Podcast Summary: Mick Unplugged

Episode: Emotional Intelligence: Jim Burns Reveals the Hidden Advantage in Leadership
Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: Jim Burns
Date: December 11, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of "Mick Unplugged," host Mick Hunt sits down with Jim Burns—longtime developer, community leader, executive, and former Greenville County Council member. Together, they unpack the foundational role of emotional intelligence (EQ) in modern leadership, personal growth, and community impact. Jim shares lessons from his expansive leadership journey, exploring how core values, self-awareness, and service shape sustained success both in business and in life. This episode blends practical advice, personal anecdotes, and actionable strategies for leaders and aspiring changemakers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discovering Your ‘Because’ (03:47–06:34)

• Mick’s trademark question kicks off the conversation, prompting Jim to reflect on his deeper motivation—what Mick calls your “Because.”
• Jim’s answer:
  • “Family, friends, faith. I call them the three F’s.”—Jim Burns [04:43]
  • Leadership and growth are central to Jim’s “Because.”
  • Building his company "Strategy and Execution Excellence" (C LLC) stemmed from seeing many organizations excel at either strategy or execution, but rarely both.

Quote:
"You can’t just be good at strategy, or it’s just a plan on the shelf. You can’t just be good at execution, because then you execute things that don’t matter." — Jim Burns [05:42]

2. Leadership: Self-Awareness and Team Building (06:34–09:40)

• The hosts agree that expecting leaders to master both meticulous planning and flawless execution is unrealistic.
• Self-awareness is key:
  • Jim: “If you don’t know your strengths and your weaknesses, you’re going to create problems.” [07:55]
• Supplementing your weaknesses by hiring strong, diverse talent is wise leadership.
• Mick's philosophy: Invest in developing people’s strengths, not merely fixing weaknesses.

3. Growth Mindset & Intentional Development (09:40–12:38)

• Jim: “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” [09:40]
• Growth should be intentional and measured; arbitrary goals like "1% better every day" lack meaningful metrics.
• Community growth must be paced and intentional to avoid decline and foster prosperity for all.

Quote:
"Be intentional about your growth—all the way down to specifically knowing where you want to be a year from now. Have specific measurements." — Jim Burns [11:50]

4. How to Hire—The Human Factor (16:01–18:31)

• For specialized roles (HR, accounting), technical expertise is critical.
• For broader roles, character and adaptability trump credentials.
• Jim: “Your success as a leader depends on how well you build up everybody else.” [18:31]

5. Emotional Intelligence in Practice (18:31–25:26)

The EQ Pillars for Leaders

• Many leaders understand emotional intelligence theoretically but struggle to apply it—especially self-regulation.
• Jim:
  • “I can only control what I think, what I say, and what I do.” [19:58]
  • Leading by calm example sets an organization-wide tone.
• Advice for reactive situations: “Whenever something upsets you that much before you act, take that breath…let that be ingrained in you as a leader.” [21:29]
• Empathy and understanding are essential, even for high-achieving leaders who struggle to understand those less driven.

Quote:
"Whenever you act in anger, that’s not going to be the best decision you can be." — Jim Burns [20:27]

EQ Pillar Jim’s working on:

• Self-regulation—resisting immediate reactions and prioritizing thoughtful, composed responses.

6. Morning Routines & Daily Habits (29:02–33:24)

• Jim’s routine: protein shake, 10-minute meditation (using Daily Calm app), reading devotionals or philosophical texts, preparing mind and body for the day.
• Avoids starting the morning with the phone—prioritizes tranquility and reflection.
• Sees value in trading late nights for early, intentional mornings.

Quote:
"Once you clear your mind, fill it with something good. Fill it with something inspirational." — Jim Burns [29:36]

7. Work-Life Integration Over Balance (33:35–36:19)

• Jim confesses he “got it wrong for a long time,” prioritizing work to the detriment of family.
• "Work-life balance" is a myth—integration is key.
• Modeling hard, smart work for your family is important, but being present (emotionally and/or physically) trumps being simply available.

Quote:
"If you don't love your work, if you're not enthusiastic about your job, then you're missing something in your life." — Jim Burns [34:22]

8. The Importance of Community Involvement (39:17–45:30)

• Serving in public office and on community boards is deeply fulfilling and essential for healthy, thriving communities.
• Local government impacts people’s daily lives more directly than higher offices.
• Community leadership is about rising tides, collective prosperity, and creating an ecosystem for entrepreneurs.

Quote:
"We all stand on the shoulders of giants—but you realize, you’ve got to put your money where your mouth is and your time and effort too." — Jim Burns [42:51]

9. Rapid-Fire Questions & Personal Insights (47:04–51:53)

• Admiration for Steelers player Franco Harris, love for Italian heritage and beach destinations, and the pride of watching children grow.
• Legacy:
  “If people think of me as a humble man who continued to grow and loved his family, that’s a life well lived right there.” — Jim Burns [51:47]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the growth mindset:
  “The more that I find out about, it points out how little I know.” — Jim Burns [10:10]

• On leadership example:
  “If you’re the right leader, you’re going to grow more people, put them in positions to lead, so the organization continues if you get hit by a bus.” — Jim Burns [09:11]

• On being present for family:
  “Sometimes you just have to be there—the memories will continuously be cherished and probably more than anything else.” — Jim Burns [35:29]

• On humility and legacy:
  “Humility. I would love to be known as someone with amazing peace of mind and calm…who continued to grow, and loved his family.” — Jim Burns [51:40]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:47 — Jim’s “Because” and the Three F’s
• 06:34 — Strategy vs. Execution in Leadership
• 09:40 — The Power of Growth Mindset
• 16:01 — How Jim Hires: Character vs. Credentials
• 18:31 — Emotional Intelligence in Action
• 21:29 — Advice on Self-Regulation
• 29:08 — Jim’s Morning Routine
• 33:35 — Lessons on Integrating Work and Family
• 39:17 — Leadership and Community Involvement
• 47:04 — Quick-Fire Personal Questions & Reflections
• 50:27 — What Jim Wants His Legacy to Be

Real Takeaways

• Modern leadership requires both high EQ (emotional intelligence) and honest self-awareness.
• Growth should be intentional, measured, and rooted in areas of genuine interest.
• Great leaders amplify the strengths of others and don't try to “fix” every weakness.
• Success in business and community begins with being present, calm, and values-driven.

Original Tone: The episode maintains a conversational, candid, and encouraging vibe—balancing humor, humility, and lived experience.

Memorable Closing:
“Your ‘Because’ is your superpower. Go unleash it.” — Mick Hunt [51:59]