Leadership Launchpad – Team Development, & Performance Improvement for Aerospace & Technology Managers

In this solo episode, Matt explores why talented engineers and technical experts often avoid management roles and what that means for organizational success. Drawing on recent conversations with HR professionals and experiences in various companies, the episode breaks down the root causes of this leadership gap—highlighting overly complicated management systems, excessive bureaucracy, and misaligned promotion criteria as key contributors. The discussion also covers the organizational costs of this trend, such as hiring difficulties and ineffective leadership. To address these issues, the episode introduces the concept of “first principles management,” offering a simplified, foundational approach to developing effective managers, especially from technical backgrounds.

In this episode, guest Emma Strong, Senior Learning Development Program Manager at Veritex Legal Solutions, shares her approach to designing a leadership development program for new managers and leaders. Emma explains how the program was tailored with different tracks for team leads, managers, and supervisors, taking into account whether participants were promoted internally or hired externally. The conversation covers the importance of addressing unique challenges like transitioning from peer to leader, setting clear role expectations, and fostering inclusive communication. Emma also highlights balancing legal compliance topics with practical leadership skills and the value of continuous learning and open communication for new leaders. This episode offers practical insights for anyone developing or participating in leadership training.

In this episode, Garry Ridge, former CEO of WD-40, shares insights from his journey transforming WD-40 into a globally recognized brand by prioritizing company culture over just product focus. He discusses the importance of building a culture where employees feel they belong, know they matter, and are empowered to make decisions without fear. Garry outlines key steps leaders can take to foster engagement, psychological safety, and learning within their teams. Drawing from his experiences and his recent book, he explains why self-awareness, servant leadership, and coaching—not managing—are essential for effective leadership. The conversation also touches on the challenges facing new leaders and practical strategies for cultivating a positive and productive workplace culture at any organizational level.

In this episode, Matt Mueller, a SpaceX veteran and co-founder of Glīd, shares his experiences and lessons learned from leading technical teams in high-stakes environments. He talks about his early days managing a team of experienced technicians at Honeywell and transitioning to leading engineers at SpaceX. Matt discusses the challenges of balancing technical expertise with managerial responsibilities, the importance of understanding team context, and strategies for staying connected to the technical side while leading effectively. He also introduces his current work at Glīd, a startup aimed at streamlining road-to-rail freight transportation. This episode provides practical insights for managers in technical fields who are seeking ways to effectively lead their teams and stay engaged with both people and technical challenges.

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, host Matt Gjertsen dives deep into one of the biggest issues facing organizations today: poor employee engagement and its staggering $1.9 trillion cost to the US economy each year. Drawing on years of experience—from serving as an Air Force instructor pilot to leading training and development at SpaceX, and now running his own consultancy—Matt unpacks the latest Gallup research on the true state of engagement in the workplace.Tune in as Matt breaks down why engagement is at a 10-year low, explores the three key reasons employees become disengaged, and explains the significant impact this has on productivity, innovation, and retention. Most importantly, he shares one actionable strategy every manager can implement right away: clear and consistent development conversations.

In this episode, host Matt Gjertsen and guest Justus Kilian dive deep into what truly makes leaders stand out—well beyond what any MBA program can teach. Justus, a partner at Space Capital and an expert in evaluating startup founders, shares the six core leadership skills he looks for when betting on new companies. Together, they break down essential leadership traits like unreasonable persistence, adaptability, cross-functional experience, first principles thinking, adaptive “heat” management, and the art of negotiation.Matt and Justus explore why strong leadership is critical for both startups and established organizations, and discuss red flags that can derail a promising leader. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, new manager, or just looking to step up your leadership game, this episode is packed with practical insights and actionable tips you can apply right away.

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, host Matt Gjertsen sits down with JD Dillon, Chief Learning Architect at Axonify and renowned author, for an in-depth conversation about one of the most overlooked yet critical segments of the workforce: frontline employees. Drawing on years of experience and his soon-to-be-released book, JD breaks down what truly defines frontline workers, why supporting them is so uniquely challenging—especially in manufacturing and technical environments—and how organizations can better enable their success.

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, Jeff Guido, Senior Director of New Missions at Planet Labs, shares his insights on effective leadership in technical organizations. Jeff discusses his experience transitioning from a technical individual contributor to a leader, highlighting the challenges and strategies involved in delegation and empowering teams. He emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships and trust within teams, both internally and across organizations, to enable effective collaboration and problem-solving. The conversation also covers practical techniques for onboarding new team members, balancing early engagement with support, and fostering a culture where decision-making is delegated appropriately. Whether you're a new manager or working to develop leaders in your organization, this episode offers valuable advice on cultivating trust and empowering technical teams.

Do you want to foster a culture of innovation in your organization? In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, I speak with former Air Force leader John "Dragon" Teichert about his experience driving change and empowering teams at Edwards Air Force Base. We discuss practical strategies for encouraging idea sharing, aligning incentives, and relentlessly communicating priorities to overcome bureaucratic barriers. John shares insights from his upcoming book "Boom" on creating cultural transformation in risk-averse environments. Tune in for actionable advice on enabling your teams to innovate, take smart risks, and advance your mission. Don't miss this lively discussion on cutting-edge leadership! If you wish to learn more or hear from John, check out below! Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnteichert/Visit his website: https://johnteichert.com/Buy his book, "Boom" (#1 Amazon Bestseller): https://a.co/d/hcxjB08Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/EJohnTeichertConnect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teichert/Want more tips on effective training? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/newsletterVisit us at https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com

In this episode, Matt shares the single easiest—and most overlooked—technique any manager can use to start building trust and psychological safety within their team: icebreakers. Drawing on his leadership experience in the US Air Force and as the former head of training and development at SpaceX, Matt explains why personal connections are the driving force behind team engagement, retention, and high performance.Matt breaks down the science behind small talk and “phatic language,” showing how even just five minutes of intentional, non-work conversation at the start of a meeting can bond teams, reduce friction, and foster trust. He offers practical tips for getting started, handling concerns around introversion and cultural differences, and structuring these moments to keep meetings productive. Whether you’re leading a newly formed team or looking to improve an established group dynamic, this episode gives you straightforward steps to boost morale and productivity—starting at your very next meeting.

In this episode, leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry joins the show to discuss the challenges and nuances of leadership development. He shares his perspective on the limitations of leadership style models and personality tests, emphasizing that while they can provide insight, they often oversimplify complex human behaviors and risk becoming limiting identities rather than useful tools. Kevin highlights the importance of leaders taking time for self-improvement, encouraging practices like reflection, blocking time on the calendar for growth, and conducting listening tours with teams. He also addresses common hurdles new managers face, such as balancing task work with people management, and provides actionable advice on building trust, fostering dialogue, and developing strong team relationships. The conversation offers practical steps for leaders at any level looking to become more effective in their roles.

In this episode, guest Colonel Kris Saling, Director of Innovation for Manpower and Reserve Affairs in the U.S. Army, shares insights on the evolving landscape of talent management. The discussion covers how traditional talent processes—rooted in the industrial era—are being transformed by rapid technological changes, the importance of feedback loops, and the need for ongoing development for employees. Colonel Saling explains how the Army is using data and people analytics to empower lower-level leaders and individuals to make better talent decisions. The conversation also addresses common challenges such as retaining top performers and encouraging internal mobility, offering actionable advice for managers in both large and small organizations.

In this episode, Dr. Lola Gershfeld and Polina Marian from EMC Leaders discuss the impact of relationships and emotional connection within teams and organizations. Drawing on their experience working with technical and creative teams, they highlight how unresolved conflicts and a lack of emotional awareness can lead to disengagement, decreased productivity, and high turnover. The guests introduce their structured approach to building trust, increasing self-awareness, and repairing broken relationships in the workplace. They also share actionable steps for leaders and managers to create emotionally safe environments, emphasizing the value of vulnerability and clear communication. Listeners will gain insights into recognizing the signs of disconnection and learn practical tools to foster stronger, more collaborative teams.

In this solo episode, Matt explores the common challenges managers face with delegation. Drawing from personal experience and insights from leaders at all levels, the episode examines why new managers often struggle to delegate tasks and the impact this has on teams and individual performance. Matt shares practical steps for improving delegation skills, including starting small, being clear about desired outcomes, and establishing appropriate check-in routines. The episode also provides examples and actionable advice for new and experienced leaders alike, aiming to help listeners avoid burnout and foster more empowered, engaged teams.

In this episode, Kassi Kincaid, a speaker, trainer, and expert in creative leadership, joins the show to discuss the importance of creativity in leadership and team performance. She shares her five-step framework for fostering creativity within teams: generating ideas, pursuing them, overcoming disappointment, taking time to rest, and remembering how far you've come. The conversation highlights practical strategies for managers to encourage creative thinking, support team members through setbacks, and create an environment where new ideas can thrive. Listeners will gain actionable insights on how to apply creativity as an ongoing process, not just as a means to a specific outcome.