Sep 22, 2025 8:57:39 PM

Profit with Purpose: Eric Mitchell on The Why of Money, Leadership, and Second Chances

This week on Unleash Your Amazing Leadership, I had the privilege of sitting down with Eric Mitchell — innovator, author, coach, and passionate advocate for creating a life of purpose and impact.

Eric’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary. Known for building cutting-edge lead generation platforms that have fueled growth for thousands of mortgage and real estate professionals across North America, he’s also a certified master practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and a leader who’s been voted the “Most Connected Mortgage Professional” for 10 years in a row.

But behind the accolades and industry influence, Eric carries a powerful message: money is not the goal — it’s a tool.

“Money is just a tool — not the goal. It’s a byproduct that allows you to be who you really are.”

Discovering the “Why of Money”

Eric’s book, The Why of Money, is an introspective look at what drives us — and how those drivers shape our actions, our successes, and even our self-sabotage.

Through years of research and conversations with high-performing professionals, Eric identified five core driversbehind financial ambition:

Caring for or honoring parents
Caring for or honoring children
Emotional gratification
Lifestyle enhancement
Legacy

When you know your “why,” Eric says, everything shifts. Prospecting, consistency, and discipline stop feeling like a grind and start feeling purposeful.

“If you understand what the money’s for, the activities become simple. You stop self-sabotaging because you have purpose.”

Leadership and Self-Mastery

Eric is the first to admit that leadership isn’t just about guiding others — it’s about guiding yourself.

“I wake up every morning and ask, ‘How do I get out of my own way today?’ Because I know the truth: I’m the problem, and I can also be the solution.”

His take on leadership is refreshingly humble and deeply practical. Sometimes, he says, great leadership isn’t about taking charge — it’s about knowing when to listen, when to follow, and when to simply be present.

“Being a good leader isn’t always about leading. Sometimes it’s about knowing when to follow and when to just listen.”

A Heart for Healing

One of the most touching parts of our conversation had nothing to do with business. Outside of his professional world, Eric spends his time fostering high-trauma, high-risk dogs — many considered “unadoptable.”

He saves about eight dogs each year, offering them something they’ve never known: safety, trust, and love.

“People ask me how I heal a dog. My answer? I let them heal me. I just surrender to the relationship and say, look, you’re broken, I’m broken. Let’s be broken together and see how this goes.”

This passion project is a reminder that true leadership starts with empathy and connection — qualities that ripple through every area of life.

Lessons for Leaders

Our conversation with Eric is full of insights, but here are a few standout lessons:

Define your “why.” Knowing what you’re working for gives meaning to your efforts and eliminates much of the fear and resistance that hold you back.
Surround yourself with the right people. As Eric says, “Choose your fish tank. Who you surround yourself with will determine your level of success.”
Focus on growth, not perfection. “If you can implement one new thing a week, that’s 52 a year. You’d be a completely different human next year.”
Lead with humility. Sometimes leadership is about being the one who listens, supports, and follows when someone else has the expertise.

Connect with Eric

If you want to dive deeper into Eric’s work or grab a copy of The Why of Money, visit eric-mitchell.com.

And don’t miss this inspiring episode of Unleash Your Amazing Leadership — it’s a masterclass in purpose, leadership, and building a life that truly matters.