Leadership Journeys [261] - Jeff Perkins - "Family and fitness keep me grounded - without them, leadership gets heavy fast."

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast. I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name. This conversation with Jeff Perkins goes straight into the real tension every modern leader faces: how do you scale a company without losing your sanity, your team, or yourself? Jeff opens up about shifting from hands-on operator to big-picture CEO, and the messy, very human challenges that come with that leap. We dig into the people side of growth—tough role changes, honest conversations, and why some folks thrive in scale while others don’t. Jeff also shares how fitness, family, and small daily practices keep him grounded while leading a fast-moving startup. If you’re wrestling with growth, communication, or the weight of leadership, this episode will give you clarity, companionship, and a few hard-won lessons you’ll want to steal immediately. You can find Jeff Perkins at the links below https://www.linkedin.com/in/suchitbachalli/ https://www.unilogcorp.com/ In the interview, Jeff shares “Great leaders evolve from doing the work to empowering others to do it even better.” “Scaling a company isn’t just about growth—it’s about whether your people can grow with you.” “If you can’t trust your team, you’ll never free yourself to lead at the level your company needs.” “Storytelling isn’t a one-time event; it’s the drumbeat that keeps a company aligned.” “The hardest leadership conversations are the ones that determine whether someone can thrive in the next chapter.” “Well-being isn’t a luxury for leaders—it’s the fuel that keeps decision-making sharp and grounded.” “A leader’s job is not to have all the answers, but to create the space where the best answers emerge.” “Executives aren’t taskmasters—they’re humans trying to balance ambition, empathy, and responsibility.” “Your culture grows only when your people grow; everything else is just noise.” “Clear communication is the hidden architecture of every successful modern company.”