Building Resilient Teams: The Leadership Triad with Lee Van Arsdale

04/16/24 • 29 min

Strategic Edge: Applying Transformative Leadership

“Every leader we have, good or bad, we learn from them.” - Lee Van Arsdale

Episode Summary:

Cultivate a strong team, and gain actionable insights on building a lasting foundation!

In this episode of Strategic Edge, retired military officer Lee Van Arsdale joins Ted to delve into the essence of effective leadership. They emphasize the golden rule of treating others as you wish to be treated and the invaluable lessons gleaned from both exemplary and flawed leaders. Lee and Ted explore the concept of leading from the front, stressing the delicate balance between humility and unwavering determination essential for impactful leadership. They underscore the critical role of trust and accountability in fostering team cohesion, alongside the significance of meticulous planning for success. Join them on this insightful journey into the heart of leadership.

About Lee Van Arsdale:

Lee A. Van Arsdale has served as a Soldier and business executive. As a Soldier his assignments were primarily in Special Forces, with 11 years spent in the First Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Airborne). In the course of his 25-year Army career, Lee served in three combat zones in leadership positions, and was decorated for valor with the Silver Star and with the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat. Additionally, he participated in numerous classified operations, on a global scale, while in a leadership capacity. Following his military career, Lee was the Assistant General Manager for National Security Response at the Bechtel Nevada Corporation; he incorporated Unconventional Solutions, Inc., a private

consulting firm; he was the founding Executive Director of the University of Nevada Las Vegas Institute for Security Studies; he was the Chief Executive Officer of Triple Canopy, Inc., an integrated security solutions company, and the Chief Executive Officer of Creative Radicals, a software company. Lee was designated a West Point Distinguished Graduate in 2022, and now serves on the boards of select companies and does volunteer work for veterans’ organizations.

In this episode:

3:45 Embracing the Golden Rule: a model for ethical leadership.
4:40 Putting learning into action.
6:50 A paradoxical leader: mixing humility and strong will.
13:25 Strategies for cultivating a strong team.
16:30 Establishing a trustworthy foundation: the keys to building a team.
19:00 Empowering your team to succeed: the importance of accountability, responsibility and authority.
21:10 Key insights and episode takeaways.

Today’s Action Items:

Make every decision and take every action on a foundation of integrity and trust.
Lead from the front.
Don’t shy away from planning.

Get a free PDF of today’s action items! Podcast Action Items - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)

Connect with Ted Davis:

Podcast management and production by Jazzy at Premier Podcast Promotions

“Every leader we have, good or bad, we learn from them.” - Lee Van Arsdale

Episode Summary:

Cultivate a strong team, and gain actionable insights on building a lasting foundation!

About Lee Van Arsdale:

In this episode:

3:45 Embracing the Golden Rule: a model for ethical leadership.
4:40 Putting learning into action.
6:50 A paradoxical leader: mixing humility and strong will.
13:25 Strategies for cultivating a strong team.
16:30 Establishing a trustworthy foundation: the keys to building a team.
19:00 Empowering your team to succeed: the importance of accountability, responsibility and authority.
21:10 Key insights and episode takeaways.

Today’s Action Items:

Make every decision and take every action on a foundation of integrity and trust.
Lead from the front.
Don’t shy away from planning.

Get a free PDF of today’s action items! Podcast Action Items - Grace Strategic Services (grace4success.com)

Connect with Ted Davis:

Podcast management and production by Jazzy at Premier Podcast Promotions

Previous Episode

Growing Mentor Intelligence: Lifelong Learning with Alan Landry

“I hope to be a better leader today than I was yesterday, and the day before.” - COL (RET) Alan D. Landry

Episode Summary:

This week, Ted engages in a profound conversation with Al Landry, a distinguished military veteran and esteemed leader in the corporate world. Drawing from his extensive military background and subsequent career at Raytheon, Al shares invaluable insights on the transformative power of mentorship and lifelong learning.

Al's journey, from his formative years at West Point to his current role as the founder of Altuitive Holdings, epitomizes a commitment to leadership excellence and continuous growth. Through candid reflections and personal anecdotes, Al articulates his foundational leadership principles, underscored by duty, honor, and accountability.

Central to the discussion is the concept of mentor intelligence—a skill honed through deliberate relationships and a foundation of integrity. Al elucidates the nuances between mentoring and coaching, emphasizing the profound impact of relationship-based mentorship on individual and team development.

Listeners will glean actionable strategies from Al's book, "Growing Mentor Intelligence: A Field Guide to Mentoring," as he outlines practical steps for cultivating effective leadership and mentorship practices. From setting the example through actions to enforcing standards with humility and empathy, Al offers a roadmap for aspiring leaders to navigate the complexities of today's business landscape with confidence and integrity.

About COL (RET) Alan D. Landry:

In this enlightening episode, Ted engages in a profound conversation with Al Landry, a distinguished military veteran and esteemed leader in the corporate world. Drawing from his extensive military background and subsequent career at Raytheon, Al shares invaluable insights on the transformative power of mentorship and lifelong learning.

COL (RET) Alan Landry is a dynamic, innovative leader with a proven track record spanning over 50 years in both public and private sectors. Alan is the owner and founder of ALtuitive Holdings, LLC, an independent consulting company focused on leadership, strategy, and mentorship. He is the author of “Growing Mentor IntelligenceTM – A Field Guide to Mentoring” and the “Companion Workbook”, both important contributions to the field of growing and sustaining effective organic mentorship programs. He currently presents workshops to organizations based on his original work and enjoys a robust mentor practice.

Alan retired from Raytheon Missile Systems on 31 July 2012, after serving as Director of Business Development for the Land Combat Product Line in Tucson, Arizona, for over 4 1⁄2 years. During his 10 years with Raytheon, Alan served in a variety of leadership positions in strategy and business development, to include 2 1⁄2 years as Director of Strategy for Raytheon Missile Systems, a $6B annual revenue business. While at Raytheon, Alan proved himself to be an expert leader, strategist, mentor, innovator, and diversity/inclusion advocate. He created a mentor organization for over 50 emerging leaders and sustained the organization for over 5 years. In recognition of these efforts Alan was awarded the Raytheon Excellence in Mentorship Award for 2012, an award limited to 30 recipients across the 70,000-employee base. Alan also served as a Raytheon Diversity and Inclusion “Game Changer” for over 5 years, a leadership position within the company to create positive change in this critical area. Alan supported numerous audiences across the organization with presentations on leadership, mentorship, strategy, strategic planning, and diversity/inclusion. He offers a unique ability to leverage his extensive military, industry, and non-profit experiences to personalize these critically i...

Next Episode

Bringing Clarity and Inspiration: Simplifying Successful Leadership with Galen Bingham

“At the end of the day, every success and every failure ends with leadership.” - Galen Bingham

Episode Summary:

This week on the Strategic Edge podcast, Ted introduces Galen Bingham, the Leadership Strategist. They discuss the difference in coaching, consulting, and advising. Galen shares his three priorities for effective leadership: painting a clear picture of success, identifying and removing barriers, and keeping people inspired. Ted and Galen also discuss the importance of asking questions, listening, and simplifying in leadership. Galen emphasizes the value of coaching and the need for leaders to continuously grow and develop.

About Galen Bingham:

Galen Bingham is a globally distinguished figure in leadership and executive coaching. He has three decades of executive experiences with industry icons Kraft Foods, Imperial Sugar, and Coca-Cola North America. Tap into Galen’s deep understanding of how to cultivate success in organizations of all sizes. As Founder of Kiln Global Coaching & Consulting, his influence extends globally, having shaped the paths of over 975 executives in twelve countries. As the host of "Whiskey, Jazz, and Leadership" podcast, Galen engages with leaders in all industries, further diversifying and enriching his ability to share meaningful insights. A C-Suite Network Advisor and two-time leadership book author with significant contributions to nonprofit boards. Galen is as smooth as a glass of good whiskey.

In this episode:

3:30 Setting the foundation to be successful in your career path.
6:05 Finding success through authenticity.
7:20 Galen’s messaging behind whiskey, jazz, and leadership.
7:45 Leadership philosophy and model.
8:50 Using metaphors in teaching.
10:00 Knowing the company culture to lead successfully.
11:10 Gelan’s top 3 priorities for leaders: clarity, removing barriers, and inspiring.
15:05 The important distinction between coaching, advising, and consulting.
19:15 Trusting the coaching process and structure.
22:10 Diversity in coaching and finding a coach you relate to.
25:00 Actionable takeaways.

Today’s Action Items: