Why Experimentation Matters for Intentional Living

The Paradox of Outcome Thinking: "You are not in charge of the outcome. You are in charge of taking action, which is the experimentation part of what we're talking about. You are in charge of that. You are responsible for that, and you need to do it." - Perry Maughmer

Experimentation—not just thinking or planning—is at the heart of an intentional, authentic life. It’s uncomfortable, sometimes messy, but absolutely powerful.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

• Focus on action over perfection. Your brain’s reward centers activate when you do something, not when you just think about it. Getting started, even if it feels imperfect, is where motivation and growth happen.
• Write your own script. True experimentation means letting go of other people’s formulas and bolding creating your own story, even if it feels uncertain or awkward.
• Failure is part of the process. Each stumble or messy attempt is just another note in your own improvisation. Success and failure matter less than the fact that you acted and learned.

Key Moments

00:00 Embracing Experimentation and Freedom

04:44 Immersion Over Success or Failure

07:05 "Focus on Action, Not Outcome"

10:59 "Embrace Messiness as Progress"

14:16 Embracing Failure as Learning

19:10 "Coach’s Philosophy: Lose My Way"

20:01 "Embrace Experimentation"

Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from.

Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer

Challenging Assumptions for Personal Growth

"We have to have the courage to question our own beliefs because, oh, by and large, we have plenty of courage to question everybody else's beliefs. That's not the issue. The issue is do we can we look ourselves in the mirror, look at ourselves in the mirror, and question our own beliefs, and we start by questioning our own beliefs about ourselves?" - Perry Maughmer

Why Focus on 'Explore'?

Exploration isn’t just about seeking what’s unknown—it’s about questioning what we already believe. Real exploration requires “the courage to question”—especially when it comes to the stories we’ve told ourselves for years.

Most of our assumptions about ourselves and the world were given to us by parents, teachers, and our environment long before we ever got to choose them. The challenge? As adults, those stories can become so ingrained that we don’t even realize we’re operating from outdated beliefs.

The Power of Bracketing Assumptions

Here's the powerful concept of “bracketing”—intentionally setting aside your assumptions about yourself and the world so you can see things, perhaps for the very first time, without those old filters. Here are some ways to practice this:

• Confront the Known: What’s a belief about yourself you’ve never questioned? Try bracketing it for a week and see what shifts.
• Try Beginner’s Eyes: Walk into a familiar place and try to see it as if it’s brand new. What details do you discover?
• Question Your Language: Are you always telling yourself, “I can’t,” or, “I’m not that kind of person”? What if that story isn’t the whole story?
• Seek Discomfort Intentionally: The magic of exploration happens outside your comfort zone. What’s one unfamiliar thing you can try, just to see what happens?

Key Moments

00:00 "Challenging Our Predefined Beliefs"

03:23 Questioning Deep-Rooted Beliefs

09:05 "Seeing with Beginner's Eyes"

10:21 "Listen Without Prepping Responses"

15:38 "Embrace Discomfort, Separate Thoughts"

17:11 First Guitar Lesson with Son

20:39 Be Relentless and Intentional

Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from.

Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer

If you’re ready to stop chasing someone else’s idea of success and start moving intentionally on your path, this episode is for you.

Welcome to the Potential Leader Lab—soon to be The Relentless Few. I’m Perry Maughmer, your host, and in this episode, I’m inviting you behind the scenes of a big shift in my thinking and approach. Rather than sharing yet another framework or process for you to follow, I’m introducing what I now call the E3 Rhythm: Explore, Experiment, and Evaluate.

This isn’t about giving you a step-by-step formula for growth or leadership. Instead, it’s about guiding you toward living an intentional life—one that’s shaped by your own lived experiences, not by copying someone else’s story.

In this episode, I talk about letting go of the illusion that someone else’s path will work for us and offer a new perspective: that our evolution comes from the actions we take and the honest evaluations we make along the way.

You’ll hear why I made this shift, the meaning behind Explore, Experiment, Evaluate, and how adopting this rhythm can help you reclaim authorship of your own story, find greater freedom, and experience peace in your journey.

Key Moments

00:00 "E Three Rhythm Redefined"

05:40 "Personalized Paths, Not Replication"

09:10 "Embrace the Journey, Not Outcome"

13:27 Unique Human Evolution Challenges

16:46 Evaluating Life's True Impact

17:40 Questioning Advice and Intentions

Here are a few key takeaways I hope you’ll find valuable:

• Stop Chasing Frameworks, Start Finding Your Rhythm - Don’t get caught up in one-size-fits-all solutions. True growth isn’t about applying someone else’s system; it’s about exploring, experimenting, and evaluating based on your own lived experiences.
• The Path Is the Point - There’s no magic hack or shortcut to fulfillment. Meaningful progress doesn’t come from chasing others’ definitions of success—it’s found in walking your own path and embracing the ongoing journey.
• Measure Alignment, Not Achievement - When you evaluate your growth, focus less on comparing your achievements to others, and more on whether your actions align with what matters to you. Reclaiming authorship over your story is how you build a life of freedom and peace.

Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from.

Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer

I sit with Joe Boyd, a seasoned storyteller, to explore how narratives can drive emotions and connections in a leadership context. Joe shares insights from his diverse background, from being a preacher to a comedian, and he explains how he utilizes Joseph Campbell's hero's journey to help organizations craft compelling stories.

Together, we unravel the importance of storytelling in personal development and organizational culture, highlighting how understanding and leveraging one's story can lead to meaningful connections and effective leadership.

Whether it's in marketing, HR, or personal growth, Joe emphasizes storytelling as a vehicle to foster trust and navigate the complexities of human interaction.

Key Takeaways

1. Story vs. Data: Storytelling naturally captures attention and builds connections, whereas facts and data can often lead to skepticism. A compelling narrative can turn off the part of the brain that wants to argue, opening pathways for deeper engagement.
2. The Hero's Journey: Understanding your personal and organizational story is crucial. Align your company's narrative with a hero's journey framework to create a cohesive story that resonates with both customers and employees.
3. Role Recognition: Leadership isn't always about being the hero. Embrace roles such as mentor, treasure, or even the 'red shirt' in someone else's journey. This perspective fosters trust, humility, and the opportunity for enriching collaborations.

Key Moments

00:00 Joseph Campbell's Storytelling Framework

05:22 Uncovering Deeper Life Motivations

09:00 Beyond the Summit Perspective Shift

10:19 "Choosing Entry: Helping Over Self"

16:19 Improv's Impact on Humility

19:21 "Embrace Imperfection and Persistence"

22:52 "Embracing Ambiguity Through Intentional Listening"

26:36 "Leadership: Storytelling Over Data"

28:23 "Storytelling vs. Data in Decision-Making"

31:34 Universal Storytelling Across Cultures

37:21 Storytelling Over Data in HR

38:11 Referrals: The Power of Workplace Storytelling

Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from.

Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer

This is the final installment of my three-part series titled "Relentless Truth: Stepping Away from Self Promotion." If you've been with us through episodes 71 and 72, you know we've been journeying through the philosophical landscapes of Jean-Paul Sartre, Kierkegaard, and now, Martin Heidegger.

Consider how social media can subtly transform us into mere observers in our own lives. By curating online personas, we risk losing sight of our authentic selves, becoming preoccupied with how we're perceived rather than truly participating in our own experiences.

As I examine Heidegger's ideas, it's crucial to acknowledge the distinction between the "they self" and the "authentic self." The "they self" conforms to societal expectations, dictated by external validation—an all-too-common phenomenon on social media platforms. In contrast, the "authentic self" aligns with personal values and convictions, independent of external approval. The journey toward authenticity is about embracing our unique values, even if it means going unseen by the masses.

It's about valuing the experience itself, rather than its perception.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Heidegger's Philosophy: Being an active participant in the world, as opposed to a passive observer, is central to living an authentic life. Social media can shift us from this engagement to being mere spectators in our own lives.
• The "They Self" vs. the "Authentic Self": The former conforms to societal norms, while the latter lives by its own values, regardless of external validation.
• The Value of Presence: The importance of prioritizing real, meaningful interactions over curated online personas is emphasized. Are we making noise to prove we exist or engaging in genuine communications?
• Breaking Free from Societal Norms: Embrace your authentic self through self-reflection and individual responsibility. Live your life based on personal values rather than societal expectations.

Key Moments

00:00 "Choosing Presence Over Performance"

03:23 "Being Present Over Online Perception"

07:02 "The 'They Self' in Social Media"

10:05 "Meaningful Communication vs. Idle Talk"

13:38 Authenticity Over Visibility

17:47 Inherent Human Value

21:58 "Value in Unseen Work"

23:27 Hearing the Music

Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from.

Copyright 2025...

What if the idea that visibility through self-promotion might not be as valuable as we often think?

(It's important to note that this is the second part of a three-part series. I’ll be discussing why I believe stepping away from self-promotion can be beneficial.)

Drawing inspiration from the writings of Søren Kierkegaard, particularly his thoughts on how the crowd can dilute personal truth and responsibility, I challenge you to reflect on the impact of performing for the masses versus living authentically.

Are we merely existing for likes and approval or are we embracing our genuine individuality?

In this second of a three-part series, I explore the juxtaposition of truth and visibility and consider the courage it takes to be unseen in a world driven by digital crowds.

If you're questioning the balance between real connections and virtual applause, this episode promises to be both enlightening and impactful.

Here are 3 key takeaways from the episode:

• Authentic Self vs. Crowd Pleasing: The more we conform to the crowd, the further we drift from our true selves. Embrace your authentic truth over crowd-pleasing performances.
• The Power of Presence: Stepping away from the chase for likes allows us to focus on meaningful conversations and personal connections that matter the most.
• Courage to Stand Alone: It's important to have the courage to live truthfully, even if it means standing apart from the crowd. Authentic existence is about being true to ourselves.

Key Moments

00:00 "The Lie of Visibility"

03:26 Living Authentically vs. Performing Online

09:34 Authenticity Over Clickbait

12:52 Authenticity vs. Social Validation

14:24 "Courage to Be Unseen"

Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from.

Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer

In episode 71 of the Potential Leader Lab Podcast, I am going to walk you through why I've chosen a path less traveled, one of introspection and genuine connection.

In this first episode of a special three-part series, host Perry Maughmer explores the difference between marketing and self-promotion, why stepping back from the spotlight can be liberating, and how authenticity outweighs visibility for the relentless few who dare to lead differently.

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Key Moments

0:16 - Intro: Kicking off the three-part series "Walking Away from the Noise"

2:23 - Perry’s journey: Three years experimenting with self-promotion

3:37 - Marketing vs. Promotion: Purpose, intent, and why Perry draws the line

5:37 - The paradox of podcasting without promotion

6:02 - Perry’s no-promotion book-writing journey

7:02 - Relationship building vs. transactional tactics

7:47 - Storytelling vs. shouting: Defining authentic marketing

9:05 - Authenticity or performance? The cost of chasing clicks

11:18 - Roots in existential philosophy (Sartre, Kierkegaard, Heidegger)

12:14 - How social media tricks us into equating visibility with value

15:43 - Becoming more present by opting out of self-promotion

17:53 - The courage to be invisible and embracing deep work

19:13 - Sartre’s concept of "bad faith" and the roles we perform

24:23 - The risk of locking yourself into a fixed, promotable identity

25:29 - Practical steps to reject self-promotion and cultivate authenticity

27:41 - Series overview & what’s next: The Lie of Visibility and Living Relentlessly Unseen

Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from.

Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer

In episode 70 of the Potential Leader Lab Podcast, I offer you a call to action to embrace your failures gloriously, learn from them, evolve, and chase the relentless pursuit of self-improvement.

🤔 Our Discussion 🤔

The truth is, we've been programmed to view failure as a roadblock rather than a learning experience—a viewpoint that's not only flawed but also hindering our potential to grow and improve. In exploring the concept of failure, I share that I, too, have experienced more failures than successes. Public failures are just the tip of the iceberg compared to the less visible, private ones where we fail to meet our self-set expectations.

★ Key Moments ★

00:33 Embracing Failure: A Private Struggle

06:10 Success Through Constant Failure

08:13 Redefining Failure and Success

12:49 Embrace Failure for Growth

16:15 Learning from Nonfatal Failures

18:10 Embracing Struggle for Growth

20:55 Opportunity and Resilience Reflection

24:06 Embrace Failure, Evolve, Repeat

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Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn & Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from.

Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer