The Tyler Dickerhoof Show

Most leaders think they're in control of how they lead. They're not. Underneath every decision, reaction, and every room you walk into is something that's running the show. A fear that never got named. A wound that never got faced. A wall that got built so long ago you forgot it was there. In this episode, host Tyler Dickerhoof shares his new book — The Things We Hide — and reads from the opening chapters. Tyler opens with the moment that changed everything, the afternoon his three-year-old brother Joel died on their family farm, and the wall a fourteen-year-old boy built in the hours that followed. A wall that would quietly run his leadership, his relationships, and his life for the next twenty-five years. In this episode you'll learn: ✅ The four walls leaders build from fear: Intensity, Insensitivity, Isolation, Inactivity ✅ How to identify the core insecurity driving your leadership before it costs you the people around you ✅ Why your greatest growth won't come from doing more, only from being more yourself ✅ The one exercise that changes things for you: naming what you've never said out loud 📖 Get The Things We Hide — available now: thethingswehidebook.com 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, self-awareness, and what it actually takes to lead well.

What if the greatest obstacle to your leadership isn't your experience? What if it's the disconnect between how you think you're showing up as a leader and how your team experiences you? Caroline Webb, economist turned McKinsey partner turned executive coach, and author of the brand-new book Leadership Intelligence joins show host, Tyler Dickerhoof to discuss her time at the Bank of England forecasting national economies. And later spending three decades inside the world's most high-stakes boardrooms studying one question: what is the human brain doing when a leader tries to lead? What emerges from this conversation is something rarely discussed: the most important variable in any organization isn't market conditions, competitive pressure, or strategy. It's the interior life of the person at the top. You, the leader of it all. In this episode: Caroline shares the moment she stopped hiding an 8-month health crisis from her boss and colleagues What that period taught her about the same hiding pattern she sees in leaders every day Why being promoted for individual brilliance is often the thing that derails great leadership And the neuroscience of why stress makes leaders either aggressive or invisible — and how both responses shrink the very solution space they need most. You can connect with Caroline at: https://carolinewebb.co/ And grab a copy of her book Leadership Intelligence: Science Backed Strategies for Mastering 21 Everyday Management Challenges 🔥 Tyler's Lead Without Hiding Challenge : leadwithouthiding.com — offered once a month.

There's a version of success nobody warns you about. The one where you've built something meaningful, achieved significance, and then handed it over. Suddenly the thing that defined you for decades is gone, and you're left wondering who you are without it. Matt Friedman built Wing Zone from $500 and a fraternity kitchen into a 140-location franchise across six countries. He spent 27 years pouring himself into that brand. And when he finally sold it, he discovered something uncomfortable: he had no idea what came next, and he'd been hiding that from himself for years. In this conversation, Matt pulls back the curtain on the quiet identity crisis that follows a major exit, the arrogance that crept in during the peak years, and why the things he never examined about himself were exactly the things that held him back as a leader. He also shares what it took to rebuild — not the business, but himself — and why the five years between selling Wing Zone and stepping in as CEO of Epic Wings were the most important of his career. If you're a leader approaching a transition, sitting in one, or quietly dreading the moment your title no longer tells you who you are, this conversation is for you. Matt talks honestly about what to plan for, what most people get wrong about exiting, and why the most important work you'll ever do isn't building the company — it's deciding who you want to be when it's done. Learn more about Matt on LinkedIn Here. Or visit his website and grab a copy of his book The Wing Zone Story at https://mattfriedman.com/

88% of organizational changes produce no lasting results. Harvard-trained behavioral scientist Jeff Wetherhold says the reason isn't resistance, it's that we've been teaching leaders the wrong skills for decades. In this conversation, Jeff and host, Tyler Dickerhoof, revel why inner work alone doesn't translate into better leadership, why "buy-in" is a trap, and why directive communication is quietly destroying trust inside organizations. Jeff brings more than 20 years of clinical change science into a surprisingly practical conversation about what it takes to lead people through uncertainty, how to listen for motivation and demotivation, why reflecting beats questioning in hard conversations, and how vulnerability stops being a buzzword and becomes a real skill. Connect with Jeff at jeffwetherhold.com .

What hides inside you controls you. What you face transforms you. In this episode, host Tyler Dickerhoof sits down with Brad Sugars — founder and CEO of ActionCOACH, the world's number one business coaching franchise with over 1,000 locations across 80 countries. Brad built a global empire, yet for years quietly avoided the spotlight. It took Gary Vaynerchuk telling him to "suck it up" in front of a thousand people to shift that. What followed was a deeper question: what are you hiding, and what is it costing you? Brad and Tyler dig into the real reasons business owners refuse to get out of their own way, the three stages of growth from manager to CEO to chairperson, and why the business is always building you whether you're ready or not. Brad shares his formula for goal-setting and action, why "how" is the enemy of every great goal, and what it took to blow up everything he built and rebuild it for a billion-dollar vision. If you're a business owner stuck in your own business, a leader who finds it lonely at the top, or someone who's been playing small because of a wound you haven't named yet, you'll enjoy this conversation. 📲 Find Brad: bradsugars.com | actioncoach.com | Instagram @bradleysugars (DM him the word "playbook" for his success framework)

On this episode, host Tyler Dickerhoof, sits down with Josh Zolin, former Hollywood stuntman turned CEO of Windy City Equipment, an eight-figure HVAC company he inherited from his father and built into an Inc. 5000 business. Josh unpacks the leadership shift that changed everything for him: moving from telling people what to do, to asking questions that help them conclude it themselves. He goes deep on authenticity (and why the word itself can breed inauthenticity), the difference between power and force, what it really means to lead with empathy, and how vulnerability in a boardroom — or a termination meeting — can be your greatest asset. Josh is also the author of Blue Is the New White and host of the podcast Everything They Don't Tell You . Learn more at joshzolin.com Connect with Josh on LinkedIn 👉🏻 Save your seat in the next Lead Without Hiding Challenge HERE.

Host Tyler Dickerhoof sits down with Erika Alessandrini — executive coach, facilitator, and author of Maybe It's Me — for a raw, honest conversation about what it really costs to be a high performer. Erika spent over two decades in corporate leadership before a brutally honest 360 review cracked open something she couldn't ignore: the results were real, but so was the damage. This conversation takes you down the childhood wounds that drive adult overachievement, the difference between controlling and leading, and why the people who need this work most are often the last ones to see it. Key Talking Points: Why high performers stay stuck: the beliefs that fuel chronic overcommitment and under-satisfaction Erika's 360 feedback wake-up call, and why she still didn't believe it at first Growing up with an alcoholic father and learning that performance = protection The difference between control and shared power. Why one destroys relationships How fear disguises itself as responsibility and caring The "justification + postponement" pattern that keeps high performers stuck for years Erika's nonprofit work at Aileron and her new program, Becoming a Leader at Peace Connect with Erika on LinkedIn Learn more about Erika: Website Get a copy of Erika's Book: Maybe It's Me Subscribe: The Impact Driven Leader Newsletter

Ten seconds left. Down by one. His teammate is one point away from a milestone most players never reach. He has the shot. He doesn't take it. That single decision is the philosophy behind this episode. Record-setting former Wisconsin high school basketball coach and author Hunter Price joins host, Tyler Dickerhoof, to expose the lie almost every team believes: that everyone in the room "cares." They don't. Not really. And until you can tell the difference, you're coaching, managing, or leading blind. Hunter introduces his framework of four team archetypes: the Sloth (selfless but doesn't work hard), the Vortex (works hard but selfish), the Ally, and the Heartbeat — the rare person whose work ethic and selflessness pull the whole team forward. Tyler and Hunter dig into real world leadership examples including: Why comparison was the biggest mindset shift Hunter had to make to grow as a leader The generational shift from "what" to "how" to "why," and why today's teams need to trust you before they'll follow you Calling people "up" instead of calling them "out" Why hiring an assistant is really a test of pride and humility An unfiltered MJ vs. LeBron debate that turns into a lesson on leadership identity Whether you're coaching a team, running a company, or leading a family, this conversation will change how you think about what it means to care. Connect with Hunter: v3content.org

Ever walked out of a meeting agreeing with everything, then immediately started venting about it in the hallway? That's called back-channeling and it's a silent culture killer. On this episode of the Tyler Dickherhoof show, Tyler sits down with Laurie Maddalena, certified speaking professional and author of The Elevated Leader , to unpack the six leadership saboteurs quietly wrecking teams everywhere. Lack of self-awareness Lack of focus Lack of delegation Lack of team engagement Conflict avoidance And passive leadership Laurie shares a raw story from her own career — watching a brilliant CEO give his team the silent treatment for three days after a disagreement — and what it taught her about psychological safety, insecurity, and why "toxic boss management" shouldn't be an employee's job. In this episode you'll learn: Why the shift from traditional to facilitative leadership demands a completely different skill set The parallel between today's AI overload and the email/cell phone disruption of 2006 Why delegation is really a driving lesson: bumps, scrapes, and all The "80% rule" that frees up your time and grows your team Connect with Laurie: lauriemaddalena.com On LinkedIn: @lauriemaddalena

What does a heavy metal guitarist turned military weapons storage CEO know about leadership? A lot more than you'd expect. Tom Kubiniec built Secure It Gun Storage into the global leader in military armory design — supplying the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and law enforcement agencies worldwide. But for years, he kept hitting the same ceiling: $5 million in sales, three different companies, same problem every time. The culprit? He was managing when he should have been leading. In this episode, Tom shares the mindset shift that took his company from $5M to $18M in four years, and why the hardest part had nothing to do with strategy. You'll hear: Why delegating felt like becoming irrelevant (and why he did it anyway) The "generals don't dig foxholes" principle that changed everything How near-bankruptcy forced him into an $800M market he never saw coming Why telling people what to do — instead of how — unlocks performance you didn't know your team had The fail-fast framework he uses to course correct without losing momentum Connect with Tom on LinkedIn Or visit his website at: SecureItTactical YouTube: @SecureItLegacy

What if everything you've been told about leadership only covers 10% of the picture? Mark Miller, co-author of the international bestseller The Secret , former VP at Chick-fil-A, and co-founder of Lead Every Day, joins show host Tyler Dickerhoof to expose why 82% of managers still can't lead effectively, and why most leadership training is destined to fail before it starts. In this episode, Tyler and Mark dig into: The iceberg model of leadership and why most organizations are only developing the visible tip Why promoting your best doers into leadership roles is quietly destroying your team The difference between delegating and developing, and the fear that keeps leaders stuck The 5 fundamentals every leader must master (and the one that matters most) Why busyness is the real leadership crisis — and how to escape the quicksand before it buries you Connect with Mark Miller: 📱 678-612-8441 🌐 leadeveryday.com The Secret, 4th Edition is available now.

She had the apartment, the travel, the income, the friends — everything that should've meant she'd "made it." Then she fell 20 feet and everything stopped. Christie Garcia is a leadership coach, Forbes Coaches Council contributor, founder of the Mindful Choice Leadership Academy, and author of Your Ego Is Showing . In this episode, she and host Tyler Dickerhoof, unpack the three ego types — the Complier, the Protector, and the Controller — and why every single one of them is just insecurity wearing a costume. They get into why "self-awareness" isn't the same as ownership, why high achievers are often the most insecure people in the room, and why your ego thrives in the climb but sabotages you the moment you become a leader, a parent, or a partner. Christie also shares the framework she now uses to help executives — and her own kids — recognize when their ego is driving instead of them. If you've ever wondered why success didn't fix the thing you thought it would, this conversation will hit close to home. Connect with Christie at: mindfulchoiceacademy.com On LinkedIn: @ChristieGarcia If this episode brought value into your life, a rating and review helps more people find conversations like this one. Thank you!

What if the life that looks perfect from the outside is the one making you miserable on the inside? Christina Lecuyer spent over a decade playing golf with CEOs and executives — and discovered that the people who'd "made it" were often the least happy people she knew. Now a consultant and host of Decide, It's Your Turn , Christina works with wildly successful people who have the house, the money, the title... and still feel empty. In this episode, host Tyler Dickerhoof and Christina dig into why people are so afraid of gratitude, why the "secret" to success is really just doing small, boring things over and over again, and why indecision is itself a decision (one that quietly costs you the most). Christina also opens up about turning down a $2 million contract because she was crystal clear on what actually mattered to her and why most people never get that clear. If you've ever wondered why having everything doesn't feel like enough, this conversation is for you. Connect with Christina Lecuyer Instagram @BeChristina LinkedIn Christina Lecuyer Website : ChristinaLecuyer.com

What do you do when you can't bring yourself to confess, so you pray that God will expose you instead? Jeremy Foster built a church from zero to 14,000 people across five campuses in five years. By every external measure, he was winning. Then came an affair, a year of lying about it, and a prayer he'd never said out loud before: if I can't confess this, expose it. God did. In this conversation, Jeremy and show host Tyler Dickerhoof get into the limiting belief underneath the hiding ("I'm not good enough"), the phone call from John Maxwell that changed everything, and why pride often sounds like "I've got it, don't worry about me." They talk about what it actually costs to let someone help you when you can't help yourself and why success without significance is just an empty win. If you're carrying something, hiding something, or pretending you're fine when you're not, this one's for you. You can connect with Jeremy Foster on: Instagram & Facebook @JeremyFoster LinkedIn @CoachJeremyFoster And please don't forget to rate and review the show, it helps more people find conversations like this one.

Chris Hallberg — Military veteran, EOS implementer, and the Business Sergeant — has built a reputation for walking into broken companies and transforming their cultures. But behind the tough exterior was decades of unhealed trauma that quietly shaped everything. In this episode, Chris and host Tyler Dickerhoof go deep on what it really means to lead authentically — from the structure of military service that channeled Chris's ADHD energy, to the week in Costa Rica that cracked open 40 years of pain and changed the way he leads, coaches, and lives. Together, they explore why the toughest leaders are often the most wounded, what it looks like to build a culture that protects great people by excluding the wrong ones, and why authenticity — not intensity — is the real driver of lasting change. Learn more about Chris at: GoExpand.com Chris Hallberg EOS LinkedIn: ⁠Chris Hallberg ⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Tyler sits down with Dr. Sheila Gujrathi, entrepreneur, physician, board director, co-founder of the Biotech CEO Sisterhood, and author of The Mirror Effect.Sheila has built an extraordinary career across medicine, biotech, executive leadership, and board service. But even with the accomplishments, credentials, and success, she realized there were deeper patterns shaping how she showed up.This conversation explores fear, insecurity, doubt, shame, belonging, self-compassion, leadership, and the internal glass ceilings that high performers often carry without realizing it.In this episode, you’ll learn: Why success does not always make people feel like they belong How limiting beliefs show up in leadership. Why fear can quietly drive high achievement What the “inner glass ceiling” is How self-compassion helps leaders break old patterns Why community and psychological safety matter How to build a personal board of directors Why leaders need to understand both their inner and outer environment How to stop internalizing toxic work experiences What authentic leadership looks like in high-stakes rooms Tyler and Sheila also discuss loneliness in leadership, the pressure to prove yourself, the role of supportive networks, and why doing inner work helps people lead with greater clarity, confidence, and impact.If you are a leader, executive, entrepreneur, or high performer who has ever felt successful on the outside but uncertain on the inside, this episode will speak directly to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Tyler sits down with Jason VanRuler, psychotherapist, speaker, and author of Discovering Your Communication Type and Get Past Your Past. Jason has spent years helping people understand relationships, attachment, communication, emotional health, and human connection. In this conversation, he and Tyler talk about why so many people repeat patterns from their past, how communication breaks down, and what it takes to build healthier relationships. They also explore the difference between empathy and compassion, why self-awareness matters, how leaders and parents can communicate better, and why knowing how you show up changes the way people experience you. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your past affects how you communicate today How attachment wounds shape relationships Why empathy is not always what people think it is The difference between compassion and empathy How communication styles influence connection Why avoiding conflict can keep people stuck How to recognize your communication type Why leaders need self-awareness to build trust How to stop repeating unhealthy relationship patterns Why real connection starts with honesty Jason also shares his P.A.T.H.S. communication framework, which includes the Peacemaker, Advocate, Thinker, Harbor, and Spark styles. If you want to communicate more clearly, strengthen your relationships, understand yourself better, and create deeper connection with the people around you, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most leaders are trying to solve burnout by pushing harder. That approach eventually breaks down. In this episode, Tyler sits down with Nicole Ward, Senior Vice President of Sales at Aon, executive coach, biohacker, podcast host, and author of Biohacking for the Sales Athlete. Nicole shares how years of high-pressure sales, nonstop travel, stress, brain fog, poor recovery, and unhealthy habits eventually forced her to confront the way she was living and performing. This conversation explores what happens when high performers prioritize results while ignoring recovery, health, emotional regulation, and self-awareness. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why burnout is so common among leaders and sales professionals How stress impacts performance, leadership, and decision making Why sleep is one of the most important performance tools The connection between recovery and sustainable success How to improve focus, cognition, and emotional regulation Why high performers struggle to slow down Practical biohacking strategies for leaders and entrepreneurs The difference between external success and internal alignment Why small habits create long-term transformation How healthier leaders create healthier organizations If you are an entrepreneur, executive, manager, sales professional, or high performer trying to succeed without losing yourself in the process, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership, health, and performance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve been taught that being hard on ourselves is what drives improvement. But what if that’s the very thing holding you back? In this episode, Tyler sits down with David Robson to unpack one of the most common patterns in personal growth, leadership, and performance: self-criticism. It feels productive. It sounds like discipline. But it’s often the reason people stay stuck. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why self-criticism actually leads to more procrastination and less progress The difference between self-awareness and self-criticism (and why it matters) How negative self-talk impacts your performance, relationships, and leadership Why self-compassion does not lower your standards, but improves results A better way to respond to failure, mistakes, and setbacks This episode will challenge how you think about growth and give you a more effective way to move forward. If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated with yourself, or like you’re repeating the same patterns, this conversation will shift your perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the right relationship could change the course of your life? In this episode, Tyler talks with Blue Stiley, speaker, author of The Sum of Four, and host of the Blue Stiley Podcast, about the power of mentorship, the importance of belonging, and how meaningful relationships shape who we become. Blue shares how being bullied as a kid led him into martial arts, where one mentor gave him something he had never experienced before: a sense of belonging, purpose, and connection. That experience became the foundation for how he thinks about relationships, trust, leadership, empathy, and the kind of impact one person can have on another. Together, Tyler and Blue explore why real influence is built through connection, why significance matters more than status, and how curiosity, kindness, and intentionality can transform both leadership and life. In this episode: Blue’s story of bullying, belonging, and finding martial arts How one mentor changed his life Why trust is the foundation of strong relationships What empathy actually looks like in practice The difference between success and significance How leaders can create deeper connection and impact Why curiosity and kindness still matter How to build the kind of relationships that move people forward Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices