A Leader's Journey

17/09/2025

In part 2, Jeff responds to the disengagement epidemic in workplaces, and discusses his 'glow to glue' leadership model, which combines servant leadership, emotional intelligence, and neuro leadership. They delve into the importance of authenticity in leadership, the role of faith, and how to build a culture of trust and compassion. Jeff emphasizes the significance of legacy and encourages leaders to take actionable steps towards creating meaningful impact in their organizations.

Takeaways:
➡️ Culture cannot be bought; it must be built through effort and authenticity..
➡️ Authenticity in leadership fosters trust and openness.
➡️ Legacy is not about what you leave behind but how you empower others.

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In part 2, Jeff responds to the disengagement epidemic in workplaces, and discusses his 'glow to glue' leadership model, which combines servant leadership, emotional intelligence, and neuro leadership. They delve into the importance of authenticity in leadership, the role of faith, and how to build....

13/09/2025

10/09/2025

In this engaging conversation, Joel Gunn and Jeff Jaime discuss the evolution of leadership from a command and control model to one that emphasizes compassion, connection, and care. Jeff shares insights from his experiences in the military and business, highlighting the importance of valuing employees and fostering emotional connections to combat disengagement in the workplace. They explore the costs of disengagement, the impact of community service on employee morale, and the challenges leaders face in implementing these changes.

Takeaways:
✔️ Research shows that caring leadership leads to better business outcomes.
✔️ Leadership should shift from command and control to compassion.
✔️ Disengagement in the workplace is a significant issue costing billions.
✔️ Emotional connections drive employee retention and loyalty.
✔️ Community service can enhance employee engagement and morale.

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In this engaging conversation, Joel Gunn and Jeff Jaime discuss the evolution of leadership from a command and control model to one that emphasizes compassion, connection, and care. Jeff shares insights from his experiences in the military and business, highlighting the importance of valuing employe...

03/09/2025

Our host, Joel Gunn, interviews Rudy Garza, the CEO of CPS Energy. Rudy shares his personal journey from growing up in Corpus Christi to becoming a CEO, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, work-life balance, and authenticity in leadership. He discusses the challenges of leadership, the significance of trust within teams, and the role of faith in guiding his decisions. Rudy encourages future leaders to take risks and remain true to themselves while fostering a supportive environment for their teams.

Takeaways:
🟢 Taking calculated risks is necessary for growth as a leader.
🟢 Authenticity is key to being a respected leader.
🟢 Mentorship has played a crucial role in Rudy's career development.
🟢 Leadership requires a genuine interest in people and their well-being.
🟢 Trust within a team is fundamental for success.

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Our host, Joel Gunn, interviews Rudy Garza, the CEO of CPS Energy. Rudy shares his personal journey from growing up in Corpus Christi to becoming a CEO, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, work-life balance, and authenticity in leadership. He discusses the challenges of leadership, the signifi...

27/08/2025

Joel and our guest, Doug Carlberg, discuss the reasons behind project failures, emphasizing the importance of leadership, communication, and team empowerment. They explore how effective collaboration and buy-in at all levels can lead to successful project outcomes. Doug shares insights from his extensive experience in manufacturing and project management, highlighting the significance of engaging employees and learning from mistakes.

Takeaways:
🔸 Projects often fail due to lack of leadership and communication.
🔸 Understanding objectives is crucial for project success.
🔸 The theory of constraints can help identify project limitations.
🔸 Empowering teams leads to better project outcomes.
🔸 Daily status meetings improve communication and project tracking.
🔸 Engaging employees can lead to innovative solutions.
🔸 Cross-functional teams enhance collaboration and efficiency.

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Joel and our guest, Doug Carlberg, discuss the reasons behind project failures, emphasizing the importance of leadership, communication, and team empowerment. They explore how effective collaboration and buy-in at all levels can lead to successful project outcomes. Doug shares insights from his exte...

20/08/2025

In this conversation, Joel Gunn and Josh Arrington explore the nuanced dynamics between leadership and control. They discuss the importance of finding balance in leadership styles, the role of trust, and the impact of serving others. The conversation emphasizes the significance of intentional leadership in both family and work settings, and how true leadership is about developing people rather than merely achieving metrics. They reflect on the legacy of leaders and the long-term effects of their leadership styles on those they lead.

Takeaways:
👉🏼 Leadership exists on a continuum between control and abdication.
👉🏼 Leaders should focus on developing their teams, not just outcomes.
👉🏼 The heart of leadership is about serving those you lead.
👉🏼 Legacy is measured by the people leaders leave behind.
👉🏼 True leadership is about trust and collaboration, not just authority.

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In this conversation, Joel Gunn and Josh Arrington explore the nuanced dynamics between leadership and control. They discuss the importance of finding balance in leadership styles, the role of trust, and the impact of serving others. The conversation emphasizes the significance of intentional leader...

13/08/2025

In this episode of "A Leader's Journey," host Joel Gunn welcomes back Kevin Miller to discuss the intricacies of organizational dynamics and innovation. Through the engaging "bilge plug" analogy, they reveal how leaders can maintain momentum and foster innovation even when unexpected challenges arise. The conversation highlights the importance of not letting the fear of imperfection halt progress and emphasizes the value of the 80% rule—prioritizing progress over perfection.

Key Takeaways:
🔹 Embrace the 80% rule: Progress over perfection. Build resilient teams that adapt to change.
🔹 Avoid the trap of pausing for perfection; iterate as you go.
🔹 Foster a culture that thrives on momentum and agility.
🔹 Understand that strategic pauses are different from reactionary stops.

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06/08/2025

In this risky discussion, Joel and Christina Gunn share their personal journey of marriage and leadership, discussing the challenges they faced and the lessons learned over 38 years of marriage. They emphasize the importance of intentionality, communication, and the concept of neutrality in resolving disagreements - couples can maintain unity despite differences.

Takeaways:
🪢 Disagreements can exist without conflict.
🪢 Neutrality allows for open-mindedness in decision-making.
🪢 It's important to seek guidance in relationships.
🪢 Personal growth is essential for a healthy marriage.
🪢 Understanding each other's perspectives fosters unity.
🪢 Conflict resolution can lead to deeper connections.
🪢 The journey of marriage is ongoing and evolving.

Sound bites
"We both give up our right to be right."
"We were best friends when we got married."

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In this risky discussion, Joel and Christina Gunn share their personal journey of marriage and leadership, discussing the challenges they faced and the lessons learned over 38 years of marriage. They emphasize the importance of intentionality, communication, and the concept of neutrality in resolvin...

30/07/2025

Joel and Christina Gunn explore the multifaceted nature of mentorship. They discuss the importance of understanding the roles of mentors and mentees, the sacrificial nature of mentorship, and the need for self-care in order to be effective mentors. The conversation also touches on the time commitment required for mentorship and encourages potential mentors to embrace their imperfections as part of the mentoring journey.

Takeaways:
🔸 Self-awareness and personal growth are crucial for mentors.
🔸 Mentorship is often a sacrificial role that requires time and energy.
🔸 Healthy boundaries are essential to maintain a balanced mentor-mentee relationship.
🔸 Mentors should be willing to share their own experiences and obstacles.
🔸 Transformation in mentees often comes from walking alongside them.
🔸 You don't need to be perfect to be a mentor; just a little further along the journey.

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Joel and Christina Gunn explore the multifaceted nature of mentorship. They discuss the importance of understanding the roles of mentors and mentees, the sacrificial nature of mentorship, and the need for self-care in order to be effective mentors. The conversation also touches on the time commitmen...

23/07/2025

In this episode, our guest, Mechelle Salmon shares her transformative journey from a paramedic to a leader in emergency services. She discusses the challenges faced during a crisis that threatened a neighboring EMS agency and how her faith and leadership inspired a successful turnaround. The conversation explores themes of community impact, organizational change, and the importance of effective communication in leadership. Mechelle also highlights her current work in healthcare innovation and the significance of succession planning for future leaders.

Takeaways:
* Effective communication was crucial in navigating organizational challenges.
* Community involvement played a key role in rebuilding trust.
* Succession planning is vital for the sustainability of leadership.

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In this episode, our guest, Mechelle Salmon shares her transformative journey from a paramedic to a leader in emergency services. She discusses the challenges faced during a crisis that threatened a neighboring EMS agency and how her faith and leadership inspired a successful turnaround. The convers...

16/07/2025

Joel and Brent are back to explore the challenges organizations face in tackling hard tasks. They discuss the importance of accountability, learning from failures, and the necessity of rest and reflection in the workplace. The conversation emphasizes that doing hard things is essential for growth and development, both for individuals and teams, and encourages leaders to foster an environment where hard work is recognized and celebrated.

Takeaways:
➡️ Companies often struggle with executing their strategic plans.
➡️ Individuals in organizations tend to avoid hard tasks.
➡️ Accountability can significantly increase follow-through on difficult projects.
➡️ Celebrating small wins is crucial for team morale.
➡️ Rest and reflection are necessary after completing hard tasks.
➡️ Learning from failures can lead to better future outcomes.
➡️ Organizations need to break the status quo to foster growth.

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Joel and Brent are back to explore the challenges organizations face in tackling hard tasks. They discuss the importance of accountability, learning from failures, and the necessity of rest and reflection in the workplace. The conversation emphasizes that doing hard things is essential for growth an...

09/07/2025

Joel and Brent discuss the importance of doing hard things for personal growth and development. They explore how tackling difficult tasks can enhance our brain function, willpower, and overall character. The conversation delves into the significance of prioritizing hard tasks, building habits through hardship, and the challenge of being still in a world filled with distractions. They also touch on the necessity of self-reflection and preparation as essential components of personal and professional growth.

Takeaways:
✔️ Dopamine management is crucial for motivation.
✔️ Doing hard things is valuable for brain growth.
✔️ Prioritize hard tasks to enhance productivity.
✔️ Variety in hard tasks promotes growth.
✔️ Start with bite-sized hard things to build momentum.
✔️ Everyone benefits when leaders focus on self-improvement.

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Joel and Brent discuss the importance of doing hard things for personal growth and development. They explore how tackling difficult tasks can enhance our brain function, willpower, and overall character. The conversation delves into the significance of prioritizing hard tasks, building habits throug...