🎖️ Why do we keep promoting toxic leaders? 

In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we unpack Simon Sinek’s controversial insight on why some of the most damaging leaders climb the ladder—while servant leaders get left behind.

With a military and corporate lens, we explore how performance-at-all-costs cultures reward toxic traits, the long-term damage this creates, and how we can change the narrative. If you’ve ever watched a poor leader rise while a great one gets ignored, this episode will hit home.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

🔹 Simon Sinek argues that toxic leaders often get promoted because of high performance - do you agree? Why or why not?

🔹 Why do some organizations prioritize results over relationships - and at what cost?

🔹 What's the responsibility of senior leadership in addressing or preventing toxic leadership behaviors?

🗣️ Like, subscribe, and comment: Have you ever worked under a toxic leader?

Stream now on YouTube, Spotify, & Apple Podcasts.

#SimonSinek #ToxicLeadership #CorporateCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #Command2Corporate #VeteranLeadership #WhyLeadersFail #newleader #leadershippodcast #leadershiplessons

🎖️How much guidance is too much? In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we explore the delicate balance between direction and creative freedom—and why it matters in leadership, innovation, and team growth.

As former military leaders turned corporate professionals, we’ve led in environments where structure is everything—and others where freedom drives results. We’ll break down how to give enough direction to guide success without micromanaging or limiting vision.

 🎯 Key Takeaways:

🔹 What's the balance between giving direction and allowing freedom?

🔹 When is it appropriate to step back and let your team run with it?

🔹 What role does trust play in allowing others to operate freely?

🔹 Does your leadership style lean more towards control or freedom?

🗣️ Like, subscribe, and comment: How do you lead without limiting your team’s creativity?

Stream now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts 

#CreativeLeadership #GuidanceVsFreedom #TeamDevelopment #Command2Corporate #VeteranLeadership #InnovationCulture #LeadershipBalance

🎖️ When you’re the new leader, all eyes are on you. Should you make bold changes right away or take time to learn the culture and people first?

In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we unpack what effective leadership looks like in those first 90 days. Drawing from our experience as veterans stepping into corporate roles, we discuss when to hit the ground running—and when to slow down, listen, and observe before making your mark.


🎯 Key Takeaways:

🔹 When stepping into a new leadership role, what's your initial approach - make changes fast or observe first?

🔹 Have you ever entered a role where you moved too fast...or too slow?

🔹 Are there risks in making immediate changes without fully understanding the culture or team dynamics?

🔹 What does a strong "listening tour" look like?

🗣️ Subscribe, like, and share if you've ever had to "take the helm" in a new role.

 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Search for Command 2 Corporate!

#NewLeader #LeadershipTransition #First90Days #Command2Corporate #ChangeManagement #VeteranLeadership #CorporateLeadership #LeadingTeams #ListeningTour

🎖️ Giving your boss feedback can feel like walking a tightrope. In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we break down how to manage up—not by kissing up, but by communicating with honesty, courage, and strategy.

As veterans turned corporate leaders, we’ve seen firsthand how feedback up the chain can either transform a culture or become a career landmine. We talk about what works, what to avoid, and how emotional intelligence and trust play critical roles in managing up.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

🔹 What is “managing up” really about?

🔹 Why feedback to leaders often fails

🔹 How to give upward feedback that lands

🔹 Building a culture where managing up is welcome

🗣️ Subscribe, like, and share if you’ve ever struggled with speaking truth to power at work.

 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Search for Command 2 Corporate!

#ManagingUp #LeadershipFeedback #WorkplaceCourage #CorporateLeadership #VeteranVoices #Command2Corporate

In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we dive deep into two traits that can make or break your career: Professional Maturity and Leadership Maturity. They may sound similar, but the reality is… they play very different roles in your success.

From the boardroom to the battlefield, we’ve seen that professional maturity is about how you show up, handle pressure, and navigate workplace challenges with poise. Leadership maturity, on the other hand, is about leading with vision, emotional intelligence, and the ability to bring out the best in others—even when the stakes are high.

✅ In this episode you’ll learn:

The key differences between professional maturity and leadership maturity
Why mastering one without the other can limit your growth
How your maturity levels are perceived in corporate environments
Real-world examples from our military and corporate careers
Actionable ways to build both for long-term success

Whether you’re a rising professional, seasoned leader, or transitioning from the military to corporate America, this conversation will help you level up your influence, credibility, and career trajectory.

Watch full video episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Command2Corporate

How do strong team dynamics fall apart—and how do office politics play a hidden role in that breakdown? In this two-part episode of Command 2 Corporate, we dig into the real-world challenges of cross-functional collaboration in the workplace, especially when office politics, silos, or egos get in the way.

From our experience leading in both the military and corporate America, we share practical strategies to foster trust across departments, handle political undercurrents, and protect team performance without playing the game.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

🔹 Though there can be positive aspects of Office Politics, the negative seem to present more.

🔹 Don't be a spotlight ranger!

🔹 More and more it's all about who you know.

Watch full video episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Command2Corporate

How do strong team dynamics fall apart—and how do office politics play a hidden role in that breakdown? In this two-part episode of Command 2 Corporate, we dig into the real-world challenges of cross-functional collaboration in the workplace, especially when office politics, silos, or egos get in the way.

From our experience leading in both the military and corporate America, we share practical strategies to foster trust across departments, handle political undercurrents, and protect team performance without playing the game.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

🔹 Though there can be positive aspects of Office Politics, the negative seem to present more.

🔹 Don't be a spotlight ranger!

🔹 More and more it's all about who you know.

Watch full video episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Command2Corporate

🎖️What exactly is corporate culture—and why does it matter? In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we dig deep into the DNA of workplace culture. From our military roots to our corporate careers, we reflect on how environments shape behavior, morale, and performance.

🔹What makes a good culture?

🔹How do you spot a toxic one?

🔹And how can leaders build one worth following?

Whether you’re a transitioning veteran, a people leader, or just trying to understand your workplace better—this episode is for you.
 
Hosted by two U.S. Army veterans who’ve led in the military and in corporate environments.

Watch full video episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Command2Corporate

Is it possible to prioritize people and profits—or does one always come at the expense of the other?

In this thought-provoking episode of Command 2 Corporate, two Army veterans turned corporate leaders unpack the tension between mission and margin. From leading soldiers on the battlefield to driving performance in the boardroom, we explore how leadership changes when success is measured in dollars—not lives.

 We discuss:
🔹 Times we’ve worked in profit-first vs. people-first cultures
🔹 How military values shaped our leadership in cutthroat environments
🔹 The hidden dangers of financial-only performance metrics
🔹 When it’s necessary to make tough calls for the bottom line
🔹 And how leaders can stay grounded and lead with integrity

Your Turn:
Have you ever worked for a company that walked the talk on putting people first? Or faced a moment where you had to choose between protecting your team or delivering results? We want to hear your story—drop it in the comments.

Watch full video episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Command2Corporate

The jump from the military to corporate America isn’t just a career change—it’s a culture shock. In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we dive into the stark differences between life in uniform and life in the civilian workforce. From leadership styles and communication norms to purpose, identity, and team dynamics, we explore what truly separates these two worlds—and how veterans can bridge the gap.

💬 Topics we cover in this episode:

- Our first major culture shock moments post-transition
- Misconceptions civilians have about military culture—and vice versa
- Why corporate “rules” can feel unspoken or unclear to veterans
- Command-style leadership vs. collaborative leadership
- How the mission-first mentality plays out in the workplace
- Why military communication and hierarchy don’t always translate
- Finding purpose in roles that may feel purely transactional
- The camaraderie gap—can civilian teams ever match it?
- Advice for veterans struggling to “fit in” without losing themselves
- What we’d tell our military selves before exiting service
- How civilian employers can support veteran integration

This episode is real, insightful, and packed with real talk from two veterans who’ve lived both lives.

Watch full video episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Command2Corporate