In this special episode of Leadership Limbo, Josh and John welcome their very first guest — Michael Sykes, founder and CEO of Equitable Solutions and author of Easy Equity. Michael brings warmth, wisdom, and candor to a conversation that explores what it truly means to lead from love.

Together, they unpack how leadership begins with self-awareness and healing — and how that inner work ripples outward into teams, organizations, and communities. Michael shares stories from his own journey as a middle manager navigating conflicting expectations, and how mistakes, reflection, and intentionality helped him transform his approach to leadership.

The conversation explores themes of affirmation, mindfulness, and manifestation, inviting leaders to align their “future self” with present actions. Michael challenges the idea that leadership is about control or charisma, instead defining it as removing barriers so others can thrive.

From burnout to belonging, from self-denial to authenticity, this episode reminds us that the most sustainable and equitable leadership starts with loving ourselves well — so we can lead others with compassion, presence, and purpose.

Check out Michael's work at https://equitablesolutions.net/ and follow him on LinkedIn as well. You can find his book Easy Equity for purchase on his site, too.

Key Takeaways Include:

• Leadership is about supporting your team, not just producing results.
• Finding joy requires intentionality and can be found in small moments.
• Authentic relationships are crucial for leveraging team strengths.
• Self-affirmation is key to effective leadership and personal growth.
• Manifestation involves aligning current actions with future goals.
• Emotional intelligence (EQ) is more important than intellectual intelligence (IQ) in leadership.
• Burnout often stems from misalignment with personal values and overextension.
• Leaders should prioritize self-care to avoid resentment and burnout.
• Mistakes are opportunities for growth and should be owned by leaders.
• Creating a positive environment starts with self-love and validation.

In this episode, Josh and John continue their exploration of communication—this time shifting from what we say to how we listen. Building on last week’s focus on the Communication Code, they unpack how defensiveness, distractions, and the pressure to sound competent can quietly sabotage genuine connection. Through personal stories and honest reflection, they explore how slowing down, summarizing, and removing noise are all acts of leadership, not just courtesy.

They discuss the ripple effects of poor listening on trust, culture, and team engagement, and how small changes—like a pause before responding or a quick summary of what you heard—can completely reshape how people experience being led. Together, they reframe listening as a core leadership discipline that drives clarity, confidence, and connection.

Key Takeaways:

• Silence communicates attentiveness and respect.

• Summarizing before responding builds alignment and trust.

• Leaders model active listening by removing distractions and creating space for others’ voices.

Homework for Listeners: Take a few minutes this week to complete a quick Active Listening Audit. Rate yourself 1–5 on each statement and identify one area to strengthen.

1. I let others finish speaking before I respond.

2. I summarize what I heard before offering my view.

3. I ask open-ended questions that deepen understanding.

4. I minimize distractions—no screens, no multitasking.

5. I clarify what the other person needs: empathy or solutions.

6. I pause before speaking to fully process what I’ve heard.

7. I follow up when needed to close the communication loop.

Reflection Prompt: When was the last time you felt truly heard—and what might it take to create that experience for others?

Mentioned in This Episode: The Communication Code – Jeremie Kubicek & Steve Cockram, GiANT Worldwide

In this episode, Josh and John unpack a deceptively simple but powerful truth: communication is both transmission and reception — and most leaders focus too heavily on the former. Drawing from the Communication Codeframework by GiANT Worldwide, they explore how intention, clarity, and receptivity shape every conversation — at work, at home, and in the spaces in between.

They open with reflections on personal rhythms, learning events, and the importance of walking (for knees and for clarity) before diving into the art of setting conditions for effective communication. John shares insights from Simon Sinek’s “Know Your Why” and The Atlantic’s piece on distracted parenting, illustrating how modern distractions erode our ability to truly listen and receive.

Josh introduces the five core intentions of communication — to care, celebrate, critique, clarify, and collaborate — and how naming these purposes can transform meetings, relationships, and team culture. Together, they break down how misalignment between intention and perception can derail trust, and how explicit communication framing helps teams stay connected and emotionally attuned.

• Communication is not complete without both transmission and reception.

• Setting the conditions for communication (minimizing distraction, clarifying intent) is foundational.

• The five communication codes—Care, Celebrate, Critique, Clarify, Collaborate—help leaders name the whybehind what they say.

• Explicitly naming your communication intent improves trust and reduces misinterpretation.

• Celebration and care are often undervalued but essential forms of communication that sustain team health.

In your next team meeting or 1:1, name the type of communication you’re using:

• Are you collaborating, clarifying, or critiquing?

• Are you showing care or celebration?

Use this awareness to align your intent with how others receive it. And for an extra challenge — find a way to intentionally celebrate someone or something this week.

How often do you name your intention before communicating — and how might doing so change the way your message lands?

• Simon Sinek – “Know Your Why” (video clip)

• The Atlantic (2018) – “The Dangers of Distracted Parenting”

• The Communication Code – Jeremie Kubicek & Steve Cockram, GiANT Worldwide

“Your job as a leader isn’t just to say what you mean — it’s to make sure it lands with your team.” – Josh Hugo