Blair LaCorte, a transformational leader with a rich background in aviation, AI, tech, and aerospace, shares his insights on navigating the complexities of leadership. He discusses the importance of emotional intelligence over IQ for future success, emphasizing risk-taking and living beyond comfort zones. Blair reflects on personal growth, the evolving role of AI in human connections, and the challenges of maintaining meaningful relationships in a distracted world. Their conversation is packed with actionable wisdom and personal anecdotes for growth-minded leaders.
49:42
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Use AI to Boost Humanity
Learn what you do best as a human to leverage AI as a tool rather than fear replacement.
Use AI to enhance your skills, not just as an answer machine.
insights INSIGHT
Safety Links to Wellbeing
Safety and self-awareness are foundational to mental health, relationships, and longevity.
Feeling safe optimizes your immune and nervous systems to manage stress effectively.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Balance Stress and Safety
Embrace stress as essential for growth and flow state.
Balance stress and safety; chronic stress kills, but no stress prevents learning.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In this book, Angela Duckworth presents a compelling argument that success is driven more by grit, a fusion of relentless passion and perseverance, than by talent. She explains what grit is, how to identify and develop it, and how it can be grown through stages such as developing interests, consistent practice, finding a pro-social purpose, and cultivating optimism. The book is structured in three parts: explaining what grit is and why it matters, how to grow grit from the inside out, and how to grow grit from the outside in, targeting parents, coaches, teachers, and organizational leaders. Duckworth supports her arguments with personal stories, historical insights, and interviews with high achievers from various fields.
Think and Grow Rich
Napoleon Hill
Published in 1937, 'Think and Grow Rich' is a seminal work in the self-help genre. The book is the result of over twenty years of research by Napoleon Hill, who studied the habits and achievements of more than 500 successful individuals, including Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, and Henry Ford. Hill distills their wisdom into thirteen principles that, when practiced with persistence and faith, can transform dreams into reality. These principles include the power of desire, faith, specialized knowledge, organized planning, and the role of the subconscious mind. The book emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mental attitude, setting clear and specific goals, and taking consistent action to achieve success. It also explores the concept of the 'Master Mind' alliance and the need to overcome fears and doubts to achieve one's objectives.
On today's episode, John Barrows sits down with Blair LaCorte—a transformational leader whose career has spanned aviation, AI, tech, entertainment, and aerospace. With multiple highly successful exits, Blair brings battle-tested wisdom to the table, but what sets him apart is his focus on people, purpose, and emotional intelligence. They explore everything from growing up with entrepreneurial parents to the role of money as a vehicle for freedom—not fulfillment.
Blair opens up about risk-taking, self-awareness, and his philosophy on living outside the “safe zone” without slipping into complacency.The two also dive deep into the future of human connection in a world dominated by AI, arguing that EQ—not IQ—is where we’ll win from here on out.If you’re a founder, leader, or anyone trying to grow in uncertain times, this conversation is packed with grounded insights, personal stories, and strategic wisdom. Let’s make it happen.
Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together!
Make It Happen Mondays - B2B Sales Talk with John Barrows 
