Keith Ferrazzi | The #1 Mistake Elite Leaders Make (And How to Fix It)

What do you do when your team is full of talent…but you’re still carrying all the weight?

You know what I’m talking about — that moment you realize you’re the one pushing every conversation forward…

…holding everyone accountable…

…keeping the mission alive.

It’s exhausting.

Let’s be real — you’re not leading a team. You’re dragging one.That’s why I’m excited to share the conversation I had with leadership expert and #1 NYT Best-selling author, Keith Ferrazzi — a man who’s worked with some of the most elite executive teams in the world — think General Motors, the country of Bhutan (yes, the country), and some of the fastest-growing startups in tech. Keith just released a new book called Never Lead Alone and it’s a straight-up manual for how the best leaders are shifting from command and control to building teams that actually LEAD WITH THEM.

In this episode, you will hear:

• The most important leadership shift elite teams are making right now
• How to eliminate conflict avoidance and create real accountability (without killing trust)
• Why feeling lonely at the top is a choice—and how to change that, fast

Key Quotes

• “High-performing teams cross the finish line together.” – Keith Ferrazzi
• “Most teams avoid difficult conversations, but true high-performers challenge each other in real time. The result? More trust, faster growth, and stronger teams.” – Keith Ferrazzi
• “The struggles of your life can be solved with the people around you — it’s a more enriching way to do it.” – Keith Ferrazzi
• “Leaders must shift from focusing on leadership to teamship, where you expect the team to level up and meet you in leadership.” – Keith Ferrazzi
• “You don’t think your way to a new way of acting. You act your way to a new way of thinking.” – Keith Ferrazzi
• “If you feel lonely at the top, that’s on you. You are choosing to isolate yourself from people who are ready to love and support you.” – Keith Ferrazzi

Connect with Keith

• Connected Success (Course): https://www.connectedsuccess.com/
• Never Lead Alone (Book): https://amzn.to/4bLusra
• Never Eat Alone (Book): https://amzn.to/4hIACdb
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithferrazzi/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithferrazzi/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keithferrazzi
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keithferrazzi/
• X: https://x.com/ferrazzi
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keithferrazzi

Connect with J.R. 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesJRreid 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesjrreid/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesjrreid/ 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamesJRreid
• Website: jamesreid.com
• Check out The Clutch Club™️: jamesreid.com/club (For Men Only)

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.