The L3 Leadership Podcast with Doug Smith

Send us a textEpisode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, you’ll hear our interview with Mike Sullivan, Coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. You’ll hear Mike talk about his favorite moments from both of his Stanley Cup runs, the lessons he’s learned from his leadership journey, how he turned around the Penguins so quickly and won two cups, his advice to his 20-year-old self, and more. Enjoy!3 Key Takeaways:1. Mike talks about the best part of winning two Stanley Cup runs.2. He talks about his journey as a hockey coach and some of the lessons he's learned along the way.3. He shares what he would tell his 20-year-old self if he knew then what he knows now.About Mike: Mike Sullivan was named head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 12, 2015 when the team fired coach Mike Johnston. Sullivan was coaching the Penguins’ American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre before being promoted to the NHL club.Sullivan was an assistant coach for the Vancouver Canucks for the 2013-14 season under coach John Tortorella. Prior to joining the Canucks, Sullivan was an assistant on Tortorella’s staff with the New York Rangers and, before that, was again an assistant for Tortorella with the Tampa Bay Lightning.Sullivan also served as head coach for the U.S. Men’s team at the 2007 World Championships in Russia. He also was an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s Olympic Team at the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin, Italy.Previously, Sullivan spent two years as head coach of the Boston Bruins. In his first season in 2003-04, Sullivan led the team to the Northeast Division title. In 164 regular season games as a head coach, he had a record of 70-56-15-23 with a 3-4 playoff record.Sullivan joined Boston after spending one season as head coach of their top American Hockey League affiliate in Providence, Rhode Island. Following his stint with Providence, he was named the assistant coach of the NHL’s Bruins under then interim head coach Mike O’Connell.A native of Marshfield, Massachusetts, Sullivan played four seasons of college hockey at Boston University from 1986-87 until 1989-90. He scored 61 goals and recorded 138 points in 141 career college games. He was drafted by the New York Rangers as their fourth pick, 69th overall, in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, though he never signed with them. He began his NHL career in August of 1991 when he signed a free agent contract with the San Jose Sharks after spending one season with the San Diego Gulls of the International Hockey League. Sullivan went on to play 11 seasons in the NHL and scored 54 goals with 136 points in 709 games during his playing career.Connect with Mike:Webpage Quotes from the Episode:"Don't be so concerned about what other people think about you. Stick to your convictions." -Mike Sullivan "It's hard to be a head coach in this league if you're not willing to make tough decisions." -Mike Sullivan"Great players don't win championships in this league, great teams win championships."  -Mike Sullivan"Sometimes as a head coach you have to gain control by relinquishing control by empowering others."  -Mike Sullivan

Send us a textEpisode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, Doug discusses why you need a bucket list, what your bucket list could look like, and how you can continuously check items off your list. About Doug Smith: Doug Smith is the Director of Development at Light of Life Rescue Mission and Founder and CEO of L3 Leadership. He is the author of his eBook, “Making the Most of Mentoring”, a step-by-step guide to help you build and cultivate relationships with mentors. He blogs at dougsmithlive.com, is the host of the L3 Leadership podcast and is a sought-after public speaker. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Laura, who currently works as an Account Executive at Ivalua. Together, they love family, personal growth, travel, working out, and serving others.4 Key Takeaways:1. Doug talks about how his father-in-law opened up the world to him, inspiring him to have life-changing experiences.2. He urges listeners to recognize that life is short. 3. Doug talks about what a bucket list is and how his bucket list is structured to inspire listeners to start their own list.4. He discusses some ways to cross items off of your bucket list. Quotes From the Episode:“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”“Always be adding to your bucket list.”“Always ask who, not how.”“Ask God to open up doors for you and give you bucket list experiences you couldn’t even dream of.”Resources Mentioned:My Plan For Living To 156 by Dan SullivanConnect with Doug:Website | Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram 

Send us a textEpisode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, Anton Gunn talks with Doug about his leadership journey that turned into his career, his experience playing football in college, and important lessons he’s learned in life. About Anton: Anton Gunn is a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama and the world’s leading expert on Socially Conscious Leadership.He has a Masters's Degree in Social Work from USC and was a Resident Fellow at Harvard. He is the bestselling author of The Presidential Principles and has been featured in TIME magazine, the Wall Street Journal, BBC, NPR, and on Good Morning America.As an International speaker and consultant, he has worked with organizations like T-Mobile, Sodexo, KPMG, Emory Healthcare, Bernard Health, Blue Shield of California, Mercedes-Benz Vans, and Boeing.From playing SEC football and being the first African American in history elected to the SC legislature from his district early in his career to now serving as the CEO of 937 Strategy Group and serving on multiple boards, he has spent his life helping people build diverse high performing teams and world-class leadership culture.4 Key Takeaways:1. Anton talks about the album that changed the trajectory of his life.2. He recounts his experience playing football at the University of South Carolina.3. He talks about his journey working in politics starting at a local level working in healthcare to becoming a Senior Advisor to President Obama.4. Anton talks about his new book, Just Lead. Quotes From the Episode:“Your mindset matters more than your skillset.”“As a leader, you should always keep your promises.”“There’s never a wrong time to do the right thing.”“When you’re passionate about something, do something about it.”Resources Mentioned:Pulp FictionJust Lead by Anton GunnThe Audacity of Leadership by Anton GunnMore Books by AntonAudibleConnect with Anton:Website | Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin | InstagramEpisode Webpage: https://l3leadership.org/338

Send us a textEpisode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, Erin and Doug talk about how authenticity can be your superpower in your career, how she makes decisions, increasing employee engagement, leadership development, and more.About Erin Hatzikostas: Erin Hatzikostas is a former corporate CEO turned founder of b Authentic, Inc. She is an author, a TEDx and Keynote speaker, a career coach, a podcast cohost, and Running Man enthusiast. At the age of 42, Erin became the CEO of a nine-figure 1,000-employee healthcare financial company where she led a massive turnaround, tripling earnings and sending employee engagement skyrocketing in just three years. Just when things were going great, Erin decided to walk away from the corporate world. She realized it was her reliance on authenticity that allowed her to say yes to the big girl job, but also to achieve incredible results.Through her company, b Authentic Inc., she’s on a hellbent mission to eradicate the all-too-fake corporate environment by inspiring and enabling an army of people to crush their careers without compromising everything else.Erin is the friend, the mom, the coach, guru, and the boss you’ve always wanted all rolled into one.4 Key Takeaways:Erin discusses with Doug why she left the corporate world to start her own company. She talks about how she was able to drive employee engagement in her corporate job.She shares why she believes being authentic will help you get better results in your career.Erin talks about how she teaches others to grow as leaders through keynote speeches and workshops. Quotes From the Episode:“Authenticity does not mean to be yourself.”“Leadership shouldn’t be a popularity contest.”“It was my authenticity that drove results.”“People respect authority, but they follow authenticity.”Resources Mentioned:B AuthenticYou are a Badass by Jen SinceroHow I Built This PodcastSpeakernomics PodcastConnect with Erin:Website | Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram | YouTube

Send us a textEpisode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, Doug shares all of his favorite tools, services, and resources that have helped him go further and faster in every aspect of his life both personally and professionally. About Doug Smith: Doug Smith is the Director of Development at Light of Life Rescue Mission and Founder and CEO of L3 Leadership. He is the author of his eBook, “Making the Most of Mentoring”, a step-by-step guide to help you build and cultivate relationships with mentors. He blogs at dougsmithlive.com, he is the host of the L3 Leadership podcast, and he is a sought-after public speaker. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Laura, who currently works as an Account Executive at Ivalua. Together, they love family, personal growth, travel, working out, and serving others.6 Key Takeaways:1. Doug shares some resources that he found helpful in his marriage, parenting, and family in general.2. He shares some of his favorite resources for journaling.3. Doug talks about some useful financial tools and the 7 Baby Steps that have helped him go further with his finances.4. He shares his favorite resources for traveling.5. He covers resources for both physical and spiritual wellbeing. 6. Doug talks about various work-related hacks and resources that help streamline his workflow. Quotes From the Episode:“I love finding out about new services, products and resources to help my life to help my life get better and then I”m very passionate about sharing those with others.”  Resources Mentioned:Find a comprehensive list of resources and their links here: https://l3leadership.org/336Connect with Doug:Website | Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram

Send us a textEpisode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, Doug talks with his longtime friend Alex Pursglove about how investing in coaching changed her life, and what she’s learned about money through her success with her business.About Alex Pursglove: From embracing personal growth and shifting limiting beliefs, Alex Pursglove transformed from a people-pleasing, self-criticizing, and struggling solotreprenuer into an unapologetic woman running a multi-six-figure coaching business. Once she learned the art of creating and quantum leaping, she tenaxed her business in under two years while strengthening her faith, confidence, and personal fulfillment. Alex is dedicated to helping other women create wild success in life and business by releasing shame and fear that slows them down while cultivating full conviction in their vision and their value. Her clients experience significant shifts in how they see themselves as they accelerate their revenue and results more easily. Deeply committed to practicing what she preaches, Alex has studied with multiple world-class mentors, including David Nagel, one of the architects of the personal development industry to uplevel every area of her life, family, and business.She and her husband Adam value transformative experiences in travel, practicing Brazillian Ju Jitsu, and devoting a purposeful life together with their daughter, Stella Love.4 Key Takeaways:1. Alex talks about how she started her business and what she learned in the first year. 2. She shares what her experience was like investing in a coach. 3. She talks about her beliefs surrounding failure.4. Alex defines what a “quantum leap” means to her.Quotes From the Episode:“I decided to follow what I wanted instead of doubting myself.”“People pleasing is being dishonest with someone to avoid their potential reaction to you.”“The only way you can avoid mistakes is to not be in the arena.”“Money is a vehicle for change and for impact.”Resources Mentioned:Pace Success CoachingConnect with Alex:Website | Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram 

Send us a textEpisode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, Ginger discusses her career journey at Southwest, what she learned while working there, and shares her thoughts on work culture. About Ginger: Ginger Hardage retired as Senior Vice President of Culture and Communications at Southwest Airlines after an illustrious 25 years, where she served as a member of the CEO's executive leadership team. At Southwest, Ginger led a team of 150 people responsible for building and sustaining the organization's legendary culture and communications enterprise.In 2017, Ginger launched Unstoppable Cultures, a brand designed to help organizations create and sustain cultures of enduring greatness. Recognized by many as a foremost global authority on building and sustaining organizational culture, Ginger was responsible for the activities at Southwest that nourished the culture and the internal and external communications function. Ginger has received numerous honors throughout her career, including induction into the PublicRelations Hall of Fame, being named as one of Texas’ Most Powerful and Influential Women and receiving the prestigious Larry Foster Award for Integrity in Public Communication from the Arthur W. Page Society. PRWeek has named her multiple times to its Top 50 Power list and 50Most Powerful Women in Public Relations. She was named “Legendary Communicator” by Southern Methodist University, Legacy Award honoree by the Plank Center for Leadership, and selected for the James C. Bowling Executive-In-Residence Lecture Series at the University of Kentucky.Ginger currently serves as Global Chairman of the Board for Ronald McDonald House Charities. In Dallas, she serves on the board of The Trinity Park Conservancy and was a past president of the Trinity Commons Foundation. Ginger previously served on advisory boards of Novartis in Basel, Switzerland; The Page Society; Business Civic Leadership Center, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Big Brothers and Sisters of Metropolitan Dallas; Southwest Cares; and the Council of Public Relations Firms.Ginger earned a B.A. in advertising/public relations from Texas Tech University and was recognized as an outstanding alumna by the College of Mass Communications at Texas Tech University.Ginger lives in Dallas, TX, and Santa Fe, NM with her husband, Kelly.4 Key Takeaways:1. Ginger recalls how she got her position at Southwest Airlines and grew a team centered around culture and communications.2. She advises emerging leaders to distinguish themselves to grow within their current organization.3. She discusses where her career has gone since departing Southwest Airlines. 4. Ginger talks about what company culture and effective communication mean to her. Quotes From the Episode:“Culture isn’t a faucet you can turn on and off.”“I believe that culture, leadership, and communication go hand in hand.”“We have to be authentically ourselves to be authentically happy.”“Leaders cast a long shadow”.Resources Mentioned:Ginger’s Masterclass: The FellowshipConnect with Ginger:Website | Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram 

Send us a textEpisode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, Doug has a conversation with Jesse Cole, the founder of Fans First Entertainment and The Savannah Bananas, about his new book, Fans First.About Jesse Cole: Jesse Cole is the founder of Fans First Entertainment and owner of the Savannah Bananas. His teams have welcomed more than one million fans to their ballparks and have been featured on MSNBC, CNN, ESPN and in Entrepreneur Magazine.The Bananas have been awarded Organization of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Business of the Year and won the CPL Championship in their first year. Fans First Entertainment has been featured on the INC 5000 lists as one of the fastest growing companies in America.The Savannah Bananas currently have sold out every game since their first season and have a waiting list in the thousands for tickets.Jesse released his first book “Find Your Yellow Tux – How to Be Successful by Standing Out” in January of 2018 with a World Book Tour…at Epcot.Cole has been featured on over 500 podcasts and is an in-demand keynote speaker all over the country sharing the Fans First Experience on how to stand out, be different and create raving fans of both customers and employees.Cole is the Host of the Business Done Differently Podcast and has interviewed over 100 of some of the world’s leading entrepreneurs, authors and speakers.Fun Fact: Cole owns seven yellow tuxedos and proposed to his wife Emily in the yellow tux in front of a sold out crowd. She said Yes! The two later married at their stadium. In 2018, they welcomed their first baby banana, Maverick.5 Key Takeaways:1. Jesse catches up listeners on what has happened in his life in the past year and a half. 2. He shares what his main inspiration is  for trying out new ideas.3. Jesse talks about his new book, Fans First. 4. He gives advice to listeners about how to grow their confidence and be their biggest fans.5. He shares what the most rewarding part of owning The Bananas is for him. Quotes From the Episode:“How can you experiment with ideas faster?”“If you want to create fans of other people, you better be your biggest fan of what you do.”“How you do anything is how you do everything.”Resources Mentioned:Fans First by Jesse ColeBananaland on ESPNCameron HughesConnect with Jesse:Website | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube 

Send us a textEpisode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, Doug interviews Dr. Henry Cloud. In the interview, they walk through the leadership principles taught in three of Dr. Cloud’s books, they talk about Dr. Cloud’s process for writing books and his advice for aspiring authors, his advice for young leaders, and the importance of coaching for leaders.About Dr.Cloud: Dr. Cloud is an acclaimed leadership expert, psychologist, and best-selling author. He draws on his extensive experience in business, leadership consulting, and clinical psychology, to impart practical and effective advice for improving leadership skills and business performance.In his leadership consulting practice, Dr. Cloud works with Fortune 500 companies and smaller private businesses alike. He has an extensive executive coaching background, and experience as a leadership consultant, devoting the majority of his time working with CEO’s, leadership teams and executives to improve performance, leadership skills, and culture.His experience includes three decades as a consultant, and as an entrepreneur, he started and grew a successful chain of treatment centers in over 40 cities across the western United States. His experience running a business of this magnitude lends credibility to his expertise on leadership matters in the companies with which he works.As a speaker, Dr. Cloud has shared the stage with many business and global leaders and experts, such as Tony Blair, Jack Welch, Condoleezza Rice, Desmond Tutu, Marcus Buckingham, and others.Dr. Cloud is a graduate of Southern Methodist University, with a B.S. in psychology. He completed his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Biola University and his clinical internship at Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. His philanthropic interests lie in homelessness in the inner city, as well as missions in the developing world. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Tori, and their two daughters, Olivia and Lucy. He enjoys golf, scuba diving, boating, and fishing.4 Key Takeaways:1. Dr. Cloud discusses his book, Changes that Heal.2. He talks about 4 corner relationships and what those look like in one's life. 3. Dr. Cloud gives advice to aspiring writers. 4. He discusses why he coaches others and why he feels that people need coaching.Quotes From the Episode:“Learn how to be autonomous”. “Everybody’s gotta grow up and learn how to be an adult.”“There’s no such thing as a self-made person.”Resources Mentioned:Changes that Heal (Affiliate Link) The Power of the Other (Affiliate link)Necessary Endings Connect with Dr. Cloud:Website | Twitter | Facebook | Podcast | Instagram 

Send us a textEpisode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith shares lessons he’s learned about seasons of transitions in our lives. Whether you feel like you’re about to transition, you are in transition, or you know one day you will, we hope the lessons in the episode encourage you.About Doug: Doug Smith is the Director of Development at Light of Life Rescue Mission and Founder and CEO of L3 Leadership. He is the author of his eBook, “Making the Most of Mentoring”, a step by step guide to help you build and cultivate relationships with mentors. He blogs at dougsmithlive.com, he is host of the L3 Leadership podcast, and he is a sought after public speaker. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Laura, who currently works as an Account Executive at Ivalua. Together, they love family, personal growth, travel, working out, and serving others.5 Key Takeaways: He discusses the four questions to ask yourself when you find yourself in a season of transition. Doug talks about navigating uncomfortable transitions. He reminds us that God has to dry up the well sometimes to push us forward. He gives advice on looking back on the previous seasons of your life.  Doug reminds us that transitions can bring us to something better.Quotes From the Episode:“There will be times in your life where God has to dry up the well to get you to move and the best thing you can do when God says to ‘move’, is move.”“Believe in life cycles and seasons because they are real.”“Do not get bitter about your last season.”“Soon it’ll be better than it’s ever been.”Resources Mentioned:Matt Keller Leadership PodcastNecessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud (Affiliate Link)Connect with Doug:Website | Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram