The New Rules Podcast E112: The One Phone Call You Don't Want to Make
What if the decisions you're making… aren't actually yours?
In this episode, we unpack a question that exposes the hidden forces shaping your life:
👉 "If you failed… what's the one phone call you wouldn't want to make?"
Because behind your ambition, hesitation, and even your success…there may be a voice you've never confronted.
We explore:
- Why most people are driven by voices they don't even recognize
- How fear disguises itself as ambition, caution, or even humility
- The story of a CEO whose decisions were being shaped by something deeper
- Why high performers still feel stuck or paralyzed under pressure
- How past experiences quietly control present decisions
This is a deep dive into:
- Identity vs. conditioning
- Awareness vs. autopilot
- Truth vs. internal narratives
We also unpack:
- The "echo" inside your mind and how it forms
- Why self-awareness is the foundation of leadership
- How to separate your voice from fear, trauma, and expectation
- The cost of not doing internal work
- And why clarity starts with asking better questions
🧠 The Exercise
Take 10–15 minutes. No distractions.
Ask yourself:
👉 "If I failed… who is the one person I wouldn't want to call?"
Then go deeper:
- Why them?
- What would they think?
- When did that fear start?
- How has it shaped my decisions?
This is where the work begins.
Pre-Order the Book
This episode continues our journey through Magnum Opus: The Art of Becoming One of One.
Pre-order the book here:
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it.
And in the meantime — keep writing new rules.
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Youtube: www.youtube.com/@WriteNewRules
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LinkedIn: / adriancrawford-nrc
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00:00 – The question that exposes everything 00:20 – Intro + Oscars conversation 02:30 – Ambition vs ego 05:30 – Authenticity vs image 08:00 – Discipline behind greatness 11:00 – Enter "The Chisel" 12:00 – The one phone call question 13:30 – The CEO story (breakdown moment) 16:00 – Pressure, identity, and leadership 18:00 – Perfection vs uncertainty 20:00 – The hidden voice behind decisions 22:30 – Most people aren't aware of it 24:00 – Becoming self-aware 26:00 – Fear, shame, and past experiences 27:30 – What's actually shaping you 30:00 – Personal example (father + identity) 31:30 – The "echo" in your mind 33:00 – Why success requires emptying yourself 36:00 – The truth about sacrifice 38:00 – How to separate your voice 40:00 – The exercise explained 43:00 – This isn't about blame 45:00 – Clarity and alignment 47:30 – Final challenge