SGM Derek Kearns shares hard-won lessons from over two decades in the Army—covering attention to detail, adaptive leadership, and investing in people. From combat zones to Ranger School, this episode unpacks what it really means to lead with purpose under pressure.

Doing good work doesn’t require a title, permission, or perfection—it requires action and alignment.

In this article, Joshua McMillion breaks down a simple yet powerful framework for living a meaningful life through three key steps: discovering your passion, defining your purpose, and living out your assignment. Drawing from military experience, personal reflection, and years of leadership, this piece challenges readers to stop waiting and start leading—right where they are.

If you’re ready to live with conviction and do work that matters, this is your call to action.

What makes a truly exceptional leader?

Is it position, authority, or something deeper? In this profound conversation with Joseph Polanin, retired Navy Captain and award-winning CEO, we uncover leadership wisdom forged through 30 years of leading elite teams in high-risk environments across more than 1,000 combat missions.

Joe reframes leadership in a way that will transform how you view your role: "Leadership is not a position, rank, or title. It's a process of learning, growing, and caring about other people." This powerful perspective has guided his journey from Naval Academy graduate to commanding EOD units worldwide, where the ethos of "quiet professionalism" – doing what's right regardless of who gets credit – became his north star.

What does it take to reach the absolute pinnacle of military leadership? Command Sergeant Major (Retired) John Wayne Troxell brings wisdom forged through 38 years of service and five combat deployments to this riveting conversation on transformational leadership.

As the former Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—the highest position an enlisted service member can achieve—Troxell reveals his leadership framework built on the “three Ps”: presence, performance, and persistence. He explains why simply showing up isn’t enough. True leadership presence generates energy and inspiration. Performance means living out the standard, especially in adversity. Persistence is the grit to lead with both compassion and accountability.

From his humble beginnings to delivering a viral “surrender or die” message against ISIS, Troxell shares hard-earned lessons in resilience, authenticity, and leading under fire. Even under suspension, he stood firm in his convictions, later returning to his post with his values intact.

In this episode, you’ll hear how great leaders balance toughness with humanity, communicate the “why,” and evolve across increasing levels of responsibility. Now in civilian life, Troxell continues his mission through entrepreneurial leadership—proving service doesn’t stop when the uniform comes off.

If you’re ready to lead with greater purpose, this episode delivers battle-tested wisdom that applies across every leadership arena.

Leadership in life is all about action! Being committed to moving the needle forward and understanding the work or sacrifice required to actually achieve results. That is also the burden of leadership; it takes an engaged, purpose-filled leader to create traction. I find myself falling back to a verse, Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." These words are true, but one critical piece is missing that I've learned: If it's to be, it's up to me. No one will do the work for you. You may be in the right place at the right time and have the right job or influence—but do you have the intestinal fortitude to put in the work and achieve results?

When leadership fails, it's rarely about strategy – it's almost always about what lies beneath the surface. In this profound conversation with Dr. Ron Stotz, we explore the hidden dimensions of leadership that most development programs miss entirely.

Dr. Stotz brings a remarkable perspective forged through military service during Vietnam, a suicide attempt that became a spiritual awakening, and decades helping high-level leaders break through their limitations. His journey reveals how our early childhood experiences shape our leadership capacity in ways we rarely recognize until everything begins to crumble.

In this powerful episode of Tales of Leadership, I sit down with Jake Larson—affectionately known as “Papa Jake”—a 102-year-old World War II veteran and national treasure whose story has captivated millions across the world.

Born during the Great Depression and raised on a farm in rural Minnesota, Jake’s journey took him from poverty to the front lines of history. At just 15 years old, he joined the National Guard by lying about his age. That bold decision would place him on the path to help plan the D-Day invasion as part of G3 Operations. Armed with a skill most overlooked—typing—Jake was responsible for processing the very orders that sent thousands of men onto Omaha Beach, including himself.

Transformational leadership is the second path less traveled by leaders in today's world. This path requires you to place the needs of others over your own. It demands routine, accountability, and discipline (RAD) in your actions. It inspires those around you to be better. When leaders choose this path, they sacrifice temporary success for a life of significance. To be a transformational leader, you must possess specific leadership characteristics. This blog aims to equip you with the top 10 ways to become a more transformational leader or a Purposeful Accountable Leader (PAL).

Lon Stroschein is the founder of Normal 40 and best selling author of the book, “The Trade.” He has been privileged throughout his career to collaborate with outstanding leaders, contributing to the growth of those around them. His professional journey encompasses crafting international expansions, leading a $100 million division, orchestrating a significant $2.1 billion public-to-public transaction, founding a successful private wealth group, and dedicating five impactful years serving the United States Senate.

In today's episode, we shed light on the perils of transitional leadership and its detrimental impact on teams and organizations. We delve into how this leadership style often prioritizes profits over people, leading to toxic workplace cultures and high turnover rates. Our host, Joshua K. McMillion, draws on his extensive experience in military leadership to share key insights.

Transitional leadership is the first path a leader can choose, and it is the easiest. When a leader adopts this approach, they place profits over people. They value the organization's growth over individual growth. It is increasingly countercultural for leaders to prioritize people over the bottom line.

Brent Pohlman, executive leader at Midwest Laboratories, has driven positive impact for employees, clients, and communities for over seven years. A published author, his latest book Leaders Look Within (May 2023) shares insights on leading from the heart, coaching others, and fostering a culture of trust and excellence.

Leadership isn't just a title; it's a commitment to purpose and discipline. In this episode, I explore how aligning purpose with passion and maintaining a standard of shared accountability can transform organizations. Discover how embracing discomfort and pushing beyond perceived limits can foster personal and organizational success.

Join us in this enlightening episode as we welcome Morgan Sullivan, a man whose journey from the rigors of Army life to nurturing young athletes is nothing short of inspiring. With over 20 years of military service under his belt, Morgan shares his evolution from a commanding figure to a compassionate guide, offering a fresh take on leadership that prioritizes service and community impact.

To achieve the extraordinary, you must frame the challenges relative to your capacity. Too small of a vision leads to expected results; too bold, it becomes unrealistic, and you fail to develop the required resources. I've created a system called VISION to help you break through the mental fog and start building traction for your personal and professional life.

What drives you to get up and excel at work every day? Join us as Leanne Myers, a remarkable author and thought leader in women's executive leadership, shares her transformative journey. Leanne’s expertise in industrial psychology and her extensive experiences across different cultures provide a wealth of insights into creating environments where individuals can truly thrive.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to serve 17 years in the military, especially post-9/11? Join us as we sit down with Colin Boyle, an active duty infantry platoon sergeant, who opens up about his profound journey in the military.

Dr. Dave Braun is the co-founder of Oola. With a deep-rooted commitment to empowering individuals to find balance and transform their lives, He has spent over a decade guiding people towards holistic well-being. As President, he plays a pivotal role in shaping Oola’s strategic direction, leading the team in creating science-based products and transformative programs that promote life balance.

Vision is among the most overused words in leadership. Often, leaders create short-term concepts that only impact the organization when they are in leadership positions. However, a vision must outlive you and scare others due to its sheer scope. I've created a system called VISION to help you break through the mental fog and start building traction for your personal and professional life.

David Vardeman is a U.S. Patriot. Over the last ten years, David has developed a deep understanding of service, sacrifice, and selfless giving to both the US Military Active Duty and US Veteran Communities. His tireless work is for the benefit of those in need. He specializes in all military health issues, military occupational transition, and military historical preservation.