Character Before Competence with Alex Hodgins
What comes to mind when you think of some of your favorite leaders—those who’ve truly inspired you? Purpose, presence, self-awareness, and care. Leaders who see you as more than your competency but for your character. That description fits today’s guest perfectly.
In the first episode of Season 7 of the Coaching Through Stories podcast, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Alex Hodgins. Alex works with elite athletes in the NHL, Olympic sports, and corporate leadership. Known for his humility, curiosity, and commitment to human excellence, Alex pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to perform—and lead—at the highest level.
Drawing from his experiences with the Vancouver Canucks, Canadian Ski Cross, and the Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team, Alex shares a defining story of how a mentor once told him, “I hired you for your character, not your competence.” That moment set the tone for a career built on authenticity, service, and continuous learning.
This conversation explores how we can create the psychological space for growth, balance high performance with vulnerability, and help people become the best version of themselves—not just the best performers.
Key Points:
- Lead with character: Why who you are matters more than what you know.
- Permission to grow: How authenticity and curiosity fuel long-term excellence.
- Why showing up imperfectly can be a catalyst for real progress.
- How to build safe environments for learning and exploration.
Episode Highlights
- [03:41] What does excellence mean to Alex
- [07:28] His origin story that shaped his values and philosophy
- [15:20] Creating a space to explore and grow
- [29:39] The importance of leadership support in any field
- [32:08] What is at the core of Alex’s high-performance philosophy?
- [37:20] Finding the balance between time pressure, understanding, and supporting people
- [43:44] Transforming “dirty fuel” (like anger) into focused, clean energy for high performance
- [54:38] Having a growth mindset and delivering team dynamics
- [01:01:45] Finding the balance of cohesion and competition within the team
- [01:10:17] The parallels between the business environment and leaders and coaches
- [01:20:47] Real art and science of knowledge, coaching, and leadership
- [01:13:07] The BEAR necessities: Breathe
- [01:13:45] The BEAR necessities: Eating
- [01:14:05] The BEAR necessities: Activation
- [01:14:21] The BEAR necessities: Reflection
Or you can also use this simplified version:
- [01:13:07] The BEAR necessities: Breathe, Eating, Activation, and Reflection
Looking to grow in your leadership? Schedule a complimentary consultation with our Professional Certified Coaches and Certified Mental Performance Consultants at HigherEchelon.com – https://www.higherechelon.com/human-capital-solutions/executivecoaching/
Connect with Alex:
-
- LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhodgins
Learn More About Dr. Eric Bean
Love Coaching Through Stories Podcast?
Help us grow by leaving a rating or review on Apple Podcast – here’s how.
To learn more about how you can take your performance to the next level, check out HigherEchelon Human Capital Solutions for individuals, teams and organizations.
