The Leadership Conversation Podcast

04/09/2025

Leadership ≠ Dominance

A lot of men want to be the “alpha”… but real leaders don’t need to dominate.

Leadership is about inspiring, not controlling.
It’s about building others up, not bending them to your will.
You don’t have to force it—when it’s real, people feel it.

Lead with vision. Lead with purpose. Lead by example.
That’s leadership.

03/10/2025

🚨 New Podcast Episode Alert! 🚨

Season 2, Episode 3 of The Leadership Conversation Podcast is here, featuring CSM (RET) Garrick Griffin, aka “Griff” – former Garrison CSM of Ft. Knox, KY.

In this episode, we dive into:
✅ The realities of parenting while serving
✅ Preparing for retirement – what you need to know
✅ Lessons learned from bad leadership
✅ Navigating the loss of family while in uniform

Griff keeps it real and unfiltered—you don’t want to miss this one! 🎙️🔥

🎧 Listen now & let us know your thoughts in the comments!

03/10/2025

💡 What if your deepest pain was actually shaping your purpose?

On this episode of The Leadership Conversation Podcast, I sit down with Nina Golde, a visionary entrepreneur and podcast studio owner, who turned tragedy into transformation.

From losing her brother to nearly losing her son, Nina’s journey has been one of faith, resilience, and stepping into her calling. We dive into how God speaks through our hardest moments, why leadership isn’t just about business, and how sharing your voice can empower others.

🎙️ This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever questioned your purpose or felt like life was pushing you toward something greater.

📲 Tap the link in bio to listen now!

👇 Drop a 🔥 if you’re tuning in!



https://youtu.be/eEoHYWa8a8Y?si=QFVWp5Vhcw2BtIDM

01/24/2025

📢 Mark Your Calendars! 🎙️
On March 21st, 2025, we’re honored to welcome LTG Jody Daniels, the first woman to serve as the Chief of the Army Reserve and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve Command, to The Leadership Conversation Podcast.

Join us as we dive into her incredible journey of breaking barriers, balancing dual careers in the military and civilian world, and her unique perspective on leadership, innovation, and family life. She’ll also share her favorite leadership philosophies and what she’s working on today to inspire the next generation of leaders.

This is a conversation you don’t want to miss!

🔗 Stay tuned for more updates and links to the episode!

01/20/2025

🌟 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – The Ultimate Leader 🌟

Dr. King showed us what it truly means to lead with courage, conviction, and compassion. 💡 His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and peace changed the course of history and continues to inspire leaders worldwide.

He taught us that leadership isn’t about power—it’s about serving others, standing for truth, and creating a legacy of love and unity. 🕊️

💭 As we honor his life and legacy, let’s reflect on how we can lead like MLK—with purpose, humility, and a vision for a better world.

📌 “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?’”

01/15/2025

In this episode of The Leadership Conversation Podcast, we sit down with CW2 Eric Donovan, a seasoned military leader and Master Instructor, to explore his inspiring journey through the Army Reserve. Eric shares insights from his career progression, the challenges he's faced, and the invaluable lessons he's learned about mentorship and teaching.

We dive into topics like:

Navigating generational differences in learning and communication.
The transformative power of mentorship and cultural exchange.
How to effectively apply regulations in real-world scenarios.
The balance between personal and professional life in the military.
The importance of continuous learning through audiobooks and reading.
Eric reflects on the impact of leadership, the expectations that come with achievements, and why planting seeds for future generations is key to leaving a lasting legacy. This episode is packed with practical advice and timeless wisdom for leaders at every stage.

🎧 Tune in now to gain valuable insights on leadership, growth, and making a difference for those who follow in your footsteps.



https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/derrick-ivory-sr/episodes/Teaching--Learning--and-Leading-Erics-Story-of-Growth-and-Influence-e2ti09v

01/10/2025

In this special episode, I sit down with my uncle—a member of my dad’s side of the family, which I only discovered through an Ancestry DNA test in 2019. This journey into my family’s history revealed incredible stories, from Tuskegee Airmen to prominent pastors, and now, I’m learning even more through this conversation. My uncle, currently working near Tokyo, Japan, is a father to his adopted son, Miles, an Instructional Systems Specialist, and a leader in his chapel’s praise and worship ministry. We explore family, faith, and leadership, diving into his unique experiences overseas and the values he hopes to pass down to his son. LaDonna Williams Spivey

In this special episode, I sit down with my uncle—a member of my dad’s side of the family, which I only discovered through an Ancestry DNA test in 2019. This journey into my family’s history revealed incredible stories, from Tuskegee Airmen to prominent pastors, and now, I’m learning even mo...

12/20/2024

"If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to treat everything as if it were a nail.” – Abraham Maslow

A reminder that growth comes from expanding your perspective and tools. Not every challenge requires the same solution—true wisdom lies in knowing when to adapt.

12/07/2024

🚨 Is Your Title or Status Your Identity? 🚨

As I near retirement, I’ve been reflecting on something important: For much of our lives, we tie our identity to what we do—our jobs, titles, or social status. I’ve realized how easy it is to let those things define us. But the truth is, they’re temporary.

Throughout my career, I’ve always strived to treat people fairly, regardless of their rank, title, or position. Why? Because I’ve come to understand that it’s character, not titles, that truly matters.

So let me challenge you:

👉 Are you in the role you are because of who you are?
👉 Or are you who you are because of your role?

When this short chapter of life ends—whether it’s a job, a title, or a phase—will your personality, values, and how you treated others shine through?

True identity isn’t tied to what’s on your business card, your paycheck, or your social media bio. It’s about being a good human—someone of integrity, kindness, and humility.

Ask yourself:
💡 If you stripped away the titles, accolades, and the job, could you still do the things you do now? Could you still lead, inspire, or bring value to the world?

As I step into the next phase of my life, I hope to be remembered not for a title, but for how I treated people and the impact I left behind.

Don’t let what you do define who you are. Let who you are as a person define the impact you leave on this world. 🌍

Let’s talk about it—drop your thoughts below ⬇️ or share this with someone who needs to hear it. 🎙️

10/15/2024

😕

Next time you ask some "How are you?" When they reply stop and ask it again. "No really, like, how are you?"

You'd be surprised at the response you get.

10/08/2024

15 Rules That will Change Your Life

09/20/2024

Happy to announce COL Shabazz will be a guest on The Leadership Conversation Podcast. ☪️

Stay tuned for dates!