Dusty goes solo to unpack one of the most frustrating questions in leadership—why don’t people just do what they’re supposed to do? After nearly three decades leading teams, he’s learned it’s almost never an execution problem—it’s a clarity problem. In this episode, Dusty shares his Rules of Engagement framework, a simple but powerful tool that transforms miscommunication into alignment and builds the trust every great team depends on. Through a candid story about being called out by a team member during a one-on-one meeting, he illustrates how clarity creates safety, accountability, and respect. From defining personal values and communication styles to setting expectations and non-negotiables, Dusty walks listeners through the seven elements that help eliminate leadership frustration before it happens. This isn’t theory—it’s a blueprint for creating the kind of culture where feedback is safe, alignment is clear, and everyone knows exactly how to win together.
Key Timestamps:
(00:00) – The Real Problem: Communication, Not Execution
(02:01) – The Apple Watch Story: A Lesson in Clarity
(04:59) – Creating Your Leadership Decoder Ring
(08:10) – The Seven Components of a Great Rules of Engagement Guide
(20:36) – Practical Tips for Implementing Rules of Engagement
(23:27) – Q&A: Addressing Common Concerns
(28:06) – Conclusion: Leadership is Simple but Not Easy
Key Topics Discussed:
Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership
Mentions:
https://myrulesofengagement.com
More of Leadership Unlocked:
Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/
Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com