As a Leader, Sometimes We Need to Be the Follower - Eric Peterson

In this episode of Leadership Level Up, Eric Peterson sits down with Jeff and Brian as he shares the foundation of his leadership approach.
The founder of Project Headspace and Timing, an organization dedicated to providing services for veterans, Eric Peterson echoes a sentiment that many great leaders share - that at times he doesn’t feel like one at all. (02:15) “There are moments where I feel like I’m taking charge, I have to take this and run with it and spearhead this project,” He says. “[But] throughout my life there have been many times where I’ve known that I needed to be a follower and not necessarily a leader in that moment, which I also think is also an important aspect of being a leader”
Eric’s humble approach shines through in how he views the types of respect a leader earns. For Eric, there is implied respect and earned respect. The former refers to the baseline respect conferred to a leader as a result of their position, whereas the earned respect can only be found after a leader demonstrates positive leadership qualities.
Listen to this episode of Leadership LevelUp to learn more about these positive leadership qualities Eric describes, as well hear about Eric’s leadership journey and how he works to help his Community.
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MEET OUR GUEST

Eric Peterson is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Project Headspace and Timing, which since 2017 has aimed to help veterans in need. Raised in the Kankakee County Area, Peterson graduated from Herscher High School and went on to serve in the Army National Guard, serving in Afghanistan.
In 2020, Peterson received the Daily Journal’s Young Citizen of the Year Award and was placed on the Kankakee County’s 40 under 40 list by the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce. He is an ordained minister for the Universal Life Church, currently works in Veteran Services for Banyan Treatment Centers, and lives in Manteno with his wife and children.