Podcast
Amplifying Impact
Hosted by Mark Watkins · EN
Amplifying Impact: Leadership Systems That Actually Work
Most leadership advice sounds great in theory but falls apart in practice. This podcast is different.
Host Mark Watkins brings decades of field-tested leadership systems from the hospitality industry, where results are measured in real-time customer satisfaction and team performance, directly to leaders who are tired of leaving leadership development to chance.
Each episode breaks down proven frameworks giving you practical tools you can implement immediately. No motivational fluff. No theoretical concepts. Just systematic approaches that have been refined under pressure and proven across industries.
Whether you're a CEO building your leadership team, a business owner scaling operations, or an executive looking to develop leaders at every level, you'll discover why the capabilities you build while pursuing your goals often matter more than achieving the goals themselves.
Stop hoping leadership will happen naturally. Start building the systems that make great leadership inevitable.
Real systems. Real results.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
009: Introduction to New Series | Expert Generalist: Cross-Context Conversations
May 400:12:02Tap to summarizeEpisode 009 Introduction to new Series | Expert Generalist: Cross-Context ConversationsWhat if the best leadership insight you will ever encounter does not come from your industry? In this episode, I introduce a new series built on a concept that changed how I think about leadership development: the Expert Generalist. The term comes from Orit Gadiesh of Bain and Company. Expert Generalists do not just go deep. They go wide. Most leaders learn from their industry. Expert Generalists learn from everywhere. That is the difference, and it is a significant one. In Expert Generalist: Cross-Context Conversations, I sit down with leaders from unexpected contexts, outdoor wilderness, student ministry, commercial fleet operations, to pull out principles that apply everywhere. This episode is the origin story: where the concept came from, why it matters, and what you can expect from the series. In This Episode• The origin of the Expert Generalist concept from Peak by Dr. Marc Bubbs• Why I moved away from the previous series name and what this one captures better• How Expert Generalist thinking connects directly to the elements of the IMPACT Leadership Assessment Framework• What to expect from upcoming guests in the series Links and Resources• The Leadership Hub on LinkedIn (newsletter)• Amplifying Impact Podcast• Amplifying Impact Events• Jodie Hylkema Coaching The full IMPACT Leadership Assessment and personalized development are available through live events and workshops. Visit amplifyingimpactevents.com to learn more or email events@amplifyingimpactevents.com to start a conversation. If this episode added value, share it with a leader who is ready to think differently. Leave a review wherever you listen. It is one of the best ways to help the show grow. Until next time, keep amplifying your impact. The world needs the unique leader that only you can be.
Transcribe →008: Why Smart Leaders Keep Losing the Day to Urgent Work | The Intentionality Intensive
Apr 2000:17:04Tap to summarizeWhy Smart Leaders Keep Losing the Day to Urgent Work | The Intentionality Intensive68%. That is the percentage of leaders I have assessed who score lowest on the same element. Not one of their gaps. Their primary one. The element is Act with Intentionality.If you have ever ended the week exhausted but not sure you moved the right things forward, that feeling has a name. And in this episode, I dig into what is behind it, what it is costing you, and what I am building to close the gap. What You'll Learn• Why Act with Intentionality is the most common primary gap across all leaders assessed• The five specific behaviors that define intentional leadership and how leaders score across each one• Why high-performance environments are structurally designed to make intentional leadership harder• What the Intentionality Intensive is and whether it is the right next step for you Key Takeaway"I know what I should be doing. I just never get to it." That sentence is the gap. Not a lack of knowledge. Not a lack of motivation. A structural problem. And structural problems need structural solutions. Is This Cohort for You?• Do you regularly end the week busy but unsure you moved your most important work forward?• Do you know your priorities, but your plan does not reflect them?• Does the urgent stuff consistently win over the important stuff?• Have you read the books, know the concepts, but the behavior has not changed? If any of those landed, the Intentionality Intensive was built for you. A 30-day cohort experience. Four live sessions. Twelve leaders. $297. Running two to three times per year. Resources• Intentionality Intensive, launching summer 2026. Sign up or join the waitlist• IMPACT Leadership Assessment — Identify your primary leadership development gap• The Leadership Hub — Monthly LinkedIn newsletter• Jodie Hylkema Coaching — Coaching for Leaders who dare to be human Connect• amplifyingimpactevents.com• amplifyingimpactpodcast.com• events@amplifyingimpactevents.com Thanks for listening. If this episode helped you think differently about how you lead, share it with another leader who is ready to move beyond conventional approaches. Leadership is better when we lift each other up.
Transcribe →007: 7 Leadership Lessons from an Ultra Marathon
Apr 700:21:56Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to run 42 miles through mountain trails? And what does that have to do with how you lead? In this episode, Mark Watkins takes you inside the preparation and race-day experience of the Firefly Ultra Trail Race in Hendersonville, NC to share 7 leadership lessons that only the trail could teach. This is not a running episode. It is an episode about the kind of preparation, resolve, and adaptability that transfers directly into how you lead, how you perform under pressure, and what you do when things stop going according to plan. Whether you run or not, these 7 lessons will challenge how you think about readiness, mental toughness, and what it means to lead with intention. New episodes every other Monday. Subscribe so you never miss one.Jodie Hylkema CoachingJodieHylkemaCoaching.comRESOURCES MENTIONEDRun Elite by Andrew SnowTraining framework used in Mark’s race preparationSally McRae, ultra runnerFirefly Ultra Trail Race, Hendersonville, NCIMPACT Leadership Assessmentamplifyingimpactevents.com/impact-assessmentFull Podcast Archiveamplifyingimpactpodcast.comAmplifying Impact Eventsamplifyingimpactevents.com
Transcribe →006: The Intentional Leader - Character, Strategy, and Capacity
Mar 2300:21:07Tap to summarizeWhat does it actually look like to lead at a high level across every dimension of leadership, not just the areas where you’re naturally strong?In this episode, I introduce the three dimensions of the Intentional IMPACT Leader: Character, Strategy, and Capacity. These aren’t abstract concepts; they’re the structural framework that shows you exactly how the six IMPACT elements work together, where gaps in your leadership are quietly limiting your team, and what it looks like when all three dimensions are operating in alignment. What You’ll Learn• The three dimensions of the Intentional IMPACT Leader and how the six IMPACT elements map to each• Why one-dimensional leadership has a ceiling, and what it costs your team• The three intersection zones: Principled Execution, Empowered Culture, and Sustainable Scaling• How the IMPACT Assessment maps your results to one of ten leadership profiles• Why the assessment delivers three levels of feedback: for you, for those who lead you, and for your organizationKey Takeaways• Character reveals. Built through Influence with Integrity and Transform Through Service, the foundation of trust.• Strategy clarifies. Built through Pursue Clarity and Excellence and Act with Intentionality, the direction of your leadership.• Capacity multiplies. Built through Multiply What Matters and Cultivate Growth, the system that scales beyond you. “Leadership is not defined by intention. It’s defined by behavior.” Action Steps This Week1. Identify which of the three dimensions is your greatest gap2. Ask yourself: am I still the hub of the wheel? That’s your Capacity signal.3. Consider whether your team would describe your words and actions as consistent. That’s your Character signal.4. Take the IMPACT Leadership Assessment to get the complete, data-driven picture Resources• IMPACT Leadership Assessment: Limited-time offer through April 15, 2026: amplifyingimpactevents.com/impact-assessment• The Leadership Hub: Monthly leadership insights on LinkedIn• Podcast Archive: amplifyingimpactpodcast.com• Schedule a Consultation: amplifyingimpactevents.com• Email: events@amplifyingimpactevents.com• IMPACT Dimensional Venn Diagram Leadership is better when we lift each other up. Until next time, keep amplifying your impact—the world needs the unique leader that only you can be.
Transcribe →005: System of Systems - Building Organizations That Run Without You
Mar 900:24:05Tap to summarizeEpisode DescriptionWhat if most organizational chaos isn't a people problem; it's a systems problem? In this episode, I introduce my System of Systems framework, a cyclical methodology for building organizations that run proactively instead of reactively.You'll discover why perfect systems aren't the goal (complete systems are), how to make your processes person-agnostic so they don't depend on specific team members, and the three-state determination framework that turns every piece of feedback into actionable system improvements.Whether you're drowning in operational chaos or trying to scale your leadership impact, this framework will help you move from firefighting to building organizational muscle that lasts.What You'll LearnThe six-step System of Systems framework that creates organizational excellenceWhy a basic documented system beats a perfect system that's still in your headHow to identify unconventional feedback sources you're currently missingThe three-state determination process: Create, Update, or Hold AccountableThe person-agnostic test that reveals exactly where your systems have gapsHow to reach "Steady State" where your organization runs without constant interventionEpisode SegmentsThe Problem: Why Organizations Run ReactivelyIntroducing the System of Systems FrameworkThe Feedback Revolution: Sources You're MissingThe Three-State Determination ProcessBuilding Person-Agnostic Systems That Actually WorkCall to Action & Implementation StepsBring This Framework to Your OrganizationReady to move beyond chaos and build systems that create consistent excellence? The System of Systems workshop brings this framework directly to your leadership team with hands-on implementation.We don't just teach theory. We help you build your actual systems in real time. You'll leave with documented processes, a repeatable framework, and a culture shift where leaders actively seek feedback for improvement.Schedule a consultation: www.amplifyingimpactevents.comEmail us: events@amplifyingimpactevents.comConnect With MarkPodcast Archive: www.amplifyingimpactpodcast.comEvents & Workshops: www.amplifyingimpactevents.comLinkedIn Newsletter: The Leadership HubEmail: events@amplifyingimpactevents.comAbout Amplifying ImpactThe Amplifying Impact Podcast delivers field-tested frameworks for leaders who want to create exceptional experiences, develop high-performing teams, and lead with purpose. Hosted by Mark Watkins, founder of Amplifying Impact Events, each episode provides actionable insights and practical tools rooted in decades of hospitality leadership experience—translated for leaders across all industries
Transcribe →004: Delegation Readiness Matrix
Feb 900:23:37Tap to summarizeEpisode 004: The Delegation Readiness MatrixAre you stuck doing work that someone else could handle? In this episode, I introduce the Delegation Readiness Matrix, a practical tool for evaluating what to delegate, when to delegate it, and how to develop your team's capabilities through strategic delegation.This is the second episode in our six-part series on the IMPACT Leadership Assessment Framework. If you scored lowest on "Multiply What Matters," this tool will help you break free from the bottleneck you've become and start building organizational capacity that scales.In This Episode:Why most leaders struggle to delegate effectivelyThe "Only Do What Only You Can Do" principle (credit: Andy Stanley, Next Generation Leader)How to evaluate delegation readiness across two critical dimensionsA step-by-step process for using the Delegation Readiness MatrixReal-world examples of strategic delegation in actionResources Mentioned:IMPACT Leadership Assessment: https://www.amplifyingimpactevents.com/impact-assessmentThe Leadership Hub Newsletter (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwatkinsnc/Andy Stanley's Next Generation LeaderConnect With Mark:Website: https://www.amplifyingimpactevents.comEmail: events@amplifyingimpactevents.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwatkinsnc/Podcast Archive: https://www.amplifyingimpactpodcast.comAbout Amplifying Impact: I partner with business owners and organizational leaders to deliver customized leadership development experiences through workshops, summits, and retreats. If you're ready to bring systematic leadership development to your organization, visit amplifyingimpactevents.com or email events@amplifyingimpactevents.com to start a conversation.
Transcribe →003: The 360 Leadership Assessment - The Mirror You're Afraid to Look Into
Jan 500:30:57Tap to summarizeEPISODE SUMMARY:You think you lead with integrity. Your team experiences something different. The gap between your intentions and your impact is costing you influence, and you can't fix what you can't see.In this episode, Mark Watkins introduces the 360 Leadership Assessment, a powerful tool for exposing leadership blind spots and creating systematic change. This is episode one of a six-part series exploring practical tools for each element of the IMPACT Leadership Assessment Framework.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Why most leaders have zero idea how they're perceived by their teamsThe three critical gaps that destroy leadership influence (integrity, communication, and priority)How the 360 Assessment reveals blind spots through multi-perspective feedbackThe complete process: from assessment to debrief to development planWhy external facilitation is essential for credible resultsReal story: How one leader's 360 assessment transformed team engagementRESOURCES MENTIONED:IMPACT Leadership Assessment — Six-element framework for evaluating leadership effectiveness (covered in Episode 2)H.A.S. Analysis Framework — Systematic approach to goal management and behavior change (covered in Episode 1)360 Leadership Assessment Tool — Download the one-pager at www.amplifyingimpactevents.com/360The Leadership Hub LinkedIn Newsletter – Monthly leadership content “The Leadership Hub”TAKE ACTION:For Operators & Business Leaders:If you have a leader whose feedback isn't landing, explore the 360 Leadership Assessment at amplifyingimpactevents.com/360 or email events@amplifyingimpactevents.comCONNECT WITH MARK:Website: www.amplifyingimpactevents.com Podcast: www.amplifyingimpactpodcast.comEmail: events@amplifyingimpactevents.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwatkinsnc/SUBSCRIBE & SHARE:If this episode helped you see leadership development differently, please share it with another leader who's ready to move beyond conventional approaches.Subscribe on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube (with Video)Leadership is better when we lift each other up.
Transcribe →002: The IMPACT Leadership Assessment Framework
Dec 1600:20:26Tap to summarizeAmplifying Impact Podcast - Episode 002"The IMPACT Leadership Assessment Framework"Host: Mark WatkinsRelease Date: December 15, 2025Episode OverviewLeadership development often fails because it lacks systematic frameworks for assessment, growth, and accountability. In this episode, Mark Watkins introduces the complete IMPACT Leadership Assessment Framework - a comprehensive system that transforms leadership capabilities through six interconnected elements designed to create lasting behavioral change.Built from proven methodologies in high-performance hospitality environments and adapted for universal application across industries, this framework provides both assessment tools and implementation strategies that move beyond conventional leadership development approaches.What You'll Learn• The three critical gaps in most leadership development programs that cause them to fail • All six IMPACT elements and how they work together systematically• Practical assessment questions you can use immediately to evaluate your leadership • The targeted development process that identifies your lowest-scoring area as your starting point • Why systematic habit formation matters more than knowledge transfer for lasting change • How the framework applies across industries from healthcare to manufacturing to professional servicesThe Complete IMPACT FrameworkI - Influence with Integrity: Leadership begins with trust through consistent alignment of values, words, and actionsM - Multiply What Matters: Leaders multiply value by developing others, replicating systems, and scaling meaningful impactP - Pursue Clarity & Excellence: Clarity creates alignment and excellence builds momentum through systematic focus on doing the right things rightA - Act with Intentionality: Intentional leaders move on purpose, ensuring every action aligns with mission, strategy, and desired cultureC - Cultivate Growth: Growth encompasses personal, professional, and cultural development, creating environments where others thriveT - Transform Through Service: True transformation happens when leaders serve others, prioritizing contribution over controlConnect & ContinueResources: • Complete framework and workshop information: AmplifyingImpactEvents.com • Full podcast archive: AmplifyingImpactPodcast.comFollow or Subscribe to the Podcast:• Spotify• Apple Podcast• YouTubeAbout the HostMark Watkins brings years of hospitality leadership experience, translating field-tested systems from high-performance environments into universal frameworks for organizations across industries. Through live events with Amplifying Impact Events, he helps leaders develop systematic approaches to multiplying their influence and driving organizational transformation."The world needs the unique leader that only you can be."
Transcribe →Bonus 001: The Ripple Effect of Leadership
Dec 1300:05:00Tap to summarizeEvery leader creates ripples. The question isn't whether you're influencing others—it's whether your influence is expanding positive impact or just creating waves of confusion and chaos.In this special bonus episode, discover how your daily leadership choices create expanding circles of influence that either multiply excellence or amplify mediocrity throughout your organization.You'll learn why the small, consistent choices you make as a leader matter more than the big, visible decisions—and how understanding this principle transforms not just your leadership effectiveness, but the entire culture you're building.This isn't just motivation—it's a fundamental shift in how you view your role as a leader and the lasting impact you create through every interaction, every decision, and every moment you choose to lead with intention.Perfect for leaders who want to understand the true scope of their influence and are ready to take responsibility for the ripple effects they create in their organizations and communities.Ready to amplify your leadership impact?· Explore our complete frameworks: AmplifyingImpactEvents.com· Full podcast archive: AmplifyingImpactPodcast.com
Transcribe →001: Ditching SMART Goals
Dec 100:18:50Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Mark Watkins discusses the importance of rethinking traditional goal-setting frameworks, particularly the SMART goals, to foster innovation and growth.He introduces his H.A.S. Framework (Habits, Actions, Systems) as a way to break ambitious goals into manageable steps, while emphasizing the importance of synergy among teams to achieve these ambitious goals.Mark also covers the necessity of a structured quarterly management cycle to maintain focus and accountability and provides a concrete example of how to boost team productivity through this framework.www.amplifyingimpactevents.comwww.amplifyingimpactpodcast.com
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