and grow
• You discover that most “failures” are actually learning opportunities that make you stronger

Your Next Step

You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a first step.

Listen to the full conversation with Emma Adkisson and Mike Sipple, Jr. to hear how these shifts play out in real life. Then choose one to put into practice this week. The difference between leaders who grow and leaders who stay stuck isn’t talent - it’s action.

Ready to stop hesitating and start leading with courage? Let’s talk about which shift could make the biggest difference right now.