The Change Agent

Leading Yourself First: How Self-Leadership Shapes Stronger Teams with Dr. Kevin Mays

Beyond the Glare Season 3 Episode 2

Leadership doesn’t fail because of a lack of strategy — it fails when leaders lose clarity, ownership, and focus.

In this episode of The Change Agent, Eric sits down with Dr. Kevin Mays, a transformative leadership coach, speaker, and author whose work centres on one core belief: true leadership begins with self-leadership.

Dr. Mays shares what he sees behind the scenes when business owners and leaders feel stuck, overwhelmed, or stretched too thin — and why the real problems are often internal before they’re organisational. Drawing from his 5-Step Business Ascent process and personal leadership journey, Dr. Mays breaks down what effective leadership actually looks like in day-to-day life, not just in theory.

This conversation challenges leaders to stop managing symptoms and start leading with intention — building clarity, accountability, and healthier team cultures from the inside out.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  • The most common leadership problem holding organisations back today
  • Why feeling “overwhelmed” is often a symptom — not the root cause
  • Which step of the 5-Step Business Ascent process leaders struggle with most
  • What self-leadership looks like in real, everyday decisions
  • A pivotal lesson from Dr. Mays’ own leadership journey
  • How leaders can regain focus when pulled in too many directions
  • A common mistake leaders make when trying to grow their business or team
  • What separates coachable leaders from those who stay stuck
  • One small change that can have an immediate impact on your leadership
  • Where leaders often go wrong when building team culture — and how to fix it

Key Takeaway

Leadership isn’t about doing more — it’s about leading better.
When leaders take responsibility for their own clarity, behaviour, and growth, teams and organisations follow.

About the Guest: Dr. Kevin Mays

Dr. Kevin Mays is a leadership coach, speaker, and author dedicated to helping leaders and organisations move beyond survival and into sustainable growth. Through his coaching and frameworks, including the 5-Step Business Ascent process, Dr. Mays helps leaders strengthen self-leadership, build clarity, and create environments where people and businesses can thrive.

About the Podcast

The Change Agent is a podcast for leaders who refuse to stay comfortable.
Each episode challenges how leadership is practiced — focusing on accountability, motivation, professional growth, and leading when it actually matters.


Links

https://www.upgradeyourleadership.com

https://www.maysleadership.com

https://www.kalyna-vision.com

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