105. Begin With WE: Kyle McDowell on Crushing Workplace Dysfunction and Leading with Principle

What if the real problem in corporate culture isn’t the strategy—but the absence of shared principles? In this powerful episode of What’s the Point?, Bill Ellis welcomes bestselling author, speaker, and former Fortune 10 executive Kyle McDowell. Kyle pulls back the curtain on what’s broken in today’s organizations—and how The 10 WEs framework can shift the culture from dysfunction to excellence. With nearly 30 years of experience leading massive teams, Kyle’s message is as bold as it is simple: begin with WE. Whether you’re leading thousands or just trying to be a better teammate, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, courage, and culture.

Kyle McDowell is a leadership coach, keynote speaker, and the author of the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller Begin With WE: 10 Principles for Building and Sustaining a Culture of Excellence. After nearly three decades in corporate leadership roles—including at some of America’s biggest firms—Kyle now helps organizations dismantle dysfunction by putting people over ego and mission over metrics. His trademarked philosophy, The 10 WEs, is redefining how leaders create buy-in, accountability, and authenticity across every level of business.

Episode Highlights & Key Takeaways:

• Begin With WE: Kyle introduces his leadership framework and why starting with a unified vision creates cultures of excellence.
• From Fortune 10 to Full-Time Purpose: Kyle opens up about his decision to leave corporate life and step into his calling as a thought leader.
• The First WE Principle: "We do the right thing. Always." Kyle shares why this one idea is the cornerstone for trust, safety, and transformation.
• Courageous Candor: Kyle talks about moving past polite silence in the workplace and building teams that speak truth with respect.
• The Power of Modeling: Leaders can’t just talk the talk—they must model behavior and create an environment of accountability.
• It’s Not Soft, It’s Strong: Kyle breaks down why vulnerability and empathy in leadership are not weaknesses but the ultimate strengths.
• One-on-One Moments Matter: Leadership isn’t about stage presence—it’s about the impact you have in your next conversation.

Kyle McDowell’s message is a wake-up call for leaders everywhere: Culture isn’t someone else’s job—it’s yours. His “10 WEs” offer more than a framework; they’re a mirror. One that reflects the kind of leader you are—and the one you’re capable of becoming. If you’re tired of watching dysfunction win, this episode will inspire you to lead with courage, clarity, and a whole lot more WE.

Connect with Bill:

• [e-mail]
• www.brandingpillars.com
• www.brandingforresults.com
• IG - @wcellis
• Facebook - @CoachBillEllis
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis
• Book: Women Who Won

Links for This Episode:

• https://www.instagram.com/kylemcdowellinc
• https://www.tiktok.com/@kylemcdowellinc
• https://www.youtube.com/@kylemcdowellinc
• https://www.facebook.com/KyleMcDowellInc
• https://twitter.com/KyleMcDowellInc
• BOOK: Begin With WE: 10 Principles for Building and Sustaining a Culture of Excellence

Quick Episode Summary: 

• 0:00 – Bill introduces Kyle and his mission to rewire corporate leadership
• 1:08 – Kyle shares his background, from leading tens of thousands to walking away from it all
• 3:44 – The origin of Begin With WE and how the “10 WEs” came to life
• 6:10 – The core dysfunctions Kyle saw over and over—and why no one was solving them
• 9:29 – “We do the right thing. Always.” Why principle-driven leadership builds unstoppable trust
• 13:00 – How Kyle’s team of 15,000 began to adopt a shared belief system
• 15:50 – What vulnerability in leadership really looks like—and how it unlocks deeper performance
• 18:45 – Kyle breaks down his journey from fear to courage in leaving a secure corporate life
• 22:00 – “We own our mistakes.” Why authenticity, not perfection, makes great leaders
• 24:55 – Leaders who hide behind silence—and how to bring truth back into the room
• 29:10 – Why great leadership is personal, not positional
• 31:30 – The message behind his book and how The 10 WEs can transform any team
• 33:45 – Kyle shares the moment he knew he was living out his calling
• 36:00 – The ripple effect of cultural change—from the break room to the boardroom
• 39:00 – Why Kyle believes impact, not income, is the true measure of success
• 41:00 – Final thoughts from Kyle on what it really means to lead with purpose

Subscribe & Share:
Know someone frustrated with toxic work culture or looking to grow as a leader? Share this episode and help spread Kyle’s mission to bring principle-driven leadership to every workplace. Subscribe to What’s the Point? for more conversations that cut through the noise and help you live—and lead—with purpose.