Leadership & Culture

Leadership is the reason for A Bold Leader.
It’s importance is the same in every economic sector.

Although it may be the most taken for granted and underdeveloped professional skill, leadership - poor and great - is the single most significant factor driving your company to the stars or into the ground. It’s my stock-in-trade, so I can approach your unique situation from a lot of different angles.

The Patrol Squadron SIXTY FOUR Condors won just about every Wing award there was in 2000. They are the model for teamwork and accomplishment I use to this day.
Two of my top Aviation Ordnancemen loading sonobuoys for an early morning antisubmarine warfare flight by the Patrol Squadron SIXTY FOUR Condors.
The US Navy units I led - Patrol Squadron SIXTY FOUR, Patrol Squadron SIXTY TWO and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth.
Retiring from the US Navy after 31 years at the completion of my tour as Commanding Officer of NAS JRB Fort Worth.
After retiring from the Navy, I led civilian support of the Navy's new LCS-3 - USS Fort Worth - as Commissioning Chair, then transitioned that body to an enduring support organization, serving as its first President.
Leading the North Texas Region of the American Red Cross was my first job in a suit.
Arriving at United Way of Tarrant County on my first day.
My incredible Executive Team at United Way. I hired each of them in a complete renovation of UW leadership. They broke new ground and continue to lead innovatively today.
My very short superhero stint as United Way's "Captain Campaign".
The Fort Worth Business Press recognized me as 2019 Nonprofit CEO of the Year.
... and the same shot four years later after a successful and historic turnaround, capped by perfect succession.

  • Leadership is a pretty broad topic. I can speak on topics written about in my blog, or a host of other approaches, including:

    A Recipe for Bold
    - From the foundational blog post/podcast episode: The traits, skill and attributes that combine to shape A Bold Leader.

    Beyond the Rules
    - A deeper dive into this seminal blog post/podcast episode: Are rules made to be broken? If so, when? and by who?

    The Anthrax Crucible
    - A true story. Hear about two organization facing the same challenge - identical in every way … except leadership and the culture that leadership shaped. Expanded beyond the information featured in the blog and podcast.

    Leading with Authenticity - the way only you can
    - Whatever else you strive for as a leader, first let yourself be authentic.

    Dispelling Common Leadership Myths
    - “Tailor your leadership approach to each person?” There is a LOT of advice out there, not all of it good.

    Concrete Steps to Shape Culture
    - While “culture” is an ethereal concept, the steps to create a healthy one are tangible and executable.

    Manager or Leader?
    - Some leadership sources consider managers and leaders two distinct groups. I don’t.

    Delegation or Empowerment?
    - Empowerment means sharing authority and resources, not just responsibility.

    Leading to Fail - the case for higher risk tolerance
    - Failing forward can only happen when people are encouraged and incentivized to take risks.

    Being Good at the Hard Stuff - embracing conflict, difficult conversations and hard decisions
    - Nobody like delivering bad news, but being good at it distinguishes the transformational leader from the transactional one.

    Toxicity, Broken Glass and Scorched Earth
    - Leadership is a tough, gritty art. Despite what you read in books, a leader may face times when the only route to success is from the ashes of an organization. Are you ready for that?

  • Professional Association Meetings
    School District Convocations
    Company Safety Meetings
    Safety Standdowns
    Strategic Planning Kickoffs
    University Leadership Lectures
    EMBA Courses
    Industry Conventions
    Staff/Board Retreats



  • Each topic is framed with powerful real-world anecdotes drawn from my experience leading organizations, large and small, across all three major economic sectors.

    All talks work well with or without video.

 
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