A Leader’s Journey podcast

Doug Carlberg - True Success is About People

Our guest, Doug Carlberg, with decades of experience as a corporate executive, business owner, consultant, and military leader, believes real success can only be found be empowering your people through training and self-direction.
Doug’s leadership journey began at General Electric, where he gained foundational knowledge in quality systems and cash flow. His military service further honed his leadership skills and instilled the value of adaptability. At Harris Corporation, he was entrusted with turning around a struggling division. By focusing on the younger team in San Antonio and leveraging his accumulated knowledge, Doug successfully revitalized the unit and within 5 years became the best performing in the corporation.
Running his own company presented a unique set of challenges, with concerns about cash flow, payroll, and technology looming large. He shares stories of overcoming economic challenges as well as how a fire in one of his buildings almost destroyed his company's future by losing the ability to produce about 50% of their customers requirements. To safeguard his mental and emotional well-being, Doug indulges in hobbies like scuba diving and skiing. Maintaining composure also helps him navigate difficult situations with a clear head.
In Doug’s view, effective communication will be paramount for the next generation of leaders, as technology has reshaped our communication landscape. He also underscores the significance of self-awareness and understanding one’s personality type.
Doug defines success as a multifaceted achievement encompassing financial prosperity, business growth, positive employee impact, talent development, and community engagement. He actively contributes to his church and the San Antonio Manufacturers Association, and he is launching a podcast to spotlight the stories of successful manufacturers.
Among other interests, Doug holds degrees in engineering, is a helicopter pilot, a retired Army Chief, and a Shingo Prize examiner.
#ALeadersJourney #M2Global #SanAntonioManufacturersAssociation #Army # Leadership #People

Bob Rockwell - Unleashing Leadership Potential

In this podcast episode, Joel Gunn interviews Bob Rockwell, an executive coach and leadership expert. Bob shares his background and journey from being an electrical engineer to becoming a successful executive and eventually starting his own coaching company. He discusses the common areas people seek coaching for and the characteristics of bad leaders. Bob also shares his approach to turnaround opportunities and the secret sauce for success. He provides insights on coaching oneself and defines success in terms of achievement, success, significance, and legacy. Bob discusses the challenges and opportunities in the next generation and shares his spiritual journey. He concludes with thoughts on how people react to his Christian faith in the business room. Bob shares his belief that leaders are made, not just born, and that anyone can become a person of influence and run a better organization. He emphasizes the possibilities in every individual and the joy of bringing out the best in people.
#ALeadersJourney #LeadershipCoaching #TurnaroundOpportunities #SuccessMindset #NextGenerationLeaders #InfluenceAndPotential
Takeaways* Coaching can help individuals achieve their personal and professional best.* Successful leaders are often open to coaching and have a desire to continuously improve.* Turnaround opportunities require a focus on leadership and a process for success.* Leadership, purposeful work, and differentiation are key stages in organizational development.* Success is defined by personal and professional achievements, while greatness is defined by making a positive impact on others.* The next generation faces challenges in society and technology but also has opportunities to stand out and make a difference.* Coaching relationships can be effective regardless of religious beliefs.* Being a Christian in the business room can be received positively or neutrally, depending on the individual and the context.
Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background07:12 Areas People Seek Coaching09:02 Characteristics of Bad Leaders13:30 Turnaround Opportunities and Secret Sauce16:49 Coaching Yourself19:11 Defining Success25:57 Positive Signs in the Next Generation28:01 Spiritual Journey35:45 Reactions to Being a Christian in the Business Room43:35 Final Thoughts43:44 Leadership and Influence44:37 Unleashing Potential

Jeff Thomas - From Chasing Money to Purpose

🎙️ Join host Joel Gunn on "A Leader's Journey" podcast with guest Jeff Thomas! 🌟 Jeff shares his story of being written a seven figure 💲💲💲💲💲💲💲 check after 10 years in the wealth management business. He realized he had been chasing the money💰 rather than focusing on helping families and making a positive impact. 🌍🔥 From Houston to your headphones, this podcast is a must-listen for leaders seeking growth and impact. 🎧✨ 
#ALeadersJourney #LeadershipPodcast #Transformation #Faith #PurposefulLiving
HIGHLIGHTS:
Reconnecting with Faith: A Journey of Purpose and PrioritiesJeff experienced a crisis of purpose and lack of excitement about his life, leading to a period of soul-searching. He explored different world religions and took part in Bible Study Fellowship, which helped him understand his priorities and focus on his faith. He realized he'd been chasing worldly success more than pursuing his relationship with God.
A Personal Turning Point in Parental ResponsibilityJeff recounts a period of frustration with their daughter's lack of learning at Sunday school, only to realize that his own role in her spiritual education was crucial. Within days, a friend invited them to a class for both adults and children, illustrating God's far-reaching plans and assistance in their spiritual journey.
Finding Purpose Beyond WealthOur guest discusses his spiritual journey and its impact on his business life. Jeff had a revelation that led him to question the financial advice they were providing to clients, ultimately recognizing the importance of relying on God rather than accumulating wealth. He also shared his experience of overcoming an addiction of monitoring his performance scores at work by replacing it with journaling spiritual conversations.
Integrating Faith into the Business WorldJeff recounts his experience of introducing faith-based conversations into their work at Morgan Stanley. He initially feared the impact on their business, but found that the conversations made the relationships more meaningful and the business stable. He also discusses the challenge of being a Christian in the business world, noting that many people are hesitant to discuss their faith in the workplace due to fear of legal repercussions.
Breaking Through the FearJeff discusses the fear of engaging in spiritual conversations and how it was alleviated through learning from others. Surveys show that 80% of people are interested in such discussions.
From Emptiness to EnlightenmentIn the first ten years of the Jeff's career, he followed their own way which led to emptiness. Over the next ten years, he learned to follow God's way and built trust in it. In 2010, he began studying biblical principles under the guidance of Ron Blue, a mentor who founded a wealth management company based on such principles. After a three-year mentorship, Jeff had a significant spiritual experience, solidifying his commitment to following God's way.
A Divine Message that Led to SuccessJeff recalls a divine message to scale their business, despite lacking experience in scaling. He felt a sense of purpose and trust in their ability to follow instructions and give credit to God. This event occurred in 2010, and they have since built a successful financial company.
Creating a Christ-Centered Firm Amidst Corporate ChallengesWhile leading a Christian group at Morgan Stanley, Jeff recognized the limitations of changing the company's culture. He took a year to prepare and launched their new firm, aiming to create a Christ-centered environment, while acknowledging that his path may differ from those still fighting the battle within the corporate culture.
Building a Christ-centered Wealth Management BusinessIn a nutshell, Jeff discusses the importance of building a Christ-centered wealth management business and highlights four key questions that should be asked when considering a financial plan:   * who owns the money,    * how much is enough for you   * how much is enough for your family,   * how will you give away the rest?

Dr. Jeanette Robért - Building a Strong Workplace Community

📣 Join us for an insightful conversation on mental health and leadership with special guest Dr. Jeanette Robért ! 🌟 Discover the power of self-awareness, community support, and creating meaningful connections. We discuss mental health and how to address it as a leader. The first step is to understand the company culture and any existing initiatives around mental health. Leaders should also be aware of their own mental health and well-being.
#leadership #MentalHealth #CommunitySupport 
Workplace Mental Health: The Rising Priority and Importance of Self-Awareness for LeadersMental health is becoming a top priority in the workplace as more people admit their struggles. Leaders are recognizing the importance of self-awareness and seeking help for their own mental health.
A Positive Development: Increased Support for Employees During PandemicThe pandemic and all the other factors at play did not just affecting individuals but companies as well with increased absenteeism and decreased productivity, but it seems like there's a growing awareness and more resources being made available for employees to seek help and support which is a positive development. The speaker discusses the importance of counseling and therapy, and how it can benefit businesses to support their employees in seeking mental health services. They share that companies should consider how they can help their employees feel cared for and connected, and offer opportunities for physical activity and other outlets to promote well-being.
The Importance of Social Connection and Holistic Well-being in the WorkplaceThe social aspect is crucial for human beings, especially in a workplace setting. Companies are implementing creative ideas like mental health days and social activities to facilitate connection and improve overall health. Leaders recognize the importance of holistic well-being, including mental and spiritual health, in individuals. Companies are structuring emergency funds for employees and offering activities like family days to cultivate community and give back to employees.
Improving Employee Well-being: Assessing and Implementing Effective ProgramsCompanies need to assess their current programs for employee well-being and identify areas where they can improve. Leaders must exemplify a culture of care and initiatives, and it takes time to create a program that aligns with the company's values and culture. Some companies may not have anything official in place for employee care, but there are various ways to start, such as community outreach, employee give-back programs, or benevolence pools. The best place to start depends on the company's values and priorities.

Dr Brent Fessler - Trauma-Informed Leadership

🎙️ Joel and co-host Brent dive deep into the world 🗺 of trauma-informed leadership, discussing the impact of trauma, self-awareness, and regulation in the workplace. 🏢 Don't miss this insightful conversation on how to create a safe and high-performing team! Tune in now! #leadership 
#ALeadersJourney #traumainformedcare #WorkplaceCulture #HighPerformingTeams #selfawareness 
HIGHLIGHTS:
Healing Leadership: Creating Environments for Thriving and FlourishingNon-trauma induced leadership is about creating an environment where people can thrive and flourish, regardless of their past experiences. It involves understanding and addressing the trauma that people may have experienced, rather than ignoring or exacerbating it.
Overcoming Relational Challenges: Navigating Trauma and Building RelationshipsAs a family, they realized that trauma is not limited to certain people and that everyone is on a spectrum. Through their experiences with their adopted child and extended family, they discovered things about themselves they never would have seen otherwise. They learned about trauma and how to lead, love, communicate and build relationships better. The essence of overcoming relational challenges is dealing with breaches of trust and difficult situations.
When Our Brain Flips Its Lid: Understanding the Fight, Flight, or Freeze ResponseFlipping our lid is a term used to describe when we get into a fight, flight or freeze mode. This can happen when we feel threatened or unsafe, causing the amydala in our brain to fire adrenaline and blood to the muscles for fighting or running. This takes blood away from the prefrontal cortex, where our decision-making and language happen. Trauma can reduce this threshold, making us more likely to flip our lid. The speaker jokes about the "effing" kids and adults who are in fight flight or freeze mode, but it can also be a problem in the workplace.
The Workplace Battle: How Fight or Flight Hinders Team FunctioningThe speaker discusses the fight or flight response in the workplace, and how it can lead to dysfunctional behavior. They explain that this response is triggered by perceived danger, even if it is not real. The speaker also notes that being tired or having low blood sugar levels can lower the threshold for this response.
Creating Trauma-Informed Leadership for High-Performance Team SuccessThe speaker discusses the importance of keeping teams at work in a high-performance state by avoiding situations that trigger the fight-or-flight response, such as noise or overwhelming tasks. He argues that teams living close to this threshold are not able to function properly, and trust is compromised. Trauma-informed leadership aims to create a safe environment where team members can thrive and operate at their best.
"The Key to Effective Leadership: Self-Regulation and Awareness"The text discusses the importance of self-regulation and being aware of one's own survival threshold. It suggests that as leaders, we should help bring more awareness to our team so they can self-regulate. The author also highlights that flipping one's lid in a stressful situation is counterproductive and can hinder effective communication and problem-solving.
The Importance of Emotional Awareness and ConnectionThe speaker discusses the importance of being aware of others' emotional reactions, particularly when they are feeling defensive or on edge. He explains that when someone's "lid is flipped," they are no longer able to process logic, and attempting to reason with them will only make things worse. Instead, the speaker suggests focusing on connecting with the person and building trust before attempting to correct any issues.
The Balancing Act: Rebuilding Connection and Relationships for Effective LeadershipThe text discusses the importance of rebuilding connection and relationships before correcting someone, and the temptation to justify postponing difficult conversations. It emphasizes finding a balance between correction and connection in leadership.
Exploring Boundaries, Agency, and the Impact of Trauma in Relationships: Lessons from the Parable of the Good SamaritanThe speaker discusses the importance of boundaries and agency in relationships, and how trauma can affect a person's ability to take responsibility for their actions. They also touch on the parable of the Good Samaritan, emphasizing the importance of helping others even when they may not be receptive.
The Significance of Trauma-Informed Leadership in Organizational SettingsThe speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and empathizing with people who are in a place of trauma. They suggest that leaders should prioritize developing a trauma-informed approach in their organizations by growing their capabilities in understanding and addressing trauma. However, they also acknowledge that not everyone is ready or equipped to handle certain roles, and leaders should consider this when managing their teams.

Ashley O’Leary - Empowering Women to Overcome Trauma and Addiction

It’s time to challenge the misconception that addiction is a choice. Addiction is often a response to trauma, and the homeless population is especially vulnerable to the vicious cycle of substance abuse and homelessness.
Our guest, Ashley O'Leary is an advocate for women's recovery and addiction awareness. Ashley leads two nonprofits that focus on recovery for women. One is a faith-based organization and the other is a city-based organization that focuses on homelessness. Ashley's passion for advocacy led her to join a team that advocates for new laws in the state and brings awareness and education around addiction and recovery.
#AddictionAwareness #Homelessness #Recovery #WomenInRecovery #HopeAndHealing #traumaresponse #harmreduction #mentorship #sobriety #generationaladdiction #parenting
The Vicious Cycle of Trauma: Substance Abuse and HomelessnessTrauma can lead to substance abuse and homelessness, as people struggle to cope with their emotions. Many lack the support and resources to recover, resulting in a cycle of pain and suffering.
The Success of Recovery-Oriented Housing in Maintaining Long-Term SobrietyThe recovery-oriented housing program helps individuals transition from treatment to a sober living environment, which includes accountability, house meetings, and a supportive community. The program typically lasts 9-18 months and has a high success rate in helping individuals maintain their sobriety long-term.
From College to Trafficking: A Harrowing Journey into the World of Sex WorkAshley shares their experience of dropping out of college to become a stripper, which led to sex trafficking and escorting. She explains how pimps take advantage of women and coerce them into sex work, often providing drugs and transportation. Despite making more money in sex work than other jobs, it ultimately led to exploitation and trauma.
Escaping the Strip Club: Building a Support System for Women in the Sex IndustryThe speaker shares her personal experience of working in a strip club and how it led to a path of self-destruction. She highlights a program that offers certifications to girls working in the sex industry, which can lead to better-paying jobs. The speaker discusses the difficulty in educating girls about the dangers of the industry, and how society can work towards changing the laws that allow for congressmen to participate in it. The speaker emphasizes the importance of building relationships with these women to create a support system for when they are ready to leave the industry.
The Link Between Generational Addiction and Cultural AcceptanceThe speaker believes that most women deal with generational drug and alcohol abuse issues, and that the current culture's acceptance of experimentation with gender and sexuality may lead to negative consequences. She mentions common trauma buckets, including sexual abuse, and suggests that everyone has some type of trauma that can lead to negative outcomes if left unprocessed.

Tad Jones - Prioritizing Employees for Success

🌟 Do you aspire to lead better? 🌟 Join us for an enlightening conversation on leadership with Tad Jones, an experienced CEO and business owner. Discover the power of putting employees first and balancing profit with purpose. 🎙️👥
#ALeadersJourney #leadershippodcast  #EmployeeFirst #InclusiveCulture #BusinessSuccess
HIGHLIGHTS:
The Evolution of Leadership Philosophy: Prioritizing Employees for Success.The speaker's leadership philosophy evolved from a focus on shareholder value to a balanced approach that considers employees, customers, and shareholders, and eventually to a model that prioritizes employees first. The key takeaway is that businesses should focus on taking care of their employees, and the rest will fall into place.
The Key to a Successful Business: Developing Your EmployeesThe text discusses the importance of developing employees and how it should be the primary focus of any business. It highlights the book "The Soul of the Firm" by William Pollard, which emphasizes developing people to be good employees, parents, adults, mentors, and community members. The story of a surgeon is used to illustrate the importance of knowing and respecting everyone on a team. Overall, the text emphasizes that taking care of employees is key to running a successful business.
The Power of Core Values in Leadership Communication and Work CultureThe summary of the text is that using core values as a talking point can help leaders improve their communication with their team and promote a positive work culture.
The Power of Core Values: Embracing Humility, Service, Respect, and Purpose in BusinessThe speaker shares their experience of developing core values for their business and how they took inspiration from William Pollard's book. They also discuss the importance of humility, service, respect, and purpose in their business operations.
Balancing Charity and Compensation: A Dilemma in Company GivingThe company emphasized humility, service, respect, and profit with a purpose. During good times, they donated to charity and let teams decide where to direct giving. However, during downturns, they could not do as much charitable giving, and some employees questioned why they were giving money away instead of paying them more.
Transforming Bonus Structure: A Journey towards Fairness and RecognitionTad reflects on their previous profit-sharing model, which didn't have enough substance to make a positive impact. They then discuss how they've adjusted their approach to employee bonuses, which is currently being challenged in a lawsuit. The company is working to evolve their bonus structure to better reward employees for good behavior and helping others.
The Power of Core Values and People in Running a Successful BusinessTad discusses the importance of core values and people in running a successful business. He talks about how he had to make adjustments to his bonus system and how he came up with the term "Be the Best Award" to motivate his employees to strive for excellence.
From Books to Bible: A Spiritual ShiftTad shares how his desire for reading books has decreased as he now prefers to read the Bible directly. He also mentions how he used to attend seminars and trainings, but now he is becoming a mentor himself.

Kimberly Britton - Thriving Within Constraints

In this episode, Kimberly Britton (guest) and Joel Gunn (host) discuss the importance of everyday actions and how they can make a significant impact. She talks about overcoming constraints and finding creative solutions in resource-scarce environments. If you're looking for practical advice and inspiration to enhance your leadership skills, this episode is a must-listen!
#ALeadersJourney #leadershipdevelopment #successmindset #PersonalGrowth #EverydayActions #Resourcefulness
HIGHLIGHTS
Finding Success Despite Constraints: Authority and Communication in the WorkplaceKimberly discusses the importance of finding ways to succeed despite constraints, appealing to authority and creating an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their concerns.
Speaking Up and Gaining Influence: Unlocking Success in OrganizationsShe explores the importance of speaking up when something is not going as expected, and how to gain influence in an organization by volunteering for tasks outside of one's department.
The Meaning of Volunteering: Small Actions That Make a Big DifferenceVolunteering doesn't have to be extraordinary to be meaningful. Sometimes, it's the small everyday actions that matter most, like taking good meeting notes. Doing what you say you'll do and showing up on time are important qualities in a teammate.
Utilizing Creativity and Limited Resources in HealthcareIn healthcare, it's essential to be creative with funding and resources when faced with scarcity. One example is the inflation reduction act, where funding for transportation has shifted. Another challenge is hiring staff with the necessary character and punctuality.
Convincing the Boss: How Small Changes Can Make a Big ImpactKimberly emphasizes the importance of coming to leaders with a plan and showing how small changes can have a big impact on productivity and efficiency.
Empowering Executive Teams: Making Effective Decisions and Delegating Quality Work:The executive team should be in a position to veto, bless or redirect. If they are doing anything else, they are either poorly staffed or doing someone else's work. Executives should be able to delegate quality work to their teams and approve or reject ideas based on their impact on the company's strategy.

Russell Grigsby - What Brings You Life and What Doesn’t

✨🎙️ Join our host Joel Gunn as guest Russell Grigsby shares a story that shaped his leadership style and offers valuable insights on how to become a servant leader in the digital age. 🤝
🚀 He shares insights for successful delegation, the importance of valuing input, and how to unlock the true potential of your team. 💡
#Leadership #PersonalGrowth #ServantLeadership #Teamwork
HIGHLIGHTS
Acting Strategically in Times of Decline:In times of decline, businesses must make tough decisions based on their industry, future plans, and history. The key is to act fast and choose the best option, even if it's not ideal.
Shaping Leadership: Russell shares how they learned to lead by example in the Boy Scouts and by doing instead of ordering people around. He believes in servant leadership and feel it's the best style for him. Despite occasional resistance from peers or senior leaders, he continued to use this style throughout his career. 
Coaching CEOs to Embrace Delegation:CEOs struggle with the idea of servant leadership and delegating tasks to their employees. A good coach pushes CEOs to delegate more and let go of control. Delegation is key to growth and success.
Understanding the Importance of Delegation:Life is about the good, bad and ugly. Knowing what makes you tick is important. Identify what brings joy and purpose in life, then prioritize time and decisions accordingly.  Delegation is key in leadership. Delegation requires giving up control and trusting your team. Start by finding out what fills your heart and what kills your energy. Use tests like the Cultural Index or Myers-Briggs to understand your team. The leader must be prepared to let the delegate fail or succeed.
Power of Peers:Peer Advisory Groups can be beneficial for CEOs as they provide feedback and accountability. While some may resist feedback, most are open to input from others.  Russell believes that taking time to get input from others, even if you're busy, is essential for making good decisions.

Rich Glomski - The Tension of Priorities

🤝 In this episode, Joel welcomes special guest Rich Glomski, a native Texan with degrees from both A&M and UT. They discuss the importance of humility, vulnerability, and holding leaders accountable. 🎯💼
🎧 Don't miss this insightful conversation that will inspire and empower you on your own leadership journey. Tune in now! 👇
#LeadershipJourney #AuthenticLeadership #HumilityMatters #LeadershipAccountability #LeadershipInsights
Highlights:- Work-life balance should be reframed as work-life rhythm. - This rhythm is a tension to manage rather than a problem to solve.- Creating and following personal rhythms and routines can help bring integration to life. - Prioritizing God, spouse, family, and then work is key to achieving balance and true success.