In this episode of The Tyler Dickerhoof Show, host Tyler Dickerhoof sits down with Matt Poepsel to uncover the transformative journey that led him from Marine Corps service to becoming a passionate advocate for enlightened leadership. Matt reveals how his relentless pursuit of achievements—from military accomplishments to Ironman races to earning a PhD—ultimately left him feeling empty, until the pandemic forced him into a free fall that changed everything.

They explore the profound disconnect between outdated leadership models and today's workforce, particularly as younger generations demand purpose alongside paychecks. Matt shares his unexpected path to ancient wisdom traditions and how these timeless principles can revolutionize modern organizations facing unprecedented challenges. From the "Killer Bees" of workplace fulfillment to the power of purposeful pauses, this conversation examines why fear destroys everything good in organizations—and how authentic leadership begins with genuine self-reflection.

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https://www.mattpoepsel.com/podcasts/lead-the-people

The Tyler Dickerhoof Show

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What We Discussed:

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  00:00 Introduction 

  
  


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  01:27 Joining the Marines

  
  


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  02:05 The military adapted, but leadership models didn't

  
  


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  04:28 Why retirees return to the workforce

  
  


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  07:24 How Millennials and Gen Z Are Redefining Work

  
  


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  11:59 The 2008 Crisis Changed Retirement Forever

  
  


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  15:10 What Is Enlightened Leadership?

  
  


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  19:47 How Nature Reconnects You to Who You Are

  
  


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  22:38 Slow Is Fast: The Counterintuitive Secret to Productivity

  
  


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  25:32 Fear Is What’s Ruining Your Workplace

  
  


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  31:48 Why Every Employee Should See Themselves as a Leader

  
  


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  33:32 The Power of Leading Yourself Before Leading Others

  
  


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  36:56 Are We Still Using the Wrong Playbook for Success?

  
  


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  40:11 Impact of Toxic Work Environments

  
  


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  42:35 Pause Button for Better Leadership

  
  

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