Albuquerque Business Podcast

Episode Summary: Ever worked under a boss who blames, micromanages, or disappears in a crisis? You’re not alone—and you’re not powerless. In this episode of The Self Aware Leader, host Jason Rigby talks with corporate veteran and author Eric Charran to break down 9 types of toxic bosses and the real-life leadership tools you can use to rise above them. Drawing from decades in Fortune 500 boardrooms—including at Microsoft—Eric shares actionable strategies to help you manage up, protect your energy, and lead with humility—even when the leadership above you is dysfunctional.

In today's fast-paced world, seconds can mean the difference between a closed deal and a lost opportunity. In this powerful episode, Jason Rigby reveals the 5-Minute Rule—a proven leadership and sales strategy that 21x's your chances of converting leads into real appointments and sales. Whether you’re a sales leader, business owner, entrepreneur, or self-aware executive, mastering speed-to-lead response is non-negotiable for explosive growth. Discover why every second matters, how delayed response silently kills your sales, and how to build a high-performance team culture driven by speed, presence, and trust. Learn tactical frameworks for tracking lead KPIs, leveraging automation without losing the human touch, and cultivating leadership habits that dominate today's distracted, competitive marketplace. If you're serious about dominating sales, maximizing appointments, and leading with high self-awareness in your business, this is your wake-up call. The market rewards speed. The question is: are you fast enoug

Is your leadership aligned with your data practices? In this episode, Jason Rigby unpacks the 23andMe privacy disaster—and what it reveals about digital accountability. Learn how ethical data choices define modern leadership and why now is the time to act. Keywords: data ethics, leadership, data privacy, self-aware leader, digital trust

Unlock the transformative power of AI in leadership with this riveting episode of the Self Aware Leader podcast, hosted by Jason Rigby. Joined by Troy Plota, founder of Plotaverse—the world’s first all-AI social platform for creators—this conversation is a masterclass in high-agency leadership and resilience. From a 17-year-old “surf rat” photographer kicked out of his Florida home to a tech pioneer featured in GQ and Times Square, Troy’s journey embodies the self-aware leader’s ethos: own your path, serve others, and turn setbacks into systems that uplift. After Apple’s betrayal with his Plotograph app—a $6M giveaway followed by a lowball offer—Troy built Plotaverse to empower artists with customizable profiles, pixel-shifting patents, and equitable monetization, challenging Instagram’s 7.5% creator payouts. He shares how AI amplifies creativity, debunking myths that it “cheapens” art, and envisions a future of democratized filmmaking and dynamic digital art. Leaders will learn actionable strategies to embra

Introverts, this one’s for you!

As high-agency leaders, we juggle relentless demands on our time and energy. The most successful among us don’t rely on chance—they design strategic daily routines that compound into extraordinary productivity, creativity, and emotional clarity. In this episode, Jason Rigby shares 15 leverage-building habits tailored for busy, self-aware professionals. These aren’t luxuries—they’re high-impact rituals that drive long-term success, backed by science and personal experience. From mindful morning coffee to podcast-powered walks, these routines fit into packed schedules and elevate performance. Whether you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or team leader, this episode will inspire you to engineer your days with intention and lead with greater focus, resilience, and well-being. Key Takeaways: Small, consistent habits create outsized results in leadership and life. Routines like morning meditation, handwritten to-do lists, and tech-free starts amplify focus and creativity. Practical tips to integrate these habits witho

In 1951, Joseph Moses Juran published the Quality Control Handbook, a groundbreaking work that redefined how organizations approach quality. As a Romanian-American engineer and management consultant, Juran brought a fresh perspective to a world recovering from war and industrial upheaval. His handbook wasn’t just a technical manual—it was a call to action for leaders to prioritize quality as a strategic cornerstone. Over 70 years later, its principles remain a goldmine for today’s leaders striving for operational excellence, customer loyalty, and sustainable growth. This blog dives into the key takeaways from Juran’s 1951 masterpiece, offering actionable lessons for modern leadership, with a nod to its historical impact. The Heart of Juran’s Vision: Quality as a Leadership Priority At its core, the Quality Control Handbook challenged the notion that quality was solely the domain of inspectors or technicians. Juran argued that quality starts at the top—with leaders who set the tone, define the vision, and rall

Are you tired of workplaces that leave employees burned out and disengaged? In this transformative episode, host Jason Rigby sits down with Dr. Rob Lion, a renowned workplace culture expert, strategist, and professor at Idaho State University, to explore a bold idea: workplaces can—and should—energize employees rather than drain them. Dr. Lion introduces his revolutionary human-centered leadership framework, challenging outdated "command-and-control" models with a fresh approach rooted in vulnerability, well-being, and trust. Whether you're an emerging leader or a C-suite veteran, this episode delivers actionable strategies to rethink leadership, boost team performance, and create a workplace that fuels the human spirit. Get ready to ditch burnout culture and unlock the secrets to sustainable, inspiring leadership!

Are you wondering how bold leadership decisions—like Trump’s recent tariff policies—shape global economies and your own approach to risk? In this Episode, Jason Rigby dives into Trump’s tariff strategy, announced on April 2, 2025, through the lens of The Art of the Deal. This episode unpacks how principles like thinking big, leveraging negotiations, and embracing risk-taking offer actionable leadership insights—whether you’re navigating a boardroom or your personal growth journey. Discover how self-awareness can help you cut through polarizing debates and apply these strategies to your life. Episode Overview Jason Rigby takes a neutral, leadership-focused stance to explore Trump’s tariff policies—a 10% baseline tariff on all imports and up to 54% reciprocal tariffs on nations like China with large U.S. trade deficits. Rather than debating politics, he connects these moves to Donald Trump’s 1987 book, The Art of the Deal (co-authored with Tony Schwartz), revealing how its core principles—thinking big, using le

Buckle up, leaders—this isn’t your typical fluff-filled corporate pep talk. In this raw, no-nonsense episode, Jason from Self Aware Leader cuts through the noise and calls out the harsh truth: most leaders are faking it, their teams are surviving them, and the chaos of 2025 demands real resilience. If you’re ready to stop being a liability and start leading like a badass, this is your wake-up call. Jason lays out 4 Laws of Leadership Resilience with actionable steps to fix your leadership game and ignite your team. Here’s what you’ll get:

Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unfulfilled in 2025? You’re not alone. Despite living in an era of unparalleled abundance and convenience, something feels off for many of us. This isn’t another motivational fluff episode—this is a raw, unfiltered wake-up call that might just change your life. In this episode, Jason Rigby reveals 5 hard truths about why you’re struggling and what you can do to take back control of your life:

Discernment vs. Judgment: The Leadership Divide Judgment is a sneaky trap for leaders. It masquerades as confidence, decisiveness, and authority. But let’s be real: judgment doesn’t build teams, it breaks them. It doesn’t solve problems, it compounds them. And it doesn’t make you a better leader—it keeps you stuck. If you’re a leader, especially in middle management, you’ve probably found yourself caught between the weight of expectations from above and the demands of your team below. When things get messy, judgment becomes the default. But judgment isn’t leadership. Discernment is. And there’s a critical difference between the two. Judgment: A Reactive Mindset Judgment stems from fear, insecurity, and unresolved inner conflict. It’s a knee-jerk reaction that labels people and situations as “good” or “bad,” “right” or “wrong.” Judgment says: “My boss is impossible.” “This team member is lazy.” “This plan is doomed to fail.” When you lead with judgment, you alienate your team and limit your ability to

Hey there, Jason here. I just wrapped up a video podcast about something I'm deeply passionate about - helping new leaders succeed in their first 90 days. As someone who's been through the leadership crucible multiple times, I want to share some hard-earned wisdom about what it really takes to thrive in those crucial early months. Let's get real for a minute. Those first 90 days as a new leader? They're intense. You're drinking from the firehose while trying to look like you've got it all figured out. I've been there, and I want to help you navigate this challenging transition with confidence and authenticity. 1. Build Your Credibility From Day One Here's something I learned the hard way: credibility isn't about knowing everything or being the smartest person in the room. It's about being authentic and demonstrating competence while staying humble. Show your team you're capable, but don't be afraid to admit when you don't know something. I've found that saying "I don't know, but I'll find out" actually builds

Awakening Your Inner Giant: My Personal Take on Tony Robbins' Actionable Steps Hey there, Self Aware leaders! I recently revisited Tony Robbins' masterpiece, "Awaken the Giant Within." It's a treasure trove of practical wisdom for personal transformation. Today, I want to share my personal perspective on some of the key actionable steps that have resonated with me. 1. Raising My Standards It all starts with a decision. A decision to refuse mediocrity. To stop tolerating anything less than the best version of myself. I've started setting higher standards for myself in every area of life. It's not about being perfect, it's about striving for excellence. It's about pushing my boundaries and refusing to settle. 2. Changing My Limiting Beliefs We all carry beliefs that hold us back. For me, it was the nagging voice saying "I'm not good enough" or "Success isn't for me." I'm actively working on replacing those limiting beliefs with empowering ones. Every day, I remind myself that I'm capable of achieving anything I

Leadership is a demanding path. We're constantly navigating complex challenges, making tough decisions, and trying to inspire those around us. But in the midst of all this, it's easy to lose sight of our own personal growth and spiritual well-being. Recently, I embarked on a 12-stage journey towards spiritual transformation. I'm excited to share the first three stages with you today. My hope is that my experiences might resonate with you, or perhaps even inspire you on your own path. 1. Awakening Awareness Understanding and Admitting My Limitations The first step was about waking up. I had to look in the mirror and honestly acknowledge that I don't have all the answers. As leaders, we often feel the pressure to appear infallible, but the truth is, we're all human. Admitting my limitations wasn't easy, but it was an act of courage. It opened the door to growth, allowing me to seek help, learn from others, and foster a more collaborative environment. Realizing That My Current Path Is Unsustainable I also came t

As a self-aware leader, I’ve learned that one of the biggest challenges we face isn’t external—it’s the internal battle with our own ego. Ego can be tricky; it often disguises itself as confidence or ambition, which is why many leaders don’t even realize when it's in control. But make no mistake: if left unchecked, ego will slowly erode your leadership, relationships, and your team's ability to thrive. I’ve fallen into the ego trap myself, and I’m not afraid to admit it. The ego wants to be in the spotlight, to be the one with all the answers, and to silence dissent. It makes us defensive when we should be open, and it compels us to micromanage when we should be empowering others. Worse, it leads us to take credit for victories and deflect blame when things go wrong. Sound familiar? Let’s be real: we’ve all been there. Whether you're a business leader, military officer, or spiritual guide, that voice inside sometimes says, “You did this. You made it happen. You’re indispensable.” While this might feel good in

Hey there, leaders! Just got back from an amazing trip to the Pacific Northwest, where I spent some time reflecting on the power of nature and how its principles can be applied to leadership. Today, I want to share some insights on how we can harness the natural flow of creation to build stronger businesses and teams. We're going to dive into three fundamental laws that I believe are key to unlocking your leadership potential. These aren't just abstract concepts; they're practical tools you can implement right away. 1. The Law of Origin and Interconnectedness (Cause and Effect) In nature, every action triggers a reaction. The same is true in business. Every decision you make, no matter how small, sends ripples throughout your organization. As leaders, we need to be mindful of the potential consequences of our choices and take responsibility for their impact. Remember, your actions shape your company culture. If you want a positive, collaborative environment, you need to model respectful communication and reco

As an introverted leader, I've always been fascinated by the dynamics of human interaction, especially when it comes to building and nurturing relationships. If you're like me, you might find social interactions a bit draining, but also recognize their immense value. So, how do we balance our need for solitude with the essential task of forging meaningful connections? Introversion as a Strength Contrary to popular belief, introversion isn't a weakness. In fact, it's a superpower! Our introverted nature grants us unique strengths like deep thinking, active listening, and empathy. We thrive in one-on-one conversations, and we excel at truly understanding others' perspectives. However, our preference for introspection can sometimes make initiating new relationships a challenge. The Dance of Human Interaction I've come to realize that human interactions often follow a fascinating pattern. It all starts with avoidance. It's natural to feel hesitant when meeting someone new. But as leaders, we need to step out of o

Hey leaders, Jason Rigby here, your host of The Self-Aware Leader Podcast. Today, we're diving into the first three of the 11 Leadership Principles of the United States Marine Corps (link here for PDF). These principles aren't just for the military – they hold powerful insights for any self aware leader looking to excel. Principle 1: Know Yourself and Seek Self-Improvement This is the foundation of leadership. It's about understanding your strengths and weaknesses, seeking honest feedback, and constantly working to improve. Think of it like this: Self-Evaluation: Use the leadership traits as a benchmark. Where do you shine? Where do you need to grow? Continuous Improvement: Don't just identify weaknesses – actively work on them. At the same time, maximize your strengths. Learn from Others: Seek feedback from trusted sources. Study the successes and failures of other leaders. They're a treasure trove of wisdom. Communication is Key: Master the art of writing and speaking. Your ability to communicate ef

Ever felt like you're stuck, like success is just out of reach? Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad Poor Dad" hit me hard with this truth: our mindset is everything. Kiyosaki contrasts his "rich dad" (his mentor) and his "poor dad" (his own father), showing how different views on money and success can make or break us. I've struggled with this myself. Growing up, most of the people around me had that "poor dad" mindset. They were good people, hard workers, but they saw money as something you just earned at a job, not something you could grow. I started noticing how their fear of risk and their focus on just getting by was rubbing off on me. It was like a subtle pull, holding me back from even dreaming bigger. But reading "Rich Dad Poor Dad" was a wake-up call. It made me realize I needed to shake things up if I wanted a different life. Learning to Think Like a "Rich Dad" I started seeking out people who were already successful, people who thought like Kiyosaki's "rich dad." I read books on finance, took courses, and