In this episode of The Conversation, Clint Padgett sits down with Ryan Hawk (‪@RyanHawk‬), host of The Learning Leader Show and author of Welcome to Management, to explore the mindset, habits, and daily disciplines that help leaders earn trust, build stronger teams, and continuously improve.

Ryan shares why self-awareness may be the most important leadership skill, how to find the mentors and coaches who accelerate your growth, why every leader needs trusted “truth tellers,” and how curiosity has shaped his conversations with hundreds of the world’s top performers.

Together, Clint and Ryan discuss what it really takes to become the kind of leader people want to follow—from protecting time for deep work and leading with intention to creating cultures built on trust, accountability, and continuous feedback.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the transition into management is harder than most people expect
• The leadership power of self-awareness and honest feedback
• How to build a circle of trusted “truth tellers”
• Why curiosity is a competitive advantage
• The difference between mentors and coaches
• How great leaders create cultures of continuous improvement
• Why deep work matters in a distracted world
• Morning routines, discipline, and leading yourself first
• Practical habits that elevate leadership every day

Whether you’re a new manager, an experienced executive, or an aspiring leader, this conversation is filled with practical insights you can apply immediately to lead with greater intention and impact.