Alden Klemm is a rising senior at Academic Magnet, ranked the 2nd best high school in the nation. Alden and Tony discuss his background, academics, and important habits to develop as a teenager. Some highlights from the podcast are below:

* The importance of perseverance at a young age.* Understand your weaknesses and don’t be afraid to ask for help.* How establishing good study habits has positively impacted Alden in school and in college preparation * Why time management is crucial to both Alden and Tony. * Using competition to improve yourself and your skills

Nancy Mace won the Republican nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives in South Carolina’s 1st congressional district. Nancy and Tony discuss her background, why she is running for Congress, and her loyalty to the Lowcountry. Some highlights from the podcast are below.

* As a local from Goose Creek, SC she intimately knows the community.* Hard lessons in failure are important, but can often lead to success.* Accepted to The Citadel in 1996, Nancy became the first woman to graduate from its Corp of Cadets in 1999.* Nancy Mace understands the hard-working people of the middle class in the Lowcountry.* Commitment to the Lowcountry over party politics is forefront and of utmost importance to Nancy.

Mr. Newsome and Tony discuss the expansion of the manufacturing and shipping industries in South Carolina, the keys to the SC Ports Authority’s growth, and important leadership techniques.

* Optimism about the future despite the COVID-19 pandemic.* Boom of manufacturing in South Carolina has been highly beneficial for SC Ports Authority including the new Walmart Distribution Center new Ridgeville, SC.* SC Port Authority has invested $2 Billion dollars in their existing terminals to prepare for future.* Packaging and shipping for export in the Charleston area are forecasted to continue to grow.* Having a motivated team is key and allowing people to do their jobs.* A collective vision of every member of the team is very important to the overall mission.* Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal is scheduled to be complete in 2021 and was a long-term vision and culmination of years of hard work.

Tony and U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson discuss the importance of community involvement, positive attitude, and cultural awareness. Some highlights of the podcast are below:

* Involved in the emergence and rise to prominence of the Republican party in South Carolina.* 19 years of total service as a U.S. Congressperson since 2001.* Positive attitude is of utmost importance when it comes to service back to the community.* Grew up in Charleston and the Lowcountry.* Early supporter of former Governor Nikki Haley and US Senator Tim Scott.* Associate yourself with a good, honest, and dedicated team.* International cultural exposure is important to expand your world view.* There is reason to be optimistic for the future.

Tony and Mayor Tecklenburg discuss many of Charleston’s accomplishments over the past few years, key components of effective leadership, and importance of service.

* Mayor Tecklenburg answered the call to serve after being in public life for 30 years.* Leaders are people who are good listeners.* “Compromise is not a dirty word.”* Getting control of the hotel growth and development was a point of emphasis.* Charleston is working to get a handle on the storm water and drainage for the future.* Mobility and affordable housing are also core issues for the long-term success of the city.* Central responsibility of government is to keep citizens safe.* Housing and assistance programs were developed to end “tent cities” in the Charleston area.* “Be Yourself, Follow Your Faith”* Different perspectives all bring unique experience to the discussion and it needs to be respected.

Tony and Mr. Alan Wilson discuss how the military helps to shape leadership, the importance of good habits, and finding your special talent. Some highlights from the interview are as follows:

* In second term as South Carolina’s Attorney General. Elected in 2010 as the youngest SC AG.

* 20-year National Guard veteran and currently providing legal support as a Lt. Colonel in the Judge Advocate General Corps.

* Leadership is not about perks or privileges, it is about service.

* Young leaders make the mistake by surrounding themselves with people who are not as smart or as motivated as them. You need to shed your ego and surround yourself with the very best people.

* The most important thing for a leader is to recognize your job is not to be better than your subordinates, but put them in the best possible position to achieve the goals of your office or company.

* It is hard to unlearn bad habits, so you want to learn under a mentor who will instill good habits.

* A great mentor has the potential to change the trajectory of your life and career.

* You can learn from anyone. You can always learn what not to do from someone, as well as, what to do.

* “Success is a good teacher, failure is a greater teacher.”

* Don’t be afraid to add people to your team who have failed before because they have a greater sense of urgency to succeed as oppose to someone who has never failed.

* Leaders should have high emotional intelligence – being self-aware. Everyone has a special talent: find it and utilize it.

* Every human being has a weakness, knowing what that weakness is makes you strong.

* “Toxic leadership is not leadership because leadership is not toxic.” If you believe there is something toxic in an organization, it is imperative that it is addressed with a positive attitude.

* As a leader, you need to be able to accept constructive criticism, if not, maybe you’re the problem.

* Live your life without regrets. Ask yourself the question: if I do not do what I am thinking about doing now, in 20 years will I regret it? If yes, change your thinking to not if, but how to do it.

 

 

Tony and Mr. Van Hipp discuss the importance of listening to learn, small business, and using history as a tool for lifelong learning. Some highlights from the interview are as follows:

* Van discusses what American Defense International is involved in to help protect the American people.

* Van is from a small business background, and he believes that that is where the innovativeness and ingenuity comes from.

* We should be teaching children more about American history and about what it means to be an American.

* A real leader can learn a lot by listening to others.

* Paying attention to history, including personal history, to continue to learn from past mistakes is key to long term success.

* Let people know you care by listening to your employees. Do not be isolated.

* Exponential technological growth is happening and we all need to pay attention in order to keep up.

* Learning is a lifelong experience.

 

Tony and Mr. Giff Daughtridge discuss what it means to assemble a good team, keeping your team invested, and how to handle leadership opportunities when they present themselves.

* Getting the opportunity to work around people that you like and respect makes everything easier.

* The elevator to success is constant growth.  Take the time to learn on a daily basis.

* Hiring the right people to your team makes tasks that may be difficult (incentivizing the workforce or motivating the team) much easier.

* You get more out of your team if each member feels like their input is valued.

* As a leader, you have to make the best decision you can. Do not shy away from it.

* Integrity is the number one component for the leader and the team to make the right long term right decision.

* The best way to get promoted is to just do a good job and take your job seriously.

* As a leader and to sustain a successful company, it is important to genuinely care about your employees and make the right decisions that will be in their and the company’s best interest.

* Anger has no place in the work place. You can discipline and do what you need to do to get the most out of your team, but take the emotion out of it.

* Learn from the people around you. Expose yourself to as much as you can to learn as much as you can.

* If you ever are fortunate enough to get promoted, do not expect to have all the answers right away. Do not be afraid to ask questions to the people around you.

 

Tony and Mr. Joe Rice of Motley Rice law firm discuss what it takes to be a leader as a prominent law firm in the United States in standing up for what is right from issues such as the tobacco industry’s advertising techniques, to South African miners’ working conditions. Some highlights from the podcast are below.

* Don’t ever forget where you came from, and don’t run away from your upbringing. Mentors are very important.

* You need to spend the time to be a mentor as well when the time comes.

* Don’t be afraid to reach out to the important mentors of your life to ask for advice.

* The right strategy is key to developing a plan or road map.

* When you start your plan, plan to finish it.

* Treating people well is key to keeping great team members.

* Giving people a purpose and making them part of the team is essential.

* Standing up for people who can’t stand up for themselves is important as a leader.

* Get involved in something you enjoy and believe in. Learn as much as you can.

 

For this podcast interview Tony and Mr. Paul Campbell discuss innovation, importance of trust, and positive self image. Some highlights from the interview are as follows:

* Empower others to accomplish their goals – don’t micromanage.

* To grow talent, you need to try new things. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.

* Three rules of bridges: don’t burn the bridges in front of you, don’t burn the bridges behind you, and when something unexpected happens, get over it.

* Everything is built on trust: if your employees trust you, they’ll work hard for you.

* It’s important to learn from mistakes – but they’re much less painful if you learn the mistakes of others.

* Admit your mistakes and be honest.

* Utilize the education of those around you and always get better at what you do.

* Always do the right thing, even when no one is looking.

* Vision is key to a successful organization.

* Leadership is how you make things happen.