In this episode of Unmasked: The CEO Files, host Alan McLaren sits down with Dusty Holcomb, a leadership advisor and YPO member for a deeply personal and insightful conversation on what it really takes to lead.

From growing up homeschooled to building a 30-year career in leadership and corporate growth, Dusty shares the experiences that shaped his mindset and the lessons he learned from a retired colonel who became his greatest mentor.

Together, Alan and Dusty unpack the difference between leadership and management, the power of clarity over chaos, and why self-awareness and authenticity are the foundation of sustainable leadership. Dusty reveals how owning your mindset, aligning your purpose, and understanding your “leadership signal” can transform not just how you lead, but how your entire organization shows up.

🎙️ In this episode, we explore:
➡️ Why leadership starts with self-leadership
➡️ The lesson that “you can’t scale chaos” and what clarity really means
➡️ The difference between managing outcomes and leading people
➡️ How to turn self-awareness into your biggest leadership advantage
➡️ Why authenticity isn’t about being liked - it’s about being real

If you’ve ever felt the weight of high-stakes decisions, struggled with self-doubt, or wondered how to lead with greater purpose and alignment, this conversation will hit home.

When it comes to culture, Dusty believes every leader must have clarity on these five questions — especially the last two, which are often the hardest to answer:

➡️ Why are we here? – What’s our purpose beyond making money?
➡️ Where are we going? – What’s our vision over the horizon?
➡️ How are we going to get there? – The plan, the method, the process.
➡️ Where do I fit in? – How does my work connect?
➡️ What’s in it for me?

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