On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, we dove into the art of closing the leadership gap in the trades with Traci Austin, an expert in HR and talent strategy. Traci shared how mentorship, strong onboarding, and creating clear career pathways are essential for retention and building leaders from within. We explored how exposing young people early to trade opportunities, aligning company culture, and challenging outdated mindsets can help solve the workforce shortage in construction. If you’re ready to elevate your impact and rethink your leadership approach, this episode is a must-listen!

-----

Download your free episode guide here!

------

Here are my top 3 takeaways:

• Retention is the Real Game-Changer: With hiring expensive and the talent pool shrinking, investing in retention and building a strong culture is more important than ever. Traci emphasized the necessity of mentorship, talent pathways, and ongoing development to keep great people engaged and growing within your organization.

• Expose Youth to Career Options Early: Creating opportunities for middle and high school students to experience trades firsthand—and see what’s possible—makes a big difference. Traci shared how community engagement and hands-on exposure help reinforce that the trades offer not just jobs, but meaningful, long-term careers.

• Mindset Makes All the Difference: Leaders can’t just accept high turnover and talent shortages as inevitable. Traci challenged organizations to shift their mindset—think creatively about internal career paths, training, and flexibility to meet both business needs and evolving employee expectations.

------

Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

------

Links

Traci's Website

LinkedIn

Book Recommendation

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with emotional intelligence expert Alicia Faricelli, and we dove deep into how leaders can unlock self-awareness, resilience, and authentic impact. From managing stress and breaking out of fight-or-flight patterns, to transforming scarcity mindsets and building stronger teams, Alicia shared actionable tips you can implement right now. If you’re ready to stop fighting for your piece of the pie and start leading with intention and emotional intelligence, you’ll want to tune in to this episode!

------

Download your free episode guide here!

------

00:00 Entrepreneur Coaching for Emotional Intelligence

03:21 Emotional Intelligence in Tough Industries

08:51 Disconnect for Happiness and Balance

10:04 Morning Routine for Balanced Work-Life

13:53 "Believing in Others' Potential"

18:59 "Serve Others for True Fulfillment"

22:24 "Receiving by Giving: Client Challenges"

24:06 Optimizing Hiring Processes

28:40 Align Personal and Business Vision

30:45 Defining Entrepreneurial Purpose

34:38 Embracing Change: A Healthy Approach

38:09 "Recommended Entrepreneur Book: Traction"

------

Here are 3 takeaways every business leader should consider:

• Emotional Intelligence Starts with the Nervous System: Alicia emphasizes that real emotional intelligence is rooted in a regulated nervous system. When leaders manage their stress and emotional responses, it ripples out—impacting productivity, relationships, and overall organizational culture.

• Service Over Scarcity: The urge to “fight for your slice” is often rooted in scarcity mindsets passed down generationally. Alicia’s advice? Shift from a competitive to a service-driven approach—focus on how you can help others, and watch abundance return.

• Hiring for Attitude Over Skills: Skills can be taught. Emotional intelligence, willingness to learn, and alignment with your mission are harder to cultivate. Look for energy, engagement, and adaptability when bringing people onto your team.

------

Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

------

Links

Alicia's Website

LinkedIn

Book Recommendation

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Kirk McCarley—the Seed Sower Coach—to dive into the realities of work-life balance, leadership, and personal growth. Kirk shared how decades in HR shaped his passion for helping others break limiting beliefs, find clarity in their values, and move past fear and self-doubt. We talked about the changing face of workplace culture, the importance of relationships, and why defining your personal mission is crucial for lasting success. If you’re feeling stuck or searching for deeper impact, this episode is packed with wisdom you don’t want to miss.

------

Download your free episode guide here!

------

00:00 McCoy Leadership Podcast: Kirk McCarley

04:37 Overlooking Rest and Leisure

06:51 Evolving Workplace Connectivity Challenges

13:47 Build Relationships Through Intentional Listening

16:45 Overcoming Self-Doubt in Coaching

20:00 Personal Branding and Strategy Development

24:25 Mission Statements: Anchor in Tough Times

29:05 Mrs. Clark's Resilient Life

30:19 Cherish Time Over Possessions

36:16 "Age Doesn't Define Success"

39:30 "Parenting Patience: A Success Story"

42:53 Zoom Life: Adopting Remote Work

------

Here are 3 key takeaways every professional should consider:

⭐️ Build Genuine Relationships: Kirk emphasized that real impact starts with intentional listening and relationship-building. Whether you’re leading a team or seeking career growth, take the time to truly understand and connect with others.

⭐️ Move Beyond Limiting Beliefs: Many of us struggle with imposter syndrome or doubts about what’s possible. Kirk’s advice? Identify your unique strengths, revisit your core values, and take action, even if the first step is small. Momentum is a powerful ally!

⭐️ Redefine Success & Balance: Providing for your family or team isn’t just about the paycheck—it’s about time, wisdom, and shared experiences. Kirk highlighted the importance of rest, reflection, and personal alignment to avoid burnout and model true leadership.

------

Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

------

Links

Kirk's Website

LinkedIn

Kirk's Book

Book Reccomendation