Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business 1211: Using STRENGTHS-BASED leadership to be the best YOU w/ Mike Vincent
Mike Vincent’s journey spans 20 years as a Marine officer to co-founding Kaleo Coaching, a leadership coaching company rooted in strengths-based development. In this episode, Mike shares how lessons from the military—like adaptability, feedback, and team-building—are directly applicable to entrepreneurship. He explains how the CliftonStrengths framework has been a game-changer for individuals and teams looking to lead with clarity and energy. You'll walk away with powerful insights on how to listen for your calling, adapt through adversity, and tap into your natural wiring for long-term success.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
- 🧠 Why self-awareness is the ultimate entrepreneurial superpower—and how to develop it
- 💪 How to use strengths-based leadership to unlock team potential and retention
- 🔍 What it really means to “listen to your calling” (and how to spot the signs)
- 🔁 Why adaptability—not just resilience—is the key to surviving and thriving
- ⚙️ How military principles like feedback and orientation drive better business decisions
- 📊 Why soft skills are now “durable skills”—and how to build a strengths-driven culture
- 🧩 How to avoid letting labels or diagnoses (like ADHD) limit your potential
📝 About the Guest
Mike Vincent is a retired Marine officer and co-founder of Kaleo Coaching, based in St. Charles, Missouri. After two decades of leading Marines globally, he returned home to help run his family’s HVAC business—and bring strengths-based leadership tools to small businesses and teams across industries. Together with his brother, Mike coaches individuals and organizations using the CliftonStrengths assessment to build self-awareness, improve team dynamics, and cultivate calling-driven leadership. His real-world experience spans military, family business, and coaching—making him a uniquely grounded and impactful leader.
🎯 Guest’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
“Resilience isn’t just bouncing back—it’s your ability to adapt.”
Key Takeaways:
✔️ Your ability to adapt is more powerful than trying to return to the way things were
✔️ Collaboration is essential—true transformation happens with others, not alone
✔️ Lean into your natural strengths to develop a resilient, energy-giving approach to business
📢 Memorable Quotes
- “Circumstances change. You need something inside of you that doesn’t.” – Mike Vincent
- “These strengths aren’t labels. They’re clues to the best version of you.” – Mike Vincent
- “If you’re not hearing your calling, ask yourself: what’s preventing me from listening?” – Mike Vincent
💡 Actionable Takeaways
- ✅ Take the CliftonStrengths assessment to uncover your top strengths
- ✅ Start journaling or reflecting on what gives you energy and meaning—those are clues
- ✅ Use your strengths lens to reframe your role, tasks, or even pivot opportunities
- ✅ Collaborate with teammates who complement your blind spots and fill in the full picture
- ✅ Practice adaptability, not just perseverance, especially in changing business climates
🔗 Links & Resources