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The Leader Formula

The Leader Formula

By: Steve Ciprani & Chris LaGarde
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The Leadership Equation Podcast is where real leaders have real conversations about what it truly takes to lead with purpose, courage, and authenticity.

Hosted by Chris LaGarde and Steve Ciprani, this show dives beneath the surface of leadership success to explore the challenges business owners and leaders rarely talk about — burnout, hiring struggles, team culture breakdowns, decision fatigue, self-awareness gaps, and the loneliness of leadership.

Whether you're running a small business with 5–50 employees, leading a fast-growing team, or simply hungry for leadership that doesn’t sacrifice humanity for performance, you'll find yourself at home here.

Each week, we bring you honest conversations, practical insights, and vulnerable stories from experienced leaders and guests who share their hard-earned lessons—both their triumphs and their mistakes.

Expect real talk on leadership development, building high-performing teams, workplace culture, hiring and retention, emotional intelligence, and how personal growth (and even faith) intersects with leadership.

No fluff. No polished masks. Just authentic leadership, real growth, and hope for what’s possible when leaders choose to lead from wholeness.

Subscribe today and join a growing community of leaders who are rewriting the rules—and building organizations that thrive.

Steve Ciprani & Chris LaGarde
Economics
Episodes
  • When Winning Feels Empty: Rethinking Success as a Leader
    May 30 2025

    We all want success—but what happens when you hit your goals and still feel unfulfilled? In this episode, Chris and Steve explore the hidden cost of chasing the wrong definition of success. From personal stories of burnout and identity crisis to hard-won lessons about core values and fulfillment, this is a conversation every leader needs to hear.

    Together, we unpack:

    • Why achievement alone doesn’t lead to fulfillment
    • The emotional toll of misaligned goals
    • How to redefine success through the lens of identity and values
    • The role of surrender and presence in a leader’s journey

    If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right—but still feel empty—this one's for you.

    📲 Join the conversation: Follow us on social media and share your definition of success and fulfillment. We’d love to hear what’s resonating with you.

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    39 mins
  • Leadership That Lasts: Ken Eslick on Identity, Integrity, and Impact - S1E4
    May 23 2025

    What does it take to be the kind of leader people want to follow—not just today, but over the long haul?

    In this episode of The Leader Formula, we sit down with Ken Eslick—Tony Robbins trainer, executive recruiter, and host of The Leaders Lab Podcast. With decades of experience building and leading teams, Ken shares powerful, hard-won insights on identity, emotional intelligence, and the deeper work of leadership.

    Whether you're running a business, leading a team, or just trying to lead yourself more effectively, this episode is packed with truth, challenge, and encouragement.

    🎙️ About Ken Eslick: Ken is the Founder of The Leaders Lab, a C-Suite recruiting firm and podcast. He’s placed over 500 executives, led teams of 1000+, and helps leaders build organizations that last. He’s also a Tony Robbins trainer and a passionate advocate for values-driven leadership.

    🧭 In This Episode, We Cover:

    • Why your identity determines your leadership impact
    • The mindset shift that changed everything for Ken
    • How to know when to let go of a team member—and how ego gets in the way
    • The cost of mediocre employees and the danger of hovering in the middle
    • Why ownership can’t be demanded—it must be earned
    • Using values as a leadership filter and decision-making compass
    • How to turn your team’s personal goals into leadership leverage
    • What it means to lead with humility without losing confidence
    • How leaders go first—especially in hard conversations and crises

    If this episode speaks to you, please leave a rating or review—and share it with a leader who needs to hear it.

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    1 hr
  • Your Business Reflects You—But It Doesn’t Define You - s1E3
    May 16 2025

    Your business may reflect who you are—but it should never define your worth.

    In this episode, Chris and Steve explore the connection between identity and leadership, and how doing the deep work of knowing yourself leads to healthier business decisions, stronger team culture, and a more sustainable approach to growth. From personality assessments and time audits to core values and the infamous “bag of mail,” this episode is full of stories, laughs, and practical tools to help you build a business that flows from your strengths—not your stress.

    What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

    • Why your identity should inform your business, not be entangled with it
    • How to clarify your strengths and build around them
    • What to do with the parts of your business that drain you
    • The value of time audits, personality frameworks, and value pyramids
    • Real-life examples of how identity drives culture, hiring, and boundaries

    Takeaways:

    • Self-awareness isn’t optional for leaders—it’s foundational
    • You can’t delegate identity, but you can design around your strengths
    • Clarity on values and energy helps prevent burnout and poor hires
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    41 mins

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