Episode 35

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Published on:

15th Sep 2025

35. You’ve Got One Life. Don’t Play Small.

Episode 035: You’ve Got One Life. Don’t Play Small.

In this episode of Leadership in 5, James reads directly from his personal journal — written five months before he resigned as Chief Culture Officer. It’s a reminder to himself of who he really is, and the calling he couldn’t ignore.

You’ll hear the backstory of a small business conference in Decorah, Iowa, where a chance moment of encouragement turned into a mirror of what was possible. And you’ll hear the words James wrote as a lifeline: “No one—not even myself—is going to put limitations on me.”

This is a message for every founder and leader wrestling with identity, calling, and the ceilings you set for yourself and your team.

Who This Episode Is For

Founders, owners, and leaders who feel trapped by expectations—whether from others or from themselves—and who need a reminder that faith is about moving forward without certainty.

Key Takeaways

  • Faith isn’t about certainty — it’s about moving forward without guarantees.
  • The heaviest limitations often come from within, not from others.
  • The limits you accept today set the ceiling for your team tomorrow.
  • The encouragement you speak into others can also reveal what’s possible for you.
  • You’ve got one story, one life; don’t settle for less than the life you were designed for.

Reflection Questions

  • What limitations are you quietly accepting right now—ones that don’t just shape your life, but the future of your business?
  • Which ones came from other people’s expectations—and which ones did you create yourself?
  • When your story is told ten years from now, what do you want it to say?

Links and Resources

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About the Podcast

Leadership in 5
Lead better in 5 minutes. Tactical insights for founders who want clarity, momentum, and a business that doesn’t break them.
Execution without excuses. Five minutes. One insight. No wasted words.

Leadership In 5 is the podcast for founders and executives who are done with vague advice and tired of hearing “just communicate better” like it’s a strategy.

I’m James Mayhew. I’ve served as Chief Culture Officer, coached hundreds of leaders, and made the thousand-plus execution mistakes so you don’t have to. I work with high-growth companies that are scaling fast — but who still want to lead with values, not ego.

Each episode delivers one sharp insight you can act on. You’ll hear practical guidance built on clarity, not charisma. No theory. No fluff. Just real leadership tools that work in real companies with real people.

This show exists to help you stop over-functioning, stop repeating yourself, and stop holding it all together just to keep the wheels turning. You deserve a business that works without breaking you.

The show is grounded in The IDP Way, a leadership system built on Integrity, Dignity, and Prosperity. If those words resonate, you’ll feel at home here. And if they challenge you? Even better. Growth starts with honesty.

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Thanks for listening... and for leading.

About your host

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James Mayhew

James R. Mayhew is a leadership coach and strategic advisor to founders and executives building fast-growth, values-driven companies. He created the IDP Way, a leadership system grounded in integrity, dignity, and prosperity. James helps leaders align people, purpose, and performance so their business can scale with clarity, not chaos.

He’s served as Chief Culture Officer, coached hundreds of leaders, and built execution systems that actually work.