In this episode of the Alignment Podcast, Jacob Crockett sits down with Walter, better known as The Dutch Mentor. From his early career as a paramedic and flight medic to executive leadership across healthcare systems, Walter has seen firsthand how technical excellence doesn’t always translate into effective leadership.

He shares powerful insights on:

* Why so many frontline performers struggle when promoted into leadership.

* The parallels between emergency medicine and leadership—responding vs. reacting.

* How trust and engagement multiply to create high-performance teams.

* Practical frameworks like E + R = O (Event + Response = Outcome) that help leaders stay calm under pressure.

* Why investing in leadership development is the single biggest lever organizations ignore.

Walter makes a compelling case for why every leader—especially emerging managers—needs mentorship, accountability, and courage to truly thrive.

If you’re a leader, aspiring manager, or someone responsible for developing talent, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective on what it really takes to lead people well.

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