Ever feel like your “new product” ideas stall out — not because they’re bad, but because the team can’t stay aligned long enough to bring them to life?
If you’re trying to grow in a world of constant AI disruption, you can’t afford ideation that dies in committee or teams that melt down under pressure. This episode hits the real blocker most CEOs run into: brilliant people get promoted, but nobody ever taught them how to lead, think clearly under stress, or build a world-class team that can take an idea from “interesting” to “in market.” You’ll hear how misdefined problems, ego-driven leadership habits, and check-the-box people programs quietly slow your growth — and what to do instead.
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A practical way to spot why ideas aren’t turning into products (hint: it’s usually a problem-definition gap, not a talent gap).
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A clearer read on your own leadership wiring — what’s hardwired, what’s learned, and how that mix impacts trust, communication, and execution.
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Simple, high-leverage moves to elevate your team’s thinking so you can stop living in the tactical weeds and lead more strategically.
Hit play now and steal Curtis’s tools for sharpening your team (and your own leadership) so your next big idea actually makes it to market — with fewer headaches and better results.
Build the Leadership Muscle That Creates a World-Class Team
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00:00 – Set-up and the core struggle.
Jim opens with a familiar CEO pain point: turning fresh ideas into real products while keeping your team cohesive, especially when growth pressure is high. -
02:10 – Meet Curtis Sprouse and his lane.
Curtis is introduced as someone who lives at the intersection of ideation → commercialization, helping technical leaders outperform through behavioral strategy. -
04:05 – Why leadership gaps start early.
Curtis explains that schools teach math and science, but not the two skills leaders need most: connecting with people and navigating complex situations. -
07:00 – The real issue with “brilliant but stuck” teams.
He describes how PhDs/MDs get promoted for expertise, then struggle because nobody taught them how to lead, build resilience, or define problems clearly. -
09:40 – Why data wins over skepticism.
Curtis shares how validated behavioral instruments let him show leaders objective, self-reported data about how they think, react, and lead — which earns trust fast in scientific cultures.
Turning Insight Into Execution for a World-Class Team
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13:15 – Founder case: talent sky-high, EQ too low.
A biotech husband-wife example shows a pattern CEOs will recognize: hardwired drive + perfectionism + stress + low emotional intelligence can crush trust with investors and the team. -
17:05 – Hardwiring vs environment.
Curtis separates what’s genetic (dominance, discipline, energy) from what’s learned (emotional intelligence, communication), and why leaders must manage both to support a world-class team. -
20:30 – The CEO “I’m successful, so why change?” trap.
Jim challenges the idea that leaders should adjust if their traits already got them here; Curtis counters that many high achievers aren’t actually happy or at peace. -
24:10 – Coaching breakthrough: legacy over ego.
Curtis tells how reframing success around how you’ll be remembered helps even top executives loosen destructive habits and lead in a healthier, more sustainable way — the kind of shift that unlocks a world-class team. -
27:50 – The three fatal flaws Curtis sees most.
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CEOs misdefine the real problem (confusing pressure with root cause).
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They believe their teams are high-performing because metrics are safe, not stretching potential.
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“People development” is often a check-the-box with no proof that it improves outcomes.
The fix: schedule time to think, teach people how to think, and elevate others so they elevate you — the foundation of a world-class team.
About Curtis Sprouse
Curtis Sprouse is the founder of EurekaConnect and the Institute for Biomedical Entrepreneurship (IBE), where he helps leaders and teams outperform through strategic behavioral programs. With over 5,000 professionals coached and 200+ biomedical innovations advanced, Curtis specializes in turning science and technology into viable, impactful ventures. His programs have helped companies raise tens of millions in capital and bring real products to market. Curtis speaks on leadership, team building, personal development, and the future of business and society.