In this episode, Lillian sits down with Dusty Holcomb, founder & CEO of the Arcqus Group, to explore why leadership is a learned behavior — and why it starts with leading yourself. They cover the critical difference between leadership and management, how healthcare professionals can find agency even early in their careers, and Dusty's five questions to connect purpose to performance: Why are we here? Where are we going? How do we get there? How do I fit in? What's in it for me? Dusty also shares his practical "rhythms of success" framework and his free My Rules of Engagement playbook + DISC assessment at myrulesofengagement.com.   Chapters and Time-Stamps 00:00 Leadership Is Learned 00:37 Meet The Guests 01:36 Scaling Leadership Impact 03:07 Lead Yourself First 07:04 Agency Without A Title 09:21 From Reactive To Proactive 12:23 Self Care Is Leadership 14:38 Five Questions For Clarity 16:45 Purpose Vision Plan Fit 24:27 Rhythms Of Success 31:42 Permission To Say No 34:07 Resources And Farewell   Key Takeaways Leadership is influence — not a title or position Self-leadership isn't selfish; it fuels authentic impact on others The 5 Questions every leader must answer for their team: Why are we here? Where are we going? How do we get there? How do I fit in? What's in it for me? Build Rhythms of Success — daily (5–7 min), weekly, quarterly, and annual check-ins Give yourself permission to say no to protect your highest-value work   Guest: Dusty Holcomb Founder & CEO, Arcqus Group — executive coaching & leadership consulting 26+ years senior executive experience across operations, marketing & multi-billion dollar organizations Website: arcqusgroup.com   Free Resource Mentioned 📘 My Rules of Engagement — a free leadership clarity playbook + DISC assessment 🔗 https://dustyholcomb.com/    References John Maxwell: "Leadership is influence — nothing more, nothing less." Saint Francis of Assisi on walking your talk Harvard study: Only 5% of employees can articulate their organization's strategy Gen Y/Z research: 76% would leave for purpose-aligned organizations   Learn more about Giving & Receiving Feedback in Healthcare Subscribe and Listen on: Website Youtube Spotify Apple Follow us on: Newsletter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn For personalized support in your life and work as a healthcare professional and leader, book a free call. Disclaimer: Although we are trained medical professionals, we are not acting in a clinical capacity on this podcast. We do not use our medical licenses or provide medical, mental health, or therapeutic services in this setting. The content shared in this episode is based on our personal experiences, opinions, and coaching backgrounds, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be taken as medical advice, therapy, or professional counseling, nor used as a substitute for individualized medical or mental health care. Always seek the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not represent the positions of our employers or affiliated organizations.