From Toxic Culture to Trusted Leadership! 10 Rules for Building High-Performing Team | Kyle McDowell
In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin speaks with Kyle McDowell, former Fortune 10 executive, leadership coach, and author of Begin With WE. After spending decades in high-powered corporate roles, Kyle became disillusioned with ego-driven leadership and toxic workplace cultures. He stepped away from the status quo to reimagine leadership through a principle-based lens — and developed a framework known as the 10 WE Principles.
Kyle shares the personal turning points that sparked his transformation, including the moment he realized he was leading in ways he once despised. He explains how the 10 WE Principles — starting with "We do the right thing" and ending with "We obsess over details" — helped him rebuild trust, performance, and culture across large, complex teams. Kyle also reflects on what it takes to lead with authenticity, how to handle skepticism and resistance, and why true leadership starts with self-reflection and daily discipline.
Whether you’re a team lead, product manager, or executive, this episode offers powerful lessons on how to lead with purpose, build accountable teams, and create a culture where people actually want to work.
Kyle McDowell spent nearly three decades leading large organizations. Disillusioned with ego-driven leadership and performative culture, he stepped away to redefine what it means to lead with integrity. Today, he coaches leaders around the world, helping them transform their teams through principle-based leadership. His book “Begin With WE: 10 Principles for Building and Sustaining a Culture of Excellence” has become a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, inspiring a growing movement of values-driven leadership.
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Takeaways
- Kyle's journey reflects a common struggle with corporate leadership.
- Self-reflection is crucial for effective leadership.
- Toxic workplace behavior can lead to apathy and disengagement.
- Leading by example is essential for building trust.
- The 10 principles of leadership can transform workplace culture.
- Embracing challenge is key to personal and team growth.
- Measuring outcomes, not activity, drives real progress.
- Authenticity in leadership fosters loyalty and commitment.
- The future of leadership will require adaptability to new technologies.
- Personal connections in the workplace are more important than ever.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
03:04 The Journey from Apathy to Purposeful Leadership
06:18 Establishing Leadership Principles
10:21 Challenges in Implementing Leadership Principles
14:06 The Importance of Commitment Over Compliance
15:46 Realizing the Effectiveness of Leadership Principles
18:22 The 10 Principles of Leadership
26:07 Measuring Success by Outcomes
28:13 The Importance of Self-Reflection in Leadership
31:58 Understanding Leadership Impact
34:55 Leading Without Authority
37:55 Generational Differences in Leadership
43:41 The Future of Leadership in an AI World
44:50 Choosing to Lead Differently
46:37 How to Connect with Kyle
Connect with Kyle
- Website: https://kylemcdowellinc.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylemcdowellinc/
- X: https://x.com/KyleMcDowellInc
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kylemcdowellinc
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylemcdowellinc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KyleMcDowellInc
- Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kylemcdowellinc
Connect with Vit
- Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/
- X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin
- Buy things on Amazon that Vit recommends: https://www.amazon.com/shop/anhourofinnovationwithvitlyoshin
