Dusty welcomes back Dr. Lani Jones—clinical psychologist, executive coach, and expert in behavior change—for a timely and deeply reflective conversation on how leaders can intentionally design success rather than defaulting to familiar but ineffective goal-setting habits. Moving beyond the fleeting appeal of New Year’s resolutions, Lani reframes planning as an exercise in clarity, alignment, and self-leadership, emphasizing that most people fail not from lack of discipline but from skipping the deeper work of understanding what truly matters. Together, they unpack a clinically informed framework centered on the where, why, and what—arguing that sustainable progress requires slowing down, interrogating internal belief systems, and reconnecting with values before ever jumping to tactics. Lani explores how distraction quietly erodes ambition, why leaders often honor commitments to others more than to themselves, and how guilt and shame sabotage long-term change. Through practical examples and candid reflections, she challenges listeners to envision December 31, 2026, as if it has already happened, and to design the ordinary daily behaviors that make extraordinary outcomes possible. The episode ultimately calls leaders to create intentional space for reflection, enlist accountability beyond themselves, and approach goal-setting not as a checklist, but as a process of becoming—because enduring success is built from clarity first, not hustle.

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) – A Better Approach to Goal Setting

(07:06) – The Role of Values and Distractions

(12:40) – Reflecting on Personal and Professional Goals

(16:10) – Creating a Vision for 2026

(23:16) – The Importance of Accountability

(33:03) – The Extraordinary Lies Within the Ordinary

Key Topics Discussed:

Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership

Mentions:

Website: https://drlanijones.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlanijones/

More of Leadership Unlocked:

Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/

Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com