Chris Locurto: Entrepreneur, Leadership Coach, Life Strategy, Blogger

Can you tell the difference between someone who’s truly passionate about their work and someone who’s just putting in the hours, passing time, and waiting for the weekend?Well, of course you can! And so can your team members.Maybe you don’t love every little task that you do, but there are probably things that you do enjoy, that are fulfilling, and that no one else can do quite like you can. King Solomon, often referred to as the wisest man who ever lived, explained God’s plan for mankind engaging the work that He’s given them to do… and actually enjoying it!“God gives people the ability to enjoy the wealth and property He gives them, as well as the ability to accept their state in life and enjoy their work.” (Ecclesiastes 5)Have you ever felt a tension around accepting and enjoying your work? If you’re struggling in your role or with your tasks, then there are going to be negative signs that others can see and feel.On the other hand, leaders who love to show up everyday, who give themselves to what they’re d

How far would you go to prove your point or to make sure others know that you’re right?Sometimes, we can get caught up in needle-point precision, focusing on technicalities and useless facts, all the while losing touch with what really matters. It’s easy to lose sight of the forest because of the trees. But, why do we do this?We try so hard to convince the other person that we knew in advance, that we were right, and that they were wrong. But, what exactly did we gain, and what were we trying to win anyway?Well, maybe we didn’t win at all; maybe we lost something. Dale Carnegie said You can't win an argument. You can't because if you lose it, you lose it; and if you win it, you lose it. In other words, whether we succeed in proving our point or not, the people that we’re validating ourselves to can feel unloved, shut down, and unvalued when we do this.So, what exactly is it that we’re trying to do by being right all the time, and what does that say about what’s going on inside of us?If you’ve ever found yours

Were you ever told as a child, “just forgive them and let it go!” Sage advice… that’s much easier said than done!It can be really tough to forgive. Anger, fear, judgment, pride, defensiveness, ego, and the pain of past traumas are just a few of the things that we wrestle with when it comes to forgiving other people. Our Root Systems can get bogged down and overgrown with the weeds of unforgiveness. It can take a lot of time and effort to get the garden of our hearts cleaned up and growing healthily again! So, how do you really forgive someone else and maybe even yourself?On today’s show, we’ve got another episode in our Three Rules series, as I’m joined by Joel and Brian to discover three helpful rules for forgiving others. We’ll explore, with humor and hopefully humility, a topic that for many people could be one of the biggest obstacles holding them back from the happier, healthier life that they really want. Don’t miss it!Grace and peace, Chris

Are you the kind of leader who’s always plugged in, you can’t let go, you find it hard to delegate (without worrying), and you still can’t find the off button for your brain?We’ve all been there. Here we are in the middle of June, and if you’re like most leaders, YOU are still at the office… with little to no vacation planned or on the horizon. There are a million reasons why.As an entrepreneur and leader of several businesses, I can tell you that this is a real challenge for even seasoned veterans. Most leaders don’t feel that they can, that they deserve, or that they can afford to take time off. Maybe you’ve heard yourself say things like:There’s too much work!I’m too important to leaveI don’t really trust my teamBut, what happens when leaders dare to take time off? Does everything fall apart (just as they feared) or something else entirely? Find out on today’s episode!Grace and peace,Chris

What if there was a reset button on life? Would you hit that button and start again?Some people would just love to start over, maybe hoping to make fewer mistakes, run into Mr. Right this time, or perhaps avoid Mrs. Wrong. You know what I mean, sometimes making mistakes is painful, and you’d like a do over.Well, can’t live this whole life over, it seems that we only get one shot at it. However, it is possible to make a fresh start and then to keep moving forward in the right direction.So, what’s the problem? A lot of people need help getting out of the rut that they're in. Maybe they need to learn how to make better decisions, think differently about their past mistakes, or even find the courage to begin again. It’s not easy!Today, we discuss three rules for making a fresh start. Are you ready to begin again? Join us on this fresh episode!

Have you ever needed grace? If we’re honest, we all have.But, how much is too much, and how far is too far? Especially, when you’re responsible for a team member who just can’t get their act together. I mean, there are limits, right? And, what about accountability?It sounds really black and white, with an easy solution. The truth is that leaders often struggle in the tension between leading others to success and managing a team member’s behavior. This can be a confusing and even emotional distinction to make.To make grace a priority doesn’t mean to sacrifice other values, like excellence, honor, and accountability. However, it means we have to lead at a higher level than most.On today’s episode, find out how you can prioritize grace in the workplace, while leading your team to succeed in business and in life.

How much time do you usually spend planning and preparing before getting into the action?Today, we’ll continue our special “How To” mini-series where we’ll deal with a single topic and go as deep as we can in just a few minutes. This time around, examining that rough tension that exists between doing and preparing for the execution of our tasks and duties.You probably remember that old adage about how sharpening the ax helps to chop down trees. Well, there’s really no mystery there! But, how often do we actually put that concept into practice? I mean, the part about sharpening before chopping. Not often enough, right?We lead lots of businesses through strategic planning processes every year, and I can tell you that whether business or personal, planning is essential to your success! But, how do you carve out the right amount of time for planning and preparing vs. doing and executing? That’s what we dig into today!

Ever feel like you can’t shake the negativity? Today, we’ll continue our special “How To” mini-series where we’ll deal with a single topic and go as deep as we can in just a few minutes. This time around, how to stop seeing through a negative lens.It’s not just about keeping your chin up and putting on those rose-colored glasses. No, instead, there’s a deeper work that needs to take place. We’re complex creatures, and we tend to take our baggage with us as we move through life. But, you can leave the negativity behind you though, it’s just got to be unpacked a bit first. Breaking free from those self-defeating mindsets starts with recognizing them for what they are, the lies we tell ourselves. Let’s make it a point to not let negativity blind us to the good things that are all around us!

470 | How To Stop Being Your Own Worst Critic by Chris LoCurto

On today’s show, we’re taking a departure from our normal format in order to tackle a few practical topics in our mini-series of “How To” episodes. Today’s topic is how to get others to start following you.Maybe you’re a leader, but who’s following you? That’s the age-old question, right? If no one’s following, then are you really leading?On today’s How To episode, we’re going to get into what it really takes to get others to start following. Maybe you’re a seasoned veteran, or maybe you’re just beginning your leadership career, but what does it take to make followers of the people around you?A lot of leaders really struggle with the difference between just managing those “under” you and leading them to execute with excellence, to take ownership of their area, and to actually grow in their capacity or role within the organization. I hope that today’s brief talk spurs your ideation and directs your attention towards getting others to follow you and leading them well!

On today’s show, we’re taking a departure from our normal format in order to tackle a few practical topics in a brand new mini-series of “How To” episodes. In today’s How To episode, we’ll take a quick plunge into the depths of Caring Less about what others think of you. Does that sound like a strange topic to you?For many people, getting free from the fear of other people’s opinions is a real struggle. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t surround ourselves with wise and caring people who can breathe positive influence into our lives, offering us the counsel that we need to hear. On the other hand, approval seeking, worth finding, and people-pleasing can develop into harmful habits that are really tough to break! Have you ever found yourself there? I have.I think most people aren’t even aware of how their need for significance - in the eyes of others - can become an unhealthy addiction, influencing how they think and make decisions every day!I hope that today’s brief talk spurs your ideation and directs your

What if you had a picture of a happier, healthier, and more successful you? How would you feel?What would you be free to do?How would life be different for you?And then, imagine that you’re given a step-by-step plan to get you there, to that better future… would you follow that plan?Our modern culture is inundated with “quick and easy” plans for a new and improved you. But, how much of that is really true? What does it take to unlock your real potential and get you unstuck from the things holding you back from that best possible version of your life?On today’s show, we delve into this Best Life concept, and I help you unravel what’s really at stake when we talk about transformation and living an authentic life.

Can Chris and Joel agree on Brian’s Three Rules for eliminating needless distractions in life? You’ll find out today!We’re in the third and final episode of a fun, new mini-series with one goal in mind: you. We think you’ll enjoy the new format and interaction, but more importantly you’ll get to listen in on the reasoning (and debate) that goes into some of the core principles that we hold to in our businesses.This time around, 3 Rules for eliminating distraction: is it a pipe dream or an actual possibility?What are the things that are holding you back from setting appropriate boundaries, redeeming lost space in your routine, and saying “no” to the things that are neither healthy nor productive?Follow these three rules for eliminating distractions!

Can Chris and Joel agree on Brian’s Three Rules for leaving your past behind you? You’ll find out today!We’re in the second episode of a fun, new mini-series with one goal in mind: you. We think you’ll enjoy the new format and interaction, but more importantly you’ll get to listen in on the reasoning (and debate) that goes into some of the core principles that we hold to in our businesses.This time around, leaving your past behind you. Easier said than done, right? For so many people the thing that continuously trips them up in the present is being nagged (or better said, plagued) by their past. So, how do you get past it?Follow these three rules for leaving your past behind you!

Can Chris and Joel agree on Brian’s Three Rules for successful delegation? You’ll find out today!We’re kicking off a fun, new mini-series with one goal in mind: you. We think you’ll enjoy the new format and interaction, but more importantly you’ll get to listen in on the reasoning (and debate) that goes into some of the core principles that we hold to in our businesses.This time around, delegation. Delegating tasks to others is not easy. Many leaders struggle to delegate, or to delegate well, usually citing a few specific reasons:I find it hard to trust othersI want the job done “right”I have other prioritiesHave you ever felt that way? You’re certainly not alone.Regardless of why leaders struggle to delegate, it is something that can be mitigated. Learning to trust others, as well as spending time investing in proper training, are a good start. But what can you do to make sure you’re a top-level delegator? Follow these three rules for successful delegation!

On the show lately, we’ve been dealing with the complexity in our modern world, but what about the complexity that we find right on the inside of us?Inside of every human there are trillions of cells and synaptic connections, billions of neurons, a million moving parts, and then thousands of thoughts and feelings passing through our heads every day. On top of all that, our experiences, traumas, and relationships all affect our thinking, feelings, and habits. With all that going on, isn’t it possible that some of what we’re thinking, feeling, and even suffering at times could be a little bit off-base or even irrational? How would we even know? I mean, have you ever wondered:- How can you make sense of what your feelings are telling you? - How can you know which feelings to respond to or to ignore?- And how can you know what a level-headed response is?On today’s show, the difference between rational and irrational thinking: where reason and logic intersect with fear, emotion, and imagination.

How many hours in a day do you really need in order to get things done?Anyone can think that there aren’t enough hours in a day, but how you spend your time is more important than how much time you actually have. Many leaders fail because they fail to have a singular focus, vision, or attention. A lack of prioritization is a huge hurdle for many leaders caught in the crazy cycle. But, what can you do about it? How can you get the traction you need?Today’s episode is about disciplining the time that we’re given each day. We’re going to talk about prioritization, organization, and the one thing that most leaders forget. Here’s a hint of what that third point is about: every business, regardless of what it does, is in the “people business”. Today, you’re going to learn how to give priority, organize, and serve people as you lead yourself and your business through the complexity!

461 | Dealing With Dishonesty & Deceit by Chris LoCurto

Self-assessment time! Are you a driven leader?With most driven leaders, what often gets neglected are those soft skills that focus on different personality styles, creating culture, and especially the deeper, personal work that needs to be done inside the heart of a leader. These skills are necessary not only to be successful and to sustain that success, but to lead others well all along the way.So, how are you doing with that? And if you’ve got some gaps, where’s the disconnect? Why’s the focus on the person of the leader often missing among leadership seminars and training?The greatest leverage to grow your company is learning to effectively lead people and all the things that we teach there. – Joel Fortner, VP of Leadership DevelopmentIn today’s episode, we tackle how leaders need to learn to lead themselves before others!

Fear is a phenomenon that all of us deal with at some level and, left unchecked, it can subtly begin to dominate our thoughts, decisions, and actions.While fear can be a healthy warning system, especially when getting chased by a lion, it can also be an unhealthy way of dealing with our stress and circumstances in life. Fear becomes a habitual response and even a defense mechanism we get conditioned to.On today’s episode, Heather joins us in the studio to discuss fear, how it can start to dictate our surface level responses, and how to escape its paralyzing effects.