Magic in the Room #38: Unlocking EQ – Learning Nimbly With Special Guest Ben West

January 5, 2021

The ability to be a nimble learner is a direct result of a growth mindset. In a world where the only constant is change, and the pace of that change continues to increase, being able to adapt, learn, and grow has become one of the most important keys to success. In this episode, Luke and Hannah explore how to learn quickly and nimbly with P&PG team member Ben West.

 

Ben shares the importance of courage in the learning process. Many believe that they don’t have it within themselves to solve a problem in a group scenario, and others will lack the courage to speak up. These two things are often the cause of significant roadblocks within many organizations. Convincing every team member that they are encouraged to speak up and have the courage and tools to succeed is critical.

 

Sure, there’s an intellectual side to learning. But there’s also a belief side to learning too. Sometimes, teams simply need to collectively believe that they can overcome any obstacle or challenge if they work together. In this episode, the hosts share their experiences and observations from moments where they have witnessed a team or community begin to learn nimbly and the journey to unlocking a growth mindset.

 

We often think of situations as a win or a loss. Hannah shares her favorite quote from  John C. Maxwell , “Sometimes you win. Sometimes you learn.” Hannah urges listeners always to have a learning mindset and reflect on what every situation is teaching them. Ask yourself, what did 2020 teach you? What have adversity, challenges, and failure taught you? When you have these answers, you can also explore bigger questions such as how to become a better person, teammate, and leader.

 

Without realizing it, many of us have multiple roles across many circles in life. Obvious examples are our families, group of friends, and as a team member in the workplace. Luke asks listeners to minimize the fear of failure and help everyone embrace the language of learning. By seizing opportunities and taking wise risks, the worst possible outcome is that we learn a lesson.

 

The fear of perfection is something that also prevents many from moving forward. Hannah reflects on how they launched the Magic in the Room podcast with only a little knowledge. In the first season, the team learned their craft and helped the show evolve in season two. Those learned lessons have helped improve the podcast, but they also know that the third season will be even better.

 

We can remove the fear of perfection by not setting the bar so high and focussing on becoming a little bit better each day. It’s okay if it’s not perfect yet and accepting that it’s a journey of continuous improvement rather than a destination will help you achieve your goals.

 

You can learn more about how being a  nimble learner  is a direct result of a growth mindset and also explore other aspects of the EQ Spectrum  here. Chris, Hannah, and Luke also encourage you to share your experiences by sending an email to  info@purposeandperformancegroup.com.

By Sarah Whitfield December 3, 2025
In this episode of "Magic in the Room," Luke, Hannah, and Chris unpack the difference between being busy and being truly impactful, exploring why organizations often get stuck in high-activity, low-impact cycles. They identify five common contributors: compliance-heavy environments, resistance to change, disconnected decision-makers, fear-driven “CYA” cultures, and firefighting systems that reward heroics over long-term strategy. From there, they highlight what creates real impact: clarity of purpose, agency, curiosity, intentionality, and the discipline to question assumptions and align action with a meaningful “why.” The conversation encourages leaders to build awareness of their strengths, design systems that support healthy impact, maintain congruence between their public and private influence, and cultivate the kind of presence that can genuinely move a room. 
November 4, 2025
In this episode of "Magic in the Room," Chris interviews board members from the National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA) discussing the power of purpose-driven leadership within tribal organizations. Recorded at the NNAHRA annual conference, they explore themes like courage, vulnerability, accountability, community service, and fostering environments where all employees feel valued and able to contribute. They share how NNAHRA builds a supportive professional network for tribal HR leaders, encourages alignment between individual roles and tribal purpose, and creates space for courageous conversations across governance and enterprise structures. They also discuss future initiatives, including new certifications and the 2026 conference at the Hilton Village in Hawaii. The overarching message: lead with purpose, support one another, and build cultures rooted in respect, courage, and shared responsibility.
Show More