Potential Leader Lab

About Potential Leader Lab

Let me start by telling you that I don't have THE answers. So why listen to my podcast? Because I focus on asking the right questions, such as: What if you stop focusing on what you're doing as a leader and shift to who you're being as a leader? Did you feel that uncomfortable twinge deep down inside when you read that? That means we're making progress. It’s also the start of the journey toward realizing your potential as the leader you were meant to be. This pursuit of true leadership doesn't begin inside the next big business bestseller or with a high-powered leadership consultant. It starts with you and your potential. Unlocking your potential as a leader requires a change in your beliefs about who you are and what you can accomplish. Together, we'll seek out new, eclectic, and provocative insights to form new hypotheses about leadership. Then, we'll take these ideas into the world so you can see what works and what doesn’t. Then, and only then, can you begin your evolution into the leader you were meant to be. That's where the real transformation begins. Your responsibility, as a leader, is ever-increasing and never-ending. This podcast is dedicated and committed to that pursuit.

Publisher

Perry Maughmer

Category

business · business · education

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

28 Nov 2022

Latest episode

30 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

92 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Jul 2026

   Pirate Radio Mindset: Sharing Unfinished Thoughts

   Unlock the rebellious value of discomfort and real growth by rethinking your need for answers (with a nod to pirate radio’s freewheeling spirit (https://noisenarrative.substack.com/p/pirate-radio-a-blueprint-for-seeking)). I talk about moving away from the pressure to have ready-made solutions and embracing the ongoing, sometimes uncomfortable process of thinking out loud. Inspired by the ethos of pirate radio (https://www.vice.com/en/article/bold-frequency-exploring-the-legacy-of-pirate-radio-culture/), spaces where unconventional ideas flourish, I encourage you to treat life as an evolving challenge, not a box to check off. This means continually reflecting and adapting, both for personal benefit and the well-being of those we care about. Consider the importance of humility, especially if you are used to being seen as solution-providers. Intellectualizing discomfort can keep us from true growth. And existential reflections, like those from "The Denial of Death" by Ernest Becker, inform our obsession with planning and control. Like the pirate radio DJs (https://pirate.com/en/blog/history-of-radio-djs/) who voiced what others kept silent, I challenge you to process life openly, beyond face-to-face conventions. Key Takeaways: Embrace discomfort and uncertainty which could lead to deeper growth and more authentic leadership The urge to plan and control is often linked to our denial of mortality Pirate radio’s ethos encourages open, honest processing of ideas outside conventional boundaries Humility involves questioning why we hold certain beliefs and being open to evolving them Serving others means continuous personal evolution, not just self-improvement for personal gain If you value personal reflection and want to break free from routine patterns, take a cue from pirate radio. Start your own journey of evolving thought. Perry Maughmer (https://perrymaughmer.com/) believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments. These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs. This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor. Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from. Copyright 2026 Perry Maughmer

2. 

   9 Jul 2026

   Not Everything Is a Lesson: Gelassenheit, Martin Heidegger, and Authentic Engagement

   Are you always expected to have answers? What if true value lies in letting go? I explore Gelassenheit—Martin Heidegger’s idea of “release”—and what it means for personal growth. I reflect personally on how reading Heidegger’s concept of "Gelassenheit" (“release”) shook up my beliefs about value, leadership presence, and how to genuinely serve others. In this episode, I take you inside the journey from my early identity as “the one with answers,” through decades of facilitating groups and leading, to an uncomfortable but liberating realization: there’s another way to show up—by letting go of needing to provide the perfect insight, and instead dwelling in true presence. Listeners will leave thinking about: What Gelassenheit means, its philosophical roots in Meister Eckhart and Heidegger, and how it differs from typical Western thinking The difference between calculative (problem-solving) and meditative (aware, open) thinking—and why it matters How striving to add value can mask unmet needs for admiration and belonging, and how to notice when this pattern surfaces Practical reflections on being present in high-stakes group settings, letting go of prepared answers, and inviting authentic connection The ongoing challenge and real-world impact of shifting from “awaiting” the chance to perform to “waiting” openly for what arises I process this concept in real time, inviting you to reconsider your own habits of mind. Frequently Asked Questions What is Gelassenheit? Gelassenheit is a German term meaning "release," explored by Martin Heidegger and first coined by Meister Eckhart. It describes a way of letting go—not from something, but letting things be, enabling openness and presence in each moment. What is the difference between calculative and meditative thinking? Calculative thinking quickly reduces everything to problems, resources, or outcomes to be solved, while meditative thinking is about being open, attentive, and present without rushing to control or resolve. Can anyone benefit from practicing Gelassenheit? Yes, anyone interested in self-awareness, peace, and transformative leadership can benefit, though it requires continuous self-observation and courage to let go of old patterns. Perry Maughmer (https://perrymaughmer.com/) believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments. These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs. This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor. Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from. Copyright 2026 Perry Maughmer

3. 

   9 Jul 2025

   The Edit. The Ending. The Evolution.

   Host Perry Maughmer reflects on the intentional ending and evolution of his podcast, sharing insights on embracing change and staying true to what matters most.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

70,817

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

13 ratings

Spotify

4.7 / 5

12 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 71 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

88

Social presence

0

YouTube

85

Engagement

51

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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