The EntreLeadership Podcast
Host: Dave Ramsey (Ramsey Network)
Episode: Can You Actually Change an Unmotivated Team Member?
Date: March 27, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode is centered on the complexities of leadership, especially when it comes to developing unmotivated team members and guiding teams through adversity. Dave Ramsey responds to real questions from business leaders at different stages, sharing his insights on accountability, servant leadership, decision-making under uncertainty, and career growth. He addresses topics like how to handle an apathetic intern, making critical business decisions without full information, supporting strong performers who don't want to lead, and effectively delegating responsibilities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Can You Change an Unmotivated Team Member? (00:47 – 09:00)

The Situation

• Caller (Thomas, Memphis): First-time leader, managing a college intern who is disengaged and not showing clear strengths or passions.

Dave Ramsey’s Guidance

• Servant Leadership is Key:
  • Start from a place of genuinely wanting to help your team member become a better version of themselves.
  • “The whole basis for the communication, the whole basis for the interaction is you have his best interest in mind. I want to serve you.” – Dave (01:53)
• Accountability as Love:
  • Hold others accountable because you care about their future success.
• You Can’t Control Everything:
  • Sometimes, despite your best efforts, team members may remain disengaged (some simply want the internship as a résumé item).
  • Learn from the experience, especially as a developing leader.
  • “If you're going at it from an idea of … I'm here to help this person be a better version of themselves … then you've done all you can do at that point.” – Dave (02:22)
• Direct Feedback (Tough Conversations):
  • Sometimes, loving leadership means giving hard, corrective feedback for the intern’s own benefit.
  • “An act of service could be, ‘Dude, you suck at this. You're going to have to really turn this around ... I'm going to hold you accountable as an act of love towards you.’” – Dave (05:00)
• 'Be an And, Not a But':
  • Quoting Nick Saban: Help your people become those who add value (“and”), versus those with reservations (“but”).
  • “My job … was to teach them to be an and and not a but.” – Dave (06:23)
• Long-Term Impact:
  • Your real job is to help interns and employees grow as people, not just accomplish tasks.

2. Decision-Making Under Uncertainty (10:02 – 16:54)

The Situation

• Caller (Terry, Greensboro): Owner of a wellness spa rebuilding after a fire; facing decisions with incomplete information (e.g., opening a temporary location before insurance clarity).

Dave Ramsey’s Guidance

• We Never Have All the Details:
  • “I don't think we ever have all the details. And, yeah, we have to move forward ... but I also don't want to get over into ... being rash either.” – Dave (10:48)
• Fatal vs. Non-Fatal Risks:
  • Only take risks you can absorb; avoid ‘fatal’ decisions that can end your business.
  • “I don't mind failing. I do mind fatal failure.” – Dave (12:46)
• Push for Action from Others:
  • Apply pressure to entities (like insurance companies) to move things forward.
• James Bond Analogy:
  • Never “slide all your chips to the center of the table” – Don’t risk your entire business on one uncertain decision. (14:24)

3. Career Growth for Non-Managers (18:12 – 25:10)

Listener Question

• Hudson, Delaware: Has a rock star performer who does not want to manage others; should he push them toward leadership or build a different growth path?

Dave Ramsey’s Guidance

• Honor Their Strengths and Preferences:
  • “You build a different growth path.” – Dave (18:38)
• Don't Force Leadership:
  • Forcing an individual contributor into a manager role can ruin a great performer and create a poor manager.
  • “That would be leukemia to my spirit.” – Russ Carroll (as quoted by Dave, 21:50)
• Alternative Growth Options:
  • Recognize and reward excellence within their discipline (e.g., Senior Salesperson, Lead Designer) without requiring people management.
• Provide Clear Advancement Paths:
  • Develop creative growth opportunities that don’t require leadership responsibilities but still recognize performance and expertise.

4. Delegating Responsibilities & Growing Your Team (25:13 – 29:46)

The Situation

• Caller (Jackson, San Antonio): Regional leader at a coffee shop chain, concerned about giving away too many responsibilities as his team seeks growth.

Dave Ramsey’s Guidance

• Focus on High-Value Leadership Tasks:
  • Delegate tasks that others can do to focus on “new things, big things, and broken things.”
  • “As the leader, you need to work on new things, big things, and broken things.” – Dave (27:04)
• Let Go to Let Others Grow:
  • Train and empower your team to take on more; your primary role is development, not gatekeeping.
  • “That's what the purpose of leadership is, is to teach people how to do something and then get out of the way and let them do it, not just stand in their way all the time.” – Dave (29:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Loving Leadership:
  “I'm going to hold you accountable as an act of love towards you.” – Dave (05:00)

• On Risk-Taking:
  “I don't mind failing. I do mind fatal failure.” – Dave (12:46)

• On the Wrong Promotion:
  “That would be leukemia to my spirit.” – Russ Carroll, describing leadership he didn’t want (as quoted by Dave, 21:50)

• On Letting Others Lead:
  “Teach people how to do something and then get out of the way and let them do it.” – Dave (29:00)

• Nick Saban Principle:
  “My job ... was to teach them to be an and and not a but.” – Dave (06:23)

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------------|:--------------:| | Introduction & Call from Thomas | 00:10 – 09:00 | | Servant Leadership & Handling Unmotivated Interns | 01:53 – 06:25 | | Decision-Making with Incomplete Info (Terry) | 10:02 – 16:54 | | Career Paths Outside People Management (Hudson) | 18:12 – 25:10 | | Delegation & Core Leadership Focus (Jackson) | 25:13 – 29:46 |

Conclusion

Dave Ramsey provides actionable, hard-earned wisdom for real-world leadership challenges. His advice centers on servant leadership, accountability, risk management, and creating space for multiple types of growth. Whether you’re dealing with underperforming team members, high-stakes business decisions, or the challenge of developing your best people without pushing them into roles they don’t want, this episode delivers practical frameworks and motivational takeaways for leaders at every stage.

Key Takeaway:
You can’t always change an unmotivated team member, but you can create an environment focused on growth, accountability, and service—and you must honor both your and your team members’ unique strengths and aspirations as your organization grows.