Podcast Summary: Unlocking Peak Performance – How Core Values Drive Motivation, Mastery & Workplace Success with Carly Pepin

Podcast: The Amazing Authorities Podcast
Host: Mitch Carson
Guest: Carly Pepin
Date: November 27, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Mitch Carson sits down with Carly Pepin, leadership coach and expert in human behavior dynamics, to dive deep into the power of core values. Together, they unpack how understanding and aligning with personal and team values can fast-track motivation, drive mastery, and transform workplace cultures. The conversation explores practical strategies for self-discovery, the pitfalls of traditional personality tests, tackling generational divides, and actionable steps to “unlock peak performance” at work and in life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Shortcomings of Traditional Personality Tests

Timestamp: 03:37 – 07:10

• Personality Tests Box People In
  Carly explains how other assessments like Myers-Briggs or DISC label people, but only capture a partial truth:

  “These other personality tests, they would label me a certain way... But you’re only those things in the areas of your life that are important to you.” – Carly Pepin [03:44]

• Context Matters:
  Productivity, competence, and “traits” depend heavily on what matters most to someone at a given moment.
• Values Assessment as a Game-Changer:
  Unlike traditional tests, Dr. John Demartini’s values assessment (axiology-based) helps pinpoint individual purpose and what drives someone at their core.

2. Understanding the Role of ‘Telos’ (Purpose) & Mastery

Timestamp: 07:11 – 14:09

• What is ‘Telos’?
  “Telos” (from Greek, meaning “end in mind”) refers to a person’s internal life mission or ultimate purpose.

  “This is what you’re truly here to do on this planet and actually get to.” – Carly Pepin [04:21]

• Pain, Growth, and Mastery:
  Mastery requires embracing discomfort in pursuit of what matters:

  “If you like something and you want to become competent, you must endure the pain in order to become more competent… and then you get to a mastery level.” – Mitch Carson [12:07]

• Values ≠ Competency:
  True values are about what you’ll persist with, especially when it gets hard—not what you’re already good at.

  “In business… I will go through the pain of incompetency, and I will go through all of the things, and I will see it as something that’s on the way to my future and my vision and their challenges that inspire me.” – Carly Pepin [08:50]

3. Practical Application: Delegation & Workplace Performance

Timestamp: 14:10 – 21:29

• Delegation and Values:
  Delegating non-essential tasks frees up energy for high-value work.

  “Delegate out the things that are low on your values.” – Carly Pepin [23:23]

• Linking Values to Job Duties:
  Companies boost engagement by connecting employees’ core values to their day-to-day responsibilities:

  “If they’re an accountant… and they love sports, I literally ask them… ‘How does doing this accounting process actually help you understand sports?’” – Carly Pepin [20:20]

• Transformative Impact:
  When people see how their role supports what’s already important to them, motivation and satisfaction soar.

4. Bridging Generational Gaps & Communicating Across Values

Timestamp: 17:12 – 21:29

• Customizing Communication:
  Whether with children or Gen Z, knowing and speaking to someone’s unique values is the secret to effective rapport:

  “Everyone, no matter what age they are, has a very specific set of values… I ask questions to understand what’s most important to them, and then I change my language to communicate in that form.” – Carly Pepin [17:55]

• Practical Example:
  To engage a child, talk in terms of their top interests—e.g., “math is Minecraft,” “study is sports.”

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Self-Interest:

  “There’s nobody more interesting in my life than me… Unless you’re Mother Teresa. Our call letters are WIIFM: What’s in it for me? And we’re all wired that way, regardless of culture.” – Mitch Carson [02:24]

• On Self-Discovery:

  “When I got the answers to my three highest values, I just burst into tears… You can connect with yourself to such a degree at that level.” – Carly Pepin [06:24]

• On Mastery:

  “Every blemish, every black and blue, black eye, etc. getting to where I am, and I was terrible in the beginning, sucked. But you go through the pain…” – Mitch Carson, sharing his martial arts journey [13:21]

• On Company Culture:

  “Giving people the chance to really show up at work and love their job… that changes your company culture too, by the way.” – Carly Pepin [21:12]

Action Steps & Resources

How to Take the Free Values Assessment

• Visit westcoastgrowthadvisors.com
• Go to the Tools and Tips section and look for “Values Assessment”

  “It’s free. My favorite word in English.” – Mitch Carson [21:59]

• Retake every 6-12 months for deeper self-clarity.

Book Recommendations & Further Learning

• Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (for mastery and the “10,000 Hour Rule”) [14:10]
• Works of Dr. John Demartini (core values, axiology)

Most Important Timestamps

• [03:37] – Why most personality tests fall short
• [04:21] – The concept of ‘telos’ and discovering true values
• [11:47] – Embracing pain & growth for mastery
• [15:53] – What "telos" means, with real-world examples
• [17:55] – Approaching generational/values-based communication
• [20:20] – Linking work tasks to personal values in companies
• [21:36] – Where to take the free assessment

Summary in a Nutshell

This episode is a goldmine for anyone striving for purpose, performance, or people leadership. Carly Pepin emphasizes that understanding—and acting from—your core values is the secret to unlocking motivation and excellence, whether you’re an entrepreneur, corporate leader, or just seeking more drive. By customizing workplaces and conversations to individual telos (purpose), and ditching one-size-fits-all labels, you pave the way for true engagement and lifelong growth.

For more episodes and resources, subscribe and visit mitchellcarson.com.