Ep. 45. Fake Leaders Create Noise: Humility Silences Ego
Mon Dec 29 2025
In this episode, Matt Kutz and Dr. Jeff Konin dissect leadership insights from a previous discussion with Chris Conan, a West Point graduate. They explore the significance of humility and vulnerability in effective leadership, contrasting it with the pitfalls of mere management. Chris's experiences in the military offer a valuable perspective on team dynamics and leadership under pressure. Moreover, Jeff and Matt share their thoughts on fostering a culture of recognition, the dangers of self-promotion, and the importance of intentional leadership development. Their exchange underscores the need for leaders who genuinely know and support their teams, advocating for transformational rather than transactional leadership.
00:00 Introduction and Recap of Previous Podcast
00:44 Discussing Leadership Weaknesses
01:51 Team Dynamics and Subject Matter Experts
03:10 Humility in Leadership
05:25 Effective Leadership in Academic Settings
07:19 Transformational vs. Transactional Leadership
11:39 Authentic Leadership Examples
20:27 Challenges of Leadership Roles
32:37 Leadership Development and Humility
37:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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In this episode, Matt Kutz and Dr. Jeff Konin dissect leadership insights from a previous discussion with Chris Conan, a West Point graduate. They explore the significance of humility and vulnerability in effective leadership, contrasting it with the pitfalls of mere management. Chris's experiences in the military offer a valuable perspective on team dynamics and leadership under pressure. Moreover, Jeff and Matt share their thoughts on fostering a culture of recognition, the dangers of self-promotion, and the importance of intentional leadership development. Their exchange underscores the need for leaders who genuinely know and support their teams, advocating for transformational rather than transactional leadership. 00:00 Introduction and Recap of Previous Podcast 00:44 Discussing Leadership Weaknesses 01:51 Team Dynamics and Subject Matter Experts 03:10 Humility in Leadership 05:25 Effective Leadership in Academic Settings 07:19 Transformational vs. Transactional Leadership 11:39 Authentic Leadership Examples 20:27 Challenges of Leadership Roles 32:37 Leadership Development and Humility 37:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts