Shows
The Leader FormulaThe Hiring Equation: Five Steps to Smarter Hiring - S1E14In this final episode of first series of The Leader Formula podcast, Chris and Steve walk through the five key stages of an effective hiring process—and why skipping even one can cost you more than just a bad hire. From sourcing and screening to interviews, assessments, and reference checks, they’ll guide you through each step with practical tips, honest stories, and a few insights you may not have considered before. Whether you're hiring your first admin or scaling a leadership team, this framework will help you make smarter, more confident decisions.What You’ll Learn:Why...2025-08-0143 min
The Leader FormulaThe Hiring Equation: Why Your Next Hire Starts on Paper - S1E13Before you post that job or schedule an interview, there's a critical step that most leaders skip—and it’s costing them time, money, and peace of mind. In this episode, Chris and Steve unpack the concept of the candidate avatar—a clear, written profile of your ideal hire—and explain why defining who you’re looking for is the foundation of every great hire.From missing persons reports to dating analogies, this episode brings humor, wisdom, and practical tools to help you sharpen your hiring clarity and avoid common traps.If you're tired of vague hiri...2025-07-2525 min
The Leader FormulaThe Hiring Equation: From Guesswork to Clarity - S1E12Whether you’re hiring your first team member or your next key leader, one thing remains true: clarity is kindness—and essential for growth. In this episode, Chris and Steve unpack the mindset and tools every leader needs to hire well and build a team that lasts.They explore the concept of the “Missing Persons Report”—a strategic way to define the gaps in your organization—and how to use org charts and expectations to align roles with your vision. You’ll also learn about the different levels of talent (potential, emerging, proven) and when each one fits your busi...2025-07-1838 min
The Leader FormulaThe Hiring Equation: It Starts With You (And That’s the Problem) - S1E11In this kickoff episode of a mini-series we are calling The Hiring Equation, Chris and Steve dive into one of the most painful—and costly—leadership challenges: hiring the wrong people. Why does it keep happening? And what if the problem isn’t your candidates... it’s you?They explore the three most common ways hiring breaks down and how to fix it—starting with self-awareness, understanding the hiring market, and getting radically clear on who you’re actually looking for. Whether you're scaling a team or recovering from your last bad hire, this episode is packed with honest...2025-07-1137 min
The Leader FormulaBuilt to Perform, Forced to Pause, Part 2: From Breakdown to Breakthrough In Part 2 of our conversation with Haro and Mariam Setian, we pick up at a dramatic turning point—just after Haro is told he’s had a stroke. What unfolds next is an honest and moving exploration of what happens when leaders are forced to let go.This episode dives into the unraveling of their businesses, the unexpected role Mariam steps into, and the sacred shift that happens when rest becomes non-negotiable.Whether you’ve taken a sabbatical, are longing for one, or just feel the weight of “holding it all together”—this episode is for you....2025-07-041h 04
The Leader FormulaBuilt to Perform, Forced to Pause, Part 1: A Married Couple’s Story of Identity, Leadership, and the Gift of Sabbath - S1E9In this powerful first installment, Chris and Steve sit down with friends Haro and Mariam Setian to explore the hidden cost of high performance. Haro, a successful entrepreneur and founder of a thriving real estate businesses, shares how his relentless drive led to burnout, identity confusion, and ultimately—a stroke. Mariam offers a vulnerable and critical perspective as a spouse and leader who watched the pressure mount and felt the toll in their home and marriage.Together, they unpack the warning signs, the spiritual convictions, and the emotional unraveling that led to the decision to step away fr...2025-06-2749 min
The Leader FormulaEmotional Intelligence Isn’t Optional: Why People Leave Leaders - S1E8Too often, high-achieving leaders over-index competence and under-index connection. In this deeply insightful episode, Chris and Steve unpack why emotional intelligence is essential—not optional—for building trust, retaining talent, and sustaining leadership over the long haul.You’ll hear vulnerable reflections, practical frameworks, and real-world stories that challenge the production-at-all-costs mindset. If you’ve ever wondered why good people leave, this conversation may hold your answer.🎧 In this episode, we cover:[03:30] Red vs. Blue Culture: Why positivity without production (or vice versa) won’t build a lasting team.[06:45] What is emotional intelligence? Exploring definitions f...2025-06-2050 min
The Leader FormulaINTERVIEW: Leading Others Through the Lens of Identity- Jamie Winship Part 2 - S1E7In this powerful follow-up conversation, Chris and Steve sit down with Jamie Winship to explore how identity—not performance—should guide the way we hire, develop, and even part ways with people on our teams. Jamie shares his unique and transformational perspective on leadership that shifts the focus from fear-based control to identity-based freedom. If you're a leader who wants to build a thriving culture and lead with clarity, this episode will challenge and equip you in profound ways.🧭 What We Cover (with rough Timestamps):Hiring based on identity vs. resume — [00:03:00] Why role fit should come after ide...2025-06-131h 11
The Leader FormulaINTERVIEW: Untying knots of identity - Jamie Winship P1 - S1E6Originally recorded in January 2024 for The Overflowing Life, this conversation with Jamie Winship dives deep into the power of living from your true identity. Jamie shares how understanding who you truly are can transform your leadership, relationships, and response to conflict. His journey—from law enforcement to global peacebuilding—is filled with compelling stories and practical wisdom. This re-release sets the stage for a brand-new follow-up conversation with Jamie in our next episode.What We Talk About:From Police Work to Peace-building Jamie shares how his law enforcement background led to work in conflict zones, and how...2025-06-0656 min
The Leader FormulaWhen Winning Feels Empty: Rethinking Success as a LeaderWe 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 fulfillmentThe emotional toll of misaligned goalsHow to redefine success through the lens of identity and valuesThe role of surrender and presence in a leader’s journeyIf you've...2025-05-3039 min
The Leader FormulaLeadership That Lasts: Ken Eslick on Identity, Integrity, and Impact - S1E4What 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.2025-05-231h 00
The Leader FormulaYour Business Reflects You—But It Doesn’t Define You - s1E3Your 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 Episo...2025-05-1641 min
The Leader FormulaYou’re Not Your Title: Why Identity Shapes Everything You Lead - S1E2Summary: In this powerful opening episode, Chris and Steve tackle a question every leader eventually faces: Who am I—apart from what I do? Drawing from personal stories, spiritual insights, and practical tools like the Enneagram, they explore how identity—not title or performance—shapes your leadership, your relationships, and your business outcomes. You’ll hear about the dangers of leading from ego, the healing that comes with authenticity, and how to begin discovering your core identity as a leader.If you’ve ever felt like your business is running you—or you’re stuck performing a version of you...2025-05-0935 min
The Leader FormulaDefining Leadership: Starting from within - S1E1Podcast Release Notes: Leader Formula – Episode 1Episode Title: Defining Leadership: Starting from Within Hosts: Chris LaGarde & Steve CipraniEpisode SummaryIn this very first episode of The Leader Formula, Chris and Steve dive into one of leadership’s most foundational questions: What is leadership really? They explore personal definitions, where leadership begins (hint: it’s within you), and how your own self-awareness, purpose, and emotional intelligence shape the way you lead others. Expect honest conversation around the old debate of "are leaders born or made?", the importance of clarity and vision, and why leadin...2025-04-2913 min