In this episode, Andrew and Craig discuss the importance of problem solving in leadership, drawing from Craig's experiences in Afghanistan. They explore how leaders can creatively address unexpected challenges, the significance of collaboration and trust within teams, and the opportunities that arise from tackling problems head-on. The conversation emphasizes that effective leadership involves not only solving problems but also fostering relationships and building trust within and outside the organization.

Takeaways

• Leadership is fundamentally about problem solving.
• Creativity plays a crucial role in addressing unexpected challenges.
• Leaders must adapt to unique situations that may not align with their training.
• Taking on additional responsibilities can lead to growth and learning.
• Collaboration is essential for effective problem solving.
• Trust is built through consistent actions and support.
• Problem solving can create opportunities for team bonding and collaboration.
• Addressing problems for others can lead to unexpected positive outcomes.
• Effective leaders leverage their team's strengths to find solutions.
• Building relationships is vital in both military and business contexts.

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In this episode, Craig and Andrew discuss the challenges and changes that come with transitioning from a peer to a leader. They explore the importance of building trust, setting clear standards, and navigating difficult conversations. The conversation emphasizes the need for effective communication and the balance between authority and friendliness in leadership roles. They also highlight the inevitability of mistakes in the leadership journey and the importance of learning from them.

Takeaways

The transition from peer to leader requires a mental shift.

Building trust is essential for effective leadership.

Every action taken as a leader contributes to your credibility.

Clear communication of standards is crucial after a promotion.

Navigating hard conversations is a key leadership skill.

Leaders must balance authority with approachability.

Establishing expectations early can prevent misunderstandings.

Mistakes are part of the leadership journey; learn from them.

Effective leaders adapt their style to the situation.

Communication is the foundation of successful leadership.

#leadership #coaching #development#communication #trust #standards #management #commandpostcohort

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In this episode, Craig and Andrew discuss the importance of empowering leadership through delegation, building trust within teams, and the balance between control and trust in leadership roles. They share personal experiences and insights on how effective delegation can enhance organizational success and the continuous journey of improvement in leadership skills.

• Empowering others through delegation enhances leadership effectiveness.
• Leaders are responsible for outcomes but do not need to do everything themselves.
• Trusting team members fosters a culture of accountability and growth.
• Effective communication is key to building trust within a team.
• Leaders should focus on strategic planning and high-level decision-making.
• Continuous improvement is essential for effective leadership.
• Delegation allows leaders to maximize their time and resources.
• Monitoring junior leaders is crucial to prevent burnout and inefficiency.
• Actions can communicate distrust, even when intentions are good.
• Leadership is a continuous learning journey.

#leadership #coaching #development#communication #trust #standards #management #commandpostcohort

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In this episode, Craig and Andrew discuss the concept of After Action Reviews (AARs), emphasizing their importance in fostering a culture of learning and improvement within teams. They outline the structure and purpose of AARs, highlighting the need for open communication, accountability, and trust. The conversation covers the four key questions to guide AARs, the significance of documenting outcomes, and the necessity of involving all team members in the process. The episode concludes with resources for implementing effective AARs in various organizational contexts.

Takeaways

AARs are essential for team improvement and trust-building.

The purpose of AARs is to learn from experiences, not to assign blame.

Creating a safe environment is crucial for honest discussions.

AARs should be conducted soon after events to capture accurate insights.

Accountability and trust are fundamental to effective AARs.

Involving everyone in the AAR process enhances understanding and communication.

Documenting outcomes ensures that learnings are actionable.

AARs can be scaled to fit any size of team or organization.

Positive outcomes should also be recognized during AARs.

Chapters

08:22 The Structure and Purpose of AARs

14:23 Conducting Effective AARs

27:02 Implementing Lessons Learned from AARs

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After Action Review, AAR, team improvement, accountability, trust, learning culture, leadership, communication, feedback, performance

In this episode, Craig and Andrew discuss the significance of values in leadership and organizational culture. They explore how values guide actions, influence team dynamics, and impact customer loyalty. Through examples from companies like Chick-fil-A and Apple, they illustrate the importance of living values daily and the consequences of neglecting them. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to collaboratively develop and implement values within their organizations to foster a strong culture and drive success.

Takeaways

Values are fundamental beliefs that guide actions.

Organizational values should be lived, not just written.

Values influence team dynamics and culture.

Customer loyalty is driven by consistent values.

Leaders must model the values they promote.

Values should be developed collaboratively with the team.

Ignoring values can lead to trust issues with customers.

Values impact employee retention and attraction.

Values are critical to overall business success.

In this episode, Craig and Andrew discuss the essential elements of performance improvement coaching, focusing on how leaders can effectively navigate difficult conversations with their team members. They emphasize the importance of maintaining standards, setting clear expectations, and identifying root causes of performance issues. The conversation also covers the development of actionable plans for improvement and the significance of follow-up and accountability in the coaching process. This episode aims to equip leaders with practical tools and strategies to enhance team performance and foster a supportive work environment.

Takeaways

Performance improvement coaching is essential for leaders.

Difficult conversations can be constructive if approached correctly.

Maintaining standards is crucial for team success.

Clear expectations help prevent misunderstandings.

Identifying root causes is key to solving performance issues.

Action plans should involve both the leader and the employee.

Regular follow-ups ensure accountability and progress.

Leaders must provide resources and support for their team.

Communication is vital in setting expectations and deadlines.

Adjustments to plans can be made as needed to ensure success.

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In this podcast episode, Joseph Kopser shares his journey from a 20-year Army veteran to a successful entrepreneur with the founding of Ride Scout. He discusses the challenges of balancing military life with entrepreneurship, the importance of leadership, and the lessons learned from his experiences. The conversation also touches on the upcoming Leading to Win conference, aimed at bridging the gap between military and civilian communities, and fostering collaboration among various organizations supporting veterans.

Takeaways

People will be what they can see, especially in the military and veteran community.

Set out to fix a problem, not just to build a company.

Leadership is about getting someone to do something they wouldn't do on their own.

Networking can happen informally, one beer at a time.

Transformational leadership requires identifying and implementing change effectively.

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In this episode of Command Post Cohort, Craig and Andrew dig into one of the most underrated leadership tools—the one-on-one meeting. Whether you call it a touchpoint, coaching session, or counseling, the title doesn’t matter as much as the intent: authentic conversations that build trust, uncover roadblocks, and develop your people.

They walk through a practical, flexible one-on-one meeting template that leaders can use to support team members, track progress, provide feedback, and align goals. Craig shares lessons from his Army experience, and Andrew tells a story of how one conversation helped unlock a soldier’s potential—leading to the best retention rate in U.S. Army Europe.

If you’re a new leader looking for a structure—or a seasoned one trying to reset expectations—this episode offers real talk, real tools, and real stories to help you lead better today.

📎 Download the free one-on-one template at commandpostcohort.com
📺 Watch this episode on YouTube for the screen-shared walkthrough
💬 Connect with us and suggest topics at commandpostcohort.com

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