Eagles Insight Podcast

Bob Dixon interviews Teresa Schlosser, a retired veteran with almost three decades of service and a Five Eagles Leadership coach. Bob and Teresa discuss what it is like to develop great cultures within organizations. Drawing on their extensive military leadership experience, they discuss the complexities of toxic leadership, effective strategies for navigating challenging leadership situations, and the organic formation of subcultures within larger organizations, including the powerful and sometimes unpredictable "E four Mafia". 

This episode offers valuable lessons for leaders at all levels looking to build strong, value-driven cultures and navigate the messy but rewarding world of leading people.

About Teresa Schlosser:

Teresa retired from the US Army after 28 years as an Engineer Officer. She served four operational and combat tours in the Balkans, the Philippine Islands, Afghanistan, and Iraq. She led troops at every level from a 67-Soldier platoon to the 3,500-person Engineer Research & Development Center (ERDC), the premier research and development center for the US Army Corps of Engineers.

She lives in Vicksburg, MS and is available for speaking engagements, professional coaching, and leadership mentoring opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

• There are two forms of toxic leadership: the obvious abusive leader and the "nice guy" leader who fails to hold subordinates accountable, which can foster toxicity within the organization.
• When working for a toxic leader, it's generally advisable to focus on doing your best work, protecting your team, addressing issues privately when necessary, and understanding the risks involved in public confrontation.
• Leaders must be deliberate about defining and communicating their values and should lead by example, as their actions are constantly observed.
• Subcultures can develop organically within organizations, and while they can be beneficial, leaders need to be aware of their potential to deviate from the overall organizational culture, as exemplified by the "E four Mafia".
• Kindness in leadership should not be mistaken for weakness; effective leaders can be both compassionate and firm in upholding standards and holding people accountable.
• The need to be liked should not take precedence over the responsibility of enforcing standards and ensuring the job gets done correctly and safely.
• Effective accountability involves clear communication of standards and expectations, and corrections can be made respectfully without resorting to cruelty or demeaning behavior.

Connect on LinkedIn: Teresa Schlosser

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Bob Dixon interviews Nathan Perez, author of "The 20 Minute Networking Meeting" and an executive career job search coach, to demystify the often-daunting world of networking. Bob and Nathan delve into the principles and practice behind efficient and effective networking, revealing how to build meaningful connections in today's busy world. Discover the power of the 20-minute networking meeting format, its simple five-step structure, and why having a plan and a specific agenda is crucial for success. 

Whether you're looking to acquire clients, find partnerships, grow your business, or navigate a career transition, this episode provides actionable strategies to unlock the potential of networking without sacrificing your valuable time. Learn how to make a great first impression, ask impactful questions, and cultivate lasting professional relationships.

Key Takeaways:

• Networking is essential for various professional goals, including client acquisition, partnerships, industry insights, and relationship building.
• Ask insightful and specific questions that you couldn't find the answers to online. This demonstrates your research and engagement.
• Brevity is key when reaching out to network, especially via platforms like LinkedIn. Keep your initial message concise, stating who you are, what you're looking for, and the time commitment involved.
• Networking is fundamentally about the obtainment and exchange of information, leading to familiarity and trust.
• Always ask "How can I help you?" at the end of a networking meeting to build a reciprocal relationship.
• Follow up promptly (within 24-48 hours) after a meeting and engage in ongoing networking maintenance (staying in touch about once a quarter with relevant updates or information).
• Taking notes in a physical notebook during a networking meeting leaves a positive impression and provides valuable reference points for future communication.

Quotes from Nathan Perez in this episode:

"Turns out that all networking is the same.”

"Really what it is, is the obtainment of information... All it is is the obtainment or the exchange of information..."

" Trust and familiarity... This is where the magic happens between people. Why? Because the more I get to know about you, and the more you get to actually know about me, the further we get away from being complete strangers."

Resources Mentioned:

• LinkedIn: Nathan Perez

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Bob Dixon interviews Heather Eason, owner of Select Power Systems, a national woman-owned engineering firm that designs and builds the power grid. Heather shares her remarkable journey of leading a company in a demanding industry while also being a mom of four kids and four dogs. 

Discover how she approaches the challenges of rapid growth and supply chain issues, and her philosophy of integrating work and life rather than striving for a perfect balance. Heather shares the pivotal moment she realized she was the limiting factor in her company's growth and the transformative power of delegation and empowering her team. 

Learn practical strategies for developing leaders, fostering trust, and creating a supportive environment where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities. Heather also shares her unique perspective on prioritizing employees and how investing in them can lead to significant long-term success. This episode is packed with valuable lessons for business owners and leaders at all levels seeking to achieve peak performance while maintaining a fulfilling personal life.

Key Takeaways:

• Recognizing that doing everything herself was limiting her company's potential, Heather learned to delegate tasks, empowering her team members to grow and take ownership.
• Mistakes are opportunities for growth.
• Taking care of employees will result in them taking care of clients, even if it sometimes means making human-centered decisions over purely financial ones in the short term.
• The importance of taking care of one's physical and mental well-being to maintain focus and clarity, setting an example for her team.

Quotes from Heather Eason in this episode:

"I will say I don't do balancing, balance takes effort. I don't have any more effort, so I'm like, I'm not gonna balance, I do what I call integrate. So I integrate my work and my life.”

"Not delegating is actually selfish because you're preventing them from growing. You're preventing them from giving them the opportunity to do something new and learn."

" I truly believe that the employees are the foundation of the company. If I take care of them, they'll take care of my clients."

Resources Mentioned:

• LinkedIn: Heather Eason
• Website: https://www.selectpowersystems.com/ 

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Bob Dixon interviews Marisa McClure, leadership coach and Navy veteran. They have a great discussion about mastering difficult conversations, a critical skill for effective leadership in both military and corporate settings. Marisa shares her experiences from her diverse career, including roles as a director of sailing at the Naval Academy and a prison warden, to provide actionable strategies for approaching challenging conversations with confidence and achieving positive outcomes. 

This episode offers valuable insights for leaders looking to improve their communication skills, build stronger teams, and foster a culture of accountability.

Key Takeaways:

• Before engaging in a difficult conversation, take time to think through the message, anticipate potential reactions, and rehearse how to convey the information effectively.
• Address issues promptly and avoid sugarcoating the message. The longer you wait, the harder the conversation becomes.
• Use active listening, maintain eye contact, and be mindful of body language. Paraphrase to ensure understanding and try not to interrupt.
• Differentiate between excuses and reasons, and guide individuals towards owning their actions and learning from mistakes.
• Leaders need the courage to speak up and address issues, even when it's uncomfortable or unpopular.
• Create a culture where feedback is encouraged and valued, promoting open communication and continuous improvement.

Quotes from Marisa McClure in this episode:

"The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”

"...everybody messes up... but let's make sure that we're acknowledging the mistake, right? And we're learning from it and trying not to make the same mistake twice."

" ... do you have good moral character, but do you have moral courage?"

Resources Mentioned:

• LinkedIn: Marisa McClure

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Bob Dixon interviews Marc Hoffmeister, a warrior, scholar, and performance coach, about resilience, performance coaching, and adaptive athletics. Marc shares his experiences as a former member of the military, endurance racer, and martial artist and how those experiences shaped his passion for helping others. Marc discusses his Strength to Endure performance coaching business. They also explore the parallels between martial arts and leadership, emphasizing the importance of mastering the basics and reducing the decision space.

Key Takeaways:

• Breathwork is essential for generating energy and regulating the body, and leaders can use it to prepare for tough situations. 
• Surrounding yourself with a supportive "tribe" can provide accountability and motivation.
• Wellness is critical for leaders, and sacrificing self-care can negatively impact decision-making. 
• Plans are not as important as the planning process itself, which allows for a better understanding of the problem and potential variables.
• Coaching involves universal attributes, such as goal setting, accountability, self-discipline, and time management, and can be applied to any sport or endeavor.

Quotes from Marc Hoffmeister in this episode:

"We are blessed as human beings because we are the only species that can consciously and unconsciously breathe."

"Summits are optional, but descents are mandatory."

"Move every day."

Connect with Marc Hoffmeister:

• LinkedIn: Marc Hoffmeister

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Bob Dixon interviews Francesca Graham, a 2004 West Point graduate, combat veteran, and SAMS grad. Francesca shares her experiences with toxic leadership in the military and how it inspired her to help others find their voice. She discusses the mechanisms in place that allow corruption to persist and the challenges faced by those who speak out. Francesca also touches on the importance of transparency and the need for the military to address its trust deficit.

Key Takeaways:

• Toxic leadership can persist due to mechanisms in place that allow unscrupulous people to protect those they support.
• There is a trust deficit within the Department of Defense that is impacting recruiting and retention numbers.
• When facing adversity, individuals have three choices: try to fix it, learn to live with it, or leave it.

Quotes from Francesca Graham in this episode:

"People are always leaders when they're in leadership positions, but they're not, they're just people."

"Statistics lie and furthermore, the DOD doesn't release the numbers on these things, even though we asked for them."

"I love the army, it is so much freaking fun."

Connect with Francesca Graham:

• Website: Walk the Talk Foundation
• The Star Chamber Podcast

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Bob Dixon interviews DJ Moore from Erosion Construction Solutions, a company that manufactures and provides erosion and sediment control solutions. DJ discusses the importance of stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPP) in construction, emphasizing that these plans are crucial for keeping dirt on construction sites and protecting fresh drinking water. He highlights that, globally, dirt is the number one pollutant of fresh drinking water. DJ and Bob explore the challenges and opportunities within the erosion control industry, touching on risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and the impact of government enforcement on business. DJ shares valuable lessons he’s learned as a business owner, including the importance of solving problems, developing leaders, and creating a strong company culture.

Key Takeaways:

• Effective leaders and employees excel at solving problems, even those that are not directly their fault.
• Investing in coaching and mentoring employees can help develop strong leaders within the organization.
• A positive company culture is crucial for fostering growth, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence.

Quotes from DJ Moore in this episode:

"Globally, the number 1 pollutant fresh drinking water is dirt and that's something a lot of people think about."

"What really sets people apart from just being a cog in the wheel and an employee versus, you know, the the effective employees or the entrepreneurs and leaders are the how you handle the problems that aren't your fault and how do you how you deal with them?"

"Try to be a leader who builds leaders. So I don't have to lead as much."

Resources Mentioned:

• LinkedIn: DJ Moore
• Email: [email protected] 

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Bob Dixon interviews Brian Kornfeld, a serial entrepreneur, founder, and connector, to discuss the challenges of leading in different environments. Brian shares his experiences and insights on effective leadership, emphasizing the importance of understanding people's motivations, empowering team members, and taking calculated risks. 

Key Takeaways:

• Effective leadership requires understanding what motivates each individual, whether it's recognition, purpose, financial gain, or the opportunity to contribute to a greater cause.
• Leaders should create an environment where people feel empowered, appreciated, and valued.
• Successful leaders are continuous learners who adapt faster than their competition.
• Leaders need to assess and take calculated risks, not be completely risk-averse.
• Startups should focus on solving a problem and meeting customer needs rather than just building something cool. Identifying the right customer base is key.

Quotes from Brian Kornfeld in this episode:

"What's in it for the person that you're leading and making sure people feel empowered and loved and appreciated? What are they looking for?"

"Sometimes it's the piano. Sometimes it's the saxophone. Sometimes it's the drums and everybody else will follow along to go with them and bounce the ball around."

"The biggest thing that holds startups back is ego... the scoreboard that's going to matter at the end of the day...is what's in the bank account and your name in the newspaper does not add a dollar to the bank account."

Resources Mentioned:

• Website: https://maxu.co/ 

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Bob Dixon interviews James Farese, founder of ReachLink, a telebehavioral healthcare company. James shares his journey in the behavioral health field and how he developed a platform that connects licensed mental health therapists with individuals seeking support for various issues such as anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. ReachLink focuses on talk therapy and does not offer medication management. 

Key Takeaways:

• ReachLink prioritizes the provider experience by handling administrative tasks such as insurance, billing, and customer service, enabling providers to focus on delivering quality care.
• Telehealth platforms like ReachLink address the challenge of access to mental health care by connecting a large number of people in need with a relatively small group of qualified providers.
• A strong connection and rapport between client and provider is vital for successful therapeutic outcomes.
• Building a telehealth platform involves navigating complex logistical and operational challenges, such as dealing with multiple insurance companies, different time zones, and varying regulatory policies.
• ReachLink utilizes data and analytics to help providers self-assess and improve their clinical outcomes.

Quotes from James Farese in this episode:

"We think the member, a positive member experience is downstream from a positive provider experience."

"We try to take all of the administrative work out of being a provider so that the provider can just focus on what they went to school for and what their passion is, which is being a great provider."

"...the better that connection is on the front end, the better the clinical output is long term."

Resources Mentioned:

• Website: https://www.reachlink.com/ 
• Email: [email protected] 

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Bob Dixon interviews Scott Hoffman, a former Army officer and corporate leader, who is now the owner of Ono Brewing Company. Ono Brewing Company is a self-serve craft brewery with a tropical atmosphere in Northern Virginia. Scott shares his journey from his military and engineering background to becoming a successful brewery owner. 

Key Takeaways:

• Scott faced skepticism and challenges when starting his brewery, including being told it was impossible to succeed.
• Building a strong culture within the business was key to Scott's success.
• Starting a business requires a different kind of courage than military service and there is an emotional component to risk-taking when it involves one's family and life savings.

Quotes from Scott Hoffman in this episode:

“...with experience, you get confidence. So I'm like, okay, I can do that, you know, as project, I can do that, like lay out a schedule."

“...we always knew we were doing the right thing. We really did, we knew that it just took time and we told ourselves we've got a good thing, we're gonna figure this out.”

“At the end of the day, that's not something I thrive on. I, I don't care how I get to that end point. If I have to rely on multiple people or call, I just want to get to the end point, then doesn't matter to me how I get there.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Website: https://onobrewco.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onobrewco 
• Email: [email protected] 

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