On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Chad E. Cooper—former Marine, Microsoft retiree at just 35, and high-level leadership coach. We dove deep into why values-driven leadership trumps just chasing tools and hacks, and why clarity, alignment, and resourcefulness are true keys to lasting success. Chad shared how the SERVE method reshapes leaders, and inspired us to let go of victim mindsets, adapt to new environments, and relentlessly pursue a legendary life. If you’re ready to level up your leadership and create real impact, this episode is a must-listen!

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Download your free episode guide here!

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00:00 Marine Corps: A Value-Based Organization

04:01 "Navigating Life's Journey"

08:50 Decline of Malls and Map Reading

10:19 Adapting Military Leadership to Civilian Sector

14:41 Resourcefulness Drives Consistent Success

19:30 Changing the Conversation on Privilege

22:52 "Leadership Through Transformative Language"

24:00 "Aligning Purpose with Self-Talk"

28:57 "Feeding the Right Wolf"

30:33 "Prioritize Time for Impact"

35:55 "Revamp Curriculum: Focus on Outcomes"

38:52 "Surgical Tech Use with AI"

39:56 Follow & Subscribe for Updates

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Here are my top 3 takeaways for fellow leaders and professionals:

• Start with Self-Awareness: You can’t lead effectively without knowing where you are, where you’re headed, and who’s coming with you. Take a step back—get clear on your map before you start collecting tools for the journey.

• Adapt Your Tools to Your Environment: What works in one organization (or season of life) won’t always work in another. The best leaders regularly reassess their approach and let go of what no longer fits.

• Resourcefulness > Resources: Whether it’s running a plant or leading a global team, your capacity to find solutions (not just the “right” answer) is a game-changer. Embrace challenges as an opportunity to show creativity and grit.

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

Chad's website

LinkedIn

Book Recommendation

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, we dove into the art of closing the leadership gap in the trades with Traci Austin, an expert in HR and talent strategy. Traci shared how mentorship, strong onboarding, and creating clear career pathways are essential for retention and building leaders from within. We explored how exposing young people early to trade opportunities, aligning company culture, and challenging outdated mindsets can help solve the workforce shortage in construction. If you’re ready to elevate your impact and rethink your leadership approach, this episode is a must-listen!

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Download your free episode guide here!

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Here are my top 3 takeaways:

• Retention is the Real Game-Changer: With hiring expensive and the talent pool shrinking, investing in retention and building a strong culture is more important than ever. Traci emphasized the necessity of mentorship, talent pathways, and ongoing development to keep great people engaged and growing within your organization.

• Expose Youth to Career Options Early: Creating opportunities for middle and high school students to experience trades firsthand—and see what’s possible—makes a big difference. Traci shared how community engagement and hands-on exposure help reinforce that the trades offer not just jobs, but meaningful, long-term careers.

• Mindset Makes All the Difference: Leaders can’t just accept high turnover and talent shortages as inevitable. Traci challenged organizations to shift their mindset—think creatively about internal career paths, training, and flexibility to meet both business needs and evolving employee expectations.

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

Traci's Website

LinkedIn

Book Recommendation

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with emotional intelligence expert Alicia Faricelli, and we dove deep into how leaders can unlock self-awareness, resilience, and authentic impact. From managing stress and breaking out of fight-or-flight patterns, to transforming scarcity mindsets and building stronger teams, Alicia shared actionable tips you can implement right now. If you’re ready to stop fighting for your piece of the pie and start leading with intention and emotional intelligence, you’ll want to tune in to this episode!

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Download your free episode guide here!

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00:00 Entrepreneur Coaching for Emotional Intelligence

03:21 Emotional Intelligence in Tough Industries

08:51 Disconnect for Happiness and Balance

10:04 Morning Routine for Balanced Work-Life

13:53 "Believing in Others' Potential"

18:59 "Serve Others for True Fulfillment"

22:24 "Receiving by Giving: Client Challenges"

24:06 Optimizing Hiring Processes

28:40 Align Personal and Business Vision

30:45 Defining Entrepreneurial Purpose

34:38 Embracing Change: A Healthy Approach

38:09 "Recommended Entrepreneur Book: Traction"

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Here are 3 takeaways every business leader should consider:

• Emotional Intelligence Starts with the Nervous System: Alicia emphasizes that real emotional intelligence is rooted in a regulated nervous system. When leaders manage their stress and emotional responses, it ripples out—impacting productivity, relationships, and overall organizational culture.

• Service Over Scarcity: The urge to “fight for your slice” is often rooted in scarcity mindsets passed down generationally. Alicia’s advice? Shift from a competitive to a service-driven approach—focus on how you can help others, and watch abundance return.

• Hiring for Attitude Over Skills: Skills can be taught. Emotional intelligence, willingness to learn, and alignment with your mission are harder to cultivate. Look for energy, engagement, and adaptability when bringing people onto your team.

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

Alicia's Website

LinkedIn

Book Recommendation