Adam Contos is a former SWAT leader turned CEO, leadership advisor, and author of “Start With a Win: Tools and Lessons to Create Personal and Business Success.” In this episode, Adam begins by defining a “win” in leadership not as just hitting KPIs or completing projects, but as creating momentum through small, daily victories.
Adam stresses the importance of fostering a culture of accountability within teams, but without micromanaging. He explains that accountability is about creating an environment where people can succeed, rather than policing behavior.
When discussing setbacks, Adam reminds us that challenges are inevitable, but it’s how leaders respond that defines them. Instead of reacting emotionally, strong leaders respond thoughtfully, seeing setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than roadblocks. Adam also discusses how to sustain momentum, and highlights how constant, small improvements drive long-term results.
Adam’s insights provide a fresh approach to leadership, showing that small, consistent actions over time can build lasting success. If you’re ready to implement these principles in your leadership journey, this episode is a must-listen.
Key Takeaways
[05:22] Jan asks Adam to define a “win” in leadership. Adam clarifies that a win isn’t just about KPIs or project completions. Instead, he believes it’s about creating momentum. He calls them “micro wins,” like waking up before the alarm. Small wins add up, laying the foundation for bigger successes down the road.
[06:34] Jan asks what shifts momentum for a team. Adam points to emotional intelligence, learning from failures, and adjusting strategies. Leaders help create a culture of confidence and resilience, guiding their teams to focus on strengths and not dwell on setbacks.
[07:59] Adam shares that successful leaders don’t leave their days to chance. They start by setting clear priorities, communicating expectations, and modeling discipline. Jan asks if leaders should set boundaries or let teams determine their own priorities. Adam says it’s a mix. Leaders need to define expectations and values, but also give teams the flexibility to make their own decisions.
[11:39] Adam explains that accountability isn’t about policing; it’s about creating an environment where people can succeed. Jan references a past guest who discussed the difference between what people want to do versus what they should do. He asks Adam how leaders can handle high-potential individuals who resist extra responsibility. Adam suggests challenging teams to grow while respecting their individual aspirations. Success isn’t a one-size-fits-all, and leaders must find the right balance between encouragement and autonomy.
[15:16] Adam responds to the question about handling setbacks by saying that volatility and challenges are inevitable in all areas of life. What defines a person is how they respond. He reminds himself that each setback is just a chapter, not the whole story. Strong leaders see adversity as a stepping stone, not a stopping point. He stresses the importance of responding thoughtfully, not emotionally, to setbacks and learning from them for the future.
[18:07] Adam explains that leaders are made, not born. Instead of testing people under stress, leaders should train them to handle pressure by gradually increasing their exposure to challenging situations. This builds the skills and confidence needed to handle future stress.
[22:22] Jan asks how leaders balance confidence and humility. Adam says confidence without humility can lead to arrogance and failure. He explains that the balance shifts depending on the audience and context. For instance, sales teams may need more confidence, while executive teams might appreciate more humility.
[24:18] Adam talks about executive presence, which is about gravitas, communication, and appearance. He shares how Jamie Dimon commands a room without saying a word, demonstrating the power of presence. Adam advises leaders to always show up prepared, look like they care, and deliver messages that resonate with their audience.
[27:01] Adam explains that success creates momentum but warns that it can also lead to complacency if leaders think it will sustain itself. He stresses the need for continuous improvement to prevent stagnation. Adam points to Team Sky’s cycling success under Sir David Brailsford, where the focus was on constant, small improvements. Successful teams are driven by a mission, not just results.
[34:58] Adam concludes by encouraging people to focus on creating wins every day. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing actions that lead to positive results, rather than getting stuck on unproductive tasks. He advises adopting a proactive mindset and viewing daily tasks as opportunities, not obligations.
[36:47] And remember…“ Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win. ” – Sun Tzu
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Quotable Quotes
"A win isn't a KPI. A win isn't completing a project. A win more than anything is just creating momentum." Share on X "Successful leaders don't leave their day to chance." Share on X "If you walk in and sit down at the table in a meeting and you're pounding your fist and cussing things like that, guess what? The employees are going to do that. They're going to pound their fist and cuss at things when you're not… Share on X "Great leadership starts before the first meeting. It's built in the moments of preparation and personal discipline." Share on X "I think you should allow people to spread their wings and fly as high and far and fast as they possibly can." Share on X "Accountability isn't about policing." Share on X "We need to create an environment where people can be as successful as they want to be." Share on X “volatility and setbacks have happened since the beginning of time. But ultimately you have to understand they don't define you. Your response to them is what defines you. “ Share on X "Great leaders really train themselves to see adversity as kind of a stepping stone and really not a stopping point in their career and their life.” Share on X “I think you can start putting pressures on people to see how they start to respond. And frankly, you can educate people. Leaders are made, they're not born." Share on X "Anyone can be taught, but it's hard to teach someone who doesn't want to learn." Share on X “if you have confidence without humility, it becomes arrogance, and that's when you get your butt kicked." Share on X "Know your audience, show up like a leader. I don't care where you're at, show up like a leader, look like you care and like you tried, and then deliver a message that resonates with your audience." Share on X “Success breeds complacency if you let it." Share on X "The best teams just don't work for results. They work for a mission. And if that mission is continuously developing and improving, they're probably going to continue to win because they're continuing to revitalize that momentum." Share on X "But the reality is the big guy started as a little guy at some point also, they just perpetually were able to ignore the losses that they were facing." Share on X "Set a culture, be a good person and live that culture. And if people like it, great. If they don't, great." Share on X "Focus on being better at a leader, as a leader, and focus on taking one more step towards your accomplishments." Share on X
This is the book mentioned in this episode
Resources Mentioned
- The Leadership Podcast | theleadershippodcast.com
- Sponsored by | www.darley.com
- Rafti Advisors. LLC | www.raftiadvisors.com
- Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | selfreliantleadership.com
- Adam Contos Website | www.adamcontos.com
- Adam Contos | START WITH A WIN Podcast
- Adam Contos X (Twitter) | @adamcontosceo
- Adam Contos Facebook | www.facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
- Adam Contos LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/adamcontos
- Adam Contos Instagram | @adamcontosceo
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