Build Better Decisions Using Self-Awareness Others Ignore | Liesl Chang - E48
About this episode
Dusty sits down with Liesl Chang—entrepreneur, systems thinker, and founder of Comeback Goods—for a wide-ranging conversation that explores how self-awareness, curiosity, and disciplined systems thinking shape meaningful leadership. Tracing her path from studying Russian history to building logistics infrastructure at high-growth startups like Zimments and Casper, Liesl reflects on the formative moments that redirected her career, including the loss of her father and a growing refusal to settle for work that lacked purpose. Together, she and Dusty unpack the hidden operational realities of e-commerce—especially the costly, overlooked problem of returns—and how that insight led Liesl to found Comeback Goods, a marketplace built around reclaiming “almost perfect” home goods with minor imperfections. Along the way, Liesl shares why differentiation and financial discipline are non-negotiables, how narrative and systems intersect, and why leadership rooted in presence, follow-through, and genuine human connection ultimately creates the most durable impact.
Key Timestamps:
(01:31) – The Importance of Self-Awareness in Leadership
(05:59) – Early Influences and Entrepreneurial Spirit
(09:03) – Academic Journey: From Russian History to Entrepreneurship
(22:13) – Venturing into E-commerce and Logistics
(25:14) – The Challenges of E-commerce Returns
(30:05) – Embracing Imperfections, Sustainability, and Returns
(37:28) – Building a Network
(42:27) – Rapid Fire Questions
Key Topics Discussed:
Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Self-Leadership, Leadership Coaching, Leadership Clarity, Organizational Leadership
Mentions:
Website: https://comebackgoods.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslchang/
Mentions:
Upworthy - GOOD PEOPLE: Stories From the Best of Humanity by Gabriel Reilich and Lucia Knell
https://www.doe.org/programs/ready-willing-able/
More of Leadership Unlocked:
Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/
Contact me at [email protected]
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