Right About Now with Ryan Alford

What’s up, everyone!

When I first stepped into leadership, I thought it was all about driving results. Hustle harder. Work smarter. But the truth hit me fast: leadership is less about control and more about connection. The real work starts inside. Understanding your triggers, your patience, your presence. And that’s exactly what Mark J. Silverman reminds us of in this week’s episode.

Mark J. Silverman: Author | Speaker | Host

Mark, author of The Rising Leader Handbook, helps ambitious, high-performing professionals turn their edge into empathy. His message? Leadership isn’t about knowing it all. It’s about learning how to regulate your emotions, quiet your ego, and build teams that want to follow you. Not because they have to, but because they believe in where you’re headed.

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🔥 Here’s What We Hit

Leadership Takes More People Time Than You Think

Being an effective leader requires patience, presence, and the willingness to slow down. Managing tasks is easy. Leading people (really seeing and guiding them) takes more time than anyone expects.

Your Move: Schedule dedicated time each week to connect with your team on a human level; no agenda, just conversation.

Define Success on Your Own Terms

Mark says the biggest unlock for leaders is clarity: knowing who you are, what you want, and why it matters. Climbing the wrong ladder leads to burnout and disconnection.

Your Move: Take 10 minutes today to write down what success feels like to you and not just what it looks like.

Lead Across, Not Just Up or Down

True leadership happens when you can collaborate with peers who are just as driven as you. That requires checking your ego and turning competition into cooperation.

Your Move: Pick one colleague and find a way to support their goals this week without expecting anything in return.

Regulate Before You React

If you’re tired, unfocused, or in fight-or-flight mode, your creativity and empathy vanish. Leadership starts with wellbeing: sleep, nutrition, exercise, and mental stillness are your hidden advantages.

Your Move: Commit to one daily ritual that grounds you like a walk, a workout, or even five minutes of quiet reflection.

🤝 Connect with Mark J. Silverman

If leadership feels like chaos lately, remember: it’s not about doing more, it’s about being more present. The best leaders don’t just manage outcomes; they shape environments where people thrive.

Grab Mark's free book Only 10s 2.0 and explore The Rising Leader Handbook.

🌐 Website: www.markjsilverman.com
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