Jason Hunt
Principles Office: How to Give a Crap and the 4 C's of Influence
When it comes to leadership, we all know it’s about more than just getting things done. Great leaders know that building connections, inspiring others, and creating meaningful relationships are what truly move the needle. But what does it take to truly make a difference as a leader? For Jason Hunt, it all starts with the simple—and often overlooked—concept of giving a crap.
Jason, a former middle school principal turned highly acclaimed speaker and leadership expert, has spent years developing a framework that not only empowers others but also ensures they feel seen, heard, and appreciated. His leadership philosophy can be summed up in two major principles:
The 4 C’s of Influence: Building Leadership That Lasts
Jason’s journey from struggling as a middle school principal to successfully running a thriving speaking and training business is an inspiring story of transformation. Early in his career, Jason openly admits to struggling with leadership so badly that he once found himself hiding out in a portable classroom—frustrated and questioning his future. But as his wife encouraged him not to quit, he learned a crucial lesson: leadership is about people, not just policies. Through a focus on care, connection, collaboration, and courage, Jason not only turned around his school but has gone on to teach and inspire over 24,000 leaders across the nation.
The 4 C’s of Influence have become the cornerstone of Jason’s approach to leadership:
Care: Great leaders show up and make an effort to understand their team. They are genuine in their actions and create an environment where people feel valued.
Connection: Leadership is all about forging deep, personal connections. When people feel connected, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated.
Collaboration: A strong leader encourages teamwork and the sharing of ideas. Collaboration fosters creativity, innovation, and growth.
Courage: Leadership requires courage to make tough decisions, stand by your team, and sometimes even fail forward. It’s about inspiring others to step out of their comfort zones and push the boundaries of what they thought was possible.
The "Give a Crap" Framework: Recognition with a Twist
Poop Joke Alert:
Why did the leadership coach bring a poop emoji to the meeting?
Because you can't lead if you're not willing to give a crap! đź’©
Give a C.R.A.P.: Celebrate Recognize Appreciate PraiseÂ
Jason’s Give a Crap Framework brings these 4 C’s to life in a fun and impactful way. It’s all about recognizing and empowering those around you. He encourages leaders to actively celebrate, recognize, appreciate, and praise the efforts of their team members through simple, yet thoughtful gestures.
Acknowledging hard work and achievements is one of the best ways to build trust and morale. Leaders should make it a point to regularly celebrate milestones, recognize efforts, and show appreciation.
Local Crap: Show your team you care by supporting local businesses. Jason recommends picking up little trinkets from local gift shops and giving them to your team as a token of appreciation. Small, thoughtful gifts go a long way in making people feel valued.
Timely Crap: Recognizing punctuality and consistency is key to fostering a productive team. Celebrate those who show up on time, meet deadlines, and stay organized. A simple acknowledgment can make a big difference.
Intentional Crap: Jason suggests incorporating tools like QR codes to provide easy access to resources that encourage daily intentional acts of leadership. This helps leaders stay connected and engaged with their teams while adding value along the way.
And let’s not forget the fun part—Jason uses squishy plush poop emojis to make the "Give a Crap" message stick (pun intended!). If that doesn’t show that leadership can be impactful and fun, I don’t know what does
A Legacy of Leadership
Jason Hunt’s journey is a testament to the power of turning struggles into success. After leaving education eight years ago, he transitioned into a speaking and training business with the mission of keeping leaders out of portable classrooms—literally and figuratively. His framework for influence—rooted in the 4 C's and the Give a Crap mentality—has helped him teach and train over 24,000 leaders across the country, all while building a highly successful speaking career with over 100 bookings each year. He’s authored five books, traveled extensively, and has exceeded all of his original expectations.
Jason’s message is clear: Leadership is about people, and the more you care, connect, collaborate, and have the courage to step up, the more influence you will have. And as he reminds us—sometimes, you just need to give a crap (and have a little fun while you're at it)!
Watch the full Episode to dive deeper into key concepts and principles that can transform your leadership approach. We cover Jason Hunt's impactful frameworks, including the 4 C's of influence and his Give a Crap approach, helping you connect, collaborate, and make a real difference in your organization.
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