170: The 5 Learning Styles That Build Real Leaders | Scott Allen

Leadership isn’t just about vision. Instead it’s about showing up in the everyday moments if you want to shape great teams, cultures, and results. 

There’s myth that some people are “born leaders” but in today’s episode, leadership expert Dr. Scott Allen shares why leadership is learned, practiced, and most importantly, deeply personal. 

In this episode you will learn: 

• Why the idea of “natural-born leaders” is outdated 
• The science behind charisma (and how to develop it) 
• What leadership styles have in common with golf clubs 
• The difference between authority and influence—and why influence wins 
• Why “thinking partners” are essential for every leader 
• How to combine knowledge, skill, mentorship, and experience for true growth 

Timestamps: 

00:14 – Are leaders born or made? 

01:49 – What science says about charisma and learnable leadership 

03:48 – How problem-solving, negotiation, and communication can be developed 

06:00 – Leadership styles and the “golf club” metaphor 

08:42 – Making leadership training stick: from hacks to habits 

09:43 – Why self-awareness is foundational to great leadership 

12:08 – Character, curiosity, and the power of learning 

13:02 – Can self-awareness be taught? 

15:36 – Curiosity as a leadership superpower 

17:02 – Coaches who deflect blame vs. leaders who take ownership 

18:12 – Empathy, ego, and the limits of expertise in leadership 

20:26 – Why catchers make great managers 

21:43 – Influence: the real heart of leadership 

24:07 – Trust as the currency of leadership 

25:48 – Influence tactics: from logic to coalitions 

28:18 – Timing and persuasion in leadership conversations 

30:01 – Why knowledge alone isn’t enough—real-world learning is essential 

33:22 – The five domains of leadership learning 

35:27 – Creating learning organizations with psychological safety 

37:54 – The role of thinking partners in leadership development 

41:04 – How to find (and build) your bench of thinking partners 

46:57 – Why one partner won’t solve everything—and that’s the point 

49:01 – “Who you are is how you lead” – Scott’s favorite leadership quote 

50:39 – Final thoughts on responsibility, reflection, and showing up for others 

About the Guest: 

Dr. Scott J. Allen is an award-winning educator, keynote speaker, and leadership expert. 

With over 17 years as a professor and more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, Scott brings academic rigor, humor, and real-world insight to every engagement. 

He's co-authored several books on leadership and hosts Practical Wisdom for Leaders—a podcast ranked in the top 2.5% globally. He also publishes a weekly newsletter for busy practitioners, highlighting four leadership articles. 

Scott energizes audiences at marquee organizations such as Toyota Motor North America, Cleveland Clinic, NASA-Glenn, Nestlé, Progressive, Whiting Turner, Sam's Club, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and Progressive through his dynamic keynotes, workshops, and retreats. 

Whether on stage or in the boardroom, Scott’s expertise in leader development, the future of work, and executive communication empowers leaders to drive meaningful, lasting change. 

Resources & Mentions: 

• Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-j-allen/  
• Visit Scott's Website: www.scottjallen.net 
• Listen to his Podcast: https://www.scottjallen.net/podcast  
• HBR Article: Leadership That Gets Results by Daniel Goleman: https://hbr.org/2000/03/leadership-that-gets-results  
• Influence by Robert Cialdini: https://a.co/d/hl0KHmq  
• Pre-Suasion by Robert Cialdini: https://a.co/d/hl0KHmq  
• Gallup’s workplace engagement stats: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/654911/employee-engagement-sinks-year-low.aspx#:~:text=In%20the%20latest%20reading%2C%20from,than%202020's%20high%20of%2036%25 
• Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg: https://a.co/d/81197UZ  
• Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://a.co/d/81197UZ  

Connect With Us: 

• Learn more about our leadership and team development trainings: www.learnit.com 
• Email us: [email protected] 
• Follow Damon on LinkedIn and Instagram