I Have Some Questions...
Most people know the headline of a leader’s story. Few know the path it took to get there. This podcast goes beyond titles, book launches and business wins, to explore the lived journey behind the thought leader.
Through deep, unhurried conversations, we uncover the moments that shaped them—the doubts, pivots, convictions, and quiet breakthroughs that built their body of work.
Each episode features authors, coaches, executives, and bold thinkers who have forged their own path. Instead of rehearsed talking points, they’re invited into a space where thoughtful questions unlock something more human. The result is a layered conversation that reveals not just what they preach, but how they became the kind of person who can teach it.
Because we believe the best stories aren’t always told—they’re revealed. And when brilliant people are given the right questions and the room to answer them fully, what emerges is insight you can feel, frameworks you can apply, and a deeper understanding of what it truly takes to lead, create, and contribute at a meaningful level.
I Have Some Questions...
141: "True Buy-In Comes From Involvement" (reflections on Ashley Falsafi)
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🧠Erik’s Take
In this reflection episode, Erik revisits his conversation with Ashley Falsafi and pulls out the leadership principles that stuck with him most — especially around trust, mentorship, and buy-in.
What stood out wasn’t flashy strategy or bold executive vision. It was something simpler and harder: earning credibility the right way. Erik unpacks how Ashley built trust without being the technical expert, why most people misunderstand mentorship, and how real buy-in isn’t forced — it’s co-created.
🎯 Top Insights from the Interview
- Trust is earned through contribution. Ashley built early credibility by fixing broken systems, improving efficiency, and making his team’s lives easier.
- Fight for your people — but hold them accountable first. You can’t advocate upward if your team isn’t delivering downward.
- Mentorship isn’t luck — it’s initiative. Veterans will give back if you show up prepared and don’t waste their time.
- Buy-in comes from involvement. The best ideas aren’t implemented top-down — they’re refined with the people who live them every day.
- Psychological safety fuels better solutions. If people feel safe telling you what’s “good, bad, and ugly,” your ideas actually improve.
🧩 The Personal Layer
Erik openly shares that he “botched” earning trust early in his leadership career. That tension — between wanting authority and actually earning credibility — is one most leaders feel but rarely admit.
What resonated deeply was Ashley’s approach:
- Put wins on the board that matter to your team.
- Represent them well in rooms they don’t sit in.
- Hold them accountable so you can fight for them with integrity.
Erik also highlights something subtle but powerful: many leaders accidentally believe their ideas should be the ones implemented. But mature leadership means recognizing that your role isn’t to be the smartest voice in the room — it’s to facilitate the best solution.
🧰 From Insight to Action
If you’re leading people right now, here’s where Erik challenges you:
- Audit your trust equity. Have you actually helped your team win lately?
- Reframe mentorship. Who could you ask for help this month — and what specific agenda would you bring?
- Test your buy-in strategy. The next time you have an idea, present it as Version 1.0 and invite critique.
- Create safety deliberately. Are your people comfortable telling you what’s broken?
Leadership isn’t about having the answers.
It’s about building the environment where better answers emerge.
🗣️ Notable Quotes
“Will you fight for me?” — That’s the question every team member is silently asking.
“Spending time with you isn’t a waste. Showing up unprepared is.”
“If they don’t like it, it doesn’t matter what I say.”
“A lot of your ideas shouldn’t be the ones implemented.”
đź”—Links & Resources