The Leadership Initiative

The Leadership Initiative Podcast connects with leaders worldwide to offer strategies and tools for maximizing your impact and transforming your life.

NFL Exec's Secrets to Leadership Success 08/14/2025

Former NFL Trainer Mike Ryan On Career Pivots & Finding Purpose 07/17/2025

The Human Side of Leadership: Lessons You Need to Hear 06/19/2025

Lessons in Leadership: Humility, Growth, and Legacy 06/05/2025

Finding Purpose: Lessons from Miami Dolphins' Fullback Alec Ingol 05/22/2025

Building Trust & Leading Through Challenges 05/08/2025

Transformative Leadership: Insights from the NFL 04/24/2025

Investing in Leadership: Lessons for Success 04/03/2025

Cracking the Code of Leadership Trust 03/20/2025

Authentic Leadership: Transforming Education & Empowering Teams 02/27/2025

Authentic Leadership: Lessons from the NFL | InitiativeOne 02/06/2025

Transforming Healthcare Through Leadership: Jamison Buxton | InitiativeOne 01/30/2025

Leadership Lessons from Navy Commanding Officer Erica Reid-Dixon PT 2 | InitiativeOne 01/15/2025

The Power of Purpose-Driven Leadership in Schools with Betty Vasquez | InitiativeOne 11/27/2024

Leadership Lessons: Vulnerability and Authority | InitiativeOne 11/14/2024

Leading Like a Navy Commanding Officer with Erica Reid-Dixon PT 1 11/12/2024

Melanie Steinbarth 10/30/2024

Celebrating Small Wins with Josh Moon - Athletic Director for the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay 10/16/2024

Celebrating Small Wins with Josh Moon - Athletic Director for the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay In this episode, InitiativeOne Founder, Dr. Fred Johnson, sits down with an incredible leader who shares his journey of leading bold change and building belief in a community. Hear about celebrating small victories and how those moments can create unstoppable momentum. Key Takeaways: Belief in the Vision: Sometimes others believe in your vision before you do. Embrace those who see potential, and let that belief fuel your journey. Authenticity Drives Trust: Vulnerability isn't a weakness—it's a strength that brings people closer. Real connections form when you openly share the challenges and tough decisions you're facing as a leader. Celebrating Small Wins: The impact of small victories can have a profound effect on belief and momentum. These moments bring people together and elevate the community's spirit. Leaders Need Support Too: Bold change can be isolating, but surrounding yourself with a supportive network and leaning on trusted individuals can help sustain your motivation. Memorable Moments from this episode also include: How one person’s belief in a single game changed the trajectory of their commitment to the community. The importance of being real during difficult times—like changing a legendary coach—and how vulnerability can bring others on board. Reflections on how even those who've been in a community for years can have their passion ignited by strong, authentic leadership. Listen and learn how to lead with authenticity and celebrate the small wins that drive big change! ►►Register for our next Think Tank: InitiativeOne: Leadership Institute Eliminate Drama, Improve Decision-Making, and Win as a Team. To learn more, visit . Leadership Transformation | Leadership Foundations | Strategic Planning | Online Leadership Courses | Keynote Speaking | Executive Coaching Follow Us: Facebook: / initiativeone Instagram: / initiativeone LinkedIn: / initiativeone X: / initiativeone /episode/index/show/13e9efea-2e5d-471c-a452-0e22e0d571f0/id/33290707

Beyond the Mission: Caring for Your Team in Combat - Part 2 with Robert Mitchell 10/04/2024

Beyond the Mission: Caring for Your Team in Combat - Part 1 with Robert Mitchell 10/02/2024

Beyond the Mission: Caring for Your Team in Combat - Part 1 with Robert Mitchell In this episode, Dr. Fred Johnson sits down with Colonel Bob Mitchell, a retired Army leader to discuss the leadership principles that have guided him. Colonel Mitchell reflects on how his leadership development began in high school under the mentorship of his football coach, who helped him realize his leadership potential early on. This foundation carried him through his 30-year military career, including commanding medevac units in Iraq, where he led over 1,000 soldiers and managed complex, high-risk operations. Key takeaways from the conversation: Leadership Beyond Titles: Mitchell emphasizes that leadership isn't about rank or position. It’s about influence and helping others succeed, a principle he lived out in his career and continues to pursue, even while working toward his Ph.D. in Global Leadership. Building Trust: Successful leaders must empower their teams by establishing a clear vision, providing support, and letting go of control to allow their people to execute high-stakes missions effectively. Personal Sacrifice: Colonel Mitchell discusses the personal toll of leadership in combat, sharing how his focus on his troops often meant placing their needs above his own and his family’s. Loving Your People: Mitchell explains how elite leaders care deeply about their teams, visiting soldiers at forward operating bases to check on their well-being, not just their performance. This personal connection is crucial for enduring the relentless demands of leadership. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Bob delves deeper into the leadership lessons that transcend the battlefield and can be applied to any high-stakes environment! ►►Register for our next Think Tank: InitiativeOne: Leadership Institute Eliminate Drama, Improve Decision-Making, and Win as a Team. To learn more, visit Leadership Transformation | Leadership Foundations | Strategic Planning | Online Leadership Courses | Keynote Speaking | Executive Coaching Follow Us: Facebook: / initiativeone Instagram: / initiativeone LinkedIn: / initiativeone X: / initiativeone /episode/index/show/13e9efea-2e5d-471c-a452-0e22e0d571f0/id/33130342

Conflict & Forgivness in Leadership with Tehassi Hill 09/18/2024

Conflict & Forgivness in Leadership with Tehassi Hill In this episode, Dr. Fred Johnson connects with Tehassi Hill, a seasoned leader from the Oneida Nation. They explore the challenges of leading a complex organization like a Native American tribe, particularly in the face of generational trauma. Through candid conversations, they detail key leadership skills that have helped Tehassi rise above chaos, maintain calm in the midst of tension, and create positive change. Tehassi shares his approach to deep listening, how to handle high-stress situations, the importance of maintaining balance in life, and what to do in the face of hurt or betrayal. Tehassi shares his personal experiences with forgiveness, emphasizing that holding onto grudges only adds to the burdens of leadership. Forgiving and moving forward strengthens leadership and promotes unity. Tune in for this episode that is packed with insights from a leader who has mastered the art of listening, emotional intelligence, and resilience. Whether you're leading a team, organization, or community, the principles shared here will provide valuable guidance on how to navigate challenges and lead with integrity. Leadership Transformation | Leadership Foundations | Strategic Planning | Online Leadership Courses | Keynote Speaking | Executive Coaching Follow Us: Facebook: / initiativeone Instagram: / initiativeone LinkedIn: / initiativeone Twitter: / initiativeone On behalf of the Oneida Nation, Chairman Hill serves on the Board of Directors for the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, which is a consortium of 11 Tribes in Wisconsin and Lac Vieau Desert of Michigan and is liaison for the National Congress of American Indians. For the State of Wisconsin, Chairman Hill serves on the Natural Resources Damage Trustee Council and is a designee to Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Tribal Operating Committee. /episode/index/show/13e9efea-2e5d-471c-a452-0e22e0d571f0/id/33028812