In this episode of Driven to Lead, our guest Chad Altbaier, Co-CEO of Standard Fiber, shares a powerful story about being accelerated into his first CEO role during a period of disruption, pressure, and uncertainty. Chad explains how he was originally recruited as Chief Commercial Officer with the expectation that he might eventually step into the CEO seat, but that transition happened much faster than expected. Soon after, the former CEO became a competitor and took several strong people with him, creating a difficult leadership challenge at the very moment Chad was trying to stabilize the business, transform the culture, and move the company forward. Chad describes the experience as a form of “wartime leadership,” requiring him to listen carefully, lead with empathy, communicate a clear vision, manage up to owners and board members, and stay hands-on with the team. The conversation also explores the emotional demands of leadership, including the importance of self-regulation, health, vulnerability, and even love in the workplace. Chad’s story is a reminder that great leadership is not just about strategy and results — it is also about belief, presence, resilience, and the ability to help people keep moving forward when the path gets difficult.
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– Wayne and the Driven to Lead podcast team
Contact Wayne here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-brannon-792b0536/
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Driven to Lead is a podcast dedicated to inspiring and empowering business leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs to reach their full potential. Hosted by Wayne Brannon, each episode dives deep into leadership strategies, personal growth, team management, and real-world business challenges. Whether you’re leading a startup or a large organization, Driven to Lead offers actionable insights to help you build strong teams, develop your leadership skills, and create a positive impact in your workplace. Tune in weekly to unlock your leadership potential and drive success.