Show Us Your Human with Darren Palmer

Written By Chelsea Willis

In today’s episode, I sit down with Darren Palmer, a respected leader and entrepreneur, to discuss the unseen struggles that even the most successful leaders face. While many look up to leaders for their polished accomplishments, the truth is that behind every great leader, there’s something they’re still working through, something unfinished, something real. Darren’s journey is no exception.

About Darren Palmer

Darren M. Palmer is a dynamic Serial Entrepreneur and the co-founder of one of the nation’s fastest-growing agencies, Prosperity Partners Agency. With a mission to empower families and entrepreneurs, Darren and his partners are equipping leaders with the tools and strategies needed to achieve financial freedom.

Before entering the insurance industry, Darren founded Self Publish -N- 30 Days, the #1 self-publishing company in the world, serving high-level entrepreneurs and helping them turn their stories into seven-figure platforms.

Through mentorship and experience, Darren discovered the keys to building wealth—but also realized the deep gap in financial literacy within the business community. Refusing to stand on the sidelines, he became a solution in the marketplace, teaching others how to build legacy, protect income, and steward their financial future with confidence.

Reconnecting with Your True Purpose

Darren kicks things off by sharing something incredibly personal: he’s been recalibrating and reconnecting with what energizes him. As a business owner, it’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day operations of running a company and forget the authentic connections that once fueled your passion. Darren’s biggest challenge right now is returning to his true gift of connecting with people—something that energizes him rather than drains him. He reflects on how business can often make you forget who you really are, and he's currently on a mission to get back to what made his business grow in the first place—genuine human connection.

The Struggles of Business Ownership

We then dive into the roadblocks many leaders face, whether they’re entrepreneurs or employees in a W2 role. Darren admits that for a long time, he found himself stuck in the mundane tasks of running the business, often mistaking activity for actual progress. We talk about how easy it is to get caught up in busywork—checking emails, filing documents, making small changes—and feel productive without actually moving the needle on what really matters. Darren points out that it’s essential to identify which tasks are truly income-generating and which ones are just distractions.

The Pitfalls of Following External Expectations

A powerful moment came when we explored how easy it is to fall into the trap of doing things the way others expect. Darren shared a biblical example, David and Saul’s armor, which Darren uses as a metaphor for business and leadership. Just because something worked for someone else doesn’t mean it will work for you. Darren reflected on the times he ran his business the way others thought he should—like having a brick-and-mortar store or hiring large teams—only to realize that these decisions weren’t actually the right fit for him. The important takeaway here? Do what works for you, not what worked for someone else.

The Right Person in the Right Seat

Darren got real about some tough leadership decisions, particularly about trusting the wrong people in the wrong roles. Just because someone is a family member, friend, or someone you trust doesn’t mean they’re the right person for a role. This conversation opened up the idea of the right person, right seat philosophy from the book Traction, where we often fill seats with people we already know rather than figuring out who’s the best fit for a role. Darren’s perspective here is that while it's important to trust people, it's critical to put them in the role they’re truly qualified for.

Redefining Your Seat as a Leader

We also explore the difficult moment when founders or CEOs realize that their leadership may have reached a plateau. Darren shared a conversation with a CEO who felt he had taken the company as far as he could, wondering if he was the right leader to take it to the next level. Darren and I discussed the importance of constantly reevaluating your own role as a leader and asking the tough question: Are you the right person for the seat you’re in, or is it time to redefine your role?

The Power of Partnership Over Ego

The conversation took another turn when Darren talked about his strength in building partnerships. As he’s learned, having a strong team around you means you don’t have to do everything yourself. The real key to success in leadership, for Darren, is recognizing your strengths and knowing when to delegate to others who excel in areas where you’re not as strong. Partnerships are essential for building a scalable business and living in alignment with what truly energizes you.

Key Takeaways:

  • It’s easy to get lost in the daily grind and forget what truly energizes you—get back to connecting with people and sharing what you know.

  • Activity does not equal productivity. Focus on the tasks that truly drive your business forward.

  • Don’t follow others’ expectations for how your business should look. Create a model that works for you.

  • The right person in the right seat is crucial for the success of any business.

  • As a leader, it’s important to reevaluate your own role and ask if you're the best person for the seat you're in.

Resources Mentioned:

Chelsea Willis
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Showing Up As Human Part 2 with Angelee Fortuna