Roger Francis sits down with Ricky Derring II, a former U.S. Army Ranger and Green Beret, for a conversation about leadership forged under pressure. Reflecting on September 11, military service, Special Forces, and the transition into corporate leadership, Ricky shares how competence builds trust, why leaders must get comfortable being uncomfortable, and what it means to put the mission and the team ahead of yourself.

Roger and Ricky also explore the connection between the Special Forces philosophy of winning “hearts and minds” and Roger’s IQ + EQ leadership framework, the danger of false confidence, and why strong teams need both the competence to execute and the trust to move together.

At the heart of the conversation is a lesson that extends far beyond the military: don’t compete with each other. Compete for each other.

Continue the Conversation

Leadership doesn’t stop when the episode ends. Connect with Roger Francis for more insights on leadership, growth, and putting IQ + EQ into practice.

Get your copy of The Integrated Leader on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4F5RY8N

Connect with Roger Francis:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rfrancisone
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roger.francis.543
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-francis-2a349612

Connect with Ricky Derring II:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricky-derring-ii-ba6111140

Follow The Leadership Equation for more candid conversations about what it takes to lead people, execute strategy, and deliver results.

Being the smartest person in the room doesn’t make you a great leader. Neither does being the most liked.

Roger Francis breaks down the equation at the heart of effective leadership: IQ + EQ. IQ gives leaders the ability to understand the business, analyze complexity, build strategy, and make difficult decisions. EQ gives them the ability to understand the people responsible for bringing that strategy to life.

Roger shares a defining lesson from early in his career when a strong strategy and increased accountability weren’t enough to turn around an underperforming team. What finally changed the results wasn’t another report or meeting. It was trust, authenticity, and connection.

Great leaders learn to read two systems at once: the capital system and the human system. One tells you how the business is performing. The other tells you whether that performance can last.

Continue the Conversation

Leadership doesn’t stop when the episode ends. Connect with Roger Francis for more insights on leadership, growth, and putting IQ + EQ into practice.

Get your copy of The Integrated Leader on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4F5RY8N

Connect with Roger Francis:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rfrancisone
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roger.francis.543
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-francis-2a349612

Follow The Leadership Equation for more candid conversations about what it takes to lead people, execute strategy, and deliver results.

Sustainable performance takes more than a strong strategy. It takes people who are trusted, supported, and empowered to bring that strategy to life.

Roger Francis sits down with Mark Griffin, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of BJ’s Wholesale Club, for a conversation about what decades of leadership have taught him about building teams that perform.

Mark shares lessons from his own leadership journey, including why great leaders need to shift from doing to coaching, have the confidence to use their voice, and create an environment where people feel safe enough to take calculated risks. Roger and Mark also discuss psychological safety, the impact a leader’s behavior can have throughout an organization, and why long-term performance requires balancing the capital system with the human system.

They also look ahead at how AI is changing organizations, what leaders will need as technology continues to evolve, and why career growth doesn’t always mean moving up. Sometimes, a lateral move can provide the experience, perspective, and leadership skills needed to take the next step.

The goal isn’t simply to deliver results today. It’s to build the people, culture, and leadership capabilities that can sustain those results tomorrow.

Continue the Conversation

Leadership doesn’t stop when the episode ends. Connect with Roger Francis for more insights on leadership, growth, and putting IQ + EQ into practice.

Get your copy of The Integrated Leader on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4F5RY8N

Connect with Roger Francis:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rfrancisone
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roger.francis.543
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-francis-2a349612

Connect with Mark Griffin:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-griffin-3096381/

Follow The Leadership Equation for more candid conversations about what it takes to lead people, execute strategy, and deliver results.

What happens when an organization has the right strategy, processes, and technology, but still isn’t reaching its full potential?Roger Francis sits down with counselor and therapist David Beamish, who brings more than 30 years of experience working with people through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Together, they explore the human system of leadership and why IQ alone isn’t enough to drive results.

Leadership doesn’t stop when the episode ends. Connect with Roger Francis for more insights on leadership, growth, and putting IQ + EQ into practice.

Instagram: instagram.com/rfrancisone

Facebook: facebook.com/roger.francis.543

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/roger-francis-2a349612

Roger Francis introduces The Leadership Equation and the question at the center of the podcast: Why do some leaders inspire extraordinary people and extraordinary results while others struggle, even with the same resources?

Drawing from more than 25 years of leadership experience, Roger breaks down the equation that will guide the conversations ahead: IQ + EQ = outcomes. Strategy, execution, processes, and technology matter, but they only go so far without the human side of leadership needed to bring them to life.

Roger also shares the experiences that shaped the way he leads, from growing up as the son of immigrants and one of three brothers to becoming a husband, father, and executive leader across multiple industries. He reflects on an early career lesson that taught him the importance of culture, authenticity, and understanding the people you are asking to follow you.

The Leadership Equation is about closing the gap between intelligence and impact, balancing the capital system with the human system, and having candid conversations about what it really takes to lead and deliver results.

Continue the Conversation

Leadership doesn’t stop when the episode ends. Connect with Roger Francis for more insights on leadership, growth, and putting IQ + EQ into practice.

Get your copy of The Integrated Leader on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4F5RY8N

Connect with Roger Francis:
Instagram: instagram.com/rfrancisone
Facebook: facebook.com/roger.francis.543
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/roger-francis-2a349612

Follow The Leadership Equation for more candid conversations about what it takes to lead people, execute strategy, and deliver results.

In a fast moving world, high IQ and sharp strategy are no longer enough to lead effectively. Welcome to The Leadership Equation, hosted by Roger Francis, author of The Integrated Leader.

In this quick introduction to the show, Roger shares why he created the podcast and what you can expect from upcoming episodes. You will get a preview of the honest conversations ahead, exploring how the most successful leaders blend analytical intelligence with genuine emotional intelligence to build trust, inspire teams, and drive lasting success.

Subscribe now so you never miss an episode!

Grab your copy of The Integrated Leader on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4F5RY8N