Advertise on podcast: Intentional Leader with Cal Walters

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Get Randy's book: https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Begins-Home-Strategy-Leadership/dp/B0CTYGNXCG Learn about Lead Every Day: https://leadeveryday.com/ In this episode, Cal Walters sits down with executive coach, speaker, and author Randy Gravitt of  ⁨@Lead_Every_Day⁩  to explore one of the most important leadership questions of our time: How do you pursue excellence at work without sacrificing what matters most at home? Randy shares powerful insights from decades of coaching leaders across Fortune 100 companies, professional sports teams, and nonprofits—along with lessons from his book Winning Begins at Home. This conversation goes beyond clichés about work-life balance and gets practical about strategy, systems, presence, and love—and why winning at home actually makes you a better leader at work. Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/ 00:00 – Welcome to 2026 & the Intentional Leader community 02:10 – Introducing Randy Gravitt & the tension leaders feel 03:40 – Strategic at work, sporadic at home 06:00 – Why family has quietly been diminished 07:45 – Being home but not really home 08:55 – Proximity does not equal intimacy 10:00 – The servant leadership tension 12:20 – Living in the center of the tension 13:45 – Begin with the end in mind 15:10 – You will never finish all the work 16:50 – Seasons turn into patterns 18:30 – The NFL Super Bowl story 21:00 – Leaving work at work 22:15 – Training presence like a discipline 23:30 – Rituals that help you be present 25:30 – Phone boundaries that actually work 27:40 – Winning the first hour of the day 29:40 – Why home life fuels work performance 32:10 – Choosing priorities on purpose 34:00 – The hidden cost of neglecting home 36:30 – "What kind of family do you want?" 38:40 – Family by design, not by default 41:00 – Marriage after the kids leave 43:00 – Don't go to bed angry 46:30 – Love first 49:50 – See a need, meet a need 54:00 – Final encouragement to leaders 59:00 – Key takeaways & closing challenge

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup 📚 Get LTG (Ret.) Beagle's new book, When the Map Runs Out: https://www.amazon.com/When-Map-Runs-Out-Uncertain/dp/B0G1ZGH76J As leaders rise, they often hear less and less truth. LTG (Ret.) Milford Beagle calls this the cone of silence—and he warns that it's one of the quietest ways leaders lose their true north. In this episode, we explore how to lead when your "map" falls apart. General Beagle shares his journey from a stunned new platoon leader at Fort Polk to commanding the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, and what he's learned about staying grounded, humble, and effective in uncertainty. We dig into his new book, When the Map Runs Out: Values, Judgment, and Clarity in Uncertain Times, and talk about practical tools: a one-page "How to Handle Me" document, a journaling habit to process negative emotions, and how to invite real feedback without shutting people down. If you're navigating change, promotion, or pressure to have all the answers, this conversation will help you lead with confidence and humility at the same time. 🔎 In This Episode, You'll Learn Why the higher you go, the more you're at risk of a cone of silence. How leaders lose true north—not from incompetence, but distortion. The difference between maps (plans, strategies, frameworks) and the compass (your values and judgment). Two key disciplines of leadership: bearing (self-awareness) and calibration (inviting others to check your bearing). How introverts, extroverts, and ambiverts can all be authentic leaders without pretending to be someone else. A practical tool: the "How to Handle Me" document that accelerates trust and clarifies expectations. How to create a culture where honest feedback is normal—especially for senior leaders. Why even three-star generals feel imposter syndrome, and how to work through it. How to provide clarity without certainty using "signposts on the road." Simple habits for resilience: journaling, reframing failure, and "always quit tomorrow." ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – The cone of silence: how leaders lose true north as they rise 01:56 – Cal's intro, the Intentional Leader Podcast, and LTG Beagle's background 03:15 – Fort Polk & the first platoon: "I felt like a leader… and not a very good one" 08:45 – From follower to leader: athletics, ROTC, and early moments when the map ran out 10:27 – Why When the Map Runs Out and the map/compass metaphor 12:36 – Frameworks, bearing, and calibration: why leaders need more than maps 16:54 – Authentic leadership for every personality type 22:57 – Designing a "How to Handle Me" one-pager for your team 26:27 – Examples: not liking details, humor, and getting quiet when processing 29:57 – Public speaking fear, reps & sets, and keeping the bar high 32:16 – Ego, promotion, and the cone of silence at senior levels 36:27 – Training your team to give you unvarnished feedback 40:24 – Feedback as the breakfast of champions (and why it stings) 42:09 – Imposter syndrome at the Combined Arms Center 46:01 – Clarity vs. certainty: the signpost town hall during organizational change 52:05 – True north and values: integrity, empathy, resilience, "quit tomorrow," loyalty 58:33 – The hurdles metaphor: falling, resilience, and running through obstacles 1:02:10 – Journaling to process emotion and see your own growth over time 1:07:17 – Time, priorities, and the cost of diluted focus 1:15:02 – Knowing your weaknesses and starting with them in interviews 1:16:15 – Where to find When the Map Runs Out and connect with LTG Beagle 1:17:53 – Cal's closing: four practical actions you can take this week 🧭 Practical Ways to Apply This Episode Create your own "How to Handle Me" document One page, honest, and specific: quirks, tendencies, what you're working on, and how people can best work with you. Start (or restart) a journaling habit For the next 7 days, write at least one sentence about how you're feeling and what you're facing. Ask for one piece of real feedback Pick one person you trust. Ask, "What's one thing I could do differently that would make me a better leader for you?" Then thank them. Practice clarity in uncertainty In one messy situation this week, clearly state: What we know What we don't know What we're going to do next

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

Apply to work with me 1-1: https://courses.calwalters.me/coaching Join the Intentional Leader Lab waitlist: https://courses.calwalters.me/intentional-leader-lab Learn more about Zach: https://www.zachmercurio.com/ In this conversation, Dr. Zach Mercurio discusses the importance of creating a sense of purpose and mattering within teams. He emphasizes that feeling valued is a basic human instinct and that leaders play a crucial role in fostering an environment where everyone feels significant. The discussion covers the psychological impacts of not feeling like one matters, the barriers leaders face in demonstrating care, and practical strategies for enhancing team dynamics through small, intentional interactions. The conversation ultimately highlights the shift from traditional command-and-control leadership to a more trust-based approach that prioritizes relationships and emotional intelligence. 00:00 Creating a Sense of Purpose in Teams 02:10 Understanding the Cost of Not Mattering 04:28 The Role of Leaders in Mattering 07:56 The Importance of Mattering in Work and Life 11:41 Barriers to Caring in Leadership 16:10 The Shift from Command and Control to Trust-Based Leadership 19:35 Leading Indicators vs. Lagging Indicators 23:28 The Power of Small Interactions 28:59 Practical Actions for Leaders to Show Mattering 44:26 Noticing, Affirming, and Needing in Leadership

Update: Now only 6 spots left in the Intentional Leader Lab!   ➡️ Learn about the Intentional Leader Lab: https://intentionalleaderlab.com Book a call: https://tally.so/r/w8X6dz Apply today: https://tally.so/r/nr40XM Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/ In this episode, Dr. Ryan Gottfredson returns to discuss the concepts of trauma, vertical development, and the distinction between 'being' and 'doing' in leadership. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and healing one's internal operating system to achieve true personal transformation. The conversation explores how mindsets shape our experiences and the role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership. Ryan shares his personal journey of transformation and the impact of trauma on leadership effectiveness, providing insights into how leaders can grow both personally and professionally. 00:00 Introduction to the Intentional Leader Lab 01:12 Deep Dive with Dr. Ryan Gottfredson 02:35 Exploring Mindsets and Personal Transformation 04:49 The Importance of Vertical Development 11:13 Understanding Self-Protective Fears 16:12 The Doing Side vs. The Being Side 22:42 The Impact of Trauma on Leadership 29:58 Emotional Intelligence and Its Connection to Being 38:47 The Neuroscience of Emotional Intelligence 44:23 Ryan's Personal Journey of Transformation 50:40 Final Thoughts on Becoming Better Takeaways - The Intentional Leader Lab offers a six-month leadership experience - Dr. Ryan Gottfredson emphasizes the importance of vertical development - Mindsets are crucial for personal transformation - Self-protective fears can hinder leadership growth - The distinction between doing and being is vital for leaders - Emotional intelligence is primarily a being side ability - Trauma can significantly impact leadership effectiveness - Awareness is the first step towards transformation - Expanding your window of tolerance is essential for growth - Healing one's internal operating system is key to becoming better #leadership #leader #leadershipdevelopment #emotionalintelligence #podcast #personalgrowth #growth #growthmindset #growthjourney #trauma #traumahealing #selfimprovement #selfcare #selflove #selfgrowth #intentionalliving #fear #fearless #team #teamwork #neuroscience #science

➡️ 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.

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup 🧭 Clarify Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course In this conversation, Melody Wilding, an expert in managing up, discusses the essential skills and strategies needed to influence your boss and navigate workplace dynamics effectively. She emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, establishing alignment, and taking ownership in your role. The discussion also covers setting boundaries, giving and receiving feedback, and the concept of the triple win, which focuses on finding mutually beneficial solutions for yourself, your boss, and the organization. Melody Wilding is the bestselling author of Trust Yourself: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work and the Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge. Melody is a licensed social worker with a master's degree from Columbia University, professor of human behavior at Hunter College in New York City, and former emotions researcher at Rutgers University. For more than a decade, she's helped top performers and leadership at the world's most successful companies — including Google, JP Morgan, and Verizon — to communicate more clearly, prevent burnout, and transform complicated workplace dynamics into powerful alliances that impact the bottom line. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and dozens of other respected publications. She's a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company, and CNBC. ➡️ Connect with Melody: https://melodywilding.com/ 00:00 Mastering the Art of Managing Up 01:23 Understanding the Concept of Managing Up 05:37 Navigating Workplace Dynamics 07:52 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence 11:55 The Power of Effective Conversations 15:35 The Triple Win Concept 20:21 Establishing Alignment with Your Boss 39:57 Taking Ownership in Your Role 49:50 Setting Boundaries for Success 53:35 Giving and Receiving Feedback Effectively Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/ 🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1  

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup In this episode of the Intentional Leader podcast, Cal and Patrick Lencioni delve into the core motivations behind leadership, emphasizing the importance of serving others over seeking personal gain. They discuss the impact of fear on leadership effectiveness, the necessity of daily self-reflection, and the significance of understanding one's wounds in shaping leadership styles. The conversation also touches on the importance of unity within organizations and offers practical advice for leaders at various stages of their careers, encouraging self-discovery and intentionality in leadership practices. Go deeper with Pat and his work: - The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooh27JebY2gN8wRMxtvnSo_5oO9jcZ6r0y7cdrS00K2kPh_-E0O - The Working Genius Assessment: https://www.workinggenius.com/ - At the Table Podcast: https://www.tablegroup.com/pat/#podcasters 00:00 The Essence of Leadership Motivation 02:55 Understanding the True Motive Behind Leadership 05:41 The Impact of Fear on Leadership 08:46 Daily Reflections and Intentions 11:36 The Importance of Self-Discovery in Leadership 14:40 Navigating Leadership Through Different Life Stages 17:33 The Role of Wounds in Shaping Leadership 20:26 Finding Peace Beyond Success 23:29 Unity in Leadership and Organizations 26:46 Advice for Young Leaders 29:28 The Journey of Self-Awareness 32:36 Leadership in the Later Stages of Life 35:31 Creating Cohesion in Divided Times Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/ 🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1 ⭐⭐⭐ Audio Podcast is currently on your favorite platforms: ApplePodcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/intentional-leader-with-cal-walters/id1468715294 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/41qlvUJj1Ej0hzNp3dC5wn 🔗 Support Me Here! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/calwalters 🔗 Stay Connected With Me. Linkedin (Cal Walters): https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-walters-5571b824/ Linkedin (Intentional Leader): https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-living-leadership/ Website: https://calwalters.me/ 📩 For business inquiries: [email protected]

➡️ Get my Newsletter (Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Discover Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course Geoff Woods is the author of The AI-Driven Leader and the Founder of AI Leadership, where he empowers leaders to harness AI, escape operational overwhelm, and think strategically to accelerate growth. AI Leadership is spearheaded by Geoff Woods, a visionary leader with a proven track record helping companies grow through strategic thinking and AI-driven solutions. As the former Chief Growth Officer of Jindal Steel & Power, he drove market cap growth from $750M to $12B in four years through AI-driven leadership. He also co-founded the training and consulting company behind The ONE Thing, where he coached and advised companies with annual revenues from $10 million to $60 billion.​​ In this conversation, Cal and Geoff explore the transformative potential of AI in leadership and decision-making. They discuss the importance of asking the right questions, mastering essential skills, and using AI as a strategic partner rather than just a tool. The dialogue highlights real-world applications of AI in business, including creating AI boards to simulate executive dynamics and enhance decision-making processes. The speakers emphasize the need for leaders to adapt to technological advancements and leverage AI to overcome significant challenges in their organizations. In this conversation, the speakers explore the transformative role of AI in leadership and decision-making. They discuss practical applications of AI in board meetings, presentation feedback, and strategic thinking. The importance of maintaining a thought leadership role while leveraging AI as a thought partner is emphasized, along with the need for leaders to adapt to the rapidly changing job landscape. The discussion also highlights lessons from Blockbuster's downfall and offers practical steps for leaders to integrate AI into their daily practices. 00:00 AI as a Strategic Partner for Leaders 07:23 Harnessing AI for Strategic Thinking 21:43 Creating AI Boards for Leadership 26:02 Real-World Applications of AI in Business 27:51 Simulating Reality: AI's Role in Predictive Analysis 29:03 Proactive AI Engagement: Preparing for Presentations 31:20 Thought Leadership vs. Thought Partnership 33:05 Building Your AI Board: A Personal Strategy 38:50 Strategic Thinking: Lessons from Blockbuster's Downfall 42:38 Practical Steps for Leaders: Using AI Effectively 45:04 Future Skills: Preparing for an AI-Driven World 49:52 Powerful Questions: Shaping Your Leadership Journey

➡️ Get my Newsletter (Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Discover Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course Get On Character by General McChrystal: https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/about/books/detail/2025/01/04/on-character--choices-that-define-a-life Follow Stan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanmcchrystal/ Learn about the McChrystal Group: https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/  In this conversation, General Stanley McChrystal discusses the profound impact of character on leadership, emphasizing that true leadership is tested during challenging times. He reflects on his personal experiences, including his resignation from the military, and how his marriage has shaped his character. The discussion also delves into the importance of understanding core values, the influence of parents on our convictions, and the role of fear in leadership decisions. McChrystal encourages leaders to clarify their values and to recognize that character is a choice that defines us. In this conversation, Stanley McChrystal discusses the dynamics of leadership, the importance of courage in speaking up against groupthink, and the necessity of discipline in personal and professional life. He reflects on his experiences in high-pressure environments, the challenges of maintaining integrity, and the value of writing as a tool for clarifying thoughts and fostering a national dialogue on character. The discussion emphasizes the significance of learning from mistakes and the impact of personal values on leadership effectiveness. 00:00 The Essence of Leadership and Character 03:00 The Journey of Writing and Reflection 05:55 Marriage as a Foundation for Character 11:49 The Role of Character in Leadership 17:55 Understanding Core Values and Convictions 23:00 The Influence of Parents on Character 25:50 Confronting Fear in Leadership 30:15 The Pressure to Conform in Leadership 32:44 Courage to Speak Up: A Personal Reflection 35:33 Coaching Leaders to Embrace Truth 38:26 The Importance of Discipline in Leadership 46:57 Learning from Mistakes and Moving Forward 49:05 The Value of Writing and National Dialogue on Character

➡️ Get my Newsletter (Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Discover Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course Get Will's book: https://noelevatortoeverest.com/ Learn about Corner to Corner: https://cornertocorner.org/ In this conversation, Will Acuff shares his journey of finding joy amidst life's challenges, particularly through his experiences with his family and the transformative 'trauma camp' that helped him shift his perspective. He discusses the importance of self-compassion, the struggles of parenting a child with disabilities, and the pressures of maintaining a facade of having it all together. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of recognizing small sparks of joy and the power of community and support in navigating difficult times. In this conversation, the speakers explore the themes of love, mercy, and personal responsibility within relationships. They discuss the drama triangle concept, emphasizing the importance of shifting from a hero mentality to one of ownership and self-compassion. The dialogue also touches on thriving in tough circumstances, the significance of self-awareness, and practical practices for cultivating joy in daily life. 00:00 Finding Joy in Hardship 02:53 The Journey to Trauma Camp 11:42 Transformative Experiences at Trauma Camp 22:02 The Power of Joy in Difficult Times 24:35 The Context of Love and Mercy 25:08 Understanding the Drama Triangle 29:04 Shifting from Hero to Ownership 30:44 The Impact of Codependency 32:07 Self-Compassion and Ownership 35:31 Thriving in Tough Circumstances 36:40 Exploring Joy and Self-Awareness 42:22 Practical Practices for Daily Joy Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/ 🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1  

Sign up for The Intentional Letter: https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Discover Your Core Values Course: https://courses.calwalters.me/offers/DmXNju9f/checkout The Work-Life Balance Toolbox: https://www.stephenrgraves.com/balance Steve's book, Flourishing (for free!): https://www.stephenrgraves.com/flourish Cornerstone+ Membership: https://www.cornerstoneco.com/ In this episode of the Intentional Leader Podcast, Cal speaks with CEO coach Steve Graves about the intricacies of leadership, coaching, and achieving a balanced life. They explore the importance of holistic coaching, the courage required to make meaningful life choices, and the challenges of work-life balance. Steve shares insights from his experiences coaching top leaders and discusses frameworks for personal development, including the significance of understanding one's capacity threshold and the art of saying no. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentional living and aligning one's life with core values to lead effectively at work and home. 00:00 Leading Well at Work and Home 02:38 The Role of a Coach 07:15 Work-Life Balance Toolbox 08:30 A Tale of Two Funerals 13:16 The Importance of Courage 1 9:33 The Cost of Saying Yes 24:44 Understanding Capacity Threshold 36:51 The Art of Saying No

➡️ Sign up for my Intentional Letter: https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Follow Katie's work: https://katiequesada.com/ In this conversation, storytelling expert Katie Quesada discusses the profound impact of storytelling on personal and professional lives. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling in leadership, how it can create emotional connections, and the science behind why stories resonate with us. Katie shares her journey into storytelling consulting, practical frameworks for effective storytelling, and the significance of personal and family narratives. The discussion also highlights the difference between macro and micro storytelling, encouraging leaders to weave stories into everyday interactions to foster connection and engagement. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of storytelling, emphasizing its importance in leadership and personal relationships. They discuss the three essential components of a story: context, conflict, and conclusion, and how to effectively balance these elements to engage an audience. The conversation also touches on the significance of vulnerability in leadership, the process of restoring meaning to personal experiences, and the value of storytelling in everyday interactions, particularly within families. The speakers encourage listeners to embrace their unique stories and share them in ways that resonate with others, ultimately highlighting storytelling as a powerful tool for connection and influence. 00:00 The Power of Storytelling 02:59 Katie Quesada's Journey into Storytelling 06:01 The Science Behind Storytelling 09:04 Practical Applications of Storytelling in Leadership 11:56 Mining, Refining, and Reminding Stories 14:59 Personal Storytelling and Its Impact 17:59 The Importance of Family Storytelling 20:57 Macro vs. Micro Storytelling 28:05 The Art of Storytelling 31:24 Understanding the Three C's of Storytelling 35:35 The Balance of Context, Conflict, and Conclusion 40:39 Vulnerability in Leadership 43:00 Restoring Meaning to Personal Stories 46:43 Finding Your Storytelling Platform 48:44 Relational Storytelling Techniques Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/ 🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1 🔗 Support Me Here! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/calwalters 🔗 Stay Connected With Me. Linkedin (Cal Walters):  https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-walters-5571b824/ Linkedin (Intentional Leader):  https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-living-leadership/ Website:  https://calwalters.me/ 📩 For business inquiries: [email protected]