Podcast Episode #547: The Lost Art of Restoring Trust, Resolving Conflict, and Emotional Intelligence – Greg Stephens
Episode #547: Dentist Freedom Blueprint Podcast
The Lost Art of Restoring Trust, Resolving Conflict, and Emotional Intelligence – Greg Stephens
If you’ve ever avoided conflict or struggled to express yourself in high-stakes conversations, this episode is your wake-up call. Greg Stephens, executive coach, author, and founder of Alignment Resources, joins David to discuss why so many leaders unknowingly limit their influence, connection, and freedom—because they’ve never been taught how to have the right conversations. Greg believes that conflict isn’t a threat—it’s the doorway to transformation.
Drawing from decades of experience in Crucial Conversations facilitation, leadership development, and personal restoration, Greg reveals how mastering communication and emotional intelligence can heal fractured relationships, elevate leadership presence, and restore peace of mind. Whether you’re navigating friction with your spouse, your team, or even yourself, this conversation offers actionable insights for building deeper, more resilient connections—starting with radical personal ownership.
Minute Markers:
00:00 – Intro
04:56 – Apprenticing in coaching and the impact of Crucial Conversations
07:28 – Completing 36 unresolved relationships in 2.5 years
10:14 – Why most executives lack emotional intelligence
12:52 – Why one-off seminars fail and real transformation requires support
14:47 – Greg’s early struggles with victimhood and personal accountability
18:38 – Divorce, resolution, and restoring relationships with grace
25:17 – Courage, vulnerability, and the myth of weakness in leadership
30:16 – Why difficult conversations are worth it
32:01 – The power of small, safe cohorts for transformation
33:36 – Masterclasses vs. masterminds
36:46 – Why high achievers need advanced relationship training too
41:07 – Final book recommendations for next-level growth
Featured on the Show:
Greg Stephens Website | LinkedIn
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership Book
Purchase Your Ticket to The Real Wealth Conference
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P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are some other ways I can help fast track you to your Freedom goal (you’re closer than you think) :
In this episode, we finish up the second part of my interview with Rob Swanson and his eight rules of investing. (If you haven’t listened to part 1, be sure to go back and give that a listen before jumping into this one.) Today, we pick up where we left off, covering rules four through eight and talking about everything from decision-making to cash flow and risk reduction.
Listen in as Rob shares his incredible insight and experience in real estate and investing to give us a few rules that help make our decisions and investments more solid. You will hear about the importance of looking at margins before buying and what boxes need to be checked when it comes to predicting a solid income stream. Rob also discusses how to define and mitigate the different risks involved so that you can come out on top.
Alastair MacDonald is a private advisor to established entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners, as well as a TEDx speaker who lectures on economic, social, and financial forecasts. Join me today to hear part two of our conversation at the Freedom Founders Mastermind, where we dive into the concept of certainty, how to hedge against a volatile economy, and why the abdication model is no longer one that works.
Listen in to learn the reasons why Alastair is not worried about consumer price inflation (and what he’s really worried about instead) and why the 401(k) is not always the investment that it is made out to be. You’ll learn why he is most concerned about the issue of division and polarity in the Western world, why your business is your best asset in a volatile economy, and how you can maintain its viability to weather the most intense economic storm.
1. Get Your Free Retirement Scorecard:
Benchmark your retirement and wealth-building against hundreds of other practice professionals, and get personalized feedback on your biggest opportunities and leverage points. Go to www.FreedomFounders.com/Scorecard to take the 3 minute assessment and get your scorecard.
2. Attend A Workshop:
If you’re committed to Freedom, but still building a practice, paying down school debt, or growing investment capital, our hands-on Freedom Blueprint Workshops are your entrance ramp onto the fast track! Visit www.freedomfounders.com/workshop to claim your seat!
3. Apply To Visit The Mastermind:
If you’d like to join dozens of dentists, docs, and practice professionals on the fast track to Freedom (5-7 years max), visit www.freedomfounders.com/step-1 to apply for a seat.
4. Want to Work Directly with Me?
If you’d like to work directly with me and a small group of my closest investment colleagues, with direct access to the dealmakers and asset classes that I invest in, just send a message to my Executive Assistant (Lindsey@FreedomFounders.com), and put “Fast Access” in the subject line. Or, call (972) 203-6960 Ext 144 and leave a brief voicemail for Lindsey. Let her know you’re interested in the Fast Access program – we’ll set up a time with you to talk, find out about your goals, and see if there is a fit.