Intentional Leader with Cal Walters

Connect with Joe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephpmccormack/ Learn more about The Brief Lab: https://thebrieflab.com/ How do you become the kind of leader who cuts through noise, communicates with clarity, and actually moves people to action? In this episode of the Intentional Leader Podcast, Cal talks with Joe McCormack—founder of The Brief Lab and author of Brief, Noise, and Quiet Works. Joe has trained elite military units and Fortune 500 executives to be clear, concise, and intentional communicators, and to rediscover the quiet that makes powerful communication possible. They explore: Why noise is the real villain in your leadership story The "sword and shield" of effective communication: brief (cut through clutter) and quiet (protect your attention) Why being brief actually requires more preparation, not less The 3 levels of detail and how to stop overwhelming people How to build quiet into your day so you think better and lead better Why thinking time is part of your job, not a luxury How to use small pockets of quiet before and after meetings Practical ways to manage your phone instead of being managed by it How AI + quiet work can become a leadership superpower If you've ever felt frustrated by endless meetings, rambling updates, or your own distracted brain, this conversation will give you practical tools you can use this week. Episode Highlights Noise as the villain – How constant distractions, disruptions, and devices are eroding our ability to think and communicate. The brief & quiet toolkit – Brief is the sword that cuts through clutter; quiet is the shield that protects your attention so you can prepare. Why we overtalk – Insecurity, lack of preparation, ego, and a poor understanding of attention spans. The 3 levels of detail – Level 1 (headline), Level 2 (support), Level 3 (full detail). Most leadership moments only need Levels 1–2. Clarity like comedy – Sequence and timing matter. If it takes too long to get to the punchline, you lose people—even if the content is good. Quiet as an appointment – Why you should literally block quiet time on your calendar and not treat it like a "snow day." Quiet before collaboration – Simple practices like two minutes of silence at the start of meetings can transform outcomes. Redefining work in the AI age – Undistracted thinking is becoming a rare and valuable skill; AI works best when you can sit still and think. Your phone works for you – Reframing your phone as a tool, not a master. Practical Takeaways Take 3 minutes before your next meeting or email to decide: What's my headline? Use Joe's 3 levels of detail filter: Am I giving a headline, a trailer, or the entire movie? Block 15 minutes of quiet in the morning and afternoon, and connect it directly to upcoming or recent communication. Start your next team meeting with 2 minutes of silence for everyone to think about what they want to say and what they hope to get out of the meeting. Put your phone in another room for your quiet block and remind yourself: My phone works for me; I don't work for it.

How do the best military leaders go from operating at an already elite level… to an even higher level under pressure? In this episode, Army psychologist Dr. Liz Werly (who works directly with some of the U.S. military's most elite units) breaks down the exact framework she uses to help high performers: build accurate self-awareness using gold-standard assessments, "engineer" their personality to fit the context (calm under fire and present at home), develop emotional intelligence as the differentiator once IQ and talent are in place, and translate values into visible daily behaviors that protect what matters most. We also dig into groundedness and intentionality as core high-performance habits, the basics that leaders ignore at their own risk (sleep, rhythm, connection), and how generational shifts and resiliency trends are reshaping today's force and workplaces. In this episode, you'll learn: How Dr. Werly assesses elite leaders (IQ, Big Five, emotional measures) and turns data into a growth plan Why emotional intelligence becomes more important than raw intellect at higher levels of leadership A simple values → beliefs → behaviors framework (including the "20-minute Lego" example) How to recognize when your strengths (e.g., robotic under pressure) become liabilities at home or with your team Practical tools for grounding, bandwidth management, and emotional "dialing" What leaders need to understand about younger generations, resiliency, and expectations If you're already a high performer and want to become a more grounded, self-aware, and sustainable leader, this conversation is for you. Mentioned in this episode: Connect with Dr. Liz Werly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-h-werly-psy-d-b843b817/ Join the waitlist for the next Intentional Leader Lab cohort: intentionalleaderlab.com The views expressed in this episode are those of the participants and do not represent the official position of the U.S. Government or the U.S. Army. Chapters: 00:00 Intro – How elite leaders go from high to higher 00:33 Disclaimer + what this episode will cover 01:06 Welcome to The Intentional Leader Podcast + IL Lab mention 01:36 Meet Dr. Liz Werly & her work with elite military units 03:35 "If I walked into your office…" – her framework for high performers 05:19 Patterns, personality, and "engineering" your strengths 07:42 Robotic under pressure, distant at home – dialing traits up/down 09:20 Big Five, gold-standard assessments & why cheap tests fall short 11:24 Why tests need interpretation, not labels 13:18 How leaders react when they see their data 16:50 Values-based goals & Acceptance and Commitment mindset 18:58 IQ vs personality vs EQ – what you can actually change 21:00 The four pillars of emotional intelligence (Liz's breakdown) 24:25 Why EQ is the edge once IQ is "good enough" 24:50 Groundedness & intentionality as #1 performance levers 26:44 Designing your "ideal day" for this season of life 29:04 Sleep, basics, and whole-person performance 29:50 Values → beliefs → behaviors (the 20-minute Lego example) 32:36 When values collide (deployments, travel, guilt & shame) 34:44 Emotions as information vs letting emotions drive decisions 36:30 Generational friction & why it's an emotional intelligence issue 39:25 Tech, expectations, and how younger leaders are different 41:06 Resiliency, safety culture, and maturity gaps 43:18 Recruiting, mental health, and opportunity in today's force 45:00 Where to connect with Liz + her final advice to leaders 46:24 Outro – 5 practical challenges: grounding, values, bandwidth, dialing, feedback

Dr. Zach Mercurio, an author and researcher on purpose and leadership, shares how creating a sense of mattering is crucial for team dynamics. He emphasizes that feeling valued is fundamental to performance and that leaders must foster trust and care. Mercurio discusses the barriers leaders face in showing genuine concern and explains how small, intentional interactions can significantly impact relationships. He advocates for a shift from traditional command-and-control leadership to a more relational approach that prioritizes emotional intelligence and connection.

Dr. Ryan Gottfredson, an expert in mindsets and leadership development, discusses groundbreaking concepts from his work, including the transformative power of self-awareness and emotional intelligence. He emphasizes the crucial difference between 'being' and 'doing' for effective leadership. The conversation dives into the impact of trauma on personal growth, offering insights on how to navigate emotional challenges and build resilience. Ryan shares his personal journey, illustrating how leaders can achieve meaningful transformation both personally and professionally.

➡️ Learn about the Intentional Leader Lab: https://intentionalleaderlab.com Book a call: https://tally.so/r/w8X6dz Apply today: https://tally.so/r/nr40XM The Intentional Leader Lab: A Mastermind for Successful Leaders Who Refuse to Plateau Even the best leaders can drift, but this carefully curated leadership community and Cal's Narrow Path™ Framework give you the tools, accountability, and systems to accelerate your growth. Only 11 spots left.

➡️ Apply to the Intentional Leader Lab (only 12 slots available): https://intentionalleaderlab.com/ In this conversation, Cal introduces the Intentional Leader Lab, a coaching program aimed at enhancing leadership skills through emotional intelligence. Dr. Travis Bradberry, an expert in emotional intelligence, discusses its significance in leadership, differentiating it from IQ, and the importance of self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness. The conversation emphasizes practical strategies for developing emotional intelligence and the impact it has on personal and professional relationships. Dr. Travis Bradberry is a best-selling author and a leading expert in emotional intelligence (EQ), co-authoring the #1 bestseller Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and the book The New Emotional Intelligence. He co-founded TalentSmart, a provider of EQ assessments and training used by many Fortune 500 companies, and is currently the Chief People Scientist at LEADx. His work focuses on practical strategies and new research to help people improve their EQ, which impacts behavior, decision-making, and relationships.

In a captivating conversation, Melody Wilding, bestselling author and professor of human behavior, dives into managing up effectively. She explains the art of emotional intelligence and the importance of self-advocacy over manipulation. Listeners learn about the 'triple win' strategy, aimed at mutual benefits for employees, managers, and the organization. Melody shares practical communication tips, boundary-setting strategies, and how to provide impactful feedback, transforming workplace dynamics into powerful alliances that elevate overall performance.

Patrick Lencioni, bestselling author and founder of The Table Group, shares invaluable insights on effective leadership. He emphasizes the need for leaders to serve others and confront their fears. Daily self-reflection is presented as a vital tool for understanding one's motives and shaping leadership styles. The conversation highlights the importance of unity in organizations and the necessity of self-discovery, especially for young leaders. Lencioni also discusses how personal challenges can foster growth and the importance of maintaining joy and purpose as one transitions into retirement.

Geoff Woods, author of The AI-Driven Leader and founder of AI Leadership, shares his insights on leveraging AI for strategic decision-making. He discusses the importance of asking the right questions and using AI as a thought partner rather than just a tool. Geoff illustrates how AI can simulate executive dynamics and enhance leadership effectiveness. He also highlights the lessons from Blockbuster's strategic missteps, emphasizing the need for innovation and adaptability in a technology-driven world.

General Stan McChrystal, a retired four-star general known for commanding U.S. forces in Afghanistan, shares his insights on leadership and character. He reflects on how personal experiences, like his resignation and marriage, shape values. The discussion includes tackling fear in leadership, emphasizing moral courage and discipline. McChrystal advocates for clear communication to counter groupthink. He highlights writing as a tool for refining thoughts and fostering societal dialogue on integrity, urging leaders to embrace their core values.