Deep Leadership

Today, my guest is Jeff Akin. Jeff is a former submariner who has more than 20 years of leadership experience in both the public and private sectors. He’s also a motivational speaker, voice-over artist, and podcast host. In fact, I think Jeff has the most unique leadership podcasts on the planet (and maybe other planets as well). He is the host and creator of the Starfleet Leadership Academy podcast. If you’re thinking Star Trek, you are correct. In this podcast, Jeff breaks down episodes of Star Trek and points out all of the important leadership lessons. You don’t have to be a fan of Star Trek fan to really appreciate the creativity of what he is doing. In a world crowded with leadership podcasts, the Starfleet Leadership Academy podcast is truly unique.  Starfleet Leadership Academy podcast Jeff Akin website Jeff Akin on Twitter Jeff Akin on Instagram _____ Learn more about my bestselling leadership book "I Have the Watch: Becoming a Leader Worth Following" here. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter here. Follow me on: Twitter Instagram YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever considered what it takes to be a leader in a business start-up? It’s not easy and it takes a special person and a special set of skills. My guest today has those skills. D'Shawn Russell gave up her career in education to manufacture candles. Yes, candles. She decided to give up a predictable job to do something she knew very little about. She entered into the crowded market of candle manufacturing companies and decided to do battle with corporate giants like Yankee Candle...and she’s winning. What does it take to lead in a startup? Listen in and find out! Southern Elegance Candle Company website Southern Elegance Candle Company on Twitter Southern Elegance Candle Company on Facebook Southern Elegance Candle Company on YouTube Southern Elegance Candle Company on Instagram _____ Learn more about my bestselling leadership book "I Have the Watch: Becoming a Leader Worth Following" here. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter here. Follow me on: Twitter Instagram YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine if you and your team were called upon to go to the front lines of a global pandemic. How would you lead your team and yourself in the face of so much risk and uncertainty? My guest today did that and he’s here to talk about it. Max Hourigan is a company commander in the Army National Guard. When he’s not in uniform he is the Director of Operations for a major transportation company in the Northeast. He is the host of the Commanding Leadership podcast where shares his insights gained from over a decade of business and military leadership experience. Commanding Leadership Website Commanding Leadership Podcast _____ Learn more about my bestselling leadership book "I Have the Watch: Becoming a Leader Worth Following" here. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter here. Follow me on: Twitter Instagram YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever considered that some of the best leaders in history had vastly different personalities and leadership styles? Think of General George Patton and Gandhi for example. Both are considered highly influential leaders yet they were so different in their approach to leadership. Today I’m joined by Steven Mays. Steven is a former nuclear submarine officer who served on the USS Los Angeles. For those of you who know your history, this was the first boat in the famed 688-class of nuclear attack submarines. After the Navy, he spent most of his career leading technical teams in the nuclear power industry. He is the author of “The Power of 3: Lessons in Leadership” where he explores the things that leaders need to do to be effective. It's not about style. It's all about substance! Steve Mays Website The Power of 3: Lessons in Leadership book _____ Learn more about my bestselling leadership book "I Have the Watch: Becoming a Leader Worth Following" here. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter here. Follow me on: Twitter Instagram YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you love the sights, sounds, and smells of manufacturing like me, you are in for a treat. Today I’m joined by Mack Story. Mack served in the Marines and spent most of his career working and leading in manufacturing businesses. 12 years ago, he and his wife started a leadership development company called Top Story Leadership. Together, they have published 24 books on leadership development and personal growth. Mack also focuses his efforts on manufacturing leadership which is where I found out about him. He has a program called Blue-Collar Leadership which develops front line workers and those who lead them. This is a powerful episode about leading employees on the front lines. Blue Collar Leadership website Blue Collar Leadership podcast Top Story Leadership website Mack Story's books Mack Story on Twitter Mack Story on Linkedin _____ Learn more about my bestselling leadership book "I Have the Watch: Becoming a Leader Worth Following" here. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter here. Follow me on: Twitter Instagram YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re going to talk about an often-ignored subject of leadership - mental health. My guest today is Evan Whitehead. Evan has spent most of his career in education as a teacher, a coach, and in a variety of educational leadership positions. He was a former Division 1 football player who has enjoyed a successful leadership career. But there was a problem. Evan was dying inside. Like many leaders, he struggled for years with anxiety and depression. Eventually, it came to a head and Evan ended up in the hospital. This is an important episode about a leadership subject that we don’t talk about enough - mental health. Every leader needs to hear Evan’s story and learn from his experience Evan Whitehead on Twitter Evan Whitehead on aha! Process, Inc. _____ Learn more about my bestselling leadership book "I Have the Watch: Becoming a Leader Worth Following" here. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter here. Follow me on: Twitter Instagram YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we’re talking about success. My guest today is Fred Stuvek. Fred played quarterback for the Naval Academy, served as a Naval Officer,  Led global businesses including start-ups, and now he is an author. Fred is someone who has enjoyed tremendous success in his career in sports and in business. We’re discussing why so many people miss out on achieving their goals. Fred Stuvek Jr. on Twitter Fred Stuvek Jr.'s Website It Starts With You: Turn Your Goals Into Success Don't F*** This Up!: How To Get What You Want In Life _____ Learn more about my bestselling leadership book "I Have the Watch: Becoming a Leader Worth Following" here. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter here. Follow me on: Twitter Instagram YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I’m joined by Matthew Confer.  Matthew is the head of Strategy & Business Development for Abilitie. Abilitie is a leadership development company that offers team-based leadership simulations. Matthew has observed hundreds of leaders making decisions in business simulations and he’s learned some very interesting things. In fact, he did a TED Talk last year discussing these findings which has close to 40,000 views. Today we talked about how leaders can make better decisions.  Matthew Confer on Twitter  Matthew Confer's TED Talk  Learn to Lead Podcast Abilitie on Twitter  Abilitie's Website _____ Learn more about my bestselling leadership book "I Have the Watch: Becoming a Leader Worth Following" here. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter here. Follow me on: Twitter Instagram YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I’m joined by Neal Woodson. Neal has more than 30 years of leadership experience across a wide range of environments, including restaurants, retail, education, and the event technology industry. He is the author of a new book called “The Uncomplicated Coach.” This is a leadership book written for busy managers and leaders of organizations who are frustrated with low employee engagement. Neal lays out a simple method to become a better leader. This method involved asking specific questions to your team members. As a leader, I‘ve learned over the years that it’s more important to ask the right questions than to have the right answers. This book contains those questions. Neal Woodson on Twitter Neal Woodson's Website  "The Uncomplicated Coach" Book Website "The Uncomplicated Coach" on Amazon _____ Learn more about my bestselling leadership book "I Have the Watch: Becoming a Leader Worth Following" here. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter here. Follow me on: Twitter Instagram YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would you do - as a leader - if you were traveling on business and found out there was a major explosion at your workplace and two employees were killed? This happened to my guest, Jason Wenschlag. As a high school principal, he had to deal with this unimaginable situation. As he watched his school burn on CNN, he had two thoughts: What do I need to do now? AND How are we going to move forward? His story is incredible and how he led through this crisis is inspiring. Jason is the Upper School Principal at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis. He has been an educator for over 20 years, serving in both public and private schools as a teacher, coach, and principal.  Jason Wenschlag on Twitter Minnehaha Academy NY Times Story About the Explosion _____ Learn more about my bestselling leadership book "I Have the Watch: Becoming a Leader Worth Following" here. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter here. Follow me on: Twitter Instagram YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices