Many people think military leadership is as simple as giving orders and people just blindly following them. They couldn’t be more mistaken. 

While people will do what they’re told, this “sir, yes, sir” style of leadership doesn’t lead to high performance. It leads to a workforce that begrudgingly follows orders and passive aggressively does the bare minimum. 

Getting people to take pride in their work and do it joyfully is a completely different ball game. It starts with a leadership style that’s more heart-centered, shifting from being transactional to being relational. A caring leader enhances the performance of a team, and it’s often as simple as learning the names of everyone in the organization. 

How can leaders show people that they care? Why do commuting CEOs kill morale? What are the 3 facets of leading from the heart? 

In this episode, retired Two-Star Admiral, my former colleague and aerospace and defense leader, Mike Manazir returns. He talks about his new book, “Learn How to Lead to Lead From the Heart” and why heart-led organizations outperform other companies. 

Don’t ever assume you know what the workforce is feeling or worried about until they tell you. -Mike Manazir

Things You’ll Learn In This Episode 

• What actually drives military performance (it’s not giving orders)
  
  Some people think leading is as easy as giving an order and people will follow it. Why is there a lot more to it?
  
  


• The most powerful thing a leader can do
  
  In any organization, recognition fuels performance. How can something as simple as a leader knowing everyone’s names fire them up? 
  
  


• What dysfunctional workplaces have in common
  
  It’s not hard to identify a workplace that’s not being led well. What are the telltale signs of poor leadership? 
  
  


• Transactional leadership vs. leading from the heart
  
  In this era of remote work and private equity, we’re starting to see CEOs who are okay with commuting. Why does this communicate a negative message to the workforce? 

Guest Bio

Mike Manazir is a graduate of Top Gun and commanded an F-14 squadron, the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier, and a Carrier Strike Group. Mike retired as a Two-Star Admiral and is now an executive with a Fortune 100 aerospace and defense company. He is the author of the new book, “Learn How to Lead to Lead From the Heart”. Mike mentors a leadership style based on heart and trust that champions inclusion. Mike believes if you have one or more people looking to you to show the way, you are a leader. He wants to help you be the best leader you can be so you can Lead to Win.

For more information about Mike’s book head to https://mikemanazir.com/. 

About Your Host

Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association. 

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