In this episode, recorded live at the 2026 ASTA Expo in Raleigh, North Carolina, Josh Parnell sits down with fellow Limitless Leadership coach Bobby McGraw to discuss his session “Running on Empty, Leading a Shop That Never Stops” and why leaders must learn to lead themselves first. Bobby explains how leaders can have limitless potential but limited energy, exploring decision fatigue and why feeling depleted should be treated as an energy issue rather than a character flaw. He introduces the ACT framework of awareness, courage, and tenacity, emphasizing the importance of taking action before confidence arrives and using the “be the buffalo” mindset to face challenges head-on. Bobby also breaks down four key leadership shifts: leading yourself, bringing clarity, building accountability through a conversation ladder of curiosity, concern, and confronting, and multiplying yourself by developing others. He compares effective leaders to Sherpas who guide people toward their goals while helping them grow along the way. The conversation closes with practical lessons on personal growth, small daily habits, and how Limitless Leadership coaching and the Foundational Reset can help leaders build sustainable leadership practices.
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Timestamps:
00:00 Limitless Leadership Intro
00:52 Live From ASTA Expo
02:06 Meet Bobby McGraw
02:15 Sponsor Break
03:41 Running On Empty
06:18 Decision Fatigue Battery
07:18 Awareness Courage Tenacity
08:13 Tools And Marketing Sponsors
09:26 Courage Before Confidence
12:41 Be The Buffalo
15:53 Thermostat Leadership
18:58 Coaching Whole Person
21:29 Personal Growth First
22:34 Defining Tenacity
24:34 Small Habits Big Wins
27:12 Quitters Day Lessons
29:16 Running on Empty Shifts
33:18 Conversation Ladder
38:05 Multiply Through People
40:16 Coaching Reset Wrap Up