Intentional Leader with Cal Walters

Sign Up Here to Win a Free Copy of Graham's Book! Cal Walters and Wes Cochrane interview Graham Cochrane (Wes's older brother) about this new book, "How to Get Paid for What You Know." Graham Cochrane is a business coach to over 3,500 premium customers worldwide. He founded The Recording Revolution, an online music business that generates 7 figures in revenue, in 2009. He now hosts over 80,000+ monthly followers on his podcast, YouTube channel, and blog, talking about business, mindset, productivity, and psychology. Graham has been featured in Business Insider, Yahoo!, and The Huffington Post. Even if you have no interest in online business or have never even considered it, stick around to hear this interview because it’s packed with wisdom about life and self-leadership. We dive into how Graham went from living on food stamps to creating his first 7 figure business, The Recording Revolution. We discuss imposter syndrome, something we can all relate to, staying committed to a long term plan and how he remains so consistent, he gives us a critique of the hustle culture that is constantly promoting workaholism, why even after having two 7 figure businesses he has invested a lot of money in a high performance coach, and some keys to self-leadership that he shares at the end.  I highly recommend you get a copy of Graham's book!

If you’re interested in growing in your leadership practice and being inspired to think differently and unlock greater personal potential, we want to give you a gift. Just click the link below and tell us where to send you 12 Ideas That Will Make You A Better Leader In 2022. Get Mike Bassett's new book, The Man in the Ditch: A Redemption Story for Today Mike is an Army veteran and a civil litigation attorney who has practiced law for nearly 4 decades.  He is the founder of the Bassett Firm, a highly sought-after national speaker, consultant, and mediator.  He is also the host of the fantastic Legal Grounds Podcast and the author of amazing book, The Man in the Ditch: A Redemption Story for Today. Mike Bassett shares with us a very vulnerable and difficult story in his life where he made some poor decisions that completely changed his life, he thought he would go to prison, lose his law license, and his story of navigating that bumpy road, dealing with his shame, and finding redemption on the other side.  Follow Mike on LinkedIn and at https://themanintheditch.com/ If you're interested in writing a book or need help finding your voice online, reach out to the person that helped Mike write his book, Alexandra Davis, at Davis Legal Media.  

Mike Erwin is a man that wears many important hats. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Team Red, White, and Blue (Team RWB)—a non-profit with a mission to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. Team RWB is a growing organization with over 220,000 members. In addition to leading Team RWB, Mike is the CEO of the Character & Leadership Center and the Co-Founder & President of The Positivity Project—a non-profit organization with the mission to empower America’s youth to build positive relationships. With 425 partner schools, the organization reaches 260,000 children daily. He is the also the author of Lead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership through Solitude and his new book, Leadership is a Relationship: How to Put People First in a Digital World.  Mike is also a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, assigned to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he serves as an Assistant Professor in Leadership & Psychology. He also serves as the founding Chairman of the Board for Father Vincent Capodanno High School, outside Fort Bragg, NC. Mike graduated from West Point in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He was commissioned as an Intelligence Officer, serving in three combat tours with the First Cavalry Division and 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne). His service includes deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004–2005 that involved the Battles of Fallujah and Najaf. Mike also deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2006–2007 and 2009. On those tours, he worked with NATO forces, to include serving as a lead intelligence planner for one of the largest NATO-led combat operation in history. Mike earned two Bronze Star Medals from these tours. Following his third deployment, Mike attended the University of Michigan from 2009–2011, where he studied positive psychology and leadership under the tutelage of the co-founder of Positive Psychology, Dr. Chris Peterson. He went on to serve as an Assistant Professor in Psychology & Leadership at the U.S. Military Academy from 2011–2014. While assigned to West Point as a Major, Mike served as a lead planner for the Bob McDonald Global Leadership Conference and was the aide-de-camp to the Class of 1951 Chair for the Study of Leadership, held by Jim Collins and then Tom Tierney. Connect with Mike and follow his awesome work at MikeErwin.net or on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter.

Adrian Perkins is the Mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana. He was born in the Cedar Grove neighborhood of Shreveport, attending Arthur Circle, Youree Drive Middle School, and Captain Shreve High School. In the wake of 9/11, Adrian Perkins accepted a nomination to the United States Military Academy.  There, he was the captain of the track team and the first African-American graduate elected Class President in West Point's history. Perkins deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan after graduating from West Point.  He achieved the rank of Captain and Company Commander in the United States Army and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.  After three tours of duty, the Tillman Foundation accepted Perkins into their Tillman Scholar Program, enabling him to attend Harvard Law School, where he was again elected Student Body President. On April 26, 2018, he announced his candidacy for Mayor of Shreveport, and on December 29th, 2018, Adrian Perkins was installed as the  56th Mayor of Shreveport.

Want clarity in life?  Create your personal mission statement today!  Read our most recent article at Intentional Leader that walks you through the steps to creating your personal mission statement.   Read about creating a personal mission statement here I’m really excited to bring Ryan Hawk back on the show! Ryan created The Learning Leader Show in 2015 as a way to follow his curiosity about leadership and excellence with great rigor. It has since been listened to by millions of people in more than 150 countries. Forbes called it, “the most dynamic leadership podcast around.” Inc Magazine said, “it’s one of the 5 podcasts to make you a smarter leader.” Apple named it an “all-time best seller” in 2020. He’s the author of Welcome to Management: How To Grow From Top Performer To Excellent Leader. Book Authority recently named it to its 100 Best Management Audiobooks of all time (#25). Forbes called it, “the best leadership book of 2020.” He previously worked in corporate America for 12 years. He started as an entry-level telephonic sales rep and worked his way to manager, director, and ultimately VP of sales for a multi-billion dollar company. When he’s not recording podcasts or writing books, he tries to help leaders be more effective. Some of the ways he does that: fascinating Leadership Circles, 1:1 advising, and teaching in The Learning Leader Academy. Finally, he regularly delivers keynote speeches on leadership and performance excellence and has spoken all over America and abroad in front of thousands of people. After a very successful first book, Ryan is out with his brand new book, The Pursuit of Excellence: The Uncommon Behaviors of the World’s Most Productive Achievers! On this episode, we dive into: How his father and grandfather were incredible models of servant leadership How he stays so incredibly consistent How he stays motivated to do hard things What gratitude means to him How he and his wife, Miranda, intentionally surround themselves with positive people His experiences with writing a book and where that stacks up for him in terms of difficult pursuits The meaning of the words “excellence” and “pursuit” to Ryan How he intentionally pursues his wife The importance of being action oriented Why he loves his Leadership Circles During my conversation with Ryan, I mention Ryan’s interview with his wife Miranda (Episode 375 of the Learning Leader Show). This is one of the most inspiring interviews out there for couples looking to create a supportive relationship. Check it out here!

Join us on Jan 22, 2022 at the MMoment in the Washington, DC area!  Register here.   I’m really excited to welcome Secretary Bob McDonald to the Intentional Leader podcast. We cover a lot of ground with Bob on this episode.  We dig into his upbringing, overcoming a fear of swimming at West Point and how he deals with fear in general, how he thinks we should measure success as a leader, what he was laser-focused on at Proctor & Gamble, how he stays motivated during tough moments, and much more.  Bob served Procter & Gamble for 33 years with the last four as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.  During his tenure as CEO of P&G Bob helped to expand the footprint of the company brands such that one billion people became new customers of a company product. Following his career at P&G, Bob was selected by President Obama in 2014 to head the Department of Veterans Affairs.  While at the helm of the VA, Bob was able to help transform the agency into one that truly delivered better care for our Military veterans. Bob McDonald is the recipient of numerous leadership awards and Honorary Doctorate Degrees that include: Hampden Sydney College, University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, Robert Morris University, and Drexel University. In 2010, the University of Utah Alumni Association named Bob a Distinguished Graduate. The West Point Association of Graduates named McDonald for its admired Distinguished Graduate Award in 2017, recognition provided annually to “West Point graduates whose character, distinguished service and stature draw wholesome comparison to the qualities for which West Point strives.” With that distinction, Bob joins Academy graduates like Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway, Gen. William C. Westmoreland, Gen. Alexander M. Haig Jr., Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Mr. R. James Nicholson, Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, among others. In 2014, The President of the Republic of Singapore awarded Bob the Public Service Star for his work helping shape Singapore’s development as an international hub connecting global companies with Asian firms and enterprises. Lastly, Bob has received an award as Scout Leader from the Boy Scouts and Far East Council. Bob McDonald is personally and professionally committed to values-based leadership and to improving the lives of others. He is Chairman of the Board of RallyPoint Networks, Inc.—an online community of active duty military members and Veterans—and serves on the Board of Directors of the Partnership for Public Service, Audia International, Inc., the Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy, the Boulder Crest Retreat Foundation, and the McCormick Research Institute in Orlando, Florida. Bob and his wife, Diane, are the founders of The McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character at West Point—an annual gathering that brings together the brightest young minds from the best universities around the world and partners them with senior business, nongovernmental organization, and government leaders in a multi-day interactive learning experience. In July, 2020 Bob became the April and Jay Graham Fellow of the George W. Bush Institute.  In this endowed role he serves as a key member of the Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative team, advocating for post-9/11 Veterans and building awareness for the issues that affect their successful transitions to civilian life including employment,  education, and health and wellbeing.  In September, 2020 Bob was appointed to the Biden Transition Advisory Board, to ensure a smooth administration transition if Vice President Biden is elected. Bob McDonald graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in the top 2 percent of the Class of 1975. He served as the Brigade Adjutant for the Corps of Cadets and was recognized by The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturing, and Commerce as the most distinguished graduate in academics, leadership, and physical education. In 1978, Bob earned his MBA from the University of Utah. An Army Veteran, Bob served with the 82nd Airborne Division. He completed Jungle, Arctic, and Desert Warfare training. And he earned the Ranger tab, the Expert Infantryman Badge, and Senior Parachutist wings. Upon leaving military service, then-Captain McDonald was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Please register for the MMoment, a live event by Military Mentors on Saturday, January 22, 2022 in Washington, D.C.  Intentional Leader is partnering with Military Mentors to put on this event.  As a former F-15 pilot, Thor has flown over 2,500 missions. He provided escort for the President, protected our nation's borders, and was named the Top Instructor Pilot at the Air Force Flight Training Headquarters, training thousands of pilots for the United States and 25 allied countries around the world. He was the tactical leader of 300 of the most senior combat pilots in the Air Force and he oversaw the execution of a $150M/year flight program. In 2010, Thor was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and given about a 15% chance to live. Instead of giving up, Thor decided to give back. He started a youth outreach program in San Antonio that has grown to help more than 15,000 at-risk kids. Their efforts have been featured on every news channel for 100 miles and one national media outlet. In 2012, he was selected out of 62,000 people to receive the Air Education and Training Command National Public Service Award. Thor completed the New Zealand Ironman Triathlon in March of 2015 to commemorate the five-year anniversary of his Stage IV cancer diagnosis and to raise awareness for the rare and deadly cancer that he battled. Thor has also competed in American Ninja Warrior. For most of 2015, Thor led a team of Afterburner consultants that was embedded in Silicon Valley with one of the top-five largest software companies in the world. While there, Thor supported the successful completion of more than 50 projects created from the CEO’s key strategic objectives. As Afterburner’s CEO, Thor currently leads a team of more than 70 former fighter pilots, Navy SEALs, and other Special Forces members. For the past two decades, Afterburner has shown corporations around the world how to utilize the same techniques that created leaders and developed elite teams in the high-stakes environment of combat. Over those 20 years, the Afterburner client roster has included 85% of the Fortune 50 Companies and 11 NFL teams. They have offices in Atlanta, Australia, and Brazil. Thor received his Bachelor’s Degree at the Air Force Academy and is a summa cum laude graduate of the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas. He also sits on the board of several national organizations and is the co-founder of a military support corporation. In this interview, we discuss: His battle with cancer The meaning of “survivor’s obligation” How he lives his life differently after surviving cancer Practical ways all of us can live a more intentional life The concept of post-traumatic growth His top advice for transitioning veterans, His top marriage and parenting advice. Connect with Thor on LinkedIn. Learn more about Afterburner at Afterburner.com and by following their LinkedIn page.

I'm really excited to bring you an interview with Jon Gordon! Jon Gordon's best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous Fortune 500 companies, professional and college sports teams, school districts, hospitals, and non-profits. He is the author of 20 books including 8 best-sellers: The Energy Bus, The Carpenter, Training Camp, You Win in the Locker Room First, The Power of Positive Leadership, The Power of a Positive Team, The Coffee Bean and his latest Stay Positive. Jon and his tips have been featured on The Today Show, CNN, CNBC, The Golf Channel, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include The Los Angeles Dodgers, Campbell’s Soup, Dell, Publix, Southwest Airlines, Miami Heat, The Los Angeles Rams, Snapchat, BB&T Bank, Clemson Football, Northwestern Mutual, West Point Academy and more. Jon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a Masters in Teaching from Emory University. He and his training/consulting company are passionate about developing positive leaders, organizations and teams. For full show notes, visit www.calwalters.me

Zebrina has spent nearly two decades designing impactful and transformative educational experiences for senior executives in the defense sector for the Department of Defense, U.S. military services, and the private sector. As a civilian with no relationship with the military prior to her tenure at an education and research non-profit, the Institute for Defense and Business, she developed a close understanding and appreciation of military leadership and how the military invests in their greatest weapon and asset, their people. After spending her career educating the government and military about business and innovation, she saw value in flipping the script to bring the best in military to the nonmilitary world. As a former battalion commander and combat veteran, Jason believes that the military experience is part of a larger journey to prepare leaders for a more impactful and meaningful life beyond the military. He has more than 25 years’ experience building, managing, and developing high performance teams, including negotiating policy measures with international partners at NATO Headquarters in Belgium. Jason is also a Certified Professional Coach, master practitioner for the Energy Leadership Index assessment, and founder of Ordinary Hero Coaching helping military professionals bridge the civil-military cultural gap.

A legend and leader in the hotel world, Horst Schulze's teachings and vision have reshaped the concepts of service and hospitality across industries. Mr. Schulze's professional life began more than 65 years ago as a server's assistant in a German resort town. Throughout the years he worked for both Hilton Hotels and Hyatt Hotels Corporation before becoming one of the founding members of The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company in 1983. There Mr. Schulze created the operating and service standards that have become world famous. During his tenure at The Ritz Carlton, Mr. Schulze served as President and COO responsible for the $2 billion operations worldwide. It was under his leadership that The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company became the first service-based company to be awarded the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award — twice. In 1991, Mr. Schulze was recognized as "corporate hotelier of the world" by HOTELS magazine. In 1995, he was awarded the Ishikawa Medal for his personal contributions to the quality movement. In 1999, Johnson & Wales University gave him an honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree in Hospitality Management. Most recently, Mr. Schulze has been honored as a “Leader in Luxury” by Travel Agent magazine and its sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor. After leaving The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, Mr. Schulze went on to found The Capella Hotel Group. This luxury hotel company managed some of the most elite properties worldwide, and gave Mr. Schulze the opportunity to further define the luxury hotel industry, receiving countless awards and recognitions. Today, Mr. Schulze serves on various boards and acts as a consultant across industries. In his book, Excellence Wins: A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming the Best in a World of Compromise, he captures a lifetime of wisdom on life and leadership. You can connect with Mr. Schulze on his website - HorstSchulze.com. His book, Excellence Wins, is available wherever books can be purchased. Additional leadership content can be purchased and viewed at NeedToLead.com where the content can be licensed for a larger audience.