WillPower Podcast

WillPower Podcast

Ep. 261: Extreme Leadership: A Conversation with Steve Farber

Aug 28, 2026 · 40 min · 9 segments

What does it actually mean to lead with extreme commitment—and to follow through on your word, every single time? In this episode, Will sits down with Steve Farber, founder and CEO of The Extreme…

What does it actually mean to lead with extreme commitment—and to follow through on your word, every single time? In this episode, Will sits down with Steve Farber, founder and CEO of The Extreme Leadership Institute, bestselling author, and one of the most respected voices in leadership development today. Steve's team has helped more than 25 companies earn spots on Best Places to Work lists, and his ideas have shaped leadership conversations far beyond the boardroom. He's the author of six acclaimed leadership books, starting with The Radical Leap, which won Fast Company's Readers' Choice Award and was named one of the 100 Best Business Books of All Time. His book Greater Than Yourself debuted as a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller, and Love Is Just Damn Good Business has been featured everywhere from Wharton Radio to the World Economic Forum. He even teamed up with Twisted Sister's Jay Jay French to write Twisted Business, pulling leadership lessons straight from a career in rock and roll. This conversation comes at a perfect moment—Steve's newest book, The Radical Promise: Mastering the Art of Doing What You Say You Will Do, co-written with leadership legends Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, launches the very day this episode is being recorded. Will and Rick dig into what it takes to build a culture of real accountability, why "doing what you say" is harder—and more radical—than it sounds, and how love and leadership intersect in ways most business books never touch. You can get Steve's book the Radical Promise here: https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Promise-Mastering-Doing-What-ebook/dp/B0HF4T8DPS/ref=books\_amazonstores\_desktop\_mfs\_author\_smart\_catalog\_unrecognized\_0?\_encoding=UTF8&pd\_rd\_w=MtBjT&content-id=amzn1.sym.47218010-ccda-4098-a91e-bc39e6d446f4&pf\_rd\_p=47218010-ccda-4098-a91e-bc39e6d446f4&pf\_rd\_r=133-2963950-0619343&pd\_rd\_wg=7Tc5H&pd\_rd\_r=a368e788-2454-4548-ad09-d063b282ef87 **Get your copy of Rick Segal's book, The Heart of It here:** https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/business-and-finance/entrepreneurship/the-heart-of-it/ **Read Rick Segal’s blog:** https://impactinvestorsegal.com/blog

What does it actually mean to lead with extreme commitment—and to follow through on your word, every single time? In this episode, Will sits down with Steve Farber, founder and CEO of The Extreme…

Introducing Steve Farber0:00 – 1:43

NarratorNarrator

0:00

Welcome to the show.

NarratorNarrator

0:01

This is the Willpower Podcast hosted by Will Holdren.

NarratorNarrator

0:06

Each week, we sit down with the brightest entrepreneurial minds and uncover the real secrets behind their success.

NarratorNarrator

0:14

And if you want every episode in one place, plus exclusive insights and updates, head to willpowerpodcast.org and join us.

NarratorNarrator

0:22

Join the email list.

NarratorNarrator

0:24

If you're ready to take that next step and unlock your next breakthrough, you're in the right place.

NarratorNarrator

0:29

Now, let's get to the show.

Will HoldrenHost

0:34

How are we doing everyone? My name is Will Holdren.

Will HoldrenHost

0:36

I'm the host of the Will Power Podcast.

Will HoldrenHost

0:38

Today we have an extraordinary guest and his name is Steve Barber out of Kansas City.

Will HoldrenHost

0:43

And Steve is a best-selling author, a keynote speaker, and also a leadership coach and consultant who has worked with some private and public companies over the past 30 years.

Will HoldrenHost

0:54

He's the founder of the Extreme Leadership Institute, whose team has helped more than 25 companies earn a place on the best places to work list, which is an incredible feat.

Will HoldrenHost

1:03

And on top of that, he has books that were debuted on Wall Street Journal and USA Today.

Will HoldrenHost

1:08

And one in particular called The Radical Leap was named one of the best 100 business books of all time, which is a really amazing accomplishment.

Will HoldrenHost

1:16

And he has one book called The Radical Promise that is actually launching today, which is amazing.

Will HoldrenHost

1:23

So Steve, first and foremost, thank you so much for joining me today.

Steve FarberGuest

1:26

Hey, happy to be here.

Steve FarberGuest

1:27

Well, thanks for inviting me.

Will HoldrenHost

1:29

Yeah, my pleasure.

Will HoldrenHost

1:29

And exciting.

Will HoldrenHost

1:30

We're doing this podcast on the launch day of your new book.

Will HoldrenHost

1:33

So that's super exciting.

Will HoldrenHost

1:34

I'm sure we'll dive into that.

Will HoldrenHost

1:36

But starting out, I want to ask you a question that I ask all of my guests, which is one, what makes you want to take time out of your busy day to hop on podcasts like these to share your story?

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Introducing Steve Farber0:00 – 1:43

NarratorNarrator

0:00

Welcome to the show.

NarratorNarrator

0:01

This is the Willpower Podcast hosted by Will Holdren.

NarratorNarrator

0:06

Each week, we sit down with the brightest entrepreneurial minds and uncover the real secrets behind their success.

NarratorNarrator

0:14

And if you want every episode in one place, plus exclusive insights and updates, head to willpowerpodcast.org and join us.

NarratorNarrator

0:22

Join the email list.

NarratorNarrator

0:24

If you're ready to take that next step and unlock your next breakthrough, you're in the right place.

NarratorNarrator

0:29

Now, let's get to the show.

Will HoldrenHost

0:34

How are we doing everyone? My name is Will Holdren.

Will HoldrenHost

0:36

I'm the host of the Will Power Podcast.

Will HoldrenHost

0:38

Today we have an extraordinary guest and his name is Steve Barber out of Kansas City.

Will HoldrenHost

0:43

And Steve is a best-selling author, a keynote speaker, and also a leadership coach and consultant who has worked with some private and public companies over the past 30 years.

Will HoldrenHost

0:54

He's the founder of the Extreme Leadership Institute, whose team has helped more than 25 companies earn a place on the best places to work list, which is an incredible feat.

Will HoldrenHost

1:03

And on top of that, he has books that were debuted on Wall Street Journal and USA Today.

Will HoldrenHost

1:08

And one in particular called The Radical Leap was named one of the best 100 business books of all time, which is a really amazing accomplishment.

Will HoldrenHost

1:16

And he has one book called The Radical Promise that is actually launching today, which is amazing.

Will HoldrenHost

1:23

So Steve, first and foremost, thank you so much for joining me today.

Steve FarberGuest

1:26

Hey, happy to be here.

Steve FarberGuest

1:27

Well, thanks for inviting me.

Will HoldrenHost

1:29

Yeah, my pleasure.

Will HoldrenHost

1:29

And exciting.

Will HoldrenHost

1:30

We're doing this podcast on the launch day of your new book.

Will HoldrenHost

1:33

So that's super exciting.

Will HoldrenHost

1:34

I'm sure we'll dive into that.

Will HoldrenHost

1:36

But starting out, I want to ask you a question that I ask all of my guests, which is one, what makes you want to take time out of your busy day to hop on podcasts like these to share your story?