Success Story with Scott D. Clary
Episode: Lessons – Why Command & Control Is Dead | Stephen M.R. Covey (Speed of Trust Author)
Date: December 10, 2025

Overview

In this “Lessons” episode, Scott D. Clary interviews Stephen M.R. Covey, author of The Speed of Trust, about the evolving landscape of leadership. The conversation dives deep into why the traditional command-and-control leadership model is failing in today's workplace, emphasizing the vital roles of trust, inspiration, and purpose-driven leadership. Covey explains that merely trusting employees is not enough; leaders must also actively inspire them to foster higher engagement, deeper commitment, and sustainable organizational success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The State of Leadership: Command & Control vs. "Trust & Inspire"

• [01:25] Stephen M.R. Covey: Despite progress, most organizations are still embedded in an updated, more "enlightened" form of command and control, but the model is outdated and no longer effective, especially with newer generations.
• “Data shows that still about 9 out of 10 organizations are still in some version of enlightened command and control or some version of command and control.” [01:55]
• Millennials and Gen Z crave purpose, meaning, and inspiration over authority and positional power.
• The old model relies on fear and position; the future demands trust and inspiration.

2. Changing Workplace Dynamics and Worker Expectations

• Employees today have more options and autonomy and expect to matter—to be trusted and inspired.
• Pure command and control fails to drive engagement or innovation in modern teams.

3. Introducing the "Trust & Inspire" Leadership Model

• [03:54] Covey: “You model, you trust, you inspire. That is the new way to lead in our new world.”
• Trust alone is an incomplete strategy; inspiration is the necessary other half to unlock full potential.
• Exemplary leaders (e.g., Satya Nadella at Microsoft, Cheryl Bachelder at Popeyes) succeeded by revitalizing cultures through modeling, coaching, and genuinely caring for people.

4. Why Trust Alone Isn't Enough

• [08:00] Scott D. Clary: Points out that a high-trust culture is great, but if employees lack inspiration, they'll only do the minimum or look for fulfillment elsewhere.
• Trust without inspiration risks disengagement or distraction (e.g., employees spending time on side hustles).
• Leaders need to create genuine buy-in and a sense of ownership beyond compensation or equity.

5. The Power—and Necessity—of Inspiration

• [09:22] Covey: “Inspiration is actually the new engagement, the next frontier of engagement.”
• Bain & Co. study: Inspired employees are 125% more productive than satisfied ones and 56% more productive even than engaged employees. [10:18]
• Distinguishing motivation (external, extrinsic) from inspiration (internal, intrinsic): “Inspiration is internal, is intrinsic, it’s inside of people. You’re trying to light the fire within and let that fire burn.” [11:47]

6. Practical Examples of Inspiring Leadership

• [12:06] Covey: Shares the example of Pepperdine University’s purpose—“not to develop leaders who are best in the world, but best for the world”—as a unifying, inspiring mission that drives commitment across all staff.
• Inspiration can be both macro (connection to a noble purpose) and micro (daily caring and empathy in interpersonal relationships).

7. Inspiration is a Learnable Leadership Skill

• [13:58] Covey: “Everyone can inspire. It’s a learnable skill through a sense of caring and purpose as well as connecting people… to purpose and to meaning.”
• It’s not reserved for the naturally charismatic; even quiet, empathetic leadership can be deeply inspiring.

8. Empathy, Caring, and Belonging as Inherent Motivators

• [15:44] Covey: “Let’s separate charisma and inspiration. And everyone can inspire. And you named it. You inspire when you connect with people through caring, through a sense of belonging. And then you inspire when you connect people to purpose, to meaning, and to contribution...”
• [16:43] Covey (quoting Maya Angelou): “People will forget what you say, they’ll even forget what you do, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “It’s not operating on trust, but on fear and on position… and people want to matter. They want to be trusted. They want to be inspired. The old model… doesn’t inspire.” – Stephen M.R. Covey [02:30–02:52]
• “The puck, so to speak, where things are going is towards inspiration. Inspiration is actually the new engagement, the next frontier.” – Stephen M.R. Covey [09:55]
• “If all you do as a leader is focus on caring for others… empathy, compassion… that actually will inspire them.” – Stephen M.R. Covey [16:08]
• “I know people who are very charismatic but who aren’t necessarily inspiring because it’s all about them… I know other people who no one would describe as charismatic but who are extremely inspiring because of who they are, how they care, how they connect.” – Stephen M.R. Covey [15:53]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:25] – Covey discusses the slow shift away from command and control in organizations
• [03:54] – The introduction of “trust and inspire” as a new leadership model
• [08:00] – Scott clarifies why trust alone falls short; the need for inspiration
• [09:22] – Covey details how inspiration is becoming the next frontier in employee engagement
• [12:06] – Purpose-driven leadership at Pepperdine University and its impact
• [13:58] – Inspiration is accessible and learnable by all leaders
• [15:44] – Deconstructing charisma vs. inspiration; everyone can inspire with caring and belonging
• [16:43] – “They’ll never forget how you made them feel.” (Maya Angelou quote, cited by Covey)

Conclusion

This episode powerfully argues that the leadership world is experiencing a much-needed transition from managing by authority to leading with trust and inspiration. Stephen M.R. Covey’s insights highlight that organizational excellence now requires not only trusting employees but also deeply inspiring them through authentic purpose, empathy, and connection—a shift any leader can adopt, regardless of innate charisma.