

The L3 Leadership Podcast with Doug Smith
Doug Smith
The L3 Leadership Podcast is focused on leadership development and personal growth. We are obsessed with helping you grow to your maximum potential and maximizing the impact of your leadership. We release a new episode every week to help you grow and develop as a leader. You will hear a mix of personal lessons from our Founder, Doug Smith, and conversations Doug has with world-class leaders from around the world. Doug interviews leaders like Pittsburgh Steelers Coach, Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Penguins Coach, Mike Sullivan, Tony Horton, Liz Wiseman, Brian Tome, John Mark Comer, Mark Batterson, Ryan Hawk, Nona Jones, Claude Silver, Ken Coleman, Christy Wright, Rachel Cruze, Mark Cole, and many more. Our hope is that you will not only learn great leadership lessons but that you will catch great leadership from the lives of the leaders that we expose you to.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 28, 2021 • 44min
A Life Lived Well: Jay Passavant on Life and Leadership
Send us Fan MailJay Passavant was the founder of North Way Christian Community in Pittsburgh. The impact of his obedience to God’s call in his life to plant that church cannot be understated. He transformed our city, but his impact goes far beyond the walls of Pittsburgh as well. At Jay’s memorial service, my pastor said of him that he could have easily been a successful elected official or a CEO of a major corporation, and instead he chose to go all in on God’s call for him to start North Way, and that decision changed the world for so many people.Today, you’ll hear a throwback conversation I had with Jay in 2013. In it, we talk about life and leadership. He shares his story and discusses the lessons he has learned from it, emphasizing the importance of family and legacy. He defines leadership and notes what it means to have a natural talent for it, additionally explaining why everybody has what it takes to be a leader, to an extent. He talks about his experience as Student Body President in college and shares what he learned from it. “Leadership is cumulative...the more you exercise it, the stronger you become.” - Jay Passavant“Failure as a leader is inevitable...I found that failure was an opportunity to learn to trust God in a new way with something that you may have thought you had down pat.” - Jay PassavantKey Takeaways this week on the L3 Leadership Podcast:● What it means to be a leader● Why leadership involves natural talent● Productivity and using your time well● Balancing your family and your work● How to respond to pain in your lifeMentioned Resources:● Henne Jewelers● Beratung Advisors● My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers● Destined for the Throne by Paul Billheimer● Don’t Waste Your Sorrows by Paul Billheimer● The works of John Eldredge● Built to Last by Jim Collins● Good to Great by Jim Collins● The works of Jack HayfordWelcome to the L3 Leadership Podcast!Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, where we’re obsessed with helping you grow to your maximum potential and maximize the impact of your leadership.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google PSupport the show

Sep 21, 2021 • 38min
A Life Lived Well: Tunch Ilkin's Story
Send us Fan MailTunch Ilkin played football for the Pittsburgh Steelers for many seasons before becoming a broadcaster for the team for the rest of his career. He spent 35 years serving homeless men, women, and children of Pittsburgh at Light of Life Rescue Mission. He was also on staff at the Bible Chapel, where he made a significant impact on countless men’s lives by leading their men’s retreat. He also raised an incredible family. Tunch’s top priority in life was fulfilling the plan that God had for him. It was the center of everything that he did, and through this mission, he impacted thousands upon thousands of people with his life. He lived an extraordinary life and has left behind an incredible legacy. Once you met and interacted with Tunch Ilkin, your life was never the same.Today’s episode is a throwback to a conversation I had with Tunch in 2013. In it, Tunch shares his story, his thoughts on leadership, and a lot more. He talks about what it means to be a mentor and a servant leader and notes the role of humility in these pursuits, pointing to the best examples he’s seen. He shares the story of how he came to Christ and talks about the power of the fact that, although we can’t earn our salvation, God gives it to us freely anyway. He shares the experience of converting to Christianity from Islam and offers his biggest message to men. He also talks about the power of accountability and what is required to be an accountability partner.“I’m not the brightest guy in the room, but I can be faithful, I can be available, and I can be teachable. Those things, I can be and I desire to be.”- Tunch IlkinKey Takeaways this week on the L3 Leadership Podcast:● The power of humility in mentorship and servant leadership● Tunch’s experience playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers● Tunch’s conversion story● The power of community and why following Christ is not for the lone wolf● The power of accountability and why it’s such a big responsibility and commitment● Tunch’s words to menMentioned Resources:● Henne Jewelers● Beratung AdvisorsWelcome to the L3 Leadership Podcast!Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, where we’re obsessed with helping you grow to your maximum potential and maximize the impact of your leadership.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts I Amazon MusicSupport the show

Sep 14, 2021 • 15min
What Your Life Could Look Like After Joining A Mastermind Group
Send us Fan MailLike many leaders, you may think that you can get along fine without being part of a mastermind group. But the truth is, on your own, you’ll only last for so long. In this episode, I talk about why you need a mastermind group and what being in one can do for you.Today, I explain what mastermind groups are and share why they’re so powerful. I note that every leader needs to be in one, and I talk about what your life could look like after being in one for a year. I share the four ways that we at L3 Leadership work to gather and connect leaders, and I talk about how I learned about mastermind groups. I explain why our mastermind group will help you to be fully known, fully loved, and fully challenged. I share four reasons to join a mastermind group and talk about the results of being in one.“Sometimes it’s not the lesson that you need; it’s the lives of leaders that you need.”- Doug smithKey Takeaways this week on the L3 Leadership Podcast:● Every leader needs to be in a mastermind group● The purpose of a mastermind group● What your life could look like after being in a mastermind group for at least one year● The purpose of L3 Leadership is to gather and connect leaders● Our mastermind group will help you to be fully known, fully loved, and fully challenged● The four reasons you need to join a mastermind groupMentioned Resources:● Henne Jewelers● Beratung Advisors● For more information about the Director of Mastermind Groups position, email me at dougsmith@l3leadership.org● Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon HillWelcome to the L3 Leadership Podcast!Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, where we’re obsessed with helping you grow to your maximum potential and maximize the impact of your leadership.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts I Amazon MusicSupport the show

Aug 31, 2021 • 1h 3min
Phil and Diane Comer on Raising Passionate Jesus Followers
Send us Fan MailPhil and Diane Comer are the parents of John Mark Comer, author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. Together, they wrote Raising Passionate Jesus Followers, in which they share the practical parenting wisdom they have gained from raising four children, all of whom are looking for God and making a difference in the world. They have been married for 41 years and have been in ministry together for all of it.Today, Phil and Diane join me to talk about their book and share their best parenting lessons. They talk about the importance of beginning intentional parenting as early as possible and take me through the different stages of parenting a child as he or she grows. We discuss the importance of family in the kingdom of God. They note the importance of discipline and communication, and they make a distinction between discipline and punishment. They stress the importance of parenting your children as God parents us.“You want to raise your kids to know that following Jesus doesn’t mean everything is gonna go perfectly...but He will be with you in the good times and in the hard times, in the mountains and in the valleys, and it’s in the valleys that He really defines us and molds us and makes us more like Him.” - Phil Comer“We, as parents, are blessed in order to be a blessing.”- Diane ComerKey Takeaways this week on the L3 Leadership Podcast:● Parenting is not an exact science● Children don’t grow out of anything but their clothes● The difference between discipline and punishment● The Box as a way of understanding how God parents us● The theology of suffering● Your children are your legacyMentioned Resources:● Henne Jewelers● Beratung Advisors● Raising Passionate Jesus Followers: The Power of Intentional Parenting by Phil and Diane Comer● The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer● He Speaks in the Silence: Finding Intimacy with God by Learning to Listen by Diane ComerWelcome to the L3 Leadership Podcast! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, where we’re obsessed with helping you grow to your maximum potential and maximize the impact of your leadership.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts I Amazon MusicSupport the show

Aug 17, 2021 • 60min
Kim Scott on Just Work: How to Create a Just Workplace
Send us Fan MailKim Scott is the author of several books including Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity and Just Work: Get Sh*t Done, Fast & Fair. She has held management positions at both Apple and Twitter, and she is the co-founder of Radical Candor, LLC.Today, Kim joins me to talk about the power and meaning of just leadership. She notes the power of feedback and how to respond to it. She talks about the need to recognize failure and the power of the default. She defines just work and notes the difference between bias, prejudice, and bullying. She talks about the power of common language and shares how to write and use a code of conduct. She distinguishes between It, I, and You statements and explains when to use each. She shares some practical steps to address injustice in the workplace and offers her take on alcohol in the office. She also notes the need for boundaries between your work life and your non-work life.“Managing a restaurant or managing a small business, people are people.”- Kim Scott“We can’t fix the problems that we refuse to notice.”- Kim ScottKey Takeaways this week on the L3 Leadership Podcast:● The power of recognizing your failure● The difference between bias, prejudice, and bullying● What is a code of conduct?● When to use an I, It, or You statement● Kim’s take on alcohol in the office Mentioned Resources:● Radical Candor● Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity● Just Work: Get Sh*t Done, Fast & Fair Welcome to the L3 Leadership Podcast!Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, where we’re obsessed with helping you grow to your maximum potential and maximize the impact of your leadership.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts I Amazon MusicSupport the show

Aug 3, 2021 • 23min
Why Health and Fitness Need to Matter to You in Your Leadership Journey
Send us Fan MailWe live in a culture where people spend their health trying to make money, and then they spend all their money that they earned trying to buy back their health - and it’s not working. It’s hard to prioritize your health and fitness, but it’s necessary - not just for you but for all of the people who need your leadership.Today, I talk about the importance of health and fitness. I talk about why it matters and I share the story of my personal journey. I share the practical things that I’ve implemented in my life that I think you’ll find helpful. I share my definitions of health and fitness, I talk about the importance of focusing on what’s in your control (thereby reducing the risk of contracting health problems that are out of your control), and I offer four key takeaways.“If you don’t start where you are, you’re gonna stay where you are.” - Doug SmithKey Takeaways this week on the L3 Leadership Podcast:● You have to get a personal vision for your health and fitness.● You have to discover the price you’ll need to pay to optimize your health and fitness● You have to make that price the new standard in your life● Never give upMentioned Resources:● Beratung Advisors● Henne Jewelers● P90XWelcome to the L3 Leadership Podcast!Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, where we’re obsessed with helping you grow to your maximum potential and maximize the impact of your leadership.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts I Amazon MusicSupport the show

Jul 20, 2021 • 53min
Why You Should be Asking Who and Not How with Benjamin Hardy
Send us Fan MailBenjamin Hardy lives in Orlando with his wife and six kids, three of whom are adopted. He is an organizational psychologist with a Ph.D. in the subject from Clemson University. Benjamin writes on psychological self-improvement and entrepreneurial-related topics. Among his books are Will Power Doesn’t Work, Personality Isn’t Permanent, and Who Not How (co-written with Dan Sullivan).Today, Benjamin joins me to share his story. He talks about how he got started writing and tells all about the process. He shares what publishers are looking for and gives his tips for the writing process. He shares the three things you have to be clear on before sitting down to write a book, and he notes the importance of investing in yourself. He also shares his reflections on fostering, adopting, and raising children.“Your identity is your story, your narrative about yourself, and really, it’s up to all of us to decide what...our narrative is.”- Benjamin HardyKey Takeaways this week on the L3 Leadership Podcast:● The power of journaling● What publishers are looking for● The writing process● The importance of investing in yourself● Want vs. needMentioned Resources:● Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork by Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan● Personality Isn’t Permanent: Break Free from Self-Limiting Beliefs and Rewrite Your Story by Benjamin Hardy● Willpower Doesn't Work: Discover the Hidden Keys to Success by Benjamin Hardy● The Power of Starting Something Stupid by Richie Norton● Benjamin Hardy on YoutubeWelcome to the L3 Leadership Podcast!Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, where we’re obsessed with helping you grow to your maximum potential and maximize the impact of your leadership.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts I Amazon MusicSupport the show

Jul 6, 2021 • 23min
How to Overcome the Wounds in Your Leadership Journey
Send us Fan MailL3L280 L3 Leadership How to Overcome the Wounds in Your Leadership JourneyHave you ever been wounded in your leadership journey? Did it hold you back from what you should have been going for in that season? How long did it hold you back?These are important questions to ask and important questions to answer. Today, I offer some insight on beginning to address them, giving you eight practical tips for acknowledging, healing from, and moving past your wounds.“If we don’t learn how to properly address our wounds, we will never be able to move into the future that God has for us.”- Doug SmithKey Takeaways this week on the L3 Leadership Podcast: ● If you’ve been wounded, you’re not alone● Your future’s not over, even if it seems like it is● You are not who other people have said that you are● You don’t have to carry the pain that comes with your wounds everywhere that you go for the rest of your life● Your wounds can be healed● Your wounds can become a part of your story and your testimony● As a leader, ultimately your wounds can end up helping others in their woundedness● God can paint a beautiful picture and write a beautiful story through your woundedness--if you’ll just let himMentioned Resources:● Beratung Advisors● Henne JewelersWelcome to the L3 Leadership Podcast! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, where we’re obsessed with helping you grow to your maximum potential and maximize the impact of your leadership. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts I Amazon MusicSupport the show

Jun 22, 2021 • 52min
Ryan Hawk on Becoming a Learning Leader
Send us Fan MailIn the latest episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, Doug Smith speaks with Ryan Hawk about his advice in the corporate world, experience in football, his recent book, Welcome To Management: How To Grow From Top Performer To Excellent Leader, his show, The Learning Leader Show, and more. Check it out on any major podcasting platform!Key Take-Aways From Episode 279:While you have to be excellent at your current job, on the side, you have to be working on developing the skills to be excellent at the next job.Develop a relationship with those who are in decision-making roles early on in your career.Leaders are about people choosing to commit to you rather than committing to someone else.Commitment is a choice.The excellent leaders in the world are the ones who live in a way where they inspire others to choose to commit to them versus complying to whatever they say because they don’t want to get fired.Ryan Hawk shares his definition of a good day and operating framework:Fuel your intake engineBe a doer; experimentReflectTeach“You should strive to be a learning machine.” - Charlie MungerAbout Ryan HawkRyan Hawk is a keynote speaker, author, advisor, and the host of The Learning Leader Show, a podcast with millions of listeners in more than 150 countries. He is the author of Welcome To Management: How To Grow From Top Performer To Excellent Leader (McGraw-Hill, January 2020). Forbes called WELCOME TO MANAGEMENT “the best leadership book of 2020.”A lifelong student of leadership, he rose to roles as a professional quarterback and VP of Sales at a multibillion-dollar company. Currently, as head of Brixey & Meyer’s leadership advisory practice, Ryan speaks regularly at Fortune 500 companies, works with teams and players in the NFL, NBA, and NCAA, and facilitates “Leadership Circles” that offers structured guidance and collaborative feedback to new and experienced leaders.Support the show

Jun 8, 2021 • 21min
Life Lessons I am Learning at 36
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, you’ll hear Doug share a lesson entitled, “Life at 36.” Each year, around his birthday, Doug spends some time reflecting on where he is and what he’s learning at that age and then he shares his takeaways with you. Regardless of your ages, we’d encourage you to do the same exercise. Remember, the best experience isn’t experience, it’s evaluated experience. ABOUT DOUG SMITH:Doug is the Director of Development at Light of Life Rescue Mission and Founder and CEO of L3 Leadership. He is the author of his eBook, “Making the Most of Mentoring”, a step by step guide to help you build and cultivate relationships with mentors. He is the host of the L3 Leadership podcast and he is a sought after public speaker. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Laura, who currently works as the Head of Manufacturing at Ivalua. Together, they love family, personal growth, travel, working out, and serving others.CONNECT WITH DOUG:FacebookTwitterYouTubeLinkedInKey Take-Aways From Episode 278:In the episode, Doug shares 8 key insights into what he’s learning at 36. Here are the lessons he shares in this episode: At 36, I am more Grateful for Life than I ever have been At 36, I’m focused on Leading my Family Team At 36, God is giving me something to say At 36, I’m focused on Listening and Learning from Others Experiences At 36, I have the opportunity to live out my passion and purpose daily: At 36, I’m more convinced than ever that consistency compounds At 36, I’m focused on developing deep friendships At 36, I’m more convinced than ever that living for God is all that matters. LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 276:Today Matters by John Maxwell Five Minute Journal App Support the show


