Why Some Leaders Crumble and Others Stand Firm - Stoic Leadership

Stoicism is often misunderstood as emotional detachment or indifference. In reality, it is a practical leadership discipline built for moments when pressure is high, decisions are imperfect, and responsibility is real.

In this episode of Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff., Jason Elrod is joined by returning guest Brad Bussie for a grounded conversation on stoic leadership in modern executive roles. Together, they explore how stoic principles show up not as philosophy, but as daily practice for leaders operating in uncertainty.

This conversation reframes stoicism as an operating system for leadership, focusing on emotional regulation, moral courage, and the discipline of choosing response over reaction. Jason and Brad discuss why leadership failures are often rooted in character rather than strategy, why temperance is one of the most overlooked leadership virtues, and how credibility is built when outcomes are not clean or popular.

They also examine how stoicism can be misused or performed, drawing a clear line between genuine stoic leadership and performative restraint that masks ego, avoidance, or moral compromise.

This episode is especially relevant for executives, CISOs, board-facing leaders, and anyone responsible for making high-stakes decisions who wants to remain steady, credible, and human under sustained pressure.

Amazon Affiliate Links to books mentioned:

The Obstacle is the Way - Ryan Holiday

Courage Is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave (The Stoic Virtues Series) - Ryan Holiday

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