What makes a great leader and how can the United States become actually united? On this episode of Legends and Losers, entrepreneur, multi-time bestselling author and US Four-Star Gen. Stan McChrystal joins us to talk about why people should serve the country, his 9/11 experience and more.

“If we let members of our society not feel like fully invested, they’re not going to do the kinds of things that we’d want citizens to do.” - Gen. Stan McChrystal

Three Things We Learned

A great leader needs not emulate another

Gen. McChrystal has been an educator since he left the service. He has concentrated his efforts on the youth, helping them become the great leaders that they have the potential to be. What he first drills is the importance of defining their own values, ethics and strengths, because they can’t be somebody else they want to emulate.

Every American citizen must serve the country

Young people should do a year of military service to the country, and by extension, the Americans. This stems from the need to strengthen the bond of citizenship to move the country forward. We must bring back the sense of connectedness that seems to have gone away.

It took awhile for the terror of 9/11 to sink in

That year, Gen. McChrystal spent a month-long program in Kuwait geared towards raising awareness of the situation in the Gulf region. There has been a high level of alert for an anticipated attack, but back in the US, September 11 was a bright day Gen. McChrystal spent practicing parachute jumping. When the first tower was struck, they all took it as a freak accident, and it wasn’t until the second hit that they realized what it truly was.

Ever since 9/11, America was changed. It continues to change. Unless people are going to do their part even when the country asks nothing of them, America wouldn’t move forward.

Former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that General McChrystal is "perhaps the finest warrior and leader of men in combat I ever met."

Bio:

In his last military role the General served as Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Commander, U.S. Forces – Afghanistan.

He previously served as Director, Joint Staff from August 2008 to June 2009 and as Commander of JSOC from 2003 to 2008.

A one-of-a-kind commander with a remarkable record of achievement, U.S. Four-Star General Stan McChrystal is widely praised for creating a revolution in warfare that fused intelligence and operations.

He is also known for developing and implementing the counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan and for creating a comprehensive counter-terrorism organization that revolutionized the way military agencies interact and operate.

A dynamic, powerful speaker, McChrystal impresses audiences with field tested leadership lessons, stressing a uniquely inclusive model that focuses on building teams capable of relentlessly pursuing results.

When old systems fall short, he believes true leaders must look for ways to innovate and change.

Citing stories from his career, McChrystal reveals a four-star management strategy, concentrating on openness, teamwork, and forward-thinking.

Few can speak about leadership, teamwork, and transformational change with as much insight.

Links:

McChrystal Group 

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