Podcasts about beyondtheuniform

Why Listen:This is an inspirational episode. Jesse is a case study in pursuing one's dream - figuring out what unique aspirations you have, finding others to hold you accountable, and not letting the opinions or doubts of others get in your way. Jesse talks about how he used a kickstarter campaign, credit cards, and his personal savings to inch his way closer - one race at a time - to becoming  a NASCAR driver. We talk about advocating for yourself, how to run a crowdfunding campaign, and how to train day in and day out to make your dreams come true. The topics we cover in this episode are relevant to every single career path - whether you too want to become a NASCAR driver, or want to start your own business, or write a book, or whatever your personal goals may be. If you like this episode check out our show notes at BeyondTheUniform.io, where, in addition to the resources we discuss in this episode, I also list 3 other episodes very similar to this one.   About Jesse:Jesse Iwuji is the first active duty US Naval Officer to compete in NASCAR. He is also the Founder of The Red List Group which is an auto racing event company bringing drag racers together from the West to compete for trophies and cash prizes at track events. He started out at the Naval Academy, after which he served as a Surface Warfare Officer for 7 years before transitioning to the Navy Reserves. 

Why Listen: I just wrapped up my conversation with Shawn, and it was so enjoyable. There were a couple of things that stood out to me. One was his great quote about always being ready for opportunities and embracing the right thing. His story is so incredible, from this perspective, starting with his unexpected medical discharge from the military, to a winding road through consulting and startups, and ultimately back to startups and starting his own company. It just really shows you the power of resilience, but also the power of being open to unexpected deviations in your career, which will inevitably happen. Second of all, we talk a lot about networking. He gives a couple of really poignant examples where 10 to 20 years after meeting someone, he and people in his network, reconnect in a way that alters their career. It really gets away from this transactional thought of networking and moves toward something that veterans excel at, which is genuinely meeting people, enjoying them, and being generous. To that point, immediately after recording, Shawn asked me, “How can I help you with your company Captivate.ai?” It was just so powerful to see him immediately and genuinely putting to use his principle - approaching networking from a generous and giving standpoint. We talk about grad school, he gives an example of a friend who sold his company for $240 million and then went to business school. He underscores this thought by showing that there is no “one right size fits all” approach to education and your career journey. It's about learning and serendipity. Finally, we talk about his own startup journey and the milestones achieved along the way as he created and continues to build his company. I did something for the first time in this interview, which is a kind of live mentorship where I asked him a specific question about my company Captivate.ai. I think his answer will benefit anyone interested in entrepreneurship. As always at BeyondTheUniform.org. You'll find a lot of great resources all for free, over 395 episodes, just like this one, and we've got episodes lined up for every single week going forward. So I'm really excited about that. So with that, let's dive into my conversation with Shawn Olds at boodleAI. About Shawn: Shawn Olds is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at boodleAI, which specializes in Enriched Analytics for sales, marketing and fundraising teams. boodleAI is on a mission to democratize data, making it faster and easier for ALL organizations to locate their best leads and prospects in any contact list. By using advanced data enrichment and predictive insight analytics, boodleAI clients have already experienced significant lifts in conversion, engagement, and retention rates. boodleAI has over 30 employees, has raised $3M in funding, and is located in Tysons, VA. Shawn holds a B.S. from West Point, an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, and a JD from Northwestern's Pritzker School of Law.

Why Listen: I just wrapped up recording this episode, and it will cost me about $60 in books, or maybe $5 in late fees from the library because there were so many great books that Joe recommended. Here are a couple things that stood out to me from this interview. And first of all, make sure you check out the show notes for this episode at BeyondTheUniform.org. In addition to a link to Joe's company, HigherEchelon, there are also links to all of the books he describes, as well as an interview we did with Taylor justice years ago, who you'll learn was one of the founding members of the HigherEchelon team and has gone on to found UniteUS, which has exploded, absolutely exploded as a company. So a couple of things that I really liked from this interview, the first one is that Joe has a great perspective on entrepreneurship. And he and his other two co-founders started by only investing $1,000 into this company, and they made the commitment that they would not join the company full time until it could pay their salary, you know, at a competitive rate. And it took three or four years to get there. And I feel like this is so contrary to what I would call bad advice I so often see of "burning bridges", "jumping off", Carpe Diem, seize the moment to start the company, all of these things that I think are potentially really harmful for aspiring entrepreneurs. That's one thing that I think is great. The second though, is that HigherEchelon is a company that is all about enhancing company and individual performance. And Joe gives a lot of great frameworks that are applicable to your career in life, no matter what that lifestyle is, whatever that career path is. He talks about things like people process and technology, and constantly learning about which one to focus on in your life or organization. He talks about the values that drive his companies, which I'm going to start borrowing, which is learn grow, adapt, and lead and why that's so important. He does a lot of work with transition assistance and talks about mindsets that he sees in military veterans. And I found that really helpful as well. There's a lot of goodness here. And so be sure to to check out this episode. As always at beyond the uniform.org. You'll find a lot of great resources all for free, over 394 episodes, just like this one, and we've got episodes lined up for every single week going forward. So really excited about that. So with that, let's dive in to my conversation with Joe Ross at HigherEchelon   About Joe: Dr. Joe Ross is the President and Co-Founder of HigherEchelon, a service-disabled veteran-owned, human and organizational performance consulting firm that works with both public and private sector clients to enhance performance. HigherEchelon has over 150 employees in 25 different states with the corporate office in Arlington, VA, but Headquarters in Huntsville, AL. Joe started HigherEchelon over 10 years ago with his business partner, Paul Maggiano. Joe holds a B.S. from West Point, a Masters of Education in Psychology and Athletic Consulting from Springfield College, and a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Walden University. Amidst all of this, he also found the time to serv as the Assistant Football Coach at West Point from 2009-2012.

At Beyond the Uniform, Justin interviews military veterans about their civilian careers. His goal is to provide both active duty members & veterans of the Armed Forces with the resources they need to be successful in their civilian careers. Resources and podcasts can be viewed at www.BeyondTheUniform.io. Justin is the Founder & CEO of StoryBox, and started Beyond the Uniform as a side project to help active-duty military personnel. Justin is an ENFP who lives in San Francisco with his ENTJ wife (and inspiration) Rebecca and their ESFP dog Hemingway (Hemi). Justin studied Electrical Engineering at the United States Naval Academy, where he received what's been dubbed “a $200k education shoved up your [censored] a nickel at a time.” He also received the world's finest education in leadership, serving as the Brigade Performance and Conduct Officer and the President of the Men's Glee Club (note: as a result, Rebecca refers to herself as the First Lady). Justin served as an officer with the incredible crew of the USS Alaska (SSBN 732) and for a far-too-brief time with the USS Chicago. This training was the single biggest asset to his experience as an entrepreneur, helping him break through walls, push himself beyond his limits, and occasionally fight giant squid and flirt with mermaids. IN THIS PARTICULAR EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Justin's military background Justin's point of view that military transition is as much about the mindset as it is about the skillset The stigma that exists surrounding veteran mental health as the stigma of the broken veteran How to view veteran mental health through the lens of contribution The tendency for veterans to be action-oriented, and how this might get in the way of solving problems The comfort zone of the veteran and how growth happens when we're uncomfortable --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/changeyourpov/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/changeyourpov/support

Why Listen: Special thanks to Jim Sinai for making the intro to Michael. While Michael had a full career in the Marine Corps, with over 21 years of service, he didn't let either what he did in the Marines, or how successful he was at doing it get in the way of his going on to have a truly exemplary tech career as a Chief Information Officer at some truly incredible companies. Here are a few things to look for in this interview: How Michael is always dreaming of what is next, and then working his tail off to be proactive and bridge any skill gaps in his next career move How Michael is always learning, always pushing himself forward and NEVER playing it safe How Michael uses his network - not just to find a job, but to sharpen his skills and be the best he can be in his current position How Michael "paints the target" to determine what he wants to do, and then doesn't allow himself to lose sight of the bullseye   At the end of this episode, Michael rattles off a whole host of books and frameworks. Don't worry, we've listed them all at BeyondTheUniform.org. While you're there, if you've got 400 hours free, be sure to check out over 381 other episodes hand crafted to help you crush your post-military career.   About Michael: Michael Hansen is the Chief Information Officer at Procore Technologies, a company with nearly 2,000 employees that provides cloud-based construction software to clients across the globe. He started out in the Marine Corps, where he served for 21 years as an IT Security Architect. His career has included 2 years in Guantanamo Bay Cuba as the CIO, 2 years as a Cloud Architect for the Federal Government, and   5 years as CISO and then CIO of Mindbody both pre and post IPO.

Why Listen: Special thanks to Steve Bane for making this interview happen. My guest today, Justin LeHew, is many things. He earned the Navy Cross for his heroic actions in Iraq in 2003, he has an obstacle at Parris Island named after him: LeHew's Challenge, he achieved the rank of Sergeant Major in the Marine Corps. Yet its not merely these accomplishments that set him apart - it is the way that he focuses on others rather than broadcasting his significant achievements. We talk a lot about that in this interview, as well as his work at History Flight, a private MIA search and recovery organization, responsible for locating and repatriating over 365 missing American servicemen to date. In the show notes for this episode at BeyondTheUniform.org there is an incredible, one-minute YouTube video about this - I highly recommend checking that out, as well as our 380 other episodes just like this one.   About Justin LeHew Justin LeHew is the Chief Operating Officer at History Flight, the world's most successful, private MIA search and recovery organization, responsible for locating and repatriating 365 missing American servicemen to date. Justin has his own Wikipedia page, so here are a few highlights: He served in the Marine Corps for over 25 years, achieving the rank of Sergeant Major Parris Island has an obstacle named in his honor. "LeHew's Challenge" is an 8 ft high suspended log supported by two pedestals that is part of the famed 54-hour crucible event which culminates the basic training of a United States Marine He was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions in Iraq in March of 2003 Most notably, none of this information you'll find on his LInkedIn Page, and I'm guessing none of it would come up if you were at a bar with Justin. We traded emails about this, but I wanted to start off our conversation here - in an era where self-promotion is at an all-time high, you seem to be an example of someone who is not broadcasting his merits, is not touting the unbelievable achievements you've accomplished... what advice do you have for listeners about this.   Resources: WWII Marine's Remains Found - YouTube https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-lehew-080aa94b/ https://historyflight.com/   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_LeHew https://jockopodcast.com/2020/08/12/242-there-are-things-bigger-than-you-do-whatever-it-takes-to-establish-a-winning-mentality-not-just-for-yourself-w-marine-gunnery-sgt-justin-lehew/ https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/i-am-where-im-supposed-to-be-historyflights-sgtmaj-justin-lehew/ https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/3634

In so many of the 375 interviews I’ve done, Veterans talk about their journey to find a new purpose in life. That’s come up in countless conversations with friends of mine who didn’t serve in the military - I think it’s a pretty fundamental part of what makes us human. That’s why - as many of you know - earlier this year I teamed up with Craig Filek to co-lead a program called Purpose Mapping - to help people in the military as well as military veterans and military family members identify their current purpose in life. That’s a pretty lofty mission, and I’m humbled to say that - two cohorts of this group later - we are delivering on that promise.    For today’s episode, I invited two people from our latest cohort onto the show to talk about their own journey to uncover their life’s purpose. I’m so grateful that they were both willing to do so - it is obviously deeply personal work, and so I admire their courage and willingness to talk about this.   I love both of today’s guests. They represent two very different perspectives - one on Active Duty for many years to come, the other several years out of the military. They are siblings as well, which made for a really incredible experience. I just wrapped up spending 12 weeks with them and the rest of the group and greatly admire and respect both of them and so am honored to have them share their stories on the show.   If you are interested in this - it is something I deeply believe in and am committed to continuing to do. If you’re listening to the show in real-time, on November 18th at 6pm Pacific we’ll be hosting a free 90 minute webinar where you can experience this first-hand. Do not wait to reserve your spot - go to BeyondTheUniform.org/puprose to get more info and claim your free spot. that is BeyondTheUniform.org/purpose -I’d love to see you there, I’d love the chance to work with you, and I would LOVE to get this work in front of more members of the military community. So please help me in spreading the word - again that is BeyondTheUniform.org/purpose. 

Why Listen: I just finished up my conversation with Alan and a couple things stand out to me. First of all, it's it's pretty surprising to me that it's taken 374 other episodes, to get to the point of interviewing someone in the aerospace and defense industry. And, you know, it's it's surprising, first of all, because so many veterans go into this space. But more importantly, I feel like Alan, in our conversation, we really flipped the script on my understanding of this industry. And what I mean by that is, nearly all of the people I've interviewed on beyond the uniform talk about purpose, and mission, after military service. And Alan kind of surprised me when I was asking him to explain what he does for a living, he immediately went to that spot of, he's continuing to support the military communities continuing to support his brothers and sisters who are still in uniform. And throughout our conversation that came through, like, wow, this is actually a really good fit for so many veterans, especially those who want to continue a similar sense of purpose that they felt that they likely felt in the military. A second thing that really stood out to me with this conversation is we went deep down the rabbit hole on Alan's role, which is business development. And I know we've done a couple interviews on sales related topics. But I think that you will really benefit from Alan's story, he has over 20 years of experience in business development. And I love so much of what comes through in this. But let's just say in a nutshell, it's not what you expect from a sales related role. And the way that Alan comes across just as a human being, as well as how he explains why veterans are so well suited to this, it really goes against most of the stereotypes that I have of sales people. And it comes down to listening to others, being curious about them, and figuring out how you can help them and deliver value. And even if you're not interested in the defense industry or business development in particular, it's still worth listening because, you know, in my experience, every every role that you will have has some element of quote unquote, sales, and the relational things that Alan talks about this interview, are I'm sure going to help you in your career. As always, at BeyondTheUniform.org you'll find Show Notes for this episode, you'll find links to everything we discussed, as well as a link and information about SCI. We haven't done a lot of coverage of companies in this space. But I appreciate Alan's perspective and want to give some some notes there about the company he works for. So with that, let's dive in to my conversation with Alan   About Alan: Alan is responsible for the Global Business Development for the IMS business segment within SCI, which includes customer relations, program performance, and the acquisition of new and follow-on business. Alan brings more than 20 years of experience in the Integrated Manufacturing industry. During this period, Mr. Hislop has held positions at PIVC, LLC, STMicroelectronics and Sanmina-SCI. Alan served on active duty with the U.S. Army, with the U.S. Army Reserves in New York and with the Alabama National Guard in Huntsville. Alan graduated from the US Army Officer Infantry School in Fort Benning, GA. Mr. Hislop holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Degree from University of Alabama Huntsville, and an Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences from Clinton Community College. He and his wife, Olga, have 6 boys.

We are hard at work getting our next series of brand new episodes ready. But, in the meantime, I’ve got a question for you: are you looking for a side hustle? Are you looking to build up social media and marketing skills? If so, check out www.BeyondTheUniform.org/captivate I’m in the midst of launching my next company and looking for members of the military community (and their families) to help. We pay by the project and will teach you all you need to know as you go. See you next week with a new episode and I hope to see your application!

Subscribe on: iTunes | Stitcher | Google Play            Enjoy the episode? Review us on iTunes! In this episode, I share thoughts about five books every Veteran should read, which are: Slight Edge So Good They Can’t Ignore You Positive Intelligence Mindset - growth vs. fixed mindset Extreme Ownership   Our Sponsor:  StoryBox- People trust each other more than advertising. StoryBox provides the tools and supports businesses need to take the best things customers say about them, and use them to drive more sales and referrals. StoryBox offers a 10% discount to companies employing veterans of the US Armed Forces. Audible is offering one FREE audio book to Beyond the Uniform listeners. You can claim this offer here, and see a list of books recommended by my guests at BeyondTheUniform.io/books  

Why Listen: I reached out to Charles about six months ago, and am so happy that I was finally able to get him on the show. In this interview, we talk a lot about building up specific skills in one’s career. In Charle’s case, he learned skills at business school and then in private equity which both were in line with his eventual career goal: entrepreneurship. And we talk about a form of entrepreneurship you’ve probably never heard about - search funds. So many Veterans want to run a company, but don’t know where to start. A search fund is a way to buy an existing business and then build and grow it. Actually, for most of my time at Stanford Business School, I thought I would do a Search Fund, and I still believe it’s an incredible career path for many Veterans. As I mentioned, I reached out to Charles 6 months ago based on his background… I don’t really think I realized how incredibly smart and capable he is until we had this conversation… as an entrepreneur myself, I’m blown away by the moves this guy has, and on his ability to explain them to our audience. If you do like this episode, check out BTU #117: Jim Vesterman: Marine Corps to Search Funds and Buying a Company to Run (https://beyondtheuniform.org/blog/btu-84-jim-vesterman-marine-corps-to-search-funds-and-buying-a-company-to-run?rq=search%20funds) which I’ll list in the show notes for this episode at BeyondTheUniform.org. And, of course, this interview was only made possible due to the financial support of the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management, and I want to share a little bit more about them. Whether you're transitioning to a civilian career or continuing military service, an MBA from Carlson, at the University of Minnesota prepares you for a high impact career in business. Carlson is committed to the veteran community and provides the benefits, experiential learning, and network to accelerate your career. In addition to a resident tuition waiver, all admitted full time MBA military candidates receive generous scholarships and stipends to cover expenses that may not be eligible for the GI Bill. To learn more, you can visit the show notes at BeyondTheUniform.org for this episode, or you can email MBA@UMN.edu. About Charles: Charles Mullenger is the CEO of President of Ethos Preparedness, which has been building the most trusted brands in preparedness, starting with Med Sled®, since 2004. A 2010 graduate of West Point, Charles served as a Field Artillery officer in the Army for 5 years, before obtaining his MBA at Chicago’s Booth School of Business. He has served on the board of directors for Purity Zinc Metals, and founded Steel Tree Capital, which led to his ownership of Ethos Preparedness.

Why Listen: Today’s episode originally aired one year ago. Usually, when I do rebroadcasts, I like to go a lot further back then that, but Robin’s episode has been on my mind a lot lately. We got a one-star review on Apple Podcasts recently, after a 132 5-star review streak. The review criticized Beyond the Uniform for focusing on the 10% of Veterans who are most successful in their career transition. I feel that there is some truth there - I imagine it can be frustrating, especially for those of you who are approaching a career transition or who are experiencing difficulty in your transition - to constantly see stories of seemingly simple success. That’s certainly not my intention for this show. However, one of the things I loved about my conversation with Robin is her candor in her own 13 year journey of mistakes, pitfalls, and setbacks, that eventually led her to a job that she truly loves. I personally put Robin in a small category of people I have interviewed where it feels like she has felt her calling in her current career path, rather than simply a job. She talks about how the attributes that made her successful in the military were a liability in the civilian world - how she had to adapt her communication and response to corporate culture in order to be successful. We talk about her job in public service and why this sort of career may be very fulfilling to other veterans. Additionally, Robin Brown is one of three Veterans spotlighted in the 30-minute documentary, Adventure Not War. I watched it and consider myself a movie aficionado -it’s fantastic. Google it - it’s also free. It is inspiring, to say the least. If you like this interview, be sure to check out Episode #268 - How the Outdoors Saved My Life (Stacy Bare), as Stacy is featured in Adventure Not War along with Robin. About Robin: Robin Brown is the Executive Director at Grand Junction Economic Partnership, a non-profit organization that is your first point of contact if you are looking to expand or relocate your company to the Grand Junction, Colorado area. She served as an Army as an Aviation Officer flying OH-58s for 8 years, where she deployed twice to Iraq- first as an AS3, then as a Company Commander of an attack helicopter company. She is also a self-proclaimed "Army brat from a family of Army brats,” and her husband served as an Army pilot as well. Our Sponsor:  StoryBox- People trust each other more than advertising. StoryBox provides the tools and supports businesses need to take the best things customers say about them, and use them to drive more sales and referrals. StoryBox offers a 10% discount to companies employing veterans of the US Armed Forces. Audible is offering one FREE audio book to Beyond the Uniform listeners. You can claim this offer here, and see a list of books recommended by my guests at BeyondTheUniform.io/books  

Wayne Baker is a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, and author of All You Have to Do Is Ask, his sixth book. He directs the Center for Positive Organizations and also co-founded Give and Take Inc., an Ann Arbor-based technology firm. Through Wayne’s research, he has discovered that leaders are often happy to help others, but are unwilling to ask for help themselves. The good news is that you can create healthy environments in your organization where asking for help is encouraged and rewarded.   Key Takeaways [2:40] As an avid sailor, Wayne had to learn to not panic when everything went awry. [5:35] Some people ask for what they want and others take what’s given. [7:50] Wayne has observed that there are some mentors that want you to be mini versions of them, but he recalls a great mentor of his who was always trying to push Wayne to be a better version of himself. [11:20] People want to be generous, but don’t always know how to help unless you ask them to. [12:15] There are four steps to making a thoughtful request.1. What is the goal of your request?2. What are the resources you need? Come up with a SMART request. And then find ‘who’ you need to ask. [16:50] Most people will help you if you ask! [19:25] It’s hard for leaders to be vulnerable and to ask for help. You can break this mold by creating a 15-minute staff meeting addressing what you need help with. When it’s expected that everyone is supposed to ask for help, it makes it easier for leaders to get the support they need. [25:00] When asking for feedback, it’s important to know what are both your strengths and weaknesses, but you want to get these two pieces of information at different times so that you can better process it. [26:35] Don’t feel comfortable asking for help? Go out and help others first, and then you’ll feel more confident asking for help in return. [30:00] Nobody associates Bill Gates with having a partner or a team, but throughout his career, Bill has relied heavily on the partnerships of others. [32:15] Men have a harder time asking for help compared to women. Wayne believes it has something to do with the way boys and men were raised and socialized. [35:20] It’s a powerful leadership moment when you ask someone for help and together you co-create a solution. [36:20] We are living in a time where we get to reinvent work. [37:00] People support what they help create, so it’s critical to ask for feedback, input, and help. [39:30] Asking for help now is more important than ever. As more people work from home and feel isolated, reach out to your network, do work lunches together, and be proactive in being connected to your social network.   Quotable Quotes “The greatest hazard to a mariner is your calendar when you feel you’ve got to be someplace at some time.” “What I discovered over time: asking is the key to generosity.” “One of the barriers to making your request is we might assume that people are unwilling or unable to help us.” “When you know everyone’s going to make a request, it’s a lot easier for you to make a request.” “By helping other people, you earn the privilege of asking for help.” “Unless the leader is willing to ask, they’re going to get limited success in getting other people to do it as well.” “It’s a leadership moment if you ask someone for help and together you co-create a solution.”   Resources and Books Mentioned Waynebaker.org All You Have to Do Is Ask: How to Master the Most Important Skill for Success, by Wayne Baker “Feed Forward: Leadership Excellence,” essay by Marshall Goldsmith “Self-Reliance,” essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson   The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by:     Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today’s workforce. Get your free copy HERE.     Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.  

NOTE:  This episode was accelerated and is being promoted out of order because of the timely discussion on pandemics that Jim and Jan recently had with Lisa Monaco, an expert in this area.  We will return to our normal schedule (episode 195 next week).   Lisa Monaco served as the Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor to President Barack Obama from 2013-2017. In this role, she coordinated the federal government’s crisis management and response to cyberattacks, pandemics, and terrorist threats. She also spent 15 years at the Department of Justice, serving as a career federal prosecutor, and in senior management positions including at the FBI. It was there where she was Chief of Staff to the Director, and helped lead the FBI’s post-9/11 transformation. Lisa discusses how to lead during a crisis, and ways to create a readiness plan for potential threats; pandemic or otherwise.   Key Takeaways [3:35] The role of ‘duty’ in business: A true test of a leader is whether they can put the organization’s role ahead of their own personal views, interests, and what’s safe. [5:25] Leaders can know when they’re on the right track by checking their inner compass and understanding their gut intuition. [8:55] Lisa spent every day in the situation room when she was the Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor to the President. She found that the best decisions that came out of that room were when they had an inclusive process and having multiple different voices in the room to express their facts and opinions. [10:55] The best leaders have built their credibility and trust long before they’ve needed to use it. [11:45] Lisa puts the complex Taliban/Afghanistan peace treaty into perspective. This is only the beginning of the process to end the war. [19:40] What keeps Lisa up at night? Pandemic diseases. As businesses are facing repercussions from the coronavirus, Lisa reminds us that we have to think about resilience and to always have a readiness plan for potential threats. [22:55] Communication and preparation are the two main ingredients to survive unforeseeable events. [24:55] A leader needs to shift through the opinion pieces and be the person that delivers reliable information that the team can trust. [29:25] CEOs are so focused on being busy that they’re not looking to the future. Instead of planning for March or April 2020, you should be planning for March 2025. [30:10] The tone and pace of an organization come from the top. [31:40] When Lisa worked for the President, every day there was a crisis happening. She was able to manage the stress by having an amazing team and having a repeatable process to gather information and assess the importance of it. [37:25] Throughout Lisa’s career, she has been surrounded by amazing leaders. [37:55] A moment that stood out was during the tragedy that happened at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. It cost the lives of nine people. Lisa personally saw how President Barack Obama demonstrated a whole range of leadership skills in just one day. [42:30] Try to live every day as a custodian of the institution that you’re leading. Do not focus as much on the individual needs and desires of the daily decision.   Quotable Quotes “One of the things that make for an effective president is they realize their job is not about being busy, it’s about slowing things down.”   “Panic ensues when people don’t have information or don’t believe they’re getting enough clear information.” “The best leaders have really built up and honed their ability to be effective in that moment well before the moment arrives.”   “If the leader has built credibility as somebody who doesn’t shade, who doesn’t put spin on the ball, then they’re going to be able to deliver that uncomfortable, or perhaps, unwelcomed, but truthful message in that moment.” “We should not lose sight of the fact that those servicemen’s and women’s sacrifices are ongoing every day as we go about our daily lives.” “We have to think about resilience across all these types of threats, whether it’s terrorism, cyber-attacks, or pandemic disease.” “Are you being clear? Are you being candid about what you know and what you don’t know, and are you being regular in that communication?” “Leaders are best when they really listen to their inner compass.”   Resources and Books Mentioned Lisa on Wikipedia What Only the CEO Can Do — Harvard Business Review President Obama delivers Eulogy in Charleston, South Carolina   The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by:     Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today’s workforce. Get your free copy HERE.     Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.  

Simon Sinek is best known for popularizing the concept of ‘WHY’ in his 2009 TED Talk, making it the most-watched TED talk of all time. Simon talks leadership, and shares why having a finite perspective in business puts you on the losing end of an otherwise infinite game.     Key Takeaways [3:15] There are two types of games: Finite games, which have known players, fixed rules, and a winner and a loser. Infinite games have known and unknown players. The rules are changeable and there’s no finish line. [4:15] When we play to win in a game that has no finish line, there is a decline in trust, cooperation, and innovation. [4:35] There are five ways to adjust your business to the game we’re in. Your business has to work to advance a just cause. Build trusting teams. Study worthy rivals. Have a capacity for existential flexibility. The courage to lead. [7:00] When we hit the goal, it’s very exciting, but just like working out; it doesn’t stop. We have to keep doing it for the rest of our lives. [8:40] In our society, we tend to gamify our goals, but it goes against our longer-term goals. [10:10] There is a decline of loyalty in companies. Companies are not loyal to people, and therefore people aren’t loyal to them. [12:05] It is the leader’s responsibility to create an environment where trust can exist. [15:00] The difference between being stressed at work and passionate about work is whether or not we believe in what we’re doing and that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. [16:35] We become obsessed with our competitors and try to beat them because we are obsessed with the finite game. The way we define what’s ‘number one’ is arbitrary. [22:15] During the pandemic, we’re forced to change and re-invent ourselves as people and as the business.  [27:50] The internet put a lot of companies out of business and that took decades. The pandemic is doing the same but over days/weeks. [29:40] Instead of thinking in one- or two-year terms, or even 10-year terms, think in 1,000-year terms. This would be at least our fourth pandemic, by now. [33:25] The younger generation has seen first-hand the failings of the way we run businesses now. This pandemic will affect them the way the war affected our grandparents. [36:15] You can’t achieve success in five steps or in seven steps, yet business magazines are writing to grab our short attention spans. [39:15] Remember, in business, it’s the journey. It is the journey. It’s not the destination — that’s what motivates us. [42:30] Let yourself grieve during these traumatic times. You are experiencing trauma and it’s okay to ask for help.   Quotable Quotes   “Working hard for something we don’t care about is stress. Working for something we love is called passion.”   The language of so many leaders today is about being number one or being the best, but based on what? “There is no such thing as winning in a game that has no finish line.” “We actually have to adjust the way we think about our businesses to play for the game we’re actually in.” Most of our goals are arbitrary numbers with arbitrary dates. “The only true competitor in business is ourselves.” “Gone are the days when someone works to get a gold watch. There’s an entire generation of employees that have no idea what I’m talking about.” “We have no choice but to change. We have to throw out the old business model.” People don’t fear change. They fear sudden change.   Resources and Books Mentioned Simonsinek.com Simon on LinkedIn Follow Simon on Twitter @Simonsinek Simon’s latest book: The Infinite Game The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, by Patrick Lencioni   The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by:     Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today’s workforce. Get your free copy HERE.     Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Tom Rath is an author and researcher who has spent the past two decades studying how work can improve human health and well-being. Tom served 13 years at Gallup, where Tom led the organization’s strengths, employee engagement, and leadership consulting worldwide. He is the author of 10 books and has sold more than 10 million copies. Tom’s first book, How Full Is Your Bucket?, co-written with his grandfather during his last year of life, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller and it is used in classrooms around the world. He is also the author of StrengthsFinder 2.0. Tom has two books out in 2020, Life’s Great Question and It’s Not About You.   Key Takeaways [3:50] Tom shares the evolution of his literary work. [8:40] At Gallup, Tom asked people all over the world what a good life looked like for them. Relationships, what you’re doing in your community, and your health came back to be the top most important things. [9:25] Tom shares what he believes a great life is... [12:10] Your life is better off and other people’s lives are better off because of the work that you’re doing. [15:00] In Tom’s books, he encourages people to take a survey or a quiz at the end. He has learned that if you give people something to do after they’ve read your work, they’re more likely to incorporate your lessons or principals into their lives. [18:40] What people really want from leaders is trust, compassion, stability, and hope. [20:25] Leaders need to push their efforts outward and think deeply about what the world needs. [22:55] It’s in everybody’s best interest to bring humanity back into the work. Human connection leads to better quality work. [28:45] We should challenge ourselves to be better strength-finders for other people. [31:20] Tom has noticed executive teams are woefully deficient in the area of building strong relationships. He believes there are not enough women on leadership teams. [33:10] It’s human nature to surround yourself with people who act and think the same way. Tom believes it’s important to get people to think about how they can uniquely contribute to making a difference in the business from day one. [39:15] When it comes to the future of work, Tom hopes we can develop ways where humans can find their work passions and meanings a lot faster. [41:40] Tom would like to be remembered as a very caring dad and husband, first. Second, he would like to leave a legacy that lives on for years to come. [42:15] Tom’s challenge: What’s one thing you can do today that will continue to grow in your absence?   Quotable Quotes “What’s one thing you can do today that will continue to grow in your absence?” The key to leadership is trust, compassion, stability, and hope. “So many times we’re looking for answers in the wrong places and it seems counterintuitive to say look for happiness outside of you.” “My hunch is that over the next 10–25 years, just standalone narrative books, especially in non-fiction, are going to be harder and harder for people to read through and apply that knowledge.” “The part where we’ve fallen short in helping leaders is to turn a majority of their efforts outward and to think, not only about who they are, but what the world needs.” “The more leaders can draw direct connections with the way their employee’s daily work serves specific constituencies and needs, the more meaningful it makes the work and the better people feel about it, and the more likely they’ll stick with it.” “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is what are you doing for others.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.   Resources and Books Mentioned Tomrath.org Tom on LinkedIn Follow Tom on Twitter @Tomcrath Tom’s Latest book: It’s Not About You: A Brief Guide to a Meaningful Life How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath & Donald Clifton Life’s Great Question: Discover How You Contribute to the World, by Tom Rath Strengths Based Leadership, by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie Strengths Finder 2.0, by Tom Rath Creating the Good Life: Applying Aristotle's Wisdom to Find Meaning and Happiness, by James O'Toole Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, by Greg McKeown   The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by:     Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today’s workforce. Get your free copy HERE.     Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Bobby Herrera is the author of The Gift of Struggle. As the co-founder and CEO of Populus Group, Bobby never imagined the challenges of building a $500 million organization that serves tens of thousands of people. Throughout his life, he experienced the divergence between the intentional leader he wanted to be, and the less engaged version of him that showed up at the office every day. One day at a company meeting, he decided to share a story about one of his first struggles as a young adult. That story, a pivotal experience that transformed Bobby's life, inspired his employees with its radical transparency, humility and the idealism of his dream for the company.   Key Takeaways Bobby shares some of his stories from his leadership journey. Each story shows the broader lesson any leader can apply.   Every leader has stories about the challenges they have faced and struggles they have overcome. In the moment, those situations require strength, patience, perseverance and courage.  With time, those struggles provide lessons for how to be better leaders. Bobby Herrera learned to see those struggles as gifts.   Quotable Quotes “The struggles continue; that’s part of the learning process.” “Oftentimes, we share the story, but we don’t invite them to be part of the story.” “Everything you say yes to, you say no to something else.”   Resources and Books Mentioned Populusgroup.com Bobby-herrera.com Bobby on LinkedIn Follow Bobby on Twitter @BobbyHerreraPG The Gift of Struggle: Life-Changing Lessons About Leading, by Bobby Herrera   The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by:     Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today’s workforce. Get your free copy HERE.     Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Esther Wojcicki is a celebrated educator, a pioneer in instructional technology, Founder of the renowned Media Arts Program at Palo Alto High School, and the author of the bestselling book, How to Raise Successful People. Esther was named Teacher of the Year in California in 2002 and received the Charles O’Malley Award for outstanding teaching in journalism in 2011. Esther is also the Founder of the Journalistic Learning Initiative at the University of Oregon, and is the Founder and CEO of GlobalMoonshots.org. Esther raised three daughters: Susan (CEO of YouTube), Anne (CEO of 23andMe), and Janet (professor, UC San Francisco).   Key Takeaways [3:25] Talk to your teenagers. Their creative minds are impressive. [5:35] Helicopter parents have the same problem as bad managers, they micromanage! [7:50] Helicopter parenting might be due to having access to more information than before and it’s making parents fearful for their children. [8:55] Esther believes we’d be happier people if we had access to less information, but that’s simply not possible with our world today. What we need to do is learn how to cope. [11:15] Esther believes teaching media literacy is a critical skill to have as we live in an information-overload environment. People need to know how to read between the lines and figure out if something is truthful or not. [13:10] 18-24-year-olds are completely different from the millennials. Millennials are even having trouble working with 20-year-olds! [15:00] Children today grew up with information overload. [16:15] Children of CEOs are afraid they’ll never live up to their parents’ expectations. [17:25] There are a lot of kids in the Midwest or the South where the American Dream doesn’t seem achievable or realistic for them. [21:55] Esther emphasizes the importance of teaching children how to learn because this is a skill for life. [22:15] Why memorize a test when students will forget 95% of it a year later? We have a re-skilling problem in the United States. [24:55] For people to take chances, they have to feel safe. [28:35] We all have deadlines. It’s important to make people feel comfortable to take risks, in spite of them. [31:55] With so much democracy, we have communication chaos. We don’t know which source to believe. [38:05] If children aren’t learning about trust and risk at home, how can they learn these skills? Esther believes it starts at school. [44:10] The power to change the schools lies with the parents.   Quotable Quotes For people to take chances, they have to feel safe. “We are all fearful. Everybody is afraid non-stop. I’m afraid for the world.” “Every generation is different because they’re growing up in a different world.” “Children today tend to be much more risk-averse because somebody was always there helping them.” “Here we have a lot of kids whose parents are CEOs and their number one fear is they’ll never live up to the standards set by their parents.” “What does it take these days for people to achieve the American dream?” “I’m teaching kids how to learn because this is a skill for life. I am not teaching them to memorize.” “Believe in the student and they believe in themselves. They rise to levels that are completely unexpected.” “When you’re really upset and worried, you tend to be less productive than when you feel good about yourself and  when you feel supported.” “You want kids to feel at home at school. You want them to feel a sense of community. Today, many schools don’t do that.”   Resources and Books Mentioned Raisesuccessfulpeople.com Globalmoonshots.org Esther on LinkedIn Follow Esther on Twitter @EstherWojcicki Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol Dweck Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell, by Alan Eagle, Eric Schmidt, and Jonathan Rosenberg   The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by:     Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today’s workforce. Get your free copy HERE.     Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Why Listen: A lot of Veterans I speak with are interested in technology. Most of us in the military get a fair amount of experience with technology, and we hear about the high growth this industry has seen. It’s a pretty broad industry - to me, 10 years out of the military, hearing someone refer to Tech feels like someone referring to “the military” - it’s a great catch all phrase, but there is so much beyond that high level term - branch of service, MOS, warfare speciality, etc.   Today’s interview feels like a gateway to that world of tech. My guest, Art, works at a company called Micron Technologies, which is in the semiconductor industry. Which, as you’ll learn, is a foundational element in pretty much every technology industry: drones, autonomous vehicles, tablets, social media… it’s everywhere.   I don’t think I’ve ever had an interview that has packed in so much information at the end. I really try to keep these interviews to 45-50 minutes, based on feedback I’ve received from listeners. Today was a rare case where we kept going because there was so much richness in what Art was sharing. We talk about translating one’s experience on both a resume and interview. We talk about diversity of perspective as a strength when one is applying to a job. We talk about three things I rarely hear on these interviews: how important it is to evaluate a company by the size of the company and what this offers to you in terms of a community and mentorship opportunities, evaluating a company’s team and how those individuals will challenge and support you to grow, and also looking at how a company behaves in a crisis… like the one we’re going through right now. All of these are fantastic lenses through which to evaluate a company and job opportunity, and they’ve never come up in the 349 episodes that precede this.   As always, at BeyondTheUniform.org you’ll find 350 other free episodes, just like this one. You’ll find show notes with links to everything we discuss today. And you’ll also find a special, limited time offer at BeyondTheUniform.org/micron, where Art is graciously offering to connect with 20 of you to help you with your resume, and answer your questions about job transitioning (side note: he has conducted thousands of interviews), the semiconductor industry, and Micron Technology.   About Art Behnke Art Behnke is a Manager of Talent Acquisition at Micron Technologies, which is a world leader in innovative memory solutions that transform how the world uses information. Micron Technologies has over 37,000 team members in 18 countries who work with the world’s most trusted brands, delivering memory and storage systems for a broad range of applications and sparking countless possibilities in technology.   Art served in the Marine Corps for 21 years as a FA/18 Hornet WSO and is a graduate of the TopGun program. He has held a wide variety of roles throughout his career and has completed 173 combat flights, with 2,500 total flight hours. He has completed an MBA and is a graduate of the Naval War College

Jim and Jan watched Tom Hanks in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, which portrayed a real-life friendship between Mr. Fred Rogers and journalist Lloyd Vogel. The leadership, moral and philosophical lessons were many, and Jim & Jan recount their favorites. Listen in to hear what Jim & Jan saw as the most important lesson in the movie for leaders - now more than ever.    Key Takeaways [3:25] Mr. Rogers had the ability to intently listen and demonstrate true caring for the other person. [4:25] Leadership is the ability to move people emotionally. [5:55] Jim is not a big fan of active listening. It involves repeating answers back to people. When it comes to listening, he prefers curiosity and asking great questions. [6:50] Mr. Rogers had a genuine curiosity and took the time to observe people. [9:55] It’s a gift to be able to share someone’s burden just by listening to them. [12:10] William Deresiewicz said, “Introspection means talking to yourself, and one of the best ways of talking to yourself is by talking to another person.” [13:30] If you forgive a jerk at work, they’re just going to keep doing the same thing again. Jan shares why past guest Dr. Tom Morris believes forgiveness is the highest form or moral leadership. [15:05] The real test of a leader’s effectiveness is when it does not come from a place of legitimate authority. [17:25] Mr. Rogers was able to break through to the jaded reporter, Lloyd Vogel, by being incredibly giving, tenacious, and present. [20:20] Many of the bad behaviors we see in the workplace are due to levels of insecurity. [24:25] If you want to be great, you have to go to the next level of being really caring and understanding for others. [28:10] Find the good in others. It’s that simple... and that hard. [28:35] During this crisis, you might find that you do not like who you are. The good news is, you can manage your responses. [34:00] Humans are wired to come together in crisis, or else we wouldn’t have survived this long. [35:35] Jim and Jan are excited to hear from you! Reach out and let them know what your ideas are for future shows!   Quotable Quotes “One of the greatest gifts we can give is our attention.” “Good listening is curiosity.” “Through your actions, you will change that other person. You’re not going to change them by having a conversation with them.” “Forgiveness is as much for you as it is for the other person.” “Being good takes work.” “Anything mentionable is manageable.”   Resources and Books Mentioned A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood (Movie 2019) Mr. Rogers “Solitude and Leadership,” by William Deresiewicz Plato’s Lemonade Stand: Stirring Change into Something Great, by Tom Morris “Pandemics Kill Compassion, Too,” by David Brooks, The New York Times   The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by:     Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today’s workforce. Get your free copy HERE.     Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Why Listen: The top two reasons to listen to this interview are: 1.Straight talk - Josh is very direct about the struggles he has faced in his career and transition. The wisdom he shares is incisive, and I think a lot of Veterans will appreciate both the sincerity and authenticity of his advice. 2.Consulting & project management - we talk about Josh’s experience with both consulting and project management, and why Veterans may love either of these career paths.    Beyond the Uniform has over 350 podcast episodes and 20 videos with America’s top Veterans, including Jocko Willink, the former CEO of Pepsi, NFL players and more. They are all for free at BeyondTheUniform.org. If you benefit from Beyond the Uniform and would like to help get this in front of more members of the military community, please consider donating at BeyondTheUniform.org/donate. You can also text SUPPORTBTU to 33777 and we will send you additional information. Our cost of production is $300 per month, we are an all-volunteer team, and we could use your financial support. That is at BeyondTheUniform.org/donate or by texting SUPPORTBTU to 33777.   About Josh: Josh is a Consultant at Whitney, Bradley & Brown (WBB), as well as a Training Consultant at PM-ProLearn. He started out at the Naval Academy, after which he served in the Marine Corps for over 11 years. 

Why Listen: The top two reasons to listen to today’s episode are: 1. Mindset - Bobby’s book, The Gift of Struggle, shares stories of adversity he has faced in his personal and professional life and how each of those struggles was a gift to him, his family, and his team. There is a great lesson for every listener in this. 2. Leadership - Bobby built his team to over 300 employees with nearly 9,000 contractors worldwide. He is humble and direct in sharing the mistakes he has made along the way to this incredible feat. If you enjoy today’s episode, be sure to check out: BTU #328 - Struggle is What Gives Us Value (Micah Fink - Heroes & Horses) - https://beyondtheuniform.org/blog/btu-328-struggle-is-what-gives-us-value-micah-fink-heroes-horses?rq=fink BTU #99 - Jacob Martinez: Army Sergeant to President of USA's 592nd Fastest Growing Company - https://beyondtheuniform.org/blog/btu-99-jacob-martinez-army-sergeant-to-president-of-usas-592nd-fastest-growing-company?rq=jacob%20martinez Beyond the Uniform has over 350 podcast episodes and 20 videos with America’s top Veterans, including Jocko Willink, the former CEO of Pepsi, NFL players and more. They are all for free at BeyondTheUniform.org. If you benefit from Beyond the Uniform and would like to help get this in front of more members of the military community, please consider donating at BeyondTheUniform.org/donate. You can also text SUPPORTBTU to 33777 and we will send you additional information. Our cost of production is $300 per month, we are an all-volunteer team, and we could use your financial support. That is at BeyondTheUniform.org/donate or by texting SUPPORTBTU to 33777. About Bobby: Bobby Herrera is the author of The Gift of Struggle, a book about leadership and the life-changing lessons we learn through our struggles. He is also the co-founder and president of Populus Group, a staffing & recruiting company with over 300 / 9k employees. Bobby founded Populus Group nearly 18 years ago. He served in the Army in Field Artillery for over seven years. With a passion for building strong culture and communities through trust and storytelling, his leadership style is about empowerment, connections, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Bobby grew up in a big family with parents who immigrated to America without much. While this is not an uncommon story, the leadership style and company culture that it inspired is. The belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed is at the core of Bobby’s philosophy in business and in life. Everyone has struggles and business leaders are no exception. Bobby’s passion is helping others understand how their individual struggles can help them connect with their communities and inspire other is what will ultimately transform their leadership style. Bobby is a proud Army veteran and currently lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife and three children.

Welcome back to Beyond the Uniform. I’m Justin Nassiri and our mission is to support the military community in their civilian career. Today is episode BTU #347 - Marines to PMP Instructor and PM-ProLearn (Ian Fisher) Why listen: Here are the top two reasons to listen to today’s episode: 1.Project, Program, and Portfolio Management - at BTU we often hear questions about these three career paths, and Ian goes into great detail about what these fields are, how they relate to one’s military background, and how to succeed in these career paths. 2.Certifications - Clayton has great advice about education, certifications, and how to make one self appealing to a hiring manager.    Beyond the Uniform has over 350 podcast episodes and 20 videos with America’s top Veterans, including Jocko Willink, the former CEO of Pepsi, NFL players and more. They are all for free at BeyondTheUniform.org. If you benefit from Beyond the Uniform and would like to help get this in front of more members of the military community, please consider donating at BeyondTheUniform.org/donate. You can also text SUPPORTBTU to 33777 and we will send you additional information. Our cost of production is $300 per month, we are an all-volunteer team, and we could use your financial support. That is at BeyondTheUniform.org/donate or by texting SUPPORTBTU to 33777.   About Ian: Charles “Ian” Fisher is Director of Operations at PM-ProLearn. He served for over 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and since then has worked as both an IT Consultant as well as the Assistant Director of Professional Services at TimeClock Plus, a Data Management company.

This is the final episode with Dan Pink, and the discussion was far-reaching. Leaders are most effective when asking great questions, and listening intently to truly understand other perspectives and points of view. Dan also discusses the moral obligation to help others get ahead, and to develop people with intention. As we face future challenges - technological and others - it’s important to think across different disciplines with unbridled curiosity and an openness to other points of view.    Key Takeaways [1:10] When should a leader fall on their sword? People have fewer regrets about doing the right thing than they have about making accommodations against doing the right thing. [4:35] Dan shares some of his favorite questions that he’s received/asked over the years. [7:25] When you ask ‘what’ questions vs. ‘how’ questions, people tend to give you more forward-facing answers. [9:00] A good question to ask is, “What problems do people bring you to solve?” [11:35] Dan believes to be successful you need to have a mix of effort, good taste, luck, and social advantage. [16:10] As a successful person and leader, you have a moral obligation to help those behind you. [19:30] Do we get the incentives wrong when it comes to encouraging good behavior? Dan’s answer is that it depends on the organization and its structure. [23:20] When it comes to the educational piece, Dan believes it’s important to teach people to think across different disciplines. [24:45] Can someone be both a good man and a great man? Dan thinks in order to be great you have to be good.   Quotable Quotes “A leader who has their team’s back establishes psychological safety.” “People have fewer regrets about doing the right thing than they have about making accommodations against doing the right thing.” People need two very basic things: Freedom to think, and freedom to learn.   Where to follow Dan Pink Twitter: @DanielPink Facebook: @DanielHPink Website: DanPink.com   Resources and Books Mentioned When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, by Daniel H. Pink A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, by Daniel H. Pink Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel H. Pink To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, by Daniel H. Pink Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself, by Daniel H. Pink Leaders: Myth and Reality, by Jason Mangone, Jeff Eggers, and Stanley A. McChrystal Team Of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World, by General Stanley A. McChrystal My Share of the Task: A Memoir, by General Stanley A. McChrystal Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value, by Bill George Courage: The Backbone of Leadership, by Gus Lee with Diane Elliott-Lee Dr. Vivek Murthy Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are, by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives, by Daniel Levitin “The Lesson to Unlearn,” by Paul Graham Salesbrain.com How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton Christensen The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth, by Amy Edmondson Good Boss, Bad Boss: How to Be the Best... and Learn from the Worst, by Robert I. Sutton, Ph.D.   The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by:     Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today’s workforce. Get your free copy HERE.     Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

TJ asks English about how her training is going so far this season (:43), and what is different about training in an Olympic year (1:43). English talks about why she feels like she now belongs with other Olympians (3:22). She discusses the emotion behind her 2016 Olympic trials win and the stories behind it (5:12). English opens up about her battle with depression (12:25), and she and TJ also discuss why depression is so prevalent in athletes (17:11), how she fought her own demons (23:00) and  how important her faith was in her battle (26:42). TJ asks English about what caused her to start her social media series #WalkByFaith (29:54). English talks about what drives her to keep coming back from injuries (35:05) and the impact her parents have had on her life (41:20). TJ and English talk about the story behind her unique first name (45:59). English tells the story of how her social media name ughlyducklin came to be (47:14). They talk about the impact English had on Oregon Track and Field and how she changed the face of the program (49:41). She also talks about her alter ego on the track "Baby Beast" (53:26). TJ finds out the truth behind the story of English calling out De'Anthony Thomas while at Oregon (56:17). TJ also talks with English about other stories of superstitions she has (58:34). English discusses her interests outside of track (1:00:56) including her singing and potential singing career (1:03:19). They discuss English's (and TJ's) favorite breakfast spot in Eugene and if she will be visiting during the Olympic Trials (1:06:04). Lastly, English discusses her thoughts about her return to the new Hayward Field.

Why listen: Here are the top three reasons to listen to today’s episode: 1.Tenacity - Clayton describes his experience stepping on an IED in Iraq and the grueling road to recovery. His thoughts on perspective &  perseverance are exceptional. 2.Sales - Clayton’s attitude towards business is inspiring. His competitive nature and desire to provide for his family are inspiring. 3.Entrepreneurship - Clayton has repeatedly started organizations that thrive. From USi, which was acquired by Ignite, to Black Patch Distilling and his current government contracting company, SPS, Clayton has demonstrated his gift at starting and growing businesses.   Beyond the Uniform has over 350 podcast episodes and 20 videos with America’s top Veterans, including Jocko Willink, the former CEO of Pepsi, NFL players and more. They are all for free at BeyondTheUniform.org. If you benefit from Beyond the Uniform and would like to help get this in front of more members of the military, please consider donating at BeyondTheUniform.org/donate. You can also text SUPPORTBTU to 33777. Our cost of production is $300 per month, we are an all-volunteer team, and we could use your financial support. That is SUPPORTBTU to 33777     About Clayton: Clayton is the Chairman of the Black Patch Distilling Co, a Combat Veteran-Owned and Operated Distillery. He started out at West Point, and served as an Infantry Officer for nearly five years before medically retiring as a Captain due to wounds sustained during an improvised explosive attack while conducting a night raid to kill or capture Al Qaeda in Iraq. He is an Honor Graduate of the US Army Ranger School, and holds a Masters from Georgetown University. After his departure from the military, he served as President and CEO of USi, which was acquired by Ignite in 2016.

In Part II of three episodes, Dan Pink answers questions from listeners. Each insight could be a discussion unto itself. Listen in on how organizations can navigate remote work challenges, better leverage older workers, the pros and cons of fear as a motivator, selling insights, the bane of busyness, how technology can hinder and help, and the power of kindness.   Key Takeaways [1:35] Q: What is the hardest thing to sell? Selling something that goes against the person’s existing identity and moral beliefs. [6:25] A lot of the issues people tend to have are typically due to time constraints, not lack of desire. The key is being able to focus 100% in the moment when you’re doing a task. [8:20] Q: Your thoughts on remote work and how can companies maximize this? Face-to-face social connection is hugely important towards maximizing human connection and productivity. [10:25] Q: Where does fear serve us and where does it hinder us? Fear shouldn’t be used as a leadership motivator, but that doesn’t mean leaders should abandon it entirely. [14:05] Q: Advice for older workers? Spend time with people who are younger than you and you are an undervalued asset. [18:20] Q: Thoughts on ‘always being busy’? Being busy is a performance and when you’re busy you don’t have to face the ‘harder’ life questions. [22:10] Q: In this technological environment, is bureaucracy decreasing or increasing in our organization? The answer is ‘yes.’ [23:55] Q: What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self? Dan’s 20-year-old self wouldn’t listen to him.   Quotable Quotes “What we do is make visceral emotional decisions and then use reason to justify that emotional belief.” “People shouldn’t be remote working all the time. You have to bring people together face-to-face.”   “Fear is very short term. Fear allows you to see up close, but fear doesn’t allow you to see out into the future.” “These middle-aged workers are much more valuable than companies are realizing. They are an undervalued asset.”   “My 20-year-old self was so incredibly sure of himself and so not open to other interpretation, and so lacking in humility.”   “Don’t go based on your assumptions about how the world works. Ask questions and try to find stuff out.” “Be kinder. Act with more kindness. The older I get, the more I value kindness and understand the influence of kindness in the world.”     Where to follow Dan Pink Twitter: @DanielPink Facebook: @DanielHPink Website: DanPink.com   Resources and Books Mentioned When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, by Daniel H. Pink A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, by Daniel H. Pink Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel H. Pink To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, by Daniel H. Pink Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself, by Daniel H. Pink Leaders: Myth and Reality, by Jason Mangone, Jeff Eggers, and Stanley A. McChrystal Team Of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World, by General Stanley A. McChrystal My Share of the Task: A Memoir, by General Stanley A. McChrystal Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value, by Bill George Courage: The Backbone of Leadership, by Gus Lee with Diane Elliott-Lee Dr. Vivek Murthy Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are, by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives, by Daniel Levitin “The Lesson to Unlearn,” by Paul Graham Salesbrain.com How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton Christensen   The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by:     Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today’s workforce. Get your free copy HERE.     Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Why Listen: In 344 other episodes we spend so much time talking about WHAT sort of work people do - the industry they choose, the functional role they take on, the size of company, even the part of the world in which they work - but we hardly ever devote time to HOW they work. Well, today’s interview is all about the HOW. Mike is an Army Veteran and acclaimed expert on how the workplace affects employee engagement. We talk about remote working and other flexibility options, and why listeners may want to pursue this in their next career move.    I loved my conversation with Mika - she is energetic, knowledgeable, passionate and generous. She is also extending a discount for her company - Flexjobs - to all Veterans, and there’s additional info in the show notes for this episode at BeyondTheUniform.org   About Mika:   "Mika J. Cross is a widely acclaimed workplace expert, speaker, strategist and innovator specializing in interdisciplinary expertise in the areas of innovative global workplace initiatives, culture change, strategic communications, knowledge management, next generation/future workplace predictions, performance and talent management, and employee engagement. Her 20+ year career in public service includes assignments throughout the United States Intelligence Community and across the Federal government. She is a veteran of the United States Army, having served as both an enlisted soldier and commissioned officer."

Jim and Jan sit down with Dan Pink in the offices of the McChrystal Group to discuss all things leadership. Dan shares his thoughts on cognitive bias, A/B testing of leadership practices, soft-skills, and how to move from blaming personality to better understanding how design drives patterns of behavior. Due to unforeseen circumstances, General Stan McChrystal was not able to join the discussion as planned.    Key Takeaways [3:15] Dan believes we are slowly reconceiving different notions of leadership and different notions of how organizations are run. [8:40] We have the ability to communicate to the world and yet we are lonelier than ever.  [10:16] Dan wonders when the concept of ‘leadership’ first emerged. [11:55] How can leaders deal with cognitive bias? As human beings, we are riddled with flaws and by simply being aware of that, it can help you through the decision making process as you begin to ask yourself a series of questions. [16:00] A/B testing is critical in any leadership role, but there are some leaders who are too afraid to test out ‘B’ and have it fail. [20:45] With so many distractions out there, Dan understands how difficult it is to have our minds be focused on the present. This is why he has made a conscious effort to delete social media apps and other distractions off of his computer. [23:25] Is your organization suffering from bad behaviors or simply bad design? In order for you to be a good leader as well as a good designer, be aware of your surroundings. Did an interaction or customer experience go well for you? Ask yourself why and take note so that you can implement it into your organization. [31:25] As we get older, our processing power decreases. If you can’t speed up the processing power of an individual, can you do it as an organization? Dan isn’t sure he has the correct answer to this yet. [35:45] Our education system is designed for the convenience of the system and it is not tailored to the education of the people. Schools will say their goal is to teach people how to learn, but the system, unfortunately, doesn’t allow for that. [41:45] How much has genuine leadership changed over the years? Dan thinks at the structural level, it’s changed very little. [44:00] Effective leaders don’t rule with an iron fist. In fact, it’s the soft skills that often go unnoticed. For example, they have humility, curiosity, and integrity. [47:00] Dan believes that the future of leadership will involve teaching others how to think.   Quotable Quotes “Am I looking for things that only confirm my existing beliefs and am I discarding things that challenge my existing beliefs?” “If you’re a leader who says I don’t want to test out ‘B’ because it’s a failure, you don’t understand experiments.” “Instead of relying on my willpower and fortitude, neither of which is deep, I change the architecture. I think that's the solution for leaders.” “Collective intelligence at an organizational level is, at some level, a knowledge management problem.” “We have all the content in the world to develop leaders. What’s missing is context.” “These tests that schools provide are easily hackable and so these kids got good at hacking tests, but the real world is not a hackable exercise.”   Where to follow Dan Pink Twitter: @DanielPink Facebook: @DanielHPink Website: DanPink.com   Resources and Books Mentioned When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, by Daniel H. Pink A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, by Daniel H. Pink Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel H. Pink To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, by Daniel H. Pink Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself, by Daniel H. Pink Leaders: Myth and Reality, by Jason Mangone, Jeff Eggers, and Stanley A. McChrystal Team Of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World, by General Stanley A. McChrystal My Share of the Task: A Memoir, by General Stanley A. McChrystal Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value, by Bill George Courage: The Backbone of Leadership, by Gus Lee with Diane Elliott-Lee Dr. Vivek Murthy Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are, by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives, by Daniel Levitin “The Lesson to Unlearn,” by Paul Graham   The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by:     Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today’s workforce. Get your free copy HERE.     Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

A preview of 6 new podcasts and three new webinars coming your way in March. Also, if you're not yet on our Newsletter list, text 33777 with BTU to join, or subscribe at BeyondTheUniform.org

TJ asks Kendall about her historic comeback at Hayward Field in the 2018 NCAA OutdoorTrack and Field Championships (:47). Kendall talks about what she sees as her biggest accomplishment so far in her career (6:06). She tells TJ about her goals she currently has for her track career (7:31). TJ talks with Kendall about the upcoming Olympic Trials and her confidence level (8:59). Kendall explains why she chose New Balance as her sponsor (10:00). She describes her lifestyle adjustment when she moved from South Florida to Southern California (11:17). TJ asks Kendall about her own experiences with the infamous "A Florida man" (18:13). Kendall talks about her involvement in the community while she was at USC (20:28) and why volunteering is so important to her (22:18).  TJ asks Kendall how she got started in track and when she realized how good she was (23:45). Kendall talks about her career goals after her track career is over (26:48). Lastly, they discuss Tyreek Hill's announcement to try and compete at the Olympic Trials (30:05).

Join us as we discuss our preparation for our interview with Stan McChrystal and Dan Pink - together - from 2-4pm EST on February 7th!  Now is your opportunity to let us know what you would like us to ask these thought leaders about the future of leadership and teams! Be sure to email your questions to: Info@TheLeadershipPodcast.com. The interview will livestream on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/westudyleaders/.    Key Takeaways [1:55] The last two episodes were of Stan McChrystal and Dan Pink, so be sure to listen to them before Jim and Jan go live with these two speakers on February 7th. [2:35] Both speakers have very different backgrounds, with Stan being born into military life and Daniel coming from an academic/consulting world, but they both prioritized liberal arts, classical education, and philosophy. [5:20] Both men value self-discipline, which has allowed them to be successful in their respective fields. [7:50] Stan stated it best about what a leader does. A leader creates a common purpose and a trust. [10:15] For the February 7th interview, the live session will have three segments. The first section being similar to a podcast interview, the second segment will have Dan and Stan interviewing each other, and the third is left for your questions! [13:10] If you really want to understand the value you bring to the market, pay attention to the questions people ask you. [19:15] Jim and Jan can’t wait to see the dynamic, and how it will compare to the virtual interviews. [20:20] How can you tune in? They’ll be hosting this live on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/westudyleaders/.    Quotable Quotes “Leaders need to be squared away both mentally, physically, and emotionally.” “Both Stan McChrystal and Dan Pink realized at a young age, Boy, I’m not going to be able to influence other people if I’m not walking the walk.” “You need to be thinking about how different people influence your thinking over time.” “You can not have autonomy without trust.” “If I told you, you can’t go home until we win, what would you do differently?”   Send your questions for Dan and Stan to: Info@TheLeadershipPodcast.com   References Mcchrystalgroup.com Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World, by General Stanley A. McChrystal DanPink.com The Leadership Podcast: Dan Pink The Leadership Podcast: Stan McChrystal The Leadership Podcast: Zack Baddorf   The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by:     Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today’s workforce. Get your free copy HERE.     Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Why Listen: Many of the guests I’ve had on the show talk about their struggle to find a new purpose after they leave the military. I struggled with that as well, but - spoiler alert - that doesn’t end when you leave the military. I’m 39 right now, I’ve been out of the Navy for over 10 years, and I’ve been working on this same question for the last several months. That’s what actually led me to today’s guest, Craig.    Craig and I met through John Wineland’s Emobdied Men’s Leadership Training - that’s the yearlong program I’ve talked about before on Beyond the Uniform. We were in the same small group of seven people, which meant we’ve spent hundreds of hours together this last year.   However, it wasn’t until recently that I discovered Craig’s superpower: helping people find their purpose. Today’s interview is different, because Craig and I have spent about four hours together over the last couple of weeks working on helping me clarify my purpose and current mission in life. We actually rolled right into this interview after an hour together of some pretty heavy duty work together.   I deeply believe in the importance of this process - of finding one’s purpose, of having clarity about what one is seeking in life. I believe in it for myself and for our audience. So, you can view today’s episode as part one of a much bigger offering. Craig and I will be hosting a 90-minute webinar about Purpose Mapping, where you’ll get a worksheet and make significant headway towards refining your purpose in life. If you sign up for our webinar - either to attend live, or to watch the recording after the fact - we’re also going to include a variety of videos from my own work on this. I’ll show you an honest look of what this process has looked like for me.    It hasn’t been easy, but honestly the weeks since Craig and I met have been incredible. There’s a lightness in being closer to identifying what my mission is right now - of being able to say “no” to things more easily and “yes” to things where I otherwise might be hesitant.   Be sure to signup for the webinar if you’re at all interested in this topic. There’ll be links in the show notes for this episode, as well as on the Events page of BeyondTheUniform.org if you’re listening to this in real-time, or in the “on-demand webinar” section of our website if you’re listening this in the far-distant future. Craig and I are collaborating on a lot more in this arena, and the best way to stay abreast of that journey as it unfolds is by registering for the webinar.   About Craig: Craig is a a father, a depth coach and a highly attuned facilitator bringing over 20 years of experience in transformative men’s work, shadow work and authentic relating to the unique process for radically clarifying your purpose, making a powerful contribution and stepping into your flow. Enriched by a decade of applied study in Ken Wilber’s Integral Philosophy, and a founding member of the Integral Center in Boulder, CO, Craig's work is informed by the factors that precipitate growth and development in human systems. Craig’s 15-year entrepreneurial career has carried him from being an unemployable philosophy major with an unplanned child to building a company from 2 to 22 people and $1.5MM/yr in just under 3 years. Along the way, he churned through a dozen false starts because the businesses were not authentic for him.

In preparation to interview Dan Pink and Stan McChrystal together on February 7th, please enjoy the first interview we did with Dan on “When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing.” If you have any questions you’d like to hear asked during the upcoming interview, please let us know!   Daniel H. Pink, the #1 bestselling author of Drive and To Sell Is Human, unlocks the scientific secrets to good timing to help you flourish at work, at school, and at home. Everyone knows that timing is everything. But we don’t know much about timing itself. Our lives as leaders are a never-ending stream of “when” decisions: when to start a business, when to hire people, when to deal with sunk costs, when to take on debt, etc. Yet we make those decisions based on intuition and guesswork.   Key Takeaways   The discussion starts with the topic of the Free Agent Nation — people working for themselves. Asked about Autonomy and Solitude as “motivators” versus the need for Collaboration as a team, Dan says that leadership needs to provide a balance between the two. He says the challenge is the architecture, both physically and metaphorically. He says that leaders should provide the same autonomy inside and outside the organization; and a sense of purpose whether the team member is full-time, part-time, or contracted. [7:55] By 2020, 43% of the workforce will be in the ‘gig’ economy. This requires different work environments and skills from leaders. Daniel wrote Free Agent Nation in 2001, before smartphones. In the years since, the difference between employee and freelancer has shrunk. [9:45] Leaders influence, persuade, convince, and cajole. These leadership roles are sales activities and effort, time, commitment, belief, and zeal are the currency. Leaders and sales reps have little coercive power. Both roles must be adept at broadly influencing people. [11:30] ‘If/then’ motivators are effective only for simple, short-term tasks. Most leaders undervalue questions of timing in leadership decisions. They think of who, what, and how, but don’t consider when to do it. The book, When, is really about the science of timing… and that leaders have systematically undervalued questions of when and  timing when making critical decisions. Too often, leaders focus on who, what, and how, and short shrift when. Time management and timing overlap. [13:05] “Time-of-day explains about 20% of the variance in human performance on the sorts of tasks people perform at work.” Timing is important. Leaders can boost productivity, creativity, and  team performance at essentially no cost by putting the right task during the right time of day. “All times of day are not created equal.” [15:25] Be conscious of the stages of the day. There are three stages: peak, trough, and rebound. Your best analytic and focused work is done in the peak time. The trough period is when you lose attention. Administrative tasks could be done in this time. The rebound period is an ideal time for creative and collaborative work. Doing the right work at the right time will lift performance. [18:25] Chronobiology: There are morning people (larks) and evening people (owls). Younger people are more often owls, and older workers are more often larks. For example, people aged 14–24 are usually Owls, so you need to allow for rhythms according to their ages (no meetings at 7 a.m. for a young team!). [23:10] Daniel explains the new ABCs of Selling: Attunement, Buoyancy, and Clarity. Attunement is the difficult leadership skill of seeing from another’s point of view. Clarity is communicating intent. Leaders need to explain the what, the why, and the significance of the mission. Buoyancy represents treating everyone fairly. Attunement is seeing someone else’s point of view (a little different than empathy). As for “Commander’s Intent” — people often don’t know what they’re supposed to do and how it fits in at a strategic level, which is a leadership imperative. Other ways to communicate intent: Here’s why; Here’s what it means to all of us; and Here’s why it’s significant... [26:40] Daniel takes organizations through an exercise described in “DRIVE,” he calls “Whose Purpose Is It, Anyway?” That is, what’s the purpose of this company? It reveals that many employees have no idea about the purpose of their company. It leads to discussion of an organization finding their purpose. [30:55] From the book, DRIVE, Daniel says we have an innate drive to grow, but we can only do it with information on how we are doing. Leaders need to give continual feedback to employees. Weekly, informal one-on-ones work well for that. Leaders need to be coached on how to do them. Asked, “What drives you, Dan?” He says he was making timing decisions in a haphazard way and wanted to make better decisions about when to spend time. [35:15] Most people are curious about something. Leaders are taught to talk, not to listen, and to answer questions, not to ask them. Curiosity can be developed somewhat... If you get better at asking questions and listening, you’ll get better at being curious. This also requires patience. Dan is committed to reading more — at 30 minutes per day. How about you?   Quotable Quotes “All times of day are not created equal.” Too often, leaders focus on who, what, and how, and short shrift when. Doing the right work at the right time will lift performance. “Treating everyone well doesn’t mean treating everyone the same!” People have a deep-seated need for belongingness — and leaders who account for this can derive tremendous benefits. Fairness doesn’t get enough attention. Humans are attuned to the norm of fairness. “Leaders who are fair are those who will thrive in the long run.” “The ability to listen well is a deeply under-developed skill.” “The feedback mechanisms in companies are fundamentally broken.” “Leaders need to establish continuous conversations.” Annual performance reviews are an absurd channel for feedback. Leadership should provide informal and frequent high-metabolism kinds of feedback! Follow your curiosity! Find about where people are curious in some other realm of their life. Help people get better at asking questions to develop their ability to listen. We need to be more intentional — and less like driftwood. Schedule what’s actually meaningful! Schedules should be sacrosanct.   Where to follow Dan Twitter: @DanielPink Facebook: @DanielHPink Website: DanPink.com Website: DanPink.com/resources/ Website: DanPink.com/pinkcast/   Resources Mentioned McChrystal Group website When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, by Daniel H. Pink A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, by Daniel H. Pink Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel H. Pink To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, by Daniel H. Pink Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself, by Daniel H. Pink   The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by:     Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. Attend a FREE webinar on GRIT - January 31st (register here).     Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

This is an episode Jim and Jan have never done before! They are featuring a previous episode with General Stanley McChrystal because they will be interviewing the General along with author Dan Pink live on February 7th. After listening, let Jim and Jan know if you have questions you’d like them to ask Dan and Stan!    General Stanley McChrystal shares his thoughts and insights on leadership and service in the modern era. General McChrystal is the best selling author of Team of Teams, and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of The McChrystal group. He talks with Jim and Jan about the importance of a classical education, the sacrifice leaders must make in their lives, and why it’s up to the government and business to create challenging opportunities for the younger generation. He shares his unique perspective on the similarities and differences of leading and teaming in business and in the military. He concludes with his thoughts on national service, education, and his recipe for more constructive discourse.   Key Takeaways [1:20] There’s going to be some exciting live content with General Stanley McChrystal and Dan Pink this February 7th! Do not miss it! [2:55] Jim and Jan offer their thoughts and insights after listening to this episode for the second time. [6:15] Regarding millennials, the talent is there! What’s different is that our community bonds have grown smaller and are more self-focused, making it difficult to find a clear path of how and where to make a contribution. [7:40] Although we are in a time where much service is needed from young people, only 30% of younger people in the United States are qualified and eligible to enlist in the military.  General McChrystal poses the thought of government and business sharing the responsibility to create opportunities for the other 70% of those that still have a desire to contribute. [8:40] The Civilian Conservation Corps of the Depression Era was a program created to give young men the opportunity to make money, earn confidence, and get a sense of self-satisfaction. Many of those men went on to serve in World War II. [9:25] General McChrystal feels it is his generation’s responsibility to create opportunities for youth through funding, education, and business. At the McChrystal group, they value service and community involvement. If you have completed a year of national service, your resume gets a more detailed review. [10:50] General McChrystal discussed how we must create an incentive for businesses to hire employees based on their potential and values — rather than just looking for professionals who already have the skills and need little training. [12:50] In addition to General McChrystal’s famous ascetic lifestyle, he is still learning, growing, and studying every day. [13:10] People skills and a strong work ethic as two of the benchmark qualities that make for a good business leader. [14:45] General McChrystal had preconceived notions of the business world, while his colleagues had assumptions about working with someone from the military. They both found out that in each world there are opportunities and challenges not so different. [15:45] His newest book due this fall 2018, Leaders: Myth and Reality, is inspired by Plutarch’s life and studies of notable people. They took the findings of this work and crafted it into modern-day profiles to compare leaders throughout history from all walks of life, and learn the nuances of different leadership styles. [17:50] In pairing founders and leaders, General McChrystal finds it isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to success and fulfillment. He did find the common threads to be a commitment to the choice to lead and accept responsibility in an authentic and self-assured manner. [21:20] Possessing an absolute commitment and dedication to the cause comes at a cost. [23:50] Classical and liberal arts education that roots us in philosophy provides a common language that connects us both with our values and to each other. [24:30] James Stockdale, United States Navy vice admiral and prisoner of war for over seven years, was a strong proponent of a classical education as a way to connect us to ourselves and each other. [27:25] As politics pervade our culture, and the absence of civility rises, it is crucial to listen more and welcome different points of view. [28:30] We could benefit from thinking more long term and focus on building sustainable relationships that remain solid in the future. In a business world, that means treating your clients in a manner where long-term relationships are fostered. [33:00] People think demonstrations of courage are usually reserved for the battlefield, but it is beneficial to recognize it in the workplace, as well. [34:00] General McChrystal is a great believer in experiential leadership for individuals and groups. At The McChrystal Group, they offer adventures for the team to succeed, become familiar, and push one another. [36:50] The military uses its advantages of patriotism and extra time for training to shape them into leaders. On the battlefield, you need to make life or death decisions, where in business, there are laws and bureaucracies and it’s harder for people to be decisive. Oftentimes, businesses will skimp on or cancel their leadership development programs due to a lack of budget or manpower. [41:00] In an organization with timid leadership, they will see the problem and take a conservative approach while rationalizing to do very little, or not enough. Making strong decisions is like a muscle you must continue to work. [42:50] General McChrystal names the two biggest current security challenges we are facing in today’s climate: Education lagging behind the progress of the rest of the world. Inability to make rational political decisions. [49:00] As General McChrystal has a strong relationship with his grandchildren, he believes in balancing work with getting outside for adventure, continued education, and family.   Quotable Quotes We’ve got to create opportunities where people can do the kinds of service that gives them a sense of satisfaction and a challenge. Begin rewarding service in your home, school, and community. When you enter the military, nobody is already a soldier, airman, or marine. College doesn’t prepare you for what you are going to do, it prepares you to be prepared for what you are going to do. Everything is simple, but the simplest is difficult. Leadership is this complex weave of factors. Possessing an absolute commitment and dedication to the cause comes at a cost. Classical and liberal arts education that roots us in philosophy provides a common language that connects us both with our values; and to each other. It’s a willingness to sacrifice for the cause when they decide to lead. Strong leaders are themselves. Learn to think long-term. There’s got to be some long-term consequences for dishonesty. Do everything today to protect what you can do in the future. If you do something challenging with strangers, you rarely end up as strangers. It takes courage to make great decisions. When things get hard, it’s a time to show courage. Don’t promise to do more than you are willing to do. Leaders make decisions that others are reluctant to make.   Resources Mentioned McChrystal Group website Dan Pink Books Leaders: Myth and Reality, by Jason Mangone, Jeff Eggers, and Stanley A. McChrystal Team Of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World, by General Stanley A. McChrystal My Share of the Task: A Memoir, by General Stanley A. McChrystal Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value, by Bill George Courage: The Backbone of Leadership, by Gus Lee with Diane Elliott-Lee   The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by:     Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. Attend a FREE webinar on GRIT - January 31st (register here).     Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Jennifer Garvey Berger is the CEO of Cultivating Leadership, and the author of two books, Changing on the Job: Developing leaders for a complex world and her most recent book, Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps: How to Thrive in Complexity. Jennifer shares the common Mindtraps all leaders unknowingly succumb to.   News! We made the Top 30 Leadership Podcasts You Must Follow in 2020!   Key Takeaways [4:15] There are five leadership mindtraps that hold us back: We are trapped by the ways we believe we’re right. We are trapped by the simple story we tell ourselves about people, events, and places. We are trapped by our desire to be in a tribe, to agree with the people in our tribe. We are trapped by our need to control events. We are trapped by our own egos. [12:25] As Jennifer works with more and more leaders, she has started to realize that it’s not what you know, it’s all about how you’re being. [14:00] Our parents have trouble with the simplest of technologies, does that mean we, as we grow older, will have the same problems? Is this a mindset thing or are we always going to hit some sort of technological threshold? Jennifer is curious to see what the answers to these questions will be as we age and grow. [18:05] Across our lifespan, we have gotten education wrong in so many ways. [20:40] Beyond roleplaying and trying out new roles in a safe setting, people can expand and change their behavior through having real conversations in “the wild.” It's scary but it can be very transformative. [24:05] The reality is, we as people love simplicity. In chaotic or complex environments, we are often drawn to the simplest of solutions. However, in such a fast-paced environment, these simple solutions are actually dangerous. We need to take a step back and reimagine leadership. [27:30] We fall into these leadership mindtraps because we are so overwhelmed by the complexity around us. We have to intentionally evolve ourselves so we break the pattern. [32:35] Sometimes you need to go slow to go fast. Doing stuff for the sake of doing it is just not productive or helpful. Slowing down is a discipline very few people can consciously do. [36:40] Pay close attention to how we make sense of the world. Do you always get easily frustrated by x reason? Take a step back and uncover the why behind it. Take time to make sense of it. Once you do, you will be much more productive. [42:15] Jennifer wants you to think about who you are trying to be seen as. What descriptions would you like other people to use when describing you? What descriptions would you hate to be used when describing you? And are those words, those descriptions, helping you or getting in your way?   Quotable Quotes “We look for a hero and a villain and we make up our minds on an incredibly small amount of evidence.” “We don’t go looking for complexity.” We’ve never lived in a world that has challenged humans so much when it comes to handling complexity. “We don’t know the difference between informational learning, which is from a book, or transformational learning, which is am I changing and growing over time.” “We need to reimagine leadership and we need to do that by noticing some of these simple solutions and simple answers are actually dangerous.”   Connect with Jennifer: Website Twitter: @jgberger and @leadershipgrows Facebook YouTube Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps: How to Thrive in Complexity, by Jennifer Garvey Berger    Resources Mentioned TLP Episode: “Looking Forward to Wicked Problems” TLP Episode: “A Maestro’s Secret for a High Performing Team”   The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by:     Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today’s workforce. Get your free copy HERE.     Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

When does it make sense to be an agile company? Jim and Jan discuss why being an agile company can work, but constant pivots can really hurt productivity. When does it make sense to be consistent, and when does it make sense to change direction? How often is too much? When is it OK to abandon a given direction/initiative? It depends on the core values, purpose, and vision - of all stakeholders. It has to be consistent with what drives innovation and commitment. Listen in to learn more!   News!  We made the Top 30 Leadership Podcasts You Must Follow in 2020!   Key Takeaways [4:55] We live in a world where being a flip-flopper is a bad thing, but why? Shouldn’t changing your mind when presented with new information be a good thing? [8:05] Look at things from three different perspectives — You as an individual, others/the team, and at the structural/organizational level. [10:15] We love intellectual consistency, but when we hold too much value in that, people get boxed in and that slows down decision making. [14:40] How would you define an effective leader? It depends on what the organization needs! [18:05] Why do startups need to pivot so frequently? It’s because they haven’t discovered their true value yet and do not have a firm hold on their market. [20:05] You want to remain consistent in your values and know firmly what value you give to your customer. [24:50] Dan Pink and General Stanley A. McChrystal will be appearing in an upcoming live show. Do you have any questions for them?   Quotable Quotes “Strengths in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people can derail leaders.” “As you get more information — more perspective, you eliminate assumptions and biases. You have the right to do that.” “You have to be squared away emotionally, physically, and mentally before you’re able to really lead others.” “We really value people who are intellectually consistent, but if you place too high a value on that, you can slow down decision making.”   Colin Powell The Crown — Netflix Show Dan Pink Books Team of Teams by General Stanley A. McChrystal   The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by:     Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today’s workforce. Get your free copy HERE.     Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Considered perhaps one of the most influential Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in history, Admiral Mike Mullen takes a fresh approach to the most important issues of the 21st century—including America's global positioning and how business trends and the economic health of the U.S. directly impact our national security. Admiral Michael Mullen also shares his thoughts on how to eliminate fear, and why everyone needs to have a defined set of principles and moral values they should never violate.   Key Takeaways [4:25] Admiral Mullen has taken unpopular stances throughout his 42-year military career, but you have to take risks if you want to succeed. When he took command of a small ship in 1973, half of the people he knew said not to do it/it was too risky and the other half said that he should do it/it’s who we are. A few months in, he crashed the ship! It took him 11 years to recover professionally. [7:25] Admiral Mullen gets a lot of notoriety from his position on ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.’ When Obama won, he knew the President required the help of the military. [10:45] Admiral Mullen taught History and the Practice of Diplomacy at Princeton for six years and has recently transitioned to the Naval Academy to teach leadership. [14:25] Admiral Mullen tries to teach young people about the importance of defining moral values and working with core principles. What do you stand for? You need to know. [17:25] There are three principles about the proper use of military force: military power should be the last resort of the state, force should be applied in a precise, principled way, and policy and strategy should constantly engage one another. [20:05] When you make a tough decision, you need constant feedback after, to understand how that decision is progressing and affecting the organization. [21:05] If a leader doesn’t give permission for their staff to fail and recover, then your team won’t be taking much risk in the first place. How do you eliminate fear? By empowering your people to fail. [28:20] People are so tied emotionally to how they’re feeling today that they put aside the organization they care about the most, the one they spend most of their life in, because of those feelings. Because of this, Admiral Mullen feels people do great damage to the military and its reputation. [32:50] Admiral Mullen would like to have a smaller army; that way if we do have to go to war and have to draft our sons and daughters for it, the American people along with Congress have to think very carefully whether doing that is the right choice. It’s way too easy to go to war today and that’s the most serious decision a president will ever have to make. [41:25] Veterans are having a tough time getting jobs and Admiral Mullen understands why. He has helped create veterans and throughout his career, he and his peers spent zero time helping veterans transition from military life to civilian life, and we need to get better at that. The transition phase is the hardest one to go through, not just for military personnel, but for their families, too. [48:15] Admiral Mullen gives a shout out to an organization that he and his wife deeply care about — TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors).   Quotable Quotes “People who will not risk cannot win.” “In the military, even when it’s going really well, it’s a dangerous business.” “When you teach, you really do have an opportunity to reflect.” “What we do in one place affects so many other people in the organization.” “I had bosses who really encouraged me to take risks and when I fell on my face, they took care of me.”   Admiral Michael Mullen on Wikipedia Princeton University Faculty — Admiral Michael Mullen  17th Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff — Admiral Michael Mullen Admiral Michael Mullen in The New York Times TAPS.org    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Coming to Beyond the Uniform this January… first, let’s back up a sec. Jock Willink & Leif Babbin - episode #333, our final episode of 2019… if you have not listened to that episode yet, fix yourself. It’s incredible. What a rush to not just have one of those gentlemen on the show, but both of them together! Give that one another listen, because there is so much quality information in it.   in store for Beyond the Uniform this month, we have four brand new webinars. All of them are free, all of them are 100% original, and all of them can be registered for at BeyondTheUniform.org/events. The only way to receive this information is by signing up - we’ll send you a copy of the webinar if you miss it, but we’re not broadcasting this info on the podcast.   Additionally, we have four incredible episodes in store, with a potential 5th and 6th episode in the works. Those episode include: #334 - Navy SEAL to College Football Coach (Jake Zweig) #335 - Emotional Intelligence 2.0 (Dr. Jean Greaves) #336 - Lessons from Tuck's Next Step program (Margaux Lohry) #338 - Your LinkedIn Makeover (Donna Serdula) 

Rahaf Harfoush is a Digital Anthropologist, Strategist, and Best-Selling Author who focuses on the intersections between emerging technology, innovation, and the impact they have on our culture. She is also the Executive Director of Red Thread Institute of Digital Culture, which teaches innovation and emerging business models at Sciences Politique’s Master’s of Economics and Finance program in Paris. Rahaf offers insight as to why the hustle culture isn’t going away, the need for leaders to adapt to new learning methodologies, and how we can be productive with less time.   Key Takeaways [3:00] What is a digital anthropologist? Rahaf studies how emerging technologies influence our culture. [5:25] Leaders have the daunting task of managing a wide variety of new information coming to them. They are struggling to keep up and understand what’s relevant and what’s not. [7:45] We are taught to consume information in a very linear fashion. You go to a class, you exit that class, you do it enough times and you get a degree. The information in this class is focused and specific. However, our ecosystem is now infinite and we haven’t adapted our learning styles to keep up with this. [9:25] Leaders need to have a bit of vulnerability in them to admit that they don’t know everything. It’s difficult because they’re seen as the go-to person for answers, but the rapid growth of our technology makes it impossible for anyone to truly know everything. Leaders need to freely admit that they don’t have the answers. [14:25] Rahaf’s book, Hustle & Float, came from the result of burnout. Rahaf understood the importance of rest, so why wasn’t she doing it? [17:35] Your brain needs unstructured time to be creative, but our work culture doesn’t allow room for this. [21:55] Leaders are overworking themselves because they are suffering from ‘work devotion.’ We sacrifice not seeing our families for our work because it showcases to the world how much of a hardworking individual we are. [24:15] It’s the American Dream dilemma: If you haven’t achieved your perceived level of success, it must be because you’re not working hard enough. [32:55] The answer to achieving better productivity is to create systems that are custom-tailored to the individual so that they have time to listen, reflect, and innovate. [39:30] What value does it have to tell the other person that you’ve read a message or not? There is so much added stress and pressure to respond ‘right now.’ [46:10] Joe Biden has expressed that if his staff miss out on important family events in favor of doing work for him, it would disappoint him greatly. Sometimes you need leaders to just spell it out as plainly and bluntly as that. Be a supportive leader. [49:45] How can you change the company culture for the better? Start having uncomfortable conversations with yourself about your own work identity, and then carry this dialogue over to your team’s work identity.   Quotable Quotes “Technology is changing the way that we relate to each other; the way we communicate and maintain friendships.” “There’s an expectation of a leader to manage everything and sort of know everything.” “Do I have the courage to raise my hand and say, ‘We need to ask questions’?” “We have created this intensely complex relationship with work. We’ve linked work with our identities and self-worth.” We are asking people to tackle complex problems and yet we’re creating work cultures that make it hard for people to accomplish this.   How to Thrive in a World Obsessed with Work     Rahafharfoush.com Hustle & Float: Reclaim Your Creativity and Thrive in a World Obsessed with Work, by Rahaf Harfoush Twitter: @rahafharfoush Medium: @rahafharfoush Redthreadinc.co Tosdr.org    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Winston Ben Clements is on a mission to inspire one billion people. Winston was born with brittle bone disorder, a frustrating and debilitating disease that resulted in multiple surgeries throughout his childhood. Instead of being limited by his condition, he decided to embrace it and build a life with meaning and purpose. His TEDx talk, “Your Limitations Are An Illusion,” has inspired thousands of people from all over the world.    Key Takeaways [2:25] Winston’s mother is one of his heroes. She walks the talk and inspires him to be a better person. [4:10] Winston’s first speaking gig went really poorly but he was determined to develop the skills he needed to perform well on the big stage. This drive to constantly better himself (and with the encouragement of a mentor) led him to speak at TEDx. [6:00] Winston was born with brittle bone disorder, which means his bones can break very, very easily. Throughout his childhood, he had to learn what it meant to be resilient and to overcome obstacles none of his peer group was facing. [10:15] Winston has a goal to inspire a billion people with his story. It’s a lofty goal and it scares him. [15:15] With such a big goal, how does Winston plan to help people inspire somebody else? It comes down to living and breathing what you preach. He credits Sean Stephenson for inspiring him and he serves as a reminder to Winston that you can make a big difference by being the person you say you are. [22:00] People can often overlook Winston as a person because all they see is his disability. Winston has a choice to get upset/angry at the situation or move past it and focus on what’s really important: good friends and good company. We all have a choice on how we want to react. [28:55] How can the average person cultivate resilience? First, it’s important to take a step back and recognize the difficult situation you’re faced with. It’s okay to feel upset/angry in the moment. Once you’ve given space to feel frustrated, then switch your perspective from seeing it as an obstacle to how this can define you into being a better version of yourself. [31:15] Get excited that you have obstacles in your life! When you pass through the other side, you will be proud of yourself. [36:15] Define success on your own terms and use your own values as a guide toward what kind of life you want to design for yourself. Everyone has a different path toward happiness and fulfillment. [45:00] Are you struggling to make progress? Pick one habit and focus on that habit for seven days. You will see progress. Stop being a strict consumer of knowledge and start being an implementer.   Quotable Quotes One of the most disappointing things is setting a goal that is realistic, and then realize it wasn’t fulfilling at all. “If you’re the only minority, focus on your personality because that’s where your strengths are.” Shift your thinking from the perceived obstacle and shine the light on your gifts. “The obstacle is not in the way, the obstacle is the way.”   Winstonclements.com Twitter: @WinstonSpeaker Instagram: @WinstonSpeaker Winston’s TEDx — “Your Limitations Are An Illusion” Toastmasters.org Sean Stephenson Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win, by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin   Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast info@theleadershippodcast.com    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Sam Walker is The Wall Street Journal’s deputy editor for enterprise, the unit that directs the paper’s in-depth page-one features and investigative reporting projects. A former reporter, sports columnist, and sports editor, Walker founded the Journal’s prizewinning daily sports coverage in 2009. For this episode, he dives into his book, The Captain Class -  a bold new theory of leadership drawn from the elite captains who inspired their teams to achieve extraordinary success.   Named one of the best business books of the year by CNBC, The New York Times, Forbes, strategy+business, The Globe and Mail, and Sports Illustrated.   Now featuring analysis of the five-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots and their captain, Tom Brady.   The seventeen most dominant teams in sports history had one thing in common: Each employed the same type of captain—a singular leader with an unconventional set of skills and tendencies. Drawing on original interviews with athletes, general managers, coaches, and team-building experts, Sam Walker identifies the seven core qualities of the Captain Class—from extreme doggedness and emotional control to tactical aggression and the courage to stand apart. Told through riveting accounts of pressure-soaked moments in sports history, The Captain Class will challenge assumptions of what inspired leadership looks like.   Key Takeaways [3:05] Sam looked up to sports teams and famous locker room speeches as a youth, but he found that most teams do not run the way he thought. [5:40] In his book, Sam looked at teams who had sustained success over a number of years and exhibited characteristics one wouldn’t expect. [8:10] Sam researched his book with certain assumptions about teams, but was pleasantly surprised. He realized as he did more research, that he really had a lot to learn about how leadership really works. [10:25] Some of the qualities and characteristics that team captains had were:   Extreme doggedness and focus in competition Aggressive play that tests the limits of the rules A willingness to do thankless jobs in the shadows - Humility A low-key, practical and democratic communication style - They were boring people privately. Motivates others with passionate nonverbal displays - Practical communication style.  Strong convictions and the courage to stand apart Ironclad emotional control   [15:40] The hardest lesson Sam learned is that if you want to be a great leader, you have to be okay with getting zero credit. Other people may be the face of the company/team; other people may get the better promotions over you and you have to be okay with that.  [20:05] There are two types of aggression. There’s the kind of conflict that’s really personal and it’s always toxic. If a leader engages, it will destroy the team. There is also something called task conflict, which can get very heated, but is never personal. It is always with the good of the team in mind. [25:10] When you put successful people together and they’re all working towards a goal, it ends up being a lot of fun, and it should be! They have a level of trust with their teammates and a level of humility among the group that allows them to not worry about the small stuff. [28:15] A lot of people believe Michael Jordan was a great leader. It was actually Bill Cartwright who was the glue that held everyone together. [30:35] We reward heroes, but that is just an indicator that the team dynamic failed. We think working late nights and making sacrifices is a good thing for the company, but if it’s just one man pulling the cart, you’re not succeeding as a leader. [37:10] Leaders who are on great teams and have seen sustained success are running 90 miles an hour, foot on the gas, all the time. There is no such thing as a slow day for these leaders. [43:35] Sam challenges you to think about all the managers you’ve had over the years and read this book and re-rank them based on the qualities listed in his book.   Quotable Quotes “The team is so much more important than the individual.” “There are a million ways to win, but every single team who had sustained success had the same characteristics.” “If you really want to be a great team leader, you have to be completely content that you’re not going to get the credit you deserve.” “Will I be content if the team wins? Is that enough for me?” “Team leaders, were often in defensive roles, and were not the face of the team or the first person you’d expect.” “Even if you don’t always do the right thing as a leader, just knowing what you’re supposed to do is half the battle.”   “Emotional control is a big one. These leaders had the ability to be passionate and show emotion, and then shut it off when it was no longer helpful.” “Tom Brady said, ‘It’s actually very simple. You do your job so that everybody else can do theirs. That’s it. That’s the secret.’” “It’s about putting the same amount of effort, whether you’re winning big or losing badly. It’s about showing a consistent approach to your work.”     Bysamwalker.com The Captain Class: A New Theory of Leadership, by Sam Walker   Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast info@theleadershippodcast.com    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners   The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.  

As a leader, you’re able to create the conditions where good things happen at your workplace. You can influence the environment in ways where your team can create, innovate, and solve wicked problems. In this episode, Jim and Jan discuss how to address fear, how to cultivate hope and creativity, and how leaders can strive to be better leaders with the scarcity of time we all share.   Key Takeaways [3:00] There’s a wide spectrum of people out there and with that comes a wide spectrum of internal motivation and what incentivizes them. [5:00] With that being said, people are also completely different at work than they are in their personal lives. [5:55] So what can leaders do if they see someone who is fearful at their job? The best thing to do is to look at yourself. How do you react when your staff presents you with new ideas? How do you react when there is a major failure in the company? As a leader, your reaction shifts the entire culture of a company. [11:15] If we are just a victim of the world around us, we are perceived as weaker. We are weaker because we have a lack of options in our lives so we might develop a victim mentality in the workplace. It’s important to be active in seeking alternative options, even if you don’t plan to take them because it makes you stronger. [17:00] Hope is not a strategy but it is needed in the workplace. Hope is created when people feel like they’re in control and that they have multiple options to pursue. [19:55] We need creativity in the workforce but in order to cultivate it, the leader’s workforce needs to be relatively happy and stress-free. [22:05] We are very confident that we can read human emotions. In reality, we’re really bad at it. [27:55] Leaders are busy. They often don’t have extra time to study how to be good leaders, which is why we need to surround ourselves with a good support system that will help keep us accountable.   Quotable Quotes “It goes back to how people are incentivized and motivated. The baseline of those things is fear and overconfidence.” “Fear doesn’t always show up in the form of somebody that looks scared. Fear can show up in someone that’s indecisive.” “Let’s find the optimal solution with the information we have, in the time we have to make it.”    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues.   Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partner   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.   Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast info@theleadershippodcast.com

Ashley Goodall is the senior vice president of leadership and team intelligence at Cisco. He is also the co-author of Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader’s Guide to the Real World, and the author of two cover stories in the Harvard Business Review: The Feedback Fallacy and Reinventing Performance Management. In today’s discussion, Ashley breaks down why 360 reviews about your staff are flawed, the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on the workforce, and why dedicating resources to building a ‘well-rounded’ employee is not always the best approach.   Key Takeaways [3:55] There is an interesting connection between leadership and music. Music allows people to create and collaborate together and the same applies to leadership. [7:15] When you want to make space for someone to be creative and to help them feel comfortable with collaboration, be sure to be the leader that speaks last. [10:55] Ashley breaks down his interpretation of the theory world vs. the real world. In theory, everyone has metrics that break down what you should be doing, but in reality, people need a baseline first and then the metrics. [13:30] We think that having a well-rounded individual or employee is a good approach, but devoting resources to make them well-rounded might not make the most sense. Some of your best people are not well-rounded! They have a set of focused skill sets that make them great. [15:00] If you want to spend your time getting better, stop focusing on your weaknesses, focus on your strengths instead. [21:30] Don’t find a job you love, make a job you love. Instead of focusing on work/life balance, focus on the content of what you do on a daily basis. [28:30] Ashley saw a gap between what works at work and the actual practice of what organizations were doing. This is why he and his co-author, Marcus Buckingham, wrote the book, Nine Lies About Work. [33:10] Leaders need to challenge the status quo. If they recognize that their reports about their staff’s characteristics and personality are inaccurate, leaders need to speak up and challenge this thinking. [42:35] As artificial intelligence and automation get incorporated more and more in the workforce, leaders think they can now do less. In reality, leaders actually have to step up and focus more on the human aspect of the organization. [49:00] Ashley challenges you to ask your team what their thought process was when they did something great and if they can replicate that success.   Quotable Quotes “The conductor makes space for people to play into.” “Go look at the best people. Are they well-rounded? The answer is no.” “You’ll find that excellent and well-rounded are opposites, not synonyms.” “The lesson from the real world is that avoiding failure repeatedly is not the same as building excellence.”    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They’re bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues.   Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partner   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.   Ashleygoodall.com Nine Lies About Work, by Ashley Goodall The Feedback Fallacy Reinventing Performance Management   Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast info@theleadershippodcast.com

Dean DiSibio is the Founder of the Colonel’s Leadership Council and the Co-Author of Reel Lessons in Leadership. In Dean’s book, he breaks down iconic movie characters and the leadership qualities (and flaws) that they possess. Traits and skills like self-control, negotiation, and empathy are all part of a leader’s repertoire for success.   Key Takeaways  [4:25] Dean co-wrote the book, Reel Lessons in Leadership, with his father.   [6:15] Movies are a very common connection point that all generations can relate to, which is why Dean decided to breakdown leadership lessons from important movies in our era. [7:50] Dean shares why the movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, has some important leadership lessons in it. [12:10] In The Godfather, it all boils down to self-control.   [15:05] Leaders need coaches in their corner to help guide them through troubling situations.   [18:55] When it comes to leadership traits, Dean outlines in his book the traits that need to be developed vs. need to be practiced.   [25:55] The military understands they have to train people. The business world… not so much.  [32:35] Dean mentioned in his book that negotiation is a skill leaders must develop. This is something very few people are talking about in a leadership context. Dean believes good negotiators have the same traits as good leaders. They tend to have self-control, confidence, credibility, and good communication and are often well-prepared and forward-thinking. [38:35] Dean puts leaders into three categories, Maximizers, Overachievers, and Underachievers.   [41:25] Dean presents a challenge: Pay attention to the fictional characters you love and have a curiosity as to what leadership traits they possess. Have discussions about them with your friends and family.   Strategic Partner   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.   Quotable Quotes “Good leaders have to have self-control.” “I believe folks have a high empathy muscle that they’re born with.  “Self-awareness is half the battle.” “I believe the best leaders are inquisitive.”    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called “chalk talks.” They’re “bitesize” hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues.   Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   ~~~~~ ~~~~~   Colonel’s Leadership Council Reel Lessons in Leadership, by Ralph R. DiSibio with Dean A. DiSibio One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest The Godfather TED Talk — “The Surprising Science of Alpha Males”   Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast info@theleadershippodcast.com  

Dan Cockerell is a former Disney Executive, and spent 22 magical years at Walt Disney World in a wide variety of management roles - rising to Vice President of the Magic Kingdom. He shares critical leadership lessons he learned at Disney, and why it was important to always be accessible and available to his team. He also shares how to keep your staff accountable while also supporting the company’s mission, vision and values.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~ The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called “chalk talks.” They’re “bitesize” hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues.   Interested in learning more?  You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.   ~~~~~ ~~~~~    Key Takeaways  [1:35] After graduating with a degree in political science, Dan took on a job at Disney parking cars and slowly worked his way up into management roles. Throughout his 22 years at Disney, he had 19 jobs. [7:35] Leaders know instinctively what they have to do, but just like why we eat junk food or do not work out regularly, it’s not always the easiest path to take. [9:50] Leaders are extremely busy people. Dan offers some advice on how you can manage your time better and stop focusing solely on the urgent tasks but also on the important ones too. [16:45] How do you hold someone accountable while living out your company’s mission? You recognize and reward good work from your team and use their actions as examples to inspire and educate everybody else. [24:05] Remember to give your team permission to give you pushback or to disagree with you. Diversity of thought is critical to an organization’s success. [27:05] Dan shares his gap theory and how you can utilize knowledge and determination to bridge the gap you have on all of your goals. [32:15] Embrace change and be adaptable. Change is accelerating at an exponential pace. Get your team on board with the process as quickly as you can so that the change is not going to be a big shock to them. [38:25] Dan shares some fun and memorable moments about working at Disney and why it was such a magical and special place. Strategic Partner   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.   Quotable Quotes “Don’t mistake simple for easy.” “Culture is built by behaviors.” “You have to give people permission to push back on the boss, or bring up an idea, or disagree.” “You always have a blindspot.” “It’s not the strongest or fastest who survive, it’s those who can adapt most quickly.”   DanCockerell.com Disney The Eisenhower Matrix Junior Achievement Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations, by Thomas Friedman   Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast  info@theleadershippodcast.com

Steve Justice, COO of the To the Stars Academy and Former Director of Advanced Systems at Lockheed Martin’s esteemed Skunk Works, shares what it takes to lead projects when the specifications challenge the laws of physics, the stakes are literally life and death, and the nation’s national security is on the line. Steve shares what it takes to develop cutting edge technology by studying the past, and setting team expectations that challenges conventional assumptions. He also describes the mission behind To The Stars Academy, and why “revolutionary is too mild a word.”     ~~~~~ ~~~~~  The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called “chalk talks.” They’re “bitesize” hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues.    You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~    Key Takeaways  [1:44] Steve can’t talk about a lot of the work he did, but he did help develop the F-22 Raptor (the coolest plane you can ever see at an air show). You will also see his name on the patent for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile.  [4:22] With high stakes projects, Steve had to make sure expectations were clearly stated before his team even began to work. When Steve was at Skunk Works, the programs he asked his bosses for were the ones that had a low probability of success.  [7:30] Writing down the operating rules and expectations presents it in a different context than just speaking it.  [9:02] Steve asks a lot of questions, but explains to his team the reasons behind it. It typically breaks down into 5 reasons:  Asked an earlier question, but it wasn’t answered yet.  Didn’t understand what you said, looking for clarification.  This is new, and I’m asking questions to understand the answer - and the context.  I’m educating other people in the room.  I am testing your conviction.  [12:27] Values such as precision, clarity, focus, and learning from mistakes really matter.  [16:28] Steve is the Aerospace Division Director at To the Stars Academy, and leads the efforts of developing advanced craft using revolutionary technologies that go beyond capabilities most can only imagine.  [22:28] Great leaders think beyond what is in front of them and dig for answers considering multiple perspectives.  [28:51] Steve was one of the Skunk Works historians, and it’s helped him think about futuristic realities.  [33:38] Three important qualities of a leader:  Curiosity and inquisitiveness.  Do what they say they are going to do.  Strong character.  [42:06] We all have failings, but recognizing and learning from them is the key.   [48:17} Two pieces of advice:   “It’s amazing what you can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit.” - Ronald Reagan    Stand in the future to solve today’s problems.    Strategic Partner   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.   Quotable Quotes  Stand in the future to solve today’s problems.  “As a leader, your success is 100% dependent on how your team does.”  “As a leader, you are on 24/7.”  “Sitting down with a team and defining expectations is critical.” “I love proving people wrong.” “I’m always amazed by the dramatic amount of wonder and inquisitiveness some people can have, and the very small box other people want to live in.”    Lockheed Martin To the Stars Academy  Kelly Johnson The Matrix Google   Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast  Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast  info@theleadershippodcast.com

Why Listen: I don’t really know what to say about today’s interview. Dan is a classmate of mine from the Naval Academy. I didn’t know him really well while I was there, but I knew of him. This interview really makes me wish I would have had the chance to get to know him better while we were in school together. We recorded this interview, and there were some technical difficulties and we got started a bit late, and I had another meeting right after it. It was actually a video conference that I have with my men’s group each week. So I hung up with Dan and went straight into this men’s group meeting. And we always start off these calls with a round the room check-in - each of the seven guys in my group takes five minutes to share what’s going on in their life. And I just knew I’d be picked to go first. And I was. And I was just coming from my conversation with Dan and the whole weight of our conversation hit me. And I got pretty emotional.    Dan made an enormous sacrifice in the service of our country. He paid a price for his choosing to keep our country safe. And he faced an incomprehensible recovery from that sacrifice - one in which he faced uncertainty, loss, and obstacles that it’s really hard for me to get my head around. And he approached this with a moment-by-moment presence that really shows the man he is. He came back from this loss to win the gold medal at the Paralympics - he made history in doing so. And through it all he maintains himself with such humility, such candor, and such honesty - it really made me feel humbled and honored to have him on the show, and to count him as a classmate. He has been hesitant to stand in the spotlight, to speak publicly about his experience. If you - like me - are touched by his story as I was, I hope that you reach out and let him know. I think he is an incredible human being with an inspiring message, and I cannot wait to see what is ahead for him.   At the end of our conversation, I ask Dan about organizations he would recommend listeners support. Each of them are listed in the show notes for this episode at BeyondTheUniform.org - I hope that you’ll check them out and consider supporting them.   About Dan: Cnossen is currently a graduate student at Harvard University, working towards a Master of Public Administration at the John F. Kennedy School of Government as well as a Master of Theological Studies at the Divinity School. In the 2018 at the Winter Paralympics , Dan created history in his second Paralympic appearance after claiming a gold medal in the men's 7.5km sitting biathlon event. In doing so he became the first American male and the second American ever to claim a gold medal in a biathlon event in either the Olympics or Paralympics.    Dan grew up on a fifth-generation family farm in Kansas. He attended the Naval Academy as part of the illustrious class of 2002, after which he served in the Navy as a SEAL. While serving as a platoon commander for SEAL Team One in Afghanistan in September 2009, Dan stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device) and was wounded in the explosion. The accident caused Cnossen to lose both his legs just above the knee. As you will hear in this interview, in both his recovery and achievements since then, Dan continues to be an inspiration to the military and non-military community.

I’m recording this episode of BBTU a few days early, because as we speak I’m camping in Death Valley as part of the final weekend of the yearlong men’s program I’ve been doing with John Wineland. I’m very excited to be unplugged - to be 100% off my phone and off the internet for 5 days - that in and of itself will be incredible. But, I’m also very much looking forward to seeing this group, doing some incredible work together in the desert, and bringing this program to a conclusion. I have 5 items to cover today, all of them of the professional nature. First of all, Donations. Steve and I are working on a lot of ideas to expand our impact at Beyond the Uniform. We’ve offered three webinars in October, and have another six more lined up for the remainder of 2019. We’re playing around with the idea of a digital library, where short articles and videos from our 300+ episodes will be available for free, in addition to articles written and contributed by other Veterans. We have ideas for video courses to also make all the information we’ve learned more accessible to Veterans. All of this takes time and money. We’re putting a sponsorship program in place - where we can get financial support from organizations that like what we’re doing. That takes time. In the interim, if you’d like to support us and our mission, I’ve added back a Support tab in the top right hand of the BeyondTheUniform.org website, where you can donate to help us grow our efforts. Introductions to companies that could support us financially are greatly appreciated, as are any and all feedback on how we can broaden our footprint.  Second - events. Thank you to all of you who attended our free webinars in October - Networking 101, Veterans in Consulting, and our Town Hall. We have received rave reviews, helpful feedback on how to improve, and suggestions for follow-on events. We have incorporated much of this into six additional events in November and December. You do not want to miss out - they are free, if you cannot attend them live you’ll get a video copy of the presentation mailed to you, so you can review it at your leisure.  each of these events is listed on our Events page at BeyondTheUniform.org. They are Sales 101 - Building Consensus with Tyler Johnston. Veterans in Finance. Discovering your values. Interviewing 101. And Veterans at the Big Three, which is a sort of Part 2 to our consulting webinar. There is information on each of these events on the website. The one thing i will say is to act fast for the Discovering your Values workshop. My wife, Rebecca, is an executive coach. CEOs, Vice Presidents of Sales, and other executives pay her a lot of money because she is very good at her work. She has also worked at a discount to help many military Veterans. This is the most powerful work I can think of for those of you deciding your next career transition. Values - alignment - understanding one’s self - these are three of the most important things guests on BTU have mentioned when it comes to making a career transition. And each of these - values - alignment - understanding - can be exceptionally difficult to uncover in isolation. We’re doing this live seminar for free and with a capped classroom size of 6 people. Rebecca will work with each person individually, helping you identify and uncover your values. If that excites you and you want to participate - sign up. If you’re not wanting to put yourself out there and uncover the values driving your career decisions - best to sit this one out. Lastly, I’d like to cover three interviews that will be released later in November. Overall for November and December we’re taking a step back from our normal format of career overviews. Instead, we are focusing on skills episodes - episodes designed to help our audience build a concrete skill set that will help you throughout your career, regardless of whatever that career path may be.  The primary exception to that is this coming Monday’s episode. Dan Cnossen. Episode #322 - Navy SEAL to Paralympic Gold Medalist (Dan Cnossen). Coming out Monday. I don’t really know what to say about Dan Cnossen’s interview. If you listened to Episode #268 - How the Outdoors Saved my Life, with Stacy Bare. An episode where Stacy - seconds in to our phone call, before I even started the episode, shared that a close friend of his had just died in the outdoors. We talked about delaying the interview - of waiting for a better time. We hit record instead. It’s one of my favorite conversations to date - it’s real, vulnerable, and pertinent.   Dan’s interview is of the same caliber. Dan is a classmate of mine from the Naval Academy. I didn’t know him really well while I was there, but I knew of him. This interview really makes me wish I would have had the chance to got to know him better while we were in school together. We recorded this interview, and there were some technical difficulties and we got started a bit late, and I had another meeting right after it. It was actually a video conference that I have with my men’s group each week. So I hung up with Dan and went straight into this men’s group meeting. And we always start off these calls with a round the room check-in - each of the seven guys in my group takes five minutes to share what’s going on in their life. And I just knew I’d be picked to go first. And I was. And I was just coming from my conversation with Dan and the whole weight of our conversation hit me. And I got pretty emotional.    Dan made an enormous sacrifice in the service of our country. He paid a price for his choosing to keep our country safe. And he faced an incomprehensible recovery from that sacrifice - one in which he faced uncertainty, loss, and obstacles that it’s really hard for me to get my head around. And he approached this with a moment-by-moment presence that really shows the man he is. He came back from this loss to win the gold medal at theParalympics - he made history in doing so. And through it all he maintains himself with such humility, such candor, and such honesty - it really made me feel humbled and honored to have him on the show, and to count him as a classmate. He has been hesitant to stand in the spotlight, to speak publicly about his experience.   That is Episode #322 - Navy SEAL to Paralympic Gold Medalist (Dan Cnossen). Coming out Monday. Episode #323 - Conscious Leadership (Floyd Carlson). Floyd starts our interview, talking about how, in inspecting a POW while in Iraq, he overlooked a hidden explosive device. When he pulled it from the POWs pocket and heard it engage, he knew he was going to die. What happened next changed his outlook on life, forever. Floyd was a sales executive for 16 years at Cisco. He worked in Belgium. He obtained his career through networking. We don’t discuss any of that on our call. Floyd works as an executive and team coach with major companies now. We don’t talk about that either. Part of Floyd’s work is working with members of the military about their marriages. We talk about that a lot. Members of the military face unique challenges in relationship - often times one or both partners are taken from their home, deployed for months, and then re-inserted back into their home. This introduces challenges. we talk about tactics to use to improve your marriage, your office relationships, your friendships and family relationships. I’m also in the process of lining up a webinar with Floyd as well - he’s fantastic. That is Episode #323 - Conscious Leadership (Floyd Carlson), coming out November 7th. Lastly, Episode #326 - not coming out until November 18th. Episode #326 is Loving What Is (Byron Katie). This was one of the highlights of my time at Beyond the Uniform. I did cold outreach to Byron Katie using the techniques I just taught in Networking 101 - they work. Byron said yes. Byron is a best selling author, she has been interviewed Oprah half a dozen times. It’s worth sharing part of her story. 43 years old, after a 10-year struggle with rage, anxiety and depression, she woke up knowing that she only suffered, if she believed her own thoughts. If she didn’t, there was no suffering. What’s left is joy and gratitude to be alive, and she’s been teaching that ever since. She’s taught the process, which she calls “The Work” to millions of people over the past three decades. In our interview she talks about this work - and the work she has done with military Veterans. She talks about the four questions that - if you can build the habit of asking them - can change your life. I read her book years and years ago - I still think about these four questions. It is an interview where you will learn: You can overcome stress by dissecting your thoughts with these four simple questions. Give yourself more options to think differently by turning thoughts around. You can’t change reality by being frustrated about it.   I know that this is a softer skill set than we traditionally cover on Beyond the Uniform. There’s a reason for it - these skills will pay dividends in your career, in your relationships, in your life. If you dislike these episodes, you’ve got 320+ other episodes to choose from on our website - Beyond The Uniform.org   That is all for today. I will be returning from the desert next week. I’m excited to have Dan’s interview go live Monday, right when I’m getting back into cell service. We have an incredible November and December lined up. I would encourage you to be a part of it. Be a part of it by signing up and joining one of our free webinars - ask your questions, engage, get plugged in. If you know of a company that would financially sponsor the work we are doing in the world, please send them to our website. And if you have benefited and are in a position to donate - every bit counts. There’s a lot we want to do, and we need your support to make that happen.   Thank you - i’ll be back soon with more resources to help members of the military, veterans and their family thrive in their post-service career.

Why Listen Today is a skill episode, where I meet with an expert to learn a skill that will help any military Veteran in their civilian career. Today, I talk with Kerry Meyer about emotional intelligence. And Kerri makes some incredible statements about how - if you are going to pick one skill to learn - emotional intelligence is HANDS DOWN the one to pick, with a clear and direct impact on your earning potential AND very clear ways to start to improve your EQ, no matter where it is today. Often on Beyond the Uniform, my guests talk about how military Veterans are perceived in interviews and in the workplace as being harsh, abrasive, and and un-empathetic. We talk about how to avoid those stereotypes and - just in case they’re true - improve in each of those areas.    If you like this episode, be sure to check out  BTU #118 - Empathy & Non-violent communication (NVC) - https://beyondtheuniform.org/blog/skills-1-empathy-non-violent-communication-nvc-btu-118?rq=nvc   You’ll find links to each of those episodes in the show notes for this episode at http://www.BeyondTheUniform.org, where you’ll also find over 300 other completely free episodes, a whole host of online events, webinars and more.   About Kerri Kerri Meyer is the CEO of Sync Learning. She has spent over 22 years in Corporate America, in Operations, Support and Learning & Development roles, including leading teams at Intuit, Symantec and Veritas Technologies, where she was most recently Director of Learning & Performance.

Most people use humor as a great way to break the ice and keep things light and fun in the workplace. However, through cultural differences, personality types, and life experiences, the use of humor can become offensive or make people uncomfortable. Where do you find the right balance? Jim and Jan discuss the importance of humor in the workplace and how to use your emotional intelligence to develop the right amount and type of humor for a company’s culture.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~  The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called “chalk talks.” They’re “bitesize” hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues.    You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~    Key Takeaways  [2:15] Jan tells a joke. Brace yourselves!  [4:00] Most people want to work in a place where there is some humor or some form of light heartedness, but different cultures find different levels of humor acceptable and it can be difficult to tell how far is too far even when the intention is innocent.  [7:40] As a leader, it’s your job to create a comfortable environment, but how do you know whether something offends somebody or not?  [12:30] What does the internet have to say about humor in the workplace? Jim didn’t find anything particularly helpful. The information out there is very limited.  [15:55] If a topic is going to make people feel awkward, maybe it’s best to stay away from it. Your jokes should make people feel comfortable. For example, you should probably stay away from practical jokes in the workplace.  [20:50] Jim and Jan would love your thoughts on this subject! Please feel free to reach out.   Strategic Partner   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.   Quotable Quotes    “You never know in the workplace these days what’s going to offend and what isn’t.”  “This person said that they can’t say anything without offending somebody. They’ve got to be PC.”  “Sarcasm isn’t an excuse to belittle someone.”  “I would rather live in a world where we have a little bit of humor and occasionally say I’m sorry sincerely than to be on guard all the time.”      8 Tips for Using Workplace Humor - Forbes   Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast  Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast  info@theleadershippodcast.com    

Why Listen: Shortly after leaving the Marine Corps, Mike traveled to Cambodia, where he worked to setup a cross fit gym. He went on to business school… in Malaysia. And then he became a National Outdoor Leadership School instructor, where he teaches civilians and members of the military about wilderness survival and leadership. Which is to say - Mike is a Veteran who is forging his own way, and thinking outside of the box. If you are interested in a non-traditional career path, or just a great story, this is the interview for you.   For those of you who enjoy this episode, be sure to check out: BTU #240 - Self Reliant Leadership (Jan Rutherford) - https://beyondtheuniform.org/blog/btu-240-self-reliant-leadership-jan-rutherford?rq=jan%20rutherford BTU #268 - How the Outdoors Saved My Life (Stacy Bare) - https://beyondtheuniform.org/blog/btu-268-how-the-outdoors-saved-my-life-stacy-bare?rq=stacy%20bare BTU #120 - Traveling the world for 4 years after Active Duty Navy (Tim Patterson) - https://beyondtheuniform.org/blog/btu-120-traveling-the-world-for-4-years-after-active-duty-navy-tim-patterson?rq=tim%20patterson   You’ll find links to each of those episodes in the show notes for this episode at http://www.BeyondTheUniform.org, where you’ll also find over 300 other completely free episodes, a whole host of online events, webinars and more.   About Mike Mike Titzer is a Field Instructor at the National Outdoor Leadership School, or NOLS. NOLS is a nonprofit global wilderness school that will help you step forward boldly as a leader. He served in the Marine Corps for six years. Since his military service, he opened aCrossFit gym in Cambodia, and went to business school in Malaysia. He holds an MBA from the Asia School of Business, a Masters in International Relations from American University, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Academy. 

Jeremie Kubicek and Steve Cockram are the Co-Founders of GiANT, a leadership development program that helps build leaders into Sherpas. Jeremie and Steve are also the co-authors of the book The 100x Leader, a #1 Best Seller on Amazon. They join the show to talk with Jim and Jan about how leaders can become someone worth following, what leadership programs today get completely wrong, and why intentionality and self-awareness are critical to a leader’s success.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~  The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called “chalk talks.” They’re “bitesize” hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues.    You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~    Key Takeaways  [2:55] Steve lived in the United States for five years before moving back home to the UK. He enjoys recreational golf and spending time with his wife of 27 years and his children. Jeremie was living in London, but has since moved back to the United States. As a side project with his wife of 24 years, they are building modern farm houses in Oakland City. [5:55] Most leaders are people you ‘have to follow’, which can often cause friction in an organization. It creates complacency with your employees and makes it very difficult to get engagement and buy-in.   [11:00] Leaders need to supply the rope to help their team get to the next level. If you haven’t established trust with them, then it becomes very difficult to motivate and challenge them. A good leader understands where their employees are mentally and if they need support or to be challenged.  [16:40] Jeremie uses the metaphor that leaders are gardeners. Every person on their team is like a plant that wants to be cared for differently. By catering to each personality types of your team members, you build a more engaged workforce than a complacent one.  [22:20] The biggest problem with leadership development is that it’s very individualistic. Leaders need to be looking at themselves like a sherpa. No one has climbed Mount Everest without one. They play a critical role in a mission’s success through their expertise and knowledge, and they help 3-4+ people at a time achieve their goals.  [27:25] Jeremie had an epiphany in Cancun after he watched the movie Signs with Mel Gibbons and getting hit by a drunk driver. This event completely reshaped Jeremie’s view on the world and how he runs his company today. [37:45] A lot of leaders are accidental, but what they really need to be is intentional. The first step to becoming a better leader is to be intentional with your personal life and have it reflect in your professional life as well. [41:55] Jeremie believes it’s important to be honest with your team and let them know you are working on your weaknesses. By being transparent, you are able to gain trust and respect.    Strategic Partner   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.   Quotable Quotes  “Everyone of us has the ability to be somebody worth following or someone you have to follow.”  “Every leader is like a gardener and every person on their team is like a plant and that plant has a little card that tells it how it wants to be watered.”  “Progress is a process. Most people want to [be a leader] overnight. Fix you, fix you! But you have to take them on a journey, and it’s a self-awareness journey.”  “[This traumatic accident] reshaped my view on the world and it changed my view on people; that people can be an asset, not a liability.”  “If you think you’re going to be that type of leader without working at it, you’re deluded because it will not happen.”    Giant Worldwide The 100X Leader: How to Become Someone Worth Following by Jeremie Kubicek and Steve Cockram     Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast  Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast  info@theleadershippodcast.com

Barry Siff, CEO at USA Team Handball and former President of UA Triathlon, has much to share about leadership from the world of sport, business, and nonprofits. Barry talks about how he became a Senior VP at 25, retired at the age of 42, and received both a BS and Masters without graduating high school. He also discusses what it takes for people to dream big, and how to see challenges as opportunities.     ~~~~~ ~~~~~  The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called “chalk talks.” They’re “bitesize” hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues.    You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~    Key Takeaways  [2:53] Barry retired in 1998 from a Senior VP position at a $7 billion dollar food company. He was only 42, and then decided he wanted to be involved with sports, which led him to the Team USA Handball organization.  [4:07] Barry is quite the endurance athlete. He has run over 60 marathons, the Leadville Trail 100 Mile Run, Expedition Races all over the world and 11 IRONMANs.  [6:52] Staying fit helps with stamina, mental clarity, and energy. Barry sees similar lessons in athletics as business, including the need for leaders to overcome obstacles, and do what’s necessary to get the job done.  [9:09] While the business world mainly focuses on P&L and shareholder values, USA Triathlon is a non profit that also focuses on both the cause and the members.  [20:03] Great leaders know that asking for help empowers others and gives them meaning.  [21:13] People dream big when they have passion.  [23:06] We can retrain our mindset to see challenges as opportunities for learning and growth.  [31:31] The little things, such as intently listening and asking the right questions, really make a difference in leadership.  [35:39] Barry describes Handball as water polo played on a basketball court, and it is an extremely fast and physical game. It is currently very popular in many countries, and projects that it also will be a commonly known sport soon in the United States, and also a participant in the Paris Olympics in 2024.    Strategic Partner   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.   Quotable Quotes  “It’s all about the goal of having something way, way out there.”  “You can’t fake a marathon.”  “It doesn’t matter what you are doing, just that you are passionate about it.”    Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook  USA Team Handball  Why I Taught Myself to Procrastinate Jane Goodall  U.S. athletes run fast, jump high, throw hard - why are we so bad at handball?  Lewis Howes   Ty Reed Handball      LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast  Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast  info@theleadershippodcast.com

Caroline “Blaze” Jensen dreamt of being a jet fighter at a time when women weren’t allowed to fly. Luckily, thanks to mentors and others who paved the way, she was able to live out her dream as an Air Force Thunderbird pilot. “Blaze” talks about her accomplishment of being the first mom to become a Thunderbird pilot, what her experience as a Legislative Aide for the Senate taught her, and what lessons and character traits apply to leadership and business. She also discusses the importance of taking constructive criticism, time for reflection and solitude, and accomplishing goals as building blocks.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~  The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called “chalk talks.” They’re “bitesize” hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues.    You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~    Key Takeaways  [2:33] Caroline has an extremely impressive bio, but one of her greatest accomplishments and primary jobs is being a single mom to her 10-year-old son.  [2:33] Caroline dreamt of being in the Air Force from a young age, but women weren’t allowed to fly. Her dad was consistent with his support for her dream and even introduced to her Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) who became her cherished mentors. Caroline credits much of her success to the giants that blazed the trail before her.  [3:36] Being a great leader doesn’t mean working around the clock or sending out emails 24/7. We are more productive when we are rested, and reprioritization is an ongoing skill to make sure we are taking care of our families.  [12:40] Our society is becoming less focused on gender and more focused on what it is we put out in the world, and what skills we have. Caroline looks forward to a time where gender matters even less at work.  [15:28] As a Legislative Aids for the US Senate, Caroline had a great experience with hard-working people. She was blown away at how busy the members of Congress are.  [22:00] Caroline was a high profile recruiter for the Air Force, and she took much pride in being a champion for the service branch.  [28:14] Thunderbird pilots can fly as close as 18 inches apart at top speed. It takes complete focus and attention to detail. Caroline names the following attributes as both important in the Thunderbirds and in business:  You must build trust in your team, and look out for the greater good of everyone.  Not everything is learned or mastered at once. Use building blocks to meet your goals. You have to learn how to take constructive criticism and grow from it.  Be open to feedback from team members and to the debriefing sessions.  Learn how to succeed, but also look for the learning lesson when you don’t.  [37:05] While the video game revolution may produce some good fighter pilots with quick thinking and solid reflexes, leaders still need time for reflection and solitude.  [39:36]  Caroline’s Challenge: Serve your country and community. Do something to make the lives of your fellow man better.     Strategic Partner   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian careers. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org. Quotable Quotes  “We need to make sure we are taking care of the people at home who are taking care of us.”  “Your skills and the way you conduct yourself, that what speaks for you, not what your chromosomes are.”  “I feel really fortunate that I get to recruit the future and represent the past.”  “Sometimes you win, and sometimes you learn.”  “One of the easiest ways to get your point across is to lead by example.”  “Sometimes people learn more from failure than from winning.”    Twitter  | Tedx Talk  Air Force Thunderbirds | Facebook  Air Force Capt. Nathan Nylander  Oshkosh  Women Airforce Service Pilots John Borling Harvard Business Review: Women Score Higher Than Men in Most Leadership Skills Ep #105: Amy McGrath’s 90th Mission Betty Wall    LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast  Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast  info@theleadershippodcast.com    

Brigadier General Cindy R. Jebb, 14th Dean of the Academic Board at U.S. Military Academy, West Point, joins the show this week. Cindy is the first woman to hold the prestigious position, and she graduated from the Military Academy in 1982. She has served at the National Security Agency, and has authored and co-authored three books. Cindy provides a masterclass in leadership this week, including what can and cannot be taught, the importance of character, and the need for trust. Cindy also talks about what it is like to be the first female Dean at West Point, and the five characteristics of leadership that have been critical to her success.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~  The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called “chalk talks.” They’re “bitesize” hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues.    You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~    Key Takeaways  [3:46] BG Jebb is extremely grateful for the people she gets to serve with, and acknowledges them as a huge part of her personal success.  [4:18] West Point is known for developing leaders through the four prong approach of:  Character Academics Military Athletics Cindy has found that character is the most important of these prongs because it involves people counting on your word, your everyday habits, and the ability to demonstrate excellence.  [7:09] Cindy is the first female Dean at West Point. Not only is this a huge step for women, but Cindy also has extra pressure in her role because of the Presidential appointment.  [10:23] At West Point, despite the high demands and expectations, it is all about everyone supporting the mission and continuing to breed a mutual trust between society and the military.  [18:10] Charisma is hard to teach, but learning presence and positive energy can be developed. Experiential learning also provides great experiences and resources for character building, but is something that can be worked on and shaped throughout someone’s lifetime.  [25:24] Real development occurs outside our comfort zone. This is where we learn about ourselves and our limits and develop confidence.  [29:42] Cindy and her team at West Point are aware that future leaders need time to reflect, think deeply and develop who they really are.  [34:25] Five characteristics of leadership Cindy has found helpful:  Subtle discipline. Doing routine things routinely. Invest in your field and write/talk/read about it. Become an expert.  Have humility and understand that you don’t always have all the answers.  Embrace the struggle. Don’t shy away from performing outside comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Cultivate relationship. Acknowledge vulnerability and develop empathy for fellow humans.    Strategic Partner   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.   Quotable Quotes  “We look at making sure that we are developing leaders of character that are going to live honorably, lead honorably, and demonstrate excellence.”  “Humble minds are open minds.”  “Investing in others is also an investment in yourself.”  “Substance wins the argument.” “Mastery requires and facilitates preparedness.”    West Point  Brigadier General Cindy R. Jebb  Twitter  Ep #051: Leadership is Hard Because Character is Hard  Ep #095: Leadership Requires Solitude  American University article - president protected from adversity    LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast  Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast  info@theleadershippodcast.com

When you are working in a highly regulated and restricted environment, it may be more challenging to come up with creative solutions, make decisions and work within a culture that feels flexible. However, this week, Jim and Jan discuss the unique leadership challenges in the public sector, and how to still thrive.  Jim and Jan answer a few listener questions and concerns regarding problems that are unique to public sector organizations, and give personal examples of times they needed to think outside the box to move things along.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~  The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called “chalk talks.” They’re “bitesize” hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues.    You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~    Key Takeaways  [2:22] Before we look at external threats, we must first look internally and see what we are able to control.  [4:03] When bureaucracy bears down and feels constrictive, great leaders are creative in problem solving.  [10:46] Challenge your assumptions and be open to a different way of doing things.  Highly regulated complex systems are rarely air tight, so look for the gaps.  [11:13] Be crystal clear about expectations, including who does what by when and what the consequences will be if someone fails to meet the expectations.  [15:03] Try to talk with the union, find a common interests and see where you can work together to find a solution for the greater group.  [16:43] Control what you can, and adapt and change around those you can’t. By doing this, we influence for the good.  [22:09] Your network is your insurance policy, and so is learning and growing within your company and industry. It is your personal responsibility to take lessons learned when you can.    Strategic Partner   Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.   Quotable Quotes  “Remove some of your assumptions, challenge them and pressure test them.”  “Ultimately, the thing we all have is a choice.”  “Control what you can.”  “Invent your way out of a tight box.”  “Learn how to adapt and change.”    How to Deal with Stifling Bureaucracies  Find the best boss, the industry doesn’t matter    Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast  Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast  info@theleadershippodcast.com

Safi Bahcall is a second-generation physicist and biotech entrepreneur. He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard, and has a PhD in physics from Stanford. Safi also co-founded a biotech company developing new drugs for cancer, and served as CEO for 13 years. He joins the show to talk about how leaders can implement the ideas in his book Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries (a book Bill Gates recently highlighted). He discusses why we must investigate failure, and the differences between structure and culture.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~  The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called “chalk talks.” They’re “bitesize” hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues.    You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.    ~~~~~ ~~~~~    Key Takeaways  [3:39] Safi was hungry to learn about something other than culture as a leader and manager. He would see companies with so called great cultures not have sustainable success, and wanted to get to the root of what actually made a big difference. While working with President Obama’s Council of Science and Technology, he found that small changes in structure rather than culture, created an environment for radical breakthrough.  [9:12] Great leaders make time to study the history and historical references that can help them leverage ideas and concepts. For example, Vennevar Bush had one of the greatest impacts on the growth of science and technology from the World War II era, but he is not a large part of commonly talked about history.  [15:24] Great leaders help bridge the gap between people in a group, and balance the delicate line between radical innovation and execution.  [2010} Structure is made up of many small things and attributes that drive behavior, which in turn shapes the culture. Laying the foundation for a strong structure takes a while, and is not something that should be rushed into.  [30:29] You want to nurture the Loonshots, or “crazy ideas” inside the company, because competitors may instead give it a try and find it works successfully for them.  [32:08] Two pieces of advice Safi has for leaders:  Be a gardener, not Moses.  Focus on the balance within the structure, and help when there are blockages.   [38:11] The term “LSE” means we should listen to the suck with curiosity.  Every innovation sucks at first, and the great innovators are the ones who can take off their rejection hats, and investigate failure with curiosity.  [42:42] Safi’s challenge: Think about what it you are doing today that experts are telling you could never work. Realize there are no experts of the future.    Strategic Partner Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.   Quotable Quotes    “History doesn’t repeat. People repeat.”  Every innovation will look ugly at first.”  “There are no experts of the future.”  “Listen to the suck with curiosity.”      Website | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn   Loonshots  The Treatment  Vannevar Bush  Dunbar’s Number  Gore  Microsoft  Arpanet  Peter Thiel  Friendster  Judah Folkman   

Why Listen: Valerie left active duty after 15 years of service, and has gone on to found a company designed to help people thrive at work. In addition to discussing her own journey, we talk about how to find out if a culture is right for you, how to shift your mindset to be happier at work, how to make sure you are living a life of alignment, and more. About Valerie: Valerie Rivera is the Founder & CEO of Take Back WOrk, who’s mission is to partner with organizations of all stripes to create workplace cultures where people thrive. She served for over six years in the AIr Force, most recently as Team Leader for Tradecraft Deelopment and Capability Integration. She earned her MBA at Stanford Business School. Our Sponsor:  StoryBox- People trust each other more than advertising. StoryBox provides the tools and supports businesses need to take the best things customers say about them, and use them to drive more sales and referrals. StoryBox offers a 10% discount to companies employing veterans of the US Armed Forces. Audible is offering one FREE audio book to Beyond the Uniform listeners. You can claim this offer here, and see a list of books recommended by my guests at BeyondTheUniform.io/books

Why Listen: American Corporate Partners is one of the most cited resources on Beyond the Uniform. Colleen is ACP’s Executive Director, and in this interview we talk about what she and her team have learned from helping over 14,500 Veterans in their civilian career. We talk about mentorship, networking, and more. About Colleen: Colleen Deere is the Executive Director of American Corporate Partners, where she has served for over nine years. She graduated from the University of Mary Washington, Cum Laude, and holds a Master’s in English Composition and Rhetoric from Kansas State University. She is married to an Army Veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2008-2009, and is the mother of two toddlers, and is an avid long-distance runner. Our Sponsor:  StoryBox- People trust each other more than advertising. StoryBox provides the tools and supports businesses need to take the best things customers say about them, and use them to drive more sales and referrals. StoryBox offers a 10% discount to companies employing veterans of the US Armed Forces. Audible is offering one FREE audio book to Beyond the Uniform listeners. You can claim this offer here, and see a list of books recommended by my guests at BeyondTheUniform.io/books

Justin returns to the Brand Ambassadors to talk veterans and branding and beyondtheuniform.org with Gary and Merritt. A Navy Veteran, Justin is the Founder & CEO of StoryBox, and started Beyond the Uniform as a side project to help active duty military personnel.

Summary: At Beyond the Uniform, Justin interviews military veterans about their civilian career. His goal is to provide both active duty members & veterans of the Armed Forces with the resources they need to be successful in their civilian career. Resources and podcasts can be viewed at www.BeyondTheUniform.io.   Justin is the Founder & CEO of StoryBox, and started Beyond the Uniform as a side project to help active duty military personnel. Justin is an ENFP who lives in San Francisco with his ENTJ wife (and inspiration) Rebecca and their ESFP dog Hemingway (Hemi).   Justin studied Electrical Engineering at the United States Naval Academy, where he received what’s been dubbed “a $200k education shoved up your [censored] a nickel at a time.” He also received the world’s finest education in leadership, serving as the Brigade Performance and Conduct Officer and the President of the Men’s Glee Club (note: as a result, Rebecca refers to herself as the First Lady).   Justin served as an officer with the incredible crew of the USS Alaska (SSBN 732) and for a far-too-brief time with the USS Chicago. This training was the single biggest asset to his experience as an entrepreneur, helping him break through walls, push himself beyond his limits, and occasionally fight giant squid and flirt with mermaids.     IN THIS PARTICULAR EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Justin's military background Justin's point of view that miltiary transition is as much about the mindset than it is about the skillset The stigma that exists surrounding veteran mental health as the stigma of the broken veteran How to view veteran mental health through the lens of contribution The tendency for veterans to be action oriented, and how this might get in the way of solving problems The comfort zone of the veteran and how growth happens when we're uncomfortable LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Justin's Article on Task and Purpose: 5 Things Veterans Don't Know about Getting a Civilian Job BTU #84 – David Smith: Marine Corps infantryman to CMO of a Norwegian Startup BTU #64 – Anthony Garcia: Army to Founder of Guide-On, an Essential Veteran Resource

At Beyond the Uniform, Justin interviews military veterans about their civilian career. His goal is to provide both active duty members & veterans of the Armed Forces with the resources they need to be successful in their civilian career. Resources and podcasts can be viewed at www.BeyondTheUniform.io.   Justin is the Founder & CEO of StoryBox, and started Beyond the Uniform as a side project to help active duty military personnel. Justin is an ENFP who lives in San Francisco with his ENTJ wife (and inspiration) Rebecca and their ESFP dog Hemingway (Hemi).   Justin studied Electrical Engineering at the United States Naval Academy, where he received what’s been dubbed “a $200k education shoved up your [censored] a nickel at a time.” He also received the world’s finest education in leadership, serving as the Brigade Performance and Conduct Officer and the President of the Men’s Glee Club (note: as a result, Rebecca refers to herself as the First Lady).   Justin served as an officer with the incredible crew of the USS Alaska (SSBN 732) and for a far-too-brief time with the USS Chicago. This training was the single biggest asset to his experience as an entrepreneur, helping him break through walls, push himself beyond his limits, and occasionally fight giant squid and flirt with mermaids.     IN THIS PARTICULAR EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Justin's military background Justin's point of view that miltiary transition is as much about the mindset than it is about the skillset The stigma that exists surrounding veteran mental health as the stigma of the broken veteran How to view veteran mental health through the lens of contribution The tendency for veterans to be action oriented, and how this might get in the way of solving problems The comfort zone of the veteran and how growth happens when we're uncomfortable LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Justin's Article on Task and Purpose: 5 Things Veterans Don't Know about Getting a Civilian Job BTU #84 – David Smith: Marine Corps infantryman to CMO of a Norwegian Startup BTU #64 – Anthony Garcia: Army to Founder of Guide-On, an Essential Veteran Resource