Setting Explicit Expectations with R. Karl Hebenstreit
The Remarkable Leadership Podcast
Release Date: 04/15/2026
Why Your High Performers May Fail as Leaders
The Remarkable Leadership Podcast
Most organizations make the same mistake: They promote their best performers into leadership roles... and expect success. But it doesn’t always work. In this episode, I share why high performers often struggle when they become leaders — and what you can do about it. You’ll learn: ✔ Why performance ≠ leadership readiness ✔ The mindset shift new leaders must make ✔ How organizations can better support the transition ✔ What to do when the promotion doesn’t work out The transition to leadership isn’t a reward — it’s a completely different job. And if we don’t prepare...
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Creating an Ownership Culture with Greg Hawks
The Remarkable Leadership Podcast
What does it take to create an ownership culture when most employees don't literally own the business? In this episode, Kevin talks with Greg Hawks about the mindset shifts leaders need to make to help people act like owners by bringing more of their heart, head, and hands to work. Greg explains how his framework of owners, renters, and vandals influences behavior and why leaders must pay close attention to the environments they create. He shares how organizations unintentionally produce renters by limiting contribution, tolerating toxic behaviors, and failing to help people see the bigger...
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How to Get MORE Value from Podcasts - Thoughts from Kevin
The Remarkable Leadership Podcast
Most people listen to podcasts… but never actually change anything because of them. Here’s how to turn what you hear into real results. Podcasts can be one of the most powerful learning tools available—but only if you use them the right way. In this episode of Remarkable TV, I’m sharing 5 practical strategies to help you get more value from every podcast you listen to—so you don’t just consume content, you actually apply it. If you want to grow as a leader (and a human being), this shift will make all the difference. In this video, you’ll learn: Why your goal matters more than...
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The Voice-Driven Leader with Jeremie Kubicek
The Remarkable Leadership Podcast
Does the way you speak as a leader unlock your people’s potential or hold it back? In this episode, Kevin and Jeremie Kubicek discuss what it means to be a voice-driven leader and why people development often gets crowded out by the demands of daily work. Jeremie explains that great leadership starts with a real commitment to development, not just delegation, and requires leaders to understand how each person is wired, how they learn, and where they are in their growth journey. Their discussion highlights the importance of meeting people where they are, using the developmental square to...
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How Listening Can Lead to Feedback
The Remarkable Leadership Podcast
Most leaders think feedback starts with what they say. They’re wrong. If you’ve ever given feedback and gotten resistance, hesitation, or no real change… this episode is for you. In this episode of Remarkable TV, I share a simple but powerful shift: Start with listening, not telling. You’ll learn: Why feedback must be accepted before it can be used How asking the right question reduces resistance instantly The fastest way to turn feedback into a coaching conversation What to prepare before any feedback discussion This approach will help you create better conversations, stronger...
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Setting Explicit Expectations with R. Karl Hebenstreit
The Remarkable Leadership Podcast
How can leaders create more clarity in uncertain times? In this episode, Kevin and Karl Hebenstreit discuss why clarity has become such a critical leadership need, especially in uncertain times, and why so many performance problems can be traced back to assumptions instead of explicit conversations. They talk about the danger of relying on the Golden Rule in leadership, the importance of moving toward the Platinum Rule by understanding how others want to be treated, and the reality that expectations must flow in every direction, not just from leader to team member. Karl shares practical...
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When Was the Last Time You Changed Your Mind? - Thoughts from Kevin
The Remarkable Leadership Podcast
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Building Relationship Currency with Ravi Rajani
The Remarkable Leadership Podcast
How can leaders build stronger relationships that lead to greater trust, influence, and results? In this episode, Kevin talks with Ravi Rajani about the idea of “relationship currency” and why success in leadership and business ultimately comes down to how effectively we communicate and connect with others. Ravi explains that relationship currency is created when two people engage in a meaningful value exchange focused on helping the other person achieve their goals without self-interest. Their discussion explores the importance of shaping our internal story, recognizing how the labels and...
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Are You Willing to Ask for Help? - Thoughts from Kevin
The Remarkable Leadership Podcast
Are you willing to ask for help? I’ve learned that asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s awareness. And as a leader, it can make all the difference in your results and your relationships. You’ve been there—I know I have. You’re stuck. You know you could ask for help… but you don’t. So the real question is: why? In this episode of Remarkable TV, I share why asking for help is one of the most important (and most overlooked) leadership habits—and what happens when we avoid it. Here’s what I want you to think about: - Why asking for help is awareness, not weakness - The real...
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Building the Superintelligent Firm with Stephen Wunker
The Remarkable Leadership Podcast
What would it take for your organization to become truly superintelligent in the age of AI? In this episode, Kevin sits down with Stephen Wunker to explore how leaders must move beyond simply layering AI onto existing processes and instead rethink their organizations from first principles. Steve uses the metaphor of the octopus, with its distributed intelligence and interconnected yet autonomous arms, to explain how AI enables a shift from rigid, top-down hierarchies to flexible, horizontally connected “work charts” where information gets to the right people at the right time. They discuss...
info_outlineHow can leaders create more clarity in uncertain times? In this episode, Kevin and Karl Hebenstreit discuss why clarity has become such a critical leadership need, especially in uncertain times, and why so many performance problems can be traced back to assumptions instead of explicit conversations. They talk about the danger of relying on the Golden Rule in leadership, the importance of moving toward the Platinum Rule by understanding how others want to be treated, and the reality that expectations must flow in every direction, not just from leader to team member. Karl shares practical insights on making one-on-ones more effective, keeping goals current as priorities change, and creating the consistency, communication, coaching, and compassion that build confidence and engagement.
Listen For
00:00 Why clarity matters in leadership
01:49 Guest introduction Karl Hebenstreit
02:50 Why this topic is so timely
03:10 Clarity vs inclusivity in leadership
04:11 Clarity builds confidence
05:36 The big idea behind explicit expectations
05:54 The problem with the golden rule
06:40 Why expectations must be explicit
07:10 Expectations go both ways
09:02 The cost of unclear expectations
11:04 The platinum rule explained
12:22 Emotional intelligence and expectations
13:55 What if you cannot meet expectations
18:06 Why leaders struggle with expectations
20:26 Why one on ones matter
23:09 How to run effective one on ones
25:04 Why goals must be updated regularly
27:04 The seven Cs of expectations
31:57 Final leadership challenge
Karl's Story: R. Karl Hebenstreit Ph.D., PCC, PHR is the author of the PenCraft Award-winning and international conference best-seller The How and Why: Taking Care of Business with the Enneagram (now in its third edition), the PenCraft Award and Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Award-winning Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision (available in English, Spanish, French, Greek, and Portuguese), and the Axiom Award-winning Explicit Expectations: The Essential Guide & Toolkit of Management Fundamentals. He has 25+ years of global experience in the biotechnology, healthcare, telecommunications, high-tech, pharmaceutical, and real estate services industries. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from Alliant International University/California School of Professional Psychology, a MS in Human Resource Management from the Rutgers Graduate School of Management and Labor Relations, and a BA in Psychology, French, and Political Science from Rutgers College. Karl received his executive coaching training through Fielding Graduate University. He is an accredited Enneagram Teacher, an IEA Accredited Professional with Distinction, and is also certified in the Myers-Briggs Type Instrument (MBTI).
http://www.performandfunction.com/
https://linkedin.com/in/rkarlhebenstreit
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