10/05/2026
Roger and I both stepped into unexpected leadership roles in a brand new environment that we’ve never been in before in the realm of operations management. We had completely different backgrounds & also never met each other before.
We were expected to hit the ground running and manage 10 departments to support over 200+ personnel internationally. Upon arrival, there was no communication, timelines were missed, logistics fell behind, and attitudes were stressed. Not the ideal start.
Roger and I decided to get uncomfortable, not just professionally but personally and step into the unique
“battlefield” we were experiencing to lead, inspire, and redefine the culture. I began small groups after hours to talk about life experience, leadership, experience, soft skills, and overcoming adversity by having faith in one another.
A fun byproduct that was created was our own football team. We practiced & competed twice a week which at least for a little bit reminded each other that we were just humans and we all wanted the same thing: real connection and results.
In the end, production went up at least 70%, timelines were met, logistics arrived on time, the culture changed to one of unity, and also people begin to just have fun again.
Leadership is not about power and just making decisions.
Real leadership is service to people, identifying the problems, understanding what’s going on at both a professional and personal level, and developing ways to unite not divide.
“If service is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you.”
