#61: General (Ret.) Joseph Votel — On Confidence, Habits, and Culture

April 10, 2021 by Cal Walters in Intentional Living, Leadership

It's truly an honor to bring General (Ret.) Joseph Votel on the Intentional Leader podcast for episode 61. On this episode, he gives us a masterclass on personal management and organizational leadership. General Votel currently serves as President and CEO of Business Executives for National Security (BENS) - a national, nonprofit composed of senior business and industry executives who volunteer their time and expertise to assist the U.S.

This episode is brought to you by HigherEchelon, Inc. HigherEchelon is a leadership development & organizational performance consulting firm providing human capital and technology services to optimize performance. HigherEchelon can help prepare your organization to meet the rapidly changing, complex and often ambiguous requirements of today’s world by developing Resilient and Adaptive leaders, modernizing and enhancing processes, and implementing transformational technology solutions. Visit HigherEchelon.com to connect with the amazing team at Higher Echelon and learn more about how they can help you and your team.

It’s truly an honor to bring General (Ret.) Joseph Votel on the Intentional Leader podcast for episode 61. On this episode, he gives us a masterclass on personal management and organizational leadership.

General Votel currently serves as President and CEO of Business Executives for National Security (BENS) – a national, nonprofit composed of senior business and industry executives who volunteer their time and expertise to assist the U.S. national security community.

He retired in 2019 after 39 years of military service. His last assignment was as the commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) from March 2016 to March 2019. As CENTCOM commander, Votel oversaw the United States' continued War on Terrorism in the Middle East, particularly the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve's fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant terror organization, which rose to prominence in 2014. General Votel officially retired on March 28, 2019, five days after the decisive Battle of Baghuz Fawqani, which saw the territorial collapse of the Islamic State in Syria. Before that, he served as commander of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

Votel's initial assignments were to the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany, where he served as a rifle platoon leader, executive officer, battalion adjutant, and rifle company commander. Following this tour, he was assigned to Headquarters, Allied Forces Southern Europe – Naples, Italy, and the NATO Peace Implementation Force (IFOR) in Sarajevo. He commanded the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry (Light) at Fort Drum, New York, and afterward, he commanded the 1st Ranger Battalion. Later he commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment, during Operation Enduring Freedom. On 19 October 2001, Votel led 200 Rangers from 3rd Battalion, who parachuted towards an airfield south of Kandahar in an operation known as Operation Rhino and attacked several Taliban targets.

As a general officer, Votel served in the Pentagon as the Director of the Army and Joint Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Defeat Task Force and subsequently as the Deputy Director of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization established under the Deputy Secretary of Defense. He also served as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 82nd Airborne Division / CJTF-82, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, and was subsequently assigned as the Deputy Commanding General of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). He next served as the Commanding General of the Joint Special Operations Command.

On this episode, we cover a lot of ground. We discuss the leaders he admires the most, some of the most important leadership lessons he learned from working with Secretary Jim Mattis, General (Ret.) Stanley McChrystal, and Admiral (Ret.) William McRaven, what he most looks for when hiring someone to join his team or organization, what is most unique about the Special Operations community that he has worked in for so long, how he stayed sharp over his 40 year career, and a lightning round of questions at the end.

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#60: Rajiv Srinivasan — On Intellectual Humility and What Makes Great Leaders

March 29, 2021 by Cal Walters in Intentional Living, Leadership

My dear friend, Rajiv Srinivasan, is back by popular demand after inspiring all of us to read more on Episode 23. Rajiv is a Global Client Director at LinkedIn and the Chief Reading Officer at 99pages, which we get into on this episode.

My dear friend, Rajiv Srinivasan, is back by popular demand after inspiring all of us to read more on Episode 23. Rajiv is a Global Client Director at LinkedIn and the Chief Reading Officer at 99pages, which we get into on this episode.

Rajiv was on the Dean’s List at West Point and graduated in the Top 5% of his class in 2008. He also earned an MS in Applied Mathematics from Columbia University and his MBA from Wharton. His amazing wife Chelsea is also a Wharton graduate.

After graduating from West Point in 2008, Rajiv deployed to Afghanistan as a platoon leader. In Afghanistan, Rajiv did over 300 combat patrols and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and received the Combat Action Badge. Rajiv transitioned out of the military in 2013 and moved to Silicon Valley, where he was part of the Founding Team at Morta Security, a cyber security company that was acquired by Palo Alto Networks in 2013.

After Morta was acquired, Rajiv became a Enterprise & SLED Account Manager at MobileIron. In 2016, Rajiv became a Global Account Manager at VMWare.

Rajiv is also an Eagle Scout, avid snow skier (you’ll hear him talk about a scary incident he had in Lake Tahoe), musician (he plays guitar, ukulele, piano, and is a vocalist), he has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, has completed the NYC Marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon, and the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. Rajiv has also been a contributor for the New York Times and TIME on military and veteran issues.

Rajiv is someone that has inspired me ever since we met at West Point in 2005. In this interview, we dive into what Rajiv has been reading, his motivation for starting 99pages and what it is all about, his views on leadership, and we finish with a fun lightning round of questions. I really enjoyed this conversation, just like every conversation I have with Rajiv, and I think you will, too.

On this episode, Rajiv discussed the The Deficit Myth by Stephanie Kelton, The Twenty Six Words that Created the Internet by Jeff Kosseff, and The Ambassadors by Paul Richter.

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#59: MG (Ret.) John Gronski — Iron-Sharpened Leadership

March 15, 2021 by Cal Walters in Intentional Living, Leadership

John L. Gronski, Major General (U.S. Army Retired) is founder and CEO of Leader Grove LLC, a keynote speaker, leadership seminar facilitator, executive coach, author, and director of the leadership academy for student-athletes at Lebanon Valley College. John is a Certified DISC Practitioner and he serves on the Academic Advisory Council for Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies.

John has earned a superb reputation as a leadership and peak performance expert, a motivational storyteller, and a much sought-after speaker and leadership seminar facilitator. His presentations feature inspirational stories and wisdom gained from his own leadership experience and the experience of others.

John has provided leadership assessments, training and/or keynote addresses to many large organizations and companies including NATO, General Dynamics, Nutanix, PNC Bank, the United States Army, the National Conference on Ethics in America at West Point, Pennsylvania National Guard, Greater Philadelphia Veterans Network, PECO Energy, Exelon, Comcast, the YMCA, the Freedom Alliance, Penn State University, Drexel University, Widener University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, Wilkes University, Lebanon Valley College, Albert Einstein Health Network, Buckman’s Inc., Delaware Valley Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, Schlouch Inc., Boy Scouts of America, Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce, the Kulski Foundation, the USO, Rotary International, VFW, and the Young Presidents Organization.

John is the author of the inspirational leadership book, “The Ride of Our Lives – Lessons on Life, Leadership, and Love”. The book tells the inspiring story about a family on a transformational journey as they bicycled across the USA. This was 1983, no ubiquitous mobile phones, internet, email, Google, nor social media sites. The closest thing to connectivity was a payphone along a dusty road.

Through the journey they camped in a variety of places including farmer’s fields, state parks, behind churches and schools, town parks, fairgrounds, and even fraternity houses, John and Berti Gronski and their 15-month-old son Stephen experienced the best of Americans. John shares the lessons learned on this adventure that made a lasting impact on his leadership philosophy over the following decades as a military officer, combat Veteran, and business leader.

The Ride of Our Lives: Lessons on Life, Leadership, and Love

By Gronski, John

John is a proven combat leader with over forty years’ service in the United States Army including active duty and in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard where he led units at the company, battalion, brigade, and division level. His significant military assignments include serving as a Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe where he helped lead 30,000 Soldiers; Commanding General of the 28th Infantry Division (ID) where he led approximately 15,000 Soldiers; Brigade Commander of 2nd Brigade, 28th ID in Ramadi Iraq where he led 5,000 Soldiers and Marines in combat; Brigade Commander of 55th Brigade 28th ID where he led over 2,000 Soldiers on an overseas deployment to Europe; and Military Liaison Team Chief in Lithuania where he led a team of American and Lithuanian military personnel and civilians.

John is a graduate of numerous military schools to include the U.S. Army War College, the Command and General Staff Course, the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Ranger School, and Airborne School. His military awards and decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, and Basic Parachutist Badge. John has also been awarded the National Infantry Association Order of Saint Maurice in the rank of Primicerius; The Association of the United States Army McLain Medal; the Republic of Lithuania Medal of Merit; the Cross of the Knight of the Order for Merits to Lithuania; and the Golden Medal of the Polish Armed Forces.

In the private sector, John worked for many years at a family business, Paul Gronski Enterprises Inc., and then worked as a management consultant for approximately thirteen years with Greencastle Associates Consulting where he led implementation teams for Fortune 500 companies in the telecommunications, health care, and utility industries.

John is a graduate of the University of Scranton where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Penn State University, and a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. John has attended Alvernia University as a doctoral student in the corporate leadership program. He has been certified as a Project Management Professional and he holds a master certificate as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Villanova University.

John is the recipient of the Frank J. O’Hara Award in the Government Service Category, the highest award bestowed jointly by the University of Scranton and the Alumni Society. He is a recipient of the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award and James E. West Award. The Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars presented the prestigious Eagle Award to John in recognition for his combat service and his leadership of the 28th Infantry Division. John was awarded the Washington Crossing Foundation Award by the Washington Crossing Foundation for service and dedication to the ideals of our Founding Fathers.

John was raised by his father, a single parent, and was the youngest of seven children. John has an entrepreneurial mindset. His father, a WWII Veteran, opening a garage and used car business after returning from the war, and John grew up understanding the need to provide customer service in order to grow a business. His father grew the small business into a large enterprise that became a landmarking Northeast Pennsylvania.

John is a thoughtful leader and he has a reputation as a servant leader.

John’s new book, Iron-Sharpened Leadership, is now available for pre-order below:

Iron-Sharpened Leadership: Transforming Hard Fought Lessons Into Action

By Gronski, John L.

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#58: Adam Carr — How Warriors Find Peace with Vulnerability and Community

March 02, 2021 by Cal Walters in Intentional Living, Leadership

Today's episode is very special.  According to the Department of Veteran's Affair, 20 veterans a day commit suicide.  Mental health doesn't just affect veterans.  It is an epidemic, and my guest today, Adam Carr, has dedicated his life to helping returning warriors find a better path.  Adam is the Executive Director of Save a Warrior.  Save A Warrior is an original, Warrior-led, well-grounded and timeless journey for active duty military, returning veterans and first responders who feel desperately alone.

Save A Warrior is an original, Warrior-led, well-grounded and timeless journey for active duty military, returning veterans and first responders who feel desperately alone. Give them a week and you will change the way you see - and live - your life.

They provide counseling services in the fields of mental health and wellness, suicide prevention and post-traumatic stress to veterans, military personnel, police, firefighters and other first responders. Their program is an alternative, warrior-led, holistic service that equips veterans, military personnel, police, firefighters and other first responders with a community of support and effective techniques to overcome the symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress and suicidal ideations.

Today, I’m honored to bring you my interview with the Executive Director of Save a Warrior, Adam Carr. Adam (Cohort 035) has over 12 years of service in the U.S. Army. As a Special Forces Green Beret, Adam hunted Al Qaeda operatives, developed intelligence networks, conducted diplomatic relations, and briefed Ambassadors and Generals on Geopolitical environments. In 2006, Adam earned his B.A. in Security and Intelligence from The Ohio State University. He spent the next eight years deploying to Asia, including Operation Enduring Freedom - The Philippines and Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan. Adam's passion comes from a deep-rooted desire to serve others and save lives.

Adam has been profoundly affected over the loss of his teammates, mentors, and close friends to suicide. He currently speaks to students, corporations, and a wide variety of audiences all over the country. He has over 20 years of leadership and managerial experience and is a Business Coach for MBA Students at The Ohio State University. Adam is a graduate of the Ignite Program at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Adam earned his MBA at The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business and was selected as the Most Outstanding Student of his 2019 MBA Cohort. Adam is also the Co-Founder of the Western Zen, an organization providing leadership services to the private sector. Adam lives in Dublin, OH with his wife Tarah and their three children, Noah, Jonah, and Norah.

On this episode, we dive into Adam’s story of struggle after transitioning out of the military and how he came to discover Save a Warrior. We talk about the transformative approach Adam and his team take to change the lives of warriors and first responders through their retreats and pull out some of the practical tools that all of us can use to become more resilient and healthy leaders. We also discuss the power of vulnerability and community.

Since 1979, 263,000 veteran suicides have occurred, which totals more than the lives lost in World War I, the Korean War and the Vietnam War combined. In add...

FROM SAW FOUNDER RONALD "JAKE" CLARK

In April of 2012, when my father was still alive, I shared with him an idea for solving the epidemic of Veteran suicide, an idea to connect with those who had lost all hope; an idea he admitted was novel and inspiring; an idea whose time had come. After listening to all of his fatherly concerns, after overcoming his objections as to why I shouldn't commit my life to this cause, the Vietnam era Marine said to me,

"YOU KNOW, IF YOU *JUST SAVE ONE**… IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT*"

His words were music to my ears. Save A Warrior™ was born. Although the challenge is daunting, my dad was right. They are worth it.

EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.

Since that conversation of "just saving one," hundreds now share how Save A Warrior™ saved their life. Just Save One™ is ideal for gifting something truly meaningful to someone who has already given so much for others: their LIFE! You can give them back their life !!!

Through Just Save One™, you can provide a scholarship for ONE Warrior's life-changing experience. Your tax deductible contribution includes an opportunity to connect with the life you touch, to learn firsthand the difference you made for them and their family. Only your generosity will provide the difference; perhaps a lifesaving difference.

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#57: Scotty Smiley — Hope Unseen

February 15, 2021 by Cal Walters in Intentional Living, Leadership

The definition of hope is "to expect with confidence," but what do you do when you've lost confidence in everything? When you've watched your dreams go up in smoke? When you feel isolated from those you love and you start to question the God you've built your life around?

The definition of hope is “to expect with confidence,” but what do you do when you’ve lost confidence in everything? When you’ve watched your dreams go up in smoke? When you feel isolated from those you love and you start to question the God you’ve built your life around?

How do you find confidence when all the things you had confidence in lay shattered all around you?

Blindness became Major Scotty Smiley’s journey of supreme testing. As he lay helpless in the hospital, he resented the theft of his dreams—becoming a CEO, a Delta Force operator, or a four-star general. With his wife Tiffany’s love and the support of his family and friends, Scotty’s response became God’s transforming moment.

Scotty Smiley is from from Pasco, a small city in Washington State. After high school he attended the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. After four great years, he graduated and moved to Fort Benning, Georgia and attended Infantry Officer Basic Course and Ranger School. Soon after he moved to Fort Lewis, Washington where he led a 45 man Platoon.

In 2005 while leading his Platoon in Mosul, Iraq, Scotty found himself in front of a suicide car bomb. After the man blew himself up, shrapnel blew through Scotty’s eyes leaving him blinded and temporarily paralyzed, he woke up in Walter Reed Army Medical Center a week later. Though questioning his faith, Scotty made a decision to forgive and rebuild his life and continue to serve in the Army, becoming the first blind active-duty officer in military history.

The Army Times named Scotty “Soldier of the Year” in 2007 and in 2008 he won an ESPY as the world’s Best Outdoor Athlete. After receiving a Master of Business Administration from Duke University, Scotty taught the core course in leadership at West Point and then commanded the Warrior Transition Unit at West Point’s Keller Army Medical Center. Scotty is a recipient of the Army’s prestigious MacArthur Leadership Award and holds an honorary PhD from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY. In 2010, Scotty received a Father of the Year award in New York and in 2011 received the Christopher Award for all he has given and continues to give.

Since then, Scotty attended the Maneuver Captain Career Course in Fort Benning, Georgia, and then moved to Spokane, Washington where he held a position with the Gonzaga University ROTC Department, teaching and mentoring America’s future leaders.

After many years of service, Scotty retired from the military in 2015. Over his military career Major (Retired) Smiley received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart; Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Airborne Wings and Combat Diver Qualification Badge.

He currently works with the capital markets department at Drexel Hamilton out of New York as an investment banker for corporations and banks around the world.

With a passion for using his story to build hope in this world, Scotty authored Hope Unseen in 2010 and now travels all over the country speaking and sharing his message of perseverance, courage and hope.

He is an avid adventurer and has completed the Coeur d’Alene Iron Man, climbed Mt Rainer, gone skydiving, surfing and is always looking for his next chance to try something new.

Scotty is married to his high school sweetheart, Tiffany and the couple lives in Spokane and are the proud parents of Grady Douglas, Graham Elliott, and Baylor Scott.

Tiffany and Scotty are an amazing team, committed to making the world better. Through More Than Me, Tiffany does incredible work with woman all over the world. You can also learn more about Tiffany and her work at TiffanySmiley.com

On this episode, we barely scratch the surface into Scotty’s amazing story of resilience, perseverance, and courage. I highly recommend the book Scotty wrote with Doug Crandall. Below is the link to the book:

Hope Unseen: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer

By Smiley, Cap. Scotty

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FROM SAW FOUNDER RONALD "JAKE" CLARK

"YOU KNOW, IF YOU JUST SAVE ONE… IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT"

EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.

Listen to some of our most popular episodes here!

"YOU KNOW, IF YOU *JUST SAVE ONE**… IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT*"