NORTHBOUND: Executive Leadership Coaching

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Episode Title: The Greater Shackleton -

In this episode of the Northbound Podcast, Chris contrasts two legendary Antarctic explorers—Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton—to reveal a timeless leadership lesson. While Scott's obsession with being first to the South Pole led to tragedy and loss, Shackleton's leadership focused on the people around him, their well-being, and shared success along the journey.

Through Shackleton's example, Chris highlights how authentic leadership—grounded in truth, compassion, and clear purpose—can turn even the most extreme challenges into victories for the team. This episode shows that true success isn't just reaching a destination, but how we guide, support, and care for the people alongside us.

• Scott pushed his team toward a goal at all costs—leading to death and disappointment.

• Shackleton, in contrast, prioritized his team's safety, morale, and shared purpose.

• Communicated clear purpose and "the why" to his team.

• Led with compassion and authenticity, modeling every challenge he asked others to face.

• Encouraged team morale with recreation, shared meals, and mutual support.

• Maintained honesty about risks and difficulties.

• Shackleton's ship was crushed by ice, yet he safely relocated his team.

• He undertook a 14-day, 780-mile open-sea journey, followed by a 25-mile mountain crossing, to rescue men stranded on Elephant Island.

• Despite extreme danger, not a single member of his team perished.

• Success isn't only measured by reaching a goal.

• Real success lies in the challenges overcome, the people supported, and the lessons learned along the journey.

• Leadership is remembered not for ambition alone, but for how we care for and inspire those we lead.

• People-first leadership saves lives and builds loyalty.

• Success is found along the journey, not just at the destination.

• Authenticity, compassion, and communication are critical traits for effective leadership.

• Leaders are remembered for how they treat their people, not the accolades they achieve.

• Extreme circumstances reveal the true character of a leader.

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Great Scott - A Case Study in Poor Priorities

In this episode of the Northbound Podcast, Chris unpacks the tragic Antarctic expedition of Robert Falcon Scott and reveals how a leader's obsession with reaching the summit or South Pole in this case—literally and figuratively—can destroy the very people they're called to guide. Through Scott's story, Chris highlights the dangers of prioritizing mission over people and challenges leaders to evaluate whether their strategy truly supports the teams they rely on.

With a Christ-centered lens, Chris explores the importance of aligning goals, vision, and mission with the needs of your people—because success achieved the wrong way isn't success at all. This powerful case study sets the stage for a contrasting, more effective leadership example coming in the next episode.

• Leaders often have strong mission, vision, and goals—but those mean little if the strategy ignores the people tasked with accomplishing them.

• Early naval training built his discipline and courage.

• His first Antarctic expedition made him a national hero.

• His desire for more adventure and recognition consumed him.

• Poorly chosen equipment, inadequate supplies, and harsh conditions slowed the team.

• Scott neglected critical planning elements—especially the needs and limits of his crew.

• When Scott's team reached the South Pole, they discovered Norway's Roald Amundsen had beaten them.

• The return journey became deadly—men died from exposure, exhaustion, and starvation.

• Scott overloaded his men instead of using dogs.

• Decisions lacked flexibility, wisdom, and support for the team.

• His focus on personal achievement overshadowed the well-being of the people he led.

• A strategic plan must integrate mission + people.

• True leadership aligns ambition with human limits and needs.

• Christ-centered leadership models how to honor people above personal glory.

• Elevate your team through Christ-centered leadership.

• Grow, get promoted, and lead well—without sacrificing people in the pursuit of success.

• Mission without people-centered strategy leads to failure.

• Your team is not a resource to burn; they're the heart of your success.

• Leadership requires wisdom, planning, and care—not just drive and ambition.

• Jesus models a leadership style that values people first.

• Your goals matter, but your people matter more.

In this episode of the Northbound Podcast, Chris unpacks a powerful leadership lesson inspired by an Eagle Scout whose life embodied humility, vigilance, focus, and decisive action—Neil Armstrong. As the Apollo 11 lunar module descended toward its marked landing zone, Armstrong recognized that the planned site was covered with dangerous boulders and debris. With fuel running low and no time to abort, he took manual control and guided the spacecraft to safety.

This moment becomes a vivid metaphor for leadership today: organizations need strategic roadmaps and vision, but the best leaders must also recognize when it's time to take the controls and adjust course. Drawing from his own heritage as a third-generation Eagle Scout, Chris reflects on how the lessons learned in scouting—and embodied by Armstrong—shape leaders who are prepared, steady, and ready to act.

This episode dives deep into how leaders balance direction with adaptability, and why the courage to course-correct is essential for mission success.

• Neil Armstrong's leadership during the Apollo 11 descent shows the power of decisive action when conditions change.

• Strategic roadmaps are essential—but they must allow room for course correction.

• Great leaders know when to trust the process and when to grab the controls.

• Course correction is not failure; it's stewardship, responsibility, and leadership.

• Communication, alignment, and clarity form the foundation that enables healthy adaptation.

• A strong, consistent mission anchors an organization even when methods must shift.

• People—the team carrying out the mission—are always the most important factor.

Episode Title: From Wilderness to Summit: Finding Growth in Leadership

Leadership can be grueling, invisible, and exhausting — but it doesn't have to break you. In this episode of the Northbound Podcast, Chris reflects on his journey from the most challenging moments of his military career to a 68-day solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, a period of deep reflection and personal growth. Through this story, he shares how leaders can move from the "wilderness" of stress, isolation, and emotional fatigue to the "summit" of resilience, clarity, and Christ-centered leadership.

Chris provides actionable strategies for handling the hidden weight of leadership, emphasizing the importance of boundaries, support systems, physical and mental care, spiritual grounding, and shared community. This episode ties together lessons from previous discussions on the "Miles That No One Sees" and "The Weight You Carry," showing leaders how to transform challenges into growth, impact, and renewed purpose.

1. Reflection in the Wilderness: Using solitude and challenge to process leadership stress and past experiences.

2. Recognizing the Load: Identifying the emotional, mental, and relational weight you carry as a leader.

3. Boundaries and Support Systems: The necessity of setting limits and cultivating a strong network of encouragement.

4. Physical and Mental Health: Prioritizing your body, delegating, simplifying processes, and managing cognitive load.

5. Spiritual Grounding: Restoring and trusting in God to maintain resilience and Christ-centered leadership.

6. Embracing Adventure and Community: Using life and leadership challenges as opportunities for growth and shared experiences.

7. Leading Humbly: Recognizing that leadership is supported by mentors, peers, and those you lead — moving from "I" to "We."

• Leadership is a journey from wilderness (stress, fatigue, isolation) to summit (resilience, growth, impact).

• Solitude and reflection can provide clarity, but shared support and community amplify leadership effectiveness.

• Recognizing your load, setting boundaries, and maintaining physical, mental, and spiritual health are critical for sustainable leadership.

• Christ-centered leadership emphasizes humility, service, and shared growth, turning hard experiences into meaningful impact.

• Adventure and challenge, when embraced intentionally, strengthen both personal and team leadership.

Next Steps / Call to Action: Connect with Chris and the Northbound community at www.go-northbound.com to share experiences, build support networks, and grow as leaders together. Join the community to learn how to lead boldly, humbly, and confidently — and to take the journey from wilderness to summit with others walking alongside you.

Episode Title: The Weight You Carry

Leadership isn't just about making decisions or guiding a team — it's about carrying the unseen weight of the people you lead. In this deeply personal and raw episode of the Northbound Podcast, Chris shares one of the most challenging moments of his leadership journey: a close call with a team member contemplating suicide. Through this story, he explores the heavy emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual toll that leadership can take, and the critical importance of support, community, and faith in navigating those difficult moments.

This episode is part of the ongoing series on the "Miles That No One Sees," highlighting the often-hidden struggles leaders face, and providing insight and encouragement for those walking that difficult trail.

1. Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Wear: The toll of caring deeply for those in crisis, often at the expense of your own well-being.

2. High-Stakes Leadership Scenarios: Handling sensitive, life-and-death situations, and the intense emotional responsibility that comes with it.

3. The Physical and Mental Cost: How extreme stress can manifest physically (paralysis, chest pain, exhaustion) and mentally (constant problem-solving, decision-making under pressure).

4. Relational and Spiritual Burdens: Supporting others while maintaining personal faith and moral responsibility.

5. The Importance of Support Systems: How community, mentorship, and Christ-centered guidance are essential for sustaining leaders under pressure.

6. Real-Life Application: The need for leaders to intervene, act decisively, and ensure those in their care are not alone in their struggles.

• Leadership carries an invisible weight that affects emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

• Compassion fatigue is real, and even strong leaders need help and support.

• Faith and community provide critical grounding for making difficult decisions under pressure.

• Being present and attentive to the struggles of others can literally save lives.

• Sharing leadership challenges builds resilience, encourages others, and strengthens the broader leadership community.

Next Steps / Call to Action: Connect with Chris and the Northbound community at www.go-northbound.com to share your experiences, gain support, and grow alongside other leaders navigating the difficult miles of leadership. The next episode, The Wilderness of Leadership, will explore lessons learned after the military and practical strategies for leading boldly, humbly, and confidently.

Episode Title: The Miles No-One Sees

Leadership is hard, messy, and often invisible — just like the long, lonely miles on a backpacking trail. In this episode of the Northbound Podcast, Chris explores the unseen struggles that leaders carry every day: the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual weight that doesn't show up on anyone else's radar. Using personal stories, historical examples like Abraham Lincoln, and his own experiences in the military, Chris shines a light on what it truly means to lead well — even when it's exhausting, isolating, and challenging.

This episode kicks off a new series focused on the raw realities of leadership, helping listeners understand that the hard miles are part of the journey and that resilience, support, and faith are essential to making it through.

1. Emotional Wear and Tear – The loneliness, decision fatigue, conflict management, and emotional masking leaders carry daily.

2. Physical Cost – Chronic fatigue, tension, poor sleep, and stress manifesting physically.

3. Mental and Cognitive Load – Constant problem-solving, running scenarios in your mind 24/7, and working in ambiguity.

4. Spiritual and Identity Impact – The strain on your sense of self, the importance of faith, and leaning on Christ for strength.

5. Relational Burden – Missing family moments, carrying confidential burdens, and supporting others while managing your own fatigue.

6. Compassion Fatigue – Emotional depletion from caring deeply for others over long periods, sometimes without reciprocation.

• Leadership comes with hidden challenges that affect every part of a leader's life — emotional, physical, mental, relational, and spiritual.

• Support systems, faith, and community are critical to sustain resilience and prevent burnout.

• Recognizing and naming the weight you carry is the first step toward healthy leadership.

• True leadership requires both courage and vulnerability — asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

• The "miles no one sees" are part of the journey; learning to navigate them shapes you into a more effective and Christ-centered leader.

Next Steps / Call to Action: Join the Northbound Approach community at www.go-northbound.com to connect with other leaders, gain encouragement, and grow together. Upcoming adventures and discussions will continue exploring the realities of leadership — both on and off the trail.

In this episode of the Northbound Podcast, Chris shares the powerful and inspiring story of Edgar Lewis, the first African American B-47 and B-52 pilot in the United States Air Force. His journey is a testament to perseverance, emotional control, and courageous leadership in the face of racism and relentless adversity.

Chris recounts how Lewis—who had never even seen an airplane before enlisting—faced challenge after challenge, many of them created by the very people meant to serve beside him. From racial discrimination in training assignments to a cross being burned at the foot of his bed, to being labeled a troublemaker for reporting the incident, Lewis repeatedly encountered obstacles intended to push him out. But every time, he refused to quit.

One of the most powerful moments in the story comes when a newly assigned co-pilot told Lewis he needed reassignment—because his wife, from Selma, Alabama, didn't want him flying with a Black pilot. Instead of reacting with anger, Lewis responded calmly and professionally. That night, he told his wife, Tommy Juanita, who offered a surprising response: "Invite them to dinner." What followed was an unlikely friendship that lasted for years, showing how courage, grace, and emotional maturity can dismantle prejudice.

Chris highlights this moment as a masterclass in leadership—not just from Edgar Lewis, but from his wife as well. They embodied humility, courage, kindness, and emotional control in circumstances where anger and retaliation would have been understandable. Their example challenges today's leaders to rise above hurt, take the high road, and create change through character.

The episode closes by honoring Lewis' 23 years of service in the Air Force, 22 years with the FAA, and the quiet strength of his wife, who stood with him through it all.

Chris invites listeners facing workplace conflict or leadership challenges to reach out directly at [email protected], and encourages everyone to lead humbly, boldly, confidently—because they were created for this.

Episode Description – "They're Gonna Get Called"

In this episode of the Northbound Podcast, Chris unpacks a powerful leadership lesson inspired by a recent press conference with Nebraska Huskers head coach Matt Rhule. When asked whether he worries about other teams trying to recruit his top players, Rhule responded with confidence: "They're gonna get called"—and that's a good thing.

Chris uses this moment to highlight what exceptional leadership looks like: developing people so well that others notice, investing deeply in their growth, and refusing to lead from a place of fear. He explores how leaders can create personalized development plans, build thriving culture, and embrace the "retention paradox" with confidence and faith.

Main Points:

• Great leaders don't fear losing people—they develop them so well that they become sought after.

• Matt Rhule's response provides a model for confident, healthy leadership.

• Every employee should have a personalized development plan that includes training, coaching, mentoring, collaboration, and formal learning.

• Effective development must include 360-degree feedback and alignment with organizational vision and goals.

• Culture, not just compensation, plays a major role in retaining great people.

• The "retention paradox": fear of losing people leads to stunted development—investment and empowerment lead to loyalty.

• God gives each person unique passions and desires; good leadership helps align these with mission and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• Develop your people boldly—don't hold them back out of fear.

• Invest in personalized growth plans that reflect both professional needs and individual passions.

• Healthy culture attracts and retains talent more effectively than salary alone.

• Use feedback systems, training, and clear vision to elevate your team.

• Opportunities for your people are not threats—they're signs you're leading well.

• Lead boldly, humbly, and confidently—you were created for this.

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Episode Description – Northbound Podcast: Intentional Relationships and Time Management

In this episode of the Northbound Podcast, Chris dives into the critical role time management plays not just in business, but in family and personal relationships. Drawing from his experience in the Air Force and leadership discussions, Chris shares practical insights on how intentional relationships and daily spiritual rhythms can strengthen focus, integrity, and trust—both at home and in the workplace.

Main Points:

• The importance of balancing business, leadership, and family life, especially during busy seasons.

• How intentional relationships build trust and culture in families and organizations.

• Using daily rhythms of prayer, scripture, and reflection to improve focus and integrity.

• Lessons from Chris's deployment experience and limited communication with family.

• The difference between transactional conversations and relationship-building interactions.

Key Takeaways:

• Prioritize relationships over mere "business" interactions with loved ones.

• Prayer and reflection can help clarify priorities before important conversations.

• Time management is not just about tasks—it's about making space for meaningful connection.

• Building intentional relationships strengthens both personal life and leadership impact.

• Leadership growth happens best in community, learning from and encouraging each other.

Listeners are invited to join the Northbound Approach community to participate in live leadership calls and share in the learning experience.

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Episode Title: The Power of Being Present

Description: In this deeply impactful episode of the Northbound Podcast, Chris discusses the critical role of presence in leadership, especially when lives are at stake. Drawing from his time in the military, he shares a story of an airman struggling with suicidal thoughts and how the simple act of showing up—being present—can make a life-changing difference.

Key Takeaways:

• True leadership goes beyond words—it's shown through actions.

• Being present interrupts isolation and shows people they are valued and cared for.

• Small, intentional acts can create courage, belonging, and hope.

• Presence builds trust and can be a turning point in someone's life.

• Christ-centered leadership leaves a lasting legacy and positively shapes culture.

This episode highlights how even simple actions can save lives.

Trigger Warning: This episode addresses suicide. If this topic is sensitive for you, please consider skipping this episode.

Join the Northbound community to explore Christ-centered leadership, build each other up, and make a real difference in the lives of those you lead.

www.Go-Northbound.com