SightShift with Chris McAlister

#10Years10Stories | Reagan Pugh | Story #1

In this special 10-year anniversary series celebrating Figure That Shift Out, we’re sharing ten stories of transformation, moments when leaders figured it out not by pushing harder, but by seeing more clearly.
In this episode, Reagan shares how the ideas of proving and hiding became a daily barometer for his leadership — those moments when he felt the urge to get big and prove his worth or shrink back and hide. Learning to notice those patterns helped him flip the lie beneath them and lead from a secure identity.

Finishing Well at the Top: John Carter’s Story

On his last day in the office, John Carter, President & COO of Nationwide Financial, shares the lessons of a 40-year career in financial services. Under his leadership, Nationwide grew by 50%, delivered record results, and set the tone for admired leadership across the industry.
 
This conversation explores:
Building a performance culture that lasts
How empathy, clarity, and focus shaped his leadership
Why leaving well is as important as leading well
 
Named President & COO Emeritus, John leaves behind a legacy that will shape Nationwide and the financial industry for decades to come.
 
👉 Get the new book: makecultureyouredge.com
👉 More from Chris & SightShift: sightshift.com

From HR to Finance: Building Culture That Lasts

At Miles-McClellan Construction, rapid growth and market uncertainty put leadership under pressure. Instead of just tightening budgets or systems, they chose to double down on culture.
In this episode, Chris talks with Devin Stein (VP of HR) and Owen Wyss (CFO) about what it takes to align strategy with people, accelerate trust on an executive team, and prepare the next generation of leaders.
 
This conversation explores:
Why leadership development pays off in performance and morale
How trust and vulnerability fast-tracked executive alignment
Practical shifts that helped managers lead with more clarity and meaning
 
Whether you’re an HR leader, a CFO, or a CEO facing growth pressures, this episode shows how culture work can unlock results faster than strategy alone.

Why Confusion Isn’t the Enemy of Culture

When communication breaks down, confusion creeps in, and culture suffers. But it doesn’t have to.
In Episode 4 of the Make Culture Your Edge series, Chris and Mark take a deeper look at confusion as the first “tension point” leaders must learn to navigate when building culture.
This conversation explores:
Why confusion isn’t a threat but a signal for better communication
The three risk factors confusion creates: low engagement, burnout, and wasted energy
Practical ways to respond with clarity instead of panic
 
Confusion is inevitable. But if you know how to respond to it, you can turn it into a pathway for a stronger culture.
 
👉 Get the book: makecultureyouredge.com
👉 More from Chris & SightShift: sightshift.com

How Leaders Can Turn Tension into Culture Strength

Every leader faces moments of tension: pushback in a meeting, resistance to change, conflict on the team. In Episode 3 of our Make Culture Your Edge series, Chris McAlister and Mark show why those moments aren’t threats to avoid, but rather signals that culture is being tested.
This conversation explores:
The three tension points that mirror faith, hope, and love
How leaders often react in ways that weaken culture
A different way to treat confusion, resistance, and conflict as opportunities to grow stronger
Whether at work or at home, the way you lead through tension will determine whether your culture drifts or becomes your edge.
🎧 Listen now, and follow along with the book: makecultureyouredge.com

The Three Pillars of Every Culture

What makes a culture truly great? Not perks, slogans, or policies. In this episode, Chris and Mark explore the three enduring pillars that every healthy culture depends on.
You’ll hear:
Why leaders lose great talent when they ignore culture
How to spot when faith, hope, or love are missing
The ancient wisdom that still shapes modern leadership
A simple formula for diagnosing and improving any culture
Whether you’re leading a business, a team, or your own family, this simple but profound model will help you diagnose where culture is strong, where it’s at risk, and how to strengthen it.
🎧 Listen now, and follow along with the book: makecultureyouredge.com

Culture Happens, With or Without You

We’re kicking off a new series tied to the launch of Make Culture Your Edge. In this first conversation, Chris McAlister and Mark Stanifer get real about the unseen forces shaping every team’s results.
 
You’ll hear:
Why “wilderness” is where true leadership is forged
The danger of confusing surface polish for real culture
How the right metaphor changes everything
The three questions every leader should ask about their culture
 
Whether you’re leading a business, a team, or a family, culture is happening. The only question: are you shaping it, or leaving it to chance?
 
Get your copy of the book: makecultureyouredge.com

Why Mindfulness, Empathy & Safety Aren’t Enough

Leadership isn’t about being the most productive or innovative. It’s about changing lives, starting with your own.
In the final episode of the Lead for Impact series, Chris and Mark challenge the belief that validation is enough for leaders. They dig into stories from the corporate world, lessons from insecure leadership, and the timeless truth that impact flows from secure identity and the right motives. You’ll discover why true leaders don’t just build organizations—they transform communities.
You’ll hear:
- How cultures built on validation drive away real leaders
- The difference between producing managers and building transformative leaders
- Why secure identity is the foundation of high-performing teams
- The pitfalls of relying on empathy, mindfulness, and psychological safety alone
- The ancient formula for lasting impact: right action + right motive