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#096 Cal Riley: Special Ops, Grief, and Why Your Business Needs a Heart

Sep 30, 2025
Cal Riley, a former US Army Special Operations officer and CEO, discusses his transition to business leadership and how his military background informs his approach. He reveals the importance of compassionate leadership following personal grief, notably his brother's suicide. Cal shares insights on implementing the EOS framework to enhance business efficiency and personal well-being. He emphasizes self-care practices like journaling and meditation, highlighting the profound impact of compassion on employee morale and company culture.
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ANECDOTE

Preparing For The Unexpected

  • Cal describes developing a 'green on blue' battle drill to prevent insider attacks while partnered with Afghan forces.
  • The drill boosted team morale and likely prevented any green-on-blue incidents on that deployment.
ANECDOTE

Thrown Into Running The Family Firm

  • Cal joined his father's commercial construction firm and faced a sudden leadership void when his father died months after he joined.
  • He learned by trial-by-fire until EOS helped him step back and run the business instead of it running him.
ADVICE

Use EOS To Run The Business

  • Implement EOS to clarify vision, create discipline (traction), and build a healthy company culture.
  • Use rigid implementation: problems usually stem from not following EOS tools consistently.
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