From Insight to Habit: Steve Semler on Simulations to Level Up Your Leadership Game

The Step UP - Where Leaders, Talent Managers and Leadership Development pros find expert tips for Leadership excellence

Steve is a story-shaping strategist and simulation architect—equal parts executive coach, instructional design expert, fantasy world-builder, and MMO tactician. By day, he coaches overworked tech leaders, design high-impact L&D systems, and architect enterprise learning tech stacks with surgical precision. By night, he authors things like superhero bars, criminal masterminds, and werewolf bartenders into richly imagined worlds.

Steve is the kind of person who can spot a broken LMS config and an underdeveloped character arc from a mile away. He thrives where structure meets creativity—whether it’s refining a coaching pitch deck or planning a D&D boss encounter. Practical, precise, and purpose-driven, Steve cares deeply about clarity, learning, and elevating both real-world teams and fictional misfits.

If there's a common thread? He makes complexity navigable—one well-designed experience at a time.

We’re diving deep into the world of leadership development, and trust me, it’s all about moving from those lightbulb moments to actually making changes stick. Our main takeaway? Just be aware of your habits. Seriously, don’t freak out or try to fix everything on the spot—just notice what you’re doing. This episode, I’ve got my buddy Steve Semmler hanging out with me, and we’re chatting about how awareness can pave the way to better habits. We’ll explore practical strategies like accountability pods and nifty apps that keep you on track, plus how to blend insights with real-world practice to truly up your leadership game. So, buckle up, because we’re about to get real about making those leadership skills second nature!

Leadership is all about evolving, right? In this chat, we dive deep into the nitty-gritty of turning insights into habits. Our guest, Steve Semmler, brings some serious knowledge from his years in leadership development, emphasizing that simply knowing what to do isn’t enough. It’s about getting those insights to stick like glue in our daily grind. We explore how awareness is the first step—just noticing our usual habits without judging them opens the door to real change. It’s like catching yourself munching on snacks while binging your favorite show; once you see it, you can choose to swap those chips for something a bit more nutritious. By breaking down the process into manageable bites, we can turn those insights into habits that help us level up our leadership game. So grab a comfy seat and let’s get into how we can turn that knowledge into action without breaking a sweat!

We also chat about the role of simulations in leadership training. Steve spills the beans on how these simulations aren’t just fancy role plays; they’re practical, real-world applications that help leaders practice their skills in a safe environment. It’s like playing video games to improve your reflexes before hitting the field—only this time, the stakes are about leading teams and making impactful decisions. The conversation highlights how effective simulations can mirror real-life scenarios, making the learning experience relevant and engaging. We talk about the importance of blending theory with practice, ensuring that leaders walk away not just with knowledge but with tools they can use immediately. If you’re keen to see how to effectively build habits and create a culture of continuous improvement in your team, this episode is a goldmine!

In addition, we touch on the challenges of establishing new habits and why some skills stick while others fade away like last week’s leftovers. Steve reveals that technical skills often get absorbed quicker than those more nuanced leadership behaviors that require a shift in mindset. It’s like learning to ride a bike; once you get it, it’s hard to forget. But when it comes to giving constructive feedback or navigating tricky interpersonal dynamics, that’s where the real work happens. We wrap things up with some solid advice for leaders and those supporting them—hint: it’s all about practice, patience, and keeping it real. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, there’s something in here for everyone to take away. So tune in, take notes, and let's get ready to step up our leadership game!

Takeaways:

• Be aware of your usual habits without judging yourself; awareness is the first step to change.
• Practice little bits of leadership skills consistently to build effective habits over time.
• Use accountability pods with peers to encourage each other in developing new leadership habits.
• Integrate simulations into leadership training to practice skills in relevant, real-world scenarios.
• Focus on spreading out learning over time rather than cramming it into single events for better retention.
• Remember, developing leadership skills takes time; little efforts consistently lead to significant changes.

Links referenced in this episode:

• KentCoachPlaybook
• trainerswarehouse.com
• learningsim.com

**Music for this podcast comes from the song Needle & Thread and is provided with permission by Pert' Near Sandstone. Check them out on PertNeaerSandstone.com and on all major streaming platforms.**

*Editing by Fynn Gentle / www.fynngentle.com