Unconventional Wisdom: The 7 Rules I Had to Break to Lead Well

In this bold and deeply personal episode, Dr. Sharalyn Payne shares the seven unspoken rules she had to break to lead with truth, clarity, and lasting impact. These aren't just theories—these are battle-tested decisions that shifted cultures, built trust, and elevated performance.

If you’ve ever been praised for playing it safe while knowing you were born to lead differently, this episode will give you the permission—and the playbook—to lead from conviction, not convention.

Key Takeaways:

You don’t need to conform to be effective—credibility starts with alignment, not approval.
Creating a subculture of honesty and excellence often begins by breaking the dominant culture’s rules.
Letting others speak first creates psychological safety—and unlocks innovation.
Feedback is only helpful if it’s true, timely, and aligned with your mission.
Authentic leadership often looks like breaking the rulebook with wisdom and vision.

Links & Mentions:

Connect on LinkedIn: Dr. Sharalyn
Download the The Game Changer's Leadership Collection
The CREDIBLE™ Framework by Dr. Sharalyn Payne

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome + What This Episode Is Really About
01:15 – Rule #1: Let Others Speak First
04:50 – Rule #3: Stop Hiding Your Faith
08:20 – Rule #4: Reject Feedback That Undermines Purpose
11:40 – Rule #5: Invite Friction to Spark Innovation
15:15 – Bonus Rule: Stop Pretending It’s Easy
17:00 – Signature Framework: The Unconventional Leader’s Code™
19:00 – Power Question of the Day + Final Reflection

Call to Action:

If this episode resonated, share it with a leader who’s tired of pretending and ready to lead whole.
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