Leading to Win

In this episode of the Lead to Win Podcast, we visit with Alan Lazaros--CEO and founder of Next Level University, about the importance of self-belief and self-worth in leadership. Alan shares his personal journey of overcoming adversity and developing self-belief. He emphasizes that self-belief is crucial for setting and achieving goals, as well as facing and growing from challenges. Alan also discusses the duality of adversity and self-belief, noting that while adversity can contribute to self-discipline, it is not a guarantee. He encourages leaders to focus on personal and professional development and to be ambidextrous in their leadership approach. In this conversation, Alan Lazaros discusses the different modalities of thinking and how they impact self-belief and self-worth. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the 0.04% of things that truly matter and doubling down on them. Alan also highlights the significance of leading by example and how it can boost the self-worth of the people you lead. He shares formulas for building self-belief and self-worth, and emphasizes the importance of keeping promises to yourself, setting boundaries, and having the courage to stand up for yourself. Episode Takeaways: Self-belief is essential for setting and achieving goals. Adversity can contribute to self-discipline and growth. Self-belief can be developed, but it is less likely without experiencing adversity. Leaders should focus on personal and professional development and be ambidextrous in their leadership approach. Focus on the 0.04% of things that truly matter and double down on them. Leading by example is crucial for boosting the self-worth of the people you lead. Building self-belief involves stating your goals, proving them through action, and self-assigning the success or failure. Building self-worth involves keeping promises to yourself, setting boundaries, having the courage to stand up for yourself, and investing in your growth. Comparing yourself to others can crumble your self-worth, so focus on comparing apples to apples and appreciate your own journey. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:40 Alan's Personal Journey 07:42 The Importance of Self-Belief 24:47 Developing Self-Discipline 27:08 Different Modalities of Thinking 28:44 Different Modalities of Thinking and Their Impact 32:09 Leading by Example and Boosting Self-Worth 34:48 Building Self-Belief and Self-Worth through Promises, Boundaries, and Courage 37:20 The Formula for Self-Worth 47:58 Overcoming Fear of Success or Failure 51:46 Doing All You Can with the Hand You Were Dealt 54:56 Next Level University: Success and Fulfillment Next Level University Website: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/ *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay

In this episode of the Lead to Win podcast, we sit down with Coach David Kitchen, the founder of Edge Leadership Academy. They discuss David's journey as a college strength coach, the importance of habits tied to principles, and how leadership style can impact organizational performance. David emphasizes the need for overcommunication, modeling the mission and values, and praising the process. He also highlights the importance of adaptability and developing a toolbox of leadership skills. Overall, the conversation explores strategies and mindsets for successful leadership and personal development. The conversation explores the importance of leadership principles, emotional intelligence, and adaptability in bringing out the best in people. It emphasizes the need for leaders to understand and cater to the individual needs and learning styles of their team members. The discussion also highlights the role of competitiveness in cultivating a high-performing culture and how leaders can leverage competition to drive growth. Additionally, the conversation delves into the significance of building relationships, understanding individual potential, and having tough conversations to help people reach their full potential. Episode Takeaways: Overcommunication is key in keeping the mission and values at the forefront of an organization. Habits should be tied to principles and identity, rather than just goals. Leadership style is less important than developing a toolbox of leadership skills and being adaptable. Leaders should focus on character, consistency, commitment, creativity, and communication. Praising the process and recognizing the efforts of all team members is crucial for organizational success. Leadership is not about a specific style, but rather a set of principles that can be adapted to different individuals and situations. Understanding and catering to the individual needs and learning styles of team members is crucial for bringing out their best. Competition can be leveraged by leaders to cultivate a high-performing culture and drive growth. Building strong relationships and trust with team members is essential for effective leadership. Identifying and nurturing individual potential requires observation, understanding motivations, and creating opportunities for growth. Having tough conversations with empathy, clarity, and a focus on solutions is necessary for helping individuals reach their full potential David's Links: https://www.edgeleadershipacademy.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachdkitch/ https://www.instagram.com/coachdkitch/ *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay

This week on the Lead to Win Podcast, we visit Lauren Cruz. Lauren graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2006 and spent the following 5 years as a Naval Flight Officer on board the P-3C Orion aircraft, hunting submarines and Somalian pirates (including those who took Captain Phillips captive in 2009), and flying surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the Persian Gulf.  She then served for 3.5 years at the White House as a communications officer (alongside Atlas Aultman, another guest of the show).  In 2015, Lauren left the Navy and began a career in Financial Crimes Compliance and Fraud Prevention in NYC.  She has worked for EY (Ernst & Young), PayPal, and recently accepted a position with Goldman Sachs. Throughout her career, Lauren has enjoyed great success employing what she now knows is called “compassionate leadership”.  In short, she makes it a point to be curious about and empathetic toward the individuals she works with.  Not only does she find work much more enjoyable this way, but the results she has gotten have been overwhelmingly positive. Episode Takeaways: Compassionate leadership involves being curious and empathetic towards employees, which leads to happier and more loyal team members. Leaders should balance compassion with accountability and drive results by being curious about their employees' lives and experiences. The five Cs of compassionate leadership are consciousness, compassion, curiosity, competence, and courage. Leaders should be aware of biases, such as the fundamental attribution error, and strive to avoid judging others unfairly. Leaders should practice active listening and empathy to better understand the people they lead. Lauren's Links: Atlas Aultman's website - https://leaders-kit.com/laurencruz Lauren's LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-cruz-cams-74819ab4?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Email - [email protected] *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay

Rob Bier, a seasoned expert in building high-performance organizations, discusses the sources of organizational friction and how they impact team dynamics and productivity. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication, addressing power struggles, and aligning conflicting goals to minimize friction. Rob also highlights the role of leadership in facilitating smoother transitions during periods of change and fostering a culture of transparency. His book, 'Smooth Scaling,' is targeted towards founders and CEOs of growth companies, providing practical insights and rituals to build high-performing organizations. Episode Takeaways: Organizational friction can arise from miscommunication, interpersonal conflicts, and structural issues that hinder collaboration and alignment within teams and across departments. Leaders can minimize friction by promoting clear communication, addressing power struggles, aligning conflicting goals, and fostering a culture of transparency. During periods of change, effective leadership involves providing a clear vision, addressing fears and resistance, and facilitating open and constructive conversations. Rob Bier's book, 'Smooth Scaling,' offers practical insights and rituals for founders and CEOs of growth companies to build high-performing organizations. The most rewarding part of Rob's career has been being part of truly high-performing teams and helping others experience the same. Rob's Links: LinkedIn Book Retail Link https://www.robbier.com/ *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay

In this episode of the Lead to Win podcast, Bo Bergen interviews Dave Nordel, a retired United States Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant. Dave shares his experiences and insights on leadership, veteran transition, and creating impact within organizations. He discusses the importance of self-leadership, seeking out mentors, and learning from mistakes. Dave also talks about his consulting company, Max Fab Consulting, which focuses on veteran transition and creating supportive environments for veterans in the workforce. In this conversation, Dave Nordel discusses the importance of being present as a leader and the impact it has on motivating and leading a team. He emphasizes the need for leaders to be transparent about their aspirations and goals, as well as the importance of consistent and ongoing feedback to sustain motivation. Nordel also highlights the significance of addressing the soft skills and intangible needs of employees. Episode Takeaways: Self-leadership is crucial for personal and professional development. Take initiative, seek out mentors, and continuously work on self-improvement. Informal leaders within an organization can provide valuable insights and guidance. Build relationships with them and defer to their expertise. Learning from mistakes is essential for growth. Embrace failures as learning opportunities and strive to make better decisions in the future. Creating a supportive environment for veterans in the workforce is crucial. Companies should focus on understanding and meeting the unique needs of veterans during their transition. Leadership is about leading people and processes. Prioritize building strong relationships with the people you lead and focus on their well-being. To increase impact within an organization, leaders should identify informal leaders, seek their input, and collaborate with them to implement strategies and initiatives. Being present as a leader is crucial for creating a positive work environment and motivating employees. Leaders should be transparent about their aspirations and goals, as it helps build trust and alignment within the team. Consistent and ongoing feedback is essential for sustaining motivation and keeping employees engaged. Addressing the soft skills and intangible needs of employees is just as important as providing the necessary tools and resources. Making a positive difference every day should be the ultimate goal for leaders. Dave's Links: Max Fab Consulting Website LinkedIn Purchase Dave's Books *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay

This week on the Lead to Win Podcast, we sit down with Atlas Aultman. Atlas helps proven leaders focus on who they are, who their teams are, and who their mission serves by providing master-courses, books, and keynotes designed to produce faster successes, retain talent, and attract high-value teammates. Atlas’s military career established him as a highly decorated senior-ranking military leader. He was awarded two Bronze Star medals from leading teams in various combat zones located in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a technology leader, he was recognized as an international “Top 40-under-40” from the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association after being named White House Junior Officer of the year. His official military record holds an additional 21 Air Force, Navy & Marine Corps medals. Atlas’ TEDx talk in SouthLakeTahoe exposes exactly how elite leaders make huge decisions quickly and continue to win. His books have been featured on FOX, NBC, ABC, Google, and other major news outlets. Atlas has five international best-selling books, and his most recent book became #1 in personal transformation, memoirs, and motivation categories. Episode Takeaways: Leaders should focus on listening and understanding, rather than just trying to respond. Authenticity is crucial in leadership, and leaders should avoid trying to be someone they're not. Leaders need to make decisions and not be afraid of failure. Self-reflection is important for recognizing mistakes and improving as a leader. Effective time management and preparation are key to success in leadership. Leadership and management are not the same, and it's important to understand the difference. Creating a culture of continuous improvement and learning involves understanding team members' passions and providing opportunities for growth. Align individual passions with learning objectives to fuel growth and learning. Effective leadership requires strong communication skills and active listening. Measure leadership effectiveness through personal reflection and accountability. Empower team members to reach their full potential and contribute to organizational success. Build trust and credibility by being trustworthy and delivering on commitments. Links: leadtowin (leaders-kit.com) - Free tools (8) Atlas (Joshua) Aultman | LinkedIn - Atlas' LinkedInhttps://a.co/d/bRTXkcc - Rule of 3 book on AmazonStart with WHO - How Elite Leaders Win | Atlas Aultman | TEDxSouthLakeTahoe (youtube.com)  *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay

On this Bonus Episode of the Lead to Win Podcast, I have the privilege of visiting with someone that I’m very familiar with and have learned a lot from through a very formative time in my life—my former pitching coach—Jason Immekus–better known as “Kus”. Kus is the head throwing trainer and partnership liaison at Premier Pitching Performance. He has 19 years of college baseball coaching experience, working with pitchers, catchers, game planning and college recruiting. He also currently serves as an Associate Scout for the Tampa Bay Rays. During his coaching career he has also made stops coaching summer baseball in the Northwoods and Coastal Plain Leagues. Kus plays a role in player recruitment, player acquisition, and designing throwing programs for players inside of Premier Pitching HQ and remote clients. Kus has coached many players that have signed to play professionally and his goal is to help connect the dots from data to pitching development to in-game success for the players he comes into contact with. Episode Takeaways: •Using past experiences to guide and develop the next generation is crucial in leadership and coaching. •The mental aspect of baseball is essential and can help with the transition to life after the sport. • Coaches need to adapt to new techniques and trends while maintaining the same standards and expectations. • Focusing on the development of the individual and their character is more important than their achievements on the field. Premier Pitching Performance Website: https://premierpitching.com/ *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay

This week on the Lead to Win Podcast, we visit with keynote speaker, author, and former basketball performance coach Alan Stein Jr. At his core, Alan is a performance coach with a passion for helping business leaders change behaviors. He spent 15+ years working with the highest performing basketball players on the planet—including NBA superstars Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant. Through his customized programs, he transfers his unique expertise to maximize both individual and organizational performance. Alan is a dynamic storyteller who delivers practical, actionable lessons that can be implemented immediately. He teaches proven principles on how to utilize the same approaches in business that elite athletes use to perform at a world-class level. Episode Takeaways: Defining winning in business requires clarity and simplification. Adapting the vision of an organization involves involving stakeholders and considering diverse perspectives. Communication is key in reinforcing the mission, vision, and core values of the organization. Aligning goals and initiatives with the vision helps the organization operate more efficiently and cohesively. Focusing on the process increases the chances of achieving goals and leaving a legacy of excellence. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 04:26 Books and Personal Development 07:00 3 Commonalities Among High Performers 12:30 Questions Every Leader Should Ask 16:20 Holding Team Members Accountable 20:41 Aligning Behavior Changes with Organizational Goals 22:21 Defining Winning in Business 23:27 Adapting the Vision 24:33 Including Stakeholders in Decision-Making 26:36 Maintaining a Relevant Vision 31:18 Importance of Communication 33:44 What Winning Looks Like/Trading Me for We 36:38 Aligning Goals with the Vision 40:07 Focusing on the Process 42:08 Leaving a Legacy Alan's Website: https://alansteinjr.com/ Alan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-stein-jr/ Alan on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/AlanSteinJr?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Alan's Book Retail Link: https://www.amazon.com/Raise-Your-Game-High-Performance-Secrets/dp/1546082859/ref=sr_1_1?crid=H94CP74Y91D0&dchild=1&keywords=alan+stein+raise+your+game&qid=1610712828&sprefix=alan+stein%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1%20 *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay

This week on the Lead to Win Podcast, we have the privilege of visiting with Army Colonel Damon Wells about his P4 Teambuilding Framework--a system that he has developed over his 28 year military career. Damon is currently on active duty, stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. Over the course of his extensive military career, he has served as Commander at the battery, battalion, and brigade level, and as a staff officer in positions as an instructor as West Point Military Academy, Director of the Commander’s Planning Group, and Director of Multidomain Effects in Kuwait. He has deployed to combat 3 times, twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. During his 28 years of service, he felt the most fulfilled while he solved the most complex problems and invested time to develop junior leaders. Nearing the end of his military career, Damon is following his passion and laying the groundwork for a new career—leadership coaching. Episode Takeaways: The P4 team building framework consists of four phases: People, Partnerships, Practice, and Purpose. Building trust and cohesion is crucial in each phase of the framework. Understanding the complex system of human interactions is key to creating predictable outcomes. Leadership emergence occurs when informal leaders start to influence the team and contribute to its success. Continuous effort is required to maintain and improve team dynamics. Cohesion develops from a shared purpose and emotional connection to the team. Understanding one's own personality and the personalities of team members can help mitigate conflicts and improve cohesion. Creating a culture of communication is essential for effective teamwork. Defining roles and analyzing strengths and weaknesses can optimize team performance. Measuring and analyzing effectiveness is crucial for continuous improvement. Failure should be seen as a learning opportunity and a chance to improve. A caring leadership approach can inspire and motivate team members. Summary Leadership Website: https://summaryleadership.com/ *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay

This week on the Lead to Win Podcast, we visit with Bret Magpiong about how leaders can use failure to add value both personally and for those they lead. Bret has served his entire professional career as both an advisor to entrepreneurs, executives, professional athletes, entertainers, and their respective companies and as a C-Level executive for various wealth advisory firms. Many of the individuals and companies he has advised and served have been recognized on the Forbes 400 and Fortune 500 listings. He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, the RIA Channel, the Family Wealth Alliance, and Schwab IMPACT. Brett also wrote a book entitled "The Delta Theorem--an Innovative Framework for being Fully Alive and Truly Wealthy", which launched in May of 2023. The book unearths the role you play in the larger story of life and facilitates your discovery of how you can live at your fullest, highest, and best. Episode Takeaways: Having a powerful why, which includes priorities, principles, and passion, is key to success. Effort and learning from failure are essential components of achieving goals. Leaders can enhance their impact by knowing their purpose and taking action. Failure is a natural part of life and can lead to personal growth and learning. Failure is an opportunity for growth and learning. Fear of failure can be overcome by reframing it as a chance to learn and improve. Leaders can create a culture of learning from failure by modeling vulnerability and taking risks themselves. Self-reflection and post-mortem analysis are essential for understanding and learning from mistakes. The true wealth in life comes from more than just financial success; it includes relational, physical, and mental well-being. Brett's Links: X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BretMagpiong?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor https://www.deltatheorem.com/ *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay