There is a destructive yet persistent American culture that sees people elevated to leadership positions without the required training or coaching. Today’s guest aims to ease this particular pain point by bringing military-style leadership to the civilian world.
John Gronski is a former Major General who's pivoted to being a motivational speaker and life coach. He begins our conversation by describing everything that happens at the coaching and consulting company he founded: Leader Grove. We learn about John’s journey from rural Pennsylvania to coaching and via the Army before honing in on the challenges he faced while deployed with the Army in Ramadi, Iraq.
John also shares what he learned about being a leader from his time in active service, the ins and outs of his three leadership-centered books, the undeniable value of mentorship, and the best practices for building resilience and a never-say-die mindset.
Key Points From This Episode:
• Unpacking the American culture of raising leaders without adequate leadership training.
• From rural Pennsylvania to the Army to coaching: How it happened for John.
• Understanding the value of mentorship and practical advice for seeking the right mentors.
Quotes:
“My personal purpose is to help leaders who want to improve and become better leaders. That’s why I started Leader Grove.” — Major General John Gronski
“We need people in our life who make us stronger and we have to look for people that we could make stronger. That’s what leadership, in my mind, is all about.” — Major General John Gronski
“Mentorship is 360 degrees. Which means, I not only get mentored from people who are senior than me; I could get mentored from someone who is much junior that I am. You can learn from everybody, no matter what their level of life experience is.” — Major General John Gronski
“I believe leaders are grown and not born.” — Major General John Gronski
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
What is Leadership Blueprints?
Leadership Blueprints is the podcast where leaders in the built environment learn to disrupt the status quo, improve their project teams, and steward public and private investments more effectively. Your host is BJ Kraemer. As the President and CEO of MCFA, BJ has navigated the complexities of the architecture, engineering, construction, and development industry. With a blend of interviews with national industry leaders and solo episodes filled with stories, tips, and lessons, Leadership Blueprints is your weekly source of inspiration and practical advice. By tuning in, you will learn how to challenge conventional processes, enhance team performance, and manage projects more effectively, paving the way for innovation and success in the built environment. Join BJ each week for a deep dive into the strategies and mindsets that drive real change and lead to real results.