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Episode 045: Chris Fussell – Gun Fights To Board Rooms: The Similarities In War And Business

Chris Fussell is an incredible learning leader.  Truly on another level when it comes to work ethic, grit, and intelligence.  I was absolutely honored to have this conversation with him… And even more proud to now call him a friend.

Chris Fussell is the Chief Business Development Officer at McChrystal Group, leading the sales, marketing, and client relations teams.  He and his team are responsible for identifying and growing McChrystal Group’s network and client base, and for positioning CrossLead as a 21st century leadership model and globally-recognized brand. Chris is an author of the firm’s forthcoming management book, Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement in a Complex World.

Chris was commissioned as a Naval Officer in 1997, and spent the next 15 years on US Navy SEAL Teams, leading SEAL elements in combat zones around the globe. From war-torn Kosovo, to counter-terrorism operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, to highly specialized efforts in the troubled areas of the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa, he experienced the modern evolution of the US military’s Special Operations community, first on SEAL Teams Two and Eight, then in the Naval Special Warfare Development Group.

Chris was selected to serve as Aide-de-Camp to then-Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal during General McChrystal’s final year commanding the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), where they served a year together in Iraq. He witnessed first-hand the Special Operations community’s transformation into a successful, agile network.

Episode 045: Chris Fussell – Gun Fights To Board Rooms: The Similarities In War And Business

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The Learning Leader Show

“People that are truly world class are comfortable in their skin.” – Chris Fussell

Some Questions I Ask:

• What are common characteristics of world class performers?
• What is the primary role of an Ade De Camp?
• Why does General McChrystal only eat one meal per day? Do you?
• Why did you and General McChrystal risk your lives to be out in the field with the team fighting?  Is this common?
• What are the primary differences in the civilian business world versus what you experienced on the battlefield?
• What specific tactics do you use to make CrossLead stick?
• What is your morning routine?
• What is your favorite book?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The importance of being comfortable in your own skin
• How Chris specifically was able to “buy time” for General McChrystal
• The real work of an aide de camp and how it’s similar to that of the chief of staff for The President
• Chris’s approach to selling and relationship building
• His fear of being bored
• The elements that define a quality life

 “A leader must be real… They must be authentic.” – Chris Fussell

Continue Learning

• Learn more about Chris: The McChrystal Group
• Read Chris and General McChrystal’s book: Team Of Teams
• Follow Chris on Twitter: @FussellChris

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Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content.  Chris Fussell is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this?  Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From McChrystalgroup.com

Chris Fussell is the Chief Business Development Officer at McChrystal Group, leading the sales, marketing, and client relations teams.  He and his team are responsible for identifying and growing McChrystal Group’s network and client base, and for positioning CrossLead as a 21st century leadership model and globally-recognized brand. Chris is an author of the firm’s forthcoming management book, Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement in a Complex World.

Chris was commissioned as a Naval Officer in 1997, and spent the next 15 years on US Navy SEAL Teams, leading SEAL elements in combat zones around the globe. From war-torn Kosovo, to counter-terrorism operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, to highly specialized efforts in the troubled areas of the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa, he experienced the modern evolution of the US military’s Special Operations community, first on SEAL Teams Two and Eight, then in the Naval Special Warfare Development Group.

Chris was selected to serve as Aide-de-Camp to then-Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal during General McChrystal’s final year commanding the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), where they served a year together in Iraq. He witnessed first-hand the Special Operations community’s transformation into a successful, agile network.

In 2012, Chris left the Naval Special Warfare Development Group in order to join the McChrystal Group. Prior to becoming Chief of Network Management, he served as a Project Lead for a client engagement. Chris is also a Senior Fellow for National Security at New America, a Washington, DC-based non-partisan think tank dedicated to understanding the next generation of challenges facing the United States. Chris is actively involved in several non-profits dedicated to helping veterans and their families, and holds a seat on the Board of Directors for the Navy SEAL Foundation.

Chris earned a Masters Degree in Irregular Warfare from the Naval Postgraduate School, receiving the Pat Tillman Award for highest peer-rated Special Operations Officer in the program. His thesis work focused on the interagency collaboration and intelligence sharing processes that drove effective, cross-silo collaboration during the peak of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.