In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey are joined by leadership expert Liz Wiseman, author of ‘Multipliers’. Together, they dive into the powerful principles that distinguish "multipliers", leaders who amplify the intelligence and abilities of others, from "diminishers," who, despite good intentions, unknowingly hold people back. Liz shares her research and experiences, revealing how leadership can either bring out brilliance or unintentionally stifle growth. This conversation highlights how these concepts can apply not only in the workplace but also in teams, families, and everyday life.

Stephen and Britain reflect on how these insights have shaped their own approaches to leadership. They discuss the importance of seeing potential in others and creating environments where people feel empowered to contribute their best. Stephen points out that it's not about being the smartest leader, but about finding ways to help others shine, while Britain shares how creating space for both safety and challenge is key to unlocking peak performance. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to foster growth, collaboration, and leadership in all areas of life.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction
• [01:23] The Power of Contributorship
• [04:10] Multipliers vs. Diminishers
• [13:35] Safety and Stretch: The Core of Leadership
• [20:10] The Importance of Viewing Genius in Others
• [22:36] Contribution over Competition

Notable Quotes

• [06:34] "Sometimes really, really smart people don't make the best managers." – Liz Wiseman
• [24:59] "People want to come to work every day wanting to contribute everything that they have." – Liz Wiseman
• [15:37] "What these leaders do is they create an environment where people feel safe, but then they create stretch." – Liz Wiseman
• [24:20] "Multipliers believe people are smart, and there is a way they are smart. It's my job to find it and use it." – Liz Wiseman

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book

• Multipliers by Liz Wiseman

Liz Wiseman

• The Wiseman Group Website
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• LinkedIn

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
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Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In this episode, Stephen and Britain Covey focus on one transformative principle from Greg McKeown’s Essentialism, the 1-2-3 Method. This simple yet profound system is designed to help you cut through distractions and live each day with greater clarity and purpose.

The 1-2-3 Method encourages you to choose one essential project to focus on deeply, two urgent and essential tasks that must be completed to stay on track, and three maintenance items that prevent life from spiraling into chaos. Stephen and Britain explore how this daily practice can bring structure to even the busiest schedules.

Hear how Britain naturally experiences the 1-2-3 rhythm as a professional athlete through practice, film study, and recovery. Stephen shares how he applies the method both in his work life and on weekends with family, demonstrating that it works in every setting, from corporate offices to family trips to Disneyland.

They also address why some critics dismiss the method as “too simple,” and explain why simplicity itself is the secret to its power in a world overloaded with notifications, meetings, and demands. By linking the 1-2-3 Method to James Clear’s Atomic Habits, they show how building the right system helps you succeed even on your hardest days.

Tune in and discover how the 1-2-3 Method can help you design your day and lead your life with clarity and purpose.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction to Paradigm Shifting Books
• [00:36] Today’s focus: the 1-2-3 method from Essentialism
• [01:55] Explaining the 1-2-3 method
• [04:25] Applying the 1-2-3 method in sports
• [08:50] Real-life examples of the 1-2-3 method
• [13:45] Final thoughts and challenge to listeners

Notable Quotes

• [00:06:35] “Our schedule is naturally built out for us around this 1, 2, 3 method. In life, I feel like it's a lot harder because we wanna say yes to everything. There's so much gray area in life and we wanna say yes to everything.” — Britain Covey
• [00:08:25] “If you don't do something like this, and if you're not intentional in the morning when you plan your day, then your day will absolutely be hijacked by other people.” — Stephen Covey
• [00:11:14] “What's my number one priority today? It's to be present with my kids. That is the number one thing for this Saturday.” — Stephen Covey
• [00:12:35] “Even for non-work days, you feel like you apply this method.” — Britain Covey
• [00:13:13] “If you implement some kind of intentional planning system like this in the morning, even on a bad day and you just fall to the level of your base system, you're gonna have a much better day than if you just kind of throw your hands up and say, well, today's out the window.” — Stephen Covey

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Books

• Essentialism by Greg McKeown
• Atomic Habits by James Clear

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In Part 2 of our conversation with social psychologist and best-selling author Amy Cuddy, we delve deeper into the transformative science of presence and its impact on our confidence, success, and personal growth. Known for her groundbreaking TED Talk and book Presence, Amy shares the power of body language and its profound impact on our emotional states and performance. From power poses to overcoming self-doubt, this episode explores practical tools for embracing your personal power, connecting authentically, and overcoming life's challenges with unshakable confidence.

Tune in to discover how small changes in posture and mindset can help you tap into your fullest potential when it matters most, whether in the boardroom, on stage, or in daily life. Amy's insights on how our bodies influence our minds and the world around us will leave you empowered to take on any challenge with poise and assurance.

What We Discuss:

• [00:00] Introduction to the Science of Presence
• [03:00] The concept of power posing and how it affects both our internal confidence and how we are perceived by others.
• [08:40] Amy discusses how power posing has made its way into popular media, from Ted Lasso to Grey's Anatomy, and what these portrayals teach us about confidence.
• [13:06] Practical ways to apply power posing and mental visualization techniques in everyday situations to boost personal power.
• [19:09] Amy reflects on the societal struggle with self-doubt and confidence, offering insights on how we can reconnect with our authentic selves to cultivate true inner power.
• [28:11] Amy shares a practical exercise to help listeners identify their core values and affirm their true selves for greater confidence and reduced stress.

Notable Quotes:

• [25:59] - “Presence is about getting people to a place where they really see each other and can affirm them in that way.” - Amy Cuddy
• [26:18] - “When we are present with somebody else, we invite them to be present with us. Genuine attention is so rare, and it’s a gift we can give.” - Amy Cuddy
• [13:26] - “Confidence isn’t about being perfect. It’s about owning who you are, flaws and all, and embracing the power you already have within you.” - Amy Cuddy
• [20:59] - “To avoid criticism, do nothing. But when you’re focused on growth, even mistakes become part of your progress.” - Amy Cuddy

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book

• Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges

Amy Cuddy

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn
• X

In this first part of a two-part conversation, Amy Cuddy, renowned social psychologist and author of Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges, joins Stephen and Britain Covey to explore the powerful concept of presence. Amy delves into how our ability to bring our authentic, best selves to high-stakes situations, whether it’s a job interview, public speaking, or even sports, can drastically shift our confidence and performance. Drawing on years of research, she explains how presence is not a permanent state but a skill we can develop in order to show up with calm, composure, and confidence when it matters most.

Through engaging discussions, Amy shares actionable insights into how we can all embrace our bravest selves during stressful moments, access authentic self-affirmations, and overcome the paralyzing effects of self-doubt and hyperawareness. This episode also explores the science behind self-affirmation theory and how small but powerful mental shifts can improve performance in unrelated challenges. Tune in to discover how cultivating personal power and agency can turn every challenge into an opportunity for growth and success.

What We Discuss:

• [00:00] Introduction
• [01:57] Defining Presence: Being your authentic self in high-stakes situations
• [07:04] The role of confidence in preparation: Gaining confidence through training and practice
• [14:43] Over-preparation and its pitfalls: Finding the balance between preparation and mindset
• [19:52] How self-affirmation theory impacts performance, even in unrelated situations
• [29:41] The impact of hyperawareness: How to overcome distractions and perform at your best

Notable Quotes:

• [02:31] "Presence is about our ability to access and bring forth our authentic, best selves in our most challenging situations." – Amy Cuddy
• [15:25] "We often have to stop preparing the content or the skill and start preparing our mindset." – Amy Cuddy
• [29:14] "If we get hung up on what we didn’t do well, we’re less likely to be present the next time." – Amy Cuddy
• [08:58] "Confidence is not about tricking yourself; it’s about getting out of your own way." – Amy Cuddy

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book

• Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges

Amy Cuddy

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn
• X

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey continue their thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Craig Manning, author of ‘The Fearless Mind’. In this second part, Dr. Manning expands on how understanding your core identity and staying true to your strengths is the key to unlocking consistent high performance in any area of life. This episode digs deep into the concept of "task orientation" vs. "ego orientation" and how to shift your mindset for success.

Dr. Manning, a performance psychologist, provides a masterclass on building mental resilience, explains the profound impact of fear on human performance, and gives practical advice for overcoming insecurity in both professional and personal contexts. Whether you’re an athlete, a business leader, or someone looking to improve everyday performance, the principles discussed here are universally applicable.

What We Discuss:

• [00:00] Introduction
• [00:17] How task-oriented focus leads to better performance
• [01:41] Trust is earned through competence, not titles
• [05:08] How staying present and focused on tasks reduces anxiety and improves performance
• [15:11] How to overcome insecurity and trust yourself more deeply
• [17:39] Why focusing on the process, not the outcome, is essential for sustained success
• [18:26] Dr. Manning’s final advice on embracing your strengths and continuing the journey to self-improvement

Notable Quotes:

• [00:06:45] “When you know who you are and you trust yourself, you don’t care what others think, you just perform.” — Dr. Craig Manning
• [00:10:29] “Fear is a concept we create. The opposite is learning. A learning mentality opens up new possibilities.” — Dr. Craig Manning
• [00:13:42] “Focus on the process, not the outcome. The outcome will take care of itself when you execute the process well.” — Dr. Craig Manning
• [00:19:08] “Flow state is a superpower. Knowing who you are is the gateway to unlocking it.” — Dr. Craig Manning

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book

• The Fearless Mind: 5 Steps to Achieving Peak Performance

Dr. Craig Manning

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn
• X

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey begin a powerful two-part conversation with Dr. Craig Manning, author of The Fearless Mind. Part 1 unpacks why knowing who you truly are and unapologetically embracing your strengths is the foundation of consistent high performance.

Dr. Manning shares his journey from athlete to performance psychologist, explains why he reframed “high performance” as human performance, and reveals how to build skills around your unique strengths instead of chasing someone else’s path. From the science of confidence to stories of elite athletes like Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 50 points in the NBA Finals, this conversation makes mental performance training both practical and inspiring.

The episode also highlights how the same principles apply outside of sports, in business, leadership, and everyday life. Because at its core, high performance isn’t about outcomes, it’s about identity.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of comparison, pressure from authority figures, or uncertainty about your strengths, this episode offers a new framework to unlock your potential.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction
• [01:27] Why Dr. Manning wrote The Fearless Mind and how it began as a personal project
• [08:18] Giannis Antetokounmpo’s “unapologetically ourselves” mindset before scoring 50 in the NBA Finals
• [11:19] Why comparison leads to insecurity and how to break free from it
• [22:32] Generational shifts: why Gen Z thinks differently and how collaboration beats hierarchy
• [30:39] Why trying to be someone you’re not sabotages performance
• [32:05] The power of owning your lane in a collaborative, commitment-based culture

Notable Quotes

• [00:08:54] “When you know who you are and you trust yourself, you don’t care what others think—you just perform.” — Dr. Craig Manning
• [00:11:37] “Comparison leads to insecurities. Insecurities lead to needing approval. And needing approval destroys confidence.” — Dr. Craig Manning
• [00:14:42] “The key to success is not being a stereotype. It’s being the best version of yourself.” — Dr. Craig Manning
• [00:22:07] “Your identity is here in the present. Too many people live out in the future, and that future never arrives.” — Dr. Craig Manning

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book

• The Fearless Mind: 5 Steps to Achieving Peak Performance

Dr. Craig Manning

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn
• X

Despite rapid changes in the workplace and technological advancements, many leaders continue to rely on outdated “command and control” methods.

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey continue their powerful conversation with their father, Stephen M. R. Covey, about his groundbreaking book Trust and Inspire. Part 2 of the discussion dives even deeper into how leaders can shift their mindset, their language, and their relationships to become the kind of leader people actually want to follow.

Stephen explores the difference between managing things and leading people, the practical application of stewardship agreements, and how even in moments of pressure, when our “style gets in the way of our intent”, we can choose to lead with trust and inspiration. From stories about Steve Jobs and Lin-Manuel Miranda to personal family experiences, this conversation makes Trust and Inspire practical, relatable, and transformational.

The episode also highlights how trust and inspire leadership apply far beyond the workplace, in parenting, teaching, coaching, and everyday relationships. Because at its core, leadership isn’t a position, it’s a choice.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance accountability with empowerment, or how to unleash the potential already inside your team, this episode offers the roadmap.

What We Discuss

• [00:17] Introduction
• [01:29] Steve Jobs and the tension between inspiration and micromanagement
• [07:00] Command and control as the “native tongue” of leadership
• [08:07] Becoming a Trust and Inspire person before becoming a leader
• [10:16] The difference between management and leadership
• [16:00] Lin-Manuel Miranda’s teacher and the power of seeing potential
• [19:04] Why Trust and Inspire is not just idealistic, but practical
• [25:13] Practical steps: clarifying expectations and accountability
• [32:30] A practical invitation: identify one relationship to transform with Trust and Inspire

Notable Quotes

• [13:00] “Always remember this: with people, fast is slow and slow is fast.” — Stephen M. R. Covey
• [17:22] “Leadership is seeing and communicating people’s worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves.” — Stephen M. R. Covey
• [33:50] “Trust and Inspire is not soft leadership. It’s the strongest form of leadership there is because it’s grounded in expectations, accountability, and belief in people.” — Stephen M. R. Covey

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Books

• Trust and Inspire by Stephen M. R. Covey
• The SPEED of Trust by Stephen M. R. Covey
• The 8th Habit by Stephen R. Covey

Stephen M. R. Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn
• X

Did you know that despite the changing workplace dynamics and technological advancements, many leaders still adhere to outdated "command and control" models?

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey sit down once again with their father, Stephen M. R. Covey, to dive into his book Trust and Inspire. They explore why so many leaders are still stuck in an outdated “command and control” model, even though the world, the workforce, and the nature of collaboration have changed dramatically.

Stephen explains the origins of the Trust and Inspire framework, rooted in his work with The Speed of Trust and inspired by lessons from his father, Stephen R. Covey. He shares the core leadership paradigm shifts that move organizations from micromanaging to unleashing the greatness already inside their people.

The conversation tackles common misconceptions, like the idea that Trust and Inspire is “soft” or unrealistic in high-pressure industries. With real-world examples from football coaching, Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, retail standouts like Wegmans, and even the military, Stephen shows that this leadership style delivers results without sacrificing accountability.

One of the big takeaways: leadership isn’t just about getting results, it’s about growing people, building trust, and inspiring them to give their very best. And that’s not just idealistic; it’s a competitive advantage.

What We Discuss

• [00:17] Introduction
• [02:04] Origins of Trust and Inspire
• [05:53] Key leadership paradigm shifts
• [12:02] What Trust and Inspire is and isn’t
• [15:35] Strong leadership without micromanaging
• [20:09] Authenticity in leadership styles
• [22:00] Global response to Trust and Inspire
• [24:31] From idealism to practical application
• [29:45] Thriving cultures and unleashing greatness

Notable Quotes

• [13:35] “Trust and Inspire is a style of leadership that gets results in a way that grows people and inspires trust.” — Stephen M. R. Covey
• [16:06] “A Trust and Inspire leader can be strong without being forceful. They can be demanding without being demeaning.” — Stephen M. R. Covey
• [20:10] “The key thing is I see the greatness inside of people. I try to unleash it, but that might include being demanding.” — Stephen M. R. Covey
• [29:55] “Inspiring is learnable as a skill, that's like a paradigm shift.” — Stephen M. R. Covey

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Books

• Trust and Inspire by Stephen M. R. Covey
• The SPEED of Trust by Stephen M. R. Covey
• The 8th Habit by Stephen R. Covey

Stephen M. R. Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn
• X