Creating a leadership legacy with Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch

The entirely frank and fearless Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch shares his decades of leadership wisdom in this episode as we grapple with the big question: What makes a good leader?  Oakland shares his experience as a combat arms officer in the US Army and his views on leadership, emphasising the need for accountability and servant leadership. We discuss decision-making, micromanagement, and the importance of honesty and realistic expectations, as well as the limitations of the education system and the need for more leadership role models.  Oakland recalls a dramatic change in leadership style from micromanagement to servant leadership that proved to be a lightbulb moment that was to shape his own leadership journey. This conversation, much like Oakland’s new book, Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be, is really practical, insightful and useful.  Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-legacy-oakland-mcculloch   Key Moments  Planet Human: The importance of access to information [00:00:04] Planet Zoë:  A new program around Wisdom and Power is emerging into the light [00:01:00] Introduction to Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch [00:03:51] Zoë introduces her guest, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch, and discusses his background and experience in leadership. The first time realising leadership was about service [00:11:09] Zoë asks about the first time Oakland realised leadership was about serving others. The impact of a new major on leadership perspective [00:12:45] Oakland shares a story about a new major in the army who had a different leadership style and emphasised the importance of people. Fear of Consequences and Big Picture Thinking [00:21:34] The conversation explores the fear of consequences that holds leaders back from making decisions and the reluctance to engage in big picture thinking due to a heavy workload. Micromanagement and Brutal Honesty [00:23:27] Oakland talks about the negative effects of micromanagement and the importance of delegating responsibilities.  The importance of ACT scores [00:29:26] Discussion on the significance of ACT scores for aspiring doctors and the impact of a significant point difference. Leadership potential and development [00:31:09] Is leadership innate or learned? With examples of natural leaders and individuals who developed their leadership skills. Taking responsibility as a leader [00:37:36] And the importance of not delegating responsibility. Poor Decision-Making by Senior Leaders [00:39:16] Exploration of senior leaders in government, military, and corporations making poor decisions and the negative impact on organisations. Creating the Next Generation of Leaders [00:44:45] Explanation of the concept of legacy in leadership, focusing on accomplishments and leaving behind a new generation of leaders.