Think servant leadership sounds weak? Think again. In this episode, we're breaking down one of the most powerful and misunderstood leadership philosophies out there.

Discover what servant leadership really means (hint: it's not about being a pushover), why it drives better engagement, retention, and performance than traditional command-and-control approaches, and how you can start practicing it tomorrow—regardless of your personality type or organizational culture.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The 10 core characteristics of servant leaders and why they matter
• Why servant leadership creates sustainable results, not just short-term wins
• How to implement servant leadership without losing authority
• 7 practical strategies you can use immediately with your team
• How to overcome common challenges like unsupportive cultures or time constraints
• Real-world examples of servant leadership transforming organizations

Whether you're a new supervisor or a seasoned executive, this episode will challenge how you think about power, influence, and what it really means to lead people well.

Key Takeaway: Leadership isn't about being in charge—it's about taking care of those in your charge.

Ready to transform your leadership? Let's dive in.

Resources mentioned:

• Robert Greenleaf's "The Servant as Leader" (1970)
• Gallup research on employee engagement
• Amy Edmondson's work on psychological safety

Next Steps: Pick ONE servant leadership practice from this episode and implement it this week. Then share your experience with us on social media using #ServantLeadershipJourney

⭐ If this episode was valuable to you, please rate and review the show—it helps other leaders find these conversations.

📧 Have questions or want to share your servant leadership story? Reach out at toby@tobyhoy.com

This episode explores why 92% of people fail to achieve their professional goals and introduces a proven framework that Fortune 500 companies, Olympic athletes, and successful entrepreneurs use daily. Through the story of two professionals—Alex and Jordan—who started in the same position but ended up in vastly different places five years later, listeners discover that the difference between career stagnation and advancement isn't talent or luck—it's the quality of goal setting.

The Problem with Vague Goals

• Most professional goals fail because they're unmeasurable and lack specificity
• Vague intentions like "be more productive" or "improve leadership skills" don't activate the brain's planning centers
• Without concrete targets, procrastination becomes permanent and accountability disappears
• Research shows people who write down specific goals are 42% more likely to achieve them

The SMART Framework Breakdown

• Specific: Answer who, what, where, when, and why with clear detail
• Measurable: Define concrete metrics using numbers, percentages, or quantities
• Achievable: Balance challenge with realism given current resources and constraints
• Relevant: Align goals with career objectives and organizational priorities
• Time-Bound: Set firm deadlines to create urgency and accountability

Practical Implementation Strategies

1. Break goals into milestones—smaller checkpoints that build momentum
2. Create weekly action plans with three specific tasks
3. Build a tracking system for visibility and progress monitoring
4. Schedule regular reviews (weekly 15-minute check-ins, monthly deep dives)
5. Establish accountability by sharing goals with managers, mentors, or partners
6. Celebrate milestones to reinforce positive behavior and maintain motivation

Handling Setbacks

• Partial success is still success—four presentations instead of five is still progress
• Failure provides valuable data for setting better goals next time
• Goal setting is a skill that improves with practice
• Flexibility and adjustment are strategic, not signs of failure

1. Write down one professional goal (6-12 month timeframe)
2. Run it through the SMART framework to ensure it meets all five criteria
3. Break the goal into three major milestones
4. Identify three actions to take this week

"Your brain is literally wired differently when you have a clearly defined goal versus a vague intention."

"Hope is not a strategy. Vague intentions don't create results. But structured, specific, measurable goals do."

"The difference between where you are and where you want to be isn't some secret formula or stroke of genius. It's the quality of your goals and your commitment to executing on them."

• Mid-career professionals seeking advancement
• Managers and team leaders
• Anyone frustrated with lack of career progress
• Professionals who set goals but struggle to achieve them

Bottom Line: Success in your career isn't about working harder or being smarter—it's about setting better goals using a structured framework and committing to consistent execution. Five years from now, you'll either look back at what you've accomplished or wonder what happened. The choice starts with how you set your goals today.