Sightshift With Chris Mcalister

In this C-Suite Series conversation, Tim shares the night that cracked everything open—naming fear, insecurity, and the patterns that quietly shape every relationship. He calls it “the best session and the worst session” because it was raw and unfinished, but something real happened.   Over the next decade, Tim learned to treat emotional reactions as signals—“voice-recognition software for the heart.” Instead of proving or hiding, he began to read what was really going on, choose his response, and lead with quiet confidence. That confidence reshaped how he leads his teams, his company, and his family—and it spread into a culture where people feel seen, challenged, and cared for.   In this episode you’ll hear: How one raw conversation became a turning point for life and leadership Why “proving or hiding” is the trap—and how to step out of it How to use reactions as data to build a healthier culture

From a 250-square-foot office with one desk and a shared bathroom to becoming one of the top watermelon shippers in the U.S., this is the story of FreshPro and its founders, Mike and Jose. In this C-Suite Series episode, Chris sits down with two lifelong friends who built a thriving produce business from scratch, without investors, blueprints, or corporate playbooks. What started as a hustle turned into a legacy. This conversation explores: The wild early days of selling watermelons by sheer tenacity How friendship, trust, and conflict shaped their partnership Why rediscovering purpose mattered more than profit How they’re now building a culture that lasts Whether you’re leading a startup or a legacy company, this is a story about grit, growth, and learning to lead for impact, not just validation.

In this special 10-year anniversary series celebrating Figure That Shift Out, we’re sharing ten stories of transformation, moments when leaders figured it out not by pushing harder, but by seeing more clearly. In this episode, Reagan shares how the ideas of proving and hiding became a daily barometer for his leadership — those moments when he felt the urge to get big and prove his worth or shrink back and hide. Learning to notice those patterns helped him flip the lie beneath them and lead from a secure identity.

On his last day in the office, John Carter, President & COO of Nationwide Financial, shares the lessons of a 40-year career in financial services. Under his leadership, Nationwide grew by 50%, delivered record results, and set the tone for admired leadership across the industry.   This conversation explores: Building a performance culture that lasts How empathy, clarity, and focus shaped his leadership Why leaving well is as important as leading well   Named President & COO Emeritus, John leaves behind a legacy that will shape Nationwide and the financial industry for decades to come.  

At Miles-McClellan Construction, rapid growth and market uncertainty put leadership under pressure. Instead of just tightening budgets or systems, they chose to double down on culture. In this episode, Chris talks with Devin Stein (VP of HR) and Owen Wyss (CFO) about what it takes to align strategy with people, accelerate trust on an executive team, and prepare the next generation of leaders.   This conversation explores: Why leadership development pays off in performance and morale How trust and vulnerability fast-tracked executive alignment Practical shifts that helped managers lead with more clarity and meaning   Whether you’re an HR leader, a CFO, or a CEO facing growth pressures, this episode shows how culture work can unlock results faster than strategy alone.

When communication breaks down, confusion creeps in, and culture suffers. But it doesn’t have to. In Episode 4 of the Make Culture Your Edge series, Chris and Mark take a deeper look at confusion as the first “tension point” leaders must learn to navigate when building culture. This conversation explores: Why confusion isn’t a threat but a signal for better communication The three risk factors confusion creates: low engagement, burnout, and wasted energy Practical ways to respond with clarity instead of panic   Confusion is inevitable. But if you know how to respond to it, you can turn it into a pathway for a stronger culture.  

Every leader faces moments of tension: pushback in a meeting, resistance to change, conflict on the team. In Episode 3 of our Make Culture Your Edge series, Chris McAlister and Mark show why those moments aren’t threats to avoid, but rather signals that culture is being tested. This conversation explores: The three tension points that mirror faith, hope, and love How leaders often react in ways that weaken culture A different way to treat confusion, resistance, and conflict as opportunities to grow stronger Whether at work or at home, the way you lead through tension will determine whether your culture drifts or becomes your edge.

What makes a culture truly great? Not perks, slogans, or policies. In this episode, Chris and Mark explore the three enduring pillars that every healthy culture depends on. You’ll hear: Why leaders lose great talent when they ignore culture How to spot when faith, hope, or love are missing The ancient wisdom that still shapes modern leadership A simple formula for diagnosing and improving any culture Whether you’re leading a business, a team, or your own family, this simple but profound model will help you diagnose where culture is strong, where it’s at risk, and how to strengthen it.

We’re kicking off a new series tied to the launch of Make Culture Your Edge. In this first conversation, Chris McAlister and Mark Stanifer get real about the unseen forces shaping every team’s results.   You’ll hear: Why “wilderness” is where true leadership is forged The danger of confusing surface polish for real culture How the right metaphor changes everything The three questions every leader should ask about their culture   Whether you’re leading a business, a team, or a family, culture is happening. The only question: are you shaping it, or leaving it to chance?   Get your copy of the book: makecultureyouredge.com

Leadership isn’t about being the most productive or innovative. It’s about changing lives, starting with your own. In the final episode of the Lead for Impact series, Chris and Mark challenge the belief that validation is enough for leaders. They dig into stories from the corporate world, lessons from insecure leadership, and the timeless truth that impact flows from secure identity and the right motives. You’ll discover why true leaders don’t just build organizations—they transform communities. You’ll hear: - How cultures built on validation drive away real leaders - The difference between producing managers and building transformative leaders - Why secure identity is the foundation of high-performing teams - The pitfalls of relying on empathy, mindfulness, and psychological safety alone - The ancient formula for lasting impact: right action + right motive

What if “growing up” isn’t something we outgrow, but a process leaders and organizations must intentionally shape? In this episode, Chris and Mark challenge modern assumptions about adolescence, psychological safety, and leadership development. They unpack why ancient identity rituals mattered, what happens when “being” and “doing” get conflated, and how real impact is more than just making people feel safe. You’ll learn why creating space is only half the equation and why high-performance cultures demand more than comfort. You’ll hear: Why adolescence is a social invention (and what it means for your team) The hidden risks of overvaluing psychological safety How to separate “who you are” from “what you do” Why leadership means finishing the job, not just starting the conversation The real formula for impact: right motive + right action

What if empathy isn’t the finish line of leadership, but the most dangerous halfway point? In this episode, Chris and Mark explore how empathy, when misused, can become a powerful tool for manipulation. They unpack the difference between validation and impact, and why leaders must go beyond being “emotionally available” to actually ending the suffering of others. Mercy, not just empathy, is what separates authentic leadership from emotional control. You’ll hear: • Why “empathy is for the psychotic” (and what that actually means) • How manipulative leaders use emotional validation to gain control • The difference between sympathy, empathy, and mercy • Why impact = right motive + right action

Matt McClellan knows the pressure of leadership. As a second-gen CEO of a $100M+ construction firm, he’s felt the weight of legacy, the pain of panic attacks, and the breakthrough of letting go. In this episode, he joins Chris McAlister to share how building leaders (not just buildings) has changed everything. You’ll hear: • Building a leadership team that runs without you • Facing the emotional cost of leadership • Embracing the ESOP model and planning for legacy • Real-world impact of the SightShift leadership academy

Joe Simonds built a multimillion-dollar company while secretly battling years of anxiety and pressure. In this episode, Joe shares how letting go of fear, and finding clarity in his identity, became the turning point in his leadership.   You’ll hear: • What helped Joe break free from anxiety loops • How he shifted from survival to real fulfillment • The metaphor that reshaped Salt Strong’s culture • What it takes to scale without losing your center   Joe is the CEO and co-founder of Salt Strong, America’s largest online saltwater fishing club with 60,000+ members. He’s also the author of Fishing For Happiness and a passionate advocate for building life and business around what truly matters.

Michael Nardella, managing partner of a top law firm in Orlando, opens up about what happens when external success stops being enough. In this candid interview, he shares the personal and professional journey that led him to redefine his ambition, reconnect with purpose, and build a law firm culture that values people over prestige. We explore how Michael balanced commercial litigation with commercial bankruptcy to create a resilient business model, and how burnout and disillusionment sparked a deeper transformation. From mentoring young attorneys to helping clients navigate the psychological toll of business failure, Michael offers a grounded, vulnerable look at leadership. This episode is a must-listen for leaders who feel stuck in the grind and are searching for a more sustainable, meaningful way forward.

Mindfulness is a great starting point, but if you stop there, you’re leaving your leadership half-baked. In this episode of the SightShift Podcast, Chris and Mark discuss the secret to impactful leadership: moving beyond mindfulness to a mindset upgrade. You’ll hear real-life examples, personal stories, and actionable strategies to help you: Avoid leadership driven by validation Build a culture of trust, clarity, and purpose Take the right actions without letting insecurity get in the way If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start leading with confidence and clarity, tune in now.   For more, grab your copy of the Lead For Impact book: http://leadforimpactbook.com/   --------- CONNECT WITH US:

Is mindfulness really the solution to better leadership? In this episode, we challenge the popular formula of “Mindfulness = Empathy + Psychological Safety” and explain why it often leads to fragile, ineffective leadership. Instead of stopping at self-awareness or emotional connection, we introduce a more complete framework: impact equals right action plus right motive. You’ll learn how overvaluing your personal leadership strengths—or undervaluing what others on your team bring to the table—can lead to blind spots that hold your organization back.   We also explore the critical difference between reading the room and leading the room, and how insecure leadership often keeps us stuck in cycles of validation rather than transformation. Whether you’re leading a small team or an entire organization, this episode will help you move beyond surface-level solutions and step into leadership that creates real, lasting impact. Listen now and discover how to lead with both clarity and courage.   For more, grab your copy

In this episode, we explore how rituals - both intentional and unintentional - shape personal identity, leadership, and organizational culture. Here’s what you’ll discover when you listen: The Importance of Rituals in Identity and Leadership and the impact of institutions and organizations abandoning meaningful rituals. How Generational Shifts Affect Work Motivation, with younger employees seeking personal growth over identity through work. Why Social Media and Video Games Replace Traditional Meaning when organizations fail to provide development opportunities. The Risk of Surface-Level Rituals and how shallow ceremonies contribute to insecurity and mental health struggles. The Shift from Validation to Impact in Leadership and why leaders must prioritize personal growth over institutional ego. How Leadership Teams Shape Organizational Culture by mirroring their insecurities or strengths throughout the company. Practical Steps for Leaders at All Levels to rebuild institutions focused on individual and collecti

In this episode, we're diving into one of the most common struggles every leader faces: insecurity. Let's unpack how insecurity shows up in leadership, whether through overcompensating or avoiding key moments, and why self-awareness is the key to growth.   Tune in to learn: Insecurity is universal: Every leader, no matter their experience, faces moments of insecurity. Signs of insecurity: How proving and hiding behaviors reveal your insecurities. Growth through awareness: Why increased self-awareness is crucial for closing performance gaps in leadership. Confidence in uncertainty: How real confidence means moving forward despite doubts, not the absence of them. The “ego as a friend” mindset: Re-framing insecurity as an opportunity for growth, not a weakness. Navigating leadership challenges: Why insecurity shows up at all levels of leadership, and how to address it as you grow.   --------- CONNECT WITH US:

This is part 2 of our special series, Lead for Impact: The Big Idea. In this episode, we're looking into every leader's struggle and a crucial question: Are you leading for validation or for impact?   Tune in to learn: The Key Question for Leaders – Are you leading for validation or for impact? Discover how this question can transform your approach to leadership. Real-Life Leadership Struggles – Hear practical examples of leaders navigating the challenges of validation vs. impact in both work and personal life. The Validation Check Tool – Learn a simple, actionable framework to assess whether you’re leading from a place of calm and care or drifting into bitterness and frustration. Why Ambition Creates Pressure – Understand how doubts surface when pursuing big visions and how you can use them as fuel for growth rather than roadblocks. How to Embrace Sacrifice – Find out why truly impactful leadership requires embracing sacrifice and avoiding the trap of dread.   Tune in to explore these key insights