Mick Unplugged — “Discovering Your Compass Within with Robert Glazer”
Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: Robert Glazer
Episode Overview
In this transformative episode of "Mick Unplugged," host Mick Hunt sits down with leadership author and culture expert Robert Glazer to explore the deep significance of "core values"—both for individuals and organizations. The discussion delves into what it means to move beyond generic concepts of purpose, uncover one’s intrinsic “Because," and operationalize values in daily leadership. Glazer shares wisdom from his upcoming parable-driven book, The Compass Within, and breaks down actionable frameworks for discovering, living, and leading with authentic values. Listeners gain practical advice on building personal and organizational cultures that truly align with values, prevent burnout, and foster fulfillment.
Key Topics & Insights
Defining and Living Core Values
[03:11] Robert Glazer:
- “Core values are the non-negotiable principles that guide your behaviors and decisions. For an individual, they’re intrinsic, not aspirational… for companies, it’s about behaviors that you reward. Sometimes those match what's on the wall. Most times they don't.”
- True core values are operationalized: they're lived out, talked about, rewarded, and incorporated into everything from hiring to recognition, not just printed as buzzwords.
- Example: Enron’s listed values (“integrity,” "respect") contrasted with their true operational culture—glorifying aggressive, unchecked ambition.
[05:53] Robert Glazer:
- To transform vague words (like “integrity, trust, teamwork”) into actionable values, identify the specific behaviors you actually reward and admire.
- Values should be "action-oriented," recognizable in daily work, and constantly reinforced from the top down.
Memorable Moment:
Robert’s story about a hospital system revamping their values—with new interview questions, core value shoutouts, and performance reviews based on actual behaviors—not paper values.
- “This is, to me, someone who’s actually taking it seriously. Look, we're gonna live by these, and these are gonna be the things that people are judged by.” [07:54]
The "Because Statement" vs. Mission & Vision
[11:07] Mick Hunt:
- “I’m not a believer in mission and vision statements. I’m a believer in because statements.”
- Traditional mission/vision statements tend to become bland, forgotten marketing fluff. The "Because" is the honest, motivating core driver.
[14:41] Robert Glazer:
- Most companies can’t even recall their own mission or vision, confusing the two or treating them as static.
- “If you can’t recall it and if someone’s not using that day-to-day, it doesn’t have a lot of teeth.”
- He echoes that the true organizational driver should be the direct, intrinsic "because" that answers why people show up each day.
Core Values & Burnout: The Modern Leadership Challenge
[16:11] Robert Glazer:
- Burnout stems from misalignment—not working in accordance with your values, not necessarily from the amount of work.
- High achievers often chase destinations for fulfillment, only to set ever-higher, hollow goals if the journey itself holds no meaning.
- “I think burnout comes from when you’re doing stuff that really doesn’t align with your value… Focus on the climb, not the destination.”
Memorable Quote [17:34]:
- “As much as I love this book, it is like the hardest most exhausting thing I’ve ever done… but I’m willing to push through because I believe in the topic.”
Unpacking Elevate and The Compass Within
Background
- Elevate: Focuses on building personal capacity across four dimensions (spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional).
- Elevate Your Team: Applies the same framework to organizational leadership.
[19:53] Robert Glazer on Writing Elevate:
- The original book idea was rejected; an agent urged him to “find the story behind the stories” in his Friday Forward newsletter.
- The resulting insight: All meaningful growth is rooted in building long-term, holistic capacity—not superficial achievements.
[22:30] Transition to The Compass Within:
- Glazer noticed demand for concrete methodology to discover personal core values.
- Developed a practical framework, tested it with teams, then transformed it into a course and ultimately a parable-driven book.
- “I tell the story of literally being in Barnes and Nobles and my book called On Values… and everyone walking right by it. I was like, it’s going to be boring to read as a non-fiction book.” [23:26]
- Inspired by his daughter to write a book in a parable format for broader appeal.
Making Values Tangible: Parables from The Compass Within
[27:59] Robert Glazer:
- The protagonist (Jamie) navigates career changes, community choices, and personal relationships—all testing his alignment with core values.
- Mentor guides through discovery process; readers see themselves reflected in Jamie’s struggles and decisions.
- “When your core values are crossed, it’s kind of like the electric fence… The goal is not to get electrocuted, it’s to know your fence, to stay in this lane.” [29:15]
- Importance of articulating, not just feeling, your values: makes wise decision-making possible in work and life.
Why Leaders Should Care
[30:52] Robert Glazer:
- “You are going to lead from your core values, whether you realize it or not… They’re either driving the car or you are.”
- Employees seek alignment: Half consider leaving if company values don’t match theirs.
- Data shows value-aligned organizations have higher engagement, trust, and happiness among staff.
- True leadership means living your values—transparency, accountability, building cultures that hold up under scrutiny.
Daily Practices & Tactical Takeaways
How Many Core Values is Too Many?
- Glazer recommends 3-4 values—enough to remember, reinforce, and actually live.
- “If you need a card, you’re already losing. The best companies—you hear those values all the time.” [08:50]
- Acronyms and long lists dilute meaning and are harder to embed in culture.
Practical Framework for Focus
- *“What are the three things I can do today by noon that are the most important things?”
- Align daily actions with quarterly and yearly goals: “It’s like dominoes—knocking over 270 things a quarter toward your goals.”* [33:00]
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- On Values as More than Words:
“The behaviors you reward are ultimately the core values and the culture.” –Glazer [03:41] - On Personal Authenticity:
“I am not for everyone. Other people aren’t. But we get to all decide which types of folks we connect with and share value with.” –Glazer [36:50] - On Hustle Culture:
“Hustle without strategy is just burnout.” –Hunt [15:42] - On Book Impact:
“You’re not just writing from thought… you genuinely changed me as a leader, me as a community leader, because I can put the principles you talk in action.” –Hunt [18:22]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Core Values: What They Really Mean – [03:11]
- Transforming Generic Values into Action – [05:53]
- Why Acronyms and Too Many Values Fail – [08:50]
- Mission/Vision vs. Because – [11:07]/[14:41]
- Burnout and Value Alignment – [16:11]
- The Story Behind Elevate & The Compass Within – [19:53]/[22:30]
- Parable Examples from The Compass Within – [27:59]
- Leaders: Living and Leading with Values – [30:52]
- Daily Focus Practice – [33:00]
- Rapid Fire – Personal Reflections – [34:42]
Notable Rapid Fire Responses
- Book that Changed His Life:
“Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me)” on cognitive dissonance. [34:47] - Morning Routine:
Sits outside, journals, notes top three priorities—before touching devices or emails. [35:20] - Dream Podcast Guest:
Tim Ferriss. [36:17] - One Word Team Uses to Describe Him:
“Frenetic. But hopefully authentic.” [36:50]
Where To Find More from Robert Glazer
- Buy The Compass Within & Get the Course: compass-within.com (submit your order for free access to the companion course) [37:56]
- Friday Forward newsletter, podcast & more: robertglazer.com
Final Words
Mick closes the episode with a reminder:
“Remember your because is your superpower. Go unleash it.” [38:42]
Summary Takeaways
- Core values should be lived, not just listed.
- Anchoring yourself (or your organization) to authentic, actionable values is the antidote to burnout and confusion.
- Discover your individual “Because”—the deep core purpose guiding your daily actions—for greater fulfillment and effectiveness.
- Leaders who operationalize value-based frameworks build stronger, happier, and more productive cultures.
- Robert Glazer’s frameworks (as shared in his books and the new parable, The Compass Within) provide a step-by-step process for living and leading with clarity, conviction, and impact.