In this conversation, Sean Papso shares his journey from military leadership to the civilian workforce, discussing the challenges and lessons learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of understanding team dynamics, the role of finance in business, and the impact of private equity on government contracting. Sean also reflects on the difficult decisions made during sequestration and the significance of engagement and communication in leadership. The discussion concludes with an analogy comparing the M&A process to marriage, highlighting the complexities involved. In this conversation, Sean Papso shares his experiences navigating the M&A process, managing emotions during transitions, and the importance of leadership in post-acquisition growth. He emphasizes the need for transparency in communication and maintaining a mission-focused approach. Sean also provides valuable advice for veterans transitioning into civilian roles, highlighting the importance of adaptability and understanding workplace dynamics.
Takeaways
Leadership in the military is structured but differs in civilian life.
Understanding team dynamics is crucial for effective leadership.
Different roles require different motivational strategies.
Finance plays a critical role in business operations.
Private equity can provide valuable resources and opportunities.
Sequestration forced difficult workforce decisions.
Decision-making involves considering the impact on individuals.
Engagement with employees is essential for effective leadership.
Communication is key to understanding team needs.
The M&A process can be likened to a marriage, full of challenges. Getting to be at the table during the M&A process is a unique experience.
The M&A process can be exciting but also uncomfortable during due diligence.
Emotions can significantly affect execution during transitions.
Maintaining employee morale is crucial during uncertain times.
Transparent communication helps squash rumor mills post-acquisition.
Leadership must balance workforce concerns with growth initiatives.
The importance of staying mission-focused in a corporate environment.
Veterans transitioning to civilian roles should be adaptable and flexible.
Understanding the day-to-day responsibilities of a new role is essential.
It's okay to change companies if the fit isn't right.
Connect with Sean - https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanpapso/
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– Kyle and The Refit Podcast team
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#TheRefitPodcast #KyleKillian #Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #BusinessLeadership #VeteranLeadership #HardThingAboutHardThings #LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #CEOInsights #FounderStories #OperationalLeadership The Refit Podcast is where real leadership happens—no platitudes, no polished corporate speak, just honest conversations about the hard decisions that keep leaders up at night. Hosted by Kyle Killian, former U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer with nearly 30 years of military, corporate, and entrepreneurial leadership experience, this podcast dives into the moments when the playbook stopped working and leaders had to figure it out anyway.
What is The Refit Podcast?
Welcome to The Refit Podcast, hosted by Kyle Killian.
This is where we talk about leadership the way leaders actually experience it—messy, uncertain, and nothing like the books make it sound.
I'm Kyle Killian, founder of Kohora. I spent nearly three decades leading in military, corporate, and entrepreneurial environments—from intelligence missions in Iraq to senior roles at Nike, Converse, and Fanatics.
And here's what I've learned: every single thing in business is a leadership problem.On this podcast, I sit down with CEOs, founders, operators, and fellow veterans who've transitioned to business leadership. We're not here to recite frameworks or share motivational quotes.
We're here to talk about the hard thing about hard things—the decisions that didn't have a right answer, the conversations you couldn't avoid, and the moments that changed how you lead.If you've ever been in a situation where the playbook stopped working and you had to figure it out anyway, this podcast is for you.