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Intentional Leader with Cal Walters

Intentional Leader with Cal Walters

138 episodes — Page 1 of 3

137: Jamie Winship — How Great Leaders Handle Fear, Conflict, and Difficult Conversations

May 8, 20261h 5m

136: Jordan Montgomery — Why Even High Performers Need Encouragement (and How to Lead with It)

Apr 24, 202629 min

135: Dr. Jeff Wetzler — Why People Don't Tell You the Truth (and the Questions That Change Everything)

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Follow Jeff's work: https://www.jeffwetzler.com/ Dr. Jeff Wetzler, author of Ask, joins Cal Walters to unpack a leadership blind spot: the crucial information your team has… but isn't telling you. Jeff explains the "left-hand column" (what people think and feel but don't say), the four reasons honesty gets filtered, and the ASK Approach—a practical framework for choosing curiosity, building psychological safety, asking better questions, and closing the loop when feedback is hard to act on. If you want better decisions, healthier relationships, and fewer surprises, this conversation will give you a playbook. Episode Outline / Timestamps 00:00 The hidden information problem 00:41 Guest intro + what you'll learn 01:37 Chris Argyris + the "left-hand column" tool 08:07 Four reasons people don't tell you the truth 12:06 Why smart/successful leaders struggle to learn 13:55 Jeff's near miss: one question that revealed the truth 15:45 Psychological safety: why curiosity alone isn't enough 21:35 Reactivity: the biggest predictor of future honesty 22:18 Responding well to hard feedback 25:00 The ASK Approach: Choose curiosity 29:48 Curiosity killers + "When you're furious, get curious" 32:29 Busy leaders: "Pay now or pay later" 36:40 Quality questions vs. crummy questions 40:04 Better questions for feedback and performance reviews 44:07 Go-to questions for parties and relationships 47:48 Questions as a gift: helping others gain clarity 49:55 How to handle feedback you won't follow 51:08 Reflect & reconnect: sift it, turn it, and close the loop 53:13 Cal's takeaways and practical challenges Practical Challenges to Try This Week Replace: "Do you have feedback for me?" With: "What's one thing I could do differently that would make your life easier?" When you feel defensive, ask one question before making a statement. When someone brings hard truth, try: "That's hard to hear—and I'm really glad you told me."

Mar 5, 202655 min

134: Randy Gravitt — Winning at Home Without Losing at Work, Leading With Presence, and Why Hope Is Not a Strategy

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Get Randy's book: https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Begins-Home-Strategy-Leadership/dp/B0CTYGNXCG Learn about Lead Every Day: https://leadeveryday.com/ In this episode, Cal Walters sits down with executive coach, speaker, and author Randy Gravitt of ⁨@Lead_Every_Day⁩ to explore one of the most important leadership questions of our time: How do you pursue excellence at work without sacrificing what matters most at home? Randy shares powerful insights from decades of coaching leaders across Fortune 100 companies, professional sports teams, and nonprofits—along with lessons from his book Winning Begins at Home. This conversation goes beyond clichés about work-life balance and gets practical about strategy, systems, presence, and love—and why winning at home actually makes you a better leader at work. Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/ 00:00 – Welcome to 2026 & the Intentional Leader community 02:10 – Introducing Randy Gravitt & the tension leaders feel 03:40 – Strategic at work, sporadic at home 06:00 – Why family has quietly been diminished 07:45 – Being home but not really home 08:55 – Proximity does not equal intimacy 10:00 – The servant leadership tension 12:20 – Living in the center of the tension 13:45 – Begin with the end in mind 15:10 – You will never finish all the work 16:50 – Seasons turn into patterns 18:30 – The NFL Super Bowl story 21:00 – Leaving work at work 22:15 – Training presence like a discipline 23:30 – Rituals that help you be present 25:30 – Phone boundaries that actually work 27:40 – Winning the first hour of the day 29:40 – Why home life fuels work performance 32:10 – Choosing priorities on purpose 34:00 – The hidden cost of neglecting home 36:30 – "What kind of family do you want?" 38:40 – Family by design, not by default 41:00 – Marriage after the kids leave 43:00 – Don't go to bed angry 46:30 – Love first 49:50 – See a need, meet a need 54:00 – Final encouragement to leaders 59:00 – Key takeaways & closing challenge

Jan 16, 20261h 1m

133: LTG(R) Milford Beagle "Beags" — A Three-Star General on True North, Resilience, Feedback, and How to Lead With Confidence Without Becoming Overconfident

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup 📚 Get LTG (Ret.) Beagle's new book, When the Map Runs Out: https://www.amazon.com/When-Map-Runs-Out-Uncertain/dp/B0G1ZGH76J As leaders rise, they often hear less and less truth. LTG (Ret.) Milford Beagle calls this the cone of silence—and he warns that it's one of the quietest ways leaders lose their true north. In this episode, we explore how to lead when your "map" falls apart. General Beagle shares his journey from a stunned new platoon leader at Fort Polk to commanding the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, and what he's learned about staying grounded, humble, and effective in uncertainty. We dig into his new book, When the Map Runs Out: Values, Judgment, and Clarity in Uncertain Times, and talk about practical tools: a one-page "How to Handle Me" document, a journaling habit to process negative emotions, and how to invite real feedback without shutting people down. If you're navigating change, promotion, or pressure to have all the answers, this conversation will help you lead with confidence and humility at the same time. 🔎 In This Episode, You'll Learn Why the higher you go, the more you're at risk of a cone of silence. How leaders lose true north—not from incompetence, but distortion. The difference between maps (plans, strategies, frameworks) and the compass (your values and judgment). Two key disciplines of leadership: bearing (self-awareness) and calibration (inviting others to check your bearing). How introverts, extroverts, and ambiverts can all be authentic leaders without pretending to be someone else. A practical tool: the "How to Handle Me" document that accelerates trust and clarifies expectations. How to create a culture where honest feedback is normal—especially for senior leaders. Why even three-star generals feel imposter syndrome, and how to work through it. How to provide clarity without certainty using "signposts on the road." Simple habits for resilience: journaling, reframing failure, and "always quit tomorrow." ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – The cone of silence: how leaders lose true north as they rise 01:56 – Cal's intro, the Intentional Leader Podcast, and LTG Beagle's background 03:15 – Fort Polk & the first platoon: "I felt like a leader… and not a very good one" 08:45 – From follower to leader: athletics, ROTC, and early moments when the map ran out 10:27 – Why When the Map Runs Out and the map/compass metaphor 12:36 – Frameworks, bearing, and calibration: why leaders need more than maps 16:54 – Authentic leadership for every personality type 22:57 – Designing a "How to Handle Me" one-pager for your team 26:27 – Examples: not liking details, humor, and getting quiet when processing 29:57 – Public speaking fear, reps & sets, and keeping the bar high 32:16 – Ego, promotion, and the cone of silence at senior levels 36:27 – Training your team to give you unvarnished feedback 40:24 – Feedback as the breakfast of champions (and why it stings) 42:09 – Imposter syndrome at the Combined Arms Center 46:01 – Clarity vs. certainty: the signpost town hall during organizational change 52:05 – True north and values: integrity, empathy, resilience, "quit tomorrow," loyalty 58:33 – The hurdles metaphor: falling, resilience, and running through obstacles 1:02:10 – Journaling to process emotion and see your own growth over time 1:07:17 – Time, priorities, and the cost of diluted focus 1:15:02 – Knowing your weaknesses and starting with them in interviews 1:16:15 – Where to find When the Map Runs Out and connect with LTG Beagle 1:17:53 – Cal's closing: four practical actions you can take this week 🧭 Practical Ways to Apply This Episode Create your own "How to Handle Me" document One page, honest, and specific: quirks, tendencies, what you're working on, and how people can best work with you. Start (or restart) a journaling habit For the next 7 days, write at least one sentence about how you're feeling and what you're facing. Ask for one piece of real feedback Pick one person you trust. Ask, "What's one thing I could do differently that would make me a better leader for you?" Then thank them. Practice clarity in uncertainty In one messy situation this week, clearly state: What we know What we don't know What we're going to do next

Dec 3, 20251h 20m

132: Joe McCormack — Special Operations Communication Expert Shares How to Say Less, Communicate With Clarity, and Lead With Quiet Confidence

Connect with Joe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephpmccormack/ Learn more about The Brief Lab: https://thebrieflab.com/ How do you become the kind of leader who cuts through noise, communicates with clarity, and actually moves people to action? In this episode of the Intentional Leader Podcast, Cal talks with Joe McCormack—founder of The Brief Lab and author of Brief, Noise, and Quiet Works. Joe has trained elite military units and Fortune 500 executives to be clear, concise, and intentional communicators, and to rediscover the quiet that makes powerful communication possible. They explore: Why noise is the real villain in your leadership story The "sword and shield" of effective communication: brief (cut through clutter) and quiet (protect your attention) Why being brief actually requires more preparation, not less The 3 levels of detail and how to stop overwhelming people How to build quiet into your day so you think better and lead better Why thinking time is part of your job, not a luxury How to use small pockets of quiet before and after meetings Practical ways to manage your phone instead of being managed by it How AI + quiet work can become a leadership superpower If you've ever felt frustrated by endless meetings, rambling updates, or your own distracted brain, this conversation will give you practical tools you can use this week. Episode Highlights Noise as the villain – How constant distractions, disruptions, and devices are eroding our ability to think and communicate. The brief & quiet toolkit – Brief is the sword that cuts through clutter; quiet is the shield that protects your attention so you can prepare. Why we overtalk – Insecurity, lack of preparation, ego, and a poor understanding of attention spans. The 3 levels of detail – Level 1 (headline), Level 2 (support), Level 3 (full detail). Most leadership moments only need Levels 1–2. Clarity like comedy – Sequence and timing matter. If it takes too long to get to the punchline, you lose people—even if the content is good. Quiet as an appointment – Why you should literally block quiet time on your calendar and not treat it like a "snow day." Quiet before collaboration – Simple practices like two minutes of silence at the start of meetings can transform outcomes. Redefining work in the AI age – Undistracted thinking is becoming a rare and valuable skill; AI works best when you can sit still and think. Your phone works for you – Reframing your phone as a tool, not a master. Practical Takeaways Take 3 minutes before your next meeting or email to decide: What's my headline? Use Joe's 3 levels of detail filter: Am I giving a headline, a trailer, or the entire movie? Block 15 minutes of quiet in the morning and afternoon, and connect it directly to upcoming or recent communication. Start your next team meeting with 2 minutes of silence for everyone to think about what they want to say and what they hope to get out of the meeting. Put your phone in another room for your quiet block and remind yourself: My phone works for me; I don't work for it.

Nov 14, 202555 min

131: Dr. Liz Werly — What an Army Psychologist for Special Ops Teaches About High Performance and Emotional Intelligence

How do the best military leaders go from operating at an already elite level… to an even higher level under pressure? In this episode, Army psychologist Dr. Liz Werly (who works directly with some of the U.S. military's most elite units) breaks down the exact framework she uses to help high performers: build accurate self-awareness using gold-standard assessments, "engineer" their personality to fit the context (calm under fire and present at home), develop emotional intelligence as the differentiator once IQ and talent are in place, and translate values into visible daily behaviors that protect what matters most. We also dig into groundedness and intentionality as core high-performance habits, the basics that leaders ignore at their own risk (sleep, rhythm, connection), and how generational shifts and resiliency trends are reshaping today's force and workplaces. In this episode, you'll learn: How Dr. Werly assesses elite leaders (IQ, Big Five, emotional measures) and turns data into a growth plan Why emotional intelligence becomes more important than raw intellect at higher levels of leadership A simple values → beliefs → behaviors framework (including the "20-minute Lego" example) How to recognize when your strengths (e.g., robotic under pressure) become liabilities at home or with your team Practical tools for grounding, bandwidth management, and emotional "dialing" What leaders need to understand about younger generations, resiliency, and expectations If you're already a high performer and want to become a more grounded, self-aware, and sustainable leader, this conversation is for you. Mentioned in this episode: Connect with Dr. Liz Werly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-h-werly-psy-d-b843b817/ Join the waitlist for the next Intentional Leader Lab cohort: intentionalleaderlab.com The views expressed in this episode are those of the participants and do not represent the official position of the U.S. Government or the U.S. Army. Chapters: 00:00 Intro – How elite leaders go from high to higher 00:33 Disclaimer + what this episode will cover 01:06 Welcome to The Intentional Leader Podcast + IL Lab mention 01:36 Meet Dr. Liz Werly & her work with elite military units 03:35 "If I walked into your office…" – her framework for high performers 05:19 Patterns, personality, and "engineering" your strengths 07:42 Robotic under pressure, distant at home – dialing traits up/down 09:20 Big Five, gold-standard assessments & why cheap tests fall short 11:24 Why tests need interpretation, not labels 13:18 How leaders react when they see their data 16:50 Values-based goals & Acceptance and Commitment mindset 18:58 IQ vs personality vs EQ – what you can actually change 21:00 The four pillars of emotional intelligence (Liz's breakdown) 24:25 Why EQ is the edge once IQ is "good enough" 24:50 Groundedness & intentionality as #1 performance levers 26:44 Designing your "ideal day" for this season of life 29:04 Sleep, basics, and whole-person performance 29:50 Values → beliefs → behaviors (the 20-minute Lego example) 32:36 When values collide (deployments, travel, guilt & shame) 34:44 Emotions as information vs letting emotions drive decisions 36:30 Generational friction & why it's an emotional intelligence issue 39:25 Tech, expectations, and how younger leaders are different 41:06 Resiliency, safety culture, and maturity gaps 43:18 Recruiting, mental health, and opportunity in today's force 45:00 Where to connect with Liz + her final advice to leaders 46:24 Outro – 5 practical challenges: grounding, values, bandwidth, dialing, feedback

Nov 7, 202548 min

130: Dr. Zach Mercurio — The Hidden Engine of High-Performing Teams: Mattering, Trust, and Purpose-Driven Leadership

Apply to work with me 1-1: https://courses.calwalters.me/coaching Join the Intentional Leader Lab waitlist: https://courses.calwalters.me/intentional-leader-lab Learn more about Zach: https://www.zachmercurio.com/ In this conversation, Dr. Zach Mercurio discusses the importance of creating a sense of purpose and mattering within teams. He emphasizes that feeling valued is a basic human instinct and that leaders play a crucial role in fostering an environment where everyone feels significant. The discussion covers the psychological impacts of not feeling like one matters, the barriers leaders face in demonstrating care, and practical strategies for enhancing team dynamics through small, intentional interactions. The conversation ultimately highlights the shift from traditional command-and-control leadership to a more trust-based approach that prioritizes relationships and emotional intelligence. 00:00 Creating a Sense of Purpose in Teams 02:10 Understanding the Cost of Not Mattering 04:28 The Role of Leaders in Mattering 07:56 The Importance of Mattering in Work and Life 11:41 Barriers to Caring in Leadership 16:10 The Shift from Command and Control to Trust-Based Leadership 19:35 Leading Indicators vs. Lagging Indicators 23:28 The Power of Small Interactions 28:59 Practical Actions for Leaders to Show Mattering 44:26 Noticing, Affirming, and Needing in Leadership

Oct 24, 202555 min

129: Dr. Ryan Gottfredson — The Groundbreaking Science of Personal Transformation, Mindsets, Emotional Intelligence, and Becoming Better

Update: Now only 6 spots left in the Intentional Leader Lab! ➡️ Learn about the Intentional Leader Lab: https://intentionalleaderlab.com Book a call: https://tally.so/r/w8X6dz Apply today: https://tally.so/r/nr40XM Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/ In this episode, Dr. Ryan Gottfredson returns to discuss the concepts of trauma, vertical development, and the distinction between 'being' and 'doing' in leadership. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and healing one's internal operating system to achieve true personal transformation. The conversation explores how mindsets shape our experiences and the role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership. Ryan shares his personal journey of transformation and the impact of trauma on leadership effectiveness, providing insights into how leaders can grow both personally and professionally. 00:00 Introduction to the Intentional Leader Lab 01:12 Deep Dive with Dr. Ryan Gottfredson 02:35 Exploring Mindsets and Personal Transformation 04:49 The Importance of Vertical Development 11:13 Understanding Self-Protective Fears 16:12 The Doing Side vs. The Being Side 22:42 The Impact of Trauma on Leadership 29:58 Emotional Intelligence and Its Connection to Being 38:47 The Neuroscience of Emotional Intelligence 44:23 Ryan's Personal Journey of Transformation 50:40 Final Thoughts on Becoming Better Takeaways - The Intentional Leader Lab offers a six-month leadership experience - Dr. Ryan Gottfredson emphasizes the importance of vertical development - Mindsets are crucial for personal transformation - Self-protective fears can hinder leadership growth - The distinction between doing and being is vital for leaders - Emotional intelligence is primarily a being side ability - Trauma can significantly impact leadership effectiveness - Awareness is the first step towards transformation - Expanding your window of tolerance is essential for growth - Healing one's internal operating system is key to becoming better #leadership #leader #leadershipdevelopment #emotionalintelligence #podcast #personalgrowth #growth #growthmindset #growthjourney #trauma #traumahealing #selfimprovement #selfcare #selflove #selfgrowth #intentionalliving #fear #fearless #team #teamwork #neuroscience #science

Sep 10, 202556 min

128: Accomplish Anything as a Leader with the 3 Levels of Clarity and the Intentional Leader Lab

➡️ Learn about the Intentional Leader Lab: https://intentionalleaderlab.com Book a call: https://tally.so/r/w8X6dz Apply today: https://tally.so/r/nr40XM The Intentional Leader Lab: A Mastermind for Successful Leaders Who Refuse to Plateau Even the best leaders can drift, but this carefully curated leadership community and Cal's Narrow Path™ Framework give you the tools, accountability, and systems to accelerate your growth. Only 11 spots left.

Sep 1, 20253 min

127: Dr. Travis Bradberry — Emotional Intelligence Expert Gives Practical Advice to Increase Your EQ, Increase Your Self-Awareness, and Change Your Thinking

➡️ Apply to the Intentional Leader Lab (only 12 slots available): https://intentionalleaderlab.com/ In this conversation, Cal introduces the Intentional Leader Lab, a coaching program aimed at enhancing leadership skills through emotional intelligence. Dr. Travis Bradberry, an expert in emotional intelligence, discusses its significance in leadership, differentiating it from IQ, and the importance of self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness. The conversation emphasizes practical strategies for developing emotional intelligence and the impact it has on personal and professional relationships. Dr. Travis Bradberry is a best-selling author and a leading expert in emotional intelligence (EQ), co-authoring the #1 bestseller Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and the book The New Emotional Intelligence. He co-founded TalentSmart, a provider of EQ assessments and training used by many Fortune 500 companies, and is currently the Chief People Scientist at LEADx. His work focuses on practical strategies and new research to help people improve their EQ, which impacts behavior, decision-making, and relationships.

Aug 26, 202545 min

126: Melody Wilding — How to Manage Up and 5 Conversations to Have with Your Boss

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup 🧭 Clarify Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course In this conversation, Melody Wilding, an expert in managing up, discusses the essential skills and strategies needed to influence your boss and navigate workplace dynamics effectively. She emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, establishing alignment, and taking ownership in your role. The discussion also covers setting boundaries, giving and receiving feedback, and the concept of the triple win, which focuses on finding mutually beneficial solutions for yourself, your boss, and the organization. Melody Wilding is the bestselling author of Trust Yourself: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work and the Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge. Melody is a licensed social worker with a master's degree from Columbia University, professor of human behavior at Hunter College in New York City, and former emotions researcher at Rutgers University. For more than a decade, she's helped top performers and leadership at the world's most successful companies — including Google, JP Morgan, and Verizon — to communicate more clearly, prevent burnout, and transform complicated workplace dynamics into powerful alliances that impact the bottom line. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and dozens of other respected publications. She's a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company, and CNBC. ➡️ Connect with Melody: https://melodywilding.com/ 00:00 Mastering the Art of Managing Up 01:23 Understanding the Concept of Managing Up 05:37 Navigating Workplace Dynamics 07:52 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence 11:55 The Power of Effective Conversations 15:35 The Triple Win Concept 20:21 Establishing Alignment with Your Boss 39:57 Taking Ownership in Your Role 49:50 Setting Boundaries for Success 53:35 Giving and Receiving Feedback Effectively Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/ 🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1

Jul 23, 202556 min

125: Patrick Lencioni — The One Thing Every Leader Needs and His Top Advice to Leaders at All Stages

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup In this episode of the Intentional Leader podcast, Cal and Patrick Lencioni delve into the core motivations behind leadership, emphasizing the importance of serving others over seeking personal gain. They discuss the impact of fear on leadership effectiveness, the necessity of daily self-reflection, and the significance of understanding one's wounds in shaping leadership styles. The conversation also touches on the importance of unity within organizations and offers practical advice for leaders at various stages of their careers, encouraging self-discovery and intentionality in leadership practices. Go deeper with Pat and his work: - The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooh27JebY2gN8wRMxtvnSo_5oO9jcZ6r0y7cdrS00K2kPh_-E0O - The Working Genius Assessment: https://www.workinggenius.com/ - At the Table Podcast: https://www.tablegroup.com/pat/#podcasters 00:00 The Essence of Leadership Motivation 02:55 Understanding the True Motive Behind Leadership 05:41 The Impact of Fear on Leadership 08:46 Daily Reflections and Intentions 11:36 The Importance of Self-Discovery in Leadership 14:40 Navigating Leadership Through Different Life Stages 17:33 The Role of Wounds in Shaping Leadership 20:26 Finding Peace Beyond Success 23:29 Unity in Leadership and Organizations 26:46 Advice for Young Leaders 29:28 The Journey of Self-Awareness 32:36 Leadership in the Later Stages of Life 35:31 Creating Cohesion in Divided Times Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/ 🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1 ⭐⭐⭐ Audio Podcast is currently on your favorite platforms: ApplePodcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/intentional-leader-with-cal-walters/id1468715294 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/41qlvUJj1Ej0hzNp3dC5wn 🔗 Support Me Here! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/calwalters 🔗 Stay Connected With Me. Linkedin (Cal Walters): https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-walters-5571b824/ Linkedin (Intentional Leader): https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-living-leadership/ Website: https://calwalters.me/ 📩 For business inquiries: [email protected]

Jun 30, 202559 min

124: Geoff Woods — Leverage AI for Elite Thinking and Decision Making (The Ai-Driven Leader)

➡️ Get my Newsletter (Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Discover Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course Geoff Woods is the author of The AI-Driven Leader and the Founder of AI Leadership, where he empowers leaders to harness AI, escape operational overwhelm, and think strategically to accelerate growth. AI Leadership is spearheaded by Geoff Woods, a visionary leader with a proven track record helping companies grow through strategic thinking and AI-driven solutions. As the former Chief Growth Officer of Jindal Steel & Power, he drove market cap growth from $750M to $12B in four years through AI-driven leadership. He also co-founded the training and consulting company behind The ONE Thing, where he coached and advised companies with annual revenues from $10 million to $60 billion.​​ In this conversation, Cal and Geoff explore the transformative potential of AI in leadership and decision-making. They discuss the importance of asking the right questions, mastering essential skills, and using AI as a strategic partner rather than just a tool. The dialogue highlights real-world applications of AI in business, including creating AI boards to simulate executive dynamics and enhance decision-making processes. The speakers emphasize the need for leaders to adapt to technological advancements and leverage AI to overcome significant challenges in their organizations. In this conversation, the speakers explore the transformative role of AI in leadership and decision-making. They discuss practical applications of AI in board meetings, presentation feedback, and strategic thinking. The importance of maintaining a thought leadership role while leveraging AI as a thought partner is emphasized, along with the need for leaders to adapt to the rapidly changing job landscape. The discussion also highlights lessons from Blockbuster's downfall and offers practical steps for leaders to integrate AI into their daily practices. 00:00 AI as a Strategic Partner for Leaders 07:23 Harnessing AI for Strategic Thinking 21:43 Creating AI Boards for Leadership 26:02 Real-World Applications of AI in Business 27:51 Simulating Reality: AI's Role in Predictive Analysis 29:03 Proactive AI Engagement: Preparing for Presentations 31:20 Thought Leadership vs. Thought Partnership 33:05 Building Your AI Board: A Personal Strategy 38:50 Strategic Thinking: Lessons from Blockbuster's Downfall 42:38 Practical Steps for Leaders: Using AI Effectively 45:04 Future Skills: Preparing for an AI-Driven World 49:52 Powerful Questions: Shaping Your Leadership Journey

May 29, 202552 min

123: General Stan McChrystal — How to Face Fear, Pivot from Failure, and Live a Disciplined Life

➡️ Get my Newsletter (Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Discover Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course Get On Character by General McChrystal: https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/about/books/detail/2025/01/04/on-character--choices-that-define-a-life Follow Stan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanmcchrystal/ Learn about the McChrystal Group: https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/ In this conversation, General Stanley McChrystal discusses the profound impact of character on leadership, emphasizing that true leadership is tested during challenging times. He reflects on his personal experiences, including his resignation from the military, and how his marriage has shaped his character. The discussion also delves into the importance of understanding core values, the influence of parents on our convictions, and the role of fear in leadership decisions. McChrystal encourages leaders to clarify their values and to recognize that character is a choice that defines us. In this conversation, Stanley McChrystal discusses the dynamics of leadership, the importance of courage in speaking up against groupthink, and the necessity of discipline in personal and professional life. He reflects on his experiences in high-pressure environments, the challenges of maintaining integrity, and the value of writing as a tool for clarifying thoughts and fostering a national dialogue on character. The discussion emphasizes the significance of learning from mistakes and the impact of personal values on leadership effectiveness. 00:00 The Essence of Leadership and Character 03:00 The Journey of Writing and Reflection 05:55 Marriage as a Foundation for Character 11:49 The Role of Character in Leadership 17:55 Understanding Core Values and Convictions 23:00 The Influence of Parents on Character 25:50 Confronting Fear in Leadership 30:15 The Pressure to Conform in Leadership 32:44 Courage to Speak Up: A Personal Reflection 35:33 Coaching Leaders to Embrace Truth 38:26 The Importance of Discipline in Leadership 46:57 Learning from Mistakes and Moving Forward 49:05 The Value of Writing and National Dialogue on Character

May 15, 202557 min

122: Will Acuff — Find Joy in Life's Struggles

➡️ Get my Newsletter (Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Discover Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course Get Will's book: https://noelevatortoeverest.com/ Learn about Corner to Corner: https://cornertocorner.org/ In this conversation, Will Acuff shares his journey of finding joy amidst life's challenges, particularly through his experiences with his family and the transformative 'trauma camp' that helped him shift his perspective. He discusses the importance of self-compassion, the struggles of parenting a child with disabilities, and the pressures of maintaining a facade of having it all together. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of recognizing small sparks of joy and the power of community and support in navigating difficult times. In this conversation, the speakers explore the themes of love, mercy, and personal responsibility within relationships. They discuss the drama triangle concept, emphasizing the importance of shifting from a hero mentality to one of ownership and self-compassion. The dialogue also touches on thriving in tough circumstances, the significance of self-awareness, and practical practices for cultivating joy in daily life. 00:00 Finding Joy in Hardship 02:53 The Journey to Trauma Camp 11:42 Transformative Experiences at Trauma Camp 22:02 The Power of Joy in Difficult Times 24:35 The Context of Love and Mercy 25:08 Understanding the Drama Triangle 29:04 Shifting from Hero to Ownership 30:44 The Impact of Codependency 32:07 Self-Compassion and Ownership 35:31 Thriving in Tough Circumstances 36:40 Exploring Joy and Self-Awareness 42:22 Practical Practices for Daily Joy Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/ 🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1

Apr 2, 202545 min

121: Dr. Steve Graves — Work-Life Balance Tools to Win at Home and at Work

Sign up for The Intentional Letter: https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Discover Your Core Values Course: https://courses.calwalters.me/offers/DmXNju9f/checkout The Work-Life Balance Toolbox: https://www.stephenrgraves.com/balance Steve's book, Flourishing (for free!): https://www.stephenrgraves.com/flourish Cornerstone+ Membership: https://www.cornerstoneco.com/ In this episode of the Intentional Leader Podcast, Cal speaks with CEO coach Steve Graves about the intricacies of leadership, coaching, and achieving a balanced life. They explore the importance of holistic coaching, the courage required to make meaningful life choices, and the challenges of work-life balance. Steve shares insights from his experiences coaching top leaders and discusses frameworks for personal development, including the significance of understanding one's capacity threshold and the art of saying no. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentional living and aligning one's life with core values to lead effectively at work and home. 00:00 Leading Well at Work and Home 02:38 The Role of a Coach 07:15 Work-Life Balance Toolbox 08:30 A Tale of Two Funerals 13:16 The Importance of Courage 1 9:33 The Cost of Saying Yes 24:44 Understanding Capacity Threshold 36:51 The Art of Saying No

Mar 28, 202546 min

120: Katie Quesada — Master Storytelling with Story Expert to Fortune 500 Companies

➡️ Sign up for my Intentional Letter: https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Follow Katie's work: https://katiequesada.com/ In this conversation, storytelling expert Katie Quesada discusses the profound impact of storytelling on personal and professional lives. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling in leadership, how it can create emotional connections, and the science behind why stories resonate with us. Katie shares her journey into storytelling consulting, practical frameworks for effective storytelling, and the significance of personal and family narratives. The discussion also highlights the difference between macro and micro storytelling, encouraging leaders to weave stories into everyday interactions to foster connection and engagement. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of storytelling, emphasizing its importance in leadership and personal relationships. They discuss the three essential components of a story: context, conflict, and conclusion, and how to effectively balance these elements to engage an audience. The conversation also touches on the significance of vulnerability in leadership, the process of restoring meaning to personal experiences, and the value of storytelling in everyday interactions, particularly within families. The speakers encourage listeners to embrace their unique stories and share them in ways that resonate with others, ultimately highlighting storytelling as a powerful tool for connection and influence. 00:00 The Power of Storytelling 02:59 Katie Quesada's Journey into Storytelling 06:01 The Science Behind Storytelling 09:04 Practical Applications of Storytelling in Leadership 11:56 Mining, Refining, and Reminding Stories 14:59 Personal Storytelling and Its Impact 17:59 The Importance of Family Storytelling 20:57 Macro vs. Micro Storytelling 28:05 The Art of Storytelling 31:24 Understanding the Three C's of Storytelling 35:35 The Balance of Context, Conflict, and Conclusion 40:39 Vulnerability in Leadership 43:00 Restoring Meaning to Personal Stories 46:43 Finding Your Storytelling Platform 48:44 Relational Storytelling Techniques Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/ 🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1 🔗 Support Me Here! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/calwalters 🔗 Stay Connected With Me. Linkedin (Cal Walters): https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-walters-5571b824/ Linkedin (Intentional Leader): https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-living-leadership/ Website: https://calwalters.me/ 📩 For business inquiries: [email protected]

Mar 12, 202553 min

119: Rich Diviney — Navy SEAL Secrets to Master Stress with Retired Navy SEAL Commander

Get weekly insights from me: https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Take the Attributes Assessment (make sure you use coupon code INTENTIONALLEADER15 to get 15% off at check out): https://theattributes.com/assessment-tool Get Rich's new book, Masters of Uncertainty: https://www.amazon.com/Masters-Uncertainty-Navy-Stress-Success/dp/B0DMGYW5YH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3E4HOYQ84M5H7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ya84ZhsafB6rPwbEySGGDg.98hhrIiRMlraDT4SDOw9Dih-3Y1Z1b772CBQOmMDIBw&dib_tag=se&keywords=masters+of+uncertainty+rich+diviney&qid=1732210579&sprefix=masters+of+uncertainty+rich+diviney%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1 In this conversation, retired Navy SEAL Commander Rich Diviney shares insights on leadership, stress management, and the importance of attributes in high-performance environments. He discusses the significance of humility, the distinction between being a leader and being in charge, and the challenges faced during BUD/S training. Rich emphasizes the critical role of compartmentalization and attributes in determining success, particularly in high-stress situations like those encountered in military training and operations. In this conversation, the speaker delves into the importance of understanding personal attributes and skills, emphasizing the role of self-awareness in effective leadership. They discuss how stress and fear can be harnessed for positive action, the significance of focusing on controllable factors, and the science behind motivation through dopamine. The conversation also explores the impact of identity on behavior, particularly in uncertain situations, and how recognizing and prioritizing identities can shape our responses and actions. 00:00 Navigating Stress as a Leader 03:04 The Essence of Humility in Leadership 06:06 Understanding Leadership Beyond Hierarchy 09:01 The BUD/S Experience and Its Challenges 11:56 Compartmentalization: The Key to Endurance 15:04 Skills vs. Attributes in Leadership 18:03 Insights from SEAL Team 6 Selection 20:47 The Importance of Attributes in Performance 29:10 Understanding Attributes and Skills 35:01 The Role of Self-Awareness in Leadership 38:07 Harnessing Stress and Fear for Action 43:45 Focus on What You Can Control 49:22 The Science of Dopamine and Motivation 52:30 The Power of Identity in Uncertainty

Feb 24, 20251h 0m

118: Alison Wood Brooks — Make Great Conversations Easy with Proven Strategies from Harvard Expert

Subscribe to the Intentional Letter (my weekly newsletter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DHP2Eahxjm0 Alison Wood Brooks is the O'Brien Associate Professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School. She teaches an award-winning course in the MBA curriculum called "TALK." Recently named a Best 40-Under-40 Business School Professor by Poets & Quants, her book TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves will be published by Crown (Penguin Random House) in January 2025. Her research on the science of conversation has been published in prestigious academic journals, including the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and Psychological Science, as well as in popular media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The New York Times, Scientific American, and Harvard Business Review. Professor Brooks holds a Ph.D. in Decision Processes from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and bachelor's degree in Psychology and Finance from Princeton University. In this engaging conversation, Alison Wood Brooks, a Harvard Business School professor, shares insights from her research on the art and science of conversation. She discusses the importance of effective communication, the unique perspective gained from being an identical twin, and the value of teaching conversation skills to leaders. The discussion covers various aspects of conversation, including the significance of preparation, understanding conversational goals, and the framework for successful interactions. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own conversational practices and consider how they can improve their communication skills. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of effective communication, emphasizing the cognitive load involved in conversations, the importance of preparation, and the power of follow-up questions. They discuss strategies for topic switching and ending conversations gracefully, the significance of asking questions, and the art of active listening. The conversation also highlights the role of levity in maintaining engagement and the need for self-compassion in navigating social interactions.

Feb 17, 20251h 4m

117: Charles Feltman — A Simple Framework for Building (and Rebuilding) Trust that Every Leader Needs

Subscribe to the Intentional Letter (my weekly newsletter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Get the The Thin Book of Trust. Cal and Charles Feltman delve into the intricate nature of trust, exploring its biological underpinnings and the personal experiences that shape our propensity to trust or distrust others. They discuss the importance of sincerity, reliability, competence, and care as key assessments of trustworthiness, and how leaders can foster a trusting environment by extending trust to their teams. Charles Feltman has over 25 years of professional experience coaching, facilitating, consulting to, and training people who lead others. An overarching goal in all of his work is that his clients experience both success and wellbeing at work and in all areas of their lives. Prior to starting his coaching and consulting business he spent a decade in leadership roles in technology industry companies. Charles is the author of The Thin Book® of Trust: An Essential Primer for Building Trust at Work, based on three decades of experience working with individuals and teams to build, maintain, and when necessary restore trust. After completing his coach training in 2000 with Newfield Network, one of the premier coach training schools worldwide, Charles served as a mentor coach for Newfield's programs. In this capacity he taught, mentored and coached others who were learning to become skilled coaches. Charles holds a BA in psychology from U.C. Santa Cruz and a master's in organization development and communication from the University of Southern California. He has an International Coach Federation credential of Professional Certified Coach (PCC). He is certified in The Leadership Circle Profile, MBTI, DiSC Work of Leaders, and the Triscendance Trust Assessment for Leadership Teams. He is also a certified husband, father and grandfather.

Jan 30, 202557 min

116: Mark Miller — Chick-fil-A's Secret Sauce for Building Leaders and Creating a Culture of High Performance

Sign up to receive The Intentional Letter: https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Follow Intentional Leader: https://calwalters.me Take Mark Miller's Quicksand Assessment by texting BeSmart (no spaces) to 66866 Get in touch with Mark Miller: 678-612-8441 [email protected] https://leadeveryday.com Mark Miller, former vice president of high performance leadership at Chick-fil-A, discusses the key factors that contribute to the company's exceptional customer experience. He emphasizes the importance of leadership, particularly at the local restaurant level, as the competitive advantage of Chick-fil-A. Miller also highlights the role of the corporate staff in serving the operators and creating a powerful combination. He explains the rigorous selection process for restaurant operators and the focus on character, competence, chemistry, and an internal locus of control. Miller acknowledges the challenges in defining leadership and distinguishes it from management, emphasizing the importance of vision, engagement and development of others, continuous reinvention, and valuing both results and relationships. In this conversation, Mark Miller discusses the importance of embodying a leader's heart and the role it plays in leadership effectiveness. He emphasizes that a leader's heart is a big deal and can multiply the effect of their skills. Mark also talks about the need for both leadership and management in an organization, highlighting that leaders should compensate for their bias towards either results or relationships. He provides practical strategies for valuing both results and relationships, such as setting goals for expressing appreciation and gratitude. Mark concludes by sharing his excitement about continuing to serve leaders in his second half.

Jan 16, 202552 min

115: Juliet Funt — Productivity Expert Tackles Task Saturation in the Military

Discover Your Unique Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr_ZF6AG_9ZylHul1O5wHhg Connect with Juliet Funt: https://www.julietfunt.com/military/ Get Juliet's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Minute-Think-Reclaim-Creativity-Busyness/dp/0062970259 00:00 Introduction to Task Saturation and Overload 02:06 Juliette's Experience with the Military 07:01 Communication Challenges in the Military 20:15 Understanding Task Saturation vs. Overload 28:10 Leadership and Time Management Strategies 29:36 Leadership Transitions and Onboarding Challenges 32:49 Prioritization vs. Reduction in Task Management 35:32 Navigating Task Saturation and Honest Feedback 39:43 The Importance of Preparation and Rehearsal 42:51 Technology and Task Management in the Military 49:29 Maximizing Time Away and Digital Disconnection Featured in top media outlets such as Forbes, CNBC, and Fast Company, Juliet Funt is a globally renowned keynote speaker, tough-love advisor to the Fortune 500, founder and CEO of the efficiency training firm, Juliet Funt Group. Juliet is the author of A Minute to Think, nominated for the Next Big Idea Club curated by Malcolm Gladwell, Dan Pink, Susan Cain and Adam Grant. She is an evangelist for freeing the potential of companies by unburdening their talent from busywork, and she has brought her powerful concepts to Spotify, National Geographic, Anthem, Vans, Abbott, Costco, Pepsi, Nike, Wells Fargo, Sephora, Sysco, and ESPN.

Nov 8, 202458 min

114: Brigadier General Shane Reeves — How West Point is Preparing Leaders for Uncertainty and Ambiguity

Gain clarity with my Core Values course: https://calwalters.me/course Watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Vn6ZwWWcFZw Learn more about West Point, the world's preeminent leader development institution: https://www.westpoint.edu/ In this episode of the Intentional Leader Podcast, Cal speaks with Brigadier General Shane Reeves, the Dean of West Point, about the challenges of preparing leaders for an uncertain future. They discuss the importance of innovation, character development, and critical thinking in military education, as well as the unique qualities of the next generation of leaders. General Reeves shares insights from his experiences, the role of technology in warfare, and the need for adaptability in leadership. The conversation emphasizes the significance of intellect and the ability to navigate complex challenges in today's rapidly changing world. Brigadier General Shane Reeves serves as the 15th Dean of the Academic Board. He holds a Master of Laws in Military Law from the Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School, a Juris Doctor degree from the College of William and Mary, and a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy. He is admitted to practice law before the Virginia State Bar, the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and the United States Supreme Court. Brigadier General Reeves commissioned in 1996 from the United States Military Academy and served seven years as an Armor Officer in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Ft. Irwin, California. After attending law school in 2003, he transitioned into the Judge Advocate General's Corps. As a Judge Advocate, he served in several legal positions, including as the Chief of Legal Assistance for Ft. Riley, Kansas; Brigade Judge Advocate in the 1st Armored Division in Taji, Iraq; Senior Trial Counsel for the 1st Infantry Division at Ft. Riley, Kansas; Professor of International and Operational Law at the Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, Virginia; and as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate of Joint Special Operations Command at Ft. Liberty, North Carolina. Brigadier General Reeves taught for ten years in United States Military Academy's Law Department, most recently serving as the Head. He has taught and spoken on International Law and the Law of Armed Conflict. His recent speaking engagements include presenting at the 9th Quadrennial Federal Judges Association in Washington D.C., lecturing at Columbia Law School and the University of California-Berkeley Law School, and speaking in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel as part of the Academic Exchange Program. He is also a founding member and Director of the Lieber Institute for Law and Land Warfare located at West Point. Brigadier General Reeves has written on the Law of Armed Conflict and national security issues. His articles have appeared in various publications, including Foreign Policy, Lawfare, Just Security, and Articles of War. He has written over 30 articles and book chapters in academic publications, including the Harvard International Review, the Harvard National Security Journal, Texas Law Review, Marquette Law Review, Cardozo Law Review, University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Law, and Berkeley Journal of International Law. Additionally, he served as the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the blog Articles of War, the editor and contributing author to U.S. Military Operations: Law, Policy, and Practice, and Managing Editor of the Lieber Studies Series published by Oxford University Press.

Oct 10, 202459 min

113: Graham Cochrane — Be a Rebel, Learn to Dream Again, and Create a Clear Vision for Your Life and Leadership

Discover Your Unique Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course Graham Cochrane is a TEDx and keynote speaker, 7 figure entrepreneur, and bestselling author of How To Get Paid For What You Know and Rebel: Find Yourself by Not Following The Crowd (2024). Get a copy of Rebel: https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Find-Yourself-Following-Crowd/dp/1637745656 He speaks to over 80,000 people each month on his top .5% globally ranked podcast The Graham Cochrane Show, where each week he helps people create more money, margin, and meaning in their lives. With over 14 years of online coaching and content experience, 700,000 YouTube subscribers across his channels, and having built multiple 7 figure businesses that require less than 5 hours of work per week to run, Graham is a leading voice and coach in the life-giving business movement. His insights have been regularly featured in national media outlets like Forbes, CNBC and Business Insider.

Sep 3, 20241h 1m

112: Dr. Steven Stein — How to Gain Emotional Intelligence and Build Hardiness as a Leader

Quick Gain Clarity with my Discover Your Core Values Mini Course: https://calwalters.me/course Watch this podcast on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters Learn more about Dr. Stein's work: https://stevenstein.com/ Dr. Steven Stein is a world-renowned clinical psychologist, international best-selling author and sought-after speaker, and founder and Executive Chair of Multi-Health Systems (MHS), a publisher of scientifically validated assessments for over 40 years, which has been named a three-time winner of Profit 100 (fastest growing companies in Canada), one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2013, and Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures (2016, Waterstone). A leading expert on psychological assessment and emotional intelligence, he has consulted with military and government agencies, including the Canadian Forces, U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, special units of the Pentagon, FBI Academy, as well as corporate organizations, including American Express, Air Canada, Canyon Ranch, Coca-Cola (Mexico), and professional sports teams. Dr. Stein consults with numerous reality TV shows, including Big Brother Canada, The Amazing Race Canada, MasterChef Canada, Bachelor Canada, Real Housewives of Toronto, Bachelor in Paradise, Blown Away, and many others, providing psychological expertise and candidate selection assessments. Dr. Stein co-authored Hardiness: Making Stress Work for You to Achieve Your Life Goals and is the author of The EQ Leader and Emotional Intelligence for Dummies. He also co-authored the international best-seller The EQ Edge: Emotional Intelligence and Your Success and wrote Make Your Workplace Great: The 7 Keys to an Emotionally Intelligent Organization. He has appeared on more than 100 TV and radio shows, including CNBC's Squawk Box, Canada AM, Breakfast Television, The Fifth Estate, and Fox Business Report. He has also been quoted in numerous magazines and newspapers, including Fast Company, Inc., Fortune, Huffington Post, The National Post, Globe and Mail, and Toronto Star. Dr. Stein has presented on emotional intelligence and hardiness to audiences throughout Canada, the United States, Mexico, South America, Europe, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Dr. Stein currently teaches at the Directors College, an Executive Program from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, Canada. He is a past Chairperson of the Psychology Foundation of Canada. He is a former assistant professor in the psychiatry department at the University of Toronto and a former adjunct professor of psychology at York University in Toronto. He is a past President of the Ontario Psychological Association and a Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association.

Jul 29, 202445 min

111: Charlie Watkins (Pt. 2) — Worth the Wait: Selling Business for 11X More | Throw No Rocks: A Man's Guide to Success through Partnership with God

Save Time and Avoid Regrets with my Discover Your Core Values Mini Course: https://calwalters.me/course Watch this conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1ki9gIkx54g Purchase Throw No Rocks: A Man's Guide to Success Through Partnership with God: https://thrownorocks.com Charlie Watkins is a Christian husband, father, grandfather and leader. He came to Jesus in 1980 while serving as a nuclear trained officer aboard a US Navy Cruiser, where he was led to the Lord by the ship's doctor. After leaving the Navy in 1982 he has held senior leadership positions in several businesses. God has rescued, healed and mentored him through many trials, including cancer, open heart surgery, business failures and successes, transitions and many household moves. His heart's desire is to impart the most important truths to men so that they can find true success as God's husbands, fathers and leaders, and change the trajectories of their lives, marriages, families and the nations. Charlie has led men's groups, home groups and spoken in churches. He currently leads a men's group at his local church, The Point, in Charlottesville, Virginia. He's been married to Blythe, the love of his life, since June of 1977. Blythe and Charlie have two grown Christian children. They love the people their children married and count their children as their closest friends. They have five terrific grandsons, all mighty men of God in the making. For most of the past 25 years, Charlie has mentored and worked with leaders. Since October of 2018 he has been serving as President and CEO of Landmark Media Enterprises and Dominion Enterprises, a private conglomerate of data and software businesses. Charlie is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and holds a master's in business from William & Mary. He also serves on the board of ICM, "The Global Church Developer," a ministry that partners with indigenous people in the poorest regions of the world to build churches and disciple people.

Jul 11, 202453 min

110: Charlie Watkins (Pt. 1) — How Forgiveness Breeds Success | Throw No Rocks: A Man's Guide to Success through Partnership with God

Save Time and Avoid Regrets with my Discover Your Core Values Mini Course: https://calwalters.me/course Watch this conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1ki9gIkx54g Purchase Throw No Rocks: A Man's Guide to Success Through Partnership with God: https://thrownorocks.com Charlie Watkins is a Christian husband, father, grandfather and leader. He came to Jesus in 1980 while serving as a nuclear trained officer aboard a US Navy Cruiser, where he was led to the Lord by the ship's doctor. After leaving the Navy in 1982 he has held senior leadership positions in several businesses. God has rescued, healed and mentored him through many trials, including cancer, open heart surgery, business failures and successes, transitions and many household moves. His heart's desire is to impart the most important truths to men so that they can find true success as God's husbands, fathers and leaders, and change the trajectories of their lives, marriages, families and the nations. Charlie has led men's groups, home groups and spoken in churches. He currently leads a men's group at his local church, The Point, in Charlottesville, Virginia. He's been married to Blythe, the love of his life, since June of 1977. Blythe and Charlie have two grown Christian children. They love the people their children married and count their children as their closest friends. They have five terrific grandsons, all mighty men of God in the making. For most of the past 25 years, Charlie has mentored and worked with leaders. Since October of 2018 he has been serving as President and CEO of Landmark Media Enterprises and Dominion Enterprises, a private conglomerate of data and software businesses. Charlie is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and holds a master's in business from William & Mary. He also serves on the board of ICM, "The Global Church Developer," a ministry that partners with indigenous people in the poorest regions of the world to build churches and disciple people.

Jul 11, 202450 min

109: Julian Treasure — Top TED Speaker and Speaking Expert on How to Speak So People Want to Listen

Follow me at: https://calwalters.me/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters Make Decision Making Easier with my Core Values Mini Course: https://courses.calwalters.me/offers/DmXNju9f/checkout Julian Treasure is a top-rated international speaker on sound and the critical communication skills of listening and speaking. Collectively, Julian's five TED Talks have been viewed over 150 million times. How to speak so that people want to listen is the sixth most-viewed TED talk of all time. In live or virtual keynotes, or in bite-sized appearances via ThinkersOne, Julian delivers engaging, entertaining and transformational content, and is equally potent and effective with live or virtual delivery. ‍ His talks enhance business effectiveness, particularly for those in sales or leadership roles, as well as enriching relationships at work and at home. His presenting skills and innovative use of sound make his talks visceral and potent experiences that are always highly rated by delegates.In addition to keynote speeches, Julian can also arrange structured training or workshops for your company. Follow Julian Treasure: https://www.juliantreasure.com/

Jun 27, 202450 min

108: Jamie Winship — How to Avoid an Identity Crisis and Discover Your True Calling

Follow Cal at https://calwalters.me/ Get back time and make decision making easier by discovering your core values: https://courses.calwalters.me/offers/DmXNju9f/checkout Jamie Winship has decades of experience bringing peaceful solutions to areas of the world that experience the highest levels of conflict. After a distinguished career in law enforcement in the metro Washington DC area, Jamie had a unique opportunity to bring his identity-centric approach of transformation to the field of education. He earned an MA in English and accepted a position at a university in Indonesia. Jamie developed a unique language acquisition program based on this premise: identity transformation is the key to acquiring new levels of learning in any field. His work drew the attention of Fulbright and other educational institutions which extended his work worldwide over the past several decades. Jamie has worked with leaders in professional sports, business, education, law enforcement, government, non-profit and other sectors. Jamie and his wife, Donna, are co-founders of Identity Exchange, a training and consulting agency that helps individuals and teams discover new levels of creativity and resiliency within the framework of true identity. Get Jamie's book Living Fearless: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Fearless-Exchanging-World-Liberating/dp/0800740297/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1665511275&sr=8-1 Learn more about Identity Exchange: https://www.identityexchange.com/

Jun 14, 20241h 29m

107: Dr. Anna Lembke — Find Joy and Focus in a Dopamine-Overloaded World

Discover Your Core Values with my Mini-Course: https://courses.calwalters.me/offers/DmXNju9f/ Checkout Get Dr. Lemke's great book, Dopamine Nation: https://www.amazon.com/Dopamine-Nation-Finding-Balance-Indulgence/dp/152474672X Preorder the Official Dopamine Nation Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0593476212?tag=randohouseinc7986-20 Dr. Anna Lembke is professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. A clinician scholar, she has published more than a hundred peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and commentaries. She sits on the board of several state and national addiction-focused organizations, has testified before various committees in the United States House of Representatives and Senate, keeps an active speaking calendar, and maintains a thriving clinical practice. In 2016, she published Drug Dealer, MD – How Doctors Were Duped, Patients Got Hooked, and Why It's So Hard to Stop, which was highlighted in the New York Times as one of the top five books to read to understand the opioid epidemic. Dr. Lembke also appeared on the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, an unvarnished look at the impact of social media on our lives. Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence, an instant New York Times Bestseller, explores how to moderate compulsive overconsumption in a dopamine-overloaded world. Dr. Lembke explores the exciting new scientific discoveries that explain why the relentless pursuit of pleasure leads to pain. Most important, she tells readers how to find the delicate balance between the two. Condensing complex neuroscience into easy-to-understand metaphors, Lembke illustrates how finding contentment and connectedness means keeping dopamine in check. The lived experiences of her patients are the gripping fabric of her narrative. Their riveting stories of suffering and redemption give us all hope for managing our consumption and transforming our lives. 00:00: Introduction 05:30: The Paradox of Modern Life 10:00: The Role of Dopamine in Addiction 12:27: The Downside of Pleasure-Seeking 14:43: Addiction and Susceptibility 17:44: The Rise of Digital Addictions 20:25: Identifying Addiction and Seeking Help 30:36: Observing Our Thoughts and Behaviors 32:22: The Difference Between Shame and Guilt 33:22: Setting Boundaries with Digital Devices 34:04: Differentiating Shame and Guilt 34:41: The Role of Community in Addressing Shame 38:08: The Impact of Dopamine-Inducing Behaviors on Enjoyment of Simple Pleasures 39:13: Embracing Boredom and the Default Mode Network 41:45: The Benefits of Dopamine Fasting 43:31: Rediscovering the Joy of Simple Things 45:23: Navigating Boredom and Finding Meaning 49:10: The Recommended Duration of Dopamine Fasting 52:15: Commonalities in Successful Recovery 55:17: Parenting in the Modern World

May 23, 20241h 0m

106: Dr. Michael Norton — The Ritual Effect

Take Dr. Norton's Ritual Quiz Michael Norton is the Harold M. Brierley Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School. He has studied human behavior as it relates to love and inequality, time and money, and happiness and grief. He is the author of The Ritual Effect and the coauthor—with Elizabeth Dunn—of Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending. In 2012, he was selected by Wired magazine as one of "50 People Who Will Change the World." His TEDx talk, How to Buy Happiness, has been viewed nearly 5 million times. He is a frequent contributor to such publications as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Scientific American, and has made numerous television, radio, and podcast appearances. In The Ritual Effect, Dr. Norton demonstrates the power of small acts—and how a subtle turning of habits into rituals can add purpose and pleasure to life. Compelling, insightful, and practical, The Ritual Effect reminds us of the intention-filled acts that drive human behavior and create sur­prising satisfaction and enjoyment. Learn from me: Check out my Discover Your Core Values Mini Course

Apr 16, 202441 min

105: Ryan Hawk and Brook Cupps — The Score That Matters

Get instant access to my new Discover Your Core Values Mini Course People love to keep score. Managers keep score of a range of business metrics: market share, revenue, profit margin, growth rate. In our personal lives, social media has us keeping score by likes and followers. These external scores are outcome-driven and serve as proof of our success—money, fame, material possessions, wins—but this constant chase for more validation often leaves us feeling exhausted and empty. In their new book, The Score That Matters, Ryan Hawk and Brook Cupps show that the internal score is what matters most—it reveals whether we are living in alignment with our purpose and values. It also measures how we are leading ourselves and others, prompting us to: Differentiate between the two scoreboards that run our life Use our fear as fuel Avoid the poison of comparison Embrace the mundanity of excellence Regulate our emotional thermostat Create a mentality for attacking adversity Follow Ryan Hawk's work at LearningLeader.com Follow Brook Cupp's work at Blue Collar Grit

Mar 29, 20241h 1m

104: Dr. Amy Edmondson — The Science of Failing Well

We used to think of failure as the opposite of success. Now, we're often torn between two "failure cultures": one that says to avoid failure at all costs, the other that says fail fast, fail often. The trouble is that both approaches lack the crucial distinctions to help us separate good failure from bad. As a result, we miss the opportunity to fail well. After decades of award-winning research, Amy Edmondson is here to upend our understanding of failure and make it work for us. In Right Kind of Wrong, Edmondson provides the framework to think, discuss, and practice failure wisely. Outlining the three archetypes of failure—basic, complex, and intelligent—Amy showcases how to minimize unproductive failure while maximizing what we gain from flubs of all stripes. She illustrates how we and our organizations can embrace our human fallibility, learn exactly when failure is our friend, and prevent most of it when it is not. This is the key to pursuing smart risks and preventing avoidable harm. With vivid, real-life stories from business, pop culture, history, and more, Edmondson gives us specifically tailored practices, skills, and mindsets to help us replace shame and blame with curiosity, vulnerability, and personal growth. You'll never look at failure the same way again. Connect with Amy Edmondson: https://amycedmondson.com/ Follow Amy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycedmondson/ Learn more about Intentional Leader: https://calwalters.me/ Watch Intentional Leader on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters Support this podcast: https://www.patreon.com/calwalters

Feb 22, 202444 min

103: Clay Scroggins — How You Can Lead When You're Not in Charge

Subscribe to Intentional Leader on YouTube! Link is here: https://youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters?si=NgU1Ui98hTofWc2I On this episode of Intentional Leader, we learn from speaker, author, and pastor Clay Scroggins on how to lead when we're not in charge. The reality is that most of us have a boss or supervisor, so how do we lead through influence when we lack authority? Clay is the author of the best-selling books How to Lead When You're Not in Charge, How to Lead in a World of Distraction, and The Aspiring Leader's Guide to the Future. He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech as well as a Master's degree and Doctorate with an emphasis in Online Church from Dallas Theological Seminary. For almost 20 years, Clay Scroggins served in many pastoral roles at North Point Ministries, a multisite church started in Alpharetta, Georgia led by Andy Stanley. Most recently, Clay served as the lead pastor of Buckhead Church, one of North Point's largest campuses. Clay is a sought after speaker (that's what he tells his parents) having worked with organizations ranging from the Dallas Cowboys or the staff at the White House all the way to Taco Bell or the Alabama Association of Tax Assessors. Clay lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife, Jenny, and their five children.

Jan 18, 202441 min

102: Brian Johnson — How to Activate Your Heroic Potential, Fight Negative Thinking, Create Better Habits, and Live with Areté

The views expressed on this podcast and page are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or endorsement of the US Army, DoD, or the US Government. I'm so pumped to welcome Brian Johnson to the podcast! Check out Brian's brand new book: Areté: Activate Your Heroic Potential Download the Heroic app for free: https://www.heroic.us/join Brian Johnson is the Founder & CEO of Heroic Public Benefit Corporation and the author of Areté: Activate Your Heroic Potential. He's 50% Philosopher + 50% CEO and 101% committed to helping create a world in which 51% of humanity is flourishing by the year 2051. As a Founder/CEO he's raised $25M+, made crowdfunding history, and built and sold two social platforms. As a Philosopher/teacher, he's helped millions of people from around the world, trained 10,000+ Heroic Coaches from 100+ countries and created a protocol that science says changes lives. He lives in the country outside Austin, Texas, with his wife, Alexandra, and their two kids, Emerson and Eleanor. As a Founder/CEO, he's raised $20M+ and built and sold two market-leading social platforms. As a Philosopher, he's served tens of thousands of people from nearly every country in the world with his Heroic membership and trained over 3,500 people from 90+ countries with his Heroic Coach program—which has been demonstrated through research to change lives. His YouTube channel has 225,000+ subscribers and 20 million views while his podcast has another 14 million downloads. He was also featured in the documentary Finding Joe on Joseph Campbell and the modern hero's journey alongside Deepak Chopra, Laird Hamilton, Tony Hawk and the late Sir Ken Robinson. His podcast Heroic with Brian Johnson, which launched as the #1 podcast on iTunes, has been featured as the #1 Health podcast and has over 15 million downloads. In March 2021, with the support of 2,500+ Founding Investors from 75+ countries around the world, Heroic Public Benefit Corporation made history as the first company to close a $5M Reg CF equity crowdfunding as part of their $11M Seed round.

Nov 16, 20231h 21m

101: Dr. Chevy Cook — On Leadership Lessons from the Secretary of the Army, Finishing a PhD in Character Development, and How to Manage Energy

It's great to welcome Dr. Chevy Cook back to the podast! Chevy was on the show for Episode 36, but a lot has happened since that interview. We catch up on him finishing his PhD, serving as the speechwriter for the 25th Secretary of the Army, the Honorable Christine Wormuth, completing the Battalion Commander Assessment Program (BCAP), and taking command as the Battalion Commander of Headquarters Command Battalion at Fort Meade, MD. Chevy also serves as the Executive Director for Military Mentors, a growing non-profit that helps elevate mentoring in the military and beyond. Chevy also mentioned this book during the interview: The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz.

Aug 16, 20231h 14m

100: Juliet Funt — A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Work

Featured in top media outlets such as Forbes, CNBC, and Fast Company, Juliet Funt is a globally renowned keynote speaker, tough-love advisor to the Fortune 500, founder and CEO of the efficiency training firm, Juliet Funt Group. Juliet is the author of A Minute to Think, nominated for the Next Big Idea Club curated by Malcolm Gladwell, Dan Pink, Susan Cain and Adam Grant. She is an evangelist for freeing the potential of companies by unburdening their talent from busywork, and she has brought her powerful concepts to Spotify, National Geographic, Anthem, Vans, Abbott, Costco, Pepsi, Nike, Wells Fargo, Sephora, Sysco, and ESPN. Be sure to follow Juliet on LinkedIn and send her your questions/comments at [email protected] Thank you for helping us get to 100 episodes!

Jun 7, 202347 min

99: Doug Jones — Lessons from Ranger School, Achieving Excellence in Physical Fitness, and How to Stay Sharp as a Leader

After graduating from West Point (where I'm pretty sure Doug was the #1 ranked cadet in our class in physical fitness, which is incredible, but I couldn't get a straight answer from Doug on that fact), Doug commissioned as an infantry officer, graduated from Ranger School, and then went on to leave at several different levels at home and in combat. Doug was awarded multiple Bronze Star medals, including one for Valor that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld presented in 2011. In addition to being the Managing Principal for Cushman and Wakefield in Dallas, Doug also leads their Military and Veteran Programs. As you will see, it's no surprise that Doug has been trusted with significant leadership responsibilities at such a young age. His mindset is something we can all learn from. We dive into how we has dealt with moments of failure and setbacks, key habits he focuses on for self-leadership, his top leadership principles, and much more. As a book recommendation, Doug also mentioned Patrick Lencioni's book The Motive.

Apr 24, 20231h 8m

98: Simone Askew — On Being the First Black Female First Captain at West Point, Authentic Leadership, and Advice for Mentors

It's great to be back after taking a few months off! I'm really excited about all we can learn together in 2023! Today I have the privilege of sharing my interview with Simone Askew. In 2017, she became the first African American woman to earn the role of First Captain, the leader of the Corps of Cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point. This is regarded as a major step in racial and gender equality within the United States military. She was also named by Glamour magazine as one of the top 10 College Women of the Year. She is also a Rhodes Scholar. Askew earned a MSc with merit in refugee and forced migration studies from the Refugee Studies Centre and a MPP from the Blavatnik School of Government at University of Oxford. She also recently published her first book, Citizen Skyland, a compelling story of a young black woman finding herself, her courage and her legacy when the world needs it most. If you'd like to learn more about Military Mentors and their upcoming event, The MMoment III, visit militarymentors.org.

Jan 9, 202347 min

97: Cassie Holmes, Ph.D. — How to Live a Happier Life

Download this free 12-page PDF to get 12 key ideas to make you a better leader today. Cassie Mogilner Holmes is a Professor at UCLA's Anderson School of Management. Cassie is an expert on time and happiness. Her research examines such questions as how focusing on time (rather than money) increases happiness, how the meaning of happiness changes over the course of one's lifetime, and how much happiness people enjoy from extraordinary versus ordinary experiences. Across these inquiries, her findings highlight the joy that stems from interpersonal connection and paying attention to the present moment. Cassie's academic research on the role of time in cultivating well-being has been published in leading academic journals, including Psychological Science, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and the Journal of Consumer Research, and earned her the Early Career Award from both the Association of Consumer Research and the Society of Consumer Psychology. Cassie was identified by Poets & Quants as one of the best 40 business professors under 40, and popular accounts of her research have been featured on NPR and in such publications as The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and Scientific American. Professor Cassie Holmes is the author of Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most, which is based on her wildly popular MBA course, "Applying the Science of Happiness to Life Design." Holmes is a faculty affiliate with The UCLA Bedari Kindness Institute, an interdisciplinary organization dedicated to the research, education, and practice of kindness. Previously, Holmes was a tenured faculty member and award-winning teacher at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She has a Ph.D. from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, and a B.A. from Columbia.

Oct 7, 202257 min

96: General Alizai — Leadership Reflections from the Afghan Army's Last Commander

Commander of Special Operations Command of the Afghan National Army Haibatullah Alizai, took over as Afghanistan's Chief of General Staff (the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs equivalent) just days before the Taliban made a push into Kabul, after General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai was removed from the post. On this episode, he discusses his perspective on leading during the difficult moments in Afghanistan as the Taliban seized territory and the US troops withdrew from Afghanistan. He reflects on lessons he learned as a leader and his hopes for the future of Afghanistan.

Sep 23, 202251 min

95: How to Be a Leader That's Not about You

On today's quick hit episode, Cal shares three keys to being a leader that's not about you. If you're interested in growing in your leadership practice and being inspired to think differently and unlock greater personal potential, we want to give you a gift. Just click the link below and tell us where to send you 12 Ideas That Will Make You A Better Leader In 2022.

Sep 9, 202214 min

94: Ryan Gottfredson — How to Elevate your Mind and Why Most Leader Development Programs Fail

Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D. is a cutting-edge mindset author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. He helps improve organizations, leaders, teams, and employees by improving their mindsets. Ryan is currently a leadership and management professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton (CSUF). He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources from Indiana University, and a B.A. from Brigham Young University Ryan is the author of "Success Mindsets: The Key to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership." (Morgan James Publishing), and Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Seller. He also works with organizations to develop their leaders and improve their culture (collective mindsets). He has worked with top leadership teams at CVS Health (top 130 leaders), Deutsche Telekom (500+ of their top 2,000 leaders), and dozens of other organizations. As a respected authority and researcher on topics related to leadership, management, and organizational behavior, Ryan has published over 15 articles across a variety of journals including: Journal of Management, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Business Horizons, Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, and Journal of Leadership Studies. His research has been cited over 2,000 times since 2014. Take the Mindset Assessment here: https://s.ryangottfredson.com/mindsetassessment Take the Vertical Development Assessment here: https://ryangottfredson.com/vertical-development-assessment

Aug 26, 202251 min

93: Garry Ridge — How He Built an Incredible Culture of Purpose and Engagement at WD-40

Garry Ridge has 25 years of experience as Chairman and CEO of WD-40 Company. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego, where he teaches the principles and practices of corporate culture in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership program. Garry's philosophy on company culture is based on Aristotle's quote – "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." Turning that into action, he believes that all leaders can create a workplace where you go to work each day, make a contribution to something bigger than yourself, learn something new, feel safe, are protected, and are provided freedom by a set of values and go home happy! He is passionate about the learning and empowering organizational culture he has helped establish at the WD-40 Company. In 2009, he co-authored a book with Ken Blanchard outlining his effective leadership techniques, titled "Helping People Win at Work: A Business Philosophy Called 'Don't Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A." A native of Australia, Mr. Ridge holds a certificate in Modern Retailing and a Master of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego. Learn more about Garry's work at https://thelearningmoment.net His top book recommendations: All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten Infinite Game To Be Honest Helping People Win at Work The Unexpected Learning Moment Follow Garry on LinkedIn here!

Aug 12, 202243 min

92: Stephen Drum — Getting through Navy SEAL Training and How to Perform under Intense Pressure

Would you like to partner with us at Intentional Leader? Consider becoming a monthly supporter on Patreon. Sign up here! If you're interested in growing in your leadership practice and being inspired to think differently and unlock greater personal potential, we want to give you a gift. Just click the link below and tell us where to send you 12 Ideas That Will Make You A Better Leader In 2022. Stephen Drum is a combat-tested Retired Navy SEAL Master Chief with 27 years of experience leading and developing high-performance teams. He recently co-developed and taught "Warrior Toughness" training for The U.S. Navy, which fundamentally changed the culture of the Navy in how it trains and prepares young sailors and officers. An in-demand speaker and consultant, who helps individuals and organizations develop leadership and performance strategies, so they can plan, prepare, and execute at the highest levels when it matters most. He has trained and led U.S. and foreign partner special operations forces on high-risk and strategically vital missions across the globe, including combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. During his Navy career, Stephen has personally trained thousands of elite military soldiers and Navy SEAL candidates, helping them succeed in severe training courses and overseas combat operations.

Jul 28, 20221h 5m

91: Sabrina Dalton — Leadership as a Mom & The MMoment II (An Event with Military Mentors)

Sign up here to attend the MMoment II on July 23, 2022 in Alexandria, VA! The MMoment is an intentional, purposeful investment in you by us, your team at Military Mentors, or MM for short (the spelling of the MMoment is a play on our name). Our version of an immersive experience, it is an intense, 1-day experience twice a year for ~50 national security professionals, both civilian and military. The MMoment is not just a conference or set of TED talks, but rather a reflective and interactive experience to inspire transformative leadership. Sabrina Dalton is the Director of Programs for Military Mentors. Military Mentors mission is to elevate, educate and facilitate mentorship for the military and beyond. In her capacity as the Director of Programs, she oversees the eMMissary Program, a leader development fellowship, and the MMoment, a one-day, intensive leadership conference in the DC area. Sabrina is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Denver and is currently pursuing a Legal Assistant certificate through the University of Oklahoma Law Center. Most importantly, Sabrina is a military spouse, homeschooler and a mother. She is married to Tyler, a US Space Force Officer, and together they have 3 children that bring light and joy to their lives. On this episode, we discuss: the MMoment II the backstory to her joining Military Mentors the inspirational leadership of Dr. Chevy Cook (the Executive Director of Military Mentors) her decision to be a stay at home mom some of the tough (and controversial decisions) that carry guilt and shame as a mom some of her key principles for success as a mom If you want to learn more about Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Bill Thetford (mentioned during this episode), you can read his bio here. If you're interested in growing in your leadership practice and being inspired to think differently and unlock greater personal potential, we want to give you a gift. Just click the link below and tell us where to send you 12 Ideas That Will Make You A Better Leader In 2022.

Jul 8, 202253 min

[REPLAY] 49: Patrick Lencioni — Building Trust, Embracing Conflict, and the 6 Types of Working Genius

This episode with Patrick Lencioni is a great segue from the article released by Wes Cochrane last week titled, "Does Your Team Suck at Workplace Conflict?" Read that article here. Patrick Lencioni is one of the founders and president of The Table Group, a firm dedicated to providing organizations with ideas, products and services that improve teamwork, clarity and employee engagement. Patrick's passion for organizations and teams is reflected in his writing, speaking and executive consulting. He is the author of 11 best-selling books, which have sold over 6 million copies and been translated more than 30 languages. His capstone book, The Advantage, is the pre-eminent source on organizational health. After sixteen years in print, his classic book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, remains a weekly fixture on national best-seller lists. Released in 2016, The Ideal Team Player is a much-anticipated follow-up to his team book and also a Wall Street Journal best-seller. The wide-spread appeal of Lencioni's leadership models have yielded a diverse base of speaking and consulting clients, including a mix of Fortune 500 companies, professional sports organizations, the military, non-profits, schools and churches. Pat addresses thousands of leaders each year at world-class organizations and national conferences. Consistently the top rated keynote speaker at major events, Pat shares his insights and inspires his audiences through his accessibility, humor and story-telling. The Wall Street Journal said he is "one of the most in-demand business speakers." Named in Fortune magazine as one of the 'ten new gurus you should know,' Pat and his work have been featured in USA TODAY, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Harvard Business Review, to name a few. Prior to founding his firm, he worked as a corporate executive for Sybase, Oracle and Bain & Company. Pat lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and four sons. Pat is really excited about a brand new concept he and his team are launching this week called the 6 Types of Working Genius. This is an incredible tool that helps you and I identify what we are really good at and those parts of work that make us most frustrated. Pat had me take the assessment and we discuss my results and his results. We also dive into the organizational health movement, how to create what he calls "vulnerability-based trust" on your team, why the right kind of conflict on a team is a sign of health, and much more. To do The 6 Types of Working Genius Assessment, click here

Jun 24, 20221h 2m

BRB - I'm Moving!

Hello my friend! I wanted to share a very short message today… As many of you know, I'm a lawyer in the Army. And part of being in the Army (at least for what I do), means we move every few years. During the month of June, my family and I will be moving from the area around Fort Bragg, NC to Charlottesville, VA where I'll be teaching at the Army JAG School. I'm really excited to get to work the teaching muscle and hopefully be a positive influence on the many Army leaders that flow through the JAG School. So, if you have any must-do recommendations for Charlottesville or anywhere in Virginia, please let me know! You can shoot me an email to [email protected]. At least for the next episode (and perhaps more), I'll be re-airing some of this show's most popular episodes starting with my interview with Patrick Lencioni. This episode with Patrick Lencioni is a great segue from the article released by Wes Cochrane last week titled, "Does Your Team Suck at Workplace Conflict?" Read that article here. Thanks for your patience while we're packing up and then unpacking, getting utilities setup, and settling into our new community. Thanks for supporting this show, and I'll be back with some new episodes very soon.

Jun 24, 20221 min

90: Joe Byerly — What's in His Green Notebook and How to Capture Life Lessons

If you're interested in growing in your leadership practice and being inspired to think differently and unlock greater personal potential, we want to give you a gift. Just click the link below and tell us where to send you 12 Ideas That Will Make You A Better Leader In 2022. Sign up to attend the MMoment II! It will take place on Saturday, July 23, 2022 from 8am-3pm at ALX Community Waterfront, Alexandria, VA Join us for this intentional, purposeful investment in YOU; an intense and immersive, 1-day experience for ~50 national security professionals, both civilian and military. The MMoment is not just a conference or set of TED talks, but rather a reflective and interactive experience to inspire transformative leadership. Sign up here! In 2013, Joe Byerly thought something was missing in his journey to become a better leader. He wanted to create a place where leaders could share their hard-won lessons and help each other along the journey. He started looking in the place where he captured his own lessons, quotes from books, and ideas for the future –his green notebook. Today, From the Green Notebook is run by a team of passionate professionals who want to help others lead with the best version of themselves. Get a copy of Joe's new book, My Green Notebook: Know Thyself Before Changing Jobs.

Jun 10, 20221h 18m