Nick Smarrelli, lecturer in entrepreneurship and organizational leadership at Butler University, joins Scott Eckart on Future Proof to explore how letting go of fixed outcomes can reshape success, leadership, and personal growth. Drawing from his experience as a former CEO and educator, Nick shares how shifting from end goals to small, intentional actions can build momentum and clarity over time.

Nick and Scott explore why people get stuck, not from lack of ambition, but from overwhelm and uncertainty. They discuss leadership as influence rather than position, how small wins build confidence, and how simple next steps break decision paralysis. Nick also touches on mentorship, curated learning, and staying clear-headed under pressure.

He reflects on leaving his CEO role, rebuilding his identity through teaching, and separating self-worth from titles. He also shares his approach to work-life integration, parenting, and finding meaning now instead of waiting for some future milestone.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Why the “end game” mindset limits happiness and progress
• How the “Next Two Steps” framework helps you take action under uncertainty
• Why small, repeatable actions build confidence and clarity
• Leadership as influence, not position
• How to make decisions when everything feels unclear

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Meet Nick Smarrelli
(01:43) “You don’t need a title to matter”

(02:23) Leaving the CEO role and identity shift

(04:57) Leadership by influence vs position

(09:12) Becoming a curator of ideas

(12:55) Reframing feedback and learning from others

(18:34) Teaching entrepreneurship and student founders

(23:21) Building reps through small actions

(29:18) Planning without being trapped by outcomes

(33:26) Why happiness can’t wait for the end game

(39:25) The Next Two Steps framework

Resources:
Nick Smarrelli LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smarrelli/
Join the Velocity Network: https://www.velocoaches.com/