Magic in the Room #146: Using Your Strengths to Lead Intentionally
May 2, 2023
Is it better to focus on using your strengths or to try and fix your weaknesses? Intentional Leaders strive to be as effective as possible by using their strengths to perform at a high level. In this episode of Magic in the Room, Hannah, Chris, and Luke make the case that individuals need to focus on their strengths and that teams can be well-rounded by ensuring diverse strengths in the group.
Listen now on your favorite platform!
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Messi Goal vs Bilbao • 2014/15 • Copa del Rey
- Magic in the Room #84: Win and Help Win in Tribal Enterprise with Brian Gooden
- From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks
Credits:
- This episode of Magic in the Room was recorded onsite in Big Sky, Montana
- Music by Evan Grim. Find his music on Apple Music

In this episode of "Magic in the Room," Luke, Hannah, and Chris unpack the difference between being busy and being truly impactful, exploring why organizations often get stuck in high-activity, low-impact cycles. They identify five common contributors: compliance-heavy environments, resistance to change, disconnected decision-makers, fear-driven “CYA” cultures, and firefighting systems that reward heroics over long-term strategy. From there, they highlight what creates real impact: clarity of purpose, agency, curiosity, intentionality, and the discipline to question assumptions and align action with a meaningful “why.” The conversation encourages leaders to build awareness of their strengths, design systems that support healthy impact, maintain congruence between their public and private influence, and cultivate the kind of presence that can genuinely move a room.

In this episode of "Magic in the Room," Chris interviews board members from the National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA) discussing the power of purpose-driven leadership within tribal organizations. Recorded at the NNAHRA annual conference, they explore themes like courage, vulnerability, accountability, community service, and fostering environments where all employees feel valued and able to contribute. They share how NNAHRA builds a supportive professional network for tribal HR leaders, encourages alignment between individual roles and tribal purpose, and creates space for courageous conversations across governance and enterprise structures. They also discuss future initiatives, including new certifications and the 2026 conference at the Hilton Village in Hawaii. The overarching message: lead with purpose, support one another, and build cultures rooted in respect, courage, and shared responsibility.
