The Leadership Coach Sam Altman and Top AI Teams Trust
EP 148 of The Logan Bartlett Show: For people building companies - from the people who’ve done it.
Last week I had Joe Hudson on the podcast, an executive coach who has coached teams at Open AI and other major AI companies, and has worked closely with Sam Altman and other leaders at Google, Apple, Salesforce, the NBA, and many more organizations.
Before that, he spent years in international stock lending and venture capital… and also time in a room meditating for 12 hours a day. His work blends psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative practice, and it has quietly shaped some of Silicon Valley’s most influential decision-makers.
Read the transcript here
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✉️ Episode Memo
Here are 12 of his frameworks for building high-performing teams and unlocking personal growth:
1. Redefine imposter syndrome
You can’t logic your way out of it. We’re all making it up as we go. The goal isn’t to eliminate the feeling; it’s to change the reality on the ground going anyway.
2. Your business is a mirror
Every business problem is a self-awareness problem. If you're conflict-avoidant, your org probably is too. Put attention on the root, not just the outcome.
3. Emotional inquiry
When someone criticizes you or something feels off, your instinct is to push the emotion away. But leaning into it often reveals what boundary to set or step to take next.
4. Avoiding an emotion tends to block you.
The moment you feel stuck, ask yourself: What emotion am I avoiding right now? That's usually a key to unblocking yourself.
5. Experiment where you’re least confident
If you're building a car and don’t know how to build the catalytic converter, start there. Otherwise, you’ll have to rebuild the whole thing later. When building anything, begin with what you're least comfortable with.
6. Let go of shame
People shame you to get you to stop doing something. When you overcome shame you unlock momentum.
7. Set aside time for regular reflection, like you would for team meetings.
A self-aware CEO is powerful. But a self-aware leadership team is a superpower. Start by asking:
What’s the one thing that would 2x our results?
What would 2x our enjoyment?
What mindset shift would help make it happen?
8. Build from purpose, not pressure
Don’t fixate on “how to build the business.” Fixate on the change you want to see in the world. That mindset is the difference between chasing dollars and building something enduring.
9. Use change as your transformation window
The most powerful transformations happen during change (new jobs, major life events, pivots). You either level up or regress. AI is one of those global moments. Don’t miss the opportunity.
10. Follow visible transformation
Find someone you’ve seen change dramatically level up, personally or professionally. Ask them what they did. Then do that. It’s the best proof of what actually works.
Bonus: The people creating AI are super thoughtful and intelligent… they should be treated with the respect and kindness we treated people serving in WW2.
⭐ Trailer
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