The Leadership List

Lisa Fain, co-author of, “Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring: Lean Forward, Learn, and Leverage,” provides the definitive guide for overcoming cultural differences for more effective mentoring. American workplaces have never been more diverse and understanding differences is vital for developing strong relationships. When mentors and mentees make genuine connections, the mentoring experience becomes more powerful and productive. If you’re a mentor, or thinking of becoming one, the four-step mentoring model explored in Fain’s book is a must. Andres Tapia, author of, “The Inclusion Paradox,” says, “This book exposes one of mentoring’s biggest blind spots…mentors and mentees who assume similarity rather than difference…and provides insightful and practical advice for how to mentor and be mentored across all forms of diversity.” Fain is the CEO of the Center for Mentoring Excellence and has a passion for leveraging differences in the workplace. She earned her certification as a Life Coach through the International Coach Academy. She holds a JD degree from Northwestern University School of Law and a B.S. degree in Social Policy from Northwestern University. Hosted by George Maurer, Ed.S., THE LEADERSHIP LIST is a production of the American Forces Radio Network and the Defense Media Activity.

John Eades, author of “Building the Best,” discusses eight proven methods for elevating others to higher levels of performance and success. A difficult discussion with a coworker made Eades realize his shortcomings as a manager. That moment inspired him to discover the secrets of effective leadership. Patrick Lencioni, author of “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,” calls Eades’ book “…a treasure trove of practical wisdom.”

Brendan and Tara Wehmann, two Navy veterans who decided to become owners of a Stumpy’s Hatchet House franchise in Tampa, FL as they transitioned out of the military. They offer advice for other veterans who dream of running their own business someday. Also, franchisors of Stumpy’s, Stu and Kelly Josberger, share their story of challenges involved with launching an unusual franchise and why they took a chance on a couple of military veterans looking for a fresh start.

Brendan and Tara Wehmann, two Navy veterans who decided to become owners of a Stumpy’s Hatchet House franchise in Tampa, FL as they transitioned out of the military. They offer advice for other veterans who dream of running their own business someday. Also, franchisors of Stumpy’s, Stu and Kelly Josberger, share the challenges involved with launching an unusual franchise and why they took a chance on a couple of military veterans looking for a fresh start.

Taylor Baldwin Kiland and Peter Fretwell, authors of “Lessons From the Hanoi Hilton Six Characteristics of High Performance Teams,” tell how prisoners-of-war (POWs) not only survived, but THRIVED in the most infamous camp of the Vietnam War. Led by then-Navy Commander James Stockdale, the prisoners created a “POW culture” which fought efforts to make them propaganda tools. Their weapons of choice… creative resistance while loving and caring for each other. The story of the Hanoi Hilton remains one of the most inspirational chapters in U.S. military history and their ethos can be applied to any organization to build high-performance teams. Their POW culture helped the prisoners overcome brutal torture and prolonged isolation with only 4% suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder….the lowest rate among all American combat veterans. While in captivity, Stockdale thought he might be court-martialed for his interpretation of the Code of Conduct and his endorsement of this POW culture, but he stayed on course because he believed it was the right path. In the end, he received the Congressional Medal of Honor. Dr. James Bond Stockdale II, son of Admiral Stockdale, says most books on this subject “struggle to comprehend” the “breadth and depth” of the POW experience. He added, the real value of this book is the “distillation of life lessons for those seeking practical application.” Kiland and Fretwell spent seven years interviewing and researching the POWs and their experiences in the Hanoi Hilton as well as their return home.

Marc Phillip Yablonka, author of “Vietnam Bao Chi: Warriors of Word and Film,” covers the combat reporters who covered the Vietnam War. In his book, Lablonka shares stories from Marine combat correspondent Dale Dye, who later worked with director Oliver Stone to make, “Platoon,” the most realistic war film of its era; retired Air Force Colonel Rick Fuller, who was involved with the rescue mission of Lieutenant Colonel Iceal Gene Hambleton…later immortalized in the movie, “Bat 21,” starring Gene Hackman and Danny Glover; and legendary Air Force Combat Cameraman Ken Hackman who felt oddly safe behind his camera while in combat. The title of the book comes from the Vietnamese word for journalist…”Bao Chi.” Publishers Weekly says, “Yablonka fills a void (in the historical record) with this valuable collection of profiles of 35 American military journalists.” Yablonka is a retired Chief Warrant Officer and adjunct professor for Columbia College of Missouri’s satellite campus in southern California.

Retired Marine Corps General Richard “Butch” Neal, author of “What Now, Lieutenant? Leadership Forged From Events in Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Beyond,” says one evening in combat during the Vietnam War shaped his entire career…all the way to Assistant Commandant. He shares his tales of serving with a Medal of Honor recipient while fighting on Hill 70 in Vietnam, working with the press as Defense Department spokesman during Desert Storm, and taking the lead on implementing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the Corps during the 90’s. Neal’s story begins on Hill 70 in the Republic of Vietnam on the evening of March 30, 1967 while serving with the Third Battalion, Ninth Marines. They were overrun by the North Vietnamese Army that night and Neal soon found himself in command. His decisions saved the lives of many Marines and Neal earned the Silver Star for his actions while serving alongside 2Lt John P. Bobo, Medal of Honor recipient. Lieutenant Bobo lost his right leg below the knee, but refused to be evacuated and continued the fight until he was mortally wounded. They lost 15 Marines on Hill 70 that evening. Neal calls it his ultimate ‘What Now, Lieutenant?’ moment. One that would shape the rest of his career. Now retired and living in Washington, D.C., Neal still visits those 15 Marines a few times each week at the Vietnam Memorial.

Dr. Richard Parker, author of “Leadership Lessons from Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” finds timeless principles in the outrageous sketches from the British comedy group. As a teenager, Parker feel in love with the movie (other than the ending) and watched it countless times. He then began using scenes from the film to drive home lessons in his graduate classes on leadership communication and, when he gathered enough material, decided to publish a book. Dr. Parker holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communications from the University of Alabama and has worked as a professor for almost 20 years. He also currently serves in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Public Affairs Officer.

Patrick Lencioni, author of “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,” says organizational health should be the top priority on every team because it’s the foundation for collective success. Without it, every task and detail becomes exponentially more difficult. First published in 2002, The Five Dysfunctions provides a roadmap for creating a positive culture in any organization. With millions of copies sold, the book remains one of the world’s leading resources on team building. Hosted by George Maurer, Ed.S., THE LEADERSHIP LIST is a production of the American Forces Radio Network and the Defense Media Activity.

Retired Navy Captain David Marquet returns to discuss his new book titled, “Leadership is Language: The Hidden Power of What You Say - and What You Don’t,” which explains how to let doers become deciders and the ways poorly chosen language can discourage empowerment. His book describes six “plays” to help organizations evolve past “leader-follower” models which just don’t work anymore, according to Marquet. He used intent-based leadership to take the U.S.S. Santa Fe, a Los Angeles class, nuclear-powered, fast-attack submarine, from worst in the fleet to first. Adam Grant, host of the TED podcast “Worklife,” says “Language is Leadership” is “full of compelling advice on how to lead more effectively choosing your words more wisely.” Hosted by George Maurer, Ed.S., THE LEADERSHIP LIST is a production of the American Forces Radio Network and the Defense Media Activity.