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If you think stepping into leadership is just a promotion, think again. Most people have no idea how dramatically the job changes the moment you go from individual contributor to the person responsible for guiding, developing, and inspiring others. In this episode of the Hustle Nation Podcast, we break open the real challenges of transitioning into leadership, the messy, uncomfortable, often-avoided parts no one warns you about.

Chris Burns and Dustin McClone go deep into what actually derails new leaders: chasing quick wins before building trust, clinging to old friendships that suddenly feel complicated, underestimating how long buy-in really takes, and trying to “prove yourself” through action instead of listening. You’ll hear raw stories of early mistakes, hard-won lessons, and the mindset shifts every new leader must make to earn credibility fast—without burning bridges or losing themselves in the process.

We explore why the first 60–90 days of leadership are the most dangerous, how to resist the instinct to micromanage, and why modeling behavior beats lecturing every single time. You’ll learn how to set boundaries, give immediate feedback without feeling like a jerk, and balance accountability with empathy in a way that brings out the best in people rather than building resentment.

Whether you’re stepping into leadership for the first time, preparing for the next leap, or coaching rising leaders on your team, this conversation reveals the overlooked truths that make or break careers. If you want to step into leadership with clarity, confidence, and a strategy that actually works.

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How do you prepare for leadership before the title, the promotion, or the corner office ever arrives? In this episode of the Hustle Nation Podcast, Chris and Dustin break down the practical, overlooked, and game-changing strategies that turn ambitious professionals into high-impact leaders long before they’re officially promoted.

You’ll learn why the most successful leaders start by mastering their current role, building trust, strengthening relationships, and becoming “informal leaders” inside their organizations. We dive into the habits top performers swear by... from elite time management and proactive learning to asking smarter questions, taking on more responsibility, and developing a broader perspective that sets you apart.

We also explore the personal side of leadership: investing in your health, improving mental clarity, creating realistic goals, and reverse-engineering the behaviors that make long-term success inevitable. If you're serious about career advancement, improving your leadership skills, or becoming the person companies want to promote, this episode gives you the blueprint.

Whether you're early in your career or eyeing your next big step, this conversation will help you build the habits, mindset, and daily actions that make leadership the next natural move.

Perfect for anyone searching for:
leadership development, how to get promoted, preparing for leadership, career growth tips, management skills, personal development, workplace success, goal setting, time management, leadership mindset, how to become a better leader, self-improvement for professionals, leadership podcast, business leadership strategies, productivity habits, career advancement advice

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Miscommunication is one of the biggest killers of workplace performance, employee morale, team alignment, and leadership credibility. In this episode of Hustle Nation, Chris Burns and Dustin McClone unpack why communication breakdowns happen, how they show up in leadership, and what the most effective communicators do to create clarity, trust, and momentum inside their teams.

This episode explores the ongoing tension between charisma and clarity. Some leaders communicate with powerful energy, personality, and enthusiasm, yet people walk away unsure of the actual message. Others deliver crystal clear instructions but fail to connect emotionally or inspire buy-in. Chris and Dustin reveal how the best communicators find the middle by combining clarity, consistency, and concise messaging with genuine connection, presence, and purpose.

You will also learn the role of active listening in leadership communication. We discuss how to ask better follow up questions, how to listen with curiosity instead of listening only to respond, and how to create real understanding that leads to effective action. Chris and Dustin break down how body language impacts communication, how virtual meetings can distort tone and intent, and why leaders should set clear expectations to keep meetings focused and productive.

If you are a leader, manager, entrepreneur, or someone who wants to improve workplace communication and strengthen your leadership skills, this episode gives you practical tools you can use immediately. You will walk away with strategies to reduce confusion, build alignment, increase productivity, communicate more concisely, and create conversations that actually move your team forward.

This is a must listen for anyone looking to master communication, elevate emotional intelligence, and become a more effective and influential leader in any environment.

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Are You Running Out of Bandwidth?
In today’s fast-paced business world, the #1 resource you’re running out of isn’t money, it’s time. In this episode of Hustle Nation, Chris Burns sits down with leadership expert Dustin McClone to tackle one of the toughest challenges entrepreneurs and executives face: creating bandwidth.

From the art of delegation to the discipline of prioritization, this conversation uncovers why so many leaders feel stretched thin, and how to break free. You’ll learn how to set realistic goals that match your capacity, build clarity around roles, and create space to focus on what matters most. If you’ve ever felt like your plate is overflowing, this episode will show you how to clear the noise, protect your time, and unlock the next level of growth.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why bandwidth, not cash flow, might be the real growth killer
• Practical strategies to delegate without losing control
• How to spot and eliminate hidden inefficiencies in your day
• The power of saying no and what it does for clarity and performance
• Why investing time in training others pays exponential dividends
• How creating space for yourself accelerates team and business success

If you want to stop spinning your wheels and start leading with focus, this episode is your blueprint for creating bandwidth and building unstoppable momentum.

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Freedom of speech vs. Accountability in leadership and workplace culture. While the headlines focus on cancel culture, Chris flips the script—exploring how accountability culture can actually build trust, strengthen teams, and drive long-term business growth.

You’ll hear how leaders can create safe spaces for mistakes, why transparency fuels respect, and how owning your words and actions transforms company culture. From real-world examples to the power of feedback as a gift, Chris unpacks how accountability isn’t about silencing voices—it’s about empowering them with purpose.

If you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate culture, build stronger client relationships, and lead with humility, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Why “freedom of speech” in business also means embracing consequences
• How cancel culture differs from accountability culture—and why the latter matters more
• Why imperfection fuels progress, innovation, and authentic leadership
• The role of humility and ownership in earning respect from employees and clients
• Practical steps to create a culture of trust, growth, and empowerment

Tune in to discover how to replace fear with trust, and how accountability can become your competitive edge.

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In this powerful episode of the Hustle Nation Podcast, Chris Burns and Dustin McClone open up about the struggle every entrepreneur and leader faces: taking time off. We dive into why unplugging feels impossible, how hustle culture tricks us into believing we can’t slow down, and the surprising truth that stepping away may actually accelerate your success.

From a two-week family trip through Italy and Greece to the daily discipline of filling your own cup, this episode explores:

(01:32) The life-changing impact of a first-ever two-week vacation.
(03:11) Why recharging only works if it’s connected to your why.
(04:59) The role of clarity and preparation in taking guilt-free time off.
(07:40) How burnout sneaks up on entrepreneurs and leaders and how to stop it before it happens.
(09:27) The “fill your cup first” philosophy: why self-care isn’t selfish.
(14:34) Why work-life balance is a myth and what to focus on instead.
(16:30) The vision exercise every leader should do before their next vacation.

This isn’t a fluffy conversation about bubble baths and downtime. It’s a raw, practical playbook for avoiding burnout, reconnecting with what matters most, and returning with the clarity and energy to lead at your best.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur glued to your phone, a leader with no off switch, or simply someone craving a reset, you’ll discover why taking time off might be the most productive move you ever make.

👉 Don’t just work harder. Learn to recharge smarter. What if the best way to grow your business and lead more effectively was to step away from it?

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Think great leaders are born, never fail, and always have the answers? Think again. In this episode of the Hustle Nation Podcast, Chris Burns and Dustin McClone break down the biggest leadership myths and most common mistakes that sabotage influence, culture, and growth.

From the trap of positional power to the myth of perfection, we explore what truly makes a leader worth following—and why vulnerability, vision, and radical candor matter more than authority or being “the smartest in the room.”

Whether you’re leading a team, raising kids, or shaping culture in your business, this conversation is packed with insights that will challenge how you see leadership and help you become the kind of leader people choose to follow.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The #1 mindset shift every leader must embrace
• Why being the smartest person in the room can backfire
• How to balance personal power vs. positional power
• Why treating everyone the same creates mediocre results
• The role of vulnerability, vision, and feedback in building trust
• Why failure is not just inevitable—it’s essential for growth

Key Takeaway:
Leadership isn’t about titles, authority, or perfection. It’s about building trust, inspiring others, and having the courage to lead with authenticity.

Perfect For:

• Business owners & entrepreneurs
• Managers and aspiring leaders
• Parents, coaches, and mentors who want to lead more effectively
• Anyone tired of outdated leadership myths

👉 Tune in to discover what separates leaders people follow from leaders people tolerate.

SEO Keywords woven in naturally: leadership mistakes, leadership myths, becoming a better leader, leadership podcast, building culture, personal power vs positional power, servant leadership, radical candor, vulnerability in leadership, growth mindset, leadership development.

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What if the clients draining your energy are revealing more about YOU than them?

We’ve all left meetings feeling deflated—frustrated, confused, or just plain exhausted. But have you ever stopped to wonder why? In this brutally honest and eye-opening episode of the Hustle Nation Podcast, Chris Burns unpacks 11 toxic client archetypes that not only derail progress, but reflect deeper dysfunctions in leadership, culture, and communication.

From The Challenger who questions everything, to The Doubter who sees investment as risk, to The Romanticizer stuck in a world that no longer exists—each client type reveals red flags you can’t afford to ignore.

But here's the twist: this episode isn’t just about them—it’s about you.
Because the truth is, the same traits we resent in clients can sometimes be the blind spots we carry as leaders.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why certain clients feel like energy vampires—and how to spot them early
• How their behavior is often a mirror of internal leadership breakdowns
• The surprising reason why being “too nice” leads to being disrespected
• How to protect your energy, your value, and your time
• And most importantly—how to recognize if any of these red flags live in you

Whether you're a freelancer, consultant, agency owner, or an ambitious professional trying to understand human behavior—this episode will shift how you approach clients, leadership, and self-awareness.

Warning: This episode might challenge your comfort zone—but that’s exactly where growth begins.

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