How do the best leaders stay calm and effective under extreme pressure? In this episode of No Limits Leadership, I sit down with Suzanne "Xena" Lesko, a retired Navy captain, combat veteran, and global leadership expert, to break down the mindset, habits, and skills required to lead through adversity.

Suzanne shares her journey from the Naval Academy to the cockpit, leading high-stakes missions and navigating the challenges of being a female officer in a male-dominated field. She later transitioned into a public affairs leadership role, where she mastered strategic communication under pressure—a critical skill for leaders at every level.

We dive into:
✔ Building Resilience Like a Muscle – Why adaptability, preparation, and mindset are key to thriving in high-pressure environments.
✔ "Go Ugly Early" Communication – How leaders can establish credibility and trust by addressing issues head-on.
✔ The Power of Mission-Critical Teams – Why diversity of thought and experience make the best teams unstoppable.
✔ How to Overcome Toxic Leadership – Strategies for maintaining integrity and effectiveness in challenging environments.
✔ The Role of Humor in High-Stress Situations – How levity and mindset shifts can transform tough leadership moments.

Whether you're leading in the boardroom, on the battlefield, or in your own life, this episode is packed with battle-tested leadership wisdom you can apply immediately.

🔗 Listen now and start leading with resilience!

Keywords

leadership, resilience, Navy, communication, service academy, adaptability, public affairs, personal growth, diversity, empowerment

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Resilience

02:09 The Impact of Service Academies on Leadership

08:05 Navigating Challenges in Naval Aviation

11:58 The Importance of Leadership in High-Pressure Environments

17:43 Effective Communication Under Pressure

21:28 Defining and Building Resilience in Leadership

26:45 Building Trust Through Transparency

29:27 The Foundations of Resilient Leadership

31:33 Embracing Discomfort for Growth

33:29 Finding Humor in Adversity

38:30 The Power of Creativity and Levity

40:56 Epistemic Humility in Leadership

47:34 Diversity as a Strength in Teams

In this powerful episode of the No Limits Leadership Podcast, host Sean Patton sits down with his longtime friend and West Point classmate, Matt Van Epps. Matt currently serves as the Commissioner of General Services for the state of Tennessee, bringing his military-honed leadership skills to the public sector. He is also a former aviation commander in the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), where he led some of the most complex and high-stakes aviation missions in the military.

From their shared experiences at West Point and the post-9/11 military landscape to Matt's innovative work in Tennessee state government, this episode is packed with leadership insights.

Listeners will discover:

• The Power of Team of Teams: How Matt applies General Stanley McChrystal's 'team of teams' approach to build high-performing, cross-functional teams in state government.
• The Role of Communication in Leadership: Why communication failures are at the root of most organizational breakdowns—and how Matt's military background taught him the importance of clear, consistent communication.
• Learning from Failure: Matt shares a personal leadership mistake and the lessons he took away about decision-making and escalation protocols.
• Patriotism and Perspective: A reflection on the unity the country experienced after 9/11 and why gratitude and civics education are critical for the nation's future.
• Leading with Heart: How becoming a father has given Matt a new perspective on patience, presence, and the importance of supporting team members as whole people.

Throughout the conversation, Sean and Matt connect the dots between military and civilian leadership, emphasizing the timeless principles of service, trust, and continuous learning. Whether you're leading a government team, running a business, or guiding a small group, this episode will leave you with actionable takeaways for building stronger, more cohesive teams.

Don't miss this engaging discussion with a leader who's driving real impact in both his state and his community.

🎙️ Listen Now and discover how you can apply these lessons to become a No Limit Leader.

Guest: Matt Van Epps | Commissioner of General Services, State of Tennessee

Host: Sean Patton | Founder of No Limit Leaders and Host of the No Limits Leadership Podcast

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Matt Van Epps

03:06 Reflections on Army-Navy Rivalry and Patriotism

05:52 Post 9/11 Experience and Its Impact on Leadership

08:50 The Importance of Unity and Teamwork in America

12:05 State Government as a Model for National Unity

15:11 Civic Engagement and the Role of Veterans

18:00 The Pursuit of a More Perfect Union

21:10 Gratitude and Perspective from Military Service

28:02 Finding Peace in Chaos

32:35 Leadership Lessons from Military Experience

39:13 The Importance of Communication in Leadership

50:14 Becoming a Father: A New Perspective on Leadership

Most leaders are stuck in a cycle of people-pleasing, overcommitting, and avoiding the hard truths—and it’s killing their impact. In this episode, I sit down with Lantz Howard, executive coach and founder of Champion Hope, to break down what it really takes to lead with confidence, clarity, and conviction. Lantz helps high-achieving leaders escape burnout, develop emotional resilience, and take full ownership of their decisions. If you’re tired of leading from fear, struggling with tough conversations, or feeling stretched too thin, this episode is your wake-up call.

Summary

In this episode of the No Limits Leadership Podcast, host Sean Patton engages with executive coach Lantz Howard to explore the concept of wholehearted leadership. They discuss the fragmentation many leaders experience in their personal and professional lives, the importance of emotional awareness, and the balance between assertiveness and connection in leadership. Lantz shares personal stories of his journey towards leading with his whole heart and emphasizes the significance of vulnerability and psychological safety in creating effective leadership environments. The conversation also touches on the impact of external influences, such as news media, on emotional capacity and decision-making.

Takeaways

-Leadership is about managing tasks but leading people.

-Many leaders struggle with emotional fragmentation.

-Vulnerability in leadership fosters connection and trust.

-Emotional awareness is crucial for effective leadership.

-Leaders should not be responsible for others' happiness.

-Creating psychological safety is essential for team dynamics.

-Emotional capacity is more important than emotional intelligence.

-The home environment serves as a critical leadership laboratory.

-Growth in leadership is not a linear process.

-Leaders must learn to listen and ask thoughtful questions.

Chapters

00:00 Wholehearted Leadership: A New Perspective

03:09 The Journey of Self-Discovery

05:43 Navigating Leadership Challenges

08:35 Emotional Capacity vs. Emotional Intelligence

11:32 Creating Psychological Safety in Leadership

14:30 Vulnerability as a Strength

17:13 Integrating Personal and Professional Growth

20:10 Coaching Culture in Organizations

26:47 The Art of Intentional Listening

29:02 Coaching as an Experiential Learning Process

30:38 Emotional Awareness in Coaching

32:51 Clarifying Intentions in Conversations

34:04 Lessons from Past Relationships

37:22 Navigating Midlife Transitions

39:43 Empowerment through Coaching

41:43 The Impact of Media on Emotional Well-being

Lantz’s Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lantzhoward/

https://www.lantzhoward.com/

Are you stuck in the endless grind of managing every little detail, fixing your team’s mistakes, and feeling like the weight of the entire business is on your shoulders? In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Torf, a veteran leader with over 40 years of experience, to unpack a game-changing leadership strategy: the Push-Pull Theory. You’ll learn how to stop micromanaging, empower your team to take ownership, and free up your time to focus on what matters most—growing your business. If you’re ready to stop working harder and start leading smarter, this episode is for you.

Takeaways

-The speed of technology is changing everything.
-Empowering teams is essential for effective leadership.
-Generational differences affect technology adoption.
-Reflection is crucial for personal and team growth.
-Transparency in communication prevents surprises.
-Fostering innovation requires a balance of freedom and structure.
-Defining a clear vision keeps teams aligned.
-Coaching is more effective than traditional management.
-Building team cohesion enhances project success.
-Identifying and training future leaders is vital for organizational growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kevin Torf and His Journey
02:39 The Evolution of Technology and Its Impact
05:59 Generational Changes in Technology Adoption
08:21 Managing Complex Projects in a Changing Landscape
10:31 Empowering Teams Through Leadership
14:38 The Importance of Team Collaboration
18:18 The Hybrid Agile Methodology Explained
21:49 Defining Goals and Keeping Teams Aligned
24:03 Fostering Innovation While Managing Risks
26:54 Building Cohesion in Teams
29:24 Identifying and Training Future Leaders
32:11 The Importance of Reflection and Growth
33:40 Adapting Frameworks to Technological Change
37:43 Common Mistakes in Project Management
40:10 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Kevin Torf LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevintorf/
T2Group: https://t2group.com/
Kevin's Book Getting The Job Done: https://a.co/d/3bv52kw

In this engaging conversation, Sean Patton and Schuyler Williamson explore the multifaceted nature of leadership, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, self-leadership, and the ability to learn from adversity. They discuss how energy and influence play crucial roles in effective leadership, the significance of having a purpose that extends beyond oneself, and the dynamics of teamwork. Schuyler shares insights from his military background and how those lessons translate into the business world, ultimately advocating for a culture of growth and fulfillment within organizations.

Takeaways

• Leadership is fundamentally about love and caring for others.
• Adversity should be viewed as an opportunity for growth.
• Self-leadership is essential for effective leadership.
• Leaders must teach their teams how to think critically.
• Pursuing excellence rather than perfection leads to better outcomes.
• Energy and mindset are contagious within teams.
• A leader's purpose should be about serving others.
• Creating a culture of growth requires intentionality and effort.
• The lessons learned in the military can be applied to business leadership.
• Effective leaders prioritize their own health to better serve their teams.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Strategic Thinking in Leadership
01:54 Energy and Mindset: Keys to Effective Leadership
04:23 Morning Routines: Setting the Tone for Success
07:18 Leadership vs Management: The Pull vs Push Dynamic
13:03 Translating Military Leadership to Business
16:42 Leadership Mindset: Who Do We Need to Be?
20:12 Learning from Adversity: After Action Reviews
25:51 Evergreen Purpose: Fueling a Life of Service
31:33 Health and Spirituality in Leadership

In this No Limits Leadership Podcast episode, host Sean Patton interviews life and leadership coach Cayla Horey. They discuss Cayla's journey into leadership coaching, the challenges small business owners face, the importance of delegation, and the role of self-leadership in achieving success. Cayla emphasizes the need for awareness and mindset shifts to improve leadership effectiveness and shares practical strategies for effective delegation and utilizing contractors. The conversation highlights the transformative power of coaching and the impact of self-leadership on personal and professional growth.

Cayla Horey's links:
https://caylahorey.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cayla-horey-a4ab661b1/

Takeaways

• Cayla has a long history in leadership and coaching.
• Many entrepreneurs struggle with the transition from solopreneur to CEO.
• Delegation is a critical skill for business growth.
• Effective delegation involves empowering others, not just offloading tasks.
• Self-leadership is essential for personal and business success.
• Mindset and awareness are key to overcoming limiting beliefs.
• Coaching provides valuable perspective and accountability.
• Shifting thoughts can lead to better outcomes in leadership.
• Building trust with your team is crucial for effective delegation.
• Investing in coaching can accelerate personal and professional growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Coaching

02:57 Cayla's Journey into Leadership Coaching

05:27 Challenges Faced by Entrepreneurs

08:36 The Importance of Delegation

11:17 Tactical Steps for Effective Delegation

15:19 Utilizing Fractional Leadership

19:28 The Role of Self-Leadership

21:41 The Importance of Self-Leadership

25:22 Mindset and Thought Patterns

26:56 The Role of Coaching in Self-Improvement

33:32 Challenging Limiting Beliefs

41:12 The Ripple Effect of Leadership on Life

Summary

In this No Limits Leadership podcast episode, Sean Patton interviews Ron Crabtree, who shares insights on digital transformation, its components, and the challenges organizations face in implementing change. Ron emphasizes the importance of understanding the interplay between people, processes, and technology and discusses the ongoing labor shortage in various industries. He highlights the critical role of effective change management and communication in ensuring successful digital transformation initiatives while also addressing the need for organizations to adapt quickly to the ever-evolving business landscape.

Ron Crabtree, is the founder and CEO of MetaOps™ and MetaExperts™Inc. He is an internationally recognized expert in leading-edge business process improvement methodologies. He is a Master Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, a Certified Supply Chain Transformation Architect and also an expert in effective change management, facilitation and communications.

Takeaways

Digital transformation is a complex and evolving process.

A significant percentage of digital transformation efforts fail to deliver expected results.

Organizations face a labor shortage that impacts their ability to implement change.

Effective change management is crucial for successful digital transformation.

Communication and transparency are key to overcoming resistance to change.

Middle managers play a vital role in driving change within organizations.

Apathy can hinder progress in successful companies.

Iterative approaches to change management can lead to better outcomes.

Understanding the components of digital transformation is essential for leaders.

Organizations must adapt quickly to survive in a rapidly changing environment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Digital Transformation

06:32 Understanding Digital Transformation Components

13:59 The Role of People in Digital Transformation

19:23 Navigating the Labor Shortage

26:34 Change Management Challenges

32:07 The Need for Agile Change Management

37:40 Implementing Tangible Change

43:26 MetaOps: A Solution for Rapid Change

Summary

In this episode of No Limits Leadership, Sean sits down with Scott Jarrell, a military veteran, healthcare leader, and entrepreneur dedicated to improving men’s health. Scott shares his journey from military service to building a mission-driven business, highlighting the power of vulnerability, resilience, and leading with love in every aspect of life.

Scott shares his journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a leader in the military and now in his professional life, emphasizing the need for vulnerability and community among men. They discuss the impact of personal loss, the struggle with self-promotion, and the importance of creating safe spaces for men to express their emotions and seek help. The conversation highlights the significance of perspective gained from military service and the need for courage in addressing mental health issues, particularly in the veteran community.

Takeaways

Scott emphasizes the importance of sharing personal experiences to inspire hope in others.

The struggle between selflessness and self-promotion is a common challenge for leaders.

Military experience provides a unique perspective on leadership and teamwork.

Personal loss can lead to profound insights and growth.

Effective leadership requires learning to follow and understanding the needs of others.

Transitioning to military service can be a pivotal moment in one's life.

Emotional health is crucial for overall well-being and effective leadership.

Creating a safe space for men to express vulnerability is essential.

Men's health issues, including hormonal imbalances, are often overlooked.

Community and camaraderie are vital for supporting one another in difficult times.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey

02:13 The Struggle with Self-Promotion

04:46 Lessons from Military Experience

07:30 Understanding Perspective and Violence

09:37 The Importance of Love and Unity

11:59 Navigating Personal Loss and Growth

14:24 Leadership and Following

16:30 The Role of Fatherhood in Leadership

19:07 The Impact of Military Training on Leadership

21:43 Transitioning to Civilian Life

24:14 The Importance of Vulnerability in Men

26:45 Creating a Safe Space for Men

29:07 The Role of Hormones in Mental Health

31:23 The Journey of Healing and Recovery

33:45 The Importance of Community and Support

36:12 The Need for Open Conversations

38:51 The Future of Men's Health

41:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts