What if the biggest challenge in leadership isn’t your team—but believing you have no control?
Many professionals get promoted because they’re excellent at their job, only to discover that leading people requires an entirely different set of skills. The result? Stress, burnout, micromanagement, or complete disengagement.
In this episode of Pillars of Purpose, Matthew Efird sits down with leadership coach and author Adam Tarnow to unpack why middle management is one of the most misunderstood roles in business—and how leaders can thrive instead of simply survive.
Adam shares the powerful framework from his book The Fog of Work, including the simple question that has helped countless leaders move from frustration to clarity:
“What do I control?”
Whether you’re a business owner, team leader, manager, or someone preparing for your next leadership role, this conversation offers practical tools to lead with confidence, reduce overwhelm, and develop healthier teams.
In this episode:
-Why promotions often create an identity crisis
-The difference between Game 1 and Game 2 leadership
-Why accountability often exceeds authority
-How to stop micromanaging without checking out
-The “Fog-Clearing Sentence” that creates instant clarity
-Why today’s leaders must become better player-coaches
-Practical leadership advice for business owners and managers
If this episode encourages you, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone stepping into leadership.
–
You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.
Check out Matthew’s Book “Even Though, We Will” : https://a.co/d/0aRocHpq
Check out Morgan’s AI course to start using AI confidently in your business: https://knoxoutai.com
Are you a seasonal business owner who’s struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don’t have enough work to keep them employed year-round?
You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com
Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com
Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com
Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ
Leave a Reply