“Every leader we have, good or bad, we learn from them.” - Lee Van Arsdale

Episode Summary:

Cultivate a strong team, and gain actionable insights on building a lasting foundation!

In this episode of Strategic Edge, retired military officer Lee Van Arsdale joins Ted to delve into the essence of effective leadership. They emphasize the golden rule of treating others as you wish to be treated and the invaluable lessons gleaned from both exemplary and flawed leaders. Lee and Ted explore the concept of leading from the front, stressing the delicate balance between humility and unwavering determination essential for impactful leadership. They underscore the critical role of trust and accountability in fostering team cohesion, alongside the significance of meticulous planning for success. Join them on this insightful journey into the heart of leadership.

About Lee Van Arsdale:

Lee A. Van Arsdale has served as a Soldier and business executive. As a Soldier his assignments were primarily in Special Forces, with 11 years spent in the First Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Airborne). In the course of his 25-year Army career, Lee served in three combat zones in leadership positions, and was decorated for valor with the Silver Star and with the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat. Additionally, he participated in numerous classified operations, on a global scale, while in a leadership capacity. Following his military career, Lee was the Assistant General Manager for National Security Response at the Bechtel Nevada Corporation; he incorporated Unconventional Solutions, Inc., a private

consulting firm; he was the founding Executive Director of the University of Nevada Las Vegas Institute for Security Studies; he was the Chief Executive Officer of Triple Canopy, Inc., an integrated security solutions company, and the Chief Executive Officer of Creative Radicals, a software company. Lee was designated a West Point Distinguished Graduate in 2022, and now serves on the boards of select companies and does volunteer work for veterans’ organizations.

In this episode:

• 3:45 Embracing the Golden Rule: a model for ethical leadership.
• 4:40 Putting learning into action.
• 6:50 A paradoxical leader: mixing humility and strong will.
• 13:25 Strategies for cultivating a strong team.
• 16:30 Establishing a trustworthy foundation: the keys to building a team.
• 19:00 Empowering your team to succeed: the importance of accountability, responsibility and authority.
• 21:10 Key insights and episode takeaways.

Today’s Action Items:

1. Make every decision and take every action on a foundation of integrity and trust.
2. Lead from the front.
3. Don’t shy away from planning.

Get a free PDF of today’s action items! Podcast Action Items - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)

Connect with Ted Davis:

• Website - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)
• LinkedIn - Ted Davis
• Facebook - Ted Davis
• Instagram - @tedavisgrace

Podcast management and production by Jazzy at Premier Podcast Promotions